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 KngravPtl for llolUslers Hislorv of Ci.nnrcticul. 
 
THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 GOIIECTICUT, 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE COLONY TO THE ADOPTION OF THE 
 PRESENT CONSTITCTION. 
 
 BY G. H. IIOLLISTER. 
 
 3n (^uio llolumt'0: 
 
 VOL. II, 
 
 ' Their force would be most disproportionately exerted against a brave, jeiierons, ami united peo- 
 ple, Willi arini in tlieir hands and cciurnn;e in their hearts ; three millions of people, the genuine 
 descendants of a valiant and pious ancestry, driven to those deserts by the narrow maxims of a 
 superstitious tyranny." — Earl of Chathavi. 
 
 NEW HAVEN: 
 
 DURRIE AND PECK. 
 1855. 
 
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, 
 
 BY G. ir. IIOLLISTER, 
 iu the Clerk's Oft'ice of the District Court of Connecticut. 
 
 V\A 
 
 R. H. HOBBS, 
 Stereotvper, Hiirttbrri, Ct 
 
 CASE, TIFFANY &• CO., 
 Printers. Ilnrlfurii, Conn. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 When employed in writing the fii-ist volunie of this work, it was a pleasure to 
 dwell upon the ti'aits of individual imn who tVll under my observation. But on 
 reaching the period of the last Fivneh war, the papulation of the colony was 
 found to have multiplied so rapidly that the task became more difficult, and when 
 the attempt was made to give an account of men who lived, and events which 
 transpired three quarters of a century later, it appeared almost impossible 
 to embrace within a small volume even an outline of our history. Aware of the 
 many imperfections of this work, it would be ungrateful in me not to acknowl- 
 edge that it would have been mueii more (ii)en t<t criticism than it is, had not the 
 contributions of friends, too numerous to be named here, been used without stint 
 as they weie given without reserve. 
 
 The names of some of these contributors have bien already mentioned in notes. 
 To them should be added those of tlie Rtv. Tryon E<lwards, D.D., the Rev. 
 Chauncey A. Goodrich, D.D., the lion. Rogei- S. Baldwin, LL. D., the Hon. O. 
 S. Seymour, the lion. Robert C. Winthrop, LL. D., the Hon. Joseph Trumbull, 
 LL. D., the Hon. S. P. Beers, the Hon. Henry Barnard, LL. D., the Rev. Gurdou 
 Robbins, and of Charles F. Sedgwick, Ralph D. Smith, George C. Woodruff, 
 Gustavus F. Davis, Dwight Morris, John C. Comstock,and Charles J. Hoadley, 
 Esquires. 
 
 jNIost especially do I acknowleilge an indebtedness which I never can repay to 
 my excellent friend, P. K. Kilbourn, A.!\I., of Litchfield, for more than two years 
 of unintermitted toil by day and by night, in reading over, copying, collating, and 
 indexing the records of the colony of New Haven, as well as those of Connecticut ; 
 ingathering all the fragmentary evidence, so valueless in its crude state, of fifteen 
 of our old towns, and placing it at my disposal ; in compiling and arranging the 
 appendix to both volumes ; in ])reparing the major part of the notes to be found in 
 this work ; in searching printed authorities and miscellaneous manuscripts, and writ- 
 ing letters, scrutinizing the evidences which have been woven into the text, and in 
 short, doing what I had neither the time nor ability to do in adding to the histori- 
 cal value an<l to the completeness of the work. I should have been unable to do 
 even the little that I have done, without him, and am not willing to let this occasion 
 pass without attempting to do him justice. As a genealogist, I have never seen 
 his superior. 
 
 I am also indebted to John Ivilbourn, A.?.!., for some valuable statistics, and for 
 other assistance which I had little oeeasion to ex[)ect from one not born in Con- 
 necticut, and who had spent most of his life in other states. 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 As this work was not commenced under the pi-omptings of any desire to 
 obtain money or win popularity, but from the mere love of the subject of which 
 it treats, I have no occasion to solicit the indulgence of the public. Still the 
 kindness of the legislature of the state, whose history I have attempted to 
 illustrate, in making an appropriation to aid me in embellishing my work with 
 portraits of some of her noblest sons, I can no more forget, than J can be unmind- 
 ful of the generosity and eloquence with which that appropriation was advocated 
 by John Cotton Smith, Esquire, then a comparative stranger to me, and the assiduity 
 with which he has aided the work in too many ways to be mentioned in a single 
 paragraph. 
 
 In another part of this volume, I have made a brief allusion to the kind assist- 
 ance aftbrded me by my personal friend Mr. George F. Wright. It is a source of 
 much pleasure to me, when I reflect that the old town within whose limits we both 
 were born, can count among her Masons, her Porters, her Days, her Whittle- 
 seys, her Kirbys, her Mitchels, her "VVheatons, her Bushnells,her Brinsmades, her 
 Leavitts, and her other historical names, an artist whose fine genius and taste 
 will be devoted to adorn the little republic whose name is but a synonym for Liberty. 
 The two designs for the state coat of arms that appear in this work, as well as 
 the elegant paintings from which Governors Saltonstall, and John Cotton Smith, 
 were engraved, were all done by his hand. 
 
 Doubtless the critical reader will discover in this volume errors which ought to 
 be corrected, and will find that many events and many names have been either 
 omitted entirely or briefly touched upon, which will seem to him deserving of a 
 more minute notice. 
 
 Will the careful antiquary, more especially if he be a descendant of those men 
 who have fought the battles of the colony, or aided in making its laws, be kind 
 enough to forward to the author such facts as he has in his possession, and 
 impart in a private and friendly way his views upon all points of our history 
 which appear to him to have been neglected. All such suggestions will be thank- 
 fully received, and will afford a basis of future estimate, as well of men as of causes 
 and effects. Perhaps the reader who has formed his taste after such models as 
 Dr. Robertson, will complain that this work does not follow in the old fashioned 
 historical track. The author pleads guilty to the accusation. The day has gone 
 by, when the mere dry details of wars, and civic intrigues, will ever be read with 
 interest. The writer of the present day addresses himself not to the few who are 
 versed in the dead languages, but to the many who read the Englii-h tongue. 
 
 Besides, this is a mere local history. It pretends to do nothing more than to 
 give an account of a small commonwealth. In order to do this efllctually, it is 
 necessary to present in a lively way, the incidents connected with our progress as 
 a people, from the earliest existence of our government. Sketches of individual 
 character, of domestic life, pictures of " the age of home-spun," of the privations 
 and the struggles which could tame the wild lands, wild men, and wild besistsof a 
 new country, and sow its fallow ground with the seeds of civil and religious liberty, 
 can alone " hold the mirror up to nature'' and show us the very body and soul of 
 our past. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Page 
 
 The last French, War. — A turn in our path ; Windham county in- 
 corporated ; incorporation of AViUington, East lladdam, Soniors, 
 Union, Ilarwinton, Canaan, Kent, Sharon, New Hartford, New 
 Fairfield, Cornwall, Torrington, Salisbury, and Goshen ; jealousy 
 of tlie Frcncli ; plan of fortifications; the French reduce Nova 
 Scotia ; hostilities continue ; the French and English commission- 
 ers fail in the attempts to negotiate a peace ; the " Ohio Com- 
 pany;" encroachments of the French ; Fort Du Quesne ; Colonel 
 George Washington's victory ; Fort Necessity ; Washington sur- 
 rendered to De Villier ; meeting of commissioners at Albany ; 
 consolidation opposed by Connecticut, and finally defeated ; opposi- 
 tion to the scheme of the ministry ; Braddock embarks at Cork ; 
 vigilance of the French; the French and English fleets; letter 
 from Sir Thomas Robinson ; troops to be raised ; bills of credit ; 
 officers appointed ; expedition against Crown Point; Baron Dies- 
 kan ; Colonel Williams, Hendrick, and others, slain ; the provin- 
 cials repulsed, but finally victorious ; more troops raised and offi- 
 cers appointed ; the objects accomplished ; General William John- 
 son knighted ; Shirley's expedition ; close of the campaign of 
 1755 17 
 
 CHAPTER II. ■ 
 
 CamjMigns of IIISQ and 1759. — Declaration of war between France 
 and England ; Shirley superceded by Abercrombie ; plan of the 
 campaign ; Winslow appointed to command the expedition against 
 Crown Point ; Abercrombie proceeds to Albany with his British 
 troops; jealousy between the British and Colonial ofiicers; Earl 
 of Loudoun ; his arrogance ; gallant defense of Colonel Bradstreet ; 
 inefficiency of General Webb ; ^lontcalni ; Foit Oswego besieged ; 
 death of Colonel Mercer; the garrison capitulates; conduct 
 
VI CONTENTS. 
 
 Faoe 
 
 of Montcalm and his Indian allies; retreat of General Webb; in- 
 glorious close of the campaign of 1756 ; the contrast; chagrin of 
 the people of New England ; preparations for a ne\Y campaign ; 
 arrival of the fleet from England ; expedition against Crown Point 
 abandoned ; Lord Loudoun's expedition against Louisbourg ; his 
 return to New York ; General "Webb visits Fort William Henry ; 
 Israel Putnam ; Fort William Henry reinforced by Colonel Mon- 
 roe ; Montcalm opens the siege ; Monroe implores assistance from 
 General Webb ; the general advises him to surrender ; he capitu- 
 lates ; Montcalm neglects to provide a suitable escort ; Indian bar- 
 barities; Putnam visits the scene of slaughter; more troops called 
 for; response of Connecticut 45 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Campaign of 1758. — Convention of governors at Hartford; the con- 
 ference proves unsatisfactory ; chagrin of Lord Loudoun ; he is 
 superceded by General Abercrombie ; the curse of bad rulers ; re- 
 capitulation ; the new ministry ; popularity of Pitt ; special assem- 
 bly convened ; plan of a new campaign ; apportionment of troops ; 
 Connecticut votes to raise five thousand soldiers ; officers appoint- 
 ed; bills of credit issued ; taxes laid; commissioners appointed; 
 fleet and armament arrive from England ; movement against Louis- 
 bourg ; capture of Louisbourg ; expedition against Ticonderoga 
 and Crown Point; interview between Lord Howe and Major Put- 
 nam ; death of Lord Howe ; his character ; humanity of Putnam ; 
 Colonel Bradstrcct ; Colonel Whiting; Ticonderoga; an ill-con- 
 trived attack ; the assault abandoned ; indignation of the provin- 
 cial and English troops ; unpopularity of Abercrombie ; Majors 
 Rogers and Putnam ; Molang ; the ambush ; gallant conduct of 
 Putnam ; his capture and torture ; the Indians attempt to burn 
 him ; he is rescued by Molang ; review of the campaign G7 
 
 CHAPTER lY. 
 
 Campaigns o/'l759 and 17G0. — Proposed plan of operations ; twenty 
 thousand men wanted from the colonics; the Assembly convened ; 
 letter from Mr. Pitt ; it is resolved to raise three thousand six 
 hundred soldiers in Connecticut ; officers appointed ; bills of 
 credit ; our quota is increased to five thousand men ; General Am- 
 herst ; his march toward Lake Champlain ; he takes possession of 
 
COXTENTS. Vll 
 
 Page 
 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; capture of Fort Niagara ; expedi- 
 tion of General Wolfe ; he encamps on the Isle of Orleans ; Que- 
 bec ; Admirals Saunders and Holmes ; Wolfe makes an attack, but 
 is repulsed ; a council of otHcers ; it is determined to renew the 
 attack; Gray's Elegy; the Heights of Quebec are scaled; the 
 army arranged on the Plains of Abraham ; surprise of Montcalm ; 
 his plan of battle ; the battle ; the foil of Wolfe ; death of Mont- 
 calm; the victory of the English and provincials; Monsieur Levi 
 attempts to recover Quebec ; Murray attacks him, but is repulsed ; 
 the enemy open the siege ; timely arrival of the English fleet ; the 
 destruction of the French fleet ; flight of the French troops ; Con- 
 necticut resolves to raise five thousand fresh troops ; plan of a new 
 campaign ; Amherst marches against Oswego ; exploits of Put- 
 nam on the Lake ; Montreal and the whole country claimed by 
 the French, surrenders to Amiierst ; a day of thanksgiving cele- 
 brated throughout New England ; the war continues ; Connecti- 
 cut raises three thousand two hundred troops for the service ; the 
 campaign ; reduction of Martinique, and other French islands ; 
 reduction of Ilavanna ; ravages of disease ; peace ; Connecticut 
 ofOcers 92 
 
 CIIArTER V. 
 
 The Stamp Act. — National Debt of England; the colonies to be 
 taxed ; a new administration ; stamp duties ; the sugar act ; 
 the people of New England excited ; a committee appointed to op- 
 pose the stamp act ; their report ; Richard Jackson, Esq. ; Jared 
 Ingersoll, Esq. ; their opposition to the stamp act ; inquiries of 
 Lord Halifax ; IngersoU's remonstrance ; Colonel Barre ; his de- 
 fense of the colonies ; passage of the stamp act ; opposition of 
 the clergy ; measures of the populace ; Mr. Ingersoll accepts the 
 ofiice of stamp-master ; the Sons of Liberty ; the people insist 
 upon the resignation of the stamp-master ; the cavalcade ; his 
 resignation ; John Durkcc ; Colonel Putnam and Governor Fitch ; 
 repeal of the stamp act 120 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Boston Port Bill. — The new ministry ; Lord Greenville and 
 Townshend ; new revenue bill ; alarm among the colonies ; mob 
 in Boston ; ships of v.:ir and an armed force arrive in Boston ; 
 
Vlll CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 non-importation agreement ; mock-festival in Norwich ; a revenue- 
 sloop stationed at New London ; convention of the mercantile and 
 landed interests at New Haven ; New York merchants censured 
 for violating the articles of agreement ; domestic manufactures ; 
 committees of inspection ; the Duke of Richmond ; the Boston 
 Port Bill ; a day of humiliation and prayer ; war-like preparations 
 in Connecticut ; contributions to the people of Boston ; meeting 
 in Glastenbury ; Stonington ; letter from Joseph Warren ; Putnam 
 and Durkee ; the march toward Boston ; delegates to Congress ; 
 recommendations of Congress 141 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Battle of Lexington and Fall of Ticonderoga. — March of General 
 Gage ; stores at Worcester and Concord ; Pitcairn ; the fight at 
 Concord and Lexington; the march against Ticonderoga; Allen 
 and Arnold ; Allen's address to his soldiers ; the garrison surren- 
 ders ; Captain De La Place ; Warren captures Crown Point ; Lake 
 Champlain in possession of the Americans ; the Green Mountain 
 Boys. . 100 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Battle of Butilcer Hill. — Colonel Putnam starts for Concord ; the 
 Connecticut militia follow him ; Major Durkee ; action of the Gen- 
 eral Assembly ; troops raised and officers appointed ; the standards 
 of our regiments ; the military code ; Connecticut pays the bills 
 contracted in the capture of Ticonderoga ; new recruits ; the 
 British army; the American camp at Cambridge; Connecticut 
 officers ; Chester's company ; Noddle's and Ilog Islands ; Gage's 
 Proclamation ; General Warren ; disposition of the army ; char- 
 acter and condition of the provincials; inefficiency of Con- 
 gress ; opposition to a general engagement ; the matter debated ; 
 the counsels of Putnam prevail ; fortifications erected ; Colonel 
 Prescott; the intrenching party ; day-light; astonishment of the 
 enemy ; the fight commences ; the chaplain and Colonel Prescott ; 
 progress of the battle; incidents; General Ward's conduct; activity 
 of Putnam ; British officers ; Captain Chester's letter ; interview 
 between Putnam and Warren ; Major Small ; Colonel Abcrcrombie ; 
 death of General Warren ; close of the battle 173 
 
CONTENTS. IX 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Ex2^edition against Canada. — Election of general officers by Con- 
 gress ; speech of the chiefs and warriors of tlie Oneida Indians ; 
 General Washington joins the army at Cambridge ; meeting of 
 Washington and Putnam ; action of the Continental Congress ; the 
 three vines ; invasion of our coast ; Governor Tryon ; Captain 
 Isaac Sears ; destruction of Rivington's press ; the Indians ; Ar- 
 nold's Expedition through the wilderness ; Generals Montgomery, 
 Woostcr, and Schuyler ; Colonel Allen and Major Brown ; Allen 
 taken prisoner ; the provincials take possession of Montreal ; un- 
 successful attempt upon Quebec ; AV'ooster in command of the 
 northern army ; conduct of Schuyler ; Wooster appeals to Con- 
 gress ; his character vindicated 227 
 
 CHATTER X. 
 
 'Hie British JEvacitate Boston. — Congress and Washington ; difficul- 
 ties encountered; troubles in New York; Captain Sears and Gen- 
 eral Lee ; troops raised in Connecticut for New York city ; threat of 
 Gen. Lee ; gallant exploit of Colonel Knowlton ; a farce and tragedy ; 
 condition of the British troops in Boston ; General Howe's niis- 
 mangcmcnt ; debate in council ; Dorchester Heights ; Colonel 
 Gridk'v; Howe's astonishment; preparations for battle; Howe 
 summons a council of war ; he determines to evacuate Boston ; 
 measures of Washington ; embarkation of the British troops. . . . 242 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Battle on Long Island. — The enemy bound for New York; General 
 Sullivan marches toward that city ; Putnam commands in New 
 Y'ork ; his measures ; the Assembly of Connecticut ; their acts 
 and resolves; melting of the statue of George III. ; distribution of 
 the bullets ; the Wolcotts ; appointment of officers ; new recruits 
 and officers ; the American camp ; Putnam ; the " American Tur- 
 tle ;" Connecticut troops march for New York ; Long Island ; a 
 battle ; Connecticut soldiers ; triumph of the enemy ; General 
 Howe knighted ; the Americans evacuate Long Island ; situation 
 of "Washington ; Captain Nathan Hale ; his fate ; Governor Tryon 
 entertained by Mrs. Murray; the " orchard fight ;" death of Major 
 Cliapman ; Colonel WiUiam Douglas; death of Knowlton ; White 
 Plains ; Fort Washington ; Ca^jtain Beel)e's company ; the New 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Pasb 
 
 York convention; Washington retreats through the Jerseys; Mor- 
 ristown ; the northern army ; General Waterbury ; Sir Guy Carle- 
 ton ; his humanity 259 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Burning of Banbury. Death of ^Yoostcr. — Governor Tryon ; Gen- 
 eral Howe ; Tryon's expedition ; incident at Iloyt's Hill ; Danbury 
 burnt ; the retreat ; Silliman, Woostcr, and Arnold ; AVooster 
 mortally wounded ; action at Ridgcfield ; Colonel Dcming ; Tryon 
 re-embarks ; death and character of Wooster ; Colonel Meigs' ex- 
 pedition to Long Island 296 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Princeton and the Uhjlilands. — Putnam and McPherson ; the old 
 army and the new ; Pcekskill and Westchester ; Colonel Meigs ; 
 Nathan Palmer hung as a spy ; Sir Henry Clinton ; the enemy 
 capture Fort Montgomery; Major Humphreys; burning of Gen- 
 eral Delaney's mansion ; West Point 309 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The Northern Dvimrtment. Capture of Burgoyne. — General Schuy- 
 ler ; designs of Burgoyne ; he approaches Ticonderoga ; retreat of 
 St. Clair ; he withdi'aws to Fort Edward ; Americans defeated at 
 Hubbardston ; Gates supercedes Schuyler as commander of the 
 northern arm}'- ; battle at Bennington ; general engagement at 
 Saratoga, September 19th; movements of the two armies; Bur- 
 goyne surrenders ; terms of capitulation ; Captain Seymour ; in- 
 dignity offered to Burgoyne 319 
 
 CHAPTER XY. 
 
 Wyoming. — The Susquchannah Company ; description of Wyoming; 
 the land purchased ; Congress at Albany ; emigrants from Con- 
 necticut settle in the valley ; they arc driven off by the Indians ; 
 renewed attempts to settle there ; settlers under the Pennsylvania 
 claim ; Captain Ogden ; Shcrifl' Jennings ; Connecticut settlers im- 
 
CONTENTS, XI 
 
 Paob 
 
 prisoned ; they arc released on bail, and again imprisoned ; at- 
 tempts to negotiate a settlement of the controversy ; Fort iJurkeo 
 often captured and re-captured ; Zebulon Butler ; negotiations re- 
 newed, but without success ; Wyoming is annexed to Litchfield 
 county, and called the town of Westmoreland ; the contest between 
 the settlers and the government of Pennsjdvania continues ; Colo- 
 nel Plunket; the Revolution ; patriotism of the settlers ; scouting 
 parties and spies ; the soldiers of Wyoming called off on duty ; 
 invasion of the valley by Colonel John Butler; defense of Colonel 
 Zebulon Butler ; death of Captain Durkee ; the " massacre of Wy- 
 oming; shocking incidents; list of the slain ; Captain John Frank- 
 lin ; Indian murders and cai)tivities ; the old contest revived ; com- 
 missioners meet at Trenton ; their decision adverse to Connecticut; 
 compromise proposed by the Penns3dvania land-holders ; the set- 
 tlers driven off ; their wrongs and sufferings; charged with trea- 
 son ; imprisonment of Colonel Franklin ; abduction of Colonel 
 Pickering ; confirming laws 330 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Brandy icine^ Germantown, and Ilorsenecl: — Battle of the Brandy- 
 wine ; Germantown ; Colonel Swift ; Lieutenant Morris ; Mud 
 Lsland; Lieutenant-Colonel Russell; session of the General Assem- 
 bly ; Generals Putnam and Wolcott ; Colonels Trumbull and 
 V,"adsworth ; Valley Forge ; the enemy evacuate Philadelphia ; 
 battle of Monmouth ; Sullivan attempts to recover Rhode Island ; 
 defense of the sea-coast; troops raised; the public debt; General 
 Putnam's quarters at Reading ; a revolt supi)resscd ; the enemy at 
 Ilorseneck ; Putnam's wonderful escape ; Trj^on's excursion to 
 New Haven; he burns Fairfield, Green's Farms, and Norwalk; 
 Governor Tryon and General Parsons ; storming of Stony Point ; 
 Major Tallmadge's expedition to Long Island ; General Putnaui 
 disabled ; more troops to be raised ; convention called at Hartford ; 
 dragoons and French troops quartered in Connecticut; the south- 
 ern campaign; Washington and Rochambcau in Hartford; the 
 treason of Arnold ; fate of Major Andre; Jonathan Trumbull; 
 Major Tallmadge ; Mr. Champion's prayer; a revolt; the French 
 squadron ; mails intercepted ; French and American troops 
 march toward Now York ; they formed a junction near White 
 Plains ; a reconnoisance ; plan of operations charged ; the coast- 
 guard 3Gc 
 
XU CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Arnold hums ITew London. Fall of Forts Trumlull and Qrisicold. 
 Frequent disturbances on the Sound ; prizes taken ; Arnold sails 
 for New London ; Colonel Ledyard ; Captains Shaplcy and Latham ; 
 condition of the forts ; conduct of Arnold ; Lord Dalrymple ; New 
 London burnt ; the forts summoned to surrender ; Ledyard's re- 
 ply ; his gallant defense ; murder of Ledyard, Shapley, and Chap- 
 man ; the massacre; Captain Beckwith ; torture of the wounded; 
 anecdotes of Arnold 396 
 
 CHATTER XVIII. 
 
 Yorlctoicn. Trumlull and Putnam — Major Tallmadge; the French 
 fleet ; Yorktown ; the allied armies ; the combined armies of 
 America and France form a junction with Lafoyette at Williams- 
 burg, and from this point march against Lord Cornwallis ; rela- 
 tive numbers of the two armies ; the British strongly fortified at 
 Yorktown; the storming of the outposts ; the forlorn hope; Colo- 
 nel Alexander Hamilton ; Captain James Morris, of Litchfield, 
 commands the company at the head of the column that supports 
 the forlorn hope ; the post carried ; the allied forces get possession 
 of the grounds that overlook the town ; the British hemmed in on 
 all sides ; the artillery begin to play upon the town ; Cornwallis 
 attempts to cross over to Gloucester, and force his way through 
 the trooi)S on that side of the river; a violent storm ; flag of truce 
 sent out, requesting cessation of hostilities for the space of twenty- 
 four hours ; General Washington sends back word that he will 
 grant them two hours only ; surrender of Cornwallis ; the 
 contest determined ; treaty of peace ; important statement of Dr. 
 Strong; Colonel Seth Warner; sketch of Governor Trumbull; 
 the last days of Putnam ; his character 415 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Tlie Constitution of the United States. — Meeting of the convention; 
 the Connecticut delegation; their participation in the debates; the 
 services rendered by them ; the Sliermans; the Ellsworths; the 
 Johnsons ; the debate continued ; each article of the constitution 
 considered separately ; the influence of the Connecticut delegates ; 
 meeting of the state convention ; speech of Oliver Ellsworth ; rati- 
 fication of the federal constitution 435 
 
CONTENTS. XI] 1 
 
 Page 
 
 CHATTER XX. 
 
 iTeic and Derivative Tmons. — ()r<!;aniz<ation of Litchfiekl, Middlesex, 
 and Tolland counties; Lebanon, Woodstock, Suffield, Enfield, 
 Somcrs, Reading, Chatham, East AVindsor, Southington, Washing- 
 ton, Cheshire, Watertown, East Hartford, Ilartland, Norfolk, 
 Barkhamsted, Winchester, Colebrook, Bridgeport, and other 
 modern towns 463 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Miscellaneous Events. ^Var of 1SV2. Hartford Convention. — Our 
 first senators and representatives in Congress ; religious tolera- ■ 
 tion ; turnpike roads ; Massachusetts' boundary ; General Eaton's 
 expedition ; Captain Isaac Hull ; the embargo ; declaration of war 
 against Great Britain ; legislative action ; opposition to the war ; 
 Governor Griswold ; the Constitution and Guerriere ; death of Gov- ^ 
 
 ernor Griswold ; Governor Smith ; Couunodorc Decatur's squadron 
 blockaded in New London harbor ; a torpedo-ship ; General Bur- 
 beck ; "blue lights ;" spirited adventures; Captain John How- 
 ard ; bombardment of Stonington ; Commodore Hardy ; Commo- 
 dore McDonough ; the CJeneral Assembly ; controversy between 
 the state and general governments; Hartford convention; roll of 
 delegates; doings of the convention ; sketches of the delegates 
 from Connecticut ; the General Government supplicated ; news of 
 peace arrives ; exchange of salutes 472 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 The present Constitution of Connecticut. — Events which preceded 
 and led to the constitutional convention; the convention called; 
 the constitution formed ; sketch of his excellency, John Cotton 
 Smith; sketch of his excellency, Oliver Wolcott 510 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Early Jurisprudence of Connecticut. — Religious toleration ; "Quak- 
 ers, Ranters, and Adamites ;" ecclesiastical dominion ; the proper 
 mode of interpreting laws and ascertaining what is their true 
 spirit ; our criminal code the simplest in the world, and practically 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 the most bloodless ; fewer executions have taken place in Connec- 
 ticut than elsewhere ; the impropriety of calling Connecticut a 
 " blue law" state ; the authors of this nick-name were aliens, and 
 either dishonest or ignorant of the history and character of the 
 people who founded the colony ; religious toleration of the in- 
 habitants evinced in aifording a place of refuge for Mrs. Hutchin- 
 son, and in hiding the Regicides at the pei'il of their own lives ; 
 also in the statute published in the code of 1G72, which took the 
 lead of all the other states of the world in tolerating other denom- 
 inations ; they believed in witchcraft ; this was borrowed from the 
 Hebrew code and from the laws of England ; this law was almost 
 a dead letter ; it was not strange that our people believed in the 
 existence of sucli a crime ; Cudworth, one of the best of men ; 
 James I., James H., Queen Elizabeth, Lord Bacon, Lord Coke, Sir 
 "Walter Raleigh, Lord Mansfield, and Lord Ilale, all held to the 
 same doctrine ; sumptuary laws ; the people were obliged by law 
 to go to meeting ; this was by no means exclusively a puritanical ^ 
 measure ; Act of 35th of Elizabeth ; the offender not conform- 
 ing was obliged to abjure the realm — if he came back without 
 license he was to be adjudged a felon and suffer death ; our ances- 
 tors have been charged with bigotry, and of being afraid of the 
 devil — fearing the devil is not the worst cowardice in the world ; 
 ecclesiastical dominion 526 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Eplsco2>aey in Connecticut. — The Stratford Church ; resolve of the 
 General Court ; the society for propagating the gospel in foreign 
 parts ; first attempt to introduce episcopacy in Connecticut ; Mr. 
 Muirson ; Mr. Pigot ; Dr. Cutler ; Dr. Samuel Johnson ; Rev. 
 James Wetmore ; Mr. Beach ; efforts to obtain a bishop ; Dr. Learn- 
 ing ; consecration of Bishop Seabury; .sketch of his character; 
 Bishop Jarvis 539 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Other licUgious Denominations. — Methodism ; its rise and progress 
 in Connecticut; Jesse Lee; Rev. Dr. Fisk; sketch of the progress 
 of the Baptists ; the Wightmans ; other distinguished clergymen ; 
 the "great awakening." 554 
 
CONTENTS. XV 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 Schools, Colleges, Science, Art, and Literature. — Early legislation on 
 the subject of Education ; the school fund; Honorable James HiU- 
 housc ; Yale College ; its presidents and benefactors ; its graduates ; 
 Jonathan Edwards ; Dr. Bellamy ; Litchfield Law School, and 
 Female Academy ; other institutions ; our poets, the Athens of 
 America ; Trumbull, Barlow, General Humphreys, and Dr. Dwight, 
 were the first American poets who made any impression upon the 
 popular mind ; since their day we have had a new era in letters ; 
 Uillhouse, the most stately and artistic of those who have passed 
 from the stage of life ; Brainerd, his " Falls of Niagara ;" Lemuel 
 Hopkins, Richard Alsop, Elihu Hubbard Smith, Mrs. Laura Thurs- 
 ton, Miss Martha Day, James Otis Rockwell, Hugh Peters, E. P. 
 Moxson, and others ; the propriety of mentioning our living poets 
 in the text : Fitz Green Hallack, his " Marco Bazzaris," his works o - 
 compared with those of Gray ; his poem upon Connecticut ; Per- / 
 cival, John Pierpont, Prentice, Mrs. Sigourney, Mrs. Ann Ste- 
 vens, ilrs. Emma Willard, Goodrich, Nichols, Wetmore, Hill, 
 Brown, Dow, Burleigh, Park, and William Thompson Bacon ; 
 John Trumbull, the artist; Whitney, Fitch, Junius Smith, Morse, 
 Mansfield, Kirby, Treadwell, Ballamy, the conclusion G44 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Delegates to the convention that ratified the constitution of the 
 United States ; delegates to the convention that formed the constitu- 
 tion of 1818; Common Schools; Trinity college; biographical 
 sketches ; Andrew Adams ; Ethan Allen ; L'a Allen ; John Allyn ; 
 Richard Alsop ; Samuel Austin ; E. C. Bacon ; Azel Backus ; A. Bald- 
 win ; S. Baldwin ; Joel Barlow ; Colonel Beebe ; Lyman Beechcr ; E. 
 Boardman ; J. Brace; S. Bradley; J. Buel ; Aaron Burr; Charles 
 Chauncey ; W. Chipman ; Daniel Chipman ; Thomas Chittenden ; 
 Samuel Church ; Leman Church ; John P. Cushman ; David Dag- 
 gett; Silas Deane ; Daniel S.Dickinson; Timothjr Dwight ; Eli- 
 phalet Dyer; WiUiam Edmond ; Jonathan Edwards; Pierpont 
 Edwards ; Henry W. Edwards ; Tliomas Fitch ; John Fitch ; 
 Samuel Foote; Thomas Gallaudet; Calvin Goddard; Nathan Gold ; 
 Chauncey Goodrich; Elizur Goodrich; Gideon Granger; Edward 
 D. Griffin; Alexander Griswold ; Matthew Griswold ; Stanley 
 Griswold ; Lyman Hall ; James Hillliouse ; William Hillhouse ; 
 Benjamin Hinman ; Royal R. Hinman ; Peter Hitchcock ; Samuel 
 
XVI CONTENTS. 
 
 Fagk 
 
 J. Hitchcock ; Horace Holley ; Abiel Holmes ; Samuel Hopkins ; 
 Titus Hosmer ; Stephen T. Hosmer ; Samuel Huntington ; Joseph 
 Huntington ; Jabez Huntington ; Jedediah Huntington ; Benjamin 
 Huntington ; E. Huntington ; I. W. Huntington ; Jarcd Ingcrsoll ; 
 I. Ingcrsoll ; AV^illiam Johnson ; S. S. Johnson ; James Kilbournc ; 
 James S. Kingslcy; Ephraim Kirby ; James Lanman; Richard 
 Law ; Jonathan Pijchard Law ; Jarcd Mansfield ; Charles Marsh ; 
 Jeremiah Mason f* R. J. Meigs ; J. Meigs ; Samuel J. Mills ; S. W. 
 Mitchell ; J. Morse ; Amasa J. Parker ; E. Phelps ; Samuel S. 
 Phelps; Timothy Pitkin ; William Pitkin; D. Plumb; Peter B. 
 Porter ; Samuel Prentiss ; James Riley ; E. Root ; J. Root ; Gurdon 
 Saltonstall ; Theodore Sedgwick ; Horatio Seymour ; E. Silliman ; 
 Gold Selleck Silliman ; Richard Skinner ; T. Smith ; Junius Smith ; 
 Nathan Smith ; Perry Smith ; Ambrose Spencer ; Harriet Beech- 
 er Stowe ; J. Strong ; M. Stuart ; J. Talcott ; Gideon Tomlinson ; 
 Uriah Tracy ; Samuel Wales ; R. H. Walworth ; Noah Webster ; 
 E. Wheelock ; John Wheelock ; E. Whittlesy ; Calvin Willey ; E. 
 Williams ; William Williams ; Elisha Yale ; E. Young ; sketch of 
 Colonel Thomas Knowlton 611 
 
HISTORY 
 
 CONIECTICUT. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE LAST FRENCH WAE. 
 
 It is needless to tell the reader that a turn in our path 
 presents to the eye a landscape more extensive than any that 
 we have before caught glimpses of as we journeyed together. 
 I do not mean to say, that the character of the scenery is 
 entirely unlike any that we have before paused to look upon; 
 but we seem now to be rather in the condition of travelers 
 who, having started in company to explore some navigable 
 stream, began with the slender rills that almost lost them- 
 selves in the gorges of the mountains before they met ; as 
 we advanced, committing our birchen canoes to the strength- 
 ening current where it could be safely trusted, bearing them 
 upon our shoulders where rocks, rapids, or cataracts were 
 interposed — until the opening hills disclose at last a deep cur- 
 rent rolling between banks well-defined, though irregular 
 enough to fill the soul with beautiful forms, and bearing us 
 so steadily upon its bosom as it flows towards the ocean, that 
 we become almost unconscious that we are moving. Yet 
 before yielding ourselves up to the will and rythm of the 
 stream, we must pause once more and explore the fountains 
 of some of its beautiful tributaries. 
 
 At the May session of the legislature, 1726, the county of 
 Windham was incorporated, and the several county officers 
 were appointed. It consisted of the townships of Windham, 
 Lebanon, Canterbury, Mansfield, Plainfield, Coventry, Pom- 
 fret, Killingly, Ashford, Voluntown, and Mortlake (now 
 Brooklyn.) 
 
 34 
 
18 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Willington was sold by the colony in May 1720, for five 
 hundred and ten pounds, to the following gentlemen, viz., 
 Roger Wolcott, Esq. of Windsor, John Burr of Fairfield, 
 John Riggs of Derby, Samuel Gunn and George Clark of 
 Milford, John Stone and Peter Pratt of Hartford, and 
 Ebenezer Fitch. The population had so increased in 1728, 
 that the Rev. Daniel Fuller was ordained to the pastoral 
 office over the church and congregation. 
 
 East Haddam was vested with town privileges in 1734, 
 having previously for many years been a parish of Haddam, 
 The first minister of the place, the Rev. Stephen Hosmer, 
 was ordained May 3, 1704. This town has produced its full 
 share of eminent men, among whom I may name the Hon. 
 Epaphroditus Champion, member of Congress, and Col. 
 Henry Champion. The " Moodus Noises" in East Haddam 
 formerly attracted much attention. They appear to have 
 consisted of subterranean rumblings, resembling continuous 
 shocks of earthquakes, some of which were so violent as 
 visibly to shake the ground and buildings. Mr. Hosmer 
 says — "Oftentimes I have observed them coming down from 
 the north, imitating slow thunder, until the sound came near 
 or quite under, and then there seemed to be a breaking, like 
 the noise of a cannon shot, or severe thunder, which shakes 
 the houses and all that is in them." They sometimes occur- 
 red several times in a day; and sometimes only at long 
 intervals.* 
 
 Somers constituted the south-east part of the ancient town 
 of Springfield, granted by Massachusetts to Mr. Pyncheon 
 and his company. In 1726, it was made a distinct ecclesi- 
 astical society by the General Court of Massachusetts, and 
 was named East Enfield. The first permanent settlement 
 was made in 1713, when Edward Kibbee, James Pease, 
 Timothy Root, and Richard Montgomery, with their fami- 
 lies, moved on to the tract. The town was incorporated in 
 1734. 
 
 * See Trumbull, ii. 91, 93. 
 
CANAAN, KENT, SHARON, 19 
 
 The settlement of Union began in 1727, and tiie town was 
 incorporated in October, 1734. Among the first settlers were 
 William McNall, John Lawson, and James Sherrer, from 
 Ireland. 
 
 Harwinton was incorporated in October, 1737, about six 
 years after the settlement commenced. The early and most 
 prominent settlers bore the names of Brace,* Messenger, 
 Hopkins, Catlin,f Webster, Phelps, and Wilson. The Nau- 
 gatuck river forms the western boundary of Harwinton, 
 separating it from Litchfield. 
 
 Canaan was sold at auction in New London, in January, 
 1738, and the settlement on the lands was commenced during 
 the same year by John Franklin, Uaniel and Isaac Lawrence 
 and others. The town was incorporated in 1739 ; the Rev. 
 Elisha Webster was ordained as pastor in October, 1740. 
 This town is largely engaged in the manufacture of iron. 
 The Housatonic at this point has a perpendicular fall of 
 sixty feet, and the stream for several miles is quite rapid, 
 affording one of the best water powers to be found in the state. 
 
 The tract embracing the present towns of Kent and War- 
 ren, was sold at auction in Windham in March, 1738, and 
 the settlement commenced the same year. It was incor- 
 porated as a single town in October, 1739, and was named 
 Kent. The first minister was the Rev. Cyrus Marsh. On 
 the west side of the Housatonic, in the lower part of this 
 town, was the seat of the Scatacook tribe of Indians. The 
 legislature at an early date made a reservation of certain 
 lands in that vicinity for the benefit of these Indians, and a 
 few individuals of the tribe still occupy a portion of the 
 reservation. The Moravians established a mission among 
 the Scatacooks in 1743. They baptized one hundred and 
 fifty of them, among whom was the chief sachem. 
 
 Sharon was surveyed by a legislative committee in 1732; 
 
 * The late Hon. Jonathan Brace, an eminent citizen of Hartford, was a native 
 of Harwinton. 
 
 t This name has furnished many able and highly esteemed men, and has been a 
 conspicuous name in the town from its organization to the present time. 
 
20 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 was sold in October, 1738; and began to be settled in 1739, 
 during which year it was incorporated. Sharon is a rich 
 township of land, and has nurtured a goodly number of 
 excellent and talented men, some of whom lived and died 
 within her borders, while others became prominent in neigh- 
 boring or distant states.* 
 
 The settlement of New Hartford began in 1733, and the 
 town was incorporated soon after. The first settlers were 
 Watson, Merrell, Gillett, Olcott, Kelsey, Andrus, Marsh, 
 Shepard, Douglas, Goodwin, and others. As this was long a 
 frontier town, fortifications were erected as a defense against 
 the Indians. The township contains 23,940 acres. 
 
 In October, 1707, the legislature granted to Nathan Gold, 
 Peter Burr, Jonathan Wakeman, Jonathan Sturgess, John 
 Barlow, and others, of Fairfield, a township of land lying 
 north of Danbury, and bounded west by the New York line 
 and east by New Milford, which they called New Fairfield. 
 It was originally fourteen miles long, and embraced the 
 present town of Sherman. The fact that the Indians of 
 that region were thought to be unfriendly, together with the 
 additional circumstance that the New York boundary line 
 was then unsettled, retarded the growth of the place for 
 many years. On the 27th of April, 1730, the tract was laid 
 out into fifty-two equal divisions, exclusive of four hundred 
 acres which were to be reserved to each of the twelve 
 original proprietors. At the May session of the legislature, 
 1740, the town was incorporated. 
 
 Cornwall was laid out in fifty-three rights, and sold by the 
 
 * Tlie Hon. John Canfield was the first lawj'cr in Sharon in point of time. He 
 was elected a member of the continental congress in 1786, but died in October of 
 that year, aged 40. His nephew, the Hon. Judson Canfield, was much in pub- 
 lic life. Col. Samuel Elmore, a brave revolutionary oflScer ; the Hon. Ansel 
 Sterling, member of Congress and Judge of the County Court; and the Hon. 
 John Cotton Smith, L.L. D., were residents of Sharon ; as is also General 
 Charles F. Sedgwick, the historian of the town, a gentleman highly esteemed 
 both in public and private life. The lion. Messrs. G. II. Barstow, A. J. Parker 
 and F. G. Jewett, members of Congress from the State of New Yoi'k, are natives 
 of Sharon. 
 
<=^^nT7€?z. 7^ ^I^-^pt^'hJ^^J^^^^^^ 
 

[1741.] TORPJXGTOX AND SALISBURY. 21 
 
 colony at Fairfield in 1738. In 1740, the first permanent 
 settlement was made in the town, thirteen families having 
 moved in during that year. Their names were Jewett, 
 Spaulding, Allen, Barret, Squires, Griffin, Roberts, and Fuller. 
 In August 1741, the Rev. Solomon Palmer, of Branford, a 
 graduate of Yale College, was ordained as their pastor. He 
 declared himself an episcopalian in 1754, and soon after 
 went to England for ordination. In the beautiful valley of 
 South Cornwall, the Foreign Mission School was establisiied 
 in 1818 by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
 Missions. At this school were educated many heathen youth, 
 from among the American Indians, and from the Islands of 
 the Pacific — some of whom became missionaries to their own 
 country. The town contains 23,G54 acres. 
 
 Torrington was named at the May session of the legisla- 
 ture 1732, and the survey of the town was completed in 
 1734. The first family who located there was that of 
 Ebenezer Lyman, of Durham, in 1737. Soon after, Jona- 
 than Coe, also of Durham, married and settled on the lands 
 which he had purchased in Torrington. When the first 
 minister, the Rev. Nathaniel Roberts, was ordained in the 
 summer of 1741, there were but fourteen families in the 
 township. The town was incorporated in 1744. 
 
 The township of Salisbury was surveyed into twenty-five 
 rights in 1732, which were principall}" sold at Hartford by 
 the governor and company in 1737. One of these rights 
 was reserved for the first minister who might be settled, one 
 for the ministry, and one for schools. The charter was 
 granted in 1741. Besides being the locality of the most 
 valuable bed of iron ore to be found in the state, it is famed 
 for the richness of its soil, and for the independent circum- 
 stances and general intelligence of its inhabitants.* It has 
 
 * The number of emigrants from this town who have become eminent abroad, 
 is quite remarkable. Among them have been Goveniors T. Chittenden, J. 
 Galusha, and M. Chittenden, of Vermont ; Chief Justice Chipman, and tlie Hon. 
 Daniel Chipman, of the same state; Chief Justice Spencer of New York; 
 General Peter B. Porter, Secretary of War, Member of Congress, &c. ; Hon. 
 Josiah S. Johnston, U. S. Senator from Louisiana ; and ten members of Congress 
 
22 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 various large manufacturing establishments, particularly of 
 iron. The mountains and lakes with^ which it abounds, 
 present some of the most beautiful and diversified scenery to 
 be found in New England. N 
 
 Goshen was sold at New Haven on the^ first Tuesday in 
 December 1737; began to be settled in 1739 ; and was incor- 
 porated in 1749. The Rev. Stephen Heaton, ' of North 
 Haven, the first minister, was ordained in 1740.. • The land, 
 though rough and hilly, is excellent for grazing; and large 
 quantities of beef, butter and cheese are annually sent to 
 market. 
 
 By the twelfth article of the treaty of Utrecht, that part 
 of the old French dominion called Acadia, or Nova Scotia, 
 had been ceded to Great Britain. Yet France evidently 
 intended, from the first, to resume as soon as she could her 
 old sway over the country thus torn from her hands. She 
 now renewed her claim to a large part of the territory, by 
 invading the new settlements, building fortifications and 
 establishing garrisons in them. 
 
 The situation of the French and English colonies "was 
 not such as to answer a long peace." The English, follow- 
 ing the habitudes of the nation that still ruled them, were 
 engaged in the pursuits of trade and agriculture. Although 
 in their new retreat a boundless continent lay stretched out 
 before them, inviting them to take possession, yet the voice 
 of the waves, that had been the lullaby of their infancy, still 
 echoed in their ears, and true to their earliest associations, 
 they sought the friendly neighborhood of the sea. Hardly 
 an English settlement had been formed one hundred and fifty 
 miles from the coast, while they had already occupied the 
 harbors and mouths of the rivers of the whole North Ameri- 
 can sea-board. The English had emigrated for the main 
 purpose of enjoying civil and religious liberty without 
 
 from different states. The Holley family has been eminently distinguished both at 
 home and abroad, in various public stations. The late Hon. Samnel Church, 
 L.L. D., Chief Judge of the State, and the late Leman Church, Esq., of Canaan, a 
 celebrated lawyer, were also natives of Salisbury. 
 
THE FKENCn AND ENGLISH SETTLERS. 23 
 
 restraint. The religion of the rival colonists was the very 
 religion that they abhorred and dreaded as the worst of all 
 national calamities and fatal to the moral and intellectual 
 culture of individuals. 
 
 On the other hand, the French, with little practical 
 acquaintance with the principles of civil liberty, and wedded 
 to a religion that did not recognize the rights of an individual 
 conscience as the English understood the term, had no sea- 
 ports to tempt them to engage in commerce, and they were 
 little inclined to agriculture. They had possession of the head 
 waters of the St. Lawrence, a river that did not allow 
 them to communicate with the ocean at all seasons of the 
 year, and of the Mississippi, that was still less available for 
 maritime communication, and were as much shut away from 
 the coast, as if the vast prairies of the west — to which they 
 laid claim, and over which they roamed in quest of the 
 buffalo, or with the more eager passion to spread the religion 
 that they loved so ardently and propagated with such zeal — 
 were walled in by the high mountains. They saw with 
 jealousy the steady growth of the English settlements, 
 stretching along the sea and extending slowly like a fire rang- 
 ing over a forest, still further into the interior of the con- 
 tinent. The English population was constantly increasing ; 
 while, from their roving habits and unsettled mode of life, 
 the French were subject to sudden checks and liable at any 
 time to be diverted into other channels. Their numbers 
 could by no means compare with those of the English. Still, 
 they were far from being an insignificant enemy. Their 
 two colonies of Canada and Louisiana were peopled by bold 
 and daring men, who were united by the common sentiments 
 of national pride and religious enthusiasm. 
 
 The first emigrants Irom an old country to a new one, are 
 always strong-willed and fearless men, and almost always 
 above the common range of the peasantry. It is only 
 after a new country is partly settled, that the lowest 
 classes venture to seek their fortunes there. So it was with 
 the French settlers of Canada and Louisiana. The very 
 
24 mSTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 extent of the territory that they occupied was calculated to 
 keep them on the alert, and to give them a celerity of motion, 
 and a facility of execution that made them still the more to 
 be dreaded when taken in connection with the fact, that they 
 were not divided by local boundaries, as the English colonies 
 were, and could concentrate their power without the inter- 
 vention of those tedious negotiations that often crippled the 
 enterprises of their neighbors. The old national hatred, that 
 had existed since the third Edward of England had laid 
 claim to the throne of France in the early part of the four- 
 teenth century, was kept more glowingly alive in the breasts 
 of the French emigrants, than in those of the English, who 
 had so many other enemies to subdue, that their attention 
 could not be confined to a single object of hatred or pursuit. 
 The French had also succeeded much better than the Eng- 
 lish, in availing themselves of the friendship and services of 
 the Indians, and had, from becoming familiarized with the 
 horrid modes of warfare practiced by their savage allies, and, 
 from the rough nurture and hardships of the western wilds, 
 had acquired, (if indeed it was not natural to them,) a 
 ferocity of disposition that stains the pages of their colonial 
 history with the most revolting scenes of butchery and 
 murder that are known to the annals of the world. 
 
 Such being the relative condition of the parties, it is 
 not strange that they should have been embroiled in wars 
 for many years previous to the final struggle that put an end 
 to the French power in the west. Regarding with well 
 gi"ounded fear the progress of the English emigration, and 
 the steady advance in wealth and strength that attended it, 
 the French resolved to check the commerce, the agriculture, 
 and the trade, that they could not rival. They therefore 
 conceived the plan of confining the English within their old 
 limits by means of a line of fortifications stretching from 
 Quebec to New Orleans, that would be in the nature of a 
 breakwater to keep back the tide of British enterprise.* 
 Nor did they confine this barrier to the two great rivers, the 
 
 * Holmes, i. 49. 
 
ENCROACHMENTS OF THE FRENCH. 25 
 
 St. Lawrence and the Mississippi, and the lands that lay con- 
 tiguous to them ; but they brought the fortresses so near the 
 English settlements, that vast regions lay between the banks 
 of those rivers and the arbitrary line thus established ; tracts 
 of territory that they could hardly be justified in claiming by 
 right of discovery, and that they appeared as little anxious 
 to occupy as the remorseless savages whose aid they had 
 invoked. 
 
 Long before this, a shrewd French officer had recom- 
 mended that New York should be seized by his nation as a 
 convenient harbor whence they might ship their furs and 
 carry on their commerce ; and now, more than ever before, 
 some maritime channel was felt to be necessary to the pros- 
 perity of the French colonies. 
 
 As early as the year 1731, this jealousy of the French 
 began to evince itself in the erection of a fort at Crown 
 Point, on Lake Champlain, so many miles to the eastward of 
 any other French settlement, as to excite very great alarm 
 among the English — especially as the site of the fort was 
 within the territory of the six nations, their faithful allies, 
 who had never been led estray by the arts of France. This 
 invasion alarmed the province of New York, who looked 
 upon it as the entering wedge to the dismemberment of her 
 territory, and was watched with eagerness by Massachusetts, 
 whose authorities had not forgotten the revelation of Gallic 
 faith in taking possession of the province of Nova Scotia. 
 
 The treaty of Aix la Chapelle left all questions of 
 boundary to be settled by the negotiations of commissaries.* 
 This gave the French an opportunity to prepare the way for 
 new encroachments before the hearing was had. Very soon 
 after the treaty was signed, and before the appointment of 
 the commissaries on either side, they attempted to establish 
 themselves at Tobago, and were only driven from the project 
 by the decided steps taken to defeat it by the British mer- 
 chants. Still, as the French had been restored by the treaty 
 
 * This treaty was signed on the Tth October, 1748. By it Cape Breton was 
 given up to the French. 
 
26 niSTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 to the possession of Cape Breton, they saw with much dis- 
 trust that Nova Scotia was being fast peopled with English 
 emigrants who must ultimately interfere with this isolated 
 domain. The attack made upon the colonists of Nova Scotia 
 by the Indians, who were known to be in alliance with the 
 French, soon after the arrival of Cornwallis* in that province 
 with emigrants to people it, was supposed to point to a 
 general invasion from Canada. 
 
 This storm, that had been gathering so long, at last burst 
 upon the English. Early in the year 1750, a French army 
 of two thousand five hundred men, and with a numerous 
 body of Indians, were sent by the governor of Canada to 
 reduce a large part of Nova Scotia. Such was the celerity 
 of their movements, that they took possession with little 
 difficulty of the vast region stretching from Chignecto along 
 the north side of the bay of Funda to the Kennebeck river. 
 This tract they declared ^vas under the jurisdiction of their 
 king, and they called upon all French neutrals to resort to it 
 for shelter.f 
 
 This incursion was followed by skirmishes attended with 
 various success, between the troops of Cornwallis and the 
 French and Indians. Forts were built and destroyed, and 
 settlements were made and abandoned, on both sides ; but the 
 French, if they gained no decisive victory, found themselves 
 able to keep their footing and strengthen their posts. Corn- 
 wallis, alarmed at the growth of an enemy that was agile and 
 keen, as well as too numerous for them to cope with, begged 
 for aid from Massachusetts to subdue them. This prayer was 
 denied on the ground, that all the forces of that colony 
 would be needed at home to protect their own borders. 
 
 * The Hon. Edward Cornwallis, governor and commander-in-chief of Nova 
 Scotia, accompanied three thousand seven hundred and sixty adventurers from 
 Groat Britain to that island, in 1749. They settled at the bay of Chcbucto, which 
 place was fixed upon as the seat of government, and was named Halifax, in honor 
 of the Earl of Halifax, their first commissioner of trades and plantations. 
 
 t Holmes, i. 41 ; The " French neutrals" were the French inhabitants of Nova 
 Sootia, who were permitted to remain there on their taking the oath of allegiance 
 to the king of England. 
 
[1751.] THE OHIO COMPANY. 27 
 
 At last, the commissioners appointed by France and Eng- 
 land, to settle the questions arising under the treaty of Aix 
 la Chapelle, met at Paris ; but not until those hostile measures 
 had been taken to widen still more the breach that separated 
 the two nations. The countless documentary proofs, the 
 voluminous maps, tiie claim of jurisdiction by discovery, by 
 possession and by purchase ; the discordant parole testimony, 
 the falsehoods that were dressed up in the guise of truth and 
 presented by diplomatic lawyers, whose object it was to mis- 
 lead and confound the commissaries — all helped to distract 
 rather than enlighten the minds of the men who had been 
 chosen for this delicate task. It is not surprising that they 
 gave up all hope of ever coming to a friendly issue, and 
 abandoned their undertaking in despair. The fault of this 
 failure to avail themselves of this last opportunity of settling 
 their old disputes by means of amicable negotiations, can be 
 exclusively charged to neither party, but must be attributed 
 in part to a necessity growing out of the complex nature 
 of the claims, the remoteness of the territory, the uncertain 
 sources of the evidence, and especially enhanced by the 
 natural hatred and the tares which had been sown with the 
 seeds of emigration upon the new continent. 
 
 Nor were the signs of French ambition visible only in the 
 north and east. The arts of peace had already drawn the 
 enterprising traders of Virginia deeper into the interior re- 
 gions of the continent than even the adventures of Smith 
 and Raleigh had at first tempted them. 
 
 A number of noblemen, merchants, and planters, of West- 
 minster, London, and Virginia, had already procured a char- 
 ter grant of six hundred thousand acres of land on and near 
 the Ohio river, far in the interior, in a soft, sunny land that 
 lay beyond the Alleghany mountains. By the superior 
 advantages held out to them, in the prospects of a large and 
 thriving trade with the Indians, as well as from the fertility 
 of the soil, the iiardy adventurers hoped to make up for the 
 inconveniences arising from their distance Irom the sea. 
 The navigable waters of the vast stream that had lent its 
 
28 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 name to their company, helped to supply this deficiency in a 
 good degi'ee. 
 
 The intention of the French, to keep the English hemmed 
 in by the Alleghanies, was now made apparent, by unmis- 
 takable proofs. They claimed all the lands between the 
 Mississippi and the mountains, by right of their first discovery 
 of that river ; and to secure their claims and to keep open 
 the communication between Canada and Louisiana, they had 
 already built a fort on the south side of Lake Erie ; another 
 about fifteen miles south of that, on a branch of the Ohio ; 
 and a third, at the confluence of the Ohio and the Wabash. 
 The governor of Canada, therefore, as soon as he became 
 aware of the contemplated settlement, gave public notice 
 that he would treat as public enemies all subjects of Great 
 Britain who should venture to settle on or near the Ohio 
 river, or should dare to trade with any of the Indians who 
 dwelt there. No sooner did he find that the Ohio company 
 had set his threat and pretended title at defiance, than he 
 proved himself as good as his word by seizing a number of 
 British traders, whom he caused to be taken to the French 
 fort on Lake Erie. 
 
 The policy of restricting English emigration to the line of 
 the seaboard, was fully disclosed, and they had no other 
 course than to throw oft' the already threadbare cloak of dis- 
 simulation, and show their intentions. They immediately 
 built a fort at Niagara, and two others upon the banks of the 
 Ohio. Their line of fortifications was now completed from 
 the mouth of the Mississippi to the St. Lawrence. 
 
 The English colonies were by this time thoroughly aroused, 
 and with the cooperation of the disappointed noblemen and 
 merchants who formed the Ohio company, were able to gain 
 the ear of the English government.* A memorial was pre- 
 sented by Lord Albemarle, the British ambassador at Paris, 
 calling in decided terms for reparation ; demanding that the 
 fort at Niagara should be evacuated and razed to the ground, 
 and that the French military chieftains in America should be 
 * Graham's History United States, vol. iii. p. 361. 
 
[1754.] FORT DU QUESNE ERECTED. 29 
 
 instructed to desist from all further encroachments upon the 
 English colonies. 
 
 This remonstrance produced a qualified effect upon the 
 French government. A polite though very equivocal answer 
 was given to it. A few English prisoners who had been sent 
 to France, were set at liberty, and the English government 
 were assured that such orders should be sent to the governor 
 of Canada as would be satisfactory. Thus was England 
 again lulled into security. The governor of Canada heeded 
 the public instructions given him from the court as little as it 
 was intended he should do. Instead of deserting and dis- 
 mantling the forts that inspired the English with such well- 
 grounded fears, he continued to strengthen them ; and instead 
 of putting an end to the depredations complained of by the 
 British minister, he stirred up the Indians to join his own 
 people in renewed attacks upon the English settlers in Nova 
 Scotia and along the banks of the Ohio.* 
 
 The English colonies soon became aware that the frontier 
 line stretching like a belt of fire tor a thousand miles along 
 the western horizon, bristling with the arms of a proud, im- 
 placable enemy, must be removed still further toward the 
 setting sun, were it to be done, as Louisbourg had been taken, 
 without the aid of the mother country. On the other hand, 
 the British government was willing to aid in the enterprise 
 with more than its usual energy, as it was seen that the 
 dominion of Nova Scotia and the central regions of the con- 
 tinent drained by the Ohio, would be likely to go hand in 
 hand with that of the gulf of Mexico, the southern Atlantic, 
 and the West Indies On the very ground, where the mer- 
 chants of Virginia had begun their fortifications upon the 
 Ohio, the French had already erected a fort that they named 
 Fort Du Quesne. This stronghold was the key to the Ohio 
 and Mississippi rivers. 
 
 The British ministry now directed the Virginians to resist 
 the French aggressions upon the Ohio by force of arms. 
 Orders were also given, that several independent companies 
 * Graham's United States. 
 
80 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 should be raised in other colonies to aid Virginia in the 
 undertaking. Major George Washington, (then a modest 
 retiring planter,) was elevated to the rank of colonel, and 
 appointed to the command of the Virginia troops. As soon 
 as the tidings reached South Carolina, that the attempt was 
 to be made to drive the French from the Ohio, Captain James 
 Mackay set out on his march with an independent company 
 to join Colonel Washington. The companies from New 
 York were also ordered to unite with them. Colonel Wash- 
 ington, without waiting for further recruits, advanced with 
 the Virginia and Carolina forces, consisting of about four 
 hundred men, to meet the enemy. In May, 1754, he fell in 
 with a party from Fort Du Quesne. under Jamonville, and 
 totally defeated them. 
 
 De Villier, who was the chief officer in command at Fort 
 Du Quesne, enraged at the discomfiture of the advance 
 party, now marched against Washington with nine hundred 
 French troops and several hundred Indians. The young 
 Virginian, whose name is now known and honored where- 
 ever throughout the world there beats a heart that loves 
 liberty or does homage to valor, had hastily thrown up a frail 
 protection for his handful of provincials, that he called Fort 
 Necessity. Behind its slender embankments he hoped to be 
 able to defend himself until the arrival of the two companies 
 that were expected from New York. If Washington was 
 ever known to commit a rash act, it was in setting out upon 
 this dangerous march before he had been reinforced, and the 
 early lesson that was taught him at Fort Necessity, may have 
 tempered his then impetuous nature with that happy element 
 of caution and foresight that could alone have sustained the 
 leader of the colonies in the long struggle for which he was 
 then unconsciously undergoing a preliminary discipline. 
 Whether this is true or not, the brave and desperate defense 
 that he made when assailed at Fort Necessity, induced De 
 Villier to tender him honorable terms of capitulation, and 
 allow him to retreat to Virginia without further molestation.* 
 * Trumbull, ii. 354. 
 
[1751.] PROPOSED UNION OF THE COLONIES. 81 
 
 Letters had already arrived from the lords of trade and 
 plantations, advising a meeting of commissioners from the 
 several colonies to devise a general plan of union and defense 
 against the common enemy, and to make a league in the 
 king's name with such of the Indian tribes as could be induced 
 to join in it. 
 
 In accordance with this recommendation, in June 1754, a 
 convention of the governors and principal gentlemen of the 
 several colonies met at Albany. The commissioners from 
 Connecticut, were William Pitkin, Roger Wolcott, and 
 Elisha Williams.* After a short conference, the convention 
 became satisfied that a union of the colonies was necessary 
 to make a stand against the enemy. It was proposed that 
 " a grand council should be formed of members chosen by 
 the assemblies, and sent from all the colonies ; which council, 
 with a governor general to be appointed by the crown, should 
 be empowered to make general laws, and to raise money in 
 all the colonies for the defense of the whole." This plan did 
 not meet with the approbation of the Connecticut commis- 
 sioners. Indeed, it might easily have been foreseen that it 
 could not do so, by those who composed and advocated it, 
 had they remembered with what determination the colony had 
 resisted all attempts on the part of the crown and the gov- 
 ernors of other provinces to merge the charter government 
 in a larger one ; and at a later day, to get the control of the 
 train-bands and to draw money from the pockets of the peo- 
 ple without their consent. Consolidation was the one thing 
 that had been dreaded by the colony for years, and her com- 
 missioners now regarded it as a worse enemy even than the 
 French. That provision in the proposed plan that authorized 
 a governor general appointed by the crown, to exercise 
 authority over the colony, to command her troops and handle 
 her money at pleasure, was enough of itself to secure the 
 dissent of Connecticut. 
 
 When the commissioners returned home and reported this 
 scheme to the General Assembly, it was attacked in a most 
 * Colonial Records, MS. 
 
82 mSTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 merciless manner by the colonial orators and rejected with 
 indignation. It was declared to be the opinion of the assem- 
 bly that the limits of the proposed plan of union were of too 
 large extent to be administered by a governor general and 
 council. They added, too, with characteristic good sense, 
 that "a defensive war managed by such a government, hav- 
 ing so large a frontier, will prove ruinous to it ; that the same 
 in course of time may be dangerous and hurtful to his 
 majesty's interest, and tends to subvert the liberties and 
 privileges, and to discourage and lessen the industry of his 
 majesty's good subjects inhabiting these colonies."* The 
 assembly further desired the governor to send a copy of their 
 resolution to the agent of the colony in England, with in- 
 structions to use his influence against the proposed formation 
 of a general government, and if any attempt should be made 
 there to enforce it, by act of parliament, to resist it to the 
 last. 
 
 Nor did the assembly stop here. They begged the gov- 
 ernor to have an eye upon the other colonies, and see that 
 no meas-ures were taken by them to circumvent Connecticut 
 and bring her into an alliance that was so revolting to her. 
 
 But all these precautions proved unnecessary. The con- 
 templated union was as unpopular in England as in Connec- 
 ticut. Thus the mutual jealousies of the mother country, 
 and of the most free-born of all her colonies, actuated by 
 different motives, united to defeat a union that would have 
 been premature and ineffective had it been formed. 
 
 The ministry had hit upon another scheme that would be 
 likely to secure their own purposes much better. They pro- 
 posed that the governors of the respective colonies, with one 
 or more of their councils, should form a convention to devise 
 measures for the general defense, build forts and levy troops 
 at discretion, and draw upon the British treasury for such 
 sums of money as they should need to pay the bills ; while 
 on the other hand, the colonies were to be taxed by parlia- 
 ment to supply the ultimate funds to meet this contingent 
 
 * Colonial Records, MS. 
 
[I7r)5.] DEFEAT OF COL. WASHINGTON. 33 
 
 demand. Had this measure met with the approval of the 
 other colonies, whose inhabitants were habituated to the arro- 
 gance of a provincial court holding at the pleasure of the 
 crown, it is certain that Connecticut would have resisted it 
 much more vehemently tiian she had opposed the one recom- 
 mended at Albany. But the other colonies viewed as she 
 did this shrewd contrivance to inveigle them into the net 
 cunningly baited and spread by the hands of politicians and 
 court favorites, who were eagerly awaiting the opportunity 
 held out by it to provide for themselves and their needy rela- 
 tives at the expense of honest men. 
 
 When the news of Colonel Washington's defeat reached 
 England, the whole country was filled with indignation. 
 Again the court remonstrated against the French in America, 
 and in turn the French government made evasive answers, 
 filled with hollow professions of friendship. The British 
 ministry now ordered active measures to be taken to put an 
 end to these disturbances by force. They bade the colonies 
 arm themselves against the enemy. The plan of operations 
 for the compaign was, to fit out lour expeditions and march 
 into the several districts invaded by the French, and compel 
 them to retire within their old limits. One detachment, under 
 command of General Braddock, was to repair to the Ohio 
 settlement, another was to hasten to the province of Nova 
 Scotia, a third was to make an attack on Crown Point ; and 
 the last was to restore Niagara to its old dominion. 
 
 As the position of the French on the Ohio appeared to be 
 the most threatening to the peace of the English colonies, 
 and to the general interests of the British government, it was 
 thought expedient that this point of attack should be reached 
 as speedily as possible. About the middle of January 1755, 
 therefore. General Braddock embarked at Cork with about 
 fifteen hundred veteran troops for Virginia.* 
 
 The French were equally vigilant in their prej)arations. 
 Early in the spring, a powerful armament set sail for Canada. 
 It consisted of twenty ships of the line, with a corresponding 
 
 * Graham's History United States ; see also, Holmes' Annals, ii. 59. 
 
 35 
 
84: HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 number of frigates and transports, and four thousand regular 
 troops, with a large amount of military stores.* The army 
 was under the command of Baron Dieskau. 
 
 Admirals Boscawen and Holborn, with seventeen ships of 
 the line and seven frigates, were sent out by the English with 
 a land force of six thousand men, to watch the motions of 
 the French. Boscawen sailed for the coast of Newfoundland 
 with all haste. Scarcely had he arrived there, when the 
 French fleet touched at nearly the same point ; but owing to 
 the thick fogs that settle over that coast like clouds during 
 the spring months, these dangerous war-dogs did not discover 
 each other. A part of the French fleet sailed up the St. 
 Lawrence, and the other found an entrance into the river by 
 the straits of Belisle. While the English squadron lay off 
 Cape Race, two French ships, the Alcide of sixty-four guns, 
 with four hundred and eighty men on board, and the Lys 
 also a sixty-four gun ship, though mounting only twenty-two 
 guns, with eight companies of land troops, fell in with the 
 Dunkirk under Captain Howe, and the Defiance under 
 Captain Andrews ; and after a severe struggle, that lasted 
 several hours, were compelled to strike their colors. f These 
 ships were prizes, aside from the soldiers that they contained, 
 as they had on board many brave officers and skillful engi- 
 neers, and about £8,000 in money. The other French ships 
 found a safe passage to Canada. 
 
 While these preparations were going on, the English 
 colonies were far from being inactive. 
 
 In the spring of 1755, special assemblies were convened in 
 all the northern provinces, and messengers were sent from 
 one to another to encourage them in the work, to learn the 
 measures adopted by each other, and to devise some general 
 plan of operations. 
 
 DurinfT the winter. Sir Thomas Robinson, one of the king's 
 principal secretaries, had addressed to Connecticut a letter 
 
 » Trumbull, ii. 358. 
 
 f Holmes, ii. 68. Eight companies of French troops were taken prisoners by 
 the capture of the Alcide and Lys. 
 
[1755.] PROPOSED EXPEDITION AGAIXST CROWN POINT. 35 
 
 in his majesty's name, informing her that troops were about 
 to be sent to America, and calling upon her to raise her share 
 of the forces that the colonies would be expected to furnish 
 for the war.* In obedience to this requisition, the General 
 Assembly was convened on the 8th of January 1755. The 
 legislature, after making a grateful acknowledgment to the 
 king for the tender regard that he manifested for the welfare 
 of his colonial subjects, declared their readiness to respond 
 to the call, and to show their sincerity by unmistakable signs. f 
 They authorized the governor to comply in every particular 
 with the king's requisitions, at the expense of the colony. 
 To meet any contingent expenses that might arise, bills of 
 credit were again issued to the amount of £7,500. J 
 
 Soon after. Governor Shirley and the General Court of 
 Massachusetts sent to Connecticut a proposal that a provin- 
 cial army should be raised, including Shirley's regiment, 
 upon the following basis : Massachusetts was to furnish 
 twelve hundred men. New Hampshire six hundred, Rhode 
 Island four hundred, and Connecticut one thousand. It was 
 proposed that this army, when raised, should proceed to 
 Crown Point and erect a fort as near that of the enemy as 
 should be found practicable, and prevent any further encroach- 
 ments there, even should they fail in driving the French from 
 their position. § 
 
 This large number of troops was allowed by the assembly 
 with great unanimity. The governor was authorized to raise 
 five hundred more troops, should they be called for, to rein- 
 force the army. The assembly desired the governor to write 
 letters to the other colonies, pressing upon them the necessity 
 of making a like provision for a reinforcement.|| Bills of 
 
 *This letter was dated at White Hall, Oct. 26, 1754, and was laid before the 
 assembly at a session in January 1755. 
 
 t Colonial Records, MS. J Colonial Records, MS. 
 
 §This proposition was laid before the assembly in March 1755, through the 
 Massachusetts commissioners, Messrs. Samuel Welles and John Choate. 
 
 II To meet the exigoncicB of the war, all outstanding bills were ordered to be 
 paid, with interest. Taxes were levied amply sufficient to redeem all the notes 
 called in, and for the reimbursement of the expenses of the war. 
 
86 HISTOKY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 credit with interest at five per cent, were emitted to the 
 amount of £l2,500. At the same session, the officers of the 
 army were appointed, and their wages, with those of the 
 soldiers, fixed.* Wilham Johnson, Esq., of New York, was 
 agreed upon as the commander-in-chief of the army ; Phineas 
 Lyman, Esq., was appointed major-general. The first Con- 
 necticut regiment was placed under the immediate command 
 of General Lyman The second regiment was under the 
 command of Elizur Goodrich, Esq. John Pitkin and Nathan 
 Whiting were appointed lieutenant colonels, Robert Denni- 
 son and Isaac Foot, majors. f 
 
 The expedition against Crown Point was prepared with 
 such haste, that the troops arrived at Albany, their place of 
 rendezvous, before the end of June. Johnson and Lyman, 
 when they reached Albany, were at the head of an army of 
 about six thousand men, together with a large body of Indians 
 under Hendrick, sachem of the Mohawks. Major General 
 Lyman soon marched with the main body of the army along 
 the banks of Hudson's river, as far as the "carrying place," 
 fourteen miles south of the southernmost waters of Lake 
 George ; while General Johnson stayed at Albany to forward 
 the artillery, batteaux, and military stores. J At this place, 
 where the overland transportation between the river and the 
 lake was to commence, it had been thought necessary to 
 build a fort, to protect the military stores as well as to afford 
 a safe retreat for the army to fall back upon, should it happen 
 to prove unsuccessful. Six weeks were consumed in erect- 
 ing the fort and in transporting the cannon, provisions, bat- 
 teaux, and stores, before the army was in readiness to 
 advance to Lake George. It was not until late in August, 
 therefore, that General Johnson set out from Fort Edward 
 for the southern point of Lake George. He was not long in 
 reaching the lake ; but the bringing forward of the batteaux 
 
 * In addition to their regular pay, each soldier was to receive a premium of 
 thirty shillings on enlisting; and each soldier who shall equip himself, should re- 
 ceive an additional premium of sixteen shillings. 
 
 t Colony Records, MS. i Trumbull, ii. 363. 
 
[ITf)"),] FORT EDWARD. 37 
 
 and the other baggage, preparatory to crossing the lake, was 
 a work that was certain to consume a good deal of time, 
 and as the army would be exposed to a stealthy enemy, ac- 
 quainted with the country, of which the English were them- 
 selves ignorant — an enemy unscrupulous in the mode of war- 
 fare as were the hordes of savages that followed in their train — 
 he therefore pitched his camp upon a piece of upland, with 
 the lake in the rear, and flanked by a dense wood and a 
 swamp that appeared to be inaccessible, while the front was 
 protected by a breastwork of trees. Hardly had the army 
 become domiciled in the new camp, when the Indian runners, 
 who were sent out daily to reconnoitre and guard against 
 surprise, brought to General Johnson the unwelcome tidings, 
 that a large body of the enemy was advancing from Ticon- 
 deroga, by south bay, towards Fort Edward.* The garrison 
 that had been left to keep this important post, consisted of 
 only five hundred provincial troops from New York and New 
 Hampshire, under the command of Colonel Blanchard. 
 Should this garrison be overpowered, and the fort, with the 
 military stores, fall into the hands of the French, the expedi- 
 tion would be nipped in the bud, and the whole army perhaps 
 would fall victims to Indian torture and the vengeance of 
 their more civilized masters. f 
 
 Startled at this intelligence, the general sent out several 
 expresses, one after another, to inform Colonel Blanchard of 
 the danger that wms impending, and strictly commanding him 
 to call in all his detached parties, and to keep his whole force 
 within the entrenchments of the fort. 
 
 In the dead of the night, one of these couriers returned to 
 the camp with the news that the enemy had approached 
 within four miles of Fort Edward. A council of war was 
 immediately called, and early the next morning, pursuant to 
 their advice, a party of one thousand men under the com- 
 mand of Colonel Williams of Massachusetts, and Colonel 
 Whiting of Connecticut, with the Mohawk sachem, and his 
 warriors, were sent forward to intercept the enemy. J 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 63. + Trumbull, ii. 366. t Trumbull, Holmes, Graham. 
 
88 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Meanwhile, Baron Dieskau, v/ho had received intelligence 
 that Fort Edward was fortified with cannon, and that the 
 camp upon Lake George was but ill prepared to withstand a 
 sudden attack, abandoned his first design, and hastened to- 
 wards the camp of the main army, where he was confident 
 of an easy victory. 
 
 Scarcely had Colonel Williams with his detachment left 
 the borders of the lake, on his way to relieve Fort Edward, 
 when the advanced parties sent out by Baron Dieskau, dis- 
 covered them and made known the fact to their leader, who 
 immediately ordered his whole force to lie in ambush and 
 surround them. Wary as the Mohawks were, and practiced 
 as they had long been in the tactics of the French, and their 
 Indian allies, they allowed themselves to be caught off^ their 
 guard, and fell with Williams and his men into the snare. 
 Rising as one man from behind their leafy screen, the whole 
 party of French and Indians poured into the lines of the un- 
 suspecting English a deadly volley of musketry. Colonel 
 Williams, Hendrick, the Mohawk sachem, and many other 
 brave officers and men, fell dead upon the spot.* Had a 
 thunderbolt fallen from a cloudless sky, it could not have 
 been more sudden and blinding than this storm of bullets 
 that swept over the ranks of the provincial soldiers. Panic- 
 stricken as they were at the yells of the Indians, the sound 
 of their guns, and the sight of their superior numbers as 
 they bristled around them in such deadly array, Colonel 
 Whiting, the next officer in command, found it no easy task 
 to rally them and bring them into some manageable condition 
 so that he could extricate them from the dangerous defile, 
 and set their faces towards the camp. The best he could 
 do, was to sound a retreat ; but he in vain sought to bring 
 them off in good order. At first a few individual soldiers 
 took to their heels and ran in defiance of all discipline, with- 
 out waiting for their companions ; and then whole companies, 
 following their example, broke their ranks and fled. 
 
 As the firing began at the distance of only about three 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 64. 
 
[1755.] THE AMBUSCADE. 39 
 
 miles from the camp, it was plainly heard there, and as the 
 pursuers and pursued drew nearer, each successive discharge 
 was more fearfully distinct. Thus forewarned of the ap- 
 proaching enemy, General Johnson addressed himself eagerly 
 to the work of defense. A few pieces of ordnance had been 
 brought on from Fort Edward, but they had been deposited on 
 the lake shore at the south landing a good half mile from the 
 camp. Parties of athletic men were sent out to bring in such 
 of the lighter arms as could be moved. The most nimble 
 footed of the retreating detachment soon came running into 
 the camp, followed by the fragments of the broken companies, 
 in a comparatively defenseless condition ; and in the rear, 
 appeared the ranks of Dieskau's veteran troops in good order 
 pressing hard behind the fugitives, and making, with as much 
 dispatch as was consistent with discipline, toward the centre 
 of the camp. At the distance of thirty rods, they halted and 
 began the attack, opening a brisk fire, by platoons. 
 
 The Canadians and Indians screened the ilank of the regu- 
 lar troops, and commenced a dropping and irregular fire that 
 burst along their whole line, each marksman following his 
 own impulse and loading and firing as he chose. This waver- 
 ing fire from the flank, making a jarring contrast with the 
 steady volleys of the regulars, the suddenness of the onset, 
 the uncertain rumors that had floated through the camp as 
 to the numbers who had fallen in the ambuscade ; the efl^ect 
 wrought upon the imagination by the shadows of the woods, 
 that might perhaps conceal as many of the enemy as it gave 
 to view ; all added to the general consternation that perva- 
 ded the camp to such a degree that the oflicers could hardly 
 keep their soldiers in their places. But the French had com- 
 menced their fire before they had come within iiiir musket 
 range of the English, After receiving a few rounds of shot 
 and finding that they had sustained little harm, the courage 
 of the besieged provincials was restored. They returned 
 the enemy's fire with spirit, and in a few minutes the two 
 armies were engaged in a determined and bloody conflict.* 
 
 * Trumbull. 
 
40 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 A few cannon had been hastily mounted, and were now 
 brought to bear upon the invaders. It was never a part of 
 Indian discipHne to withstand the fire of artillery, and their 
 friends, the Canadians, scarcely less savage and unschooled, 
 were little more disposed to encounter the heavy globes of 
 metal that tore up the earth and rived the trunks of the 
 forest trees that they relied upon as their only breastwork. 
 They all fled into the woods, out of the reach of the engines 
 that were so terrible to them, and of course too far from the 
 camp to harm the English or lend any further aid to the 
 French.* 
 
 Finding the flank of his army now exposed to a murder- 
 ous and well-sustained fire, and perceiving that he could 
 make no impression upon the centre of the camp, Baron 
 Dieskau moved first to the left and then to the right, looking 
 sharply for an assailable point where he could force an 
 entrance. But the friendly shelter of the redoubt, where the 
 ground was dry and the footing sure, enabled the English to 
 keep up their fire that did fatal execution along his whole 
 line, raking both front and flank of his exposed and defense- 
 less troops — who had no embankments, not even the cover of 
 a few fallen trees, to thwart the unerring aim of the pro- 
 vincial marksmen. With a sad heart, he abandoned the 
 attempt in despair. 
 
 No sooner did the English army see that the fire had 
 abated, than they leapt over their breastworks and made 
 such a determined attack upon them from every side, that 
 they fled like wild deer when the circle of huntsmen is first 
 seen to have surrounded them. 
 
 At the beginning of the action, the French army number- 
 ed two thousand men. Of these, seven hundred now lay 
 dead upon the field, and about thirty were taken prisoners. 
 The brave Baron Dieskau was himself found entirely alone a 
 little way off" from the field, dangerously wounded, and trying 
 to hold up his sinking frame by grasping the stump of a tree. J 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 64. 
 
 X In this position, and while feeling for his watch to sun'cnder it, one of the 
 
[17:,5.] THE PROVINCIALS VICTORIES. 41 
 
 The loss in the provincial army was only about two hun- 
 dred; and most of these were of Colonel Williams' regiment, 
 and were killed in the woods before they could reach the 
 camp. About forty of them were Indians, at the head of 
 whom, as I have already said, fell Hendrick, the bold and 
 noble sachem of the Mohawks. Of the provincial officers 
 who fell in the woods, besides the gallant Colonel Williams, 
 were Major Ashley, six captains, and several subalterns. At 
 the camp fell Colonel Tidcomb, who had distinguished him- 
 self at the siege of Louisbourg. General Johnson also, and 
 Major Nichols, were wounded.* 
 
 Thus was the provincial army victorious rather from the 
 force of circumstances and the false moves of the enemy, 
 than from any cause that was subject to its own control. 
 Had Baron Dieskau marched directly to Fort Edward, as he 
 would have done but for the messenger who told him of the 
 defenseless state of the camp, the fate of the fort would have 
 been sealed. Even the ambuscade that cost New England 
 some of her best officers, contributed to the overthrow of the 
 French, as the firing in the woods gave General Johnson the 
 opportunity of dragging up from the landing the cannon that 
 frightened from the field the Canadians and Indians, who 
 were the best marksmen in the invading army, and upon 
 whom Dieskau relied for the protection of his flank. 
 
 This battle stimulated the colonies to fresh exertions. 
 Connecticut, as usual, did more than could have been expected 
 of her. Just before the battle, General Johnson had written 
 to Governor Fitch, begging him to send on more troops. In 
 answer to this request, a special assembly was called on the 
 27th of August, and it was voted to raise two regiments and 
 send them forthwith into the field. The officers were ajijjointed 
 at the same session, as follows: colonels — Samuel Talcott, 
 and Elihu Chauncey; lieutenant colonels — Eliphalet Dyer, 
 
 soldiers, supposing he was searching for hia pistol, poured a charge through his 
 hips. The baron was carried to England as a prisoner of war where he died of 
 his wounds. 
 
 + Trumbull, ii. 3G8. 
 
42 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 and Andrew Ward, Jr.; majors — Joseph Wooster, and Wil- 
 liam Whiting; physicians and surgeons — doctors Timothy 
 Collins of Litchfield, Jonathan Marsh of Norwich, and 
 Samuel Ely of Durham ; chaplains — Rev. Benjamin Troop 
 of Norwich, and Rev. John Norton of Middletown.* 
 
 These regiments, consisting of seven hundred and fifty 
 men each, were mustered, equipped and on the march, within 
 a little more than a week after the alarm was given. The 
 colony now had in active service between two thousand and 
 three thousand men.f 
 
 Although so complete a victory had been gained over the 
 French at Lake George, yet the surprise of the party under 
 Colonel Williams, and the danger to which the fort and the 
 camp had both been exposed, awakened the most lively 
 solicitude throughout the northern colonies. It was clear to 
 every mind possessed of any military prescience, that nothing 
 but the most strenuous efforts on the part of the army, rein- 
 forced as it was, would avail against such enemies as they 
 must meet in this protracted frontier war, without the benefit 
 of strong fortresses that would furnish secure retreats where 
 stated garrisons might be kept, where provisions, guns and 
 ammunition might be safely lodged, and where detachments 
 might be sent as the emergencies of the campaign called for 
 their assistance. It was resolved, therefore, that Fort 
 Edward should be made thoroughly defensible, and that a 
 fortification should be erected at the south landing near the 
 spot where so many Frenchmen had fallen, before the army 
 ventured to cross Lake George. In this way a communication 
 could be kept open with Albany, and the rigors of war would 
 be mitigated to the sick and wounded. It was quite obvious 
 that these preliminary labors would consume the autumn, and 
 that it would be impossible to advance to Crown Point until the 
 opening of a new campaign. The utmost zeal was mani- 
 fested in constructing the works. By the end of November 
 a good fort had been built at the south landing and the old 
 one was fairly completed. The soldiers who were not need- 
 
 * Colonial Records, MS. t Trumbull. 
 
[1755.] CLOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN, 43 
 
 ed to garrison the two fortifications, returned home to spend 
 the winter with their famihes. 
 
 Although the main object of the expedition had not been 
 accompHshed, yet much had been done. The colonial 
 army had penetrated far into a pathless wilderness, had cut 
 down the trees and made convenient roads, had constructed 
 a large number of boats and batteaux, had built two forts, 
 manned and furnished them with necessaries for the winter, 
 and had gained over veteran enemies a complete victory with 
 little loss to themselves. Hence, they were gratified with the 
 approval of the colonies, and with the commendation of the 
 king, who conferred upon their leader the title of baronet as 
 the just reward of his valor.* The parliament also voted 
 him five thousand pounds. 
 
 The expedition against Niagara did not thrive as well. 
 Governor Shirley, who was at the head of it, did not march 
 from Albany with his first division until about the middle of 
 July, and did not arrive at Oswego until the 18th of August. 
 On the news of Braddock's defeat, so many of his boatmen 
 deserted him that he could not carry on provisions enough for 
 his troops. He was on this account unable to cross the lake 
 to Niagara. He therefore spent the rest of the season in 
 erecting two new forts — one on the eastern bank of Onon- 
 daga river, about four hundred and fifty yards from the old 
 fort that had been built there in 1727, commanding the 
 entrance of the harbor, and called Fort Ontario ; the other, 
 about the same distance west of the old fort, and was named 
 Fort Oswego. 
 
 Colonel Mercer, with seven hundred men, was left at 
 Oswego to garrison these forts, and on the 24th of October, 
 the rest of the army decamped and returned to Albany.f 
 
 * General William Johnson now became Sir William Johnson, lie was a 
 native of Ireland, but can]e to America in 17.31, and took up liis residence upon 
 the Mohawk, about thirty miles west of Albany. lie learned the Indian language, 
 and acquired a wonderful influence over tlie surrounding tribes. In 1759, he 
 commanded the expedition against Niagara, and look six hundred men prisoners. 
 He died in 1774, aged 60. 
 
 t Trumbull, ii. 371 
 
44 • HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 Thus the campaign of 1755, proved to be only a prepara- 
 tion for future strufjffles. Not a sing-le fortress alona; the 
 whole line to which the French had so ambitiously laid claim, 
 had been taken from them, nor had they been compelled to 
 yield possession of a foot of land along the northern or south- 
 ern frontier. On the other hand, owing to a want of coopera- 
 tion between the colonies of Virginia, Maryland, and Penn- 
 sylvania, and on account of local disturbances and quarrels 
 between the rulers and the people, a comparatively small 
 number of French and Indians were allowed to burn, murder, 
 and pillage the settlements of the south with atrocities that 
 even now, after the expiration of one hundred years, take 
 such a vital hold of the nerves of the reader that he shud- 
 ders, as he reads their details.* As they are foreign to my 
 subject, I will not attempt to depict them ; but hurry forward 
 to the delineation of scenes less remote but not less revolting. 
 * TrumbuUjii. 371,372. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 CAMPAIGNS OF 1756 AND 1757. 
 
 Although England and France had been in a state of 
 actual war so long, still there had as yet been no formal 
 manifesto of the hostile intentions of the two nations. The 
 British ministry still continued to indulge the hope so conso- 
 nant with its own weak views and vascillating policy, that a 
 firm basis of peace might be obtained by friendly negotia- 
 tions. The French court, relying upon its old resources of 
 intrigue and duplicity, had fed this hope with assiduous 
 delicacy, to keep it alive as long as it could serve their 
 purposes. But each successive inroad made by the French 
 upon the English dominion, every attack made upon the 
 southern and western settlements, every barbarity added to 
 the long list of Canadian murders and Indian scalpings, did 
 its part in goading the thick skin of the British ministry 
 into a surface warmth that finally penetrated deep enough to 
 quicken its pace. 
 
 On the 18th of May, 1756, Great Britain made a formal 
 declaration of war against France,* who soon returned the 
 compliment with the most hearty good will, as it would give 
 her an opportunity of making a diversion in favor of her 
 American subjects by attacking the German possessions of 
 King George, where, as was generally believed, his affections 
 were fixed much more strongly than upon any other portion 
 of his almost boundless realms. 
 
 Two months before this, a reinforcement had sailed for 
 America under General Abercrombie, who, in place of Shirley, 
 
 * "Wade, 446. — In the royal declaration, the grounds of hostilities are alleged to 
 be, the encroaehments of the French on the Ohio and in Nova Scotia ; the non- 
 evacuation of the four neutral islands in tlie West Indies, agreeably with the treaty 
 of Aix-la-Cliapello ; and the invasion of Minorica. 
 
46 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 had succeeded to the command of the British forces.* An 
 act of parHament was passed, giving the king power to grant 
 the rank and pay of mihtary officers to foreign protestants 
 residing in the colonies or naturahzed there. f Another act, 
 authorized the king's officers to recruit their regiments from 
 the indented servants of the colonists, with the consent of 
 their masters. 
 
 There had already been held in New York a council of 
 colonial governors, who had mapped out the plan of the cam- 
 paign for the year 1756. The attempt upon Crown Point 
 was to be renewed with an army of ten thousand men ; six 
 thousand of whom were to march to Niagara, and three 
 thousand were to try what could be done toward wiping out 
 the stains that had, in defiance of the advice of Colonel 
 Washington, been allowed to fall upon the British banner at 
 Fort Du Quesne.J 
 
 It was further determined that two thousand men should 
 go up the Kennebeck river, destroy the French settlements 
 upon the Chaudiere, and, following that river to a point where 
 it loses itself in the St. Lawrence, within three miles of Que- 
 bec, do what they could to distract the attention and divide 
 the forces of the enemy. To render Crown Point the more 
 assailable, it was also decided that Ticonderoga should be 
 seized in the winter, while the lakes were frozen over.§ 
 
 General Winslow was appointed to the command of the 
 expedition against Crown Point. || When he came to review 
 his troops, he found that instead of ten thousand that had 
 been allotted to him, he had but seven thousand, and from 
 this small number it was necessary to take men enough from 
 active service to supply the garrisons at the forts. The im- 
 portance of this expedition, and the difficulty of bringing it 
 
 * General Abercrombie brought over with him from England the tliirty-fifth 
 regiment, and the forty -second, or Lord George Murray's regiment of Highland- 
 ers. These two regiments, together with the forty-fourth and forty-eighth, four 
 independent companies from New York, four from Carohna, and a considerable 
 body of provincials, now composed the British troops in North America. 
 
 + Twenty-ninth George II., chap. 5. i Holmes, ii. 69. 
 
 § Holmes, ii. G9 ; Graham, iii. 409. |1 Colonial Records, MS. 
 
fl756.] SITUATION OF CROWN POINT. 47 
 
 to a successful issue, rendered this deficiency of force very 
 discouraging.* 
 
 Crown Point had been, as early as the year 1731, very 
 skillfully selected by the French as the key to Lake Cham- 
 plain — that gate through which all communication between 
 Canada and the fort must necessarily pass. Over the waters 
 of this long, stream-like lake, and under the beetling summit 
 of Crown Point, had passed all those stealthy hordes of maraud- 
 ing and scalping parties of French and Indians, that had then 
 for many years stolen from Canada, and like vampires from 
 the grave, made their nocturnal visits to the frontiers of New 
 York and New England, where they sated themselves with 
 blood and withdrew, ere the morning light dawned upon the 
 settlements that they had desolated, beyond the vigilance of 
 their pursuers. This fortress, from its position, standing 
 midway between Canada and the English colonies, interposed 
 a perpetual barrier to. the reduction of Canada from that 
 quarter, while it afforded to the French a stronghold to 
 which they might retire — a magazine for their ammuni- 
 tion and stores, a hospital where they might receive and 
 recruit their sick and wounded, and an observatory 
 whence they might look along the gray waters or shadowy 
 shore for the first appearance of danger from the east. 
 Could this post be reduced, the frontier of the northern Eng- 
 lish colonies would be safe from surprise, and the enemy 
 would be compelled to retire into those regions lying north 
 of the lakes, so that the way would be open to the very heart 
 of Canada. 
 
 On the 25th of June, General Abercrombie proceeded to 
 Albany with the British regiments, for which he had been 
 so long waiting. This new force swelled the numbers of 
 the army to the original estimate of ten thousand. Of 
 the seven thousand provincials, Connecticut had herself 
 raised two thousand five hundred efiective troopsf — more 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 69. 
 
 tTho quotas of the other colonies were as follows : Massachusetts, tlirce thou- 
 sand five hunflred ; New York, two thousand; Rhode Island, one thousand; 
 New Ilainpshiro, one thousand. 
 
48 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 than double the number that she had been called upon to 
 furnish. 
 
 While the arrival of Abercrombie with the British regi- 
 ments made up the complement of men that had been thought 
 requisite for this expedition, it proved to be the fruitful theme 
 of jealousy and dispute between the colonial and the British 
 officers, growing out of the order made by the crown in 
 relation to military rank. The act of parliament author- 
 izing such a step, had awakened much ill-feeling in America, 
 not only among officers, but among the common soldiers, 
 who chose to be governed by their own countrymen. Even 
 Winslow, when inquired of by Abercrombie, did not hesitate 
 to express his sentiments on this delicate matter with all 
 frankness. If the colonial soldiers were placed under British 
 officers, he said, it must cause general dissatisfaction, and he 
 had no doubt that a large number of them would desert 
 their colors and quit the service.* 
 
 This difficulty was finally settled by an agreement that the 
 provincials should march against the enemy, while the British 
 regulars should man the garrisons. 
 
 Scarcely had the discordant elements that had so long 
 kept the army in a state of fermentation, been composed, 
 when it w^as again disturbed by the arrival of a new digni- 
 tary, who delayed the expedition by another set of negotia- 
 tions. The new party to this dispute was the Earl of Lou- 
 doun, who had been appointed governor of Virginia, and a 
 kind of viceroy to superintend the whole plan of military 
 operations in America. He did not set sail until May, when 
 he ought to have been in America and ready to commence 
 the expedition, if he would have aided in its effective con- 
 summation.! There never was a more untoward appoint- 
 ment than this. His lordship was to have the supervision of 
 every movement, and was to direct all the complex arrange- 
 ments both north and south, that were to be made to deliver 
 the English colonies from their embarrassing condition. He 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 69, 70 ; Graham, iii. 409, 410. 
 tSee Graham, Trumbull, Holmes. 
 
[1756.] THE EARL OF LOUDOUN. 49 
 
 arrived at Albany on the 29th of July, ignorant of the coun- 
 try and of the army, and brought with him all the captious- 
 ness and tenacity that made British rule so odious to the 
 Americans. 
 
 It was a sore affliction that brought Abercrombie to 
 Albany to delay the provincial troops, who, had they been 
 led on by Winslow, would probably have taken Crown Point 
 without British aid ; but the functionary who now presented 
 himself with his dogmatical persistency and almost unlimited 
 commission, was quite too heavy a clog upon the activities 
 of the campaign. No sooner had he arrived, than he 
 demanded of the officers of the New England regiments 
 whether they or the men who were under them were willing 
 to join with the British regulars and obey the commander-in- 
 chief whom the king had appointed ? To this interrogatory 
 those gentlemen responded with one voice, that they would 
 obey his lordship and act in conjunction with the king's 
 troops ; but, inasmuch as the New England soldiers had 
 enlisted for that campaign with the express understanding 
 that they should be under the control of their own officers, 
 they humbly begged that his lordship would permit them to 
 act separately as far as was convenient with the interests of 
 the public service. With a pompous condescension, the 
 viceroy yielded to this request. It is quite certain that the 
 troops from Connecticut would not have consented to any 
 other arrangement without strenuous opposition, for this was 
 one of the few points that the colony would never yield even 
 for the common good.* 
 
 While this fine army was thus passing the summer in 
 shameful inactivity, settling points of etiquette and waiting 
 for leave from its officers to do what at an earlier day Major 
 Treat, or at a later day, Putnam, would have done in six 
 weeks with six thousand effective men, the enemy was gain- 
 
 * The Assembly of Connecticut, as if to guard against the aiinoyaneo of kingly 
 officers, usually guaranteed to those who might enlist, that they should have the 
 privilege of .selecting their own company officers, and that the officers of a higher 
 grade should bo filled by the assembly. 
 
 :i6 
 
60 niSTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 ing every advantage by the delay. Not only had they time 
 to provide against any attempt that the English could make 
 upon them ; but they had even leisure to project and execute 
 a complicated plan of offensive operations. They had 
 already reduced a small fortress in the territory of the five 
 nations, who were known allies of the English, and murdered 
 in cold blood its little garrison of twenty-five soldiers. At 
 the same time the woods were filled with their spies and 
 scouting parties, who kept a sharp eye on all the motions of 
 the English army. 
 
 Having learned that a large convoy of provisions was on 
 the way from Schenectady to Oswego, a party of French 
 and Indians secreted themselves in a thicket on the northern 
 bank of the Onondaga river, to intercept them. Finding 
 that the convoy had already passed this point, the French 
 resolved to await the return of the detachment. This body 
 was under the command of Colonel Bradstreet-7-an officer of 
 keen sagacity, who was in hourly expectation of an attack, 
 and was well prepared for it. As he was sailing along the 
 current of the Onondaga with his company, in three divis- 
 ions, with no sound to break the silence of the wooded shores 
 save that of the waves that rippled against the banks and 
 sank, after a momentary disturbance from the oar, into their 
 old repose, the war-whoop of the Indians rang put from the 
 covert with a distinctness that almost drowned the voice of 
 musketry that accompanied it. The north shore was on a 
 sudden alive with Indians, who immediately forded the river 
 and attacked the English. Bradstreet, who, with a part 
 of his men, had taken possession of a small island, made 
 such a desperate defense that they were compelled to with- 
 draw. Learning that there was another body of French 
 nnd Indians iarther up the river, he landed on the 
 south shore and advanced with about two hundred men to 
 meet them. He attacked them so suddenly and with such 
 energy that many fell dead upon the spot and the rest in 
 their dismay leapt into the river, where many of them were 
 
[175r..] MOXTCALM. 51 
 
 drowned. He then marched still further up the river and 
 routed a third party.* 
 
 In these several actions, extending over a period of three 
 hours, about seventy of his naen were killed and wounded. 
 Twice that number of the enemy were killed, and about 
 seventy of them were taken prisoners. From these prisoners 
 he learned that a large body of the enemy had stationed 
 themselves on the west side of Lake Ontario, with artillery 
 and all the other equipments for. the siege of Oswego. Brad- 
 street hastened to Albany with the news. Before this, Gen- 
 eral Webb, with one regiment, had received orders to hold 
 himself in readiness to march to the relief of that post ; but 
 when Lord Loudoun arrived in Albany, he had not begun 
 his march.f 
 
 General Winslow, with seven thousand New England and 
 New York troops, had already advanced to the south land- 
 ing of Lake George. In perfect health, high spirits, and well 
 provisioned, they were impatient to be led against the enemy. 
 This army left to itself, with such a leader as Winslow was, 
 would have taken possession of Crown Point before that 
 time, if they had been allowed to move forward. But large 
 numbers of batteaux-men still lay at Albany, Schenectady and 
 other places, and three thousand soldiers were kept loitering 
 behind to guard the lazy generals who lingered at Albany 
 until about the middle of August. Even General Webb did 
 not begin his march until the 12th of August. If he had 
 been sick of a camp fever during the whole summer, he 
 would have been quite as useful, and would have had a much 
 better reputation in his own and in after time. J 
 
 But the reader is not to infer that the operations of the 
 enemy were confined to casual ambuscades and irregular 
 skirmishing. On the other hand, the Marquis de Montcalm, § 
 
 * Graham. tTrunibulI. i Tninibull. 
 
 § Montcalm, Louis Joseph do St. Veran, marquis do, was a native of Caiidiac,and 
 descended from a noble family. Having been bred to arms, he was particularly 
 distinc^uislied at tlie battle of Placenza in 17'lfi. TIo rose to the rank of field 
 marshall and was made ffovernor of Canada in 175G. After having successfully 
 
52 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 one of the ablest military chieftains of that age, with about 
 three thousand men, proceeded to invest the forts at Oswego.* 
 He blockaded the harbor with two armed vessels, and stationed 
 a strong party on the roads between Albany and the forts, as 
 if he was in league with Webb and the other officers, who 
 were lagging behind, and was striving to save their sensitive 
 nerves from any shock that might be occasioned by some 
 piece of ill-timed intelligence relating to the remote and 
 dangerous region bordering upon lake Ontario. 
 
 On the 12th of August, Montcalm opened his trenches before 
 Fort Ontario at midnight with thirty-two pieces of cannon 
 and a number of brass mortars and howitzers. This fortress 
 was situated upon a high hill and commanded Fort Oswego so 
 completely as to protect it and render it secure as long as 
 the English garrison could man their guns and bring them to 
 bear upon an enemy from this more elevated site. But 
 strange as it doubtless seemed to the marquis, the garrison, 
 after throwing away their shells and ammunition with little 
 injury to the French, the next day spiked their cannon and 
 retired to Fort Oswego, where they could be more easily 
 reached by the shot of the besiegers. f The French lost no 
 time in seizing the eminence that had been so unnecessarily 
 given up to them, and pointing the deserted guns toward the 
 lower fort, opened such a brisk fire upon it, and sustained it 
 with such unabated vigor, that the garrison suffered severely 
 from the attack. Colonel Mercer, who commanded, was 
 killed by a cannon ball on the 13th, and after his death the 
 officers were so divided in opinion as to the proper course to 
 be pursued, and the soldiers were in such a state of conster- 
 nation, that the eneiny were not long in gaining possession 
 of the fortress. On the 14th, the garrison, consisting of 
 fourteen hundred men, capitulated, and surrendered into the 
 hands of their conquerors one hundred and twenty-one 
 pieces of cannon, fourteen mortars, a well-stored magazine, 
 
 opposed Lord Loudoun and Abcrcrombie, he was killed at tlie siege of Quebec in 
 1759. 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 70. t Holmes, ii. 70. 
 
[1750.] WOOD CREEK FILLED UP. 53 
 
 two sloops of war that had been built to cover the 
 troops in the Niagara expedition, two hundred boats 
 and batteaux, and provisions enough to have held out until 
 relief could have been looked for from any quarter except 
 Albany.* 
 
 The garrison consisted of the regiments of Shirley and 
 Pepperell, and surrendered upon the express terms that they 
 should not be plundered by the Indians, should be treated 
 with humanity, and conducted safely to Montreal. All these 
 conditions were shamefully violated. Instead of sending them 
 to Montreal under a force sufficient to jirotect them, Montcalm 
 instantly delivered up twenty of his prisoners to his Indian 
 allies as victims to atone for the death of an equal number of 
 savages who had fallen by the common fortune of war during 
 the siege. The rest of the garrison, so far from being pro- 
 tected, were exposed to the bitterest taunts of savage exulta- 
 tion. Most of them were plundered, many were scalped, 
 and some were assassinated. The forts were at once dis- 
 mantled and all those precious munitions that had been 
 transported through the wilderness at such cost and at so 
 great an expenditure of labor, were carried off to strengthen 
 the French fortifications against that evit day that had 
 been protracted so long by the inefficiency of the English 
 generals. 
 
 By this untoward capitulation, the French gained the 
 exclusive dominion of the two great lakes, Erie and Ontario, 
 with the whole country of the five nations. The territory 
 bordering on Wood Creek and the Mohawk was also laid 
 open to their ravages. 
 
 General Webb had advanced as far as the carrying place 
 between the Mohawk river and Wood Creek, when tidings 
 reached him of the fall of Oswego. Dreading an attack 
 from the enemy, he began to cut down trees and cast them 
 into the river. In this way he soon rendered it impassible 
 even for canoes. The French, who were as ignorant of his 
 numbers and resources as he was of theirs, adopted the same 
 
 * See Holmes, Truiubull, Bancroft, etc. 
 
54 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 measure to prevent his advancing. He was therefore 
 obhged to retrace his steps, which he did in a very 
 stately and orderly manner. Indeed his march in either 
 direction was more like the movement of a funeral proces- 
 sion, than like the hurried steps of an invading or retreating 
 army. 
 
 The Earl of Loudoun, who appears to have thought that 
 the fall of Oswego was quite a suitable close of this painfully 
 protracted drama, although he had yet left him three good 
 months for operation before winter would set in, and although 
 the army, now at the southern landing of Lake George, 
 could have made an attack upon Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point in ten days, declared that the season was already too 
 far spent to render it safe to make any attempt upon either 
 of those places during that year. He therefore passed the 
 autumn in preparations for an early campaign the next 
 spring. He strengthened the two forts, Edward and William 
 Henry, and overwhelmed them with garrisons. The pro- 
 vincials returned home to spend the winter, and the regulars 
 who were not employed at the forts, went into winter quar- 
 ters at Albany.* • : . .^^ , , 
 
 The reader cannot fail to be impressed with the difference 
 between this campaign and that of the preceding year. In 
 1755, a small army of colonial troops, officered by men of 
 their own choice, had cut through the woods, constructed 
 roads and bridges, erected two forts at well chosen points, 
 built ships in addition to a vast number of boats and batteaux, 
 and to crown all this work, in itself glorious enough without 
 such a consummation, this ill-equipped and comparatively 
 undisciplined army had gained a brilliant victory and taken 
 captive the leader of the French army. They had also taken 
 all the preliminary steps of a vigorous campaign in 1756, and 
 had rallied to the rendezvous as early as the season would 
 allow them to take the field in the spring — burning with a 
 noble ardor to meet the enemy and complete what they 
 had before so well begun. 
 
 » Trumbull, il. 377. 
 
[ITr.C] INDIGNATION OF THE COLONIES. 55 
 
 On the other hand, the campaign of 1756 — with the finest 
 army that had ever set foot upon the continent, with the 
 patronage of the British government, with regular troops, 
 with arms and ammunition in abundance, with roads, boats, 
 forts, and the precious experience of the preceding year — • 
 lost two forts, and sustained a disreputable defeat, without 
 driving tlie enemy from a single position, or taking possession 
 of a single foot of unoccupied land, and went into W'inter quar- 
 ters almost before the frost had shaken down the leaves from 
 the forest trees. 
 
 The mortification and chagrin that pervaded New Eng- 
 land, when the result of British generalship was made known, 
 contrasted strangely enough with the Hattering demonstra- 
 tions of joy that had welcomed Abercrombie and Loudoun 
 to America.* 
 
 Thus all the plans of operation, that had been concerted 
 with such wisdom by the provincial governors, were paralyzed. 
 
 Even General Winslow, who, I have no doubt, would have 
 taken Ticonderoga and Crown Point with the provincial 
 troops, had the British oflicers allowed him to do so, was 
 not permitted to advance against these fortresses, but was 
 obliged by Lord Loudoun to remain in his camp and fortify 
 It against the incursions of the French — that had no existence 
 except in the imaginations of the British oflicers. To repel 
 this anticipated invasion. General Webb, with fourteen hun- 
 dred British regulars, and Sir William Johnson, with one 
 thousand militia, were kept idle during the whole summer.f 
 Never, surely, were so many able-bodied men so busily em- 
 ployed in doing nothing. Throughout Connecticut the indig- 
 nation of the people flashed out from the lively features of 
 the freemen, who discussed the bad policy of the viceroy 
 
 * The people of New England had formed liigh expectations of I^oudoun and 
 Abercrombie. Loudoun, in i)artieular, was everywhere greeted with entliusiasni. 
 " III New Haven," says Dr. Trumbull, " the Rev. President Clap, and the prin- 
 cipal gentlemen of the town, waited on him in the most respectful manner. The 
 president pri'sented his lordship with their joint congratulations on the safe arrival 
 of a peer of the realm in North America." 
 
 + Holmes, ii. 71. 
 
56 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 with a freedom that would have shocked his sense of pro- 
 priety had he been able to listen to it. 
 
 In the face of all these calamities, the British parliament 
 made great preparations to prosecute the war with vigor as 
 soon as the spring of 1757 should open. 
 
 In May, Admiral Holborn and Commodore Holmes sailed 
 from Cork for America, with eleven ships of the line, a fire- 
 ship, a bomb-ketch, and fifty transports, with six thousand 
 regular troops on board. The fleet and armament arrived at 
 Halifax in good order on the 9th of July. General Hopson 
 had charge of the land force.* 
 
 The colonies, supposing that the expedition against 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point was to be renewed, again 
 levied their requisite quotas of men. Connecticut, who 
 had the year before raised double the number that had been 
 required of her, once more brought her full complement of 
 soldiers into the field. It is not difficult, therefore, to imagine 
 their disappointment, when thev learned that their darlinjr 
 enterprise was to be abandoned, after all this expense of time 
 and money, and that the colonial troops were to be employed 
 in an idle attempt upon Louisbourg. To say nothing of the 
 chddish and whimsical policy of the British government, the 
 colonies felt ill at ease under the prospect of having their 
 forces called to act at such a distance from home, while all 
 the vast regions that lay to the west and north were open to 
 the incursions of an enemy whom twelve thousand troops 
 had been found inadequate to keep at bay, and who, flushed 
 with recent victories, might be expected to prove more dan- 
 gerous now than ever before. Even if the French should 
 confine themselves to the limits of the country that they then 
 held, they would at least have another year to strengthen 
 their posts and fortify themselves in their position. 
 
 In January, Lord Loudoun had met at Boston a council 
 of the governors of New England and Nova Scotia, and 
 with the most unfeeling insolence, and a shocking disrejiard 
 of truth, had charged upon the colonial army and provincial 
 * Trumbull, ii. 379 ; Holmes, ii. 74. 
 
[1757.] EXPEDITION AGAIXST LOUISBOURG. 57 
 
 governments all the disasters of the campaign of 175G. He 
 must have seen a Hat negative to this arrogant declaration 
 in the faces of the gentlemen composing the council, for he 
 hastened to soothe their insulted feelings by informing them 
 that he should require only four thousand provincial troops,* 
 who were to be sent to New York and there placed under his 
 command for some important and secret service that his duty 
 and fidelity to his sovereign tbrbade him to disclose. As the 
 numbers demanded were so much less than the colonies had 
 reason to expect, the requisition was complied with, and in 
 the spring more than six thousand provincial troops were 
 placed at his disposal and embarked at New York for 
 Halifax. 
 
 It was not known tiiat the expedition against Crown Point 
 was given up, until tiie troops had reached New York f 
 Perhaps the colonies were partly reconciled to this foolish 
 departure from the original plan, by the reflection that Lou- 
 doun, by absenting himself, would at least be prevented from 
 doing any further mischief If he could not restore the forts 
 that he had lost, he could lose no more ; and if he could not 
 drag out of Wood Creek the logs and tree-tops with which 
 he had obstructed its navigation, he would not again encum- 
 ber the waters of that great highway to the west. 
 
 But his lordship's naval operations were as disastrous as 
 those that he conducted by land. He was as ignorant of 
 the strength of Louisbourg as he had been of that of Crown 
 Point. He found to his astonishment, on arriving in the 
 neighborhood of Cape Breton, that it was not only a fortified 
 place, but that it was a stronghold of a very formidable 
 character, containing a garrison of six thousand veteran 
 
 * ilolmes, ii. 74. The apportionment made by Lord Loudoun for New Eng 
 land, was as follows : Massachusetts, eighteen hundred men; Connecticut, four- 
 teen hundred ; Rhode Island, four hundred arid fifty ; New Hampshire, three 
 Jiumlred and fifty. The Connecticut troops were placed under the command of 
 the following oflleers, viz. Phineas Lyman, colonel ; Nathan Whiting, lieut. colo- 
 nel; and Nathan Payson, major. Israel Putnam was cajitain of one of the four- 
 teen companies. 
 
 t (Iraliarn, iv. 5. 
 
58 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 troops, and a large body of militia. To add to the obstacles 
 that were in the way of his achieving a military reputation 
 as boundless as his desires and as solid as his inactivity, 
 while the army was lingering at Halifax, gleaning informa- 
 tion of the fortress, it was made still more inaccessible by 
 the arrival of seventeen line-of-battle ships, that quietly 
 moored themselves in the harbor and showed what the good 
 earl thought to be such evident signs of participating in the 
 quarrel, that he prudently gave up the enterprise and returned 
 to New York.* 
 
 While this farce was being enacted, the Marquis de Mont- 
 calm, elated with the successes of the previous year, and 
 exulting at the news that the British and provincial troops 
 were taking a pleasure trip to Halifax, summoned all his 
 povvers of mind, and rallied all his forces, to strike a blow at 
 the vitals of the English power in the north. General Webb 
 commanded in that quarter, and Montcalm, astute and keen 
 in his knowledge of men, had by this time learned what 
 sort of opposition he was likely to meet at such hands. He 
 resolved to avail himself of the absence of so large a share 
 of the British and provincial troops, and sieze upon Fort Wil- 
 liam Henry. I have already described the position of this 
 fortress, and have spoken of its relative importance. In ad- 
 dition to this, as it stood near the spot where his predecessor, 
 the Baron Dieskau, had been taken captive, it would add not 
 a little to the reputation of Montcalm could he blot out the 
 stains of the inglorious defeat that had fallen upon the French 
 arms w^ithin sight of the fort. Summoning his forces from 
 Ticonderoga, Ci'own Point, and the adjacent stations, and 
 rallying to his standard a larger number of Indians than his 
 nation had ever employed before on any one occasion, he set 
 out with an army of about eight thousand men. 
 
 A few days before he crossed the lake, General Webb, 
 whose head-quarters were at Fort Edward, ordered Major 
 Israel Putnam, f of Connecticut, with two hundred men, to 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 74. 
 
 tlu il;iy 1 750, the assembly granted " to Captain Israel Putnam, the number of 
 
[1757.] PUTNAM KECONXOITRES THE ENEMY. 59 
 
 escort him to Fort William Henry. Ilis object in visiting 
 this ibrt was to inspect it, and find out by actual observation 
 the strength of the place. What could have stimulated the 
 general to such a pitch of temerity, is to this day a mystery. 
 His conduct on the occasion was at variance with his whole 
 previous and subsequent life. Had he suspected the ])ossi- 
 ble approach of the enemy, no character in all history would 
 have been less likely to have visited Fort William Henry. 
 Yet not only did he allow Putnam to conduct him to that 
 fortress, but he permitted him to go down the lake in broad 
 day light, and, having landed at North-west bay, to stay on 
 shore there until he could learn what was the condition of 
 the enemy at Ticonderoga, and the other posts in that 
 quarter. 
 
 Putnam proceeded with eighteen volunteers, in three wliale 
 boats, and before he had reached North-west bay, he dis- 
 covered a party of men on an island. As he had not 
 approached near enough to the island to alarm the enemy, 
 he left two of his boats to fish at a safe distance, and hastened 
 back to the fort w^ith the tidings. The general, when he saw 
 the leader of the scouting party rowing back his boat alone, 
 and with such velocity that it almost flew through the water, 
 took it for granted that the rest of the company had been 
 taken captives, and sent a skiff wdth strict orders that Put- 
 nam alone should come ashore. Putnam, who was able to 
 see no good reason why the lives of seventeen brave men 
 should be wantonly sacrificed, explained to General Webb 
 their situation and begged earnestly that he might be permit- 
 ted to return, complete his mission, and bring back his 
 companions. With much reluctance General Webb finally 
 yielded to his solicitations. 
 
 With a glad heart Putnam returned, and passing by the 
 spot where the occupants of the whale boats were still engaged 
 in fishing, as if sport only had tempted them to explore the 
 
 fifty Spanish milled dollars, and thirty such dollars to Captain Noah Grant, as a 
 pratuity, for their extraordinary services and j^ood conduct in ransrlng and scout- 
 ing the winter past for the annoyance of the cueiny near Crown Point." 
 
60 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 windings of the most beautiful of American lakes, he rowed 
 his boat still nearer to the North-west bay until, pausing 
 upon the crystal waters, he could see by the aid of a good 
 glass a large army in motion and advancing towards him. 
 Had they been a flock of wild fowl gliding over the bosom 
 of the lake, Putnam could not have regarded them with 
 emotions less akin to fear. Long and earnestly he gazed 
 upon them, scanning their equipments and trying to esti- 
 mate their numbers, in order that he might come to some 
 conclusion as to their probable destination. So lost was he 
 in the contemplation of this exciting spectacle, that several 
 of the canoes filled with wild graceful forest-men, like the 
 light clouds that fly with vapory wings in the van of the 
 black thunder-storm, had come up with him and almost 
 surrounded him, before he thought of flight. But the bows ot 
 these swarthy voyagers, rent from the sasafrass-tree, were not 
 more elastic than his muscles, nor were the sinews of the 
 deer that bent them into the shape of the crescent moon, 
 more tough and wiry than his own. He dashed through the 
 midst of them, and leading back his little party, reported to 
 General Webb the approach of a hostile army. At the 
 same time he expressed his conviction that the expedition 
 was designed for the capture of Fort William Henry. Gen. 
 Webb enjoined upon him the strictest silence in regard to so 
 delicate a subject, and bade him put his men under an oath 
 of secrecy while he made ready without loss of time to 
 return to Fort Edward. 
 
 " I hope your excellency does not intend to neglect so fair 
 an opportunity of giving battle, should the enemy presume 
 to land," interposed Major Putnam, who saw at a glance how 
 easy it would be, with such an army as could be mustered 
 from the two forts, to cut off" the whole expedition. 
 
 " What do you think u-e should do here ?" asked General 
 Webb, whose blood must have curdled at the suggestion of 
 the provincial major. 
 
 The next day he returned to his head-quarters, and the day 
 after he dispatched Colonel Monroe with his regiment to re- 
 
[ITJT.] JOHNSON ATTEMPTS TO RELIEVE THE FORT. 61 
 
 inlbrce the garrison. Monroe took with him all his rich 
 baggage and camp-equipage, in spite of Putnam's advice to 
 the contrary. On the day after Colonel jMonroe arrived 
 at Fort William Henry, the Marquis de Montcalm landed 
 his army and opened the siege. I have said that the army 
 of the French general amounted to about eight thousand 
 men. As the garrison did not number more than about 
 twenty-five hundred, it was easy to prophecy what w(>uUI l)e 
 its fate. Still, with the walls of a strong fortress to protect 
 him, Monroe was not without hope that General Webb, who 
 was only fourteen miles off' with four thousand troops, would 
 march to his assistance. He therefore, made a resolute 
 stand,' and discharged his shot with considerable effect into 
 the camp of the besieging army. For many tedious days 
 and nights this gallant officer continued to wage the un- 
 equal conflict, awaiting with sleepless anxiety the return of 
 messenger after messenger whom he had sent to implore 
 General Webb to save the brave little garrison from impend- 
 ing destruction. 
 
 Meanwhile the arrival of Sir William Johnson with his 
 troops had very much augmented the army under General 
 Webb, which was now of sufficient force to have annihilated 
 the French army, could Montcalm have been fool-hardy 
 enough to await their coming. Sir William Johnson now 
 joined his solicitations to the sup|)licating messengers from 
 the besieged fort, and Putnam in his bold manly way begged 
 that he might be permitted to lead his handful of rangers to 
 the scene of action. Trembling and irresolute day after day 
 the general resisted these appeals, though they were seconded 
 by the eloquent roar of the guns that still answered the over- 
 whelming artillery of the beleaguering army. 
 
 At last, on the 8th or 9th day after the landing of the 
 French, vSir William Johnson prevailed on General Webb to 
 allow him to march with the provincials, militia, and Putnam's 
 rangers, to the relief of the garrison. But scarcely had this 
 scanty force advanced three miles from Fort Edward when 
 the order was countermanded, and the reinlbrcement returned. 
 
62 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 One of Montcalm's Indian videttes, seeing the provincial 
 army marching toward Fort WilHam Henry, as he scoured 
 the woods in the neighborhood of Fort Edward, fled to the 
 French camp with the startling intelligence. The French 
 general questioned him as to the numbers of the approaching 
 enemy. 
 
 "If you can count the leaves on the trees you can count 
 them," re|ilied the courier,in the vague, metaphorical language 
 of his people. 
 
 Immediately the guns of the besiegers were silenced, and 
 the army was ordered to make preparations to re-embark and 
 abandon the attempt upon the fort, when the arrival of an- 
 other runner who had seen the reinforcement on its return- 
 march to Fort Edward, induced the marquis to begin the 
 siege anew. With an admirable train of artillery, plenty of 
 ammunition, and inspired with new hope, now that he had learn- 
 ed how little he had to fear interruption from abroad, he made 
 such a fierce attack upon the fort that Colonel Monroe, whose 
 ammunition had begun to fail, now saw that he could not 
 hold out much longer. Still he fought on at desperate odds, 
 and would have continued to do so for many hours had it not 
 been for the receipt of a letter from General Webb, addressed 
 to himself, advising him to surrender without delay.* This 
 letter had been intercepted by the enemy and was adroitly 
 sent into the garrison at the most favorable time to make an 
 impression. f 
 
 Thus counseled by the dastard who could have saved him 
 without so much as lifting a finger, had he but permitted 
 others to do what his cowardly soul rendered him incapable 
 of attempting, the deserted and heart-broken commander of 
 Fort William Henry was compelled to capitulate. 
 
 The terms of the surrender were very favorable. It was 
 stipulated that the English should not serve against the 
 French for eighteen months, unless they were exchanged for 
 an equal number of French prisoners. The garrison was to 
 march out with arms, baggage, and one piece of cannon, in 
 
 * Rider's Hist. xlii. 9, 12 ; Wright's Hist. i. 11. tTrumbull, ii. 381. 382. 
 
[1757.] MASSACRE AT FOIiT WILLIA?,i: HEXRY. 63 
 
 honor of Colonel Monroe for the brave defense that he had 
 made. They were also to be furnished with an escort to 
 Fort Edward by French troops to protect them against the 
 ferocity of the Indians.* 
 
 The terms of the treaty, however, were not kept by Mont- 
 calm, who neglected to provide the suitable escort that he 
 had promised ; and the Indians who fought under him, amazed 
 at the leniency shown by the French commander to soldiers 
 of the garrison, resolved not to be deprived of the spoils that 
 they regarded as justly belonging to them by the rules of 
 war. Falling upon the English, they stripped them of the 
 few articles of clothing and other personal property that had 
 survived the destructive effects of the siege, and then com- 
 menced that memorable scene of assassination that has 
 given a kind of fabulous interest to the capture of Fort Wil- 
 liam Henry, like that with which fiction invests the more 
 common-place details of history. 
 
 The Indians who had aided the garrison, and who 
 had been included in the capitulation, were the first 
 victims. They were dragged from the ranks where they 
 were marching, and tomahawked and scalped. Nor were 
 the English themselves spared. Men and women had their 
 throats cut, their bodies ripped open, and hacked in pieces. 
 Children, even little infants, were taken by the heels and 
 dashed against stones and trees. For about seven miles did 
 those infuriated devils hang like a horde of hungry wolves 
 upon the skirts of the English army, who no longer could be 
 said to march, but rather to flee before them, until by the 
 joint exertions of the insulted soldiers and the tardy though 
 ])erhaps honest eflbrts of Montcalm, they were beaten ofF 
 and sent yelling into the wilderness. Those who escaped by 
 flight or by the protection of the French arrived at Fort 
 Edward in the most deplorable condition. f 
 
 * Trumbull, ii. 382. 
 
 tMiiiot, ii. 11—52; Marsliall, i. 411— 41G; Maiito, b. 2 ; Tnimbuirs Hist. U. 
 S., ch. xi : Smith's New York, ii. ch. vi. ; Dr. IJelknap (Hist. New Hampshire, 
 ii. 299,) intimates that a principal txuis > (if tlu' oonduct of the Indians may bo 
 found in the fact that they had joined the expedition of Montcahn on a promise 
 
64 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The next day after the massacre, Major Putnam, who had 
 been sent with his rangers to keep an eye on the movements 
 of the enemy, came to the shore of the lake whose peaceful 
 waters liad been desecrated as we may hope they will never 
 be again, while yet the rear of the French army was scarcely 
 beyond the range of his muskets. Language can indeed 
 render to the mind's e) e an outline of the horrors that he 
 saw there ; but nothing save the imagination can fill up the 
 details of such a picture. The fort was a total ruin. The 
 barracks, the out-houses, the booths that had been occupied 
 by the sutlers, lay in heaps of promiscuous desolation ; and 
 the smoke that rose in volumes from the still consuming rub- 
 bish, could but ill conceal with its black drapery, the count- 
 less fragments of human bones and bodies half consumed, 
 that bore such ghastly witness to the nature of the sacrifice. 
 In other places, dead bodies deformed with frightful wounds 
 and streaked with the blood-currents that had deposited their 
 dark pools here and there upon the ground, were scattered at 
 random, evincing every shade of mutilation that savage 
 ingenuity could contrive, from the battered skull and the 
 head reft of its scalp, to the gashed trunk and the severed 
 limbs. More than one hundred women were lying there, 
 many of them entirely naked, and some with their throats 
 cut and their faces marked with grotesque wounds — some of 
 them probing deep as the fountains of life, others slight and 
 whimsical as if they had resulted from the innocent sportive- 
 ness of a child Putnam turned away his eyes from the 
 sickening spectacle, little thinking that it was but a vision 
 that foreshad-^wed the tortures that he himself was so soon to 
 endure.* 
 
 of plunder, a 1 were hence particularly enraged at the terms granted to the gar- 
 rison. " The New Hampshire regiment, happening to be in the rear, felt the 
 chief fury of the errevny. Out of two hundred, eighty were killed and taken." 
 Carver, in his Travds (pp. 132, 136,) says that fifteen hundred persons were either 
 killed or made prisoners by the Indians, after the surrender. 
 
 * Most of the adventures of Putnam that are alluded to in this chapter, are 
 taken from Gen. Humphreys' life of that hero, and can be relied upon in every 
 particular. I have also had access to other sources of information equally authentic. 
 
[1757.] 
 
 CONDUCT OF MOXTCALM. 65 
 
 Such was the massacre at Fort William Henry. It has in it 
 those elements ot" vitality that would themselves preserve the 
 name of Montcalm from oblivion. How much blame that 
 truly gallant chieftain deserves to bear for not carrying out the 
 terms of the capitulation, that he had himself stipulated to 
 perform, I am unable to say. He has been charged with 
 instigating the Indians to this atrocious butchery. Others 
 have asserted that he furnished no escort at all to protect the 
 English garrison.* But Montcalm himself repelled these 
 accusations with scorn, and to the last asserted his innocence 
 in the most positive terms. Had not a similar act of bar- 
 barity been just before perpetrated, for which he may be 
 fairly held responsible, I should implicitly credit his own 
 testimony upon a question so vitally atTecting his honor as a 
 soldier. Even now, shrouded in mystery as this horrible afluir 
 still remains, when I contrast it with the noble emulation 
 and chivalry that crowned his military career, I would gladly 
 believe him to have been too confident of his own moral 
 power over the passions of his savage allies, too negligent, too 
 trusting, but never treacherous ; and that his nature revolted, 
 as does the common sentiment of the world, from the com- 
 mission of such a crime. 
 
 When it was too late to avail anything by adopting the 
 most active measures, General Webb suddenly roused him- 
 self and made great exertions to protect the northern fron- 
 tier. He made large demands on the colonies for troops, which 
 were responded to with a promptness thai, would have been 
 incredible had not fear lent wings to every movement. The 
 sudden capture of the fort, the massacre thatfollowed it, and 
 the possibility that Montcalm would suminr n his savage 
 hordes and descend like a whirlwind upon Albany, filled the 
 minds of the colonists with a well-grounded alarm that showed 
 its depth and power in the efibrts that were made to avert 
 such a calamity. 
 
 * Tills Is die statement made by Carver and otlnrs. Certain it is, that if tlicro 
 was a guard, it was either insufficient, or it was furnished too late to be of any 
 avail. 
 
66 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 In answer to this call from General Webb, Connecticut in 
 a few days raised and sent into the field, in addition to the 
 forces she had already furnished, five thousand men. New 
 York and the other colonies sent on large reinforcements to 
 Albany, until the English army numbered about twenty 
 thousand regular troops, besides a larger body of provincials 
 than had ever been brought together on any one occasion 
 during the war. The regulars were stationed at Albany and 
 Fort Edward. With this noble army, large enough to have 
 driven before it all the French troops on the continent, Webb 
 accomplished nothing, but passed the rest of the campaign in 
 a *' masterly inactivity" that is believed to be without a parallel 
 in history. Thus ended the campaign of 1757. The con- 
 trast between the two campaigns described in this chapter, 
 and that of 1755, which was under the direction of colonial 
 officers, and the burden of which rested solely upon colonial 
 troops, needs no commentary to make it more conspicuous, 
 than a plain recital of the facts has already done. 
 
CIIArTEPv III. 
 
 CAMPAIGN OF 1758. 
 
 Early in 1758, the Earl of Loudoun called a convention 
 of the o;overnors of New England and New York to meet 
 him at Hartford. The meeting proved to be a very unsatis- 
 factory one. The governors did not respond with any 
 cordiality to the propositions made by his lordship that they 
 should send fresh troops into the field to further the ends of a 
 new campaign. With much frigid politeness, their several 
 excellencies informed him that before they could promise 
 any forces or supplies, it would be necessary for them first to 
 convoke their respective legislatures and procure the assent 
 of the people. Angry at this apparent subterfuge, the earl 
 dismissed them in a fit of ill-temper, and repaired to Boston, 
 where he repeated his demand for provincial troops. Here, 
 too, he met with a decided rebuft". Neither Governor Pow- 
 nall nor the Assembly would consent to furnish him with a 
 single soldier until he would inform them of the minutest 
 details of the proposed campaign. Chagrined at a refusal 
 that bespoke so plainly how little confidence they had in him, 
 he retired to his lodgings to deliberate in what way he could 
 best answer and punish this provincial insolence. He was 
 aroused from these meditations by the unwelcome tidings 
 that he was no longer able to use the king's authority as his 
 own, either in punishing his enemies or rewarding his friends. 
 He had been superceded, and the command of the army had 
 been given to General Abercrombie. 
 
 I do not suppose that there was ever a government in the 
 world that was capable, in the hands of bad or weak minded 
 men, of so misrepresenting the true spirit and character of 
 the nation under its control, as that of Great Britain. Hence 
 we find throughout British history, the most startling contrast 
 of strength and weakness characterizing the public enter- 
 
68 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 prises of the nation. In earlier times, England was great or 
 insignificant according to the individual traits of the monarch 
 who governed her. In later days the ministry will be found 
 to have taken the place of the king, and the public acts of 
 the empire will be marked by the most puerile imbecility, 
 and by the want of moral as well as executive power; or on 
 the other hand, by the most exalted patriotism and self-sacri- 
 fice exhibiting themselves in results so grandly wrought out 
 by means at once the most practical and daring, as to com- 
 mand the admiration of the world. 
 
 The period of history now under consideration admirably 
 illustrates this remark. In the course of two years, we have 
 seen, by the dismantling of an English fort on the southern 
 border of Lake George, the dominion of that lake and of 
 Lake Champlain passing in an instant from the hands of the 
 English ; we have seen Oswego fall a needless prey to a small 
 force, and thus those vast inland seas that connect the waters 
 of the St. Lawrence with those of the Mississippi, subjected 
 to the dominion of the French ; going still further south, we 
 have seen the whole continent lying west of the Alleghanies, 
 claimed and held in defiance of right, and with a sacrifice of 
 British and colonial lives truly revolting;* and this series of 
 calamities is known to be attributable, not to the soldiers who 
 were in the field, but to the officers who misdirected their 
 energies or imprisoned them at points where they could in no 
 possible way exert their strength. 
 
 We are now to see the workings of a new ministry under 
 the ordering of William Pitt, who united the eloquence of 
 Pericles with the executive force of Julius Caesar; a man borne 
 into power u}»on the shoulders of the indignant people, and by 
 new men and measures directed towards American affairs, 
 changing at once the relations of the two powers that con- 
 tended for the mastery upon the ocean. 
 
 The new minister was unable to receive regular communi- 
 cations from the Earl of Loudoun. This of itself was a 
 cause of removal in the mind of a man constituted as Pitt 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 79, 80. 
 
[1758.] TEOOPS TO BE RAISED. 69 
 
 was, with the most rigid and exact business habits. He was 
 bold to say that he made the removal because " he could 
 never ascertain what Lord Loudoun was doing."* 
 
 The same ship that brought the news of this happy change, 
 also brought over letters from Mr. Pitt to the colonies, of a 
 very flattering and persuasive tone, and eloquent with the 
 great soul that spoke from the correspondence, as it bean^ed 
 from the eye, of that unrivalled man. 
 
 On the 8th of March, 1758, a special assembly was con- 
 vened at New Haven in honor of the letter addressed to the 
 colony. This letter was listened to by the members of the 
 two houses with intense interest. It spoke directly to the 
 heart of the people. After alluding to the disappointments 
 and losses of the campaign that had just closed, and assert- 
 ing how much the king desired to wipe out the disgrace of 
 such defeats as his arms had sustained in America, it declared 
 in bold terms the resolve of the king's government, by the 
 blessing of God, to take the most vigorous measures to avert 
 the impending danger. It stated the intention of his majesty 
 to send out a fleet and armament to defend the rights of his 
 subjects in North America, and expressed the hope that his 
 faithful and brave subjects in the colonies would cheerfully 
 lend their aid to an enterprise, where they were to be the 
 principal recipients of favor. Without making an arbitrary 
 demand for troops, the minister adroitly hinted that twenty 
 thousand men would be the fair proportion to be raised by the 
 colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New^ Hampshire, 
 Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey, and called upon 
 Connecticut to raise as large a part of them as her population 
 would permit her to spare, and have them ready for the field 
 as soon as possible. That no motive might be wanting to 
 stimulate the people to exertion, the minister added, that par- 
 liament would be solicited to make appropriations to defray 
 the expenses of the provinces according to the promptitude 
 and zeal that they should respectively manifest in answer to 
 the call of the government.f 
 
 * Grabam, iv. 18. + Colonial Records, MS. 
 
70 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 A keen vision, that laid bare before him, wherever he 
 glanced, the governing motives of men, was a marked trait 
 of Pitt's character. He had struck, as he seldom failed to do, 
 the right nerve, and the representatives of the people were 
 touched with a lively emotion and heartfelt, pervading enthu- 
 siasm. This out-spoken minister, so unlike the mysterious 
 Earl of Loudoun, who kept all his plans locked up in his 
 own breast, as if they had been solemn state secrets, was the 
 one man of all the world with whom they could co-operate 
 and whom they could love. Haughty to his king, despotic 
 to the nobility, this great commoner seemed to the people of 
 Connecticut to understand their wants, and to entertain for 
 them the sympathies of a brother and the confiding regard 
 of a friend. This was no Dudley, striving to get possession 
 of the chartered liberties of the people ; no Fletcher, to demand 
 the control of the militia ; no Cornbury, pluming himself 
 upon an alliance with royalty ; no Loudoun, to spend the 
 precious months of a campaign in settling the question of 
 official precedence ; but a man, appealing to their common 
 sensibilities to strike home for the honor of a common coun- 
 try. They felt that they would have died for such a cham- 
 pion. 
 
 So emulous were they, and so jealous lest the other provin- 
 ces should share too largely in the laurels that were to be won, 
 that, forgetting how much more than her proportion of troops 
 Connecticut had sent into the field in the two former campaigns, 
 they voted to raise five thousand good and etfective men from 
 the thin population of her few towns, already bowed down 
 with service and oppressed with the weight of accumulating 
 taxes. 
 
 Having thus resolved to furnish one quarter of the number 
 of troops that were to be provided by the northern colonies, 
 the Assembly proceeded to form them into four regiments, 
 and to appoint the requisite officers. It was resolved that 
 each regiment should be divided into twelve companies, and 
 should be officered by a colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, 
 and other subordinate officers. Chaplains and surgeons were 
 
[1758.] BILLS OF CEEDIT, 71 
 
 also appointed to accompany each regiment. Tlie Hon. 
 Phineas Lyman, (who had held a general's commission in 1755,) 
 Nathan Whiting, Eliphalet Dyer, and John Read, were 
 appointed colonels.* To encourage speedy enlistments, a 
 hounty of lour pounds was offered to each volunteer who 
 would equip himself for the field, in addition to his wages. 
 The most thorough measures were taken to get the troops in 
 readiness as soon as they should be needed. Provision was 
 made at the same time for the support of this large army, by 
 ordering that thirty thousand pounds lawful money should be 
 issued in Bills of Credit, at five per cent interest ; and that 
 for a fund for sinking of the same, a tax of eight-pence on 
 the pound should be levied upon the grand list of the colony 
 to be brought in for the year 1760. f 
 
 That the soldiers might be kept in good heart and spirits, 
 a tax of nine-pence on the pound, on the list of October 
 1757, was ordered to be levied to pay the troops on their 
 return home from the service at the close of the season. 
 This tax was to be collected by the last of December 1758. 
 A committee was further appointed to borrow the sum of 
 twenty-five thousand pounds, to be paid before the 20th of 
 May 1761 ; and for a fund to repay this large sum, a tax 
 was ordered of five-pence on the pound on the list of 1759, 
 to be paid into the treasury by the last of December 
 1700. J 
 
 At the October session, commissioners had been appointed 
 to meet those from the other colonies to consult for the gen- 
 
 * The lieutenant-colonels — Nathan Payson, Benjamin Hinman, James Smedley, 
 and Samuel Coit ; the majors — William Pitkin, Joseph Spencer, Israel Putnam, 
 and John Slapp ; the chaplains — Rev. Messrs. George Beokwith, Joseph Fisk, 
 Benjamin Pomeroy, and Jonathan Ingersoll ; the surgeons — Elisha Lord, Joseph 
 Clark, John Bartlett, and Gideon Wells. 
 
 + Colony Records, MS. 
 
 X As considerable sums of money were expected from England to reimburse the 
 colony for provisions furnished to Lord Loudoun, in 1756, it was ordered that said 
 money, when received, should he applied to discharge the notes given for the bor- 
 rowed money ; and that if sufiieient should be received in season to discharge all 
 the notes so given, then tho tax last laid should not be collected. 
 
72 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 eral safety.* These gentlemen were now authorized to meet 
 the other commissioners at Hartford on the 19th of April, to 
 take into consideration the impending crisis, and to devise 
 measures for the union and harmony of the colonies in the 
 contest before them. At the same time, the governor was 
 desired to give to General Abercrombie the earliest advices 
 of the measures to be adopted by the colonies, and of their 
 preparations for an early and successful campaign. 
 
 The new ministry did something more than incite the 
 provinces to action. In February, the armament designed 
 for the reduction of Louisbourg sailed for America. The 
 fleet vi^as under the command of Admiral Boscawen, and the 
 land army was committed to General Amherst, under whom 
 was Brigadier General Wolfe. The fleet and armament 
 arrived safely in America, and on the 28th of May left Hali- 
 fax for Louisbourg. On the 2d of June, they dropped into 
 the harbor in fine condition. It was a formidable army for 
 that wild coast, and made an era in the history of the fortress 
 as it spread its broad canvass on the line of the horizon in 
 entering Chapeaurouge Bay. It consisted of one hundred 
 and fifty-seven sail, with fourteen thousand British troops on 
 board. f For six days and nights the surf rolled so high that 
 no landing could be effected, nor indeed could any boat live 
 a moment near the shore. During all this time, the British 
 officers had the mortification to see the enemy fortifying 
 themselves with great industry and skill, erecting, at every 
 point along the shore where a landing was deemed practica- 
 ble, batteries mounted with cannon, that, without any inter- 
 ference from the waves, would be likely to prove formidable 
 barriers to the British troops. J 
 
 General Amherst, with a number of his officers, as he 
 approached to reconnoitre the shore, saw the French lines 
 bristling with infantry. 
 
 On the 8th of June, the surf began to subside, although 
 
 * The Connecticut commissioners were, Ebenczer SiUimaii, Jonathan Trumbull, 
 and AVilliam Wolcott, esquires. 
 
 tGraliain, vi. 27 ; Trumbull, ii. 3S7 ; Holmes, ii. 80. J Trumbull, ii. 387. 
 
[1758.] GENERAL WOLFE. 73 
 
 there was still a heavy swell of the sea. General Amherst 
 resolved to make trial, and before day-break the troops were 
 embarked in boats in three divisions. The one on the right 
 and the one in the centre were designed to divert the atten- 
 tion of the enemy from the left division, that was commanded 
 by General Wolfe, and was to make a sudden and fierce 
 attack at a moment when they were least prepared to receive 
 it. Before the boats had reached the shore, five frigates and 
 some other ships of war opened a fire not only on the cen- 
 tral, but on the right and left divisions, raking them in front 
 and flank with such effect that it soon became apparent that 
 no feint could avail anything in such a crisis ; and that the 
 only course to be pursued was to press toward the land. 
 Still, the order of the attack was pursued as it had been first 
 planned, and Wolfe, after having received the shot from the 
 ships for about fifteen minutes, brought the left division, with 
 little loss, near the shore. The French reserved their shot 
 until the boats had almost touched the land, and then opened 
 upon them a general discharge of musketry and cannon, that 
 did fearful execution. iMany of the boats were upset, — and 
 others were dashed in })ieces. While some of the troops 
 were hurled overboard by the crushing stroke of the cannon- 
 shot, or shattered to atoms, others in dismay leapt blindly into 
 the sea and perished. General Wolfe, whose spirit always 
 rose triumphant above the most stormy and dangerous crisis, 
 imparting something of the fire of his own fearless soul to his 
 men, pushed impetuously to the shore. As fast as they dis- 
 embarked, they were formed in columns, and, marching in 
 the face of the enemy's artillery and infantry, drove them 
 from their entrenchments. The central division, moving to 
 the left, dropped in behind that of Wolfe, and this was fol- 
 lowed by the one upon the right ; so that, had they been 
 marching upon firm ground the English could not have 
 moved in more admirable order.* 
 
 The garrison of Louisbourg consisted of two thousand 
 five hundred regulars, and six hundred militia, and was under 
 
 Trumbull, ii. 388. 
 
74 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the command of the Chevalier de Drucourt, a brave and 
 veteran officer.* Aside from the strength of the fortress, its 
 harbor was guarded by five ships of the line, a fifty gun ship, 
 and five frigates — three of which were sunk across the mouth 
 of the basin. f On account of these gruff neighbors, the 
 English had been compelled to land at a distance from the 
 town, and even as it was, they proved very annoying and did 
 much mischief to the boats that were employed in getting 
 ashore the tents, stores, and artillery. Even after the army, 
 with the necessary equipments, was landed, it was no easy 
 matter to bring their guns to bear upon the fort. The ground, 
 in some places rough, in others was wet and miry ; and the 
 French fought with great courage, resisting the advances of 
 the besiegers at every step. But, calm as the fortress that 
 frowned upon him, Amherst kept his steady purpose, and 
 Wolfe, with fiery haste, overleaping such obstacles as he 
 could not sweep away, never faltered in his aim or flagged 
 in his efforts. By the 12th of June he had taken possession 
 of the light-house battery and was master of all the posts in 
 that quarter. On the 25th, he had silenced tiie island-bat- 
 tery ; but still the enemy kept up a constant fire upon him 
 from the ships until the 21st of July. At last, the explosion 
 of a shell set fire to a large ship, that soon blew up and 
 involved two others in the same fate. Admiral Boscawen, 
 to avail himself to the full extent of this lucky accident, sent 
 six hundred men in boats to get possession of two ships of 
 the line that still secured the harbor to the enemy. In the 
 face of a murderous fire both of artillery and musketry, this 
 daring feat was accomplished. One of the French ships was 
 burned up and the other was towed off in triumph. J This 
 gallant exploit was conducted by two young captains, 
 Laforey and Balfour,§ and is worthy of a more minute 
 description than seems to belong to this narrative. It was 
 decisive of the victory. The English had now the undis- 
 puted possession of the harbor, the town was in many places 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 80. t Graham, iv. 27 ; Holmes, ii. 80. 
 
 t Graham, iv. 28 ; Holmes, ii. 81 ; Trumbull, ii. 389. § TrumbulL 
 
[1758.] TICONDEllOGA AXD CROWX POINT, 75 
 
 consumed, and the walls were sadly shattered at several 
 points of attack. 
 
 The next morning, the governor proposed terms of capitula- 
 tion. The garrison, consisting of five thousand six hundred 
 and thirty-seven men, was delivered into the hands of the 
 English, with two hundred and twenty-one cannon, eighteen 
 mortars, and an ample supply of stores and ammunition. St. 
 John's was surrendered with Louisbourg, and thus were the 
 English again masters of the coast from the mouth of the St. 
 Lawrence to Nova Scotia.* 
 
 I have thought it necessary to describe this second siege of 
 Louisbourg that the reader might better see all the relations 
 of this campaign, in which Connecticut acted so conspicuous 
 a part. 
 
 While yet the fate of Louisbourg hung in doubtful scales, 
 the expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, under 
 General Abercrombie, was begun with as much zeal as it had 
 been the preceding year. On the 5th of July the general 
 embarked his army at the southern landing of Lake George. 
 It was a formidable array, consisting of sixteen thousand 
 men — of whom the provinces, in addition to the troops that 
 they had raised and sent forward for the siege of Louisbourg, 
 had furnished more than nine thousand able-bodied soldiers. 
 One hundred and twenty-five whale boats and nine hundred 
 batteaux were employed to transport this army and the large 
 train of artillery and baggage that had been provided by the 
 munificence of the British government and the generous 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 81. In eflfecting this conquest, upwards of four humlrcil of the 
 assailants were either killed or wounded. " The garrison lost upwards of fifteen 
 hundred men ; and the town was left almost an heap of ruins." The colors 
 captured at Louisbourg were carried to England, and were conveyed v.illi great 
 pomp from Kensington to St. Paul's Cathedral, London, and a form of thanks- 
 giving was ordered to be used in all the churches in England. In New England 
 also the joy was great, and was celebrated by a public thanksgiving. 
 
 The inhabitants of Cape Breton were carried to France in English ships ; but 
 the garrison, sea-officers, sailors, and marines, amounting as stated in the text to 
 five thousand six hundred and thirty-seven, were carried as prisoners to England. 
 Rider's Hist, xliii. 127, 13j; Wright's Hist. i. 95, 103; Graham, iv. 29. 
 
76 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 sacrifice of the colonies.* There were several rafts, also, on 
 which cannon were mounted to ensure a safe landing. 
 
 Early the next morning they landed in good order and 
 without any show of resistance on the part of the enemy, 
 and, having formed in four columns, began their march for 
 Ticonderoga. They placed themselves under the direction 
 of guides who were but ill-qualified to conduct them through 
 the dense woods, and, before they had proceeded far on their 
 way, the troops were so lost and so encumbered by bushes 
 that they fell into disorder and mingled their columns together 
 as helplessly as a herd of wild deer when surrounded by a 
 circle of huntsmen. The advanced guard of the French, 
 who had been stationed near the lake shore and had fled on 
 the approach of the English army, had also mistaken the way, 
 and fallen into a like confusion ; and thus by mere accident 
 these hostile troops fell in with each other. This guard con- 
 sisted of about five hundred French regulars and a few 
 Indians, and soon opened a random fire upon the left of the 
 English army.f 
 
 Lord Howe, who was marching in front of the centre 
 when he heard the discharge of muskets, turned suddenly to 
 Major Putnam, who was near him, and said abruptly, 
 "Putnam, what means that firing?" 
 
 "I know not — but with your lordship's leave I will see," 
 answered the Connecticut ranger. 
 
 "I will accompany you," returned the nobleman. 
 
 "My lord," said Putnam earnestly, "if /am killed, the loss 
 of my life will be of little consequence ; but the preservation 
 of yours is of infinite importance to the army." 
 
 This appeal, so affectionate and so evincive of the idolatry 
 with which the whole army worshipped him, touched the 
 chords of sympathy in the nobleman's chivalrous soul, 
 without shaking his purpose. 
 
 "Putnam," he added with emotion, "your life is as dear 
 to you as mine is to me. I am determined to go. "J 
 
 * Graham, iv. 29. + Holmes, ii. 82 ; Graham, iv. 30. 
 
 i Humphreys' Life of Putnam, 49, 50. 
 
[175S.] DEATH OF LORD HOWE. 77 
 
 His voice and look were not to be misinterpreted. Put- 
 nam ordered one hundred of his men to file off with Lord 
 Howe in the direction of the enemy. They soon met the left 
 flank of the French advanced guard, by whose first fire his 
 lordship fell dead. 
 
 The British regulars, confused by the darkness of the 
 woods from whose labyrinths they could find no way of 
 escape, and unused to contend with an enemy that they 
 could, not see, were thrown into utter consternation. Put- 
 nam and the other provincial officers, who knew the modes 
 of Indian warfare too well to be frightened at the terrible 
 yells that now made the woods and the welkin ring, rallied 
 the colonial troops who covered the flank of the regulars, 
 and soon put the enemy to flight. Cutting his way through the 
 ranks of the French, Putnam, with his little party, and several 
 other small companies, attacked them in the rear with such 
 impetuosity that they soon scattered. They left three imn- 
 dred men dead upon the field, and one hundred and Ibrty- 
 eight w'ere taken caj)tive.* 
 
 The fall of Lord Howe was a heavy blow to the army, 
 especially to the colonial soldiers. From his first arrival in 
 America he had conformed to all the usages of the country, 
 and had submitted to all the deprivations incident to the lot 
 of the provincial troops. He cut his own hair short, and 
 fitted his clothing with reference to usei'ulness and activity, 
 rather than to display ; and divested himself of every super- 
 fluous article of camj) equipage. f Of course, his regiment, 
 who almost adored liim, imitated his example, and were proud 
 to appear no better clad than the provincials, as long as their 
 commander was as plainly attired as Putnam. Lord Howe's 
 manners were suited to all these outward appearances. He 
 was aflable and courteous as well to the American as to the 
 British officers and soldiers, not iVom a desire to win j)opu- 
 larity, but rather from the spontaneous flow of a nature that 
 can afford, from the prodigality of its endowments and from 
 a happy modulation of their harmonics, to depart from the 
 
 ♦Humphreys' Life of Putnam, 51. t Humphreys, 
 
78 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. _, 
 
 common track of rank and station and rej^ulate its course 
 by loftier influences peculiar to itself, that are at once 
 instinctive and infallible * 
 
 Putnam, whose humanity and almost womanly tenderness 
 were as conspicuous a part of his moral nature as his honesty 
 and courage, lingered on the field until nightfall to see after the 
 wants of such of the enemy as had been left there wounded 
 and suffering. He gathered these wretches into one place, 
 covered them with blankets, gave them liquor and such little 
 delicacies as he had provided for his own men, and attended 
 them with as much tearful anxiety as a mother watches over 
 the sick bed of her children. As he was ministering to the 
 wants of a French officer in this way, placing him in an easy 
 position against the trunk of a tree, the wounded man, who 
 could no longer repress some demonstration of his gratitude, 
 unable as he was to speak, grasped his protector silently by 
 the hand. 
 
 "Depend upon it, my brave soldier," said Putnam, "you 
 shall be brought to the camp as soon as possible, and the same 
 care shall be taken of you as if you were my brother." 
 
 If the poor fellow lived until the next morning, he probably 
 shared the fate of the other wounded, all of whom Major Rog- 
 ers, who had been sent to reconnoitre the field and take the 
 disabled to the camp as Putnam had desired, killed in 
 cold blood, rather than have the trouble of removing 
 them.f This truly murderous deed is not to be mitigated 
 from any consideration of policy, and must be regarded by 
 us as it was by Putnam and the other provincial officers, as 
 an indelible stain upon the character of a brave man. J 
 
 After the death of Lord Howe, the army returned to the 
 landing-place, where they arrived about eight o'clock in the 
 morning. § 
 
 * Lord Howe was a bi'other of Sir William Howe who commanded the British 
 army iu America during the Revolution. His lordship was but thirty-four years 
 old when killed. The General Court of Massachusetts caused a monument to be 
 erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey, at a cost of £250. 
 
 t Humphreys, 51, 52. X Holmes ; Trumbull. 
 
 § It is difficult to ascertain precisely how many Connecticut troops were engaged 
 
[1758.] COL. bradstreet's manceuvre, 79 
 
 On the 7th of July, Colonel Bradstreet was sent with a 
 detachment to take possession of a saw-mill that stood about 
 two miles from Ticonderoga. As this place had been 
 abandoned by the enemy, the feat was easily accomplished. 
 General Abercrombie had been informed that the actual force 
 at the fort was about six thousand men, and that a reinforce- 
 ment of three thousand was soon expected. He judged it 
 expedient, therefore, to make the attack as speedily as possi- 
 ble. With this view he sent his engineer to inspect the forti- 
 
 with Abercrombie on and near Lake Cieorge. From the "orderly book" of Col. 
 Whiting, of the 2d regiment, I ascertain that lie, Colonels Lyman, Fitch, and 
 Wooster, were in that vicinity with their troops, during the unfoitunate 
 campaign against Ticonderoga. And as Major Putnam who figured conspicuously 
 there, belonged to the 3d regiment, we are led to infer that there were three 
 or four Connecticut regiments under Abercrombie. 
 
 This " orderly book" of Colonel Whiting, which is still in possession of his 
 descendant, Major Jason Whiting, of Litchtiekl, contains many interesting en- 
 tries — tlu; first being dated at Green Bush, June 12, 1758, and the last at Ltike 
 Ceorge, October 9, 1758. On the 21st of June, is an order from General Aber- 
 crombie that the regiments of Colonels Pribbels, Ruggles, and Bagley, are to re- 
 main at Fort Edward : those of Colonels Nichols, Wm. Williams, and Doughty, 
 are to remain at Fort Miller ; those of Colonels Whiting and Fitch, are to garri- 
 son at Saratoga ; and those of Colonels Wooster and Lyman, are to garrison at Still- 
 water; one company of each of the nine regiments "will march with all expedi- 
 tion to the lake." 
 
 On the 25tli of June, Abercrombie declares the capitulation of Fort William 
 Henry null and void, because the enemy had broken its terms "by murdering, 
 pillaging, and captivating" many of his majesty's subjects ; and the ofhcers and 
 soldiers embraced in said capitulation are commanded to serve in the same man- 
 ner as if it had never been made. If any of said officers or soldiers, falling into 
 the enemy's hands, are treated with violence, he threatens to retaliate upon such 
 prisoners as are or may be in his liands. 
 
 Early in July, preparations are making for embarking on the lake ; the boats, 
 batteaux, provisions, medicine chests, are ordered to be in readiness ; the precise 
 manner and order of proceeding, after embarkation, is agreed upon, and also, tho 
 order of forming and marching, and the mode of forming the line of battle. 
 
 On the 10th, (after the disastrous attempt upon Ticonderoga, Col. Whiting 
 orders all comm.-inders of companies to call over the roll, and make return of " the 
 killed^ wounded^ and missing,^^ distinguishing between the officers and privates. 
 The " present strength of each regiment" is to be speedily ascertained ; orders are 
 issued concerning the wounded ; the number of arms, blankets, and knapsacks 
 lost, is to be ascertained, &c. 
 
 Col. Whiting was an efficient and popular officer, an excellent disci[)linarian, 
 and a good man. 
 
80 • • HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 fication and report to him its condition and probable strength. 
 Tliat oflicer, probably without going within cannon shot of 
 the works, reported that the w^alls were weak and could easily 
 be carried without the aid of artillery.* The general fell in 
 with this suggestion at once. A glance at the locality will 
 suffice to show how fool-hardy was this advice. Ticonderoga, 
 surrounded on tiiree sides by the waters of the lake, was still 
 more thoroughly protected on the fourth by a deep morass 
 that stretched far back from the shore, while the remainder 
 of the land side, and indeed the only part of it that could be 
 easily assailed, was guarded with an embankment eight feet 
 liigh, well mounted with artillery. For a space of about 
 twenty rods in front of this line, the marshy plain was 
 covered with vast forest trees, that had been cut and rolled 
 together with their tops interwoven and projecting outward 
 and sharpened to a point, so that, had the guns of the 
 French been silenced, it would have been impossible for the 
 best disciplined troops in the world to have marched over 
 the ground thus obstructed without breaking their ranks and 
 climbing over the tree tops. The attempt to take such a 
 place with muskets, therefore, when a fine train of artillery 
 could have been brought to the spot in a few hours, bespeaks 
 the incapacity of Abercrombie to control the destinies of a 
 large army, even more than it indicated his inactivity in 
 the preceding campaign. 
 
 Where the attack was made, even field-pieces could have 
 availed little without first removing the outworks. Never 
 did troops rush upon their destruction with more desperate 
 resolution. For four long hours were the British regulars 
 exposed to the murderous fire of the French, that mowed 
 down their ranks in platoons, while they stood helpless and 
 without the power of harming the enemy. f The French 
 marksmen could range at will behind their regular works or 
 under the screen of the fallen trees, and select their men 
 with as much security as they could have shot squirrels from 
 the tops of the same trees had they been standing. Every 
 
 * Graham, iv. 31 ; Holmes, ii. 82. t Trumbull. 
 
[1758.] THE RErULSE. 81 
 
 part of this ill-contrived attack seemed to vie with every 
 other in clumsiness and folly. Had the provincials been 
 placed in front, where every man might to a degree have 
 exercised his discretion and fought under a leader of his own 
 choice, in the irregular way that suited the nature of the 
 ground and their habits of woodland warfare, they nn'ght have 
 scaled the outworks, and, attacking the garrison in the rear, 
 driven them from their retreat. Instead of this, the British 
 troops, ignorant of any other discipline than the old one of 
 standing still and shooting the enemy or being shot by them, 
 were placed between the French and the provincials, who, 
 having been stationed in the rear, soon became maddened 
 with the shock of a battle in which they were not 
 allowed to mingle, and in the hurry and fury of their excite- 
 ment, turned their guns upon the British troops and did some 
 execution before their ofHcers could make them aware of the 
 fatal mistake. 
 
 Major Putnam, who acted as aid, evinced great skill and 
 judgment in this crisis, checking the impetuosity of the 
 colonial troops, and bringing the regiments one after another 
 into a condition where their marksmen might harm the 
 enemy without injuring their friends. The Connecticut 
 soldiers behaved with great valor, and left the marks of their 
 forest discipline in the skulls of many of the French, whose 
 heads were alone visible above the breastworks. 
 
 But it was impossible for the invading army to withstand 
 this dreadful shock any longer. Already four hundred and 
 sixty-four British regulars and eighty-seven provincials lay 
 dead upon the field ; while eleven hundred and seventeen 
 regulars and two hundred and eighty-nine provincials were 
 wounded.* The loss sustained by Connecticut was very 
 severe. 
 
 * General Abercrombie's return estimates the number of killed, woundecl, and 
 missing, ;it nineteen hundred and forty-one. Almost lialf of the Highland regi- 
 ment, commanded by Lord John Murray, with twenty-five of its oflicers, were 
 either killed or dangerously wounded. The loss of the enemy was Inconsiderable. 
 Holmes, ii. 83. 
 
 38 
 
82 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 It was necessary to abandon the attack and withdraw the 
 army. Still, the condition of General Abercrombie, had he 
 known how to avail himself of the advantages that it held 
 out to him, was far from discouraging. He had at the land- 
 ing, only a little way from the fort, an admirable train of 
 artillery that could have been brought to bear upon the for- 
 tress, in spite of the roughness of the road, in a short time, 
 had he manifested half the resolution shown by the officers 
 and soldiers of Connecticut at the first siege of Louisbourg. 
 His large army, numbering nearly fourteen thousand effec- 
 tive men, could of course easily be removed to a safe locality, 
 where the handful of French and Indians who had been so 
 powerful behind their entrenchments, would not dare to attack 
 them. He had plenty of provisions, and could therefore 
 choose his time for the second attempt upon Ticonderoga 
 with all the precautions and guards necessary to ensure suc- 
 cess. Putnam and the other provincial ofHcers earnestly 
 desired him to make this attack, and had he done so, there 
 can be no doubt that within the space of a week the defenses 
 of the enemy would have been swept away, and the garrison 
 with all its munitions would have fallen an easy prey into his 
 hands.* 
 
 Putnam saw at a glance, before the commencement of this 
 engagement, what would be its probable termination. He 
 saw thAt there were along the extended line of the enemy 
 several weak points that might be easily approached under 
 cover of the woods, and that the number of the British army 
 •was so great that it would be easy to distract the French by 
 making the attack from more than one point at the same 
 time. He saw, too, that the place where the assailing army 
 was ordered to advance, was the best defended part of the 
 works, and afforded the best protection to the enemy. Hav- 
 ing seen his worst anticipations realized in the unhappy 
 repulse that followed, and observing the high eminences com- 
 manding the fort that might easily be scaled, as well as the 
 fastnesses of the woods that would enable the army to sur- 
 * Trumbull ; Humphreys ; Graham. 
 
[1758.] ABERCROMBIE RETREATS. 83 
 
 round the garrison should they venture from behind their 
 entrenchments, he heard with ill-sup{)ressed indignation the 
 orders to sound a iiasty retreat, more inconsiderate and ill- 
 timed if possible, than the attack itself had been. This feel- 
 ing of indignation was shared by all the colonial troops. 
 They considered themselves more than adequate to conquer 
 the enemy, even should the reinforcements that were so con- 
 fidently expected by General Abercrombie to arrive at the 
 fort, be added to the three thousand men already there. 
 This feeling was unanimous both among the officers and 
 soldiers of the provincial troops.* Yet, without consulting 
 Putnam or any other colonial officer, the general, who had 
 not been within sight of the battle-field since the commence- 
 ment of the action, and who had remained snugly quartered 
 at the mill two miles from the place where the slaughter of his 
 men had made the whole ground red with blood, or without 
 so much as venturing forth after the battle to see whether 
 something might not yet be done to retrieve his sinking 
 fortunes, lost no time in drawing off his army ; and so anx- 
 ious was he to "add wings" to the speed of this preci})itate 
 movement, that he did not even stop at the shore or pause to 
 look behind him, until the waters of the lake were fairly in- 
 terposed between his large army and the garrison of three 
 thousand men at Ticonderoga !f 
 
 General Abercrombie by this shameful defeat, and the re- 
 treat that followed it, sunk so low in public estimation that 
 he was seldom spoken of by the provincial soldiers in any 
 
 * Trumbull, ii. 392. 
 
 •fThe repulse of the English at Ticonderoga took place July 8, 1758, and tho 
 retreat, July 9. On the 10th, the following entries occur in Col. Whiting's orderly 
 book (in addition to those already quoted :) " The general thanks the officers and 
 soldiers for their gallant behavior at the French lines, of which the commanding 
 officers of corps are to take care that their men are informed." 
 
 " A return to be given in at tattoo this night of the number of officers and men 
 sent to Fort Edward, and of those remaining to be sent to-morrow. As a part of 
 the provisions in the battcaux are in bad condition, the whole is to be unloaded," &c. 
 
 The captains are to see that their nun have provisions and are refreshed ; but 
 they are cautioned not to " take advantage of the general confusion''' and obtain 
 more than a supply for a single day. 
 
84 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. '. " ' 
 
 Other terms than those of contempt. They no longer called 
 him General Abercrombie, but substituted for his title the 
 very provoking one of "Mrs. Nabbycronibie." This allusion 
 to petticoats was not of course openly made, but it was none 
 the less efficacious for being secret, and had the keen edge 
 that ridicule always has when directed toward men in high 
 places whose character and conduct are assailable. Even 
 that noble enterprise resulting in the capture of Fort Fron- 
 tenac, a fortress situated on the northern bank of the St. 
 Lawrence and commanding the entrance of that river from 
 Lake Ontario, as it had been projected by Colonel Braclstreet,* 
 a provincial officer, and carried into effect almost exclusively 
 by provincial troops — took away nothing from the distrust 
 with which the British <2;eneral was regarded, and the scorn 
 that attended him wherever he went. The splendid victory 
 of General Forbes, at Fort Du Quesne, that followed the de- 
 feat at Ticonderoga, and the brilliant exploits of Amherst 
 and Wolfe, that preceded it, only made his incompetency for 
 the trust that had been reposed in him still more glaringly 
 apparent to the world. 
 
 In the month of August, Major Rogers, f and Major Put- 
 
 * This efficient officer, a native of Massachusetts, was appointed Lieut.-Governor 
 of St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1746 ; served with success through all the French 
 and Indian wars in this country; and was made a major general in 1772. He 
 died in New York, Oct. 21, 1774. 
 
 By the capture of Fort Frontcnac, sixty cannon, sixteen small mortars, and an 
 immense quantity of provisions and goods, fell into the hands of the English, to- 
 gether with nine armed vessels. It gave to the captors once more the communi- 
 cation between Albany and Oswego, and the command of Lake Ontario. " This 
 fort," says Rogers, " was square faced, had four bastions built with stone, and was 
 nearly three quarters of a mile in circumference." Besides commanding the 
 entrance to the lake, it was the grand magazine for supplying Niagara, Du Quesne, 
 and all the enemy's southern and western garrisons. 
 
 + Major Robert Rogers, whose name is so intimately connected with the history 
 of the French and Indian wars in America, was the son of James Rogers, an 
 Irishman, who was an early settler of Dunbarton, N. II. Having served as com- 
 mander of " Rangers" for many years, he was appointed governor of Michilli- 
 mackinac in 17G6 ; but being accused of a plot for plundering the fort and join- 
 ing the French, he was carried in irons to Montreal, and was there tried by court 
 martial. He joined the enemy in the Revolution. He visited London two or 
 
[IToS.] FIRING AT A MARK. 85 
 
 nam, were sent with six hundred men to w^atch the motions 
 of the French near Ticonderoga. When they arrived at 
 South Bay they separated, Rogers taking ins ])Osition on 
 Wood Creek, with one halt' of the men, and Putnam, remov- 
 ing twelve miles distant from him with the other half. Soon 
 after this they were discovered by the enemy and re-united 
 their forces with an intention of returning to Fort Edward. 
 They marched through the woods in three divisions, the 
 right commanded by Rogers, the left by Putnam, and the 
 centre by Capt. D'Ell. The first night they pitched their 
 camp on the bank of the Clear river near the ruins of Fort 
 Ann. The next morning. Major Rogers and a British officer 
 whose name was Irwin fell into some debate about tlieir rela- 
 tive merits as marksmen, and, to settle the question of 
 superiority, indulged in the imprudence of firing at a mark. 
 Putnam was much opposed to this dangerous amusement, and 
 expressed his disapprobation of it, as likely to attract the 
 attention of the enemy who were lurking in the neigh- 
 borhood.* 
 
 A copious dew had fallen during the night, and this delayed 
 the army from beginning their march at as early an hour as 
 they would otherwise have done. As soon as they were able 
 to move forward they formed themselves in one body with 
 Putnam in the front, D'Ell in the centre, and Rogers in the 
 rear. Putnam had anticipated an ambuscade, and urged 
 the adoption of this oi'der in their march, as the dense growth 
 of shrubs and bushes that had sprung up out of the ashes of 
 the old trees that had been cleared away some years before, 
 impeded their movements and afforded a cover for the French 
 should they be anxious to improve this favorable opportunity 
 of lying in wait for them. 
 
 While they were forming in marching order, Molang, a 
 French partizan of great celebrity, who had been sent out 
 with five hundred men to intercept the party under Rogers 
 
 three times, and there publislied " A Concise History of North America," and a 
 " Journal of the French War," 1765. 
 
 * Ilumplireys. 
 
86 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 and Putnam, and who had been attracted by the report of 
 the guns in the woods, was lying in ambuscade for them in a 
 well selected covert not more than a mile and a half from 
 their camp. Marching cautiously in front of his men, Put- 
 nam was just emerging from the bushes and passing under 
 the shadows of the primitive forest-trees whose great trunks 
 stood up tall and gray in the dim light of the wilderness 
 whence not even the meridian sun could quite banish the 
 gloom, when the crack of musketry upon the right of his 
 division, mingled with the yells and whoops of Indians, told 
 him that he was not mistaken in his anticipations of mischief 
 He instantly sounded a halt and returned the fire of the 
 enemy, and then ordered the other divisions to advance and 
 support him. Captain D'Ell came at his call. The firing, at 
 first strafffiflinfj and irregular between man and man, soon 
 grew to be of a more extended and general character. It 
 was one of those savage conflicts that mark that era of wild 
 strife, in which Putnam was as well fitted to mingle as in the 
 open and hard fought fields of the revolution. 
 
 He proved himself worthy of the occasion. Finding that 
 he could not cross the Creek, he resolved to stand his ground 
 and die, or drive the French from their position. There was 
 a galvanizing power in the look, voice, and action of Putnam, 
 that always acted upon everybody who came within the 
 sphere of his influence. His officers and soldiers felt it alike, 
 and fought around him in squads or single combat as the 
 nature of the ground would permit, with a determination that 
 could be equalled only by the ferocity of their adversaries. 
 Sometimes they took deliberate aim from behind the trees ; 
 at others, sallying out into little open spaces they aimed at 
 each other's skulls with the tomahawk, the club, and the 
 scarcely less ponderous stock or barrel of the musket. Within 
 a few feet of each other, might be seen a solitary Indian strip- 
 ping the scalp-lock from his enemy as a trophy, and a des- 
 perate brace of combatants rolling among the dry leaves in 
 the agonies of the death-struggle.* 
 
 * Humplireya. The subjoined pithy extract from Colonel Whiting's orderly 
 
[1758.] ROGERS DESERTS TUTNAM. 87 
 
 The Connecticut soldiers who were present at the battle, 
 fought with the most deterniined valor, as appears by memo- 
 rials now on file in the department of state, memoranda 
 made by the oflicers present, entries upon the fly leaves 
 of old books still unelfaced, and by the testimony of those 
 who participated in the fight, many of whom were living from 
 thirty to forty years ago.* 
 
 The officers as well as the privates were obliged to mingle 
 in this promiscuous conflict and fight with their hands to 
 guard their own throats. Putnam soon found himself in a 
 position that would have appalled a man of less courage. 
 He looked in vain for Rogers, who had been the author of 
 the mischief, to come to his relief Rogers had no intention 
 of interfering in behalf of his friends, and contented himself 
 with falling between Putnam's men and Wood Creek to pro- 
 tect their rear, as he afterwards said, in answer to some im- 
 putations that were cast upon his extraordinary conduct. 
 
 Finding himself thus deserted, Putnam made up his mind 
 to sell his life at as dear a rate as he could. Several times, 
 with the same deliberate aim that silenced the howling of the 
 
 book is well worthy of preservation : " The general thanks the officers and men 
 whi) went out with majors Rogers and Putnam, captains Deal [D'Ell,] and Deleel, 
 for their good behavior in the action, and hopes that they are fully satisfied that 
 the Indians are a despicable enemy to those that will do their duty.'''' 
 
 *The late Colonel Bezaleel Beebe, of Litchfield, (who died in 1824,) was a 
 member of Major Rogers' corps of " Rangers" in this campaign. During 
 one of the " forest-fights," when the rangers were dispersed by order of their 
 commander, and each man was fighting, in true Indian fashion, from behind a 
 tree, Beebe chanced to be sUitioned near Lieutenant Gaylord, also from Litch- 
 field county. He had just spoken to Gaylord, and at the moment was looking 
 him in the face for a reply, when he observed a sudden break of the skin in his 
 forehead, and the lieutenant instantly fell dead — a ball from the enemy having 
 passed through his head. 
 
 Peter Wooster, of Derby, in a memorial to the legislature, states that he, " be- 
 ing an ensign in Colonel Whiting's regiment at Wood Creek, on the 8th of Au- 
 gust, [1758,] had six musket halls shot through him; his left elbow, wrist, and 
 hand broken to pieces by the blows of a hatchet, and had nine blows on the head 
 with a hatchet, till he was killed, as the enemy supposed — on which they scalped 
 and stripped him, and left hiin on the ground ; that being taken up by liis friends, 
 he has recovered a considerable degree of health, but that his arms are so dis- 
 abled as to prevent his working." [The Assembly granted him £40.J 
 
88 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 wolf in the cave, he discharged his carbine with fatal effect. 
 While the French and Indians were thus indiscriminately 
 falling before him, a tall athletic warrior approached him in 
 a menacing attitude. Putnam thrust the muzzle of his piece 
 sternly against the breast of the savage, and snapped it. It 
 missed fire. Springing upon him with the yell of a demon, 
 the Indian, with his tomahawk uplifted, forced him to yield. 
 He secured his prisoner fast to a tree, and then hastened 
 back to spread the tidings and mingle again in scenes so 
 congenial to his nature, and so well suited to his mode of 
 life.* 
 
 Captains D'Ell and Harman now commanded. They soon 
 fell back a little to gain a better footing. The French and 
 Indians, elated with their success and thinking that the rangers 
 were retreating, now charged upon them with redoubled cries, 
 that filled the woods with unearthly echoes ; but D'Ell and 
 Harman soon rallied their yet remaining handful of desperate 
 men, and turning upon them, drove them beyond the spot 
 where the battle had commenced. Here the enemy again 
 made a stand. This shifting of the ground brought Putnam 
 directly between the fire of both parties. The balls flew like 
 hailstones from either hand, as if the tree to which the prisoner 
 was bound had been the common target for his friends and 
 his foes. Some passed through the sleeves, and others 
 through the skirts of his coat, whistling in his ears and rat- 
 tling among the limbs over his head and on either side of 
 him. 
 
 In this horrible condition, while the battle still hung in 
 trembling scales, for nearly an hour did he remain in the 
 momentary expectation of death, — yet without the power to 
 move his body or his limbs. Still the monotony of his situa- 
 tion w^as relieved by episodes of a very exciting character. 
 At a moment when fortune appeared to favor the French, a 
 young Indian warrior discovered Putnam in this helpless 
 attitude. With a refinement of cruelty often practiced in 
 those wars, instead of killing the wretched man at a blow, he 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 85. 
 
[I75S.] SUFFERINGS OF PUTNAM. 89 
 
 prepared to test the strength of liis nerves by hurling a toma- 
 kawk as near his head as possible without liitting it. Again 
 and again did the weapon pass almost within a hair's breadth 
 of the prisoner's head and lodge quivering in the bark of the 
 tree to which he was bound. 
 
 Soon after this amusement was over, a French officer 
 came up to Putnam, and pointing a fuzee within a foot of his 
 heart, snapped it, but it missed fire. Putnam explained to 
 him that he was a captive, and claimed the rights due to him 
 as such by the rules of war. He might as well have asserted 
 them in the ear of the savage who had just left him. Several 
 times the Frenchman pushed the muzzle of his piece with 
 violence against the ribs of the prisoner, and, after giving him 
 a brutal blow upon the jaw with the heavy end of it, left him. 
 
 At last the victory that would, with the aid of Rogers, 
 have been so easy, was won without him by the bravery of 
 the other rangers, and the enemy retreated from the field 
 with their prisoner. He was stripped of his clothing, loaded 
 with ])acks. and with his wrists tied as closely together with 
 a cord as they could be strained, was forced to march many 
 miles over rough and tedious paths, before he was allowed to 
 stoj) even to get breath. His hands were now so swollen 
 with the tightness of the ligature as to be scarcely recogniz- 
 able as parts of the human I'rame, and the blood dropped fast 
 from his naked feet where the briers and brambles iiad 
 pierced them. Agonized with pain, he entreated an Irish in- 
 terpreter to beg of his tormentors that they should knock him 
 on the head at once or cut the thongs from his hands. 
 
 After a brief interval of rest he was ordered to renew his 
 march. The Indians inflicted upon him every outrage that 
 they could devise. He carried to the day of his death the 
 marks of a blow that one of them wantonly gave him upon 
 his left cheek with a tomahawk.* 
 
 One day while plodding on at a tired and weary rate, he 
 was led into a dark forest. Here the Indians made a halt. 
 It was soon quite obvious to Putnam what was their design. 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 85. 
 
90 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 They stripped him even of the few articles of Indian clothing 
 that had been substituted for his own, lashed him fast to a 
 tree, and piled up dry branches in a circle around him, keep- 
 ing up all the while a discordant and horrible funeral dirge, 
 such as might be only fitted for the obsequies of a demon, did 
 evil spirits need the last rites that are accorded to mortals. 
 They then set fire to the fuel. A sudden fall of rain extin- 
 guished it. With looks of murder glaring in their eyes they 
 stooped down to rekindle it. At last it triumphed over its 
 adverse element, and, coiling itself like a serpent, ran hissing 
 around the circle. Finally, it streamed up in a broad blaze, 
 and sent into the vitals of the victim its forked tongues of 
 flame. Bound fast as he was, he could only writhe his body 
 from side to side as the heat grew more intense. This sign 
 of suffering was greeted by the Indians with yells of delight. 
 As it now appeared certain that this was his last hour, he 
 resolved to die like a man and a christian. He summoned 
 all his resolution, and such was his power of will that in full 
 view of the awful solemnities of another world, and in the 
 recollection of domestic endearments never to be renewed, 
 he was able to forget the presence of the fire that was con- 
 suming his body, and of those who kindled it. Even the 
 bitterness of death was over, and nature had now little else 
 to do than yield to a change that was merely mechanical. 
 As if by a voice that was meant to pierce the depths of the 
 grave, the hero was suddenly called back to the realities of 
 this world. Its tones were those of salvation. It was the 
 voice of that gallant Frenchman and partizan, Molang. He 
 brushed aside the inquisitors, leapt over the circle of flame, 
 unbound the captive, and restored him to his old master.* 
 
 This was one of the many hardships that beset Putnam 
 during his captivity. He was taken to Ticonderoga and put 
 under the care of a French guard. Here he had an inter- 
 
 * I have in another work, for purposes of fiction, described a scene borrowed 
 from this awful reality. This story of Putnam needs no confirmation. Those 
 who would know more of the details of liis sufferings on this march, can find 
 them in Gen. Humphreys' life of him, p. G3. Holmes, ii. 85. 
 
[17jS.] SCHUYLER AND ruTXA:\r. 91 
 
 view with the Marquis de Montcahii, who placed him in the 
 custody of an officer and ordered iiim to be conducted to 
 Canada. When he arrived at Montreal, Colonel Peter Schuy- 
 ler, then a prisoner there, called upon the interpreter to learn 
 if he had a provincial major in his keeping. In what condi- 
 tion he found him, without a coat, waistcoat, or stockings, his 
 face gashed and bruised, his body and limbs torn with thorns 
 and blistered with heat, I will forbear to tell. The memorial 
 alluded to in the Ibllowing note, copied from the colonial 
 records, has reference to this captivity.* 
 
 I have dwelt more fully than usual upon the details of 
 this campaign that the reader may see how much our ances- 
 tors suflered before the American revolution was thought of, 
 in battles that have almost faded from the recollection of 
 most men, who, in the cares of the office or of the counting- 
 house, have forgotten to be grateful for the liberties that their 
 fathers won for them and consummated by the shedding of 
 blood. 
 
 Although the expedition against Ticonderoga had failed, 
 yet when the campaign of 1758 was brought to a close, it 
 was found that much had been done towards breaking down 
 the French power in the west. Not only had Louisbourg 
 been taken, but Fort Du Quesne had finally fallen into the 
 hands of the English, and, under the new name of Fort Pitt, 
 a flag with a new devise waved from its embankments, 
 giving the waters of the Ohio a new master and preparing 
 the way for the capture of Quebec. 
 
 * " Memorial of Israel Putnam, of Pomfret, showing that some time in the 
 month of August last, he being then in the service of this colony, had the mis- 
 fortune to be taken prisoner and carried to Canada, where he continued for the 
 space of three months and suflered much liardship, and was obliged to expend 
 about sixty guineas for his neeessaiy support ; praying that this assembly would 
 order said sum to be refunded to him as per petition on file. 
 
 "The assembly ordered that seventy pounds lawful money bo paid said 
 Putnam." 
 
 The capture of Fort Frontenac, affording occasion for an exchange of prisoners, 
 Major Putnam was set at liberty. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 CAMPAIGJsS Oi' 1759 AND 17G0. 
 
 The sea-coast and the soutliern frontierwerenow won,and 
 the way was open to the vitals of Canada. The British 
 minister resolved at one shocic to stop the flow of her blood 
 in all its avenues. As soon as the St. Lawrence should 
 be free of ice in the spring, General Wolfe was ordered to 
 advance with an army of about eight thousand men, accom- 
 panied by a squadron of ships, and lay siege to Quebec, while 
 General Amherst, with twelve thousand regulars and provin- 
 cials, was to renew the project that had so often been foiled 
 through the cowardice or imbecility of the British command- 
 ers, of driving the enemy from Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point. After accomplishing this long desired object, he was 
 expected to pass down the tSorei river to the St. Lawrence, 
 and form a union with Wolfe at Quebec. Another branch 
 of this great enterprise was committed to the hands of 
 Brigadier General Prideaux, who, with the New York pro- 
 vincials under Sir William Johnson, and the warriors of the 
 five nations, was to reduce Niagara. He was then instruc- 
 ted to embark on Lake Ontario, drop down the St. Lawrence, 
 and take possession of Montreal. It was hoped that these 
 several strongholds of the French would all be subdued so 
 early in the season that there would yet be time for all the 
 troops to unite themselves under General Amherst, and bring 
 into subjection the little that would then remain of Canada.* 
 
 To carry out this magnificent plan of operations, requisi- 
 tions were again made upon the colonies to furnish respec- 
 tively the same number of troops that they had done the 
 year before. On the 9th of December, 1758, Mr. Pitt had 
 written a letter to Governor Fitch calling for twenty thou- 
 * Holmes, ii. 88. 
 
[1759. 
 
 FRESIT TKOOrS EAISED. 93 
 
 sand men from the colonies and as many more as they would 
 furnish. Governor Fitch, in obedience to this requisition, 
 on the 8th of March, 1759, convened the General Assembly 
 of Connecticut, at Hartford. This letter, like all other com- 
 munications from that great man, was frank in its avowal ot 
 the designs of the approaching campaign. It alluded to the 
 successes of the last campaign, and expressed a fixed resolve 
 to repair the loss that had been sustained by General Aber- 
 crombie at Ticonderoga. It breathed a lofty spirit of conli- 
 dcnce in the justice and ultimate triumph of the British 
 cause. 
 
 The Assembly was disposed to respond liberally to this 
 call ; yet, oppressed with debt as the people were, wasted in 
 resources and thinned in numbers by the campaigns of the 
 last four years, it was thought impracticable for the colony 
 to raise and equip five thousand troops.* After a long 
 debate, the following resolution was adopted : 
 
 "Resolved, That last year, animated by great zeal in his 
 majesty's cause, this colony agreed to raise a larger body of 
 men than it was able fully to complete, upon a diligent trial 
 and exertion ; that many of our men have died or became 
 unfit for the service ; that many of our inhabitants have 
 lately enlisted as recruits to the king's regiments here ; and 
 others are engaged in the batteaux and carrying service ; by 
 all of which means our numbers are diminished and our 
 strength and treasures exliausted ; yet that the great and 
 salutary designs of his majesty may be promoted to the 
 utmost of our ability, it is 
 
 " Resolved, That there be raised in this colony three thou- 
 sand six hundred elfective men, as soon as may be, for the 
 service. "t 
 
 * RTassaehusetts also at fiivst was unwilling to raise the same quota that the had 
 furnished in 1758. She finally yielded to the exigencies of the campaign, and did 
 all tli.it was required of lier. 
 
 t'l'lic officers appointed were the following, viz: — Phineas Lyman, Esq., major 
 gcnrral and colonel of the first regiment ; Nathan Payson, liout.-coloncl ; John 
 Slajjp, major. Second regiment — Nathan Whiting, colonel ; Joseph Spencer, 
 lieut.-colonel ; David Baldwin, major. Third regiment — David Wooster, colonel ; 
 
94 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 It was also resolved that Bills of Credit should be issued 
 to the amount of forty thousand pounds, at five per cent in- 
 terest, payable on or before the 1st of March, 1764, to fill up 
 the exhausted treasury ; while as a sinking fund for these bills, 
 a tax was levied on the grand list of the colony of ten-pence 
 on the pound, to be brought in, in October 1762, and collec- 
 ted by the last day of December, 1763.* 
 
 The number of troops furnished by the Assembly, although 
 it was more than the fair proportion that should have been 
 expected from Connecticut, did not satisfy the zeal of Gov- 
 ernor Fitch, and of many of the principal men in the colony, 
 who, in consideration of putting an end to the war by a last 
 decisive blow, were of the opinion that more soldiers should 
 be sent into the field. Out of respect to these gentlemen, the 
 Assembly finally added four hundred men to those already 
 voted — jTfiaking the aggregate four thousand. t 
 
 When the Assembly met at Hartford in the following May, 
 the wishes of General Amherst were made known, that Con- 
 necticut should furnish as large a force as she had done in 
 the previous campaign. Governor Fitch seconded this 
 request of the commander-in-chief with many earnest rea- 
 sons, set forth with such warmth and clearness, that the 
 representatives of the people, after reciting the details of the 
 part that the colony had taken in this protracted struggle, 
 generously resolved, that although " this Assembly is of opin- 
 ion that the three thousand six hundred men voted and order- 
 ed last March to be levied and raised for said service, with 
 the encouragement then given for four hundred men more 
 to enlist, is as many as the number of the inhabitants will 
 
 James Smedley, lieut.-colonel ; David Waterbury, major. Fourth regiment — 
 Eleazcr Fitch, colonel ; Israel Putnam, licut.-eoloncl ; John Durkee, major. 
 
 Commissaries — Thomas Chandler, Anthony Carpenter, David Seymour, and 
 John Williams. 
 
 * Trumbull. 
 
 t Colony Records, MS. Allusion is made in the records to " seven chests of 
 money" which " came per Mr. Taggert, from Mr. Agent Partridge, for the account 
 of the colony." Jared Ingersoll, esq., had, previous to this date, gone to England 
 as the agent of the colony — Mr. Partridge being deceased. 
 
[1759.: 
 
 AMHERST PASSES LAKE GEORGE. 95 
 
 allow ; yet considering the very great importance of exert- 
 ing ourselves in the present critical and decisive moment, 
 for the security of our country, and from a deep sense of our 
 duty to our king, and from the gratitude we owe to the king- 
 dom of Great Britain for the great expense and succors sup- 
 plied for the immediate defense and future safety of our 
 rights and possessions in America, and humbly relying on 
 the gracious assurances which the king was pleased to allow 
 his secretary of state to give, that recommendations should 
 be made to parliament to grant a reasonable compensation, as 
 his colonies should appear to merit ; and that the zeal and 
 ardor of the people may be enlivened and quickened to go 
 forth in the defense and for the future safety of our country : 
 and that all proper encouragements may be given and motives 
 used to promote the raising of as many more men as can any 
 way be induced to enlist themselves and engage in said ser- 
 vice : It is resolved and enacted, that one thousand able 
 bodied men, in addition to the four thousand afore-mentioned, 
 be allowed to enlist into the service."* 
 
 The energy of the colony was also evinced in the speedy 
 preparations that were made for cari'ying these resolves into 
 execution. The colonies all vied with each other in this 
 respect and joined General Amherst with great despatch. 
 By the end of May, they had reached the head quarters at 
 Albany.f The army of Amherst was first to open the cam- 
 paign. In July, he passed Lake George without opposition. 
 The Marquis de Montcalm, who was aware of the difference 
 between the tactics and character of Amherst and those of 
 Abercrombie, and who by this time was acquainted with the 
 colossal plan of the British government for the campaign, 
 had instructed the leader of the garrison not to run too great 
 a risk of losing men whom he could ill afford to spare, but to 
 retire, if necessary, and retreat towards Quebec, the centre 
 
 * Trumbull, ii. 399, 400. A bounty of seven pounds was offered to each man 
 who would enlist ; and those who had been in the service the preceding year, and 
 would enlist for this campaign, were to be allowed pay from December last. 
 tUolrnes, ii. 88. 
 
96 ' HISTOKY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 and heart of the French power, where, should it be neces- 
 sary, a union might be effected and a last stand taken against 
 the invaders. The commander, therefore, when he saw the 
 English army advancing in good order, readily abandoned 
 those lines that had proved so fatal to the troops of General 
 Abercrombie, and withdrew into the interior of the fortifica- 
 tion. It was on the 22d of July, when the English army 
 arrived at the place, and although some resistance was made 
 and the guns of the garrison were brought to bear upon the 
 besiegers, yet little injury was done them beyond the loss of 
 the gallant Colonel Townsend, who was killed by a cannon 
 ball. On the 27th of July, they blew up their magazine and 
 fled during the night to Crown Point. But their new retreat 
 offered very few attractions to them, and on the 1st of 
 August they again retired from the steady approach of the 
 English general, and took refuge in a fort at Isle Aux Noix, 
 on the northern extremity of Lake Champlain. 
 
 General Amherst sent forward his light rangers to take 
 possession of Crown Point, and on the 4th of August he 
 arrived there himself with the main body of the army. 
 
 Thus these two fortresses, that had cost the British and 
 provincial governments an expenditure of so much blood and 
 so much treasure, fell into the hands of this cautious yet 
 brave military chieftain, almost without striking a blow.* 
 
 Still, tlie French, though driven from their old haunts, were 
 formidable on Lake Champlain, and were capable of working 
 much harm to the British arms in that quarter. The garri- 
 son, at Isle Au^ Noix, under the command of Monsieur de 
 Bourlemaque, numbered three thousand five hundred veteran 
 men, was in a good position, well entrenched for defense, and 
 was provided with an excellent train of artillery. Floating 
 upon this long slender lake, where they could not be easily 
 eluded, there were also four large French ships of war, well 
 
 *Mante, vi. 5, sa3's, "In the acquisition of Ticonderoga, fifteen soldiers were 
 killed, and about fifty wounded ; and Colonel Roger Townsend was killed by a 
 cannon ball. Ills spirit and military knowledge entitled him to the esteem of 
 every soldier ; and the loss of him, was universally lamented." 
 
[IToit.] AMHERST IS BLAMED. 97 
 
 mounted with cannon and manned with the piquets of several 
 regiments. These ships were also admirably officered, and 
 were commanded by Monsieur La Bras, an old French naval 
 officer ot^ courage and experience.* 
 
 General Amherst did not deem it safe to advance toward 
 Quebec until he had entirely driven the enemy from Lake 
 Champlain. He therefore ordered Captain Loring, who had 
 already built several vessels upon Lake George, to construct 
 as speedily as he could, a sloop of sixteen guns, and a radeau 
 eighty-four feet in length, that could carry six twenty-four 
 pounders. 7 As it would be necessary to leave garrisons at 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and as the works at the 
 former were partially demolished, and at the latter were 
 almost in ruins, he employed the army meanwhile in placing 
 both these fortresses in a condition to defy all invasions 
 from their old masters. Thus, instead of being dens for the 
 shelter of those terrible scalping and marauding parties that 
 had so long kept the English frontier in a state of alarm, they 
 would prove sleepless guardians to watch over the settle- 
 ments that were stretched along the whole northern border. 
 
 The amount of fatigue endured by the Connecticut troops 
 during this summer, is almost incredible. They labored with 
 the better heart, as they saw that a change had come over 
 the fortunes of the two nations. Nor was the valor of her 
 officers less commendable. After the sloop and the radeau 
 had been completed, two of the enemy's vessels were 
 destroyed. One of the principal and most daring actors in 
 this enterprise was Colonel Putnam. J 
 
 It was a topic of some impatient remark at the time, that 
 General Amherst was over-cautious in his operations upon 
 Lake Champlain, and that lie might have advanced upon 
 Quebec in season to have shared in the glory of Wolfe's vic- 
 tor}', if not to have saved the life of that hero, had he not 
 attributed too much importance to the movements of the 
 enemy upon Lake Champlain. But wdien we consider the 
 
 * Trumbull, ii. 401. t Trumbull; Graham. 
 
 * Ilunipliroys. 
 39 
 
98 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 long struggle that had preceded the flight of the French from 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, the importance of those forti- 
 fications, the necessity of obtaining the entire dominion of 
 the waters of the lake that they in a good degree commanded, 
 and the strength of the garrison still ready, as there was good 
 reason to believe, to make a desperate stand at Isle Aux 
 Noix, especially when we consider how fierce and sudden 
 were the storms that convulsed the lake very early in the 
 autumn months — we shall hardly blame the policy of the 
 English general in doing thoroughly what he had undertaken, 
 although he was delayed so long that winter overtook him at 
 Grown Point. He had succeeded in accomplishing a great 
 and almost bloodless victory by means steady and certain as 
 the wit of man could devise. 
 
 The army sent to besiege Niagara had been equally suc- 
 cessful. General Prideaux had reached the fortress about 
 the middle of July, and surrounded it with great skill. A 
 few days after his arrival there, he was killed by the bursting 
 of a cohorn ; and was succeeded in the command by that 
 brave provincial chieftain. Sir William Johnson.* As soon 
 as General Amherst learned of this accident, he sent General 
 Gage from Ticonderoga, to take command of the beleaguering 
 army. The French in the meantime, hoping to save this 
 important post, sent detachments of men from forts Detroit, 
 Venango, and Presque Isle, amounting in all to about twelve 
 hundred men, together with a large body of Indians, to rein- 
 force the garrison at Niagara. Aware of their approach, 
 Sir William Johnson sent out his light infantry, with a body 
 of grenadiers and other regulars, to occupy the road leading 
 from Niagara Falls to the fort, and intercept the enemy as 
 they should arrive. Pie also stationed parties of Indians 
 along his flanks ; and to prevent an attack from the garrison 
 at this critical time, he posted a large body of troops to 
 guard his trenches. f Before the battle the Indians of the 
 five nations who fought under Sir William Johnson, went 
 out and proposed a conference with the Indians who marched 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 89. t Trumbull, ii. 402 ; Holmes, il. 89, 90. 
 
[1759.] FORT NIAGARA TAKEN". 99 
 
 in the train of the French army that was now close at hand. 
 This proposition was rejected. 
 
 About nine o'clock in the morning, the Indians attached 
 to the French reinforcement raised the war-cry, that most 
 fearful of all notes that ever stirred contending armies to 
 mingle in mortal conflict. Fearfully it rang above the roar 
 of the mightiest of earth's cataracts, and echoed among the 
 precipices and rifts of rock that keep in its shattered chan- 
 nel the river that drains a succession of inland seas. But 
 this terrible war-cry, that had so often been the herald of 
 defeat to British troops, was now a familiar sound to them, 
 and iell upon the ear of the provincials and the brave war- 
 riors of the five nations, as unheeded as the voice of deep 
 calling unto deep from the chasm of the flood, that has been 
 represented by a poet of Connecticut, as a "chronicler of the 
 ages."* So well were the enemy met in front, and so galled 
 on either flank by the warriors of the five nations, that in less 
 than an hour their little army was totally ruined. f D'Aubry, 
 its commander, and sixteen other officers, were taken prisoners, 
 and the remnants of his broken companies were pursued 
 through the woods for a distance of five miles, J with such 
 slaughter that their way could literally have been tracked by 
 the blood that stained it. 
 
 After the battle, General Johnson informed the leader of 
 the garrison of his victory, and begged him to surrender 
 while yet the fierce Indians who served under him and who 
 had already tasted blood, were vnider his control. Tlie pro- 
 position was accepted, and thus the fort of Niagara, the con- 
 necting link between Canada and Louisbourg, fell into the 
 hands of the English. 
 
 While Amherst, with Putnam and other brave provincial 
 officers, were driving the enemy from Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, and destroying their vessels upon Lake Cham- 
 
 * See Brainard's " Falls of Niafjara," one of the most sublime poems of its 
 length in the English language. It lias in it a sweep, majesty, and condensed 
 power, worthy of the subject that inspired it. 
 
 + Graham : Holmes. J (Jen. Johnson's Letter to Amherst. 
 
100 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 plain ; and while Prideaux and Johnson, were engaged in 
 reducing Niagara, thus cutting off the extremities of French 
 colonial power upon the continent ; General Wolfe, with an 
 army of eight thousand men, under convoy of an English 
 fleet commanded by Admirals Saunders, Holmes, and Durel, 
 proceeded up the St. Lawrence, and on the 2d of June, 
 landed his army on the Isle of Orleans, a fine large island in 
 the river a little below Quebec, teeming with inhabitants, 
 abounding in grain and all the conveniences required for the 
 support of his troops. 
 
 The attempt upon Quebec was considered the capital enter- 
 prise of the campaign, and was committed to Wolfe, as the 
 man most likely to accomplish whatever is within the range 
 of human achievements. He had also under him some of 
 the most daring officers whose names are recorded on the 
 rolls of British fame. Among them were Brigadiers Monck- 
 ton, Townsend, and Murray, all men of true genius, and 
 fitted like their leader for the most delicate and dangerous 
 crisis. Wolfe was himself a man of transcendant genius and 
 lofty chivalry, of a temperament highly practical, possessing 
 all the enthusiasm of the best Irish blood that flowed so largely 
 in his veins, and all the enduring fidelity to a cause once 
 espoused, that distinguishes the nation to whose historic 
 pages he looked to perpetuate his fame. 
 
 The island where he was encamped, lying within full view 
 of the fortress and of the precipitous river bank for miles, 
 gave the English general a fair opportunity to calculate the 
 chances of success.* A man diflerently moulded would 
 have quailed before the prospect. Situated upon a i)eninsula 
 formed by the meeting of the St. Lawrence and the St. 
 Charles rivers, upon the brow of a rock that beetled over 
 these streams and the country that lay spread like a map 
 beneath ; well garrisoned and provisioned, Quebec seemed 
 well fitted to keep watch and ward over the noblest of all 
 navigable rivers, that was here so compressed that a 
 cannon ball from the top of Cape Diamond could be 
 * Holmes, ii. 90. 
 
[1750.] SITrATION OF QUEBEC. 101 
 
 made to do fatal execution beyond the brink of the southern 
 shore. 
 
 Across the mouth of the St. Charles had been stretched a 
 boom that was supposed to be a complete barrier, and the 
 rocky channel of that stream was filled with armed vessels 
 and floating batteries, while on its eastern bank, a large body 
 of French troops with safe entrenchments were stationed 
 along the shore of the river to the Falls of Montmorenci.* 
 The black skirts of a forest filled with all the savage tribes 
 and more savage provincials that had enlisted under 
 the banners of the French king, were in their rear, 
 afibrding a covert as impervious as their lines seemed insur- 
 mountable. 
 
 Above the town, the high rock, on which the city and for- 
 tress were built, rose sheer and high along the St. Lawrence for 
 a great distance, and formed what were called the Heights of 
 Abraham. These heights also were guarded with troops. 
 There was theretore no way of approach to the town except 
 by crossing the St. Charles, or by passing up the river and 
 scaling the rocky wall above described. f The English com- 
 mander in addition to all these natural obstacles, had taken 
 the field against Montcalm, the French nobleman, already re- 
 ferred to, who had been trained to chivalry and the practice 
 of arms, and had repeatedly met the British armies only to 
 see them fly before him. He had also under his command a 
 well trained army of ten thousand men, so that he might well 
 have felt himself to be, in an open field without the aid of 
 rock, river, or wood, more than a match for the invader whose 
 forces he far outnumbered. Looking out from his bold clifi' 
 like an eagle from his eyrie, the haughty marquis regarded 
 with scorn the few tents that dotted, like so many white- 
 fleeced lambs destined for his destruction, a little patch of the 
 island that lay at his feet. 
 
 General Wolfe saw at a glance all the disadvantages that 
 surrounded him. But obstacles to such a mind as his, often 
 act as quickening influences to stimulate to daring deeds. 
 
 * Holmes ; Trumbull ; Charlevoix. ■}■ Trumbull, ii. 405. 
 
102 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Nor were a natural desire to overcome difficulties and to 
 discharge his duty as a soldier and a patriot, the only motives 
 for exertion. Pride had her part to perform. The delays of 
 the Earl of Loudoun, the cowardice of Webb, and the 
 inefficiency of Abercrombie, incited him to exhibit to the 
 world a brilliant and ojorious contrast. The life-giving 
 energy of Pitt, the great controlling spirit of the age, also 
 acted upon his sensitive frame like a powerful magnet, keep- 
 ing his eye turned toward the pole-star of victory. No time 
 was lost. He caused batteries to be erected on the west point 
 of the Isle of Orleans and on Point Levi, upon the south- 
 ern side of the river, whence he jjoured a continual and 
 deadly fire upon the lower town. 
 
 Admiral Saunders seconded the operations of the army, 
 having taken his station below the north channel of the Isle 
 of Orleans opposite Montmorenci ; while Admiral Holmes 
 passed up the river and took a position above the town, 
 where he could distract the movements of the enemy and 
 divert their attention from the batteries. 
 
 Wolfe now resolved to cross the Montmorenci and bring 
 Montcalm to an engagement. He landed thirteen companies 
 of English grenadiers, and a part of the second battalion of 
 royal Americans, at the mouth of that river. At the same 
 time two divisions under Tovvnsend and Murray, were 
 ordered to cross it farther up the stream, where it was thought 
 that its current could be forded. His object was to get pos- 
 session of a redoubt near the shore, and thus bring on a for- 
 mal engagement. The French resisted this bold manoevre 
 with such success, that Wolfe was obliged to withdraw his 
 troops to his encampment, after having lost five hundred of 
 his bravest men.* 
 
 He now adopted other measures. He detached Murray 
 with twelve liundred men in transports to join Admiral 
 Holmes above the town in doing such damage as could be 
 done to the French shipj)ing, and to divide the attention of the 
 enemy, by making attacks upon certain exposed points on 
 * Holmes, ii. 91. 
 
[1759.; 
 
 PLAN OF THE ATTACK. 103 
 
 the banks of the river. iMurray finally succeeded in destroy- 
 insr a valuable mao;azine at Chambaud, but neither he or the 
 admiral could do any harm to the ships in their secure posi- 
 tion. He returned, therefore, to the camp, bringing the in- 
 telligence received from his prisoners, that Fort Niagara was 
 reduced, and that General Amherst had driven the French 
 from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and was advancing to 
 attack the army at Isle Aux Noix. Wolfe now saw that he 
 could not be joined by General Amherst during that cam- 
 paign, and that he must either abandon the siege before the 
 winter, that was now fast pressing on, should make both fleet 
 and army an easy prey to the enemy, or he must strike at 
 once a decisive blow.* 
 
 A council of officers was held, in which it was proposed 
 to remove the whole army up the river, and renew the attack 
 above the town. The camp was deserted, and the army 
 embarked on board the fleet and was landed in part at Point 
 Levi, and the residue at a f)lace further up the stream. For 
 several days, Admiral Holmes played his ships along the 
 northern shore in such a manner as to draw the enemy as far 
 as possible from the fortress. To watch the fleet and pre- 
 vent the landing of the troops, Montcalm sent fifteen hun- 
 dred men from the camp under Bourgainville, to guard the 
 northern shore. f ^till he had little fear that so impractica- 
 ble a thing would be attempted. Meanwhile, Wolfe was 
 suflfering from the most excruciating bodily infirmities. In 
 his agony he ordered his three brigadiers to hit upon some 
 plan of attack. These daring young noblemen, after con- 
 sulting together, proposed to him that the river bank should 
 be scaled in the night, and that the enemy should be drawn 
 into a general engagement upon the plains of Abraham. J 
 Even to those who now pass down the river and look up 
 towards the frowning rocks, the project seems rather a crazed 
 and giddy dream than a sober reality. The swiftness and 
 power of the current, the ledgy shore, the narrowness of the 
 landing, the appalling height of the clitf bristling with senti- 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 91, 92. f Holmes. * Holmes, ii. 91. 
 
104 HISTORY OF CONXECTICUT. 
 
 nels ready at the sound of a rolling pebble, or the flitting of 
 a bird's wing, to give the alarm, the army of veteran troops 
 with a train of artillery that might be expected to meet them 
 and sweep them back, should they ever reach the plain — all 
 conspired with the darkness of the night to throw shades of 
 doubt and discouragement upon this wild proposition. Am- 
 herst, brave as he was, would have shrunk from it with hor- 
 ror; and doubtless Scipio would have felt it to be a tempting 
 of the gods. Wolfe, on the other hand, sleepless from watch- 
 ing and racked with pain, accepted it with joy. His power- 
 ful mind was now bent with undivided force to carry it into 
 execution. He no longer felt the pangs of physical pain. 
 His clear mind saw all the details of this fearful undertaking, 
 and with a calmness and stern business capacity, equal to the 
 magnificence of the conception, he attended to the minutest 
 preparations. 
 
 On the 12th of September, the whole fleet sailed up the 
 river several leagues above the place where the landing was 
 to be attempted, and at suitable intervals, as if testing the 
 strength of the river bank, without any definite plan, made 
 a feint of attempting to land his troops. Thus the day was 
 spent. The early watches of the night were consumed in a 
 different way. About one o'clock in the morning, the troops 
 who had all been embarked in flat-bottomed boats, with the 
 ebb of the tide and the strength of the stream began to drift 
 down the river toward the landing place. Lest they should 
 miss this point, they were obliged to keep close under the 
 northern shore on account of the darkness. Once or twice 
 they were overheard by the keen sentinels stationed upon the 
 heights, and challenged. A Scotch officer answered in French, 
 that they were a part of Bourgainvillc's forces exploring the 
 river to watch the doings of the English. This answer 
 deluded the sentinels and they were permitted to pass.* 
 
 As they dropped down the river, silence was commanded, 
 on pain of death, in all the boats except the one that bore 
 the general and his officers. Wolfe iiad a few days before 
 
 * Graham. 
 
[1759.] 
 
 OX THE PLAINS OF ABRAIIA^M, 105 
 
 received from England a copy of Gray's Elegy, that had then 
 just been given to the world; and in that one boat, his im- 
 passioned voice blending with the rippling of the waves, he 
 recited to his officers in a low subdued tone, that most per- 
 fect and plaintive strain of the British muse. When he had 
 completed it, he exclaimed witli animation, 
 
 "Gentlemen, I would rather be the author of that poem 
 than to take Quebec."* 
 
 An hour beibre day-break they touched the landing. 
 Wolfe was the first to set foot upon the dangerous shore, and, 
 looking up the ragged sides of the ledge, observed ([uietly to 
 an officer who stood near him, "1 doubt if you will get up; 
 but you must do what you can." 
 
 Following a detachment of Scotch Highlanders and light- 
 infantry under Colonel Ilowe, grasping and ]ndling them- 
 selves up by vines and shrubs, the gallant army scaled the 
 clitl"; and when day broke over the brow of Cape Diamond, 
 it revealed to the garrison the whole British army arranged 
 in battle order upon the plains of Abraham. f 
 
 jMontcalm would not credit the intelligence when it was 
 made known to him. He could believe that a handful of 
 desperate men had been lorced up this almost perpendicular 
 wall for the purpose of throwing him of!" his guard and draw- 
 ing him from his position, as a preliminary step to a general 
 engagement, which he knew had been desired from the first 
 by the English general. But that an army of eight thousand 
 men could have scaled a wall so rough, and at the same time so 
 sheer and high, in a single night, and in the face of his own 
 argus-eyed sentinels, he conceived to be incredible. But 
 there was no resisting the evidence of his senses. Fired 
 with the recollection of his former success, and roused by 
 the promptings of a noble emulation, he resolved no longer 
 to spare the trial of strength that he had up to that time so 
 cautiously avoided ; but to fling the old French banner 
 against the fresh September breeze, and }mt upon a single 
 die the dominion of his king to the western world. 
 
 * Graham. t VVricht's History, i. 210 ; Holmes, ii. 1)2, 93. 
 
106 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 He planned his order of battle in the most masterly man- 
 ner. His right and left wings were composed each of Euro- 
 pean and colonial troops in about equal proportions. The 
 centre was formed of two battalions of the best French regu- 
 lars that he had under his command ; and there hovered in 
 front of his main army, lurking among the thickets that 
 skirted the table-land over which they moved like a pesti- 
 lence, fifteen hundred French and Indian sharp-shooters, 
 whose business it was to advance and begin the battle with 
 a selection of the most shining marks that glittered along the 
 lines of the English army.* 
 
 As soon as Wolfe saw that his cherished wish was about 
 to be realized, and that the enemy was advancing to meet 
 him, he becian to form his line consisting of six battalions 
 and the Louisbourg grenadiers. His right wing was com- 
 mitted to Monckton ; his left, to Murray. Howe's light in- 
 fantry protected the rear and the left ; and the right was 
 covered by the Louisbourg grenadiers. It was obvious from 
 the form in which they advanced that their design was to out- 
 flank his army on the left. To counteract this movement, 
 Wolfe detached General Townsend, with the regiment of 
 Amherst, and two battalions of royal Americans formed with 
 a double front. A single regiment drawn up in eight divis- 
 ions, with large intervals, constituted his body of reserves. 
 When the French commander had advanced near enough to 
 make it practicable, the concealed marksmen, that skulked 
 in the thicket in advance of his army, opened from their 
 hiding-places a well directed fire, that proved fatal to some 
 of the best British officers. f 
 
 This was the signal for the opening of the battle. Wolfe 
 had selected his station on the right of his army, and Mont- 
 calm a corresponding one upon the French left. About nine 
 o'clock in the morning, the French army advanced rapidly 
 to the attack, and the battle became fierce and general. Per- 
 haps never in so small an army as that of the English, was 
 there to be found so many otlicers of high courage and 
 
 * Holmes, ii, 93 ; Trumbull, ii. 410. t Holmes ; Trumbull ; Graham. 
 
[1759.] Wolfe's victory. 107 
 
 determined purpose, wlio looked upon death with sucli com- 
 posure ; nor a soldiery who were willing to sell their lives at 
 a rate more ruinous to their enemies. With a discipline that 
 seemed like the movements of a piece ot" mechanism, they 
 advanced in the face of the fire that was directed against 
 them with such deadly effect, until they had come within 
 forty yards of the French line. Then they began that fear- 
 ful and long-sustained discharge of musketry, that was kept 
 up with unremitting regularity, until the advancing tide of 
 the battle was checked and began to roll backwards along 
 the whole line of the French army. Montcalm made the 
 most desperate exertions to sustain his position. Early in 
 the action fortune seemed to favor him. Wolfe, wiiile he 
 stood in the front line, a fair mark for the Canadians, was sin- 
 gled out and wounded in the wrist. Without showing a sign 
 of pain, he wrapped a handkerchief around the wound, and 
 continued to issue his orders with the same coolness as 
 before. A second bullet, better aimed, soon pierced his 
 groin ; but still unruffled and persevering, he concealed this 
 probably fatal injury, and was leading on his grenadiers, with 
 the same chivalrous bearing, when a tln'rd musket ball entered 
 his breast, and he iell. 
 
 The fall of their leader, often so fatal on the battle-field, so 
 far from being the signal for defeat to the English army, fired 
 them with the spirit of revenge ; and they fought first under 
 Monckton, and, after he was disabled, under Tovvnsend, with 
 new zeal. About the time that Wolfe received the last shot, 
 his gallant rival, Montcalm, fell of a mortal wound. The 
 command of the French now devolved upon General 
 Senezergues, who shortly fell, and with him Iell the courage 
 and hopes of the army. The British right wing, where 
 Wolfe had fought, with fixed bayonets charged home upon 
 them. At this critical time the impetuous Murray, coming 
 up, broke their centre ; and the Scotch Highlanders — an 
 enemy of whom they had a superstitious horror — drawing 
 their claymores and rushing wildly ui)on them, swept them 
 from the field. The victory was complete. One thousand 
 
108 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 of the enemy fell in the battle, and in the flight that followed 
 it ; and about the same number were made prisoners. In 
 killed and wounded, the loss of the English was less than six 
 hundred men.* 
 
 After Wolfe had received the wound in his breast, he was 
 placed under the charge of a lieutenant, who, whh such ten- 
 derness as mothers I'eel for their expiring offspring, placed the 
 head of the general upon his shoulder and supported him in 
 the position that seemed most easy for him. As the officer 
 saw the French lines break and give back, he exclaimed 
 aloud, "They run! they run!" "Who runs?"' cried the 
 dying hero, a momentary beam of intelligence again lighting 
 up his pale cheek and flashing in his glazed eye. " The 
 French," replied the lieutenant. " Then I die happy," 
 exclaimed Wolfe, in a cheerful tone, and instantly expired. f 
 
 Thus the truism so beautifully expressed by the poet had 
 proved to him a prophecy: 
 
 " The paths of glory load but to the grave !''+ 
 
 The provincial troops who were engaged in this action, 
 fought with as much steadiness and bravery as the British 
 regulars, and America as well as England exulted alike in 
 the capture of Quebec, and mourned as well over the fall of 
 one of the most brilliant military chieftains that have shed 
 light upon the history that belongs in common to all the 
 nations that inherit the blood and speak the language of 
 the Saxon. 
 
 The campaign of 1759, brilliant and glorious as it had been, 
 had still left much to be done. The remnants of Montcalm's 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 94 ; Mante, iv. 4, 6 ; Rogers' Journal. 
 
 tGen. James Wolfe was only thirty-three years of age at the time of his 
 death. An incident similar to the above, occurred in the last hours of Montcalm. 
 On being told that he could live but a few hours, ho replied, " So much the bet- 
 ter ; I shall not then live to see the surrender of (Juebec." 
 
 jFor the anecdote of the '• Elegy," the reader is referred to Graham, iv. 51. 
 This careful and learned author has given a better account of this battle than any 
 other that I have seen. He has placed all writers who will succeed him under 
 obligations that for one, I am proud to owe to a Briton who has the manliness to 
 do justice to America. 
 
[1759.] EFFORTS OF IMUEEAY. 109 
 
 army, still formidable, had retired to Trois Rivieres and Mon- 
 treal, and besides, there was still a large force at Isle Aux 
 Noix. Cut off as these troops were from all chance of 
 recruits or supplies either from the ocean or the continent, 
 they had no other alternative now left to themselves, than to 
 surrender at the discretion of their conquerors, or to make a 
 last and desperate etibrt to redeem their lost fortunes. The 
 defeated army of Montcalm, now under the command of the 
 brave Monsieur Levi, still outnumbered the land army of 
 Wolfe, that had taken Quebec from the French. The Eng- 
 lish fleet had already left the St. Lawrence, and could not be 
 expected to return until alter the breaking up of the ice in 
 the spring.* 
 
 Immediately after the sailing of the English fleet, Monsieur 
 Levi had begun to make preparations to recover Quebec. 
 lie took possession of Point Levi, and prepared snow shoes 
 and scaling ladders for the enterprise. But Murray, who 
 commanded at the fort, as soon as the river was frozen over, 
 sent a party across upon the ice and drove the enemy from 
 this position. Levi finally determined to postpone the attempt 
 until the next spring. The amount of labor pertbrmetl by 
 the garrison at Quebec during the winter was astonishinix. 
 They repaired more than five hundred houses, built eight 
 redoubts, raised foot banks along the ram}iarts, opened em- 
 brasures and mounted cannon. f They also protected the 
 suburbs with a stockade, and removed into the highest parts 
 of the city provisions enough to last eleven months. Under 
 the keen vigilance of such a leader as Murray, they seemed 
 able to achieve everything but impossibilities. But even 
 Murray could not overcome the rigors of the climate. The 
 winter proved to be unusually severe. The vegetables on 
 which the troops depended in a good degree for subsistence 
 were destroyed, and before the end of April one thousand of 
 the soldiers had died from the excessive use of salt food. J 
 
 As soon as the rigors of the season had sufficiently abated, 
 
 * Trumbull ; Rogers ; Graham. tTiumbull, ii. 417. 
 
 t Rider's History ; Gov. Muri'ay to Soerutary Pitt. 
 
110 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Monsieur Levi under convoy of six armed frigates, that gave 
 him the entire command of the St. Lawrence, dropped dov^n 
 the river with his army. The British detachments stationed 
 along the shores, abandoned their posts and fled towards 
 Quebec at his approach. On the night of the 26th of April, 
 he landed his main army at Point au Tremble. It consisted 
 of five thousand regular troops, six thousand Canadians, and 
 about five hundred Indians.* Alter this landing was effected, 
 his army was augmented to fifteen thousand effective men. 
 This was a formidable army for a little garrison of three 
 thousand men to oppose, even with the advantages afforded 
 by the walls of such a fortress as Quebec. But Murray was 
 not a man to be daunted by dangers, nor was he satisfied with 
 merely acting on the defensive. He had been one of that 
 immortal council of officers who had conceived the plan of 
 scaling the Heights of Abraham ; he had himself acted a 
 chief part in carrying out that daring scheme, and he now 
 resolved, in the face of the lesson taught him by the defeat 
 of Montcalm, to go forth upon the heights already consecra- 
 ted by British valor, and give battle to this large army, by 
 making an assault upon the position of Levi at Sillery. It 
 was a bold, rash stroke that has never been justified by mili- 
 tary men. Still, the attack was fierce, and sustained with a 
 steadiness that seemed for some time likely to result in victory. 
 When he saw that the enemy was in the act of taking pos- 
 session of an eminence in his front, and that the main army 
 was marching in single column, he began the battle before the 
 French lines could be formed. He charged their van so furi- 
 ously that it was compelled to give way and fall back upon 
 the main army. The light infantry were now ordered to 
 regain the enemy's flank, but, after a severe charge, they were 
 obliged to retire, so sadly cut in pieces as to be entirely 
 disabled. 
 
 Otway's regiment was now ordered up to sustain the right 
 wing, which was done so effectually that the enemy tried in 
 vain to pierce it. The left brigade of the English drove the 
 * Wright's History, ii. 256 ; Rider, xlvi. 168, 169. 
 
[17G0.] DEFEAT OF MURRAY. Ill 
 
 enemy from two redoubts, and witli a resolution almost mirac- 
 ulous, withstood the whole shock of the French right until 
 relieved by the third battalion of royal Americans from the 
 reserve, and Kennedy's from the centre. But it was vain for this 
 handful of Englishmen and Americans to conquer such an 
 army as now poured a steady and fatal fire into their centre, 
 and were extending around their flanks in the form of a semi- 
 circle. Retreat alone saved them. After an action of an 
 hour and three-quarters, they had sustained a loss of one 
 thousand men and gained nothing.* Murray regained the 
 fortress with his remnant of two thousand men, and without 
 being disheartened at the defeat, set himself about the defense 
 of the place with all his energies. f 
 
 The next night the enemy opened the siege. Murray was 
 just able by the superiority of his guns, to check the violence 
 of their first assault, but still the success of the siege was, he 
 plainly saw, a problem depending in part upon his own exer- 
 tions, but no less upon the early or late arrival of ships to 
 relieve the garrison. Long and anxiously did he look off 
 upon the river in hope to s])y the first approach of the fleet 
 that could alone save him from the overwhelming numbers 
 of the besiegers. The suspense was made still more fearful 
 b}^ the possibility that the French might first get possession 
 of the river. At last, on the 9th of May, a single English 
 sail was seen making up the stream. She anchored in the 
 basin, and proved to be the Lowestofie, and gave the joyful 
 intelligence that Commodore Swanton, with a small reinforce- 
 ment, and the English fleet under Lord Colville, were 
 approaching. J 
 
 On the 15th, Commodore Swanton anchored above Point 
 Levi. Murray immediately begged him to take early measures 
 to remove the French squadron that was anchored above the 
 town. Commodore Swanton therefore ordered two frigates 
 early the next morning to slip their cables and attack the squad- 
 ron. The French ships fled, at their approach, in confusion. 
 
 * See Holmes, ii. 99. t Trumbull, ii. 419, 420, 421. 
 
 , i Holmes ; Trumbull. 
 
112 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 One of their frigates was driven upon the rocks above Cape 
 Diamond ; another ran aground at Point au Tremble, and 
 was burned. Without making any show of defense, the 
 whole French fleet was either destroyed or taken.* 
 
 This was a terrible blow to the besieging army. Panic- 
 stricken at the sight of their burning ships and at the tidings 
 that a large English fleet was approaching, they broke up the 
 siege in the night and fled in precijiitation, leaving their tents 
 standing in their camp, and their artillery and magazines to 
 fall into the hands of the English. On the 19th of May, 
 Lord Colville arrived with his fleet and again placed Quebec 
 in a condition to defy the armies of France. Thus early 
 did the campaign of 17G0 open with the auguries of success. 
 
 As in former years, Connecticut responded to the call of 
 the ministry. On the 13th of March, the General Assembly 
 convened at New Haven. Mr. Pitt's letter, asking for fresh 
 troops and holding out promises of completing the conquest 
 of Canada, in such glowing colors, as clothed all the images 
 of his sublime imagination, was received with a warm wel- 
 come. With one consent the legislature voted to raise four 
 regiments, each consisting of twelve companies, making an 
 aggregate of five thousand eflective men. They were to be 
 levied at the expense of the colony with all haste, and were 
 to be clothed and paid from the treasury of the colony. f 
 
 The plan of this campaign was a fit sequel to that of the 
 preceding year. General Amherst took the field with a fine 
 army very early in the season. He designed to advance 
 upon Montreal from three diflerent points, and, after a union 
 had been formed, to give the enemy battle and decide the 
 fate of Canada at a blow. With one branch of the army. 
 General Haviland was ordered to proceed by the way of 
 
 * Trumbull. 
 
 t Colony Reeorfls, MS. Phinoas Lyman, Esq., was appointed major jjoneral, 
 and colonel of the first regiment ; the otluir oflicers were — colonels — Nathan 
 ^Vhiting, David Wooster, and Eleazer Fitch ; lieut. colonels — Nathan Payson, 
 Joseph Spencer, James Smedley,and Israel Putnam ; majors — .lohn Slapp, David 
 Baldwin, David ^yaterbury, and John Durkcc. Thomas Knowlton, was an 
 ensiiin in the first recimeut. 
 
[1760.] Putnam's enterprise. 113 
 
 Lake George, and Lake Champlain. Murray was directed 
 to go up the St. Lawrence with as many men as could be 
 spared from Quebec, while the commander-in-chief passed 
 into Canada, by the way of Lake Ontario, and the St. 
 Lawrence.* 
 
 In June, General Amherst began iiis march from Schenec- 
 tady to Oswego with the main army, consisting of ten thou- 
 sand regular and provincial troops, and one thousand Indians. f 
 In about three weeks he reached the lake shore in safety. 
 This was a march of great fatigue, and when we consider 
 the roughness of the roads, the distance traveled, the amount 
 of stores, munitions, and camp equipage thus transported, we 
 cannot but form a favorable opinion of the skill of the com- 
 mander and the discipline of his troops. But the labors and 
 dangers of his march had but just commenced. Lake Ontario 
 was a wide expanse yet to be traversed, and its short, sharp 
 waves were more perilous than the long deep swell of the 
 Atlantic ocean. To make this voyage he had only open 
 boats and rude galleys, such as a hasty emergency had been 
 adequate to supply. Should he reach the outlet of the lake 
 he must afterwards expose his army to the tossings of the 
 rapids that convulse the navigation of the St. Lawrence. 
 He succeeded in passing the lake without any misfortune. 
 
 General Amherst determined to pass down the river imme- 
 diately, and attack Oswegatchie and Isle Royal. Two armed 
 vessels obstructed the passage, and prevented the attempt 
 upon Oswegatchie. As the channel was narrow, and the 
 English army in the open boats was sadly exposed to these 
 ships, Putnam with one thousand men in fifty batteaux, under- 
 took the dangerous task of boarding them. General Amherst 
 fell in with the proposition. Putnam proceeded with charac- 
 teristic determination to carry out the plan. He commanded 
 all the men on board his little fleet to strip themselves to 
 their waistcoats, and advance, when he should give the signal. 
 " I will join you," said he, " if I live, and show you the way 
 
 * Holmes, ii. 99, 100. 
 
 t Holmes. These Indians were under the commaml of Sir William Joluison. 
 
 40 
 
114 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 up the sides of the ships." He now placed himself with a 
 chosen crew of his old comrades into the van, and began to 
 advance. A beetle and some wedges lying in the bottom of 
 the boat, were the unheard of weapons that he designed first 
 to employ in wedging the rudders of the French ships so 
 that they would be but lifeless hulks upon the water and un- 
 able to turn their broadsides upon his batteaux as they drew 
 near. Silently and swiftly the other batteaux followed. 
 Putnam's shot over the water, impelled by the sinewy 
 strength of such men as dared venture themselves in the 
 same bottom with him, upon an errand that no British officer 
 in the whole army would have dared to attempt. Dazzled 
 and amazed at this sudden and novel mode of attack, and 
 seeing the calm celerity with which these brave provincials 
 advanced in their half naked state, the French in dismay ran 
 one of their vessels aground. The other struck her colors 
 without firing a gun ; and the victory was now complete.* 
 
 But the fortress, firmly planted upon an island in the river, 
 was still safe, and presented a formidable obstacle to the 
 progress of the English army. Aside from the natural 
 strength of the place and the ordinary embankments and 
 trenches of a fort, the enemy had surrounded the entire 
 island with an abattis of black ash tree-tops with sharp 
 points stretching outwards, that projected over the water's 
 edge on every side and seemed to defy all approach. Gen. 
 Amherst was again at a loss how to proceed, and all the 
 operations of the army were brought to a stand. Again 
 Putnam suggested a way of overcoming this difficult obstruc- 
 tion, and otiered his own personal services to conduct the 
 enterprise. He proposed to surround a sufficient number of 
 boats with fascines so closely fitted as to be musket-proof, 
 and of course, a perfect screen for the men, to be employed 
 in scaling the abattis. A wide plank, twenty feet in length 
 was then to be provided for each boat and fastened by ropes 
 on both sides of the bow, so that it might be raised and 
 lowered with ease. This plank was to be held erect while 
 * Himiphroys. 
 
[1761.] PUTNAM S DRAW-BRIDGE. 115 
 
 the oar's-men should bring the bow of the boats violently 
 against the abattis, and then suddenly dropped upon the 
 sharpened points of the tree-tops, was to serve as a kind of 
 draw-bridge over which the escalading party was to pass. 
 This singular contrivance met with the warm approbation 
 of the general. Putnam lost no time in getting the boats 
 ready to commence the attack, and advanced upon the 
 enemy with such admirable address that they did not dare to 
 withstand the shock, and capitulated without firing a gun.* 
 
 Thus through the wisdom and daring of a provincial offi- 
 cer, was a bloodless entrance forced into Canada. 
 
 Early in September, General Amherst arrived at Montreal. 
 A union was soon effected between the three divisions of his 
 army, and two days afterwards, that town with all the other 
 posts in the hands of the French, and the whole country 
 claimed by them, were surrendered to the British crown. f 
 
 At the close of this campaign, days of public thanksgiving 
 were appointed and celebrated throughout the New England 
 colonies. At their October session, the General Assembly of 
 Connecticut, resolved to present to his majesty their written 
 congratulations on the triumph of the British forces in vari- 
 ous parts of the world, and especially in North America, in 
 the entire conquest of Canada, and in the submission of that 
 vast country to his majesty's government. J 
 
 Notwithstanding the conquest of Canada, the war still 
 raged between the two nations with unabated vigor. In the 
 spring of 1761, another requisition was made upon the colo- 
 nies for troops. Mr. Pitt asked for two-thirds the number of 
 men from Connecticut that she had furnished during the pre- 
 vious campaign On the 26th of March, the Assembly was 
 convened, and it was resolved that two thousand three hun- 
 dred men should be immediately raised for the service. 
 
 * Ilumplireys. 
 
 t llolinc's, ii. 100 ; Marshall, 1. c. 13 ; Universal History, xl. 241, 240. After 
 the capitulation, C4en. Gage was appointed governor of Montreal, with a garrison 
 of two thousand men ; and Gen. Murray returned to Quebec, where his garrison 
 was augmented to four thousand. 
 
 i Colony Records, MS. 
 
116 HISTOKY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Provision was also made to clothe and supply them with all 
 the necessary food and equipments.* 
 
 The object of the campaign was to repair and place in a 
 state of perfect defense, all the forts and military posts that 
 had fallen into the hands of the English, or had been con- 
 structed by them at so much cost and labor ; to build new 
 ones wherever it should be thought necessary to guard the 
 avenues to the English settlements should Canada, by some 
 unhappy turn of fortune, again fall into the hands of its old 
 masters ; to repair old roads and construct new ones from 
 fort to fort, and from settlement to settlement, leading through 
 desolate swamps and vast forests ; to erect houses and bar- 
 racks for the garrisons at the several stations along the 
 northern frontier lines ; and to bring out of the chaos of war 
 a state of order and completeness that would promise security 
 for the future against the troubles that had so long dis- 
 turbed the continent. The labor performed by the Connec- 
 ticut troops during that year, affords as a good commentary 
 upon the courage and endurance of our people as any 
 thing that they had done in the wars of the preceding 
 campaign. 
 
 At the close of the campaign of 1761, upon this continent, 
 a large part of the regulars with a body of provincial troops 
 embarked for the West Indies, where they were joined by an 
 armament from Great Britain. The reduction of INIartinique, 
 was the object of the expedition. On the 14th of February, 
 1762, that island capitulated, and one after the other, 
 Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincents, followed in its train, 
 until the French force was broken in the Carribean sea, and 
 the beautiful chain of islands that stretches from the eastern 
 point of Hispaniola, almost to the continent of South 
 America, was in possession of the English. f 
 
 * Tlicse troops wore divided into two i'eo;imcnts, and were placed under the 
 command of Phincas Lyman and Nathan "Whiting, Esqrs. 
 
 + Universal History, xli. 195, 200, 231 ; Smollet, iv. 364, 370. The entire re- 
 duction of Martinique was effected with the loss of but seven British officers, and 
 about one hundred j)rivates killed ; about one hundred and fifty only were wounded. 
 The French lost above one thousand of their best men, killed, wounded, and taken 
 
[1762.] A XEAV PAETr TO THE "WAR. 117 
 
 Meanwhile, a new party was added to the scene of the 
 conflict that was occupying the whole world for an arena. 
 This party was Spain, and as the Enghsh army was 
 ah'eady victorious over the French in the West Indies, it 
 was resolved to strike a capital blow at the Spanish posses- 
 sions in that quarter. The laud army under Lord Albemarle, 
 was one of the finest that had ever been sent from England ; 
 and the fleet was commanded by Admiral Pocock, who had 
 just returned from a brilliant career of success in the East 
 Indies. On arriving at Cape Nichols he was joined by Sir 
 James Douglass, with a fine squadron. The whole fleet now 
 numbered thirty-seven ships of war, with about one hundred 
 and fifty transports ; and the land army under Albemarle, 
 were to be joined by a body of provincials made up of five 
 hundred men from New Jersey, eight hundred from New 
 York, and one thousand from Connecticut — all under com- 
 mand of Major-General Lyman. The immediate command 
 of General Lyman's regiment devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Putnam. 
 
 Havana was the first and principal object of attack. 
 The fleet that carried the provincials sailed from New 
 York and arrived safely off the coast of Cuba. A terrible 
 storm now arose, and the transport that bore Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Putnam, with five hundred men, making one half of 
 the Connecticut regiment, was driven on a rilt of craggy 
 rocks and wrecked. Thus separated from the rest of the 
 fleet, so that he could hope for no aid from any external 
 source, the serf rolling mountaiii high and dashing against 
 the sides of the ship with such force that she threatened to 
 part her timbers at every stroke of the sea, this brave offi- 
 cer, looking calmly in the face of death, maintained above 
 the noise of the waves, a discipline that enabled him to issue 
 all his orders without interruption, and secured an obedience 
 to them as perfect as if the bold-hearted men whom he com- 
 manded had stood upon the ridges of their own corn-fields. 
 
 prisoners. There were on the island, at the time of its reduction, ten thousand 
 white men capable of bearing arms ; and above forty thousand negroes. 
 
118 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 In this appalling situation, every man who could wield a saw 
 or a hammer was employed in making rafts from spars, 
 planks, and the scanty and scattered materials that came to 
 hand. In this way a part of the men were landed at the 
 great risk of being drifted far out into the sea. After a few of 
 the men had been safely disembarked, ropes were lashed to 
 the rafts and those who had thus gained the shore aided in 
 pulling their companions to the beach. Such was the 
 address and caution exercised by Putnam in this most criti- 
 cal of all conditions that not a man was lost. Colonel Put- 
 nam now pitched his camp and remained several days within 
 twenty-four miles of the enemy at Carthagena. At last the 
 storm abated, and the convoy soon after took them aboard 
 and carried them to Havana.* 
 
 The climate proved fatal to a large proportion of our 
 soldiers who went upon this expedition. Of the thousand 
 brave men who sailed for Plavana, and who aided in reduc- 
 ing it, with all its shipping and militar)^ stores, to the domin- 
 ion of the British crown, but a mere handful ever returned 
 to lay their bones in their native soil.f A few officers, and 
 here and there a straggling soldier, wasted to a skeleton, were 
 the sole survivors of that fatal campaign, in which victory 
 and death went hand in hand. The peace of 17G3 followed 
 soon after, and gave the people of Connecticut time to 
 breathe and prepare for another struggle. 
 
 Thus ended the memorable French war, ranging over a 
 period of eight years of suffering and privation for our peo- 
 ple that no pen can ever record. During these toilsome 
 years the sons of the colony had found their graves in every 
 part of the continent, and had been laid to rest beneath the 
 waters of the West Indian seas. No colony in proportion 
 to her population had furnished an equal number of men. 
 Again and again she had sent into the field a duplicate sup- 
 ply of troops beyond those demanded of her, to make up for 
 the deficiency that she had but too good reason to think 
 would exist in some of those provinces less imbued with tlie 
 * Humphreys. t Trumbull, ii. 449. 
 
[1764.] CONNECTICUT OFFICERS. 119 
 
 spirit of liberty and less devoted to tiie cause of humanity. 
 She had also paid out of her own treasury, after deducting 
 the pittance that she had received from parliament, more 
 than four hundred thousand pounds — far surpassing, accord- 
 ing to her wealth, the amount paid by any other of the colo- 
 nies; and the exploits of her gallant officers — her Lymans, 
 her Whitings, her Parsons, her Dyers, her Spencers, her 
 Hinmans, her Coits, her Fitches, her Durkees, her Woosters, 
 her Putnams, and her Wolcotts, — were as glorious as their 
 fame will be immortal. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE STAirP ACT. 
 
 For nearly three-quarters of a century England had been 
 almost constantly engaged in war. I have minutely delineated 
 some of the conflicts that had so long occupied her attention, 
 as they were as much a part of the History of Connecticut as 
 of England. These wars, waged with some of the most pow- 
 erful nations of the globe, in the Orient, in Europe, among 
 the islands of the western seas, and upon the continent of 
 North America, had proved a constant drain upon the re- 
 sources of the empire. An old national debt, by gradual accre- 
 tions, had grown at last to the appalling sum of seven hun- 
 dred millions of dollars. Even at the beginning of the last 
 French war, the alarm of the government had been excited 
 and the Board of Trade had proposed a plan of taxing the 
 American colonies. But in the whirl of those exciting cam- 
 paigns that followed one another like a succession of autumn 
 gales upon an exposed ocean-shore, the scheme had been 
 allowed to slumber for about eight years. 
 
 No sooner had the peace of 1763 given the nation an 
 opportunity fo look at its internal condition, than the British 
 ministry again turned its eye toward the American colonies, 
 as the proper field for financial experiment. The precedents 
 existing in relation to the inter-colonial trade, the regulation 
 of postage, laws of naturalization, the administration of oaths, 
 the restrictions upon trade and manufactures, and some other 
 encroachments, gradually made, at first bitterly complained 
 of, and then submitted to without violence — had encouraged 
 the British government to further acts of injustice. Already 
 custom-houses had been erected in the colonies along the 
 coast, and already the enlarged jurisdiction of courts of 
 admiralty had in jjart supplanted the right of trial by jury. 
 
[17G3.] NEW MINISTRY. 121 
 
 But the avowed object of these acts of parliament was to 
 regulate trade and navigation, and as the revenue arising out 
 of these several acts was incidental and comparatively trifling, 
 the colonies had not ventured openly to resist them. 
 
 A new administration had now succeeded that of Pitt. It 
 was headed by Lord Bute, the most obstinate of Scotchmen, 
 who had called to his aid Lord Grenville, a cold, self- 
 reliant man, ignorant of the character of the Ameri- 
 can people and solicitous to acquire, as chancellor of the 
 exchequer, a high reputation for financial ability. Grenville 
 now proposed a stamp tax for revenue. On the 22d of 
 September, 1763, he held an interview with two other lords 
 of the treasury, in a dingy chamber in Downing-street, to 
 consult in relation to this most delicate and critical scheme. 
 What doubts may have interposed themselves to darken the 
 visions of ambition and political intrigue ; what stings of con- 
 science premonitory of those of remorse and disappointment 
 of a later day, haunted these grim men as they sketched the 
 outline of the plot that was to rob the British empire of half 
 its glory, and deluge a continent in blood ; or whether, indeed, 
 they allowed their thoughts to range beyond the circle of 
 their own party aggrandizement, cannot now be known to 
 the world. We only learn the result of the meeting from 
 this brief record of his instructions to Jenkinson. 
 
 "Write to the commissioners of the stamp duties to pre- 
 pare the draft of a bill to be presented to the parliament, for 
 extending the stamp duties in the colonies." The mandate 
 was executed ; not with the hot haste that follows the con- 
 ceptions of giddy youth, inflamed with passion and bubbling 
 with wine, but deliberately, with a steady force and a leisurely 
 cool resolution, that seemed to say to the English people and 
 to the colonies, bring forth your strong reasons, kindle the 
 fires of faction at home, petition the king, remonstrate with 
 the hereditary aristocracy, appeal to the sympathies and sense 
 of justice of the Commons, we are not to be shaken from our 
 purposes by supplication, by argument or by threat. We 
 give you timely notice to do your worst. 
 
122 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The measure was slowly reduced to form and laid before 
 parliament, not to be acted upon hastily, but to be debated, 
 revised, and perfected. The proposed impost was to be laid 
 upon "every skin, or piece of vellum, or parchment, or sheet 
 or piece of paper," on which should be engraved or written 
 any pleadings in courts, any deed, lease, bond, or policy of 
 insurance, and was to be so framed, with specifications em- 
 bodied in the bill, as to embrace nearly all the transactions 
 of a business nature between man and man. The material 
 used to perpetuate contracts, records, nay, the very elements 
 of learning and the vital thoughts of genius, was to be 
 taxed and paid for according to a fixed rate throughout all 
 the American colonies. 
 
 Strange to say, this proposition did not at first attract much 
 attention in America. A terrible war had again broken out 
 on the western frontier, and diverted the thoughts of the 
 people from this threatened calamity. A part of the colonial 
 agents resident at London, wrote to their constituents, 
 informing them of the proposition, and asking for instruc- 
 tions; but their correspondence excited little alarm. 
 
 Thus passed away the winter of 1763. In March 1764, 
 Grenville, who had now become prime minister, presented to 
 the House of Commons his matured plan of taxing the colo- 
 nies. The house advised the minister that he had a right to 
 do what he had so much at heart, and advised the passage of 
 a Stamp Act, after giving the colonies notice to hit upon 
 some other method, if they should choose, of raising the sum 
 of money demanded by the British government. The " Sugar 
 Act," however, was passed without delay, taking off a part 
 of the duty formerly imposed on foreign sugar and molasses, 
 and laying a duty on coffee, French and India goods, wines 
 from Madeira and the Azores, and prohibiting the exporta- 
 tion of iron from the colonies to any other country except 
 England.* This act added something to the already over- 
 grown stature of the colonial courts of admiralty, while its 
 
 * Ilildretb, i. 2d series, 520 and ante. 
 
[ITCL] COXNECTICUT OPPOSES IT, 123 
 
 preamble stated in plain terms that its primary object was 
 revenue. 
 
 The American colonies were inhabited by an earnest yet 
 philanthropic people. They had sprung from the blood of 
 the better order of England, and their culture, as we have 
 before seen, had eminently fitted them to think before they 
 ventured to act. When the news of the passage of the 
 sugar bill, and of the still more odious proposition for a stamp 
 act, reached Boston, there were visible everywhere tokens of 
 astonishment and apprehension. Men were seen standing in 
 groups at the corners of the streets, and entbrcing, with 
 animated gestures, words that could hardly have been called 
 respectful or conciliatory ; yet there was at first no violent 
 demonstration. The waters trembled, but it was long before 
 they began to roll their angry waves and toss their white 
 foam against the foundations of a throne sanctified in its 
 supremacy by so many hallowed associations. At length, 
 Samuel Adams, under instructions from Boston, entered a 
 written protest against the doings of the ministry. 
 
 The news soon reached Hartford. The General Assem- 
 bly of Connecticut, at its May session, before the protest 
 of Adams was framed, and before any decided action was 
 taken by the Legislature of Massachusetts, selected Ebenezer 
 Silliman, George Wyllys, and Jared Ingersoll, a committee 
 to assist Governor Fitch in preparing a state paper that 
 should set forth at length the reasons against the bill. This 
 committee met from time to time during the summer of that 
 year to confer with each other, and to suggest all the argu- 
 ments that occurred to their minds against the odious mea- 
 sure that was pending. The document, setting forth their 
 views, was drawn up by Governor Fitch, and was presented 
 to the General Assembly at their October session.* It is a 
 paper of great clearness, and shows a perfect knowledge of the 
 history of the colony, the immunities conferred by its charter 
 freely granted by the king, and acquiesced in by all the 
 departments of the national government for more than a 
 * Colonial Records, MS. 
 
124 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 hundred years ; it shows too an intimate acquaintance with 
 the principles of the British constitution, and the rights of 
 the subject under it, that is unsurpassed, it is beheved, by any 
 paper originating in any other colony during that exciting 
 period. The deformities of the proposed measure, its injus- 
 tice, its defiance of the liberties innnemorially vested in the 
 people ; the blind force with which it tramples upon the 
 rights of trial by jury and of the people to represent and 
 to tax themselves, are animadverted upon with great 
 force. 
 
 The Assembly adopted these reasons as their own, and 
 resolved that a copy of them with an address to parliament, 
 that was also to be drawn up by the governor, should be sent 
 to Richard Jackson, Esquire, the agent of the colony in 
 London. Mr. Jackson was directed "firmly to insist on the 
 exclusive right of the colonies to tax themselves and on the 
 privilege of trial by jury."* These cardinal doctrines of 
 their political faith they declared that they "never could 
 recede from." 
 
 Mr. Ingersoll, who soon after sailed for England, took out 
 with him about one hundred printed copies of a pamphlet 
 containing the reasons set forth by the colony against the 
 stamp act. He presented one to Lord Grenville, who praised 
 the mild temper with which it was written, and said that he 
 had seen no better arguments than those exhibited by Con- 
 necticut, lie regarded the reasoning as fallacious, however, 
 as it premised what he said was not true, that the colonies 
 were not represented in parliament. Soon after Mr. Inger- 
 soll arrived in Londun, he was made acquainted with the re- 
 solve of the Asseini)ly, associating him with Mr. Jackson to 
 represent the colony as its agent in England. 
 
 Meanwhile the preparations for perpetrating this fraud 
 upon the colonial treasuries went forward with cold pre- 
 cision. In vain did Franklin, Jackson, Ingersoll, and 
 other gentlemen, remonstrate in behalf of their constituents ; 
 and to no purpose did the London merchants, interested in 
 
 * Colonial Records, MS. 
 
[1TG4.] 
 
 LORD HALIFAX AND CONNECTICUT, 125 
 
 the American trade, forward statements of their grievances 
 that were doomed to be cast aside without being read. The 
 passage of the bill in some form^was obviously decreed in the 
 councils of the government. Still the lords of the treasury 
 were willing if they could to smooth the path to obedience by 
 any modifications that were not likely to interfere with the 
 prospect of raising the desired revenue. Information was 
 therefoi-e sought from the colonies that might show the min- 
 istry where to strike the surest blow, and at the same time 
 mitigate the pain. 
 
 Lord Halifax addressed inquiries to the governor and com- 
 pany of Connecticut, asking for statistics and data that 
 might serve as the basis of the proposed law. He desired to 
 know the modes of doing business in the colony, the kinds of 
 business carried on there, and the amount of revenue that 
 they would yield ; and called for an inventory of all the in- 
 struments in use for public records, pleadings in courts of 
 justice, and the various relations of private life, as well as an 
 appraisal of their respective values. This seeming leniency 
 was only a refined mode of cruelty, like that of an executioner 
 who should compel the victim upon the platform to tie the 
 fatal knot about his own neck. Still the requisition was 
 loyally obeyed, and the schedule made out and dispatched to 
 England as soon as practicable. Yet, lest the colony should 
 appear by this act of comjjliance to have acquiesced in the 
 doings of the ministry. Governor Fitch accompanied the list 
 with a letter, pleading in the most manly and earnest tones 
 for the forbearance of the government. "It will appear by 
 this list," writes his excellency to Lord Halifax, "that the 
 public can be charged with no burden but what must lie im- 
 mediately upon the colony treasury, which is already exhaus- 
 ted by the war to that degree as not to be capable of such a 
 recruit as is requisite to answer the necessities of the gov- 
 ernment for some time to come. The people in general are 
 also so involved, that new burdens will not only be distress- 
 ing but greatly discouraging in their struggles to extricate 
 themselves from their debts incurred during the late war. 
 
126 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT, 
 
 Suffer me, my lord, to entreat on their behalf that they may 
 be excused from this new duty, which appears to them so 
 grievous." 
 
 Mr. Ingersoll was also interrogated in a similar way by 
 Thomas Whately, one of the joint Secretaries of the Trea- 
 sury, and was answered in language that seems now almost 
 prophetic, as we read it by the light of those events that 
 have made the year 1765, nearly as renowned as the one 
 that gave birth to our national Independence. In this noble 
 letter words of warning are added to those of remonstrance. 
 "The people think if the precedent of a stamp act is once 
 established, you will have it in your power to keep us as poor 
 as you please. The people's minds, not only here, but in the 
 neighboring provinces, are filled with the most dreadful 
 apprehensions from such a step's taking place ; from whence 
 I leave you to guess how easily a tax of that kind would be 
 collected." In the same letter he says, "don't think me im- 
 pertinent, since you desire information, when I tell you that 
 I have heard gentlemen of the greatest property in neigh- 
 boring governments say, seemingly very cooly, that should 
 such a step take place, they would immediately remove 
 themselves with their families and fortunes, into some foreign 
 kingdom. You see I am quite prevented from suggesting to 
 you which of the several methods of taxation that you men- 
 tion would be the best or least exceptionable, because I plainly 
 perceive that every one of them, or any supposable one, 
 other than such as shall be laid by the legislative bodies here, 
 to say no more of them, toould go doivn ivith the people like 
 chopt hay." It did indeed prove to be dry food in the throats 
 of the parties who from choice or compulsion attempted to 
 swallow it. But listen still further to this keen-sighted poli- 
 tician. "As for your allied plan of enforcing the acts of 
 trade and navigation, and preventing smuggling, let me tell 
 you that enough would not be collected here in the course of 
 ten years to defray the expense of fitting out one, the least, 
 frigate for an American voyage ; and that the whole labor 
 would be like hurnins:: a ham to roast on egff .'" So wrote 
 
[1704.] COL. BARRE's SPEECH. 127 
 
 Jared Ingersoll of New Haven, throwing against the darhng 
 project of Grenville, and his financial compeers, great masses 
 of sohd sense and homely scorn, hard to be withstood, and 
 dangerous to the ribs as if they had been square blocks of 
 the native trap rock of his own town. 
 
 Nor were there wanting those in parliament who, born 
 and bred in England and having her cause most fondly at 
 heart, had the sagacity to foresee the danger, and the courage 
 to forewarn its authors in good time. Among these was the 
 gallant Colonel Barre, who had served in America during the 
 late war, and knew well the courage and spirit of the people. 
 Townshend, one of the ministers, had indulged in rash 
 declarations against the colonies, and among other things had 
 spoken of the Americans as "children planted by our care, 
 nourished by our indulgence, and protected by our arms." 
 The reply of Colonel Barre, is one of the most spontaneous 
 and soul-stirring in all the repositories of eloquence, ancient 
 or modern. It is to .Tared Ingersoll, who was in the House 
 of Commons and heard it, that we owe its preservation. It 
 was reported by him at the time, and soon after sent to Con- 
 necticut, and was first given to the world in the columns of 
 a New London newspaper. " The sentiments of Colonel 
 Barre," says Mr. Ingersoll in a letter to Governor Fitch, 
 "were thrown out so entirely without premeditation, so 
 forcibly and so firmly, and the breaking ofl" was so beauti- 
 fully abrupt, that the whole house sat awhile as if amazed, 
 intently looking, and without answering a word. I, even I, 
 felt emotions that I never felt before, and went the next 
 morning and thanked Colonel Barre, in helialf of my country." 
 
 As a part of the language of this speech was soon after- 
 wards the watchword of organized opposition throughout 
 the American colonies, and as it was preserved for the 
 admiration of the future ages by a son of Connecticut, it 
 seems naturally to belong to her history. It is as follows : 
 
 "They planted by your care ! No, your oppressions plan- 
 ted them in America. They fied from your tyranny to a 
 then uncultivated and inhospitable country; where they 
 
128 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 exposed themselves to almost all the hardships to which 
 human nature is liable ; and among others, to the cruelties of 
 a savage foe, the most subtle, and I take it upon me to say, 
 the most formidable of any people upon the face of God's 
 earth ; and yet, actuated by principles of true English liberty, 
 they met all these hardships with pleasure, compared with 
 those they suffered in their own country, from the hands of 
 those who should have been their friends. 
 
 " They nourished by your indulgence ! They grew by 
 your neglect of them. As soon as you began to care about 
 them, that care was exercised in sending persons to rule over 
 them, in one department and another, who were, perhaps, 
 the deputies of deputies to some member of this house, 
 sent to spy out their liberties, to misrepresent their actions, 
 and to prey upon them ; men, whose behavior on many 
 occasions, has caused the blood of those sons of liberty to 
 recoil within them ; men promoted to the highest seats of 
 justice, some, who to my knowledge, were glad by going to 
 a foreign country, to escape being brought to the bar of a 
 court of justice in their own. 
 
 " They protected by your arms ! They have nobly taken 
 up arms in your defense ; have exerted a valor amidst their 
 constant and laborious industry, for the defense of a country 
 whose frontier, while drenched in blood, its interior parts 
 have yielded all its little savings to your emolument. And, 
 believe me, remember I this day told you so, that same spirit 
 of freedom which actuated that people at first, will accom- 
 pany them still ; but prudence forbids that I should 
 explain myself further. God knows I do not at this 
 time speak from motives of party heat ; what I deliver 
 are the genuine sentiments of my heart. However 
 superior to me in general knowledge and experience, the re- 
 spectable body of this House may be, yet I claim to know 
 more of America than most of you, having seen and been 
 conversant in that country. The people, I believe, are as 
 truly loyal as any subjects the king has ; but a people jealous 
 of their liberties, and who will vindicate them, if they should 
 
[1705.] INGERSOLL AND THE STAMP ACT, 129 
 
 be violated; but the subject is too delicate, and I will say no 
 more."* 
 
 In spite of those manly and eloquent voices raised against 
 the consummation of this great wrong, the blind and stiff- 
 necked ministry persisted in their course. Yet, although Con- 
 necticut was not able to avert the impending blow, she was 
 still able, through the agency of Mr. Ingersoll, to lighten its 
 grevious weight by interposing such arguments as induced 
 the ministry to modify the bill in some of its more oppressive 
 provisions. f When Mr. Ingersoll arrived in England in the 
 winter of 1764, he found the stamp act already drawn, 
 but still remaining in the hands of his friend, Mr. 
 Whateley, as Secretary of the Treasury, tor revision 
 and amendment before it should be put upon its passage. 
 Mr. Ingersoll availed himself of his personal influence with 
 that gentleman to soften as much as he could the rigors of 
 the bill. Thus the duty on marriage licenses that might, 
 among the poor, prevent many honest and worthy people 
 from sharing the blessings of connubial life ; on registers of 
 vessels ; and on the salaries of judges and magistrates who 
 could ill-allbrd to pay for the honors that scarcely served to 
 feed and clothe them, were crossed from the bill. Connecti- 
 cut had also the honor, through the solicitations of Ingersoll, 
 to render the whole country a still more important service, by 
 getting the day of its going into operation postponed until 
 the 1st of November, 1765. This postponement, as will 
 appear in the sequel, was of the utmost consequence. 
 
 * Colonel Isaac Barre, the uoblo dcieiider of the colonies, had been in early life 
 an officer in the army, and as such, had spent much time in America. In parlia- 
 ment he obtained a high reputation as a debater. For several years previous to 
 his death, (which took place in 1802, at the age of seventy-five,) he was afflicted 
 with blindness. 
 
 tl am indebted to Hon. I. William Stuart, for the extracts quoted from Fitch's 
 and Iiigersoll's letters, and for much of tlie information relating to Ingersoll, Jack- 
 son, and others. As Mr. Stuart was kind enough to oftl-r me his noble lectures 
 upon the Stamp Act, in MS., with the liberty to use whatever I could find in them, 
 I have availed myself of liis generosity. When those lectures arc published, the public 
 will have a more lively picture of the scenes of that day than 1 can hope to sketch 
 
 41 
 
180 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Thus modified, the stamp act passed the House of Com- 
 mons on the 22d of March, 1765. As a part of this financial 
 scheme, a clause was inserted in the mutiny act giving to the 
 ministers the power of sending as many troops to America 
 as they should see fit. Another odious enactment, called 
 the quartering act, obliged the colonies to find quarters, fire- 
 wood, bedding, drink, soap, and candles for all the soldiers 
 that might from time to time be sent into their borders and 
 stationed there. 
 
 It has been already stated that the administration had no fears 
 that they should be unable to enforce the stamp act. Even 
 Dr. Franklin was of the same opinion. He therefore advised 
 Mr. Ingersoll, as he had done all that he could to oppose the 
 passage of the bill, to avail himself now of the appointment 
 of stamp agent for the colony of Connecticut.* If the law 
 was to be enforced, it was difficult to see why Mr. Ingersoll 
 should not have the collateral benefit flowing from it that 
 could hardly fall into hands more deserving. He therefore 
 did not hesitate to accept the trust — an act for which he was 
 blamed in moments of party heat, but with motives as honor- 
 able as those of Franklin who sanctioned it. 
 
 But Grenville and Franklin were both mistaken. Although 
 Connecticut had shown such an early opposition to the pas- 
 sage of the stamp act, there was afterwards manifested in the 
 colony a disposition to submit to it in silence. Some of the 
 principal civil functionaries were of the number. Of the 
 cultivated classes, the clergymen were for awhile almost alone 
 in their opposition to the measure. The successors of Hooker, 
 Davenport, Wareham, Smith, Prudden, Fitch, Pierpont, 
 Stoddard, and Stone, still retained the patrician rank that had 
 fallen upon their shoulders with the mantles of those bold 
 pioneers, and, though less learned in the dead languages, had 
 inherited all the jealousy of oppression that had character- 
 ized their fathers, and all their sharpness of intellect, firm- 
 ness, courage, and strong nervous eloquence. One of these. 
 
 * These facts are asserted in one of Ingersoll 's letters to Governor Fitch, and in 
 a note to one of his letters to \\'hately. Stuart's M8. 
 
[1765.] REV. STEPHEN JOHNSON. 131 
 
 the Rev. Stephen Johnson, of Lyme, seeing with pain the 
 dangerous lethargy that had lulled the judges to sleep and 
 had taken strong hold of the council, began to write essays 
 for the Connecticut Gazette, which he sent secretly to the 
 printer by the hands of an Irish gentleman who was friendly 
 to the cause of liberty.* With a bony grasp, this fearless 
 soldier of the cross seized the noisome dragon of ministerial 
 tyranny by the throat, and clung around its neck with such 
 strangling force, that it was compelled to disclose its deformi- 
 ties to the people by the writhings of its pain. Other clergy- 
 men took up the warfare. They impugned the stamp act in 
 their sermons, they classed its loathed name in their prayers 
 with those of sin, satan, and the mammon of unrighteousness. f 
 The people were soon roused to a sense of danger. The 
 flames of opposition, so long suppressed, now began to break 
 forth. The name of "sons of liberty," given by Colonel 
 Barre to the Americans, was adopted by the press, and sent 
 to every part of the country. Societies, originating, as is 
 believed in Connecticut, and made up of men the most bold, 
 if not the most responsible in the land, were suddenly formed 
 for the express though secret purpose of resisting the stamp 
 act by violent means should it become necessary. The 
 members of these associations were called " Sons of Liberty." 
 The principal business reserved for them was that of com- 
 pelling stamp-masters and other officials to resign their 
 places. They were also to see that no stamps were sold in 
 the colony, and that all stamped paper should be taken 
 wherever it could be found. This powerful institution soon 
 extended itself into New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, 
 and New Jersey. 
 
 Public meetings were also held in every part of the colony, 
 for the avowed purpose of protesting against the execution 
 of the odious law. Town meetings, too, were convened, and 
 
 * Gordon, i. 117. 
 
 t " The congregational ministers," says Gordon, " saw farther into the designs 
 of the British administration than the bulk of tiie colony ; and by their publications 
 and conversation, increased and strengthened the opposition." Hist. Ilevolutiou, i. 
 119. 
 
132 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 town clerks authorized to receive and record deeds and 
 other instruments passing the title to property, without regard 
 to the stamp act.* 
 
 Short, pithy sentences, ridiculing the ministry and setting 
 forth the stamp act in vivid, though not always refined lan- 
 guage, circulated from sheet to sheet of the colonial news- 
 papers, or passed from neighbor to neighbor in familiar dis- 
 course ; quaint proverbs, scornful satires, jests with biting 
 edge, pamphlets, their pages all glowing with indignant 
 remonstrance or wailing with the cry of expiring freedom ; 
 handbills, with single sentences of dark warning, posted upon 
 the doors of public offices or hawked about the streets b}-- 
 daylight, moon-light, and torch-light ; anonymous letters ad- 
 dressed to gentlemen in high judicial or executive places — 
 all ilew hither and thither upon their several errands. The 
 passions and the understanding were also addressed through 
 the eye. Copies of the stamp act were carried in proces- 
 sions and buried with funeral honors as equivocal as could 
 well be conceived. Sometimes it was burned with the effi- 
 gies of the officers who had been appointed to execute it. 
 Grotesque caricatures of the ministry and their functiona- 
 ries were circulated on the most public occasions and placed 
 in situations the most provokingly conspicuous. Still, Gov. 
 Fitch, and a part of his council, fearful lest they should expose 
 the charter of the colony to a new attack, remained firm in 
 their determination to sustain the law, much as they loathed 
 
 *Iu Norwich, April 7, 1765, a public meeting was convened by the town 
 clerk, and the question was submitted by him to the freemen whether he should 
 proceed in the duties of his office as heretofore, without using the stamps. It was 
 unanimously voted " in full town meeting, that the clerk shall proceed in his office 
 as usual, and the town will save him harmless from all damage that he may sustain 
 thereby." In many other towns, the stamp act was the occasion of public meet- 
 ings, some of which were informal gatherings of the people, and had not the 
 dignity of " town meetings." Some of them were riotous in their character. In 
 New Haven, at the regular town meeting in Sei)tembiT for the choice of repre- 
 sentatives, the gentlemen elected were unanimously desired " to use their utmost 
 endeavors to secure the repeal of the stamp act." It was also resolved — Mr. 
 stamp-master Ingersoll, being present — that Mr. Ingcrsoll is desired to resign liis 
 stamp-office immediately." ' « 
 
[17G5.] INGERSOLL REFUSES TO RESIGN. 133 
 
 it. Colonel Trumbull had been one of the first to decide 
 upon a different course of action. Governor Fitch at last 
 made the proposition in open council, that they should all take 
 the oath in conformity with the stamp act. Trumbull's eye 
 flashed, and his cheek darkened with anger at the proposal. 
 He refused to witness the hollow-hearted ceremony, and 
 rising indignantly, turned his back upon the governor, and 
 walked out of the chamber, followed by a majority of the 
 assistants. Only four members of the council remained.* 
 
 The time had now arrived for action. Mr. Ingersoll, 
 having accepted the place of stamp-master, was determined 
 to discharge its duties. Still he sought to conciliate his fel- 
 low-townsmen at New Haven, who for the most part were 
 opposed to the law. " The act is so contrived," he argued, 
 " as to make it for your interest to buy the stamps. When I 
 undertook the office I meant a service to you." " Stop ad- 
 vertising your wares till they arrive safe at market," said 
 one. " The tioo first letters of his name are those of a traitor 
 of old," shouted a second ; and added bitterly, " It was 
 decreed that our Saviour should suffer ; but was it better for 
 Judas Iscariot to betray him so that the price of his blood 
 might be saved by his friends ?"f At last the citizens gathered 
 around his house in great numbers. " Will you resign ?" 
 was the pointed inquiry that they put to him. " I know not 
 if I have the power to resign," answered the resolute 
 man. On the 17th of September, a town meeting was held 
 there, and Ingersoll was called upon by a public vote, to 
 resign his office without delay. " I shall await to see how 
 the General Assembli/ is inclined," said the stamp-master, 
 evasively. 
 
 Affairs began now to assume a very threatening attitude. 
 The Sons of Liber hj from Norwich, New London, Windham, 
 Lebanon, and other towns, had already taken the field, and 
 with eight days' provisions, were riding up and down the 
 country on horseback to search him out and force him to 
 resign. He could no longer stay in New Haven with safety. 
 
 » Gordon, i. 118. t See Connecticut Gazette, vol. i. 
 
184 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 He therefore set oft' for Hartford, where the Assembly was 
 about to meet. He intended to take the advice of the 
 representatives of the people, hoping it might be more to his 
 mind than the will of the constituency. Governor Fitch 
 accompanied him to protect him from insult. On their way 
 they were met by two men on iiorseback, with peeled clubs 
 in their hands, who did not conceal the fact that they were 
 couriers of a much larger company. His excellency bade 
 them go back and tell their associates to disperse. To his 
 astonishment they refused to obey him. "We look upon 
 this," said they, "as the cause of the people; we will not 
 take directions about it from any one /" Mr. IngersoU sent a 
 message by them to the efl'ect, that he would meet the multi- 
 tude at Hartford. They then withdrew. 
 
 On Thursday evening, the very day on which the session 
 was to begin, IngersoU resumed his journey for Hartford 
 alone. He rode through the woods many miles, and passed 
 up the valley of the Connecticut for a good long way, with- 
 out molestation. What thoughts served to while away the 
 time of this solitary traveler, history does not tell us, and we 
 are left at liberty to conjecture each for himself He had 
 arrived within two or three miles of Wethersfield, when he 
 saw four or five men advancing to meet him. He probably 
 needed little explanation as to the object of their errand. 
 About half a mile further up the river, he met a second 
 escort of thirty men. Still no violence was offered to him. 
 The stamp-master and his guard rode on with the solemnity 
 and decorum of a funeral procession. But still more con- 
 spicuous honors awaited him. He soon saw a cavalcade of 
 about five hundred freeholders and farmers, all well mounted 
 and armed, not with carbines and steel blades, but with long 
 and ponderous clubs. They were ghastly white too, for the 
 bark had been stripped from every one, in rude imitation of 
 the ominous baton carried at that day by officers of the 
 peace. This formidable company, under the command of 
 Durkee, rode slowly forward behind two militia officers 
 dressed in full uniform, and inspired by the presence of three 
 
[17G5.] IXGEllSOLL REMONSTRATES. 135 
 
 trumpeters wiio made the woods echo witli martial music. 
 They rode two abreast, and opened their line to receive Mr. 
 IncjersoU with the profoundest courtesy. They then rode 
 forward along the western bank of the Connecticut, over 
 those fair acres that were then cultivated farms, and have 
 since been converted into gardens, until they came to Weth- 
 ersfield. In the wide main street of this oldest of all the towns 
 in the colony, the grandsons and great-grandsons of tho 
 pioneer planters, who had left the straightened settlements of 
 Massachusetts to enjoy pure liberty and "brave meadow- 
 lands" — halted between the two rows of houses whose fronts 
 kept their gentlemanly distance of twenty full rods from each 
 other ; and looking up at the blue vault, as if the open 
 heavens wxre best fitted to witness the triumph of principles 
 that had descended as legacies to them, they exclaimed signi- 
 ficantly, "we cannot all see and hear so well in a house ; we 
 had as good have the business done here." 
 
 Then they commanded him to resign. " Is it fair," inter- 
 posed Ingersoll, " that the counties of New London and 
 Windham should dictate to all the rest of the colony?" "It 
 don't signify to j)arley," was tlie answer, "here are a great 
 many people waiting, and you must resign." Then ensued 
 in substance the following dialogue between the people and 
 the stamp-master. 
 
 Ingersoll. " I wait to know the sense of the government. 
 Besides, were I to resign, the governor has power to put in 
 another." 
 
 People. " Here is the sense of the government ; and no 
 man shall exercise your office." 
 
 Ingersoll. "What will follow if I won't resign?" 
 
 People. "Your fate." 
 
 Ingersoll (calmly.) "I can die, and perhaps as well now 
 as at any time. I can die but once." 
 
 Durkee (impatiently.) " Don't irritate the people !" 
 
 Ingersoll. "I ask for leave to proceed to Hartford." 
 
 Durkee. " You shall not go two rods till you have 
 resigned." 
 
136 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 IngersoU now bethought him of a new expedient to gain 
 time. Under the pretense of reflecting upon the propriety 
 of complying with the demand of the people, he retired into 
 an upper-room of a house that was standing near by the spot 
 where this parley had taken place. A committee of the 
 people attended him. Here he contrived to put ofl' the multi- 
 tude with promises and excuses for three tedious hours, dur- 
 ing which he sent a messenger to Hartford to inform the 
 governor and the legislature of his situation. At last the 
 crowd began to lose all patience. "Get the matter over 
 before the Assembly has time to do anything about it," said 
 some ; while others, probing his motives to their depths, 
 exclaimed in their blunt strong English, " this delay is his 
 artifice, to wheedle the matter along till the Assembly shall 
 get ensnared in it." The passions of the multitude were 
 now at fever heat. Striding to the door of the house where 
 IngersoU had retreated, and stalking up the stairs, Durkee 
 again confronted the stamp-master. " I can keep the people 
 off no longer," said he, in a tone of warning. These words 
 were like a death-knell to IngersoU. He saw the stalwart 
 farmers filling the hail with their dark forms, their white 
 staves gleaming as they pressed upon each other, and their 
 great bright eyes flashing with indignation. The heavy 
 tramp of others was heard ascending the stairs. He saw that 
 he must surrender at discretion or be torn in pieces. 
 
 "The cause is not w'orth dying for," said he, with the cool 
 irony that marked his character, as he set his hand to the 
 formal resignation that had been prepared for him, and of 
 which the following is a copy. 
 
 " Wethersfield, September 19th, 1765. 
 " I do hereby promise, that I never will receive any stamped 
 papers which may arrive from Europe, in consequence of an 
 act lately passed in the Parliament of Great Britain ; nor 
 officiate as Stamp-Master or Distributor of Stamps, within 
 the colony of Connecticut, either directly or indirectly. And 
 I do hereby notify to all the inhabitants of his Majesty's 
 colony of Connecticut (notwithstanding the said office or 
 
[1765.] INGERSOLL'S RESIGNATION. 137 
 
 trust has been committed to me,) not to apply to me, ever 
 after, for any stamped paper ; hereby declaring that I do resign 
 the said office, and execute these Presents of my own free 
 WILL AND ACCORD, witliout any equivocation or mental reser- 
 vation. 
 
 " In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, 
 
 "J. Ingersoll." 
 
 "Swear to it/' cried the people when he had written his 
 name. He begged that they would excuse him from taking 
 an oath. " Then shout Libert// and Property three times," 
 said the sovereign crowd. Against this spontaneous form of 
 abjuration he could raise no valid objection. He swung his 
 hat about his head and uttered the charmed words three 
 several times, with such well-feigned earnestness that the 
 people set the seal to his repentance by giving three huzzas, 
 that must have echoed to the eastern bank of the Con- 
 necticut. 
 
 The party now dined in perfect good humor. By this 
 time the company had doubled its numbers, and after dinner 
 one thousand horsemen were ready to attend his triumphant 
 entry into Hartford.* The highway was thronged with 
 freeholders, standing in front of their houses, to get a fair 
 view of the stamp-master and his retinue. The windows 
 were crowded all the way, with the faces of grave matrons, 
 and sparkled with the glances of ruddy-cheeked girls who 
 could as ill conceal their curiosity as their mischievous merri- 
 ment at such a spectacle. 
 
 At last they reached the capitol. Here Durkee drew up 
 his dragoons four abreast, and, while the trumpeters redoubled 
 their exertions to enliven the scene, led the main body over 
 
 * As an indication of the good humor that prevailed on the part of Ingersoll 
 and the populace, General Humphreys mentions a jest that passed between them 
 while the cavalcade was escorting tlie ex-stamp-niaster to Ihirtford — which was 
 given and received with entire good nature. Mr. Ingersoll, who chanced to ride 
 a white horse, being asked what he thought to find himself attended by such a 
 retinue, replied, " that he had now a clearer idea than ever he had before conceived 
 of that passage in the Revelations which describes death on a pale horse, and hell 
 following him.''' I/ife of Putnam, p. 32. 
 
138 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the familiar haunts where the train-bands had defied the 
 tyranny of Fletcher, and where the charter had eluded the 
 grasp of Andross. He then ordered them to form around 
 the court-house in a semi-circle. The stamp-master was set 
 in a conspicuous place, and commanded to read his recanta- 
 tion aloud in the hearing of the Assembly and in the presence 
 of the people. He went through the ceremony to the univer- 
 sal satisfaction of his audience, and after the shout of Liberty 
 and Property had been again followed by a round of hearty 
 cheers, these lords of the soil whose ancestors had helped to 
 frame the constitution of 1G39, returned to their farms to 
 pray for the king and supplicate Heaven that the eyes of the 
 ministry might be opened to repeal the unhallowed and 
 execrable stamp act.* 
 
 ^ * Hutchinson's Letter to Governor Pownall ; Ingersoll's account ; Connecticut 
 Courant, No. 44, under date Sept. 23, 1765 ; Bancroft's account of the transaction 
 in his fifth vol. p. 318, 319, 320. 
 
 Notwithstanding the puUicity of Ingersoll's resignation and recantation, it 
 would seem that the Sons of Liberty were fearful that he might still exercise the 
 duties of the hated office. This suspicion induced him to make a still further public 
 announcement, as follows : — 
 
 " Whereas, I have lately received two anonymous letters, calling on me (among 
 other things,) to give the public some further assurance with regard to my inten- 
 tions about exercising the office of distributor of stamps for this colony, as some 
 others have done since receiving our coiimiissions or deputations of office for that 
 purpose ; and that I confirm the same by oath. And although I don't think it best 
 ordinarily to take notice of such letters, nor yet to take oaths upon such kind of 
 occasions ; yet, (as I have good reason to think those letters came from a large 
 number of people belonging to this colony, and do respect a subject of a very inte- 
 resting nature, and the present times being peculiarly difficult and critical, and I 
 myself at no loss or difficulty about making known my resolutions and intentions 
 respecting the matters aforesaid,) I have concluded to make the following declara- 
 tion and to confirm the same by an oath — that is to say — 
 
 " 1. I never was nor am now desirous, or even willing, to hold or exercise the 
 aforesaid office, contrary to the mind and inclination of the general body of people 
 in this colony. 
 
 " 2. I have for some time been and still am persuaded, that it is the general 
 opinion and sentiment of the people of this colony (after mature deliberation,) that 
 the stiimp act is an infringement of their rights and dangerous to their liberties, 
 and therefore I am not willing, nor will I, for that and other good and sufficient 
 reasons, as I suppose, (and which I hope and trust will excuse me to those who 
 appointed me,) exercise the said office against such general opinion and sentiment 
 
[1765.1 PUTNAM ANJ) FITCII. 139 
 
 Colonel Putnam, who had been one of the principal instiga- 
 tors of this movement, was ])revented by unavoidable 
 circumstances from being present. Soon after this event he 
 was deputed to wait on Governor Fitch, and express to him 
 the sentiments of the people on this delicate matter. The 
 interview exhibits, in the following dialogue, the spirit of the 
 times and the moral courage of this deputy of the Sons of 
 Liberty : 
 
 Governor. " What shall I do if the stamped paper should 
 be sent to me by the king's authority ?" 
 
 Putnatn. " Lock it up until ive* shall visit you again." 
 Governor. " And what will you do then?" / 
 
 Putnam. " We shall expect you to give us the key of tiie 
 room in which it is deposited : and if you think fit, in order 
 to screen yourself from blame, you may forewarn us upon 
 our peril not to enter the room." 
 
 Governor. "And what will you do afterwards?" 
 Putnam. " Send it safely back again." 
 Governor. "But if I should refuse admission?" 
 Putnam. " Your house will be leveled with the dust in five 
 minutes!"f 
 
 Thus ended the colloquy. It was soon repeated in New 
 York, and alarmed those agents who had charge of this con- 
 traband property to such a degree that they did not dare to 
 send their freight into Connecticut. J 
 
 of the people ; and, generally and in a word, will never at all, by myself or other- 
 wise, officiate under my said deputation. And as I have, so I will, in the most 
 effectual manner I am able, apply to the proper board in England, for a dismis- 
 sion from my said office. 
 
 "J. I.VGERSOLL. 
 
 "New Haven, ss., Jan. 8, 1700." 
 
 " Then personally appeared Jared Ingersoll, Esq., and made oath to the truth 
 of the foregoing declaration, by him subscribed, before mo, 
 
 " David Lyman, Just. Peace." 
 
 * " TTe," probably means Sons of Liberty. 
 
 + Humphreys' Life of Putnam, pp. 33, 34. 
 
 t It appears from an article in the " Comieeticut Couraiit," of March 21, 176G, 
 that during that month several vessels arrived at New London from Barbadoes 
 and Antigua, which had lodged " certain stamped papers with the emblems of 
 slavery ," at the custom-house in that place. The collector was immediately waited 
 
140 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Thus ended the exhibition of popular feeling in the colony 
 against the stamp act. The law was repealed in March, 1766, 
 but with such a bad grace on the part of the British ministry 
 that it failed to conciliate the exasperated colonies. In vain 
 did they insist on the inseparable existence of taxation and 
 representation, in vain did Pitt sound the alarm, and in vain 
 did Lord Camden reiterate the words " it is itself an eternal 
 law of nature ;" the sullen ministry insisted still upon the 
 right to continue the law, while from prudential motives they 
 repealed it. Such blind instruments did they prove them- 
 selves to be, in preparing the way for a separation. 
 
 upon by a committee of the Sons of Liberty, who demanded an instant surrender 
 of any stamped paper lodged in his office. They were forthwith given up with 
 the utmost politeness. A mock court was instituted, which, after due delibera- 
 tion, brought in a verdict of guilty, against the offending papers, and passed sen- 
 tence that they should " receive thirty stripes at the public whipping-post, and be 
 committed to the flames." "Whereupon, (says the account,) the sentence was duly 
 executed in the presence of the court, amidst the acclamations of a numerous 
 assembly, whose hearts were filled with the most ardent wishes for the honor, 
 health, and welfare of George the Third, the best of kings, and illustrious family — 
 success of the mother country — freedom and unanimity in the British Parliament.'' 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE BOSTON PORT BILL. 
 
 The repeal of the Stamp Act was followed by other 
 oppressive statutes of a kindred sort. The Rockingham 
 administration was at an end, and the idol of the colonies, 
 William Pitt, now created Earl of Chatham, was authorized 
 to form a new ministry. The Duke of Grafton was placed 
 at the head of the treasury ; Lord Shelburne was joined 
 with General Conway, as one of the Secretaries of State ; 
 the Earl of Camden, was made Lord Chancellor, Lord North 
 and George Cooke, joint-paymasters ; and to crown all these 
 incongruities, the passionate, eccentric, unprincipled Charles 
 Townshend, the old friend of Grenville, and the plotter against 
 the peace of America, was nominated Chancellor of the Ex- 
 chequer. But the strange elements that the Earl of Chatham 
 had gathered aroimd him, could only have been kept together by 
 the controling will of that great man. His health soon failed, 
 and the government nominally under his direction, fell into 
 hands that were hostile to the interests of the American 
 colonies. Townshend w^as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and 
 of course had mainly in his charge the financial relations of 
 the government. Although he had originally aided in the 
 passage of the Stamp Act, he had afterwards used all his 
 influence to effect its repeal, and now possessed the confi- 
 dence of the colonies to such a degree that they regarded 
 him rather with favor than suspicion. Massachusetts had 
 even gone so far as to give him a vote of thanks for his zeal 
 in the service of the colonies.* 
 
 Never was confidence more sadly misplaced. It soon 
 became obvious that if the friendship formerly subsisting 
 
 * Gordon's ILst. i. 1-1.']. 
 
142 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 between Lord Grenville and Townshend had grown cold, the 
 ex-minister was not without his influence. Chagrined at his 
 ill-fated attempts to oppress the Americans, Grenville took 
 every occasion in the House of Commons to taunt the new 
 ministry with weakness in allowing the colonies to remain 
 unburdened with the weight of taxation. 
 
 " You are cowards," he exclaimed one evening, turning his 
 eye towards the seats occupied by the ministers ; " you are 
 afraid of the Americans ; you dare not tax America." 
 
 Townshend was in a raire at this sudden attack. Should 
 he, the gallant, the chivalrous man of genius, be branded 
 with cowardice in the discharge of an official duty? His 
 proud spirit spurned the imputation. Rising in his place he 
 threw back the barbed arrow that had fastened itself in his 
 flesh. "Fear — fear," repeated he scornfully: " coivards ; — 
 dare not tax America ! / dare tax America." 
 
 Grenville saw his advantafre ; he paused a moment, and 
 then added with a sneering look, "Dare you tax America? 
 I wish to God I could see it ?" 
 
 " I will — I will," responded the Chancellor of the 
 Exchequer.* 
 
 Accordingly, at the very first se!?sion of parliament, he 
 presented a plan for drawing money from the American 
 provinces that was thought to be unexceptionable. He pro- 
 posed to keep up a standing army in the colonies, and to give 
 executive and judicial officers such salaries as would make 
 them independent of the provincial legislatures. 
 
 The new revenue bill was to be so framed as to pass for an 
 act regulating trade, and not for a direct tax levied upon the 
 colonies. The act provided that tea, paints, paper, glass, and 
 lead, (all of them articles of British production,) should pay 
 a duty at the colonial custom-houses. As a condition of this 
 bill, another was brought forward to encourage the exporta- 
 tion of tea to the colonies allowing a drawback for five 
 years of the whole duty, payable on the importation of that 
 
 * MS. of Wm. Samuel Johnson, LL D., then in England as Agent for Connecti- 
 cut, ritkin's United States, i. 217. 
 
[17GS.] RIOT AT BOSTON. 143 
 
 article. These insidious measures were so cunningly devised, 
 and called by such innocent names, that they passed, in the 
 absence of Lord Chatham, with little opposition. The 
 new acts of parliament excited much alarm throughout the 
 colonies, as soon as their provisions were made known in 
 America. A deep-seated opposition was soon manifested in 
 Massachusetts, who, from her commercial importance, felt 
 the first blow, and thence spread throughout the colonies.* 
 An act, passed about the same time, suspending the legisla- 
 tive functions of the Assembly of New York, served to rouse 
 the spirit of the continent. f The petition, letters, and other 
 state documents, prepared by Massachusetts and forwarded 
 to England, were of a high, manly tone, and breathed such 
 bold sentiments as seemed easily convertible into the most 
 terrible opposition. 
 
 Meanwhile the new board of commissioners of the customs 
 entered upon the discharge of their duties at Boston. Their 
 first act was to sieze the sloop Liberty, belonging to John 
 Hancock, for a violation of the revenue laws. J This vessel 
 was removed from the wharves by armed boats and placed 
 under the charge of the Romney, a British ship-of-war, then 
 lying at anchor in the harbor. This unusual spectacle 
 inflamed the popular indignation to a very high degree. 
 The citizens of the town who had assembled to witness it, 
 having tried in vain to prevent this outrage upon the pro- 
 perty of one of their favorites, now began to retaliate by acts 
 of violence offered to some of the custom-house officers. 
 The people attacked the houses of the collector and comp- 
 troller, broke their windows, and those of Mr. Williams, the 
 inspector-general ; tliey then siezed the collector's boat, drag- 
 ged it through the town and burned it on the Common. 
 This was on Friday the 10th of June. On Monday morning, 
 at an early hour, the commissioners took refuge on board 
 the Romney, and soon after fled to the castle for protection. § 
 
 * Gordon ; Bancroft. f Hildreth ; Graham ; itc, 
 tllildrctb, ii. .')44 ; Pitkin's ilniteil States, ii. 228. 
 § Pitkin, ii. 228; lliUlrotli,!. T)!!. 
 
144 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 It had before been determined to quarter standing troops in 
 Boston. 
 
 Two days, therefore, before this disturbance. Lord Hills- 
 borough directed General Gage forthwith to order one regi- 
 ment or more, if he should deem it necessary, to Boston, to 
 be quartered there. 
 
 The arrival of an armed force and the presence of British 
 ships in the harbor only increased the excitement at Boston. 
 The people resolved to prevent the landing of the troops, and 
 made preparations on so large a scale that all the British ves- 
 sels were put in requisition. Fourteen ships of war, with 
 their broadsides toward the town, springs on their cables, and 
 their guns ready to open upon it, could scarcely serve to 
 keep the people at bay while a single regiment was landing. 
 About noon of the first of October, under the cover of the 
 fleet, seven hundred men v.ere sent ashore, and with loaded 
 muskets and fixed bayonets marched into the Common to 
 the music of drum and fife. In the evening, the selectmen 
 were required to quarter two regiments in town, but per- 
 emptorily refused to do it. But as one of these regiments 
 was destitute of camp equipage, and as the weather was cold, 
 the soldiers were allowed as a matter of favor to pass the 
 night in Faneuil Hall, and its chambers. The next day was 
 Sunday, and Governor Bernard, ordered the State House to 
 be opened for the reception of the troops. They took posses- 
 sion of all the rooms except the one belonging to the council. 
 Even the hall of the representatives of the people bristled 
 with British bayonets. This rash step was felt to be a bitter 
 insult both to the town and to the whole province. Acts of 
 retaliation soon follow^ed, and deeds of violence on either side, 
 that hastened the crisis. But it is quite beyond the scope of 
 this work to dwell upon these interesting details, that would 
 of themselves fill a volume. It is needless to say that blood- 
 shed and all the horrors of civil war follow^ed in the train of 
 such evils.* 
 
 About the beginning of April, some gentlemen of Boston 
 * Gordon, i. IGG, 167. 
 
[176S.] NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENTS. 145 
 
 and New York, wrote letters to some of their friends in 
 Philadelphia, asking if they would unite with them in stop- 
 ping the importation of goods from Great Britain until the 
 op})ressive acts, so subversive of their rights as British sub- 
 jects, should be repealed. A well-attended and dignified 
 meeting of merchants followed this correspondence. An 
 address was read on the occasion, that recited in fearless 
 terms the unjust doings of the ministry, and closed with the 
 significant words, "united loe conquer, divided loe die." 
 
 The Pennsylvania merchants, however, refused to sign at 
 that time any agreement for the non-importation of British 
 goods. The Boston merchants, many of them, on the 1st of 
 August, signed articles of this sort.* 
 
 The merchants of Connecticut and New York, during the 
 same month, entered into a like agreement, pledging them- 
 selves in the most solemn manner not to import either on their 
 own account, or on commission, or to purchase of anybody 
 who should import, any tea, paper, glass, or painters' colors, 
 until the act imposing duties on those articles should be 
 repealed. 
 
 In September, a festival was held by the people of Nor- 
 wich, in mockery of the list of holidays appointed by the 
 commissioners of customs for persons under their employ. 
 One of these gala days was the " 8th of September," the day 
 on which their commissions bore date. This very day was 
 singled out by the people for festivities of a quite difierent sort. 
 Toasts of a very patriotic character were drank on the occa- 
 sion, every one closing with the words "and the 8th of Sep- 
 tember." On the 4th of October a town meeting was called 
 to consider the "critical and alarming conjuncture of affairs." 
 
 * Amoncjthe pledges numerously signeil, wore tlic following: — "Wo will not 
 semi lor or import from Great Britain, this fall, any other goods than what are 
 already ordered for the fall supply." " Wo will not purchase of any factor or 
 others, any kinds of goods imported from Great Britain, from January 1769, to 
 January, 1770." " VV^e will not import, on our own account, or on commission, 
 or purchase of any, who shall import from any other colony in America, from 
 January, 1769 to January, 1770, any tea, glass, paper, or other goods, commonly 
 imported from Great Britain, &c." See Gordon's Hist. Am. Rev., i. 163-'l. 
 
 42 
 
146 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The citizens were almost all present, and the greatest 
 unanimity of feeling prevailed. The page of the record 
 book on which the doings of the meeting are preserved, is 
 inscribed with the word " Liberty, liberty, liberty," thrice 
 written as if the repetition added to the charm. At this 
 meeting a vote was passed approving of the course that had 
 been pursued by people of Boston, and pledging themselves 
 to " unite both heart and hand in support thereof against all 
 enemies whatsover." The people at the same time instruc- 
 ted their representatives to use their iniluence at the next 
 session of the General Assembly to bring about an adjust- 
 ment of the treasury accounts of the colony, to see " that 
 the colonels have a special muster and review of their 
 respective regiments," that manufacturers be encouraged, 
 that union with the neighboring colonies be promoted, and 
 lastly, that the debates he open* Many other towns manifested 
 the same spirit. 
 
 Thus in hurry and alarm passed the year 1768. Early in 
 1769, the British revenue sloop Liberty, was stationed by the 
 commissioner of customs near New London, to keep a close 
 watch upon all the vessels that left that port, or entered it, 
 and see that the revenue laws were not violated. She was 
 for a long time kept cruising between that point and New- 
 port, overhauling every craft that she could find of a suffi- 
 cient size to carry merchandize between one sea-port and 
 another. She was known by the disrespectful name of the 
 "Pirate," and came to such an untimely end before the close 
 of the summer, as befits piracy. f It need hardly be said, 
 that this abominable system of espionage led to smuggling in 
 Connecticut as well as in the other colonies. Sugars and 
 indigo were often shi])ped at New London as flax-seed, or 
 landed in the dead of the night to avoid the odious duty.J 
 
 *Caulkms' Hist, of Norwich, 211, 212. 
 
 t Caulkius' New London, 483. She was destroyed near Newport, " by a burst 
 of popular frenzy." 
 
 X As many of the articles imported would not bear to pay the hea\-y duties 
 demanded, the importers seemed to regard it as no breach of honor to defraud the 
 government of its unjust exactions. 
 
[1770.] TOWN MEETINGS. 147 
 
 The year 1770, was one of peculiar interest in Connecticut. 
 The merchants of the colony had kept the articles of agree- 
 ment entered into with those of New York, in relation to the 
 non-importation of British goods, with singular fidelity. In 
 New York on the other hand, those articles had been in 
 many instances violated with a shamelessness that elicited 
 such universal indignation in Connecticut, that it was resolved 
 that a general convention of delecjates from all the towns in \ 
 
 & 
 
 the colony should meet at New Haven on the 13th of Sep- 
 tember, to take into consideration the perilous condition of 
 the country, to provide for the growth and spread of home- 
 manufactures, and to devise more thorough means for carry- 
 ing out to the letter, the non-importation agreement. " We 
 will frown," say the freemen of Norwich, at a town meeting 
 held on the 29th of January, " upon all who endeavor to fiais- 
 trate these good designs, and avoid all correspondence 
 and dealings with those merchants who shall dare to violate 
 these obligations."* 
 
 The preparations for this general convention of the mer- 
 cantile and landholding interests were very marked and 
 decisive in almost all the old towns, and were in their general 
 character so nearly alike that the action of one may serve to 
 illustrate that of the others. f Frequent town meetings were 
 held, speeches were made, and resolutions were passed, many 
 of which found their way to England and caused the ears of 
 the British ministry to tingle and their cheeks to redden with 
 anger. Indeed, the towns of the colony on this occasion 
 evinced, as they have always done in difficult emergencies, 
 their individuality and distinct municipal organization, acting 
 
 * Caulkins' Hist, of Norwich, p. 212. 
 
 t At a spirited meeting liolden at LitehfieLl, on the 30th of August, 1770, !\Ir. 
 Abraham Kilbourn was chosen moderator, and Messrs. John Osborne and Jedc- 
 diah Strong were appointed delegates to the convention in question. The dele- 
 gates from Norwich, were Captain Jedcdiah Huntington, and Elijah ]]ackus, Esq. 
 The citizens of Norwalk held a preliminary meeting on the 20th of August — Col. 
 Thomas Fitch, moderator — at which Capt. John Cannon, Col. Thomas Fitch, and 
 Capt. IJcnjamin Isaacs, were appointed delegates. The convention was composed 
 of some of the ablest and most patriotic men in the colony. 
 
148 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 with as much apparent independence as if they were 
 sovereiirnties. The town-meetina; was a ibrum where the 
 humblest man in the colony might rise up and speak his sen- 
 timents freely, though in simple and unpolished phrase, in 
 behalf of the oppressed people. In these primitive senate- 
 chambers the minds of those profound statesmen whose wis- 
 dom afterwards enlightened the deliberations of Congress, and 
 whose eloquence electrified the nation, w'ere ripened for the 
 high stations of the senate, the cabinet and the bench. 
 
 On the 27th of August, a meeting of this sort was held at 
 Glastenbury for the purpose of choosing delegates to attend 
 the convention at New Haven.* They speak of this conven- 
 tion as about to meet to " resolve upon such measures as are 
 proper to be taken for the support of the non-importation 
 agreement, so important at this critical conjuncture to 
 the plantations in America, belonging to the British crown: 
 also to consider the alarming conduct of a neighboring 
 colony — ^New York, [in] shamefully violating said agreement." 
 They then proceeded to appoint two of their principal citi- 
 zens to represent the town in that convention and instructed 
 them what to do, and how to vote as members of it. They 
 are directed to support to the utmost of their ability the non- 
 importation agreement; for, say they, "you cannot but be 
 sensible that the reasons for coming into said agreement at 
 first will continue to operate in their lull force so long as the 
 dutv on a single article remains as a test of parliamentary 
 power to tax America without her consent or representation." 
 They proceed to animadvert in severe terms upon the viola- 
 tion of that agreement in New York. " A large number," 
 say they, "of merchants and traders in the colony of New 
 York, have of late, in direct opposition to the general sense 
 of the Americans, been guilty of a very criminal and perfidi- 
 ous breach of said agreement, and thereby have shamefully 
 
 * The delegates from Glastenbury, were Messrs. Jonathan Welles, and Ebenczcr 
 riummcr. The citizens of New London, appointed four delegates, viz: — Gurdou 
 Saltonstall, William Ilillliouse, Nathaniel tShaw, Jr., William JNIauwaring. 
 
[1770.] DOMESTIC jrANUFACTURES, 149 
 
 hctraijcd their country's cause. We further offer it as our 
 opinion, that, for the future, no commercial intercourse, by 
 any in this colony be lield with the inhabitants of that gov- 
 ernment, either directly or indirectly, until the revenue acts 
 are repealed, our grievances redressed, or until they make 
 public satisfaction."' The importers were next placed 
 under the ban of excommunication ; and that nothinc; might 
 be left undone to make their condition completely wretched, 
 it is reconnnended that " all connections be withdrawn irom 
 those in this colony wdio shall lu'csume hereafter to carry on 
 any traffic or trade with those betrayers of their country, until 
 they shall give proper satisfaction for their offensive 
 conduct.'"* 
 
 The popular feeling in favor of domestic manufactures 
 soon grew to be a passion. The women of the colony, with- 
 out reference to rank, encouraged their husbands, sons, and 
 lovers, and vied with them in bringing back the " age of 
 home-spun." The sliding of the shuttle, the Inizz of the spin- 
 ning-wheel, the bleaching of cloth upon the lawn that sloped 
 downward from the kitchen door of the family mansion to the 
 rivulet that tlireaded the bottom of the gladej found employ- 
 ment for the proudest as well as the humblest female in the 
 land.f Committees of Inspection were appointed by the 
 towns to see that no man or woman should infringe upon 
 the sanctity of the non-importation agreement. These com- 
 mittees were by no means idle. The gentleman who wished 
 to drink a glass of brandy, or other imported liquor, and the 
 dame who felt that her patriotism needed the gentler stimu- 
 lus of tea, were obliged to keep the tempting beverage out of 
 sight and watch a secret moment to nourish the cherished 
 appetite. Woe betide the wretch who should be caught in 
 the act of transgression. If a male, publication in the 
 Gazette, the cry of the populace at his heels, and the insults 
 of every boy who was large enough to shout the word 
 Liberty — was the least that he could expect, even should he 
 
 » Dr. Chapiii's Hist, of Glastonburj', 52, 53. +C(jtbren, i. 173. 
 
150 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 be fortunate enough to escape the tenacious affinities of tar 
 and feathers. If a woman, it were better for her that she 
 had never been born. No sighs were in reserve to be 
 breathed in her ears by the young or the brave, though her 
 face were fair as an angel's ; and those of her own sex were 
 sure to turn from her as if her eye had in it an evil charm.* 
 In this trying crisis too, much capital was diverted from the 
 old channels of agriculture and merchandise into the new 
 enterprise of establishing factories and mills. 
 
 The years 1771 and 1772, passed with few changes in the 
 affairs of the colony worthy of note. The popular sentiment 
 in favor of resistance to British oppression, gained ground 
 every day, and with this love of freedom there slowly grew 
 up a manliness and boldness of character that prepared the 
 people for a protracted struggle. This long preparation 
 stood in the stead of discipline. Or in the words of the 
 Duke of Richmond, they thus acquired " the substance of 
 what discipline is only the shadow." " Discipline," said that 
 nobleman, in a tone of warning to the House of Lords, " is 
 only the substitute for a common cause to attach tlu'ough 
 fear and keep to their ranks and standard, those who would 
 otherwise desert them."t The " quarrel," as Chatham scorn- 
 fully called it, between the ministry and the colonies in rela- 
 tion to taxation, was now approaching its crisis. The tea-tax 
 had been kept upon the statute-book for the sake of main- 
 taining the theoretical authority of parliament, rather than 
 for any practical uses that it nn"ght serve. But though un- 
 repealed, it was virtually disregarded, and partly by the force 
 
 * The following is a list of articles which the citizens of Norwich bound them- 
 selves " not to import, purchase, or use, if produced or manufactured out of 
 America," viz. : loaf sugar, snutV, mustard, starch, malt liquors, linseed oil, cheese, 
 tea, wine, wrought plates, gloves, shoes, bonnets, men's hats, (except felts,) mufls, 
 tippets, etc., wires, lawns, gauze, sewing sillt, stays, spirituous liquors, cordage, an- 
 chors, sole leather, clocks, jewellers' ware, gold and silver, lace and buttons, thread 
 lace, velvets, silk handkerchiefs, caps, ribbons, flowers, feathers, &c. Also the 
 finer kinds of broadcloths, cambrics, and silks. 
 
 + JMemoirs of Josiah Quincy, Jr., 334. 
 
[1774.] THE BOSTON PORT BILL. 151 
 
 of the non-importation agreements and partly by a systematic 
 course of smuggling, it was now almost a dead letter. 
 
 Mortified at their defeat, and taunted with it both in and 
 out of parliament, the im})atient ministers resolved to send 
 over at onceagreatquantityof the pruhil)ited article and thrust 
 it upon the people of the colonies by force of arms. In July, 
 the restraints that had been laid upon the East India com- 
 pany to export teas on their own account, were re})ealed, 
 and ste}>s were taken for the consignment of several cargoes 
 to the ])rincipal ports in America. The opposition that this 
 movement encountered in the colonies, and the defeat that it 
 sustained at Boston, are too well known to need a repetition 
 here. 
 
 When the news reached England that the peo})lc of Bos- 
 ton had thrown into the harbor the teas that had been sent 
 over for their use, the wrath of the ministers knew no 
 bounds. Nor were the ministers alone in resenting this 
 marked insult to the majesty of British dominion. All 
 departments of the government felt it, and the very men who 
 had before advocated the cause of the Americans with such 
 eloquence, now yielded up the Bostonians to the mercy of 
 their enemies. In the midst of this excitement was brought 
 forward the bill called the "Boston Port Bill,"* that had for 
 its object the punishment of the town of Boston, by shutting 
 up its harbor and removing the seat of government to Salem. 
 Even Barre and Conway approved of the measure, and the 
 members of the house who rose to speak against it, were 
 coughed down ; and although on its last reading, Burke and 
 Johnstone spoke against it, as impolitic and unjust, it passed 
 
 * One of the boldest as well as one of the ablest " reviews" of this celebrated 
 bill was published, in 1774, in a pamphlet form, by Josiah Quincy, Jr., and is re- 
 published entire in his "Memoirs" by his son, 1825. It is entitled, " Observa- 
 tions on the Act of Parliament commonly called the Boston Port P>ill ; with 
 Thoughts on Civil Society and Standing Armies." The impolicy as well as the 
 glaring injustice of the enactment is fully set forth. It condemns a whole town 
 not only unheard, but uncited ; it " involves thousands in ruin and misery without 
 suggestion of any crime by them committed ;" and is so constructed, that enor- 
 mous pains and penalties must inevitably ensue, notwithstanding the most perfect 
 obedience to its injunctions." See also, Gordon, i. 231. 
 
152 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 by a very large vote.* Four other acts, aiming giant blows 
 not only at the offending town, but at the whole con^imon- 
 wealth, and one of them at all the other colonies, followed in 
 quick succession. t 
 
 Now that the vengeance of Great Britain was arming her 
 swift winged ships and fitting out her well-trained troops in 
 thousands to crush the principal sea-port town of the 
 eastern colonies, the inhabitants of that town began to make 
 inquiry whether the people of the colonies would stand by 
 them in the unequal conflict? It was a question of fearful 
 import. 
 
 When the tidings of these oppressive acts of legislation 
 reached Connecticut in May, the General Assembly was in 
 session. A day of humiliation and prayer was ordered on 
 account of the threatening aspects of Divine Providence, on 
 the liberties of the people, that they might call upon " the 
 God of all mercies to avert his judgments. "J At the same ses- 
 sion, other steps were taken that indicate something besides 
 humiliation, as will appear by the following extracts from our 
 Colonial Records. 
 
 At the May session, 1774, " Capt. Titus Ilurlburt, is author- 
 ized and directed to take an inventory of all the cannon, 
 small arms, ammunition, and other military stores belonging to 
 this colony, at the battery at New London, or in the town of 
 New London, and to certify the same to this Assembly." 
 
 " Charles Burrall, Oliver Wolcott, and Jonathan Pettibone, 
 are appointed colonels ; Joshua Porter, Ebenezer Norton, and 
 
 * Ilildreth, iii. 32. t Colonial Records, MS. 
 
 tThe substance of these bills may be thus briefly stated, viz. : 1. '' A bill for 
 better regulating the government of Massachusetts Bay" — which virtually annulled 
 the charter : providing for the appointment of counselors and judges of the Supe- 
 rior Court by the crown ; all other officers, military, executive, and judicial, to be 
 appointed by the governor independently of the approval by the council ; jurors to 
 be selected by the sheritfs ; all town meetings, except for elections, prohibited. 2. 
 A bill to i)rotect the servants of the crown against the verdicts of colonial jurors — 
 providing that all persons charged whh murders committed in support of govern- 
 ment should be tried in England. 3. A revival of a former act providing for 
 quartering troops in America. 4. An act, known as the Quebec Act, had particu- 
 lar reference to the government and boimdaries of Canada. 
 
[1774,] com:mittees of correspoxdence. 153 
 
 Jonathan Humphrey, lieutenant-colonels ; Ebenezer Gay, 
 Epaphras Sheldon, and Abel Merrell, majors." 
 
 An artillery coiupamj is formed in Middletown ; and a 
 company oi grenadiers is formed from the towns of Killingly, 
 Pomfret, and Woodstock. 
 
 A series of pungent resolutions was also passed, condem- 
 ning the course of the British government. All the towns 
 in the colony called town meetings in consequence of the 
 news, and most of tliem passed resolutions in imitation of 
 the example of the (Jeueral Assembly. Connnittees of cor- 
 respondence were appointed by them to communicate as well 
 with each oth.u' as with the colonies at large. Almost every 
 town in the colony also sent donations to Boston for the 
 relief of the poor of that place, and letters were addressed to 
 the committee tliere breathing the loftiest spirit ol" liberty 
 and the deepest sympathy with their sufferings. Not only 
 cash, but produce from the larm, and whatever could be 
 made available for food or clothing, were forwarded with a 
 liberal hand from the thinly settled parts of the colony, as 
 well as from the larger and wealthier towns.* 
 
 But better than all these gifts made by the people of 
 Connecticut to those ot" Boston, the most priceless and lovely 
 w'ere those spontaneous and inspiring sympathies that welled 
 up from the great hearts of the iVecholders of the colony, and 
 found utterance, as far as their subtle spirit could speak 
 through the medium of woixls, in those glorious letters written 
 by the committee of corresi)ondence of such little towns as 
 Woodbury, Stratford, Stonington, Glastenbury, Norwich, and 
 many others that were shut out IVom the world by the trees 
 that still shaded the log-huts of the first settlers. 
 
 *Tlie town of Windliam sent two liundred and fifty fat shci-p ; the coiitribii- 
 tion from Norwich eousistud of money, wheat, corn, and a flock of tlireo hundred 
 and ninety sheep ; Wetlxersfield sent a large quantity of wheat ; many other 
 towns svere equally liberal and patriotic. A like s])irit was manifested by the 
 friends of freedom abroad. The committee at Scholiarie, N. Y., sent to Doston, 
 five huiuired and fifty-fivo bushels of wheat ; certain citizens of Georgia sent on 
 sixty-three barrels of rice, and £122 in specie ; and in the city of London, £30,- 
 000 sterling were subscribed for the same object. 
 
154 HISTORY OF CONXECTICUT. 
 
 On the 23d of June, 1774, the citizens of Glastenbury met 
 in town meeting to express their sense of the insult and out- 
 rage that had been offered to their friends at Boston. They 
 proceeded to appoint a committee of correspondence " to 
 receive and answer all letters," say they, " and to promote 
 and forward such contributions as shall be made in this town 
 for the relief of our distressed friends in Boston." The com- 
 mittee prepared and forwarded with a coi)y of the resolu- 
 tions of the meeting, the eloquent address that is here sub- 
 joined in a note, and will be read with interest by every 
 scholar for its classical diction, and by every lover of liberty 
 for its burning sentiments and lofty thoughts.* 
 
 * The names of the eoniniittee who were appointed to draw up this town-paper 
 
 were CoL Elizur Taloott, Mr. William Welles, Capt. Elisha Ilollister, Mr. Ebeuezer 
 
 Plummer, Mr. Isaac Moseley, Mr. Thomas Kiniburlcy, and Mr. Josiah Hale. The 
 
 letter is as follows : — 
 
 " Glastenbury, in Connecticut, 
 
 " Gentlemen :— " 23d June, 1774. 
 
 " We cannot but deeply sympathize with you under the gloomy prospects which 
 at present are before you on account of those oppressive acts of parliament which 
 have lately been passed respecting Boston in particular, and the province of 
 Massachusetts Bay in general. Especially when we consider that our liberties 
 and privileges are so nearly and indissolubly connected with yours, that an 
 encroachment upon one at least, destroys all the security of the other. It seems 
 tlie Parliament of Great Britain are determined to reduce America to a state of 
 vassalage, and unless we all unite in the common cause, they will undoubtedly 
 accomplish their design. We are surprised to find so many of the merchants in Bos- 
 ton courting favor of the tools of the ministry, and heaping encomiums on that enemy 
 to liberty, that traitor to his country, and abettor, if not author of all these evils to 
 America. However, we hope the spirit of liberty is not yet entirely fled from 
 Boston, but that you will yet hold out, and to the last resist and oppose those who 
 are striving to enslave America. You may depend on us, and we believe all 
 Connecticut almost to a man, to stand by you and assist you in the defense of our 
 invaluable rights and privileges, even to the sacrificing of our lives and fortunes, 
 in so good a cause. You will see the determinations and resolves of this town, 
 which we have inclosed. A subsci-iption is set on foot for the relief of the poor 
 in Boston, and what money or provisions shall be collected, we shall forward as 
 soon as possible. We are informed that your house of representatives have appointed 
 a time, for the meeting of the general congress, in which we hope all the colonies 
 will concur, and that a non-importation and non-exportation agreement, will be 
 immediately come into, which we doubt not will procure the desired effect ; and 
 notwithstanding the gloomy aspect of things at present, we cannot but look forward, 
 with fond hopes and pleasing expectations, to that glorious era, when America in 
 
[1774.] MEETING AT STONIXGTON". 155 
 
 On the 11th of July, a similar meeting was held by the 
 inhabitants of Stonington. The doings of this municipal 
 assembly breathe the same spirit. These people had lived 
 too long by the sands washed by the tides of the open Atlantic, 
 to be afraid to strike out at once into deep water. Mark the 
 first sentence of their record. "Deeply impressed with the 
 alarming and critical situation of our })ublic affairs, by the 
 many repeated attacks upon the liberties of the English 
 American colonies by sundry acts of parliament, both lor the 
 purpose of raising a revenue in America as well as the late 
 extraordinary act for blocking up the port of Boston — [we] 
 think it our indispensible duty to manifest our sentiments." 
 They then go on to denounce the Port Bill " as repugnant to 
 the spirit of Freedom and fundamentals of the British con- 
 stitution, and in direct violation of magna charta." The 
 remainder is at once so bold, so loyal, so reasonable, and so 
 calmly philosophical, that it seems worthy to have come from 
 the pen of Richmond or Camden. I have made some extracts 
 from it that may also be found in a note." The committee 
 
 spite of all the ctlofts of hui- t-neink's to tlio cmitraiy, shall i-isu superior to all 
 opposition, overcome oppression, be a refuge for tlie oi>[iresse(l, a nurse of liberty, 
 a scourge to tyranny, and the envy of the world — then (if you stand firm and 
 imshaken amidst the storm of ministerial vengeance) shall it be told to your ever- 
 lasting honor, that Boston stood foremost in the cause of liberty, when the greatest 
 power on earth was striving to divest them of it, and by their noble eflin'ts, joined 
 with the united virtue of her sister colonies, they overcame, and thereby trans- 
 mitted to posterity, those invaluable rights and privileges, which their forefathers 
 purchased with their blood. And now gentlemen relying on your steadiness and 
 firmness in the common cause, ttc." 
 
 R. R. Ilinman, Esq., in his " War of the Revolution," gives the doings of the 
 town meetings and conventions in many of the towns and counties, in relation to 
 the Boston Port Bill, the appointment of committees of inspection and correspond- 
 ence, as follows, viz., in New Haven, Lebanon, Norwich, Preston, Groton, Lyme, 
 New London, Windham, Farmington, Wethersfield, Hartford, Woodstock 
 county; the counties of New London, Windham, Hartford, IJtehlield, &c. See 
 pp. 35 — 78. Meetings of a similar nature were also held in I'lainfield, Enfield, 
 East Haddam, Bolton, Stonington, Colchester, Haddam, Ashfnrd, Tolland county, 
 Litchfield, Sharon, Windsor, Middletown, Stratford, A\'oodbury, and indeed in 
 nearly all the old towns in the colony. 
 
 * " These surprising exertions of power which so remarkably distinguish the pre- 
 sent inauspicious times, must necessarily alienate the afi'ections of the Americans 
 
156 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 of correspondence, soon sent a communication to the Boston 
 committee and in due time received the foUowinsj answer, 
 copied from the manuscript files of the Stonington Committee 
 of Safety. 
 
 "Boston, August 24, 1774. 
 " Gentlemen : — 
 
 "Your elegant and benevolent favor of the 1st instant, 
 yielded us that support and consolation amid our distresses, 
 which the generous sym])athy of assured friends can never 
 fail to inspire. 'Tis the part of this people to frown on dan- 
 ger face to face, to stand the focus of rage and malevolence 
 of the inexorable enemies of American freedom. Permit us 
 to glory in the dangerous distinction, and be assured that, 
 while actuated by the spirit and confident of the aid of such 
 noble auxiliaries, we are compelled to support the conflict. 
 When liberty is the prize, who would shun the warfare ? Who 
 would stoop to waste a coward thought on life ? We 
 esteem no sacrifice too great, no conflict too severe, to redeem 
 our inestimable rights and privileges. 'Tis for you, brethren, 
 for ourselves, for our united posterity, we hazard all ; and, 
 permit us humbly to hope, that such a measure of vigilence, 
 fortitude, and perseverance, will still be afforded us, that by 
 
 from their mother country, and the British merchants ;" and after advising a gen- 
 eral congress of all the colonies to meet with all possible dispatch, they add, 
 
 " We therefore recommend a suspension of all commerce with Great Britain, 
 immediately to take place. 
 
 " We are bound in justice to ourselves to declare, that we have ever manifested, 
 (and are still ready on all occasions) the most affectionate loyalty to the illustrious 
 House of ITanovor, which we are truly sensible, consists in a well regulated zeal 
 for Liberty and the Constitution ; a sense of real honor grounded upon principles 
 of religion ; and experience will warrant us to affirm that these endowments of 
 loyalty, public spirit, of honor, and religion, are nowhere found in higher perfec- 
 tion than in the British colonies. Notwithstanding what is passed, we are still 
 desirous to remain upon our former got)d understanding with the mother country, 
 and to continue to them their gainful commerce, provided a repeal of those 
 grievous acts take place. 
 
 " We heartily sympathise with our distressed brethren, the Bostonians, whom 
 we view as victims sacrificed to the shrines of arbitrary power, and more imme- 
 diately suffering in the general cause. We rejoice to see so many of the neigh- 
 boring colonies and even towns vicing with each other in the hberal benefactions 
 to the distressed and injured town of Boston." 
 
[1774,1 
 
 warren's letter, 157 
 
 patiently suftering and nobly daring, we may eventually 
 secure that more precious than Hesperian fruit, the golden 
 apples ot" Ireedom. We eye the hand of Heaven in the 
 rapid and wonderful union of the colonies ; and that gener- 
 ous and universal emulation to prevent the sufferings of the 
 people of this pince, gives a prelibation of the cup of deliver- 
 ance. May unerring wisdom dictate the measures to be 
 recommended by the Congress — may a smiling God conduct 
 this people through the thorny paths of dilaculty, and fmally 
 gladden our hearts with success. 
 
 " We are, gentlemen, 
 " Your friends in the cause of Liberty, 
 
 "Joseph Warren, Chairman. 
 
 "To tlie Committee of j 
 "correspoiulence at Stonington." J 
 
 This letter, that rises like a heavenly vision into the regions 
 where such poets as Milton hymn their prophetic songs, is 
 still in the keeping of the town clerk of Stonington. It does 
 indeed "stir the heart like the sound of a trumpet," and is 
 worthy to be carved lor an epitaph upon a monument of 
 granite, that should rest forever upon the ashes of Warren.* 
 
 All this while the most careful provisions were made for 
 military defense. On Saturday, the 3d of Sept., at 4 o'clock 
 in the afternoon, an express from Col. Putnam rode into 
 Norwich, with the news that Boston had been attacked on 
 the night of the 2d, and several citizens killed. The citizens 
 rallied around the Liberty Tree in great excitement. An ex- 
 press was dispatched to Providence, to learn the truth of the 
 lumor ; and such was the zeal of the people that on Tuesday 
 morning four hundred and sixty-four men, all well armed, and 
 most of them well mounted, started for Boston under the 
 command of Major John Durkec. Before noon, they were 
 mot by the courier who had returned from Providence, with 
 the information that no such attack had taken place. This 
 rumor was not so soon contradicted in the interior towns. It 
 
 * As the letters to and from the llcvolutionary committees of correspondence 
 were not usually entered upon the town records, it is to be latnenti;d that they arc 
 generally lost. 
 
158 niSTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 spread like a fire upon a prairie. In a few hours the country 
 for nearly two hundred miles was thoroughly rallied ; many 
 soldiers marched from Woodbury, and joined companies 
 from the other towns.* The whole colony was in commo- 
 tion, and it is believed that more than twenty thousand men 
 were on their march for Boston, betbre they were made aware 
 that the story was without foundation. f 
 
 They had snatched up their muskets and knapsacks, and 
 with the blessing of the good clergyman who was still an 
 oracle to his flock, they started in their white rifle frocks and 
 trousers decorated with dark-colored fringes, their only 
 uniform, to relieve " their brethren at the Bay," as their fathers 
 had done before them during Philip's war. From the towns 
 on the coast and the river, where danger might soon be 
 expected to visit their own dwellings, and from the settle- 
 ments perched upon the hill-tops of Litchfield county, secure 
 from every tyranny save that of piping winds, ice-storms, and 
 drifted snows, they hastened to the scene of the conflict. 
 In October, the General Assembly again met. The follow- 
 ing entry upon our records, indicates the bent of the public 
 mind. 
 
 "Each military company in the colony shall be called out 
 twelve half days and exercised in the use of their arms, 
 between this time and the first of May. If any non-commis- 
 sioned officer or private' shall neglect to attend such exercises, 
 he shall forfeit and pay for each half day, two shillings law- 
 ful money, to be divided equally among those on duty ; and a 
 premium of six shillings shall be allowed such soldier who 
 shall attend on said twelve half days. "J 
 
 Little else of importance was done during that year. The 
 delegates from Connecticut in attendance upon the Continen- 
 tal Congress during this eventful period, were Messrs. Elipha- 
 let Dyer, Roger Sherman, and Silas Deane. They united 
 heartily with their colleagues from other colonies in recom- 
 mending the "non-importation, non-consumption, and non- 
 
 * Cothren, i. 175. 
 
 + Ilinman's Am. Rev., p. 19, 20. jCaulkins, Norwich, 223. 
 
[1774.] CONDITION OF THE COLONY, 159 
 
 exportation agreement/' as means of redress for the " griev- 
 ances which threatened the destruction of the lives, liberty, 
 and property of his majesty's subjects in North America." 
 This agreement was passed by the Congress on the 5th day 
 of September ; and immediately upon the reception of the 
 report of the delegates from* this colony, their action was 
 accepted and approved by the General Assembly, and the 
 articles were recommended to be faithfully observed. The 
 Assembly also called upon the several towns to appoint com- 
 mittees agreeable to the eleventh article of that agreement.* 
 Thus Connecticut, "with no royal governor to eject," no 
 provincial court to overawe the representatives of her people, 
 bidding them to cringe and bow the supple knee, was at liberty 
 to carry out the philosophical teachings of that jurisprudence 
 promulgated by Roger Ludlow, ratified by Winthrop, and 
 founded upon the principles of equality that were now about 
 to be blazoned to the world by the pen of Jefferson, and the 
 sword of Washington. 
 
 * Nearly all the towns in the colony, in their official capacity, ratified the doings 
 of Congress and of the Assemb!}^ The unanimity of feeling and action on this 
 subject, is truly remarkable, when it is remembered that the subject of colonial 
 independence had hardly as yet begun to be breathed even in whispers. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 BATTLE OF LEXITsGTON AND FALL OF TICONDEROGA. 
 
 Boston was now filled with British troops, and armed ships 
 in hostile array swarmed in the waters that washed the slen- 
 der peninsula on which she stood. Every day added to the 
 breach that already yawned fearfully wide between the inhab- 
 itants of the province and the unfeeling soldiers, who had 
 ceased to remember that those whom they now called rebels, 
 were sprung of the same lineage with themselves. 
 
 On the 30th of March, 1775, General Gage marched about 
 eleven hundred men into the country, who amused themselves 
 by throwing down the farmers' fences and doing other 
 wanton acts of mischief. Only a spark was now needed to 
 light these combustible materials into a flame. Upon the 
 plea of learning a new exercise, the grenadier and light 
 infantry companies were soon after taken off duty. Some 
 supposed that the object was to seize the persons of Mr. 
 Samuel Adams and Mr. Hancock, who were then at Lexing- 
 ington ; but those sagacious gentlemen could not be induced 
 to believe that such an attempt would be made in so public 
 a manner. 
 
 Some provisional stores had been deposited at Worcester, 
 and others at Concord. These stores were the object of 
 General Gage's attention. It is not likely that he would 
 have taken this step at that time, had he not been urged to 
 do it by the solicitations of the tories, who lived in the 
 neighborhood of Concord, and who had filled his ears with 
 false reports of the cowardice of the "rebels." On the 18th 
 of Ajiril, a number of officers were stationed along the road 
 leading to Concord to prevent the arrival of expresses from 
 Boston to give the alarm. But Dr. Warren accidentally 
 discovered the movement and sent messengers across the 
 
[1775.] THE FIRST BLOW. 161 
 
 neck, some of whom were so well mounted that they out- 
 stripped the vigilance of the British patrol, and gave the 
 warning that was soon sounded far and wide through that 
 religious neighborhood, by the silvery bells that sent it from 
 steeple to steeple toward Concord. Signal-guns and volleys 
 too confirmed the intelligence. By eleven o'clock at night, 
 eight hundred grenadiers and light infantry, the finest troops 
 in the army, embarked at the common, and landing at Phipp's 
 farm, took up their line of march ibr Concord. They were 
 commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith. Major Pitcairn 
 led the advanced corps. About two o'clock on the morning 
 of the 19th, the Lexington company of militia, to the number 
 of one hundred and thirty, were stationed on the green near 
 the meeting house. The air was so chilly and the prospect 
 of the enemy's approach was so very uncertain, that the 
 men were dismissed after the roll-call, with orders to appear 
 again at beat of drum. Some of them went home and 
 others to the inns that were not far olT. Word was not 
 brought them in season to prepare for the coming up of the 
 British troops, so that only about seventy men were on the 
 ground when the enemy arrived, and but a few of these 
 were drawn up in battle order. There were about forty spec- 
 tators who had no arms in their hands. Of course this hand- 
 ful of militia would not have thought of beginning the attack. 
 Seeing this confused crowd of citizens standing in the line 
 of his march. Major Pitcairn rode around the meeting house, 
 and as he drew near, called out to them in no very gentle 
 tone, "Disperse, you rebels; throw down your arms and dis- 
 perse. ' Enraged at seeing that not a single man dropped 
 his musket, or made a movement to retire from the spot, he 
 rode a few yards farther, discharged his pistol, brandished 
 his sword, and bade the advanced corps to fire upon the 
 crowd. They obeyed and the people all fled, but the firing 
 still continued. A handful of the militia now stoj)ped and 
 returned the fire. Three or four Americans were killed upon 
 the green, and the rest, eight in all, were shot on the other 
 
 side of the walls and fences where they had secreted tliem- 
 
 43 
 
162 HISTOEY OF CONXECTICUT. 
 
 selves. The detachment continued its naarch toward Con- 
 cord. Startled at this wanton murder, the people of the town 
 sallied for defense. But the British troops were too numer- 
 ous and too well disciplined to be successfully met by them. 
 The Americans now retired over the north bridge and waited 
 for reinforcements from the neighboring towns. The British 
 light infantry followed and took possession of the bridge, 
 while the main body entered the town and hastened to seize 
 upon the stores. They rendered unfit for service the cannon 
 that they found there, threw five hundred pounds of ball into 
 the river, wells, and other places of concealment, and broke 
 in pieces about sixty barrels filled with flour. 
 
 These were the vaunted military stores that had disturbed 
 the slumbers of the tories of that district, and tempted the 
 British general to plunge the nation into a civil war! 
 
 While this wanton destruction of property was going on, 
 the provincials w^ere pouring into Concord in great numbers. 
 Major John Butterick took command, and ignorant of the 
 murder at Lexington, ordered the militia not to fire on the 
 aggressors, but to defend themselves. As he advanced with 
 his men, the infantry retired to the Concord side of the river, 
 and began to destroy the bridge. As he drew nearer, they 
 fired upon him and killed Captain Davis, of Acton, who was 
 marching in front. The fire was returned and a skirmish 
 followed, in which the British troops were soon forced to 
 retreat. They were pursued with much loss, and had good 
 cause for expedition, for the militia poured in like a whirl- 
 wind, and hung upon their rear, shooting them from behind 
 the stone walls and bushes. The retreating detachment was 
 restored to its equanimity by the timely arrival of Lord 
 Percy.* The details of the battle of Lexington are set 
 
 *The brigade marclied out, playincf, by way of contempt, Yankee Doodle — 
 a tune composed in derision of tlie New Englanders. As the troops passed 
 through Roxbury, a boy made himself extremely merry with the circumstance, 
 jumping and laughing, so as to attract the notice of his lordship, — who, it is 
 said, asked him at what ho was laughing so heartily ; and was answered, " To 
 think how you will dance by and by to Chcry Chase.'''' It is added that the 
 repartee stuck by his lordship the whole day. Gordon, i. 31~. 
 
[1775.] CONNECTICUT MAKES REPRISAL. 163 
 
 down here with some degree of minuteness, not only because 
 it was the beginning of actual hostilities between England 
 and the colonies, but because, growing out of an attempt to 
 seize military stores, it led to a movement, originating in 
 Connecticut, and paid for out of the treasury of that colony, 
 that resulted in the capture of Ticonderoga, and in the 
 seizure of all its guns and munitions for the use of the colo- 
 nies. The General Assembly was in session when the 
 news of the battle of Lexington reached Hartford, and the 
 plan was entered into of surprising Ticonderoga, without 
 any ostensible action of the Assembly, but with their 
 tacit assent. Several gentlemen borrowed money to 
 defray the expenses of the expedition, from the colonial 
 treasury, and gave their individual obligations, with secu- 
 rity.* A committee was appointed by the leaders of this 
 daring project to complete all the arrangements. This com- 
 mittee selected sixteen Connecticut men and then proceeded 
 to Berkshire, where they elicited the sympathy and coopera- 
 tion of some of the principal gentlemen of the place, and a 
 reinforcement of about forty men. They then advanced to 
 Bennington, where they were joined by Colonel Ethan Allen, 
 Seth Warner, and about one hundred volunteers. After 
 stopping there long enough to bake bread and provide them- 
 selves with such other necessaries as they needed, this little 
 company of one hundred and fifty picked men, followed 
 Colonel Allen to Castleton, whither he had preceded them 
 with a view of raising more troops. While on their way to 
 
 * The persons who signed tlie notes were, Samuel Holdeu Parsons, Silas Deane, 
 Samuel Wyllys, Samuel Bishop, Jr., William Williams, Thomas Mumford, Adam 
 Babcock, Joshua Porter, Jesse Root, Ezekiel W^illiams, and Charles Wells. Two 
 years after the capture, (in May 1777,) Mr. Parsons addressed a memorial to the 
 General Assembly of Connecticut, stating the fact that he and his associates, above 
 named, had taken money from the treasury as a means of surprising and eai)tur- 
 iiig Ticonderoga, and had given their notes and receipts therefor, all of which 
 liad been expended in said service ; and praying the Assembly to cancel their 
 notes and receipts so given to the treasurer, which amounted to £810. Their 
 memorial was granted. Ilinman's " War of the Revolution," 29 — 31. Colonel 
 David Wooster was one of the principal projectors of this daring enterprise, 
 although his name is not signed to the notes. 
 
164 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Castleton, they fell in with a countryman, who seemed to be 
 an honest traveler, " Whence came you ?" asked the eager 
 soldiers. " From Ty," answered the man, clownishly, making 
 use of the familiar abbreviation, by which the fortress was 
 known in that neighborhood, "I left it yesterday," Ques- 
 tion. — " Has the garrison received any reinforcement ?" 
 Answer. — " Yes ; I saw them. There were a number of 
 artillery-men and other soldiers." Question. — " What are 
 they doing ? Are they making fascines ?" Answer. — " I 
 don't know what fascines are. They are tying up sticks 
 and brush in bundles, and putting them where the walls are 
 down." Not satisfied with the responses of this traveling 
 oracle, Mr. Blagden interrogated him still further in rela- 
 tion to the dress and equipments of the men. The keen- 
 witted tory foiled him at every turn with such rational 
 answers, that the whole company was staggered with doubt. 
 A council was held, in which the proposition was made to 
 return, and after a strenuous debate, it was defeated by a 
 majority of a single vote. At Castleton they met Colonel 
 Allen with fresh reinforcements. Their numbers now 
 amounted to two hundred and seventy men, most of them 
 Green Mountain Boys, who, born in Connecticut, Massachu- 
 setts, and New Hampshire, and inured to the rough warfare 
 of border life, in contending with the executive officers and 
 defying the authority of the provincial legislature of New 
 York, had become wild and free in all their actions and opin- 
 ions as the green ridges whence they took their name.* Sen- 
 tries were now posted on all the roads leading to Ticonderoga, 
 to prevent the news of the enterprise being carried to the 
 
 * The celebrated controver.sy between the " Green Mountain Boys " and the 
 New York Government, forms an important feature in the history of the era 
 immediately preceding the Revolution. The settlers on the " New Ilampshiro 
 Grants" claimed to be beyond the jurisdiction of the provincial governments, 
 and consequently had a right to govern themselves. The governor and council 
 of New York, however, regarding the territory as within their jurisdiction, fre- 
 quently sent their constables, sheriffs, and sometimes their militia, to dispossess 
 the settlers, collect taxes, &c. The pioneers organized and armed themselves for 
 mutual self-protection. Through a long series of years, collisions between the 
 two parties were frequent. 
 
[1775.] ARNOLD CLAIMS THE COMMAND. 165 
 
 garrison by the tories. After the troops had all formed a junc- 
 tion at Castleton, Colonel Benedict Arnold arrived from Cam- 
 bridge, whither he had betaken himself with a company of 
 volunteers, on receiving intelligence of the battle of Lexing- 
 ton.* The next day after his arrival at Cambridge, he had 
 Avaited upon the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, inform- 
 ed them of the defenseless condition of Ticonderoga, and 
 given them such a glowing account of the value of the guns 
 and military stores there, that they, upon a full hearing, 
 appointed him a colonel, with power to enlist four hundred 
 volunteers, and march against the fort without delay. He 
 arrived at Castleton with a single servant, expecting to take 
 command of the forces who were now ready to move forward. 
 Arnold was personally known to Mr. Blagden, but not another 
 individual composing the company, had ever seen him before. 
 He instantly informed them who he was, and what was the 
 nature of his errand, and insisted that the command of the 
 whole force should be committed to his charge. With a 
 measure of haughtiness that would have overawed most men, 
 he found that he could not bully Ethan Allen, nor take the 
 control of the Green Mountain Boys, contrary to their free 
 choice. However, his commission was examined and he was 
 allowed to join with the other volunteers, and share in the 
 honor of the contemplated exploit. More than this, he was com- 
 missioned anew by the party, and authorized to serve as the 
 assistant of Colonel Allen. Chafed as he was at this unexpect- 
 ed rebuff, Arnold submitted to the terms so generously proffer- 
 ed him. It had been decided that Colonel Allen and the prin- 
 cipal officers should march with the main body of the troops, 
 
 * On hearing the news of the battle of Lexington, Arnold, who was Captain of 
 the Governor's Guards, in New Haven, called his company together and paraded 
 before the tavern where a committee were in session. He applied for powder and 
 ball ; which the committee declined furnishing. Arnold threatened to take the 
 needful supply by force, if necessary. Colonel Wooster went out and endeav- 
 ored to persuade him to wait for proper orders, before starting for the scene of 
 conflict. Arnold answered, " None hut Almighty God shall prevent mij march- 
 ing,''' The committee, perceiving his fixed resolution, supplied him ; and he 
 marched off instantly, and, with liis company, reached the American quarters 
 by the 29th of April. Gordon, i. 328. 
 
166 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 numbering about one hundred and forty effective men, 
 directly to Shoreham, on the lake shore, opposite Ticonde- 
 roga, while Captain Herrick, with thirty men, should pass on 
 to Skenesborough, at the head of lake Champlain, seize the 
 effects of Major Skene, and return with the boats and stores 
 that they might capture there, to join Colonel Allen at Shore- 
 ham. Captain Drylas meanwhile, was to advance to Panton 
 and get possession of every boat and batteau that might fall 
 in his way. The day before this arrangement was determin- 
 ed upon, Captain Noah Phelps had disguised himself, and 
 entered the fort in the character of a countryman wanting 
 to be shaved. In searching for a barber he observed every- 
 thing critically, asked a number of rustic questions, affected 
 great ignorance, and passed unsuspected. Before night he 
 withdrew and joined his party. 
 
 On the night of the 9th of May, Colonel Allen reached 
 Shoreham. His first care was to look about him for a trusty 
 and skillful guide to lead him into the fort. There lived on 
 the lake-shore a Mr. Beman, a true-hearted and highly 
 respectable farmer, of whom he solicited information. Mr. 
 Beman replied that he had not been in the habit of crossing 
 the lake, and could not himself direct him ; but that his son 
 Nathan, who was a mere lad and had passed a good deal of 
 time at the fortress in playing with the boys of the garrison, 
 could conduct him through all its passages. Nathan Beman 
 was accordingly sent for and subjected to a strict examina- 
 tion. He proved to be a very intelligent child and gave 
 such ready answers to the inquiries that were put to him, 
 and had such a frank and honest face, that Colonel Allen was 
 willing to put himself under his guidance. A new obstacle 
 now presented itself. No boats had yet arrived from Panton, 
 and there were so few at Shoreham that the whole night was 
 consumed in getting the officers and eighty-three of the men 
 across the lake. Colonel Allen had sent the boats back to 
 bring over the rear guard, under the command of Colonel 
 Warner, when he perceived signs of the approaching dawn. 
 Contrary to the advice of some of the officers, he resolved 
 
[1775.] COLOXEL ALLENS SPEECH. 167 
 
 not to wait for tlie rear guard, but to begin the attack at 
 once. Drawing up his i'orces in three ranks beneath the 
 very walls of the fort, he addressed them in the following 
 characteristic language : 
 
 " Friends and Fellow Soldiers : — You have for a number 
 of years past been a scourge and terror to arbitrary power. 
 Your valor has been famed abroad, and acknowledged, as 
 appears by the advice and orders to me from the General 
 Assembly of Connecticut, to surprise and take the garrison 
 now before us. I now propose to advance before you, and 
 in person conduct you through the wicket-gate ; for we must 
 this morning either quit our pretensions to valor, or possess 
 ourselves of this fortress in a few minutes ; and, inasmuch 
 as it is a desperate attempt, which none but the bravest of 
 men dare undertake, I do not urge it on any contrary to 
 his will. You that will undertake voluntarily, poise your 
 fire-locks." 
 
 As he concluded, every soldier poised his fire-lock, without 
 uttering a word. Colonel Allen then ordered them to face 
 to the right, and himself marching at the head of the centre- 
 file, advanced to the wicket-gate. Here he found a sentry 
 posted, who instantly snapped his fusee at the invader. Colo- 
 nel Allen rushed towards him, and, flying along a covered 
 passage and into the parade ground, within the fort, the 
 frightened man uttered a single cry of alarm, and hid himself 
 under a bomb-proof. 
 
 The two barracks fronted each other, and as the volun- 
 teers entered tlie ])arade, following the long strides of their 
 leader, he connnanded them to form in such a manner as to 
 face both these dormitories, whence the soldiers of the 
 garrison were momentarily expected to swarm. The whole 
 garrison was locked in such a dead sleep, that the shouts of 
 the inside sentries, who gave three loud huzzas, could scarcely 
 awaken them. One of these sentries made a pass at one of 
 Colonel Allen's officers, and slightly wounded him. Allen 
 raised his sword to kill the assailant at a blow ; but chang- 
 ing his purpose and reflecting that the man's life might be 
 
168 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 turned to some good account, he commuted the punishment 
 to a slight cut upon the side of the head. The sentinel 
 instantly threw down his gun and begged for life. Colonel 
 Allen granted his petition, and demanded of him where his 
 commanding officer slept. 
 
 The prisoner pointed to a pair of stairs in front of one of 
 the barracks, leading up into the second story. Allen strode 
 up the stairs, and shouted from the entrance, "Come forth 
 instantly, or I will sacrifice the whole garrison." Roused 
 from sleep by a summons that must have been heard by 
 every man within the walls of the fortress, Captain De La 
 Place came immediately to the door, with his breeches in his 
 hand. His astonishment on beholding such a giant appari- 
 tion standing so near him with a drawn sword in its hand, 
 seems at first to have deprived the poor soldier of the power 
 of utterance. Allen was the first to break the silence of this 
 awkward interview. " Deliver me the fort instantly," said 
 he. " By whose authority," inquired the British officer. " In 
 the name of the Great Jehovah a7id the Continental Congress," 
 shouted the volunteer colonel in explanation. Captain De 
 La Place appears to have been at a loss to understand how 
 the former of the authorities named, could be disposed to 
 frown on a gallant officer in the discliarge of his duty, and 
 equally at a loss to define the jurisdiction of the latter, 
 over the servants of the house of Hanover. 
 
 He began to speak interrogatively, by way of satisfying 
 these scruples, when Allen interrui)ted him, and flourishing 
 his sword over his head, again, in a voice of thunder, 
 demanded the surrender of the fort. By the sincerity of his 
 adversary's manner, and by the flashing of his eye, that 
 gleamed like a tiger's in the gray light of the early morning. 
 Captain De La Place saw that compliance alone could save 
 his life, and yielded in time to stay the descending blade. 
 
 He issued orders immediately that his men should be par- 
 aded without arms, as he had given up the garrison. 
 
 Meanwhile the other invading officers were busy in exe- 
 cuting that part of the enterprise assigned to them, and had 
 
{1775.] WARNER TAKES CROWN POINT. 169 
 
 soon beaten down several of the barrack doors, and impris- 
 oned about one-third of the garrison, which consisted of 
 Captain De La Place, Lieut. Feltham, a conductor of artil- 
 lery, a gunner, two sergeants and forty-four privates. This 
 daring scheme was carried into efiect in the morning twilight 
 of the 10th of May, 1775. " The sun," says Colonel Allen, 
 who like Mason, has left no vulgar record of his own exploit, 
 " the sun seemed to rise that morning with a superior lustre, 
 and Ticonderoga and its dependencies smiled to its conquer- 
 ors, who tossed about the glowing bowl and wished success 
 to Congress, and the liberty and freedom of America." 
 
 Well might its long level beams smile upon the waters of 
 the lake, that had after so many years of conflict only passed 
 from the hands of one tyrant into those of another, and had 
 now for the first time begun to tremble in the light that was 
 to emancipate the world. That same sun, before its setting, 
 shone upon the Continental Congress, whose authority Allen 
 had invoked six good hours before it began to exist ! 
 
 The reader is not to suppose that Colonel Warner was idle 
 while his old friend, who had shared in common with him 
 the wrestling-matches and boyhood pastimes that in those 
 days made the sons of Litchfield County tough-sinewed and 
 double-jointed as well as brave, was consummating one of 
 the most daring exploits in the history of the revolution. 
 Early in the morning this gallant officer crossed the lake 
 with the rear guard, eager to share in the excitement of a 
 scene in which accident alone had prevented his participa- 
 ting. He was indeed too late; but his nature was incapa- 
 ble of envying the laurels that had been won by his superior 
 officer, and he set off cheerfully and without delay with 
 about one hundred men, to take possession of Crown Point. 
 The small garrison of this fortress consisting only of a ser- 
 geant and twelve men, was on the same day delivered up to 
 him without a strufirde. 
 
 Previous to this affair, Allen had dispatched a messenger 
 to Captain Remember Baker, who was at Winooski river, 
 requesting him to join the army at Ticonderoga, with as 
 
170 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 large a number of men as he could muster. He obeyed the 
 summons ; and when he was coming up the lake with his 
 party, he met two small boats, which had been sent from 
 Crown Point, to carry intelligence of the reduction of Ticon- 
 deroga to St. John's and Montreal, and solicit reinforce- 
 ments. The boats were captured by Baker, and he arrived 
 at Crown Point just in time to participate in the reduction 
 of that post.* 
 
 Still the lake was not entirely free, for a single English sloop 
 was lying at St. John's. As Colonel Arnold had already 
 proved himself willing to do his duty, an amicable arrange- 
 ment was entered into between him and Allen in regard to 
 the capture of this sloop. It was agreed to arm and fit out 
 a schooner that was lying at South Bay, which was to sail 
 for St. John's under Arnold, while Colonel Allen followed 
 with another party in batteaux. Arnold made all sail for the 
 prize, without waiting for Allen who, of course, soon 
 fell behind him. The sloop was much larger and carried 
 more metal than the schooner, but Arnold found no difficulty 
 in surprising and taking her captive, together wdth the garri- 
 sion at St. John's,f before the batteaux could arrive. The 
 wind that had favored his advance, now suddenly shifted, 
 and blew fresh from the north, as if to facilitate his return. 
 In about an hour, Arnold again reached Ticonderoga. On 
 his way he met Colonel Allen, within a few miles of St. 
 John's, and saluted him with a discharge of cannon. Allen 
 returned it with a volley of small arms. This was repeated 
 three times, after which the colonel went on board the sloop 
 with his party, where they all drank several jolly rounds for 
 the edification of their prisoners, and in token of their 
 loyalty to the American Congress. 
 
 J^ake Champlain was now in the hands of the Americans, 
 without the loss of a single life. The fall of Ticonderoga 
 alone gave to the Congress, aside from the importance 
 of the place, about one hundred and twenty iron cannon, 
 
 * Captain Baker was a native of Woodbury, Connecticut. 
 
 tThis garrison consisted, like thatatCrow-nPoint, of a sergeant and twelve men. 
 
[1775.] CONNECTICUT PAYS TUE BILLS. 171 
 
 fifty swivels, two mortars, one howitzer, one cohorn, ten tons 
 of musket ball, three cart loads of flints, thirty new car- 
 riages, a large quantity of shells, one hundred stands of 
 arms, ten barrels of powder, two brass cannon, to say 
 nothing of materials for ship building, pork, flour, beans, 
 ])eas, and other valuables.* Warner took upwards of one 
 hundred pieces of cannon at Crown Point. Such was the 
 result of this retaliatory act that followed the nuxrders at 
 Lexington, and the ill-timed seizure under the name ot mili- 
 tary stores, of a few barrels of flour at Concord. It was 
 as we liave seen, from the beginning, a Connecticut measure, 
 conceived by gentlemen from that colony, approved by her 
 General Assembly, carried out by officers who were born in 
 her towns of Litchfield, Woodbury, and Norwich ; and paid 
 for, as our state papers still show, from her treasury. f 
 
 Thus Connecticut had the honor, of which neither envy 
 nor falsehood have ever been quite able to rob her, of strik- 
 ing the first aggressive blow at the British power in 
 America.J The news of these achievements soon spread 
 
 * Allen's '• Narrative." See De Puy's Life of Colonel Allen, p. 218. 
 
 f The surprise and capture of Skenesborough was effected without bloodshed. 
 Major Skene was taken while out on a shooting excursion, and his strong home 
 possessed and the pass completely gained, almost without opposition. Had the 
 Major received the least intimation of the intended assault, the attempt must 
 have failed ; for he had about si.xteen tenants near at hand, besides eight negroes 
 and twelve workmen. See Gordon, i. 335. 
 
 \ As some historians have claimed for Massachusetts the honor of originating 
 and carrying out the design upon Ticonderoga, the subject may deserve a passing 
 remark. The facts in the case, as I have given them in the text, have been so 
 fully and repeatedly proved, that many of the Massachusetts writers have cheer- 
 fully conceded the claims of Connecticut on this point. That the importance of 
 Ticonderoga to the cause of the colonies, had been a topic of conversation among 
 the patriots of Massachusetts, as well as of Connecticut, is not improbable ; but 
 it does not appear that any person in that colony had conceived flie practicability 
 of attempting its capture, until Arnold suggested it to the committee of safety ; 
 or until the committee from C'i)nnecticut revealed the plan to Colonel Easton, and 
 others, at I'ittsfield, when on their way to Bennington. Colonel Easton, of Pitts- 
 field, was appointed second in command ; and a f w volunteers for the expedition 
 were picked up in Massachusetts. This, I believe, constitutes the extent of her 
 participation in the affair, and these were only hired men. 
 
172 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 tnroughout the continent. The Congress hailed her sons, 
 who led the expedition, with the liveliest enthusiasm, and 
 even threw open their doors, and received them upon their 
 floor. Reluctantly, and after a long debate, in which the 
 lories were voted down. New York did the same,* and 
 everywhere from north to south, was mingled with the honor 
 awarded to the officers, a tribute of gratitude to the Green 
 Mountain Boys. 
 
 * In the New York Assembly, tlie motion was made by Captain Sears, a distin- 
 guished " Son of Liberty," was seconded by Melancthon Smith, and was carried 
 by a vote of more than two to one. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 
 
 As soon as intelligence of the battle of Lexington reached 
 the ears of the ever watchful governor of Connecticut, he 
 dispatched a messenger to Colonel Putnam, directing him to 
 repair forthwith to Lebanon. 
 
 It was early in the morning, and Putnam was plowing 
 in the field, when this special post arrived. He left the plow 
 in the unfinished furrow, and after giving some hasty direc- 
 tions to his servants, hurried home, mounted his hors.e, and 
 rodeofl'at full gallop. He found the "rebel governor" ready 
 to receive him. The interview was brief. "Hasten forward 
 to Concord, said his excellency, don't stay for troops. I 
 will take care of that — hurry forward, and I will send the 
 troops after you !"* Upon the back of the same horse that 
 had brought him from home, Putnam instantly set out upon 
 his journey. He pushed forward like a courier who bears 
 dispatches on which is to hinge the fate of empires. 
 He traveled all night without so much as halting to 
 give breath to the tired beast who found it was no 
 sinecure to serve such a master. As the sun rose the 
 next morning, the veteran hero, then almost sixty years 
 old, rode into Concord, having kept his saddle for 
 eighteen hours, and made, over roads that would now be 
 
 * A very respectable authority states, that Putnam was digging stones for tho 
 purpose of making a wall upon his farm, when the messenger arrived, and that 
 he started off into the neighboring towns to rally the militia without orders from 
 any one. Tiiis is believed to be a mistake. Governor Trumbull was not only tho 
 nominal, but tho real head of the military forces of the colony — was tlie authority 
 from which sucli a movement would be expected to emanate. IJcsides, there aro 
 still in tho Trumbull family the evidences that the governor was the first to take 
 this step. Putnam was too good a citizen — too nmch a soldier to act without 
 being properly authorized. 
 
174 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 thought impassable, the distance of more than one hundred 
 miles. The Connecticut militia who followed him, marched 
 with a quick step until they reached their place of destina- 
 tion. No sooner was it known that Putnam was in the field, 
 than other patriots from all parts of the colony imitated his 
 example. Sometimes in parties of ten or twelve, with a 
 captain, a lieutenant, a sergeant, or a corporal ; sometimes 
 in little squads of two or three officers, or privates, as the 
 case might be ; they would come dropping into Cambridge, 
 where his regiment was stationed, soon after his arrival ; 
 gentlemen and yeomen, most of them clad in the same 
 undistinguishable home-spun that had been made a common 
 badge of all the true-hearted by the late oppressive acts of 
 parliament ; all animated with the same spirit of resistance. 
 As April waned and May slowly crept toward its zenith, 
 these little hunting-parties began to be succeeded by larger 
 companies, better armed, and presenting a more warlike 
 array. At last a band of one hundred men marched from 
 Norwich, under the command of Lieutenant Huntington. 
 This company had been brought together and partly disci- 
 plined by Major John Durkee.* It was made up of excel- 
 lent marksmen, who proved themselves worthy to be com- 
 manded by John Durkee, when at the battle of Bunker Hill 
 the ranks of General Howe's regulars fell column after 
 column before their fatal aim. 
 
 But let us not lose sight of the doings of the General 
 Assembly. In March a short term had been held and a list 
 of military officers appointed, embracing some of the bright- 
 est names of the re volution. f In April was held the gi^eat 
 session of that eventful year. News-carriers were selected, 
 
 * This company was in the battle of Bunker Hill, in camp during the succeed- 
 ing winter on Prospect and Cobb's Hill, accompanied the army to New York in 
 March, endured all the liardships of the retreat through the Jerseys, and fought 
 at Germantown. Caulkins' Hist. Norwich, 22G, 227. 
 
 + The following are the names of the regimental officers appointed at that ses- 
 sion, viz : Colonels — Jedediah Elderkin, Andrew Ward, Jr., Isaac Lee, Jr. 
 Lieutenant-Colonels — Experience Storrs, Increase Moselcy, Jr., Matthew Talcott, 
 Fisher Ciay, William Worthinoiton, and David Watcrbury, Jr. Majors— Thomas 
 Brown, Samuel Canfield, Thomas Bclden, Simeon Strong, and Sylvanus Graves. 
 
[1775.] MILITIA ORGANIZED. 175 
 
 to carrv tidings from town to town, and a committee appoint- 
 ed to superintend them.* They next proceed, without nam- 
 ing the word " Lexington," (for their own act against trea- 
 son still kept its place upon the statute book,) to appoint a 
 committee " to procure provisions for the families of those 
 who had gone to the relief of the people at the Bay." Soon 
 after, in language of a bolder import, it was ordered that 
 one-fourth part of the militia of the colony, should " be forth- 
 with enlisted, equipped, accoutred, and assembled for the 
 safety and defense of the colony." These citizen-soldiers 
 were to be distributed into companies of one hundred men 
 each ; and formed into six regiments under the command of a 
 major-general, assisted by two brigadier-generals, with sub- 
 ordinate officers, whose rank and duties were particularly 
 defined. Rates of pay were at the same time established, 
 and provision made to procure fire-arms, and the other 
 munitions of war.f To incite those to enlist who were 
 fit to bear arms in defense of their country, a premium of 
 fifty-two shillings and a month's pay in advance, was offered 
 to the soldiers at the time of enlistment, f To give more 
 
 * Thaddeus Burr, of Fairfield, and Charles Church Chandler, (if Woodstock, 
 Were appointed, to employ, at the expense of the colony, two news-carriers, to 
 perform regular stages from Fairfield to Woodstock, and back, so as to arrive 
 in Hartford on Saturday of each week, and carry all proper intelligence through 
 the colony, along the route, " with all convenient speed." Gurdon Saltonstall, of 
 New London, was directed to engage two news-carriers, at the expense of the 
 colony, to perform regular trips between Woodstock and New Haven, on the 
 Fairfield stage, in such manner that they should severally arrive at New London 
 on each Saturday, and forward all their intelligence on eveiy Monday morning to 
 Woodstock and New Haven. 
 
 •j- The salary of the major-general was fixed at £20 per month ; each brigadier- 
 general was to receive £17 per month ; colonel, £15 ; lieutenant-colonel, £12 ; 
 major, £10; captain, £6 ; lieutenant, £4 ; ensign, £3; adjutant, £5.10 ; quar- 
 ter-master, £3 : chaplain, £6 ; surgeon, £7.10 ; surgeon's mate, £4 ; sergeant, 
 £2.8 ; corporal, £2.4 ; fifer and drummer, £2.4 ; and each private, £2. 
 
 The soldiers were to be furnished with good arms, belonging to the colony, if 
 unable to furnish themselves ; or if they found their own arms, they were to be 
 allowed ten shillings for tho use of such arms. In case more arms should be 
 required than could otherwise be obtained, they were to be impressed from house- 
 holders not enrolled. 
 
176 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 solemnity and more of the appearance of authority to this 
 important act, forms of enhstment were adopted for the 
 officers, and the governor was empowered and requested to 
 give written orders to the officers whose duty it was to bring 
 men into the service. Having provided all these prelimina- 
 ries, they appointed the officers for the six regiments thus to 
 be raised. The three general officers were, David Wooster, 
 Joseph Spencer, and Israel Putnam, Esqrs.* The list of 
 officers, whose names will be found below in a note, will 
 doubtless interest the antiquarian and the reader of general 
 history, who loves to read over the catalogue of illustrious 
 men whose memories can never fade from the annals of the 
 state or nation. 
 
 To provide these six regiments with whatever was neces- 
 sary for the contemplated resistance, commissaries were 
 appointed, at the head of whom stands the venerable name 
 of Oliver Wolcott. Nor was the old expedient of issuing 
 bills of credit, foreshadowing as it did a long and heavy train 
 of all the evils attending taxation, forgotten on this occasion. 
 As the people had burdened themselves in times past to aid 
 in the extension of British power, much more now did they 
 voluntarily tax themselves to raise money that they might 
 resist unconstitutional laws that would have forced such a 
 burden upon their shoulders. The first issue of these bills 
 amounted to fifty thousand pounds. 
 
 Although the enemy's ships were hovering on our coast, 
 which was sadly exposed to their depredations on account of 
 our numerous harbors, still the Assembly nobly gave up for 
 the defense of Massachusetts, four of the six regiments thus 
 to be raised from her citizens, and to be maintained at her 
 own cost. 
 
 On the 11th of May, with a vacation of less than twenty 
 
 * Colonels — Benjamin Ilinman, David Waterbury, Jr., Samuel Ilolden Par- 
 sons. Lieutenant-Colonels — Andrew Ward, Jr., Samuel Wyllys, Experience 
 Storrs, George Pitkin, Samuel Whiting, and John Tyler. Majors — Jabez 
 Thompson, 1st, David Welch, 2d, Roger Enos, John Durkee, Samuel Elmore, 
 Thomas Hobby, Samuel Prentice. 
 
[177J.] MILITARY CODE. 177 
 
 days, the Assembly again met. Their very first act was to 
 issue bills of credit of the same amount as the issue in April, 
 thus making in a lew days the enormous sum of one hundred 
 thousand pounds. Guns, tents for officers and soldiers, camp 
 equipage and furniture, medicine chests, and standards, were 
 ordered to be procured.''" For each regiment the new stand- 
 ard was to be of a particular color. That of Wooster's was 
 to be yellow, Spencer's blue, Putnam's scarlet, llinman's 
 crimson, Waterbury's white, and Parsons' azure. Then 
 they proceeded to digest and enact a military code for the 
 government of the army thus to be made uj) of their sons 
 and brothers, that is still extant to bear witness to their wis- 
 dom and self-sacrificing patriotism. f In the preamble to 
 these military rules arc to be Ibund passages of a high order 
 of eloquence. The causes that led to the settlement of the 
 colony are touched upon with great delicacy, and the virtues 
 of those emigrants are connnemorated, who, in the language 
 of the Assembly, " bravely encountered the dangers of untried 
 seas, and coasts of a howling wilderness ; barbarous men 
 and savage beasts, at the expense of their case and safety, 
 of their blood, their treasure, and their lives ; transplanted 
 and raised the English constitution in these wilds, upon the 
 strong pillars of civil and religious liberty.'" In this paper 
 too an enumeration of the causes of complaint that the colo- 
 nies had so much reason to urge, was set forth in the fol- 
 lowing stately and graphic language : " All our loyal peti- 
 tions to the throne for redress of grievances have been 
 treated with contempt, or passed by in silence, by his majes- 
 ty's ministers of state, and the refusal to surrender our just 
 rights, liberties, and immunities, hath been styled rebellion ; 
 and fleets and armies have been sent into a neicrhborinff 
 colony to force them to submit to slavery and awe the other 
 colonies into submission, by the example of vengeance 
 inflicted on her." 
 
 *IIinman, 172, 173. ~~~ 
 
 tFor an exact copy of this code, see Hon. R. II. llinman's " American Revo- 
 lution," from pp. 171 to 181. 
 
 44 
 
178 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 At this session also the first committee of safety was 
 appointed to advise with the governor during vacation.* 
 On the records of the same session we find a resolution to 
 the effect that the committee of the pay-table should give 
 orders on the treasurer for the payment of all the money 
 actually expended, or for obligations given therefor, in obtain- 
 ing the possession of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. The 
 committee is directed to liquidate the accounts of the costs 
 and expenses for men and provisions, in taking and securing 
 said fortress, hij any of the inhahitunts of tliis or any otJier 
 colony acting in the employ of Connecticut-'^ They also took 
 measures to keep the forts, the capture of which she had 
 conceived and executed, as appears by the following para- 
 graph from the records of that session : 
 
 "Resolved, That five hundred pounds of powder shall be 
 forthwith borrowed by the committee of pay-table, from the 
 town stocks of the adjacent towns, and be transported by 
 Colonel James Easton, with the utmost expedition, to Crown 
 Point and Ticonderoga, and to be there used for the immedi- 
 ate defense of those posts, until the resolves of the Continen- 
 tal Congress should be carried into execution ; directing the 
 committee of pay-table to draw on the colony treasurer in 
 favor of Colonel Easton for the sum of £200, to be expended 
 in defraying the expenses of transporting said powder, and 
 other necessary purposes, for the immediate support of said 
 fortresses." J 
 
 How any honest man in his senses, can presume, in the 
 face of this record, and the other evidences adduced, to deny 
 that Connecticut was the originator of the capture of those 
 forts, is inexplicable. 
 
 On the 1st of July, Governor Trumbull called the Assem- 
 bly together again, by a special order. The first act of 
 importance provided for the raising and equiping an addi- 
 
 *This committee consisted of the Hon. Matthew Griswold, Hon. Eliphalet 
 Dyer, J. Huntington, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, R. Wales, Jr., J. 
 Elderkin, Joshua West, and Benjamin Huntington, l^lsqrs. 
 
 tlliuman, 182. t Ilinman, 183. 
 
[1775.] CONNECTICUT PROTECTS NEW YORK, 179 
 
 tional body of fourteen hundred men, exclusive of commis- 
 sioned officers, " to serve during the pleasure of the xA.ssem- 
 bly, not exceeding five months, to be led and conducted as 
 the Assembly should order." The new recruits were direct- 
 ed to be formed into two regiments of ten companies each ; 
 and each company was to consist of seventy non-commis- 
 sioned officers and privates, with the usual number of com- 
 missioned and staff' officers. Charles Webb and Jedediah 
 Huntington were appointed colonels of these regiments ; 
 Street Hall and John Douglas, lieutenant-colonels ; Jona- 
 than Latimer, Jr., and Joel Clark, majors. 
 
 Nor did the General Assembly, in protecting the forts and 
 in extending a fostering care over Massachusetts, forget to 
 provide, as she had long been in the habit of doing, for New 
 York. The governor was requested to draw from the treas- 
 ury and forthwith deliver to Walter Livingston, Esq., at the 
 request of General Philip Schuyler, fifteen thousand pounds, 
 in bills of credit, together with as much ammunition as they 
 should judge necessary.* How this generous act was 
 requitetl by General Schuyler, not long after, in his treat- 
 ment of General Wooster, will be dwelt upon as it deserves. 
 
 Let us now pass from the legislative chamber to the camp. 
 At the time of the battle of Lexington, the British army 
 amounted only to about four thousand. But through the 
 month of May, one ship after another brought additional 
 troops to reinforce General Gage. Before the first of June, 
 the enemy numbered ten thousand veteran troops, under the 
 direction of Generals Gage, Howe, Clinton, Burgoyne, Pigot, 
 Grant, and Robinson, and Lords Percy and Rawden, the 
 most experienced and choice officers that England's chivalry 
 could furnish from her fields of discipline, whether in the 
 east or west.f Ships with gay streamers filled the harbor, 
 freighted with men in uniform, and with the implements of 
 death. Boston had been appropriated for the quartering 
 ground of the king's forces, and was swarming with them, 
 
 * Colonial Records of July, 1775. Ilinman, 187. 
 
 tCol. Swett's "History of the Battle of Bunker Hill," p. 13. Graham iv, 
 378, 
 
180 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 On the other hand, the American camp at Cambridge pre- 
 sented a spectacle of a quite different character. General 
 Artemas Ward, who had served in the French war, was its 
 commander-in-chief. He was a gentleman of high character 
 and of much experience. Day after day fresh troops came 
 pouring in. Rhode Island sent in a regiment under General 
 Greene ; New Hampshire sent a regiment of her sturdy 
 hunters and woodsmen, whose whole life had been a long 
 warfare with nature and with the wild sons of the woods, 
 and who, true to their sentiments of equality, had placed them- 
 selves by their own vote, under such leaders as Colonel Stark, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Wyman, and Major M'Clary. 
 
 I have already named some of the measures taken by Con- 
 necticut to reinforce this army. Besides General Putnam 
 and Major Durkee, she was represented by Brigadier-Gene- 
 ral Spencer, Lieutenant-Colonel Wyllys, Major Mayo, Colo- 
 nel Waterbury, Colonel Parsons, Captain Coit of New Lon- 
 don a Cyclopean man with but one eye and a giant frame ; 
 and gallant Captain Chester from Wethersfield, graceful and 
 chivalric, with his independent company of one hundred high 
 spirited men,* who had not forgotten who their grandfathers 
 were, nor what battles they had fought, and who were 
 worthy, almost every one, to bear a colonel's commission, 
 and lead a regiment in the face of any army that did not 
 more than three times out-number them. 
 
 Chester's company was by far the most accomplished body 
 of men in the whole American army. On this account it 
 was selected to escort General Putnam and Dr. (afterwards 
 general) Warren, the President of the Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, to Charlestown, on the exchange of prisoners with the 
 British. I'utnam and Warren rode in the same carriage ; 
 Major Dunbar and Lieutenant Hamilton of the sixty-fourth, 
 on horseback ; Lieutenant Porter, of the marines, in a 
 chaise ; John Hilton, of the forty-seventh, Alexander Camp- 
 bell, of the fourth,! and some wounded men belonging to the 
 
 * Swell's Ilislory, p. 7. 
 
 fSome of these prisoners of war were doubtless taken on the 19th of April. 
 
[1775.] THE PROVINCIAL ARMY. 181 
 
 marines, in carts, all escorted by the Wethersfield company, 
 under the command of Captain Chester, entered ('harles- 
 town, and moving slowly through it, made a halt at the ferry. 
 At a given signal, Major Moncrief landed from the Lively to 
 receive the prisoners and greet General Putnam, his old 
 comrade in the tedious campaign of 1756. A flag of truce 
 waved over them, consecrating the hour to happy recollec- 
 tions and genial intercourse. Putnam and ]Moncrief, as soon 
 as the boat touched the landing, rushed into each other's 
 arms. The scene was truly afiecting and was never forgot- 
 ten by any who witnessed it.* 
 
 The Connecticut officers, all men of culture and daring 
 courage, had under their command three thousand soldiers, 
 their neighbors, their friends, men of intelligence, all of whom 
 could read and write their native language well ; most of whom 
 could preside at a town meeting at home, frame resolutions 
 condemning the stamp act, the Boston port bill, and the 
 quartering laws, and advocate them, too, by a speech at once 
 forcible and pungent ; men of substance, whose notes of 
 hand were worth their face in silver or in good corn, its 
 authorized equivalent ; men who were not without disci- 
 pline, for some of them had been present at the capture of 
 Louisbourg, some at the death of the Baron Dieskau, some at 
 the surrender of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, some when 
 Putnam was taken captive by the Indians and a few were of 
 the little remnant who had escaped the arrows of the death- 
 angel at Havana. With these reinforcements the American 
 army numbered about fifteen thousand men, but many of 
 them were so poorly armed and equipped, wore such humble 
 clothing, and a large share of them were so raw, that they 
 were made the theme of many keen jests by the British 
 officers, who had no doubt that a regiment of regulars would 
 drive them from one end of Boston Neck to the other. 
 
 * See Frothingham's Siege of Boston, 1 1 1 and 1 1 2. Gen. Humphreys speaks 
 of Chester's company as " the elite corps of the army," and " as such, was 
 selected to escort General Putnam and Joseph Warren, tlic President of tho 
 Congress, to Charlcstown, on the exchange of prisoners with the British." 
 
182 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 They soon had an opportunity to test the accuracy of 
 their conclusions. The small islands that help to make up 
 the details of the heautiful bay that adorns that bold coast, 
 were covered with cattle ; a very tempting prize, when so 
 many thousands of human beings were assembled within a 
 few miles of each other, and provisions were so scarce that 
 among the poor especially, the horrors of famine were 
 already added to those of war. Several exciting skirmishes 
 grew out of attempts, on both sides, to get possession of 
 this live stock. In most instances the Americans were the 
 successful party. These little victories were of great impor- 
 tance to them in habituating them to the use of arms, and in 
 supplanting the fear that was at first inspired by the sight of 
 soldiers in full uniform. 
 
 On the 21st of May, two sloops and an armed schooner 
 with soldiers, sailed to Grape Island to bring off some hay. 
 As soon as the tide would admit of it, the provincials followed, 
 drove them off, burned up all the hay amounting to about 
 eighty tons, and carried away in triumph all the cattle upon 
 the island.* Three days after, the Cerberus arrived at Boston, 
 having on board Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne. 
 They had brought with them a good supply of fishing-tackle, 
 hoping to have some choice sport, and not doubting but their 
 very presence would intimidate the "rebels."! They found 
 other pastimes prepared to their hand. 
 
 On the 27th of May, about five hundred of the Massachu- 
 setts and New Hampshire forces were detached to Hog 
 Island and Noddle's Island for live stock. These islands are 
 separated by a little thread of water so shallow at low tide, 
 as to be fordable. A party of Americans landed on Noddle's 
 Island, and proceeded to set fire to the hay and corn that had 
 been deposited there. To prevent this, a large body of 
 British marines crossed over from Boston. The provincials 
 retreated to Hog Island. This movement tempted the 
 marines down to the water's edge, where they were met by 
 the provincials, under the command of General Putnam. A 
 * Gordou, i. 340. + Gordon, i. 340, 341. See also Botta, 201. 
 
[1775.] gage's pkoclamation. 183 
 
 sharp action followed, that did not stop with the day. The 
 marines were supported by a schooner of four six-})ounders 
 and twelve swivels, a sloop of war, and some barges mounted 
 with swivels. Putnam was, soon after the beginning of the 
 engagement, joined by General Warren, who came as a vol- 
 unteer. Putnam had two small pieces of ordnance, and as 
 he was himself a capital gunner, and had with him men 
 who were well skilled in the management of artillery, he was 
 able to do the enemy a good deal of mischief. Although the 
 night was unusually dark, the firing was kept up until nearly 
 moi'ning. Toward day -break, the schooner ran aground, 
 and her crew was obliged to abandon her. She was imme- 
 diately boarded, rifled, and burned, by order of Putnam. So 
 skilfully did he manage this affair, that he did not lose a 
 single man, while the enemy lost, in killed and wounded, 
 more than one hundred. Their loss was reported, and 
 currently believed to be, more than twice that number.* 
 
 It was too late for reconciliation or retraction on either 
 side now that so much blood had been shed. 
 
 On the 12th of June, General Gage issued a proclamation, 
 proffering the king's pardon to all except Samuel Adams and 
 John Hancock, who would lay down their arms and go 
 peaceably about their ordinary business. f All were to 
 be treated as traitors, who failed to accept these terms, or 
 who dared to conceal or abet any such delinquent. The 
 laws of the land were at the same time declared to be sus- 
 pended, and the town j)laced under martial rule. A fearful 
 looking for of fiery indignation, was the sole eflect of this 
 announcement. Two days later, the Congress of Massachu- 
 
 * Gordon, i. 341. On the 30tli the provincials again visited Noddle's Island, 
 burnt the Mansion-house, and carried off" all tlie stock, consisting of five hundred 
 sheep and lambs, twenty head of cattle, and several horses. On the following 
 day, a party under Colonel Robinson, removed five hundred sheep and thirty liead 
 of cattle from Pettiek's Island. On the night of June 2d, eight hundred sheep, 
 together with a number of cattle, were removed from Deer Lsland, by a party of 
 provincials under Major Greaton. 
 
 t Graham, iv. .^"S. The ofl'ences of these gentlemen were regarded by Gov- 
 ernor Gage as of " too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration 
 than that of condign punishment." 
 
184 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 setts chose Dr. Warren to be their President, and appointed 
 him the second major-general of their own troops. He had 
 been ah-eady chosen chairman of the Massachusetts Com- 
 mittee of Safety. He does not appear to have had any 
 experience as a mihtary chief, and, as will be seen in the 
 sequel, probably accepted the post, not with a view of direct- 
 ing the movements of the army, but rather, to keep up the 
 courage of the people, who had boundless confidence in his 
 abilities, and who would be more inspired by his presence on 
 the battle-field, were it to carry along with it the prestige of 
 official rank. The many civic duties that he had to discharge, 
 and that kept him from indulging even in the ordinary 
 comforts of ibod and sleep, would, from their multifarious 
 and distracting details, of themselves, have prevented his 
 giving that undivided attention to the operations of the army, 
 that could alone insure success. It was enough, even for his 
 vast powers and wonderful mental activity, to see after the 
 plans of the Committee of Safety, and preside over the 
 deliberations of the provincial Congress. On the other hand, 
 his noble nature drank in, at every pore, the excitement of 
 the scenes around him. With a soul as sublime as lit up the 
 eye of any one of all the leadei's of Christian armies, who, 
 in the days of the crusades, exchanged their baronial estates 
 for proud steeds and shining blades, that they might haste to 
 reclaim the holy sepulchre tVom the hands of the infidel, or 
 lay down their bones to bleach upon the hot sands of the 
 desert ; with a heart beating time to the same notes of free- 
 dom, that nerved ihe arm and sped the steel of the poet 
 ./Eschylus on the eve of the battle of Marathon, 
 how could he refrain from mingling in the strife, if 
 strife there were to be ? But it was not that he might 
 take the place of others, better fitted, from long expe- 
 rience in the camp, to control the stormy elements of 
 war, but rather that he might mingle in them, and constitute 
 a part of their essence. Liberty was a word that signified, 
 when it fell from his lips, all the domestic and social 
 relations, all the revolving circles of life, all the silent memo- 
 
[1775.] DISPOSITION OF THE ARMY. 185 
 
 ries that lie scattered along the road of the past, all 
 hopes that invite man to the future. In him, liberty was a 
 holy altar-flame, never to be extinguished until it exhaled to 
 heaven. Animated by such sentiments, and knowing, as all 
 men of genius do from intuition, what they can, and what 
 thev cannot do, he consented to be a general ; but, declining 
 to take the command, acted in the drama that was so soon 
 to follow, the part of a volunteer.* 
 
 J have already said that General Ward was at Cambridge, 
 with the main army, made up of about eight thousand 
 Massachusetts troops. With these were joined one thousand 
 from Connecticut, who, with Sargeant's and Patterson's 
 regiments, were stationed near Inman's farm, under the 
 immediate command of General Putnam. Already some 
 slender breast works had been thrown up by his order ; and 
 not far from the Charlestown road, a good mile and a half 
 from General Ward's camp, a redoubt was erected and 
 occupied by Patterson's regiment. There were also five 
 artillery companies at the main camp, four of which were 
 well provided with guns. 
 
 The right wing was composed of two thousand troops 
 from Massachusetts, two thousand from Connecticut, and 
 one thousand irom Rhode Island ; and was posted at Rox- 
 bury, under command of Lieutenant-General Thomas, who 
 had three or four companies of artillery tolerably supplied 
 with field-pieces. Colonels Reed and Stark had charge of 
 the left wing that was stationed at Medford, and consisted 
 of one thousand New Hampshire troops and a detachment 
 of the same forces, together with three companies of 
 Gerrish's regiment, at Chelsea. On the evening of the 16th 
 of June, a large guard, culled Irom Little's and several other 
 regiments, was also posted at Lechmere Point. f 
 
 Notwithstanding the numbers and bravery of the Ameri- 
 can forces, oflicered as they were by such men as I have 
 
 * Sue Frotliingham's History of Charlestown ; Allen's and Blake's Biog. Dic- 
 tionaries, tte. 
 
 tSwcU, p. 9 and 10. 
 
186 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 described, a very large proportion of them were men who 
 had never seen service, who had flocked in from the neigh- 
 boring towns, with httle to recommend them beyond the 
 unbounded enthusiasm that impelled them to the field, and 
 the sympathy that they felt for their persecuted neighbors. 
 Many of the Massachusetts soldiers were minute-men, who 
 did not compare at all with the more select forces sent from 
 the other colonies. The oflicers in several of the regiments 
 were without commissions, and held the position only by 
 virtue of the superiority tiiat nature gives in the endowment 
 of a few of her favorite children. Hence, the relationship 
 existing between such officers and their men, was of a char- 
 acter not very clearly defined, and liable to be disturbed and 
 weakened by a thousand incidental causes. Worse than all, 
 more than three-fifths of the army were without suitable 
 weapons. Many of their guns were only common muskets, 
 destitute of bayonets, of such a variety of calibre, that it 
 was difficult to make cartridges and mould bullets to fit 
 them, and in such a general state of disrepair, that they 
 could not be relied upon with sufficient certainty to inspire 
 the steady confidence that a soldier ought to feel in his 
 weapons.* A want of method and concentrated action was 
 apparent in the doings of the Congress, growing out of the 
 giddy whirl of events that had convulsed the town and the 
 neighborhood. No quarter-master's department had yet 
 been organized, f as there should have been long before that 
 time, and as Connecticut had taken care to provide at a very 
 early day. As a necessary consequence of this oversight, the 
 army was without tents, and destitute of supplies, except as 
 
 * Colonel Swett remarks that while each of these soldiers " would rival a Tell 
 as a marksman, and aim his weapon at an oppressor with as keen a relish," they 
 were deficient in " almost every other important requisite of an army." Besides the 
 wretched condition of their arms, he remarks, " they were strangers to discipline, 
 and almost to subordination." They were summarily drawn together, from the 
 plow, the workshop and the counting-room, — men of every shade of opinion and 
 employment, — yet all animated by a hatred of oppression, and a love of liberty. 
 Many of their names were not even recorded on the militia-roll ; but they volun- 
 teered their services with the " rank and file." 
 
 t History of the Battle of Bunker Hill, p. 11. 
 
[1775.] POSITION OF THE BRITISH ARMY. 187 
 
 they were irregularly sent in by tlie voluntary contributions 
 of tlie adjacent towns.* In vain did Warren, Hancock, 
 Adams, Prescott, and othei' jiatriots, remonstrate against 
 these delays. The Congress, over-awed and confused, as 
 many of the members could not fail to be, by the regiments 
 and the threatening ships, the uuiibi'in and the discipline of 
 the invading enemy ; and still haunted, many of them, by 
 shadows of loyalty, that had so long llitted around a pro- 
 vincial court not chosen by the people — was, as it well 
 might be, divided in its counsels, and wanting in executive 
 force. 
 
 Colonel Gridley, a venerable ofhcer, who had served at 
 Louisbourg and Quebec, was ai)pointed chief-engineer, and 
 William Burbeck nominally held the place of second engin- 
 eer ; but as his services were demanded to superintend the 
 ordnance department, Gridley was left to perform labors 
 that should have been divided between several men that 
 were much younger than he. As it was, ho did all that 
 any man could have done with such limited means. The 
 British army had j)Ossession of Boston. The light infantry 
 were encamped on the heights of West Boston ; a strong 
 battery for cannon and mortars had been erected on Copp's 
 Hill, facing Charlestown, and so near the village, that shot 
 or shells could easily be thrown into it Irom that point ; 
 there were strong lines and batteries on the Roxbury side of 
 the neck, one at the northern limit of the town, one on Fort 
 Hill, one upon Fox Hill, on the common, occupied by the 
 marines, artillery, and sixth regiment, three on the western 
 border of the common, facing Cambridge, occupied by the 
 royal Irish regiment, then of world-wide fame ; besides a 
 body of troops stationed at Barton's Point. f 
 
 Although General Gage was so strongly fortified in the 
 provincial metropolis, where he had administered the gov- 
 ernment not without many friends and ardent ;idmirers while 
 yet he favored the cause of the people, and although he had 
 now such absolute command of the town that he could with 
 *Swott, p. 11. fllist. Battle of Bunker Hill, p. 13. 
 
188 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 impunity, give the citizens a practical illustration of the 
 mildness of the quartering laws, by converting the old 
 south church, the most venerable of all the religious edifices 
 of the town, into barracks for a squadron of cavalry ;* yet 
 the narrow boundaries of his possession, hemmed in as he 
 was by fifteen thousand Americans, macfe his situation 
 irksome. "We want elbow room, and we will have it," said 
 Burgoyne. The other British officers shared, too, in a common 
 sentiment of wounded pride, that the Americans " affected," 
 in the words of General Gage, " to hold the British army 
 besieged." Besides some uneasy apprehensions acted as 
 goads to the sensitiveness of those officers, as they saw, day 
 after day, the stream of provincials pouring into the camp 
 at Cambridge. With a view of adding to their "elbow 
 room," it was decided in council to leave the town, and 
 take possession of Charlestown and Dorchester heights. 
 They began on the 18th of June to make preparations for 
 the latter enterprise.! 
 
 For some time before this, the American troops had 
 besought their officers to lead them against the enemy. This 
 desire had grown more earnest after the victory at Noddle's 
 Island. They were not able to understand the necessity of 
 discipline, but abundantly able to appreciate the hardships 
 and exposure of such a long delay. Many of the officers 
 who resided in Massachusetts, and General Ward most 
 strenuously of all, were opposed to bringing on a general 
 engagement until the men should be better prepared for ser- 
 vice. But General Putnam, Colonel Prescott, and some of 
 the other officers, aware that much depended upon the 
 spontaneous feelings of the soldiers, were of the opinion that 
 it would be best to yield to their solicitations, far enough to 
 keep their enthusiasm alive, without risking the chances of 
 ultimate success. Putnam was the first to hit upon a plan, 
 that proved to be the only one practicable at that crisis. 
 He did not dare to hazard a general action, as he knew that 
 our raw troops could not meet the enemy in the open field. 
 
 * Hist. Battle of Bunker Hill, p. 13, + Burgoyne's account of the battle. 
 
[ITT:..] PUTNAM AND THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 189 
 
 On the other hand, he was equally well aware that the 
 Americans were good marksmen, and were more than a 
 match for the enemy in tiie use of the musket. His object 
 was, therefore, to engage only a part of the British army at 
 once, and to do it, if possible, with the advantage of the 
 ground, and under cover of intrenchments. " The Ameri- 
 cans," said he, to the council of war, in his admirably plain 
 English, " The Americans are not at all afraid of their 
 heads, though very much afraid of their legs ; if you cover 
 these, they wiW figlit forevo'."* 
 
 The same considerations were urged upon the Committee 
 of Safety, and debated there with much ability. Still the 
 minds of those composing that body, were so divided that 
 they were for a long time able to come to no conclusion. 
 At last the intentions of the enemy to leave the town and 
 take possession of the heights of Dorchester, were discov- 
 ered by the emissaries sent out by the Committee of 
 Safety. The tidings caused much alarm in the committee 
 room, and in the council of war. Putnam insisted upon 
 the necessity of anticipating the British general in a 
 movement, that would, if it were to succeed, in all probabil- 
 ity, result in the most fatal consequences to the American 
 army. He begged the council and urged upon the mem- 
 bers of the committee that they would send forward a party 
 in the night to intrench themselves upon the high grounds 
 that commanded the British camp, destroy tneir shipping, and 
 if possible drive them from the town. This advice seemed 
 to many whose opinions were consulted, to be rash and 
 inijn-acticable. It was urged that the only thing that they 
 could hope to do was, to inaintain a defensive position until 
 the troops were in a condition to make a more thorough 
 trial of their strength ; that even if their discipline and 
 weapons were equal to those of the enemy, they wei"e still 
 deficient in amn:iunition, having only eleven barrels of gun- 
 powder at the public dcixUs, and only sixty-seven barrels 
 in the whole colony ; that the British ships in the harbor 
 t Swell's History, p. 14 ; Frothiiigham's Siege of Boston, p. 116. 
 
190 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 and the batteries could be brought to bear upon them, should 
 they succeed in getting a temporary possession of the 
 heights, and so well provided were these ships and batteries 
 with ammunition, that they would be able to keep up a long 
 and fatal fire that could not be returned, and thus the enter- 
 prise must terminate at best in a discouraging retreat.* 
 
 There was in the council, a veteran Massachusetts officer, 
 General Pomeroy,f whose sentiments fully corresponded with 
 those of Putnam. He had served in the French wars, and 
 knew the superiority of the American marksmen over the 
 British troops, from long experience of their respective 
 modes of warfare. He said he " would fight the enemy with 
 but five cartridges apiece. He was practiced in hunting," 
 he said, " and always brought home two and some- 
 times three deer, with but three charges of powder. The 
 men had generally supplied themselves with powder as mili- 
 tia, and the public could easily make good their deficiency."! 
 Such was the language of the old sharp-shooter from the 
 border of the Connecticut river, who looked upon the hand- 
 some coats and waving plumes of the British officers with 
 as eager an eye as if they had been the branching antlers of 
 buck or moose glancing through the thickets and glades that 
 skirted the home of his adventurous boyhood. General 
 Ward, an officer of sound judgment, but whose blood appears 
 to have grown cold with the touch of advancing age, and 
 the gallant Warren, who, with all a soldier's instincts, was, of 
 course, from his very mode of life, better qualified to give 
 council in civil than in military affairs, both opposed the 
 measure with all their influence. It would lead, they said, 
 to "a general engagement." But General Putnam who 
 united in himself, as genius often does, all the fire of youth 
 
 * History of tlie Battle of Bunker Ilill, p. 14. 
 
 t Pomeroy, on account of his age, declined the appointment of Brigadier-General 
 in the United States army ; yet, when the great struggle for independence had 
 actually commenced, he spurned the inactivity of peace, and joined the army as a 
 colonel. In this capacity, he marched to join our troops in the Jerseys. His 
 exposures produced a pleurisy, which proved fatal at Pcekskill, N. Y. 
 
 tSwett'sIlist. 14. 
 
[1775.] PUTNAM PREVAILS. 191 
 
 with the soundest practical sense, and the keenest fore- 
 thought, reph'ed, " We will risk only two thousand men ; we 
 will go on with these and defend ourselves as long as jjossi- 
 hle ; and if driven to retreat, we are more active than the 
 enemy, and every stone-wall shall be lined with their dead. 
 At the worst," he continued, while his soul spoke in 
 his fiery eyes, " at the worst, suppose us surrounded, and no 
 retreat, we will set our country an example of which it shall 
 not be ashamed, and teach mercenaries what men can do, 
 determined to live or die free " !* 
 
 This unexpected burst of patriotic fervor, coming from the 
 lips of a man of three score, brought Warren to his feet. 
 With a flushed cheek and excited air, he walked the room for 
 a few moments, and then paused, leaned upon his chair, and 
 looking the old hero thoughtfully in the face, with those deep, 
 full eyes, that ladies thought so handsome, f expressive at 
 once of doubt and fond admiration of one whose spirit could 
 out-dare all others, exclaimed, in the language of Agrippa to 
 Paul, " Almost thou, pcrsuadest me, General Putnam ; but I 
 must still think the project rash. If \jou execute it, how- 
 ever, you will not be surj)rised to find me by your side." As 
 the reader is already aware, Putnam's sensibilities were 
 quick and overflowing as a child's. "I hope not," replied 
 he, with aflectionate earnestness. " I hope not. You are 
 young, and your country has much to hope from you in 
 the council and in the field. Let us who are old, and can be 
 spared, hegin the fray. There will be time enough for you 
 hereafter. It will not be soon over."J 
 
 It need hardly be said that the counsels of General Putnam 
 finally prevailed. The Committee of Safety and the Council 
 of War were both overwhelmed by the genius and will, 
 rather than by the reasoning of this irresistible man. 
 
 Having thus finally carried his point, General Putnam 
 
 addressed himself to the faithful execution of his darinir 
 
 scheme. Still further to familiarize his men with the sight 
 
 of the enemy, and with the sound of their cannon, and to 
 
 * Swett, 15^ t Gordon. % Swett, 15. ~ 
 
192 HISTOKY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 awaken a spirit of emulation among both officers and 
 soldiers, Putnam, about the 10th of June, marched aU the 
 troops from Cambridge to Charlestown, in the face of the 
 British batteries and ships of war. About the same time, 
 he reconnoitered the country in the neighboriiood of Charles- 
 town, with other officers, to select a place suited for an 
 intrenchment and redoubt. Long before this time, in the 
 month of May, General Ward had sent out Colonel Gridley, 
 Colonel Henshaw, and another gentleman, to examine and 
 select a place for a redoubt. Their report had been, first, in 
 favor of Prospect Hill, next to that Bunker Hill, and lastly 
 Breed's Hill. 
 
 All those hills, together with Charlestown, now sacred to 
 the memory of the dead, and immortal with the story of 
 those nKirtyrs to freedom, helped to make up the surface of 
 a beautiful peninsula formed by the Mystic river on the 
 north, and the river Charles on the south, that flow around its 
 base and mingle their waters on the east. This little strip of 
 land diversified with clustering hills and sloping fields, is 
 eleven hundred yards in width from north to south, and is 
 one mile and forty-three rods long from east to west. At 
 its western extremity, the two rivers gracefully incline 
 toward each other, and form a neck that is only one hund- 
 red and thirty yards wide. This tongue of land ter- 
 minating in a hill or blufl', about one hundred and ten 
 feet high, and known as Bunker Hill, was very steep on its 
 southern and eastern slopes, and commanded both rivers, 
 and the whole surrounding country.* South-easterl}^ from 
 this eminence, and nearer to Boston and to the place where 
 the British ships were riding at anchor, stretched a long, 
 arm-like strip of land sixty-two feet high at its summit, with 
 an abrupt eastern slope, but declining gently toward the 
 west. It bore the name of Breed's Hill. Its south side was 
 very steep, and there at its foot nestled the populous and 
 thriving village of Charlestown. The north side of this 
 hill was also quite precipitate, and at the bottom on that 
 * Frothingham's Siege of Boston, p. 110. 
 
[1773.] THE INTREXCHIXG PARTY. 193 
 
 side, there was a small slough, several rods wide, that 
 was impassable. Bounding tiiis slough on the north, was a 
 narrow tongue of upland, twenty feet above Mystic river, 
 and forming the southern bank of that river. East of this 
 tongue and north-east of Breed's Ilill, stands Morton's Ilill, 
 thirty-five feet in height. Still farther east, and jutting out 
 into the water, is Morton's Point. Leading from Cam- 
 bridge, the head-quarters of the American army, a slender 
 road ran from the neck over the southern declivity of 
 Bunker Hill, and passing entirely round Breed's Hill, touch- 
 ed nearly at its summit on the south.* 
 
 It was now the 10th of June, a sultry day, that sent its 
 fierce heat upon the heads of the soldiers who occu- 
 pied the American camp. During the day, orders were 
 given to Colonel William Prescott and the acting officer in 
 command of Colonel Frye's regiment, to be ready for 
 marching, with all their men who were fit for service, and 
 to provide a single day's provisions. This order was also 
 issued for one hundred and twenty men of General Put- 
 nam's regiment, and Captain Gridley's company of artillery, 
 with two field pieces. 
 
 Colonel Prescott was ordered to advance with this detach- 
 ment to Charlestown in the evening, take possession of 
 Bunker Hill, and fortify it. He was commanded not to dis- 
 close the object of his errand to any one, and was assured 
 that supplies should be sent him the next morning, with such 
 reinforcements as he should need, to enable him to defend 
 the place. As three of Colonel Bridge's companies failed to 
 join the party, it only amounted to about one thousand 
 men.-f At an early hour in the evening, the detachment 
 assembled for prayer upon Cambridge common, where the 
 Rev. Mr. Langdon, President of Harvard College, in words 
 
 * Swett, Frothingham, and other local authorities. 
 
 t Tliis is the number given by Col. Trescott, and in SweU's History. Major 
 Brooks, Frothingham, and others, say " fourteen hundred." The two hundred 
 Counectieut troops constitut 'd a " fuigue party," and were placed under the 
 command of the brave Thomas Knowlton, then a captain in Putnam's regiment. 
 
 45 
 
194 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 and with a spirit that were worthy of the crisis, commended 
 them to the God of battles.* 
 
 The choice of Colonel Prescott for this delicate mission 
 has been justly commended. He was a gentleman of high 
 character, an experienced officer, and from his generosity 
 and old-fashioned hospitality, had acquired an influence over 
 his neighbors, whom he commanded, that insured their 
 fidelity under the most trying circumstances. His personal 
 appearance, too, was eminently fitted to inspire confidence. 
 His tall figure, his bold, fine countenance, and his manly 
 bearing, could not be concealed, even by the plain calico 
 frock that he wore as he marched from the common, and 
 led the way, about six paces in front of his troops. Two 
 sergeants, with dark lanterns, open only to the rear, threw a 
 faint gleam upon the narrow road, and showed the men 
 which way to advance. As Putnam had conceived this dar- 
 ing enterprise, so was the execution of it intrusted to his 
 hands, as best suited to bring it to a safe issue. Attended by 
 Colonel Gridley, the chief engineer, he accompanied the 
 party and directed its movements. 
 
 Putnam had brought from home two of his sons, the eldest, 
 Israel Putnam, Jr., who served as a captain under him, and 
 the youngest, named Daniel, a youth only sixteen years old, 
 who had entered the army as a volunteer. This young man, 
 who was an especial favorite with his father, and the child of 
 his old age, lodged at the house of a lady in Cambridge. At 
 about sunset, Putnam said to Daniel, with an air of great 
 unconcern, " You will go to Mrs. Inman's to-night, as usual ; 
 
 * Frothingham, 122. The patriotism of the clergy of the revolutionary era I 
 have before had occasion to notice. The pastors of the " established cliurches," 
 tliroughout New England, and indeed in all parts of our country, were, almost 
 without an exception, Whigs ; and they had a wonderful influence in rousing the 
 people to resistance. The chaplains were not only praying men, but, when occa- 
 sion called fur their services, they could prove themselves fighting men, also. 
 The chaplains of the four Connecticut regiments which were sent to Boston and 
 vicinity, and all of whom, it is presumed, were present at the Battle of Bunker 
 Hill, were Rev. Messrs. Benjamin Boardman, Abiel Leonard, Cotton Mather 
 Smith, and Stephen Johnson. Two other chaplains, appointed at the same time, 
 were, Benjamin Trumbull and Samuel Wood. 
 
[1775.] THEY EEACII THE NECK. 195 
 
 stay there to-morrow, and if they find it necessary to leave 
 town, you must go with them." The young man saw from 
 his father's manner, and from the preparations that were 
 going forward, that some miUtary demonstration was about 
 to be made, in which he was to be an actor. Alarmed at 
 this mysterious separation, that might perhaps prove a final 
 one, Daniel said earnestly, " You, dear father, may need my 
 assistance much more than Mrs. Inman ; pray let me go 
 where you are going." 
 
 " No, no, Daniel, do as I bid you," said the general with 
 an ill-dissembled sternness. His voice faltered, and his eyes 
 filled and ran over with drops of parental sympathy, as he 
 continued in a softened tone, " You can do little, my son, 
 where I am going, and there will be enough to take care of 
 me." The refusal was peremptory, and the son, who had 
 courage to do everything but disobey, yielded without utter- 
 ing another word.* 
 
 Following the glimmer of the dark lanterns, the party now 
 moved forward in the profoundest silence. Not one of them, 
 save the officers, who had been made acquainted with the 
 secret, had the slightest intimation as to the nature of the 
 business that they had been deputed to perform. Like a 
 company of ghosts they passed along until the murmurs of 
 the Charles and the Mystic on either hand, stole audibly 
 through the hushed night air, and informed them that they 
 were approaching the neck of the peninsula. When they 
 had crossed the neck, they found wagons loaded with empty 
 hogsheads, fascines, gabions, and intrenching tools. A glance 
 at these familiar objects explained everything. A question 
 of very serious debate now began to be agitated among the 
 officers. Which hill should they fortify ? Bunker Hill was 
 the one explicitly named in the order, and no other hill upon 
 the whole peninsula was at that time known by any name. 
 Putnam, Prescott, and Gridley, must have all been familiar 
 with the ground, as they had, only a few days before, criti- 
 cally explored it for the very purpose of choosing a point for 
 
 * Swett's History, 19,20. 
 
196 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 an intrenchment. But it was now urged that this hill, though 
 much the highest of all the eminences, was quite too remote 
 from the British batteries and ships to do them as much 
 harm as would be desirable, and that the hill next in height 
 ought to be selected. In reply to this, the superior eleva- 
 tion of Bunker Hill, rendering it more difficult of access, 
 and the order of Major-General Ward and the Committee of 
 Safety, were claimed to be decisive in favor of the original 
 design. So much time was consumed in this debate, that 
 Colonel Gridley, who was anxious to enter upon the dis- 
 charge of his duties as engineer, began at last to be impa- 
 tient, and warned them that they had not a moment to lose. 
 They finally decided upon fortifying Breed's Hill.* 
 
 Colonel Gridley now laid out the ground for the works 
 upon the very summit with masterly skill and dispatch. 
 The redoubt was about eight rods square. Its strongest side 
 or point, was the one toward Charlestown, and was built in 
 the front of a redan. f The eastern side swept a wide field 
 and commanded a portion of the harbor. A breastwork ran 
 in a line with it northerly, for some distance, but 
 terminated about seven rods southerly of the slough 
 before described. Between the breastwork and the redoubt 
 was a narrow sally-port, guarded in front by a blind. There 
 was also a passage-way without a blind in the north wall of 
 
 * Siege of Boston, 123, 124. Some historians have had the hardihood to deny 
 that Putnain was present, either at Breed's Hill or at Bunker Hill, during this 
 memorable night. The evidence on this point, however, is too clear and positive 
 to admit of a doubt. Even Mr. Frotliingham, wlio appears to have been particu- 
 larly ambitious to rob Connecticut of all participation in tlie battle of Bunker Hill, 
 is constrained to admit Putnam's presence, while he argues that Colonel Prescott, 
 (Putnam's inferior in rank,) had the chief command. Indeed, it would seem 
 that it was through Putnam's " importunity," if not by his order, that the detach- 
 ment proceeded to fortify Breed's Hill, instead of Bunker Hill, in the face of 
 General Ward's direction. The Committee of Safety intimate that this was 
 done, through " some mistake " ; but Colonel Swett remarks that there was no 
 misUike about it — and that the committee only '' meant to say delicately that the 
 order to fortify Bunker Hill was not complied with." See Gordon i. 351 ; Swett. 
 
 + " A kind of rampart in the form of an inverted V., having its angle toward 
 the enemy." Webster. 
 
[i;:,').] ruTNAM superintends the works. 197 
 
 the redoubt, whence the party might escape, should they 
 find themselves too hotly beset. 
 
 As a place of ultimate retreat, should their necessities 
 compel them to it, it was thought advisable to mark out a 
 work upon Bunker Hill. Meanwhile, Captain Maxwell with 
 his company, together with some Connecticut and other troops, 
 were sent down to the shore at Charlestown, to keep a close 
 watch of the movements of the enemy. So much time had 
 been spent in deliberating in regard to the place that would 
 be most desirable for their purpose, and so long did it take 
 to mark out the lines of the fortifications, that it was past 
 midnight when the first spade-full of earth was thrown up.* 
 But Putnam had a way of getting more hard service out of 
 a company of men, and could remove more cubic feet of 
 stones and earth in a given number of hours, than any other 
 officer who participated in the exciting scenes of the Ameri- 
 can revolution. The reader will bear in mind the fact that 
 he was occupied in a similar business when he first received 
 tidings of the battle of Lexington. On this occasion, so 
 much did he feel the weight of responsibility pressing upon 
 him, as the chief adviser in the step that had been taken 
 against the calm judgment of men in whose wisdom he had 
 great confidence, that he exerted himself to the utmost 
 stretch of his capacity. Stimulated by his presence, the 
 hardy men who had just entered upon the duties of a sol- 
 dier's life, labored with unremitting exertions, and with a 
 success that astonished the officers. While Putnam remain- 
 ed at the redoubt to superintend the works, Colonel Prescott 
 and the gallant Major Brooks, stole quietly down to the 
 shore, to reconnoitre the enemy who were in the ships, and 
 learn if they were aware of the movements of the x\merican 
 detachment.f The night was clear, and the stars let fall 
 their purest beams upon the glancing waves and the glim- 
 mering shrouds of the British ships. They lingered until 
 they heard the voice of the deluded sentry shouting in the 
 
 * Bancroft, Graham, Frothingham, &o. t Swett's History. 
 
198 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 ears of the dreaming crew, " All's well !" and as the hollow 
 echo repeated the words upon the shore, they returned to the 
 redoubt. 
 
 When General Putnam saw that the men were well and 
 systematically at work, and that everything was going for- 
 ward as he desired, he hastened back to the camp to bring 
 on the reinforcements that had been promised, and to procure 
 a fresh horse, for few military leaders have ever needed so 
 many horses in a single campaign as did Putnam. 
 
 While he was absent, Colonel Prescott, who had charge of 
 the redoubt as the next in command, and who could hardly 
 persuade himself that the enemy had failed to be alarmed by 
 the noise that was necessarily made in throwing up the 
 works, again sought the shore. Everything was quiet. 
 The enemy were as ignorant of his approach as they were 
 regardless of the sound of the waves that broke at his feet. 
 He now ordered the guard that had been posted at Charles- 
 town, to return to Breed's Hill.* 
 
 At last the dawn began to streak the east, and then 
 flecks of rosy light playing upon the waters of the bay, 
 quenching the gray mist and restoring the familiar features 
 of hill and town and curved beach. When at last the Brit- 
 ish officers looked toward Breed's Hill and saw the sharp 
 outlines of the newly broken sod standing out in well 
 defined walls against the sky, they could hardly believe that 
 it was not an illusory dream, that would vanish with the 
 coming of the open sunshine. But they soon found that the 
 forms before them, clad in such rude attire, were brawny- 
 armed, sun-burned men, and that the redoubt and the breast- 
 
 * Frothingliam, p. 124, 125. Rlartin says, " about a thousand were at work ; 
 the men dug in the trenches an hour, and then mounted guard and were rehev- 
 ed." Colonel Prescott remarks — " Never were men in a worse condition for ac- 
 tion — exhausted by watching, fatigue and hunger — and never did old soldiers 
 behave better." Prescott was fearful that the enemy would commence the 
 attack before the works were in a condition to protect his men ; but the cry, 
 '^ All's wjeZZ," heard at intervals, drowsily repeated by the sentinels, gave assur- 
 ance to the patriots that their labors were undiscovered and unsuspected on board 
 the ships. 
 
[1775.] CHAPLAIN MARTIN's FUNERAL SERVICE. 199 
 
 work were anything but the "baseless fabric of a vision." 
 Though they had sprung up in a night they did not vanish 
 with approach of morning. 
 
 The cannon of the Lively, the nearest of the enemy's 
 ships, now opened upon them a stern morning salute, that 
 startled the inhabitants of the country for miles around.* 
 
 General Gage, awakened from his secure slumbers at Bos- 
 ton, whence for some days he had been meditating a remov- 
 al into the country, bewildered at what he saw and heard, 
 instantly summoned a council of war at the old state 
 house. 
 
 Some other frigates and lloating batteries, the Somerset 
 line-of-battle ship, together with the battery from Copp's 
 Hill, soon opened a terrific fire upon the American lines. f 
 But though their shot tore up the ground in ridges, yet the 
 works were so nearly completed as to aflbrd a safe protec- 
 tion. At length some of the men having ventured in front 
 of the works, one of them was killed by a cannon shot. J A 
 subaltern hastened to inform Colonel Prescott of what had 
 hapj)ened, and asked him what should be done. 
 
 "Bury him," was the laconic reply. " What, without 
 prayers ?" asked the astonished informant. There was a 
 chaplain present, the Rev. John Martin, who insisted upom 
 performing a funeral ceremonial over this first sacrifice. He 
 gathered a crowd around him and began the service. Colo- 
 nel Prescott ordered them to disperse. They did so, but 
 soon the ill-suppressed religious sentiment swelling beyond 
 the barriers of military authority, the chaplain again collect- 
 ed the mourners and resumed the rite. Prescott now order- 
 ed the dead body to be taken out of their custody and buried 
 in the ditch. Angry and grieved at this interference, a num- 
 ber of the soldiers left the works and never returned. This 
 death, happening as it did and made thus cons])icuous, inspir- 
 ed much terror in the minds of the soldiers who had never 
 
 * Swett. t Gordon, i. ,3r>l . 
 
 ^The person killed was Asa Pollard, of iiiilerica, of Stickney's company, 
 Bridge's regiment. Frothinghain, 12C, 
 
200 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 before seen a battle. The valiant Martin was not 
 one of the deserters. Finding that his services would be 
 more acceptable at that critical time in a less spiritual sense 
 than he had at first supposed, he seized a musket, and falling 
 into the ranks as a private soldier, fought with desperation.* 
 Colonel Prescott, in order to quiet the fears of the raw 
 troops, now mounted the works and stood exposed to the 
 enemy's shot while he issued his orders. While he stood in 
 full view of the enemy, his bald head entirely unprotected 
 from the sun and his sword waving in the air, General Gage 
 scanned him minutely with his telescope, and then handing 
 it to Willard, a mandamus counselor who stood near him, 
 inquired who he was. Willard replied " that it was his 
 brother-in-law. Colonel Prescott." " Will he fight ?" asked 
 the General. " Yes, sir, depend upon it, to the last drop of 
 his blood," said Willard, " but I cannot answer for his 
 men."f 
 
 The sun had now risen so high and shone with such 
 scorching heat, that the Americans at the redoubt whose 
 heads were not protected from it, and who had worked the 
 whole night without so much as a draught of cold water 
 to slake their thirst, began to beg for something to drink and 
 that they might also be relieved by fresh forces. Some of 
 the officers, whose sympathies were excited in behalf of their 
 men, were free to make this proposal to Prescott. He called 
 a council of war at once. He was well aware of the evil 
 consequences that would follow should he allow any antici- 
 pations to be awakened in their minds that might fail to be 
 realized. He therefore spoke in scornful terms of the neces- 
 sity of having recruits or relief " The enemy," he said, 
 " would not dare to attack them, and if they did, would be 
 defeated. The men who had raised the works were the best 
 
 * Soon after the battle, Mr. Martin preached a discourse from this text, (Neh. 
 iv. 14,) " And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the 
 people, Be ye not afraid of them ; remember the Lord which is great and 
 terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives 
 and your houses." He was subsequently chaplain of a Rhode Island regiment. 
 
 tSwett,p. 22, 23; Frothingham 12G. 
 
[177.").] GAGE CALLS A COUXCIL. 201 
 
 qualified to defend them. Tliey had ah'eady learned to des- 
 pise the fire of the enemy. They had the merit of the labor 
 and should enjoy the honor of the victory."' Thus doubtless 
 with many an anxious glance toward the Cambridge road, 
 did the old warrior insj)ire his men with new confidence. 
 The task that General Putnam had taken upon himself to 
 perform was the most difficult of all. The American camp 
 at Cambridge was without any fixed locality. Some of the 
 troops were lodged at the colleges, others in the church, 
 and others still in public and private houses. The officers 
 were distributed wherever they could be best accommoda- 
 ted. It was a work requiring much time to get the rein- 
 forcements for which he had repaired to Cambridge. At 
 break of day he ordered Lieutenant Clark to send to Gene- 
 ral Ward for a fresh horse. Clark hastened himself to do 
 the errand. On his return he found the old hero already 
 mounted and just starting off for Breed's Hill.* The guns 
 of the Lively w^ere echoing over sea and land, and without 
 waitintj for those reinforcements that ou2;ht to have been 
 drawn up in order ready to march as soon as he arrived in 
 Cambridge, he paused only to remind General Ward tiiat the 
 fortune of the day would depend upon the immediate fulfill- 
 ment of the pledge that had been so solemnly given on the 
 preceding evening, of sending new troops, refreshments, 
 and a larger stock of ammunition, and then rode as if for 
 life, toward the peninsula, where his panting soldiers looked 
 in vain for food, f 
 
 It is not to be supposed that General Gage spent the 
 morning in idleness. It has been stated that he held a coun- 
 cil of war at a very early hour at the state house. All the 
 
 * Humphreys, p. 217. 
 
 tSucli was the delay in the arrival of reinforcements and provisions, that many 
 of the soldiers began to suspect treachery on the part of certain officers. Thus, 
 Peter Brown, a private, under date of June 25, 1775, in a letter to his mother, 
 wrote — " I must and will venture to say, that there was treachery, oversight or 
 presumption, in the conduct of our officers." 
 
 Gordon says, (i. 351,) " By some unaccountable error, thedctaehment which 
 had been working for hours, was neither relieved nor supplied with refreshments, 
 but was left to engage under these disadvantages." 
 
202 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. ■ ; 
 
 officers agreed that the Americans ought to be driven from 
 the redoubt, but they could not hit upon any plan of attack 
 that met the approval of all. General Clinton and General 
 Grant thought it would be best to embark at the foot of the 
 common in boats, land at Charlestown neck under a heavy 
 fire from the ships and floating batteries, and attack the 
 American detachment in the rear. This advice proved to 
 be very popular with some ol" the officers, who saw in it the 
 promise of exciting adventures that accorded well with 
 the impetuosity of Percy and Pigot. But General Gage 
 strenuously opposed the proposition. He said it would be 
 placing themselves between two armies, the one their 
 superior in position, and the other in numbers ; thus they 
 might be met at the same time in front and rear and com- 
 pletely surrounded, so as to be cut oft^ at once from all hope 
 of retreat. He advised to land and attack the Americans in 
 front, so that the way would be open for them to retire to 
 their boats if necessary. The other members of the council 
 fell in with these views, and they were adopted.* British 
 troops soon appeared marching through the streets of Bos- 
 ton. The parade ground was in full view of the American 
 redoubt, and a corps of British dragoons who had been 
 maneuvering there, were suddenly seen to gallop away, 
 while the rattling of artillery carriages, and the rumbling of 
 wagons were heard distinctly in the still morning air. The 
 meaning of this unusual stir could not be misinterpreted. 
 Putnam's last visit at the redoubt had been brief 
 Seeing that Colonel Prescott had done in his absence 
 everything that skill and valor could do, and aware of 
 the almost immediate prospect of an engagement, he had 
 taken time only to utter a word of encouragement, 
 and had again set oflf for Cambridge to stimulate the 
 leisurely movements of General Ward, and bring into the 
 field the expected reinforcements. But delays and excuses 
 met him at every step. General Ward was not able to 
 believe that the British troops could be landed anywhere 
 
 • Swett. 
 
[1775.] MR. DEVENS PLEADS FOR CHARLESTOWN. 203 
 
 save at Cambridge. Begging, remonstrating, explaining, 
 doing everything but threaten his superior officer, Putnam 
 labored with him in vain. 
 
 Colonel Prescott, seeing the approach of the enemy, and 
 witnessing with pain the fatigue of his men, about 9 o'clock 
 called another council of war, that finally resulted in his send- 
 ing Major Brooks to head quarters to add his solicitations to 
 those of Putnam. Failing to procure a horse. Brooks pro- 
 ceeded on foot to Cambridge. He reached the camp about 
 10 o'clock, and informed General Ward that he had come 
 for provisions and reinforcements. The commander-in- 
 chief interposed a variety of objections. lie doubted if the 
 enemy meant to land at Charlestown ; the movement was 
 probably a mere feint, and Cambridge would after all be 
 their real point of destination. He had but too scanty a 
 force at best, and as for ammunition, it was necessary to 
 use it very sparingly, as nobody could see from what quarter 
 they could get any more when they had expended their little 
 store.* Such in substance were the grounds of objection 
 urged by the good old man. But lest he might seem to 
 I'epose too much confidence u])on his own judgment, he laid 
 the proposition before the Committee of Safety, then in ses- 
 sion in the same house where he was quartered. Mr. 
 Richard Devens, of Charlestown, was a member of the com- 
 mittee, and pleaded with such eloquence in behalf of his native 
 town as to make a deep impression upon the minds of the 
 others. The committee advised a reinforcement, and 
 Ward, much against his will, thereupon issued orders to 
 Colonels Reed and Stark, then stationed at Medford, to join 
 Prescott with the New Hampshire forces without delay. f 
 General Warren was present with the other members of the 
 committee. He had acted as president of the Congress the 
 day before, and had spent the night also (doubtless a sleep- 
 less one,) at Watertown. Mr. Elbridge Gerry, who had 
 from the first regarded the attempt to fortify Bunker Hill as 
 an impracticable one, had earnestly besought him not to go 
 
 * Humphreys, 218, 219. + Svvett, Humphreys, and others. 
 
204 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 upon the ground, as he said his death, that would be useless 
 as his life was invaluable, would be the probable conse- 
 quence." "I know it," was the reply, "but I live within 
 the sound of the cannon, and should die were I to remain at 
 home while my fellow-citizens are shedding their blood for 
 me." "As sure as you go you will be slain," reiterated 
 Gerry, prophetically. " Dulce et decorum est pro patria 
 mori,"* was the classical and glorious answer of the patriot- 
 scholar. Warren reached Cambridge at day-light, worn 
 out with excitement and almost crazed with a nervous 
 headache, and threw himself upon a bed. When the news 
 came that the British were in motion, General Ward sent 
 him word. He left the bed instantly, and remarking that 
 " his headache was gone," repaired to the room occupied by 
 the Committee of Safety, of which he was chairman. After 
 the meeting was over he armed himself with a fusil and 
 sword, mounted his horse and rode toward the spot where 
 the squadrons of war were mustering.f 
 
 It was 11 o'clock before the orders issued by General 
 Ward to the New Hampshire troops reached Medford. 
 Even then, as no provision had been made for any such 
 emergency, they were totally unprepared for service, as they 
 were without ammunition. Many of them had not even 
 flints to their guns. Every soldier was now furnished with 
 two flints and a gill of powder, with fifteen bullets to make 
 up into cartridges. Almost every one of them was obliged 
 to make use of a powder-horn as a cartridge-box was a lux- 
 ury, the enjoyment of which was yet in reserve for them. 
 Their guns also differed as much in calibre as the features 
 of their respective owners did in appearance, and they were 
 compelled to hammer their balls into slugs before they could 
 load their pieces, J The troops stationed at Chelsea were 
 now recalled. 
 
 At noon, twenty-eight barges filled with the greater part 
 of the first detachment of British troops embarked at the 
 
 * " It is sweet and lovely to die for one's country." 
 fSwett. t Humphreys. 
 
[17- 
 
 THE BRITISH TROOPS LAND. 205 
 
 long wharf in Boston. They were among the best forces of 
 the army, being the fifth, thirty-eighth, forty-third, and fifty- 
 second battaUons of infantry, ten companies of grenadiers, 
 and ten of hght infantry. '-^ A part of these troops were 
 taken from the transports and had not yet set foot upon the 
 American shore. They fell into two parallel lines and dis- 
 played themselves with admirable eftect as they flew grace- 
 fully through the water. In a conspicuous position in the 
 bows of the foremost boats were six shining pieces of can- 
 non and howitzers, while the elegant uniform and polished 
 arms of the of^cers and soldiers flashed brightly in the beams 
 of the noon-day sun. At one o'clock they touched at Mor- 
 ton's Point and landed in perfect order. So imposing was 
 the spectacle, and so perfect were their movements, that the 
 American officers found it difficult to keep their panic- 
 stricken men in their places at the redoubt. As soon as 
 General Howe had effected a landing of his troops, he dis- 
 covered that the spare cannon balls which he had brought 
 along with him were too large for his guns.t He therefore 
 sent them back and ordered a new supply, and at the same 
 time he dispatched a messenger to General Gage requesting 
 that he would forward more troops, as the strength of the 
 American lines was much greater than he had at first sup- 
 posed, and as fresh recruits now began to pour in from the 
 neck. While waiting for the other troops, the companies 
 that had already landed dined from their full knapsacks, 
 with as much unconcern as if they had been occupied about 
 the most ordinary employment. J It was two o'clock before 
 the remainder of the detachment were ready. They 
 embarked at Winnisimit ferry and soon joined the first 
 party at Morton's Point. Not long afterward the reinforce- 
 ments, consisting of a few companies of grenadiers and light 
 infantry, the forty-seventh battalion, and almost an entire 
 battalion of marines, were landed under the eastern end of 
 
 * Svvctt. + Gordon, i. 351, 352 ; see also Graham, iv. 380. 
 
 tSwett, Frothingham. The latter author truly remarks, " It jtroved to many a 
 brave man his last meal." Hist. Siege of Boston, p. 132. 
 
206 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 Breed's Hill, on the very ground now occupied by the navy 
 yard.* 
 
 Meanwhile General Putnam was busy here and there 
 superintending and directing all the movements of the 
 American army. He ordered Captain Knowlton, with the 
 little handful of Connecticut men, whom he had been pei"- 
 mitted to bring from the field where General Ward was 
 waiting for the approach of an enemy who never paid 
 him the anticipated visit, to take his position behind 
 a rail fence about two hundred and fifty yards in length, 
 that stretched across the tongue of land before described, 
 from Mystic river to the road.f A little part of this fence 
 had a stone foundation about two feet high. Some apple 
 trees were standing in front of it and a few in the rear. 
 There were other fences near by, which the troops removed 
 and made with the rails thus obtained a new one parallel 
 with the first mentioned one. Between these two frail barriers 
 they threw new mown grass. Such a breastwork could 
 hardly be expected to protect them from the enemy's artil- 
 lery, but proved to be of much avail against musket balls. 
 It was eighty yards in the rear of the slough, and one hund- 
 red and ninety yards in the rear of the American breast- 
 work that formed a continuation of the redoubt. Hence 
 there was a wide opening between this breastwork and the 
 fence, where the left flank of the Americans would be expos- 
 ed to a raking fire, and another space of one hundred yards 
 between the slough and the fence that would have given the 
 ^ British infantry ample room to advance. 
 
 Colonel Prescott also called in the companies that had 
 
 * Swett. 
 
 t Swett's History, page 27 ; see also Captain Chester's letter in the 
 " Sietre of Boston," p. 390. " Our officers in command, soon pei'ceiving their in- 
 tention, ordered a large party of men, (chiefly Connecticut,) to leave the fort, 
 and march down and oppose the enemy's right wing." If positive testimony on 
 the point of the chief command is desired, the reader is referred to Colonel 
 Swett's History. Botta, (i. 204,) says, "General Tutnam directed in chief, 
 and lield himself ready to repair to any point, where his presence should bo 
 most wanted." 
 
[1775.] THE POST OF HONOR. 207 
 
 been posted at Charlestown and ordered them to take their 
 stand at a cart-way that ran from the road to the south- 
 eastern angle of the redoubt. In imitation of what had 
 been done by Knowlton, they made for themselves a tempo- 
 rary screen by means of parallel fences and freshly cut 
 grass.* 
 
 The Americans, roused by the cannonade from the British 
 ships and floating batteries that sounded such a fearful note 
 of preparation, now came thronging to the field. 
 
 The Connecticut troops, impatient to mingle in the battle, 
 were all in marching order, and sent an urgent request to 
 General Ward that he would allow them to hasten to the 
 standard of Putnam, their idol. But as they were the best 
 trained and best equipped forces in the whole army, they 
 were the very last that General Ward would suffer to leave 
 him. They might as well have supplicated the winds. 
 General Ward sent them the consoling information that they 
 had already the post of honor, as the enemy loere expected 
 to Ia?id near Inman's farm where they were stationed. f 
 Whoever might have expected them, it is quite certain that 
 neither Putnam, Prescott, Knowlton, Brooks, nor any other 
 officers whose services were worth anything on that day, 
 were of the number. The gallant Colonel Sargeant of 
 New Hampshire made a like request, and was answered in 
 the same way. 
 
 Captain Callender, who commanded a company of artil- 
 lery, and whose services, as the event proved, were just 
 such as would have been best fitted to help General Ward 
 
 * This impromptu mode of fortification proved even more formidable to the 
 enemy than either Trcscott or Knowlton had anticipated. A British letter, dated 
 July 5, 1775, says : " Our light-infantry were served up in companies against the 
 grass fence, without being able to penetrate — indeed, how could we penetrate it ? 
 Most of our grenadiers and light-infantry, the moment of presenting themselves, 
 lost three-fourths, and many nine-tenths of their men. Some companies had 
 only eight or nine men left ; some only three, four, and five." Another British 
 letter says : " It was found to be the strongest post that was ever occupied by 
 any set of men." Frothingham, 142. 
 
 t Swett's IIist<jry. 
 
208 HISTOKY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 and the main body of the army to do nothing, was ordered 
 to repair to the hill To make sure that nothing might in 
 any event happen to him, the General also ordered Colonel 
 Gardner's regiment to march to Patterson's station, and 
 there await further orders. A little in advance of this regi- 
 ment was Colonel Doolittle's on the Charlestown road. 
 
 One quarter of the forces who thus begged to be led into 
 the field, with a tenth part of the ammunition that was 
 hoarded up to be burned in honor of the arrival of the enemy 
 at Inman's farm, would have cut in pieces the five thousand 
 British troops landed at Morton's Point and Modlin's ship- 
 yard, and changed the whole fortune of the day. 
 
 As yet Putnam had been unable, notwithstanding all his 
 exertions, to find men enough to throw up the works that 
 he had been so anxious to erect upon Bunker Hill. 
 Upon this highest point of the peninsula, the last place of 
 retreat, should retreat be necessary, unless he was to retire 
 again across the neck, not a spade had yet been struck into 
 the ground. Half the number of men that had so faithfully 
 thrown up the redoubt upon Breed's Hill, could easily have 
 made this other hill defensible on account of its superior ele- 
 vation and the steepness of its sides. It seemed hard, after 
 all the fatigue and hunger that the detachment at the redoubt 
 had undergone, that they should be compelled to perform 
 this new task, and that too in the face of the hot June sun 
 whose beams now pierced the poor fellows like arrows. Yet 
 there appeared now to be no help for it. He therefore ordered 
 a large detachment to leave the redoubt and repair to 
 Bunker Hill with the intrenching tools. Colonel Prescott 
 remonstrated. His men, he said, were weary, and had 
 already done more than human nature ought to be called 
 upon to endure. But on this vital point Putnam was inex- 
 orable, and Prescott was compelled to yield.* 
 
 Having seen the works upon Bunker Hill fairly begun, 
 Putnam again rode off toward Cambridge to see after the 
 tardy reinforcements. Those who are aware what his tem- 
 
 * Swett's History. 
 
[1775.] BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 209 
 
 perament was, will readily imagine that by this time he was 
 in no very gentle trame of mind, and that he rode at some- 
 thing more than even his ordinary rate of speed. To his 
 inexpressible joy, he learned from General Ward that the 
 New Hampshire trooi:is had been ordered to march from 
 Medford, and instantly turned his horse's head toward 
 Bunker Hill. As Colonel Stark marched his men very 
 slowly, acting upon his favorite maxim, that one fresh man 
 in battle is better than ten fatigued ones, Putnam was 
 already on the ground when he arrived there. Detaching 
 a part of this new ibrce to aid the intrenching party on 
 Bunker Hill, he ordered Colonel Stark to hurry forward 
 with the rest as fast as he could, and join Captain Knowlton 
 at the fence. Stark now made one of his pithy, characteristic 
 speeches to his men, bade them give three hearty cheers to 
 inspire themselves with the true spirit of liberty, and then 
 moved forward to the line. 
 
 It now became apparent to General Ward, from the fact 
 that the British were landing at Charlestown, that his 
 extreme prudence had deceived him as to their real designs. 
 To repair the mischief that had been done by this mistake, 
 he now began to bestir himself. Reserving the choicest 
 troops of his army, consisting of his own regiment, Putnam's, 
 Sargeant's, Patterson's, Gardner's, and a part of Bridge's, he 
 sent off the rest as a reinforcement to Charlestown. But 
 it was too late now to do anything methodically, as 
 will a})pear by the following extract from Cajitain Chester's 
 letter : 
 
 " Just after dinner, on Saturday, 17th ult., I was walking 
 out from my lodgings, quite calm and composed, and all at 
 once the drums beat to arms, the bells rang, and a great 
 noise in Cambridge. Captain Putnam came by on full 
 gallop. 'What is the matter?' says I. 'Have you not 
 heard?' 'No.' 'Why, the regulars are landing at 
 Charlestown,' says he ; ' and father says you must all meet 
 and march immediately to Bunker Hill to oppose the 
 enemy.' I waited not, but ran and got my arms and ammu- 
 
 46 
 
210 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 nition, and hasted to my company, (who were in the church 
 for barracks,) and found them nearly ready to march. We 
 soon marched, with our frocks and trowsers on over our 
 other clothes, (for our company is in uniform wholly blue, 
 turned up with red,) for we were loth to expose ourselves by 
 our dress, and down we inarched."* 
 
 General Howe, a brother of that gallant Lord Howe 
 whose last words were addressed to Putnam, had the 
 immediate command of the British forces, and under him 
 were General Pigot, Colonels Nesbit, Abercrombie, and 
 Clarke ; Majors Butler, Williams, Bruce, Spendlove, Smelt, 
 Mitchell, Pitcairn, Short, Small, and Lords Rawdon and 
 Percy,f whose names were even then known with honor 
 wherever the British flag waved on land or sea. 
 
 The action was commenced by the British artillery, who 
 now opened a tremendous fire upon the American works 
 on Breed's Hill. Prescott ordered the men to keep close 
 behind the works and not expose themselves. Lieutenant 
 Spalding, who disobeyed this order, had his head shattered 
 to atoms by a cannon ball. Captain Gridley's pieces were 
 now ordered out of the redoubt, and with Callender's were 
 stationed where they were most needed, in the space between 
 the breastwork and the rail fence. Here they attempted to 
 return the fire of the enemy, but without effect. These 
 companies had just enlisted from the infantry and were 
 unqualified for this service. The officers complained that 
 their cartridges were unskilfully made up, and soon with- 
 drew. As Callender was retreating to the farther side of 
 Bunker Hill, where he might safely prepare his cartridges, 
 he was suddenly, arrested by General Putnam, who rode up 
 and with a face flaming with indignation, commanded him 
 to resume his post. Callender begged that he might be 
 allowed to retire. This so enraged Putnam that he threat- 
 
 * Letter from Captain John Chester, of Wethersfield, to Rev. Joseph Fish, of 
 Stonington, the original of which is preserved by the Hon. Gurdon Trumbull, of 
 Hartford. See Frothingham, 389. 
 
 t Hist, of the Battle of Bunker Hill. 
 
[1775.] BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 211 
 
 ened to kill him instantly if he did not go back. Rather 
 than die, Callender yielded, but his men soon ran away and 
 left him. * 
 
 The genius of Putnam now exhibited itself in all its 
 splendor. On the right and left breastworks, at the redoubt, 
 at the rail fence, on the summit of Bunker Hill, where the 
 new works were going rapidly forward, at the neck, at the 
 unguarded space between the breast work and the fence, 
 mounted on iiis white horse, he seemed to be in all parts of 
 the field at once, commanding, encouraging or threatening, 
 as the exigencies of the moment seemed to demand. As the 
 reinforcements arrived in parties of two or three hundred, 
 he was ready to receive them and assign them places. 
 
 Colonel Little soon came across the neck with his troops. 
 Putnam ordered Captain Norris's company to the rail fence 
 on the right of the redoubt, Captain Perkins's company to 
 the o])en s])ace deserted by Gridley and Callender, and the 
 rest of them to fall into the main line behind the rail fence 
 where Stark and Knowlton were posted. f 
 
 Colonel Brewer, Colonel Nixon, who had been rangers in 
 the French war, Colonel Woodbridge and Major Moore, 
 soon after brought each about three hundred men into the 
 field, who were ordered to their appropriate places as soon 
 as they came. J 
 
 The British columns were now formed with their field 
 train in the centre, ready to march up the hill. Just then 
 Captain Ford, a veteran officer who had distinguished him- 
 self in the battle of Lexington, made his appearance with 
 his company. He was marching down from the summit of 
 Bunker Hill, when Putnam met him joyfully, for he knew 
 what sturdy material he was made of, and pointing to Cal- 
 lender's deserted cannon, ordered him with his men to draw 
 them to the line. Ford asked to be excused on the ground 
 that his soldiers did not know how to manage field-pieces. 
 Regardless of the remonstrance, Putnam repeated the 
 
 * Siege of Boston, p. 138 •, Callender's account in the Boston Sentinel, 1818. 
 •fSwett's History. i Frothiugliain. 
 
212 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 order, and the gallant Captain submitted. Putnam accom- 
 panied them, and saw the guns placed in the line, at the rail 
 fence, before he lost sight of them. 
 
 He was now joined by General Warren. The following 
 dialogue not only shows the noble disinterestedness of both, 
 but the estimate that each had of the other.* 
 
 Putnam. " I'm sorry to see you here. General Warren ; 1 
 wish you had left the day to us, as I advised you. From 
 appearances we shall have a sharp time of it ; but since you 
 are here, I'll receive your orders with pleasure." 
 
 Warren. " I came only as a volunteer. I know nothing 
 of your dispositions and will not interfere with them. Tell 
 me where I can be most useful." 
 
 Putnam. (Pointing toward the redoubt,) " You will be 
 covered there."" 
 
 Warren. "Don't think I come here to seek a place of 
 safety ; but tell me where the onset will be most furious !" 
 
 Putnam. (Again pointing to the redoubt,) " That is the 
 enemy s object ; Prescott is there, and will do his duty, and 
 if it can be defended the day is ours ; but from long experi- 
 ence of the character of the enemy, I think they will 
 ultimately succeed and drive us from the works ; though from 
 the mode of attack they have chosen, we shall be able to do 
 them infinite injury, and we must be prepared for a brave and 
 orderly retreat when we can maintain our ground no longer." 
 
 Here the conference ended. Warren fell in with Putnam's 
 suggestion and repaired to the redoubt. When we remem- 
 ber how similar was this piece of advice to that which Put- 
 nam had seventeen years before given to the graceful and 
 accomplished Lord Howe, the brother of the British chief 
 who was now in the field against him, and when we look in 
 either case at the melancholy sequel, we see in him, in middle 
 life, as well as in old age, the same manly courage and the 
 
 * This interview also appears to throw much light on the question, " Who 
 commanded at l^unkcr Hill?" As Warren was a major-general, and Putnam 
 only a brigadier-general, the latter would naturally offer to give up the command 
 to au officer of higher rank. 
 
[1775.] BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 213 
 
 same magnanimous desire to save others at the expense of his 
 own life. 
 
 The British field-pieces now opened furiously on the redoubt, 
 and their columns advanced slowly and steadily, making a 
 halt at regular intervals to await the heavy movements of 
 the artillery. Tall, elegant, and dressed as became his rank, 
 General Howe advanced two hundred yards in front of the 
 columns, to reconnoitre the American lines. 
 
 At that time, Putnam was on Bunker Hill, superintending 
 the works. He instantly left this position, ordered the drums 
 to beat to arms, and hastened to the line. It was the first 
 time that the tune of Yankee Doodle ever led Americans to 
 battle. 
 
 Lord Howe led the British rio-ht wincf, consistinc: of the 
 fifth regiment, one of grenadiers, and one of light infantry, 
 toward the rail fence, while at the same time, a few compa- 
 nies of light infantry moved along the shore of the Mystic, 
 designing to turn the American left.* 
 
 General Pigot led the left wing directly against the redoubt 
 and breastwork. It was composed of the fifty-second regi- 
 ment, the thirty-eighth, the thirty-fifth, the forty-seventh, three 
 companies of grenadiers, three of light infantry, and the 
 marines. As they moved forward, the sound of the cannon 
 suddenly ceased. General Howe sent to inquire the cause, and 
 was told that the cannon balls sent over were too larce for 
 the pieces ; but that they had plenty of grape-shot. He 
 commanded them to keep up the firing with grape. 
 
 The British lines soon appeared in full view, and some of 
 the American marksmen now began to get ready to fire upon 
 them. Putnam rode through the American line and gave 
 strict injunctions that not a gun should be fired until the 
 enemy had arrived within eight rods of the fence, nor even 
 then, until the order was distinctly given. He then addressed 
 the troops nearly in the following words : 
 
 " Powder is scarce and must not be wasted. Don't fire at 
 the enemy until you can see the ivhites of their eyes : — and 
 
 * Swett's Hist., p. 33. 
 
214 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 then fire low. Take aim at their vmistbands. You are all 
 marksmen, and can kill a squirrel at a hundred yards. 
 Reserve your fire and the enemy are all destroyed. Aim at 
 the handsome coats — pick off the commanders."* 
 
 The orders of the general were repeated along the whole 
 line by Pomeroy, Stark, and the other veteran officers, and by 
 Prescottand the officers who were with him in the redoubt.* 
 As there was no experienced gunner in the line, Putnam now 
 dismounted and assisted in managing the field-pieces. The 
 two companies of artillery had only twelve cartridges each, 
 and it was necessary to see that every one took effect. Put- 
 nam aimed the cannon himself, and had the satisfaction to 
 see that they did fatal execution. A single case of canister 
 shot cut a line entirely through the British ranks. With 
 admirable discipline they closed up their columns and coolly 
 marched on. 
 
 When the British right wins; had arrived within about one 
 hundred yards of the line, and were engaged in throwing 
 down a fence that impeded their advance, a few sharp-shooters, 
 unable to resist the temptation, fired upon them. Putnam 
 instantly rode to the spot where the firing took place, and 
 and with his sword drawn, threatened to cut down the first 
 man who should dare to fire again without orders. This pre- 
 mature discharge of muskets had the good effect to draw out 
 the enemy's fire, who kept moving on and firing until they 
 had arrived within about eight rods of the American line. 
 The order, so impatiently waited for, was now given, and was 
 obeyed with a faithfulness and precision that bore testimony 
 never to be forgotten, of the skill and coolness of the provin- 
 cial marksmen. Nearly the entire front rank was swept 
 away at the first volley, and there has seldom been in the 
 annals of war such destruction among officers. The same 
 orders were executed with the same fatal effect at the 
 redoubt. As the clouds of smoke rolled away from the hill- 
 side, the ground occupied by either wing of the British 
 army presented a frightful spectacle. The dead lay in heaps, 
 
 * " Siege of Boston ;" Botta ; Graliam. 
 
[1775.] BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 215 
 
 and the wounded were seen instinctively crawling upon their 
 hands and knees to get out ot" tiie broken lines and save 
 themselves from the heav}^ tread of the columns that they 
 could hear forming behind them, and whose weight as they 
 advanced might easily crush out the spark of life that still 
 remained. The British ranks closed up sternly as if they iiad 
 been walls of iron. They returned the American fire, but as 
 they took no aim, and as the Americans were under cover along 
 their whole line, they fought at fearful odds. General Pigot, 
 on the left, soon ordered a retreat.* But General Howe, who 
 came of a family that had an old military renown, and who 
 knew as little what fear was as did Putnam himself, was 
 determined not to give back. Exposing his person to the 
 deadly fire of an enemy, who, as he could now see by the fallen 
 plumes around him, were singling out the most shining marks 
 upon the field with as inuch deliberation as if they had been 
 firing at a target, and advancing nearer to the rail fence than 
 any of his columns could be made to approach, waving his 
 sword and animating his men, he stood his ground, while 
 volley after volley was discharged with a regularity that 
 showed the perfection of British discipline, and the cool 
 courage of the Saxon blood. But as fast as his ranks were 
 closed, they were opened by the murderous and now irregular 
 fire of the provincials. He was at last forced to retreat, leav- 
 ing hundreds of his men dead and dying upon the hill-side. 
 In some instances whole columns almost to a man were shot 
 dead.f The cry of victory, wild as the havoc of the battle, 
 now echoed along the whole American line. J So total was 
 
 * The British account in the Conduct of the War, says : — " On the left Pigot 
 was staggered, and actually retreated by orders : great pains Lave been taken to 
 huddle up tills matter.'' 
 
 t Frothingliain. 
 
 J Many were marksmen, intent on cutting down British officers, and when one 
 was in sight, they exclaimed — " There ! see that officer I" " Let us have a shot 
 at him!" when two or three would lire at the same moment. They used the 
 fence as a resting-place for their guns, and the bullets were true to their message. 
 "When the enemy retreated, many of the Ameiieaiis were in favor of pursuing 
 them ; and some, with exulting huzzas, leapt over the fence for this pui'pose, but 
 •were re-called by their officers. Frothingham, 142. 
 
216 • HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the defeat of the enemy, that many of them sought the 
 friendly shelter of the boats.* The reinforcements sent by 
 General Ward now came thronging from Cambridge. But 
 when they arrived at the neck, the cannon balls and chain- 
 shot from the enemy's ships and batteries swept across it and 
 plowed up the ground so frightfully that they did not dare to 
 go over. While the enemy at the foot of the hill, were mus- 
 tering their columns for a second attack, Putnam took 
 advantage of this breathing-spell in the conflict, and rode to 
 the neck to induce the reinforcements to cross it.f He 
 appealed to their love of liberty, he taunted them with 
 cowardice, he threatened them with punishment ; still they 
 cowered behind trees or fled shuddering from the fatal mis- 
 sives that flew like hail-stones around them. Striking his 
 jaded horse with the blade of his sword, again and again he 
 rode across the fatal spot in the vain attempt to convince the 
 soldiers that there was no danger. J But they could not 
 believe that the clouds of dust which rolled up from the earth 
 and half hid his form from view, could be a safe screen for them, 
 although they were ready to admit that he was invulnerable. 
 A portion of them, however, were shamed out of their fears 
 and followed Putnam across the neck.§ 
 
 General Putnam now hastened to Bunker Hill to procure 
 reinforcements for a second reception of the enemy. He 
 found Colonel Gerrish snugly quartered there, with a part of his 
 regiment and some other troops who had there taken refuge. 
 Gerrish, who was very corpulent, lay flat on the ground, and 
 declared that he was entirely overcome with the heat, while 
 his men were scattered about on the west side of the hill and 
 
 * Gordon, i. 353. + Chester's letter. i Swett, 35. 
 
 §The cowardice or inefficiency of Major Gridley on this occasion was con- 
 gpicuous. He was a son of the brave Colonel Gridley ; but being young and 
 inexperienced, he proved himself quite unequal to so important a command. Col. 
 Swett remarks : " His aversion to entering into the engagement was invincible, 
 and he ordered them [his troops] on to Cobble Hill, to fii'e at the Glasgow and 
 floating batteries. This order was so palpably absurd, with their throe pounders, 
 that Captain Trevett absolutely refused obedience, ordered his men to follow him, 
 and marched for the lines." Frothingham, p. 14G. 
 
[i::,-).] BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 217 
 
 entirely screened by its summit from the reach of cannon or 
 musket shot. Putnam ordered them to resume their places. 
 They refused to obey. He threatened them, and some of 
 them he knocked down with the hilt of his sword. But all 
 his attempts were idle, and he again repaired to the fence to 
 await the second advance of the enemy.* 
 
 General Howe had now re-organized his troops, and was 
 ready to march. The British advanced through the tall grass 
 with the same calm bravery that had marked their previous 
 movements, carrying their heavy knapsacks, arms, and 
 accoutrements, weighing one hundred and twenty-five pounds, 
 and in the face of the burning sun. They were obliged this 
 time, in addition to other obstacles, to step over the corpses 
 of their fallen comrades. When they had arrived within a 
 suitable distance to commence the attack, some of the soldiers 
 piled up these bodies into a grim and bleeding breastwork, 
 and under cover of sucli a defense, fired at the provincial 
 lines. t 
 
 The Americans had already begun to look upon the con- 
 flict as an exciting sport. They were ordered to reserve their 
 fire until the British coknnns had approached within six rods. 
 
 By this time, Boston and its environs presented to the eye 
 of the thousands who were assembled to witness it, a spectacle 
 of the most sublimely interesting character. 
 
 Those bold hills rising from the bay, and impartially enclos- 
 ing the two armies in their walls of summer verdure, were 
 crowned with the fathers, wives, daughters, and mothers, 
 of the combatants who had so nobly begun to resist the blind 
 fury of arbitrary power. 
 
 The eminences, roofs, and steeples of Boston, were occu- 
 pied by the distressed inhabitants of the town, by the soldiers 
 who had not been called into active service, and in some 
 instances, by the wives of the British officers who had seen 
 with heart-rending agony, the gay plumes that they had 
 watched floating in the breeze of the bay as the barges bore 
 
 *S\vett's Hist., p. 37 ; Frothingham, 143. 
 
 + This singular fact is attcstt'd by an eye witness. See Hist, of the battle, p. 37, 
 
218 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 their husbands to the fatal scene, droop and sink beneath the 
 waves of battle. The cannonade and bombardment too, that 
 had been opened on the American camp at Roxbury, to pre- 
 vent the troops who were posted there from mingling in the 
 action, the roar of artillery from the floating batteries, from 
 the ships, and from the cannon that had now approached 
 within three hundred yards of the rail fence, and were begin- 
 ning to sound again the note of onset, sent the tidings in long 
 echoes from hill to hill.* 
 
 A new feature was now added to the horrors of war. General 
 Howe on his first advance had sent word to General Burgoyne 
 and General Clinton, that his left flank was exposed to attack 
 from some troops stationed at Charlestown, and begged them 
 to set the place on fire. A carcass was thrown into the town 
 but failed. A second fell into the street and commenced the 
 work that was more thoroughly completed by some troops 
 who landed from the Somerset, and applied the torch with an 
 unsparing hand. The town consisted of about three hun- 
 dred dwelling houses and two hundred other buildings, and 
 was constructed chiefly of wood, which, from the summer 
 drought, was inflammable as tinder. The whole village was 
 soon in a blaze. The flames darted to the tall church-spire 
 that towered above the town, and flashed up into the heavens, 
 a signal of distress and menace that could be seen for miles 
 along the coast. f Doubtless it was hoped that the flames 
 would have intimidated the provincials, or that the smoke 
 would have cast a dark cloud over the hill-side and blinded 
 their eyes so that the British columns could advance without 
 being again exposed to their deadly aim. But the elements 
 seldom favor the designs of incendiaries. 
 
 The battle-field was unobstructed by the smoke, and the 
 British troops marched in sight of the flames that they had 
 kindled, and that threw into their own faces a sickly gleam, 
 like that of a funeral pyre. They opened their fire with the 
 same show of discipline as before, but with the same want of 
 judgment in overshooting the heads of the provincials. J 
 
 *See Gordon, i. 353. f Gordon, i. 353. i Swett ; Frothingham ; Graham. 
 
[1775.] 
 
 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 219 
 
 The orders of Putnam were this time strictly obeyed. Not 
 a gun was discharged until the enemy had come within one 
 hundred feet of the American lines. Then the word was 
 given, and instantly whole ranks of the British troops fell 
 dead as if blasted by lightning. They rallied and shot volley 
 after volley, as before ; but neither discipline nor valor could 
 resist death coming in such a shape. In a few minutes one 
 thousand men had fallen, with a proportion of veteran officers 
 truly alarming. The ranks now began to reel and fall back. 
 Almost every member of General Howe's staff was either slain 
 or disabled, Balfour, his aid-de-camp, had been shot through 
 the body and was carried bleeding from the field ; Gordon, his 
 volunteer aid, and the gallant Captain Addison, adescendant of 
 the author of the Spectator, were both dead, lie seemed 
 left alone between the American lines and his retreating 
 columns.* Stung to madness at the sickening sight of death 
 and blood, and anxious to share rather than to shun the fate 
 of so many brave men, he made almost sujierhuman exertions 
 to save himself from a second defeat. But the attempt to 
 stop a mountain torrent would not have been more fruitless 
 than his efibrts to bring his shattered columns again into line. 
 Retreating slowly over fallen forms and pools of blood, iiim- 
 self unwounded, he followed them toward the barges with a 
 sorrowful heart. f 
 
 Still there lingered upon the hill-side, where the musket 
 balls ranged thickest, one solitary veteran who seemed bent 
 on finding the home that he had sought in so many battles, a 
 soldier's grave. Putnam, whose eye swept the whole field at 
 once, saw him and recognized him at a glance as his old 
 friend. Major Small, who had fought side by side with him 
 in the French wars. His heart swelled within him. He 
 
 * Stedman, i. 127. A Britisli officer writes, (June 25th,) " General Howe was 
 three tmies in the field left by himself, so numerous were the killed and wounded 
 about him.'' Ilowe was a brave and sucee.s.sful officer. He defeated the Ameri- 
 cans at (lermantown, Oct. 4, 1777 , and with his brother, Admiral Howe, he was 
 a commissioner for peace. lie published a narrative of his command in North 
 America, second edition, 1780 : and died in 1814. 
 
 + Swctt's Hist., p. 39. 
 
220 
 
 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 rushed to the spot where the keen marksmen were leveHng 
 their muskets to cut him down, and threw up their tubes into 
 the air in time to save him. "Spare him," shouted the old 
 hero, as fervently as if he had indeed been begging for the 
 life of his father's son, " Spare that officer, for he is dear to 
 me as a hroiher." An exclamation of affectionate sympathy 
 and chivalric enthusiasm rang along the American lines, 
 mingling not discordantly with the shouts of victory. The 
 sacrednessof friendship was respected and the British officer, 
 gracefully acknowledging the interference, slowly retired 
 from the field.* 
 
 The joy of the Americans was followed by the sad con- 
 sciousness that their ammunition was spent. 
 
 General Clinton, who had been able to see, from his elevated 
 position upon Copp's Hill, where was the weak point in the 
 American defenses, and who had felt his blood boiling in his 
 veins when he saw his favorite battalions, the marines, and 
 the forty-seventh, breaking and giving way, without staying 
 for orders, leapt into a boat and crossed over to the foot of 
 the hill where the British troops were now trying to make a 
 last rally. His arrival inspired the British army with new 
 confidence. A new plan of attack was now adopted. General 
 Howe ordered the right wing toward the lines with fixed 
 bayonets. f Courting as before the post of danger, he now 
 assumed the command of the left wing, to march against the 
 redoubt. Clinton joined General Pigot with the marines on the 
 left, with the intention of turning the right flank of the 
 Americans. General Howe ordered the artillery to advance 
 beyond their former position, and turn the left of the breast- 
 w^ork. This point has justly been called the key of the 
 American defenses. 
 
 General Putnam, who saw that it was idle to think of defend- 
 ing the lines without a large reinforcement, took this last 
 opportunity to bring on fresh troops and to supply the soldiers 
 with ammunition. He ac;ain rode to the rear. He ordered 
 
 » Swctfs Hist., 39 ; Graham, iv. 381 ; Botta, i. 205, 206. 
 + Frotliingbam, 148. 
 
[1775.] MAJOR DURKEE AND CAPTAIX CUESTER. 221 
 
 the brave Col. Gardner to leave tlie intrencliments on Bun- 
 ker Hill, and descend to the rail tence. As the colonel was 
 in the act of descending the hill, a musket ball entered his 
 groin, and he fell mortally wounded.* 
 
 The confusion that now prevailed along the entire road 
 from Cambridge to the neck, surpasses description. 
 
 Just at this critical time, three companies from Connec- 
 ticut under Captains Chester, Clark, and Coit, came up, and 
 crossing the neck in unbroken order, advanced toward Bun- 
 ker Hill. The brave Major Durkee, of stamp act celebrity, 
 also came up to share in the engagement,! When Capt. 
 Chester started from Cambridge, three regiments of raw 
 troops set out in advance of his company ; but when he 
 overtook them at the hill, they were in a state of disorder 
 that is best described by the following strokes of his own, so 
 sharp and well-defined that one would almost think he had 
 cut them upon the brown sheet of paper that still preserves 
 them, with the point of his own sword : 
 
 "The musketry began before we passed the neck ; and 
 when we were on the top of the hill and during our descent 
 to the foot of it on the south, the small as w^ell as cannon 
 shot were incessantly whistling by us. We joined our army 
 on the right of the centre just by a poor stone fence two or 
 three feet high and very thin, so that the bullets came 
 through. * * ^■'' * When we first set out [from Cam- 
 bridge,] perhaps three regiments were by our side and near 
 us ; but here they were scattered, some behind rocks and 
 haycocks, and thirty men perhaps behind an apple tree, and 
 frequently twenty men round a wounded man, retreating, 
 when not more than three or four could touch him to advan- 
 tage. Others were retreating seemingly without any excuse, 
 and some said they had left the fort, because they had been 
 all night and day on fatigue, without sleep, victuals, or drink; 
 and some said they had no officers to head them, which 
 indeed seemed to be the case. At last I met with a consider- 
 able company who were going off rank and file. I called to 
 
 * "Siege of Boston," 151. f Frothingham, 147. 
 
222 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the officer that led them and asked tvliy he retreated ? He 
 made me no answer. I halted my men and told him if he 
 went on it should be at his peril. He still seemed regardless 
 of me. I then ordered my men to make ready. They 
 immediately cocked, and declared if I ordered they would 
 fire. Upon that they stopped short and tried to excuse 
 themselves. But I could not tajTj/ to hear him, hut ordered 
 him forward and he complied."* 
 
 The British generals had already found out that even 
 Americans could teach them something. They ordered their 
 men as they advanced, to throv^r off their cumbrous knapsacks 
 and other useless incumbrances. Some of the soldiers even 
 threw aside their coats. But the advance of their columns 
 was not one of uninterrupted progress. The soldiers had 
 such a dread of the reception that they expected to meet, 
 that some of them fired off their muskets into the air and 
 doggedly refused to move forward. Such was their obstinacy 
 that the officers were obliged to prick them on with their 
 swords. f However, the mass of them advanced with their 
 wonted coolness, and order was soon restored. 
 
 The Americans at the redoubt had now left only a few 
 charges of powder. These they soon expended, and then 
 picked up the stones that had been thrown upon the parapet, 
 and madly hurled them against the enemy as they pressed 
 against the walls of the redoubt. 
 
 Richardson, of the royal Irish, was the first who mounted 
 the works. J He was shot dead where he stood. The veteran 
 Major Pitcairn was among the first who followed, shouting to 
 his men, " The day is ours." In an instant he was pierced 
 
 * Frothingham's "Siege of Boston," 390, 391. 
 
 t Judge Prescott's account. 
 
 % Swett's History. In Clarke's narrative, liowever, it is stated tliat the 
 remains of a company of the sixty-third regiment of grenadiers were the first that 
 succeeded in entering the redoubt. After Captain Ilosford had been wounded and 
 Lieutenant Dah-ymple had been killed, a sergeant took the command, made a 
 speech to the few men left, saying, " We must either conquer or die," and entered 
 the works. General Gage recommended the brave sergeant for promotion. See 
 Frothingham, p. 150. ... . .. . , 
 
[177,-.] DEATH OF GENERAL ^\^VRREX. 223 
 
 with bullets and fell into the nrnis of his son, a gallant young 
 officer, who bore him to the boats.* 
 
 General Howe, as he advanced, was wounded in one of his 
 feet. Colonel Abercrombie, who commanded the grenadiers, 
 fell soon after, of a fatal wound. In his last agonies he 
 bethought himself of his old friend Putnam, who had served 
 with him in the long campaigns of the French war, and with 
 his dying breath shouted to his friends who were pressing on, 
 "If you take General Putnam alive, dont hang ]iim,for lies a 
 brave felloio !" 
 
 General Pigot, small in stature but great in soul, pulled 
 himself up the south-eastern corner of the redoubt by the aid 
 of a tree that stood there, and led his men over the parapet. 
 The British troops now followed in great numbers. Prescott 
 ordered his men to beat them oft" with the butts of their 
 muskets. But what could such weapons avail against British 
 bayonets ? Almost heart-broken at the necessity that 
 impelled it, Prescott finally sounded a retreat. f 
 
 Warren, the high-souled and impassioned devotee of liberty, 
 who seems to have gone into the battle with the design 
 of offering upon her altar a sacrifice without blemish or 
 stain, still lingered on the fatal spot, discharging his musket 
 and encouraging the men to stand their ground. He was the 
 last man who left the redoubt. As he was turning to follow 
 his comrades, Major Small, who stood near by, saw him 
 and knew him. As Putnam had saved his life a little while 
 before, he resolved now to requite the debt. He called aloud 
 to him, " For God's sake, Warren, stop and save your life !" 
 The patriot-soldier turned and appeared to recognize him, 
 but kei)t retreating. Small bade his men not to fire at him, 
 and threw up their muskets with his sword. The effort was 
 too late. Eighty yards from the redoubt a bullet passed 
 
 * Swett. 
 
 t Sec Frotliingham, 150 ; Graliani, iv. 382. Col. William Prescott, was bom 
 at Grotou, Mass., in 1725. lie was a iriati of wealtli, and belonged to a very 
 influential family. He served with success through the Revolution, and died Oct. 
 13, 1795. 
 
224 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 through his head and he fell lifeless.* Thus, at the very 
 dawning of his country's existence, passed this noble spirit 
 to a land where no tyrant rivets the chain, and where the 
 inhabitants, to use his own beautiful metaphor, are feasted in 
 the highest and most spiritual sense upon " the golden apples 
 of Freedom. "f 
 
 Almost breathless from their efforts in ascending the 
 redoubt, and panting from heat, the weary British troops could 
 not use their bayonets, and were unable to overtake tiie 
 retreating Americans. Nor could they fire their muskets at 
 them with much safety, as their own right and left wings 
 stood facing each other, with a body of provincials between. 
 
 With masterly skill Putnam now conducted the retreat. 
 Putting spurs to his horse, he threw himself in the rear of 
 his troops, and only twelve rods from the British lines. He 
 called loudly on the Americans to rally, repair to Bun- 
 ker Hill, and there make a last stand against the enemy. If 
 they would do so, he pledged his honor that he would place 
 them in a way of winning an easy victory. Covering the 
 retreat with a few companies of Lieutenant-Colonel Ward's 
 troops, Captain Lunt's company of Little's regiment, and the 
 companies of Captains Chester, Coit, and Clark, iVom 
 Connecticut, who had just come upon the ground and had 
 plenty of ammunition, Putnam was able to save the army 
 from confusion, and to keep the enemy at bay. This noble 
 rear guard fought with as much coolness and discipline as 
 British regulars, and fired their volleys with a fatal aim. But 
 exposed as they were, they were sadly cut in pieces. 
 
 They had thus retreated full twenty rods, before the enemy 
 iiad been able to rally and pursue them. Such a destructive fire 
 was now poured in upon the American right wing that they 
 were finally routed. 
 
 The left wing still remained firm. Their flank was finally 
 opened by the retreat of the right wing, and the enemy pres- 
 sing hard upon them, they were forced to retire. 
 
 * See Graham, iv. 382, 383 ; also, Swett ; Frothingham ; Bradford ; Gordon. 
 + See "Warren's letter to Stonington Cornniitt:c, ante. 
 
[1775.] TUE RETKEAT FROM BUNKER HILL. 225 
 
 Thus covering their retreat with the brave troops from Con- 
 necticut, and himself riding in the rear of this gallant band, 
 regardless of the balls that ilewin hundretls around him, Putnam 
 seemed to defy the British battalions to do their worst. As wo 
 have seen, he used all his tact and address to induce the army to 
 make a stand and intrench themselves upon Bunker Hill, where 
 the works had already been commenced. lie took his posi- 
 tion near a cannon and appeared about to make a stand alone 
 against the enemy.* Ills men, however, fled and left him. 
 One brave sergeant stood by him till he was shot dead. The 
 British bayonets were almost within reach of him when he 
 retired. All his ettbrts, though seconded by Prescott, Pomeroy, 
 Stark, Durkee, and otiier brave officers, only served to check 
 and fortify a retreat that was inevitable at last. Just as the 
 American army retired. Ward's, Putnam's, and Patterson's, 
 regiments, the flower and pride of the army, arrived upon the 
 ground, whitherthey hadso long vainly besought General Ward 
 to dispatch them. They came in season to witness the defeat 
 of the American arms, and to hear the huzzas of the British 
 battalions as they took possession of the summit of Bunker 
 Hill. One quarter of these fresh troops, had they been on 
 the field when the British were making their third advance 
 against the American works, would, in the language of Captain 
 Chester, "have sent the enemy [to the fence] from whence 
 they come, or to their long ]i()mes:''\ 
 
 Thus ended this unparalleled conflict, in which thirty-five 
 hundred American citizens with a few companies of well- 
 trained soldiers, but without suitable arms, without even the 
 
 * " Make a stand here," e.xclaimecl Putnam, " we can stop them yet !" " In 
 God's name, form, and give ttiem one shot more !" 
 
 + Captain Chester's Letter. It will be observed that, in my description of this 
 important battle, I have generally followed the narrative of Colonel Samuel Swett's 
 history of the engagement. As he appears to have bestowed much researeli upon 
 the subject, and to be thorough and candid in his investigations, I can but look 
 upon him as a reliable authority. I also take much pleasure in acknowledging my 
 indebtedness to the " Siege of Boston," by the Hon. Richard P>othinghani, Jr. 
 
 The number of the killed and wounded, belonging to Tutnam's regiment, 
 (including Colt's and Chester's companies,) was fifteen killed, and thirty wounded. 
 
 47 
 
226 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 most ordinary comforts of food and water, proved themselves 
 able to drive back thrice their number of the best troops of 
 the British army, and with a loss on their part comparatively 
 insignificant, to leave one quarter of the enemy dead or 
 wounded upon the field. Is it strange if Connecticut, whose 
 sons played so conspicuous a part in this struggle, should 
 wake up at last, and, without seeking to pluck any laurels from 
 the brows of the other great men who fought there, should 
 attempt to restore the immortal leaves of oak that have been 
 so rudely torn from the forehead of Putnam, the author and 
 the commander of the battle of Bunker Hill ? Had he also 
 been commander at Cambridge on that day, the British flag 
 would not have floated in triumph from the top of Bunker 
 Hill in the beams of the settina; sun. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA. 
 
 On the very day that the people of the eastern colonies 
 were engaged in fighting the battle of Bunker Hill, the 
 General Congress, then in session at Philadelphia, gave to 
 Colonel Washington a commission to be commander-in-chief 
 of the American forces, and pledged themselves in the most 
 solemn manner that they would assist him and adhere to him 
 with their lives and fortunes, in the maintenance and prosecu- 
 tion of American liberties. On the same day, they chose, by 
 ballot, Artemas Ward, first major-general ; Horatio Gates, 
 adjutant-general ; and Charles Lee, second major-general. 
 Two days afterwards, when the cheering news of the battle 
 had reached them, they elected Philip Schuyler, third major- 
 general, and Israel Putnam, fourth major-general, without a 
 dissenting vote.* 
 
 That very day was also distinguished by another event 
 that at once evinces some of the peculiar traits of the North 
 American Indians, and the speed with which the news of the 
 battle had spread over the continent. I refer to the speech 
 sent by the chiefs and warriors of the Oneidas, addressed to 
 Governor Trumbull of Connecticut, and through him to the 
 four New England provinces. It is a fair specimen of 
 aboriginal eloquence, and is as follows tf 
 
 "As my younger brothers of the New England Indians, 
 who have settled in the vicinity, are now going down to visit 
 their friends, and to move up parts of their families that were 
 left behind — with this belt by them, I open the road wide, 
 
 • Botta, i. 217 ; Gordon, i. 350. 
 
 + This speech 1 have transcribed from Gordon's Hist., i. 3G0, 361. 
 
228 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 clearing it of all obstacles, that they may visit their friends, 
 and return to their settlements here in peace. 
 
 " We Oneidas are induced to this measure on account of 
 the disagreeable situation of affairs that way ; and we hope 
 by the help of God, they may return in peace. We earnestly 
 recommend them to your charity through their long journey. 
 
 " Now we more immediately address you our brother, the 
 governor, and the chiefs of New England. 
 
 " Brothers ! — We have heard of the unhappy diflTerences 
 and great contention between you and Old England. We 
 wonder greatly, and are troubled in our minds. 
 
 " Brothers ! — Possess your minds in peace respecting us 
 Indians. We cannot intermeddle in this dispute between two 
 brothers. The quarrel seems to be unnatural. You are two 
 brotlicrs of one blood. We are unwilling to join on either 
 side in such a contest, for we bear an equal affection to both 
 you old and New England. Should the great king of Eng- 
 land apply to us for aid, we shall deny him. If the colonies 
 apply, we will refuse. The present situation of you two 
 brothers is new and strange to us. We Indians cannot find, 
 nor recollect in the traditions of our ancestors, the like case, 
 or a similar instance. 
 
 " Brothers — For these reasons possess your minds in peace, 
 and take no umbrage, that we Indians refuse joining in the 
 contest. We are for peace. 
 
 " Brothers ! — Was it an alien, or a foreign nation, who had 
 struck you, we should look into the matter. We hope, through 
 the wise government and good pleasure of God, your distresses 
 may be soon z'emoved, and the dark clouds be dispersed. 
 
 " Brothers ! — We have declared for peace ; we desire you 
 will not apply to our Indian brethren in New England for 
 assistance. Let us Indians be all of one mind, and live with 
 one another ; and you white people settle your own disputes 
 betwixt yourselves. 
 
 " Brothers ! — We have now declared our minds. Please 
 to write us, that we may know yours. We, the sachems 
 and warriors, and female governesses, of Oneida, send our 
 
[1775.] WASHINGTON ARRIVES IX CA:\[BRIDGE, 229 
 
 love to you, brother, governor, and all the other chiefs in New 
 England."* 
 
 General Washington, accompanied by General Lee and 
 other gentlemen, immediately set out upon his journey toward 
 the North, to place himself at the head of the American 
 army. Everywhere on his way he w^as greeted with the 
 most hearty congratulations, and at different points where he 
 stopped, he was waited on by deputations of gentlemen, and 
 escorted by them from place to place, with manifestations of 
 the profoundest regard. A committee was appointed by the 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts to meet him at Spring- 
 field, more than one hundred miles from Boston, and to pro- 
 vide suitable escorts to conduct him and his party to Cam- 
 bridge in a style befitting his rank. On his arrival at the 
 head-quarters of the army, he was received with hearty 
 tokens of enthusiasm. His first care was to bring the army 
 into a state of discipline. With this view, he soon formed 
 the troops into three grand divisions, consisting of about 
 twelve regiments each. He placed the right wing under the 
 command of Major-General Ward, the left under that of 
 Major-General Lee, and to Major-General Putnam he com- 
 mitted the command of the reserve. f 
 
 This was the first time that Washington and Putnam, the 
 two most remarkable military chieftains of that day, had 
 ever met, though each had been preceded by such a military 
 reputation as must have long before elicited the^ admiration 
 of the other. The manly bearing of Putnam, his frankness, 
 his fearlessness, his simplicity of character, his energy and 
 tact, his industry and activity, all associated with one who 
 
 * At the special session of the General Assembly of Connecticut, which con- 
 vened on the first day of July, 1775, It was resolved that the governor sliould make 
 a kind and friendly answer to the speech sent to this colony by the Oneida Indians, 
 and procure a belt of wampum to be sent them ; and that the sum of £]i2 for the 
 expense of transmitting the same should be paid out of the treasury, and that the 
 governor should direct Colonel llinnian to assure the Indians of the peaceable dis- 
 position of the people of the colonj- towards them." 
 
 t See Humphreys, Gordon, Pitkin, 15ott,-i, licc. 
 
230 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 had already reached that period of Ufe when men usually 
 seek reth'ement and exemption from care, made an impres- 
 sion upon the mind of Washington that subsequent events 
 and a more intimate acquaintance only served to confirm. 
 Washington was forcibly struck with his skill and alertness 
 in hurrying forward the plan of military defenses that he had 
 marked out for the army. Hence it was with unfeigned 
 admiration, that he could not repress, that he remarked, 
 "You seem to have the faculty, General Putnam, of infusing 
 your own industrious spirit into all the workmen you employ."* 
 In an incredibly short period of time, the continental lines 
 were so strengthened, and so many redoubts mounted with 
 cannon were thrown up, that the American army could defy 
 any attempt that the enemy might venture to make upon 
 them at Cambridge. Soon after Washington's arrival, every- 
 thing was reduced to order and system. Method soon became 
 a habit with the soldiers, who vied with each other in their 
 efforts to gain the approval of their officers. 
 
 About the 20th of July, the declaration of the Continental 
 Congress, setting forth their reasons for taking up arms, was 
 proclaimed at the head of the several divisions. The tem- 
 perance and coolness of that body of statesmen is well exem- 
 plified in the concluding sentences of that document : 
 
 " In our own native land, in defense of the freedom that is 
 our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed until the late 
 violation of it ; for the protection of our property, acquired 
 solely by the honest industry of our forefathers and ourselves ; 
 against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. 
 We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the 
 part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed 
 shall be removed, and not before. 
 
 " With an humble confidence in the mercies of the Supreme 
 and impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe, we most 
 devoutly implore his divine goodness to conduct us happily 
 through this great conflict, to dispose our adversaries to 
 
 * Humphreys, p. 99 — note. 
 
[1775.] OUR COAST INVADED. 231 
 
 reconciliation on reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the 
 empire from the calamities of civil war."* 
 
 Putnam had ordered his division to be paraded on Prospect 
 Hill, to listen to the reading of the declaration. As soon as 
 the last words were pronounced, the troops all shouted three 
 times, as with one voice, the word, " Amen !" Scarcely had 
 the echoes of this unwonted huzza died upon the ear, when a 
 signal-gun was fired from the fort, and suddenly the new 
 standard that had just arrived from Connecticut, rose and 
 unfurled itself in the fresh summer breeze, exhibiting on one 
 side, in large golden letters, the words, "An appeal to Heaven !" 
 and on the other, the armorial bearings of Connecticut, with 
 its simple shield unsupported and without a crest, marked 
 with the three vines that have from the first symbolized the 
 knoivledgc, liberty and religion of the emigrants who founded 
 the state, and with the scroll that assures us that they will 
 flourish forever in the new soil where the divine Husband- 
 man has planted them.f 
 
 The news of the battle of Bunker Hill was received in 
 Connecticut with the most lively enthusiasm. In some 
 places, the event was celebrated with bonfires, processions, 
 and the illumination of public and private buildings. It 
 became a general theme of conversation at the fire-side, in 
 the work-shop, on the farm, and in the streets ; the pulpit and 
 the forum echoed its history in words of burning eloquence. 
 
 Not long after, the coast of the colony was invaded. On 
 the 30th of September, Captain Wallace of the Rose man-of- 
 war, with two tenders, gave chase to a small American 
 vessel, and would doubtless have taken possession of her had 
 she not fled for refuge into Stonington harbor. This so 
 enraged Captain Wallace, that he immediately opened his 
 guns upon the town and kept up a constant discharge of 
 artillery nearly the whole day, with considerable eflect. He 
 wounded one of the inhabitants, shattered their houses and 
 
 * Humphreys, p. 100. 
 
 t " (2ui Traiisfulit Sustiiiet." lie wlio tniiisplanted doth sustain them. See 
 Humphreys' Life of Putnam, p. 100, 101. 
 
232 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 stores with cannon balls, and carried oft' with him at night a 
 schooner loaded with molasses, and two small sloops. The 
 marks of this cowardly act are visible in the old structures 
 that are still preserved there as relics of the protecting care 
 of the British government.* 
 
 The perfidious behavior of Governor Tryon, of New York, 
 and the very cordial support that he received at the hands of 
 the principal men of that province, awakened many well 
 founded suspicions in the minds of all those in the other 
 colonies who were friendly to the cause of American liberty. 
 New York at this time, was swarming with tories, who, 
 from interested motives or from a real love of British rule, 
 were disposed, as far as they could with safety to themselves, 
 to thwart the measures of the Continental Congress. f Such 
 was the importance of securing the North river, that Con- 
 gi-ess ordered that a fortification should be erected in the 
 highlands, and a garrison established there. They also, on 
 the 27th, ordered Lord Sterling to marshal the New Jersey 
 forces for the defense of that colony. He was directed to 
 erect barracks for them at some point in the eastern division 
 of New Jersey, as near New York as practicable, and keep 
 them there upon drill, and to await further orders. 
 
 For a long time the opposition to the popular movements 
 of the country had been checked by the powerful influence 
 of a newspaper press in New York city, belonging to Mr. 
 Rivington, a man of much ability and of unbounded activity, 
 who was a staunch supporter of Governor Tryon. The seeds 
 of a loyal submission to the will of the new ministry, and the 
 
 * Miss Caulkins (Hist. New Luiidon, p. 516,) mentions "Captain Benjamin 
 Pendleton, and other brave and true men," who, when the tender of the Rose 
 pursued one of its victims to the vilIan;o wharf, ralhed and drove the invader from 
 its prey. The person wounded was Jonathan Weaver, Jr., a musician in Capt. 
 Oliver Smith's company. (Ilinman, p. 192.) The village of Stonington Long 
 i'omt — the place attacked — was again cannonaded by the British, August 9, 
 1814, with a very similar result, buildings being damaged, one man severely 
 wounded, and no one killed. Long Point formed a part of the farm of that intre- 
 pid pioneer of Stonington, Mr. William Chesebrough. 
 
 + Gordon, i. 402. This writer states that owing to the intrigues of Gov. Tryon, 
 " the troops of New York are not to be depended upon" in emergencies. 
 
[ITT.V] DESTllUCTIOX OF EIVIXGTOX'S PRESS. 233 
 
 unjust doings of the British government, were disseminated 
 throucrh the columns of his hvely sheet so broadcast and in 
 sucli a quick soil, that tliey were sure to take root and spring 
 up in all parts of the town and neighborhood. It was finally 
 determined to abate this press as a nuisance. Captain Isaac 
 Sears, a bold ofiScer, of a temperament not likely to leave a 
 good work half done, undertook to execute the enterprise. 
 Four days before the orders above alluded to were issued to 
 Lord Sterling, Sears gathered together a troop of one hun- 
 dred horsemen from Connecticut, armed to the teeth with 
 swords, carbines, and muskets, and riding furiously to Riving- 
 ton's place of business, seized and carried off his printing- 
 press, types, paper, and all his other materials for the manu- 
 facture of public opinion. Some of this property was totally 
 destroyed. While this summary proceeding was going on, 
 the tories gathered in crowds and pressed hard upon the little 
 company, with menacing looks and gestures. Sears called 
 out to them., in a voice of thunder, and told them if they 
 dared to otTer the least resistance he would order his men to 
 fire upon them. That they might be sure of the sincerity of 
 his declarations, he at the same time ordered his men to 
 make ready to execute his threat. This hostile demon- 
 stration instantly cleared the street, and the work proceeded 
 as calmly as if it had been the execution of a solemn 
 judicial sentence. This was the first time that Connecticut 
 had ever had occasion to interfere with the liberty of the 
 press. 
 
 General Washington having obtained favorable accounts 
 from Canada, and being persuaded that neither the Indians 
 or Canadians could be prevailed upon to take up arms against 
 the Americans, conceived the design of detaching a body of 
 troops from head-quarters, to cross the wilderness through 
 the province of Maine to Quebec. On consulting with Gen. 
 Schuyler, that gentleman fully approved of the proposed 
 plan ; and in a short time all the preliminaries of the expedi- 
 tion were in readiness. This detachment was designed to 
 cooperate with the troops, under command of General Mont- 
 
234 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 gomery, that were to proceed to Canada by way of Lake 
 Champlain.* 
 
 On the evening of the 13th of September, 1775, the corps 
 marched from Cambridge for Newburyport, where six days 
 after, they embarked on board ten transports bound to Ken- 
 nebec, fifty leagues distant. The expedition consisted of 
 eleven hundred men, commanded by Colonel Arnold, aided 
 by Colonels Christopher Green and Roger Enos, and Majors 
 Meigs and Bigelovv. On the 20th of September, they entered 
 Kennebec river, and proceeded up to Gardner's town. The 
 enterprise had thus far been conducted with such dispatch, 
 that only fourteen days had elapsed since the orders were 
 first given for building two hundred batteaux, for collecting 
 provisions, and for drafting eleven hundred men.f 
 
 The troops embarked on board the batteaux on the 22d, 
 and proceeded to Fort Western on the east side of the river. 
 From this point, they proceeded up the Kennebec in three 
 divisions. The navigation was so obstructed by water-falls, 
 rapids, rock, fallen trees, and other incumbrances, that they 
 were frequently compelled to carry their batteaux, baggage, 
 and other articles, until they came to a part of the river that 
 was navigable. One of these carrying-places was twelve 
 miles and a half across. By the 15th of October, their pro- 
 visions were so reduced that the men were put upon short 
 allowance. About this time, Colonel Enos was ordered to 
 send back the sick, and those that could not be furnished with 
 provisions ; but, contrary to Colonel Arnold's expectation, he 
 returned to Cambridge with his whole division. J The heavy 
 rains produced a flood, and such was the rapidity of the stream 
 that on the 23d, five or six of the batteaux were upset, and 
 several barrels of provisions, a number of guns, a consider- 
 able amount of clothing and other articles, were lost. Some- 
 times the company could proceed only from three to seven 
 
 * Gordon, i. 40(5 ; Graham, iv. 400, 401. t Gordon, i. 400. 
 
 X Colonel Enos was from Connecticut. lie was tried by a court-martial for his 
 retreat, but was honorabl}' acquitted. It was shown that he had but three days 
 provisions on hand, and was one hundred miles from the English settlements. A 
 council of war had advised his retreat. Gordon, i. 409. 
 
[1775.] ARNOLD ARRIVES AT ROIXT LEVI. 235 
 
 miles in a day. On leaving the river, they encountered 
 ahnost interminable forests, mountains, and swamps, besides 
 cold, storms, and famine. The half famished soldiers devoured 
 their dogs, cartouch-boxes, and shoes.* 
 
 On the 4th day of November, after a march of thirty-one 
 days through an uninhabited wilderness. Major Meigs and 
 his men reached a French house, where they were hospitably 
 treated. Arnold and his entire remaining force reached 
 Point Levi on the 9th of November. Before gaining that 
 point, however, it was manifest to his mind that the people 
 had been advised of his approach ; and he soon ascertained 
 that an Indian, to whom he had imprudently intrusted 
 important dispatches for General Montgomery, had treacher- 
 ously given them into the hands of the enemy. f 
 
 Generals Montgomery and Wooster in the meantime had 
 been joined by General vSchuyler, at Isle la Motte, whence 
 they moved on together to Isle aux Noix. Here Montgomery 
 drew up a declaration, which he sent among the Canadians 
 by Colonel Allen and Major Brown, assuring them that the 
 army was designed only against the English garrisons, and 
 was not intended to interfere with the rights, liberties, or 
 religion of the people. 
 
 The army, numbering about one thousand men, proceeded, 
 without any obstruction to St. John's. Upon landing, and 
 reconnoitering the fortresses, it was ascertained that they 
 were complete, and well furnished with cannon. After 
 receiving and firing a few shots, it was thought advisable to 
 return to Isle aux Noix, which was accordingly done. 
 Schuyler now left Montgomery and Wooster in command, 
 
 * Gordon. 
 
 + Botta, i. 2S3. " It is easy to imagine the stupor of surprise which seized the 
 inhabitants of Quebec, at the apparition of these troops. They could not com- 
 prehend by what way or in what mode, they had transported themselves into this 
 region. This enterprise appeared to them not merely marvellous, but miraculous, 
 and if Arnold, in this first moment, had been able to cross the river and fall upon 
 Quebec, he would have taken it without difficulty." In consequence of receiving 
 the letter alluded to, Colonel Maclean had withdrawn all the battcaux from the 
 right bank to the other side of the river. 
 
236 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT, 
 
 who, being reinforced, commenced the siege of St. John's, 
 September 17th. After several days of almost incessant 
 firing, and after various attempts to negotiate a surrender, 
 St. John's was given up to the Americans, November 3d. 
 The garrison consisted of about five hundred regulars and 
 one hundred Canadians, together with twenty-two iron 
 cannon, two howitzers, seven mortars, seventeen brass can- 
 non, and eight hundred stand of arms, besides a considerable 
 quantity of shot, shells, ammunition, &c.* 
 
 On returning from their mission into the interior of 
 Canada, Colonel Allen and Major Brown, with an aggregate 
 of only two hundred and eighty men, rashly conceived the 
 design of capturing Montreal. In attempting to carry out 
 this plan, Allen had fifteen of his men killed, and he and the 
 remainder of his corps were taken prisoners. f From some 
 cause, Major Brown did not arrive at the place designated in 
 season to participate in the attack and repulse ; but fortunately 
 he was still at liberty to fight in the cause of his country. 
 On the 18th of October, Chamblee surrendered to IMajors 
 Brown and Livingston — with six tons of powder, eighty bar- 
 rels of flour, one hundred and thirty-four barrels of pork, 
 eleven barrels of rice, over six thousand five hundred musket- 
 cartridges, and other valuable military stores. J 
 
 On the 11th of November, Generals Montgomery and 
 Wooster arrived at Montreal ; and on the following day, they 
 entered the city without opposition. Sir Guy Carleton, the 
 governor, retreated hastily from the place, and reached Que- 
 
 * Gordon, i. 428 ; Botta, i. 278. 
 
 + Botta, i. 277. Colonel Alien, was put in irons and carried to England as a 
 traitor. lie published a narrative of his imprisonment and treatment while a 
 prisoner, which contains much of thrilling incident and romantic adventure. 
 
 i Gordon, i. 426. Sedgwick, in liis Hist, of Sharon, (p. 45, 46,) states that a 
 company from that town marched under Montgomerj' to Canada ; and that four 
 members of that company were with Allen in his attempt on Montreal, viz. : 
 Adonijah Maxam, D.avid GofF, William Gray, and Samuel Lewis. They, together 
 with Roger Moore, of Salisburj', were among those who were carried to England 
 with Col. Allen. Alexander Spencer, of Sharon, joined Arnold's expedition 
 through the wilderness, but died on the march. 
 
[1775.] STOKMIXG OF QUEBEC. 237 
 
 bee in safety.* After taking elfectual measures to retain tlie 
 advantage he had thus gained over i.xe enemy, Montgomery 
 marched on toward the capital, expecting to be joined by 
 Colonel Arnold and his detachment in its neighborhood, and 
 hoping to complete the conquest of Canada before the arrival 
 of British reinforcements. A union with Arnold was soon 
 etlected ; and Montgomery learned to his chagrin that his 
 entire force amounted to Init little more than eight hundred 
 men. This diminution in the numbers that he had anticipated, 
 was occasioned by various uni'oreseen events. He had 
 been compelled to leave a considerable part of his troops 
 under General Wooster, for the protection and defense of 
 Montreal ; many of his own as well as of Arnold's soldiers, 
 in consequence of fatigue, exposure, and want of suitable 
 food, had become disabled ; and the return of Enos' division, 
 — each and all had contributed to this result. 
 
 The gari'ison of Quebec consisted, at this time, of one 
 hundred and seventy regulars under Colonel Maclean, a com- 
 pany of fifty soldiers from the 7tli regiment, forty marines, 
 and about eight hundred militia. f 
 
 On the 6th of December, 1775, the little army of Mont- 
 gomery appeared betbre Quebec, and sent forward a flag of 
 truce, which was fired upon by order of Sir Guy Carleton. 
 The Americans now commenced in earnest the work of 
 fortifying their position. Their batteries were built of snow 
 and water, which soon became solid ice. On them Mont- 
 gomery planted his ordnance and howitzers; but the artillery 
 proved inadequate, and it was soon resolved by a council 
 of war to storm the city. J 
 
 The assault commenced during a furious snow storm, on 
 the evening of December 31st, at two difierent points^ — ^one 
 party being conducted by General Montgomery in j)erson ; 
 while the other was led on by Colonel Ai-nold. A third 
 division under Colonel Livingston and Major Brown, had 
 been directed to make a feint upon the walls to the south- 
 ward of St. John's Gate, and to set fire to the gate. The 
 
 * Graham, iv. 400. t Gordon, ii. I'J. i Gordon, ii. '20. 
 
238 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 commanding genera] entered the city at the head of his 
 division, and attacked t^.he guard-house ; but he was soon 
 killed, the officer who took command ordered a retreat, and 
 the wounded were carried off' to the camp. Meanwhile, 
 Arnold advanced rapidly under the fire of the besieged who 
 manned the walls ; but, being wounded in the leg, he was 
 carried to the hospital. Captain Morgan, a bold and resolute 
 officer, now took command ; but after a desperate struggle, 
 continued until day-light, the invasion was abandoned and 
 the retreat sounded. The Americans had lost, during the 
 night, in killed and wounded, about one hundred men, includ- 
 ing several officers of merit. The fall of Montgomery, was 
 especially deplored, not only by the army, but by the whole 
 country.* 
 
 The immediate command of the northern army now 
 devolved upon General Wooster. The reader has seen what 
 sufferings this gallant little band had undergone, and what 
 almost miraculous difficulties they had surmounted. But 
 worse than all the obstacles that nature had thrown in his 
 way — worse than the ravages of loathsome disease and the 
 barbarities practised by a savage foe — were the wounds inflic- 
 ted upon his delicate sensibilities by the insulting behavior of 
 his superior in rank and his most uncompromising enemy. 
 Snugly quartered at Albany, where Abercrombie had made 
 himself so comfortable during a most interesting period of 
 the last French war, with plenty of good cheer and little to 
 do, Schuyler had leisure to fan into new activity the embers 
 of his hatred to Wooster, that had never gone out in his 
 bosom. Had he been half as efficient in forwarding clothing 
 to cover the nakedness of the gallant troops under Wooster's 
 charge, to protect them against the sharp frosts and piercing 
 winds of Canada, or half as sedulous in sending provisions to 
 keep them from starving while they were vainly attempting 
 to starve the garrison at Quebec, as he was in torturing the 
 feelings and attempting to humble the pride of their leader, 
 
 * See Botta, Gordon, Graham. 
 
[1775.] WOOSTER AND SCHUYLER. 239 
 
 the result of that untoward expedition might have been 
 different. 
 
 With two thousand men under his command at that 
 unfortunate season of the year, without the ordinary neces- 
 saries of life, discouraged at the defeat that they had just 
 sustained, and heart-broken at the loss of Montgomery, 
 Wooster was called upon not only to keep possession of 
 Montreal and the other parts of Canada, that had been 
 traversed by the Americans, but also to spare men enough to 
 lay siege to Quebec, " the strongest fortified city on the 
 globe," and hold it against an enemy several times outnum- 
 bering his whole army. All this was to be done, too, without 
 a single artillery company, a battering train, a mortar, or an 
 engineer.* Eight hundred men was more than he ought to 
 have spared in an attempt upon Quebec. It was of course 
 impossible to storm this fortress with such a force, even had 
 they been provided with food, clothing, tents, artillery, and all 
 the other munitions that should have been at their command. 
 It was equally idle to think of besieging the place with 
 scarcely men enough to act as sentries. The best and only 
 thing he could do, was to blockade the garrison, and this he 
 did with a fortitude and i'aithfulness worthy of a cause which 
 had to contend against ditliculties that nature and art had 
 contributed to render insurmountable. f The worst of these 
 obstacles, as I have already said, was the conduct of General 
 Schuyler. It was not only insulting, but it was vascillating 
 and whimsical even to childishness. His orders contained 
 intimations and indirect charges of disobedience of former 
 orders, and abounded in the most insolently despotic com- 
 mands that could well be put upon paper. There was in 
 them a meddling and interfering spirit that was excessively 
 galling to the feelings of a high-toned man like Wooster. He 
 was not allowed to regulate even the most ordinary move- 
 ments of his army, nor to prescribe municipal regulations for 
 the temporary government of the towns that were in his 
 keeping, and for which he was to be held responsible. J 
 
 * Dcmiug, p. 40. t Dt'iTiing's Oration, p. 11. i Dcmiiig ; Gordon, &c. 
 
240 nisTor.Y or Connecticut. 
 
 With all these embarrassments, Wooster maintained his 
 position as faithfully as his superior officer persisted in his 
 abuses, until he was recalled. The opening of the spring 
 filled the St. Lawrence with ships and veteran troops, more 
 in number than those who had occupied Boston under Gen. 
 Gage, previous to the battle of Bunker Hill. In precipita- 
 tion and defeat, the army withdrew from a country that 
 could not have been reduced by Washington and his whole 
 army. Nor did the persecuting spirit of his accuser content 
 itself with private wrongs inflic^ted through the medium of 
 secret letters. He took- every occasion of traducing Woos- 
 ter in the presence of the officers of the army, and associa- 
 ted himself with Benedict Arnold, in representing him as a 
 coward. He even brought the matter home to the notice of 
 Congress, and charged Wooster with writing insolent letters 
 to him. Never did a more wanton and outrageous falsehood 
 pass for truth merely because it came from a respectable 
 source. Wooster's letters have since been given to the world, 
 and exhibit a spirit of kindness and forgiveness worthy of 
 more praise than they would otherwise deserve, were they 
 not contrasted with those that elicited them.* 
 
 Wooster now hastened to Philadelphia and insisted that his 
 conduct as leader of the army in Canada should be made the 
 subject of a critical examination by Congress. Then for the 
 first time throwing aside the reserve that had before marked 
 his demeanor, he addressed the President of Congress in the 
 following terms : 
 
 " The unjust severity and unmerited abuse with which I 
 have been assailed in the colonies by those who would remove 
 every obstacle to their own advancement, and the harsh 
 treatment I have received from some men)bers of the body 
 over which you preside, renders it necessary that I should 
 vindicate my administration of the army in Canada. The 
 honor of a soldier being the first thing he should defend, and 
 his honesty the last he should give up, his character is always 
 entitled to the protection of the virtuous and the good." 
 
 * See Wooster's and Schuyler's letters in Am. Archieves, vol. iv. fourth series. 
 
CHARACTER OF WOOSTER VINDICATED, 2-41 
 
 At his solicitation, a committee was appointed by Congress 
 to investigate the charges that had been made against him 
 by his enemies, who found them to be, as the voice of history 
 has long since declared them, groundless and unjust.* 
 
 * See Deming's Oration in which there is a very able examination of tlie conduct of this officer. 
 
 Note. — Mr. Deniing, has also kindly furnished me with a piece of testimony in relation to the 
 destruction of Rivington's press, of the most interesting character. This evidence cimies from the 
 pen of Captain Sears himself, in a letter addressed to Roger Sherman, Eliphalet Dyer, and Silas 
 Deane, Esquires, and is as follows : 
 
 " Nevviiaven, 28 November, 1~~'>. 
 
 "Gentlemen, — I have to inform you of an Expedition which I, with about 100 Volunteers from 
 this and the other Towns Westward in this Government, set out upon for New York &c., which 
 was to disarm Tories, and to deprive that Traitor to his Country James Rivington of the means of 
 circulating |)ison in print, the latter of which we happily effected by taking away his Types, and 
 which may be a great means of puting an end to the Tory Faction there, for his press hath been as 
 it were the very life and Soul of it — and I believe it wou'd not otherwise have been done, as there 
 are not Spirited and Leading men enough in N. York to undertake such a Business, or it wou'd 
 have been done long ago: and as there are many Enemies to the cause of Freedom, in that place, 
 it is most likely I shall meet with many Censures for undertaking such an Enterprise. 1 shall es- 
 teem it a particular favor to have your opinion upon the matter, and likewise to be inform'd how it 
 is relished by the Members of the Congress in general, and if it meets with their approbation I shall 
 not regard what others may say : I can assure you it is highly approved of by the People of this 
 Colony a few Tories excepted, and they are almost all Disarm'd by this time, and what of them 
 remains we expect in a few days to make a finish of; for which purpose I intend to set out with a 
 party one Day in this Week, for some of the Neighbouring Towns, when I expect we shall make a 
 finish of that in this Colony. And I could wish that a Sistem might be fallen upon tocompleat the 
 same in N. York and its Province. The people of Connectt. have gone a great way in Disarming 
 the Tories of N. York Government, but, what has been done was Voluntary and at their own pri- 
 vate ex|ience, which has been consideral)le, and it will in a measure Stoj) if a body of Men is not 
 raised for that purpose — the Number of 500 wou'd be sutlicent for the undertaking, and shoulil the 
 C Congress give an Order to this Government to raise that Number, under the Command of a Gen- 
 eral Officer, imting them under pay while in Actual Service, it is my opinion the Regiment might 
 be made up in two days after the commencement of Inlisting, and that of the principal Burgers of 
 the different Towns. I think a due attention to this by the Congress will be of no small Import- 
 ance, for if (he matter should not be carried into execution this Winter, it is my opinion that one 
 Half of the I'eopleof the City and Province of N. York will be ready to take up Arms against the 
 Country next Spring, and we have little else to do this Winter but to purge the Land of such Vil- 
 lains, which I think almost as necessary as the keeping up Standing Armies. 
 
 " In Case the Congress should order a Regirnt. raised for the purpose aforesaid, I wou'd recom- 
 mend it to be General throughout the Continent, but the Regiment of 500 Men for N. York, &c., 
 and when we go up on Lontr Island, it will be necessary to go with lOUO Men as the Tories there are 
 a considerable Majority, and well equipt — not less than 500 Sons of Liberty in N. York wou'd join 
 us were we to go on Long Island — and wou'd it not be expedient to take up and confine a few of 
 the principal Leading Men in the different Towns, who are notoriously Inimical to the Rights of 
 this Country"! for were that to be done it is reasonable to suppose many of the midling and lower 
 Class of People, now under the influence of such persons, wou'd become espousers of their Coun- 
 try's cause. For the particulars of our Expedition to N. York &c., I refer you to the N. Haven 
 Gazettee. 
 
 " I am sorry to tell you that the Teaholders in N. York have in general began to make Sale of 
 their Tea. I have not as yet sold one pound of mine, not shall I do it till the Congress grants Liberty 
 for the Sale of it — but shall think hard of it, es|iecially as I have spent so much money in the com- 
 mon Cause, if the Interest of je3000 in that Article should be sunk to me and my Son in Law, 
 which will be the Case, if I can't obtain leave from the Congress to dispose of it, therefore beg you'll 
 favor me with laying my Case before the Congress, and with your Influence in backing the same. 
 
 " I have heard that the Command of the Ships fiting out at Phila. is to be given to (Captain Hop- 
 kins, which I am much surprised at, for I judged that, that department was for me, which I had rea- 
 son tr) expect from the hints given me by many of the Members of the Congress, but it is too often 
 the case, when a Man has done the most he gets the least reward. It is not for thej^ucre of gain that 1 
 want the Command of a Squadron in the American Navy, but it is because I know myself capable 
 of the Station, and because 1 think 1 can do my Country more Service in that dejjartment than ia 
 any other— the Congress's not thinking proper to fix that Honor upon me, will by no means make 
 me inactive in the (,'ause we are ail engaged in, but cou'd wish nothing had been said about my 
 being appointed to the Command, for it has spread thro' the Country, that whenever a Navy were 
 lited out by tlie Congress, I should have the Chief Command, but that not being the Case may tend 
 to reflect (lishonoron me. 
 
 " I am with Esteem, Gentlemen, Your most Ilble Servt., 
 
 " Isaac Sears 
 " Roger Sherman, Esqr., Eliphl. Dyer, Esqr., Silas Deane, Esqr." 
 
 48 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE BRITISH EVACUATE BOSTON. 
 
 The difficulties that surrounded General Washington dur- 
 ing the fall of 1775 and in the winter of 1775-6, can hardly 
 be imagined. More was demanded of him by the Congress 
 than he could possibly perform with the humble resources 
 that he had at his command. Ignorant of the art of war, 
 the members composing that body were totally unfitted to 
 designate what course ought to be pursued, and unable to 
 set a proper estimate upon the obstacles that were to be sur- 
 mounted. Without being aware of the difference between 
 raw militia and British regulars, they urged home upon him 
 in the most pressing terms, the necessity of making an early 
 attempt to drive the British army from Boston. Out of 
 respect to this suggestion, rather than because he supposed 
 it would be practicable to carry it out, he called a council 
 of war on the 18th of October, and laid the matter before 
 the officers of the army. With one voice they pronounced 
 the proposition, in the state of afiairs then existing, totally 
 impracticable. The Congress was no less ignorant in regard 
 to the amount of money that would be needed to maintain 
 an army in the field, to say nothing of the necessary outfit 
 and equipments that might in some instances be expected to 
 be supplied by the colonies to the quota of troops that they 
 respectively furnished. Gradually, however, they learned 
 to reason more correctly, and near the close of September 
 they appointed a committee, consisting of three of their own 
 body, to confer with Washington, Governor Trumbull of 
 Connecticut, and with the authorities of IMassachusetts, 
 Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and other colonies, to hit 
 upon some well-digested plan of continuing, supporting, and 
 regulating a continental army. 
 
[1776.] DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED. 243 
 
 Under the critical supervision of sucli men as Washington, 
 Trumbull, and Franklin, who was a member of the con^res- 
 sional committee, the aspect of afTairs soon changed. Still 
 there was such a want of ammunition, that on the first of 
 January, 1776, Washington wrote, "It is not perhaps in the 
 power of history to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a 
 post within musket-shot of the enemy for six months together 
 without [powder,]* and at the same time to disband one 
 army and recruit another within that distance of twenty 
 odd British regiments, is more than probably was ever 
 attempted. "f 
 
 The winter set in with severity, but it proved, after a few 
 days of extremely cold weatiier, to be quite mild, so much so 
 that during this month, Colonel Moylan wrote from "the 
 camp at Cambridge, " The bay is open. Everything thaws 
 here except ' Old Put.' He is still as hard as ever, crying 
 out for powder — powder — ye gods, give us powder !"J 
 
 The troubles in New York did not end with the destruc- 
 tion of Rivingston's press. The city and neighborhood 
 were not at all congenial to the taste of Captain Sears, who 
 thought it prudent to seek a residence among his friends in 
 Connecticut. § He had not remained long in his new abode 
 when he began to entertain fears lest General Clinton, who 
 was evidently making preparations to go upon some expedi- 
 tion, might attempt to take possession of New York. He 
 hastened to Cambridge and sought an interview with Wash- 
 ington. He described the exposed situation of the place, 
 the disposition of many of its princi})al citizens, and entreat- 
 ed that measures might be taken to secure it without delay. 
 Washington felt as keenly as any one could do the impor- 
 
 *Thi8 word was prudently left out kst tlio letter might happen to fall into the 
 hanils of the enemy. 
 
 + Sparks' Life of Washington. J Frotliinr^ham, 295. 
 
 § Captain Sear.s had now become a resident of New Haven. At the Decem- 
 ber session of the General Assembly of Connecticut, 1775, Colonel David Wa- 
 terbury and Captain Isaac Sears were appointed a committee to incjuire after a 
 suii'ible vessel, to be armed and improved in defense of the colony, and to report 
 as to the cost of purchasing or chartering the same. 
 
244 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 tance of such a step, but was obliged to answer that he had 
 no troops to spare. 
 
 Sears then proposed that General Washington should 
 write a letter to Governor Trumbull of Connecticut, desir- 
 ing him to raise two regiments for this service.* 
 
 About the same time there arrived a letter from General 
 Lee, urging upon General Washington the necessity of this 
 enterprise. "New York," wrote Lee, in his positive manner, 
 " New York must be secured ; but it will never, I am afraid, 
 be secured by direct order of Congress, for obvious reasons. 
 I propose that you should detach me into Connecticut, and 
 lend your name for collecting a body of volunteers. I am 
 assured that I shall find no difficulty in assembling a sufficient 
 nuiiber for the purpose wanted. This measure I think abso- 
 lutely necessary to our salvation ; and if it meets with 
 your approbation, the sooner it is entered upon the better. 
 Indeed the delay of a single day may be fatal." The advice 
 of John Adams also was to the same effect. It appeared 
 that a large body of tories upon Long Island were intrench- 
 ing themselves for the avowed object of opposing the move- 
 ments of the American army, and that there was a large 
 number of them in the city who only waited to be rein- 
 forced. The Jersey troops had been already ordered to 
 muster there. f 
 
 General Washington readily fell in with this measure. 
 As soon as the dispatches were made ready, Captain Sears 
 started with them for Connecticut. Governor Trumbull 
 received him very courteously, and without delay called 
 together the Committee of Safety, and laid the proposition 
 before them. They were all in favor of it, and such was 
 the speed with which the governor hurried forward the 
 expedition, that by the time General Lee had arrived at 
 Stamford, the two regiments, Colonel Waterbury's and Colo- 
 nel Ward's, were ready to march. Lee hastened on to 
 New Haven, and while there wrote another letter to the 
 
 * Gordon ii. 14, 1.5. t Gordon. 
 
[1770.] GENERAL LEE PROCEEDS TO NEW YORK. 2-i5 
 
 commander-in-chief, bearing date the 16th of January. An 
 extract from this letter will serve to show what was the 
 political complexion of New York at that time : 
 
 "I shall send immediately an express to Congress inform- 
 ing them of my situation, and at the same time conjuring 
 them not to suffer the accursed Provincial Congress of New 
 York to defeat measures so absolutely necessary to our salva- 
 tion."* 
 
 By the 22d of the same month, Lee had collected at 
 Stamford twelve hundred Connecticut troops. Even then 
 the New York Committee of Safety was totally opposed to 
 their being led into the city, and wrote him an urgent letter 
 to that effect. 
 
 As Lee was kept at Stamford for awhile by an attack of 
 the gout, and as Colonel Waterbury was already in New 
 York, Lee ordered Captain Sears to conduct Waterbury 's 
 regiment to the city without delay. At Kingsbridge Sears 
 was met by a deputation of citizens, v.ho begged him not to 
 advance any further, as the enemy had threatened to burn 
 the city should he enter it with his troops. Sears replied 
 by informing them what orders he had received, and con- 
 tinued his march. As he drew nearer New York, a second 
 company of commissioners met him, and used all the argu- 
 ments that they could command to induce him to keep aloof 
 from the city ; but he kept on as rapidly as he could. When 
 he arrived there he found the citizens in great confusion and 
 alarm. 
 
 On the 4th of February, General Lee followed, and 
 reached New York within two hours after General Clinton, 
 in the Mercuiy, with a single transport brig, arrived at the 
 Hook. 
 
 The coming of these two vessels threw the town into 
 such consternation, that, although it was Sunday, the inhabi- 
 tants spent the whole day and the following night in remov- 
 ing their effects to a place of safety. Clinton had touched 
 at the Hook without the least intention of landing at New 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 15. 
 
24:6 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 York. His only object in stopping there at all, was doubt- 
 less to have an interview with Governor Tryon, and see 
 whether anything could be suggested by that worthy that 
 would be likely to strengthen the British interest in New 
 York. Indeed, he had only a handful of grenadiers and 
 light infantry with him ; not enough to make even a respect- 
 able show against the two regiments from Connecticut, who 
 would have given the coats off their backs, inclement as 
 the season was, to have come within musket range of them, 
 or within boarding distance of their ships. To lull the fears 
 of the people, rather than because he apprehended any 
 danger of such an event taking place, General Lee gave the 
 following public notice to whomsoever it might concern : 
 " If the men of war set one house on fire in consequence of 
 my coming, I will chain one hundred of their friends together 
 by the neck and make the house \.\\e\v funeral pile."* Not 
 knowing which of their number would be selected by Gene- 
 ral Lee to swell the roll of martyrdom, and most of them 
 not being stimulated by the desire of becoming historical, 
 the tories were for a long time kept quiet by this manifesto. 
 While Clinton remained at the Hook, several important 
 works were erected for the defense of the city. 
 
 Meanwhile the great chief of the American army, labor- 
 ing under every disadvantage, with the fortitude of Fabias 
 and the elevated courage of Hampden, strengthened his 
 position and kept the enemy in Boston, in a state of actual 
 blockade. Without allowing himself to be led into any rash 
 measures, he yet omitted no opportunity to annoy the enemy 
 and cut off tneir supplies. 
 
 It had been observed that there were in Charlestown a 
 number of dwellings used by the British as store-houses. On 
 the 8th of February, Washington ordered Major Knowlton, 
 of Ashford, who had so signally distinguished himself at the 
 Battle of Bunker Hill, to take with him one hundred men 
 from Connecticut, cross over to Charlestown, and destroy 
 those buildings. Knowlton, with one hundred picked men, 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 15, 16. 
 
[177G.] A FARCE AND TRAGEDY. 247 
 
 crossed over upon the ice between Cobble Hill and Bunker 
 Hill, stole silently down the street on the westerly side of 
 the hill that must forever be associated with his fame, 
 destroyed the houses and brought oil' the guns that had been 
 deposited there. The whole enterprise was accomplished in 
 in less than one hour, and the buildings were destroyed in 
 the face of a heavy fire of musketry iVom the garrison at 
 Bunker Hill, without the loss of a man. Major Knowlton 
 little dreamed what alarm this nocturnal bonfire was to occa- 
 sion in Boston. 
 
 Notwithstanding the sickness that prevailed among the 
 British troops. General Howe and his officers resorted to 
 every expedient to while away the sluggish months of winter, 
 and especially to persuade themselves that Washington was 
 mistaken in supposing that he kept them in a state of block- 
 ade. To kill time, and continue this agreeable delusion, 
 they resorted to balls and the attractions of the theatre. On 
 the night of the 8th of February they had witnessed the 
 exhibition of a popular drama called " the Busy Body," and 
 had already shifted the scenes for the introduction of a farce 
 entitled, " The blockade of Boston," said to have been com- 
 posed by General Burgoyne, who added to his accomplish- 
 ments as a soldier and a gentleman, the graceful finish of 
 polite literature. To the infinite delight of the audience, 
 the figure designed to represent General Washington had 
 just appeared upon the boards, adorned with a great wig, 
 armed with a long rusty sword, and attended by way of 
 body guard by a single orderly sergeant with a corroded gun 
 on his shoulder about seven feet in length. Suddenly a new 
 party appeared upon the stage. It was one of the regular 
 British sergeants in uniform. Throwing down his bayonet 
 by way of arresting attention, he called out in a voice that 
 had quite too much of tragedy in its tone to be introduced 
 into a farce, " TJie Ycmkees are atiacking Biuiker Hill !"* 
 
 With those who were unacquainted with the piece, this 
 readily passed for a part of the performance. Not so with 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 19. 
 
248 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 General Howe. He instantly sprang to his feet and exclaim- 
 ed, "Officers, to your alarm posts." This order, followed by 
 the shrieks and fainting-fits of those fair ladies present, who 
 had still a vivid recollection of the horrors of the 17th of 
 June, dispelled the fascinations even of such a muse as 
 Burgoyne's. Rushing into the streets, they saw the flames 
 of the burning houses, and heard the report of muskets. It 
 was not until morning that harmony was restored to the 
 town. Nor were the British officers unanimous in the opin- 
 ion that Boston was not after all in a state of " blockade," 
 
 The incident just related is only one among many that 
 might be named in which the American commander gave 
 General Howe good cause to wish that he had left Boston 
 before winter had set in, as the British admiral had advised 
 him to do. He now found himself in a condition far from 
 comfortable. He could hardly get vegetables and fresh pro- 
 visions enough for the table of the officers, in spite of all the 
 efforts made by the British ministry to forward them from 
 England. Many of the ships laden with those articles, as 
 well as with live stock, porter, and other necessaries and 
 luxuries, never reached their destination. Some were taken 
 by the Americans and others were blown oft' from the New 
 England coast by the violence of the north-west winds. Of 
 forty transports only eight had arrived. As a natural 
 consequence the common soldiers suffered for want of food, 
 and fell sick and died in great numbers.* 
 
 The radical defects in General Howe's management of the 
 army, grew out of the false estimate that he put upon the 
 character of his adversaries. Like many other men of true 
 merit, he was unable to distinguish between the appearances 
 and the realities that surrounded him. He could not be 
 persuaded that men could fight well and keep the field 
 through the tedious months of a New England winter, unless 
 they were dressed in handsome uniform and provided with 
 all the munitions of war. He could call men who fought in 
 home-spun coats and checked shirts nothing but peasants, 
 
 * Gordon. 
 
[1776.] PROPOSED ATTACK ON BOSTON. 249 
 
 and he had been bred up to beUeve that a company of 
 British marines could drive a regiment of peasants from one 
 end of the continent to the other. 
 
 Actuated by this behef, at 4 o'clock on the morning of 
 the 14th of February, he sent about five hundred men under 
 command of Colonel Leslie, with orders to cross on the ice 
 to Dorchester neck and burn some houses that were stand- 
 ing there, in the expectation that the American officers 
 would be thrown into a state of confusion at sight of the 
 flames, and that large reinforcements would be sent over 
 from Roxbury to give a check to this nocturnal movement. 
 So confident was he that such would be the result, that he 
 spent the whole night in getting a large body of troops in 
 readiness to make a sudden attack upon the American lines, 
 as soon as they should be thus partially deserted. But at 
 day-break he saw the men as usual at their alarm posts, and 
 did not think it prudent to make the attempt. 
 
 General Washington had long been desirous of bringing 
 on an engagement with the enemy, as soon as the ice should 
 be firm enough to admit of his crossing over from Cambridge 
 to Boston with his army. On the 16th of February, he laid 
 before the council of war a written proposition and question 
 couched in these terms: "A stroke well aimed at this 
 critical juncture may put a final period to the war, and 
 restore peace and tranquility so much to be wished for ; and 
 therefore lohetlier, part of Cambridge and Roxbury bays 
 being frozen over, a general assault should not be made on 
 Boston ? " * 
 
 This important question was debated by the officers in 
 council with entire freedom and great ability. It appeared, 
 from the form in which the question was put, as well as 
 from his remarks in council, that Washington was in favor 
 of making the attempt. He was strongly seconded by 
 Putnam, who was of the opinion that some bold step ought 
 to be taken, that the enemy would be found off their guard, 
 and might be easily driven from the town. Indeed, this had 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 24. 
 
250 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 long been the sentiment that pervaded the ranks of the Con- 
 necticut troops, who knew that the inhabitants of the colony 
 which they represented, were anxious that something should 
 be done that would bring the war to a speedy close. 
 
 But General Ward, who always preferred to err on the 
 side of prudence, and General Gates, who usually made a 
 virtue of dissenting from any opinion that was advanced by 
 Washington, were decidedly opposed to the measure, and it 
 was voted down. When we remember how little General 
 Howe expected of the American army, and how the British 
 officers were in the habit of spending their nights, we are 
 disposed to think that the plan proposed by Washington and 
 advocated by Putnam would have resulted in driving the 
 enemy from Boston, and would have put a speedy termina- 
 tion to tlie war. 
 
 The next best plan that seemed at all practicable, was the 
 one advanced by General Ward, of getting possession of 
 Dorchester Heights, and driving the enemy into an engage- 
 ment. This proposition was agreed upon, and the manage- 
 ment of the affair was committed to General Ward, General 
 Thomas of Massachusetts, and General Spencer of Connec- 
 ticut, who had the command in that quarter. The militia 
 now began to pour in from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and 
 the other New England colonies, and the preparations for 
 this important military movement went forward so rai)idly 
 and so openly, that fears began to be entertained that the 
 British generals would suspect the object of their coming and 
 anticipate it.* 
 
 General Spencer, and the officers and soldiers from Con- 
 necticut who were under him, made very vigorous exertions 
 in laboring night and day when the weather would permit. 
 By the 26th of February, they had got in readiness forty- 
 five batteaux large enough to carry eighty men each, and 
 two floating batteries, stationed at the mouth of Cambridge 
 river, so that they might throw a large body of troops into 
 the west of Boston should the enemy dispatch a correspond- 
 
 * See Gordon. 
 
[177C.] WASHINGTON CANNONADES BOSTON. 251 
 
 ine: number of men for Dorchester Heisihts. A council of 
 war was now called to hit upon the time for the attempt. 
 
 It was finally suggested that the sally should be made on 
 the night of the 4th of March, as it was believed that the 
 action would in that event take place on the 5th, a day most 
 inspiring to the New England soldiers, as it was the anniver- 
 sary of the Boston Massacre.* Colonel Miillin, the Quarter- 
 Master-General, not only proposed that time, but advocated 
 it against the powerful influence of General Gates. After a 
 long debate, that night was selected by a majority of only 
 one vote.f 
 
 Among other provisions for this nocturnal exploit, the sur- 
 geons prepared two thousand bandages for broken limbs and 
 other dangerous wounds. The sight of these suggestive 
 preparations did not in the least dampen the ardor of the 
 troops, who looked forward to the coming engagement with- 
 out a siiadow of apprehension as to its success. J 
 
 To divert the attention of General Howe from his real 
 design, Washington opened a heavy cannonade upon the 
 town on the night of the 2d of March, from batteries 
 that had been erected upon Cobble Hill, Lechmere Point, 
 and Roxbury. This firing was kept up all that night and 
 the two succeeding ones. The cannon, mortars and howit- 
 zers had many of them been taken by the enterprise of 
 Connecticut at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and brought 
 over while the lakes were frozen, to speak their first notes 
 in behalf of American liberty. Sliells, too, and shot, had 
 been furnished from his majesty's store and ordnance brig 
 at New York, in such quantities that the British were aston- 
 ished at the din that seemed to indicate that the rebels were 
 provided with inexhaustible supplies of ammunition. On 
 the night of the 4th of jMarch, the cannon and mortars 
 opened furiously upon the town, and wei'e answered by the 
 shot and shells from the British batteries. § 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 25. +Botta, i. 315. i Gordon. §Seo Botta, i. 315 ; 
 
 Gordon, ii. 26. 
 
252 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 A covering party of eight hundred men now moved for- 
 ward ; next followed ox-carts loaded with intrenching tools, 
 and then the main body of working men to the number of 
 twelve hundred, under the immediate command of General 
 Thomas ; next in order came a second train of carts to the 
 number of three hundred, piled high with fascines and 
 bundles of pressed hay, each weighing about eight hundred 
 pounds. These last were placed on the low ground of Dor- 
 chester neck, on the side next to the enemy, as a protection 
 for the troops in passing over it. As the plan had been 
 matured under the calm eye of Washington, and had 
 received all the impetus that could be imparted to it by 
 such men as Putnam, Thomas, and Spencer, its execution 
 exhibited the combined elements of regularity and force in 
 equal perfection.* 
 
 The silent celerity of the party affords a striking contrast 
 to the booming guns that are now discharged with redoubled 
 violence, and the shells that seem, at irregular intervals, to 
 set the very heavens on fire as they burst and drop their 
 harsh fragments upon the gray ice or hollow ground. As 
 soon as the covering party came upon the ground, it divi- 
 ded — half of the men advancing to that point nearest to 
 Boston, and the other half to that next to the castle. The 
 roads were well crusted over by the continued action of the 
 frost, and the teamsters with their long whips and urgent 
 whispers plied their oxen with such success, that many of 
 them made three trips, and some four, during the 
 night. The wind favored the intrenching party so much, 
 that whatever noise was made in driving the stakes, and 
 breaking through the crusts of the ground, was blown into 
 the harbor, between the castle and the town. The old 
 engineer, Gridley, who had laid out the redoubt on Breed's 
 Hill, superintended the works, and it is needless to say, that 
 they were placed in the right spot to annoy both town and 
 castle. By 10 o'clock at night the two parties had erected 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 26 : Botta, i. 316. 
 
[177C).] ASTONISHMENT OF GENERAL HOWE. 253 
 
 each a fort, that aflbrded a perfect screen agahist musket 
 balls and grape shot.* 
 
 The night was warm and mild, and they kept on working 
 merrily till three in the morning, when they were relieved. 
 Throughout the whole of that night a soft moonlight shone 
 mildly in the faces of the intrenching party, while a thick 
 haze clinging around the shoulders of the heights and inter- 
 posing its dun masses between them and the town, hid their 
 summits from the sight of the British sentinels and officers 
 looking out from their posts of observation, in confused 
 bewilderment, at the sound of so many guns and the burst- 
 ing of the shells. 
 
 It was not until after day-break that General Howe was 
 made aware of the change that had been efiected during the 
 night. As he looked up at the forts through the skirts of the 
 fog that was now fast melting into thin air, they seemed to be 
 much larger than they really were. It is not surprising that 
 those castles in the air filled him with astonishment, and that 
 he exclaimed in his perplexity, " I know not what I shall do ; 
 the rebels have done more in one night than my whole 
 army would have done in months ;"f nor that in his cooler 
 moments he wrote to Lord Dartmouth, — " It must have 
 been the employment of at least twelve thousand men." 
 His officers saw the work through the same misty medium, 
 as one of them expressed himself in a letter to a friend, — 
 " They were raised with an expedition equal to that of the 
 Genii belonging to Aladdin's wonderful Lamp."J But after 
 all, whether seen in the haze of morning, or in the light of 
 noon, it was obvious that they were likely to prove trouble- 
 some to the town ; and what was worse, Admii-al Shuldham 
 was not backward in expressing a decided opinion that the 
 fleet must quit the harbor, or the Americans must be driven 
 from the heights. 
 
 Such a military leader as General Howe could not hesitate 
 a moment what course to pursue. He knew what was expect- 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 26, 27. t Gordon, ii. 27. i Frothingham, 295. 
 
254 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 ed of him by the British Government, and resolved not to dis- 
 appoint the hopes of the ministry. Besides, he had much 
 of personal honor and character at stake, and he was one 
 of those heroic natures that prefer death to disgrace. With 
 such an army as he had under his command, with such a 
 train of artillery, and after all his written assurances of the 
 weakness of the enemy, to be driven by them from his 
 winter-quarters, would be mortifying beyond endurance. 
 He determined, thereft)re, to attack the new forts with a 
 force adequate to drive the Americans from them. He 
 ordered two thousand four hundred men to embark in 
 transports, repair to castle William, and at night make an 
 attack upon the works. These were the best men in the 
 army, and were committed to the charge of Earl Percy, the 
 very pattern and mirror of chivalry.* 
 
 Washington had made his arrangements with the precis- 
 ion that marked all his movements. Boston is so placed at 
 the foot of high hills and commanding ridges, that he could 
 see every step taken by the British in the camp, in the 
 batteries, and upon the wharves. He had also established 
 between Cambridge and Roxbury, signals upon the eminen- 
 ces, by means of which he could instantly convey intelli- 
 gence from Dorchester Heights to Roxbury, and from Rox- 
 bury to Cambridge. It had been arranged that in case a 
 detachment of the enemy should leave Boston for the 
 intrenchments and be defeated, as they inevitably must have 
 been, the tidings should be instantly sent to Cambridge, 
 where General Putnam, with four thousand choice troops, 
 arranged in two divisions under Sullivan and Greene, was to 
 be in readiness to embark in boats near the mouth of Charles 
 river, and under cover of three floating batteries, make an 
 attack upon Boston. The first of these divisions was to 
 land at the powder-house and get possession of Beacon Hill, 
 while Greene was to land near Barton's Point, secure that 
 post, and then joining Sullivan, break down the gates and let 
 
 *Frothingham, 299 ; Eotta, i. 317. 
 
1776.] PREPARATIONS FOR AN ATTACK, 255 
 
 in the troops from Roxbury.* The inhabitants of the 
 neighborhood now began to assemble on the tops of the 
 hills, as they had done on the morning of the 17th of 
 June.f 
 
 Washington was in high spirits at the admirable work- 
 ing of his plan, and, elated with the prospect of an imme- 
 diate encfa2;ement, went himself to Dorchester Heifihts, 
 and inspected the works. He found them already in a state 
 of formidable completeness. The sides of the hills were 
 very steep, making the ascent diflicult, and rows of 
 barrels filled with earth were placed in front of the works, 
 secured by small stones and ready to be rolled down upon 
 the advancing columns of the enemy. J 
 
 Meanwhile, Earl Percy's detachment advanced to the 
 landing place, where the transports awaited them. They 
 are observed to look pale and dejected, and a man in front 
 of whose door they are drawn up, hears them muttering to 
 each other, as they look up towards the heights, " It will be 
 another Bunker Hill affair, or worse." As they get into the 
 boats, the Americans, not doubting but they intend to make 
 an immediate attack, clap their hands with eager joy, while 
 Washington, with a face suddenly transformed from the 
 expression of grave earnestness that had before marked his 
 demeanor, to that of a fierce and terrible avenger, cried out 
 in a voice that rang like a silver bugle along the American 
 lines, " Remember — it is the fifth of March — and avenge the 
 deatli of your brethren f The effect of this speech was 
 tremendous, as those transitions always were by which this 
 wonderful man passed on such occasions in an instant from 
 one mood to another so totally different. § 
 
 Putnam had already drawn up his men in battle order, 
 and with the small stock of patience that he could command, 
 awaited the signal from Cambridge that was to bring him 
 
 * General Heath was offered the command of one of these divisions, but de- 
 clined it ; "and remained," says Gordon, " in perfect safety with the troops left 
 In Cambridge." 
 
 t Gordon. { Botta, i. 317. § See Gordon, Botta, Frothingham. 
 
256 ■' HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 with his four thousand men to a point where he could exhibit 
 to British regulars the efficiency of American marksmen, 
 when provided with that gift of the gods that he had so ear- 
 nestly prayed for during the early part of the winter — an 
 abundance of " powder." But he, as well as his superior 
 officers, was doomed to disappointment. In the afternoon, 
 the wind blew so violently that the transports could not be 
 brought near the shore, and the boats could not have lived a 
 moment in the surf that rolled against the rocks where they 
 proposed to land. Three of the transports were driven 
 ashore. A storm succeeded that night, such as had not been 
 known to rage on the coast for years ; and towards the 
 morning it began to rain with great violence.* 
 
 On the 6th, General Howe called a council of war, and it 
 was soon agreed that there was now left to the army no 
 other course than to evacuate the town as speedily as possi- 
 ble. General Howe advised to the measure, and made a 
 speech to the council in favor of it, as the only means now 
 left to them of saving the fleet and army. 
 
 The morning of the 7th opened with hurry and prepara- 
 tion. This bustle was not confined to the troops. The 
 tories shared in it, and were as little anxious to quit the warm 
 nest where they had spent the winter, as the troops them- 
 selves. They had a great deal of baggage to carry with 
 them, and there were so many in the town that General 
 Howe found he had not vessels enough to accommodate all 
 his passengers. f 
 
 On the 8th a flag was sent out from the selectmen to 
 General Washington, informing him that General Howe was 
 about to depart, and that he was disposed to leave the town 
 standing, if he could be assured that the American army 
 would not interrupt him while he was making ready to 
 embark. Washington received the deputation with kindness, 
 but refused to make any pledges, though he expressed friend- 
 ly feelings towards the inhabitants of Boston. The news 
 
 * " Siege of Boston," p. 300. + Gordon, ii. 29. 
 
[177G.] HOWE PREPARES TO EVACUATE BOSTON, 257 
 
 that Howe had determhied to evacuate Boston, fell heavily 
 upon the hearts of the tories. " Not tiie last trump," wrote 
 Washington, in his nervous, strong style, "could have struck 
 them with greater consternation."* 
 
 The British ships now gathered around tiie town in liostile 
 array, tiireatening to destroy it should any demonstration be 
 made from the American forts. Washington, on the 9th, 
 went forward to Bird's Hill, and erected a new battery that 
 was in fearful proximity to the British ships. On the night 
 of the 9th, a detachment was sent to throw up works on 
 Nook's Hill. This so alarmed General Howe that he opened 
 a heavy cannonade upon it, which was kept up all night.f 
 In the morning, he began to hasten his preparations for de- 
 parture. Then followed for several days, in defiance of his 
 orders, a series of robberies and plunderings under the super- 
 intendence of a New York tory,J that did more than any 
 thing before had done toward informing the citizens which 
 party were their real friends. All this time, Washington 
 was in doubt whether the British General really intended to 
 quit the town. On the night of the 13th, he called a coun- 
 cil of war at Roxbury, where he met Ward, Putnam, Thomas, 
 Sullivan, Heath, Greene, and Gates. It was resolved that if 
 Boston was not evacuated the next day, to fortify Nook's 
 Hill on the following night. It was also determined that the 
 rifle battalion and five regiments should march the next day 
 for New York. These regiments were under command of 
 Stark, Webb, Patterson, Greaton, and Bond.§ 
 
 On the night of the IGth, Washington sent an intrenching 
 party to Nook's Hill, that began in good earnest to fortify it. 
 The British ships opened upon them and kept up a continued 
 fire all night. The Americans did not return it, but kept on 
 
 * Frothingham, 301, 302. The British general seemed to have a special 
 regard for the royalists, whose hospitahty he had so often shared, and now he 
 souirlit to reciprocate their favors in various ways. 
 
 t Frotliinghani, 30,'). " More than eight hundred shot were fired during the 
 night. Five Americans were killed, and the works at Nook's Hill were sus- 
 pended." 
 
 X Crcan Brush, Esq. §" Siege of Boston," p. 309. 
 
 49 
 
258 HISTORY OF CONN"ECTICUT. 
 
 with their work. This resolute step brought matters to a 
 crisis. Early on the morning of the 17th General Howe 
 began to embark his army. At 9 o'clock the garrison left 
 Bunker Hill, and the British and tories began to swarm upon 
 the wharves. The troops stationed at Cambridge and Rox- 
 bury now paraded. General Putnam at the head of several 
 regiments soon after embarked in boats on Charles river, and 
 joyfully took possession of Bunker Hill. He ordered another 
 detachment into Boston, while the rest of the troops marched 
 back to Cambridge.* 
 
 Meanwhile, General Ward, with five hundred men under 
 the immediate command of Colonel Learned, entered the 
 town from the Roxbury side. The command of the whole 
 was assigned to General Putnam, who proceeded to take 
 possession of all the posts and strongholds in the neighbor- 
 hood, in the name of " The Thirteen United Colonies of 
 North America."! More than one thousand tories, includ- 
 ing members of the council, custom-house officers, commis- 
 sioners, and all the other parasites that climb around the 
 columns of provincial dominion, together with the British 
 commander-in-chief and his baffled army of eleven thousand 
 veteran troops, witnessed from the decks of their ships this 
 spectacle, so mortifying to them, but so glorious to the thou- 
 sands who looked down from the neighboring hills, and rent 
 the sky with the charmed word, " Liberty." 
 
 * Frothingham. t Froth'mgham, 310. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 BATTLE ON LONG ISLAND. 
 
 As a part of the hostile fleet hngered for some ten days 
 in Nantasket Roads, about nine miles below Boston, Wash- 
 ington still remained there with the main body of his army. 
 It was not until the Inst vestige of the enemy had disappear- 
 ed, that he deemed it safe to spare Putnam from the camp, 
 where he still proposed to remain for awhile, until he could 
 perfect a plan of operations for the opening campaign. It 
 was now obvious that the enemy were bound for New York, 
 where General Heath, who had been dispatched by the way 
 of Norwich, with the whole body of riflemen and five bat- 
 talions of the continental army, had already arrived. It was 
 of course necessary, after leaving a suitable garrison at 
 Boston to complete the works that had been begun 
 there and to protect the place, that the main body of the 
 army should be sent forward to New York as speedily as it 
 could be done without confusion, in order that the works 
 which had been abandoned by General Lee might be finish- 
 ed, and preparations made upon a scale adequate to repel 
 the invasion of the enemy. On the 29th of March, there- 
 fore, Washington ordered General Sullivan with six battal- 
 ions to begin their march for this new field of operations. 
 Provisions were also made that the rest of the army should 
 follow in divisions, at such intervals as would be found 
 most convenient to provide accommodations for them on 
 their march. On the same day, he gave General Putnam 
 written instructions to hasten to New York, take the com- 
 mand of the army there, and superintend the completion of 
 the works. He was ordered to fortify the city, and secure 
 " the passes of the East and North rivers."* The confi- 
 
 * Humphreys, p. 10'2, 103. 
 
260 niSTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 dence reposed in tlie bravery and skill of Putnam by the 
 commander-in-chief, and the deep affectionate interest that 
 he felt in him, is beautifully exhibited in the following con- 
 cise yet delicate paragraphs : 
 
 " Your long service and experience will, better than my 
 particular directions at this distance, point out to you the 
 w^orks most proper to be first raised ; and your perseverance, 
 activity and zeal will lead you, without my recom- 
 mending it, to exert every nerve to disappoint the enemy's 
 designs. 
 
 " Devoutly praying that the Power which has hitherto 
 sustained the American arms, may continue to bless them 
 w^ith the divine protection, I bid you Farewell."* 
 
 Thus invested with the most important charge in the con- 
 tinental army, Putnam, by those long forced stages of his, in 
 which he surpassed all other military leaders of that day, 
 hastened to his destination. He found everything in New 
 York in a state of disorder. Although the war had already 
 raged for nearly a year, yet the British ships found no 
 difficulty in supplying themselves from the town with an 
 abundance of fresh water and provisions. 
 
 Scarcely had Putnam arrived there, when he resolved to 
 put an end to this intercourse. With this view he published 
 the following prohibition : 
 
 " Head Quarte7's, Nciu York, April 8, 1776 
 " The General informs the inhabitants, that it is become 
 absolutely necessary that all communication between the 
 ministerial fleet and the shore should be immediately stop- 
 ped ; for that purpose he has given positive orders, that the 
 ships should no longer be furnished with provisions. Any 
 inhabitants, or others, who shall be taken, that have been on 
 board, after the publishing this order, or near any of the 
 ships, or going on board, will be considered as enemies, and 
 treated accordingly. 
 
 "All boats are to sail from Beekman slip. Captain James 
 * Humphreys' Life of Putnam, p. 104. 
 
[177G.] PUTNA^r AXD SPENCER IN NEW YOEK. 261 
 
 Alner is appointed inspector, and will give permits to oyster- 
 men. It is ordered and expected that none attempt going 
 
 without a pass. 
 
 " Israel Putnam, 
 
 "Major-General in the Continental Army, 
 
 and Commander-in-chief of the forces in New York."* 
 
 It was soon evident that a living soul had at last been 
 breathed into the army at New York. Almost at the same 
 instant, Putnam forwarded a detachment of one thousand 
 continental troops to occupy Governor's Island, a regiment 
 to fortify Red Hook, and several companies of riflemen to 
 protect the Jersey shore. The enemy soon found that it 
 was impossible for them to go ashore for food and water. 
 Of two boats that made the attempt to get fresh water, one 
 was driven off the shore by the riflemen, with two or 
 three men killed, and the other was captured with its whole 
 crew. 
 
 Within a very few days Captain Vanderput, the senior 
 officer of the ships stationed there, and who had immediate 
 command of the Asia, (whose cabin was for a long time, the 
 state saloon of His Excellency, Governor Tryon,) finding it 
 impossible to submit to the scanty accommodations allowed 
 him by Putnam, weighed anchor and sailed off' with the 
 whole fleet in disgust, so that when Washington arrived, 
 about the middle of April, not a British sail was to be seen 
 in the waters that surrounded New York. In the most 
 hearty terms Washington thanked him for his promptness 
 and fidelity. He was ordered to take the chief agency as 
 before of the fortifications, and with the assistance of Briga- 
 dier-General Spencer, of Connecticut, and Lord Sterling, of 
 New Jersey, to assign to the different corps of the main 
 army all the alarm posLs.'f 
 
 While Connecticut is thus represented in a neighboring 
 province by Putnam, Spencer, and others of her brave sons, 
 who are seen to play a chief part that still hallows the envi- 
 
 * Humphreys, 105. tFrothinghani. 
 
262 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 rons of New York with so many associations, let us cast a 
 glance at the deliberations of her statesmen and councilors 
 in the executive chamber and legislative halls. 
 
 On the 14th of June, Governor Trumbull convoked by his 
 special order, " a General Assembly of the Governor and 
 company of the English Colony of Connecticut, in New Eng- 
 land, in America." The records of the session open with a 
 preamble that is so characteristic of our people, and such a 
 fine specimen of the composition of the greatest of all the 
 colonial governors of that era, that I cannot forbear making 
 an extract from it in this place. After reciting the fact that 
 we have an existence and rights that are beyond the reach 
 of any earthly power, and alluding to the attempt of the 
 British government to deprive us of them, the record pro- 
 ceeds in the following terms : 
 
 " After a series of accumulated wrong and injury, [they] 
 have proceeded to invade said colonies with fleets and 
 armies, to destroy our towns, shed the blood of our country- 
 men, and involve us in the calamities incident to war ; and 
 are endeavoring to reduce us to an abject surrender of our 
 natural and stipulated rights, and subject our property to the 
 most precarious dependence on their arbitrary will and 
 pleasure, and our persons to slavery ; and at length have 
 declared us out of the king's protection, have engaged for- 
 eign mercenaries against us, and are evidently and strenu- 
 ously seeking our ruin and destruction. These and many 
 other transactions, too well known to need enumeration, 
 the painful experience and efl^ects of which we have suffered 
 and feel, make it evident, beyond the possibility of a doubt, 
 that we have nothing to hope from the justice, humanity, or 
 temperate council of the British King or his Parliament, 
 and that all hopes of a reconciliation upon just and equal 
 terms are delusory and vain."* 
 
 The reader will observe that in all former records, the 
 popular indignation has been expended upon the other 
 branches of the government, while the king has been spoken 
 * Hinman's Revolution, 94. 
 
[ITTG.] DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 263 
 
 of ill the most loyal and kindly terms. But now no 
 exception is made in favor of royalty. 
 
 The following invocation found in the same connection, 
 will show what power they intended should be forever after 
 the only object of their homage and adoration : 
 
 " Appealing to that God who knows the secrets of all 
 hearts, for the sincerity of former declarations of our desire 
 to preserve our ancient and constitutional relation to that 
 nation, and protesting solemnly against their oppression and 
 injustice, which have driven us from them and compelled us 
 to use such means as God in his ])rovidence hath put in our 
 power for our necessary defense and preservation : 
 
 "llesolved, uncmimousJ I/, hy ih'is Assembly, that the dele- 
 gates of this colony in General Congress, be and they are 
 hereby instructed to propose to that respectable body to 
 declare the United American Colonies Free and Independ- 
 ent States, absolved from all allegiance to the King of Great 
 Britain, and to give the assent of this colony to such 
 declarations."* 
 
 Thus did the colony for the first time discard the maxim 
 of the British constitution, that the king can do no wrong ; 
 and while the members of the Assembly were, without a 
 dissenting vote, promulgating these sentiments to the world, 
 the Committee of Congress, composed of Thomas Jefferson, 
 John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert 
 R. Livingston, were engaged in preparing the form of the 
 Declaration of Independence, to which, on the 4th of July, 
 were set the signatures of Roger Sherman, Samuel Hunt- 
 ington, William Williams, and Oliver Wolcott — names that 
 will be household words in every family in the state, as long 
 as the principles of 1776 shall survive in the hearts of the 
 people. 
 
 There is an incident connected with Litchfield, that is 
 worthy of notice here, as it illustrates the character of our 
 people, and the part that the mothers and daughters of that 
 generation, played in the drama of the Revolution. 
 *Hinraau, 94,95. 
 
264 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 General Wolcott, who was a member of the Continental 
 Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
 was a resident of Litchfield, and spent his congressional 
 vacations at home in answering the demands made for troops 
 upon the north-western part of the state, by Washington, 
 Putnam, and Gates. 
 
 On the 21st of August, 1770, the birth-day of Prince 
 Frederick, the father of George the third, an equestrian 
 statue of his majesty was erected in New York, on the 
 Bowling-Green, near Fort George. The statue was made 
 principally of lead, but was the work of Wilton, a celebrated 
 statuary of London, and was very elegant and richly gilded, 
 so that it had the appearance of being solid gold. Tiie cere- 
 mony of its erection was the occasion of much festivity in 
 New York. The king's council, the city corporation, the 
 chamber of commerce, and the marine society, as well as 
 the gentlemen of the city and army, paid their respects to 
 Lieutenant-Governor Colden at the fort, by special invita- 
 tion, and drank the "ki?rg's health" under the inspiring influ- 
 ences of music, and the discharge of thirty-two pieces of 
 cannon from the Battery. No doubt, after the fifth bumper, 
 these gentlemen were loyal enough to have drank immortality 
 to the statue, as well as to the king. But sad as the reflection 
 may be, it is none the less true, that, although by the theory 
 of the British constitution the king never dies, yet the works 
 of men's hands are perishable, and the features of royalty 
 fade even from brass and iron, to say nothing of the more 
 impressible metals that may sometimes, with more propriety, 
 represent sceptred sovereignty. The eighteenth century 
 was remarkable for its desire to look beneath the surfaces of 
 things, and appears, not long after the statue was placed, to 
 have begun, even in New York, to make a very irreverent 
 application of the maxim, " all is not gold that glitters." It 
 is quite likely that one of the very first experiments was 
 made upon this statue, and that the qualities of the metal 
 were tested, in the year 1773, with that corosive acid first 
 discovered in Connecticut, and afterwards constantly carried 
 
[1770.] UIS MAJESTY S STATUE OVERTHROWN. 265 
 
 in the pockets of those peripatetic philosophers, called " Sons 
 OF Liberty." Had it not been so, it is not likely that we 
 should find, under date of the Gth of February, of that year, 
 an act entitled an act " to prevent the defacing of statues, 
 which are erected in the city of New York." 
 
 Under the protection of this statute, the equestrian king, 
 with the exception of the ordinary wear of time, seems to 
 have continued to bestride his chai'ger, and to have met the 
 morning sun with a countenance equally golden, until the 
 year 177G. 
 
 On the nio;ht of the eleventh of Julv, seven days after the 
 Declaration of Independence liad been given to the world, 
 the " Sons of Liberty" paid his majesty a visit in good 
 earnest. They treated him with a shocking familiarity. A 
 gentleman who stood near enough to witness the interview, 
 after the party in attendance had assisted the king to alight, 
 could not forbear exclaiminir in the words of the Anc-el to 
 
 O O 
 
 Lucifer: 
 
 " If tliou be'st lie — but all ! how fallen, how changed I" 
 
 What they did with the king, where they carried him, and 
 what was the fate of one, who, by the laws of the countiy 
 that he governed, could not be allowed to die, was for a lonec 
 time a mystery. The next morning the pedestal was in its 
 old i)lace, but the horse and his rider were gone. In vain 
 might the loyal British governor search for them, and in vain 
 might the tories of the city shed tears, as they looked the 
 town and country over to restore to its place the jtresiding 
 genius of the Battery. That benignant face never beamed 
 upon them again. 
 
 Meanwhile, not like Cardinal Wolsey, by easy stages, but 
 rather like General Putnam, by forced marches, and doubtless 
 under cover of darkness, the monarch was led away into 
 Connecticut. He was taken far inland over a rough country, 
 and made to climb high hills. They finally committed him 
 to the care of General Wolcott, who was probably at home, 
 and ready to receive his kingly guest with his usual courtly 
 hospitality, not long after the eleventh of July. 
 
266 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The fate of the statue is briefly told. General Wolcott 
 treated its ponderous masses as military stores. He caused 
 a shed to be built for the broken statue in the apple orchard 
 near his house, and chopped it up with an axe into pieces 
 of a convenient size to be melted into bullets, that the king's 
 troops, in the words of Mr. Hazard, might " have melted 
 majesty fired at them." The account current, that will be 
 found in the subjoined note,* is full of meaning, and will 
 * This account is in the handwriting of Governor Wolcott, and is as follows : 
 
 " Mrs. Marvin, 3456 cartridges. 
 
 " " on former account, 2602 
 
 6058 
 
 Ruth Marvin on former account, 6204 
 
 Not sent to court house, 449 paclcs, 5388 
 
 11,592 
 
 Laura, on former account, 4250 
 
 Not sent to court house, 344 packs, 4128 
 
 8378 
 
 Mary Ann, on former account, 5762 
 
 Not sent to the court house 119 packs, out of which 
 
 I kt Colonel Parley Howe have 3 packs, 5028 
 
 10,790 
 
 Frederick, on former account, 708 
 
 Not sent to court house, 19 packs, 228 
 
 936 
 
 37,754 
 
 ]\Irs. Eeaeh's two accounts, 2002 
 
 Made by sundry persons, 2182 
 
 Gave Litchfield militia, on alarm, 50 
 
 Let the regiment of Col. Wigglcsworth have 300 
 
 Cartridges, No 42,288 
 
 Overcharged in Mrs. Beach's account, 200 
 
 42,088 
 On the back of this account is written in the same handwriting, this brief 
 
 explanation. " An account of the number of cartridges made." 
 
 The following additional memorandum, is in the handwriting of his son, the 
 
 last Governor Wolcott. 
 
 " N. B. An equestrian statue of George the Third of Great Britain, was 
 
 erected in the city of New York on the Bowling Green, at the lower end of 
 
 Broadway; most of the materials were lead, but richly gilded to resemble gold. 
 
[1770.] MELTING THE STATUE. 267 
 
 possess, for those who know the characteristics of the fainilies 
 represented in it, the hvely features of a picture. It illustrates 
 what has been said in the first volume of this work, that our 
 Wolcotts, both male and female, were always ready to labor 
 with their hands whenever the situation of the country and 
 the public good seemed to call for their services. With the 
 aid of this little account, we are able to take a peep into the 
 family mansion of the first Oliver Wolcott, during one of 
 those social gatherings, in the winter of 1776-'7. By the 
 inspiring warmth of a hickory fire, we can see the sly looks 
 of the fair young ladies, and the approving smile of the elder 
 ones, as that handsome iconoclast, Frederick, places the ladle 
 upon the live coals, piled high with fragments of the statue. 
 Mrs. jMarvin, Mrs. Beach, Miss Laura Wolcott, Miss Mary 
 Ann Wolcott, and Miss Ruth Marvin, must have made some 
 unloyal witticisms at the expense of the late king, as they 
 saw a dissolving view of an eye, an ear, or a nose, that was 
 about to assume a globular form and be put at last in the way 
 of being useful. Forty-two thousand and eighty-eight bullets, 
 in times when lead was dear, and not easily to be had at any 
 price, made no insignificant accession to the resources of the 
 continental army. They were carefully distributed and 
 faithfully expended. Some of them were committed to the 
 keeping of Colonel Wigglesworth ; others must have aided 
 Putnam in defending the Highlands ; a part of them may 
 have gone with Major Seymour, to Saratoga ; and it is cer- 
 tain, that fifty of them were used to welcome the king's pro- 
 vincial governor, when he ])aid his first and last visit to 
 Danbury. 
 
 This incident was one of many that might be related, as 
 illustrating the general fact, that the ladies throughout the 
 state were willing to perform any manual labor that would 
 
 At the- beginning of the revolution this statue was overthrown. Lead being then 
 scarce and dear, the statue was broken in pieces, and the metal transported to 
 Litchfield as a place of safety. The ladies of this vilhige converted the lead into 
 cartridges, of which the preceding is an account. O. W." 
 
 For a careful examination of all the evidence, and a minute list of the authorities 
 relating to this incident, see Woodruff's Hist, of Litchfield. 
 
268 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 serve the cause, for which they were ready to give up their 
 own lives, as well as those of their sons, their husbands, and 
 fathers. It was indeed madness to attempt to subdue a people 
 that had been nurtured and trained by women, who would 
 not only deprive themselves of the most ordinary household 
 comforts, and raise with their own hands the grain that they 
 afterwards made into bread, but who would, also, mould the 
 bullets and shape the cartridges that were needed to emanci- 
 pate their country.* 
 
 * In another part of this work, I have brought down the genealogy of the Wol- 
 cott family, from a period of remote antiquity, to Henry Wolcott, Esq., the 
 Pioneer. From him it is continued as follows : 
 
 1. Simon Wolcott, (son of Henry,) was born in 1G25; married Martha Pitkin, 
 Bister of William Pitkin, the ancestor of the Pitkin family of Connecticut. He 
 was admitted a freeman of Connecticut colony in May, 1654 ; and died in 1G87. 
 Martha, his widow, died in 1719. 
 
 2. Roger Wolcott, (son of Simon,) was born in Windsor, Jan. 4, 1679. In the 
 expedition against Canada, in 1711, ho was a commissary of the Connecticut 
 forces; and at the capture of Louisbourg, in 1745, he bore the commission of 
 major-general. He was successively a member of the assembly and of the 
 council, judge of the county court, deputy governor, chief judge of the 
 superior court, and from 1751 to 1754, governor. His wife was Sarah Drake, 
 who died in 1747. lie departed this life, May 17, 1767, aged eighty-eight years. 
 
 3. Oliver Wolcott, LL.D., (son of Roger,) was born in 1726; graduated at 
 Yale College, in 1747; married Laura Collins, who diedin'l794. He studied 
 medicine, and settled in Goshen, in the practice of his profession. On the 
 organization of the county of Litchfield, in 1751, he was appointed high sheriff, 
 and soon after removed to Litchfield. He was a brigadier-general in the revolu- 
 tion, member of the Continental Congress, signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, lieutenant-governor, and governor. He died December 1, 1797, aged 
 seventy-one. His brother, Erastus Wolcott, was a brigadier-general in the revo- 
 lution, a member of Congress, and judge of the superior court. He died Sept. 
 14, 1793. 
 
 4. Oliver Wolcott, LL. D., (son of the preceding Oliver,) was a native of 
 Litchfield. He was comptroller of the state of Connecticut, Secretary of the 
 Treasury of the United States under President Washington, and governor of 
 Connecticut for ten years. He died in New York in 1833, leaving two sons, viz. 
 Col. Oliver S., and Dr. John S. Dr. Oliver Wolcott, now of San Francisco, 
 California, is a son of the former. 
 
 5. Frederick Wolcott, (also a son of the first Oliver, and brother of the 
 second,) was in public life for more than forty years. He was a gentleman of 
 stately manners, courteous, benevolent, and hospitable. He died in 1837. His 
 
[1776.] DOINGS OF THE ASSEMBLY. 269 
 
 During this year, there were five sessions of the General 
 Assembly, three of which were specially called. At the 
 regular session in May, the governor was, by a special act, 
 made the chief naval officer of the colony, and was authorized 
 to appoint subordinate officers at each of the ports of 
 New Haven, New London, Middletown, and Norwich. A 
 maritime jurisdiction was also given to the county courts. By 
 another act, all the troops of horse in the colony were formed 
 into five regiments of light-horse. Large detachments of 
 militia were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march 
 at the shortest notice, for the defense of the colony. One 
 regiment was directed to be raised for the continental service, 
 and another to be stationed about New London. Sixty 
 thousand pounds in Bills of Credit were issued, and a tax of 
 eight-pence on a pound was laid. 
 
 Andrew Ward was appointed colonel, Obadiah Johnson, 
 lieutenant-colonel, and William Douglas, major, of the regi- 
 ment to be raised to serve in the continental army.* Of the 
 regiment to be stationed at or near New London, David 
 Waterbury, Jr., was appointed colonel ; Comfort Sage, lieut.- 
 colonel ; and Oliver Smith, major. Benjamin Hinman, Philip 
 Burr Bradley, and David Dimon, were appointed to the cor- 
 responding offices in the regiment to be raised for the defense 
 of the colony. t 
 
 At the special session in June, an act was passed to raise 
 two regiments by enlistment to reinforce the continental 
 army in the northern department. David Waterbury, Jr., 
 was appointed brigadier-general, and Samuel Mott and 
 Heman Swift were appointed colonels of this detachment. 
 Seven regiments, including the one raised in May, were 
 ordered to march immediately and join the continental 
 
 first wife was Betsey Huntington ; his second, Sally W. GuoJrich, of tlie old 
 Goodrich family of Wethersfield. 
 
 " Some of the family have been members of the assembly, judges of the 
 Superior Court, or magistrates, from the first settlement of the colony to this time, 
 during the term of more than a century and a half." Trumbull, i. 227. 
 
 * Dr. Benjamin Trumbull, was appointed ehai)lain of this regiment. 
 
 t Hinman, 97, 100. 
 
270 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 army in New York. James Wadsworth, Jr., was appointed 
 brigadier- general ; Gold S. Silliman, Charles Webb, Philip B. 
 Bradley, Jedediah Huntington, Fisher Gay, Comfort Sage, 
 John Douglas, Samuel Selden, William Douglas, John Chester, 
 and Erastus Wolcott, were appointed colonels. 
 
 The sessions in October, November, and December, were 
 mainly occupied in providing for the raising and equipping of 
 new troops, appointing officers, levying taxes, issuing Bills of 
 Credit, and in other ways contributing their full proportion 
 to the advancement and success of the great struggle in 
 which the state was engaged. It will suffice here to add, that 
 Connecticut sustained five heavy drafts for actual service 
 during the year. The first, a large one from the western 
 section, marched for the defense of New York ; the second, 
 for the defense of New London and Long Island ; the third, 
 from the eastern section of the state, for Westchester county, 
 N. Y. ; the fourth, for the defense of Rhode Island ; the fifth, 
 was a draft for the defense and protection of the western 
 frontier.* 
 
 At the December session, all the militia in the state was 
 formed into six brigades : David Wooster and Jabez Hun- 
 tington, were appointed major-generals ; and Eliphalet Dyer-, 
 Gurdon Saltonstall, Oliver Wolcott, Erastus Wolcott, James 
 Wadsworth, and Gold S. Silliman, brigadier-generals. 
 
 Let us now return to the American camp. It had for 
 some time been the desire of Congress that General Wash- 
 ington should repair to Philadelphia, and have an interview 
 with them. As the British army was now absent, and the 
 American works were in a state of great completeness, 
 Washington, on the 21st of May, set out for Philadelphia, 
 leaving the whole army in charge of General Putnam, who 
 from that time until the Gth of June, was to all intents the 
 acting commander-in-chief of the American army, and was 
 authorized to open all letters addressed to General Washing- 
 ton on matters pertaining to the public service. During this 
 period of about fifteen days, Putnam found abundant scope 
 *Hinman, 110, 111, 
 
[1770.] BUSIIXELL's "AMERICAN TURTLE." 271 
 
 for the employment of his powers. To finish the works 
 already begun, to lay the foundations of new ones, to estab- 
 lish suitable signals, to add to the quantity of powder of 
 which the supply was as yet too scanty, and to secure it in a 
 safe place of deposit to provide for the defense of the High- 
 lands — and many other matters of a public and general 
 nature — kept him so constantly occupied, that he had 
 scarcely time to eat or sleep. f But he had a certain task 
 assigned him of a more private and delicate nature, that 
 could not have been committed to better or more experi- 
 enced hands. This commission was no other than that of 
 affording aid to the Provincial Congress of New York, in 
 apprehending their own citizens who were tories, and keep- 
 ing them out of the way of doing mischief 
 
 It was towards the close of June before General Howe, 
 who had at last been sufficiently reinforced to make it safe 
 for him again to set himself in hostile array against Wash- 
 ington, appeared off New York with the British fleet and 
 army. To obstruct the passage of the ships, Putnam, who 
 had command of the whale-boats, fire-raf\s, flat-bottomed 
 boats and armed vessels, lent his personal attention to a 
 project, that had well nigh proved successful, of blowing the 
 whole fleet out of the harbor by means of a machine that 
 had been invented by Mr. David Bushnell, of Saybrook, by 
 which the art of submarine navigation was brought to a 
 greater state of perfection than it had ever been before. 
 This sea-monster was called tlie American Turtle, and was 
 so constructed that it could be propelled under the water in 
 a horizontal line, at any given depth, and could be raised or 
 lowered at the will of the operator. There was attached to 
 the turtle a magazine of powder, that was to be fastened 
 under the bottom of the doomed ship by a screw. The 
 same stroke that severed the turtle from the magazine, was 
 made to set in motion a piece of internal clock-work that 
 was so contrived as to set the powder on fire at the end of 
 a given period of time. 
 
 t Humphreys. 
 
272 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT, 
 
 Unfortunately for the success of the first trial, that was to 
 be made upon the Eagle, a sixty-four gun ship, having on 
 board Lord Howe, the British admiral, and some of the 
 choicest officers of the army, Bushnell's brother, who was 
 the principal engineer, was sick, and the turtle was com- 
 mitted to an unskillful hand. The screw that had been 
 made to pierce the copper-plates, struck by accident an iron 
 one, and of course did not penetrate it. The magazine 
 consequently drifted away from the ship, and when it 
 exploded, did no other harm to the British admiral than to 
 give him a sad fright, as, with the noise of an earthquake, 
 it threw its column of water high into the air.* 
 
 This same David Bushnell afterwards invented other 
 machines, which destroyed a ship off the Long Island shore, 
 and subsequently gave the British fleet at Philadelphia that 
 fright in the winter of 1777 which was celebrated by the 
 witty Mr. Hopkinson in his poem, called " The Battle of the 
 Kegs."t The repetition of the experiment was prevented 
 by the great events that soon followed. The British ships, 
 day after day, brought additional troops to swell the ranks 
 of the invading army. In spite of all the efforts that had 
 been made to prevent the fleet from getting possession of 
 the North river, the Phoenix, the Rose, and two tenders, in 
 the face of a heavy cannonade, accom})lished this dangerous 
 feat on the night of the 15th of July, and, sailing up as far 
 as Tarrytown, took their station in front of that place. f 
 
 By the 21st of July, only five thousand of the new troops 
 that had been ordered, had arrived in the American camp, 
 and they were many of them so ill-equipped as to be almost 
 unfit for service. Many of the colonies failed to send their 
 
 * Humphreys. 
 
 t About Christinas, 1777, Mr. Bushnell committed to the Delaware river a 
 number of his " infernal machines," in the form of kegs, which he designed 
 should float down and destroy the British fleet at Philadelphia ; but the strange 
 squadron, having been separated and retarded by the ice, demolished but a single 
 boat. This catastrophe, however, produced an alarm unprecedented in its nature 
 and degree, which is most happily described in the poem referred to. 
 
 i Gordon. 
 
[177G.] THE NUMBER OF OUR TROOPS. 273 
 
 (luota, while others made exertions quite beyond their means. 
 Early in Augu.st, the aspect of allairs in and about New 
 York was so threatening, that, at the earnest sohcitation of 
 General Washington, the governor and council of Connec- 
 ticut directed the whole of the standing militia west of 
 Connecticut river, together with two regiments on the east 
 side, to march forthwith to New York city. Tiiough a 
 busy and important season for farmers, this order was 
 promptly carried into eflect. This body of troops comprised 
 fourteen regiments, and, at a moderate computation, must 
 have amounted to at least ten thousand men. About the 
 same time, a large proportion of the remainder of the militia 
 on the east side of the river was called to the defense of 
 New London, and to aid the inhabitants of Suffolk county, 
 L. I. There were, therefore, at this time not less than 
 twenty thousand of the inhabitants of Connecticut in actual 
 service, most of whom had been marched out of the state 
 for the defense of New York.* 
 
 Washington's whole force, including the sick who were 
 present and absent, amounted to only seventeen thousand 
 two hundred and twenty-five. Most of these were raw 
 troops, and could hardly be estimated at eight thousand 
 effective men. Besides, they were scattered over a wide 
 surface of country. Some of the corps were fifteen miles 
 apart. This army was so destitute of lead that the citizens 
 of New York were compelled to strip their windows and the 
 roofs of their houses to supply the demand. One house fur- 
 nished twelve hundred pounds. f In other necessary articles 
 whole companies were equally deficient. 
 
 Thus it appears that Connecticut had furnished and kept 
 in the field full one half of the American army commanded 
 by Washington. 
 
 *Hininan, 106, 107. 
 
 t At a session of the Governor and Council of Connecticut, July 2, 1776, it 
 was " Voted, That a quantity of lead owned l)y Jonathan KiIi)ourn, lisq., of Col- 
 chester, and used by him on the water-wheel of his saw-mill, shall not bo taken 
 from him for public use until actually wanted ; and then only by the selectmen 
 of Colchester, without further oi-ders." 
 
 50 
 
274 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 On the other hand, the British army was much superior 
 in numbers, and all the furnishings of a campaign. On the 
 12th of August, General Howe was reinforced by two fleets 
 of transports under convoy of Commodore Ilotham.* 
 
 On the 14th, the troops that had been stationed in South 
 Carolina arrived in good order ; and about the same time a 
 few regiments reached his camp from Florida and the West 
 Indies. His army now numbered at least twenty-two thou- 
 sand effective men. On the 22d, he effected a landing at a 
 point between Utrecht and Gravesend, near Staten Island, 
 under cover of the fleet. 
 
 The American works erected by General Greene extended 
 across a small peninsula, with the East river on the left, a 
 marsh running down to the water side on the right, and the 
 bay and Governor's Island in the rear. Within these works 
 General Sullivan lay encamped with a strong force, a few 
 miles from Utrecht. From the point of land that forms the 
 east side of the Narrows, a thickly-wooded hill stretches to 
 the north-east for a distance of some five or six miles, 
 terminating near Jamaica. This hill was crossed by two 
 roads which had been made through deep and narrow 
 ravines ; a third road followed the shore round the western 
 base of these hills ; and a fourth penetrated inland. f In 
 each of these passes the Americans had taken the precau- 
 tion to place a guard of eight hundred men. J General Put- 
 nam now took command in consequence of the sudden 
 illness of General Greene. He was entirely unacquainted 
 with the situation of the works, as well as of the different 
 passes and roads in the vicinity ; and the confusion and 
 want of discipline among the troops was at this time noto- 
 rious. Under these circumstances, his experience availed 
 him little, as he was unable to exercise it. 
 
 Lord Cornwallis, with the reserve and some other troops, 
 attempted to cross the hill through one of these passes, but 
 finding it in possession of the Americans he quietly with- 
 drew. 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 96. t Ilildretli, iii. 148. J Sparks' Life of Washington, 177 
 
[ITTC] BATTLE ON LONG ISLAND. 275 
 
 On the 25th, General Heister, with two brigades of Hes- 
 sians iVom Staten Island, joined the British forces, lie was 
 at once stationed at Flatbush. 
 
 The British army now occui)ied the plain on the opposite 
 side of the hill, extendino; in a line from the Narrows to Flat- 
 bush. General Grant commanded the left wing near the 
 coast ; Heister, the centre, composed of Hessians ; and Clin- 
 ton, with Earl Percy and Cornwallis, the right. 
 
 About three o'clock on the morning of the 27th of August, 
 a report was brought into the American camp that the British 
 were in motion on the road leading along the coast from the 
 Narrows. A detachment under Lord Sterling was immedi- 
 ately ordered out to meet them ; while Sullivan was sent to 
 the heights above Flatbush, on the middle road. In the 
 meantime, General Clinton led his division by a circuit into 
 the Jamaica road, which was not guarded, and gained the 
 rear of Sullivan. Before this was accomplished, reinforce- 
 ments had been sent from the camp to support both Sullivan 
 and Sterling.* General Girant, in order to divert the atten- 
 tion of the Americans from the main point of attack, had 
 advanced along the west road. The guard, consisting 
 exclusively of Pennsylvanians and New Yorkers, without 
 waiting to fire a gun, lied to General Parsons with the intelli- 
 gence that the enemy were advancing in great numbers. 
 As it was now day-light, Parsons saw the position of the 
 British, and immediately rallied as many of the fugitives as 
 he could, and posted them on the height about half a mile 
 from the enemy. Though the number of the guard thus 
 summarily gathered did not exceed twenty, they caused the 
 advancing columns to halt until Lord Sterling came up with 
 fifteen hundred troops and took possession of the hill about 
 two miles from the camp.f A fierce action now com- 
 menced between Grant and Sterlino;. The force of the 
 latter consisted of the two battalions of Colonel Miles, and 
 the regiments of Colonels Atlee, Smallwood, and Hatch. 
 They behaved with great bravery, charging the enemy and 
 * Sparks' Life of Washington. t Gordon, ii. 90. 
 
276 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 maintaining their position from about eight o'clock in the 
 morning until two in the afternoon. They were finally 
 compelled to give way. In their retreat they were met by 
 some British troops, and many of them were taken prison- 
 ers, including their commander. Some, however, succeeded 
 in breaking through the lines and escaping, among whom 
 was General Parsons.* 
 
 General Sullivan, with the regiments on the heights above 
 Flatbush, being attacked by Heister on one side and Clinton 
 on the other, after making an obstinate resistance for three 
 hours, was obliged to surrender. As the grounds were 
 broken and covered with wood, many of the troops escaped 
 and returned to Brooklyn ; but by far the greater part of the 
 survivors were taken prisoners. After the battle was over, 
 General Howe encamped his army in front of the American 
 lines, intending to carry them with the cooperation of the 
 
 fleet-t 
 
 About five thousand Americans were engaged in this bat- 
 tle, who were opposed by about fifteen thousand of the ene- 
 my, well provided with artillery. New Jersey, Pennsylva- 
 nia, Delaware, and Maryland, doubtless furnished a majority 
 of the troops under Sullivan and Sterling, who were in 
 actual service during the battle, though Connecticut was 
 honorably represented on that disastrous field. General 
 Parsons was there, as we have seen, and fought with his 
 usual courage ; Huntington's regiment sustained a high 
 character in the action, and suifered a heavy loss there. J 
 Colonel Douglass also, with his regiment, was in the thickest 
 of the fight. 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 100. + Sparks, 178. 
 
 tllinman, 89, 110. The following is a list of the names of the officers in 
 Colonel Huntington's regiment, who were prisoners with the enemy, who sent a 
 flag of truce for their baggage and money, viz : Captains Brewster and Bissell ; 
 Lieutenants Gillett, Gay, Olcott, and Makepeace ; Ensigns Bradford, Chapman, 
 Lyman, Ilinman, and lliggins; Doctor Holmes ; Adjutant Hopkins, and Colonel 
 Clark. These, however, were not all. There were missing from this regiment 
 after the action, six captains, six lieutenants, twenty-one sergeants, two drummers, 
 and one hundred and twenty-six rank and file. 
 
[1770.] DEFEAT OF THE AMERICANS. 277 
 
 Besides several Imndred killed and missing, one thousand 
 Americans were taken prisoners — among whom were Gene- 
 ral Sullivan, Lord Sterling, three colonels, ibur lieutenant- 
 colonels, three majors, eighteen captains, forty-three lieuten- 
 ants, eleven ensigns, three surgeons, and an adjutant. The 
 British had only sixty-one killed, and about two hundred and 
 fifty wounded ; the Hessians had two killed and twenty-six 
 wounded. 
 
 This victory was hailed with enthusiasm by the British 
 king and ministry, who appear to have imagined that the 
 Americans were effectually conquered. General Howe was 
 at once created a knight of the bath, and several other 
 officers were promoted for their gallantry on the occa- 
 sion. 
 
 Apprehending that it was the design of General Howe to 
 transport a part of his army across the sound, form an 
 encampment at Kingsbridge, and thus put New York in 
 jeopardy, a council of war was called. Matters of grave 
 import were long and earnestly debated ; and it was at last 
 unanimously resolved to withdraw the troops from Long 
 Island. Boats were collected and other preparations were 
 made without delay. On the morning of the 30th, the whole 
 army, amounting to nine thousand men, the military stores, 
 cattle, horses, carts, nearly all the provisions, and the artil- 
 lery, except a few heavy cannon, were safely landed in New 
 York. This retreat had been conducted in such a masterly 
 manner under the personal supervision of Washington, that 
 the last boat was crossing the river before they were discov- 
 ered by the enemy.* 
 
 In about an hour after the American works had been 
 
 * Sparks' Life of Washington, p. 178, 179 ; Gordon, ii. 101, 102, 103. Colo- 
 nel Glover, of MarbleheaJ, Massachusetts, many of whose men had been bred to 
 the fishing business, took command of the vessels and flat-bottomed boats, while 
 the embarkation of the troops was committed to the superintendence of General 
 McDougal. So intense was the anxiety of Washington, that for forty-eight 
 hours he did not close his eyes, and rarely dismounted from his horse. A provi- 
 dential fog favored the retreat. " The enemy were so near that they were heard 
 at work with their pick-axes and shovels." 
 
278 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 abandoned, the fog cleared off, and the enemy were seen to 
 take possession of them. 
 
 The situation of General Washington after the evacuation 
 of Long Island, was truly distressing. In consequence of 
 their recent repulse, the troops were disheartened, and 
 their minds fdled with apprehensions and despair. Many 
 of them were intractable, and impatient to return. Great 
 numbers went off — by companies at a time, by half regiments, 
 and in some instances almost whole ones. Within nine 
 days after the evacuation, the number of the sick, by the 
 returns, formed one quarter of the whole army.* Whole 
 battalions ran away from Fowls' Hook and Bergen Heights 
 at the firing of a broadside from a ship that was not 
 near enough to do them any harm. To add to the threaten- 
 ing ills that wait upon fear and disorder, the greatest distrust 
 prevailed between the troops representing the different colo- 
 nies. Mutual accusations, taunts, and boastings, found 
 abundant employment in the camp. It was evident that 
 some new steps must be taken to divert the attention of the 
 men from these bickerings, or else all hope of an organized 
 resistance must be abandoned. 
 
 Washington accordingly divided the army, and assorted the 
 troops from different sections of the country in such a way 
 that he could look for a more harmonious state of feeling 
 between those who were thus associated, than had before 
 prevailed in the whole army. Forty-five hundred were left in 
 New York, sixty-five hundred were posted at Harlem, and 
 twelve thousand at Kingsbridge.f 
 
 On the hills contiguous to these places, forts had been 
 erected which were now garrisoned. The strongest of these 
 was Fort Washington, at Harlem, occupying a high hill that 
 overlooked the North river. Opposite to it on the .lersey 
 shore, was Fort Lee. It soon became evident to Washing- 
 ton, that General Howe intended to interpose his army 
 between the American detachment at New York, and the 
 
 * Gordon. +Gordon, ii. 109, 110. 
 
[177t;.] CAPTAIX XATIIAN HALE. 279 
 
 main body posted at Kingsbridge. He therefore moved his 
 head-quarters to Morrisania, near Fort Washington. 
 
 Tiie numbers and position of the British Ibrces at Brook- 
 lyn was now an object of intense interest to Washington. 
 A council of war was held, and it was determined to send 
 an American officer of ability and approved courage, to 
 Long Island, who should make his way into the Britisli 
 camp, and obtain the intbrmation that was so much needed. 
 As soon as this course was resolved on, Washington made it 
 known to the young officers of the army. Captain Nathan 
 Hale, of South Coventry, Connecticut, was the only appli- 
 cant for this dangerous commission. At the earnest request 
 of Colonel Knowlton, in whose judgment Washington repos- 
 ed the highest confidence, the generous offer was accepted, 
 and the young hero hastened to prepare himself for the exe- 
 cution of the trust. Washington had an interview with him 
 before his departure, instructed him how to proceed, and 
 with a fatherly solicitude gave him his parting blessing, and 
 commended him. to the protection of Heaven. Hale secret- 
 ly hastened to the British camp, noted minutely the 
 number of the enemy, their condition, and what locality 
 they occupied. He was about to set out on his return, when 
 he was unfortunately met by his cousin, Samuel Hale, from 
 New Hampshire, who had deserted the American army and 
 w\as then in the British service. Samuel, who had before 
 the breaking out of the war paid a visit to Captain Hale's 
 father in Connecticut, recognized his cousin at a glance. 
 Forgetful alike of the ties of blood, and the no less sacred 
 rites of hospitality, the tory-deserter, doubtless through the 
 hope of reward, betrayed his cousin to the British com- 
 mander, who at once caused Captain Hale to be advertised 
 with a minute description of his personal appearance. Finding 
 that he could not pass by the way of Long Island with- 
 out falling into the hands of those who were now on the 
 alert for him, the patriot scholar sought to escape by the 
 way of Kingsbridge, and with such masterly tact did he 
 advance that he was allowed to pass sentry after sentry 
 
280 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 without detection. He had arrived at the station of the 
 outer guard, when he was suspected, arrested, and brought 
 before General Howe, where it would seem, from the best 
 evidence that can now be gathered, that an informal exam- 
 ination was iield that would have resulted in his immediate 
 discharge, had not his false-hearted cousin presented himself, 
 and made oath that he was a captain in the continental 
 army and a spy. This piece of voluntary testimony 
 changed the doom of the young hero, and he was immedi- 
 ately condemned to the gibbet without the sanction of a 
 court-martial. The execution, or rather assassination, was 
 appointed to take place on the following morning. Throughout 
 the night, he was treated with every indignity that the 
 malevolence of his enemies could invent. The ordinary 
 signs by which we recognize in a fellow-mortal the existence 
 of a common humanity, were denied him by the wretches 
 who had him in charge, and by the tory to whom the privi- 
 lege was accorded of murdering him. He earnestly begged 
 that in his last hour the attendance of a clergyman might be 
 allowed to administer to him the consolations of religion. 
 Even this common privilege allotted to felons and accorded 
 to men about to suffer for the crime of high treason, was 
 refused him. He had durino; the ni2;ht written some letters 
 to his mother and a few of his more intimate friends. Even 
 these were taken from him and brutally torn in pieces before 
 his eyes. "The rebels," said the perpetrators of this barbar- 
 ous act, " shall not know that they have a man in their army 
 who can die with such firmness." But though in the midst 
 of scornful foes, betrayed by the mercenary coward who 
 should have protected him, and without the poor privilege of 
 wafting home to his heart-broken mother the fragrance of a 
 farewell sigh, his noble spirit did not faint at the sight of the 
 poison that flashed so angrily in his cup. As he ascended 
 the scaffold, his eye beamed with a lofty patriotism, and his 
 face, serenely beautiful, shone with a light that caused his 
 murderers to quail before him, as he exclaimed in tones of 
 warning, " You are shedding the blood of the innocent ; if 
 
[177G.] HALE AXD ANDRE. 281 
 
 I had ten thousand lives, I would lay them down in defense 
 of my injured, bleeding country."* 
 
 The fate of Hale has been likened to that of Andre, and 
 in some particulars they are certainly analagous. Both were 
 young and accomplished, both were scholars of a high order, 
 both were humane and gentle, both were imbued with that 
 lofty chivalry and scorn of danger that is as much an innate 
 gift of the soul as those of eloquence and song. But here 
 the comparison ends. There was a moral elevation, a reli- 
 gious enthusiasm, in the character of the American patriot, 
 that the British man of honor never recognized as the gov- 
 erning motive of ids life. The one followed the retreating 
 rainbow that flits in the horizon of a soldier's heaven ; the 
 other, added to the graces of intellectual and social culture, 
 the self-sacrificing spirit of a martyr. The one saw his ideal 
 of glory in the glitter that flashes from the jewels of a 
 diadem representing the pride of feudal ages ; the other saw 
 his, only in the calm light of that liberty that lives in the 
 presence of the King of kings, and is kindled for immortality. 
 The manner of their death, too, aflbrds the same strikinsf 
 points of resemblance, and the same startling contrasts. 
 Both suffered upon the gallows-tree, and both died among 
 strangers. But the one received the benefit of a soldier's 
 trial, in accordance with the rules of a code under which he 
 had been educated — a trial over which the best men of the 
 age presided, and at the result of which the humane Wash- 
 ington shed tears of pity — while the last messages that he 
 sent to his absent friends and the little keepsakes that he left 
 for them, were faithfully kept and religiously transmitted to 
 them ; the other, without the form of a military trial and 
 without a sign of sym]:)athy, was derided as a rebel, the 
 tokens of regard that would have mitigated the blow that was 
 to fall upon his friends, torn in pieces, and his last moments 
 embittered by the insulting offices of a hangman who was a 
 refugee. 
 
 How much blame is to be attributed to General Howe for 
 * Hinraan, 82. 
 
282 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 this act of inhumanity, it is impossible to say. Officially, he 
 must certainly be held responsible for it in all its revolting 
 details ; but from what we know of his generous character 
 as exhibited on many other occasions, we would choose to 
 believe that his worst oflense was a too romantic loyalty to 
 his sovereign, and a culpable carelessness in giving over into 
 bloody hands one of the most spotless and precious lives that 
 have ever been sacrificed upon the altar of freedom.* 
 
 In person. Captain Hale was handsome, and in manners 
 frank and engaging. He was bold and soldierly in his bear- 
 ing, and fond of the society of refined ladies, and a general 
 favorite with them.f His death caused universal sorrow in 
 Connecticut, and among his large circle of friends through- 
 out the nation, his name still ranks with the few that are 
 described by the most artistic as well as natural of all Ameri- 
 can poets, as " not born to die. "J 
 
 To give the details of what followed in the American camp 
 between the 1st and the 15th of September, is not wdthin the 
 range of such a work as this. Washington was every day 
 made more painfully conscious of the inferiority of his own 
 
 * In July, 1775, at the time when young Hale was commissioned as a lieuten- 
 ant, he was Preceptor of the Union Grammar School, in New London. He 
 immediately wrote to the proprietors of the school, asking to be released from his 
 engagement. He was released. The parting scene with his pupils made a strong 
 impression upon their minds. He addressed them in a style almost parental, gave 
 them earnest council, prayed witli them, and shaking each by the hand, he bade 
 them individually farewell. Caulkins' New Ijondon, 515. 
 
 + Miss Caulkins adds — " Many a fair cheek was wet with bitter tears, and gentle 
 voices uttered deep execrations on his barbarous foes, when tidings of his untimely 
 fate were received." 
 
 I President Dwight thus alludes to his untimely fate : 
 
 "Thus while fond virtue wish'il in vain to save, 
 Hale, bright an<l generous, found a hopeless grave. 
 W^ith Genius' living flame his bosom glow'd, 
 And Science charm'd him to her sweet abode. 
 In Worth's fair path his feet had ventur'd far, 
 The pride of ])eace, the rising grace of war ; 
 In duty firm, in danger calm as even, 
 To friends unchanging, and sincere to lieaven. 
 How short his course ! — the prize, how early won ! 
 While weeping Friendship mourns her favorite gone." 
 
[1T7G.] MRS. MURRAY ENTERTAIXIXG TRYON. 283 
 
 raw troops to tlie well trained regiments tliat were now mak- 
 ing ready to advance upon him. 
 
 On the 15th, General Howe landed three miles above the 
 city, near Kipp's Bay. The brigades that had been posted to 
 guard this important position were raw troops, who fled with- 
 out making any opposition, leaving Washington unprotected 
 and almost alone, within a few yards of the enemy. Orders 
 were immediately sent to Putnam, who had been left in 
 charge of that part of the army that remained to keep j)0sse3- 
 sion of New York, to evacuate the city at once. With as 
 much order as it was possible to observe under such circum- 
 stances, Putnam left behind him the heavy artillery and the 
 more cumbrous of the military stores, and, avoiding the direct 
 thoroughfares to the city, he retreated along the Greenwich 
 road, and thus escaped the enemy.* 
 
 IMeanwhile, the British generals had repaired to the house 
 of Mr. Robert Murray, a ciuaker whig, where they spent 
 two good hours over the cake and wine that jMrs. jMurray 
 took care to set before them. Governor Tryon, who was 
 blessed with an excellent appetite and loved a pleasant joke, 
 as his gamesome demonstration upon Danbury a few months 
 after sufficiently evinced, had already taken the field, and had 
 a very agreeable conversation with the lady of the house, 
 rallying her about her democratic friends and whigish ten- 
 dencies. She kept these honorable guests so long at her 
 house, that Putnam had time, by using the utmost dispatch, 
 to escape. t Had they taken possession of the heights near 
 which he passed, witli a few field-pieces, and marched a 
 fourth part of their regiments to intercept him, they could 
 have easily cut off his retreat. 
 
 When near Bloomingdale, a skirmish took place, in which 
 fifteen Americans were killed, and more than three hundred 
 were taken prisoners. Among the slain was Major James 
 Chapman, of New London, "a man of strength and stature 
 beyond the common standard, and a soldier steady and 
 
 * Sparks. f Gordon. 
 
284 IITSTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 brave."* In this skirmish, also, as well as in the fight on the 
 following day, Colonel William Douglas, of Northford, was 
 particularly distinguished. In the action on the 16th, scores 
 of his men fell, both from the shots of the enemy and from 
 the intense heat of the day. Worn with fatigue and parched 
 with thirst, many of them lay down at the first stream to 
 drink, and never rose again — some being overtaken by the 
 enemy and killed, while others died from the excess of water 
 which they drank. f 
 
 * Caulkins' New London, 532. Lieut. Richard Chapman, who was slain at 
 Grotou fort ; Lieut. Edward Chapman, who was killed in the French war ; Capt. 
 John Chapman, first lieutenant of the ship Oliver Cromwell, and after that was 
 taken, of the Putnam ; and Joseph Chapman, also a meritorious officer in the 
 army, were all brothers of the gallant and lamented Major Chapman. 
 
 + Col. Douglas was born in Plaiiifield, Conn., January 17, 1742. At the early 
 age of sixteen years, he enlisted as a soldier in the old French war; and previous 
 to the peace of 1759, he was chosen to the post of sergeant. Soon after, ho 
 engaged in the sea-faring business, as commander of a merchant ship sailing 
 between New Haven and the West Indies, and was thus engaged when hostilities 
 commenced between the united colonies and Great Britain. He was commissioned 
 as a captain on the 17tli of May, 1775, and immediately proceeded to the north 
 with his company, in charge of the pi-ovisions and stores for the troops under 
 Montgomery. As he was a good seaman, he was placed in command of the little 
 fleet on Lake Champlain, and did good service in the capture of St. John's and 
 Chamblee. He received a colonel's commission, bearing date June 20, 1776 ; 
 and as soon as his regiment was raised and equipped, he marched to New York 
 and there joined the continental army. He participated in the disastrous cam- 
 paign on Long Island, and fought with distinguished bravery in the several actions 
 near New York, particularly at Harlem Heights, White Plains, and Phillip's 
 Manor. In the battle of the 15th of September, his clothes were perforated with 
 bullets, and his horse was shot from under him. In this engagement he became 
 so exhausted, that, in connection with subsequent exposures, he lost his voice, and 
 was never afterward able to speak a loud word. From the date of this battle 
 until toward the middle of December, he was so constantly on duty that he rarely 
 slept beneath a roof. He died at his residence in Northford, New Haven County, 
 May 28, 1777, aged 35 years. 
 
 Colonel Douglas was not only a brave and useful officer, but a true patriot and 
 christian. The letters written by him to his family and other friends during his 
 several campaigns, evince at once the warmth of his affections and friendships, liis 
 self-denying patriotism, and his firm reliance on God. I am indebted to his 
 grandson, the Hon. Benjamin Douglas, of Middletown, for permission to copy the 
 following letter resigning his commission, written about four weeks previous 
 to his decease : 
 
[ITTG.] COLONEL KXOWLTOX. 285 
 
 On the morning of the IGth, Colonel Knovvlton, of Ash- 
 fonl, Connecticut, went out with a party of volunteer rangers, 
 a large part of whom were from Connecticut, and advanced 
 through the woods to reconnoitre the enemy's lines. As 
 soon as he was discovered, General Howe sent forward two 
 battalions of light-infantry, and a regiment of highlanders, to 
 meet him. A battalion of Hessian grenadiers, and a com- 
 pany of Chasseurs, with two field-pieces, soon followed. 
 When these troops were seen advancing into the open 
 ground, Washington rode forward to the lines that he might 
 learn the object of the movement, and be in a situation to 
 lend his advice should the action of the enemy turn out to be 
 serious. He soon heard a discharge of musketry, and in a 
 few minutes some rangers came up and informed him that a 
 party was engaged in a skirmish with Colonel Knowlton, and 
 that there appeared to be about three hundred of the enemy. 
 Washington forthwith detached three companies of Weedon's 
 Virginia regiment, under Major Leitch, to reinforce Knowl- 
 ton, and attack the enemy in the rear, while their attention 
 was diverted by a movement in front. The feint succeeded 
 admirably. There was a fence at the foot of the hill occu- 
 
 " State of Connecticut, ) 
 
 "Branford, May 1st, 1777. 5 
 " To Lis excellency George Wasliington, eomnian Jer-in-chief of the American 
 army : 
 
 " May it please your Excellency — A lingering distemper, of which I have long 
 felt the severe effects, has now so far prevailed over my constitution that I have 
 no hopes of recovery, which lays me under the disagreeable necessity of begging 
 your excellency's leave to resign the commission to which I had the honor of being 
 appointed in this state. I would beg leave to observe to your excellency, that 
 nothing but a consideration of my being so far reduced, that my longest space of 
 living can bo but short, and the improbability of my beingof any farther service tomy 
 country, could induce me to quit a service which has ever been my delight, and in 
 which, though laboring under a heavy load of infirmities, I have always boon able 
 to perform my duty whenever called upon. l'>ut as nothing is impossible with 
 God, whom if it should please of his infinite mercy to restore me to health again, 
 I shall think myself bound in duty to my country, again to enter its service. 
 " I am with great respect, 
 
 " Your excellency's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 " Wm. Douglas." 
 
286 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 pied by the enemy, and when they saw a party advancing to 
 meet them in front, they ran down the dechvity, and, secreting 
 themselves behind this breastwork, opened a brisk fire upon 
 the Americans, but at such a distance as to do no harm. 
 Colonel Knowlton, finding the British flank more exposed 
 than the rear, soon advanced within musket ran2;e of them, 
 and brought the guns of his rangers and Virginians, who 
 \vere every one of them marksmen, to bear upon them with 
 their deadly aim. The British returned their fire, and at 
 such close distance that the officers who were in advance of 
 their men w^ere sadly exposed. In a few minutes Major 
 Leitch was carried off mortally wounded. He was shot 
 through the body with three balls. Knowlton pressed on 
 with the same intrepidity that had impelled him to seek the 
 post of danger at Bunker Hill, rushing into the thickest of 
 the shower of random bullets that swept the field, until his 
 body was pierced through and through, and he fell dead in 
 front of his men. His death seemed to inspire the surviving 
 members of his party with a courage quickened by revenge, 
 that animated them almost to madness. They all knew the 
 gallant soul who had thus fallen a victim, and fought around 
 the pale and bleeding form like votaries defending a shrine 
 that is threatened with desecration. The remaining officers 
 and men all fought indiscriminately, and desperately main- 
 tained their position till other detachments were sent forward 
 to support them, when they advanced upon the enemy, and 
 drove them from the wood into the plain. The action lasted 
 four hours, and the loss on the American side was small in 
 point of numbers, but heavy and never to be forgotten was 
 the sorrow that bewailed the fate of the brave and gallant 
 Knowlton of Ashford. Though Washington, and all the 
 other officers of the army, lamented his untimely fate, yet 
 the loss fell most heavily upon his native state, and every 
 member of his regiment was a mourner. Yet his death, 
 like that of every good man, was not without its sanctifying 
 influence upon the cause for which he fell. It taught the 
 Americans to forget their recent defeats and to look forward 
 
[ITTH] WniTE PLAINS. 287 
 
 to the (lav of ultimate victory. It taught them, too, another 
 important lesson, that American soldiers would not desert 
 their lines and I'un from an enemy without cause, when 
 under the command of officers who preferred rather to fall 
 dead at their posts than to desert them. 
 
 About a month after this, Washington retreated from New 
 York island, and marched to White Plains, where he 
 encamped on a high elevation protected in front by two lines 
 of intrenchments nearly parallel, and about five hundred 
 yards from each other. Curving around the foot of this 
 eminence, the river Brunx effectually guarded the right wing, 
 the flank, and a part of the rear, while the left wing rested 
 on the border of a pond that rendered it inaccessible to the 
 approach of an enemy. Sir William Howe obviously meant 
 to force Washington into a general engagement, for he fol- 
 lowed him up as rapidly as he could, marching his troops in 
 solid columns. On the 28th of October, his army appeared 
 in its proudest array, spreading itself over the hill-sides that 
 faced the American camp, and distant from it about two 
 miles. The same day a detachment was sent forward to dis- 
 lodge a party of Americans, mostly Delaware and Mary- 
 land troops, from Chatterton Hill, and after a short action suc- 
 ceeded in taking possession of the post. Sir William 
 advanced toward the American left, and formed his encamp- 
 ments in a semi-circle, keeping his troops lying on their arms 
 all night. He evidently intended to make the attack in the 
 rear ; but in the morning, after a careful examination of the 
 American position and intrenchments, he came to the con- 
 clusion that it would be unsafe to attempt to carry the works 
 without more force. He therefore waited for two days, until 
 Earl Percy should come up with his detachment that was at 
 Harlem. The 31st of October was fixed upon for the 
 attack, but there came on a heavy rain, that induced him to 
 change his plan. It was then too late. General Washing- 
 ton, who knew that his position was inferior to others that 
 might be selected, did not deem it best to hazard everything 
 by an engagement in such a place, and in the night removed 
 
288 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the main body of his army in safety to a more elevated site, 
 and early on the morning of the 1st of November, entirely 
 deserted his camp.* 
 
 Sir William saw that he could never force Washington 
 from his new position, and retired toward Kingsbridge. The 
 retreat of Washington to the Jersey shore, and the fall of 
 the fort that iiad been named after him, seemed to the com- 
 mon soldiers to quench in darkness the few surviving sparks 
 of hope. The fall of Fort Washington proved to be the 
 source of many bitter sorrows to the people of Connecticut. 
 
 Washington had written a letter to General Greene, 
 expressing an opinion that this fortress ought to be abandoned, 
 but still left it discretionary with him to decide whether to 
 quit it or defend it. That brave officer was of the opinion 
 that the fort was in no danger. On the 15th of November, 
 Sir William Howe summoned Colonel Magaw, who com- 
 manded the garrison, to surrender. He replied, that he would 
 defend himself to the last extremity. Washington hastened 
 to Fort Lee, as soon as he heard of the summons, procured 
 a boat, and was crossing over to Fort Washington, when he 
 met Putnam and Greene, who were returning from the gar- 
 rison. They told him that the troops were in high spirits, 
 and would make a good defense. It was late at night, and 
 he was persuaded to return. There can be no doubt but 
 General Greene attributed too much importance to this post, 
 and that Washington was right in his first view, that the 
 place ought to be abandoned. The argument of Greene was, 
 that the evacuation of the fort would give the enemy free 
 access to the navigation of the Hudson — an event that Con- 
 gress and the New York Convention seem to have particu- 
 larly depricated.f 
 
 At this critical time, Fort Washington and the works on 
 
 * In the action at White Plains, on the 28th, the Americans lost three or four 
 hundred, killed and prisoners, llildreth, iii. 154. In this, and the preceding 
 skirmishes at or near White Plains, the Connecticut regiments under Colonels 
 Chester, Douglas, and Silliman, were actively engaged. See Uinnian, p. 91. 
 t Gordon, ii. 124. 
 
[177G.] FORT WASHINGTON. 289 
 
 Harlem Heights were held by Magavv's and Shea's Penn- 
 sylvania regiments, Rawlin's Maryland riflemen, some of the 
 militia of the flying camp, and a few companies of ■picked 
 men, who had been detailed from the Connecticut regiments 
 for purposes of defense. Among the latter was a company 
 of thirty-six soldiers from Litchfield county, who were 
 placed under the command of Captain Bezaleel Beebe, of 
 Litchfield.* 
 
 On the 16th, the assault on the fort commenced at four 
 diflerent points at nearly the same time. The first division, 
 under General Knyphausen, consisting of Hessians and the 
 troops of Waldeck, attacked the north side ; the second, on the 
 east side, composed of English light-infantry, and two bat- 
 talions of guards, was conducted by General Matthews, sup- 
 ported by Lord Cornwallis, with a body of grenadiers, and 
 the thirty-third regiment ; the third attack on the south, 
 intended chiefly as a feint, was directed by Colonel Sterling, 
 with the forty-second regiment ; the fourth, under Lord 
 Percy, a very strong corps, was ordered to aim its assault 
 against the western flank of the fortress. These several 
 assailing parties were provided with excellent trains of artil- 
 lery. The fighting commenced along the lines outside the 
 walls of the fort. The Hessians under General Knyphausen, 
 who were first to commence the assault, suffered most severely, 
 
 * Of these thirty-six men, four — Corporal Samuel Coe, Jeremiah Weed, 
 Joseph Spencer, and John AVliiting, were killed during the assault. The remain- 
 der were taken prisoners and confined on board the prison-ships, in Livingston's 
 sugar-house, and in the North Church, where twenty of their number died, viz., 
 Sergeant David Hall, Elijah Loomis, Gershom Gibbs, Timothy Stanley, Samuel 
 Vaill, Xatlianiel Allen, Enos Austin, Gideon Wilcoxson, Alexander McNiel, 
 Daniel Smith, Isaac Gibbs, Solomon Parmelee, (supposed to have been drowned,) 
 David Olmsted, Jared Stuart, John Lyman, Aaron Stoddard, John Parmelee, 
 Joel Taylor, Amos Johnson, and Phineas Goodwin. On the 27th of December, 
 an exchange of prisoners took place ; but only twelve of the survivors were able 
 to sail for Connecticut, viz., Sergeant Cotton Mather, Timothy Marsh, Kerius 
 Beacli, Thomas Mason, Noah Beach, Daniel Benedict, Oliver Marshall, Elisha 
 Bronson, Zebulon Bissell, Remembrance Loomis, James Little, and Oliver Wood- 
 ruff; six of these, (viz. Mai'sh, Marshall, Loomis, Bissell, Bronson, and B. Beach,) 
 died on their way home. Six only out of the thirty-six lived to reach lndiio. 
 
 51 
 
290 HISTORY OF COXXECTICUT. 
 
 and lost in killed and wounded about eight hundred men. 
 One after another, the American corps were driven within 
 the fort, where they defended themselves with great bravery, 
 until resistance became fruitless. The besiegers then sum- 
 moned Magaw to surrender. After consulting with other 
 officers, he at length agreed to capitulate. The garrison, 
 amounting to two thousand six hundred men, surrendered as 
 prisoners of war.* The Americans had about four hundred 
 killed and wounded ; the loss of the enemy was not less than 
 twelve hundred. f 
 
 The reduction of Fort Washington thus gave the royal 
 army entire possession of the island of New York. Wash- 
 ington's army had become so enfeebled that it now scarcely 
 amounted to three thousand effective men, who, in conse- 
 quence of their recent defeats, had lost their usual courage 
 and energy. 
 
 The American prisoners were treated with the greatest 
 inhumanity. Some were sent on board the prison-ships, 
 while others were confined in churches, and in the sugar- 
 house. They were crowded together in dense masses, 
 deprived of food, drink, and fresh air, and made to suffer the 
 horrors of disease, famine, and suffocation, besides the brutal 
 insults of the petty officers who had them in charge. Their 
 treatment is without a parallel in the history of the wars of 
 any civilized nation. J 
 
 * Botta, i. 289. 
 
 t Gordon, ii. 224 — 226. While the enemy were advancing to the attack, 
 Generals Washington, Putnam, and Greene, and Colonel Knox, with their aids, 
 crossed the river and approached towards the fort. They were warned of their 
 danger, and after much persuasion were induced to return. The garrison was, 
 however, watched with intense interest by Washington, who, from Fort Lee, 
 could view several parts of the attack ; and when he saw his men bayonetted, and 
 in that way killed while begging for quarter, he cried with the tenderness of a 
 child, denouncing the barbarity that was practiced. 
 
 J A letter from a Connecticut gentleman, dated 2Gth Dec, 1776, says — " The 
 distress of the prisoners cannot be communicated in words. Twenty or thirty 
 die every day — they lie in heaps unburied ! What numbers of my countrymen 
 have died by cold and hunger, perished for the want of the necessaries of life ! I 
 have seen it." 
 
[177G.] NEW YORK CONVEXTIOX. 291 
 
 During these operations, the New York Convention was 
 tlu'own into serious alarm, lest the tories of that state should 
 rise in arms and openly join the British forces. That body 
 was obliged to remove from place to place, in order to avoid 
 the enemy; and sat successively at Harlem, Kingsbridge, 
 Phillip's Manor, Croton, and Fishkill. A committee was 
 ap})ointed, with John Jay for its chairman, "for inquiring 
 into, detecting, and defeating conspiracies." This conniiittee 
 was well provided with funds, had an armed force at its dis- 
 posal, and was invested with unlimited powers. Many tories 
 were seized by its order, and sent into Connecticut for safe 
 keeping.* 
 
 On tlie 3d of May, 1777, Lieut. Thomas Catlin, of Litchfield, made a deposition 
 before Andrew Adams, Esq., -f. P., as fellows : 
 
 "That he was taken a prisoner by the P.ritish troops on New York island, 
 Sept. lr>, 1770, and confined with a great number in a close jail, eleven days; 
 that he had no sustenance for forty-eight hours after he was t^iken, and that for 
 eleven whole days they had only about two days' allowance, and tlieir pork was 
 offensive to the smell. That forty-two were confined in one house, till Fort Wash- 
 ington was taken, when the house was crowded with other prisoners. After 
 which thej' were informed they shcjuld have twd-thirds allowance, which consisted 
 of very poor Irish pork, bread hard, mouldy and wormy, made of canail and dregs 
 of flax-seed. The British troops had good bread. Brackish water was given 
 to the prisoners, and he had seen $1,50 given for a common pail of water. Only 
 between three and four pounds of pork was given three men for three days. That 
 for three months, the private soldiers were confined in the churches, and in one 
 were eight hundred and fifty. That about the 25th of December, 177G, ho and 
 about two liundred and twenty-five others, were put on board the Glasgow at 
 New York, to be carried to Connecticut for exchange. They were on board 
 tdeven days, and kept on black, coarse broken bread, and less pork than before. 
 Twenty-eight died during the eleven days. They were treated with great cruelty, 
 and had no fire for sick or well. They were crowded between decks, and many 
 died through liardship, ill-usage, hunger and cold." See WoodrufTs Hist, of 
 Litchfield, 38, 39. 
 
 * llililreth, iii. loG. It was the wise policy both of committees and of the gov- 
 ernment to send their prisoners as far inland as possible, in order to prevent their 
 forced liberation. Hence, the jails and many of the private dwellings in Litch- 
 field, Hartford, Norwich, itc, were frequently used for the safe keeping of tories 
 and of prisoners taken in battle. Dr. Church, who was detected in a treasonable 
 correspondence with the enemy, was long confined in the Norwich jail ; and 
 prisoners of war, occasionally in large bands, were carried thither for confinement. 
 Mr. Matthews, the mayor of New York, Governor Franklin, and others, were 
 
292 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Washington was at this time encamped on a level plain 
 between Hackensack and the Passaic river. The army had 
 no intrenching tools, and Cornvvallis was rapidly approach- 
 ing. Exclusive of Heath's division in the Highlands, and the 
 corps under Lee on the east side of the Hudson, the Ameri- 
 can army did not exceed four thousand men. On the 22d of 
 November, Washington retreated to Newark, with the 
 entire force under his immediate command ; from thence he 
 again retired, first across the Raritan to Brunswick, and then 
 to Princeton, where a corps was left under Sterling, to check 
 the enemy's advance, while Washington continued his retreat 
 to Trenton — at which point he transported the remainder of 
 his stores and baggage across the Delaware.* 
 
 The news of Washington's retreat produced the greatest 
 excitement in Philadelphia, where Putnam had been placed 
 in command. Some fifteen hundred of the city militia were 
 sent forward and joined Washington at Trenton, and he 
 advanced again upon Princeton. As the rear guard of his 
 army left the Jersey shore, Cornwallis with a superior force 
 was in sight. Indeed, during the whole course of the retreat, 
 the American rear guard, who were employed in pulling up 
 bridges, were almost constantly within sight of the advance 
 corps of the British army. Boats having been removed 
 from the Delaware, the enemy found no way of crossing, 
 and accordingly encamped near Trenton. f 
 
 Inasmuch as the movements of the enemy had made Phila- 
 delphia the seat of war, Generals Putnam and Mifflin 
 strenuously advised that Congress should retire from the city; 
 and that body finally resolved to adjourn to Baltimore, in 
 Maryland, to meet on the 20th of December. Until further 
 orders, Washington was invested with full power to direct 
 all things relative to the operations of the \var.J 
 
 On the evening of Christmas, with two thousand five hun- 
 dred of his best men and six pieces of artillery, including 
 
 confined in Litclifickl. See "Woodruff's Hist, of Litchfield; Caulkins' New 
 London. 
 
 * Gordon ; Iliyreth. + Ilildretli. * Gordon, ii. 142. 
 
[i77(;.] 
 
 MORRISTOWX. 293 
 
 the New York company under Alexander Hamilton, Wash- 
 ington commenced crossing the Delaware about nine miles 
 above Trenton — at which place he had resolved to strike a 
 decisive blow by attacking the fifteen hundred Hessians 
 stationed there. It was eight o'clock before he reached the 
 town ; but the Hessians were overcome by the night's 
 debauch and were completely surprised. About a thousand 
 of their number were taken prisoners, who were immediately 
 sent to Philadelphia, and paraded through the streets in 
 triumph. The victory at Princeton soon followed, by which 
 three hundred prisoners fell into the hands of the Americans, 
 besides a severe loss to the enemy in killed and wounded. 
 The American loss was about one hundred, including 
 several valuable officers. f 
 
 Huts were erected at Morristovvn, and there the main 
 body of the American army remained during the winter. 
 The right wing was at Princeton, under Putnam ; the left in 
 the Highlands, under Heath ; and cantonments were established 
 at various places along this extended line. Occasional 
 skirmishes took place between advance parties, but for six 
 months no important movement took place on either side. 
 
 In the mean time, the enemy under Sir Guy Carleton were 
 making desperate ellbrts to recover their supremacy on Lake 
 Champlain. A fleet of above thirty armed vessels of difler- 
 ent sizes and varieties had been set afloat by them, some of 
 which had been framed in England and brought over in 
 detached parts. Besides these, a gondola weighing thirty 
 tons, with above four hundred batteaux, had been dragged up 
 from the rapids near Chamblee. The whole were manned by 
 seven hundred seamen. The Americans had also exerted 
 themselves to their utmost in building and fitting out a little 
 fleet on the lake, which, when completed, mounted fifty-five 
 cannon and seventy swivels, and carried three hundred and 
 seventy-five men. These had been placed under the com- 
 mand of General Arnold, who was soon reinforced with three 
 galleys, three gondolas, and a cutter. On the 1 1th of October, 
 
 * Gordon ; IliWretli •, Botta. 
 
294 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 a warm action ensued, which was continued for some hours. 
 The Americans behaved with great gallantry, as their 
 enemies were free to admit. General Waterbury fought 
 with great intrepidity, walking the quarter-deck during the 
 entire engagement. All his officers were either killed or 
 wounded, excepting a lieutenant and the captain of marines. 
 The action resulted in sinkinrij a gondola belono;ing to the 
 British, and in the blowing up of another with sixty men. 
 The Americans had a schooner burnt, and a gondola sunk. 
 The latter now retreated in the night, hoping to find a shelter 
 under the guns of the fort at Ticonderoga ; but they were 
 overtaken, and again brought into action near Crown Point. 
 The vessel in the rear was taken by the enemy ; and to save 
 the rest, from a similar fate, Arnold ran them ashore and set 
 them on fire. The Americans lost eleven vessels and ninety 
 men. The British lost three vessels and fifty men.* 
 
 Carleton having thus obtained command of the lake, took 
 possession of Crown Point, and soon retired to winter quar- 
 ters. Ticonderoga was still held by General Gates, though 
 his army had been greatly reduced by the departure of the 
 militia, and the expiration of the terms of service of the 
 regulars. The humane conduct of Carleton was highly 
 commended by the American officers. As his predeces- 
 sors had done, and as the Americans were then doing, 
 he for a time employed the savages as his allies ; and 
 while he allowed them to take prisoners, he strictly forbade 
 them either to kill or scalp them. When he found he could 
 not deter them from scalping, he dismissed every one of them, 
 saying he would sooner forego all the advantages of their 
 assistance than to make war in so cruel a manner. 
 
 Before he commenced his operations on the lake, General 
 Carleton had prudently shipped off the American officers 
 
 * Hildreth, iii. 145; Gordon, ii. 146. " The Washington galley, commanded 
 by General Waterbury, had been so shattered, and had so many killed and 
 wounded, that she struck after receiving a few broadsides." Arnold kept his flag 
 flying, and did not quit his galley till she was in flames, lest the enemy should 
 board her and strike it. 
 
[17TG.] BRITISH nUMANITY. 295 
 
 who had been made prisoners in Canada for New England,* 
 supplying them at the same time with everything requisite 
 to maive their voyage comfortable. The other prisoners, 
 amounting to about eight hundred, were returned by a flag, 
 after being obliged to take an oath not to serve against the 
 king unless regularly exchanged. iMany of these being 
 almost naked, he supplied them with clothing. Thus, by his 
 tenderness and humanity, he gained the atiection of those 
 Americans who fell into his hands. His conduct in this 
 respect aflbrds a striking and iiappy contrast to that of nearly 
 all the British oHicers who served in this country during the 
 revolution. 
 
 * Four transports arrived at Elizabetlitown, from Quebec, October 5tli, 177G, 
 with four hundred and twenty Americans who had been prisoners in Canada. 
 The officers from Connecticut were, Major Return J. Meigs, Captains Samuel 
 Lockwood, E. Oswald, O. Ilanchett, A. Savage, and B. Chatten. 
 
 "On the IGtli of September, 177f), the following persons from Connecticut, 
 were confined with others, in one room at Halifax, among felons, thieves, and 
 negroes, viz., Sergeants Levi Munson, of Wallingford, Zachariah Briusmade, of 
 Woodbury ; Corporal Charles Steward, of Stamford, Roger Moore, of Salisbury, 
 Samuel Lewis, William Gray, David Goss, and Adonijah Maxum, of Sharon, 
 Ebenezer Mack, and Levi Barnum, of Norfolk, and Flowers, of New Hartford. 
 In the hospital — Amos Green, of Norwich, J. Matthews, of Goshen, and Wm. 
 Drinkwater, of New Milford." Ilinman, 89, 90. These men were taken prisoners 
 with Colonel Ethan Allen, in his attempt upon Montreal. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 BURNING OP DANBTJET. DEATH OF WOOSTER. 
 
 Sir William Howe had been informed that the Ameri- 
 cans had large depositories of military stores in Danbury 
 and its neighborhood. He determined to destroy them 
 without delay ; and in casting about him for a faithful 
 operator, in this most invidious of all employments — who 
 would be remorseless in the use of the torch — he hit very 
 readily upon his excellency, Governor Tryon, of New York, 
 who, since about the time of his gallant exploits at Mrs. 
 Murray's side-board, had added to his administrative title of 
 governor of New York, the fanciful addition of major-general. 
 Sir William Howe could hardly have made a more admirable 
 selection. He was a shrewd judge of character, and knew 
 well that nothing so effectually calls out the latent energies 
 of a man of genius, as a sudden appeal to old and cherished 
 recollections. Now there was no part of the world, 
 that could awaken in the mind of William Tryon, so 
 many lively and searching associations as Connecticut. 
 The name of the little republic made his excellency's hair 
 bristle with certain sensations, that a soldier ought not to 
 entertain. From the time when that irreverent company of 
 Connecticut dragoons had scattered the type belonging to 
 the administration organ, through the streets of New York, 
 and driven off his pet, Rivington, with hundreds of tories — 
 that were worthy of being elevated to the dignity of gov- 
 ernor's horse-guards — he had felt the liveliest emotions at 
 the very sound of the word Connecticut. In some way, it 
 was inseparably connected in his mind with that charming 
 society called the "Sons of Liberty." 
 
 General Howe showed his shrewdness, not only in select- 
 ing his agent for this work, but also in sending along with 
 
[1777.] TRYOX GOES ASHORE. 297 
 
 him, to see tliat he did not lose himself in his explorations 
 into a land that was so dear to him, those excellent advisers, 
 General Agnew and Sir William Erskine.* Those gentle- 
 men furnished intellectual resources for the tory major-gen- 
 eral, and he added the warmth of his nature, to give soul to 
 the enterprise. Accordingly, a detachment of two thousand 
 men were selected from the choice spirits of the British 
 army, and nominally placed under Tryon's command. They 
 embarked at New York, and under the convoy of a fine naval 
 armament of twenty-five vessels, passed over the waters of 
 Long Island Sound, in such high spirits, as the warmth of 
 an April sun and the pleasing anticipations of the business 
 that was to employ them, were calculated to inspire. They 
 had chosen a time when Connecticut was almost entirely 
 deserted by her male population, who had gone out to defend 
 the soil of other states, and stay up the trailing banner of the 
 noble Washington. They had left their homes to be guarded, 
 with the exception of a few gallant troops, by the crutches 
 of the grandfathers, and the distaffs of the grandmothers, who 
 had two generations of descendants in the field hundreds of 
 miles away. On this account his excellency, who was the 
 very antipode of gunpowder Percy, had nothing to dampen 
 his mood or cloud his brow. As the ships skimmed j\ast the 
 coast towns of western Connecticut, the people gazed at 
 them with mingled curiosity and anxiety. Perhaps some of 
 them called to mind the doings of Wallace, master of the 
 Rose, at Stonington ; but no particular alarm appears to have 
 been excited until the heads of the ships began to ))oint 
 toward the islands that stand out from the Norwalk shore. 
 At about four o'clock, they cast anchor in Saugatuck harbor, 
 and witli such haste as is consistent with a pic-nic excursion 
 into the country, two thousand men, consisting of infantry, 
 cavalry and artillery, went ashore in boats, and under the 
 superintendence of Tryon, with two tory guides to show 
 them the way, moved forward toward Danbury. They 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 195. 
 
298 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 marched about eight miles that night, and encamped in the 
 township of Weston.* 
 
 On the morning of the 20th, at a verj seasonable hour, 
 Tryon arrived at Reading Ridge, where w^as a small hamlet 
 of peaceful inhabitants, almost every one of them patriots and 
 most of them farmers, who had crowned the high hill where 
 they had chosen to build their Zion with a tall, gaunt church, 
 which drew to its aisles one day in seven, the people that 
 dwelt upon the sides of the hills, and in the bosom of the valleys, 
 within the range of the summons that sounded from its belfry. 
 
 By way of satisfying his hunger with a morning lunch 
 until he could provide a more substantial meal, he drew up 
 his artillery in front of this weather-beaten edifice, that had 
 before defied everything save the grace of God and the sup- 
 plications of his worshipers, and gave it a good round of can- 
 nister and grape, that pierced its sides through and through, 
 and shattered its small-paned windows into fragments. The 
 only spectators to this heioic demonstration were a few 
 women and little children, some of whom ran away at the 
 sight of the red coats, and others faced the invaders with a 
 menacing stare. 
 
 The British commander now resumed his march for some 
 distance without meeting with the least opposition, until he 
 began to ascend Hoyt's Hill, when the figure of a single 
 mounted horseman appeared upon the summit of the eminence 
 with his face turned backward, and his gestures and whole 
 action indicating that he was issuing orders to a large army 
 that was climbing the side of the hill. "Halt!" shouted the 
 leader of the opjiosition in a voice of thunder, while he flour- 
 ished his sword in the air, " Halt, the ivhole univeise — wheel 
 into kingdoms." 
 
 Now there was nothing that General Tryon had such a 
 dread of, as dying. He prudently conniianded his men to 
 halt, in imitation of the order given by the leader of the sup- 
 posed army that was advancing, and sent out detachments 
 on the right and left, to reconnoitre, and got his two field- 
 
 * Deminfj. 
 
[1777.] GENERAL TKYO^;'s FRIGHT. 299 
 
 pieces, that were consecrated by the nuitiUition of the old 
 churcii, in readiness to give such feeble battle as he could to 
 this more than Persian array. The reader can judge how 
 much his excellency was relieved, when the videttes returned, 
 and informed him that the wretch who had thus disturbed his 
 valor was the only mortal in sight ; and that no part of him 
 was visible except his back, as he rode toward Banbury, with 
 the speed of a shouting-star.* Little else occurred of an 
 alarming character during the march. They arrived in Dan- 
 bury about two o'clock. J There were a few continental 
 soldiers in the })lace, but they could not make a stand against 
 this large invading party, and were obliged to withdraw. 
 General Tryon selected the house of one Dibble, a faithful 
 lory, for his head-quarters, who lived at the south end of 
 the main street, close by the spot where the military stores 
 had been deposited. 
 
 As Generals Erskine and Agnew were advancing under 
 the protection of a corps of light-infantry, to take up their 
 quarters at the other end of the same street, the party was 
 fired upon by four young men from the house of Major Starr. 
 This brave but rash act cost the young patriots their lives. 
 They were instantly pursued and shot. A poor negro who 
 was caught near them without weapons in his hands, was 
 also murdered, and the five bodies were thrown into the house, 
 which was instantly set on fire. J 
 
 * Barber's Hist. Coll. ; ] )cmiiig"s Oration. 
 
 t " A man named Hamilton had on deposit at a clotliior's in the lower i)art of 
 the village, a piece of cloth, which he was determined at all hazards to rescue 
 from sequestration. lie accordingly rode to the shop, and having secured one 
 end of the cloth to the pummel of his saddle, galloped rapidly away. lie was 
 seen by the enemy's light-horsemen, who followed hard upon him, exclaiming, 
 " We'll have you, old daddy ; we'll have you." " Not yet," said Hamilton, as ho 
 redoubled his speed. Tlic troops gain upon their intended victim ; the nearest 
 one raises his sabre to strike, when fortunately the cloth unrolls, ami fluttering like 
 a streamer, far behind, so frightens the pursuing horses that they cannot be brought 
 within striking distance of the pursued. The chase continues through the whole 
 extent of the village, to the bridge, where finally the old gentleman and his cloth 
 make good their escape." Doming, llinman. 
 
 t Gordon, ii. I'JS. 
 
300 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 A large quantity ot" the public stores had been deposited in 
 the episcopal church, and the first work of the soldiers, was 
 to remove them into the street and burn them. Some of the 
 provisions were also stored in a barn belonging to Dibble. 
 This building was treated with the same I'espect, as its pro- 
 prietor had the honor to entertain General Tryon as a guest. 
 Another barn belonging to a friend of American liberty, 
 which had been appropriated to the same use, was set on fire 
 and consumed with its contents. In a few hours eighteen 
 hundred barrels of pork and beef, seven hundred barrels of 
 flour, two thousand bushels of wheat, rye, oats and Indian 
 corn, clothing for a regiment of troops, and seventeen 
 hundred and ninety tents, were burned. The smoke arising 
 from the destruction of this property was strangulating and 
 filled the whole air, while the streets ran with the melted pork 
 and beef. There was also a large quantity of liquors in some 
 of the buildings. These the soldiers were most reluctant 
 to destroy, and did not do so, until after they had drank 
 so freely of them, that when the labors of the day were 
 ended only a few hundred were fit for duty. While the 
 imbruted soldiers piled the fuel around the flour and beef, and 
 stirred up the laggard flames to a fiercer glare, the women and 
 little children could see by the fitful light the mark of the 
 white cross that had been distinctly drawn upon the tory 
 dwellings, to signify that the destroying angel about to go 
 through the town, would stay his hand at their door-posts 
 and pass them by unharmed. The same dingy light now 
 disclosed a scene of loathsome drunkenness that surpasses 
 description. Hundreds lay scattered at random, wherever 
 the palsying demon had overtaken them ; some in the streets, 
 with their faces blackened with smoke and soiled with earth ; 
 others sprawling in the door-yards, and others still, wild with 
 excitement, holding themselves up by fences and trees, or 
 grasping fast hold of each other, called loudly with oaths and 
 curses to be led against the rebels.* 
 
 * This description was given to me by a revolutionary soldier, who was present 
 throughout the whole affair. 
 
[177T.] ArrKEIIEXSIOXS OF TRYOX. 801 
 
 In this horrible condition the revolutionary patriots of 
 Danbury saw the shades of night gather around their dwell- 
 ings, and in sleepless apprehension did they count the hours 
 as they dragged slowly on. 
 
 Nor did the brigand who led this band of incendiaries 
 pass the night in sleep. The faithful few who had resisted 
 the temptations of the cup, were on the alert, and brought 
 him from time to time the unwelcome intelligence that 
 groups of patriot farmers were fast dropping in from the 
 neicrhborinrf villa2;es and towns, and were besrinning to form 
 into organized companies. What if Wooster, or Parsons, or 
 Huntington, or Arnold, should prove to be at the head of 
 them, and should steal upon him while his troops were in 
 that defenseless condition ? The thought was horrible ! 
 
 Thus heavily passed the watches of that gloomy Saturday 
 night. At last the day began to approach, and reason, 
 unsettled for awhile in the dull brains of the British soldiers, 
 returned to them again. The marks of the late dissipation still 
 appeared in their swollen faces and blood-shot eyes ; but they 
 were now able to stand upright, to grasp a musket, and 
 defend themselves against the farmers who were gathering, 
 ill-weaponed and undisciplined as they were, to oppose them. 
 Then the British general began to breathe more easily, and 
 to exhibit in a more striking manner the remarkable traits of 
 his genius. He drew up his forces in order of defense ; he 
 attended to all the arrangements, and presided over every 
 detail of the preparations that he was making to usher in, 
 with ceremonials worthy of the occasion, another Sabbath 
 day. On a sudden, as if by the pulling of a wire upon the 
 stage, the curtains of darkness were withdrawn from the 
 village, and, like a will-o'-the-wisp, wandering and zig-zag 
 from street to street, from house to house, passed the flaming 
 torch of the incendiary. The congregational meeting-house, 
 the largest and most expensive building in the place, is soon 
 discovered to be on fire, and, one after another, the dwell- 
 ings, stores, and barns of that peaceful community add their 
 tributary lamps to that great centre-beacon of the town, 
 
302 HISTORY OF CON]SrECTICUT. 
 
 until every house, save those that have the mystic sign upon 
 them, are in a broad blaze. Meanwhile, by the light of their 
 own homes, mothers, screening their babes from the bleak 
 air with the scanty clothing that they had snatched up in 
 haste and denied to themselves, crippled old men and 
 palsied women, and little boys and girls clinging to their 
 feeble protectors, made such haste as they could to save their 
 lives from the fire ; taking care to avoid the jeers of their com- 
 fortable tory neighbors, who looked out from the doors and 
 windows where the white cross glared in mockery alike of 
 God and of humanity, and to shun at the same time the 
 unhallowed contact of the soldiers, they ran, crawled, or were 
 carried upon their beds, into lonely lanes, damp pastures, and 
 leafless woods. 
 
 Having witnessed the destruction of the meeting-house, 
 nineteen dwelling-houses, twenty-two stores, and barns, 
 and great quantities of hay and grain that belonged 
 to the inhabitants of the place, and having feasted his 
 eyes with the fear and anguish of the women against 
 whom he waged this glorious war, Major-General Tryon, 
 taking a last fond look of the scene of his exploits, and 
 noting doubtless the artistic effect of the faint blue smoke- 
 wreaths as they curled upward to stain the blushing fore- 
 head of the morning, withdrew his troops and resumed his 
 march toward the sea-shore.* 
 
 When the invader was fairly out of sight, the poor fugi- 
 tives from their several hiding-places, returned, and cowering 
 over the charred timbers of the homes that they had fled 
 from, warmed their shivering frames and trembling hands 
 over the ruins of Danbury. 
 
 In the mean time the news of Tryon's arrival flew along 
 the whole coast. Early on the morning of the 2Gth, Gene- 
 ral Silliman, with about five hundred militia, such as he had 
 been able to gather upon a sudden call, pursued the enemy : 
 and not long after, the venerable Wooster, who had started 
 off" at a moment's warning to defend the soil of his native 
 * See Gordon, Hinman. 
 
[1777.] FALL OF GENERAL WOOSTER. 303 
 
 State from insult, joined him, witii Arnold, and another 
 handful of militia. A heavy rain retarded their movements 
 so much, that they did not reach Bethel till late at night. 
 It was therefore decided to attack the enemy on their return. 
 On the morning of the 27th, the American troops were 
 astir at a very early hour. General Wooster detached 
 Generals Silliman and Arnold, with about five hundred men, 
 to advance and intercept the enemy in front, while he under- 
 took with the remainder — amounting only to two hundred 
 half-armed militia — to attack them in the rear. About 
 nine o'clock, he came up with them as they were marching 
 upon the Norwalk road, and, taking advantage of the uneven 
 ground, fell upon a whole regiment with such impetuosity 
 as to throw them into contusion, and break their ranks. 
 Before they could be restored to order, he had succeeded in 
 taking forty prisoners ; a number equal to one fifth part of 
 his whole force. He continued to hang upon their skirts 
 and harass them for some time, waiting for another favorable 
 opportunity to make an attack. A few miles from Ridge- 
 field, where the hills appeared to offer a chance of breaking 
 their ranks a second time, he again charged furiously upon 
 them. The rear guard, chagrined at the result of the for- 
 mer encounter, now faced about and met him with a dis- 
 charge of artillery and small arms. His men returned their 
 shot resolutely at first, but as they were unused to battle, 
 they soon began to fall back. Wooster, uniting all the fire 
 of youth with the experience of an old soldier, who had 
 seen hard service in more than one field, sought to inspire 
 them with his own courage. Turning his horse's head and 
 waving his sword, he called out to them in a brisk tone, 
 "Come on, my boys; never mind such random shots." 
 Before he had time to turn his face again toward the enemy, 
 a nuisket ball, aimed by a tory marksman, i)enetrated his 
 back, breaking the si)inal column, and lodging in the fleshy 
 parts of his body. He instantly fell from his horse. His 
 faithful friends stripped his sasii from his person and bore 
 liim upon it from the field. 
 
SO-i HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Arnold and Silliman made a forced march to Ridgefield, 
 and arrived there about eleven o'clock. They threw up a 
 temporary barricade across the road on the rising ground, 
 and stationed their little party in such a manner as to cover 
 their right flank by a house and barn, and their left by a 
 ledge of rocks. Here they quietly awaited the enemy. 
 
 As soon as Agnew and Erskine saw what position the 
 Americans had taken, they advanced and received their 
 fire, and though they sustained considerable loss, they 
 returned it with spirit. The action lasted about ten minutes, 
 when the British gained the ledge of rocks, and the Ameri- 
 cans were obliged to retreat. The American officers behav- 
 ed with great spirit. Arnold was shot at by a whole platoon 
 of soldiers standing not more than thirty yards from him. 
 His horse was killed under him, but no other ball took eflect. 
 Snatching his pistols, he shot dead a soldier who was making 
 up to him to run him through with his bayonet, and thus 
 made his escape. The Americans kept up a scattering 
 fire till nearly night, when General Tryon encamped at 
 Ridgefield. In the morning he set fire to the church, but he 
 probably did not superintend this piece of work himself, as 
 it was so inartistically done that it proved to be a failure. 
 He was more fortunate with four dwelling-houses which he 
 soon had the satisfaction to see wrapped in flames. He now 
 resumed his march, but Arnold followed him up so closely 
 that he soon crossed the Saugatuck river, and marched on 
 the east side of it, while the Americans kept pace with him 
 on the left. Thus they advanced, cannonading each other 
 whenever they could find a convenient opportunity. 
 
 About three o'clock in the afternoon, the gallant Colonel 
 Deming, with a little party of continental troops, forded the 
 river where it was about four feet deep, and, unperceived by 
 the enemy, attacked them with desperate violence upon the 
 rear and upon the left flank, pursuing them and keeping up a 
 galling fire that did them very serious harm. Arnold pushed 
 forward toward the mouth of the river, and drawing his 
 men up in good order upon a hill, opened a heavy fire 
 
[1777.] A DEATH-BED SCENE. 805 
 
 upon the right flank of the enemy's rear. The Americans 
 could follow them no further on account of the dangerous 
 proximity of the ships. The British troops who were 
 marching in the van, immediately embarked, while the cen- 
 tre and rear formed on a hill. While Arnold was discharg- 
 ing his cannon at the boats, and while Deming was plying 
 the major-general in the rear. Colonel Lamb, who was from 
 New York, and of course one of his excellency's own 
 subjects, crept with about two hundred men behind a stone- 
 wall, and gave him a parting salute at the distance of about 
 one hundred yards. 
 
 Glad enough was Tryon to get aboard his good ship once 
 more, and it is believed that he cherished to his dying day 
 the recollection of his first visit to Connecticut. 
 
 But let us turn our thoughts, for a moment, to other 
 scenes. 
 
 Dr. Turner, the surgeon in attendance, probed the wound 
 of the venerable Wooster, and informed him that it was 
 mortal. He heard the intelligence with unruffled calmness. 
 A messenger was immediately dispatched to New Haven for 
 Mrs. Wooster, and the wounded man was speedily removed 
 to Danbury. Inflammation soon extended to the brain, and 
 when Mrs. Wooster arrived, he was too delirious to recos- 
 nize her. For three days and nights he sufl'ered the most 
 excruciating agony. On the morning of the 1st of May, the 
 pain suddenly ceased. During that whole day, and the next, 
 his wife, who remained constantly at his bed-side, noticed 
 with the quick eye of a woman's affection, that his mind 
 was laboring with the broken images of scenes that had long 
 ago faded from his recollection, and were now passing in 
 wild review before him. Still, she called vainly upon him for 
 a token of recognition. The paleness of death, the short 
 breathing, the fluttering pulse, at length indicated that the 
 last moment was at hand. She was stooping over him to 
 wipe the death-dew from his forehead, when suddenly he 
 opened his eyes, and fixed them full upon her with a look of 
 consciousness and deep love. His lips trembled. He sought 
 
 52 
 
306 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 to speak, but his voice was stifled in the embrace of death.* 
 The character of Wooster needs no eulogy to recommend 
 it to the people of the state, to defend whose soil against 
 the polluting foot-prints of her first invader, he so nobly 
 sacrificed his life. In personal appearance, as may be infer- 
 red from the poor portrait that we have of him, few men 
 have surpassed him ; in generous hospitality, in the most 
 unwavering integrity, in the forbearance with which he sub- 
 mitted to private insults and public slights, in the length of 
 his military career, and in its glorious consummation, he 
 will forever keep his rank among the first of American 
 patriots, — while the tongue that traduced and the pen that 
 libelled him, will be remembered chiefly because they are 
 seen in contrast with his virtues. f 
 
 * Madam Wooster was a daughter of the Reverend Thomas Clapp, Presi- 
 dent of Yale College. She was highly esteemed hi her day for her dignity, hos- 
 pitality, and benevolence. 
 
 + General David Wooster was born in Stratford, Connecticut, in 1711, and 
 graduated at Yale College in 1738. He served with distinction in the French 
 and Indian wars ; and in April 1775, he was appomted a major-general in the 
 Connecticut militia. During the following June, Congress commissioned him as 
 one of the two brigadier-generals allotted to Connecticut — his colleague being 
 General Spencer. 
 
 General Wooster was a patriot and christian, and deserves to be particularly 
 remembered for the purity of his life, his distinguished public services — his zeal 
 and bravery, united with energy and prudence. 
 
 The late Deacon Nathan Beers, of New Haven, himself an officer of the revo- 
 lution, not long before his decease, communicated to the American Historical 
 Magazine, the following statement : 
 
 " The last time I saw General Wooster was in June 1775. He was at the 
 head of his regiment, which was then embodied on the Green, in front of where 
 the centre church now stands. They were ready for a march, with their arms 
 glittering, and their knapsacks on their backs. Colonel Wooster had already dis- 
 patched a messenger for his minister, the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, with a request 
 that he would meet the regiment and pray with them before their departure. He 
 then conducted his men in military order into the meeting-house, and seated 
 himself in his own pew, awaiting the return of the messenger. He was speedily 
 informed that the clergyman was absent from home. Colonel Wooster immedi- 
 ately stepped into the deacon's seat in front of the pulpit, and calling his men to 
 attend to prayers, ofTered up a humble petition for his beloved country, for him- 
 self, tlie men under his immediate command, and for the success of the cause in 
 which they were engaged. His prayers were offered with the fervent zeal of an 
 
[1777.] THE RETALIATION. 307 
 
 As the battle of Lexington was followed by a retaliatory 
 act on the part of Connecticut, so the predatory incursions 
 of Tryon produced a like result. 
 
 General Parsons, one of the most heroic soldiers as well 
 as one of tlie best lawyers and most scholarly writers of the 
 revolutionary period, had already discovered that there was 
 a large deposit of military stores laid up for the use of the 
 British army at Sag Harbor, and now determined to avenge 
 the insult oflered to Connecticut, by siezing and destroying 
 them. He employed Colonel Meigs to execute this mission. 
 Accordingly, Meigs, on the 21st of May, left New Haven for 
 Guilford, with what men he could muster, in thirteen whale- 
 boats. At Guilford he obtained some reinforcements, and 
 on the 23d, crossed the sound with one hundred and seventy 
 men, under convoy of two armed sloops. He took along 
 with his company another sloop, that was unarmed, to 
 bring off the prisoners that he had counted upon as a 
 part of his booty. He reached the north branch of the 
 island, near Southold, at six o'clock in the evening, and 
 there took his whale-boats, with most of his men, overland 
 to the bay, where they again embarked. About mid- 
 night they found themselves on the other side of the bay, 
 only four miles from Sag Harbor. They landed under the 
 cover of a thick wood, where Colonel Meigs left tlie boats 
 in care of a guard, and advanced with the main body, 
 amounting to about one hundred and twenty men, in excel- 
 lent order. He arrived at Sag Harbor about two o'clock, 
 and dividing the company into several parties, made an 
 attack upon all the guards at once, with fixed bayonets. The 
 alarm was soon given, and a schooner that had been station- 
 ed there with seventy men, and twelve guns, opened a heavy 
 fire upon them. 
 
 Colonel Meigs attacked them with great spirit, killed 
 
 apostle, and in su(^h pathetic language, that it drew tears from many an eye, and 
 affected many a heart. When he liad closed, he left the liouse with his men in 
 the same order they had entered it, and the regiment took up its line of march 
 for New York. With such a prayer on his lips ho entered the Revolution." 
 
308 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 some of them, and took nearly all the rest prisoners. Only- 
 six escaped by flight. He also set fire to the vessels and for- 
 age. He destroyed twelve brigs and sloops, one hundred 
 tons of pressed hay, a large quantity of grain, ten hogsheads 
 of rum, and a great amount of merchandise. By two o'clock 
 in the afternoon he returned to Guilford with ninety pris- 
 oners. In a little more than twenty-four hours, he had trav- 
 eled by land and water a distance of ninety miles, without 
 the loss of a man. Congress voted him an elegant sword as 
 a reward of his address and valor. He accomplished as 
 much by this expedition as Tryon had done at Danbury, 
 except that he burned no dwelling-houses, mutilated no 
 churches, and drove from their homes no women and chil- 
 dren.* It had always been the policy of our state to wage 
 war only with men. 
 
 * Colonel R. J. Meigs, of Middletown, Connecticut, was one of the most suc- 
 cessful partizan officers of the Revolution. Soon after the close of the war, he 
 became one of the first settlers of the wilderness of Ohio. He was the agent for 
 Indian affairs as early as 1816 ; and died at the Cherokee agency, .June 28, 1823, 
 at an advanced age. He published a journal of the Expedition to Quebec from 
 Sept. 9, 1775, to Jan. 1, 1776. His son of the same name was governor of Ohio, 
 and Postmaster General of the United States. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 PRINCETON AND THE HIGHLANDS. 
 
 The efforts of Putnam in fortifying Philadelphia were so 
 great, that his health was for a long time very much impair- 
 ed. On the very day that Washington re-crossed the Dela- 
 ware to surprise the Hessians, he found time to write a letter 
 to Putnam, congratulating him on his restoration to health, 
 and informing him of the contents of an intercepted letter, 
 revealing the designs which the enemy had upon Philadel- 
 phia. On the 5th of January, 1777, the commander-in-chief 
 communicated to Putnam his second masterly victory at 
 Princeton, and ordered him forward with all his troops to 
 Croswicks', to assist in recovering the ground that had 
 been so hastily overrun by the enemy, who were now panic- 
 stricken and appalled at the brilliant successes that had 
 attended the American chief. 
 
 Soon after this, he was directed to take post at Princeton. 
 Here he remained until spring, within fifteen miles of the 
 large British garrison stationed at Brunswick, with only a 
 few hundred men, and a long and difficult frontier that 
 numbered, at one time, more miles than he had soldiers. He 
 was obliged to keep up appearances comporting with the 
 presence of a large army. 
 
 When Putnam arrived at Princeton, he found there Cap- 
 tain McPherson, of the seventeenth British regiment, who 
 had been shot through the lungs, and was in a very danger- 
 ous condition. He was suffering extreme pain, and had not 
 even been examined by a surgeon. No one supposed that 
 he could live more than a few hours when Putnam first discov- 
 ered him. Putnam procured surgical attendance, and bestow- 
 ed the most delicate attentions upon the wounded officer, 
 who, to the astonishment of every body, soon began to show 
 
310 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 signs of" recovery. McPherson, with all the prejudices of a 
 Scotchman, was as generous as he was brave. He knew 
 that he owed his life to Putnam, and acknowledged the debt 
 with deep gratitude. The warmest friendship soon grew up 
 between them, that was ripened by familiar intercourse. 
 One day, the conversation turning upon the favorite 
 theme, the following good-natured dialogue passed between 
 them : :. . , . . ■ 
 
 McPherson. "Pray, sir, what countryman are you?" 
 
 Putnam. " An American." 
 
 McPherson. " Not a Yankee ?" - : 
 
 Putnam. " A full-blooded one." 
 
 McPherson. "By God! I am sorry for it. I did not think 
 there could be so much goodness and generosity in an Amer- 
 ican — or indeed in anybody, but a Scotchman." 
 
 After McPherson was able to give his attention to busi- 
 ness, and while his situation was yet critical, he begged 
 General Putnam to allow him to send for a friend, who was 
 in the British army at Brunswick, to come and assist him in 
 making his will. At this time, Putnam's whole army 
 amounted to only fifty men, and the arrival of a keen British 
 officer, who would be able to spy out his resources at a 
 glance, was a thing of all others to be deprecated. On the 
 other hand, he felt anxious to gratify the prisoner in the 
 indulgence of a request so reasonable, and making such a 
 ready appeal to his sympathies. He resorted to an expedient 
 that proved him to be what he had proclaimed himself, " a 
 full-blooded Yankee." He sent a flag of truce to Brunswick 
 with Captain McPherson's request, but with directions not 
 to return until after dark. In the evening, he placed a light 
 in every room in the college and in all the apartments of the 
 vacant houses in the town. He kept his fifty men marching 
 the whole night, sometimes all together, and sometimes in 
 detachments, passing and meeting near the house where the 
 wounded captain and his testamentary adviser were lodged. 
 When the British officer returned, he reported that General 
 Putnam's army could not amount to less than four thousand 
 
[1777.] PUTXAM'S letter. 311 
 
 men.* During the winter, with his very limited means, Put- 
 nam took about one thousand prisoners, most of them tories 
 and members of foraging parties. The following letter from 
 Putnam to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, under date of 
 February 18th, 1777, will show the success of one of Lord 
 Cornwallis' foraging expeditions : 
 
 " Yesterday evening Colonel Nelson, with a hundred and 
 fifty men, at Lawrence's Neck, attacked sixty men of Cort- 
 landt Skinner's Brigade, commanded by the enemy's 
 RENOWNED LAND pihoT, iMaj 07' RicJuifd Sfockto?!, Youted them, 
 and took the whole prisoners — among them the Major, a 
 Captain and three subalterns, with seventy stands of arms. 
 Fifty of the Bedford Pennsylvania Riflemen behaved like 
 veterans." ] 
 
 The old continental army expired with the year 1776. 
 After Putnam's return from New .Jersey, the new army was 
 divided into three main branches. One division, consisting 
 of troops belonging south of the Hudson river, under Wash- 
 ington ; the northern department, under General Schuyler, 
 composed of two brigades from Massachusetts, the New 
 York brigade, and some irregular corps ; and the third, 
 under General Putnam, was stationed in the Highlands. 
 This last detachment was made up of the two remaining 
 brigades from Massachusetts, two brigades from Connecticut, 
 one from Rhode Island, and a single regiment from New 
 York. On hearing of the loss of Ticonderoga, General 
 Washington ordered the two Massachusetts brigades to join 
 the northern department, and when he had learned the 
 strength of Sir William Howe's army, he ordered from the 
 Highlands into Pennsylvania one of the Connecticut brig- 
 ades, and one from Rhode Island ; so that Putnam's whole 
 force now amounted only to a single Connecticut brigade 
 and the New York regiment. He established his head quar- 
 ters at Peekskill. There was in New York a large force 
 made up of British troops and several corps of New York 
 tories who had flocked to the British standard. J 
 
 *Humpbreys, 134, 135. tHumplueys, 141. i Humphreys, 143, 144. 
 
312 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Between the two armies was a large tract of country, that 
 afforded abundant booty and good hiding-places for a com- 
 pany of nondescript tories, half brigand and half soldier, 
 who did nothing but rob and plunder the country on both 
 sides of the river, and who made their head-quarters, or 
 rather their principal den, at Westchester. Neither the 
 rights of property, nor of personal security, were safe within 
 the range of their pillaging explorations. They not only 
 stole the horses and cattle of the more peaceable inhabitants, 
 but took possession of their persons and those of their wives 
 and daughters and subjected them to the most barbarous 
 violence and outrageous insults. The patriots retaliated, 
 and deeds were perpetrated along the banks of the Hudson 
 that would have disgraced the tenth century. 
 
 General Putnam resolved to put an end to these enormi- 
 ties. He sent Colonel Meigs with his regiment down the 
 river to effect this object. Meigs performed during the 
 campaign some daring feats, that taught that rabble of 
 depredators to respect the moral principle and discipline that 
 they did not choose to cultivate themselves. 
 
 General Putnam was thought to be the author of this 
 movement, and all the malevolent feelings of the party who 
 felt their liberties to be restrained, were directed against him. 
 They finally began to concert measures to surprise the 
 general and make him a prisoner. Governor Tryon proba- 
 bly had the honor of being consulted in this enterprise, as 
 will appear in the sequel. To make Putnam a captive after all 
 the trouble that he had given them, w^ould be an achievement 
 worth accomplishing. Spies were sent into his neighbor- 
 hood, who lurked in large numbers around his camp. British 
 gold was lavished so plentifully, and such rewards were 
 offered in case of success, that the tories exerted themselves 
 to the utmost, and were more bold than they ever had been 
 in any good cause. The intention to seize Putnam at his 
 head-quarters was so generally understood, that Washington 
 was well aware of it, and sent him information in relation to 
 it, accompanied with a caution to him to be on his guard. 
 
[1777.] PUTNAM irAXGS PALMER. 313 
 
 In spite of all Putnam's vigilance, one Nathan Palmer, a 
 lieutenant in the ranks of the tory recruits, found his way 
 into the camp, but he was fortunately detected, tried, and 
 found guilty of being a spy. Governor Tryon, who com- 
 manded the tory levies, used all his efforts to save the 
 prisoner. He wrote a letter to Putnam, in which he painted 
 in glowing colors the crime of taking the life of one of the 
 king's commissioned ofiicers. He threatened the American 
 general with his sharpest vengeance, if he dared to do the 
 least harm to Palmer. Putnam had a very concise way of 
 expressing his thoughts in writing. He answered the menac- 
 ing epistle in these pertinent words : 
 
 " Sir — Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your king's service, 
 was taken in my camp as a spy. He was tried as a spy ; he 
 was condemned as a spy, and you may rest assured, sir, he 
 shall be hanged as a spy. 
 
 " I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
 "Israel Putnam. 
 " His Excellency, Governor Tryon. 
 
 " P. S. Afternoon. He is hanged. "'^^ 
 
 The letter, as well as the postscript, is a model of pith and 
 brevity. 
 
 Soon after the departure of the two brigades for Penn- 
 sylvania, the British army at New York was largely rein- 
 forced by the arrival of troops from England. Putnam's 
 single brigade in the field, and his solitary regiment at Fort 
 Montgomery, under command of General Clinton, could 
 hardly be expected to withstand the large army that might 
 at any hour he marched against him. He wrote to General 
 Washington informing him of ids situation and asking him 
 for some troops to defend tlie important posts that had been 
 intrusted to his keeping. Washington's condition was 
 equally j)erilous, and he could only authorize him to call upon 
 the militia. 
 
 Putnam was not wrong in his apprehensions of evil. On 
 • Ilinman, 113 ; Humphreys, 147. 
 
814 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the 5th of October, Sir Henry Clinton sailed up the Hudson 
 with three thousand men, and after making many feints to 
 deceive the Americans, and, passing the night on board his 
 vessels, landed the next morning at Stony Point, and moved 
 rapidly forward toward Fort Montgomery. As soon as the 
 commander of the garrison became aware of the approach 
 of Sir Henry, he sent by express a letter to General Putnam, 
 asking for a reinforcement. The courier proved to be a 
 tory in disguise, and did not deliver the letter. Hearing 
 nothing of the enemy, General Putnam began to be alarmed, 
 and at last rode forth with General Parsons and Colonel 
 Root, to reconnoitre them at King's Ferry. 
 
 By five o'clock in the afternoon, Sir Henry Clinton had 
 climbed the mountains that were interposed between the 
 landing and the rear of the fort, and hastily descending 
 a high hill through thickets that none but light troops 
 could have passed, made a vigorous assault upon the 
 redoubt. 
 
 Major David Humphreys, then a major of the first Con- 
 necticut brigade, was at head-quarters when the firing began 
 and was the first to hear it. He flew to the camp, and beg- 
 ged Colonel Wyllys, the officer in command, to send all the 
 men who were not on duty, to the relief of the garrison- at 
 Fort Montgomery. Colonel Meigs was instantly dispatched 
 with five hundred men, while Major Humphreys, then young 
 and of an ardent temperament, rode at full speed, accom- 
 panied by Dr. Beardsley, along a bye-path, to inform Gov- 
 ernor Clinton that a reinforcement was advancing. When 
 Major Humphreys had crossed the river, he found the fort 
 so completely invested that he could not approach it. He 
 therefore went on board a frigate that lay at anchor in the 
 river, and waited for the American detachment to come up. 
 Here he witnessed the whole action. The fort had been 
 thrown up to defend the river, and had not been constructed 
 with any reference to an attack from the rear. However, 
 Governor Clinton, his brother. General James Clinton, Colo- 
 nel Dubois, and the other officers, were men of true courage, 
 
[1777.] MAJOR HUMPHREYS. 815 
 
 and were all seconded by the garrison, who fought with great 
 spirit. But it was idle to attempt to oppose, with a single 
 regiment, the solid columns of three thousand British troops 
 advancing against the frail works at places where they 
 could be hardly said to offer an obstruction. At dusk, the 
 enemy entered the fort with fixed bayonets. The loss on 
 either side was not very great. Almost all the officers and 
 men of the garrison escaped under cover of the smoke and 
 darkness, that was now fast settling over the abrupt moun- 
 tains whose shadows offered them a safe retreat. 
 
 It is not likely that the little band of men under Colonel 
 Meigs, had they arrived in season, could have prevented the 
 loss of the fort against such fearful odds. 
 
 The young major of brigade, who saw the battle, the 
 retreat, and the sublime picture that followed it, has left us a 
 lively sketch of the closing scene. 
 
 "The frigate," writes this young scholar and poet, "after 
 receiving several platoons, slipped her cable, and proceeded 
 a little way up the river; but the wind and tide becoming 
 adverse, the crew set her on fire, to prevent her falling into 
 the hands of the enemy, whose ships were approaching. The 
 louring darkness of the night, the profound stillness that 
 reigned, the interrupted flashes of the flames that illuminated 
 the waters, the long shadows of the cliffs that now and then 
 were seen, the explosion of the cannon which were left 
 loaded in the ship, and the reverberating echo which resounded 
 at intervals between the stupendous mountains on both sides 
 of the river, composed an awful night-piece for persons pre- 
 pared by the preceding scene, to contemplate subjects of 
 horrid cruelty."* 
 
 * General David Humphreys, was a son of the Rev. Daniel Humphreys, of 
 Derby, Conn., where he was born in 1753. He graduated at Yale College, in 
 1771, and soon went to reside in the family of Colonel Phillips, of Phillips' Manor, 
 New York. Ho early entered the revolutionary army as a captain ; in 1778, ho 
 was a major and aid to General Putnam ; in 1780, he was selected as Washing- 
 ton's aid with the rank of colonel — his competitors for the place being Tallmadge, 
 Hull, and Alden. For his valor at the siege of York, Congress honored him with 
 a sword. In 1781, he accompanied JefTerson to Franco, as Secretary of Lega- 
 
316 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The capture of Fort Montgomery, and the removal of the 
 booms and chains that had been placed in the river, gave to 
 Sir Henry Clinton, a free passage to Albany, and opened a 
 communication between him and Burgoyne. But before any 
 union of their forces could be effected, the capitulation of Bur- 
 goyne changed the whole plan of operations. 
 
 The loss of Fort Montgomery led to a trial of General 
 Clinton by a court-martial. He was acquitted with honor. 
 Sir Henry soon fell back to New York. Putnam followed 
 him a part of the way by land. Colonel Meigs was sent 
 forward with a detachment of men who had been selected 
 from General Parsons' brigade to fall upon a band of 
 robbers in Westchester. He succeeded in breaking up 
 the company for a time. He made fifty prisoners, and 
 carried oft' a large number of horses and cattle that they had 
 stolen. 
 
 Among the other outrages committed by these free-booters 
 under the sanction of the British government, was that of 
 
 tlon. He represented Derby in the Legislature of Connecticut in 178G, but soon 
 after became a resident of Hartford. In 1788, he went to reside in Washington's 
 family, and continued with him until he was appointed minister to Portugal, in 
 1790. Four years afterwards, he was sent as minister plenipotentiary to Spain. 
 He concluded treaties with Tripoli and Algiers. In 1812 he was appointed 
 major-general of the Connecticut militia. General Humphreys died in New 
 Haven, Feb. 21, 1818, aged sixty-five. 
 
 In the midst of his public duties he found time for the indulgence of his tastes 
 as a writer, both in prose and verse. A collection of his miscellaneous works was 
 published in New York, in 1790, and 1804. See Am. Spec, i. 239—272. Had 
 he devoted his attention exclusively to polite literature, he would doubtless have 
 excelled any American writer of that day. His writings bear evident marks of 
 haste, but evince abundant proofs of genius. He was remarkable for his wit, his 
 pathos, the facility with which he wrote, and his powerful and condensed narra- 
 tive. He presents more images to the mind of a reader upon a single page, than 
 any other writer who has treated of the incidents and characters of the revolution. 
 His principal work, is a life of Major-General Putnam. 
 
 There is at Yale College, a likeness of General Humphreys, by Stuart, that is 
 one of the best works of that great artist. It ought to bo engraved and published 
 aa a beau ideal of the American military gentleman of that period. It is as I once 
 heard a good artist say, " one of the few portraits that may bo said to speak and 
 glow with life." 
 
[1777.] CONNECTICUT AND WEST POINT. 317 
 
 burning the houses of the principal patriots. General Put- 
 nam resolved to put an end to this wanton mode of warfare. 
 Having learned that Governor Tryon had sent out a party to 
 burn Wright's mills, he detached three parties of one hundred 
 men each to prevent it ; one detachment captured thirty-five 
 of these incendiary tories, and another forty. Foiled in their 
 attempt upon the mills, a number of the new levies went to 
 the house of Mr. Van Tassel, a whig committee-man of high 
 character, and took him prisoner. They dragged him along 
 with them a great distance, naked and barefoot, over the ice 
 and frozen ground, in a bleak cold night. Putnam deter- 
 mined to retaliate, and to make his selection in a quarter 
 that would command the attention of the authors of this 
 mischief. He chose a victim best suited to effect his object. 
 He ordered Captain Buchanan, in a whale boat, with a few 
 trusty men, to repair to York Island, and burn the splendid 
 mansion-house of General Oliver Delancy. The mission 
 was accomplished with remorseless fidelity, and the dwelling 
 burned to ashes. This incense, rising in the very nostrils 
 of Governor Tryon, was not an acceptable sacrifice. But 
 it stayed the plague in the infected district for a long 
 time.* 
 
 Late in the year 1777, General Washington commissioned 
 Putnam to select a new site for a fort, that would supply 
 the place of Fort Montgomery. Putnam examined the 
 banks of the river with great caution, and finally hit upon 
 that bold rock, impregnable in the rear by the high ridges 
 that rise one after another behind it in regular walls, and 
 overlooking with its frowning buttresses the pent up waters 
 of the Hudson. Not long after, the gallant and accomplished 
 General Parsons, with the first Connecticut brigade, went to 
 the spot thus designated by Putnam, and in the cold month 
 of January, while the snow lay upon.the ground to the de})th 
 of two feet, without tents to shield his men, and without 
 suitable intrenching tools to prosecute the work, struck the 
 first mattock into the soil and threw up the first embankment 
 * Humphreys, 151. 
 
318 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 at West Point. From that day to this, neither the valor of 
 foreign troops, nor the vile machinations of treason, have been 
 able to pluck or steal the key of the North River from our 
 hands, nor can a keel pass up and down its channel without 
 doing homage to our flag.* 
 
 * Humphreys. 
 
CHArTER XIV. 
 
 THE NOUTIIEIIN DErARTilENT. CAPTURE OF BURGOYNE. 
 
 General Schuyler, who had oflended the Continental Con- 
 gress by writing one of his "subacid letters,"* did not find 
 the displeasure of that body quite as desirable as he might 
 have anticipated. He finally condescended to offer an 
 apology in the shape of a memorial presented to Congress, 
 that was designed as a glossary to the offensive letter, and 
 explained away the text so well, that on the 8th of May, the 
 Congress resolved to receive him again into favor. About 
 a fortnight after this act of oblivion was passed, it was 
 resolved that Albany, Ticonderoga, Fort Stanwix, and their 
 dependencies, be henceforth considered as forming the north- 
 ern department, and that Major-General Schuyler be direc- 
 ted to take the conmiand there. Whether the general hum- 
 bled himself with any view of a subsequent exaltation, 
 the reader can judge. It is (juite certain that one event 
 followed the other very much in the relation of cause and 
 effect. The New England delegates voted against the 
 appointment, as they said it superceded General Gates, and 
 had their representation been full at that time, the result 
 would have been different. 
 
 It belonged to the states of New Hampshire, Massachu- 
 setts and Connecticut, to furnish the troops for the northern 
 posts. Massachusetts did not furnish the quota of men that 
 had been designated for her, under an impression that Ticon- 
 deroga would not be attacked. 
 
 * CJencral Schuyler, in one of his complaints to Congress against General 
 Wooster, ai'cuses him of writing "subacid letters." A reference to the corres- 
 pondence of those officers in the fourth volume of the fourtli series of the Ameri- 
 can Archives, will readily detect the injustice of the charge. The courtesy and 
 forbearance of Wooster are in striking contrast to the insolence of Schuyler. 
 
320 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The British force in that quarter was under the command 
 of Burgoyne, the successor of Sir Guy Carleton, who had 
 been superceded on account of his conscientious scruples.* 
 This army was provided with everything that could be 
 called munitions and accoutrements in the greatest abund- 
 ance, and had the best train of artillery that had ever followed 
 the movements of a subordinate army in America. f 
 
 The designs of Bur2;ovne were entirelv unknown to the 
 Americans, and hence Washington, as well as his subordin- 
 ates in command at the north, was greatly perplexed with 
 doubt as to what course to pursue. At least ten thousand 
 men were necessary for the defense of Ticonderoga alone ; 
 but St. Clair, who commanded there, had only three thou- 
 sand, and these were insufficiently armed and equipped. It 
 was in fact a part of Burgoyne's plan, not merely to take 
 Ticonderoga, but to advance thence upon Albany, and, with 
 the cooperation of the troops at New York, to get possession 
 of the posts in the Highlands. He started on this expedition 
 with an army of eight thousand men, composed of British 
 and German soldiers, besides a large number of tories, Indians, 
 Canadian boatmen, laborers, and skirmishers. J 
 
 On the 1st of July, Burgoyne gained a steep hill over- 
 looking Ticonderoga, which the Americans had neglected 
 to fortify because they regarded it as inaccessible to artillery. 
 St. Clair at once saw that there was no chance for his troops 
 except in a hasty retreat. He accordingly placed his bag- 
 gage and stores in two hundred batteaux, and, under convoy 
 of five armed galleys, sent them to Skenesborough, now 
 Whitehall, towards which point the troops retired by land, in 
 a south-easterly direction, through the New Hampshire 
 grants. § By three in the afternoon, the van of the British 
 squadron, composed of gun-boats, came up with and attacked 
 the American galleys ; and in a short time, the British frigates 
 
 * It will be remembered that Sir Guy refused the services of the Indians 
 because they persisted in killing and scalping the American prisoners and the 
 wounded. His scruples could not be tolerated by the British government, 
 t Gordon, ii. 203, 204. J Ilildreth, iii. 19G, 197. § Ilildreth. 
 
[1777.] DEFEAT OF THE AMEEICANS. 821 
 
 having joined the van, tiie galleys were completely over- 
 powered. Two of them surrendered, and three were blown 
 up.* 
 
 The American irarrison at Skenesboroucjh, on being 
 informed of Burgoyne's approach, set fire to the works, and 
 retreated up Wood Creek to Fort Ann, a post half way to 
 the Hudson river. Colonel Long, who commanded at this 
 post, hearing that the British were approaching, sallied out 
 to meet them ; but after a contest which lasted for more than 
 two hours, he retired with his troops lo Fort Ann, set fire to 
 the buildings, and withdrew to Fort Edward, on the Hudson, 
 where General Schuyler had previously arrived. f 
 
 The vanguard, conducted by St. Clair in person, reached 
 Castleton on the 0th ; the rear, consisting of three regiments, 
 amounting in all to twelve hundred men, commanded by 
 Colonels Francis, Warner, and Hale, rested through the 
 night at Hubbardston, six miles below Castleton. At this 
 place they were overtaken the next morning by General 
 Frazer, and attacked. Hale's regiment ingloriously fled from 
 the field. Francis and Warner, with the two remaining 
 regiments, behaved with great spirit and firmness, and the 
 English fought with equal obstinacy. Several times the lat- 
 ter gave way, but were rallied again by their gallant officers. 
 The Americans seemed destined to triumph, until the arrival 
 of General Reidesel, with his German brigade, when they 
 were compelled to give way before the superior force of the 
 enemy. Francis was killed, together with two hundred of 
 his brave soldiers. The number of the wounded was 
 estimated at about six hundred, many of whom, deprived of 
 all succor, perished miserably in the woods. Two hundred 
 prisoners fell into the hands of the enemy. Tiie loss of the 
 royal troops was about one hundred and eighty. J 
 
 So completely were the Americans dispersed, that when 
 Warner joined St. Clair, on the 9th, he had with him less 
 than ninety men.§ By the 15th, the entire northern army, 
 consisting of about five thousand men, were congregated at 
 
 * Botia, i. 457. t Botta, iii. 458, -ir)!). * Botta. § Ilildivtli, iii. 198. 
 
 53 
 
322 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. ' ' 
 
 Fort Edward. Many of the soldiers were without arms, and 
 there was a great deficiency in ammunition and provisions. 
 
 The intelligence of these disasters was received with sur- 
 prise and chagrin by Congress, as well as by General Wash- 
 ington. The New England officers charged them upon the 
 mismanagement of General Schuyler — and probably not 
 without some cause. Suspicions of treachery against cer- 
 tain officers, were whispered in the ears of men high in 
 authority. Congress immediately directed the recall of all 
 the northern generals, and an inquiry was ordered into their 
 conduct. This order, however, was suspended by request of 
 Washington, who represented that the army of the north 
 could not be left without officers at that critical moment. 
 Two brigades from the Highlands, Morgan with his rifle 
 corps, Arnold and Lincoln, were detached to reinforce the 
 army at Fort Edward ; and Gates was appointed commander 
 in the place of Schuyler.* 
 
 During this brief interval, Burgoyne was making desperate 
 efforts to open a passage from Fort Ann to Fort Edward. 
 The intervening country was for the most part a dense 
 wilderness. Besides removing the trees with which Schuy- 
 ler had caused the road to be obstructed, he had to re-build 
 no less than forty bridges. At length, on the 30th of July, 
 he reached Fort Edward, which by this time had been evacu- 
 ated by the Americans, they having taken up their quarters 
 at Stillwater, lower down on the Hudson. f 
 
 A corps of New Hampshire militia, under command of 
 Colonel Stark, had recently arrived at Bennington. Being 
 informed of the approach of Colonel Baum, with two pieces 
 of artillery and eight hundred men. Stark sent off" expresses 
 for the militia, and Colonel Warner, who w^as encamped at 
 Manchester, six miles from Bennington. Baum began to 
 intrench himself on the 14th of August, and sent back to 
 Burgoyne for reinforcements. Lieutenant-Colonel Breyman, 
 with his regiment of Brunswick grenadiers and light-infantry, 
 was sent to his assistance, but he was delayed by rains and by 
 
 * Ilildrcih, iii. 199, 200. + Gordon, ii. 210, 211 
 
[1777.] GALLANTRY OF WARNER AND STARK. 823 
 
 the badness of the road. Similar causes prevented Colonel 
 Warner from reaching Bennington at the time anticipated. 
 About noon on the 16th, having been joined by some Berk- 
 shire militia under Colonel Simmons, Stark approached the 
 enemy. After a hotly contested action of two hours, the 
 Americans began to pour into the intrenchments on every 
 side. The Indians, Canadians, and British, fled into the 
 woods. The German dragoons still continued to fight, and 
 after their ammunition was exhausted, they were led to the 
 charge with their swords. The survivors and their wounded 
 colonel were made prisoners. About four o'clock, the regi- 
 ments of Breyman and Warner, came up from different 
 directions, and the battle was renewed. A fierce conflict 
 ensued, which continued until the dusk of the evening, when 
 Breyman abandoned his baggage and artillery, and retreated. 
 By this victory, a thousand stand of arms, a thousand swords, 
 and four pieces of artillery, fell into the hands of Warner 
 and Stark, besides nearly six hundred prisoners. About two 
 hundred of the enemy were killed ; the Americans had four- 
 teen killed, and forty-two wounded.* 
 
 These successes, together with the gallant and resolute 
 defense of Fort Schuyler, had a wonderful effect in reviv- 
 ing the spirits of the American soldiers, and inspiring them 
 with hope and energy. 
 
 A strong corps of Connecticut and New Hampshire mili- 
 tia, under General Lincoln, was detached with the hope of 
 recovering the fortresses of Ticonderoga and Mount Inde- 
 pendence, and consequently, the command of Lake George. 
 He parted his troops into three divisions, viz : the first, com- 
 manded by Colonel Brown, of Berkshire county, who sur- 
 prised all the pos'ts upon Lake George, including Mount 
 Hope, Mount Defiance, and the old French lines ; he took 
 possession of two hundi'ed batteaux, an armed brig, several 
 gun-boats, and a very considerable number of prisoners. 
 The second, led by Colonel Johnson, arrived at Ticonderoga 
 and Fort Independence, and summoned the garrison to sur- 
 *Hildreth: Botta. 
 
32-i HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 render. General Powell expressed his determination to 
 defend himself; and the fortresses were besieged for four days, 
 without success. The third, commanded by Colonel Wood- 
 bury, was designed for the reduction of Skenesborough, Fort 
 Ann, and Fort Edward.* 
 
 Burgoyne, having by great efforts obtained about thirty 
 days' provisions, determined to force a passage to Albany. 
 Toward the middle of September, he crossed the river on 
 a bridge of boats, and encamped with his army on the plains 
 of Saratoga. General Gates was encamped in the neighbor- 
 hood, about three miles below. The two armies being thus 
 brought into the immediate neighborhood of each other, a 
 battle was anticipated. 
 
 On the morning of the 19th of September, the movements 
 of the belligerent forces indicated that a crisis in their des- 
 tiny was approaching. The English formed themselves in 
 order of battle, their right wing resting upon the high grounds 
 which rise gradually from the river ; it was flanked by the 
 grenadiers and light infantry, who occupied the hills. The 
 Indians, Canadians, and loyalists, were ranged some distance 
 in front, and upon the side. The left wing and artillery 
 commanded by Generals Phillips and Reidesel, kept along 
 the great road and meadows by the river side. 
 
 The American army drew up in the same order from the 
 river to the hills — Gates commanding the right in person, 
 and Arnold the left.f After several skirmishes, the battle 
 became general, and continued until the shadows of evening 
 fell upon the contending parties. In the language of Gordon, 
 " There was one continual blaze of fire for three hours without 
 intermission. The report of the muskets resembled an inces- 
 sant roll-beating on a number of drums. The Americans and 
 British alternately drive and are driven by each other."J 
 The enemy lost over five hundred men in killed, wounded, 
 and prisoners ; yet they claimed the victory, and encamped 
 upon the field. The Americans retired to their camp, with a 
 loss of about three hundred. They, also, claimed to have 
 
 * Botta, ii. 8. t Botta. i Hist. Am. Rev. ii. 249. 
 
[1777.] FALL OF FRAZER. 325 
 
 triumphed, in maintaining their position against such fearful 
 odds. 
 
 Among the American troops engaged in this memorable 
 conflict, were Cilley's, Scamraell's and Hale's New Hamp- 
 shire regiments, two regiments of Connecticut militia, Van 
 Courtland's and Livingston's New York regiments, Wesson's, 
 Marshall's, and Brooks's Massachusetts regiments, and 
 others.* 
 
 From the 20th of September to the 7th of October, both 
 armies were engaged in eflbrts to replenish their stocks of 
 provisions and ammunition, recruiting their respective forces 
 or throwing up intrenchments. During these few days, the 
 American army was constantly increasing, while Burgoyne's 
 condition was becoming more and more hopeless. His com- 
 munications were entirely cut ofi', and he could neither 
 advance nor retreat ; his troops at the same time were 
 suffering severely on a short allowance of food, and he had 
 long waited in vain for the expected aid of General Clinton. 
 In his desperation, he resolved to hazard another engage- 
 ment. With this view, he marched forward with fifteen 
 hundred picked men, to make a reconnoisance of the Ameri- 
 can lines, and to cover a forage of his arm}'. He had with 
 him Generals Phillips, Reidesel, and Frazer, together with 
 ten pieces of artillery. A fierce action soon ensued — the 
 attack having been commenced by Poor's New Hampshire 
 brigade, followed up by Morgan's riflemen. The gallant 
 Frazer was mortally wounded ;f and the British troops, after 
 a desperate effort, succeeded in regaining their camp, leaving 
 behind them six pieces of artillery. The retreating enemy 
 were followed up with great spirit by Arnold, and, after an 
 obstinate defense, succeeded in gaining their works, where 
 the fight was continued until the darkness of night again put 
 an end to the strife. In this assault, Arnold was wounded 
 
 * Gordon; Ilildreth. 
 
 t Besides the loss of General Frazer, Sir James Clark, aid-de-camp to General 
 Burgoyne, was mortally wounded and taken prisoner ; Lieutenant-Colonel Brey- 
 man was killed, and Majors Oakland and Williams were taken prisoners. 
 
826 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. ^ ' 
 
 and compelled to retire. Colonel Brooks, of Massachusetts, 
 was still more successful in his attack upon a German brig- 
 ade, having driven them from their intrenchments at the 
 point of the bayonet, and captured their camp equipage, 
 artillery, and ammunition. 
 
 That night, the Americans slept on their arms, intending 
 to renew the engao;ement in the morning. But the British, 
 under cover of the darkness, silently withdrew to the high 
 grounds in the vicinity.* 
 
 On the 8th, several skirmishes ensued, in one of which 
 General Lincoln was so severely wounded as to be deterred 
 from further service. During the following day, Bur- 
 goyne, fearing he should be surrounded, abandoned his new 
 quarters, and fell back upon Saratoga, a distance of six 
 miles. 
 
 By this time, Burgoyne's force was reduced to four thou- 
 sand effective men, and he was surrounded by three times 
 that number of Americans, who were now flushed with suc- 
 cess and eager for another trial at arms. He was reduced 
 to three days' supply of provisions, and he could gain no 
 intelligence from Howe or Clinton. He called a council of 
 war, on the 13th, who advised that a treaty of capitulation 
 should be opened. 
 
 General Gates at first insisted upon an unconditional sur- 
 
 * The lato Colonel Moses Lyman, of Goshen, then a lieutenant, commanded a 
 company of militia during this northern campaign. lie was well known to many 
 of the officers in the camp, as he had been in the service during much of the two 
 preceding years ; and during the memorable night of the 7th of October, he was 
 put in command of a company of observation, to watch the movements of Bur- 
 goyne to see whether lie would advance or recede from the position which ho 
 held at the close of the action. The sentinels of the two armies were stationed 
 so near together that they might have hailed each other. No movement, how- 
 ever, was discovered in the British camp during the night. Soon after dawn, on 
 the morning of the 8th, Lyman marched out with his men toward tlie liostile 
 camp, expecting that his appearance would provoke a movement of some kind, 
 on tlie part of the enemy. He advanced still nearer, but found only the slain 
 and wounded ; he continued his march until he reached their deserted tents. 
 He was the first to inform Gencni! dates that the enemy had abandoned their 
 camp and sought a more secure position. Rev. Grant Powers' Centennial Ad- 
 dress, 1839. 
 
[::::.] i;ui:l;v yne cai'ituj.ates. 327 
 
 render, which was refused. But as he had learned that all 
 the American posts in the Highlands had fallen into the 
 enemy's hands, and fearing that Burgoyne might soon be 
 reinforced, he was particularly anxious to hasten the 
 capitulation. He accordingly proposed that the British 
 troops should march out of their camp with the honors of 
 war, lay down their arms, and be conducted to Boston, and 
 there embark for England, under a pledge not to serve 
 against the United States until exchanged. These terms 
 were accepted. 
 
 The number of prisoners who surrendered was five thou- 
 sand six hundred and forty-two, with their arms, artillery, 
 baggage and camp equipage. Among these articles were 
 thirty-two brass cannons, seven howitzers, and three royal 
 mortars, besides four thousand six hundred and forty-seven 
 muskets, six thousand dozen of cartridges, shot, carcasses, 
 cases and shells.* 
 
 The intelligence of the capture of Burgoyne was hailed 
 
 * llildreth, iii. 214. Among the most accom|)lish(.d Ci)imoeticut officers who 
 participated in the battle and witnessed the surrtnder of JUirgoyne, was Captain 
 Moses Seymour, of Litchfield, who at that time commanded a company of cavalry. 
 A day or two after the terms of capitulation were signed, the American officers 
 invited Burgoyne and his fellow-officers to dine with them. At this interesting 
 festival Captain Seymour was present. His account of the conversations that took 
 place on the occasion, between the conquerors and the conquered, and particularly 
 his minute relation of the toasts given on both sides, are still remembered with 
 interest. The utmost courtesy and good feeling prevailed on the part of the 
 principal officers, and the responses to the sentiments given were hearty and 
 enthusiastic. At length, General Burgoyne was called upon for a toast. Every 
 voice was for the moment hushed int(» the deepest attention, as he rose and 
 gave — " America and Great Britain against the world." The response which 
 followed may be imagined. 
 
 During the night that succeeded the last battle between Gage and liurgoyne, 
 Captain Seymour watched with a British officer who had been wounded and carried 
 off the field in the midst of the engagement. Soon after he had entered tlie 
 apartment, tlie wounded officer, who had not before learned the fate of the day, 
 eagerly asked Capt;iin S. as to the result. On hearing that the British had been 
 defeated, he remarked — " Then the contest is no longer doubtful ; A^itcrica will 
 be independent. I have fought earnestly for my king and country, but the con- 
 test is ended !" The kindness of Captiiin S. to liim, an enemy, deeply affected 
 the officer ; ho thanked him again and again ; and finally offered him his watch 
 
328 msTOKY OF Connecticut. 
 
 throughout the country witn thanksgiving and rejoicings. It 
 became a general theme of congratulation in private circles, 
 and in public assemblies — and the pulpit and press joined in 
 celebrating the praises of Gates and his heroic band of 
 officers and soldiers.* ' ■ 
 
 Captain Thomas Y. Seymour, of Hartford, a captain of 
 cavalry in Gates' army, was, for a part of the route, at least, 
 commander of the escort sent with General Burgoyne to 
 Boston. The people in that part of New England through 
 which they passed had been greatly exasperated at the 
 proclamation of the British commander, threatening the 
 extremities of war against all who should oppose his march, 
 and particularly at the barbarous offer of a reward to his 
 
 and other rewards, which were of course refused. The gallant American did all 
 in his power to relieve the distresses and sooth the mind of his charge — but his 
 wounds proved fatal. 
 
 * On one of the Sabbaths in October, the Rev. Cotton Mather Smith, of Sharon, 
 Connecticut, preached a sermon from Isaiah xxi. 1 1 — '' Watchman, what of the 
 night ? the Watchman saith, The morning cometh." " The discourse," says 
 Sedgwick, (Hist. Sharon, p. 54,) " was entirely adapted to the condition of public 
 affairs. He dwelt much upon the indications, which the dealings of Providence 
 afforded, that a bright and glorious morning was about to dawn upon a long night 
 of defeat and disaster. He told the congregation that he believed they would 
 soon liear of a signal victory crowning the arms of America, exhorted them to 
 trust with an unshaken and fearless confidence in that God who, he doubted not, 
 would soon appear for the deliverance of his people, and crown with success the 
 efforts of the friends of liberty in this country. Before the congregation was 
 dismissed a messenger arrived, bringing the intelligence of the surrender of 
 Burgoyne's army. Parson Smith read the letter from the pulpit, and a flood of 
 joy burst from the assembly." 
 
 "During the next year," continues the same author, " a large part of Bur- 
 goyne's army marched through this town, on their way to the south. They were 
 met here by a regiment of continental troops, under the command of Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Jameson, who was afterwards conspicuous in the affairs connected with 
 the capture of Andre, and who here took charge of the prisoners." It appears 
 that a large part of this detachment were Hessians. They encamped in Sharon 
 over night •, and when they started in the morning, the whole body sang devo- 
 tional songs as they marched. The late Governor Smith, then a lad, followed 
 them two or three miles, to hear their singing. 
 
 Colonel Gay, of Sharon, with a large number of men under his command from 
 that town and vicinity, shared in all the conflicts which preceded the surrender of 
 Burgoyne. Sedgwick's Hist. p. 53. 
 
[1777.] TnE PRICE OF YANKEE SCALPS. 329 
 
 Indian allies for American scalps. In every town where the 
 escort stopped, multitudes of people flocked to its quarters to 
 see him, and in some instances, Captain Seymour found it 
 difficult to preserve his prisoner from actual violence. 
 
 One day, the company had halted at a village inn in Mas- 
 sachusetts for purposes of refreshment and rest. General 
 Burgoyne was sitting in the principal room in the house, 
 and a crowd of curious spectators were gathered about the 
 door, eager to catch a glimpse of him. Among others, a 
 large, masculine-looking old woman elbowed her way through 
 the crowd, and actually gained admittance. When first 
 observed by the captain of the escort, she stood directly in 
 front of Burgoyne, with her arms akimbo, scrutinizing him 
 from head to foot, with a look in which were blended 
 curiosity, boldness, and exultation. The general became 
 restless under her gaze, and uneasily shifted his position so 
 as to avoid it ; but to no purpose. Before Captain Seymour 
 could interfere to protect his prisoner from the annoyance, 
 the virago, looking steadily at Burgoyne and shaking her 
 finger in his face, exclaimed in a high shrill voice : " Neoio 
 tvliat'll ye give fur Yankee scalps <"' 
 
 So saying, she suddenly withdrew, leaving the irritated 
 prisoner to digest the insult as he best might ; while the 
 Captain, mortified though he was at the occurrence, could 
 hardly maintain his gravity at the ludicrous spectacle. 
 
 It is proper to add, that on reaching Boston, General Bur- 
 goyne presented Captain Seymour wnth a magnificent saddle 
 and a pair of silver-mounted cavalry pistols, as tokens of his 
 appreciation of the manner in which that officer had per- 
 formed his delicate duty. 
 
 This Captain Seymour, mounted on his charger, forms a 
 conspicuous figure in Trumbull's painting of The Surrender 
 of Burgoyne. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 WYOMING. 
 
 In July 1753, the Connecticut Susquehannah Company, 
 formed at Windham, sent out a committee to explore "a cer- 
 tain tract of land lying on the Susquehannah river, at a 
 place called Chiwaumuck, an island in said river.* This 
 committee went forward to view the territory, admitted by 
 the best lawyers of the nation to belong to Connecticut by 
 virtue of her charter,! and to perfect in the hands of the cor- 
 poration which they represented, the Indian title to it, in 
 accordance with the old custom of the colony. This territo- 
 ry, embracing that part of Pennsylvania lying within the 
 forty-second degree of north latitude, was one of the most 
 beautiful and attractive regions that the eye of the western 
 pioneer ever rested upon. J Hill, valley, mountain, and 
 stream, diversified the landscape, while the magnificent forests 
 and luxuriant vegetation indicated the richness of the soil 
 and gave promise of golden harvests and pleasant homes, as 
 
 * Supposed to be the Minocasy. 
 
 + The Warwick Patent, dated March 19, 1631, describes the bounds of Con- 
 necticut as extending " throughout the main lands," '■'•from the western ocean 
 to the south sea." So also the charter of Charles II., dated April 20, 1662, 
 describes the bounds " as running from east to west, that is to say, from the 
 said Narragansett Bay on the cast, to the south sea on the west part.'''' As, 
 however, the territory of New York had previously been claimed and settled 
 upon by the Dutch, Connecticut did not attempt to establish any right to or 
 jurisdiction over that country, but contented herself with her claim to the 
 lands lying west of New York and south of the forty-second degree of north 
 latitude. The claim of Pennsylvania to the same territory, was founded upon 
 the patent granted by Charles 11. to William Penn, bearing date March 4, 
 1681 — nineteen years after the date of the charter of Connecticut. 
 
 X In its more limited signification, the " Valley of Wyoming " is a name given 
 to a valley on the Susquehannah river, about twenty miles in length, from north- 
 east to south-west, and from three to four in breadth. 
 
[1755.] THE SUSQUEHANNAH COMPANY. 331 
 
 the rewards of industry and enterprise. The abundance of 
 wild game witii which the woods and air were teeming — 
 the varieties of fish that sported in the streams — the rich 
 ckisters of grapes and other tempting fruits that grew spon- 
 taneously in those quiet valleys and along tiiose sloping liill- 
 sides — all seemed to add their cordial invitation to the hardy 
 adventurer from the east. 
 
 Such, briefly, ^vas the country which the agents of the 
 Susquehannah comi)any were commissioned to explore and 
 purchase of its aboriginal proprietors. This company con- 
 sisted, at first, of eight hundred and forty persons, including a 
 large number of the leading men of Connecticut. The num- 
 ber of proprietors was subseqently increased to twelve hund- 
 red. The purchase was fairly and honorably made, and was 
 ratified by the congress of delegates which convened at 
 Albany in July, 1754, in which Pennsylvania was represent- 
 ed by John Penn, Isaac Norris, Benjamin Franklin, and 
 Richard Peters. In the treaty with the Six Nations, which 
 was executed by the Congress in question, the territory pur- 
 chased by the Susquehannah Company is described as "lying 
 within the limits of the royal charter to Connecticut " ; and 
 it does not appear that any objection was made to the claim 
 thus set forth and virtually recognized by the delegates in 
 their official capacity.* 
 
 In May, 1755, Phineas Lyman and others, as a committee 
 of the Susquehannah Company, petitioned the Assembly of 
 Connecticut, praying the acquiescence of the Legislature in 
 the purchase, and desiring their consent for an application to 
 his majesty to erect them into a new colony or plantation. 
 In response to this petition, the Assembly " manifested their 
 ready acquiescence therein." During the same year, sur- 
 veyors were sent by the company to lay out the lands ; but 
 
 ♦The Hon. Charles Miner, in his admirable "History of Wyoming," gives 
 a minute history of the eonflicting claims of Pennsylvania ami Connecticut — 
 and proves conclusively that Connecticut held the country, first, by a grant 
 or charter from the king ; second, by the purchase of the soil from the In- 
 dians ; and third, by the right of possession. 
 
832 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the war with the French prevented any actual settle- 
 ments. 
 
 In 1762, several emigrants from Connecticut visited the 
 valley, cleared up some lands, sowed their grain, and return- 
 ed home. During the following spring, they went back to 
 Wyoming with their families, with the determination of 
 making a permanent settlement — taking with them their 
 stock, farming utensils, and household furniture. Their town 
 was built on the flats near the river below Wilkesbarre. 
 Their crops had proved abundant, they were delighted with 
 their new homes, and they began to anticipate a life of peace 
 and plenty. On the 15th of October, however, they were 
 suddenly startled at the sound of the war-whoop, which was 
 followed by a fierce attack from a large party of savages. 
 The settlers were entirely unprepared for such an assault, 
 and about twenty men were killed and scalped. The residue 
 of the men, women and children fled to the mountains, and 
 ultimately found their way back to Connecticut. 
 
 In 1768, the Susquehannah Company determined to renew 
 the attempt to settle the lands at Wyoming. A meeting of 
 the proprietors was held at Hartford, at which it was resolv- 
 ed that five townships, each five miles square, should be sur- 
 veyed and granted, each to forty settlers, being proprietors, 
 on condition that those settlers should remain upon the 
 ground, " man their rights," and defend themselves and each 
 other from the incursions of all rival claimants. Forty per- 
 sons were to set out forthwith ; the others, to the number of 
 two hundred in all, were to follow during the succeeding 
 spring. As an additional encouragement to the settlers, the 
 sum of two hundred pounds, Connecticut currency, ($667,00) 
 was appropriated to provide implements of husbandry, pro- 
 visions, arms and ammunition, for those who might require 
 assistance. The five townships allotted to these adventurers 
 were situated in the heart of the valley. They were Wilkes- 
 barre, Hanover, Kingston, Plymouth, and Pittston. At a 
 subsequent date, three other townships, to be laid out on the 
 west branch of the Susquehannah, were appropriated to forty 
 
[1769.] THE SECOND SETTLEMENT. 333 
 
 settlers each.* On the 8th of February, 17G9, the first forty- 
 settlers — comprising the advance corps of pioneers from 
 Connecticut — arrived in the valley. On reaching their place 
 of destination, however, they were surprised to find that the 
 block-house and huts from which their friends had been 
 driven a few years before, were in possession of their ene- 
 mies. During the preceding month, three Pennsylvania 
 officers,! with several men, had taken up their abode there 
 — a lease of one hundred acres having been granted to them 
 for seven years, on condition that they should establish an 
 Indian trading-house thereon, and defend the valley from 
 encroachment. The Yankees forthwith invested the block- 
 house of Captain Ogden, cutting oft' all communication 
 with the surrounding country, so that the besieged could 
 neither obtain fuel nor venison ; and demanded in the name 
 of Connecticut, the surrender of the garrison. 
 
 Captain Ogden, who appears to have been an adept in the 
 arts of diplomacy, as well as a gallant military officer, sent a 
 very polite and conciliatory note to the commander of the 
 fortij, respectfully soliciting a friendly conference on the sub- 
 ject of their respective claims. This was readily acceded 
 to, and Messrs. Isaac Tripp, Benjamin Follett, and Vine 
 Elderkin were selected as the representatives of the Con- 
 necticut party. No sooner, however, had they entered the 
 block-house, than SherifT Jennings clapped a writ on their 
 shoulders, saying — "Gentlemen, in the name of the common- 
 wealth of Pennsylvania, you are my prisoners." The pris- 
 
 * Subsequent to the purchase of the Susquehannah Company, a second associa- 
 tion was formed in Connecticut, called the " Delaware Company," who purcliased 
 of certain Indian chiefs, " all the lands bounded east by the Delaware river, with- 
 in the forty-second degree of north latitude, west to the line of the Susqueliannah 
 )nircliase, to wit, ten miles east of that river." This comi)any commenced a set- 
 tlement at Coshatunk, on the Delaware river, which flourished for several years — 
 liaving, in 17G0, thirty dwelling houses, a block-house for defense, a grist mill 
 and saw mill. 
 
 t These officers were Captain Amos Ogden, the military leader of tlu' ccmqtany, 
 Charles Stewart, surveyor, afterwards aid-dc-cainp to Ceneral Washington, and 
 John Jennings, Esq., High Sherift" of Northampton county. 
 
834 HISTORY OF CONXECTICUT. • - 
 
 oners were immediately conducted to Easton jail. They 
 were closely followed by their friends, and no sooner was the 
 key turned than bail was entered for their appearance, and 
 they were set at liberty. On their return to Wyoming, they 
 found themselves in the peaceable possession of the valley. 
 This was the beginning of a contest between the settlers 
 under the Connecticut claim and the government of Penn- 
 sylvania, which continued for many years. 
 
 Sheriff Jennings appears to have been not a little chagrin- 
 ed at the result of this attempt at negotiation with the set- 
 tlers. He forthwith raised a posse in Northampton county, 
 and, accompanied by several magistrates, repaired to Wyo- 
 ming, stormed the fortification of the settlers, and captured 
 nearly the whole of them. About thirty of their number 
 were forthwith marched off to Easton jail — a distance of 
 sixty miles, through a dreary wilderness, and in the depth 
 of winter. They were all committed to jail, but were almost 
 immediately admitted to bail, as their predecessors had been, 
 and they once more returned to their homes on the Susque- 
 hannah. Thus, in less than sixty days after their arrival in 
 the valley, some of their number had been twice arrested 
 and nearly all of them, in going and returning from jail, had 
 traveled at least two hundred and forty miles. 
 
 By the 10th of April, the little colony had been so rein- 
 forced by emigrants from Connecticut, that two hundred and 
 seventy able-bodied men assembled on the bank of the river 
 where Wilkesbarre now stands. A new fortification was 
 erected at that point, and called Fort Durkee, after the com- 
 mander, and twenty or thirty huts were built in its immedi- 
 ate vicinity. Having now a brief interim of peace, the set- 
 tlers entered upon their agricultural labors with energy, and 
 succeeded in breaking up the ground for the reception of the 
 seed. 
 
 By the 20th of May, Captain Ogden and Sheriff Jennings 
 again appeared upon the plains, with their forces recruited, 
 and assumed a hostile attitude. After reconnoitering the 
 position of the enemy, they withdrew to Easton. In his 
 
[1709.] FORT DURKEE SURRENDERED. 835 
 
 report to the governor, Jennings states that the intruders 
 mustered three hundred effective men, and that he could not 
 collect a sufficient force in the county to dislodge them. 
 About a month later. Colonel Turbot Francis, at the head of 
 a splendid corps from the city, visited the plains and made a 
 similar examination of the fortifications of the settlers ; but 
 retired to wait for reinforcements. 
 
 In June, 1769, Colonel Ellphalet Dyer and Major Jedediah 
 Elderkin arrived in Philadelphia as agents of the Susquehan- 
 nah Company, vested with full power to negotiate for the 
 settlement of the controversy respecting the Wyoming lands. 
 The Hon. Benjamin Chew was appointed agent on the part 
 of Pennsylvania to confer with the gentlemen named. No 
 terms for the adjustment of their difliculties could be agreed 
 upon. 
 
 In the beginning of the autumn, a well-armed and well- 
 equipped corps of two hundred men, under command of Cap- 
 tain Ogden and Sheriff Jennings, began their march for the 
 disputed territory. An artillery company, with an iron four- 
 pound cannon, and a supply of ball and cartridges, constitu- 
 ted a part of this force. Ogden soon siezed Captain Durkee, 
 sent him in irons to Philadelphia, and there closely incar- 
 cerated him. Fort Durkee shortly after surrendered. 
 By the articles of capitulation, three or four of the leading 
 men were to be detained as prisoners of war ; seventeen of 
 the Connecticut people were to remain to gather the har- 
 vests ; and all the others, without exception, were to leave 
 the valley immediately. 
 
 These terms were strictly complied with on the part 
 of the settlers ; but no sooner had the people left, than 
 Ogden, in direct violation of his pledges, began to plunder 
 the property that had been left behind. Cattle, horses, 
 and sheep were driven off to market. The seventeen men 
 who were to remain on the ground, being left without 
 any means of subsistence, were compelled to follow their 
 friends to Connecticut. Thus the close of the year 
 1769 found Wyoming in full possession of the Pennsylva- 
 
^ 
 
 386 HISTORY OF COXXECTICUT. 
 
 nians — the Yankees* having been driven from the country 
 for the third time, their homes made desolate, their property- 
 destroyed, themselves defeated and disheartened. So at least 
 thought their enemies, who imagined that the people of Con- 
 necticut would now desist from all further attempts to found a 
 colony in the valley of the Susquehannah. Fully impressed 
 with this belief, Ogden and Jennings, leaving a guard of ten 
 men to take charge of the public property in the fort, repair- 
 ed to Philadelphia, to while away the winter. 
 
 Early in February, a company of men from the adjacent 
 town of Hanover united with a few^ Connecticut people, 
 under Captain Stewart, entered the valley, drove off the 
 guard stationed at Fort Durkee, took possession of the fort, 
 provisions, and cannon, and quietly awaited the result. The 
 news soon reached Ogden, who hastily mustered about fifty 
 friends, and, marching to Wyoming, took possession of his 
 old quarters at mill creek. Major Durkee, who had by this 
 time escaped from prison, again took the command of the 
 settlers. A collision soon occurred, in which one of the 
 Connecticut party was killed. Durkee now determined to 
 drive Ogden from his position. With his single cannon he 
 commenced the siege, and carried it forward with such suc- 
 cess, that on the 29th of April Ogden surrendered. By the 
 terms agreed upon, all the Pennsylvanians were to leave the 
 valley within three days, except six men who were to remain 
 in possession of one of the houses. 
 
 Soon after the departure of Ogden, the commander of the 
 settlers resolved to retaliate upon the previous conduct of 
 that officer. He forthwith expelled the six unwelcome neigh- 
 bors as spies, seized upon the property left in their posses- 
 sion, and burnt the fort that had been vacated by Ogden. 
 
 Governor Penn at once issued his proclamation denounc- 
 ing the " outrageous conduct " of the intruders, and offering 
 large rewards for their arrest. Having in vain applied for 
 assistance to General Gage, commander-in-chief of his 
 
 * " Yankees " and " Pennymites^" were the names by wliich the two parties 
 were long known in W^yoniing. 
 
[1773.] COMMISSIONEES APPOINTED. 337 
 
 majesty's forces, whose head-quarters were then in New 
 York, the governor directed Captain Ogden to raise as many 
 soldiers as he could, and dispossess the Yankees of the valley. 
 The business of recruiting proceeded so slow, that it was 
 late in September before he reached Wyomhig. His force 
 amounted to about one hundred and fifty men. His move- 
 ments were conducted with such secrecy, that he surprised 
 the fort and garrison, and took a large number of prisoners, 
 almost without opposition. A few of the officers were sent 
 to Philadelphia, while the others were taken to the jail at 
 Easton. The valley was again deserted by the settlers. 
 
 The triumph of the Pennsylvanians was of short duration. 
 On the 18th of December, the sleeping garrison was startled 
 with a " Hurrah for King George !" and Captain Stewart 
 with thirty men took possession of the fort in behalf of Con- 
 necticut. Six of its inmates escaped half naked to the 
 mountains, while the remainder were expelled from the 
 valley without ceremony. 
 
 In January, the fort again fell into the hands of Ogden ; 
 and on the 14th of August, after a vigorous siege, it was sur- 
 rendered to Captain Zebulon Butler. 
 
 What is known as " the first Pennymite and Yankee war," 
 was now ended, and the Connecticut settlers on the Susque- 
 hannah began to enjoy the blessings of peace. During the 
 autumn, many of them went to Connecticut and brought 
 their families into the valley. Prosperity smiled upon the 
 labors of the husbandman, and domestic and social happiness 
 at last crowned the struggles and privations of the war-worn 
 combatants. A church was formed, a minister settled, schools 
 established, and a local civil covernment ors;anized. 
 
 C'onnecticut now determined to extend a formal and positive 
 jurisdiction over the Susquehannah Company's purchase. 
 To this end, in October 1773, her Legislature appointed 
 Eliphalet Dyer, William Samuel Johnson, and Jedediah 
 Strong, commissioners to ])rocced to Philadelphia, to nego- 
 tiate an amicable settlement of the controversy. In Decem- 
 ber they presented their credentials to Governor Penn, and 
 
 54 
 
338 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. •...: 
 
 commenced the business assigned to them. All their propo- 
 sitions were objected to and declined by Governor Penn — as 
 they doubtless anticipated would be the case — and the com- 
 missioners returned to Connecticut. On receiving their 
 report, the General Assembly, in January, passed an act 
 •'erecting all the territory within her charter limits, from the 
 river Delaware to a line fifteen miles west of the Susque- 
 hannah, into a town, with all the corporate powers of other 
 towns in the colony, to be called Westmoreland, attaching it 
 to the county of Litchfield." Zebulon Butler and Nathan 
 Denison were commissioned justices of the peace for the new 
 town. Governor Trumbull issued a proclamation forbidding 
 any settlement within the limits of Westmoreland, except 
 under the authority of Connecticut.* 
 
 Captain Butler and Mr. Joseph Sluman were chosen the 
 first representatives from Westmoreland to the Legislature 
 of Connecticut. 
 
 As may well be supposed, the spirit that had roused the 
 people of the colonies to resist the oppressive acts of the 
 mother country, met with a cordial response from the settlers 
 of Wyoming. Long accustomed, as they had been, to resist 
 oppression at home, they were among the first to protest 
 against the encroachments of a foreign despotism. As early 
 as August 1775, in town meeting, they passed a vote express 
 ing their acquiescence in the action of the Continental Con- 
 gress, and declaring that they would " unanimously join their 
 brethren in America in the common cause of defending their 
 liberty." 
 
 In the fall of 1775, the governor of Pennsylvania resolved 
 to renew the war against the people of Wyoming, who had 
 now enjoyed a period of four years of uninterrupted peace. 
 Colonel Plunket, with seven hundred men in his train, 
 returning from an expedition against the settlements at Judea 
 and Charlestown, arrived at the mouth of Nescopeck creek, 
 
 * The governor of Pennsylvania also issued a proclamation about the same 
 time, prohibiting any settlement on contested claims, " under pretended grants 
 from Connecticut," or any other than the authority of Pennsylvania. 
 
[1T:G-'7.] INDIANS AND TORIES. 339 
 
 on the 20th of December. Congress having been informed 
 that an attack upon Wyoming was contemplated, interposed 
 in behalf of the settlers — recommending " that the con- 
 tending parties immediately cease all hostilities, and avoid 
 every appearance of force, until the dispute can be legally 
 settled." 
 
 This advice came too late to be of any avail. Plunket arriv- 
 ed upon the borders of the valley on the 23d. As his force 
 was nearly double that of all the settlements in the valley, his 
 appearance was the occasion of much alarm. Colonel Z. 
 Butler, with the most strenuous exertions, succeeded in 
 collecting together about three hundred men and boys ; but 
 as there were not guns enough to supply them all, some of 
 them appeared on the ground with scythes fastened upon 
 handles. He selected his position and fortified it as well as 
 circumstances would permit. On the 23d and 24th, Butler's 
 fortification was attacked, two or three skirmishes took place, 
 and several persons were killed. The expedition ended in 
 the inglorious retreat of Plunket and his army.* 
 
 During the years of 177G and 1777, few events occurred 
 in the valley that need to be repeated here. As among the 
 patriotic citizens in other parts of the country, strenuous 
 efforts were made to raise and equip their quota of soldiers, 
 to supply the families of the absent,! and to provide means 
 for their own safety and defense. Occasionally the Indians 
 and tories would make an incursion into their vicinity, and 
 kill or take captive such objects of their hatred as might 
 
 * Mr. Miner, (Hist, of Wyoming, p. 180,) introduces evidence to show that 
 Colonel P. was identical with the Dr. Plunket, an apothecary, who was concerned 
 with .Tames Maclean in several highway robberies committed on Ilounslow Heath, 
 England, in 1750, an account of which may be found in the London Gentleman's 
 Magazine for September of that year. Among the persons assaulted by Maclean 
 and Plunket, was I.,ord Eglington. It is stated that Colonel Plunket acknoiol- 
 cdgcd that he was associated with Maclean in the robberies alluded to ; and that 
 he wiis recognized in this country by persons who had known him in England. 
 
 tTown Meeting, Westmoreland, Pec. 30th, 1777, "Voted by this town, that 
 the committee of inspection be empowered to supply the soldiers' wives and the 
 eoldicrs' widows, and their families, with the necessaries of life. " 
 
340 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 fall in their way ;* but though war raged around them, the 
 people of Wyoming dwelt in comparative quiet. 
 
 At the October session of the Connecticut Legislature, 
 1776, Westmoreland had been erected into a county. Jona- 
 than Fitch, Esq., was commissioned as the first high sheriff 
 of the new organization, and other county officers were soon 
 after appointed. 
 
 It appears that sweet Wyoming was after all a part of 
 Connecticut. Her sons were there with their good English 
 names, shrewd sense, unostentatious home-bred tastes, habits 
 of economy, schools, religion, laws, industry, and valor. Let 
 us su])pose that we too are there, and that it is early January 
 of the eventful year 1778. Hill and glade smile as the morning 
 sun glances over the mountain, to woo and melt at last the 
 cold unsullied snow. The hale cattle, and the dainty sheep, 
 nipping the hay that lies in heaps around the stack in the 
 open meadow, while the farmer, who has just fed them, stands 
 with his hands in his pockets regarding their growth with a 
 complacent smile that is the outward sign of the promise 
 that his heart has made to itself of thrift for his sons and 
 marriage portions for his daughters, are additional features 
 in the picture. Should he ask you to accompany him home 
 and breakfast with him, you need not excuse yourself or 
 hesitate lest his busy wife and pretty daughters whose com- 
 plexions show that they once belonged to Litchfield county, 
 should blush at the scantiness of the repast. They will set 
 before you buckwheat cakes and venison, or it may be salt 
 fish and the nice fragments of the wild turkey that flanked 
 the loin of beef for yesterday's dinner. f 
 
 The whole family circle will have the questioning curiosity 
 that belongs to their origin, and why should they not be 
 
 * In 1777, an old man, named Fitzgerald, was taken prisoner by the tories, who 
 placed him on a flax-brake, and told him ho must either renounce his " rebel 
 principles," or die. " Well," said he, " I am old, and have little time to live any- 
 how ; and I had rather die now a friend to my country, than to live ever so long, 
 and die a tory !" They thought him incorrigible and lot him go. 
 
 + See Miner's Hist. 208-'9. 
 
[177,9.] A STORM GATHERING. 341 
 
 indul2;e(l ? These are revolutionary times. What is Wash- 
 ington doing since the last Indian runner brought the news 
 from the north ? What is Putnam doing at Reading since 
 the last arrival of the post-rider from Hartford ? Well may 
 they ask questions, for what new wonder is to follow the 
 battle of Germantown and the capture of Burgoyne ? 
 
 It was in every sense a Connecticut settlement. Its electors 
 had all taken the new oath of allegiance to her as a sove- 
 reign state. On the 13th of April, one hundred and twenty- 
 nine more were added to the number of self-taxing citizen 
 electors — making in all two hundred and sixty-nine. They 
 chose John Dorrance collector of the state tax, and Nathan 
 Denison and Anderson Dana representatives to the General 
 Assembly that was to meet at Hartford in May. On the 21st 
 of the same month, the voters of Westmoreland held another 
 meeting, and in obedience to the advice of his excellency, 
 Governor Trumbull, and the recommendation of the Assem- 
 bly, fixed the rates of labor and the prices of all produce 
 and manufactured'articles.* 
 
 Early in the year, it began to be whispered abroad that the 
 Indians were gathering to make an attack upon Westmoreland. 
 But the mothers and daughters of Wyoming, if they grew pale 
 at the news, did not shrink from the hard duties that are impos- 
 ed upon women in new settlements in times of war or threat- 
 ened public calamity. They were already inured to dangers. 
 While their husbands and lovers had been absent from home 
 fighting the battles of their country against the British, Indians, 
 and tories, they had made the hay, hoed the corn, husked it and 
 gathered it home. At last, a little cannon had been brought 
 
 * Amoiif^ these items were the following, viz : " Good yarn stockings, a pair 
 10s. ; laboring women, at spinning, a week, 6s. ; winter-fed beef, a pound, 7s. ; 
 taverners, for dinner, of the best, per meal, 2s. ; metheglin, per gallon 7s. ; 
 beaver skins, per lb. ISs. ; shad, apiece, Gd. ; beaver hats, of the best, 41. ; for 
 two o.xen, per day, and tackling, 3s. ; good hemp-seed, a bushel, 15s. ; men's 
 labor, at farming, the three summer months, per day, 5s. 3d. ; good check flannel, 
 yard wide, 8s. ; good tow and linen, yard wide, Gs. ; good white flannel, yard 
 wide, 5s. ; tobacco, in bank or leaf, per lb., 9d. • taverners, for mug of flip, with 
 two gills of rum in it, 'Is. ; good barley, per bushel, 8s ; shoeing horse all round, 
 8«. 5 eggs, per doxcn, 8d. ; strong beer, by the barrel, 2Z." 
 
342 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 up the river to defend the settlement ; and so far were these 
 good wives and daughters from running away and stopping 
 their ears to keep out the sound of its sharp, spiteful voice, 
 that they took up the floors of their humble houses, and dug 
 up the earth from beneath them, leached it in casks, and then 
 mixed the thin fluid with the ley of wood-ashes, and after 
 having boiled them together, set the decoction away to cool, 
 until the salt-petre rose to the top. Then they pulverized 
 the charcoal and ground the sulphur, and mingling the home- 
 made ingredients in due proportion, they made gun-powder to 
 fill the horns of their husbands, and to gorge the black throat 
 of this fierce bull-dog that had come to keep guard over 
 Wyoming. 
 
 From Niagara and the Indian country that skirted the 
 town, it was rumored that the British and Indians were 
 making ready to invade the valley. Not only did the patriot- 
 ism of the inhabitants tempt such an invasion, but the very 
 situation of this settlement — the only one of any importance 
 above the Blue Ridge, and forming as it did a troublesome 
 barrier between the savage tribes of the mountains and the 
 German towns of the low country — pointed it out for 
 destruction. After all the Indians in the valley and all the 
 tories from that neighborhood, had begun to flock to the stand- 
 ard of the enemy. Congress, on the IGth of March, passed 
 the following resolution : 
 
 "Resolved, That one full company of foot be raised in the 
 town of Westmoreland, on the east bank of the Susquehan- 
 nah, for the defense of the said town, and the settlement on 
 the frontiers and in the neighborhood thereof, against the 
 Indians and the enemies of these states ; the said company 
 to be enlisted to serve one year from the time of their enlist- 
 ing, unless sooner discharged by Congress." 
 
 As if to mock that brave people, a clause was added to the 
 resolution, " that the company find their own arms, accoutre- 
 ments and blankets." 
 
 A large proportion of the effective men of the settlement, 
 under the command of Durkee and Ransom, were already 
 
[1778.] 
 
 SCOUTING PARTIES AND SPIES. 343 
 
 absent with the army — scarcely a sufBcient number being 
 left at home to save the women and children from starvation, 
 and to keep guard around their dwellings. The people had 
 been taxed to their utmost capacity to arm and equip the 
 soldiers who were already in the field ; and the additional 
 burden now imposed upon them by Congress, was I'elt to be 
 unnecessary and unjust. True, the company ordered to be 
 raised, was in part designed for their own protection ; and so, 
 as they had supposed, were the companies previously raised 
 in the valley. What guarantee had they that the new 
 recruits might not be wanted elsewhere, and that thus the 
 settlement would be left without any other means of defense 
 than such as the old men, women and children might be able 
 to afford ? 
 
 In May, little scouting parties of the inhabitants of West- 
 moreland began to meet those sent out by the enemy. The 
 latter appeared to be keeping watch of the former, and 
 though they did no acts of violence, yet they probably made it 
 a principal part of their business to learn where the settlement 
 was most assailable, and at the same time to cut off all com- 
 munication between them and the upper country, so that 
 they might remain in ignorance of the preparations that were 
 going on there. A single man was shot by the Indians. 
 
 A few days afterwards, a scouting party of six persons 
 was fired upon about four miles from Tunkhannock. Two 
 men were wounded — one of them mortally — but they fled 
 to their canoes, and dropped down the river. 
 
 Soon after this occurrence, two Indians, who had once 
 lived at Wyoming, came down with their squaws, under pre- 
 tence of paying a friendly visit. They were soon suspected 
 to be spies, and were closely watched. At last, an old com- 
 panion of one of them, who knew his weak points, invited 
 him to drink, and repeated this agreeable act of hospitality so 
 many times, that his guest was finally in a favorable mood 
 to reveal secrets. He frankly confessed that his people were 
 meditating an attack upon the place, and that he had visited 
 it as a spy. This frightful intelligence drove the inhabitants 
 
3-14 HISTOKY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 to the verge of despair. The people in the border districts 
 took refuge in the forts, and the wives of the soldiers sent 
 message after message to their absent husbands, begging them 
 as they loved them and their tender babes, to come home. 
 Still, the Congress refused to let them go. This last piece 
 of intelligence was so peculiarly startling, that every com- 
 missioned officer from Wyoming, except two, resigned, and 
 hastened homeward. Some of the privates also deserted. 
 At this point. Congress was compelled to interfere. On the 
 23d of June they resolved, "that the two independent com- 
 panies lately commanded by Captains Durkee and Ransom, 
 which were raised in the town of Westmoreland, be united, 
 and form one company." From the preamble of this resolve, 
 it appears that the number of non-commissioned officers and 
 privates remaining was eighty-six. The new company was 
 ordered to march to Lancaster, and, soon after, when too late, 
 to Wyoming. 
 
 By this time the enemy had concentrated themselves at 
 Newtown and Tioga, (the latter being a part of the town of 
 Westmoreland ;) and every man capable of bearing arms was 
 called into service and drilled. The assistance, in this depart- 
 ment, of two deserters from the British army, named Boyd* 
 and Pike, was called into requisition, and proved very accepta- 
 ble. The women and children were gathered into the forts. 
 The only cannon in the valley was in Wilkesbarre fort, and, 
 having no ball, it could only be used as an alarm-gun. All 
 was bustle and anxiety. It was soon ascertained that the 
 force of the enemy consisted of Colonel John Butler's rang- 
 ers, a detachment of Sir John Johnson's royal greens, a few 
 tories from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York — in 
 all about four hundred ; together with six or seven hundred 
 Indians. Descending the river, they landed about twenty 
 miles above the valley, and marched across the peninsula — 
 arriving on the western mountain on the evening of the 29th 
 or morning of the 30th of June. 
 
 * Boyd wassub-sequently taken prisoner by Colonel John Butler, and was soon 
 
 after shot as a deserter. 
 
flTTS.] COLOXEL BUTLER SUMMONS FORTY FORT. 345 
 
 The families of many of the pioneers were gathered at 
 Fort Jenkins, the iH)permost in the valley. From this point, 
 on the morning of the 30th, seven men and a lad took their 
 arms and went to their usual labors, in Exeter, some three 
 miles distant. Toward evening they were attacked, four 
 of their number killed, three taken prisoners, and one 
 escaped."'^ 
 
 On the following day, the Connecticut people rallied 
 under the command of Colonel Zebulon Butler, and marched 
 to Exeter, where the murders had been committed. They 
 found the remains of their comrades — scalped and otherwise 
 mutilated. They were removed and decently buried near 
 Fort Jenkins, where a stone has since been erected to 
 their memory. Not far from the spot where these dead 
 bodies were found, Colonel Butler discovered two Indians, 
 who were quietly watching for more victims among those 
 whom they presumed would come to ascertain the fate of 
 their murdered friends. They were instantly shot. 
 
 During the same day. Colonel John Butler, the commander 
 of the British and Indians, took possession of Wintermoot's 
 Fort — the Wintermoots having erected it on purpose for him, 
 though they had studiously kept their design from their 
 neighbors. That evening, Fort Jenkins surrendered to the 
 enemy, four of the little garrison being slain, and three made 
 prisoners. 
 
 On Thursday, the 2d, Colonel John Butler sent a summons 
 to Forty Fort, demanding its surrender. On the 3d, a 
 demand was made for the surrender of all the forts, militia, 
 and public property in the valley. The Connecticut people 
 called a council of war, which, after an excited session, 
 resolved not to comply with the summons. The only hope 
 of saving the settlement from destruction, now lay in attacking 
 and defeating the enemy. Accordingly, about noon, Col. Zebu- 
 
 * The names of the slain were James IlaJsell, James Iladsfll, Jr., Benjamin 
 and Stukely Harding. Daniel Weller, John Gardiner, and Daniel Carr, were 
 taken prisoners. The lad, John Harding, threw himself into the river and lay 
 hid under the willows, while the Indians searched in vain for him. 
 
846 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Ion Butler, began to muster his little army for decisive action. 
 It consisted of two hundred enrolled soldiers, and about 
 seventy old men, boys, civil magistrates, and other volunteers. 
 Among the latter were several exempt officers, judges, and 
 professional men, who took their places in the ranks by the 
 side of their neighbors. Between two and three o'clock, 
 they took up the line of march toward Wintermoot's Fort, 
 which, however, had been set on fire and abandoned by the 
 enemy before the arrival of the Connecticut troops. 
 
 Arriving near the enemy's quarters, Colonel Z. Butler, 
 drew up his men in the order of battle. On the right was 
 Captain Bedlack's company, commanded by Colonel Butler, 
 who was supported by Major John Garrett. On the extreme 
 left, was Captain Whittlesey's company, commanded by 
 Colonel Denison and Lieutenant-Colonel Dorrance. Colonel 
 Butler made a brief and pertinent address to the soldiers, 
 reminding them of the wrongs they had suffered in the past, 
 and of the calamities which threatened the future ; he told 
 them that they had not only to fight for liberty, but for life — 
 and what was dearer still, "to preserve their homes from con- 
 flagration, and their women and children from the tomahawk." 
 In conclusion, he urged upon them the importance of with- 
 standing the first shock. 
 
 The enemy's left was commanded by Colonel John Butler, 
 who appeared on the ground with a handkerchief tied round 
 his head. A flanking-party of Indians were concealed 
 among some logs and bushes under the bank. The main 
 body of the Indians, under Brandt, formed the right wing. 
 Johnson's royal greens and marksmen, formed the centre. 
 
 The battle commenced at about four o'clock, when Colo- 
 nel Z. Butler commanded his men to fire, and at every volley 
 advance one step. The discharges were quick and steady 
 along the whole line. It soon became apparent that in the 
 open ground the shot of the Yankees told with the most 
 fatal effect. Our men now moved briskly forward, firing by 
 platoons at short intervals, yet with sure aim. This fire 
 proved so deadly that the British soon broke and gave way 
 
[1778.] FALL OF DURKEE. 347 
 
 along the whole line. Still, the Indian flanking-party kept 
 up a galling fire from their safe covert, upon the right wing 
 of the Connecticut troops. Lieutenant Gore soon received 
 a ball through the left arm, and instantly called out in a tone 
 of alarm, "Captain Durkee, look sharp for the Indians in 
 those bushes." The caution was too late. As the hero 
 stood coolly looking into the thicket, designing to attack and 
 dislodge them, he was struck by a fatal shot and fell to the 
 ground. His death was a severe blow to Wyoming, and to 
 Connecticut. He was a brother of Colonel John Durkee, 
 one of the prime agents in preparing the way for the revolu- 
 tion, and one of the most active partizans who participated in 
 it. The name will never be forgotten while the word "stamp 
 master" has a meaning in it. 
 
 On the enemy's right, meanwhile, the Indian warriors that 
 covered his flank, though hotly opposed by our troops, fought 
 like so many demons. They were divided into six parties, 
 and as one of them uttered the horrible war-cry, five other 
 yells were heard, like vollies of musketry, though a thousand 
 times more appalling, passing from one end to the other of 
 his line. As the battle grew more intense, the yell became 
 louder and more piercing. It served the purpose of a trum- 
 pet to sound the onset, and as a signal by which they com- 
 municated with each other. Near the spot where Colonel 
 Dorrance stood, one of the soldiers, seeing several of his 
 companions drop dead by his side, began to fall back. 
 " Stand up to your work, sir," said the colonel, in a 
 tone of calm authority. The man instantly returned to his 
 place. 
 
 The battle had lasted thirty minutes before it was apparent 
 to the Connecticut officers how overvvhehning was the force 
 of the enemy. A large number of Indians had been thrown 
 into a swamp, and had now passed around so as to outflank 
 the American left wing and throw it into disorder. To 
 remedy this difficulty, Captain Whittlesey, with his company, 
 was commanded to wheel backward, form an angle with 
 the main line, and present his front instead of his flank to the 
 
348 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 enemy. As soon as the attempt was made to carry this order 
 into effect, the Indians rushed upon them with frightful yells. 
 This sudden sally, and a real or pretended misunderstanding 
 as to Colonel Denison's orders, threw the whole left wing 
 into dismay. The word "retreat!" was passed from rank to 
 rank. The brave old Colonel Butler exerted himself to the 
 utmost to bring the troops again into line. Riding up and 
 down the space between the two armies, he called out in a 
 tone of earnest expostulation : 
 
 "Don't leave me, my cltildren, and the victory is ours." 
 But the appeal came too late. On the left wing, however, 
 the Americans still stood their ground. One captain after an- 
 other led up his men, and in every instance the commander was 
 killed on or near the line. As was said of Bidlack, so of Hewitt, 
 Whittlesey, and others, " they fell at the head of their men." 
 All fought bravely ; but they were overcome by a force of 
 three times their number. 
 
 The battle being over, the massacre, so awful in its details, 
 commenced. The Indian flanking-party having cut off the 
 retreat to Forty Fort, the fugitives rushed toward the river in 
 the direction of Monockasy Island — that being the only point 
 that offered them any hope of crossing the stream. A few 
 who leapt in, succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, and 
 escaped ; many others were killed while struggling in the 
 river. Sergeant Jeremiah Bigford, a very active man, was 
 pursued by an Indian into the stream, with a spear. The 
 former turned upon his pursuer, struck the spear from his 
 hand, and dashed him under his feet. At this instant, 
 another savage rushed forward, and ran his spear through 
 Bigford's body, who fell dead and floated down the stream. 
 A soldier named Pensil hid in a cluster of willows on the 
 island. Seeing his tory brother come up, he threw himself 
 at his feet, begging for protection and offering to serve him 
 for life, if he would but save him. "Mighty well!" was the 
 taunting reply ; " you d — d rebel !" and instantly shot him 
 dead. Lieutenant Shoemaker, a wealthy and hospitable 
 citizen, fled to the river, when Windecker, who had often fed 
 
[ITTS.] ESTHER THE EXECUTIONER. 849 
 
 at his board, came to the brink. "Come out, come out," 
 said he ; "you know I will protect you." Windecker reached 
 out his left hand as if to lead him ashore, while with his 
 rijrht hand he buried his tomahawk into the head of his 
 
 o 
 
 benefactor. 
 
 Many of the retreating troops were tempted to the shore, 
 on a promise of quarter, and were there murdered. The keen 
 Indian marksmen singled out the officers, taking aim with 
 such accuracy as to break the thigh bone, and thus leave their 
 victims alive for torture. One of the wounded prisoners, the 
 brave Captain Bidlack, was thrown upon the burning logs of 
 the fort, and held down with })itchforks, and there tormented 
 till death came to his relief. A large group were ranged in 
 the form of a circle around a huge stone, and hemmed in by 
 a party of savages. Esther, an Indian queen — a woman of 
 remarkable strength — acted the part of executioner. Pass- 
 ing around the ring with a death-maul or tomahawk in her 
 hand, and keeping time with her discordant voice to the 
 deadly strokes of the weapon that she wielded, she selected 
 her victims and dashed out their brains, or buried the ede:e 
 of the tomahawk deep in the heads of others, as best suited 
 the whim of the moment. Three of the stoutest prisoners 
 dashed through the outer circle and escaped unhurt into the 
 woods. The shattered remnants of fourteen or fifteen dead 
 bodies, scalped and bleeding around the stone, told the fate 
 of the rest. Nine more were found in a similar circle some 
 distance above. 
 
 Young Searle, aged sixteen, and William Buck, aged four- 
 teen, fled and were pursued. Searle, almost exhausted, heard 
 some one of his pursuers cry out, " Stop — you shall have 
 quarter — we won't hurt you." He paused, and for an 
 instant was determined to surrender, but on looking back, he 
 saw Buck struck dead by a blow from a tomahawk. Fear 
 once more impelled his flight, and he escaped. 
 
 Although night put an end to the pursuit, yet it did riot 
 arrest the hand of tiie destroyer. Three of the settlers, 
 attracted by fires in the woods on the ojiposite side of the 
 
850 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT 
 
 river, at Pittston, paused for a while in the distance, and 
 witnessed the process of torture. Several naked men, in the 
 midst of the flames, were driven around a stake by the savages, 
 who stood ready with their spears to thrust their victims 
 back if they attempted to escape from the fierce element. 
 Their groans and screams were most piteous, while the 
 shouts and yells of the Indians as they danced around the 
 funeral pyre, were too horrible to be endured. Heart-sick, 
 the spectators withdrew, glad that they knew not who the 
 sufferers were. 
 
 In the morning, the battle-field presented a fearful sight. 
 Limbs and bodies torn in fragments were scattered over the 
 ground, mangled and half consumed. About one hundred 
 and sixty of the Connecticut people had been slain — or more 
 than half of all the able-bodied men in the valley. The loss 
 of the enemy was never known.* 
 
 * The followiog list of persons killed at the " Wyoming massacre," is copied 
 from Mr. Miner's " History of Wyoming," pp. 242, 244. There were probably 
 some thirty or forty others whose names are not remembered. 
 
 Lieutenant- Colonel George Dorrance ; Major John Garrett. 
 
 Captains— Robert Durkee, Dethick Hewitt, Aholiab Buck, Wm. McKarrican, 
 Samuel Ransom, James Bidlack, Jr., Asaph Whittlesey, Rezin Geer, Lazarus 
 Stewart. 
 
 Lieutenants — James Welles, Timothy Pierce, Flavius Waterman, Aaron Gay- 
 lord, Lazarus Stewart, Jr., Perrin Ross, Asa Stephens, Elijah Shoemaker, Stod- 
 dard Bowen, A. Atherton. 
 
 Ensigns — Asa Gore, William White, Silas Gore, Jeremiah Bigford, Titus 
 Hinman. 
 
 Privates — Christopher Avery, Jabez Atherton, Acke, A. Benedict, Jabez 
 
 Beers, Elisha Bigsbee, Thomas Brown, Amos Bullock, Asa Bullock, John Brown, 
 David Bigsbrce, John Boyd, Joseph Budd, William Buck, Samuel Bigford, 
 Henry Bush, Samuel Carey, Samuel Cole, Joseph Crocker, John Cortright, John 
 Caldwell, Josiah Cameron, Robert Comstock, Ivingsley Comstock, Samuel 
 Crooker, William Coffrin, Joel Church, Joseph Corey, Isaac Campbell, James 
 Coffrin, Christopher Cortright, Jenks Corey, Rufus Corey, Anson Corey, Ander- 
 son Dana, Dutcher, Jabez Darling, William Dunn, D. Denton, Levi Dunn, 
 
 James Divine, George Downing, Conrad Davenport, Thomas Fuller, Stephen 
 Fuller, Elisha Fish, Eliphalct Folet, ]5enjamin Finch, Daniel Finch, John Finch, 
 Cornelius Fitehet, Thomas Foxen, John Franklin, George Gore, Silas Gore, 
 Samuel Hutchinson, James Hopkins, Silas Harvey, William Hammer, Levi 
 Hicks, John Hutchms, Cyprian Hibbard, Nathaniel Howard, Benjamin Hatch, 
 
[1778.] SUFFERINGS OF THE FUGITIVES, 351 
 
 On the evening of the 3d of July, Captain John Franklin 
 arrived at Forty Fort, with a company of recruits from Hun- 
 tingdon and Salem, numbering about thirty-five men. After 
 a long consultation, it was determined to gather all the sur- 
 viving settlers and their families into Forty Fort, to send to 
 Wilkesbarre for the cannon, and to make the best defense 
 they could. Upon the return of a messenger on the 
 morning of the 4th, who brought intelligence that the 
 people had fled in every direction, and that all was con- 
 sternation and horror in that quarter, these measures were 
 deemed impracticable. All now resolved to seek for safety 
 in flight. 
 
 I need not stop to give the details of the sufferings, priva- 
 tions, and sorrows that followed the fugitives in their journey 
 through the wilderness. The dense forests and swamps that 
 surrounded the valley of Wyoming, were teeming wath the 
 widowed women and fatherless children of the pioneers, who 
 were wending their way back toward Connecticut, with 
 blighted hopes and broken hearts. Very few of their num- 
 ber were provided with the food and clothing requisite for so 
 long a journey through an uninhabited country. In the "old 
 war path," in one company, there were about one hundred 
 women and children, with but a single man, Jonathan Fitch, 
 Esq., high sheriff, to advise or aid them. Children were born, 
 
 Elijah Inman, Israel Inman, Robert Mclntire, Samuel Jacksou, Robert Jameson, 
 .loseph Jennings, Henry Johnson, PVancis Lepard, Daniel Lawrence, Joshua 
 Landon, Conrad Lowe, Jacob Lowe, .Limes Locke, William Lawrence, A. Meele- 
 man, C. McCartee, Job Marshall, Nicholas Manvill, John Murphy, Nero Mat- 
 thewson, Andrew Millard, Thomas Niel, Joseph Ogden, J. Otis Abel Palmer, 
 William Parker, Noah Pettibone, Jr., John Pierce, Silas Parke, Henry Pensil, 
 Ellas Roberts, Elisha Richards, Timothy Rose, Christopher Reynolds, Enos Rock- 
 way, Jeremiah Ross, Joseph Staples, Reuben Staples, Aaron Stark, Daniel Stark, 
 Darius Spaftord, Joseph Shaw, Abram Shaw, Rufus Stevens, Constant Scarles, 
 Nailer Swede, James Stevenson, James Spencer, Levi Spencer, Eleazer Sprague, 
 Josiah Spencer, Able Seeley, Ichabod Tuttle, John Vanwee, Abram Vangordcr, 
 James Wigton, Peter Wheeler, Jonathan Weeks, Pliilip Weeks, Bartholomew 
 Weeks, llufus Williams, Elihu Williams, Jr., Parker Wilson, Azibah Williams, 
 John Wilson, John Ward, Esen Wilcox, Steplien Whiton, Elihu Waters, John 
 \A'illiams, William Woodward, Ozias Yale. 
 
352 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 and many died in a swamp which is still known by the appro- 
 priate name of the "Shades of Death."* Many of them 
 ultimately reached the favored land of their destination, and 
 lived to tell the sad tale of Wyoming to their children and 
 their children's children. 
 
 On the morning of the 4th, Fort Brown and Forty Fort 
 were surrendered by their commanders to Colonel John But- 
 ler, on terms of fair capitulation. After the articles were 
 signed, Butler observed, "that as Wyoming was a frontier, 
 it was wrong for any part of the inhabitants to leave their 
 own settlements, and enter into the continental army abroad; 
 that such a number having done so, was the cause of the 
 invasion, and that it never would have been attempted, if the 
 men had remained at home." Colonel Franklin, who heard 
 this declaration, expressed the same opinion. 
 
 Soon after the surrender, the savages began to plunder the 
 prisoners — breaking open boxes and trunks, scattering and 
 destroying valuable papers and records, brandishing their tom- 
 ahawks, and threatening the owners with death, if they did 
 not give up the money or other valuables that they might have 
 about their persons. Growing bolder and more insolent, they 
 finally seized Colonel Denison, and taking the hat from his 
 head, demanded the linen frock that he wore. In the pocket 
 were a few dollars of public money, which he was desirous 
 
 * Mr. Miner, in his " History of Wyoming," gives many painful instances of suf- 
 fering and death experienced by the fugitives. " Jabez Fish, who was in the battle, 
 escaped ; but, not being able to join his family, was supposed to have fallen. Mrs. Fish 
 hastened with her children through the wilderness. Overcome with fatigue and 
 want, her infant died. Sitting down a moment, on a stone, to see it breathe its 
 last, she gazed in its face with unutterable anguish. There was no way to dig a 
 grave — and to leave it to be devoured by wolves, seemed worse than death ; so 
 she took the dead babe in her <irms and carried it twenty miles, when she came to 
 a German settlement. Though poor, they gave her food ; made a bo.x for the 
 child, attended her to the graveyard, and decently buried it." 
 
 " Mrs. Rogers, from Plymouth, an aged woman, flying with her family, over- 
 come by fatigue and sorrow, fainted in the wilderness, twenty miles from human 
 habitation. She could take no nourishment, and soon died. They made a 
 grave in the best manner they could, and the next day nearly exhausted, came to 
 a settlement of Germans, who treated them with great kindness." 
 
[1778.] THE INDIANS MURDER THE CArTIVES. 353 
 
 of preserving from the hands of the Indians ; he accordingly 
 stepped backward, pretending to have some difliculty in shp- 
 ping the garment over his head, A young woman sitting 
 near, comprehended the maneuvre, and adroitly took out the 
 purse without being noticed by the savage spectators. Again 
 and ac;ain. Colonel Denison and others remonstrated with 
 Butler, telling him that the prisoners had capitulated relying 
 upon the honor of a British officer. He commanded the In- 
 dians to stop their depredations, and gave peremptory orders 
 to the chief ; "These are your Indians — you must restrain 
 them." His directions and threats were of no avail ; and he 
 finally declared that he could do nothing with them. He 
 seemed to be, and doubtless was, offended and hurt that such 
 outrages should be committed, in violation of his plighted 
 faith and positive orders.* 
 
 Without going farther into the details of the massacre, it 
 is sufficient to add that in many instances, women, children 
 and infants were murdered. The valley was deserted, and 
 nearly every house and barn was burnt. The entire region 
 presented a scene of devastation and ruin. The bodies of 
 the slain lay unburied until the 22d of October, when a mili- 
 
 * Miner's Ilist. of "Wyoming, 231 — 237. Nearly all the historians of the revo- 
 lution have agreed in branding the name of Colonel John Butler with infamy • 
 but according to Miner's account of him, his great feult was in heading such an 
 infamous expedition. The terms of the capitulation were regarded by Colonel 
 Denison, as in a high degree honorable and favorable to him. According to the 
 testimony of Colonel Franklin, Butler exerted himself to his utmost to restrain the 
 savages ; and when he found himself unable to do so, he oftered to make good the 
 property lost. Among the stores at Forty Fort was a quantity of whiskey which 
 lie at once ordered to be destroyed, giving as a reason that if the Indians became 
 intoxicated he feared he could not control them. Finding that his authority was 
 sot at naught, he mustered all his force whom discipline could control, and on 
 Wednesday, the 8th, withdrew from tlie plains. Mr. Miner expresses the belief 
 tliat he was sickened by the tortures already committed, dreaded the further 
 cruelties of the Indians, and desired by his absence to escape the responsibility of 
 their future conduct. 
 
 In 1795, the American commissioners appointed to treat with the six nations, 
 accepted an invitation from Colonel Butler, crossed over to Canada, and dined 
 with him. lie was then Indian agent in Canada, with a .salary of about £500 per 
 annum, lie received for himself and family, ten thousand acres of land. 
 
 55 
 
854 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 tary guard of twenty-five men, under the direction of a lieu- 
 tenant, two sergeants, and two corporals, collected their 
 remains, dug a large hole, and buried them — constant alavm 
 from the enemy preventing any further ceremony. 
 
 The Connecticut people soon re-established a fort in the 
 valley, and a few families returned to the scene of their 
 troubles, rebuilt their log-houses, and proceeded to cultivate 
 the fields. The Indians, however, looking down upon the 
 plains from the sides of the adjacent mountains, watched 
 eagerly for tiieir prey. Individuals and sometimes whole 
 families became their victims. The distant sound of the 
 war whoop often blended with the voice that recited some 
 story of murder and carnage around the blazing hearth of 
 the pioneer. Some were shot and scalped while at work in 
 the fields or in the woods; at other times, the dwelling of 
 the settler was assaulted in the night, the cattle killed, the 
 house burnt, and the family carried into captivity. "'■•' 
 It might reasonably be inferred that the events of 1778 would 
 
 * On the 2d of November, 1778, the house of Jonathan Slocuin, a member of 
 the Society of Friends, and who had always treated the Indians with kindness, 
 was assaulted by a party of savages. Nathan Slocum, his son, aged fifteen years, 
 was killed and scalped ; Frances Slocum, a lad named Kingsley, and a black girl, 
 were carried into captivity. On the IGth of December following, ]Mr. Slocum 
 was shot and scalped. 
 
 The loss of little Frances, who was a favorite in the f imily, was especially 
 mourned by her mother and surviving brothers and sisters. Through a long series 
 of years, every possible effort was made to find her. Her brothers, at different 
 times, Iiearing of a white child among the Indians, took long and tedious journeys, 
 hoping to restore her to the bereaved family circle. At length, in August, 1837 — 
 fifty-nine years after the capture — G. W. Evving, of Logansport, Indiana, wrote to 
 the editor of the Lancaster (Pa.) Intelligencer, that there was a white woman 
 residing among the Miami Indians, near that place, who had been taken away 
 from her father's house near the Susquehannah, when she was very young, etc. The 
 statement induced Joseph and Isaac Slocimi, (brothers of Frances,) to make a visit 
 to Logansport. Accompanied by Mr. Ewing, they went to see the woman in 
 question, and soon ascertained that she was indeed their long lost sister! She had 
 married a chief, and lived in the enjoyment of the rude wealth of her tribe. She 
 was cautious, reserved, and haughty ; but at last, as she talked of her father and 
 mother (whom she well remembered,) her heart melted, and she wept. The 
 brothers spent several days at Logansport, and received several visits from her. 
 She refused to leave her Indian liome. 
 
[•]7go_-] THE COMMISSIONERS. 355 
 
 have efiectually put an end to the settlement of Wyomini:^ — 
 at least until the war of the revolution should be over. But 
 the New England spirit of enterprise and love of adventure 
 seemed to defy danger and death in all their forms. Espe- 
 cially after the victorious expedition of General Sullivan 
 ao^ainst the Indians on the Susqueliannah, the tide of emigra- 
 tion to that country was renewed. Under the leadership of 
 Colonel Zebulon Butler, Colonel John Franklin, and other 
 brave and experienced officers, they banded together for 
 mutual self-protection, and not only performed wonders in 
 defending themselves, but did good service to their country 
 elsewhere. Until the peace between England and America, 
 the valley was frequently visited by savage hordes, who 
 amused themselves by })lundering or destroying the property 
 of the settlers, and son:ie times by resorling 1o their favorite 
 pastime of scal{)ing, murdering, or torturing their victims. 
 
 The revolution being ended, the old feud between the set- 
 tlers from Connecticut and the government of Pennsylvania, 
 was revived. On the 3d of November, 1781 — only fifteen 
 days after the surrender of Cornwallis — the subject was 
 brought before Congress. During the winter both parties 
 were busily employed in the preliminary measures relating to 
 the contest; and it was finally agreed that the subject of 
 jurisdiction should be left to a board of commissioners, to be 
 selected by the delegates from the two states.* A majority 
 of the board opened their court at Trenton, New Jersey, 
 November 12, 1782. Messrs. Eliphalet Dyer, William 
 Samuel Johnson, and Jesse Root, appeared as counsel for 
 Connecticut; and Messrs. William Bradford, Joseph Reed, 
 James Wilson, and Jonathan D. Sergeant, were the agents 
 of Bennsylvania. 
 
 On Monday, December 30, 1782, after a session of forty- 
 
 * The commissioners finnlly ngrccfl upon were, Ifon. "William \VliipplL',of New 
 Ilampsliii'c, lion. Welcome Arnold, of Rliodc Island, lion. David ISrearly, and 
 Wm. Cluirchill Houston, esqrs., of New Jersey, Hon. Cyrus Griffin, Joseph Jones, 
 eB€[rs., and Thomas Nelson, of Virginia. 
 
856 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 one judicial days, the court gave their decision in these 
 words : 
 
 "We are unanimously of opinion that Connecticut has no 
 right to the lands in controversy. 
 
 " We are unanimously of opinion, that the jurisdiction and 
 pre-emption of all the territory lying within the charter of 
 Pennsylvania, and now claimed by the state of Connecticut, 
 do of right belong to the state of Pennsylvania.'"* 
 
 This decision, so explicitly and clearly expressed, put an 
 end to the jurisdiction of Connecticut over the disputed terri- 
 tory on the Susquehannah. The controversy between the 
 settlers and the Pennsylvania government, however, was not 
 to be quieted by the summary decree of Trenton. They 
 felt that there was no reason or justice in thus surrender- 
 ing them to the jurisdiction of their sworn and bitter 
 enemies, not only without their consent, but without even 
 being consulted. As the right of property in the lands 
 which they had fairly purchased, and which their valor had 
 so long defended, had not been decided by the commissioners, 
 they knew that they were liable to be ejected from their 
 homes whenever it might suit the interests or caprice 
 of Pennsylvania. Notwithstanding a very humble and 
 loyal petition to the legislature of Pennsylvania, had been 
 drawn up and signed by some of the citizens of Wyoming, 
 soon after the decision of the commissioners had been pro- 
 mulgated, it would seem that a little time for reflection 
 induced a large majority to resolve upon defending their 
 rights, if need be, as they had long been in the habit of doing. 
 The plausible proposals of the state commissioners, guardedly 
 expressed as they were, they looked upon with suspicion and 
 distrust. They knew their farms were claimed by others, 
 and they reasonably enough presumed that the state com- 
 missioners, as well as the legislature, who had long regarded 
 them as outlaws, would be slow in meting out justice to 
 them. Unaccustomed to conceal their true sentiments 
 either through fear or favor, their verbal and written com- 
 
 * Miner's Ilist., p. 308. 
 
[17S3.] TERMS OF COMPROMISE. 857 
 
 munications with the emissaries of Pennsylvania were plain 
 and honest. 
 
 On the 22d of April, 1783, the committee of the Penn- 
 sylvania landholders sent an address to the state commis- 
 sioners, "with their proposals of compromise." They say — 
 "We are sorry to ohserve so much of the old leaven remain- 
 ing in the people of Connecticut, and expressed in their last 
 conference before your honors. Their humanity would, it 
 seems, permit us and our associates to go anywhere over the 
 wide world, no matter where, provided they may enjoy our 
 lands ; they cannot conveniently spare us one foot for the 
 support of our families. We think this an ungrateful return 
 to the good people of the state, and far short of the expecta- 
 tions of the legislature, whose humanity and pity alone pro- 
 posed to consign to oblivion all past ofl'ences, by a law for 
 that purpose." They then })roceed to give their " terms 
 of compromise," which are summed up as follows : 
 
 1st. Pledges to be given by the settlers, such as could not 
 admit of denial or evasion, for their obedience. 
 
 2d. A disclaimer in writing, publicly, plainly, and unequivo- 
 cally given, of all claims to the lands held under title from Con- 
 necticut. 
 
 3d. The settler to take a lease of half his farm, for about 
 eleven months, giving up possession at once of the other 
 half. On the 1st of April following, he is to abandon his 
 claims, home, and possession, to his adversary. 
 
 4th. The widows of those who had fallen by the savages, 
 to be indulged in half their possessions a year longer. 
 
 5th. The Rev. Mr. Johnson, (the pastor,) to be allowed to 
 occupy his grounds (under disclaimer and lease,) for two 
 years.* 
 
 The committee of settlers, after suggesting that they do 
 not think " the lawful defense of what they esteemed to be 
 their own, can with any justice be termed a disaflection to 
 government," added : 
 
 "As we conceive that the proposals of the committee, 
 
 * Hist, of Wyoming, p. 324, 325. 
 
358 HISTORY OP CONNECTICUT. 
 
 which they offer as a compromise, will not tend to peace, as 
 they are so far from what we deem reasonable, we cannot 
 comply with them without doing the greatest injustice to 
 ourselves and associates, to widows and fatherless children. 
 And although we mean to pay due obedience to the constitu- 
 tional laws of Pennsylvania, tve do not mean to become abject 
 slaves, as the committee of landholders suggest in their address 
 to your honors." 
 
 The commissioners forthwith divided Wyoming into three 
 towns, naming the two new ones Stoke and Shawnese. 
 They appointed eight justices of the peace — only one of 
 whom, (Colonel Denison,) had for years been an inhabitant 
 of Westmoreland. Having been nine days in the valley, 
 they withdrew on the 24th of April, and made their report 
 to the Assembly, which convened early in August. They 
 recommended that a reasonable compensation of lands, in 
 the western part of the state, should be made to the families 
 of those who had fallen in arms against the common enemy; 
 and the same to such other settlers under the Connecticut 
 title as "did actually reside on the lands at the time of the 
 decree at Trenton, provided they immediately relinqjiish all 
 claim to the soil where they now inhabit, and enter into con- 
 tracts to deliver up full and quiet possession of their present 
 tenures, to the rightful owners under Pennsylvania, by the 
 first of April next." 
 
 The assembly of Pennsylvania confirmed the doings of the 
 commissioners, and applauded the terms proposed to the Con- 
 necticut people as "generous offers." Captain Patterson, a 
 bitter enemy of the settlers, having been appointed the special 
 agent of the state, took up his abode in the valley, and with 
 two companies of Pennsylvania militia to enforce his orders, 
 he commenced his arbitrary rule. These soldiers were quar- 
 tered upon the settlers ; and in some cases where special 
 oppression was designed, eight or ten were quartered upon a 
 single family. As Colonel Butler had been conspicuous in 
 his opposition to Pennsylvania, twenty were thrust upon him, 
 notwithstanding his wife was ill, and his accommodations 
 
[1783.] NEW PiiOCESS OF EJECTMENT. 359 
 
 very limited. The soldiers were extremely insolent, und 
 they were protected in their llagrant outrages by the agent. 
 Colonel Butler and Captain Franklin were arrested and sent 
 to jail — the latter, lor tres})ass, in attempting to cultivate 
 his lands.* 
 
 The settlers petitioned the assemblies of Pennsylvania 
 and Connecticut,as well as Congress, for redress, without any 
 effectual remedy. f To add to their distresses, an unprece- 
 dented flood occurred in jMarch, whicii, in the vicinity of 
 the village of Wilkesbarre, swept oil' many houses, barns, 
 stacks of hay and gi-ain, and in some instances cattle and 
 horses. 
 
 With the opening of spring followed scenes that defy 
 description. The soldiers were set to work in April, to 
 remove the fences of the settlers, and lay out the lands accord- 
 ing to the surveys of Pennsylvania. The old highways were 
 fenced up, and new ones opened far away from the houses of 
 the settlers. The inhabitants were not allowed to obtain 
 water from their wells, draw their nets for fish, cut a stick of 
 timber, or provide shelters for their families. On the 13th 
 and 14th of May, the soldiery went forth, and at the point of 
 the bayonet dispossessed one hundred and fifty families, in 
 many instances setting fire to their dwellings. Unable to 
 resist such a force, they appealed to the law for protection; 
 but the magistracy shielded the otlenders. The scenes that 
 followed the massacre were re-enacted in the vicinity of 
 Wyoming. Five hundred men, women and children — infants 
 in their mothers' arms, and old men on crutches — were 
 
 * Coloiul Zfbulon was born in Lyme, Conn., in 1T31 ; he Bc-rvod as a captain 
 in the olil French war ; and emigrated to Wyoming in 17G9. His subs^equent 
 career as the mihtary leader of the settlement is well known. He died, July 28, 
 1795, aged sixty-four. 
 
 t As the claim of Connecticut to the jurisdiction of Wyoming had been officially 
 declared void, of course her assembly could aflord no relief in the [ircmiscs. In 
 Congress, on motion of Mr. Jefferson, chairman of the connnittc^e, it was resolved, 
 Jan. 23, 1784, " That a court, under the ninth article of the confederation, should 
 be raised, to try and determine the private right of soil, as derived from Pennsyl- 
 vania and Connecticut." A spirited remonstrance from the reruisylvania assem- 
 bly, adopted in February, arrested further proceedings. 
 
360 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 driven from the valley. As the paths they were compelled 
 to take were impassable for wagons, most of the crowd 
 traveled on foot — wading streams and sleeping on the naked 
 earth. Several died in the forests, and 'others were taken 
 sick, and only lived to reach the settlements. After a journey 
 of seven days, they arrived at a town on the Delaware, from 
 which point they diverged. 
 
 The treatment of the settlers produced an intense feeling 
 wherever the facts became known. An appeal was made in 
 their behalf to the Pennsylvania legislature, and that body 
 ordered the instant dismissal of the troops that had been 
 stationed in the valley. Sheriff Antis hastened to Wyoming, 
 and dispatched messengers after the exiles, promising them 
 his protection if they would return. A large part of them 
 did return, but it was only to suffer a repetition of their 
 former troubles. The sheriff" found his authority powerless; 
 the houses and lands of the returning fugitives were in 
 possession of Pennsylvanians, who refused to yield them up; 
 and the iron rule of Patterson was still unbroken. The 
 Connecticut men once more rallied under the leadership of 
 Captain John Franklin, their old and tried favorite. Civil war 
 again crimsoned those fair fields with blood. As, however, 
 the valley had ere this ceased to be a part of Connecticut, I 
 cannot follow its history in detail any further. 
 
 The contest continued to rage for several years, and fre- 
 quent collisions took place between the contending parties. 
 In spite of the persecuting spirit manifested by Pennsylvania, 
 emigrants from New England occasionally found their way 
 into the valley. The Connecticut settlers and their associates 
 increased in number and influence ; and their cause found 
 many earnest advocates in distant states. In 1787, General 
 Ethan Allen, of Vermont, ever a firm friend of the oppressed, 
 visited Wyoming ; and, though iiis i)urposes were not divulged, 
 "it was not doubted that his object \vas to reconnoitre, and 
 concert measures for early and decisive action."* By this 
 time, the great design of the party in Wyoming and their 
 
 * Miner's Hist, of Wyoming, p. 412. 
 
COLONEL PICKERING IN RETIREMENT. 361 
 
 friends abroad, was declared to be, to form a new state in the 
 valley of the Susquehannah. After suffering and enduring so 
 much from the government of Pennsylvania, it is not impossi- 
 ble that the settlers had at last conceived the idea of severing 
 their connection with it, and asserting their claim to be a free 
 and independent state.* Upon this charge, at all events, 
 Colonel Franklin was forcibly seized in September, and car- 
 ried to Philadelphia, where, after a long imprisonment on a 
 charge of treason, he was released on bail, and the prosecu- 
 tion was finally abandoned. f 
 
 Colonel Pickering, one of the Pennsylvania commissioners, 
 was known to have participated in the arrest of Franklin, 
 and it was suspected that it was through his influence that he 
 was so long kept in prison. By way of retaliation, on the 
 night of June, 1783, a party ol" settlers proceeded to the 
 house of Colonel Pickering, seized him and carried him off as 
 a hostage for Colonel Franklin. They retained liim for nine- 
 teen days, during which time, four companies of militia, a 
 troop of horse, and the sheritl'and posse, were almost con- 
 stantly engaged in searching for him. His keei)ers eluded 
 the vigilance of the officers, by carrying their prisoner with 
 them irom place to place, as circumstances dictated. They 
 finally released him voluntarily. Rewards were oflered for 
 the arrest of fne persons who were engaged in the abduction 
 of Colonel Pickering. Some of them were arrested, tried, and 
 convicted ; four were fined twenty shillings, and sentenced 
 to be imprisoned for six months, nine were fined one hundred 
 dollars each, and one was fined fifty dollars. Nearly all who 
 were imprisoned were allowed to escape immediately after 
 court adjourned. J 
 
 * According to the testimony introduced into the " History of Wyoming," a 
 constitution for the new state had been actually drawn up by Oliver Woleott, and 
 it was understood that Major William Judd, of Farniington, Conn., was to be the 
 first governor, and Colonel John Franklin, lieutenant-governor. 
 
 t Colonel Franklin was born in Canaan, Conn., in 1749. ITe was a represen- 
 tative in the legislatures of Pennsylvania and Connecticut ; high sherifl' of the 
 county of Luzerne ; judge of the county court, &c. He died INhirch 1st, 1831, 
 aged eighty-two years. 
 
 i Colonel Timothy Pickering, was one of the most remarkable men of his day. 
 
362 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Compromising and confirming laws were at length passed 
 by the legislature of Pennsylvania, under which the Con- 
 necticut settlers were allowed to retain their farms, and 
 peace and harmony were restored. 
 
 I have thus recited a few only of the sickening details that 
 have given the loveliest of all the towns of Connecticut 
 the strange fascination that belongs to human sorrow. 
 The massacre that has given the valley such a fearful interest 
 to the reader of American history, was the most signal of all 
 the butcheries that have been perpetrated upon the citizens 
 of Connecticut under the sanction of the British flag, not 
 only on account of the agents used in consummating it, but 
 because women, children, and helpless infancy, were sacrificed 
 upon a common field. 
 
 But the fate of Wyoming has not remained unhonored 
 and unsung. Wherever the language that proclaims the con- 
 quering power of the blood that flows in our veins, is spoken 
 or read, the same page that records the cruelty of British rule 
 and the sharpness of the British sword, tells the world of the 
 sorrowing pity of the British muse, in the tale of " Gertrude 
 OF Wyoming." 
 
 He was successively postmaster-general, secretary of war, secretary of state, mem- 
 ber of Congress, and United States Senator from Massachusetts. He died in 
 Salein, Mass., Jan. 29, 1829, in the eighty-foui'th year of his age. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 BRANDYWINE, GEIIMANTOWN, AND HORSE-NECK. 
 
 In tracing the history of the Connecticut settlements on 
 the Susquehannah, it was found necessary, in order to a proper 
 understanding and final disposal of tiie subject, to anticipate 
 somewhat the chronological data previously observed in my 
 general narrative of events. The reader will now go back 
 with me to the autumn and winter of 1777. 
 
 While the northern army under Schuyler and Gates were 
 pursuing those measures which, as we have seen, resulted in 
 the capture of Burgoyne, the army under Washington had 
 not been idle. On the 11th of September, the battle of the 
 Brandy wine was fought between the Americans under Wash- 
 ington, (Jreene, Sullivan, Wayne, Lincoln, Lafayette, and 
 Pulaski, and the British commanded by Howe, Cornwallis, 
 Grey, Knyphausen, Mathews and Agnew. The action proved 
 disastrous to the Americans — their loss in killed, wounded 
 and prisoners, being estimated at twelve or thirteen hundred.* 
 The loss of the British was IVom six to seven hundred. 
 Among the wounded was tlie Mar(]uis de Lafayette, who had 
 recently arrived in this country with several other French 
 ollicers.f 
 
 The American army retired to Chester, and the next day 
 to Philadelphia. After the removal of the magazines, public 
 stores, and much })rivate i)roperty, Congress adjournetl to 
 Lancaster, and the city was evacuated by the Americans. 
 Howe soon entered the city, but the bulk of the British army 
 
 * Gordon, ii. 226. 
 
 + The services of Lafayette had been secured by j\Ii'- Silas ])eane, of Connec- 
 ticut, who liad been sent to Fi'ance as the secret agent of Congress. Though 
 Mr. Deano was censured for going beyond the striet line of his instructions, it 
 cannot be denied that his agency in that country resulted in great good to our 
 vause. 
 
364 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 still remained at Gennantown, about ten miles distant. 
 Washington had encamped near the Schuylkill, some 
 fourteen miles from Germantovvn, where he was reinforced 
 by the Maryland and New Jersey militia. Learning that 
 two or three detachments of the British were absent from 
 camp, Washington determined to improve the opportunity 
 by attacking the main body of the army who still remained 
 at their quarters near Germantown. Accordingly he set 
 out with his troops, and, after marching nearly all night, 
 arrived at the place of his destination about sunrise, on the 
 morning of the 4th of October. The enemy were taken 
 entirely by surprise, and at the commencement of the 
 engagement the Americans anticipated an easy victory. The 
 morning was so dark and foggy, however, that the officers 
 were not able to know their own position or that of the 
 British. They were also entirely ignorant of the quarters of 
 several divisions of the enemy, and consequently knew not 
 where to make an attack, except upon the troops that con- 
 fronted them in the street. For awhile the Americans were 
 successful ; but by the arrival on the ground of reinforce- 
 ments from the British quarters, the tide of victory was soon 
 turned. Our forces were now compelled to retreat, and 
 were closely pursued by the British, for a distance of five 
 miles, and a few continued the chase for twice that distance. 
 Most of our army found their way back to their encampment 
 on the Schuylkill. The British loss in this battle was about 
 six hundred ; that of the Americans Vv-as not less than one 
 thousand, including four hundred who were taken prisoners. 
 In both of these battles, Connecticut bore an active and hon- 
 orable part. Colonel Heman Swift was present with his regi-' 
 ment, and did good service.* Other Connecticut officers and 
 men participated in those unfortunate actions. Lieut. James 
 Morris, of Litchfield, a highly meritorious officer, commanded 
 
 * The regiments of Colonels Swift and Bradley were raised in the western 
 part of Connecticut. Of one company David Strong, of Sharon, was appointed 
 lieutenant, and he enlisted several recruits — one of whom, David Goodrich, of 
 that town, was killed at the battle of Brandywiue. Sedgwick's Ilist. of Sharon, 
 
[1777.] LIEUTENANT JAMES MORRIS. 865 
 
 the company that led one of the columns in the first attack 
 at Germantown, and consequently was in the rear in the 
 retreat. He was pursued ten miles, before he was taken 
 prisoner.* Major Benjamin Tallmadge was a field officer at 
 Brandy wine and at Germantown. 
 
 While the British remained in full possession of Phila- 
 delphia, Washington sent off" Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, 
 of the Maryland line, with, two hundred men, to take 
 possession of the fort on Mud Island, a little below 
 the city, at the junction of the Delaware and Schuylkill, 
 
 * The fullovviug petition from Lieutenant (afterwards Captain) Rlorris, and a 
 brother officer, is well worthy of preservation : 
 
 " To His Excellency Sir "William Howe, K. B., general and commander-in- 
 chief of his majesty's forces in America. 
 
 " The memorial of James Morris, lieutenant in the fourth Connecticut regiment, 
 and Samuel Willis, quarter-master to the said troops, in the second regiment of 
 American cavalry — humbly sheweth — 
 
 " That your excellency's memorialists biing now prisoners of war confined in 
 the new jail — the first captivated at Germantown, on the 4th of October last, and 
 ever since that time h;!s been in confinement, the latter captivated on the 15th of 
 December ult., at which time he received several wounds and had the privilege of 
 his parole in this city, but is now and has been for some time past in confinement. 
 Your excellency's memorialists entieat that their present situation and circum- 
 stances might be taken into consideration, when, after so long a confinement, and 
 if continued, especially at this season of the year, will probably impair their health 
 if not put an end to their lives. Also, they being at a great distance from their 
 homes, both belonging to the state of Connecticut, from which cause they cannot 
 receive such supplies as are necessary. 
 
 " Your excellency's memorialists request that ho would in his clemency grant 
 them their parole (which they will sacredly keep,) to retire into the country to 
 their respective homes, until such time as they shall be regularly exchanged, or 
 remain in the country for any period of time your excellency shall be pleased to 
 appoint. If this cannot be granted, they crave an indulgence of a parole to this 
 city ; and if any further secuiity be wanting than their parole of honor, they stand 
 ready to produce it. 
 
 " Your excellency's indulgence will ever be acknowledged with gratitude. 
 " By your Memorialists, 
 
 " James !\Iorris, 
 " Samuel Mills." 
 
 On the 1 6th of May, after being confined more than seven months, Lieutenant 
 Morris was admitted on parole to board in a private family in the city. 
 
 Colonel Ei)iuaim Kirby, of Ijitchfield, was wounded at Germantown, and left 
 for dead upon the fii'ld — but being taken care of by a friend, he recovered. 
 
866 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 which he efTected. The second in command of this expedi- 
 tion was Lieutenant-Colonel Russell, of the Connecticut 
 line, who, when Colonel Smith was wounded, on the 
 11th of November, took the chief command of the garrison, 
 and made a gallant defense. But as he had become worn 
 out with fatigue and illness, he soon requested to be re-called, 
 aTid Major Thayer, of the Rhode Island line, after being rein- 
 forced, was appointed to the command. By the combined 
 efforts of the British fleet, and of the artillery on shore, on 
 the 15th of November the defenses were levelled with the 
 ground after more than two hundred and fifty of the garri- 
 son had been killed and wounded.* 
 
 At the October session of the General Assembly of Con- 
 necticut, Messrs. Roger Sherman, Eliphalet Dyer, Oliver 
 Wolcott, Samuel Huntington, Titus Ilosmer, Oliver Ells- 
 worth, and Andrew Adams, were appointed delegates to the 
 General Congress. It was ordered that all the tents in the 
 state should be immediately sent to the militia that had 
 marched, or were about to march, to reinforce General Put- 
 nam at Peekskill; also, that a sufficient number of canteens, 
 kettles and pots, for fifteen hundred men, should be imme- 
 diately sent to Peekskill, for the use of our soldiers there. f 
 Provision was made for the payment of the wages and bounty ' 
 of the officers and soldiers, and to supply them with the 
 necessary food and clothing. 
 
 General Oliver Wolcott stated to the Assembly, that, upon 
 the requisition of General Gates, he had, during the preced- 
 
 * Captain Nathan Stoddard, of Woodbury, was killed by a cannon ball during 
 the siege, Nov. 15th, 1777. He had stepped upon the walls of the intrench- 
 ment to see how the battle progressed, when the ball struck his head, cutting it 
 entirely from his body. The late Lieutenant John Strong, of Woodbury, who 
 was standing near him at the time, was wont to relate that, for a moment after the 
 occurrence, the headless body of Captain Stoddard stood erect, as in life, before 
 falling. Cothren's Hist. 
 
 t Jonatlian Wells, in the first brigade, FJnathan Camp, in the second, Jonathan 
 Deiiiing, in the third, Wm. Ilawley, in the fourth, Samuel Gray, in the fifth, and 
 Lvnde Lord, in the sixth brigade, were appointed a committee to provide the tents, 
 pots, kettles and other utensils, for the use of General Putnam, and to forward 
 them to him forthwith. 
 
[1777.] VALLEY FORGE. 367 
 
 ing month, marched to the north with from three to four 
 hundred of the mihtia of his brigade, together with a com- 
 pany of hght-horse, and a few of the thirteenth regiment of 
 volunteers ; that with these troops he joined the continental 
 army under General Gates, and continued in service until 
 the capture of Burgoyne. He desired that the legislature 
 would cancel certain obligations incurred during the cam- 
 paign — which request was readily granted.* 
 
 Washington, previous to these battles, had sent to the High- 
 lands for twelve hundred men ; and "he soon learned that the 
 posts, thus weakened, had fallen into the hands of the enemy. 
 Early in December, he established his winter-quarters at 
 Valley Forge, "a piece of iiigh and strong ground on the 
 south side of the Schuylkill, about twenty miles from Phila- 
 delphia. "f At this point, eleven thousand soldiers spent the 
 winter, in log huts, which were arranged in rows like the 
 streets of a city. The Connecticut troops shared, with their 
 brothers from the other states, the destitution and rigors of 
 that memorable winter. Half naked and bare-foot, beside 
 being destitute of wholesome food, nearly three thousand 
 soldiers were at one time reported as unfit for duty. For 
 some time after the army retired to its winter-({uarters. 
 Major Tallmadge was stationed with a corps of dragoons 
 between the two armies — a position which brought him into 
 several conflicts with the enemy. 
 
 Previous to this date, Mr. Joseph Trumbull, the commis- 
 sary-general of purchases, resigned his office, and was suc- 
 ceeded by Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth, also of Connecticut. 
 General Mifflin soon after resigned the post of quarter-mas- 
 ter-general. A new board of war was appointed, consisting 
 of General Gates, Timothy Pickering, Joseph Trumbull, 
 General Mifflin, and Richard Peters. 
 
 The difficulties experienced by Washington, while at Valley 
 Forge, in jirocuring subsistence for his soldiers, was a just 
 subject of complaint on his part, and on the part of the suf- 
 ferers. The quarter-master's department was without a head, 
 
 * llimiian, 'J'Jfi. f llildreth. 
 
368 HISTORY OF CONiS^ECTICUT. 
 
 and was totally inefficient to supply the demands made upon 
 it. The commander-in-chief was compelled to send out 
 parties to seize corn and cattle wherever they could find 
 them. Certificates were given of these seizures ; but their 
 payment was often long delayed, and at last they were nom- 
 inally cancelled by being paid for in depreciated continental 
 bills — contrasting very unfavorably with the gold tendered 
 by the British for all their purchases.*' 
 
 Washington remonstrated not only to Congress, but to the 
 states individually, and not altogether without efiect. In accord- 
 ance with the recommendation of Congress, a convention was 
 held at New Haven, in January 1778, composed of delegates 
 from the eight northern states, which agreed upon the scale 
 of prices, in accordance to which provisions and clothing 
 were to be paid for by the commissaries of the army.f Some 
 of the state legislatures attempted to enforce the scale of 
 prices thus agreed upon, but all efforts to that end proved 
 fruitless. With the same object in view, recourse was 
 had to internal embargoes, which resulted disastrously to 
 commerce. J 
 
 The American army did not leave their winter-quarters 
 until about the middle of May. On the 18th of June, the 
 British evacuated Philadelphia, and having crossed the Dela- 
 ware, took up their line of march through the Jerseys. 
 Washington pursued and overtook them at Monmouth Court 
 House, where on the 29th of June, the battle of Monmouth was 
 fouffht. The disobedience of General Lee to the orders of the 
 commander-in-chief, prevented the action from being a deci- 
 sive one. Tlie American loss in killed, wounded and otherwise 
 disabled, was about two hundred ; that of the British, about 
 three hundred, besides more than fifteen hundred desertions. 
 
 The occupation of Newport by the British had long been 
 
 *Hildreth,iii. 231,232. 
 
 t The commissioners or delegates from Connecticut to this convention, were 
 Roger Sherman, Wm. Ilillhouse, and Benjamin Huntington. 
 
 t Ilildroth. Congress in June following, recommended to the several legisla- 
 tures, the repeal of all laws regulating prices. 
 
[1778.] 
 
 THE SEA COAST. 369 
 
 a soui-ce of chagrin to many of the American officers. There 
 Avere at this time six thousand men stationed there, com- 
 manded by General Pigot ; and a project was formed to capture 
 them. An attempt upon Newport had been made the year 
 before, by General Spencer, of Connecticut, but for various 
 reasons the expedition had proved a failure.* 
 
 Sullivan had been appointed to the command of this 
 second attempt to recover Rhode Island from the hands of 
 the enemy. His call upon Connecticut, Massachusetts, and 
 Rhode Island, for five thousand militia, to aid him in this 
 enterprise, was promptly resj)onded to ; and two brigades of 
 continentals were sent on from the main army. The French 
 fleet under D'Estaing, designed to cooperate with Sullivan, 
 sailed from Sandy Hook early in August, bound for Newport. 
 
 On the 10th of August, the American army, ten thousand 
 strong, landed near the north end of the island, in two divis- 
 ions, one commanded by Greene, and the other by Lafayette. 
 The four thousand French troops who, according to the plan 
 agreed upon, were to have joined them, had been carried ofT 
 to sea by D'Estaing, in a vain search for the British fleet. 
 In spite of this disappointment, the Americans marched down 
 the island, established themselves within two miles of the 
 enemy's works, and opened a cannonade upon them. Having 
 long waited in vain for the return of D'Estaing, Sullivan 
 abandoned his lines, and retired at night. The enemy pur- 
 sued him, and a sharp action ensued, in which he lost about 
 two hundred men, and the British a still larger number. The 
 Americans continued their retreat, and in a few days the 
 British army was largely reinforced. 
 
 During this period, the legislature of the state and the 
 council of war had been almost constantly in session. At 
 the January session, 1778, several companies were directed 
 to be raised for the defense of the sea coast. Of these, one 
 
 * Congress having manifested some ill feeling on account of this failure, Spen- 
 cer resigned his commission. The people and government of Connecticut vindi- 
 cated his course, hy appointing him a member of the Council of Safety and a 
 delegate to the General Congress. 
 
 56 
 
870 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 hundred men were raised and stationed at New London. They 
 consisted of a company of artillery commanded by Captain 
 Nathaniel Saltonstall, and a company of musketry of which 
 Adam Shapley was captain. Thetwocorrespondingcompanies 
 stationed atGroton were commanded by William Ledyard and 
 Oliver Coit. A company of musketry under the command of 
 Captain Nathan Palmer, was ordered for the defense of 
 Stonington. As these troops were entirely inadequte to the 
 object contemplated, a regiment was raised expressly for 
 the defense of the coast of New London county. Before 
 they enlisted^ however, Colonels Ely, Latimer, and Throop, 
 and Majors Buel and Gallop, performed tours of duty with 
 their respective regiments, at New London and Groton.* 
 Twenty-four men, with a lieutenant, sergeant and corporal, 
 were detailed for the defense of each of the towns of New 
 Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford, and Greenwich ; a 
 company of twenty men, with the same officers, were ordered 
 to Milford, and another to Saybrook. 
 
 In March, William Ledyard was appointed to the command 
 of the posts at New London, Groton, and Stonington, with 
 the rank and pay of major. Under his direction the works 
 were repaired and enlarged. 
 
 Two brigades were ordered to be raised in the state — to 
 consist of six battalions, each battalion to contain eight com- 
 panies, and each company to contain ninety men. These 
 troops were to hold themselves in constant readiness to march 
 wherever they might be directed, at the shortest possible 
 notice-. Of these six battalions, Roger Enos, Thaddeus 
 Cook, Samuel Mott, John Mead, Noadiah Hooker, and Sam- 
 uel McLellan, were aj)pointed colonels; Howell Woodbridge, 
 James Arnold, Nathan Gallop, Ely Mygatt, Seth Smith, and 
 Thomas Brown, lieutenant-colonels; Abel Pease, Abraham 
 Tyler, Joshua Huntington, Eleazer Curtis, Bezaleel Beebe, 
 and hev'i Welles, majors. 
 
 In May, an act was passed providing for the settlement of 
 the estates of such persons as had voluntarily placed them- 
 
 * Caulkins' New London, p. 526 ; Hinman, p. 300. 
 
[1779.] CONFISCATION ACTS. 371 
 
 selves under the protection of the British, or had voluntarily- 
 joined with or assisted the enemy — authorizing the confisca- 
 tion of their property to the use of the state in certain con- 
 tingencies. Two regiments of seven hundred and twenty- 
 eight men each, including officers, together with three com- 
 panies of light dragoons, were ordered to be forthwith raised, 
 to be subject to the direction of the governor and council of 
 war. To meet these and other extraordinary expenses, the 
 governor was authorized to borrow £100,000, on an annual 
 interest of six per cent. A corps of thirty men, exclusive of 
 officers, was directed to be enlisted to act as a guard to the 
 continental stores and public offices in Hartford. 
 
 In October, Colonel Enos' regiment of state troops was 
 sent to guard the sea coast in the south-western part of the 
 state. Provision was also made for the defense of the whole 
 line of the coast from Stratford to Stonington. 
 
 At the session in January, 1779, an order was laid before 
 the Assembly from Congress, notifying the state that her pro- 
 portion of the public debt and expenses of the general gov- 
 ernment to the close of the year 1779, had been fixed at one 
 million seven hundred thousand dollars; with an intimation that 
 her quota of the six millions of dollars annually for eighteen 
 successive years would be soon determined according to the 
 articles of confederation. Although the assembly adjudged 
 the amount named to be more than her just proportion, mea- 
 sures were taken to raise the money. A tax was levied of 
 three shillings on a pound on the list of 1778, to be paid into 
 the treasury before the 20th day of the following May ; and 
 a further tax on the same list, of two shillings on the pound, 
 was laid. Notwithstanding these exorbitant demands of the 
 new government, Connecticut was determined to do ample 
 justice to her sons then in the continental service. She 
 therefore, 
 
 " Resolved, That in consecjuence of the sufierings of the 
 troops of this state in the army, occasioned by the enhanced 
 prices of tlie necessaries of life, the sum of forty-five thou- 
 sand pounds lawful money be paid out of the treasury of the 
 
372 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 state, by the 1st day of April next, to the officers and soldiers 
 belonging to this state, and now serving in the infantry and 
 artillery in the continental army, in just proportion to their 
 respective wages. And that the further sum of sixty thou- 
 sand pounds lawful money, be paid to them out of the state 
 treasury, by the 1st day of December next, to be distributed 
 justly and equitably among them."* 
 
 During this and former sessions, acts were passed provid- 
 ing for fitting out and manning armed vessels, designed not 
 only for the protection of our coast, but for the annoyance 
 of the British naval ships on the sound, as well as for priva- 
 teering. Insignificant as was our little fleet compared with 
 that of the enemy, it nevertheless served the objects for 
 which it was designed. 
 
 General Putnam, late in the autumn of 1778, had removed 
 his army from White Plains and Peekskill, to Reading, in 
 Connecticut, where he established his quarters for the winter. 
 His position at this place enabled him to cover the country 
 adjoining the sound and the south-western frontier, and at the 
 same time to support the garrison at West Point, in case of 
 an attack. He had under his orders, General Poor's New 
 Hampshire brigade, two brigades of Connecticut troops, the 
 corps of infantry commanded by Colonel Hazen, and the 
 corps of cavalry under Colonel Sheldon. 
 
 While at Reading, the soldiers appear to have suffered 
 much for the want of proper food and clothing ; and, as their 
 time was passed in comparative idleness, they found abun- 
 dant leisure to brood over their privations and their prospects, 
 and to contrast their condition with the enjoyments of home. 
 They were not soldiers by profession ; but having known 
 and appreciated the endearments of domestic life, and the 
 comparative freedom of thinking and acting for themselves, 
 they could ill brook the iron discipline of the camp, or the 
 
 * State Records, MS. At tlie same time it was voted that as the £45,000 
 necessary to be raised for the Connecticut battalions In the continental army, 
 could niit be procured in season, the governor was desired to write to our delegates 
 in Congress to use their influence with that body to procure assistance. 
 
[1779.] Putnam's speech. 373 
 
 reckless disregard of the principles of humanity as well as of 
 morality that too often follow in the footsteps of war. As if 
 to add insult to injury, they had thus far been paid off in the 
 depreciated currency of the times, which had proved almost 
 useless to themselves and their families. Under these circum- 
 stances, the Connecticut brigades formed the design of 
 marching to Hartford, where the legislature was then sitting, 
 and of demanding redress, if need be, at the point of the 
 bayonet. Putnam having been informed that one of the 
 brigades was actually under arms for this purpose, he galloped 
 to the cantonment, and thus addressed them : 
 
 "My brave lads, whither are you going? Do you intend 
 to desert your officers, and to invite the enemy to follow you 
 into the country ? Whose cause have you been fighting and 
 suffering so long in ? Is it not your own? Have you no 
 property, no parents, wives or children ? You have behaved 
 like men so far ; all the world is full of your praises ; and 
 posterity will stand astonished at your deeds — but not if you 
 spoil all at last. Don't you consider how much the country 
 is distressed by the war, and that your officers have not been 
 any better paid than yourselves ? But we all expect better 
 times, and that the country will do us ample justice. Let 
 us stand by one another, then, and fight it out like brave 
 soldiers. Think what a shame it would be for Connecticut 
 men to run away from their officers !"* 
 
 Each regiment received the general with the usual saluta- 
 tions as he rode along the lines. When he had concluded 
 his address, he directed the acting major of brigade to give 
 the word for them to shoulder arms, to march to their rem- 
 mental parades, and there to lodge their guns. They obeyed 
 with promptness and apparent good humor. A single soldier, 
 only, who had been most active in the affair, was confined in 
 the quarter-guard, and was shot dead by the sentinel while 
 attempting to escape during the succeeding night. f 
 
 On the night of the 25th of February, a detachment of 
 
 * Humphreys, p. 157, 158. t Humphreys, 158, 
 
874 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the enemy under Governor Tryon, consisting of the seven- 
 teenth, forty-fourth and fifty-seventh regiments, one of Hes- 
 sians, and two of new levies, marched from their quarters at 
 Kingsbridge, for Horse Neck, with the intention of surpris- 
 ing the troops at that place and destroying the Salt Works. 
 Horse Neck was one of Putnam's out-posts, and at the date 
 of this incursion of the British, he chanced to be there on a 
 visit. Captain Titus Watson, with thirty men, was sent out 
 by Putnam as an advance corps, who discovered the enemy 
 at New Rochelle, and retired undiscovered, before them, as 
 far as Rye Neck. At this point, as it was now day-light, they 
 were observed and attacked. Captain Watson gallantly 
 defended himself, and continued his retreat to Horse Neck, 
 Putnam immediately planted his cannon and formed his 
 troops on the high ground, near the meeting-house, and for 
 some time held the enemy in check by firing the field-pieces. 
 Ascertaining the superior force opposed to him, and perceiv- 
 ing by their movements that the horse, supported by the 
 infantry, were about to charge, he directed his men to retire 
 through the swamp, and form on a hill which he designated ; 
 while he provided for his own safety by plunging down the 
 precipice in his front, upon a full trot. The declivity was 
 so steep that more than a hundred artificial stone steps had 
 been provided for the accommodation of foot passen- 
 gers. The British dragoons stopped short upon the brink, 
 not daring to follow ; but manifested their chagrin 
 at his escape by firing several shots at him, one of which 
 passed through his hat. Putnam continued on to Stamford, 
 where he rallied a body of militia and a few continentals, 
 and immediately returned to Horse Neck. Finding that the 
 enemy, after committing some depredations, had commenced 
 their return towards New York, he started in pursuit ; and 
 soon succeeded in taking about fifty prisoners, and in cap- 
 turing one ammunition wagon and one baggage wagon. 
 The latter was filled with plunder, which Putnam had the 
 satisfaction of restoring to its rightful owners. 
 
 During Putnam's stay at Reading, two persons were exe- 
 
[1779.] ATTACK ON WEST HAVEN. 875 
 
 cuted — one liaving been shot for desertion, and the other 
 hung as a spy.* 
 
 The British having undisputed possession of New York, 
 during tiie summer of 1779, amused themselves by frecjuent 
 incursions upon the Connecticut coast. On tlie morning of 
 the 5th of July, the day on which tlie people of New Haven 
 had made arrangements to celebrate the anniversary of the 
 Declaration of Independence, the British lleet, under the com- 
 mand of Commodore Sir George Collier, anchored otf West 
 Haven, having on board Governor Tryon, with some three 
 thousand land forces. About fifteen hundred of these troops, 
 commanded by Brigadier-General Garth, landed on West 
 Haven Point at sun-rise, and commenced their march 
 toward New Haven. The town having been alarmed, great 
 excitement prevailed, and while a few of the militia and other 
 citizens mustered for purposes of defense, the mass of the 
 people seemed intent on providing for the safety of their 
 families and their property. At West Bridge, on the Milford 
 
 * The RfV. Nathaniel Eartlett, who was pastor of the Congregational church 
 in Reading for a period of fifty j'ears, officiated as chaplain to the encampment 
 during the winter, and was present at the execution. lie interceded with General 
 Putnam to defer the execution of Smith until Wa.shington could be consulted — 
 the oftender being a youth of seventeen years ; but the commander assured him 
 that a reprieve could not be granted. 
 
 Mr. Bartlett was an earnest and fearless whig, and openly talked and preached 
 " rebellion ;" so much so, that the tories, who were numerous in the eastern part 
 of the town, threatened to hang him if they could catch him. In consequence of 
 tliese threats, he often carried a loaded musket with him when on his parochial 
 visits. His son, and successor in the ministry at Reading — the Rev. Jonathan 
 Bartlett, now in his 91st year — well remembers the revolutionary encampment at 
 Reading, and frequently visited it. He is sure that the story in Barber's " His- 
 torical Collections," about Putnam's inhumanity at the execution of Smith and 
 Jones, is incorrect. Though not present himself, he has often heard his father 
 relate the incidents of the occasion ; and, furthermore, he once called the atten- 
 tion of Colonel Ashbel Salmon, (who died in 1848, aged 91,) who was a sergeant 
 in attendance upon the execution, to the statement, and he declared that nothing 
 of the kind took place. 
 
 Mr. Bartlett (the son,) recollects that on one occasion during the revolution, he 
 discovered some kegs of powder in the garret, which he afterwards ascertained 
 his father had privately stored there for the use of his parishioners, in cases of 
 emergency ! 
 
376 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 road, several field-pieces were stationed, and some slight 
 works of defense were hastily thrown up. Here the enemy 
 were met in so determined a manner, that General Garth 
 withdrew his troops and made a circuit of nine miles in 
 order to enter the town by the Derby road. In this march, a 
 small party who had gathered on Milford hill, had a skirmish 
 with the enemy's left flank, in which Adjutant Campbell was 
 killed. The little company of patriots, though dispersed, 
 soon rallied, and kept up a continual fire upon the British 
 troops during their march to the Derby road. At Thompson's 
 bridge, on this road, the militia, under Captain Phineas 
 Bradley, met the invaders with a sharp fire of musketry and 
 two field-pieces, which was kept up with little intermission 
 until they entered the town. In the meantime, the other 
 division of the British troops commanded by Governor Tryon 
 in person, landed on the east side of New Haven harbor, 
 and proceeded by land to attack the fort at Black Rock. 
 The shipping in the harbor at the same time commenced 
 cannonading the fort, which, as it contained only nineteen 
 men and three pieces of artillery, was finally abandoned to 
 the enemy. 
 
 Notwithstanding the proclamation of Commodore Collier 
 to the contrary, the town was given up to promiscuous 
 plunder. In many instances, property which could not be 
 conveniently carried off", was wantonly destroyed. On 
 Tuesday morning, much to the surprise of the inhabitants, 
 the commanding officers called in their guards, and silently 
 withdrew to their boats, carrying with them thirty or forty 
 prisoners — having, however, first burnt the stores on the 
 wharf and seven or eight houses in East Haven. The 
 Americans had twenty-seven killed and nineteen wounded.* 
 
 * Killed. — Captain John Gilbert, IMichacl Gilbert, John Ilotchkiss, Caleb 
 Ilotebkiss, Jr., Ezekiel Ilotchkiss, John Kennedy, Joseph Dorman, Asa Todd, 
 Samuel Woodin, Silas Woodin, Benjamin English, Isaac Pardee, Jeduthan 
 Thompson, Aaron Burrell, a lad, Jacob Thorp, and Pomp, a negro, all of New 
 
 Haven ; Eldad Parker, of Wallingford ; — Bradley, of Derby ; Timothy 
 
 Ludington, of Guilford ; John Baldwin and Gideon Goodrich, of Branford ; and 
 one person unknown. 
 
[1779.] PRESIDENT DAGGETT IS STABBED. 377 
 
 Among tliose carried off was John Whiting, Esq., judge of 
 probate, and clerk of the courts. The Reverend Doctor 
 Daggett, President of Yale College, was captured near 
 Milford hill, cruelly beaten, stabbed, and robbed, and then 
 driven in a hasty march on foot for more than five miles. 
 
 The hostile fleet soon sailed for Fairfield, and anchored 
 opposite that town on the morning of the 8th of July, where 
 they disembarked. A few militia assembled to oppose them, 
 but the invasion being sudden and unexpected, no systematic 
 plan of defense was attempted. After plundering the town, 
 the torch of the incendiary was lighted, and eighty-five 
 dwelHng-houses, two churches, an elegant court-house, jail, 
 fifteen stores, fifteen shops, and fifty-five barns, were burnt 
 to the ground. Colonel TaHmadge arrived in Fairfield from 
 White Plains on the following day. 
 
 Sailing thence, the next morning, the village of Green's 
 Farms soon shared the vengeance of Tryon, The church, 
 fifteen houses, eleven barns, and several stores, were con- 
 sumed.* 
 
 Governor Tryon and General Garth, perhaps for the pur- 
 pose of gathering fresh courage for the renewal of their 
 expedition, crossed the Sound, and remained in Huntington 
 Bay until the 11th of July. They then sailed for Norwalk, 
 and landed at that place between eight and nine o'clock in 
 the evening. With the exception of six houses, said to 
 
 Wounded. — Rev. Dr. Daggett, Nathan Beers, (mortally,) David Austin, Jr., 
 Elizur Goodrich, Jr., Joseph Bassett, Captain Caleb Mix, Thomas Mix, Israel 
 Woodin, (and taken,) John Austin, Abraham Pinto, Nathan Dummcr, Jeremiah 
 Austin, lidmund Smith, and Elisha Tuttle, (since dead, whose tongue was cut out 
 by the enemy,) all of New Haven ; Benjamin Kurd, of Branford, and Mr. Atwa- 
 ter, and a negro, of Wallingford. 
 
 Many of the dead had the ajjpearance of having been wounded by bullets, and 
 afterwards to have been killed with bayonets. Mr. Beers, (whose name appears 
 in the above list as mortally wounded,) was assaulted in his own house while he 
 was unarmed. 
 
 Tlio British lost about eighty — among whom were several meritorious ofticers. 
 
 The amount of property destroyed by the British in New Haven was subse- 
 quently estimated by a committee to amount to £24,893, 7s. C<f. 
 
 * Barber's Historical Collections. 
 
378 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 belong to the royalists, the entire village was destroyed, 
 including the public stores and magazines, the vessels in the 
 harbor, and other combustible property.* 
 
 General Washington, having learned that Tryon had com- 
 menced his threatened invasion of Connecticut, directed 
 General Parsons, (then in command near the Highlands,) to 
 hasten to the scene of action. Mustering for the service one 
 hundred and fifty continental troops, and a considerable body 
 of Connecticut militia under General Erastus Wolcott, by 
 forced marches he was able to reach Norwalk on the morn- 
 ing of the 12th of July, immediately alter the British had 
 
 * Upon a memorial in 1791, of the inhabitants of the towns of Fairfield and 
 Noi'walk, in Fairfield county, the great losses occasioned by the devastations of 
 tlie British during the war, were shown to the General Assembly ; on which 
 they prayed for remuneration from the State. A committee was appointed by 
 the Legislature, in May, 1791, to ascertain from documents in the public offices, 
 the losses, not only of the memorialists, but of others who had been sufferers 
 under similar circumstances, that had been estimated in conformity to previous 
 acts of the Assembly, such as had been occasioned by incursions of the enemy 
 during the war. The Assembly, therefore, in May, 1792, by a resolution, 
 I'eleased and quit-claimed, to the sufferers, named on the State record, or 
 to their legal representatives, if deceased, and to their heirs and assigns forever, 
 500,000 acres of land owned by Connecticut, situated west of Pennsylvania, 
 bounded north on lake Erie, beginning at the west line of said lands, and extend- 
 ing eastward to a line running northerly and southerly parallel to the east 
 line of said tract of land owned by this State, and extending the whole width of 
 said lands, and easterly so far as to comprise said quantity of 500,000 acres, 
 (exclusive of former grants to sufferers, if any,) to be divided among said suffer- 
 ers and their legal representatives, in proportion to the several sums annexed to 
 their names on record, (which land is located in Huron county, in the State of 
 Ohio.) 
 
 The following sums were allowed to the sufferers in the several towns hereafter 
 named, viz. : — Sufferers in Greenwich, £12,291 : 14 : 0| ; sufferers in Norwalk, 
 £26,06G : : 1 ; sufferers in Fairfield, £23,S93 : 12 : 8. 
 
 Additional losses sustained by several inhabitants of Fairfield, in the enemy's 
 expedition to Danbury, viz. :— £1,436 : 10 : 11 ; in Danbury, £8,303 : 17 : 10^; 
 in New Haven and East Haven, £16,912 : 16 : 6 ; in New London, £42,062 :- 
 13 : 7 ; in Ridgefield, £1,730 : 1 : 10. 
 
 The sums advanced to Ridgefield by grants of the Assembly, were deducted, 
 and the net balances allowed. 
 
 To sufferers in Groton, £7,719 : 12 : 2. 
 
 Whole amount of losses allowed to the sufferers by the grant of said lands, 
 being £251,606: 8:8^. 
 
[1779.] A SHAEP CORRESPOXDEXCE. 379 
 
 effected a landing there. Althougli too weak to prevent the 
 destruction of the town, Parsons took every opportunity to 
 harass and annoy the enemy — so that they re-embarked and 
 returned to Huntington Bay, ostensilily for fresh suppHes of 
 artillery and reinforcements of men. Tryon, however, was 
 too prudent a man to renew his depredations after he had 
 ascertained that the people of Connecticut were waiting to 
 give him a warm reception. He accordingly abandoned his 
 undertaking, and in a short time anchored his fleet off New 
 York.* 
 
 The following correspondence between Governor Tryon 
 and General Parsons, is here introduced into the text, as an 
 indication of the spirit of one of the bravest and most 
 accomplished officers of the revolutionary era. It will be 
 observed that the letter of Tryon was written previous to 
 his incendiary expedition ; while the response was penned 
 subsequently : 
 
 "New York, June 18, 1779. 
 "Sir : By his Majesty's ships of war, which arrived here 
 last night from Georgia, we have intelligence that the British 
 forces were in possession of Fort Johnston, near Charlestown, 
 the first of June. Surely it is time for rational Americans 
 to wish for a reunion with the parent State, and to adopt 
 such measures as will most speedily etfect it. 
 " I am, sir, your very humble, 
 
 "obedient servant, 
 
 " William Tryon, M. G, 
 "To Gen. Putnam, or in his absence, to Gen. Parsons." 
 
 [Answer.] 
 
 "Camp, Highlands, Sept. 7, 1779. 
 
 "Sir: I should have paid an earlier attention to your 
 
 polite letter of the 18th of June, had I not entertained some 
 
 hope of a personal interview with you, in your descents upon 
 
 the defenseless towns of Connecticut, to execute your mas- 
 
 * The ]>ritish loss at Norwalk in killed, wounded and missing, was one hundred 
 and forty-eight. 
 
380 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 ter's vengeance upon the rebellious women and formidable 
 host of boys and girls, who were induced, by your insidious 
 proclamations, to remain in those hapless places ; and who, 
 if they had been suffered to continue in the enjoyment of that 
 peace which their age and sex entitled them to expect from 
 civilized nations, you undoubtedly supposed would prove the 
 scourge of Britain's veteran troops, and pluck from you those 
 laurels, with which that ^ery expedition so plentifully crown- 
 ed you. But your sudden departure from Norwalk, and the 
 particular attention that you paid to your personal safety, when 
 at that place, and the prudent resolution you took, to suffer 
 the town of Stamford to escape the conflagration, to which 
 you had devoted Fairfield and Norwalk, prevented my wishes 
 on this head ; this I hope will sufficiently apologize for my 
 delay in answering your last letter. 
 
 By letters from France, we have intelligence that his 
 Catholic Majesty declared war against Great Britain in June 
 last ; that the combined fleets of France and Spain, amount- 
 ing to more than sixty sail of the line, have formed a junc- 
 tion, and with twenty-five thousand land forces, are meditat- 
 ing an important blow on the British dominions in Europe ; 
 and that the grand fleet of Old England find it very incon- 
 venient to venture far from their harbors. In the West 
 Indies, Admiral Byron, having greatly suffered in a naval 
 engagement, escaped with his ships in a very shattej'ed condi- 
 tion to St. Christopher's ; and covered his fleet under the 
 batteries on the shores, and has suffered himself to be insult- 
 ed in the road of that island by the French Admiral ; and 
 Count D'Estaing, after reducing the Islands of St. Vincent 
 and Grenada to the obedience of France, defeating and dis- 
 abling the British fleet, had sailed for Ilispaniola ; where it 
 is expected he will be joined by the Spanish fleet in those 
 seas, and attack Jamaica. The storming of your strong works 
 at Stony Point, and capturing the garrison by our brave 
 troops ; the brilliant successes of General Sullivan against 
 yoxir faithful friends and allies, the savages ; the surprise of 
 Paulus Hook, by Major Lee ; the flight of General Provost 
 
[1779.] STORMING OF STONY TOINT. 381 
 
 from Carolina ; and your shamefully shutting yourselves up 
 in New York and the neighboring islands, are so fully 
 within your knowledge as scarcely to need repetition. 
 
 Surely, it is time for Britons to rouse from their delusive 
 dreams of conquest, and pursue such systems of future con- 
 duct as will save their tottering empire from total destruc- 
 tion. 
 
 I am, sir, your obedient servant, 
 
 Samuel H. Parsons. 
 Major-General Tryon." 
 
 On the 15th of July, General Wayne commenced his 
 march with the intention of storming Stony Point. The 
 van of the right, consisting of one hundred and fifty volun- 
 teers, was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry, while 
 the van of the left, numbering one hundred volunteers, was 
 connnanded by Major Stuart — all with unloaded muskets 
 and fixed bayonets — preceded by a company of twenty 
 jticked men, whose duty it was to remove the abbatis and 
 other obstructions. Colonel Meigs was one of the officers 
 engaged in this expedition. 
 
 On the morning of the 16th, about one o'clock, Wayne, 
 at the head of his men, entered the works in the face of an 
 incessant fire of musketry and artillery. The capture was 
 soon etfected. About fifty of the garrison were killed, and 
 the remainder, to the number of four hundred and fifty, were 
 taken prisoners. Wayne's loss in killed and wounded was 
 about one hundred. The surprise and capture of Paulus 
 Hook (now Jersey city,) by Major Lee, soon followed. 
 
 Between Huntington Harbor and Oyster Bay, on Long 
 Island, on a high promontory, known as Lloyd's Neck, the 
 enemy had erected a fort and manned it with about five 
 hundred soldiers. Encamped under the protection of this 
 fortress, was an organized band of marauders, who, having 
 armed boats in connnand, had long plundered the inhabitants 
 along the Connecticut shore, besides robbing the small 
 vessels on the Sound. Major Tallmadge determined, if pos^ 
 sible, to break up this horde of banditti. On the 5th of Sep- 
 
882 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 tember he embarked with one hundred and thirty men of his 
 detachment, from Shipand Point, near Stamford, at eight 
 o'clock in the evening, and about ten o'clock landed on 
 Lloyd's Neck. He attacked the enemy so suddenly, and 
 with such spirit, that nearly the whole party was captured, 
 and landed in Connecticut before morning. Though Tall- 
 madge's corps were fired upon by the freebooters while they 
 were engaged in destroying the huts and boats, not a man 
 was lost during the expedition.* 
 
 On the 28th of September, Samuel Huntington, delegate 
 from Connecticut, was elected President of Congress, in the 
 place of Mr. Jay, who had accepted the appointment of 
 minister to Spain. 
 
 In October, the Connecticut quota of twelve thousand 
 militia, called out by Washington to strengthen him in his 
 contemplated attack upon New York, were disbanded, and 
 the army under the immediate direction of the commander- 
 in-chief, went into winter-quarters near Morristown, New 
 Jersey. Strong detachments, however, were stationed at 
 the posts on the Hudson for their defense and to prevent the 
 enemy from ascending the river. The cavalry were sent 
 into Connecticut to pass the winter.f 
 
 General Putnam availed himself of the brief season of 
 quiet which followed, and in company with his son, Major 
 Daniel Putnam, and his secretary. Major Humphreys, visited 
 his home in Pomfret. In December, he began his journey to 
 Morristown ; but while on the road between Pomfret and 
 Hartford, he began to feel an unusual numbness and torpor 
 in his right hand and foot, which increased so perceptibly 
 and rapidly that before he reached the house of his friend, 
 Colonel Wadsworth, his limbs on that side were partially 
 
 * See sketch of Colonel Tallmadge, in the " National Portrait Gallery." 
 t Ilildreth, iii. 395. The depreciation of the currency still occasioned intense 
 feeling, not only among the soldiers, but with the people generally. In some 
 places it was the occasion of mobs and bloodshed. With the hope of remedying 
 the evil, a convention of the five eastern states was held at Haitford, on the 20tb 
 of October. A new regulation of prices was recommended. 
 
[1780.] DEFENSE OF SEA COAST. 883 
 
 disabled. His naturally energetic mind and robust frame for 
 awhile induced him, as well as his friends, to believe that 
 the effect was but temporary ; but it proved to be a paralytic 
 affection, from which he never recovered.'^ 
 
 In January, 1780, two regiments were ordered to be forth- 
 with raised for the defense of the sea-coast, each regiment to 
 
 *The remainder of General Putnam's life was necessarily passed in retirement. 
 His mental faculties remained unimpaired, and he continued to enjoy the society 
 of his friends until the period of his death, in 1790. The late Rev. Dr. Dwight, 
 President of Tale College, who knew General Putnam intimately, has portrayed 
 his character faithfully in the following inscription, which is engraven on his 
 tomb : 
 
 Sacred be this Monument 
 
 to the memory 
 
 of 
 
 Israel Putnam, Esquire, 
 
 senior Mnjor-Goneral in the armies 
 
 of 
 
 the United States of America; 
 
 who 
 
 was horn at Salem, 
 
 in the province of Massachusetts, 
 
 on the 7tli day of January, 
 
 A. D. 1718, 
 
 and died 
 
 on the lOtli day of May, 
 
 A. D. ]7!)n. 
 
 Passenger, 
 
 if thou art a Soldier, 
 
 drop a tear over the dust of a Hero 
 
 who, 
 
 ever attentive 
 
 to the lives and happiness of his men, 
 
 dared to lead 
 
 where any dared to follow ; 
 
 if a Patriot, 
 
 remember the distinguished and gallant services 
 
 rendered thy country 
 
 by the Patriot who sleeps beneath this marble ; 
 
 if thou art honest, generous and worthy, 
 
 render a cheerful tribute of respect 
 
 to a man, 
 
 whose generosity was singular, 
 
 whose honesty was proverbial ; 
 
 who 
 
 raised himself to universal esteem 
 
 and offices of eminent distinction, 
 
 by personal worth 
 
 and a 
 
 useful life. 
 
384 HISTOKY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 consist of eight companies, and each company to contain 
 fifty-five privates, with a captain, lieutenant, ensign, four 
 sergeants, four corporals, a drummer and fifer. Levi Wells 
 and Bezaleel Beebe were appointed lieutenant-colonels and 
 commanders of these regiments, and Edward Shipman and 
 Elias Buel were appointed majors of the same. 
 
 At the same time it was officially announced to the Assem- 
 bly that an exchange of prisoners had been effected between 
 General Washington and the British commissary general of 
 prisoners in New York,* 
 
 Among the acts passed at this session, was one designed to 
 establish the value of the bills of credit issued by the legisla- 
 ture, forbidding any person from offering or receiving them 
 at a less rate than that which they purport to be, and making 
 them, as well as the bills issued by Congress, a legal tender 
 for all payments within this state, according to their current 
 value. t 
 
 In compliance with a call from Congress, the Assembly, in 
 April, appointed James Watson to be a commissary to pur- 
 chase rum and hay for the army, and to deposit them at 
 such place within the state as the commander-in-chief shall 
 direct. J 
 
 A requisition was made upon the Assembly by General 
 Washington, for two thousand five hundred and twenty 
 effective men, rank and file, "to cooperate with the army of 
 the United States for the term of three months from and 
 after the 15th of July next." Measures were immediately 
 taken to comply with the call thus made. The number of 
 men designated were directed to be raised, and to march and 
 rendezvous at Danbury by the 15th of July, there to await 
 the order of the commander-in-chief. It was also voted, that 
 fifteen hundred men should forthwith be enlisted for the Con- 
 
 * Briffadier-General Silliman was exchanged for Judge Jones ; Brigade-Major 
 William Silliman was exchanged for Mr. Willett and John Pickett. 
 
 t This act was repealed a few months afterwards. 
 
 t Mr. Commissary Watson, after the war, became a United States Senator from 
 New York. He was a native of Woodbury, Connecticut. 
 
[17S0.] THE SIX NORTHERN STATES. 385 
 
 necticut battalions in tiie continental army, to continue in 
 the service until the last day of December. 
 
 It, during the campaign, it should be deemed advisable to 
 make an attempt to recover New York from the hands of 
 the enemy, the two state regiments commanded by Lieuten- 
 ant-Colonels Beebe and Wells, were directed to join the main 
 army, to serve on this side of the Hudson river. The gov- 
 ernor was desired to inform General Washington of this 
 arrangement, and to assure him that the state would furnish 
 the full number of men that he had requested.* 
 
 When the legislature had assembled in October, immediate 
 steps were taken for raising and equipping four thousand two 
 hundred and forty-eight effective men to serve in the con- 
 tinental army during the war. Each town was required to 
 furnish its proportion of beef, pork, and wheat flour, for the 
 use of the troops. Congress having proposed a convention 
 of the six northern states, to assemble at Hartford, on the 
 second Wednesday of November, to consult on some uniform 
 measures for filling up and completing their several quotas 
 for the continental service, and to agree upon other means 
 
 * State Records, MS. Colonel Henry Champion, superintendent of purchases, 
 is directed to repair to Xew London and seize and secure for the use of the state 
 one half of tlie mess beef and salted pork which has been lately captured and 
 brouglit into that port by privateer ships. 
 
 jNIessrs. John Chevenard, Ebenezer Wales, Samuel Lyman, Fenn Wadsworth, 
 and James Church, were appointed committee of pay table. 
 
 The bounty heretofore otlered to soldiers to enlist, was extended to the dragoons 
 under Colonel Sheldon and Major Tallmadge. 
 
 " Upon the memorial of Benedict Arnold, Esq., major-general in the army of 
 the LTnited States, in behalf of himself, and Israel Putnam, Esq., major-general of 
 said army, praying that they may be admitted to the benefits and advantages 
 granted to tlie officers and soldiers of the Connecticut line of tlie continental army, 
 by acts of the General Assembly passed in April and October, A. D., 1779'' — 
 their petition was granted, and a committee was appointed to adjust their accounts. 
 It is worthy of remark, that, though Arnold enjoyed tlie honor of being born in 
 Connecticut, his native state did little or nothing toward honoring him. It is 
 believed that the only commission ever granted him by the government of Con- 
 necticut, was that of captain of the governor's guards. lie procured the appoint- 
 ment of colonel from the Massachusetts committee of safety, and his subsequent 
 commissions were received from Congress. Indeed, bis name seldom occurs upon 
 our colonial and state records. 
 
 57 
 
386 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 of defense, Messrs. Ellphalet Dyer, William Williams, and 
 Andrew Adams, were appointed commissioners to represent 
 this state in that body.* 
 
 In response to the application of Count Rochambeau, the 
 cavalry corps of the Duke of Lauzun was allowed to be 
 quartered during the approaching winter, in the towns of 
 Windham, Lebanon, and Colchester. Colonel Jeremiah 
 Wadsworth, David Trumbull, Esq., and Mr. Joshua Elder- 
 kin, were directed to provide suitable accommodations for 
 the officers and to erect barracks for the men of the Legion. 
 At the same time, the second regiment of dragoons, consist- 
 ing of two hundred and forty men, with one hundred and 
 forty horses, were directed to be quartered, at the expense 
 of the state, in the towns of Cornwall, Salisbury, Sharon, 
 Goshen, Canaan, and Torrington.f 
 
 The southern campaign, under Lincoln and Gates, had 
 proved particularly disastrous to the Americans. Almost 
 our entire army in that quarter had been swept away. Some 
 had died of disease, some had been killed, some taken 
 prisoners, and others scattered and lost. Washington was 
 alarmed, and declared that the army under him could not 
 be kept together during another campaign, unless the aspect 
 of affairs was changed. Anxious to strike a decisive blow, 
 he proposed to Rochambeau, then commanding the French 
 troops at Newport, that New York should be attacked. This 
 measure was not thought feasible without an addition to our 
 naval force. Letters were sent to the French admiral in the 
 
 * These gentlemen, together with Jeremiah Wadsworth, were appointed com- 
 missioners to meet with those from other states, at such time and place as should be 
 aoreed upon, " to agree upon some terms for supplying the French army and navy 
 now in this country with necessary provisions." 
 
 Captain Roswell Grant, Captain James Ilillhouse, Mr. Zephaniah Huntington, 
 Colonel Eli Mygatt, Major John Ripley, and Major Aaron Austin, were at the 
 same time appointed commissaries of brigade. 
 
 t Benjamin Tallmadge, David Smith, and Richard Sill, officers of the Connec- 
 ticut line in the continental army, in behalf of the officers and soldiers of said line, 
 complain that they have been paid off in depreciated currency — and ask for redress. 
 The committees appointed for that purpose are directed to adjust their claims and 
 pay them from the monies received from the sales of the confiscated estates. 
 
[1780.] \\^ASHIXGTON GOES TO HARTFORD. 387 
 
 West Indies, begging for assistance. Washington, on the 
 19th of September, set out for Hartford, for the purpose of 
 consulting with Rochambeau and others in regard to some 
 definite plan of operation.* 
 
 On Thursday, the 21st, the principal chiefs of the allied 
 armies met according to agreement, and a long conference 
 ensued. The commander-in-chief assured his friends that 
 he had in camp but fifteen thousand troops for a new campaign. 
 The plan of another campaign was agreed upon, and trans- 
 mitted to the Court of France. f 
 
 On Friday, the French commanders started on their return 
 to Newport ; and on the following day, the American officers 
 set off toward the camp. Passing through Farmington, 
 Litchfield, and the new town of Washinglun, the commander- 
 in-chief and his suite reached West Point, by way of Fishkill, 
 on Monday, where his arrival was announced by the firing 
 of thirteen cannon, about eleven o'clock, of that day. J On 
 his way, however, he liad learned of the infamous attempt 
 of Benedict Arnold, wiio commanded at that post, to surren- 
 der it into the hands of the enemy. § 
 
 A short time before this discovery, Washington had granted 
 
 * From the Connecticut Courant, of September, 2G(/(, 1780. 
 
 "Last week, their excellencies Governor Trumbull, General Washington, Count 
 Rochambeau, and Admiral Teriiay, arrived in this town, with the Marquis de 
 Lafayette, General Knox, and several other officers of distinction from the allied 
 armies. The greatest satisfaction was expressed by all parties at their meeting, 
 and the highest marks of polite respect and attention were mutual. The corps of 
 guards and artillery were on duty, and saluted with thirteen cannon on the arrival 
 and departure of these gentlemen." . 
 
 t Gordon, iii. 128. This author states that General Washington and his suite, 
 on leaving for Connecticut, had piocured all the money they could for tlie trip, but 
 found it was more than half gone before they left New York. " They put on a 
 good countenauce vvlien in Connecticut, called for what they wanted, and were 
 well supplied ; but the thought of reckoning with their host, damped their plea- 
 sure. However, to their great joy, when the bills were called for, they were 
 informed that the governor of Connecticut had given orders that they should pay 
 nothing in that state, but should be at free cost." 
 
 J Connecticut Courant. 
 
 § While Arnold was in command in Philadelphia, he had lived in great extrav- 
 agance ; his debts accumulated, his creditors tormented him, and he was charged 
 
388 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 to Major Tallmadge a separate command, consisting of the 
 dismounted dragoons of the regiment, and a body of horse, 
 with directions to break up a system of ilHcit traffic which 
 had been for some time carried on between the British on 
 Long Island, and the tories on the opposite side of the Sound. 
 With this body of troops, Major Tallmadge took a position 
 on the coast near the line between the states of New York 
 and Connecticut, where he had the best facilities for obtain- 
 ing intelligence and watching the operations of the offenders. 
 Spending some time at this point, without an opportunity of 
 effecting his pui-pose, he turned back towards the Hudson 
 and encamped near North Castle. On the very day of his 
 arrival there, he was informed that a prisoner had been taken, 
 by the name of Jolcn Anderson. On inquiry, he ascertained, 
 that three militia-men, named John Paulding, David Williams, 
 and Isaac Van Wert, who had passed below our ordinary 
 military patrols, on the road from Tarrytown to Kingsbridge, 
 had fallen in with the prisoner, while he was riding towards 
 New York. Upon searcliing him, they had found sundry 
 unintelligible papers in his boots, and had brought him in as 
 a prisoner to Colonel Jameson. 
 
 The next morning, Anderson was given in charge to Major 
 Tallmadge, who was the first to suspect that he was an 
 
 witli having appropriated public property to his own use. His bills against the 
 government were enormous, and were not allowed. A court-mnrtial sentenced 
 him to be reprimanded by Washington. Arnold vowed vengeance, and he 
 appears from that time to have meditated treason, lie had been so far restored to 
 public favor as to be placed in command of the important post at West Point. In 
 carrying out his plan of revenge, he commenced negotiating with General Clinton 
 for the surrender of the fortress ; and Major Andre, of the British army, was 
 soon sent to West Point to perfect the arrangement. Having agreed with Arnold 
 upon the terms and time of the surrender, Andre started on his return to New 
 York. He had safely passed all the guards and posts on the road, and began to 
 congratulate himself on his safety, when his horse was suddenly seized by three 
 militia-men who had been out with a scouting party. Scorning his proffered 
 bribes, they conducted him to the quarters of Colonel Jameson. Andre showed 
 the colonel his pass from Arnold, and begged permission to write a line to him, 
 (Arnold,) informing him of the capture ; which Jameson, through an ill-judged 
 delicacy, granted him. Arnold was thus warned in time to efiect his own 
 escape. 
 
[1780.] FATE OF ANDRE. 889 
 
 important British officer, under an assumed name. This 
 opinion was formed from his mihtary step, as well as from his 
 general manners, inteihgence, and refinement. The prisoner 
 (Major Andre,) was tried by fourteen general officers, includ- 
 ing the Marquis de Lafayette and Baron Steuben, to examine 
 into his case ; who, upon his own confessions, adjudged him 
 to be a spy, and sentenced him to hanged. Major Tallmadge 
 retained charge of him up to the time of his execution, and 
 walked with him to the gallows. To him Major Andre 
 delivered the open letter to General Washington, disclosing 
 his real character.* Andre was hanged October 2d, 1780. 
 
 Early in October, a committee appointed for that purpose 
 reported a plan for a re-organization of the army, to which 
 Congress gave its assent. All new enlistments were to be 
 made for the war. Fifty regiments of foot, four regiments 
 of artillery, two corps of rangers under Armand and Lee, 
 one regiment of artificers, and four legionary corps to con- 
 sist of two-thirds horse, and one-third foot, in all thirty- 
 six thousand men were to constitute the sum total of the new 
 army. Of these troops, Massachusetts and Virginia were to 
 furnish eleven regiments each, Pennsylvania nine, Connecticut 
 six, Maryland five, North Carolina four. New York three, 
 South Carolina, New Hampshire, and New Jersey, two each, 
 Rhode Island, Delaware, and Georgia, one each. The corps 
 of Armand, Lee, and Hazen, were to be recruited at large. f 
 
 About the same time, Robert H. Harrison, secretary to the 
 commander-in-chief, having accepted the post of chief justice 
 of Maryland, resigned, and was succeeded by Jonathan 
 
 * " Nat. Portrait Gallery." Major Tallmadge thus wrote concerning Andre: 
 " For the few days of intimate intercourse I had with liim, which was from the 
 time of liis being remanded to the period of his execution, I became so deeply 
 attached to Major Andre, that I could remember of no instance when my affuc- 
 tions were so fully absorbed by any man. When I saw him swing under the 
 jibbet, it seemed for a time utterly insupportable ; all were overwhelmed with the 
 alFecting spectacle, and the eyes of many were suffused with tears. There did not 
 appear to be one hardened or indifferent spectator in all the multitude assembled 
 on that solemn occasion." 
 
 t Hildreth, iii. 324. 
 
390 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Trumbull, son of the governor of Connecticut, and previously 
 paymaster of the northern department.* 
 
 In November of the same year, Major Tallmadge resumed 
 his scheme of annoying the British on Long Island. He 
 crossed the Sound, made a personal examination of Fort St. 
 George, and found it a depository of stores, provisions, and 
 arms. The works looked quite formidable. After much 
 importunity, Washington authorized him to attempt its cap- 
 ture. On the night of the 21st of November, he embarked 
 from Fairfield with about one hundred dismounted dragoons, 
 and effected a landing on Long Island, several miles distant 
 from the fort, about nine o'clock. In consequence of a heavy 
 rain, they deferred the attack until the following night. 
 Reaching the fortress about day-break, the attack com- 
 menced. Cutting down the stockade, the little army forced 
 their way through the grand parade, and in ten minutes, the 
 main fort was carried at the point of the bayonet. The 
 works, shipping, and stores were secured ; an immense maga- 
 zine of forage, at Cazum, ten miles distant, was burnt ; and 
 the captors returned to Fairfield without the loss of a man. 
 Major Tallmadge was tendered the thanks of Congress and 
 of the commander-in-chief, for this heroic and successful 
 exploit. 
 
 There is an interesting incident connected with the history 
 of Major Tallmadge, that exhibits in a remarkable degree 
 the patriotism and force of the old clergy of Connecticut, of 
 which 1 have before, more than once, made mention. When 
 the whole country was in a state of alarm at the intelligence 
 that Lord Cornwallis, with a large fleet and armament, was 
 approaching the American coast, Tallmadge happened to pass 
 through Litchfield with a regiment of cavalry. While there, 
 he attended public worship with his troops on Sunday, at the 
 old meeting house, that stood upon the village-green. The 
 occasion was deeply interesting and exciting. The Rev. 
 Judah Champion, then the settled minister of the place, a 
 man of great eloquence and a high order of intellectual 
 
 * Hildreth. 
 
[1781.] MR. champion's TRAYER 391 
 
 endowments, in view of the alarming crisis, thus invoked the 
 sanction of Heaven : 
 
 "Oh Lord! we view with terror and dismay the enemies 
 of thy holy religion ; wilt thou send storm and tempest, to 
 toss them upon the sea, and to overwhelm them in the mighty 
 deep, or scatter them to the uttermost parts of the earth. 
 But peradventure, should any escape thy vengeance, collect 
 them together again, O Lord ! as in the hollow of thy hand, 
 and let thy lightnings play upon them. We beseech thee, 
 moreover, that thou do gird up the loins of these thy servants, 
 who are going forth to fight thy battles. Make them strong 
 men, that " one shall chase a thousand, and two shall put ten 
 thousand to flight." Hold before them the shield, with which 
 thou wast wont in the old time to protect thy chosen people. 
 Give them swift feet that they may pursue their enemies, 
 and swords terrible as that of thy destroying Angel, that they 
 may cleave them down when they have overtaken them. 
 Preserve these servants of thine. Almighty God! and bring 
 them once more to their homes and friends, if thou canst do 
 it consistently with thine high purposes. If, on the other hand, 
 thou hast decreed that they shall die in battle, let thy spirit be 
 present with them and breathe upon them, that they may go up 
 as a sweet sacrifice into the courts of thy temple, where are 
 habitations prepared for them irom the foundations of the 
 world."* 
 
 In January, 1781, an alarming revolt broke out among the 
 Pennsylvania regiments encamped at Morristown. The sol- 
 diers claimed that they had enlisted " for three years or the war," 
 and as their three years had expired, they insisted upon being 
 paid off and discharged. The officers maintained tliat their 
 term of enlistment was for " three years and the war," and 
 refused to give them a discharge. They accordingly, to the 
 number of thirteen hundred, broke out in open revolt, killed 
 
 *This rcrn.'irkablo prayer is copied in part from the remarks made by the Hon. 
 F. A. Talhnadge, at the Litchfield " Centennial Celebration," and in part from the 
 recollection of others. 
 
392 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 an officer who attempted to restrain them, and under the 
 direction of a board of sergeants, marched off toward Prince- 
 ton. Finding it impossible to control such a body of men, 
 goaded to desperation as they were by hunger and cold, the 
 committees of Congress, and of the Pennsylvania legislature, 
 deemed it expedient to bend to the necessity of the case, and 
 accordingly compromised the matter with the revolters. It 
 was agreed that the soldiers should receive an immediate 
 supply of clothing, and certificates for the arrearages of their 
 pay, and be forthwith discharged. 
 
 Alarmed at this outbreak, and fearing that still further trouble 
 might arise in consequence of his inability to provide for and 
 pay off the soldiers, Washington wrote urgent letters to Gov- 
 ernor Trumbull, and the other New England governors, 
 stating the exigency of the case, and calling earnestly for 
 money. Congress had previously made a demand for nine 
 hundred thousand dollars in specie, or its equivalent, upon the 
 northern states, which had not as yet been met in full, and the 
 commander-in-chief saw the necessity of looking elsewhere 
 for the desired means. Accordingly, Colonel John Laurens, 
 aid-de-camp to Washington, was dispatched to France to 
 represent the pressing wants of the American army, and to 
 negotiate a loan.* 
 
 By the 20th of January, a part of the New Jersey line, 
 having witnessed the success of the Pennsylvania troops in 
 procuring a redress of their grievances, proceeded to imitate 
 their example. Washington, knowing by past experience 
 that he could rely upon the fidelity of the eastern troops in 
 all cases of emergency, immediately ordered a detachment to 
 march from West Point, under General Robert Howe, to the 
 scene of the revolt. This had the desired effect. The camp 
 of the disaffected soldiers was surrounded, they were made to 
 parade without arms, and complete order was soon restored. 
 Two of the principal leaders were shot. 
 
 On the 6th of May, Monsieur de Barras, who had been 
 appointed to the command of the French squadron at 
 * Gordon, Hildreth. 
 
[1781.] MOODY INTERCEPTS WASHINGTON'S MAIL, S93 
 
 Newport, in the place of Admiral Ternay, deceased,* 
 arrived at Boston, bringing with them dispatches, for 
 Count de Rochambeau. By a previous agreement. General 
 Washington, in company with Generals Knox and Du Por- 
 tal, repaired to Wethersfield, in Connecticut, where, on the 
 21st of that month, they met the Count de Rochambeau and 
 the Chevalier Chastellux. The subject of attacking New 
 York was once more debated in council, and was fully 
 resolved upon. It was agreed that the French army should 
 march toward the Hudson river as soon as circumstances 
 would permit, after leaving a suificient force in Rhode Island 
 to guard their heavy stores and baggage, and to secure the 
 works there. In furtherance of this project, letters were 
 written, on the 24th, to the governors of New Hampshire, 
 Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, requiring 
 among other things, militia to the number of six thousand 
 two hundred. 
 
 Washington returned to his head-quarters on the 2(jth of 
 May. The enemy learning that a conference had taken 
 place between the American and French officers, spies and 
 secret agents were sent out to intercept the mails; and one 
 Lieutenant Moody, of the British army, succeeded in seizing 
 and conveying to New York the very mail-bag that contained 
 some of the most important letters relating to the enterprise 
 in contemplation. 
 
 The preparations in the American army had been going 
 on for several weeks; until, on the 21st of June, the troops 
 rendezvoused at Peekskill, on the Hudson. At three o'clock 
 on the morning of July 2d, the army commenced its march 
 toward New York, encumbered with only four days provis- 
 ions, a blanket and an extra shirt for each soldier. Gen- 
 eral Lincoln, who had taken post near Fort Inde])endence, 
 was attacked on the 3d, by about fifteen hundred royal troops. 
 The object of Lincoln was, to draw the enemy as far as possi- 
 
 * Charles I^ouis do Ternay, Knight of St. John of Jerusalem, and late governor 
 of the islands of Franco and Bourbon, died at Newport, Rhode Island, December 
 1 8th. 
 
894 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 ble from their post at Kingsbridge, in order that they might 
 be attacked in the open field by Sheldon's dragoons and the 
 Duke de Lauzun's French legion. The British commander, 
 however, evidently comprehending the maneuvre, declined 
 sending out reinforcements, and soon concentrated his entire 
 force within the works at Kingsbrido-e. 
 
 The American and French troops, (the latter having been 
 largely reinforced,) formed a junction near White Plains on 
 the 8th. In a few days, it was ascertained that the British 
 had commenced their march toward Tarrytown, with the 
 design of capturing and carrying ofl' the stores and ordnance 
 deposited at that place. General Robert Howe was forth- 
 with dispatched with a sulficient force, who succeeded in 
 saving the stores and other property, and in repulsing the 
 enemy's shipping. General Washington, in his dispatch, 
 dated on the 14th, speaks of the "gallant behavior, and 
 spirited exertions of Colonel Sheldon, Captain Hurlbut, of 
 the second regiment of dragoons. Captain Miles, of the artil- 
 lery, and Lieutenant Shaylor, of the fourth Connecticut regi- 
 ment," in " rescuing the ivhole of the ordnance and stores from 
 destruction." 
 
 On the evening of the 21st, a portion of the French and 
 American troops, accompanied by the general officers and 
 several engineers, marched to the vicinity of New York, 
 where the officers made a careful reconnoisance of the 
 enemy's posts. On the following afternoon, they all returned 
 to their quarters. The expedition had already been too long 
 delayed in consequence of the non-arrival of the reinforce- 
 ments that had been ordered and anticipated by Washington. 
 On the 2d of August, Washington wrote — " I am not stronger 
 at this advanced period of the campaign, than when the 
 army first moved from winter quarters. Not a single man 
 has joined me, except one hundred and seventy-six militia 
 from Connecticut, who arrived at West Point yesterday, and 
 eighty of the New York levies and about two hundred state 
 troops of Connecticut, both of which corps were upon the 
 lines previous to leaving winter cantonments." The move- 
 
[ITSl.] GENERAL GREEXE. 895 
 
 ments of the Americans and French in the neighborliood of 
 New York, had in the mean time convinced Sir Henry CHn- 
 ton that the intercepted letters which had fallen into his hands 
 were genuine, and he had accordingly strengthened his garri- 
 sons by calling to his aid a considerable part of the force 
 under the command of Cornwallis, at the south. A knowledge 
 of tiiis fact, induced Washington to change his entire plan 
 of operations. While he kept up the appearance of a design 
 upon New^ York, he ordered the fleets and armies of the 
 allied powers to concentrate ujion the Chesapeake, to coope- 
 rate with the naval force under the Count de Grasse, which 
 had just arrived there from France. For the present, let us 
 leave them on their several routes thither. 
 
 Early this year, an eflicient guard was established, extend- 
 ing along the entire range of our sea-board, which was placed 
 under the chief command of Colonel Beebe, of Litchfield — 
 who was regarded as one of the bravest and most excellent 
 officers in Connecticut line of the continental army. 
 
 The campaign of General Greene, at the south during the 
 winter and summer of 1781, had resulted in various successes 
 and defeats, but no decisive action had taken place. 
 
 Clinton having at last discovered the real object of Wash- 
 ington, determined to interrupt it by a diversion at the north. 
 The Highlands being too strongly fortified and manned to 
 justify him in hazarding an attack in that direction, he 
 dispatched Arnold, who had a short time before been recalled 
 from the south, on an expedition to Connecticut — the particu- 
 lars of which may be found in the succeeding chapter. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 AENOLD BURNS NEW LONDON. FALL OF FORTS TRUMBULL AND GRISWOLD. 
 
 For several years the whole surface of Long Island Sound 
 had been vexed with every species of conflict known to 
 unrestrained human passions in times of civil war. Pirating, 
 privateering, foraging, with all the gradations of crime and 
 brutality that attend them, swept the waters with the free- 
 dom of the winds and the storms. The coast of Long Lsland 
 had before fallen into the hands of the British and tories, 
 and the patriots had abandoned their arms and passed over 
 to the Connecticut side, where they found an asylum among 
 friends who entertained the same political sentiments. 
 Fisher's Island had already been robbed of its cattle and 
 sheep, and stripped of everything that could afford nutriment 
 to man. British fleets, sometimes numbering a hundred 
 vessels, sometimes twenty, had almost from the beginning of 
 the war been seen sweeping around Montauk Point, riding 
 at anchor at Gardiner's Bay, loitering around the mouth of the 
 Thames, or standing in tovv'ard Stonington, in such a threat- 
 ening attitude that the citizens of New London had no as- 
 surance w^ien they retired at night, that they should not be 
 awakened before morning by the light of their own dwellings. 
 Again and again the alarm-gun from Stonington, answered 
 from Fort Trumbull and Fort Griswold, had summoned in 
 from the upper country the devoted militia to defend the 
 coast, and often had the inhabitants looked out from the 
 roofs of the houses, and from the tops of the rocky hills, with 
 eyes strained and anxious, to watch the streamers of St. 
 George, and returned with joy to tell their loved ones that 
 Newport on the east or New York on the west, w-as their 
 probable destination. This long indemnity tended to lull the 
 minds of the people, and to make the signals of distress from 
 
[17S1.] CAPTAIN DUDLEY SALTONSTALL. 397 
 
 the exposed points, less terrible to the militia of the inland 
 towns. Even the officers shared in this feeling of security. 
 
 At length a large quantity of merchandize from Europe 
 and the West Indies was accumulated in storehouses at New 
 London. The place was wealthy and many sail of ships, 
 built and owned by its citizens, were lying idle there, as well 
 as the vessels that privateers had captured and taken into 
 port as prizes. 
 
 All this property offered a strong temptation to the British 
 commander-in-chief, who had found himself so often baffled 
 in his undertakings by Colonel Meigs, Captain Hinman, and 
 other officers, who did nothing but cut off his foraging par- 
 ties, and intercept his transports laden with cattle and grain 
 for the army. Of these }M-izes, the capture of the rich mer- 
 chant ship Hannah by Captam Dudley Saltonstall, while on 
 her passage from London to New York, was the most deeply 
 resented, and was thought to have hastened the stroke of ven- 
 geance. It is not likely that Sir Henry Clinton would have 
 attempted to destroy New London at the time he did, 
 had not General Arnold, who had just returned from a like 
 expedition against the Virginian coast, advised him of the 
 defenseless condition of the place, and offered to conduct the 
 enterprise. 
 
 Arnold was a native of Norwich, and was of course ac- 
 quainted with the whole neighborhood of New London and 
 Groton, and knew the very steps to take to ensure success. 
 His plan was, to enter the harbor in the night, and set fire to 
 the stores, merchandise, shipping, and public offices, and de- 
 molish the forts on both sides of the Thames before the 
 militia could have time to rally from the country to oppose 
 him. It is not likely that either he or Sir Henry Clinton 
 contemplated the burning of the dwelling-houses and 
 churches, or the murders that were able to blacken even the 
 treason of Arnold. 
 
 On the evening of the 5th of September tidings were re- 
 ceived in New London that a British fleet had been seen under 
 the Long Island shore, at a point nearly opposite the town, but 
 
398 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 this was so common an occurrence that it did not excite 
 much alarm. The citizens sought their beds at about the 
 same hour as usual, and probably most of them slept as 
 soundly as they were in the habit of doing. When it was 
 dark, Arnold advanced toward the Connecticut coast, which 
 he reached about ten o'clock. The wind now shifted sud- 
 denly, and blew so strongly from the north, that the large 
 ships were forced to stand out to sea and the smaller ones to 
 seek the protection of the shore. The morning twilight re- 
 vealed to the garrison at Fort Griswold the spreading sails 
 of thirty-two British ships standing in toward the doomed 
 town. 
 
 At ten o'clock seventeen hundred troops were landed from 
 twenty-four transports, at a distance of about three miles 
 from New London. They were sent ashore in two divisions 
 • — eight hundred on the Groton side of the Thames, and nine 
 hundred on the western or New London side. The eastern 
 division consisted of the fortieth and fifty-fourth regiments, 
 the third battalion of New Jersey volunteers, and a detach- 
 ment of Yagers and artillery, all under the command of 
 Lieut-Col. Eyre. The western division was made up of the 
 thirty-eighth regiment, the loyal Americans, the American 
 Legion, some refugees, and sixty Yagers, all under the com- 
 mand of Arnold. The troops immediately began to move 
 forward. 
 
 From the earliest mornina; twilight. Colonel William Led- 
 yard, to whom the guardianship of the two forts and the 
 towns in which they were situated, had been committed, had 
 exerted himself to the utmost to alarm the neighboring towns, 
 and to put the coast in a state of defense. Captain Adam 
 Shapley commanded at Fort Trumbull and the Town Hill 
 Battery, and Captain William Latham at Fort Griswold. The 
 established signals that had long been used at Stonington and 
 at the two forts, were three guns for good news and two for 
 an alarm, fired at stated intervals. These signals were as 
 well known to the tories as to the patriots, and were probably 
 familiar to Arnold before he sailed from New York. 
 
[1781.] "WOMEN AND CHILDREN FLEE. 399 
 
 As soon as the usual warning sounded from Fort Griswold, 
 a third gun from one of the British ships was discharged, 
 thus changing the signal of distress into one of jubilee. 
 From the difference in the size of the guns, or in the eleva- 
 tion of them, this false addition did not probably deceive the 
 most wary of the militia officers; but it served to confuse 
 and keep back those who were less critically observant of 
 the sound. Other alarms followed : the inhabitants were 
 panic-stricken at the sudden gathering of the storm, that was 
 evidently about to burst upon their heads. Starting from 
 their beds, and groping about with trembling hands to find 
 their garments, they gathered together their families and 
 moveable effects, and sent them into the woods and fields on 
 the remote and difficult hill-sides where the enemy would 
 find it impracticable to follow them. 
 
 An effort was made to secure the shipping, by sending it 
 far up the Thames ; but the wind and tide were both ad- 
 verse. At noon, liowever, there sprung up a lively breeze 
 from the south that favored the attempt, and a number of 
 valuable vessels were saved. 
 
 After Colonel Ledyard had made such arrangements as 
 his scanty means could allow, at Fort Trumbull, and had 
 dispatched messengers to Lebanon to inform the governor 
 of his condition, he hastened to repair to Fort Griswold, 
 where he determined to make his last stand against the 
 enemy. When he went down to cross the ferry, his friends 
 gathered around him to wish him success and give him a 
 farewell pressure of the hand. His noble features wore an 
 expression of resolve which those who saw him remembered 
 long after. His step was elastic as he leapt into the boat, 
 and his voice had the triumphant tone of prophecy, as he 
 said to them : " If I must lose to-day honor or life, ijou ivlio 
 know mc, can tell lohich it vnll he!" 
 
 Meanwhile Arnold, who had landed liis forces near the 
 light-house, marched rapidly forward, as nearly in a right 
 line as the nature of the ground would allow, and soon came 
 into the Town Hill road. He arrived at the cross road that 
 
400 HISTORY OF CONNECTICtJT. 
 
 leads to the fort at about eleven o'clock. Here he detached 
 Captain Millett of the thirty-eighth regiment with four com- 
 panies, to go down to the shore and attack the garrison. At 
 the foot of this road, Millett was joined by a company of re- 
 fugees under Captain Frink, who had followed the shore more 
 closely in marching from the landing-place than the main 
 body of the army had done. 
 
 Fort Trumbull was not then what it is now, a well- 
 appointed fortification, with solid masonry on all sides, secure 
 magazines, and all the furnishings of a fortress designed to 
 resist aggressive attempts as well by land as by water ; but 
 an area, with three sides inclosed, and mounted with a few 
 guns that were designed to protect the harbor from the ap- 
 proach of ships. The rear of the fort was open, not having 
 even the advantage of a temporary breastwork to cover the 
 garrison, which numbered at the time of the invasion only 
 twenty-three men. Colonel Ledyard was of course aware 
 how idle it would be to resist the advance of the enemy 
 with a mere nominal garrison, and had instructed Captain 
 Shapley to retreat, should he be attacked, to Fort Griswold. 
 In obedience to this order Shapley fired a single well-aimed 
 volley at the approaching detachment, spiked the guns upon 
 his batteries, and withdrawing his men in good order, em- 
 barked them in whale-boats almost under the very shrouds 
 of the British ships that were so near that the men from the 
 decks could reach them with musket shot. Thus exposed 
 seven of his men were wounded, and one of the boats was 
 captured. It need hardly be said that Captain Millett im- 
 mediately took possession of the deserted fort. 
 
 Arnold, goaded to madness as he always was when he 
 found himself in the atmosphere of human strife, rushed for- 
 ward toward the devoted town, to execute upon it the fierce- 
 ness of his wrath. It is difficult to imagine a situation more 
 likely to quicken the long stilled admonitions of a guilty con- 
 science, than that of this bold bad man. He was now within 
 a few miles of his birth-place. As he ascended the hill upon 
 his nefarious errand, that most beautiful of our coast scenery 
 
[1781.] ARNOLD CONTEMPLATES THE SCENE. 401 
 
 lay spread out like a map in all its bewildering charms of 
 pleasant inlets, seamed rocks fretted by the ebbing and flow- 
 ing of the tides, strips of sandy beach sparkling with their 
 shining decorations of shells, hills covered with cedars, and 
 in the distance, islands crowned with groves, lying like sisters 
 side by side in the feathery foam of the waves. At his feet 
 the fairest harbor of the Atlantic, with its never failing river 
 coming down from the sharp ledges, where in his childhood 
 its waters, young and restless as he, had typified the future 
 career, as they mirrored the features of the fickle, ambitious 
 boy ; a fine old town, associated with the early settlement 
 of the continent, and inhabited by his old schoolmates and 
 acquaintances ; ships with the names of their owners upon 
 them, huddling together like a flock of frightened sea-fowl in 
 their attempt to escape the torch that he himself had brought 
 to apply to them ; all these objects spread out before him, 
 and, smiling in the light of a September sun, must have 
 touched, one would think, even the heart ofairaifor. But they 
 do not appear to have made any impression upon Arnold. 
 When he had reached the top of the hill, and had driven 
 from the slight battery that had been hastily thrown up there, 
 the few brave men who had dared to point its six small guns 
 at an invading foe, he saw the owners of the ships trying to 
 avail themselves of the breeze that had sprung up from the 
 south, to get this most perishable of all property out of harm's 
 way, and immediately sent a messenger to Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Eyre with orders to press forward and attack Fort 
 Griswold as speedily as possible, so that he might pos- 
 sess himself of the guns and turn them against the fugitive 
 vessels. 
 
 In addition to the cannon at this fort, (if it could be called 
 a fort,) there was on the common upon Manwaring's hill 
 still another gun, a four or six pounder, that had been kept 
 there for use upon muster days, and to give the customary 
 signals of distress or good tidings to town and country. As 
 the enemy were descending Town llill, three or four men 
 
 levelled this little piece and fired it at them several times. 
 
 58 
 
402 HISTORY OF CONXECTICUT, 
 
 Arnold sent a detachment of British troops up Blackhull 
 Hill to silence this turbulant neighbor. At their approach 
 the gunners abandoned it and fled. While the British were 
 securing the gun they were exposed to the muskets of some 
 marksmen who had secreted themselves behind the rocks 
 and fences, and who kept up a severe though irregular fire 
 upon them. Mr. Manwaring's house, the only mansion in 
 that part of the town, was the next object of their attention. 
 They broke it open, ransacked it, broke a part of the furni- 
 ture in pieces, and set it on fire. One of the neighbors en- 
 tered it soon after the soldiers had left it, and quenched the 
 flames with a barrel of soap. Arnold now proceeded to the 
 more populous parts of the town. As the hills abounded in 
 loose stones, walls had been thrown up at intervals of a few 
 rods, and from behind these breastworks the resolute citizens 
 lurked in little groups, or in solitary security, and aimed their 
 desperate shots at the invaders. When they had reached the 
 southerly part of the town, Arnold ordered Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Upham, who commanded the New Jersey tories, to 
 advance and get possession of the hill north of the meeting- 
 house, where, says this loyal hero, in his military dispatch to 
 Governor Franklin, (who had now returned from his rural 
 quarters at the Litchfield jail,) " the rebels had collected and 
 which they resolved to hold." He advanced with his own 
 troops, and with the Yagers, and drove the patriots from it. 
 He kept it until the surrender of Fort Griswold, and accord- 
 ing to his own account of the matter, " was exposed to a 
 constant fire from the rebels " on the neighboring hills, and 
 from the fort on the Groton side, until the work of destruc- 
 tion was over on either bank of the river. On his way to 
 this outpost of danger. Colonel Upham passed through Cape 
 Ann-street, and Lewis-lane, while a flanking guard amused 
 themselves by setting the house of Mr. Latimer on fire, that 
 stood in what is now Vauxhall-street. This house had been 
 filled with the goods of the citizens, who thought it was too 
 remote from the populous parts of the town to be exposed. 
 It was the very first house that was burned. 
 
[ITSl.] ARNOLD AND LORD DALRYMPLE. 403 
 
 Arnold with the main body now advanced at a rapid rate 
 through Vauxhall -street toward the place where the stores, 
 shipping and public offices were crowded into a very snuill 
 area. A number of citizens with muskets had stationed 
 themselves on the hill above the old burial-ground, and gave 
 him a few shots as he came within range. They retired on 
 his nearer approach, to retreats more safe and remote. 
 Under cover of Colonel Upham's party, which had gained 
 possession of the outpost, Arnold, accompanied, as is sup- 
 posed, by Lord Dalrymple, who acted as his aid, now rode 
 to the top of another hill, that stood in the rear of the town. 
 He could see from this point the few vessels that were flying 
 before the shots of the little field-piece that Upham had 
 brought from Town Hill, and here too, he had a fair view of 
 Fort Griswold. He sat upon his horse with a perspective 
 glass in his hand, and surveyed iur a few moments the field 
 where he was to reap such a harvest of infamy. After 
 glancing his eye over it, and pointing out to his lordship the 
 principal land-marks that were to guide them, they both fol- 
 lowed the main body of the army down Richards-street. 
 The most fastidious critic could hardly cavil at Arnold's 
 methodical and comprehensive plan of destruction. He sent 
 a detachment to the south part of the town, while he began 
 the work himself at the northern extremity, by setting fire 
 to the printing office and town mill. He also sent a company 
 to Winthrop's Neck to burn the ships that had not escaped, as 
 well as the houses and the battery. This was a very impor- 
 tant part of the town, and so thoroughly was the torch applied, 
 that of all the shipping, warehouses, dwellings, and other com- 
 bustible property there, only a solitary house escaped. On 
 Main-street, near the point reserved by Arnold for his own 
 personal operations, stood a goodly number of old family 
 mansions. The most expensive and imposing of these was 
 the dwelling of General Gurdon Salstonstall. They were 
 soon wrapt in flames. The custom-house, collector's house, 
 shops, wharves, boats and lumber, all shared the same fate. 
 When the i)arty reached Hallam's corner they turned down 
 
404 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 toward Water-street. As they came within fair view of the 
 rich warehouses and the vessels that lay moored there, 
 Arnold pointed with his sword to the tempting prize, as he 
 cried with the energy of an officer giving orders upon the 
 battle-field, " Soldiers, do your duty !" 
 
 A scene of conflagration followed that closed only with 
 the failure of the fuel that fed it. They also destroyed every 
 thing on the parade. The magazine and battery, the market, 
 the court-house, and jail, the episcopal church, the wharf, 
 and the dwellings, as well as the stores, were laid in ashes. 
 Not even the houses of the tories were spared. The very 
 roof under which Arnold dined that day, though it was the 
 property of one of his old acquaintances, was treated with 
 no more indulgence than the others in that vicinity, and 
 before his repast was completed, the flames had been kindled 
 over his head, as if to crown the festive board with an illu- 
 mination. 
 
 A similar destruction followed the footsteps of the party 
 that had been sent to the southern district of the town. The 
 boats, shops, and stores, were consumed, but the dwellings 
 were treated with more indulgence. The most valuable 
 mansions on either side of Bank-street were burned, and the 
 other buildings were indiscriminately consumed. It seems 
 idle to linger over the sickening details of this conflagration. 
 Even Arnold was ashamed to acknowledge that he was 
 instrumental in destroying the town, and attributed it, as did 
 Sir Henry Clinton, to the unexpected explosion of gun- 
 powder. The candid reader will decide from the few facts 
 that are given here, as well as from the conduct of the 
 enemy at Fort Griswold, how far this excuse is to go in 
 extenuation of the crime that has been charged at the door 
 of the perpetrators. 
 
 The eastern bank of the Thames afforded, meanwhile, a 
 very different spectacle. The order sent by Arnold to 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre, to attack Fort Griswold, had been 
 based on the supposition that the Fort was much more feebly 
 garrisoned, and that its walls were weaker than proved to be 
 
[1761.] FORT GRISWOLD. 405 
 
 the case. He had supposed that the place would be carried 
 in a few minutes, and tiiat its guns would be turned upon 
 the shi])ping. But when he saw that the vessels were escap- 
 ing, and that the fort was manned bv a garrison of con- 
 siderable size, he sent an officer in a boat to countermand 
 the order. This second messenger did not arrive until after 
 the attack had commenced. The situation of the fort was 
 very well chosen, and in the hands of a garrison of sufficient 
 size to man it, would have been very formidable. The fol^ 
 lowing is Hempstead's description of the fortification : 
 
 " The fort was an oblong square with bastions at opposite 
 angles, its longest sides fronting the river in a north-west 
 and south-east direction. Its walls were of stone, and were 
 ten or twelve feet high on the lower side, and surrounded by 
 a ditch. On the walls were pickets, projecting over twelve 
 feet, above this was a parapet with embrasures, and within 
 a platform for cannon, and a step to mount upon, to shoot 
 over the parapet with small arms. In the south-west bastion 
 was a flag-staff, and in the side near the opposite angle was 
 the gate, in front of which was a triangular breastwork to 
 protect the gate ; and to the right of this was a redoubt, 
 with a three pounder in it, which was about one hundred 
 and twenty yards from the gate. Between the fort and the 
 river was another battery with a covered way, but which 
 could not be used in this attack, as the enemy appeared in a 
 different quarter." 
 
 There were in this fort one hundred and fifty men, and of 
 these two-thirds were farmers and mechanics who were totally 
 unacquainted with the usages of war. They were poorly 
 armed too, many of them, having snatched up their weapons 
 and rode at a moment's warning to defend the fort. About 
 noon the British troops were seen coming out of the woods 
 about half a mile from the fort. They ran with broken ranks 
 until they were protected from the guns of the garrison by 
 the hills and rocks that occupy the middle ground between 
 the fortification and the forest. Under the friendly shelter 
 of a ledge one hundred and thirty yards south-east from the 
 
406 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 fort, Colonel Eyre brought his men again into line, while 
 Major Montgomery at the head of the fortieth regiment, 
 sought the cover of a hill near at hand. 
 
 Colonel Eyre soon sent a flag and a summons for the 
 instant surrender of the fort. Colonel Ledyard called a 
 council of war to decide what answer should be given. The 
 officers composing it were all in favor of resistance. The 
 council was not very formal and did not waste much time in. 
 deliberation. Its decision was made known by three volun- 
 teers who left the fort and advanced to meet the British 
 officer who had delivered the summons. 
 
 Shortly after, the flag was again seen emerging from 
 behind the ledge of rocks. The demand was the same as the 
 first, with the addition of a threat, that if it should become 
 necessary to storm the works, " Martial law should be put 
 in force !" The officers were still unanimous in their resolu- 
 tion. Captain Shapley, who had commanded at Fort Trum- 
 bull, was sent to deliver their answer : " We shall not sur- 
 render, let the consequences be what they may." 
 
 Of course all parley was now at an end ; and both divis- 
 ions of the enemy immediately moved forward with a quick 
 step, and formed in solid columns. 
 
 The arrangements made by Colonel Ledyard, when it is 
 borne in mind what scanty materials that he had at his com- 
 mand, were truly admirable. He had placed a small party 
 of his little band in the eastern battery, to open their fire 
 upon the enemy. They fired a single round, and then with- 
 drew into the fort. He strictly enjoined upon the garrison 
 not to fire a gun, until the columns of the detachment that 
 led the attack, should have advanced within a range where 
 every shot would tell upon them Colonel Eyre's division 
 was the first to approach ; Captain Halsey, an old naval 
 officer, stood by an eighteen pounder loaded with bags of 
 grape shot, and brought it to bear upon them with a deliber- 
 ate aim. When the order was given to fire, twenty men 
 dropped dead or wounded. This shot broke their columns 
 and threw them into disorder. It was the signal for a resist- 
 
[1781.] FALL OF COLONEL EYIIK. 407 
 
 ance as obstinate as can well be imagined. Volley after 
 volley was poured upon the enemy with murderous etTect. 
 It was with the greatest difficulty that Colonel Eyre, and the 
 officers under iiim, could keep their men from running away 
 in utter confusion ; but, by exposing their own persons, and 
 remaining in front of their shattered columns, they were 
 able to prevent a retreat. The soldiers advanced without 
 much regard to discipline, running with their bodies bent 
 half way to the ground, for a few paces, then falling upon 
 the ground, and then again rushing forward. This division 
 made their attack upon the south-west bastion of the fort, 
 and upon its south and west sides. Eyre was soon shot 
 through the body, and carried from the field mortally 
 wounded, and three other officers of his regiment fell dead 
 before they reached the fort. Montgomery pressed forward 
 with his detachment, and found no diffi'culty in throwing him- 
 self into the redoubt on the east side of the fortification. He 
 was not long in getting possession of the ditch, and from 
 thence, with headlong impetuosity, he vaulted to the base of 
 the rampart, and attempted to ascend it. This was no 
 easy task. The rampart was very high and was strongly 
 guarded by projecting ])ickets. Tlie soldiers were obliged 
 to get up by climbing upon each others shoulders, and 
 from this uncertain footing, wrench away tlie pickets, or 
 struggle up between them. Of course this effort re([uired 
 their whole strength, and consumed a good deal of time. 
 The Americans shot them dead, one after another, with 
 musket balls, as they thrust their heads above the rampart — 
 coolly taking aim and making sure of their men — at almost 
 every fire. Many a jioor fellow clung quivering to the 
 pickets, as if in the last agonies of impalement. Joseph 
 Woodmancy counted eighteen times that he loaded and fired 
 his piece. As fast as the dead bodies were taken down, 
 living men supplied their places. The Americans resisted 
 the assailants by the ap{>lication of every weapon and missile 
 that came to hand. They threw down cold shot and nine 
 pounders on their heads. But Montgdinery's attack was like 
 
408 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 a whirlwind, and he finally succeeded in effecting a lodge- 
 ment upon the rampart. The few soldiers who first scaled it 
 were obliged to silence a nine pounder that swept the place. 
 After this was done, a larger force was hoisted up, and the 
 enemy now attempted to enter the works through the embra- 
 sures with fixed bayonets. Here they were met by the main 
 body of the garrison under Ledyard, who were armed with 
 long sharp spears, which they wielded with fatal effect. 
 The British soldiers staggered before this strange weapon 
 that kept the point of their bayonets at such a safe distance. 
 Major Montgomery urged them on, and to encourage them 
 by his own example threw, himself into the front ranks, as 
 Colonel Eyre had done outside of the walls, and exposing his 
 breast to the points of the spears, was pierced through and 
 fell dead at the threshold of the embrasure. Ensign Whit- 
 lock of the fortieth regiment, was also killed, and three other 
 officers of the same regiment were wounded. 
 
 Major Montgomery was a universal favorite both with his 
 officers and soldiers, and the instant that he fell they rushed 
 through the deadly gaps uttering fierce cries of vengeance. 
 
 It was no longer possible for Ledyard and his band of self- 
 sacrificing patriots to resist their overpowering numbers. 
 They swept through the embrasures like tide streams, and 
 carried every thing before them until they came to the gate. 
 This they tried to force open. The first assailant was 
 instantly killed, but the frail barriers soon yielded, and the 
 British soldiers with fixed bayonets crowded into the fort by 
 hundreds. They swung their caps over their heads and 
 uttered a yell of exultation as the signal of their entrance. 
 
 As soon as the enemy had forced the gate, Colonel Led- 
 yard, who had until that moment fought with determined 
 resolution, seeing that the garrison could maintain the une- 
 qual struggle no longer, ordered his men to throw down their 
 arms. They instantly obeyed, but the British troops who 
 had now full possession of the fort kept firing upon them 
 from the parapets, and stabbing them with their bayonets as 
 they crossed the area to open the south gate. Captain Shap- 
 
[17S1.] THE MURDER OF LEDYARD. 409 
 
 ley and his little company, ignorant of what was going on 
 within the walls, still kept their dangerous post at the south- 
 west bastion. The British now turned the cannon of the 
 north bastion upon them and cut them literally in pieces. 
 Captain Shapley and Lieutenant Richard Chapman were 
 botli killed. The few survivors fled to the inside of the fort 
 and threw down their arms. The south gate was now 
 opened and the troops of the other division marched in, in 
 solid columns, and fired by platoons upon the unresisting gar- 
 rison who retreated before them, some to the magazine, and 
 others to the barracks, to secure themselves, as weapons 
 were now denied them, against this wholesale butchery. 
 Major Bromfield, who was now the officer in command, 
 marching at the head of the southern division, called out as 
 he entered : 
 
 "Who commands this fort ?" 
 
 The gallant Ledyard, who had made a resistance unsur- 
 passed, perhaps, in the whole history of freedom's battles, 
 replied : 
 
 " I did, sir, but you do now." 
 
 As he spoke, he raised and lowered his sword and advanc- 
 ing respectfully, presented it to the conqueror. The brutal 
 wretch took the proffered weapon and instantly plunged it 
 to the hilt into the breast of the unsuspecting patriot.* When 
 this barbarous murder took place, Captain Richards, who 
 had been wounded, was standing by holding himself up by 
 his sj)ontoon in company with Captain Ledyard, the nephew of 
 the colonel, and a few other fearless spirits, who had scorned to 
 take refuge in the magazine or barracks. They now saw 
 that they were contending with savages, and that it was 
 vain to look for quarter at the hands of such a foe. They 
 rallied around the corpse of their connnander, and fought till 
 they fell pierced, some of them with more than twenty 
 wounds. The whole ])arade was open, and as the platoons 
 marched in, they shot or stabbed every American who was 
 standing on it. They then fired by platoons into the maga- 
 * Gordon iii. 249. 
 
410 HISTORY OF CONXECTICUT. 
 
 zine where a large part of the garrison were crowded 
 together in masses, so that one bullet would perhaps pass 
 through two or three bodies before its force was spent. The 
 dead bodies and the wounded men that lay bleeding upon 
 the grounds, were also made the target for this devilish past- 
 time. 
 
 Major Bromfield, whose hands were still stained by the 
 blood that had trickled down upon the hilt of Ledyard's 
 sword, and to whom humanity could make no successful 
 appeal, commanded them to stop their firing, as he feared it 
 might blow up the magazine, and thus involve the victors 
 and the victims in one promiscuous ruin. It was thought 
 that such an event might have taken place at the firing of 
 the first volley, had not the powder that lay scattered under 
 the feet and bodies of those who had taken refuge there, been 
 floating in pools of blood. 
 
 But this prudential order did not put an end to the slaugh- 
 ter. A number of American soldiers had crowded under 
 the platforms to escape the massacre, but the bayonets found 
 them and j)ierced them through and through until their 
 bodies were perforated some of them with a dozen deep 
 stabs, any one of which would have been mortal. As this did 
 not endanger the safety of his own party. Major Bromfield did 
 not interfere with it. The barrack-rooms were carefully 
 searched, and those who were found in them were shot or 
 bayoneted, and their remains treated with the same indigni- 
 ties. The hands of some of the dead soldiers were horribly 
 gashed and mutilated as they encountered the points and 
 edges of the bayonets in their vain strugglings to keep that 
 dreaded weapon from their faces, breasts, and throats. Mr. 
 William Seymour, of Hartford, a brave volunteer, and a 
 nephew of Colonel Ledyard, after his knee had been shat- 
 tered by a musket ball, was stabbed thirteen times with the 
 bayonet. Ensign Woodmancy, who had counted the number 
 of times that he loaded and fired at the enemy while they 
 were scaling the fortress, had his hands and arms almost cut 
 into splinters with a cutlass as he lay wounded and helpless, 
 
[1781.] CAPTAIN BECKWITH. 411 
 
 and Lieutenant Parke Avery, wliose skull had been entered 
 by a bullet that rent away a part oi" the brain, and who had 
 lost one of his eyes, was still iurther tortured by a cut in his 
 side. 
 
 One of the British officers, Captain Beckwith,* perhaps, 
 sickened by the details of this awfully protracted butchery, 
 commanded the soldiers to desist. It was with the greatest 
 difficulty that he could call oil' these hell-hounds already 
 drunk with blood ! With his drawn sword in his hand he 
 ran Irom room to room of the barracks crying out : 
 
 "Stop ! stop! — in the name of Heaven, I say, stop! — my 
 soul can't bear it !"' 
 
 Atler awhile the carnage was checked ; but not until 
 eighty-tive men lay dead in the fort, and sixty wounded, only 
 a few of whom survived that day of horrors. 
 
 But murder and mutilation were not the only features of 
 this grim victory. The soldiers were allowed to strip the 
 scanty summer clothing, valueless as it was, from the dead 
 and wounded, until some of them were nearly or quite 
 naked ; and although there was a well of cold spring-like 
 water within the inclosure, that quenched the thirst of the 
 British soldiers, the poor wretches that lay panting and gasp- 
 ing in the hot sun looked upward imploringly toward the 
 precious drops that dripped from the pump, but looked in vain. 
 
 The English now gathered their dead an.d buried them, 
 and removed their wounded to a place of safety as a step 
 preliminary to blowing up the ibrt. Then, too, whether in 
 mockery of the common sentiment of humanity, or impelled 
 by an inconsiderate haste scarcely less blame-worthy, they 
 counted off thirty-five of those who were least likely to 
 
 * Captain Eeekwith acted as aid to Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre, and after the death 
 of the latter, led on his men to a bold charge upon the fort, being one of ll)o first 
 officers that entered the works. lie was afterwards promoted in tlie king's ser- 
 vice, and was at one time appointed governor of Barbadoes. Caulkins, p. 563. 
 Some have eliarged him with the murder of Ledyard ; he, however, indignantly 
 denied the accusation, and the evidence of history as well as the testimony of 
 those who participated in the Groton fight, both go to establish his innocence of 
 the crime. 
 
412 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 recover, and raising them fainting and bleeding as they were 
 in every stage of approaching dissolution, carried them upon 
 boards to an ammunition wagon that stood near the fort, 
 and notwithstanding the heat of the day, and the groans of 
 the sufferers, packed them in layers one above another, and 
 employed about twenty men to draw them down to the 
 shore. The declivity was so steep and the load so heavy 
 that the momentum of the vehicle could not long be 
 resisted, and the soldiers who had charge of it soon stepped 
 aside and committed it with its precious freight to the guid- 
 ance of chance and the force of gravitation. The ground 
 was covered with earth-fast rocks, stumps and other obsta- 
 cles, but such was the strength of the wagon, that it rolled 
 down the rough hill-side for a distance of nearly one hundred 
 rods, until it was arrested in its career by the trunk of an 
 apple-tree that stood near the water's edge. The shock was 
 so sudden that the wagon rebounded and swayed half round. 
 Some of the wounded men were instantly killed by the jar, 
 others fainted away, and a few were thrown violently upon 
 the ground. The survivors were carried into a house near 
 by and left there on their parole. There was, indeed, little 
 danger that they would violate it. 
 
 The other wounded men to the number of thirty had been 
 already removed and put under guard to be carried away as 
 prisoners. 
 
 At sun-set. when the enemy embarked, the flames of the 
 village of Groton, flaring on the river's brink, lit up the 
 waters with a sickly glare that deepened into an awful 
 red as night drew on, making a fit beacon to light a 
 TRAITOR from the shore that he had stained with the slime of 
 his foot-prints for the last time. Doubtless he looked out 
 eagerly from the deck of his ship to witness the explosion of 
 the magazine at Fort Griswold, that was to have been the 
 epilogue of this tragedy. In this he was disappointed. The 
 train had been perfectly laid, although Arnold attempted to 
 throw blame upon the oflicer charged with this task. The 
 flames were extinguished by the brave Major Peters, who 
 
[1781.] THE DEPARTURE OF THE TRAITOR. 413 
 
 rushed into the fort and at the risk of his life quenched them 
 with water from the friendly well. He then looked among 
 the dead bodies for the corpse of Colonel Ledyard. He had 
 no ditliculty in finding it. The pale forehead, the high placid 
 features, made visible by the blaze of the burning village and 
 the gleam of the evening twilight, could not be mistaken. 
 They bore witness that the pledge which he had given at the 
 ferry but a few hours before was redeemed : " If I must lose 
 to-day honor or life, you who know me, can tell which it 
 will be !"* 
 Thus Benedict Arnold.f who from the day that he insulted 
 
 * In addition to the facts gatliLTcd and presented by Miss Caulkins in such per- 
 fect method, and those set forth by Captain Avery's Narrative, I have been 
 greatly assisted by the account given me in 1840 by that excellent old gentleman, 
 who spent nearly two days in walking over the ruins of the fort where the 
 massacre took place, and detailing to me the events of the day with the minute- 
 ness and feeling of one who was not only an eye-witness, but a participator in the 
 scenes that were so indelibly stamped upon his memory. 
 
 + Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, January 3rd, 1741. I am indebted 
 to Miss Caulkins' History of that town, for the particulars of his life which are 
 here given. 
 
 He descended from an honorable Rhode Island family, where one of his ances- 
 tors bearing the same name, for fifteen years held the office of governor. Two 
 brothers of this family, Benedict and Oliver, removed from Newport to Nor- 
 wich about the year 1730. The elder Benedict, (the father of the traitor,) 
 soon became engaged in trade and public affairs. He served his fellow- 
 townsmen as collector, lister, selectman, constable, and militia captain. He 
 married Mrs. Hannah King, whose maiden name was Lathrop, November 8, 
 1733. The following letter from her to her wayward son, who was then at 
 school in Canterbury, will be read with interest — indicating as it docs her charac- 
 teristics as an affectionate mother and devoted christian : 
 
 "To Mr. Benedict Arnold, at Canterbury. 
 
 ''Norwich, April 12, 1754. 
 "Dear Child — I received yours of the 1st instant, and was glad to hear that 
 you was well. Pray, my dear, let your first concern be to make your peace with 
 God, as it is, of all concerns, of the greatest importance. 
 
 " Keep a steady watch over your thoughts, words, and actions. Be dutiful to 
 superiors, obliging to equals, and allable to inferiors, if any such there be. Always 
 choose that your companions be your betters, that by their good examples you 
 may learn. 
 
 " From your affectionate mother, 
 
 " Han.\ah Arnold. 
 
 " P. S. I have sent you 50s. Use it j.rudently, as you are accountable to God 
 
414 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the venerable Wooster, at New Haven, had never been 
 honored by a single office by the state where he was born, 
 and the people who knew him best, paid the long score of 
 revenge with conflagration and blood. 
 
 and your father. Your father and aunt join with me in love and service to Mr. 
 Cogswell and lady, and yourself. Your sister is from home." 
 
 " It is lamentable," adds Miss Caulkins, " that the son of such a mother, and 
 the recipient of such wholesome advice, should have become a proud, obstinate, 
 and unprincipled man." 
 
 Among the anecdotes related of Arnold while a lad, are the following : On a 
 day of public rejoicing for some success over the French, Arnold, then a mere 
 stripling, took a field-piece, and in a frolic placed it on end, so that the mouth 
 should point upright, poured into it a large quantity of powder, and actually 
 dropped into the muzzle, from his hand, a blazing fire-brand. His activity saved 
 him from a scorching, for though the flash streamed up within an inch of his 
 face, he darted back, and shouted hurrah ! as loud as the best of the company. 
 
 On another occasion he was concerned with other boys in rolling away some 
 valuable casks from a shop-yard to aid in making the usual thanksgiving bonfire, 
 when the casks were arrested by an officer who had seen sent by the owner to 
 recover them. Young Arnold was so enraged that he stripped off" his coat upon 
 the spot and dared the constable, a stout and grave man, to fight ! 
 
 Miss Hannah Arnold, the only sister of Benedict, was an affable, witty and 
 accomplished lady. Among those who paid her particular attentions was a 
 young foreigner, who resided temporarily in the place. Benedict disliked the 
 man and had tried in vain to break off" their intimacy. He finally vowed 
 vengeance upon the young man, if he ever caught him in the house again. 
 On returning from New Haven one evening, he ascertained that the French- 
 man was in the parlor with his sister. He Instantly planted himself in front of 
 the house, with a loaded pistol, while he ordered a servant to make a violent 
 assault upon the pai'lor door. As Arnold anticipated, the young man leapt out 
 of the window ; Arnold fired the pistol at him, but it being dark, he escaped, 
 and the next day, left the place. Arnold afterwards met him at the Bay of 
 Honduras, where a challenge was given and accepted, which resulted in 
 severely wounding the Frenchman. 
 
 Miss Arnold never mari-ied. After the death of her father, she resided 
 principally with her brother. She died at Montague, in Upper Canada, in 
 1803, aged 60 years. 
 
 The house in which the Arnold family lived is still standing in a good state 
 of preservation. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 TORKTOWK TRIMBULL, AND PUTNAM. 
 
 In the autumn of 1781, Major Tallmadge, who had been 
 stationed with the troops in the Highlands under General 
 Heath, renewed his plan of annoying the enemy on Long 
 Island. Having marched his troops to Norwalk, he embarked 
 with them on the 9th of October with the design of attack- 
 ing Fort Slongo, on Tread well's Neck. Early on the follow- 
 ing morning the assault was commenced and the fortress 
 was soon subdued The combustible part was burnt, and the 
 party returned in safety with their prisoners. The gallant 
 major again established his quarters at White Plains, 
 where he found abundant employment in protecting the 
 inhabitants from the plundering and marauding parties that 
 infested the neighborhood.* 
 
 The French fleet under De Grasse and Du Barras having 
 reached the Chesapeake, four ships of the line and several 
 frigates were sent to block up James and York rivers, so as 
 to cut off Cornwallis' retreat. During the maneuvering of 
 the ships of De Grasse with those of Admiral Graves of the 
 
 * Major Tallmadge continued to be actively and successfully employed in the 
 Bcrvice of his country until the establishment of peace, when he retired from the 
 army with the rank of colonel. He was subsequently president of the Cincinnati 
 Society of Connecticut. In IMarch, 1784, Colonel Tallmadge married Mary 
 Floyd, daughter of General William Floyd, of Mastic, Long Island, and .shortly 
 after settled in Litchfield, Connecticut, where he became extensively engaged in 
 mercantile pursuits, and where he spent the remainder of his days. From ISOO 
 to 181G, he was a representative in Congress. He was distinguished for liis 
 unostentatious piety and active benevolence. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Tallmadge died dune ."^d, ISO."), leaving several children. Colonel 
 Tallmadge was again married, on the 3d of May 1808, to Maria, daughter of 
 Joseph Ilallett, Esq., who survived her husband a few years. 
 
 Colonel Tallmadge died in Litchfield, March 7, 1835. lie had four sons and 
 two or three daughters. 
 
416 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 British service, Du Barras entered the bay along with several 
 transports loaded with heavy artillery, for the siege of York- 
 town. The combined armies of America and France soon 
 formed a junction with Lafayette at Williamsburg, from 
 which point, the plan of operations having been previously 
 arranged, they commenced their march against Cornwallis. 
 The French troops now amounted to seven thousand ; the 
 continentals numbered five thousand five hundred ; and 
 about three thousand five hundred Virginia militia, under 
 General Nelson, had assembled in Lafayette's camp. The 
 besieging army thus amounted to about sixteen thousand 
 men. The British force at Yorktovvn, consisting of about 
 eight thousand troops, had strongly fortified themselves, and 
 works had been thrown up in the vicinity to impede the 
 approach of the Americans. The most interesting event of 
 the siege was the simultaneous storming of two of these 
 out-posts. One of these forts, situated near the banks of 
 York river, was assaulted about day-break on the morning 
 of the 15th of October, by a detachment of American light 
 infantry. The forlorn hope was commanded by Colonel 
 Alexander Hamilton. The first company at the head of the 
 column that supported the forlorn hope, was led by Captain 
 James Morris, of Litchfield.* A brisk fire was soon opened 
 
 * James Morris, Esq., was born in Litchfield, South Farms parish, January 19, 
 1752 ; graduated at Yale College in 1T75 ; and soon after commenced the study 
 of divinity with the Rev. Dr. Bellamy, of Bethlem, in company with his college 
 friends, Messrs. Seth Swift. David Tuller, and Adoniram .Judson — all of whom 
 subsequently became distinguished in the ministry. In May, 1776, while precep- 
 tor of the grammar school in Litchfield, he received from Governor Trumbull 
 an ensign's commission in the troops enlisted for a six months' campaign in New 
 York, which he accepted, after obtaining the advice of Dr. Bellamy in its favor. 
 He was in the retreat from I>ong Tshuid, and in the battles of York Island and 
 White Plains. During the autumn he received from Congress a commission of 
 second lieutenant ; in January, 1777, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy, 
 and during that winter was stationed at Litchfield in the recruiting service, and as 
 superintendent of the pmall-pox hospital. In May, he joined the army at Peeks- 
 kill, with the men he had enlisted, and from thence in September marched with 
 the army under the immediate command of General Washington, for Philadel- 
 phia. Captured at the battle of Germantown, he was detained as a prisoner for 
 the period of three years and throe months, having been liberated January 3d, 
 
riTSL] YOEKTOWN. 417 
 
 upuii the Americans, but the van of the party under Hamil- 
 ton and Morris, were so near the fort before they were dis- 
 covered, that the British overshot them. Not a man of their 
 party was killed, though the main body of the detachment 
 lost about sixty in killed and wounded. At the same time, 
 the French army made an attack on the second of these forts, 
 which proved to be a much more disastrous conflict. They 
 finally succeeded, but with the loss of about two hundred 
 men.* 
 
 The allied forces now had possession of the grounds that 
 overlooked Yorktown. The British were hemmed in on all 
 sides, the elbow of the river being occupied by our ships. 
 Our artillery began to play upon the town ; the condition of 
 the enemy grew more and more hopeless ; and as a last 
 resort Cornwallis thought of passing his army across to 
 Gloucester and forcing his way through the troops on that 
 
 ITSl. During this period he had been appointed Captain. He passed the spring 
 and most of the summer succeeding his exchange, with the army on the Hudson, 
 and was in several skirmishes in that quarter. Near the close of August, Colo- 
 nel Seammel's regiment, to which Captain Morris belonged, was ordered to march 
 to Virginia, and he accompanied the army under Washington to Yorktown. 
 
 At the close of the war, Captain ^Morris returned to Litchfield, and there spent 
 the remainder of his days. For many years he was a justice of the peace, select- 
 man, and deacon in the church, and was often elected to represent the town in 
 the Legislature of Connecticut. 
 
 In 1790, I\Ir. Morris commenced a school in South Farms, which gradually 
 extended its reputation and influence, until '• Morris' Academy" became favorably 
 known throughout the country. While under his care, more than sixty of its 
 pupils entered college, and nearly fifteen hundred children and youth had been 
 members of it — from twelve difterent states of the union, and from the Islands 
 of St. Thomas and Bermuda. 
 
 Mr. Morris was the author of a valuable pamphlet of 124 pages, entitled " A Sta- 
 tistical account of several towns in Litchfield County," which was published in 1815, 
 by the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences. He also wrote a very inter- 
 esting narrative of his own life and public services during the revolution and sub- 
 sequently, which throws much light upon the history of the particular corps of the 
 Connecticut lino with which he was connected. 1 take great pleasure in 
 acknowledging my indebtedness to his only surviving son, Dwiglit Morris, Esq., 
 of Bridgeport, for the use of this manuscript volume — a work which does honor 
 to the head and heart of its author. 
 
 * See Morris' Narrative ; also, Gordon's Hist. 
 
 50 
 
418 niSTORY OF CONXECTICUT. 
 
 side of the river. A violent storm, however, prevented the 
 accompHshment of this purpose ; and in the afternoon of the 
 17th a flag was sent out, requesting the cessation of hostih- 
 ties for the space of twenty-four hours. General Washing- 
 ton sent back word that he would grant them tiuo hours only. 
 The moment the time designated had expired, all the artillery 
 of the American and French armies was discharged at once 
 upon Yorktown. Before another volley could be fired, the 
 British beat a parley, and sent a second flag, with the 
 request that commissioners might be appointed to agree upon 
 articles of capitulation. This was done, and the terms were 
 soon agreed upon. 
 
 On the ]9th of October, 1781, the allied armies were 
 drawn up in parallel lines, about six rods apart, each extend- 
 ing more than a mile in length along the plain. The van- 
 quished army then marched between these lines, playing 
 their own tunes, but with their colors muffled.* General 
 Lincoln was appointed to receive the submission of the 
 royal army in precisely the same way that his own surrender 
 had been conducted by the enemy eighteen months before. 
 They piled up their arms on the field, and marched back to 
 Yorktown unarmed.* 
 
 More than seven thousand British troops surrendered as 
 prisoners of war, exclusive of fifteen hundred seamen ; more 
 than two thousand of whom were either wounded or sick. 
 The'Guadaloupe frigate and twenty-four transports, together 
 with one hundred and sixty pieces of cannon, and eight mor- 
 tars, fell into the hands of the conquerors. The loss of the 
 besiegers was about four hundred and fifty in killed and 
 wounded ; the besieged had about five hundred and fifty 
 slain, among whom was Major Cochrane. Twenty trans- 
 ports belonging to the enemy had been sunk or burnt during 
 the siege. 
 
 On the 20th, General Washington issued his orders for a 
 general pardon of all culprits of the army that were in con- 
 finement for crimes as well as those under sentence of a 
 
 * Morris. + Gordon, Morris, Ilildretli. 
 
[1782.] TREATY OF PEACE, 419 
 
 court-martial. His orders closed with the following para- 
 graph : 
 
 " Divine service shall be performed to-morrow in the differ- 
 ent brigades and divisions. The commander-in-chief recom- 
 mends that all the troops that are not upon duty, do assist in 
 it w-ith a serious deportment, and that sensibility of heart 
 which the recollection of the surprising and particular inter- 
 position of Providence in our favor, claims." 
 
 On the 24th of October, a British fleet, consisting of 
 twenty-five sail of the line, with two of fifty guns and 
 several frigates, arrived off the Chesapeake, having on board 
 seven thousand men designed for the reinforcement of Corn- 
 wallis. On I'eceiving the intelligence of the catastrophe at 
 Yorktown, the British commander returned to New York, 
 with this formidable naval force. 
 
 The capture of Cornwallis determined the great contest 
 in favor of the Americans. Although more than a year 
 elapsed before a treaty of peace was actually made and 
 ratified, and although during this period the armies of the 
 two nations continued to maintain a hostile attitude, very 
 few skirmishes and no general engagement took place. On 
 the 3d day of September, 1782, definitive treaties between 
 Great Britain, France, and Spain, were signed at Versailles 
 by the Duke of Manchester, and the plenipotentiaries of the 
 said courts. On the same day, a definitive treaty with Great 
 Britain and the United States of America was also signed at 
 Paris, by David Hartley, Esq., the British plenipotentiary, 
 and the plenipotentiaries of the United States.* It was not 
 until the 30th of November that the articles for concluding a 
 general peace between the United States and Great Britain, 
 were formally signed, at Paris, by Richard Oswold, Esq., the 
 commissioner of his Britannic majesty on the one part, and 
 by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry 
 Laurens, commissioners of the United States of America, 
 on the other part. 
 
 On the 19th of April, 1783, at noon. General Washing- 
 * Gordon, iii. 356. 
 
420 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 ton proclaimed to the American army the cessation of 
 hostihties between the two governments. In November 
 following, Washington issued his farewell address to the 
 officers and soldiers, and the army was disbanded.*' 
 
 It is particularly worthy of remark, that, notwithstanding 
 
 * Before a final separation, the officers of the army formed themselves into an 
 association called the " Order of the Cincinnati " — after the illustrious Roman Cin- 
 cinnatus, who, having repelled the invaders of his country, returned to the hum- 
 ble employments of agricultural life. As this society was long the subject of 
 bitter animadversion on account of its supposed aristocratic objects and tenden- 
 cies, I will briefly state some of its provisions. 
 
 Its principles, as officially stated by the association itself, were as follows : An 
 incessant attention to preserve inviolate the exalted rights and liberties of human 
 nature, for which its members have fought and bled — and an unalterable deter- 
 mination to promote and cherish between the respective states union and national 
 honor ; to render permanent, cordial affection, and the spirit of brotherly kindness 
 among the officers ; and to extend acts of beneficence toward those officers and 
 their families who may unfortunately be under the necessity of receiving it. The 
 general society, for the sake of frequent communications, shall be divided into 
 state societies, and those again into such districts as the state societies shall direct. 
 '' The society shall have an order by which its members shall be known and dis- 
 tinguished, which shall be a medal of gold of proper size to receive the proposed 
 emblems, and to be suspended by a deep blue ribbon two inches vv'ide, edged 
 with white, descriptive of the union of America and France." This order was 
 to be perpetuated in the line of the eldest male descendents of the original mem- 
 bers, or, failing such descendants, by the admission of such collateral relations as 
 might be deemed worthy. There was also a provision for admitting as honorary 
 members persons who had not belonged to the army.* 
 
 A great outcry was raised against the society, especially by the soldiers, and by many 
 prominent civilians in America and in France, among wliom were Franklin, John 
 and Samuel Adams, Gerry and others. A pamphlet was publi.shed in Charleston, S. 
 C, in October 1783, entitled, " Considerations on the Society of the order of Cincin- 
 nati," which was attributed to Chief Justice Burke, in which the author attempts 
 to prove that " the Cincinnati creates two distinct orders among the Americans — 
 1st, a race of hereditary nobles, founded on the military, together with the power- 
 ful families and first-rate leading men in the state, whose view it will ever be, to 
 rule ; and 2d, the people, or plebeians, whose only view is, not to be oppres- 
 sed ; but whose certain fate it will be to suffer oppression under the institution." 
 
 The prejudice and alarm became so universal that at the first general meeting 
 of the order, in May 1 784, through the efforts of Washington and other leading 
 members, the constitution was so modified as to exclude the hereditary principle. 
 Even this did not satisfy the people, and the association long continued to be an 
 object of jealously. 
 
 * Gordon, Hildreth. 
 
THE DEBATING CLUB. 421 
 
 the limited extent of lier territory, and the comparatively 
 small number of her population, Connecticut furnished for 
 the continental ranks and kept in actual service more men 
 than any other colony or state in the confederacy.* It 
 should be borne in mind, also, that the thirty-two thousand 
 of her able-bodied sons who formed a part of the continental 
 army, constituted but a small portion of her force in actual 
 service. Besides the detachments employed in defending her 
 own frontiers, and her sea-coast, her militia shared in the 
 privations of the camp and the perils of the field in every 
 part of the country. It was estimated that more than five 
 thousand of her citizens perished during the war, in their 
 country's service, exclusive of those in the continental 
 
 line.f 
 
 The part that Connecticut took in the revolution, grew 
 not only out of the causes named in the preceding chapters, 
 but from that peculiar deliberation with which the people of 
 the colony were in the habit of making up their minds upon 
 all matters of public importance. The following interesting 
 extract from a letter of the Rev. Chauncey A. Goodrich, D.D., 
 of Yale College, will set forth this characteristic in a 
 much clearer light than any language of mine : 
 
 " There is one fact respecting the revolutionary history of 
 our State which ought to be recorded, as exhibiting the wis- 
 dom and deliberation with which our leading men entered 
 into the war. Dr. Nathan Strong, of Hartford, told my 
 father that about the time the contest drew on, our governor 
 called a secret session of the Legislature. Dr. Strong was 
 chaplain, and was sworn to secrecy. The Legislature then 
 appointed six of the ablest jurists in the State — three to 
 argue the cause in favor of the right of parliament to tax 
 
 * The number nominally furnished by each state was as follows : Massachu- 
 setts 67,907 ; Connecticut, 31 ,039 -, Virginia, 26,078 ; Pennsylvania, 2.'>,67S ; New 
 York, 17,781 ; INIan-lami, 13,912 •, New Hampshire, 12,497 ; New Jersey, 10,726 : 
 North Carolina, 7,263 ; South Carolina, 6,417 ; Rhode Island, 5,908 ; Georgia, 
 2,679; Delaware, 2,386. Total, 231,791. Ilildreth. 
 
 + Rev. l>enjamiu Trumbull's Thanksgiving Sermon at North Haven, December 
 11th, 1783. 
 
422 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the colonies, and three against it. These arguments were 
 continued for two or three days, when the conviction 
 became universal among the members, that parliament had 
 not the right, and that the colonies might lawfully resist. 
 With this conviction, and the arguments on which it was 
 founded, the representatives returned each to his own place 
 of residence. This, Dr. Strong stated, was the origin of the 
 entire unanimity with which our state entered into the con- 
 test. The whole people had the argument from their repre- 
 sentatives ; but no one knew, at that time, by what means it 
 had been so maturely formed. Dr. Strong mentioned these 
 things to my father toward the close of his life, stating that 
 he had never spoken of them before ; but considered him- 
 self as released, by the lapse of time and course of events, 
 from all further obligation to his oath of secrecy." 
 
 I mentioned these facts a few years ago to Charles Chaun- 
 cey, Esq., of Philadelphia. He remarked, "It is one of the 
 most curious and interesting pieces of secret history con- 
 nected with our revolution. It is strikingly characteristic of 
 the habits of Connecticut ; especially that so much pains 
 should be taken to understand the argument fully on both 
 sides."* 
 
 Before leaving this interesting era in the history of our 
 state, let us revert to some of the traits of two or three of 
 the principal actors in the events commemorated in these 
 pages. 
 
 Colonel Seth Warner was born in Woodbury, Connecticut, 
 in 1742. About the year 17G3, his father purchased a tract 
 of land in the township of Bennington, on the New Hamp- 
 shire Grants, and young Warner removed thither with his 
 parents. He soon became enured to the hardships of 
 pioneer-life, and no hunter on the Green Mountains was 
 more indefatigable and successful than he. Long before the 
 breaking out of the revolution, the controversy between the 
 
 * It seems eminently proper that this important state secret should have fallen 
 into the hands of a family so historical, and that it should have been given to the 
 world by so accurate a pen. 
 
[1784.] COLONEL WARXER. 423 
 
 settlers on the grants and the government of New York gave 
 scope to his energies and developed his manliness of charac- 
 ter and his hatred of oppression. Associated with Ethan Allen 
 as a recognized leader of the Green Mountain Boys, through 
 a series of years Seth Warner's name was the watch-word 
 of the settlers and a sound of dread in the ears of their 
 enemies. His feats of noble daring and self-denying effort, 
 are worthy of an honorable place on the page that tells the 
 story of the heroic age of our country's history. Nor have 
 his deeds been without a chronicler. A few years since 
 the lion. Daniel Chipman gave to the world a faithful record 
 of his life and public services in a handsome volume, to 
 which the reader is referred. Colonel Warner's services in 
 the revolution have long formed a part of the history of that 
 great struggle, but a perusal of Mr. Chipman's volume will 
 show that previous biographers and historians had failed to 
 do him justice. 
 
 He did not long survive to participate in the blessings of 
 the peace and freedom which he had assisted to achieve. 
 Worn down with toil and disease, he returned to his native 
 town, where he died, December 26, 1784, in the 42d year of 
 his age. 
 
 Colonel Warner was a man of iron frame and of remark- 
 able strength and agility. He was six feet and four inches 
 in height, and his figure was well proportioned and manly. 
 He was mild and courteous in his bearing, cool and deliber- 
 ate in his judgment, firm and energetic in his purposes, while 
 his unwavering integrity and strict sense of honor inspired 
 his friends and the community generally with the most 
 implicit confidence. 
 
 The Rev. Thomas Canfield, of Roxbury, preached his 
 funeral sermon, from 2 Samuel, ii. 27 : " How are the 
 mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished ?"* 
 
 Pre-eminent in the roll of our patriots and statesmen, 
 
 * See Chipman's Life of Warner ; Ilouglitou's Address oil tlie life and public 
 services of Colonel Warner. 
 
424 HISTORY OF COXXECTICUT. 
 
 stands the name of Jonathan Trumbull. His position as 
 governor of the state during the war, united with that rare 
 combination of powers which made him second only to 
 Washington in executive abihties, not second even to him in 
 the maturity of his wisdom and the depth of his moral 
 nature, and greatly his superior in intellectual culture, con- 
 stituted him the principal character in our colony and state 
 during the period occupied by his administration. It is true 
 of Trumbull, as of Washington, that the perfect symmetry 
 of his character has induced many to lose sight of the vast 
 scale on which it was constructed, and the elevation with 
 which it towers above the level of other public men of that 
 day. 
 
 At the head of the little republic on the breaking out 
 of the war, Trumbull was the only governor in all the colo- 
 nies who had the courage and the firmness to make a stand 
 against the tyranny of the British government. As before 
 stated, he had indignantly refused to take an oath to execute 
 the stamp-act, or even to witness the degrading ceremony. 
 During the period that transpired between that day and the 
 19th of April, 1775, his convictions had been strengthened 
 and his mind confirmed in the justice of the American cause. 
 He was the presiding genius of Connecticut during the 
 whole conflict. Marshalling troops, providing munitions, 
 superintending the financial department and the building of 
 ships of war, perfecting the defenses of the colony, purchas- 
 ing cannon, muskets, clothing, and provisions for the army, 
 sitting in council, advising with the General Assembly, writ- 
 ing letters to committees of safety, keeping up a constant 
 correspondence with Washington, composing state papers, 
 mustering the militia, listening to the complaints of the 
 soldiers as if they had been his children, and soothing them 
 with soft words — in all departments, we find him the great 
 central executive force to which Washington was drawn in 
 the dark hours of that eight years' struggle. Did he need 
 troops to swell the army at Cambridge, he called upon Trum- 
 bull ; and reluctantly, and in spite of the solicitations of the 
 
GOVERNOR TRU-AIBULL. 425 
 
 people ^vllom he governed, ratlier than disobey the com- 
 mander-in-chief, he ordered the coast of Connecticut to be left 
 unguarded, and the citizen-soldiers to leave their homes to 
 the mercy of the British invaders, and march into another 
 colony.* Did a British fleet tlu'eaten to invade New York, 
 and tories boast that they would lay the city in ruins 
 Washington had only to write a letter to Trumbull, and 
 the troops were sent into the infected district, and the British 
 ships were soon seen to spread their wings like scared birds of 
 prey, and fly toward the south. Did thousands of British 
 regulars, at a later day, press around him, and seem about 
 to overwhelm him ? A requisition upon Trumbull brought 
 to his aid fourteen regiments of fai'mers, who obeyed the 
 command of the chief magistrate whom they had themselves 
 helped to elect, without a murmur, and returned, if they 
 happened to survive, to vote for him again. In still darker 
 hours, when the genius of the American people drooped, and 
 the hearts of the other colonies sank beneath the accuauila- 
 ted burden of severe campaigns, heavy taxes, and debts that 
 had been piled on them like mountains ; when even Wash- 
 ington doubted from what source another dollar couUl be 
 raised to keep the army in the field, he called upon Trum- 
 bull, and the sinews of war, strained till they were ready to 
 crack, again recovered their elasticity. Industrious, quiet, 
 unselfish, trust-worthy — with a head never giddy, however 
 steep the preci];)ice upon which he stood, and a heart that 
 kept all secrets confided to it as the deep wave holds the 
 pknnmet that is dropped into its bosom — no wonder that 
 TrumlniU should have been selected by the first man of the 
 
 * III tlie early part of the war when the British ships of war were threatening to 
 land on our coast, Governor Trumbull requested that a part of the troops about 
 to be raised in the colony, might remain to defend our own soil. For some cause 
 not readily divined, "Washington persisted in ordering them all to Boston. The 
 governor wrote him a pungent letter, expressive of his surprise and regret, but, 
 in the true spirit of patriotism, added — "It is plain that such jcalousit's indulged, 
 however just, will destroy the cause " ; and, in s|)ito of the manifest injustice of 
 the demand, he expressed his determination to comply. 
 
426 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 world as his counselor and companion, and no wonder that 
 he called him "brother."* 
 
 We are naturally led to inquire, what were the secret 
 fountains that fed this pure life ? They may be easily known 
 by the bright verdure that springs up along their course as 
 they wind through the quiet fields of unambitious boyhood. 
 Long before he had ever turned his eye toward the high 
 places of the world, before a war with England was dreamed 
 of as a possible event, and while at Harvard, he was looking 
 out upon life through that pleasant perspective glass, a young 
 scholar's imagination, he was mature above his years in all 
 that gives promise of future usefulness ; and at the tender 
 age when other boys are properly called children, and are 
 occupied with sports that demand the exercise of little else 
 than the blood that courses through their frame ; the future 
 statesman, in company with a few kindred spirits, was fram- 
 ing a series of rules by which his moral nature and intellec- 
 tual character might shape themselves into a mould of com- 
 pleteness that few men have ever attained, and a durability 
 that is destined to defy the flight of years, as it resisted 
 during his life time the temptations of the world. f 
 
 *The term, "Brother Jonathan," was frequently applied by Washington to 
 Governor Trumbull. '• When he wanted honest counsel and wise, he would say, 
 ' let us consult Brother Jonathan.' " See Bushnell's " Historical Estimate," p. 34. 
 
 + On entering college, in 172-1, young Trumbull joined a religious society con- 
 nected with the institution. Its character can be judged from the articles of agree- 
 ment entered into by the members, which were substantially as follows : 
 
 1. That we will meet together twice a week for the worship of God. 
 
 2. That, being met together, we will, as God enables us, perform the several 
 injunctions of the meeting. 
 
 3. That all manner of disagreeing, strifes or quarrelling, with one another shall 
 be suppressed, and that we will live in love, peace, and unity, with one another. 
 
 4. That if we see or hear any one of our number speak or do anything unbe- 
 coming a member of this society, we vv'ill reprove him as far as we shall think the 
 reproof worthy, with all meekness, love, and tenderness toward him. 
 
 5. That we will bear with one another's infii'mities, and divulge nothing of 
 what nature soever, that is done at our meetings. 
 
 6. That when absent from our meetings, we will endeavor to behave ourselves 
 BO that ''none may have occasion to speak evil of us." For the rules of this 
 society, I am indebted to Hon. I. W. Stuart, of Hartford. 
 
CHARACTER OF TRUMBULL. 427 
 
 At that early day was laid the foundation of that gentle- 
 ness and christian humility, that sweetness of temper, that 
 serene confidence and cheerfulness in critical emergencies, 
 and the unshaken purpose of soul, which marked him out as 
 the fit man, and the only one, for the place of honor that was 
 assigned him by his native state. 
 
 Trumbull's private character was no less a model than his 
 public life. His manners had none of the stiffness of official 
 rank belonging to that day, but were sprightly, amiable, and 
 unostentatious. He knew how to adapt himself to all classes 
 of people, and always when at leisure had a lively, pleasant 
 word to say to everybody who happened to be in his presence. 
 He was remarkable for his quiet way of expressing his senti- 
 ments either in the council or in the drawing-room, and 
 always spoke in a low tone. 
 
 In the midst of all his watcliful cares, he never lost his love 
 of letters, and retained his knowledge of the dead languages 
 with an unimpaired memory till he died. He habitually 
 read the Bible in the original Hebrew and Greek, and never 
 left off the studies of history and chronology, in which he 
 particularly excelled. He was very regular and temperate 
 in his habits, devoted to his family, and testified how much 
 better he loved his home than he did any public station, by 
 resigning his office as soon as the termination of the war 
 allowed him to think of re})0se. He had another motive, too, 
 for seeking retirement, which is touchingly expressed in his 
 address to the General Assembly, when he tendered to the 
 people the office that he had held so long : 
 
 "Contemplating," he says, "with pleasing wonder and 
 satisfaction, at the close of an arduous contest, the noble and 
 enlarged scenes which now present themselves to my coun- 
 try's view ; and reflecting at the same time on my advanced 
 stage of life — a life worn out, almost, in the constant cares 
 of office — I think it my duty to retire from the busy concern 
 of public affairs; that at the evening of my days, I may 
 sweeten their decline, by devoting myself with less avoca- 
 tion, and more attention to the duties of religion, the service 
 
428 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 of my God, and preparation for a future and happier state 
 of existence ; in which pleasing employment I shall not cease 
 to remember my country, and to make it my ardent prayer, 
 that heaven will not fail to bless her with its choicest 
 favors."* 
 
 * The first ancestor in this country of the Trumbull family of Connecticut, was 
 John Trumbull, who is stated by Hinman and others, to have emigrated from 
 Cumberland county, England, and settled in Rowley, Massachusetts. His son of 
 the same name, was an early settler of Suffield, Connecticut, and from him have 
 descended all of the Trumbulls of the state, many of whom have been eminent as 
 statesmen, soldiers, scholars, and divines. 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull, the elder, was a son of Joseph Trumbull, of Lebanon, 
 where he was born June 12, 1710. lie graduated at Harvard college, in 1727, 
 pursued the study of theology with the Rev. Mr. Williams, of his native town, 
 and was licensed to preach. On the death of an elder brother, who was lost at 
 sea, he was called home to close up the mercantile affliirs of his father ; and, feel- 
 ing it to be his duty to remain with his aged parents, he relinquished his chosen 
 profession and became a merchant. In 1733, at the age of twenty-three years, 
 he was elected a representative from Lebanon, and was often re-elected. In 1739, 
 he was chosen Speaker of the House ; and at the May session of the following 
 year, he was elected an assistant, or member of the Upper House, where he con- 
 tinued for many years. From 17G6 to 1770, he was lieutenant-governor of the 
 state, and chief judge of the superior court; and from 1770 to 1784, he was 
 annually elected governor. He died August 17, 1785. 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull, (son of the preceding,) was born at Lebanon, March 26, 
 1740, graduated at Harvard college in 1759, and settled in his native town. From 
 the commencement of the revolution to the close of the campaign of 1778, he 
 was paymaster in the northern department of the army ; and in 1 780, he was 
 appointed secretary and first aid to General Washington, in whose family he 
 remained till tlic close of the war. In 1789, lie was chosen a member of Con- 
 gress, and in 1791, he was elected Speaker of the ITnited States House of Repre- 
 sentatives. He was subsequently a senator in Congress, and from 1798, until his 
 death, he was governor of Connecticut. He died at Lebanon, August 7, 1809, 
 aged sixty-nine. 
 
 Colonel Joseph Trumbull, (also a son of the elder Governor Trumbull,) was the 
 first commissary general of the United States army — an office which he resigned 
 in August, 1777. In October following, he was appointed by Congress one of the 
 five commissioners of the board of war, his colleagues being Major-General Gates, 
 Major-General Mifflin, Richard Peters, Esq., and Colonel Timothy Pickering. 
 Colonel Trumbull died, universally lamented, in July, 1779, aged forty-two. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Trumbull, D.D., was a native of Hebron, and a graduate of 
 Yale College, in the class of 1759. He was ordained and settled as pastor of the 
 congregational church in North Haven, December 25, 1760 ; and died February 
 2, 1820, aged eighty-five. Though a learned and faithful preacher, his fame rests 
 
DEATH OF TRUMBULL. 429 
 
 The remainder of Truinbull's life was spent in exact 
 accordance with the sentiments expressed in this passage. In 
 the calm retreat where he had entertained princes and noble- 
 n;ien — where Washington sought him out to take counsel of 
 hiin — in the circle of his family, and near the spot that he 
 had selected for his grave, he awaited the flight of the friendly- 
 arrow that was to set him free. Though he watched it 
 carefully, yet it came in secret, and at an unexpected hour. 
 He was of such an equal temperament and had such an 
 excellent physical constitution, that his friends anticipated 
 for him a long life ending in a slow and calm decline. But 
 he was suddenly attacked by a fever, which might be said to 
 be his first sickness and proved to be his last. He died after 
 an illness of about twelve days, during vv'hich he sufiered 
 much pain with a sweetness that made even death seem to 
 be a protecting rather than a destroying angel. His reason 
 was unclouded, and his mind composed to the last. In the 
 words of Mr. Ely, who preached his funeral sermon, " he had 
 nothing to do but to die."* 
 
 chiefly upon liis historical works, whicli are remarkable for the evidence they 
 aflbrd of successful research and laljorious investigation. His publications are — 
 History of Connecticut, vol. 1, 8vo., ITDT ; in 2 vols. ISlS ; History of the United 
 States to 17G5, vol. i., 1819 ; Essays in favor of the claim of Connecticut to the 
 Susquehanuah county, 1774, also — Thanksgiving Sermon, 1783; A Treatise on 
 Divorces, 1788 ; Ordination Sermon, 178'j ; Century Sermon, 1801 ; Address on 
 Prayer and Family Religion, 1804; twelve Discourses on the Divine Origin of 
 the Scriptures. 
 
 .John Trumbull, LL.D., (son of the Rev. .John Trumbull, of Watertown, Conn.,) 
 was born in Watertown, in 1750, and graduated at Yale College, in 1767. From 
 1771 to 1773, he was a tutor at Yale, and during that time published his poem, 
 " The Progress of Dullness.'''' He subsequently studied law with John Adam.s, 
 at Boston, and settled in Hartford in the practice of his profession. In 1784, his 
 celebrated poetical satire, " McFingal," was published — and has since gone 
 through several editions both in this country and in England. From ISOI to 1819, 
 lie was a judge of the superior court of Connecticut. His poetical works were 
 collected and published in two volumes in 1820. .Judge Trumbull, died at the 
 residence of his son-in-law, Governor Woodbridgc, in Detroit, Michigan, ^hiy 10, 
 1831, aged eighty-one. 
 
 A sketch of Colonel John Trumbull, the artist, will be given in another place. 
 
 * The following is an extract from the Rev. Mr. lily's funeral sermon, alluded to : 
 
 " Metliink I see our late renowned glorious chief in war, America's boast and 
 
430 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 One after another, the irreat men of the revolution were 
 now fast dropping away. Putnam, the second miUtary chief- 
 tain of that era, was destined soon to follow. We have seen 
 how, at the close of the campaign of 1779, he was siezed 
 
 the world's wonder, solitary and pensive, with the big tear starting from the eye 
 of keenest sensibility, the melancholy tidings having reached his ears, that his 
 highly prized friend in the cabinet, his brother and companion in the late struggles 
 and bloody conflict, is no more. In similar sorrow methink I view many more, 
 greatly admired, much beloved, whose names I dare not mention lest others be 
 jealous through the tenderness of their friendship. Let this consideration, dear 
 afflicted mourners, have some weight with you." 
 
 Immediately on receiving intelligence of Trumbull's death. General Washing- 
 ton thus wrote to Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., a son of the governor : 
 
 " Mount Vernon, Oct. 1st, 1785. 
 
 " My Dear Sir — It has so happened that your letter of the first of last month, 
 did not reach me until Saturday's post. 
 
 " You know too well the sincere respect and regard I entertained for your ven- 
 erable fother's public and private character, to require assurance of the concern I 
 felt for his death •, or of that sympathy in your feelings, for the loss of him, which 
 is prompted by friendship. Under this loss, however, great as your pangs may have 
 been at the first shock, you have everything to console you. 
 
 " A long and well spent life in the service of his country, places Governor 
 Trumbull among the first of patriots. In the social duties he yielded to no one ; 
 and his lamp from the common course of nature being nearly extinguished, worn 
 down with age and cares, but retaining his mental faculties in perfection, are bless- 
 ings which rarely attend advanced life. All these combined, have secured to his 
 memory unusual respect and love here, and no doubt, unmeasurable happiness 
 hereafter. 
 
 " I am sensible that none of these observations can have escaped you, that I can 
 offer nothing which your own reason has not already suggested upon the occasion, 
 and being of Sterne's opinion, that " before an affliction is digested, consolation 
 comes too soon, and after it is digested it comes too late, there is but a mark be- 
 tween these two, almost as fine as a hair, for a comforter to take aim at." I rarely 
 attempt it ; nor should I add more on this subject to you, as it will be a renewal of 
 sorrow, by calling afresh to your rememberauce things that had better be forgot- 
 ten. 
 
 " My principal pursuits are of a rural nature, in which I have great delight, 
 especially as I am blessed with the enjoyment of good health. Mrs. Washington, 
 on the contrary, is hardly ever well ; but, thankful of your kind remembrance of 
 her, joins me in every good wish for you, Mrs. Trumbull, and your family. 
 
 " Be assured, that with sentiments of the purest esteem, I am, dear sir, 
 " Your affectionate friend 
 
 '* and obedient servant, 
 
 " Geo. Washington." 
 
LAST DAYS OF PUTNAlf. 431 
 
 with paralytic numbness while on the road between Pomfret 
 and Hartford. It was difficult for a man of his ardent tem- 
 perament to persuade himself that he had done with the 
 camp and the tented-field, at a time when he had looked 
 forward to the successful termination of a war which he had 
 been the first to advocate and to put to the terrible arbitra- 
 ment of the sword. That he, the man of action, whose 
 whole life had been passed in the open air, whether in tilling 
 the fields and digging up the rocks of Pomfret, following into 
 her lair the wolf that had preyed upon his Hock, threading 
 the crooked trails that led along the borders of the lakes and 
 rivers of the west, in chase of French partizans and their 
 Indian allies, or, in captivity worse than death, wandering 
 naked and hungry through the wild woods that echoed to the 
 shouts of joy with which his tormentors saluted the fire that 
 scorched his flesh ; that he, of all other men, should be con- 
 demned to shut himself away from the busy scenes that had 
 made up his existence, and count the hours by the sunbeams 
 that peeped in through his bed-curtains, or stole on him 
 through the windows that fronted his easy chair, seemed 
 insupportable. At first his heart sank within him, and a 
 shadow of sadness clouded his features. But Putnam was 
 not a man to give himself up to settled melancholy. He 
 returned home, and soon summoned to his aid the consola- 
 tions of religion, and the smiles of the domestic cir- 
 cle. Here he spent the remainder of his days, the patriarch 
 of his household, and the centre and oracle of those old 
 neighbors who had been out with him into so many rough 
 battle-fields, and had brouG:ht home each for himself a Saarland 
 of honor and traditionary renown. How eagerly must those 
 venerable soldiers, who had served with him under Aber- 
 crombie and Amherst, forgetful of age and wounds, have 
 hobbled upon their crutches to talk over with iiini the 
 arrival of fresh intelligence from the army ; how Arnold had 
 sought to sell American liberty for gold ; how he had laid 
 New London and Groton in ruins ; and how Ledyard and 
 his fellow patriots had been murdered and mutilated ; or how 
 
432 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Washington had thrown the meshes of his net over Corn- 
 walHs at Yorktovvn, and was victorious at last over secret 
 and open foes. 
 
 Nor was Putnam constantly confined to his house. The 
 paralytic stroke was kindly mitigated, and in the soft warm 
 days, when summer smiled upon his white locks, and when 
 cheerful autumn sported with them, he was able to ride forth 
 to view his farm, his flocks and herds, and to visit his neigh- 
 bors at their houses. Occasionally, too, after the war was 
 over, some gentleman of the army would pay his respects to 
 the old hero. Colonel Humphreys, General Parsons, Colonel 
 Trumbull, the artist, or Colonel Wadsworth, would ride over 
 from Hartford, dismount at the farm-house gate, and drop a 
 tear upon his palsied hand as they grasped it in tender 
 recognition. 
 
 He had much to be grateful for in other respects. His 
 intellect remained as fresh and strong; as it was on the morn- 
 ing of the battle of Bunker Hill. The strength of his memory, 
 the sharp sallies of his wit, his broad exuberant humor, 
 his happy way of relating anecdotes of adventures that had 
 happened to himself or had fallen under his observation, his 
 keen relish of a joke, even though it were at his own expense, 
 all continued to throw around the old man the fascinations 
 that had made him from childhood the favorite of every 
 circle. Nor did Washington lose sight of the best of 
 all his officers, but found time, even in the midst of his 
 most arduous duties, to write to him as follows : 
 
 " The name of a Putnam is not forgotten ; nor will be, but 
 with that stroke of time which shall obliterate from my mind 
 the remembrance of all those toils and fatigues through which 
 we have struggled for the preservation and establishment of 
 the rights, liberties, and independence of our country."* 
 
 With a delicacy as marked as the friendship that dictated 
 it, in the same letter the writer attempted to soothe the invalid 
 and make him satisfied in his retirement : 
 
 * Iluniplircys. 
 
DEATH OF PUTNAM. 433 
 
 " I anticipate witli pleasure the day, and that 1 trust not 
 far off, when I shall quit the scenes of a military employ- 
 ment and retire to the more tranquil walks of domestic life. 
 In that or wiiatever other situation Providence may dispose 
 of my future days, the remembrance of the many friendships 
 and connections I have had the happiness to contract with 
 the gentlemen of the army, will be one of my most grateful 
 reflections." 
 
 As nearly as can now be known, such was the old age of 
 Putnam. On the 17th of May, 1790, he was violently 
 attacked with an inflammatory disease. He had met death 
 too often on the battle-fleld to fear him, and seems to have 
 felt from the first that his recovery was neither to be looked 
 for nor desired. After an illness of only two days, he 
 expired. On the 21st of May, in the midst of a vast con- 
 course of people, and under the escort of the grenadiers of 
 the eleventh regiment, the independent corps of artillery, and 
 the militia of the neighborhood, the ashes of Putnam were 
 borne to their last resting place.* 
 
 * John Putnam emigrated from Buckinghamshire, England, and settled in 
 Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1634 — bringing with him three sons, viz., 
 Thomas, Nathaniel, and John. Edward Putnam, the son of Thomas, in 1733, 
 made the following record : 
 
 " From those three proceeded twelve males ; and from these twelve, forty 
 males ; and from the forty, eighty-two males." All of the name in New England 
 are believed to be descended from John. 
 
 Captain Joseph Putnam, (father of the general,) was the son of John, who w^as 
 the youngest son of the pioneer. lie continued to reside, in Salem — in which 
 place Israel Putnam was born, January 7th, 1718. 
 
 At the age of twenty-one years, Putnam purchased a tract of land in Pomfret, 
 Conn., and took up his abode in that town — he having, about that time married a 
 daughter of Mr. John Pope, of Salem. By dint of industry and frugality, he 
 became one of the most successful agriculturalists in the town. He remained on 
 his farm until the breaking out of the war between England and France, in 1755, 
 when, at the age of thirty-seven years, he accepted a captain's commission in 
 Lyman's regiment, and shortly afterwards marched with the troops to the north. 
 From that date, until lie was disabled, he was almost constantly in the service of 
 his country. 
 
 The Putnams of Buckinghamshire, (from whom, as we liave seen, our hero 
 derives his descent,) were a good old English family previous to the emigration. 
 In Burke's" Complete Armory,'' the coat of arms is thus described : 
 
 60 
 
434 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 The character of Putnam was the result of our peculiar 
 structure of society and the growth of our soil. A hero from 
 his cradle, he needed not the tactics of the schools to give 
 him discipline, nor the maxims of philosophy to make him 
 brave. Like the ghost of Fingal rising in the mist of its hill, 
 and unveiling its features to the moon, the fame of our chief- 
 tian is just beginning to unfold itself in its colossal propor- 
 tions. Already the eyes of the world are turned toward 
 him. A monument is soon to stand above his grave that will 
 be worthy of the spot. Let it be made of material solid as 
 his integrity, and planted deep and immovable as the love 
 that he bore to his country was seated in his heart, yet let it be 
 costlv and rare as the lavish gifts that the creatine:; hand 
 poured so plentifully upon him. Let it be simple and bold 
 like his character ; above all, let it transmit the epitaph that 
 has so long told the pilgrims who visit the tomb, that Putnam 
 "dared to lead lohere any dared to follow /" 
 
 "Puttenham, or Putnam, (Bedfordshire, and Penn, co. Buckingham,) Sa. 
 erusily fitchee ar. a stork of the last. Crest — A wolf's head." 
 
 It is a very significant symbol it must be admitted, for a Putnam. One would 
 almost think that the original grantee must liave been an astrologer and cast the 
 horoscope of his Yankee descendant. Of course, then, it was useless for the 
 old she wolf to gnash her teeth and growl as her unwelcome guest entered her 
 cave. Her fate had been recorded in the lierald's college ages before her invader 
 was born. 
 
 Our American Putnams are unquestionably descended from the noble family of 
 Puttenhams, of Hants, of whicli mention is made by Burke in the paragraph 
 which follows. It will be noticed that the description of the coat of arms is 
 Bimilar, the crest excepted. 
 
 " Puttenham, (Sherfield, Co. Hants, Visitation of 1634; Richard Puttenham, 
 of Sherfield, Esq., grandson of Sir George Puttenham, of Sherfield, left an only 
 daughter and heir, Anne, wife of Francis Morris, of Copwell.) Ar. erusily fitchee 
 sa. a stork of the last. Crest, as the last." 
 
' l.y ll.'Mfmiii.m ft.iiu a i».uim.,re by Cnl. Ti .mibuD , ij< Ih.' Tn,u.ln,;j G^.lk.i-jr. V.ilc C.llc 
 
 ]L ITE m IE J.1L ^T?y (0) M TH .. 
 
 l)Lu.v(Jy[iJuH/)r^ 
 
 HoUi^stiT" HiS '■■,%•..[ CMiii-ulirnl 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 It was by this time quite apparent that the articles of con- 
 federation would not serve the purposes of a government 
 that was expected to be anything more than provisional. The 
 depreciation of its paper money, the boldness with which 
 its authority was set at naught, as well by the colonies as by 
 individuals, evinced clearly enough that, without regard to 
 the dangers that might threaten the country from a foreign 
 invasion, the government had no control over the inhabitants 
 of the colonies who claimed its protection. Now that the 
 one inspiring theme of independence had lost its power over 
 the imagination, the confederacy was found to be but a rope 
 of sand. 
 
 In order, therefore, to strengthen the bonds of union 
 between the states, and with the view of forming a central 
 government of greater strength and efficiency, the Congress 
 of the United States recommended to the several govern- 
 ments that delegates should be appointed to form a special 
 convention, to meet at Philadelphia, and deliberate upon the 
 matter. Most of the states cheerfully and promptly responded 
 to the recommendation, and elected the requisite number of 
 delegates — nearly all of whom were men remarkable ibr their 
 talents, patriotism, and public services. 
 
 The convention met at the State House in Philadelphia, 
 in May, 1787.* At the suggestion of Dr. Franklin, his 
 excellency George Washington, was unanimously chosen 
 President. t William Jackson was appointed secretary ; and 
 
 * Tlic convention was culled to meet on tlie Mth of ]\T:iy ; but a quorum could 
 not be procured until the 2.5th of that month. 
 t Gordon, iii. 401. 
 
436 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 a committee was appointed to take into consideration the 
 manner of proceeding. 
 
 The committee reported, and the convention agreed, that 
 each state represented should be entitled to one vote ; and 
 that seven states should constitute a quorum ; all committees 
 were to be chosen by ballot ; the doors were to be closed ; 
 and an injunction of secresy was placed on the debates. 
 The members were even prohibited from taking copies of 
 entries on the journals.* 
 
 In a few days, about fifty delegates had presented their 
 credentials and were sworn. They represented eleven of the 
 thirteen states. Before the convention broke up, the dele- 
 gates from another state arrived. 
 
 The character of our legislature, and indeed of our people, 
 at this time, could not have been better represented, than by 
 the choice of delegates to attend this convention. They are 
 to this day called to mind, and their familiar faces appear 
 whenever the state, which was honored in doing them honor, 
 is mentioned at home or abroad. Their names were William 
 Samuel Johnson, Oliver Ellsworth, and Roger Sherman. 
 
 Dickinson of Delaware, Johnson of Connecticut, and 
 Rutledge of South Carolina, all of whom had acted so con- 
 spicuous a part in the Congress of 1765, again had the oppor- 
 tunity of renewing the reminiscences of a day antecedent to 
 the Revolution. Franklin had been a member of the con- 
 vention at Albany in 1754 — thirty-three years before. Wil- 
 liam Livingston, George Read, Elbridge Gerry, Robert Mor- 
 ris, Alexander Hamilton, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 
 Edmund Randolph, and others of a similar cast — old men 
 and young — the civilians, lawyers, and military leaders, who 
 had counseled or fought in the Revolution, and others who 
 had grown up to the estate of manhood under its auspices, 
 were there, alike to testify to the frailty of the confederacy, 
 and to devise a substitute for it. But what should that sub- 
 stitute be ? This was a question not easily to be settled. 
 Those gentlemen representing the large states of Virginia, 
 
 * Ilildreth, iii. 4S2. 
 
[1787.] THE FEDERAL COXSTITUTIOX, 437 
 
 Massachusetts with tlie Carolinas and Georgia,* were in 
 favor of a national government based upon proportionate 
 representation ; while, on the other hand, the smaller states 
 of Connecticut, New Jersey, and Delaware, with most of the 
 delegates from Maryland and New York, were in favor of 
 giving to the states, by virtue of their individual sovereignty, 
 a power under the Constitution not depending upon numbers. 
 
 The reader has seen that state sovereignty had been a 
 favorite political maxim of Connecticut from the earliest 
 times. Small as she was, she had been obliged to contend 
 for her individuality with her whole strength in order to 
 keep it. 
 
 Governor Randolph was the first to speak upon the inade- 
 quacy of the articles of confederation. He spoke with his 
 usual earnestness and ability. At the close of his speech he 
 offered a series of resolutions, fifteen in number, proposing 
 important changes in the federal system. The main features 
 of these resolutions were, a general legislature or congress 
 having two branches — one to be chosen by the people accord- 
 ing to the free population, or taxes ; while the other w^as to 
 be selected by the first from candidates nominated by the 
 state legislatures. It was also suggested that there should be 
 a national executive, judiciary, and council of revision, to be 
 elected by the proposed Congress. Randolph's resolutions, 
 with another series from the pen of Charles Pinckney, were 
 referred to the committee of the whole. The principal 
 debaters in the committee were Randolph, Madison, and 
 Mason, of Virginia ; Gerry, Gorham, and King, of Massa- 
 chusetts ; Wilson, Morris, and Franklin, of Pennsylvania; 
 Johnson, Sherman, and Ellsworth, of Connecticut; Ilamihon 
 and Lansing, of New York ; the two Pinckneys, of South 
 Carolina; Patterson, of New Jersey ; Martin, of Maryland; 
 Dickinson, of Delaware ; and Williamson, of North Carolina. 
 
 * The Carolinas and Georgia, which at that time embraced the present states 
 of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, anticipated that they should at no distant 
 day contain a greater population than all the rest of the Union together. ' See 
 Hildreth, iii. 486. 
 
438 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 It is with pleasure that we contemplate the position of our 
 little state in the long debates that followed. Three men 
 could hardly have been selected from the whole body of the 
 people, who were so different in their mental characteristics, 
 and yet so well fitted to give weight and influence to each 
 other. It will not be disp'^^,3d, as no one thought of disputing 
 it then, that they were ail men belonging to the first rank of 
 American statesmen. Sherman was of a grave and massive 
 understanding, a man who looked at the most difiicult ques- 
 tions, and untied their tangled knots, without having his vision 
 dimmed or his head made dizzy. He appears to have known 
 the science of government and the relations of society from 
 his childhood, and to have needed no teaching because he 
 saw moral, ethical, and political truths in all their relations, 
 better than they could be imparted to him by others. He 
 took for granted as self-evident the maxims that had made 
 Plato prematurely old, and had consumed the best hours of 
 Bacon and Sir Thomas More, in attempting to elaborate and 
 reconcile the anomalies and inconsistencies of the British 
 constitution. With more well-digested thoughts to communi- 
 cate than any other member of the convention, he used fewer 
 words to express his sentiments than any of his compeers. 
 Indeed, his thoughts could hardly be said to be expressed but 
 were rather incorporated with his language. His views, uttered 
 in a plain though didactic form, seemed to be presented not so 
 much in a course of reasoning as to be an embodiment of 
 pure reason itself 
 
 With a broad-based consciousness, extended as the line of 
 the horizon where calm philosophy and wild theory meet and 
 seem to run into each other, he saw at a glance the most 
 abstruse i,ubjects presented to his consideration, and fused 
 them down as if by the heat of a furnace, into globes of solid 
 maxims and demonstrable propositions. Nor did he look 
 merely at the present hour, but with a sympathy as lively as 
 his ken was far-reaching, he penetrated the curtains that hid 
 future generations from the sight of common men, and made 
 as careful provision for the unborn millions of his country- 
 
[17S7.] TUE SIIEiniANS. 439 
 
 men, as for the generation that was then upon the stage of 
 lite. Witii no false pride to sustain at the expense of virtue, 
 or schemes of grasping ambition to gratify, with no favorites 
 to flutter around him and claim the first fruits of his confi- 
 dence and labors ; fearless to announce an opinion, as he 
 was modest and delicate in his ii 'e of doing it, he was able 
 at a moment's warning, to bring his best intellectual resources 
 into the field of debate. 
 
 These traits of character belonged to Sherman by the 
 double tenure of inheritance and the endowments of nature. 
 He was descended from the Shermans of Yaxley, in the 
 county of Suftblk, England, as well as from the Wallers, the 
 Yaxleys, and other families in the maternal line belonging to 
 the solid landed gentry who had helped to frame the British 
 constitution. Three members of the Sherman family emi- 
 grated to America in 1G34. Two of them, Samuel Sherman, 
 who soon removed to the valley of the Connecticut and 
 was one of the strongest i)illars of the colony, and the 
 Rev. John Sherman, who was famous throughout New Eng- 
 land as the best mathematician and astronomer of the colo- 
 nies, and one of the most eloquent preachers of that day, were 
 brothers, and are not unknown to fame. The other emigrant, 
 designated in our old books as Captain John Sherman, was 
 their first cousin, and not inferior to them in moral worth if 
 indeed he could be said to be in intellectual ability. He was 
 a soldier of high courage, and that his education had not 
 been neglected, his beautifully legible and clerkly hand which 
 still perpetuates the records of Watertown, in jMassachusetts, 
 as well as the phraseology of the records themselves, bear 
 ample testimony. Roger Sherman was a grandson of this 
 gentleman, and inherited the best traits of the family. But 
 good lineage and intellectual powers of a high order, were 
 not adequate of themselves to form such a character as Sher- 
 man's. It was to be tried in the school of j'joverty, and to 
 buflet the waves of adversity, before it could gain nerve and 
 strength enough to bafile the sophistries of the British min- 
 istry, defy the sword of a tyrant, or successfully oppose itself 
 
440 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 to the headlong flood of popular passions. His personal his- 
 tory, of which so much has been written and so little under- 
 stood, is given in the subjoined note, and will show with 
 what success he addressed himself to support his numerous 
 brothers and sisters, and to overcome the obstacles of evil 
 fortune.* 
 
 , * The name of Sherman is by no means a common one in England, tliough it 
 has been highly respected anil honored. Sir Henry Sherman was one of the exe- 
 cutors of the will of Lord Stanley, Earl of Dei'by, county of Lancaster, dated 23 
 May, 152L William Sherman, Esq., purchased Knightston, in the time of Henry 
 VIIL A monument toWm. Sherman, is in Ottery, St. Mary, 1542. John Sher- 
 man, and his son both died in the same place, in 1617. John (above named,) 
 married Dorotliy, sister of John Drake, Esq., of Arke. William Sherman, of 
 Ottery St. Mary (county of Devon,) had a daughter Catharine, married to Gilbert 
 Drake, of Spratsays, Devon. 
 
 " Pedigree of Sher7nan, of Yaxley — From Davy's manuscript collections relat- 
 ing to the county of Suffolk, (England,) deposited in the British Museum. 
 
 1. Thomas Sherman, (1st,) of Yaxley, county Suflblk, married Jane, daughter 
 of John Waller, Gent., and had nine children, viz., Thomas, Richard, John, 
 Henry, Richard, Francis, James, Anthony, and a daughter who married Lock- 
 wood. 
 
 2. Thomas Sherman, (2d,) also of Yaxley, married Elizabeth, daughter of An- 
 thony Yaxley, Esq., of Mollis. He was living in 1561. His children were — 
 Thomas, Elizabeth, Anne, John, Rev. Richard, Owen, WiUiam, Margaret, and 
 Faith. 
 
 (3.) Thomas Sherman, (3d,) Gent., of Yaxley, and Stuston, (afterwards of 
 
 Ipswich,) married a daughter of Thwaytes, of Hardingham, in Norfolk. His 
 
 will is dated March 0, 1618, and was proved in 1619. To his wife Margaret, he 
 gave a life-lease of his dwelling-house, after which it should go to his son John. 
 To his son Thomas, he gave a house and lands in Swilland. His son Samuel, his 
 " daughter Mary Tomlinson," his " daughter Carpenter," his " brother Alexander 
 Sherman, late of Tyhenham, in Norfolk, deceased," and his two daughters, 
 Margaret and Barbara, are also mentioned in liis will. I have good reason to 
 believe that the John and Samuel of this family were none otlier than the Rev. 
 John Sherman, of Watertown, Mass., and the Hon. Samuel Sherman, of Weth- 
 ersfield, Conn. 
 
 3. John Sherman, second son of Tliomas Sherman, (2d,) and brother of Thomas 
 Sherman, (3d,) married Anne, daughter of William Cane, and had eight children, 
 viz.. Faith, William, Thomas, Eleanor, Jane, Milicant, Elizabeth, and Anne. He 
 resided in Newark, Ijcicestershire. 
 
 4. William Sherman, eldest son of the preceding, married Mary Lascelles of 
 Nottinghamshire. He was aged thirty-one years in 1G19. His son John, came 
 to America, in 1G34, and settled in Watertown, Mass., near his coasin of the 
 same name, from whom he is distinguished in history as Captain John Sherman. 
 
OLIVER ELLSWOETH. 441 
 
 Ellsworth was logical and argumentative in his nnode of 
 illustration, and possessed a peculiar style of condensed 
 statement, through which there ran, like a magnetic current, 
 the most delicate train of analytical reasoning. 
 
 His eloquence was wonderfully persuasive, too, and his man- 
 ner solemn and impressive. His style was decidedly of the 
 patrician school, and yet so simple that a child could follow 
 
 K 
 
 5. Captain John Sherman, married Martha Palmer, and had five children, viz., 
 Martha, Sarah, Joseph, Grace, and Jolin. He died January 25, IGilO. Martha, 
 his widow, died February 7, 1700. 
 
 6. Joseph Sherman, (eldest son of Captain .Tohn,) married Elizabeth Winship, 
 Nov. IS, 1673. They had ten eliildren, viz., John, Eilward, Joseph, Samuel, 
 Jonathan, Ephraim, Elizabeth, William, Sarah, and Nathaniel. He died January 
 20, 1730-'3l. 
 
 7. William Sherman, married (1.) Rebecca Cutler, of Charlestown, Mass., and 
 bad one son who died in infancy. He married (2d,) Mehetable, daughter of 
 Benjamin Wellington, of Watertown, Mass., Sept. 13, llUy. Their children 
 were, William, of New Milford, Mary, Roger, Elizabeth, Rev. Nathaniel, of 
 Eedford, Mass., Rev. Josiah, of Woborn, (Mass.,) Goshen, and Woodbridge, 
 (Conn.,) and Rebecca. 
 
 8. Hon. Roger Sherman, (son of William and Mehetable,) was born at New- 
 ton, Mass., April 19, 1721. At the age of twenty years his father died, and the 
 care of a large family thus early devolved upon him and his elder brother. In 
 1743, he removed to New Milford, and became a partner of that brother in the 
 mercantile business. Two years after, Roger was appointed county surveyor ; and 
 in 1754, he was admitted to the bar of Litchfield county. While a resident of 
 New Milford, lie also became a justice of the peace, deacon of the church, repre- 
 sentative, and justice of the quorum. Removing to New Haven, in 1761, he was 
 soon chosen an assistant, and appointed a judge of the superior court, which office 
 he held for twenty-three years. He was a member of Congress for nineteen years, 
 and was a signer of the declaration of independence. He was a member of the 
 council of safety, member of the convention which formed the Constitution of the 
 United States, and United States Senator. He died July 23, 1793, aged seventy- 
 two. Mr. Sherman's first wife was a daughter of Dea. Joseph Hartwell, of 
 Stoughton ; his second wife was a daughter of Benjamin Prescott, Jr. 
 
 Hon. Roger Minott Sherman, LL. D., was a son of the Rev. Josiah Sherman, 
 (above named,) and was a nephew of the Hon. Roger Sherman. He was born 
 in Woborn, Mass., in 1773, and graduated at Yale College in 1792, in wliich 
 institution ho was for three years a tutor. In 1796 he was admitted to the bar, 
 and soon commenced the practice of the law in Fairfield, where he resided until 
 is death, l)ec. 30, 1844. He was frequently a member of both branches of the 
 legislature, and was subsequently a judge of the superior court. Judge Sherman 
 was one of the most accomplished and eminent men in the state. 
 
4A2 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 without difficulty tlie steps by which he arrived at his con- 
 clusions. That he also had the best judicial powers that were 
 known in that elder age of our republic, will not be disputed. 
 Add to these qualities, an eye that seemed to look an adver- 
 sary through, a forehead and features so bold and marked as 
 to promise all that his rich deep voice, expressive gestures 
 and 7no)-al fearlessness, made good, add above all, that reserved 
 force of scornful satire, so seldom employed, but so like the 
 destructive movements of a corps of flying artillery, and the 
 reader has an outline of the strength and majesty of Ells- 
 worth.* 
 
 Johnson, added to the gifts of nature that had been so un- 
 sparingly lavished upon him, the ripest perfections of the 
 scholar and the most astute discipline that the study of the 
 civil code and the common law of England can impart to 
 their self-sacrificing devotees. 
 
 He had represented Connecticut in the Congress at New 
 York in the year 17G5, where he had met the first men 
 of the continent. The address of that body to the king, 
 remonstrating against the course pursued by the ministry and 
 the parliament toward the American colonies, flowed mainly 
 
 * Josiah Ellsworth, of Windsor, was admitted a freeman in May, 1657, and was 
 married to Mary Holcomb, Nov. IG, 1654. Their son Thomas Ellsworth, was 
 born Sept. 2, 1665. William Ellsworth (son of Thomas,) was born April 15, 
 1702, was mari'ied to Mary Oliver, of lioston, June 16, 1737. 
 
 Oliver Ellsworth, LL. D., son of William and Mary Ellsworth, was born at 
 Windsor, Conn., March 24, 1746-'7, (as appears by the Windsor records,) and 
 graduated at the College of New Jersey, in 1766. He soon became one of the 
 most eminent legal practitioners in the colony. lie was successively a member of 
 the council of his native state, delegate in the Continental Congress, judge of tho 
 superior court, member of the national constitutional convention, and of the state 
 convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States. He was also 
 chosen one of the first United States Senators from Connecticut, and was appoint- 
 ed chief justice of the supreme court of the United States, as the successor of Jay. 
 In 1799, President Adams apjiointed him Envoy Extraordinary to France — a post 
 which he acci'pted. Having accomplished the business of his embassy, he spent 
 some time in England where he sought to avail himself of the benefit of its miner- 
 al waters. Returning, he again became a citizen of his native state ,and was once 
 more elected to the council, and in May 1807, ho was chosen chief justice of the 
 state. He died at Windsor, November 26, 1807, aged sixty-five years. 
 
WILLIAil SAMUEL JOHNSON. 443 
 
 from his fervent soul and was most of it penned by liim. It 
 is still preserved among the British archives, and evinces a 
 lofty spirit of patriotism that miglit have breathed life into 
 the dry bones of any administration based upon other 
 principles than the spoils of office and the obstinacy of dis- 
 appointed ambition. The very next year, the University of 
 Oxford made him a doctor of laws, notwithstanding his 
 efibrts in behalf of American liberty. His fame as a law- 
 yer was also pre-eminent. In 1782, he had appeared as 
 counsel for Connecticut in the celebrated Wyoming con- 
 troversy, where he met the ablest advocates that Pennsyl- 
 vania could bring into the field against him, and was acknowl- 
 edged to have exhibited on that occasion unrivalled powers 
 both of reasoning and eloquence."" 
 
 These were formidable opponents when met single-handed; 
 and united, they were irresistible. 
 
 The resolution proposing to elect the first branch of Con- 
 gress by the people, was met on the threshold by Sherman. 
 He was in favor of a system of checks and balances that 
 would guard the great mass of the voters from the intrigues 
 of politicians. In this he was seconded by the delegates from 
 Massachusetts and South Carolina. But Ellsworth and 
 Johnson were in favor of the plan of electing one branch of 
 the national legislature by the people. After an earnest 
 debate, that called out an exhibition of talent and learning 
 
 o 
 
 that could at that time have been surpassed in no assembly 
 
 * William Samuel Johnson, LL. D., eldest son of the Rev. Samuel Johnson, 
 D. D., first President of King's (now Columbia) College, was born at Stratford, 
 Conn., Oetober 7, 1727, and graduated at Yale College in 1744. lie was often 
 a member of both branches of the Connecticut legislature, besides being a mem- 
 ber of the old Congress of 17G5, and of the Continental Congress during the 
 revolution. In 1766, he visited England as the agent of tlie colony, where he 
 remained until 1771 ; and during the following year, he was elected a judge of 
 the superior court. He was also, as we have seen, a member of the convention 
 which formed the Federal Constitution, and of the convention which subsequently 
 ratified it. In 1787, lie was elected a United States Senator, ami during the same 
 year was chosen President of Columbia College, in New York, a ])ost which ho 
 held until 1800, when he returned to Stratford, where lie died Nov. 14, 1819, 
 aged ninety-three. 
 
444 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 of men in the world, the proposition was carried. Having 
 determined to elect one branch of Congress by the popular 
 vote, the question then came before the committee for what 
 term the members of that body should be chosen. Sherman, 
 who had before taken what he thought to be more conservative 
 ground than the Virginia delegates, proposed the term of one 
 year. He was in favor of short terms. It made the mem- 
 bers amenable to the power that elected them, and put them 
 upon their good behavior. He did not desire that the new 
 government should call into being and foster a class of poli- 
 ticians such as had grown up under the shadow of the British 
 parliament, and had, for a century and a half, in the shape of 
 emissaries, colonial governors, and commissioners to settle 
 boundary lines, preyed upon the people of this country. He 
 was seconded in this view by Elbridge Gerry, his warm 
 friend and ardent admirer, and by the other delegates from 
 Connecticut, as well as by those of Massachusetts and South 
 Carolina. Madison and his colleagues proposed three years 
 for the same reason that Sherman had opposed the election 
 by the people. This longer term was finally agreed upon. 
 
 Sherman made the same objection to the length of time 
 named by Mr. Randolph and advocated by Madison as the 
 term of the senatorial office. Seven years seemed by the 
 gentlemen from Virginia short enough. Randolph urged 
 that "the democratic licentiousness of the state legislatures 
 proved the necessity of a firm senate." Sherman argued 
 differently. He had lived in a part of the world where the 
 licentiousness of state legislatures was at that tvne a thing 
 unknown, and where the voters — such was their stability — 
 were in the habit of annually going through with the form of 
 electing the same state officers and the same judges year 
 after year, with the regularity of the sun and the tides, until 
 the functionaries thus submitted so often to their scrutiny, 
 and brought within their reach, either withdrew their names 
 as candidates or died. With habitudes of mind formed under 
 the operations of a free government instituted and kept alive 
 by such a people, Sherman, who had more confidence in 
 
[its:.] debate in convention. 445 
 
 the masses than he had in those who might impose upon their 
 credulity, found no difficulty in believing that seven years 
 Avas too long a term of office. He used the same arguments 
 that he had employed when advocating the annual choice of 
 the members of the first branch of the legislature. 
 
 The question was then agitated, how the second branch 
 of the legislature should be chosen. Wilson proposed that 
 the people should do it ; but this did not meet the approval of 
 any state represented in the convention except Pennsylvania. 
 Dickinson and Sherman spoke strongly in behalf of confid- 
 ing this election to the legislatures of the respective states. 
 This was hotly contested, but at last prevailed. 
 
 The smaller states, of which Sherman was a principal 
 champion, were afraid of being overwhelmed by the larger 
 ones, and insisted that the upper or second branch of the 
 legislature should be made up of an equal number of mem- 
 bers from each state, without regard to population. Sher- 
 man entered into this debate with his wiiole soul, and was 
 ably seconded by his colleagues. Five states voted in favor, 
 and six against the side that he so warmly espoused. 
 
 It shows the prescience of this great man, that he advoca- 
 ted before the committee, against such opponents as Rutledge 
 and Butler of South Carolina, the same basis of representa- 
 tion that now prevails in Connecticut, strenuously claiming 
 that, the number of free inhabitants without regard to the 
 property of the citizens, should form the basis of representa- 
 tion. This recognition of the rights of citizenship, discon- 
 nected with any consideration of land or money, shows how 
 much he was in advance of the other members of the con- 
 vention, and of the age in which he lived, in all that related 
 to the elective franchise. 
 
 After this, followed the debates in relation to the executive 
 and the judiciary. The question as to whether the execu- 
 tive should consist of one person or of several, was, after an 
 animated debate, decided in favor of a single person — New 
 York, Delaware, and Maryland voting in the negative. Wil- 
 son then proposed that the national executive be chosen 
 
446 niSTORY OF conxecticut. 
 
 directly by the people. Sherman proposed that Congress 
 should elect the President, and that he should be dependent upon 
 that body. Other suggestions and propositions were made, 
 but as no other plan could be agreed upon, that of Sherman 
 was concurred in. As to the length of his term of service, 
 the same difference of opinion existed. Sherman, Wilson, and 
 others, advocated three years, with re-eligibility. Mason 
 was in favor of seven years, and ineligibility ; and this was 
 finally carried — Connecticut, the Carolinas, and Georgia, 
 voting against it ; and Massachusetts being divided. 
 
 The judiciary was long a subject of earnest consideration 
 on the part of the convention. Numerous propositions and 
 suggestions were made, the mass of which were voted down. 
 It was at last determined that the judges should be 
 chosen by the second branch of the national legislature ; 
 and a veto upon all laws inconsistent with the articles of 
 union or to treaties with foreign powers, was conceded to 
 the executive. 
 
 Such were some of the main features of the bill, which, on 
 the 13th of June, was presented to the convention by the 
 committee of the whole. Scarcely had the formularies, so 
 long debated, been submitted to the convention, when the 
 opposition, that was supposed by many of the friends of a 
 consolidated government to have vanished before the 
 eloquence and reasoning of the delegates representing the 
 larger states, burst forth into a flame. Patterson, of New 
 Jersey, and some others, appearing in behalf of the smaller 
 states, had been brooding in secret over some propositions 
 that had been adopted by the committee of the whole, that 
 must, as they believed, should they receive the ultimate sanc- 
 tion of the convention, prove fatal to the already feeble influ- 
 ence of the smaller states in the general government. 
 
 The vote of the committee, placing both branches of the 
 legislature upon the same basis, of numerical representation, 
 was especially offensive to the minority. Patterson, of New 
 Jersey, Lansing, of New York, and others, representing the 
 smaller states, had therefore performed the double duty of 
 
[ITS:.] DEBATE CONTINUED. 447 
 
 attending the debates, and preparing, as they found time, a 
 system that embodied the sentiments of a portion of the 
 minority which had been voted down. 
 
 As soon as the Virginia scheme, as amended by the com- 
 mittee, had been brought before the convention, this new one, 
 then and since known as the "New Jersey Plan," was 
 exhibited by Patterson. This scheme was as unhke the one 
 ah'eady reported as could well be conceived. It proposed to 
 retain the old Continental Congress, giving to it power to 
 levy duties on imported goods, impose taxes, and regulate 
 trade with other nations. By its provisions, the executive 
 was to consist of more than one person ; a federal judiciary 
 was to be instituted, and acts of Congress and treaties made 
 with foreign powers were to be the supreme law.* 
 
 It is not at all probable that either Patterson, or any of the 
 other gentlemen who advocated the "New Jersey Plan," 
 expected that it could ever receive, in the shape in which it 
 was presented, the approbation of the convention. However, 
 it served as a protest against the Virginia Plan, and certainly 
 contained some provisions and embodied some principles of 
 a highly important character, which in a modified form still 
 survive in the Constitution of the United States, and give to 
 it much of that solidity and at the same time expansive elas- 
 ticity, which are so well adapted to the wants of our grow- 
 ing millions and constantly increasing territory. 
 
 As must have been anticipated, the two plans of govern- 
 ment were referred to a new committee of the whole, and 
 subjected to the ordeal of debate. While this discussion was 
 going on, and waxing more and more warm, a new party 
 appeared in the field, and with a fearlessness that amazed the 
 contending factions, otTered battle to them both. This 
 knight, bearing a "banner with a strange device," was Alex- 
 ander Hamilton. Not only did he dissent from the Virginia 
 and the New Jersey systems, but he diflered from the other 
 New York delegates. He did not dare to trust the govern- 
 ment in the hands of the people. He was afraid of republics, 
 
 * Uildretli. iii. 492. " 
 
448 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 and dreaded the shifting and changeable Proteus, called demo- 
 cracy. He therefore proposed, that as the people had grown 
 up under the firm rule of the British constitution, the new 
 form of government should approach as nearly to that model 
 as would be consistent with the character of our inhabitants 
 and the multiform interests of the state governments. He 
 desired that the executive and the second branch of the 
 national legislature should be appointed during good behavior- 
 He proposed that the executive should be called governor; 
 that the senate should be chosen by electors whom the peo- 
 ple should select ; that the first branch of the national legis- 
 lature should be chosen by the people, with a three years' 
 term of office ; that the governors should be appointed by 
 the national legislature, and have the power of vetoing all 
 the laws enacted by the state legislatures. Hamilton advo- 
 cated this impracticable system, with an ability worthy of a 
 better cause. Fortunately it was that there were in the 
 convention so many delegates who had no theories either to 
 adopt or to approximate, but who saw in the preservation of 
 the state legislatures the principal safe-guard of the national 
 government. To the smaller states, this one feature in the 
 Hamilton plan would have been total destruction, and to the 
 general government, a certain instrument of suicide. 
 
 After making a speech in favor of his plan, and submitting 
 a sketch of it in writing, he left the convention for a period 
 of six weeks. The new system found few friends. The 
 New Jersey plan fared little better; and after a short discus- 
 sion, the vote in favor of the Virginia scheme, as amended, 
 obtained a very decided majority. Connecticut voted unani- 
 mously for reporting, as before, the Virginia plan to the con- 
 vention. 
 
 The debate was now resumed before the convention with 
 fresh vigor, and every detail of the proposed constitution was 
 subjected to the closest examination and severest criticism. 
 The old wound that had been partially healed — the danger 
 that the small states would be overwhelmed and lose their 
 individual sovereigntv — was soon made to bleed afresh. To 
 
[1787.] . A NEW NAME. 449 
 
 allay the excitement, Ellsworth made a motion that the 
 words, "government of the United States," should be sub- 
 stituted for the offensive term, "national government," which 
 sounded like a harsh synonym for consolidation, in the ears 
 of the delegates from the smaller states. This motion pre- 
 vailed ; but as the evil still existed though called by a softer 
 name, the cause of complaint was by no means removed. 
 How many votes the states were respectively to have in the 
 legislature of the general government, was of more import- 
 ance than the name by which that government was to be 
 called. The discussion on this vital question grew more and 
 more exciting as it advanced, and at last became bitter and 
 vehement. Dr. Franklin moved that a chaplain should be 
 chosen, and that prayers should be read, to bring the minds 
 of the delegates to a right frame. Mr. Madison opposed the 
 motion, fearing lest the measure, should it be adopted at that 
 late hour, might startle the public with the anticipation of 
 some desperate issue close at hand. A motion of adjourn- 
 ment was substituted for the proposition of Franklin, which 
 was carried, and the excited minds of the debaters had time 
 to cool. 
 
 The ratio of representation that had been adopted by the 
 committee of the whole, for the first branch of the legisla- 
 ture, finally prevailed in the convention. Then came the 
 crisis of the debate. What should be the ratio in the second 
 branch ? Ellsworth made a motion that the states should be 
 equally represented in that body, and pressed home upon the 
 committee all the arguments that such a mind as his could 
 urge upon a question that seemed to involve the very 
 existence of the state that he had been appointed to defend. 
 His vast learning and clear powers of analysis were brought 
 to bear upon this interesting question, and elicited the admira- 
 tion even of the bitterest opponents of the motion. Breath- 
 less as had been the silence that prevailed while the debate 
 was going on, and while its result was yet doubtful, no sooner 
 was it made known, than the pent up flames, that had been 
 
 so long smothered in the breasts of the delegates from the 
 
 Gl 
 
450 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. f Iv ;" 
 
 smaller states, burst forth like the fires of a volcano. Dis- 
 cord reigned for a while in the chamber, and the convention 
 seemed about to be shattered in pieces by its own explosive 
 elements. 
 
 Deeply as he felt the poison of the sting inflicted by this 
 vote upon the bosom of the state for which he would gladly 
 have died, Sherman was calm and self-possessed as if he had 
 been placed there to represent the motions of the planets in 
 their orbits or the unrelaxing grasp of the law of gravitation. 
 Determined not to resort to extremes until the resources of 
 reason and argument, and all the ordinary appliances by 
 which men are wrought upon, had been exhausted, deter- 
 mined most of all to govern himself that he might the better 
 control others, he rose and moved that a committee of con- 
 ference should be appointed of one delegate from each of the 
 states represented there. This motion at once prevailed, and 
 the convention adjourned for three days. The 4th of July 
 was celebrated during the period of the adjournment, and 
 lent the warm light of liberty to the temperate counsels of 
 the more moderate members of the convention. 
 • Dr. Franklin proposed to the committee of conference, 
 that the states should be equally represented in the second or 
 upper branch of the legislature, and that all bills of appro- 
 priation should originate with the first orpopular branch, which 
 was to be chosen in accordance with the three-fifths ratio, 
 and upon a basis of one representative to every forty thou- 
 sand inhabitants. The delegates from the larger states were 
 deeply chagrined that they should have fallen into the net 
 spread for them by Sherman, before their eyes, while the 
 members of the old minority were delighted at the result of 
 the experiment. 
 
 Side issues now arose, that diverted the current of discus- 
 sion from the main question, how the states should be repre- 
 sented in the upper branch. The national party then brought 
 forward the consideration of the question, on wliat basis the 
 members of the popular branch of the legislature should be 
 chosen, and how many there should be. This inquiry 
 
[17S7. 
 
 THE APPORTIOX.MEXT. 451 
 
 branched off into a variety of issues more or less complex, 
 that tended to distract the attention of the delegates and 
 divide their minds. The mode of apportioning the members 
 of the lower house, was referred to a select committee of 
 five, who reported in favor of fifty-six members, to represent 
 the states according to the two most important elements, of 
 wealth and population. The number recommended was 
 thought to be too small, and the distribution wrong. A 
 second select committee was chosen, to review this jjart of 
 the report of the former one. This investigation was more 
 fortunate, and resulted in the presentation of a plan of appor- 
 tionment that was satisfactory, and finally became a part of 
 the constitution. It gave to the several states a representa- 
 tion as follows : — Virginia, ten ; Pennsylvania and Massachu- 
 setts, each, eight ; Maryland and New York, each, six ; Con- 
 necticut and the Carolinas, each, five ; New Jersey, four ; 
 New Hampshire and Georgia, each, three ; and Delaware 
 and Rhode Island, each, a single representative. 
 
 This progress, so highly encouraging, was suddenly arrested 
 by the inquiry, how the future apportionment should be 
 made. This brought up the most delicate and still vexed 
 question of negro slaverv. Patterson was opposed to any 
 scheme by which slaves, not counted in the representation of 
 the state governments in which they were respectively 
 owned, should form any part of the basis that was to support 
 the first branch of the national legislature. If they were 
 treated as property where they belonged, he expressed him- 
 self unable to see why they should stand on a difterent foot- 
 ing in relation to the general government. 
 
 Madison replied that if this was to be the rule, the claims of 
 the smaller states to an equal representation in either branch 
 of the legislature, to preserve their sovereignty and guard 
 their property, were equally without foundation. 
 
 Governor Morris proposed to leave this matter of future 
 proportionment to the legislature. Rutledge expressed him- 
 self in favor of this proposition. Randolpli, Mason, and 
 Wilson, were opposed to it on the ground tliat it would place 
 
452 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the majority in the power of the minority. They thought 
 the matter should be settled then, once for all. Randolph 
 suggested that a periodical census should be taken, and that 
 it should govern the apportionment. Williamson moved, by 
 way of amendment, that in taking the proposed census, the 
 whole number of freemen and three-fifths of all others, should 
 be the rule of apportionment. Butler and Charles Cotesworth 
 Pinckney, were in favor of having the slaves and freemen alike 
 taken into account in the representative estimate. Morris 
 was opposed even to the three-fifths basis, because he thought 
 it favored the slave-trade, and that the slave-trade was a 
 curse. Butler's proposition to count blacks equal with the 
 whites, was readily voted down, as it was supported only by 
 the three states of South Carolina, Georgia, and Delaware. 
 Then came up the motion of Williamson, that slaves should 
 count three to five in the census. This motion was also 
 defeated. Randolph's proposition in relation to a periodical 
 census, shared the same fate. The report of the committee, 
 recommending that future apportionments should be made by 
 the legislature according to wealth and numbers, was the 
 next topic of consideration. Morris made a motion that 
 taxation should be in proportion to representation — which 
 was adopted. This called out Davie, of North Carolina. 
 "He was sure," he said, "that North Carolina would never 
 confederate on any terms that did not rate them at least as 
 three-fifths. If the eastern states meant, therefore, to exclude 
 them altogether, the business was at an end.'' Here was the 
 old fire-brand again thrown into the convention. It was 
 obvious that Davie had hit upon the most sensitive nerve of 
 the south, and that the delegates from the slave-states would 
 not yield the point. It was then that the gentlemen repre- 
 senting Connecticut came forward as mediators.* Johnson 
 expressed it as his opinion that population was the surest 
 
 * A highly respectable authority from Massachusetts, who has laid the wh';le 
 world under gi-eat obligations to hiin, has represented the delegates from Connec- 
 ticut as " aspiring to act as mediators." Had he said that they were emphati- 
 cally the gentlemen in the convention from the eastern states to mediate 
 successfully, the remark would have been more accurate. Such men as Roger 
 
[1787.] BASIS OF REPRESENTATION. 453 
 
 measure of wealth. He said he was wilHng that blacks as 
 well as whites should be counted. This was a greater con- 
 cession than Ellsworth thought it necessary to make. He 
 therefore called up the motion made by Williamson, that all 
 the whites and three-fifths of the blacks should constitute the 
 basis of taxation, and that taxation should be the basis of 
 representation. This proposition thus amended and simplified, 
 finally prevailed, after a protracted debate. The delegates 
 from Connecticut all voted for it ; New Jersey, and Dela- 
 ware, against it ; while Massachusetts, and South Carolina,' 
 were divided. 
 
 The proposition reported by the committee of one from 
 each state, that the states should be equally represented in 
 the second branch of the national legislature, seemed after 
 this discussion more likely to meet with favor than it had 
 before done, now that the three-fifths compromise had been 
 thrown into the scale. It was therefore renewed. Still an- 
 other attempt was made to qualify it in a very essential 
 degree by Charles Pinckney, who moved that the proposed 
 legislative body should consist of thirty-six members — five 
 from Virginia, four from each of the states of Pennsylvania, 
 and Massachusetts, three from each of the states of Connec- 
 ticut, New York, Maryland, and the Carolinas, while New 
 Hampshire and Georgia, were each to send two, and Dela- 
 ware and Rhode Island, one each. Of course the Virginia 
 delegation advocated the proposition with all their eloquence. 
 This debate brought out Sherman and Ellsworth, who both 
 opposed the amendment, and contended for an equal repre- 
 sentation in the senate, without regard to the size of the 
 states. As the Connecticut delegates had been the mediators 
 in relation to a point regarded so vital by the slave-holding 
 states, they were able, aside from their intrinsic weight of 
 character, to wield a mighty influence in this discussion. 
 Gerry, as he usually had done during the debate, fell in with 
 the views of Sherman, and Strong also voted in the same 
 
 Sherman, Oliver Ellsworth, and William Samuel Johnson, seldom aspire to any- 
 thing beyond what nature has fitted them to do. 
 
454 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 way. Pinckney's motion was lost, and the report of the 
 committee was then adopted — Connecticut, New Jersey, 
 Delaware, Maryland, and North Carolina, voting in the 
 afhrinative, and Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and 
 Georgia, with a part of the Massachusetts delegates, in the 
 negative. New York had long before retired from the con- 
 vention in disgust. 
 
 It was now the turn of the consolidating party to be alarmed. 
 Rising with the dignified solemnity that sat so gracefully 
 upon him, Randolph moved that the convention should 
 adjourn. He wished to give the large states time to " con- 
 sider the steps proper to be taken in the present solemn crisis, 
 and that the small states might also deliberate on the means 
 of reconciliation." This piece of dramatic acting, admirably 
 played off as it was, was met by another equally adroit. Pat- 
 terson, treating the motion for adjournment as a proposition 
 to bring the convention to an end, turned the guns of his 
 opponent upon him with great effect. "He thought it was 
 indeed high time to adjourn ; that the rule of secrecy ought 
 to be rescinded, and their constituents consulted. No con- 
 ciliation could be admissable on the part of the smaller states 
 on any other ground than equality of votes in the second 
 branch. If Mr. Randolph would reduce to form his motion 
 to adjourn sine die, he would second it ivith all his heart." 
 
 Randolph rose to explain. He declared that he only pro- 
 posed to adjourn until the next da}^, to give time to devise 
 some plan of agreement. 
 
 The motion prevailed. A consultation was held by the 
 delegates from the larger states. Some advised a separate 
 union among themselves ; others were averse to it. The next 
 day a motion was made to reconsider. It was lost. 
 
 Thus, inch by inch, was the legislative branch of the con- 
 stitution debated in the convention, with an unwearied per- 
 sistency and courage that did honor to both parties. 
 
 Then came the consideration of the executive office, which 
 was finally adjusted with much equanimity of temper on the 
 part of all concerned. The great questions for consideration, 
 
[1787.] PRESIDENTIAL TERM. 455 
 
 were the mode of electing the President, his term of oftice, and 
 his re-ehgibility. Once it was voted that the choice should 
 be made by electors appointed for that purpose by tiie state 
 legislatures, and the number of such electors to which each 
 state should be entitled was agreed upon. This was recon- 
 sidered, and the choice was given to the national legislature. 
 In relation to the length of the presidential term, great diver- 
 sity of opinion existed. Six years, was once agreed upon, 
 and then reconsidered. "During good behavior," was voted 
 for by the states of New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and 
 Virginia — but was not carried. The term of four years was 
 retained. 
 
 The report of the committee of the whole, as amended, was 
 adopted by the convention, and referred to a special commit- 
 tee of detail, consisting of Rutledge, Randolph, Gorham, 
 Ellsworth, and Wilson. To this committee also were refer- 
 red Patterson's New Jersey plan, and the draft made by 
 Charles Pinckney. Motions were made, instructing this 
 committee to report property qualifications for the executive, 
 the judiciary, and the members of the legislature — a proposi- 
 tion which was advocated by jNIadison and Gerry, and 
 opposed by Dickinson, one of the wealthiest men in the con- 
 vention, who thought the object aimed at might better be 
 obtained by limiting the right to vote for President to free- 
 holders. It was, however, carried — Connecticut, Pennsyl- 
 vania, and Delaware, voting in the negative. 
 
 The committee of detail, after deliberating for ten days, 
 brought in a rough sketch of the constitution, as it now stands. 
 The name of Congress, was given to the national legislature; 
 the first branch was designated as the House of Representatives, 
 and the second branch as the Senate. The chief executive 
 officer of the government was called a President. Several 
 important items in the constitution were again discussed and 
 amendments were proposed, but no material alterations were 
 made. Thus amended and finally adopted by the conven- 
 tion, the constitution was sent into the several states for 
 ratification. 
 
456 HISTORY OF CONXECTICUT. • 
 
 In Connecticut, a convention to ratify the constitution nnet 
 at Hartford, on the 3d of January, 1788. Over this con- 
 vention, the Hon. Matthew Griswold, of Lyme, presided, 
 and Jedediah Strong, Esq., of Litchfield, was its secretary. 
 On the 4th, the debates were opened by Oliver Ellsworth in a 
 speech of which the following is believed to be a substan- 
 tially accurate report. It is copied from the " Connecticut 
 Courant." 
 
 " Mr. President, — It is observable, that there is no preface 
 to the proposed Constitution ; but it evidently pre-supposes 
 two things ; one is, the necessity of a federal government, 
 the other is the inefficiency of the old articles of confedera- 
 tion. A union is necessary for the purposes of national 
 defense. United, we are strong; divided, we are weak. It 
 is easy for hostile nations to sweep off a number of separate 
 states one after another. Witness the states in the neighbor- 
 hood of ancient Rome. They were successively subdued by 
 that ambitious city, which they might have conquered with 
 the utmost ease if they had been united. Witness the 
 Canaanitish nations, whose divided situation rendered them 
 an easy prey. Witness England, which, when divided into a 
 number of separate states, was twice conquered by an inferior 
 force. Thus it always happens to small states, and to great 
 ones, if divided. Or if to avoid this, they connect themselves 
 with some powerful state, their situation is not much better. 
 This shows us the necessity of our combining our whole 
 force ; and as to national purposes, becoming one state. 
 
 A union, sir, is likewise necessary, considered with rela- 
 tion to economy. Small states have enemies as well as great 
 ones. They must provide for their defense. The expense 
 of it, which would be moderate for a large kingdom, would be 
 intolerable to a petty state. The Dutch are wealthy, but 
 they are one of the smallest of the European nations, and 
 their taxes are higher than in any other country of Europe. 
 Their taxes amount to forty shillings per pound, while those 
 of England do not exceed half that sum. 
 
[1788.] SPEECH OF ELLSWORTH. 457 
 
 We must unite in order to preserve peace among ourselves. 
 If we are divided, what is to hinder wars from breaking out 
 among the states ? States, as well as individuals, are subject 
 to ambition, to avarice, to those jarring passions which disturb 
 the peace of society. What is to check these ? If there is 
 a parental hand over the whole, this, and nothing else, can 
 restrain the unruly conduct of the members. 
 
 Union is necessary to preserve commutative justice 
 between the states. If divided, what is to hinder the large 
 states from oppressing the small ? What is to defend us from 
 the ambition and rapacity of New York, when she has spread 
 over that vast territory which she claims and holds? Do we 
 not already see in her the seeds of an overbearing ambition ? 
 On the other side there is a large and powerful state. Have 
 we not already begun to be tributaries ? If we do not im- 
 prove the present critical time, if we do not unite, shall we 
 not be like Issachar of old, a strong ass crouching down 
 between two burdens ? New Jersey and Delaware have 
 seen this, and have adopted the constitution unanimously. 
 
 A more energetic system is necessary. The present is 
 merely advisory. It has no coercive power. Without this, 
 government is ineffectual, or rather, is no government at all. 
 But it is said such a ])Ower is not necessary. States will not 
 do wrong. They need only to be told their duty, and they 
 will do it. I ask, sir, what warrant is there for this assertion? 
 Do not states do wrong ? Whence come wars ? One of 
 two hostile nations must be in the wrong. But it is said, 
 among sister states this can never be presumed. But do not 
 we know, that when friends become enemies, their enmity is 
 the most virulent ? The seventeen provinces of the Nether- 
 lands were once confederated ; they fought under the same 
 banner. Antwerp, hard pressed by Phillip, applied to the 
 other states for relief. Holland, a rival in trade, opposed, 
 and prevented the needful succors. Antwerp was made a 
 sacrifice. I wish I could say, there were no seeds of similar 
 injustice springing up among us. Is there not in one of our 
 states injustice too barefaced for eastern despotism ? That 
 
458 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 State is small ; it does little hurt to any but itself. But it has 
 a spirit, which would make a Tophet of the universe. But 
 some will say, we formerly did well without any union. I 
 answer, our situation is materially changed. While Great 
 Britain held her authority, she awed us. She appointed gov- 
 ernors and councils for the American provinces. She had a 
 negative upon our laws. But now, our circumstances are 
 so altered, that there is no arguing what we shall be from 
 what we have been. 
 
 It is said that other confederacies have not had the princi- 
 ple of coercion. Is this so? Let us attend to those con- 
 federacies which have resembled our own. Some time before 
 Alexander, the Grecian states confederated together. The 
 Amphyctionic council, consisting of deputies from those 
 states, met at Delphos, and had authority to regulate the gen- 
 eral interests of Greece. This council did enforce its decrees 
 by coercion. The Beotians once infringed upon a decree of 
 the Amphyctions. A heavy mulct was laid upon them. 
 They refused to pay it. Upon that, their whole territory was 
 confiscated. They were then glad to compound the mat- 
 ter. After the death of Alexander, the Achaian League was 
 formed. The decrees of this confederacy were enforced 
 by arms. The ^Etolian League was formed by some 
 other Grecian cities in opposition to the Achean, and there 
 was no peace between them till they were conquered, and 
 reduced to a Roman province. They were then all obliged 
 to sit down in peace under the same yoke of despotism. 
 
 How is it with respect to the principle of coercion in the 
 Germanic body ? In Germany there are about three hun- 
 dred principalities and republics ; deputies from there meet 
 annually in the general Diet to make regulations for the 
 empire. But the execution of these is not left voluntarily 
 with the members. The empire is divided into ten circles — 
 over each of which a superintendent is appointed with the 
 rank of major-general. It is his duty to execute the decrees 
 of the empire with a military force." 
 
[178S.] SPEECH OF ELLSWORTH. 459 
 
 [The Swiss Cantons and the Dutch repubUc are next re- 
 ferred to and brieily considered.] 
 
 "But to come nearer home, Mr. President, Iiave we not 
 seen and felt the necessity of such a coercive power ? What 
 was the consequence of the want of it during the kite war, 
 particularly towards the close ? A few states bore the burden 
 of the war. While we, and one or two more of the states, 
 were piiying eighty or one hundred dollars per man to recruit 
 the continental army, the regiments of some states had 
 scarcely men enough to wait on their oflicers. Since the 
 close of the war, some of the states have done nothing 
 towards complying with the requisitions of Congress ; others, 
 who did something at first, seeing that they were left to bear 
 the whole burden, have become equally remiss. What is the 
 consequence ? To what shifts have we been driven ? We 
 have been driven to the wretched expedient of negociating 
 new loans in Europe to pay the interest of the foreign debt. 
 And what is still worse, we have been obliged to apply these 
 new loans to the support of our own civil government at 
 home. 
 
 Another ill consequence of this want of energy is that 
 treaties are not performed. Tlie treaty of peace with Great 
 Britain was a very favorable one for us. But it did not hap- 
 pen perfectly to please some of the states, and they would 
 not comply with it. The consequence is, Britain charges us 
 with the breach, and refuses to deliver up the forts on our 
 northern quarter. 
 
 Our being tributaries to our sister states is a consequence 
 of the want of a federal system. The state of New York raises 
 sixty or eighty thousand pounds a year by impost. Connecticut 
 consumes about one third of the goods upon which this impost 
 is laid ; and consequently pays about one third of this sum 
 to New York. If we import by the medium of Massachu- 
 setts, she has an impost, and to her we pay a tribute. If this 
 is done, when we have the shadow of a national government, 
 what shall we not sutler when even that shadow is yone ? 
 
 If we go on as we have done, what is to become of the 
 
460 HISTOKY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 foreign debts ? Will foreign nations forgive us this debt, 
 because we neglect to pay ? or will they levy it by reprisals 
 as the laws of nations authorize them ? Will our weakness 
 induce Spain to relintjuish the exclusive navigation of the 
 Mississippi, or the territory which she claims on the east side 
 of that river ? Will our weakness induce the British to give 
 up the northern posts ? If a war breaks out, and our situa- 
 tion invites our enemies to make war, how are we to defend 
 ourselves ? Has government the means to enlist a man, or 
 buy an ox? or shall we rally the remainder of an old army? 
 The European nations I believe to be not friendly to us. 
 They were pleased to see us disconnected from Great Britain ; 
 they are pleased to see us disunited among ourselves. If we 
 continue so, how easy it is for them to canton us out among 
 them, as they did the kingdom of Poland. But supposing this 
 is not done, if we suffer the union to expire, the least that 
 can be expected is that the European powers will form alli- 
 ances, some with one state, and some with another, and that 
 we shall be involved in all the labyrinths of European politics. 
 But I do not wish to continue the painful recital. Enough 
 has been said to show, that a power in the General Govern- 
 ment to enforce the decrees of the union, is absolutely 
 necessary. 
 
 The constitution before us is a complete system of legisla- 
 tive, judicial, and executive power. It was designed to supply 
 the defects of the former system ; and I believe, upon a full 
 discussion, it will be found calculated to answer the purposes 
 for which it was designed." 
 
 Dr. Johnson followed on the same side of the question. 
 
 The paragraph which relates to taxes, imposts, and excises, 
 was largely debated by several gentlemen. 
 
 " Monday, Jan. 7. — General Wadsworth objected against 
 it, because it gave the power of the purse to the general 
 legislature ; another paragraph gave the power of the sword ; 
 and that authority which has the power of the purse and 
 sword, is despotic. He objected against imposts, and excises, 
 because their operation would be partial and in favor of the 
 
RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 461 
 
 southern states. He was replied to by Mr. Ellsworth, 
 at considerable length. 
 
 The convention finished debating on the constitution by- 
 sections. It was compared critically and fully. Suffice it to 
 say, that all the objections to the constitution vanished, before 
 ihe learning and eloquence of Johnson, the genuine good 
 sense and discernment of a Sherman, and the didactic strength 
 of Ellsworth, who like the Earl of Chatham, spoke on this 
 occasion with the authority of an oracle. 
 
 The grand question was moved by General Parsons, and 
 was seconded by General Huntington. Upon the general 
 discussion of the subject, His Excellency Governor Hunting- 
 ton, and Governor Wolcott, both addressed the convention 
 in favor of ratifying the Constitution. Mr. Law and other 
 gentlemen followed. 
 
 The question being put, the vote stood : 
 Yeas, 128 
 Nays, 40 
 
 Majority, 88 
 
 RATIFICATION. 
 " In the name of the people of the State of Connecticut : 
 " We the delegates of the people of said state in General 
 Convention assembled, pursuant to an act of the legislature 
 in October last, have assented to and ratified, and by these 
 presents do assent to, ratify and adopt the Constitution 
 reported by the convention of delegates in Philadelphia, on 
 the 17th day of September, A. U., 1787, for the United States 
 of America. 
 
 "Done in Connecticut, this 9th day of January, A.D., 
 1788. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands." 
 
 After having presented to the reader the foregoing facts, 
 and the appeal of Ellsworth to the delegates, it cannot be 
 thought immodest in us to claim for Connecticut, what Cal- 
 houn, the great southern statesman, admitted in the Senate 
 of the United States in 1847, "that it is owing mainly to the 
 
462 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 states of Connecticut, and New Jersey, that we have a 
 federal instead of a national governnaent — the best govern- 
 ment instead of the most intolerable on earth. Who are the 
 men of those states, to whom we are indebted for this admira- 
 ble government ? I will name them — their names ought to 
 be engraven on brass and live forever. They were Chief 
 Justice Ellsworth, and Roger Sherman, of Connecticut, and 
 Judge Patterson, of New Jersey. The other states farther 
 south were blind ; they did not see tlie future. But to the 
 coolness and sagacity of these three men, aided by a few 
 others not so prominent, we owe the present Constitution."* 
 However we are to decide the question of state sovereignty 
 growing out of the construction of the Constitution, the facts 
 stated in the paragraph just quoted, are not to be disputed. 
 Without the delegates from Connecticut, the Constitution 
 could not have been adopted, and we may repeat the prayer 
 of Sir William Blackstone, in relation to the basis of 
 the British government, as better applicable to our own — 
 "Esto Perpetua." Let the fate of this noble structure, under 
 which we have grown up to be the first republic of the earth 
 be what it may, the influence of Ellsworth, Sherman, and 
 Johnson, cannot be lost upon the world. 
 
 * The application of this extract from Calhoun's speech was first made by Dr. 
 Bushnell, in his " Historical Estimate," one of the best specimens of the " multum. 
 inparvo,'^ to be found in American letters. 
 
ly "\ 
 
 ■4*^ 
 
 I; / 
 
 
 ?^ <^ <^/^ <yy/Lon^-irr? ^?>^ 
 
 7 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 NEW AND DERIVATIVE TOWNS. 
 
 Litchfield county was organized in 1751 ; Middlesex 
 county in 1785 ; and Tolland county in 1786. 
 
 Lebanon is composed of several tracts of land, which were 
 united by agreement among the planters about the year 1700. 
 The first clergyman of the town, the Rev. Joseph Parsons, 
 was settled in November, 1700. Here were born and lived 
 the two governors Trumbull, as well as other distinguished 
 members of that and other families. Lebanon was an impor- 
 tant place in the revolution. Washington, Franklin, Jeffer- 
 son, Lafayette, Rochambeau, and other patriots of that day, 
 came here to consult with the elder Trumbull. De Lauzun's 
 legion of cavalry wintered here ; and at this place Washing- 
 ton reviewed the French regiment. 
 
 On running the boundary line between Connecticut and 
 Massachusetts, in 1713, the towns of Woodstock, Suffield, 
 Enfield, and Somers, (embracing the entire northern frontier 
 of Connecticut then inhabited,) had been somewhat infor- 
 mally surrendered to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. The 
 people of those towns repeatedly remonstrated against it, 
 and seemed determined to throw oft' their allegiance to a 
 government to which they had thus been annexed without 
 their consent. In May, 1747, the General Assembly of this 
 colony, in response to an application made by these towns, 
 appointed commissioners to meet such as might be appointed 
 by Massachusetts, and consult and report on the matter in 
 (juestion. At the end of two years, finding that no amicable 
 adjustment could be made between the two governments, 
 the General Assembly of Connecticut resolved, that inasmuch 
 as the said agreement iiad never received the royal con- 
 firmation, and the resi)ective governments having no authority 
 
464 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 or power to give up, exchange or alter their jurisdiction, the 
 agreement was declared void, and the towns were received 
 under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. Massachusetts appeal- 
 ed to the crown, but, after a fair hearing, the claim of Con- 
 necticut was fully established. 
 
 Woodstock was settled by inhabitants of Roxbury, Massa- 
 chusetts, as early as 1687, and was called New Roxbury ; 
 but received its present name in 1690. It is situated near 
 the north-east corner of the State, and is eight miles long 
 and seven miles broad. General William Eaton, American 
 Consul to Tunis, was a native of Woodstock. 
 
 Suffield was the residence of General Phineas Lyman, 
 whose name often appears in this volume ; and was also the 
 birth-place of Gideon Granger, Post Master General of the 
 United States. Suffield is the seat of the " Connecticut 
 Literary Institution," an academy in high repute throughout 
 the Union. 
 
 Enfield lies on the east side of the Connecticut river, with 
 the Massachusetts line for its northern boundary. It was 
 settled as early as 1681, by emigrants from Salem, Massa- 
 chusetts, being at that time a part of Springfield. The town 
 has produced many persons of distinction, and contains a 
 thriving agricultural population. The " Shaker Settlement " 
 in Enfield has attracted much attention. 
 
 Reading, in Fairfield county, was incorporated in 1761. 
 The township is said to have derived its name from Colonel 
 John Read,* an early and principal settler. In the winter of 
 1779, as I have elsewhere stated, Major-General Putnam had 
 his winter-quarters in Reading. Reading was the birth- 
 place of Joel Barlow, the poet and diplomatist. f 
 
 Chatham was a part of Middletown until October, 1767. 
 James Stanclift'and John Gill were the first settlers in 1690; 
 William Cornwell became a resident in 1703. In 1710, there 
 
 * Colonel Read had a park of ten or fifteen acres, in which he kept deer. He 
 died in 1786, aged 85 years. 
 
 t In Reading also was born the Hon. Samuel G. Goodrich, of Boston, late 
 American Consul to Paris ; and well known as the popular author of "Peter 
 Parley's " works. 
 
EAST WINDSOR AND SOUTHINGTON. 465 
 
 were but nine or ten families within the limits. The town 
 embraces Chatham parish, East Hampton parish, a greater 
 part of the parish of Middle Haddam, and a portion of the 
 parish of West Chester. 
 
 East Windsor was a part of the old town of Windsor 
 until 17G8, when it was organized as a distinct town. The 
 settlement began there in 1(580 ; and in 1095, an ecclesiasti- 
 cal society was formed, and the Rev. Timothy Edwards was 
 ordained as the first minister of the place. The "Theological 
 Institute of Connecticut" was established here in 1834. 
 Among the distinguished men who were born in East Wind- 
 sor, were Roger Wolcott, major-general in the expedition 
 against Louisbourg in 1745, and afterwards governor; Oliver 
 Wolcott, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and 
 governor of Connecticait ; John Fitch, inventor of the first 
 steamboat ; and Jonathan Edwards, the greatest of Ameri- 
 can divines. 
 
 Southington, previously a part of Farmington, was incor- 
 porated as a town in 1779. The first settlers bore the names 
 of Woodruff, Langdon, Lewis, Newell, Root, Andrews, 
 Gridley, Hart, Barnes, Clark, &c. It is a thriving manufac- 
 turing and agricultural town. 
 
 Washington, in the county of Litchfield, was set off from 
 Woodbury and incorporated as a town in 1779. The first 
 sermon preached there was by Mr. Isaac Baldwin, of Litch- 
 field, who subsequently relinquished the ministry, and 
 became the first clerk of the court of common pleas in 
 Litchfield. The first minister settled here was the Rev. 
 Reuben Judd, who was ordained Sept. 1st, 1742. The fol- 
 lowing eminent men were born in Washington, viz : Daniel 
 N. Brinsmade, judge of the county court for sixteen years, 
 representative at forty-three sessions, and clerk of the House 
 of Representatives ; Captain Nathan Hickox, a gentleman 
 distinguished both in public and private life for his talents, 
 integrity, ^md infiuence ; Frederick Whittlesey, member of 
 Congress from the State of New York, and Vice Chancellor ; 
 Ebenezer Porter Mason, one of the most eminent astrono- 
 
 62 
 
4:66 ! HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 mers of his age — of whom Sir John Herschel speaks " as a 
 young and ardent astronomer, a native of the United States, 
 whose premature death is the more to be regretted, as he 
 was, so far as I am aware, the only other recent observer 
 who has given himself, with the assiduity that the subject 
 requires, to the exact delineation of nebulae, and whose 
 figures I find at all satisfactory."* 
 
 Cheshire, originally a parish of Wallingford, was incorpo- 
 rated in 1780. The first minister, the Rev. Samuel Hall, 
 was ordained as a pastor in December, 1724. The Rev. 
 John Foot was settled as Mr. Hall's colleague in March, 
 1767. The Episcopal Academy in this town was incorpora- 
 ted in 1801, and has the reputation of being one of the best 
 academic institutions in Connecticut. Cheshire was the 
 birth-place and residence of the late Hon. Samuel A. Foote, 
 LL.D., governor, and United States senator. 
 
 The parish of Westbury, in Waterbury, was incorporated 
 as a town by the name of Waterlown, in 1780. It contains 
 some of the finest farms and most enterprising agriculturists 
 in Litchfield county. The Rev. John Trumbull was the 
 first pastor of the church in this place. His son of the same 
 name became famous as a judge, and as the author of 
 " McFingal."* The late learned Professor Matthew Rice 
 Button, of Yale College, was a native of Watertown. 
 
 East Hartford, in Hartford county, and Woodbridge, in 
 New Haven county, were incorporated as towns in 1784. 
 
 Hartland contains 17,654 acres, and is bounded north on 
 the Massachusetts line, south on Barkhamsted,east on Granby 
 and west on Colebrook. The proprietors held their first 
 meeting in Hartford, on the 10th of July, 1733, and immedi- 
 ately attempted to sell the lands ; but more than twenty 
 years elapsed before any permanent settlement was made 
 within the limits of the township. In the spring of 1753, 
 
 *Tho Rev. Jeremiah Day, D.D., LL.D., of New Haven, Hon. TIioniasDay, 
 LL.D., of Hartford, Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, of Ohio, Prof. Elisha Mitchell, D.D., 
 of the University of North Carolina, and Rev. Nathaniel S. Whcaton, D.D., ex- 
 President of Washington College, (now Trinity College,) arc also natives of 
 Washington. 
 
NORFOLK. 467 
 
 John Kendall, with his family, moved on to the lands, but, 
 through fear of the Indians, he left during the following year. 
 In 1754, Deacon Thomas Giddings, from Lyme, became a 
 permanent resident of the township ; and the next year two 
 other families joined him. In 1757, the settlement consisted 
 of eight families. The location of Hartland being quite on the 
 Indian frontier, and the lands being rough, wild, and altogether 
 uninviting to the eye of the pioneer, it was long before a 
 sufficient number of inhabitants had settled there to form 
 either a civil or ecclesiastical organization. The town was 
 incorporated in 17G1 ; and in 17G8, the Rev. Sterling Graves 
 was ordained and settled as the first pastor of the church. 
 Uriel Holmes, senior and junior, were among the most 
 prominent men in the town. The hitter removed to Litch- 
 field where he was chosen a judge, and member of Con- 
 gress. 
 
 Norfolk is an elevated township, bordering upon Massa- 
 chusetts, and was laid out nine miles in length and four and 
 a half miles in breadth. It was oflered for sale at Middle- 
 town in 1742, at which time but a small part of the lands 
 were disposed of; and the first settlements were made upon 
 the tract in 1744, or soon after, by Titus and Cornelius 
 Brown, from Windsor, and John Turner and Jedediah Rich- 
 ards, from Hartford. The sale of the lands in Norfolk was 
 not completed until 1758. The town was incorporated in 
 the year last named, at which date there were but twenty- 
 seven families within its limits. Among the early settlers 
 were Ezra, Ebenezer, and Samuel Knapp, and James Bene- 
 dict, all of Danbury ; Jacob Spaulding, and Isaac Holt; 
 Jacob and Samuel Mills, Asahel Case and Samuel Cowles, 
 all of Simsbury ; Samuel Manross, from Farmington ; and 
 Joshua Whitney, from Canaan. The Rev. Annni Ruhamah 
 Robbins, a native of Branford and a graduate of Yale Col- 
 lege, was ordained as the first pastor of the church in Nor- 
 folk, October 28, 1701.* Though the lands of this township 
 
 • Among the citi/ens of Norfolk partiL-ularly (Kserving of notice, I may name 
 the late Joseph Battell, Esq., a guntlcnian distinguislicd for his wealth, enterprize, 
 
468 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 are rough and broken, they sustain an intelhgent, patriotic, 
 and thriving population; while an abundance of water-power 
 is turned to good account in driving the machinery of various 
 manufacturing establishments.! 
 
 Barkhamsted was granted to the people of Windsor in 
 1732, and contains, by estimation, 20,530 acres. The first 
 person who made a permanent settlement within the limits 
 of the town, was Pelatiah Allyn, from Windsor, about the 
 year 1748. He remained the sole inhabitant for a period of 
 more than ten years. The next person who located on the 
 tract was Israel Jones, from Enfield, in 1759. Among the 
 other principal settlers were William Austin, Joseph Shepard, 
 John Ives, Joseph Wilder, Asa Case, and Jonathan King. 
 There were but twenty families in the town in 1771, and the 
 act of incorporation was not passed until 1779. The Rev. 
 Ozias Eells, the first pastor of the church, was ordained 
 January, 1787. 
 
 Winchester constituted a part of the tract that was 
 partitioned out among the Hartford patentees at a proprie- 
 tors' meeting, holden on the 5th of April, 1732, and continued 
 by adjournment to the 27th of September following. The 
 township contained 20,380 acres, and was named at the 
 May session, 1733. It was incorporated in May, 1771 ; and 
 the first pastor was settled in the town, November 11, 1772. 
 The village of Winsted, which is situated in this town, is the 
 present terminus of the Naugatuck railroad, and is one of 
 the most thriving and enterprising localities in the State. 
 
 The first settler of Colebrook was Benjamin Horton, who 
 located himself about three-fourths of a mile south of the 
 centre, on the Norfolk road, in December, 1765. Joseph 
 Rockwell came into the town a few weeks later. Joseph 
 Seymour, Nathan Bass, and Samuel Rockwell, soon followed, 
 
 and benevolence; and the late Hon. Augustus Pettibone. General George B. 
 Holt, a prominent citizen of Dayton, Ohio ; Rufus Pettibone, Judge Supreme 
 Court of Louisiana ; Rev. Thomas Robbins, D.D., of Hartford ; Lewis Riggs, 
 member of Congress from the State of New York. «fec., were born in Norfolk. 
 + See Hist. Norfolk, by Anson Roys — 1847. 
 
TOWNS ORGANIZED. 4G9 
 
 and commenced clearing their lands and erecting their 
 dwellings. The town was organized in 1786 ; and the Rev. 
 Jonathan Edwards, D.D., was settled as the first pastor in 
 1795. He was elected President of Union College in 1799, 
 and was succeeded in the pastoral office in Colebrook by the 
 Rev. Chauncey Lee, D.D.* 
 
 These townships, comprising the northern and north- 
 eastern portions of Litchfield county, were the last of the 
 original towns in the colony both in point of settlement and 
 organization. The tract was only known previous to the 
 revolution by the name of the " Green Woods." Its hills, 
 mountains, and morasses, were covered by a dense growth 
 of evergreens, which, in the winter, moaned in sad concert 
 with the howl of the wolf and the war-whoop of the red man, 
 where now smiling villages, quiet, rural homesteads, fruitful 
 fields, and the cheerful hum of industry, bear indisputable 
 witness to the transforming hand of civilization and Chris- 
 tianity. 
 
 The towns of Franklin, Bristol, Berlin, East Haven, and 
 Thompson, were organized in 1785. 
 
 The year 1786 was more prolific in the institution of new 
 towns than any of its predecessors or successors. Elling- 
 ton, Montville,t Preston, Brooklyn, Hampton, Lisbon, Boz- 
 rah, Warren, Granby, Hamden, North Haven, and South- 
 bury, all came into the confederacy during that year, and 
 were vested with all the rights and privileges of their elder 
 associates. Each has contributed its quota to the prosperity 
 and glory of our little commonwealth ; each has a history 
 of its own, that is waiting for the labors of the local histo- 
 rian and chronicler for its full and perfect development. To 
 him we earnestly commend the praise-worthy task. 
 
 *Rev. Rufus Babcoek, D.D., late President of Watcrville College, Maine, 
 Hon. Julius Rockwell, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 
 member of Congress and United States senator, are natives of Colebrook. 
 
 + The first pastor of the church in Montville, was the Rev. James Ilillhousc, 
 who was settled in 1722, and died in 1710, aged 53. lie was the founder of a 
 family distinguished for their talents and public services. 
 
470 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Weston in Fairfield county, and Bethlem in Litchfield 
 county, were made towns in 1787. The latter is particular- 
 ly distinguished as the scene of the pastoral labors of the 
 Rev. Joseph Bellamy, D.D., one of the most learned and 
 renowned preachers and authors of his day, who spent his 
 entire ministerial life in this retired rural parish. He died in 
 1790, in the seventy-second year of his age, and in the fiftieth 
 of his ministry ; and was succeeded in the pastoral office 
 by the Rev. Azel Backus, D.D., afterwards President of 
 Hamilton College, New York.* 
 
 Brookfield, in Fairfield county, was incorporated in 1788, 
 having been formed from parts of New Milford, Danbury, 
 and Newtown. 
 
 Between the last mentioned date and the year 1800, inclu- 
 sive, Huntington, Sterling, Plymouth, Wolcott, Oxford, 
 Columbia, and Trumbull, were incorporated as distinct 
 towns. From the commencement of the present century 
 down to the period of the adoption of the Constitution, the 
 following towns were organized, viz : New Canaan, Roxbury, 
 Sherman, Burlington, Canton, Marlborough, Middlebury, 
 North Stonington, Vernon, Griswold, and Waterford. 
 
 Roxbury was originally a part of Woodbury, and was 
 incorporated in 1801. Colonel Seth Warner, of the revolu- 
 tionary army, Hon. Nathaniel Smith, member of Congress, 
 Hon. Nathan Smith, United States Senator, Hon. Truman 
 Smith, United States Senator, and John Sanford, member of 
 Congress from New York, were born in Roxbury. General 
 Ephraim Hinman, and the Hon. Royal R. Hinman, were 
 long residents of the town. 
 
 Southbury was a part of Woodbury until 1786, when it 
 was incorporated as a town, and remained a part of the 
 
 * In Bethlem were born the lion. Samuel J. Hitchcock, LL. D., Professor of 
 Law in Yale College ; David Prentice, LL. D., Professor of Mathematics in 
 Geneva College, N. Y.; Harvey P. Peet, LL. D., President of the New York Insti- 
 tution for the deaf and dumb ; Laurens Hull, M. D., of Alleghany county, 
 N. Y., President of the State Medical Society, representative and senator in tho 
 N. Y. Legislature. 
 
BRIDGEPORT. 471 
 
 county of Litchfield for about twenty years thereafter, when 
 it was annexed to New Haven county. 
 
 I cannot close this chapter without so far overstepping tiie 
 chronological bounds I had marked out tor myself, as to 
 notice the flourishing town and city of Bridgeport. Though 
 it has sprung into existence since the adoption of the Consti- 
 tution, a history of the state would be imperfect without at 
 least a reference to its rise and progress. Previous to the 
 date of its incorporation as a town in 1821, Bridgeport form- 
 ed a part of the parish of Stratfield, in Stratford. In 183G, 
 the city of Bridgeport was incorporated ; in 1837, its popu- 
 lation was 3,4 IG ; in 1850, the number of its inhabitants 
 had increased to seven thousand five hundred and thirty- 
 eight. 
 
 The stable character of its population, their business habits, 
 the central position of the city, its neatness, the style of its 
 buildings, the beautiful hills that crown it, and which are 
 already covered with splendid mansions and elegant villas, 
 all prophecy the brilliant future of Bridgeport and bespeak 
 the vitality of the principles and blood of the old coast 
 towns the descendants of whose pioneers are gathered 
 there. 
 
 J 
 
CHAPTER X'XI 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS. WAE OF 1812. HARTFORD CONVENTION, 
 
 The state and federal governments having been establish- 
 ed, the people of Connecticut, cheered with the prospect of 
 continued peace, gradually recovered from their pecuniary 
 embarrassments, and from the physical and social evils that 
 inevitably follow in the train of war. Soldiers and officers, 
 the council of war, committees of safety and inspection — 
 royalists and republicans — all swore allegiance to the new 
 constitution and government, laid aside their badges of dis- 
 tinction, and were content and proud to be known by the 
 honorable title of American citizens. 
 
 Measures were at once adopted and the requisite steps 
 taken by our legislature, to adapt the laws and local govern- 
 ment to the new order of things. William Samuel Johnson, 
 and Oliver Ellsworth, were elected senators to the General 
 Congress ; and Messrs. Jonathan Sturges, Roger Sherman, 
 Benjamin Huntington, Jonathan Trumbull, and Jeremiah 
 Wadsworth, were chosen representatives in that body. Acts 
 were passed regulating the subsequent election of members 
 of both houses of Congress. Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Samuel 
 Holden Parsons, and James Davenport, were appointed com-v^ 
 missioners on the part of this state, to negotiate a treaty 
 with " the Indians who occupy the territory reserved by 
 Connecticut in their cession to the United States."* 
 
 For a period of more than twenty years from the date of 
 the ratification of the Federal Constitution, few events occur- 
 red within the limits of our state worthy to be noted by the 
 pen of the historian. The usual elections occurred, the 
 legislature held its regular semi-annual sessions, laws were 
 passed, amended and repealed, various alterations in the 
 
 * State Records, MS. 
 
EQUAL RIGHTS. 473 
 
 national constitution were proposed and considered, and the 
 ordinary current of public aflairs flowed smoothly on. 
 
 In October, 1791, an act was passed which professedly 
 secured "equal rights and privileges to christians of all 
 denominations in this state," About the same time, statutes 
 were passed for the encouragement of manufactures, for 
 reorganizing the militia of the state, and for procuring the sale 
 of the western lands. At the October session, 1793, the 
 legislature passed the following resolve. It indicates a spirit 
 of liberality which was far from being common at that period. 
 
 " Be it enacted, That the monies arising from the sale of 
 the territory belonging to this state, lying west of the state 
 of Pennsylvania, be, and the same is hereby established as a 
 perpetual fund, the interest whereof is granted and shall be 
 appropriated to the use and benefit of the several ecclesi- 
 astical societies, churches or congregations, of all denomina- 
 tions, in this state, to be by them applied for the support of 
 their respective ministers or preachers of the gospel, and 
 schools of education, under such rules and regulations as 
 shall be hereafter adopted by this Assembly. "f 
 
 The Assembly of the state having, in 1792, granted to 
 those citizens of Connecticut whose property had been 
 destroyed by the British, a tract of half a million acres of 
 Ohio lands, it was, in May 1795, ordered that all deeds con- 
 veying those lands to others should be recorded in the 
 clerk's office in the town or towns where the damage of the 
 original grantee was sustained. The "Connecticut Land 
 Company " soon after purchased other western lands of the 
 state ; and in October, 1797, in compliance with the petition 
 of the company referred to, Connecticut surrendered to the 
 United States her jurisdiction over the territory. 
 
 Previous to the commencement of the present century, 
 the public roads of the state appear to have been much neg- 
 lected, and the difficulties of intercommunication between the 
 several towns were correspondingly great. About the year 
 1795, the subject of turnpike roads began to attract much 
 
 * State Records, MS. 
 
474 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 attention. For several years thereafter, the number of char- 
 tered companies continued to be multipHed, until nearly all 
 the important towns of the state were reached by the net- 
 work of turnpikes. These lines were extended, from time to 
 time, and new lines were constantly added. The system did 
 much to improve the facilities of travel, and answered a 
 good purpose, until superceded by the greater works of inter- 
 nal improvement which have since changed the face of the 
 world. 
 
 Soon after the close of the Revolution, the boundary line 
 between Connecticut and Massachusetts became a subject 
 of contention. In May, 1791, the legislature was officially 
 notified by the governor of Massachusetts, that in conse- 
 quence of disputes that had arisen, commissioners had been 
 appointed on the part of that state to unite with those of 
 Connecticut in adjusting the matter. Our legislature at that 
 time declined taking any action upon the subject. In Octo- 
 ber, 1793, however, the Hon. Oliver Ellsworth, Roger New- 
 bury, and Gideon Granger, Jr., were appointed commission- 
 ers to ascertain and establish the line between the two states 
 from Connecticut river westward to the state of New 
 York. In May, 1801, it was resolved, that inasmuch as the 
 former commissioners had not, for various reasons, attended 
 to the object of their appointment, Aaron Austin, Zephaniah 
 Swift, and Eliphalet Terry, should be appointed in their stead. 
 They were vested " with the same powers in every respect, 
 as were given to said former commissioners." Two years 
 subsequently, the work not having been completed on 
 account of the disagreement of the commissioners, Aaron 
 Austin, Nathaniel Terry, and Thaddeus Leavitt, were 
 appointed to perfect the line. 
 
 In the mean time, the gallant sons of Connecticut were 
 adding to the fame of the young republic by their heroic con- 
 duct in a distant land. In May 1801, Jussuf Caramalli, 
 Bashaw of Tripoli, (who had deposed his brother Hamet,) 
 cut down the flag-stafT of the American consulate. This 
 act was a virtual declaration of war. Commodore Preble 
 
[1801.] GENEKAL EATON's EXPEDITION. 475 
 
 having failed in his efibrts to liunible the usurper, General 
 Wilham Eaton, a native of Connecticut, who iiad for some 
 years been tiie American consul at Tunis, conceived the idea 
 of restoi'ing the exiled llamet, and through him, of elfecting 
 a permanent peace. With this project in view, General 
 Eaton visited the United States; and having obtained the 
 sanction ol his government, he re-embarked in July, 1804, 
 on board the Argus sloop of war, with the squadron of Com- 
 modore Barron, who was directed to cooperate with Eaton 
 in tlie enterprise. 
 
 A few days after the commodore took the command before 
 Tripoli, he sent the Argus under command of Captain Isaac 
 Hull, (also a native of Connecticut,) to Alexandria, with 
 General Eaton, where they arrived on the 20th of Novem- 
 ber. From this place, accompanied by some of the officers 
 of the squadron, Eaton proceeded to Cairo. The viceroy of 
 Egypt received them with favor, and readily granted permis- 
 sion to Ilamet to leave his dominions unmolested, notwith- 
 standing he had been fighting against the government with 
 the discontented Mamelukes.* The deposed prince gladly 
 accepted the proposals of Eaton, and they soon raised about 
 five hundred men — of twelve different nations — including 
 eleven Americans and seventy or eighty Greeks and French- 
 men. If he had possessed means of subsistence for so 
 many, the commander could have enlisted thirty thousand 
 men for the expedition. On the Gth of March, the little 
 army entered the desert of Lybia, and after a fatiguing 
 march of fifty days, during which time they had traversed 
 more than six hundred miles of desert-sands and surmounted 
 innumerable obstacles, they encamped in the rear of the city 
 of Derne, on the 2Gth of April.* 
 
 Captain Hull, during this time, iiad made his way back to 
 Malta for orders and stores, and by the middle of April, 
 with the ships Argus, Nautilus, and Hornet, was cruising 
 along the coast in the vicinity of Derne, awaiting the arri- 
 
 ' Cooper. + Allen, Coopor, Blake. 
 
476 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 val of the overland army. Ascertaining soon after, that 
 Eaton had encamped about a league from the shore, Captain 
 Hull landed a field-piece with some stores and muskets, in 
 charge of a few marines of the corps. The order of attack 
 having been agreed upon, at two o'clock P. M., April 27th, 
 a furious assault upon the town was commenced at the 
 same instant from the land and from the ships. The enemy 
 made a spirited defense, but the town and fortress were com- 
 pelled to surrender before night-fail. Only fourteen of the 
 assailants had been killed and wounded. General Eaton being 
 among the latter. The number of men engaged in the 
 attack, including the marines and sailors, was about twelve 
 hundred ; while the place was defended by three or four 
 thousand. 
 
 Jussuf, the reignins: Bashaw, soon collected a formidable 
 army, and attempted to regain the town, but was defeated in 
 a battle fought on the 13th of May, and met with a complete 
 repulse on the 10th of June. Eaton was preparing to push 
 his conquests still farther, but was arrested by a treaty of 
 peace.* 
 
 Though the people and authorities of Connecticut have 
 always yielded suitable obedience to the " higher powers," 
 they have not so uniformly submitted to what they have 
 regarded as unjust or unwise acts, without expressing their 
 dissent. The act of Congress of December 22, 1807, declar- 
 ing an unlimited embargo, for all the purposes of foreign 
 commerce, on every port in the Union, was considered by 
 the great mass of our citizens, as unnecessary and oppressive 
 in its operations. The legislature, at the October session, 
 after expressing an apprehension that silence on their part 
 " might be construed to imply the want of a disposition to 
 
 * See Cooper's Naval Hist. ; Pease and Nilcs' Gaz. ; Allen's Biog. Die. Gen- 
 eral Eaton was born in Wootlstock, Feb. 2.3, 1764. At the age of sixteen, he ran 
 away from home and joined the army, but subsequently graduated at Dartmouth 
 college. In 1797, he was appointed eonsul to Tunis, and continued in that office 
 for about nine years. On his return to this country, he settled in Brimfield, Mass., 
 and in 1807, represented that town in the legislature. He died June 1, 1811, 
 aged forty-seven. 
 
[ISII.] THE EMBARGO. 477 
 
 protect, or an intention to betray, the dearest rights of their 
 constituents," proceeded to pass a series of stringent resolu- 
 tions, indicative of their feehngs and sentiments in relation 
 to that "unprecedented crisis." "We maintain," say they, 
 "that the right freely to navigate the ocean, w^as, like our 
 soil, transmitted to us as an inheritance from our forefathers, 
 and the enjoyment of this right is secured to us, as a free 
 and sovereign state, by the plighted faith of the United 
 States." After detailing, however, the oppressive burdens 
 and grievances brought upon the people of this state by the 
 operations of the act referred to, they adtl, in the true spirit 
 of patriotic obedience, "we rely, nevertheless, on the further 
 patient and faithful regard to public order, in the hope that 
 the Congress will, at their approaching session, on a knowl- 
 edge of these distresses, speedily decide that a removal of 
 them is compatible with the peace, honor, and happiness of 
 the United States." 
 
 Congress having on the Otli of January, 1800, passed an act 
 "to enforce and make more effectual" the embargo, an extra 
 session of the legislature was called in the succeeding 
 February, on account of the "great national emergency." 
 A series of resolutions, and an address to the people of Con- 
 necticut, were adopted, and two thousand copies w-ere ordered 
 to be printed and circulated ; and a like number of copies of 
 the offensive act was directed to be distributed with the 
 resolves and address. 
 
 In May, 1811, the subject was again brought before the 
 legislature, and a series of resolutions, similar in their purport 
 to those already adverted to, was adopted. The commercial 
 interests of the state were prostrated ; the ordinary business 
 of the inhabitants along the line of our sea-coast was neces- 
 sarily suspended ; and the consequent distress which prevailed 
 in many places so exasperated the people that some were 
 ready for open rebellion against the General Government. 
 The Assembly, alarmed at the extent of this feeling, while it 
 recognized the right and duty of the people to defend "the 
 liberties and independence of the state, as well as of the 
 
478 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 United States, against every aggression," exhorted the citi- 
 zens to " continue to cherish an attachment to social 
 order, the principles of our repubHcan institutions and 
 the Constitution of the United States, as essentially con- 
 nected with the liberty they so highly prize ; and to enter- 
 tain the hope that the General Government will abandon a 
 course of measures so distressing to individuals, so debasing 
 to the national spirit and character, and so inefficacious for 
 the protection of the rights and honor of the United States ; 
 and that they remain assured that the General Assembly of 
 this state, participating in the sentiments and sufferings of 
 the people by whom they are chosen, will never lose sight of 
 their commercial rights and interests."* 
 
 The train of events finally led to a result that had long 
 been anticipated. On the 18th of June, 1812, the govern- 
 ment of the United States declared war against Great Britain. 
 It is needless to go into the causes which led to such a decla- 
 ration, A long series of insults and aggressive acts on the 
 part of our old enemy, including the impressment of our 
 seamen and indignities offered to our flag, were the alleged 
 occasions of an appeal to arms for a redress of grievances. 
 The views of the people of Connecticut in relation to this 
 important step are expressed in the following paper. It 
 is copied from the manuscript records of the doings 
 of the Assembly, at their special session in August of that 
 year : 
 
 "The Legislature of the State of Connecticut, specially 
 convened to consult the welfare and provide for the defense 
 of the state at this interesting and eventful period, avail 
 themselves of the opportunity thus afforded to declare and 
 resolve — 
 
 " That while some of their sister states offer assurance of 
 their unqualified approbation of the measures of the General 
 Government, in respect to our foreign relations, we confi- 
 dently trust that the motives which influence us to declare 
 what we believe to be the deliberate and solemn sense of 
 
 * State Records, MS. 
 
[1812.] MANIFESTO OF CONNECTICUT. 479 
 
 the people of this state, on the question of the war, will be 
 justly appreciated. 
 
 "The people of this state view the war as unnecessary. 
 
 " Without pretending to an exclusive or superior love of 
 country to what is common to their fellow-citizens, or arro- 
 gating a preeminence in those virtues which adorn our his- 
 tory, they yield to none in attachment to the Union, or vene- 
 ration for the Constitution. The Union, cemented by the 
 blood of the American people, is endeared to our best affec- 
 tions, and prized as an invaluable legacy bequeathed to us 
 and our posterity by the founders of our empire. 
 
 "The people of this state were among the first to adopt the 
 (Constitution. Having shared largely in its blessings, and 
 confidently trusting that under the guardianship of the peo- 
 ple, and of the states, it will be found competent to the objects 
 of its institution, in all the various vicissitudes of our aflairs, 
 they will be the last to abandon the high hopes it aflbrds of the 
 future prosperity and glory of our country. 
 
 " These sentiments of attachment to the Union and to the 
 Constitution, are believed to be common to the American 
 people, and those who express and disseminate distrust of 
 their fidelity to both or either, we cannot regard as the most 
 discreet of their friends. 
 
 "Unfortunately our country is now involved in that awful 
 conflict which has desolated the fairest portions of Europe. 
 Between the belligerents, Great Britain is selected for our 
 enemy. We are not the apologists of the wrongs of foreign 
 nations — we inquire not as to the comparative demerits of 
 their respective decrees or orders. We will never deliberate 
 on the choice of a foreign master. The aggressions of both 
 nations ought to have been met at the onset, by a system of 
 defensive protection commensurate to our means, and 
 adapted to the crisis. Other counsels prevailed, and that 
 system of commercial restrictions, which before had dis- 
 tressed the people of Europe, was extended to our country. 
 We became parties to the continental system of the French 
 emperor. Whatever its pressure may have been elsewhere, 
 
480 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT, 
 
 on our citizens it has operated witii intolerable severity and 
 hardship. 
 
 " In the midst of these sufferings, war is declared, and that 
 nation of the two is selected as a foe, which is capable of in- 
 flicting the greatest injury. In this selection we view, with 
 the greatest solicitude, a tendency to entangle us in an alli- 
 ance with a nation which has subverted every republic in 
 Europe, and whose connections, wherever formed, have been 
 fatal to civil liberty. 
 
 " Of the operation of her decrees on the American com- 
 merce, it is not necessary here to remark. The repeal of 
 them, promulgated in this country since the declaration of 
 war, virtually declares that the American government was 
 not to be trusted. Insult is thus added to injury. 
 
 "Should a continuance of this war exclude our sea-faring 
 and mercantile citizens from the use of the ocean, and our 
 invaluable institutions be sacrificed by an alliance with 
 France, the measure of our degradation and wretchedness 
 would be full. 
 
 "War, always calamitous, in this case portentous of great 
 evils, enacted against a nation powerful in her armies, and 
 without a rival on the ocean, cannot be viewed by us but 
 with the deepest regret. A nation without fleets, without 
 armies, with an impoverished treasury, with a frontier by 
 sea and land extending many hundred miles, feebly defended, 
 waging a war, hath not first "counted the cost." 
 
 "By the Constitution of the United States, the power of 
 declaring war is vested in Congress. They have declared 
 war against Great Britain. However much this measure is 
 regretted, the General Assembly, ever regardful of their duty 
 to the General Government, will perform all those obligations 
 resulting from this act. With this view, they have at this 
 session provided for the more effectual organization of the 
 military force of this state, and a supply of the munitions of 
 war. These will be employed, should the public exigencies 
 require it, in defense of this state, and of our sister states, 
 in compliance with the Constitution — and it is not to be 
 
[1S12.] THE WAK. 481 
 
 doubted, but that the citizens of this state will be found, at 
 the constitutional call of their country, among the foremost 
 in its defense. 
 
 "To the United States is delegated the power, to call forth 
 the militia to execute the laws, to suppress insurrection, and 
 to repel invasions. To the states respectively is reserved 
 the entire control of the militia, except in the cases specified. 
 In this view of that important provision of the Constitution, 
 the legislature fully accord with the decision of his excellency 
 the governor, in refusing to comply with the requisition of the 
 General Government for a portion of the militia. While it 
 is to be regretted that any ditlerence of opinion on that sub- 
 ject should have arisen, the conduct of the chief magistrate 
 of this state, in maintaining its immunities and privileges, 
 meets our cordial approbation. The legislature also enter- 
 tain no doubt that the militia of the state will, under the 
 direction of the captain-general, be ever ready to perform 
 their duty to the state and nation, in peace or war. They 
 are aware that in a protracted war, the burden upon the 
 militia may become almost insupportable, as a spirit of ac- 
 quisition and extension of territory appears to influence the 
 councils of the nation, which may require the employment of 
 the whole regular forces of the United States in foreign con- 
 quest, and leave our maritime frontier defenseless, or to be 
 protected solely by the militia of the states. 
 
 "At this period of anxiety among all classes of citizens, we 
 learn with pleasure, that a prominent cause of the war is 
 removed by a late measure of the British cabinet. The re- 
 vocation of the orders in council, it is hoped, will be met by 
 a sincere spirit of conciliation on the part of our administra- 
 tion, and speedily restore to our nation the blessings of a solid 
 and honorable peace. 
 
 "In the event of the continuance of the war, the legisla- 
 ture rely on the people of Connecticut, looking to Him 
 who holds the destinies of empires in Ilis hands, to maintain 
 those institutions which their venerable ancestors estab- 
 lished, to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges 
 
 63 
 
482 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 which their fathers acquired and which are consecrated by 
 their blood." 
 
 Although our people had steadily opposed the principles 
 and measures that had led to the declaration of war, yet 
 when they saw the country actually involved in the contest, 
 they had too much patriotism to remain inactive. At the 
 same session of the legislature that originated and sent forth 
 this document, the quarter-master-general was authorized 
 and directed to purchase for the state, in addition to the 
 arms and artillery that had already been contracted for, "three 
 thousand muskets, three thousand cartouch boxes, eight 
 pieces of brass artillery of six pound calibre, and the neces- 
 sary apparatus, six thousand pounds of powder, seventy 
 thousand flints, and five tons of musket balls." A military 
 force was also ordered to be forthwith raised in the state, to 
 consist of two regiments of infantry, four companies of artil- 
 lery, and four companies of cavalry, "to hold themselves in 
 readiness for the defense of the state, to enforce the laws of 
 the Union, to suppress insurrections and repel invasions, dur- 
 ing the present war, — subject only, to the order of the com- 
 mander-in-chief of this state." 
 
 This resolve of the legislature, together with the previous 
 action of Governor Griswold, which was in strict accordance 
 with the wishes and intentions of the Assembly as above ex- 
 pressed, was the occasion of much remark at the time, and 
 attempts have since been made to cast reproach upon the 
 state for the stand she took on that occasion. Whether the 
 measures pursued by our state were worthy of praise or 
 blame, it is proper to remark, that our harbors and shipping 
 were in a most exposed condition ; the fortifications along 
 the coast had been neglected, and were decaying ; and most 
 of the regular troops had been withdrawn from the sea- 
 board.* It should be remembered, also, that even when 
 under a kingly government, the Connecticut troops were 
 usually enlisted with the express proviso that they should be 
 
 . . * iVudrews' Eulogy, p. 32. 
 
[1812] STATE RIGHTS. 483 
 
 under the command of their own officers, and their wishes in 
 this particular had been generally acceded to. A similar 
 feeling seems to have still existed not only among the soldiers 
 but on the part of the state authorities. The governor, there- 
 fore, had refused to comply with a requisition from General 
 Dearborn, for troops to be under the command of officers of 
 the regular army, on the two-fold ground that the constitu- 
 tional exigencies authorizing such a call did not exist, and 
 that the militia "could not be compelled to serve under any 
 other than their own officers, with the exception of the presi- 
 dent himself when personally in the field." He argued, 
 that by the Constitution of the United States, the entire con- 
 trol of the militia is given to the state governments, except 
 in certain specified contingencies, viz., "to execute the laws 
 of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions ;" 
 and as he contended that neither of these exigences actually 
 existed, he could not constitutionally answer the call made 
 upon him. In this decision he was fully sustained by the 
 council, which consisted of the lieutenant-governor and 
 twelve assistants."* That Governor Griswold and the 
 council of Connecticut carried the doctrine of "state rights" 
 farther than a true regard to the interests and powers of the 
 confederacy will justify, is now pretty generally conceded, at 
 least at the north. But if they erred in one direction, it is 
 equally true that the course of the national government was 
 not altogether in accordance with the dictates of justice. As 
 if to revenge upon New England for her opposition to the 
 war and the measures that had led to it, her six hundred 
 
 * The question vvliether the governor of a state had a riglit to decid(,' in regard 
 to the existence of the exigences contemplated by the Constitution of the United 
 States, was referred by tlie autliorities of Massaeliusetts to the supreme court of 
 that state. The court gave its decision in the aflirmative. 
 
 At the session of the General Assembly in August, the following resolution was 
 passed. 
 
 " Resolved, Tliat tlic conduct of his excellency the governor, in refusing to 
 order the militia of this state into the service of the United States, on the requisi- 
 tion of the Secretary of War, and Major-General Dearborn, meets with the 
 entire approbation of this Assembly." 
 
484 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 miles of sea-coast had been left almost entirely defenseless. 
 Not only had the ships of war been withdrawn from our 
 waters, but the United States' troops that had, in times of 
 peace, been stationed at the forts along the coast, had been 
 ordered away — at a moment, too, when, in the w'ords of the 
 secretary of war, "there was imminent danger of the 
 invasion of the country."* 
 
 I have deemed it incumbent upon me to say thus much on 
 a subject that once elicited much attention throughout the 
 Union, and concerning which many misrepresentations have 
 gone abroad. The militia of the state, in large numbers, 
 were frequently called out, not only for purposes of self- 
 defense, but for the defense of the property of the United 
 States. At New London, they were long employed in pro- 
 tecting the government squadron. The only ground of con- 
 tention was, whether the militia of the state should be 
 under the command and control of the state or of the United 
 States. 
 
 At the same time, the gallantry of Captain Hull, on the 
 ocean, was a theme of general admiration throughout the 
 country. His noble frigate, the Constitution, rode the waves 
 "like a thing of life," outstripping the fleetest sails of the 
 enemy in the chase, f while her heroic commander seemed to 
 defy the thunders of the boasted mistress of the seas. 
 During the month of August, Captain Hull had captured 
 several prizes, and on the 15th of that month, he achieved 
 his celebrated victory in the capture of the Guerriere, com- 
 manded by Captain Dacres, one of the ships that had so lately 
 chased the Constitution off' the New York coast. Taking 
 on board the remnant of the officers and crew, as prisoners 
 of war, together with the sick and wounded. Captain Hull 
 set fire to the wreck of the Guerriere, and returned to Bos- 
 
 * Letter from secretary Eustis, to Lieutenant-Governor Smith, of Connecticut, 
 dated July 14th, 1812. 
 
 t On one occasion, the Constitution was chased for three days and three nights 
 by some eight or ten British ships of war. They were all at last compelled to 
 abandon the pursuit. 
 
[1812.] GOVERNOR GRISWOLD. 485 
 
 ton, where he arrived on the 30th. "It is not easy," says 
 Cooper,* " at this distant day, to convey to the reader the full 
 force of the moral impression created in America b}^ this vic- 
 tory of one frigate over another. So deep had been the 
 effect produced on the pubhc mind by the constant account 
 of the successes of the English over their enemies at sea, 
 that the opinion of their invincibility on that element gener- 
 ally prevailed ; and it had been publicly predicted that, before 
 the contest had continued six months, British sloops of war 
 would lie along side of American frigates with comparative 
 impunity. But the termination of the combat just related, 
 far exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine." The 
 loss of the Constitution was only seven killed, and seven 
 wounded. On the other hand, the Guerriere was completely 
 dismasted, had seventy-nine men killed and wounded, and, 
 according to the statement of her commander, when on trial 
 before a court-martial for the loss of his ship, "she had 
 received no less than thirty shots as low as five sheets of 
 copper beneath the bands. "f 
 
 During the sitting of the October session, his excellency, 
 Governor Griswold, died at his residence in Norwich. He 
 was a gentleman of high character and commanding talents ; 
 a true patriot, wise in council, and efBcient in action. His 
 decease, particularly at that interesting period of our history, 
 was felt to be a public calamity. J The Lieutenant-Governor, 
 
 * " Naval History," vol. ii. p. 56, 57. 
 
 + In October, 1817, the lefjislature of this state " Resolved, That they enter- 
 tain a high and respectful sense of the virtues, gallantry, and naval skill of their 
 fellow-citizen, Commodore Isaac Hull, that an elegant sword, and pair of i)istols, 
 both mounted with gold, with suitable inscriptions, and manufactured in tliis state, 
 be procured ; and that his excellency the governor, be respectfully requested to 
 present the same to the commodore, with a copy of this resolve, as honorary tokens 
 of the high esteem in which he is held by the people of this state, for his personal 
 worth and public services : and that his excellency be requested to do tliis in a 
 manner which he shall deem most expressive of the sincerity of that csti'em." 
 
 J The Hon. Roger Griswold, LL. D., was a .son of the Hon. Matthew Griswold 
 formerly governor of the state, and was born in Lyme, May '21, 17G2. Having 
 graduated at Yale College, and completed his professional studies, he commenced 
 the practice of law iu Norwich, in 1783, and soon became an eminent advocate. 
 
4i6 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 John Cotton Smith, became the acting governor, and in May 
 following, he was duly elected to that office. 
 
 On the 4th of December, Commodore Decatur, wath the 
 frigate United States, attended by his prize, the Macedonia, 
 came into New London harbor. In April following, a 
 formidable British fleet passed through the Sound. The 
 British flag was raised on Block Island, while Sir Thomas 
 Hardy, in the flag-ship Ramillies, with other vessels, cruised 
 along the coast. On the 1st of June, Decatur's squadron, 
 consisting of the frigates United States and Macedonia, and 
 the sloop-of-war Hornet, having sailed from New York, 
 attempted to pass out to sea by way of Montauk, but were 
 arrested in their progress near the entrance to the Soui>J by 
 Commodore Hardy, and driven into New London harbor. 
 The enemy's ships anchored off" Gull Island, so as to com- 
 mand the mouth of the river, and completely blockaded the 
 port. The British fleet having been soon after augmented 
 by the arrival of two ships of the line, two frigates, and 
 several smaller vessels, it was anticipated that the enemy would 
 either bombard the city, or sail up the river and attack the 
 American squadron. The militia from the neighborhood 
 were summoned to the coast, the specie of the banks was 
 conveyed to Norwich, and the women and children, together 
 with such valuables as could readily be removed, were car- 
 ried back into the country. Great anxiety and confusion 
 prevailed for several days in New London, nor could quiet 
 be restored until it was ascertained that the enemy had 
 
 la 1792, when but thirty-two years of age, he was elected to Congress, and re- 
 mained a member of that body for a period of ten years. In 1801, he was nomin- 
 ated for the post of Secretary of AVar, buthedechned to accept it. In 1807, ho was 
 appointed a judge of the superior court ; in 1809, he was chosen heutenant-gov- 
 ernor ; and in 1811, he became governor of the state. He died at Norwich, Oct. 
 25, 1812, aged fifty years. 
 
 The legislature appointed Calvin Goddard, Theodore Dwight, and Frederick 
 Wolcott, of the Council, and Messrs. D. Humphrey, Putnam, Sherwood, and N. 
 Terry, of the House, a committee to attend the funeral. Elizur Goodrich, A. Smith, 
 Hubbard, and Caldwell, were appointed a committee to make arrangements for 
 suitable public services in Hartford ; and the Hon. David Daggett, was chosen to 
 pronounce a funeral eulogy. 
 
[1813.] THE TORPEDO. 487 
 
 selected their anchorage ground about five miles from the 
 city. Even then, as the blockade was kept up, a reinforce- 
 ment or any unusual movement among the ships, was sulHcient 
 to ai'ouse the suspicions of the people, and not unfrequently 
 occasioned great alarm. The American ships having been 
 taken as far up the river as possible, Decatur threw up 
 intrenchments on Allyn's mountain, from which point he 
 had a fine view of the harbor.* 
 
 Toward the latter part of June, an American schooner 
 called the Eagle, had been fitted out as a kind of torpedo 
 vessel, and sent into the Sound. As she had a show of naval 
 stores on board, she was captured by the British a short dis- 
 tance west of New London — the crew having effected their 
 escape to the shore in the small boats. The captors attempted 
 to tow their prize up to the Ramillies, but not succeeding 
 in this, they anchored her about three-fourths of a mile from 
 that vessel. In three hours after her seizure, the Eagle blew 
 up with a tremendous explosion, throwing a shower of pitch 
 and tar upon the Ramillies, and filling the air with timbers 
 and stones. A second lieutenant, and ten men, who were on 
 board, were instantly killed, and several men in the small 
 boats were badly wounded. The hold of the Eagle, under 
 the appearance of ballast, contained four hundred ])ounds of 
 powder, with a quantity of ponderous stones, and destructive 
 implements, together with a secret piece of mechanism, which 
 wiien set in motion, would explode in a given length of 
 time.f 
 
 In consequence of this event, the blockade was extended 
 to vessels and boats of every descri])tion, and was kept up with 
 more rigor than ever. 
 
 About the same time, General Burbeck, in obedience to 
 the orders of the General Government, arrived from New- 
 port, and assumed the military command of the district. As 
 the governor and legislature claimed the control of the militia 
 
 * Caulkins' New London. 
 
 t Caulkins' Ilist. of New J^onJou. This was one of Eushnfll's " Anicrieau 
 Turtks." 
 
488 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 of the state, the troops stationed at New London, numbering 
 about one thousand, were dismissed on the 12th of July, by 
 order of the secretary of war, and the town was left without 
 a single soldier on duty. Simultaneously with this event, it 
 was ascertained that the fleet of the enemy had been rein- 
 forced, and as the firing of cannon had commenced on board 
 the ships, the greatest panic was excited among the people 
 on shore. They charged the General Government with hav- 
 ing betrayed them, and purposely left them to destruction. 
 General Burbeck himself appears to have participated in the 
 alarm, and at once applied to the governor for a temporary 
 force, who authorized General Williams to call to his aid 
 as many of the militia as the circumstances of the case might 
 seem to demand. 
 
 Commodore Decatur, tired of the inglorious idleness forced 
 upon him by the blockade, had long meditated a plan of 
 escape. During the months of October and November, his 
 ships had been quietly dropping down the river toward New 
 London, and by the 1st of December, they were anchored in 
 the harbor, opposite market wharf, where everything was put 
 in the best trim for sailing. His designs were, so far as pos- 
 sible, kept a profound secret, both from friend and foe. The 
 night of the 12th of December, which had been fixed upon 
 for the attempt, proved to be dark and the wind favorable, 
 and as soon as the tide turned they were to set sail. While 
 thus waiting, word was brought to Decatur, that at different 
 times between eight and ten o'clock, blue lights had been seen 
 on both sides of the river, near its mouth. It was imagined 
 by the timid, that they were designed as signals to the enemy 
 to be on their guard. The Commodore gave heed to the 
 stories, instantly relinquished his plan of escape, and never 
 again attempted it. 
 
 The story of the "blue lights" was eagerly circulated 
 throughout the country, and an attempt was made to cast re- 
 proach upon Connecticut, by stigmatizing her citizens as 
 traitors. It is to be lamented that in some instances the 
 partizan press of a later day, within our own borders, for the 
 
BLUE LIGHTS. 489 
 
 accomplishment of party ends, have not scrupled to reiterate 
 the statement, and attempt to fasten the stigma of treachery 
 upon the state. It may be difiicult, at this distance 
 of time, to decide upon the facts in the case. That the 
 story was confidently denied and disbelieved by many 
 of the most intelligent persons in New London, at a 
 time when all the facts and circumstances that could be 
 elicited on the subject, were fresh in the minds of the public, 
 of itself aflords sufficient grounds for a reasonable doubt in 
 the case. It was averred that "accidental lights kindled by 
 fishermen, or the gleams from country windows, or reflec- 
 tions from the heavens upon water, might have been mista- 
 ken for treasonable signs.''* But even if the lights were 
 designed as a warning to the enemy, it does not follow that 
 they were kindled by the torch of the traitor. The officers 
 and soldiers of the British fleet had free access to tlie city, 
 and to the adjacent coast. " It was rumored," says Miss 
 Caulkins, "that spies were often in town, under various dis- 
 guises, and that suspicious persons appeared and disappeared 
 strangely." It is not unreasonable to infer that officers from 
 the fleet might have mingled with the crowds of anxious citi- 
 zens who daily gathered at the corners of the streets, in the 
 hotels, or other public places — that they secretly watched 
 the movements of Decatur and his men — that they ascer- 
 tained their intentions of attempting to escape during that 
 very night. If "traitors" could contrive to possess them- 
 selves of the secret, why might not an accomplished spy do 
 it? Certain it is, that no attempt was ever made to fasten 
 the treasonable act upon any citizen of Connecticut, nor does 
 it appear that any person was ever suspected of being con- 
 cerned in it. 
 
 All the vessels of the American squadron withdrew up the 
 Thames early in the spring, except the Hornet, which re- 
 mained at New London, and in November, 1814, managed 
 to pass the blockading fleet, and reached New York in 
 safety. 
 
 * History of New London. 
 
490 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Several spirited adventures took place on our coast during 
 the war. Frequently a sloop or schooner would be pursued 
 by the enemy's ships into some one of our many harbors or 
 inlets, and the people on shore would rally to defend it. The 
 sloop Victory, having been chased into Mystic, in June, 1813, 
 a party of fifteen men, under the command of Jeremiah 
 Haley, drove otT the enemy alter an action of fifteen minutes. 
 The sloop Roxana, in November, was thus driven ashore 
 near the light-house, by three British barges ; and in half an 
 hour a crowd of people had assembled to rescue her. The 
 enemy, after setting fire to their prize, escaped. The Ameri- 
 cans attempted to extinguish the flames, but were prevented 
 by a heavy cannonade from the ships. 
 
 The historian of New London mentions the singular 
 fact, that Captain John Howard, of the packet sloop Juno, 
 continued to pass back and forth between New London and 
 New York, during the whole war, in spite of the vigilance 
 of the blockading squadron. He usually chose a dark or 
 stormy night for leaving or entering the harbor, and was al- 
 ways successful in passing the blockade, notwithstanding he 
 was narrowly watched by the enemy. Four cannon were kept 
 constantly loaded on his deck, and he carried with him an 
 ample supply of ammunition, and shot. He was often way- 
 laid and pursued, but a spirited discharge of his guns had the 
 desired effect in keeping the assailants at a respectful dis- 
 tance, though he was once driven into Saybrook, and had 
 his mast shot away. 
 
 Meanwhile the citizens of Stonington were kept in a state 
 of constant alarm, growing out of the fact that the British 
 employed in the blockade of New London, were in full view 
 from the village, and their boats almost daily reconnoitered 
 along the coast. They transmitted an earnest appeal to 
 Congress for assistance and protection, but without avail. 
 Governor Smith sent them a small guard of militia, to aid 
 them in keeping a nightly watch ; and the citizens threw up 
 temporary breastworks in different positions, on one of which 
 a flag-staff was planted and a platform erected for the recep- 
 
[1814.] BOMBARDMENT OF STONINGTON. 491 
 
 tion of their two eighteen-pounders. On the 9th of 
 August, 1814, tlie ships of tiie enemy were seen entering 
 Stonington harbor. They were the Ramiliies, the frigate 
 Pactolus, the bomb-ship Terror, and the brig-of-war Desi)atch. 
 Casting anchor, a barge put off from the nearest shij) ibr the 
 shore, bearing a white Hag. Several gentlemen immediately 
 entered a boat and proceeded to receive the Hag. The offi- 
 cer of the barge presented them with the following conmiu- 
 nication, and immediately returned to his ship. 
 
 "His Britannic Majesty's ship Pactolus, 
 
 "9th of August, 1814, half-past 5, P. M. 
 "Not wishing to destroy the unoffending inhabitants resid- 
 ing in the town of Stonington, one hour is granted them 
 from the receipt of this, to remove out of town. 
 
 "T. M. Hardy, 
 "Captain of his Majesty's ship Ramiliies." 
 
 The consternation which followed this message, especially 
 among the women, and children, can hardly be imagined. 
 The fearful import of the communication, the overwhelming 
 force of the enemy, the defenseless condition of the town, 
 and the brief space of time allowed for the removal of their 
 families, and to prepare for the conflict, were considerations 
 which forced themselves upon all, and for a moment seemed 
 to appal the stoutest heart. Soon, however, the citizens 
 began to recover their self-possession, and before the hour 
 had elapsed, a goodly number of bold volunteers had taken 
 possession of the breastworks, and were watching the move- 
 ments of the enemy, while others were employed in collect- 
 ing whatever ammunition could be found in the possession of 
 individuals. 
 
 About eight o'clock in the evening, the Terror began the 
 bombardment, and continued all night to throw fire-bombs 
 and carcasses into the town. At daylight on the lollowing 
 morning, the barges drew up on the east side of the village, 
 and commenced firing rockets at the buildings. "I'lie Ston- 
 ington volunteers dragged one of their guns across the point, 
 
492 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 opened a fire upon the barges, sunk one of them, compelled 
 the others to retire, and then returned to their intrenchments 
 in safety. The brig of war and the Terror, about sunrise, 
 commenced firing upon the town, and discharging rockets, 
 shells, and carcasses. While some of the citizens were man- 
 ning the guns, others were following the rockets and car- 
 casses wherever they might strike, for the purpose of extin- 
 guishing the fires that they kindled. At last their ammuni- 
 tion failed the artillerists, and they were compelled to sus- 
 pend their firing until the express which they had sent to 
 New London should return. At eleven o'clock, A. M., to 
 their great joy, the messenger arrived. Nailing their 
 colors to the staff', they renewed their fire with such 
 eflfect that the brig, to avoid being sunk, cut her cables and 
 retired.* 
 
 The bombardment continued until the third day, when 
 Commodore Hardy sent a flag on shore, with a message, 
 demanding that Mrs. Stewart, the British consul's wife, 
 should be sent on board his ship, and that the inhabitants 
 should give a pledge that they would set afloat no more tor- 
 pedoes to annoy his vessels ! He promised, if these terms 
 were complied with, that the bombardment should cease. In 
 reply, he was told that his requisitions could not be.regarded, 
 and that they asked no favors of him beyond what the rules 
 of honorable warfare required. The ships renewed their fire, 
 and kept it up until noon on Friday, the fourth day t)f the 
 siege, when the enemy retired to their old quarters oft' New 
 London, with little cause to boast of the success of their 
 expedition. 
 
 When we consider all the circumstances of the attack, the 
 gallant defense, and the length of time employed in the bom- 
 bardment, it is a matter of surprise that not a single individual 
 in the town was killed. One young man received a wound 
 in the knee and died six months afterward. Though the 
 vigilance of the citizens prevented conflagration, several 
 
 * The anchor and cable, which were left behind are still preserved. 
 
[1814.] LAKE CIIAMPLAIN. 493 
 
 buildings were badly shattered, and some were wholly 
 destroyed.* 
 
 During the year 1814, General Burbeck was removed to 
 another station, and General Thomas II. Gushing was ap- 
 pointed to the command of this military district. f 
 
 In the spring of 1813, Gaptain McDonough had taken 
 command of the American fleet on Lake Ghamplain, and 
 from his well known spirit, energy, and bravery, much was 
 expected of him. No decisive action, however, occurred on 
 the lake until in the month of September, 1814. Early in 
 that month, Sir George Provost, the English commander-in- 
 chief, advanced against Plattsburg, then held by Brigadier- 
 General Macomb. The English army, consisting of about 
 twelve thousand men, was divided into four brigades, led by 
 Lieutenant-General de Rottenburg, and Majors General 
 Brisbane, Power, and Robinson. The British fleet on the 
 lake was commanded by Captain Downie, and numbered six- 
 teen vessels of various kinds, mounting ninety-five or ninety- 
 six guns, and carrying one thousand men. The total force 
 of the Americans on the lake, consisted of fourteen vessels, 
 mounting eighty-six guns, and containing eight hundred and 
 fifty men. Captain McDonough had the personal command of 
 the Saratoga, while Captain Downie's own ship was the Confi- 
 ance, the largest craft in his fleet. On the 11th of Septem- 
 ber, a fierce conflict ensued between the two fleets, which 
 resulted in the capture, by McDonough, of one frigate, one 
 brig, and two sloops of war. The loss of the Americans, in 
 killed, and wounded, was one hundred and twelve ; that of 
 the enemy something over two hundred. 
 
 Sir George Provost, on hearing the fate of the British 
 squadron, made a precipitate retreat, leaving behind him 
 
 * Hist, of New London. 
 
 t Genonil Henry BurbL'ck, became a resident of New London soon after the 
 war, and died there Oct. 2, 1848, aged ninety-four. General Gushing, a native 
 of Massachusetts, entered the army in 177(5, and continued in the service until 
 1815, when he was appointed collector of the port of New London. He died 
 Oct. 19, 1822, aged sixty-seven. 
 
494 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. " • ." 
 
 much of his heavy artillery, stores, and supplies. From that 
 moment to the end of the war, our northern fz'ontier remained 
 unmolested.* 
 
 Besides the usual medal from Congress, and various com- 
 pliments and gifts from different towns and states. Captain 
 McDonough was promoted for his services, and the legisla- 
 ture of New York presented him with a small estate on the 
 lake shore overlooking the scene of his triumph. * * 
 
 Commodore McDonough was a son of a physician in New 
 Castle county, Delaware. When quite young, he obtained a 
 midshipman's warrant, and sailed for the Mediterranean. 
 During the whole of the war of 1812, he proved himself an 
 efficient officer. He resided at Middletown, Conn., where 
 he died, Nov. 10, 1825, aged thirty-nine. In May, 1819, the 
 legislature of Connecticut voted, that "a pair of pistols, with 
 suitable devices, and manufactured in this state, which now 
 claims the hero as her son, be procured, and that his excel- 
 lency the governor, be respectfully requested to present them 
 to Commodore McDonough, with a copy of this resolution, 
 in such manner as he shall judge most expressive of their 
 gratitude and esteem." 
 
 At the October session of the Connecticut legislature, the 
 governor was desired to purchase for the use of the state, six 
 tons of powder, three tons of cannon shot, two thousand 
 stand of arms, and twenty-six cannon, with other suitable 
 implements, and materials for the use of the troops when on 
 duty. The Assembly also took into consideration a plan that 
 had been submitted to Congress by the secretary of war, for 
 filling up the regular army, which placed the militia and the 
 troops raised for the defense of the state, at the disposal of 
 the General Government. By the principles of the proposed 
 plan, the Assembly say, "our sons, brothers, and friends, are 
 made liable to be delivered, against their will, and by force, 
 to the marshalls and recruiting officers of the United States, 
 to be employed, not for our own defense, but for the conquest 
 of Canada, or upon any foreign service which the adminis- 
 
 * Cooper, ii. 224. 
 
[1S15.] PROPERTY ON OUR COAST. 495 
 
 tration might choose to send them." They further declare 
 the plan to be, *' not only intolerably burdensome and op- 
 pressive, but utterly subversive of the rights and liberties of 
 this state, and the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of 
 the same, and inconsistent with the principles of the consti- 
 tution of the United States." In case the offensive measure 
 should become a law of Congress, the governor was directed 
 forthwith to convene the legislature to consult on the mea- 
 sures to be adopted. 
 
 It is quite evident that the controversy between the admin- 
 istration and the New England states, be the blame where it 
 might, was now assuming an alarming character, and that 
 the eastern sea-coast, where were the oldest settlements, and 
 where was accumulated more property than lay on the whole 
 ocean-line from the Jersey shore to the gulf of Mexico, was 
 sadly exposed to the ships of a powerful nation that were 
 pirating along our borders, and, in defiance of the rules of 
 civilized warfare, were laying waste some of the finest towns 
 in the Union. What was the honest feeling that pervaded 
 the state at that time, may be gleaned from the following 
 extract from Governor Smith's speech to the General Assem- 
 bly, at the May session, 1814 : 
 
 " I am not informed that any effectual arrangements are 
 made by the national government to put our sea-coast into a 
 more respectable state of defense. Should the plan of the 
 last campaign be renewed, and especially should the war 
 retain the desolating character it has been made to assume, 
 the states on the Atlantic border cannot be insensible to the 
 dangers which await them. 'To provide for the common 
 defense' was an avowed, and it may with truth be said the 
 chief purpose for which the present constitution was formed. 
 How far this object is promoted by aiming at foreign con- 
 quest, and resigning our most wealthy and populous frontier 
 to pillage and devastation, becomes a momentous inquiry. 
 Whatever measures, gentlemen, you may think proper to 
 adopt on the occasion, I feel assured they will flow from an 
 equal regard to your own rights and to the interests of the 
 
496 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Union. In any event, I am persuaded that we shall place no 
 reliance on the forbearance of a declared enemy, and that if 
 the aid to which we are entitled is withheld, the means 
 which God has given us will be faithfully employed for our 
 safety."* 
 
 Massachusetts was no less alarmed than Connecticut, at 
 the situation of the eastern coast. In the summer of 
 1814, the English took possession of Castine, a town on the 
 Penobscot, and of all that part of Maine which lies to the 
 eastward of that river. News soon arrived in Boston, that 
 the enemy were preparing to invade Massachusetts. This, 
 among other causes of alarm, induced that state, through her 
 constituted authorities, to address a letter to the states of 
 Connecticut and Rhode Island, calling upon them " to 
 appoint delegates" to meet with those from other states to 
 deliberate upon the dangers then impending, and "to devise, 
 if practicable, means of security and defense which may be 
 consistent with the preservation of their resources from 
 total ruin, and adapted to their local situation, mutual 
 relations and habits, and 7iot repugnant to their obliga- 
 tions as members of tlte Union." Such were the avowed 
 motives that led to the call for the far-famed "Hartford 
 Convention." 
 
 The General Assembly was in session when this communi- 
 cation was received from Massachusetts, and immediately 
 appointed a committee to investigate the matters named in 
 it. Henry Champion was chairman of the committee, a 
 man of an original type of intellect and character, and 
 capable of expressing his thoughts in a strong nervous 
 style, of which the following extracts afford a good 
 illustration : 
 
 "The condition of this state demands the most serious 
 attention of the legislature. We lately enjoyed, in common 
 with the other members of the national confederacy, the 
 blessings of peace. The industry of our citizens, in every 
 
 * See Appendix to the Eulogy of Governor Smith, by the Rev. William W. 
 Andrews, of Kent. ,i 
 
[1S14.] HENRY CHAMPION. 497 
 
 department of active life, was abundantly rewarded ; our 
 cities and villages exhibited indications of increasing wealth; 
 and the foreign relations of the Union secured our safety and 
 nourished our prosperity. 
 
 "The scene is now reversed. We are summoned to the 
 field of war, and to surrender our treasures for our defense. 
 The fleets of a powerful enemy hover on our coasts, block- 
 ade our harbors, and threaten our towns and cities with fire 
 and desolation. 
 
 "When a commonwealth falls from a state of high pros- 
 perity, it behoves the guardians of its interests to inquire 
 into the cause of its decline, and, with dee^- solicitude, to seek 
 a remedy." 
 
 "Occupying a comparatively small territory, and naturally 
 associating, during the revolutionary war, with states whose 
 views were identified with ours, our interests and inclina- 
 tions led us to unite in the great national compact, since 
 defined and consolidated by the Constitution of the United 
 States. 
 
 "Thus driven from every object of our best hopes, and 
 
 bound to an inglorious struggle in defense of our dwellings 
 
 from a public enemy, we had no apprehension, much as we 
 
 had suffered from the national government, that it would 
 
 refuse to yield us such protection as its treasures might 
 
 afford. Much less could we doubt, that those disbursements, 
 
 which might be demanded of this state, would be passed to 
 
 our credit on the books of the treasury. Such, however, has 
 
 not been the course adopted by the national agents. All 
 
 supplies have been withdrawn from the militia of this state, 
 
 in the service of the United States. The groundless pretext 
 
 for this unwarrantable measure, was, their submission to an 
 
 officer assigned them by the commander-in-chief, in perfect 
 
 conformity with miUtary usage and the principles of a re- 
 
 64 
 
498 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 quest from the President himself, under which a party of 
 them were detached." # * * 
 
 "The people of this state have no disloyalty to the inte- 
 rests of the Union. For their fidelity and patriotism, they 
 may appeal with confidence to the national archives from 
 the commencement of the revolutionary war. 
 
 "In achieving the independence of the nation, they bore 
 an honorable part. Their contingent in men and money has 
 ever been promptly furnished, when constitutionally required. 
 Much as they lament the present unnatural hostilities with 
 Great Britain, they have, with characteristic obedience to 
 lawful authority, punctually paid the late taxes imposed by 
 the General Government. On every lawful demand of the 
 national executive their well-discij)lined militia have resorted 
 to the field. The public enemy, when invading their shores, 
 has been met at the water's edge and valiantly repulsed. 
 They duly appreciate the great advantages which would 
 result from the federal compact, were the government ad- 
 ministered according to the sacred principles of the constitu- 
 tion. They have not forgotten the ties of confidence and 
 affection, which bound these states to each other during their 
 toils for independence ; nor the national honor and commer- 
 cial prosperity which they mutually shared, during the happy 
 years of a good administration. They are, at the same 
 time, conscious of their rights and determined to defend 
 them. Those sacred liberties — those inestimable institutions, 
 civil, and religious, which their venerable fathers have 
 bequeathed to them — are, with the blessing of Heaven, to be 
 maintained at every hazard, and never to be surrendered by 
 tenants of the soil which the ashes of their ancestors have 
 consecrated. 
 
 "In what manner the multiplied evils, which we feel and 
 fear, are to be remedied, is a question of the highest moment, 
 and deserves the greatest consideration. The documents 
 transmitted by his excellency the governor of Massachusetts, 
 present, in the opinion of the committee, an eligible method 
 of combining the wisdom of New England, in devising, on 
 
[1814.] DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION. 499 
 
 full consultation, a proper course to be adopted, consistent 
 with our obligations to the United States."* 
 
 These brief extracts will show somethino; of the feelings of 
 the people of the state, and leave little doubt of the sincerity 
 at least of a writer who has had few equals in New England. 
 
 A resolution accompanied the report, appointing seven 
 delegates to represent the state at a convention to be held at 
 Hartford, on the 15th of December, 1814, there to confer 
 with delegates from Massachusetts, and such other New Eng- 
 land states as shall join in the enterprise, "for the pur])ose" 
 to use the words of the committee, "of devising and recom- 
 mending such measures for the safety and welfare of those 
 states as may he consistent ivith our obligations as vtembers of 
 the national Union.''' 
 
 The names of the men who were appointed delegates to 
 the convention, were Chauncey Goodrich, .John Treadwell, 
 James Hillhouse, Zephaniah Swift, Nathaniel Smith, Calvin 
 Goddard, and Roger Minott Sherman. 
 
 On the 15th of December, 1814, the convention met at 
 Hartford, and was composed of the following named gentle- 
 men, in addition to those from Connecticut. 
 
 Rhode Island. — Messrs. Daniel Lyman, Samuel Ward, 
 Benjamin Hazard, and Edward Manton. 
 
 Massachusetts. — Messrs. George Cabot, William Prescott, 
 Harrison Gray Otis, Timothy Bigelow, Nathan Dana, George 
 Bliss, Joshua Thomas, Hodijah Baylies, Daniel Waldo, 
 Joseph Lyman, Samuel S. Wilde, and Stephen Long- 
 fellow, Jr. 
 
 Neiv Hampshire. — Messrs. Benjamin West, and Mills 
 Olcott. 
 
 Vermont. — William Hall, Jr. 
 
 Having chosen the Hon. George Cabot, president, and 
 Theodore Dwight, secretary, the convention proceeded to 
 business, and after a session of about three weeks, they put 
 into the form of a report, the result of their proceedings. 
 After setting forth what they claimed to be the causes of 
 
 * Dwight's Hist, of " Hartford Convention." 
 
500 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 their grievances, they passed a series of resolutions which 
 were as follows : 
 
 "Resolved, That it be and hereby is recommended to the 
 legislatures of the several states represented in this conven- 
 tion, to adopt all such measures as may be necessary effectu- 
 ally to protect the citizens of said states from the operation 
 and effects of all acts which have been or may be passed by 
 the Congress of the United States, which shall contain pro- 
 visions, subjecting the militia or other citizens to forcible 
 drafts, conscriptions, or impressments, not authorized by the 
 Constitution of the United States. 
 
 "Resolved, That it be and hereby is recommended to the 
 said legislatures, to authorize an immediate and earnest appli- 
 cation to be made to the government of the United States, 
 requesting their consent to some arrangement, whereby the 
 said states may, separately or in concert, be empowered to 
 assume upon themselves the defense of their territory against 
 the enemy; and a reasonable portion of the taxes, collected 
 within said states, may be paid into the respective treasuries 
 thereof, and appropriated to the payment of the balance due 
 said states, and to the future defense of the same. The 
 amount so paid into the said treasuries to be credited, and the 
 disbursements made as aforesaid to be charged to the United 
 States. 
 
 " Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the 
 legislatures of the aforesaid states, to pass laws (where it has 
 not already been done,) authorizing the governors or com- 
 manders-in-chief of their militia to make detachments from 
 the same, or to form voluntary corps, as shall be most con- 
 venient and conformable to their constitutions, and to cause 
 the same to be well armed, equipped, and disciplined, and 
 held in readiness for service ; and upon the request of the 
 governor of either of the other states, to employ the whole of 
 such detachment or corps, as well as the regular forces of 
 the state, or such part thereof as may be required and can 
 be spared consistently with the safety of the state, in 
 assisting the state making such request, to repel any 
 
[1814.] RESOLUTIONS. 501 
 
 invasion thereof which shall be made or attempted by the 
 public enemy. 
 
 " Resolved, That the following amendments of the Consti- 
 tution of the United States be recommended to the states. 
 represented as aforesaid, to be proposed by them for adoption 
 by the state legislatures, and in such cases as may be deemed 
 expedient, by a convention chosen by the people of each state. 
 
 "And it is further recommended, that the said states shall 
 persevere in their efforts to obtain such amendments, until 
 the same shall be effected. 
 
 "First, Representatives and direct taxes shall be appor- 
 tioned among the several states which may be included 
 within this Union, according to their respective numbers 
 of free persons, including those bound to serve for a term 
 of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, and all other 
 persons. 
 
 '^Second, No new state shall be admitted into the Union 
 by Congress, in virtue of the power granted by the constitution, 
 without the concurrence of two-thirds of both houses. 
 
 " Thv'd, Congress shall not have power to lay any 
 embargo on the ships or vessels of the citizens of the 
 United States, in the ports or harbors thereof, for more than 
 sixty days. 
 
 "Fourth, Congress shall not have power, without the con- 
 currence of two-thirds of both houses, to interdict the com- 
 mercial intercourse between the United States and any 
 foreign nation or the dependencies thereof. 
 
 "Fifth, Congress shall not make or declare war, or author- 
 ize acts of hostility against any foreign nation, without the 
 concurrence of two-thirds of both houses, except such acts 
 of hostility be in defense of the territories of the United 
 States when actually invaded. 
 
 " Sixth, No person who shall hereafter be naturalized, shall 
 be eligible as a member of the senate or house of represen- 
 tatives of the United States, nor capable of holding any civil 
 office under the authority of the United States. 
 
 " Seventh, The same person shall not be elected president 
 
502 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 of the United States a second time ; nor shall the president 
 be elected from the same state two terms in succession. 
 
 "Resolved, That if the application of these states to the 
 government of the United States, recommended in a fore- 
 going resolution, should be unsuccessful, and peace should not 
 be concluded, and the defense of these states should be neg- 
 lected, as it has been since the commencement of the war, it 
 will, in the opinion of this convention, be expedient for the 
 legislatures of the several states to appoint delegates to an- 
 other convention, to meet at Boston, in the state of Massa- 
 chusetts, on the third Thursday of June next, with such pow- 
 ers and instructions as the exigency of a crisis so moment- 
 ous may require. 
 
 "Resolved, That the Hon. George Cabot, the Hon. Chaun-- 
 cey Goodrich, and the Hon. Daniel Lyman, or any two of 
 them, be authorized to call another meeting of this conven- 
 tion, to be holden in Boston, at any time before new delegates 
 shall be chosen, as recommended in the above resolution, if 
 in their judgment the situation of the country shall urgently 
 require it."* 
 
 This report, with the resolutions as above quoted, was 
 immediately published to the world, and, as was naturally to 
 be expected, filled the whole country with excitement. Some 
 hailed it with demonstrations of lively joy, and others with 
 hisses of derision ; some called it patriotic, others averred that 
 it was treasonable ; some made it their banner-cry, others 
 were ready under other banners to go out and give battle to 
 the men who dared to march under it. But the prevailing 
 voice of the country, it must be admitted, was against the 
 Hartford Convention. It had sat with closed doors, and 
 although in doubtful times the General Assembly of Connec- 
 ticut had always done so, although the very convention that 
 adopted the Constitution of the United States had done the 
 same, yet the delegates to the Hartford Convention were not 
 allowed to plead these precedents in answer to the charge 
 that secrecy was a badge of fraud. 
 
 * Vide Dwight's Hist. 
 
THE CHARACTER OF THE WITNESSES. 503 
 
 Now without attempting to vindicate that convention, the 
 fruitful mother of so many others that were possessed of few 
 of the attributes wliich it embodied, it is a duly devolving 
 upon the author of sucli a work as this, to inquire into the 
 motives of the delegates who composed it, and see if they 
 were criminal. It has been already asserted that the states 
 which they represented lelt themselves aggrieved. The 
 alleged motives of the state legislatures themselves, was to 
 provide for the safety of the eastern coast, acting under the 
 Constitution of the United States, and without doing any- 
 thing that should contravene the letter or the spirit of that 
 instrument. Again, the delegates themselves in their public 
 manifesto, declared that they were governed by the same 
 influences. But testimony is to be weighed by the triers not 
 only in accordance with the probabilities of the case, but the 
 character of the witnesses for veracity, good or bad, is to be 
 taken into the account. The witnesses to the honest motives 
 of the authors of the Hartford Convention, were no vulcar 
 men. 
 
 At the head of the Connecticut delegation stood his 
 honor Chauncey Goodrich, whose blanched locks and noble 
 features had long been conspicuous in the halls of national 
 legislation ; a gentleman whose character is identified with 
 truth and honor in all parts of the Union ; a gentleman of 
 whom Albert Gallatin was wont to say, that when he 
 endeavored to meet the arguments of his opponents, he was 
 accustomed to select that of Mr. Goodrich, as containing the 
 entire strength of all that could be said upon that side — feel- 
 ing that if he could answer him, he could maintain his cause; 
 a man of whom Jetferson, no mean judge of intellectual 
 strength, used playfully to say, "that wliite-headed senator 
 from Connecticut is by far the most powerful ojjponent I have 
 to my administration." 
 
 Next to him was James Ilillhousc, the great financier of the 
 state, who found our School Fund in darkness, and left it in light ; 
 the scholar and the father who superintended tlie early cul- 
 ture of that poet-boy, and laid the loundationsof that, bright and 
 
50i ' HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 glorious intellect, which in the bowers of "Sachem's Wood," 
 saw as in a vision the magnificent scenes of Hadad, and re- 
 ceived as guests in western groves, the spirits of oriental 
 oracle and song ; Hillhouse, the man of taste, who planted 
 the New Haven elms ; the native American, with Irish blood 
 in his veins — a man who like Washington never told a lie. 
 
 John Treadwell, was the third delegate, whose life was 
 filled with honors and usefulness. 
 
 The fourth was Swift, the first commentator upon the laws 
 of our little republic, of whom no lawyer in the United 
 States would dare to feign ignorance, lest he should put at 
 risk his professional reputation. 
 
 The Hon. Nathaniel Smith, was the fifth, whom the God 
 of Nature chartered to be great by the divine prerogative of 
 genius ; a jurist wiser than the books, whose words were so 
 loaded with convincing reasons that they struck an adversary 
 to the earth like blows dealt by a hand guantletted in steel ; 
 to listen to whom, when he spoke in the convention, Harri- 
 son Gray Otis turned back as he was leaving the chamber, 
 and stood ffazins; in silent admiration, unconscious of the 
 flight of time. 
 
 The sixth was Calvin Goddard, who long enjoyed the 
 reputation of being the most learned and successful lawyer 
 east of the Connecticut river ; an upright judge, a wise 
 counselor, an honest man. 
 
 Last, but not least of the Connecticut delegation, was 
 Roger Minott Sherman, a profound metaphysician, a scholar 
 equal to the younger Adams, one of the principal oracles of 
 the New York city bar for the last twenty years of his life, 
 who seemed more fitly than any other man to represent the 
 lawgiver, Roger Ludlow, and to inhabit the town which he had 
 planted, whose level acres he had sown with the quick seeds 
 of civil liberty and then left the up-springing crop to be 
 harvested by the sickle of his successor. 
 
 Such were the men from Connecticut, who took part with 
 men as nearly their equals as could be gathered from the 
 other eastern states, in the debates and deliberations of the 
 
[1814.] CnARACTER OP THE WITNESSES. 505 
 
 Hartford Convention. The grave has closed over them all. 
 In their lifetime they were kept from the councils of the 
 nation, because they had been unfortunate enough to be 
 designated by the General Assembly for the place that they 
 filled with such ability and integrity. Like a priesthood hon- 
 ored in their monastic retirement, but excluded from the field 
 where they were eminently fitted to shine, they passed the 
 rest of their days under a cloud. Let their conquerors be 
 generous. Let them not trample rudely upon the ashes nor 
 trifle with the fame of the strong men who were singled out 
 by the state as hostages to remain in exile for the policy, 
 demeanor, and future good faith, of those whom they 
 represented.* 
 
 * The Hon. Chauncey Goodrich was a son of the Rev. Elizur Goodrich, pastor 
 of the congregational church in Durham, Conn. A gentleman of tliorough 
 education and higli legal att^iinments,he was for many years an eminent advocate 
 at the Hartford bar, until called to serve his constituents in other fields of lionor- 
 able distinction. He was frequently a menilier of both branches of the Connec- 
 ticut legislature, besides being a representiitive in Congress, United States Sena- 
 tor, and lieutenant-governor. He died August 18, 1815. 
 
 The lion. .John Treadwell, of Farmington, was successively a representative, 
 councilor, judge of the court of common pleas, lieutenant-governor, and governor. 
 Distinguished for the simplicity of his manners, tlie uprightness and purity of his 
 life and character, his sound judgment, and unquestioned integrity, he enjoyed in 
 a remarkable degree the confidence of liis fellow citizens. He died August 19, 
 1S23, aged seventy-seven. 
 
 The -Hon. James Ilillliouse, of New Haven, was a representative and senator in 
 Congress for nearly twenty years. In tlie war of the revolution he had bravely 
 fought for his country, and through life he was esteemed for his integrity, patriot- 
 ism, and talents. IIu died in New Haven. 
 
 The Hon. Zephaniah Swift, of Windham, was long in public life, as a member 
 and Speaker of the House of Representatives, representative in Congress, j udge, 
 and chief judge of the supreme court of the state. He died Sept. 27, 1823, aged 
 sixty-four. 
 
 The following letter from the Hon. David S. Roardman, of New Milford, rela- 
 tive to Judge Smith, will be read with interest. There is no other person now 
 living who could have furnished such a sketch. 
 
 "New Milford, Jan. 7, 1855. 
 " Dear Sir, — Yesterday afternoon, I received a line from my friend. General 
 Sedgwick, stating that it was your desire that he would ask of me, in your behalf, 
 to furnish you with some facts in relation to the late Natlianiel Smith, and my 
 
606 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 In January, 1815, a special session was convened by the 
 governor, when it was resolved, that his excellency should 
 appoint two commissioners to proceed immediately to Wash- 
 views of his character, which might be of use to you iu the preparation of tho 
 work you have iu hand. 
 
 " I am of course aware that this application is owing to the accidental circum- 
 stance that I am the oldest if not the only member of the profession now living, 
 who liad much personal acquaintance with that truly able and excellent man, or 
 saw much of him in the exercise of his forensic or judicial talents. Judge Smith 
 was indeed one of nature's nobles, and considering the limited range of his early 
 education, he had few equals and perhaps no superior in the profession which he 
 chose, and which he eminently adorned. You are doubtless aware that Judge 
 Smith had only such an education in childhood and youth, as the common schools 
 of the country afforded at the time. It was such, however, as a boy of unusual 
 capacity and industrious habits would acquire from such a source, and such as, 
 under the guidance of uncommon discretion through life, rarely pei'mitted its 
 defects to be disclosed. 
 
 " When I first went to the Law School in Litchfield, which was in the fall of 
 1793, Mr. Smith, though not over thirty years old, was in full practice, and 
 engaged in almost every cause of any importance. Indeed, he was said to have 
 established a high reputation for talents in the first cause he argued in the higher 
 courts. It was upon a trial for manslaughter, which arose in his native town, 
 and in which he appeared as junior counsel, and astonished the court, the bar, 
 and all who heard him. Not long afterwards, in the celebrated case of Jedediah 
 Strong and wife, before the General Assembly, (she having applied for a divorce,) 
 he greatly distinguished himself again, and thus became known throughout the 
 state as a young lawyer of the first promise ; and the reputation thus early acquired 
 was never suffered to falter, but on the other hand, steadily increased in strength 
 until his elevation to tho bench. 
 
 " During my stay in Litchfield, and after my admission to the bar, I of course 
 saw Mr. Smith, and heard him in almost all the important cases there ; and as I 
 was located in the south-west corner town in the county, adjoining Fairfield, I 
 almost immediately obtained some business which, though small, was such as dur- 
 ing nearly all my professional life caused me to attend the courts in that county, 
 where I found Mr. Smith as fully engaged and as highly esteemed as in his own 
 countv. In New Haven I also know he had a very considerable practice. 
 
 " It is worthy also to bo observed, in forming an estimate of Mr. Smith's pro- 
 fessional talents and character, that there never at any period was an abler bar in 
 Connecticut, than during his practice. In Litchfield county, were Judge Reeve, 
 Judge Adams, General Tracy, John Allen, Judge Gould, N. B. Benedict, and 
 others ; at the Fairfield county bar, were Pierpont Edwards, Judge Ingcrsoll, and 
 Judge Daggett, constantly from New Haven, Judge Edmonds, S. B. Sherwood, R. 
 M. Sherman, Judge Chapman, and Governor Bissell ; and in New Haven, besides 
 the three above named, were James Hillhouse, Judge Baldwin, and others. 
 
 " As I suppose it not probable that you ever saw Judge Smith, as he ceased to 
 
[1S15.] GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPLICATED. 507 
 
 ington, under such instructions as the governor might think 
 proper to give them ; and earnestly supplicate the Ceneral 
 Government that Connecticut might be empowered to pro- 
 vide tor the detense ot" lier own territory, and that a reason- 
 attend courts in 1819, and died when you was very young, I will observe, what 
 you have doubtless heard, that ho was a large and fine appearing man, much of 
 the same complexion of the lion. Truman Smith, his nephew, with whom you are 
 so well acquainted ; less tall than lie, but of rather fuller habit. His face was not 
 only the index of high capacity, and solid judgment, but uncommonly handsome ; 
 his hair was dark and thin, thougli not to baldness, except on the fore part of his 
 head, and was very slightly sprinkled with gray. His fine, dark eyes, were re- 
 markably pleasing and gentle in ordinary intercourse, but very vaiiable, always 
 kindling when he began to speak in public, and, when highly excited in 
 debate, they became almost oppressive. His voice was excellent, being both 
 powerful and liarinonious, and never broke under any exertion of its capacity. 
 His manner was very ardent and the seeming dictate of a strong conviction of the 
 justice of his cause; and his gestures were the natural expression of such a con- 
 viction. Mr. Smith's style was pure and genuine Saxon, with no attempt at classic 
 ornament or allusion. His train of reasoning vv'as lucid and direct, and evincive 
 of the fact that the whole of it was like a map spread out in his mind's eye from 
 the beginning. His ingenuity was always felt and dreaded by his opponent. Ho 
 spoke with much fluency, but with no undue rapidity ; he never hesitated for or 
 haggled at a word, nor did he ever tire his audience with undue prolixity, or omit 
 to do full justice to his case for fear of tiring them ; and indeed there was little 
 danger of it. Though certainly a very fine speaker, ho never acliieved or aspired 
 to those strains of almost superhuman eloquence with which his old master Reeve, 
 sometimes electrified and astonished his audience, and yet, in ordinary cases, ha 
 was the most correct speaker of the two — though Judge Reeve was, and ho was 
 not, a scholar. Mr. Smitli, though quiie unassuming, and often receding in com- 
 mon intercourse and conversation, was, when heated in argument, it must be con- 
 fessed, often overbearing to the adverse party, and, not only to them, but to their 
 counsel. Upon all other occasions, he appeared to be, and I believe was, a very 
 kind hearted, agreeable and pleasant man. To me, he always so appeared, and I 
 have been much in his company. 
 
 " Mr. Smith came early into public life, and was frequently elected to the Gen- 
 eral Assembly from Woodbury. In 1795, he was elected a member of the fourth 
 Congress ; and in 1797, he was clioscn to the fifth Congress ; but declined further 
 election. In May, 1799, he was made an assistant, and was re-elected for the five 
 following years, when he resigned his seat at that board in consequence of the 
 passage of the act in 1803, prohibiting the members of tlie then supreme court of 
 errors from practicing before that court. He remained in full practice at the bar 
 until October, 1806, when he was elected a judge of the superior court, and con- 
 tinued to fill that office until May, 1819, when the judiciary establishment of that 
 year went into operation ; from which time he remained in private life until his 
 death. 
 
508 HISTOEY OF CONNECTICUT. ' 
 
 able portion of the taxes might be appropriated for that pur- 
 pose. Our senators and representatives in Congress, were 
 requested to cooperate with the commissioners in effecting 
 the object.* 
 
 In May, Nathaniel Terry, Seth P. Staples, and David 
 Deming, Esquires, were appointed a committee to revise 
 all the militia laws of the state. 
 
 From this time until the close of the war, few events of 
 general interest transpired, in which Connecticut partici- 
 pated. When the news of peace arrived in February, 1815, 
 Admiral Hotham commanded the blockading squadron off 
 New London. He immediately came on shore, and was 
 received with great courtesy by the civil authority and citi- 
 zens. On the 21st, the city was illuminated, and a festival 
 was held to which all the British officers on the coast were 
 invited. Those present, were Captains Aylmer, of the Pac- 
 tolus. Garland of the Superb, Gordon of the Narcissus, 
 Jayne, of the Arab, the commanders of the brigs Tenedos, 
 and Despatch, and ten or twelve officers of inferior rank. 
 Commodores Decatur and Shaw assisted in receiving the 
 
 " In every public station in which Mr. Smith was placed, he distinguished him- 
 self. He did so in Congress, at a time when our representation was as able, per- 
 haps, as it ever has been, and when the character of the house to which he 
 belonged was far higher than it now is. In the superior court he was certainly 
 very greatly respected and admired, as an able and perfectly upright judge. 
 
 " In private life his name was free from all reproach. A strictly honest and 
 pure life, free from any of those little blemishes which often mar the fame of dis- 
 tinguished men, may, I think, be fairly claimed by his biographer to be his due. 
 As a husband, a parent, a friend, a neighbor, a moralist, and a christian, I believe 
 few have left a more faultless name. 
 
 " If, sir, the foregoing facts and suggestions will be of any use to you, I shall feel 
 gratified in having furnished them. In the success of the undertaking in which 
 you are engaged, I feel an interest. It is one which has been quite too long 
 neglected. 
 
 " I am sir, very respectfully yours, 
 
 "D. S. BOARDMAN." 
 
 G. H. HoLLisTER, Esq. 
 
 * State Records, MS. Probably the tidings of peace, which reached this 
 country soon after, rendered it unnecessary for the commissioners to act under 
 this appointment. 
 
EXCHANGE OF SALUTES. 509 
 
 guests. On the 11th of March, the British ships left the 
 Sound, exchanging salutes with Fort Trumbull, and put out 
 to sea.* 
 
 The war having ended, the jarring interests of the State 
 and General Government were harmonized, and the bitter 
 partizan feelings which it engendered gradually gave place to 
 those of a more charitable and pacific nature. 
 
 * Caulkins' Hist. New London, pp. 636, 637. 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The narrative of this work, already extended beyond the 
 limits first assigned to it, is now drawing to a close. An 
 account of the constitution of 1639, the first written constitu- 
 tion of the world, has been given in a former chapter. The 
 varied fortunes of the republic under the charter of 1662, 
 have also been critically detailed. Upon the declaration of 
 independence, all the old political charters were severed 
 from the crown, the original fountain-head of executive 
 power, and lost at once their administrative force, except so 
 far as the people should suffer them to remain, and either for- 
 mally or tacitly adopt them as their own. Hence it was, 
 that with two exceptions, all the colonies which had been 
 concerned in that protracted but ultimately successful strug- 
 gle for liberty, cast off their charters, and falling back upon 
 the democratic basis elaborated by Roger Ludlow and 
 adopted by Connecticut in 1639, constructed for themselves, 
 with various modifications, paper constitutions, originating 
 with the people and recognizing their sovereignty. Connec- 
 ticut was one of those exceptions. It may at first seem 
 strange to the reader that she, who, in the infancy of her ex- 
 istence, had tasted the sweets of liberty, should allow others 
 to profit by her original example, while she clung to the 
 forms of the charter that had been granted by one king, with 
 as much tenacity as she had cut herself adrift from the 
 domination of another. She adopted the charter, too, by a 
 mere legislative vote, without even resorting to the authority 
 of the people in a primary assembly. 
 
 In order to understand why Connecticut did not follow the 
 course pursued by other states, we must examine the struc- 
 ture of her society, which differed so materially from that of 
 
NEW POLITICAL ELEMENTS. 511 
 
 her confederate sisters. In the first place, her charter was 
 better than theirs. Hers had a vitahty in it that had kept the 
 popuhir mind in a continual glow ; theirs were cold and 
 dead. Hers had proved a shield, extending the circumfer- 
 ence of its orb, to save the lines and defend the enlarging 
 borders of three generations of men ; theirs had proved 
 totally inadequate to the growing wants of their respective 
 communities. Connecticut had an additional motive to love 
 her charter. While one after another, those of the neigh- 
 boring colonies were dropping like ripe iVuit into the hands 
 of provisional governors, and other rapacious functiona- 
 ries of the crown, she had hidden hers in an oak, and the 
 recollection of peril from which her idol had escaped, caused 
 her to love it the more. Still another motive, stronger 
 perhaps than all these, induced her to cling to it. A major- 
 ity of the inhabitants were still puritans, and under this 
 charter, fortified by statutes having close affinities with it, 
 had grown up an established religion, which they regarded 
 as of the highest importance to their well being in this world 
 and the next. 
 
 But gradually there grew up new elements that threatened, 
 if left to themselves, to overthrow the supremacy of the old 
 order of things. vStatutes were passed to check the advanc- 
 ing tide of what was believed by the majority, to be radical- 
 ism of the most destructive character. Some of these acts 
 were regarded by the minority as arbitrary and oppressive. 
 Those bearing upon the elective franchise were looked upon 
 as especially tyrannical. The " stand-up law," as it was de- 
 nominated, which required the voters to stand up at elections 
 and expose themselves and their political sentiments to the 
 scrutiny of the public, was complained of as subjecting the 
 voter to the cruel ordeal of being gazed at by his creditors. 
 It was said further, that all offices of emolument, honor, and 
 trust, were withheld from the minority. 
 
 The courts of law, too, were made the subject of severe 
 animadversion. It was said that the judges were partizans 
 in their legal opinions, and that the rei)ublicans, as thoy were 
 
512 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 called, could not meet the federals in the tribunals of the 
 state upon an equal footing. The minority also alleged that 
 they were disparaged in all their business relations ; that they 
 " were treated as a degraded party, and that this treatment 
 was extended to all the individuals of the party, however 
 worthy and respectable in fact ; as the Saxons were treated 
 by the Normans, and as the Irish were treated by the Eng- 
 lish government."* 
 
 Such were the sentiments of the respective parties. As early 
 as the year 1800, petitions began to be circulated through 
 the state, asking for the choice of members of the council and 
 representatives to Congress by districts. It was now more 
 boldly than ever asserted that the charter, excellent as it had 
 been in its day, was behind the spirit of the age, and 
 though a very good instrument for the majority, was not 
 adequate to protect the jn'inority from oppression. Still, no 
 decisive steps were taken to bring about the adoption of a 
 new constitution, until the 29th of August, 1804, when a 
 convention, numbering among its members many of the most 
 respectable of the minority leaders, and understood to repre- 
 sent the sentiments of the republican party of the state, 
 convened at New Haven, and passed a series of resolutions 
 in favor of the change which they had so much at heart. It 
 is sufficiently evincive of the fever-heat of the political pulse 
 of that day, that every justice of the peace belonging to the 
 minority, who had attended the convention, was tried and 
 impeachedf before the next General Assembly. This 
 attempt to stifle the expression of the public sentiment, only 
 gave the minority the sympathy of many of their fellow citi- 
 zens, who were now ready to assent to the claim that the 
 republicans were persecuted. 
 
 In August, 1806, a second convention or meeting of re- 
 monstrance, was held by the same party at Litchfield, which 
 was even more bold and decided in its tone than the one at 
 New Haven had been. 
 
 To recite the details of the party strifes of that day, would 
 * See Judge Church's MS. + Idem. 
 
EELIGIOUS SECTS. 513 
 
 be to dig up from the graves that ought forever to hide them, 
 some of the most bitter and malignant pamphlets and news- 
 paper articles that ever disgraced the politics of the northern 
 states. The whole ground seemed to be covered with 
 pamphleteers, libellers, scurrilous poets, and all the other 
 driftwood that the swollen currents of popular prejudice and 
 bad passions can dislodge from tlie ooze, where they lie half 
 hidden or remote from view, in quiet times. The malaria con- 
 sequent upon this flood was confined to neither party, and was 
 so contaminating that it seems to poison the lungs even now, 
 as it rises in vapor and is inhaled by the reader who adven- 
 turously seeks to investigate the history of those times. 
 
 The war of 1812, and the Hartford Convention, did not of 
 course tend to allay the excitement. 
 
 The war closed with a much better reputation than the 
 federalists had anticipated. In many parts of the country it 
 w^as very popular, and in Connecticut it had obviously 
 gained friends as it advanced, and many of them of a high 
 order of respectability and talents. 
 
 As in the Revolution, so in the war of 1812, and in the po- 
 litical disputes tliat preceded and followed it, the old congre- 
 gational clergy constituted the nucleus of the dominant 
 party. This iniluence, as was claimed by the minority, more 
 than any other single element, controlled the elections, and 
 their annual meetings at Hartford were declared to be not 
 altogether of a spiritual tone. It was also affirmed that nomi- 
 nations for office were often made through the procurement of 
 some influential clergyman, and some of the republican ora- 
 tors and writers went so far as to say that the whole ticket of 
 state officers was often the result of a conference between 
 the leaders of a dominant party and this oldest and most un- 
 mixed of all the conservative classes of the state. As has 
 been stated in a former chapter of this work, religious sects 
 had been from a very early day tolerated in Connecticut to a 
 degree unknown in Massachusetts, and many other colonies. 
 But although they were allowed the undisturbed enjoyment 
 of their peculiar tenets, yet, as it was then, and still is in 
 
514 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 England, the establishment was considered as entitled to the 
 patronage of the government. All other denominations 
 were treated as subordinates, and were understood, from the 
 very theory and spirit of the government, to hold their posi- 
 tion hy sufferance rather than of right. But it was now 
 argued with great earnestness, that the sects as familiarly 
 called " dissenters" as the puritans had been in England, 
 were now several of them large, and had already acquired 
 a respectable footing in the state ; that they were generally 
 sprung from the blood of the old emigrants, had been 
 born upon the soil, and had as good a right to be consulted in 
 the deliberations of the 2;overnment as the coneiresationalists. 
 They said that they were willing to admit that the old order 
 of things was well fitted to the condition of the people a cen- 
 tury and a half before, but they denied that any such 
 distinctions ought longer to exist. Appeals were made to the 
 people on both sides, displaying great ability and learning. 
 
 It finally began to be whispered tiiat some one of the de- 
 nominations called dissenters must be conciHated, or the 
 federal party would be overborne at last by the concerted 
 action of those who were opposed to the congregational form 
 of reliflrion. When the charter of the Phoenix Bank was 
 asked for, it was therefore suggested that the 850,000 bonus 
 which was to be se([uestered from its large capital, for public 
 uses, should be divided between Yale College and the Bishop's 
 Fund, and petitions were circulated to that effect among the 
 people.* Some of the federalists thought it desirable to con- 
 ciliate the episcopalians, who now numbered some of the 
 first men in the state. f 
 
 The bank was chartered, and $20,000 of the bonus was 
 bestowed upon Yale College, but from some cause the Bishop's 
 Fund did not get the portion anticipated by its friends. 
 This was a severe disappointment to the denomination in- 
 terested in that fund. The episcopalians now arrayed them- 
 
 * Vido Columbian Register, June 17, 1820. 
 
 t Among them were the Ingcrsolls, Xathan Smith, Johnson, Chapman, Peters, 
 Morgan. 
 
THE TOLERATIONISTS. 515 
 
 selves against the party in power, with all the appliances that 
 they could bring to bear upon an opponent.'" 
 
 In 1816, the party in power passed an act to appropriate 
 the monies received trom the treasury of the United States, 
 for disbursements made during the war, to religious uses, and 
 divide them among the several denominations of the state. 
 This measure was complained of, and proved to be very un- 
 popular. The methodists and baptists indignantly refused to 
 receive the share allotted to them in the division, and now 
 more than ever before, took part with the minority and advo- 
 cated with the episcopalians the cause of the new constitu- 
 tion. Nor were the dlfliculties that beset the federalists 
 merely external. They had become divided in their coun- 
 sels. Some of them supported Tread well as their candidate 
 for the office of governor, and another, and, as they termed 
 themselves, a more liberal portion of the same party, as ear- 
 nestly advocated the claims of Roger Griswold for the same 
 place. This attempt to elect CJriswold proved on the first 
 trial to be a failure. The next year, however, by a union of 
 the democrats with the federalists who had voted for him, he 
 was elected governor. 
 
 A new party now arose under the name of " toleration- 
 ists," which came into power in 1817, and took as speedy 
 measures as possible to bring about the change that had so 
 long been desired by the various elements that composed it. 
 
 At the May session of the General Assembly, 1818, it was 
 " Resolved, that it be and is hereby recommended to the 
 people of this state, who are qualified to vote in town or 
 freeman's meetings, to assemble in their respective towns on 
 the 4th day of July next, at nine o'clock in the morning, at the 
 usual place of holding town or freeman's meetings, and after 
 having chosen their presiding officer, there and then to elect 
 by ballot as many delegates as said towns now choose repre- 
 sentatives to the General Assembly, who shall meet in con- 
 vention at the state house in Hartford, on the fourth Wednes- 
 day of August next ; and when so convened, shall, if it be 
 
 * Church's, IMS. 
 
516 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 by them deemed expedient, proceed to the formation of a 
 constitution of civil government for the people of this state." 
 
 It was further provided, that a copy of the constitution, 
 when so formed, should be transmitted to each town clerk in 
 the state, who was directed to lay it before the people of the 
 town to which he belonged in legal town meeting, for their 
 approbation and ratification. The constitution, when thus 
 ratified by a majority of the qualified voters of the state, it 
 was ordered, should " be and remain the supreme law of this 
 state." 
 
 All these causes so briefly enumerated, were instrumental 
 in bringing about the adoption of the constitution. It has 
 been my object in this chapter, to avoid expressing any party 
 predilections. The participators in that severe contest are 
 many of them still living, and vividly remember and keenly 
 feel the part that they played in it. Those who are 
 dead have transmitted their sentiments to their children. As 
 a matter of course, therefore, this is a delicate and difficult 
 part of our history to treat upon, and one that calls for the 
 indulgence of every candid reader. The bitter strifes, the 
 abusive pamphlets, the scornful speeches, the appeals from the 
 pulpits of all denominations, the prosecutions for libel, the in- 
 terruption of social intercourse in families and neighborhoods, 
 no longer disturb the peace or darken the moral atmosphere 
 of our state. Indeed, it now seems to be the better opinion, 
 that there was much to praise and much to blame in the or- 
 ganization of all parties, and that all were ashamed, after the 
 heat of the battle was over, for many things that they had 
 allowed themselves to say, to write, and to do, and were glad 
 to shake hands and pass mutual acts of oblivion, which should 
 cover their own conduct as well as that of their opponents. 
 Gradually, too, most of them learned to reverence the old 
 charter /or the good it had done during a hundred and fifty 
 years of hard and honest service, while at the same time they 
 spoke, some loudly, and others in a more subdued tone, in 
 praise of the constitution which gave equal rights, ecclesias- 
 tical as well as civil, to all the inhabitants of the state. 
 
[17S7.] IIO^'- JOHN" COTTOX SMITH. 517 
 
 It seems proper to add to this chnpter a brief delineation 
 of the character of His Excellency John Cotton Smith, the 
 last of that class of our governors who were actuated by the 
 principles, and who exhibited in their manners more stri- 
 kingly than their successors have done, the traits designated 
 by the now indefinite term "gentlemen of the old school." 
 He was the last of our governors under the charter who 
 loved it and would have been ready to die for it. In order 
 that we may understand why this was so, and see at a nearer 
 view the delicate yet firm fibres of his character, it will be 
 necessary to give a brief outline of his life. It has been pre- 
 viously stated that the clergymen of Connecticut, under the 
 old regime, constituted the most select and thorough-bred 
 class of our colonial aristocracy. Now when it is recollected 
 that the subject of this sketch was a descendant of the Rev. 
 Henry Smith, of VVethersfield, who, as he tells us in his will, 
 had " well proved the terrors of this wilderness ;" that he 
 also inherited the blood of John Cotton, Richard Mather, and 
 Cotton Mather; that the beautiful daughter of the Rev. Wil- 
 liam Worthington, of Saybrook, was his mother, and that his 
 father was also a clergyman of uncommon powers of mind, 
 great force of character and scholarly attainments of a high 
 order — we are ready to expect from him an exhibition of 
 some of their strongest points of character and especially a 
 firm attachment to the colonial party. When we are told 
 that to all these hereditaments, he added rare gifts bestowed 
 by a discriminating Providence only upon a favored few ; a 
 handsome person, features classically beautiful, a natural 
 gracefulness, a ready wit, and culture, laborious enough to 
 shape all these materials and give them due development and 
 proportion ; we are prepared to see in this only son, so care- 
 fully brought up in the way that his fathers had walked, and 
 so critically educated, an exhibition not only of the strong 
 characteristics of the historical men from whom he was de- 
 Bcended, but a model of the Christian gentlemen worthy to 
 form the study of millions now growing up in our country, 
 who appear to worship no God so much as that golden one 
 
518 HISTOKY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 which is molded by their own hands ; who regard principles 
 as the artist does the colors that he spreads upon the can- 
 vas — valuable only to form a surface ; and who look upon 
 the social and domestic relations, as so many wares and com- 
 modities that have their price in the great world's fair of 
 business. 
 
 As a statesmen, Governor Smith was also of the old 
 school. He was in favor of the established order of things 
 under which the state to which he belonged, and whose 
 institutions his ancestors had adorned, had grown up and had 
 been able to resist so successfully the misrule of British par- 
 liaments and the measures of ministerial oppression. He 
 was of course, by nature and education, as much opposed as 
 Burke was, to the recklessness that led to the bloody scenes 
 of the French revolution, and was distrustful, as many good 
 men then were, of the advancing waves of popular power 
 that were fast fretting away the long-settled foundations, 
 which then supported the fabric of European and American 
 society. In the struggle that followed that event, he sym- 
 pathized with England for the same reason. Though not 
 blind to her faults and spurning her tyranny, he loved her 
 sobriety of character, her good sense, her warm adherence 
 to the Christian faith, while he shrank from the blood-stained 
 maxims and hollow pretensions of French philosophers and 
 propagandists, with loathing and horror. 
 
 In 1800, he was elected a member of Congress. He had 
 not anticipated the possibility of such an event, and was only 
 persuaded to accept the place by the solicitations of Gover- 
 nor Trumbull and his other friends. When he took his seat 
 in Congress, the federal party still held the ascendency, but 
 its sun was destined soon to set never to rise again. He re- 
 mained a member of the House of Representatives for a 
 period of six years, and during that time, with the exception 
 of a single session, was in the minority. It may be safely 
 affirmed that no gentleman of that body was more widely 
 known, or more highly respected by both parties. Most of 
 this time he was chairman of the committee on claims, and 
 
HON. joiix coTTox sjriTiL 519 
 
 discharged the duties ol' this important position with great 
 energy andimpartiahty. He was often called to the chair, and 
 presided over the deliberations of the committee of the whole 
 with more facility and dignity in those stormy times, than 
 any other member of the House. To the lofty bearing and 
 firmness of a Roman senator in the last days of the Repub- 
 lic, he added a gentleness so conciliating and persuasive, 
 that the spirit of discord lied abashed from his presence. 
 Whenever any question came up for discussion that threat- 
 ened to excite party jealousies, he was sure to be called to 
 the chair. In pleasant allusion to this circumstance, a mem- 
 ber of Congress of very high character, rej)resenting a sister 
 state, thus interrogated Governor Smith, in a letter in 180G, 
 after he had retired from public life, that he might the better 
 administer to the comfort of an aged lather. "But first and 
 chiefest, instruct me concerning him who used so often, when 
 presiding in the committee of the whole, to beckon us to be 
 solemn, while Randolph, executing on his party a holy jus- 
 tice with his whip of scorpions, made 
 
 " Strange horror seize thoiii, aiiJ pangs unfclt before." 
 
 Thus, without mingling much in debate, he presided over 
 it, and ruled it, at a time when John Randolph, Otis, Gris- 
 wold, Lee, and Pinckney, were participators in it, and were 
 willing to submit to the justice of his decisions and free to 
 acknowledge his superiority over all his compeers in the 
 sagacity and address, that enabled him to avoid the gathering 
 storm, and the lightness and elegant ease, with which he rose 
 upon its crested waves. 
 
 In 1809, lie was chosen a judge of the superior court. 
 He discharged the duties of the new place thus assigned him 
 with great ability. As a member of the supreme court of 
 errors, his written opinions are among the best to be lound 
 in our reports, and are distinguished for their clearness of 
 thought and finish of diction. 
 
 But Judge Smith was not long sullered to remain a mem- 
 her of the court. He was soon elected lieutenant-governor 
 of the state. The sickness of Governor Griswold, as has 
 
620 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 been stated in the preceding chapter, threw upon him for a 
 time the onerous burdens of the executive, at a time the most 
 critical of any that had transpired since the Revolution. In 
 October, 1812, Governor Griswold died, and for the four fol- 
 lowing years, Mr. Smith was elected governor of the state. 
 It is impossible, in the limited space allotted to this sketch, 
 to trace the details of Governor Smith's administration, 
 and recount the difficulties that beset him on every side. 
 His prudence and wisdom doubtless protracted for several 
 years the dominion of the party with which his political life 
 was identified. In the firm belief that he was right in the 
 construction that he put upon the constitution of the United 
 States, anxious to defend our exposed coast-towns that had 
 once suffered from the fires of British vengeance, and at the 
 same time to hold fast to the old charter privilege of the state 
 government, to officer its own militia ; anxious, too, in his 
 own words to fulfill his " obligations to the letter and spirit 
 of the constitution," he turned himself in every way that 
 seemed honorable to him, to meet the exigencies of the times. 
 His administration closed with the election of the late 
 Governor Wolcott, in 1817. With the fall of his party 
 Governor Smith retired from the political arena. Whether 
 the principles that had governed his public life were right or 
 wrong, he felt that he could not change them or mix in the 
 deliberations of those who were so earnest in breaking down 
 the old order of the government. From birth, from association, 
 from early culture, from the teachings of scripture, and the 
 examples of history, as he understood them, his character had 
 taken its guage, and could be neither shortened nor length- 
 ened to adapt itself to the new order of things. Indeed, 
 there seemed no very pressing need that he should any lon- 
 ger keep the field. He was now fifty-two years old. He 
 was the proprietor of a princely domain of nearly one thou- 
 sand acres of land, most of it lying in the bosom of his native 
 valley, every rod of which might be converted into a garden. 
 Upon this estate, surrounded by the ancient forest-trees, ash, 
 oak, and elm, that had shaded his boyhood, had been erected 
 
THE GENTLEMAN OF THE OLD SCHOOL. 521 
 
 during the latter half of the preceding century, a large ele- 
 gant mansion-house of stone, that could def}' the extremes of 
 the New England year, and was within a few yards of the 
 one where his venerable father had lived and died, and not a 
 mile from the spot wdiere he helped to lay the good old man 
 in the earth, and where his grandfather and grandmother 
 also reposed. The endearments of domestic life, in all their 
 varied relations of husband and father, beckoned him to this 
 delightful retreat, and a large circle of friends and neirrhhors 
 were ready, without distinction of party, to welcome him 
 home. And well they might be expected to welcome him. 
 His father had administered the sacraments to their fathers 
 for half a century, had preached to them, had baptized them 
 in the name of the three persons of the blessed Trinity, had 
 prayed for them, been present at their bridals and burials ; 
 and in hours of public calamity, during the revolutionary 
 period had stirred their courage with his deep manly voice, 
 and the better to infuse into them the spirit of the Christian 
 soldier, had consented to become their spiritual guide and 
 accom})any them as chaplain to the field of blood. Well 
 might they welcome the son of such a father, who, so far 
 from squandering the reputation of his ancestors, or sutTering 
 it to lie hid in a napkin, had put it out to use until the one 
 talent had gained five others. 
 
 From his retirement in 1817, until his death, a period of 
 nearly thirty years. Governor Smith remained at home. Di- 
 viding his time between the scholastic studies that had occu- 
 pied so large a portion of his youth, and the pursuits of 
 agriculture, he lived the life, then almost obsolete, of the Con- 
 necticut planter of the seventeenth century. His hosj)itable 
 mansion was always thronged with the most refined and cul- 
 tivated guests, who, on whatever points they might difier, all 
 agreed that their entertainer was an unrivalled gentleman in 
 the highest and best sense of the word. 
 
 The following extract from a letter addressed to Governor 
 Smith, IVom General George P. Morris, bears delightful testi- 
 mony to this fact. 
 
522 HISTOKY OF CONXECTICUT. 
 
 " I shall never forget my visit to your hospitable mansion. I 
 have one association about it, that has ever been present to 
 my mind. Will you forgive me if I record it here? It 
 taught me a lesson that has been of service to me always. 
 You may remember, I was quite a boy then. I was very 
 poor, but very proud. I knew nothing of the world, and had 
 never seen a governor in the whole course of my life. When 
 I delivered you my letter of introduction, I trembled from 
 head to foot, although you did not perceive it. You read it 
 in the gravel-walk, in the shade of a fine tree, just by the 
 wicket-gate. I watched your features as you folded up the 
 note, and forgot my uneasiness when you took me by the arm 
 and introduced me to your family. I slept that night well, 
 and was awakened by the birds at early dawn. Sleep and 
 the perfume of the flowers which stole in at my window had 
 completely refreshed me. I felt like one who rests his foot 
 upon the air, and longs for wings to mount to paradise. I 
 had literally a light heart, and a liglit bundle ; for I had 
 brought with me but the apology of a wardrobe, and I was 
 wondering how I should make my toilet, when a knock at 
 the door called my attention another way, 'come in,' said I. 
 The door did not open. I went to it, astonished that any one 
 should be ' stirring with the lark.' I opened it, and there 
 stood Governor Smith, with my boots hanging to one of his 
 little fingers, a napkin thrown over his arm, and shaving uten- 
 sils in the palm of his hand. I wish you could see that noble- 
 hearted irentleman now, as I saw him then, with his afiable 
 smile, his cheerful 'good morning,' and the true spirit of hos- 
 pitality sparkling in his eyes and irradiating his whole coun- 
 tenance ; you would not think me extravagant if I recom- 
 mended him as a study for an artist. I shall not attempt to 
 describe my astonishment, nor the impression you made upon 
 my unfettered and inexperienced mind ; but allow me to say, 
 you taught me a lesson of humility which I have not forgotten, 
 and never can forget. I thanked you for it then, and though 
 a lifetime has since been numbered with the past, I thank 
 vou for it now." 
 
DEATH OF GOVERXOR SMITH. 523 
 
 This beautiful jiictui'e is rivaled by another drawn by the 
 hand of Governor Smith's biographer, a scholar and a man 
 of rare genius : 
 
 " I see him in that ripe old age which the hand of time had 
 lightly touched, with his elastic ste}), his upright form, his 
 manly and beaming countenance ; I hear the words of warm 
 and courteous welcome, with which he received all that en- 
 tered his hospitable mansion, and the rich and various dis- 
 course with which he charmed them, as the conversation 
 ran through the wide fields of history, philology, politics, and 
 christian doctrine ; and admire that he should have carried 
 into the evening of life, not only the fruits of large experi- 
 ence, but so much of the freshness and sparkle of the dew 
 of youth.*' 
 
 Governor Smith was the first president of the Connecticut 
 Bible Society. In 182G, he was made president of the Amer- 
 ican Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and in 
 1831, president of the American Bible Society. In 18M, the 
 degree of doctor of laws was conferred on him by Yale 
 College, and in 188G, he was elected a member of the Royal 
 College of Northern Anti(]uarians, in Copenhagen, Den- 
 mark. He died on the 7th of December, 1845, at the ad- 
 vanced age of eighty years. His name and fame are still 
 and must ever be associated with the great public religious 
 enterprises of the world, which, in imitation of his Divine 
 Master, he sought to bring under the mild influences of the 
 Christian faith. His character can be likened to nothing that 
 better illustrates it, than the warm smiling Sharon valley on 
 a summer's morning, when the grass sparkles with dew-drops 
 and the bright lakes gleam in the sun-shine ; stretching 
 around the border of the vale, the large forms of the moun- 
 tains seem to represent the innnovable ]n'inciples that de- 
 fended his life, and bending above them are the heavens that 
 suggest, while they seem to await, the flight of a pure soul to 
 mansions of unclouded felicity. '■•■ 
 
 * The Kov. Henry Smith, (the emigrant ancestor of Governor Smith,) was 
 graduated at Cambridge, and came to New liiigland in 1(53(3. His paternal es- 
 
524 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The successor of Governor Smith, was OHver Wolcott, the 
 second of that name, and the third of the Wolcott family, who 
 have filled the executive chair. He was elected under the 
 charter, but with the expectation that he would be instrument- 
 al in substituting for it the proposed constitution, which was 
 then a forefrone conclusion. He was now the acknowled2;ed 
 leader of the new party, and from his social position and 
 family influence proved a very important pillar of the edifice 
 that was to be built upon the ruins of the old one. While 
 holding the ofiice of governor, he was elected a member of 
 the constitutional convention from Litchfield, and was chosen 
 president of the convention. 
 
 His mind was thoroughly imbued with the spirit of equality 
 that was then beginning to swallow up the older institutions 
 of the country, and which is fast extending over the surface 
 of the globe. As Governor Smith's administration was the 
 last which represented the commonwealth, in the days of 
 Haynes, Wyllys, Winthrop, Treat, and Saltonstall, so on the 
 other hand. Governor Wolcott's was the first that embodied 
 the principles of republicanism or democracy, as all political 
 parties now understand the term. It is not necessary to say 
 that these two orders were very dillerent. The former up- 
 held a particular ecclesiastical system, in the belief that it 
 was better than any other in the world, and sustained a high- 
 toned aristocratical sentiment with distinctions in society 
 marked sometimes by the hereditary influence of half a 
 dozen generations ; the latter, made up of several religious 
 
 tate was situated in Wyinondham, county of Norfolk, England, and in leaving his 
 native country he sacrificed a handsome fortune and a high social position for the 
 sake of " freedom to worship God." lie was the first settled minister in Wethcrs- 
 field, Connecticut, where he died in 1G48. 
 
 Samuel Smith, a great grandson of the Rev. Henry Smith, was among the first 
 settlers of SuflTield. He married Jerusha Mather, daughter of the Rev. Cotton 
 Mather, D.D. 
 
 The Rev. Cotton Mather Smith, was a son of Samuel and Jerusha Smith, and 
 was born in Sufiield, October 16, 1731 ; graduated in Yale College, in 1751 ; or- 
 dained as pastor of the congregational church in Sharon, August, 1755, where he 
 remained until his death, in 1800. He was the father of Governor Smith. See 
 Rev. Dr. Chai)in's History of Glastcubury ; Andrews' Eulogy. 
 
TUE OLD AND THE NEW', 525 
 
 sects, declared that the church and state should have no po- 
 litical alfinities, that all denominations were alike entitled to 
 the fostering care of the government, and that no social dis- 
 tinctions should be tolerated by the constitution, or counte- 
 nanced by the people. 
 
 Which of these two orders was the more to be desired, the 
 reader must determine for himself. Doubtless there were 
 good elements in both, and doubtless those elements still exist 
 in the great political parties of the state, counteracting each 
 other and bringing good out of evil. The man who was 
 born in Connecticut, and yet can see nothing to admire in 
 both these systems of administration, is so well grounded in 
 his convictions that it would be useless to debate with him.* 
 
 * The ]\IS quoted in this nairative was preparecl by the lion. Samuel Church, 
 late chief judge of the state, express!}' fur this work. It was intended to repre- 
 sent the claims of the party which was instrumental in bringing about the adop- 
 tion of the constitution. It cost tlie venerable author much labor, and is at the 
 service of all who choose to consult it. Scarcely was the ink dry upon its sheets 
 when the hand that penned it was cold in death. 
 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 EARLY JimiSPRUDEXCE OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 It is not easy to tell why such sedulous attempts have 
 been made to fasten upon Connecticut the odium of having 
 gi'own up under an illiberal municipal code. Without reca- 
 pitulating what has been said in former chapters of this work, 
 on the subject of civil liberty, it may be proper to say here, 
 that of all the early American colonies, Connecticut was the 
 least exclusive, and that she is only to be blamed that she was 
 not still more in advance of that bigoted age. It would not 
 be a hard task to draw a contrast between her and the mother 
 country, which would show in a most favorable light the 
 mild and equitable policy of the emigrants. The number of 
 capital offenses was far less than in England, in the reign of 
 Elizabeth, or either Stuart. Indeed, except for the offenses 
 of murder, treason, and rape, whatever may have been the 
 letter of the law, the death-penalty was hardly ever inflicted. 
 The offenses of blasphemy, witchcraft, and one or two others 
 of a kindred sort, were borrowed from the Jewish code, and 
 inserted in the statute-book, out of respect for the Hebrew ora- 
 cles ; but remained for the most part inoperative, except as 
 they might tend to keep the wayward from the paths of trans- 
 gression. There have been, it is believed, within the last two 
 hundred and twenty years, fewer executions in Connecticut 
 for crime, than in any other state of equal size in the world. 
 The records of our courts have scarcely the stain of blood 
 upon them, except in those rare instances, happening less fre- 
 quently formerly than now, when some hapless murderer has 
 paid the forfeit of his guilt.* This one fact speaks volumes in 
 
 * There have been but three executions in the county of Litchfield, since 
 its organization ; viz., 1. John Jacob, an Indian, for the murder of another Indian, 
 in 1768 ; 2. Baruet Davenport, for murder and arson, in Washington, hung 
 May 8, 1780 •, 3. A man named Goss, for murdering his wife, in the northern part 
 of the County. See Woodruff's History of Litchfield pp. 30, 31. 
 
BLUE LAWS. 527 
 
 favor of the mildness of tlie criminal code, as it was adminis- 
 tered by the founders of the republic. 
 
 The proper way of determining the spirit of a code, is to 
 see it through the medium of the records of the courts which 
 govern themselves by it. What construction did they put 
 upon it, who instituted it ? What was its practical opera- 
 tion ? Did it protect the people from tyranny, or did it press 
 heavily upon them ? Did it heat the wounds of bleeding 
 humanity, or did it tear them open afresh ? When these 
 questions are answered, a child can tell whether the laws 
 were good or bad. It is idle for a stranger to attempt, from 
 the cursory examination of the laws of a generation long 
 passed away, to determine what was their character. He may 
 regard them in one way, and those who administered them 
 may regard them in another. Let the searcher after truth ex- 
 amine the records, and then, after taking into account the pe- 
 culiarities of the age to v,'hich they belong, he may form some- 
 thing like a correct estimate of the jurisprudence of a people. 
 
 It has been said that Connecticut is the " Blue Law State." 
 It is difficult for a scholar to understand the precise signifi- 
 cance of this cant phrase, which bears upon its features such 
 marks of its low origin, that it is marvelous how it ever 
 could have gained admittance into good society. The vul- 
 garity of this nickname, takes away from it the poison which 
 might otherwise have flowed through its hollow fangs, and 
 leaves it nothing save its impotent hiss and a malevolence 
 that is to be avoided only because it unsettles the equilibrium 
 of a nervous system too refined to be indifferent to jarring 
 sounds. It is thought to be the child of political prejudice, 
 and to have had its birth out of the limits of the state. But 
 there are other objections to be raised against it, aside from the 
 fact that it is an alien. It has a shockingly bad moral charac- 
 ter. It is a demagogue, making all its appeals to the worst 
 passions of the people, and, (why should not the whole por- 
 traiture l)e given,) it is either woelully ignorant or sadly given 
 to lying. It represents this oldest of all republics, erected 
 upon the rei)rcsentative basis; the })lacc where tree republi- 
 
528 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 canism was born, cradled in its infancy, and grew up to as- 
 sume the port and stature of mature years ; the place where 
 all extremes of religious opinion were more freely tolerated 
 than in any other part of the Christian world ; the soil where 
 the fugitive Anne Hutchinson could find a place of refuge, 
 and Whalley and Goffe could find a cave, while their pursu- 
 ers were courteously entertained ; where, by the very first 
 code ever published by fier people, all denominations were 
 allowed to worship God in their own way, provided they did 
 not commit a breach of the peace ; it represents such a re- 
 public as intolerant, cruel, bigoted, and persecuting. 
 
 Let us see if this representation is not false. Long before 
 1672, when the first municipal code of Connecticut was 
 published, the General Court or Legislature of the republic 
 adopted the Ibllowing preamble, and enacted the ibllowing 
 statute : 
 
 " This court, having seriously considered the great divis- 
 ions that arise amongst us about matters of Church Govern- 
 ment, for the Honour of God, welfare of the Churches and pre- 
 servation of the publick peace so greatly hazarded : 
 
 " Do Declare, That whereas the Congregational Churches 
 in these parts, for the general of their profession and practice 
 have hitherto been approved, we can do no less than approve 
 and countenance the same to be without disturbance until 
 better light in an orderly way doth appear. But yet, foras- 
 much as sundry persons of worth for prudence and piety 
 amongst us, are otherwise persuaded, (whose welfare and 
 peaceable satisfaction we desire to accommodate.) This 
 Court doth Declare, That all such persons, being so approved 
 according to law, as orthodox and sound in the fundamentals 
 of the Christian Religion, may have allowance in the persua- 
 sion and Proiession in Church ways or Assemblies without 
 disturbance." 
 
 This statute was passed at a period, let it be remembered, 
 when civil and religious toleration was almost unknown in 
 the rest of the world, and was enacted on purpose to give a 
 wider latitude to the forms that were supposed to embody the 
 
QUAKERS, RANTERS, AND ADAMITES. 529 
 
 essentials of the Christian faith, than had been tolerated in 
 the mother country. All tiiat this statute required of those 
 who dissented from the congregational or estahlislied religion 
 of the republic, was, that they should conduct themselves 
 peaceably, and should be Cliristians. But who was to be the 
 judge of the doctrines maintained by dissenters from the es- 
 tablished order? The people tliemselves, through their con- 
 stituted authorities. They might err in judgment, in making 
 the application, and doubtless did in many instances. It is 
 demanding too much of them that they should not only be 
 more than a century in advance of any European nation in 
 the spirit of their tenets, but that they should travel out of the 
 conditions which prescribe imperfection to human nature, and 
 infallibly apply those laws to individual cases. They abhorred 
 infidelity. They were willing to tolerate peaceable Chris- 
 tians, and passed an act intending to embrace them all. They 
 did not agree to give them the patronage of the government ; 
 that measure of liberty was reserved for a later day. But 
 they agreed to tolerate them. And yet they are accused of 
 intolerance, because they reserved to tlieir authorities the 
 construction of their laws. What other nation does not do 
 the same ? Treason, murder, forgery, burglary, all the 
 crimes known to the code of any nation on earth, are con- 
 strued by the authorities of the nation which makes them 
 penal. The only danger is, that the oracles of the law being 
 uttered by the lips of men, may sometimes speak equivocally, 
 sometimes falsely. That is an incident to our common 
 nature. But it is said that the practical administration of the 
 laws was faulty, and that some sects of Christians, esj)ecially 
 the quakcrs, were roughly treated and excluded from the 
 commonwealth. It is true, that in the early period of the 
 colony there was a law passed against " hereticks, whether 
 Quakers, Ranters, Adamites, or such like !" Was there any 
 thing startling in the features of such a law at that day ? 
 Had not a similar one existed in England, under various 
 modifications, from a time ante-dating the conquest of Wil- 
 liam, the Norman, and was it not harshness and cruelty itself 
 
 (36 
 
680 ^ HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 compared with this statute ? But let us see what sort of citi- 
 zens those persons were, who were denominated " Quakers, 
 Ranters, Adamites, and such like." The first dissenters in the 
 colony against whom the arm of the civil law was raised 
 were known as Ranters or Ranting Quakers. For their vio- 
 lent and unlawful behavior, they were ordered to be forcibly 
 transported out of the colony. Subsequently about the year 
 1674, John and James Rogers, of New London, having been 
 engaged in trade with the Rhode Islanders, gradually imbibed 
 the peculiar doctrines and sentiments of the seventh-day bap- 
 tists of that colony. Their father, James Rogers, sen., was a 
 man of wealth and high position, who had frequently repre- 
 sented the town in the General Court of the colony.* The new 
 sect never became numerous, but for a long series of years they 
 gave tlie people and the authorities much trouble. In their 
 tenets and discipline, they soon became obnoxious to the sect 
 in Rhode Island from which they originally received their 
 principles of dissent, and established a denomination or sect 
 of their own, and were called Rogerine Quakers, and some- 
 times Rogerine Baptists. They regarded all days alike, and 
 took especial delight in treating the Sabbath and public wor- 
 ship with contempt. They courted persecution, imprison- 
 ment, and martyrdom, and bade defiance to the law, its offi- 
 cers, and its penalties. They would enter the church on the 
 Sabbath, in a tumultuous manner, and loudly declaim against 
 the doctrines preached. The men and women would carry 
 their work into the church during public worship ; and at 
 other times would enter the assembly half naked during Sun- 
 day service, and loudly boast of having desecrated the day. 
 They regarded churches as an abomination, and all audible 
 prayers either in the family or in public as hypocritical. The 
 taking of an oath, even in a court of justice, they held to be 
 taking the name of God in vain.f 
 
 * Miss Caulkins regards him as the James Roger, who came to this country in 
 Uie Increase, in April, IGSo, in company with the Chittcndons, Bucks, Kilbourns, 
 Warners, Stones, and Rlarvins. 
 
 t The records of the New London County Court, under date of April 14, 108."), 
 contain the following entry. " .lohn Rogers, James Rogers, Jr., Samuel Beebee, 
 
THE ROGERENES. 531 
 
 The offenders were fined, imprisoned, set in tiie stocks, and 
 whipped, but all without avail. It was calculated that John 
 Rogers, after his professed conversion, passed one-third of 
 his life in prison. It is particularly noticeable, however, that 
 this strange sect were not punished for their religious senti- 
 ments or opinions, but for flagrant outrages against the 
 laws of the colony. 
 
 Such were the victims of this so-called persecution, which 
 has been thrown in our teeth with such an annihilating air 
 of triumph by the traducers of those who founded our state, 
 and built up its history. That errors were committed under 
 this and kindred statutes, and that in individual cases, bad 
 passions and wicked motives may have carried on a syste- 
 matic plan of persecution under the sanction of legal ibrms, 
 will not be disputed. We all know that this is done even in 
 our day, and will be until the coming of Ilim whose right it 
 is himself to reign without committing the government of 
 men to a delegated authority. 
 
 Jr., and Joana Way, are complained of for profaning God's holy day by servile 
 work, and are trrovvn to that height of impunity as to come at several times into 
 the town to re-baptise several persons ; and when (iod's people were met together 
 on the Lord's day to worship God, several of them came, and made great disturb- 
 ance, behaving themselves in such a frantic manner, as if jwssessed with a dia- 
 bolical spirit, so affrighting and amazing that several women swooned and fainted 
 away. John Rogers to be whipped fifteen lashes, and for unlawfully re-baptizing 
 to pay £5. The others to be whipped." 
 
 Samuel Fox, prosecuted for catching eels of Sunday, said that lie jnadc no dif- 
 ference of days ; liis wife Bathshua Fox, went openly to the meeting-house to 
 proclaim that she had been doing servile work on their Sabbath ; John Rogers 
 accompained her, interrupting the minister, and proclaiming a similar offence. 
 
 At one time, Rogers trundled a wheel-barrow into the porch of the meeting- 
 house during the time of service ; for which, after being set in the stocks, he was 
 put into prison and kept for a considerable time. While thus in durance, he 
 hung out of the window a board eontainiiig the following proclamation : 
 
 " I, John Rogers, a servant of Jesus Christ, doth here make an open declara- 
 tion of war against the great red dragon, and against the beast to which he gives 
 power ; and against the false church that rides upon the beast ; and against the 
 false prophets who are established by the dragon and the beast ; and also a proc- 
 lamation of derision against the sword of the devil's spirit, which is prisons, stocks, 
 whips, fines, and reviliiigs, all which is to defend the elevation of devils." See 
 Caulkins' Hist, of New London, 211, 212. 
 
532 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 When in 1665, the commissionei's of Charles II., visited 
 Connecticut, they reported that the colony would " not hin- 
 der any from enjoying the sacraments and using the common 
 prayer book, provided that they hinder not the maintenance 
 of the public minister."* There was, however, as we have 
 seen, no organized episcopal church in Connecticut, until 
 about the year 1723, though divine service had been per- 
 formed in Stratford, according to the forms of that church, 
 for some years anterior to the date designated. In 1727, within 
 four years of the first organization of the first episcopal 
 church in the colony, and probably in response to their first 
 application for relief, it was enacted by the legislature, that 
 "if it so happen, that there be a society of the church of 
 England, where there is a person in orders according to the 
 canons of the church of England, settled and abiding among 
 them, and performing divine service, so near to any person 
 that hath declared himself of the church of England, that he 
 can conveniently, and doth, attend the public worship there, 
 whatever tax he shall pay for the support of religion, shall 
 be delivered unto the minister of the church of England." 
 Those who conformed to the church of England, were at 
 the same time authorized to tax themselves for the support of 
 their clergy, and were " excused from paying any taxes for 
 building meeting-houses." In 1729, the quakers and baptists 
 were exempted, on certain conditions, from paying taxes for 
 the support of the congregational ministry, and for building 
 meeting-houses. t 
 
 The law of 1727, was modified by several successive acts, 
 each being designed for the benefit or relief of dissenters. 
 
 It is further urged that the fathers of the state believed in 
 the crime of witchcraft. This accusation is true. They did 
 enact a statute prohibiting that crime, borrowed from the 
 Hebrew code, and from the laws of England. This is its 
 concise form : 
 
 * Hutchinson, 412. 
 
 + See early statutes ; also Prof. Kingsley's Historical Discourse, at New Haven, 
 1838. 
 
GOOD^YIFE KNAPP. 533 
 
 " If anv man or woman be a witch, that is, hath or con- 
 sulteth with a familiar spirit, they shall be put to death." 
 
 But what was the practical operation of the law ? From 
 a careful examination of the records of New Haven colony, 
 it does not appear that there ever was even a conviction for 
 that crime, within that jurisdiction ; much less was there 
 ever an execution. So far from this being the case, those 
 records contain strong presumptive evidence that the courts 
 in that colony and the public sentiment there, were not fa- 
 vorable to such accusations. The New Haven archives give 
 us the only evidence which now exists that there ever was 
 an execution for witchcraft in the Connecticut colony. The 
 fact is mentioned incidentally, in the trial of Roger Ludlow, 
 Esq., for having slandered the wife of Thomas Staples in 
 charging her with being a witch. In the testimony elicited 
 during the trial, reference is made to the execution of Good- 
 wife Knapp.* There 7/zf/yhave been other instances, but our 
 records do not furnish them ; and no parole or traditionary 
 proof that can now be relied upon, leads the mind to any cer- 
 tain conclusion, that human life was sacrificed in the colony 
 under the sanction of this law, on any other occasion. Ann 
 Cole was convicted, but was she executed ? Let the anti- 
 quary and the tradition-hunter decide. Mather tells us she 
 was. How did he know it, and why was the fact so public 
 in Boston, and yet so obscure in Hartford, that not even a 
 tradition of it remains ? 
 
 But suppose there were in the course of a hundred and 
 fifty years, two executions, or even ten, would that prove 
 that our institutions were illiberal ? The wise and philoso- 
 
 * Thus, Ludlow charged Mrs. Staples with having caused the body of Good- 
 wife Knapp, to be examined " after she was hanged;'^ Su.san Lockwood said she 
 was "present at the execution of Cloodwifi' Knapp ;" Elizabeth lirewster testified 
 that " after Goodwife Knapp was executed^ as soon as she was cut down, she the 
 said Knapp, being carried to the grave-side, Goodwife Staples witli some other 
 women went to search the said Knapp," for witch marks; and that Goodwife Sta- 
 ples declared that the deceased was no witcdi. 
 
 Allusion was also made at the same trial to tlie conviction of " Goodwife 15as- 
 sett ;" and our colonial records refer to the conviction of Mercy Disborough ; but 
 I find no reason to believe that either of them was executed. 
 
534 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 phical Cudworth, one of the brightest gems of the English 
 church, and almost as free from bigotry as Paul, said in 1678, 
 that those who did not believe in the existence of witchcraft, 
 "could hardly escape the suspicion of having some hankering 
 towards atheism." James I., James II., Queen Elizabeth, 
 Lord Bacon, Lord Coke, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lord Mans- 
 field, and Lord Hale, all believed implicitly in it. Hale sen- 
 tenced more than one poor wretch to death for familiarity 
 with the devil, long after our fathers had abandoned the su- 
 perstition; and Sir William Blackstone, as late as the period 
 of the American revolution, embodied the remark in his ex- 
 cellent Commentaries upon the laws of England, that " in 
 general there has been such a thing as witchcraft." Indeed, 
 the English statute punishing that crime, remained unre- 
 pealed until the ninth year of the reign of George II., after the 
 ashes of Goodwife Knapp, and Ann Cole, if she too was a 
 victim, had been mingled with the elements for the period of 
 a hundred years. While our fathers were hesitating and 
 doubting if such a crime existed, England, Scotland, Ger- 
 many, and Massachusetts, were sending hundreds of withered 
 women and enthusiastic men to the ducking-stool and the 
 gallows. 
 
 It is said that laws were enacted both in New Haven and 
 Connecticut, compelling people to attend upon public worship 
 on the Sabbath. Before our ancestors are charged with 
 blame, it would be well to inquire whether this was exclu- 
 sively a puritanical measure. If the objector will turn to the 
 act of the 35th of Elizabeth, entitled an act '"to retain the 
 queen's majesty's subjects in their due obedience," he will 
 find that " any person or persons, above the age of sixteen 
 years, which shall obstinately refuse to repair to some church, 
 chapel, or usual place of common prayer, to hear divine ser- 
 vice, established by her majesty's laws and statutes, in that 
 behalf made" — or shall " advisedly or maliciously move or 
 persuade any other person" from attending — " or be present 
 at any unlawful assemblies, conventicles, or meetings, under 
 color or pretence of any exercise of religion contrary to her 
 
SUMPTUARY LAWS. 535 
 
 majesty's said laws and statutes" — and shall be convicted 
 thereof, they "shall be committed to prison, there to remain 
 without bail or mainprize, until they shall conform and yield 
 themselves, to come to some clmrch, chapel, or usual place 
 of common prayer, and hear divine service according to her 
 majesty's laws and statutes aforesaid." The offender not 
 conforming, he was obliged to " abjure the realm," and " if 
 he return without her majesty's special license," he " shall 
 be adjudged a felon, and shall suQer, as in the case of felons, 
 without benefit of clergy." 
 
 Can the caviler find a more stringent law on this subject, 
 in the statute-book of Connecticut? 
 
 But we are told that the laws afford evidences of bigotry 
 and ascetecism, and that sumptuary statutes were passed of 
 a narrow and bigoted sort ; that the peoj)le feared the devil, 
 and that the inhabitants were compelled to attend jniblic wor- 
 ship. It is indeed true, that they were a stern self-denying 
 people, and that they fasted often and prayed much ; but fast- 
 tings and austerities of life, were not confined to them or to 
 their religious tenets. In many things they were bigoted and 
 abstinent, but these extremes are believed to be better than 
 a laxness of moral principle, and a too great indulgence in 
 those extravagancies which sap the foundations of the hu- 
 man constitution, and make men prematurely old. If these 
 things were faults, they were what our ancestors used to call 
 "good faults." With regard to sumptuary laws, they passed 
 some strict ones, but they were all on the side of virtue and 
 morals, all conducive to the greatest good of the greatest 
 number; not fences for the deer-parks of a lazy aristocracy, 
 to keep the people shut out from the best lands of the coun- 
 try, and punish them by death or banishment if they hap- 
 pened, in attempting to satisfy the cravings of hunger, to 
 bend a cross-bow beneath the branching oaks of some lord of 
 the manor, or unstop the rabbit warrens of some beer-bloated 
 country squire. As regards the devil, it is possible to fear 
 him too much, but it is believed that if the present generation 
 were more afraid of that dignitarv, and regarded liim more 
 
536 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 as a reality, and less as a myth, it would be quite as well 
 with them in the end. 
 
 The following statute contrasts well with the English 
 "Game Laws" at that era: 
 
 " Whereas great loss and damage hath befel tiiis colony by 
 reason of wolves, which destroy great numbers of our cattle, 
 therefore for the encouragement of such as shall labor to 
 destroy then), 
 
 " It is ordered by this court, that any person that shall kill 
 any wolf or wolves, within six miles of any plantation in this 
 colony, shall have for every wolf by him or them so killed, 
 eight shillings out of the public treasury of the colony. And 
 every Englishman shall have eight shillings more paid him 
 out of the town treasury, within whose bounds the wolf was 
 killed ; provided that due proof be made thereof, and also that 
 they bring a certificate under some magistrate's hand, or 
 constable of that place, unto the treasurer; provided, also, 
 that this order intend only such plantations as do contribute 
 with us to public charges, in which case they shall make pay- 
 ment upon their own charge.'' 
 
 "It is also ordered by the authority of this court, that 
 what person soever, English or Indian, shall take any wolf 
 out of any pit made by any other man to catch wolves in, 
 whereby they would defraud the right owner of their due 
 from the colony or town, every such offender shall pay to 
 the owner of the pit twenty shillings, or be whipped on the 
 naked body not exceeding six stripes." 
 
 But it is objected that the old fathers of the colony passed a 
 statute prohibiting lying. That this statute has been much 
 complained of by modern critics, is not surprising. Indeed, 
 if it were to be re-enacted and again put in force, it would be 
 of such sweeping application as to be intolerably oppressive. 
 But even in this respect, Connecticut was in noway singular. 
 Moses had done the same in his day ; and Alfred, when he was 
 laying the foundations of the greatest empire of modern times, 
 made it punishable, not by whipping, or the stocks, but by a 
 still more' thorough penalty — cutting out the liar's tongue. 
 
CIVIL AUTIIOKITY PARAMOUNT. 537 
 
 To come nearer home, the quaker colony of Pennsylvania, the 
 Roman cathoHc colony ot" Maryland, and the episcopal one of 
 Virginia, all passed a law similar to that of Connecticut, and 
 equally rigid. There are some old fashioned people left in 
 the world yet, who honor them for it. 
 
 It would be easy for any lawyer of ordinary capacity to 
 examine the civil and criminal code of Connecticut, and con- 
 trast it for liberality, simplicity, and moral tone, with most of 
 the other modern codes of the world. Whoever attempts to 
 cast reproach upon the laws of such a people, will be met 
 with startling analogies, let us rather say, painful contrasts, 
 pungent re[)artees. lie will find that he is handling tools 
 with sharp edges and barbs, that readily enter his flesh, but 
 are plucked out with dilliculty and pain. 
 
 The laws of Connecticut, like her first constitution, w^ere 
 made to pass through Roger Ludlow's mint.* They received 
 his stamp and of course bore the image of the bird of free- 
 dom, as well as the clusters of the three vines. The great 
 object of these laws, as might have been expected, was, to 
 talie care of the people ; to do justice and to execute judg- 
 ment between man and man. One of the very first statutes 
 which was passed, and which was embodied in the first edi- 
 tion of our public acts, shows a wisdom and a kind of second 
 sight, prophetic of the general equality and religious tolera- 
 tion of the constitution of 1818. It is as follows : 
 
 " Forasmuch as the peace and prosperity of the churches, 
 and the members thereof, as well as civil rights and liberties, 
 are carefully to be maintained — 
 
 " It is ordered by this court, That the civil authority here 
 established, hath power and liberty to see the peace, ordi- 
 nances, and rules of Christ, to be observed in every church 
 according to his word ; as also to deal with any church- 
 
 * As early as April, 1646, Mr. Ludlow was desired by the General Court, "to 
 take some paynes in dravviiif^ forth a body of lawcs for the govornnient of this 
 commonwealth." In May, 1647, the court ordered that Mr. Ludlow ''sliould, 
 besides the paying the hyer of a man, be futher considered for his paynes." The 
 code appears to have been " concluded and established" in i\Iay, 1651. See J. 
 TI. Truinbull's Records, i. pp. 138, 154, 509. 
 
538 ■ HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 member in a way of civil justice, notwitiistanding any chmxh- 
 relation, office, or interest, so it be done in a civil and not in 
 an ecclesiastical ivay, nor shall any church censure, degrade or 
 depose any man from any civil dignity, office, or authority, he 
 shall have in the colony.''' 
 
 Here we see the axe laid at the root of ecclesiastical do- 
 minion, as such. The civil authority is not only to be sepa- 
 rated from the ecclesiastical, but it is declared even in church 
 matters to be paramount to it. It took a long time to bring 
 the people to recognize a practical equality of all religious 
 sects, but the seeds were sown and could not perish in the 
 ground. 
 
 The laws of Connecticut have always been distinguished 
 for their simplicity, their certainty, their mildness, their adap- 
 tation to the conditions of the humblest classes, and the 
 cheapness with which they have meted out justice to the 
 acrarieved. The tribunals of the state have been famed for 
 the learning and impartiality of the judges, and, thanks to 
 our common schools, for the intelligence and manliness of our 
 jurors. To dwell at length upon this topic, would require a 
 separate treatise. Our whole statute laws are yet printed in 
 a single octavo volmne. 
 
^no. 6^ r. 
 
 MT.lRlETogiidSltmKJL SlEAffiPffiT,]IDJD). 
 
 History of Coini<.-7:l, ,it 
 
CHATTER XXIV. 
 
 EPISCOPACY IN CONNECTICUT. 
 
 It would be interesting to trace the history of the episco- 
 pal church throughout the American colonies, irom the earli- 
 est settlement of Jamestown down to the time when the re- 
 ligious establishment of Connecticut gave place to the Consti- 
 tution of 1818. But it is impossible to depart from the limits 
 of the State, though by doing so we might the better estimate 
 its influence upon the rest of the continent. 
 
 In the town of Stratford still stands a small church with its 
 high arched windows, in the style of ai'chitecture that marks 
 that denomination of Christians, with its scjuare tower standing 
 out from the main botly of the building, surmounted by its 
 small belfry and shapely spire rising above the trees, that shade 
 the sunny slopes and swelling mounds which relieve the vil- 
 lage of Stratford from tlie dreary level that often marks the 
 conflict of the ocean with the shore. This church was erect- 
 ed in 174G, and is now more than a century old. The aged 
 men who helped to build it, and who were })resent at its con- 
 secration, could distinctly remember the flrst establishment 
 of episcopacy in Connecticut, and some of them had partici- 
 pated in the exciting warfare consequent upon it. It has 
 been before said, that from almost the first settlement of the 
 colony, there had existed in it an established religion which 
 belonged to the government, and was as firmly ui)lield by it 
 as any branch of the civil machinery. One of the provisions 
 in behalf of this establishnient, was embodied in the statute 
 of which the following is an extract : 
 
 " It is ordered by the Authority of this Court, That every 
 inhabitant shall henceforth contribute to all charges both in 
 church and colony whereof he doth or may receive benefit, 
 and every such inhabitant, who shall not voluntarily contri- 
 
540 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 bute proportionably to his ability, with the rest of the same 
 town, to all charges both civil and ecclesiastical, shall be 
 compelled thereunto by assessment and distress, to be levied 
 by the constable or other officer of the town, as in other 
 cases, and that the lands and estates of all men, wherever 
 they dwell, shall be rated for all town charges, both civil and 
 ecclesiastical, as aforesaid, the lands and estates w'here they 
 shall lie, and their persons where they dwell." 
 
 This provision remained substantially the same until 1727. 
 With the exception of the opposition of the persons called 
 " Quakers, Ranters, and Adamites," the established religion 
 was supported in the colony with almost entire unanimity 
 for many years. But it is impossible that the opinions of 
 any one generation should be locked up in a vault strong 
 enough to keep them from age to age in their primitive con- 
 dition. Dampness will gather around them and steal away 
 their vitality, violence will break open the doors that imprison 
 them, and set them free, or their deliverance will be left to 
 the more slow but equally sure action of the rains and frosts, 
 which will soften and crack asunder the mortar and the 
 stones, until, if the key does not drop from the arch, there 
 will be found many seams and crevices in the walls for the 
 entrance of the winds. So it had been in the old world, and 
 so was it in the new. 
 
 There were, very early in the eighteenth century, a 
 few men in the colony, who were descendants of the first 
 emigrants, and who sympathised with the causes that had in- 
 duced their fathers to remove to this continent, who yet 
 adhered to the forms of the English church, and believed that 
 their favorite institution, when severed from political connec- 
 tions and left to her own sphere of religious action, had little 
 sympathy with the cruelties and oppressions that had been 
 charged upon her. They began to find the payment of rates 
 to support a form of religion that they did not approve, to be 
 very irksome, and although it was in accordance with the order 
 of things established in England, yet they felt that as our in- 
 stitutions were new, they ought to be more flexible. They 
 
[ITOt;.] MR. MUIRSON, o41 
 
 pleaded, too, the precedent of the emigrants themselves, 
 who iiad left England for the enjoyment of liberty of 
 conscience, and claimed that all the descendants of those 
 men, more especially those who were born upon the soil, 
 had a right to pay their money for the support of such a 
 religious organization as they deemed fitted for their own 
 consciences. But they could not fail to be aware, that in 
 bringing about this charge, they must struggle with the 
 spirit of the age, and that the contest, if not ultimately 
 doubtful, would be at least a protracted one. About seventy 
 years had passetl away since the settlement of the colony 
 began, when the " Society for propagating the Gospel in 
 Foreign l^arts," an episcopal oi"ganization, established at 
 Rye, in the colony of New York, the Rev. Mr. Muirson as a 
 missionary. A lew individuals at Stratford, some of whom 
 were highly respectable, had for some time been dissatisfied 
 with the prevailing mode of worship in Connecticut, and 
 were glad that they could have for a near neighbor, a clergy- 
 man who administered the sacraments and adhered to the 
 ceremonials of the church as they recognized it to exist. 
 
 Not long after ]\lr. jMuirson had been stationed at Rye, an 
 earnest application was made to him in behalf of these per- 
 sons, begging him to visit Stratford, and preach there, and 
 baptize such as might desire to receive that rite at his hands. 
 Some time during the year 170G, Mr. Muirson yielded to 
 these solicitations, and in company with Colonel lleathcote, 
 a gentleman who, with himself, had the cause of the English 
 church much at heart, repaired to Stratford on this errand. 
 Of course they could not expect that their coming would be 
 regarded with very much indulgence by the puritan ministers 
 and elders of the town and neighborhood, who used such ar- 
 guments as they could to prevent their families and friends 
 from attending upon religious services so different from their 
 own. Perhaps this very effort excited the curiosity of the 
 people to a still higher pitch, to witness the new ceremonies, 
 and it is almost certain that it stimulated those whose minds 
 were already made up, to a still more ardent and firm resolve. 
 
542 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 The whole affair was managed so prudently by Mr. Muirson, 
 and such zealous exertions were made by those who had in- 
 vited him, that a large number of persons, probably as many 
 as seventy or eighty, were induced to assemble, and see and 
 hear for themselves. The result was, that seventy-five per- 
 sons, most of them adults, were baptized. 
 
 This was the first time that any attempt had been made to 
 introduce episcopacy into Connecticut. 
 
 In April, 1707, Mr. Muirson, with his friend, Mr. Heath- 
 cote, again visited Stratford. He preached there, and 
 also at Stratfield, and pei'formed the baptismal rite in both 
 places. The congregational ministers and magistrates did 
 not interfere with him in any other way, thnn by attempting 
 to persuade the people not to attend upon his ministrations. 
 This opposition had the same effect that it had done before, 
 in stimulating the efforts of the zealous, and in quickening 
 the activity of those who were charmed with the novelty of 
 the forms of the church. After this, Mr. Muirson made 
 several visits to Connecticut, and labored earnestly with 
 those who were willing to listen to him. 
 
 In the year 1722, the Society heretofore alluded to, estab- 
 lished the Rev. Mr. Pigot as a missionary at Stratford. He 
 soon had twenty communicants and about one hundred and 
 fifty hearers. 
 
 While the early clergy of the episcopal church were thus 
 struQ;G;lin2; to establish the foundations of the church in the 
 colony, and laboring to overcome those prejudices with 
 which they were compelled to contend, the alarming intelli- 
 gence burst upon the public ear, that the Rev. Timothy 
 Cutler, the rector of Yale College, which was then the 
 strong-hold of Congregationalism in New England, had de- 
 clared for episcopacy. The news flew as if it had been 
 borne by carrier-pigeons, into every hamlet, and to every 
 farm-house in the northern colonies. It was of course an 
 event which could not escape the notice of the trustees of a 
 seminary, which had been founded for the avowed object of 
 supporting the religion of the colony, and of educating minis- 
 
JOHNSON, CUTLER, AND PIGOT. 513 
 
 ters to perpetuate the institutions of puritanism. Mr. Cutler 
 was not surprised, therefore, when he was informed, by a vote 
 of the board of trustees, that he was " excused from all further 
 service as Rector of Yale College." It was a vote ap- 
 parently characterized by little of the bitterness that usually 
 attends ecclesiastical controversies, and his retirement from 
 the ot?icial station was the occasion of keen regret on both 
 sides. During the following November, Mr. Cutler, in com- 
 pany with Mr. Johnson, of West Haven, and Mr. Brown, one 
 of the tutors of the college, sailed for England, and in March 
 of the year 1723, those gentlemen were all ordained by the 
 Bishop of Norwich. Soon after, Mr. Cutler received, both 
 from Oxtbrd and Cambridge, the degree of doctor of divinity. 
 
 Few men of that day, enjoyed a higher reputation for 
 scholarship and intellectual gifts than Dr. Cutler. His per- 
 sonal popularity at Yale, while at the head of the institution, 
 was almost unbounded. He v»as also fortunate in being 
 eulogized even by his successors, who were opposed to him in 
 his ecclesiastical views. One president of Yale College* has 
 left his written testimonial, that "Dr. Cutler was a gentle- 
 man of superior natural powers and learning," while another, 
 the Rev. Dr. Stiles, no insignificant authority in such matters, 
 and a person not lavish of compliments, wrote of him as fol- 
 lows : "In the philosophy, metaphysics, and ethics of his day, 
 he was great. He spoke Latin with fluency, and with great 
 propriety of pronunciation. He was a man of extensive 
 reading in the academic sciences, divinity, and ecclesiastical 
 history, and of a commanding presence and dignity in govern- 
 ment. He was of a lofty and despotic mien, and made a 
 grand figure at the head of a college." 
 
 In 1723, Christ Church, the oldest episcopal church in the 
 colony, was founded by the Rev. Mr. Samuel Johnson, who 
 was appointed to succeed Mr. Pigot. Mr. Johnson is desig- 
 nated by Dr. Dwight as " the father of Episcopacy in Con- 
 necticut, and perhaps as the most distinguished clergyman 
 of that description who has been settled within its limits." 
 
 * Dr. C!;ip. 
 
544 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 He was born in Guilford, October 14, 1696,* and graduated 
 at Yale College in 1714. From 1716 to 1719 he remained 
 in the college as a tutor, and during the year 1720 he was 
 ordained minister of the Presbyterian church in West Haven. 
 Having embraced episcopacy, he sailed from Boston for 
 England, and was there ordained. Mr. Johnson, on his re- 
 turn to this country, was settled as above stated, at Stratford, 
 where he remained until his appointment to the presidency 
 of King's College, in New York, in 1754. He received the 
 degree of doctor of divinity from the university of Oxford. 
 He published A System of Morals, in 1746 ; A Treatise on 
 Morals, and A Treatise on Logic, which were republished to- 
 gether in 1772 ; and A Hebrew Grammar, in 1767, which 
 was reprinted in 1771, with additions and improvements. 
 
 Dr. Johnson was regarded as a learned, diligent, and faith- 
 ful preacher of the gospel. He possessed a remarkably 
 placid temper, and a benevolent and charitable disposition, 
 which together with his unfeigned piety, manifested them- 
 selves in unwearied eflbrts to do good. Even in his contro- 
 versial writings, these delightful traits of the Christain charac- 
 ter are strikingly observable. He died January 6, 1772. 
 
 The Rev. James Wetmore, the congregational minister of 
 North Haven, became an episcopalian about the same time 
 with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Cutler, and he also went to Eng- 
 land for the purpose of being re-ordained. The Rev. John 
 Beach, who had been for seven years the approv-ed pastor of 
 the congregational church in Newtown, seceded from the 
 established church, and proceeded to England, where he was 
 
 * Dr. Johnson was a son of Samuel Johnson who was born in 1G70 and died 
 in 1727; his father, William Johnson, settled in Giiill'oid where he died in 
 1702, aged 73 ; his father, Robert Johnson, was one of the founders of New 
 Haven. 
 
 Dr. Samuel Johnson was married to Charity Floyd, Sept. 26, 1725. She died 
 in New York, June 1, 1758, and was buried under the chancel of the old 
 English church. Their only sons were William Samuel Johnson, LL. D., who 
 was born Oct. 7, 1727, and the Rev. William Johnson, a promising young clergy- 
 man of the chureli of ICngland, who died of sma!l-pox in London, Sundaj', June 
 20, 175G, " and was buried under the church of St. Mildred, in the Poultry, iu 
 Mr. Mauley's vault." i [ 
 
EFFOKTS TO PROCURE A BISHOP. 545 
 
 episcopally ordained, in September, 1732. lie became a 
 missionary in Newtown and Reading, where a church was 
 erected in 1734, and two years after he reported one hun- 
 dred and five communicants. In 1751, the ordinary congre- 
 gation in eacli i)iace was between two and three hundred, 
 and tiie communicants between ninety and one hundred. 
 In 17G2, Mr. Beach was able to report that the churcinnen 
 in Newtown liad become nK)re numerous than all others 
 combined — a fact wiiich remains good to this day. 
 
 Besides the parishes under the immediate care of Mr. 
 Beacli, tiiose of Roxbury and New Milford* were organized 
 by him. Those of Lanesborough, in Massachusetts, and 
 Arhngton, in Vermont, also owed their existence mainly to 
 emigration from the parishes under liis care.f 
 
 From 1707, when the first prayer was read on the bank 
 of James river, invoking the divine blessing upon the emi- 
 grants, who were to level the forests of the old dominion, 
 down to the day when the British sceptre was cut in twain 
 by the edge of Washington's sword — a period of one hundred 
 and seventy years — the scattered flock belonging to the 
 American branch of the English church was left to wander 
 in the wilds of the west without an episcopal shepherd. 
 Again and again did the pious missionaries who had been 
 sent to this continent by the Society for Propagating the Gos- 
 pel in Foreign Parts, address letters to the Bishop of London, 
 and others in authority at home, begging that the episcopalians 
 in America might have a bishop of their own, who should 
 
 * It is stated that certain chuichmon in New MilforJ were fined for refusing to 
 attend the meetings of the established churcli. These fines were, by recommen- 
 dation of Mr. Beach, ])aid, and copies of the proceedings taken to be forwarded 
 to the king and council. The fact becoming known, the authorities refunded the 
 money and granted permission to build a church, which before had been refused. 
 Church Review, vol. ii. p. 317. 
 
 t Mr. Beach was born in Stratford in ITtiO; graduated at Yale College in 
 1721, and was settled over the congregational church in 1725. lie died March 
 19, 1782. lie published several sermons and pamphlets, mostly of a controversial 
 character, which evince a candid .sjiirit and much more than ordinary talents. 
 He was an indefatigable laborer in the vineyard of his Master. The name of Beach 
 had always been a good one in Connecticut. The Beaches of Litchfield, New- 
 Haven, and Hartford counties, are from the same family. 
 
 67 
 
646 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 have power to add to the number of the clergy, and to estab- 
 hsh that church upon a basis tliat would enable her to enter 
 the field of labor on an equal footing with the other denomi- 
 nations of New England ; but these solicitations fell upon the 
 ears of the establishment with as little practical etlect as 
 if they had been made to the General Court of Massachu- 
 setts or the General Assembly of Connecticut. The House 
 of Stuart was followed by the Protectorate, and that again 
 gave place to the House of Stuart ; Lord Clarendon gave 
 the authority of his name to the prayer of the missionaries, 
 and even the king approved the design so far as to order a 
 patent to be made out ; Queen Anne favored the applica- 
 tion ; eminent doctors and learned clergymen pleaded for it 
 upon their knees ; but all in vain. State policy, that fruit- 
 ful nurse of so many persecutions and proscri]:)tions, turned a 
 deaf ear to the prayer of the suppliants, and " refused to 
 let the people go." The House of Hanover succeeded, with 
 no better promise for this result. JMeanwhile, as dynasty 
 after dynasty passed away, the patient missionary, stationed 
 at a remote point on the border of some colony whose in- 
 habitants sympathized little with his teachings, or oi)posed 
 them either by argument, as in Connecticut, or by legislative 
 enactments, as in Massachusetts, kept on the even tenor of 
 his way, sprinkling with water and signing with the sign of 
 the cross, such as would receive the rite at his hands.* 
 
 * The first effijrt to procure the consecration of a bishop for New England, was 
 made in 1638, but the scliemo was thwarted by the outbreak of troubles in Scot- 
 land (" Missions of the Church of England," p. 376.) In the revolution which 
 soon followed, the matter was apparently forgotten. Soon after the Restoration, 
 however, in 1660 the subject of an American bishop was revived, and a patent 
 was actually made out, constituting Dr. Alexander Murray, bishop of \'irginia, 
 with a general charge over the other provinces and colonies. The project was 
 defeated by the accession to power of the " Cabal Ministry," (Hawkins, p. 376.) 
 Seeker states that the failure was owing to the endowment being made payable 
 out of the customs. JJoucher, however, says on this subject, " By some fatality 
 or other, (such as seems forever to have pursued all the good measures of 
 that unfortunate family,) the patent was not signed when the king died." 
 Soon after the establishment of the venerable Society for the Propagation of the 
 Gospel in Foreign Parts, in 1701, the American missionaries began to urge upon 
 that society the importance of having a bishop in the coloniis. In 1705 a me- 
 
[17J3.] SPECIAL PLEADING. 547 
 
 Objections were started, metapliysical obstacles were 
 pleaded, old precedents were set up, and delay followed delay, 
 until the heart-sick laborer was ready to faint in the field. 
 
 At last, in the little town of Groton, on the eastern bank 
 of the Thames, there grew up, nourished by the invigorating 
 air of the sea and of the hills, a dark-eved, thouiihtl'ul bov, 
 who was destined to break the chain of this political bond- 
 age. He was the son of a congi'egational clergyman, and like 
 Johnson, Cutler, Beach, Wetmore, and Brown, was of the good 
 old colonial stock. The name of that boy was Samuel Sea- 
 bury. When the boy was a year old, his father, the Rev. Samuel 
 Seabury, gave up his charge at Groton, and declared for 
 Episcopacy ; soon after which he sailed for England for 
 orders. Master Seabury, like his father, was entered a 
 student at Yale College, and graduated there with distinc- 
 tion in the year 1748. Three years after, he went to Scot- 
 land for the purpose of qualifying himself for the practice of 
 medicine. He was soon induced to turn his attention to the 
 study of theology, and w-as ordained by the Bishop of Lon- 
 don, in 1753. Not long after he returned to America and 
 filled the post of missionary at New Brunswick, in New 
 
 memorial lo tlie archbishops and bislicps of England, was signed by fourteen 
 clergymou assembled at Burlington, New Jersey, praying for the " presence 
 and assistance of a suffragan bisliop, to ordain such persons as are tit to be called 
 to serve in the sacred ministry of the church." It was urged that many 
 persons were deterred from entering the ministry, in consequence of the dangers 
 and expense of a hazardous journey of 3,000 miles. A writer in the London 
 Gentleman's Magazine of that day stated, that "out of fifty-two or fifty-three 
 w hu have come hither for holy orders, lorty-two only have returned safe. There 
 never was a persecution upon earth," he adds, "that destroyed a fifth part of the 
 clergy." The venerable society joined in the ajjpeal to (.^)ueen Anne in ITO'J. 
 Tlio subject was finally brought before a meeting of the bishops, on the t'Oth 
 oi" .lanuary, 1711 ; " but as the Bishop of London, who had a right to bo ci'n- 
 bulteil, was not there, the thing was dropped." (" Life of Art'hbisliop Sharpe," i. 
 o'i-2.) Several other petitions and memorials were presented, and the ])rayer of 
 the ap[)licants seemed about to be granted, when the death of the queen and the 
 accession of a new sovereign gave an entirely diflerent aspect to affairs. From 
 this time, ap]>eais and petitions, uot only i'roni missionaries, but from mm high in 
 authority, were ficqueiitly niaJe upon the eiown, for a nsident bishop in 
 America, but witlmut aval, until the consecration of Dr. .Seabury. 
 
548 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Jersey, until 1757. His next pastoral charge was at Jamai- 
 ca, on Long Island, where he remained until 1766, when he 
 went to Westchester, and had the care of St. Peter's church 
 for ten years. In December, 1776, he removed to New 
 York, on account of political disturbances in Connecticut, 
 and continued to reside there until the peace of 1783.* 
 
 As soon as peace was restored, the clergy of Connecticut 
 and those of New York held a private meeting in that city, 
 and chose the Rev. Dr. Learning bishop of the diocese of 
 Connecticut. Dr. Leaming did not accept the place as- 
 signed him, and on the 21st of April, 1783, a second vote 
 resulted in the unanimous choice of Dr. Seabury. A letter 
 was immediately addressed to the Archbishop of York, 
 reiterating the old request that an American bishop might 
 be consecrated. " The person," say they, " whom we have 
 prevailed upon to offer himself to your grace, is the Rev. Dr. 
 Samuel Seabury, who has been the society's worthy mis- 
 sionary for many years. He was born and educated in Con- 
 necticut, he is every way qualified for the episcojml office, and 
 for the discharge of those duties peculiar to it in the present 
 trying and dangerous times." 
 
 The bishop elect sailed for England shortly after he was 
 chosen. The Archbishop of York was not in London at the 
 time of his arrival there, but the Bishop of London gave 
 his ready assent to the proposition, and said he would cheer- 
 fully cooperate with the Archbishops of York and Canterbury 
 in bringing about the results so long desired. 
 
 New difficulties now presented themselves. It was neces- 
 sary that the candidate for episcopal consecration should 
 take oaths of allegiance to the king, and of obedience to the 
 Archbishop of Canterbury. Prudential considerations as 
 well as acts of parliament were also interposed. If the 
 bishops of England should consecrate an applicant from 
 Connecticut, what warrant had they to believe that the state 
 where he was to exercise his functions, would give her con- 
 
 * For a copy of !Mr. Scabury's mcmor'al to the General Assembly of Con- 
 necticut, see Ilinman, 548 — 551. 
 
SHIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY. 549 
 
 sent, and how could ihey know that the functionary tlius 
 created would be obeyed ? More than all, liow loas he to be 
 supported? Besides, it was urged, had they not good cause 
 to anticipate a renewal of that opposition which had kept 
 Dr. Seabury from his native state during the whole period 
 of the revolutionary war ? Thus, with one objection after 
 another, did those cautious dignitaries lead this fearless 
 knight of the cross from cavern to cavern and grove to 
 grove, as if for a more perfect trial of his virtue and his 
 faith. But firm as the rocky bank that rises above his native 
 river, with a soul unrufiled and deep as the waters that glide 
 under its shadow, this son of the west, unabashed in the pre- 
 sence of mitres and pontifical robes, with one great purpose 
 swelling in his bosom and beating at his heart, was not to be 
 thwarted from doing his Master's work. He wrote to the 
 clergy of Connecticut, who were now on tiptoe with expecta- 
 tion, stating the fear entertained in England, that the 
 General Assembly of the state would prevent a bishop, should 
 he be consecrated, from enterincr on the discharge of his 
 episcopal labors. 
 
 A convention of the clergy was forthwith called at Walling- 
 ford, to determine what was to be done. As the assembly was 
 then in session at New Haven, a committee was appointed 
 to confer with the principal members of the legislature, 
 and solicit the passage of an act authorizing a bishop to re- 
 side in Connecticut, and to exercise the episcopal func- 
 tions there. The gentlemen to whom this request was 
 made, replied, as they well might, that it was not necessary 
 to pass such an act, as the law of Connecticut was already 
 in conformity with their wishes.* Certified copies of the 
 statutes of the colony in relation to this matter, were made 
 out and forwarded to England without delay. 
 
 This evidence was, of course, conclusive on the point in 
 question. Other objections were then started, and new 
 pleadings were filed, that were likely to keep the matter 
 
 * See page 21 of " The General Laws and Liberties of Connecticut Colony," 
 edition of 1672 ; also statute of 1727, ante. 
 
550 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 pending until half a dozen generations of men should be 
 mouldering in their graves. A legislative act might have 
 been passed in a month, removing all objections that could 
 be raised on account of any informality in relation to the 
 required oaths, but the parlian)ent refused to interfere in 
 behalf of the applicants. It was idle to attempt any longer 
 to shift the responsibility from the shoulders of the English 
 authorities and lay it at the door of the General Assembly 
 of Connecticut. 
 
 If there ever was an instance where " hope deferred " 
 made a sick heart, the matter now presented to the conside- 
 ration of the episcopal clergy of Connecticut, and of their 
 bishop elect, afibrds an illustration of it. 
 
 With the advice of the clergy, Dr. Seabury finally aban- 
 doned these fruitless negotiations, and hastened to Scotland 
 to seek the consecration that had been denied him in Eng- 
 land. Here the doors were at once thrown open to him. 
 On the 14th of November, 1784, the ceremonial took place 
 at Aberdeen, under the direction of Robert Kilgour, bishop 
 of Aberdeen, Primus, with the assistance of Arthur Petrie, 
 of Ross and Moray, and John Skinner, coadjutor of Bishop 
 Kilgour. It was an occasion of the deepest interest, and 
 called forth many warm congratulations and fervent 
 prayers.* 
 
 Thus by the kindly aid of Scotland, after a struggle of 
 so many years, the victory over English exclusiveness 
 was won, and Connecticut, let us rather say the western 
 world, had at last a bishop. 
 
 Hastening homeward with a heart buoyant as the wave 
 that floated and the wind that wafted him. Bishop Seabury 
 repaired immediately to New London, and on the 3d of 
 August, 1785, entered upon the discharge of his high and 
 responsible duties. f Nobly did this great and good man lay 
 
 * Dr. Chapin's sketch of Bishop Seabury, in the " Evergreen," of Jan. 18-14. 
 
 t On the day referred to, a special convention was held at Middletown, Con- 
 necticut, on which occasion the following candidates were admitted to the holy 
 order of deacons ; viz., Messrs. Colin, Ferguson, Henry Van Dyke, Ashbel 
 Baldwin, and Philo Shelton. 
 
BISHOP SEABURY, 651 
 
 wide and deep the walls that were to stand around the 
 diocese of Connecticut and Rhode Island.* Brave without 
 any ostentatious show of moral courage, modest without the 
 least abatement of self-possession or firmness, with all the 
 lofty zeal of a martyr tempered with the forbearance that is 
 the fruit only of Christain charity ; discreet in counsel, with 
 a hand that never trembled in executing his ripe purposes ; 
 never advancing faster than he could fortify his progress, 
 Bishop Seabury had no superior, probably no equal, among 
 the episcopal dignitaries of his generation. 
 
 His personal appearance was calculated to inspire univer- 
 sal respect. His features were not regular, nor indeed could 
 they be called handsome ; but there was an intellectual 
 strength, a force of character and of will, written in every 
 line of his open countenance, that could not be misinter- 
 preted. Added to this, was that indescribable air of refine- 
 ment which belongs to the well-bred gentleman, and consti- 
 tutes a part of his presence. Bishop Seabury was about the 
 middle height, portly and well-proportioned. His eye was 
 dark and piercing, and his motions as well as his utterance 
 were slow and dignified. His voice was not a sweetly 
 modulated one, but deep- toned and powerful, and expressed 
 as did his whole manner, decision of character and boldness 
 of thought. He had besides, a strong good sense that never 
 forsook him, a very lively wit, and conversational powers at 
 once natural and graceiul. In the words of a congregational 
 minister, contemporary with him, " Bishop Seabury looked 
 as a bishop ought to look." 
 
 As a writer, his distinguishing attribute was comprehen- 
 siveness and strength, and his style was limpid as a crystal 
 well. His thoughts were all marshalled like a well-trained 
 
 i '' The inlluence of Bishop Seabury, in the revision of the Liturgy^" says 
 Dr. Ch.ipin, '' was very considerable, in some important points. The invocation 
 and the prayer of oblation in tlie communion service, and wliicli are not in the 
 present liiiglish service, and even the words of oblation omitted in king Edward's 
 time, were restored at the urgent desire of Bishop Seabury. The descent of 
 Christ into hell, mentioned in the apostle's creed, seems to have been retained at 
 his instance." " Evergreen," January, 1841. 
 
552 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 troop of cavalry, performing their evolutions without fatigue, 
 and with that certainty of result which belongs only to 
 discipline. He avoided all metaphysical skirmishings -and 
 whimsical niceties, and cared little for the husks and shells of 
 disputation, while the grain and the kernel were within his 
 grasp. His intuitions were also delicate, and prescient of 
 good to be sought or danger to be shunned. Sophistry, and 
 all the little arts of little men, to plume themselves with the 
 feathers of rhetoric, or hide their heads in the clouds of 
 mysticism or the drapery of inflated declamation, his noble 
 nature had no need to employ, and would have scorned to 
 practice. 
 
 Such, as seen by the light of history, were some of the 
 principal attributes of Bishop Seabury. His name is still re- 
 vered throughout the whole continent for his unaffected 
 piety, his uncompromising principles, and his spotless life ; 
 and wherever that name is spoken, it seems to be echoed by 
 the hills of his native state, and repeated by the voice of the 
 ocean waves that bore him from her free shores to the 
 old world, and brought him safely back to lay himself down 
 to die in the maturity of his fame and the ripeness of his 
 faith on the bank of the Thames. His death took place in 
 New London, February 25, 1796. He was succeeded in the 
 episcopal office by the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, D.D.* 
 
 Bishop Jarvis was born in Norwalk, May 5, 1739, and 
 graduated at Yale College in 1701. In JVovember, 1703, he 
 went to England, where he was ordained deacon by the 
 Bishop of Exeter, and priest by the Bishop of Carlisle. On 
 his return he entered upon the duties of the ministry in 
 Middletown on a salary of ninety pounds per year. In 1797, 
 he was consecrated Bishop of Connecticut, and at the annual 
 commencement of Yale College of the same year, he received 
 the degree of doctor of divinity. In 1799, he removed to 
 Cheshire, and subsequently to New Haven, where he died, 
 
 * Dr. Seabury was succeeded in the office of rector of James' Church, New 
 London, by his son, the Rev. Charles Seabury, who continued in the rectorship 
 for seventeen years. 
 
 / \ 
 
BISnOP .TARVIS. 
 
 553 
 
 May 3d, 1813, aged 75 years. He was much esteemed by 
 his contemporaries, for his learning and piety. His only son, 
 the Rev. Samuel Farmer Jarvis, D.D., was born in Middle- 
 town, and graduated at Yale College in 1805. He became 
 the rector of the episcopal church in his native town, April 
 11, 1837, having previously been rector of the church in 
 Bloomingdale, N. Y., and of St. Paul's, in Boston. He was 
 also a professor in Trinity College. Dr. Jarvis died in 
 Middletown, March 29, 1851, aged 64. 
 
 OLD CHURCH AT STKATFOHU. 
 
CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 OTHER RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 
 
 The rise and progress of Methodism in America, from the 
 humblest beginnings to its present condition as one of the 
 largest and most influential denominations in the country, 
 would of itself afford ample materials for a much larger 
 work than mine. Were proofs of this assertion needed, I 
 might refer to the handsome volumes of Bangs, Stevens, and 
 other historians of the sect, which do honor to themselves, 
 and to the cause in which they are so zealously engaged. 
 
 The pioneer preachers of Methodism in the new world, were 
 Philip Embury, Richard Boardman, Joseph Pdmoor, and 
 Capt. Thomas Webb, a devout officer of the British army. In 
 1768, the first chapel of that denomination on this side of 
 the ocean, was consecrated in the city of New York. The 
 first conference was held on the 4th of July, 1778, at which 
 date, the number of members reported was eleven hundred 
 and sixty, scattered over five states of the Union. It was not, 
 however, until 1789,* that the seeds of the new sect were 
 sown in Connecticut. In June, of that year, the Rev. Jesse 
 Lee, preached at Nor walk, Fairfield, New Haven, Reading, 
 Stratford, Canaan, and other places, spending about three 
 months in the state, passing from town to town, wherever 
 circumstances of the voice of providence seemed lo call 
 him. The first Methodist society which was formed in Con- 
 necticut, was at Stratford on the 26th of September, of the 
 year last named, and consisted of only three females. The 
 next was in Reading, and embraced but two persons, one of 
 
 * This is the date given by the Rev. Dr. Bangs, in his History, (i. 290.) It is 
 proper to remark, however, that according to the testimony of the Rev. Abel 
 Stevens, in his " Memorials of Methodism," the Rev. Messrs. Cook and Black, 
 had preached in Connecticut a year or two previous. 
 
lee's cuapel. 555 
 
 whom* subsequently became a local preacher. The first 
 church edifice of the denomination ever built in New Eng- 
 land, was in the town of Weston, in Fairfield county, and 
 was called "Lee's Chapel," in honor of its founder. It stood 
 until the year 1813, when it was torn down, and a new one 
 built in its place. 
 
 In 1790, the circuits of New Haven, Hartford, and Litch- 
 field, were established. The only methodist ministers in New 
 England at that date were Jesse Lee, Jacob Brush, George 
 Roberts, and Daniel Smith. f There were more preachers 
 than classes, and scarcely more than two members to each 
 preacher. 
 
 During the year 1790, Mr. Lee made an itinerating tour 
 through New England, spending much time in Connecticut. 
 His journal presents an interesting narrative of his trials, dis- 
 couragements, adventures, and successes. J Though not a 
 learned man, he possessed much shrewdness and talent, in- 
 domitable energy, and a pervading sense of the infinite im- 
 portance of the great work in which he was engaged. 
 
 One district, six circuits — four in Connecticut, and two in 
 Massachusetts — with eleven circuit preachers and one pre- 
 siding elder, constituted the field and ministerial corps in New 
 England, for the year 1791. 
 
 In 1793-'4, Mr. Roberts had charge of the Connecticut 
 
 * Rev. Aaron Sanford. 
 
 t Jesse Lee was appointed Elder, by the New England Conference; Fairfitid, 
 John Bloodgood ; New Haven, John Lee ; Hartford, Nathaniel B. jNIills ; Bos- 
 ton, Jesse Lee, and Daniel Smith. Besides these circuits, under the nominal 
 supervisi(ju of jNIr. Lee, there was the Litchfield circuit, traveled by Samuel 
 Wigton and Henry Christie, which lay mostly within the state of New York, and 
 was under the presiding eldership of the devoted Freeborn Garretson. 
 
 i He entered the north-western angle of Connecticut, at Sharon, on the 20th 
 of .June, and preached un(h'r the trees to about one thousand people, " O my dove, 
 thou art in the cleft of tlie rock," &c. 22d, " Rode about fifteen miles and preached 
 in a Preshijterian meeting-house to some hundreds.'' 2.">d, " Rode about twenty 
 miles to Litchfield, and was surprised to find the doors of the Episcopal cliurch 
 open, and a large congregation waiting for me." 
 
 In some places, however, he was treated very uncivilly both by pastors and 
 people. 
 
656 APPENDIX. 
 
 district. In 1794-'5, his district comprised nearly the 
 whole of Connecticut, and extended into Rhode Island 
 on the east, and to Vermont on the north. During the 
 two following years, his district lay principally in New 
 York, but extended into Connecticut, and included the 
 Reading circuit. 
 
 Under the faithful preaching and labors of such men as 
 Bishop Asbury, Aaron Hunt, James Covel, Matthias Swaim, 
 Jeremiah Cosden, James Coleman, and other earnest pioneers 
 of Methodism in Connecticut, (in addition to those previously 
 named,) the doctrines and discipline inculcated by Wesley 
 gradually extended over the state. The seed sown almost at 
 random by the way-side, took deep root in many hearts and 
 bore abundant fruits. At the close of the ecclesiastical year 
 1802, the number of members of the several methodist 
 churches in the state was reported at sixteen hundred and 
 fifty-eight; and from that time to the present, the denomina- 
 tion has been steadily progi'essing, not only in Connecticut, 
 but throughout New England, and indeed in almost every 
 part of the Christian world.* In the number, intelligence, 
 and piety of its members, as w^ell as in its churches, schools, 
 and colleges, it will compare favorably with any other reli- 
 gious sect. 
 
 As early as 1798, a methodist chapel had been erected in 
 New London. In 1819, the church there numbered three 
 hundred and twenty-one members ; in 1838, the number had 
 increased to three hundred and seventy-seven. In 1840, 
 however, the society became divided, one party, including the 
 trustees, withdrew from the conference, disclaimed its 
 authority, and called themselves "Independent Methodists." 
 This party kept possession of the chapel, while the others, 
 under the pastoral care of the Rev. Ralph W. Allen, erected 
 a church in Washington-street, which was dedicated Decem- 
 ber 8, 1842. A decision of the civil court in 1S49, gave the 
 old chapel to the latter branch of the society. The number 
 
 * In 1838, the total number of communicants in the methodist episcopal church 
 in the United States was 749,210. 
 
[179G.] DANIEL OSTRANDER. 557 
 
 of members reported in 1851, was two hundred and 
 nineteen.* 
 
 In Middletown, the society was formed in December, 1791 ; 
 tiie Middletown circuit was instituted, and continued until 
 ISIG, when the city and township became a station or sepa- 
 rate charge. It has been attached to several districts, as 
 New York, New London, Rhinebeck, New Haven, and Hart- 
 ford, and in consequence, the change of presiding elders has 
 been greater in proportion to the time allowed for services, 
 than the circuit and stationed preachers. In 181G, the num- 
 ber of communicants was one hundred and twelve; in 1846, 
 after the Wesleyan University had for several years been in 
 successful operation at that place, the number was five hun- 
 dred and fifteen. Since 1840, about sixty of the students 
 have, on an average, been among the comnumicants of that 
 church. 
 
 In New^ Haven, the first class was formed by the Rev. D. 
 Ostrander, in 1795. In 1800, a building that had previously 
 been occupied by the Sandemanians was purchased by a mem- 
 ber of the society, and was used as a i)lace of worshipuntil 1807, 
 when a chapel was erected in Temple-street, though it was 
 not actually finished until seven years afterwards. In 1822, 
 a brick church was built on the north-west corner of the 
 green, which was removed three or lour years since, and a 
 new and beautiful edifice was about the same time erected 
 near by, on the opposite side of Elm-street. Other metho- 
 dist churches have recently gone up in different parts of the 
 city. In 1850, the denomination numbered in New Haven, 
 five hundred and tliirty-three. 
 
 In Norwich, Mr. Lee preached as early as 1790, and not 
 long after, classes were formed both at Chelsea and Bean Hill. 
 The society at Chelsea flourished for awhile under the foster- 
 ing care of Mr. Beatty, of that place, but after his removal 
 to Ohio, with several of his friends, in 1804, it became nearly 
 extinct — only two or three members remaining. The first 
 house of worship erected by the methodists within the limits 
 * Miss Caulkins' Hist, of New London, p. 597. 
 
558 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 of Norwich, was in the year 1811, which was located on the 
 wharf-bridge in Chelsea. It w\as swept of!' by a flood in the 
 spring of 1823. There are now four flourishing churches in 
 the town. 
 
 Thus, one after another, churches were organized in all 
 the principal towns in the state. The denomination numbers 
 among its preachers some of the most elo(iuent, learned and 
 excellent men to be found in the commonwealth.* 
 
 Among those most worthy of particular mention, it is pro- 
 per to name the learned and much lamented Wilbur Fisk, D.D., 
 the first president of the Wesleyan University at Middle- 
 town, and at the time of his death bishop elect of the metho- 
 dist episcopal church. He was born in Brattleboro, Ver- 
 mont, August 31, 1792, and at an early age entered the col- 
 le2;e at Burlinn-ton, in that state ; but as that institution was 
 closed for a season during the war with Great Britain, he was 
 sent to Brown University, in Rhode Island, where he gradu- 
 ated with high honors. Commencing the study of the law 
 with an eminent attorney, he promised to excel in that pro- 
 fession ; but, while vigorously prosecuting his studies in 
 Baltimore, he was prostrated by a violent attack of a pulmo- 
 nary disease. When he had sufficiently recovered to under- 
 take so long a journey, he returned to Burlington, Vermont, 
 where he soon had a relapse of his former disease, which for 
 a while threatened his life. At this time, the religious im- 
 pressions of an earlier day were revived, which, under the 
 guidance of the Holy S[)irit, ultimately led to a radical 
 change in his views and purposes of life. Uniting himself 
 with the methodist church, he commenced the study of 
 theology, and in 1818, he was admitted on trial in the New 
 Eno-land conference. He began his itinerant labors amone: 
 
 o o o 
 
 his native hills, inhaling the invigorating atmosphere, and 
 enjoying that mental and bodily exercise so conducive to 
 health. His first ministerial station was at Charlestown, 
 Massachusetts, where the nature of his duties was so con- 
 
 * Bishops Janes and Ilamline, of tlie mctliodist church, were Connecticut 
 men. 
 
REV. DR. FISK. 559 
 
 fining that he was seized with his former disease, and in 1820, 
 he was compelled to seek retirement and rest. In 1823, 
 however, he had so far recovered that he was able to resume 
 his itinerant career as presiding elder of the Vermont 
 district. 
 
 On the establishment of the Wilbraham Academy, in 
 Massachusetts, Mr. Fisk was elected its principal. Under 
 his supervision, it became one of the most successful and 
 popular institutions of its class in New England. While 
 engaged in this congenial employment, he attended the gen- 
 eral conference, as a delegate, in 1824 and 1828. In 1831, 
 he was appointed to and accepted the Presidency of the 
 Wesley an L^niversity, in Middletown, Connecticut. In 1835 
 and 183G, he made the tour of Europe, an account of which 
 he afterwards published in a large octavo volume. While 
 in Europe he was apjiointed by the general conference of 
 1836, its delegate to the Wesleyan methodist conference in 
 England, and at the same conference, he was also elected 
 bishop of the methodist episcopal church of the United 
 States * 
 
 Soon after his return to this country, Dr. Fisk suffered a 
 relapse of his pulmonary complaint, and in the winter of 
 1838, he was compelled to relinquish the active duties of his 
 office. From this attack he never recovered. 
 
 Dr. Fisk possessed a clear, vigorous, and well-balanced 
 mind, regular and handsome features, an expressive coun- 
 tenance, a stately figure, and a pleasing address. " His man- 
 ner in the pulpit," says Dr. Bangs, " was solemn, graceful, 
 and dignified ; his enunciation clear and impressive ; and all 
 his gesticulations corresponded with the purity and importance 
 of the cause in which he was engaged. Perhaps, when un- 
 embarrassed, he came as near to the perfection of a christian 
 pulpit orator, as any that can be found among the ministers 
 of the sanctuary." " Though never boisterous in his man- 
 ner," adds the same writer, " but calm and collected, he was 
 energetic, j)lain, and pointed, and evinced that he spoke from 
 * Bangs' Hist., iv. 313—317. 
 
560 HISTORY OF COXXECTICUT. 
 
 the fulness of his heart — a heart thoroughly imbued with the 
 spirit of his Divine Master."* 
 
 The commenceVnent of the Baptist denomination of chris- 
 tians in this state, was made by a small colony from Rhode 
 Island, in the beginning of the eighteenth century, in the county 
 of New London. The first church was organized in the 
 town of Groton, in 1705, by Rev. Valentine Wightman, 
 who had removed to that town from North Kingston, Rhode 
 Island. This remained the only baptist church in the colony 
 of Connecticut for about twenty years. In 1726, another 
 church was organized in fellowship in the town of New Lon- 
 don, and in 1743, the first church in North Stonington was 
 organized. Rev. Valentine Wio-htman was born 1681. He 
 remained pastor of the church in Groton forty-two years, 
 and died at the age of sixty-six. lie was a descend- 
 ant of the Rev. Edward Wightman, the christian martyr 
 who was burned at the stake in Endand, in 1612, beinc^ the 
 last man who suffered death for conscience sake, by direct 
 course of law, in the mother country. The Rev. Valen- 
 tine Wightman was followed in the pastoral office of the 
 church in Groton, by his son, Timothy Wightman, who filled 
 the office forty years, till his death in 1796, and was succeeded 
 by his son, John G. Wightman, from 1800 to 1841, when 
 he died. Thus it appears that the three Wightmans, father, 
 son, and grandson, sustained the pastoral office in this church 
 one hundred and twenty-three years. Of the descendants of 
 the Rev. Valentine Wightman, nineteen have filled the pastoral 
 office in the baptist church with usefulness and honor. Thus 
 the blood of their martyred ancestor has been the seed of 
 the church. From these early beginnings, small at the first, 
 and slow in progress, have arisen amid much opposition and 
 very many discouragements, the eight associations of baptist 
 churches in this state, numbering now sixteen thousand six 
 hundred and seventeen communicants, one hundred and 
 thirteen churches, and one hundred and twenty-one ministers, 
 beside the Free-will, and Seventh-day Baptist churches, who 
 
 * Hist, of the M. E. Church, iv. 321, 322. 
 
REV. ASAUEL ilORSE. 561 
 
 are respectable bodies of sober minded cbrislians, but their 
 statistics are not at hand. 
 
 The doctrinal views of the associated baptist churclies are 
 like those of the early puritans of New England, and their 
 church organization is strictly congregational, holding that 
 none are proper subjects of christian ordinances, but ])ro- 
 fessed believers, and thus of course excluding unconscious 
 babes from the ordinance of baptism. Their church govern- 
 ment is essentially democratic. As a denomination, it is 
 believed they have ever in all countries, and at all times, been 
 opposed to the interference of the civil authority in matters 
 of conscience, believing as Roger Williams expresses, that 
 great cardinal principle in the full enjoyment of — " Soul 
 Liberty." All they desire of the civil government is, that it 
 should protect every man in the state equally, in the free exer- 
 cise of his religious privileges and belief and action, provided 
 he does not interfere with the equal rights of his neighbor. 
 
 It is worthy of special note, that the Rev. Asahel Morse, 
 then pastor of the first baptist church in Suffield, was one of 
 the delegates to the constitutional convention in 1818, and 
 that the article in the constitution, on religious liberty, is 
 from his pen. 
 
 The Christian Secretary, a religious newpaper, was estab- 
 lished at Hartford, in 1824, by the Connecticut Bai)tist Con- 
 vention. The Rev. Gurdon Robins was its first editor. 
 
 The names of some of the most jirominent ministers of the 
 baptist denomination in this state, from the date of its intro- 
 duction among us, are Wightman, Brown, Rathburn, Morse, 
 Palmer, Darrow, Burrows, Miner, Wildman, Rogers, West, 
 Higbee, Robins, Cushman, Davis,* and Hastings. 
 
 * One of the most eminent baptist preachers in this state, was the late Rev. 
 Gustavus F. Davis, D.D., pastor of the first baptist cliurch in Hartford. lie was 
 born in Boston, March 17, 1797; commenced preaching at Xhm early age of 
 seventeen years ; and was ordained and settled as pastor of a church in Preston, 
 Connecticut, when but nineteen years of age. He received the honorary degree 
 of Master of Arts at Waterville College, and subsequently at Yale College, and the 
 Wesleyan University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. 1 le was 
 ji Trustee of Brown University, and of Washington College, and \va.s electc<l chap- 
 
562 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 During or soon after the "great awakening," under the 
 preaching of Jonatimn Edwards, James Davenport, Gilbert 
 Tennant, George Whitefield, Nathan Howard, and John 
 Owen, considerable parties seceded from some of the regu- 
 lar churches of the colony, and formed themselves into dis- 
 tinct ecclesiastical organizations. They were generally 
 known as "new lights," or "separatists." In some places, 
 they continued to flourish for many years — though it is be- 
 lieved that the societies have now nearly all ceased to exist, 
 at least with their distinctive characteristics. Their extrava- 
 gances formed a striking feature of the age in which they took 
 their rise. From the dead formality that had previously reign- 
 ed in the church, they rushed to the opposite extreme. Their 
 zeal knew no bounds, so long as their physical and mental 
 energies could be kept in play. The most extravagant ges- 
 tures, and boisterous language, fastings of extraordinary 
 length, the destruction of what they called their idols, and 
 their denunciations of the church members and clergy who 
 stood aloof from the new measures, all evinced an over- 
 heated brain, and a "zeal not according to knowledge."* 
 
 lain to both houses of the Connecticut legislature. Dr. Davis, was a man of 
 earnest and consistent piety, a faithful pastor, an eloquent preacher, and a public- 
 spirited citizen. lie died .September 11, iSoG. 
 
 * It is stated on good authority that a company of " new lights" fasted and prayed 
 for three days in succession. At Groton, Mr. Davenport kept up his meetings 
 for four or five successive days, in a tent or in the open air, sometimes not breaking 
 up until two o'clock in the morning, some of his hearers remaining all night under 
 the tree where he had preached. 
 
 In New London, on more than one occasion, fires were kindled in the streets, 
 into which, in obedience to the declamations of Davenport, the infatuated people 
 threw whatever they had regarded with idolatrous veneration. Certain religious 
 books which the preacher declared to be " heretical," were among the first articles 
 sacrificed. Says Miss Caulkins — " Women came with their ornamental attire, 
 their hoops, calashes, and satin cardinals ; men with their silk stockings, embroidered 
 vests, and buckles. Whatever they had esteemed and cherished as vakiable, must 
 now be sacrificed. Most of the articles were of a nature to be quickly consumed, 
 but the heavy books lay long upon the smoldering heap, and some of them were 
 even adroitly rescued by lookers on, though in a charred condition. A copy of 
 Russell's Seven Sermons, which was extracted from the embers with one corner 
 burnt off, was long preserved as a memorial of this erratic proceeding." 
 
[1850.] CLERGYJIEX OF OTHER SECTS. 563 
 
 In 1850, the number of clergymen in the state of other 
 denominations, was as follows : Wesleyan, Protestant and 
 Reformed Methodists, eight ; Roman Catholics, seven ; Uni- 
 tarians, three ; Christians, five ; Presbyterians, three ; Uni- 
 versalists, thirteen ; Second Adventists, three ; Free-will 
 Baptists, one ; Seven Day Baptists, one ; Shakers, one ; Jews, 
 one ; Africans, four. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, SCLENCE, ART, AND LITERATUEE. 
 
 Arriving, as we now do, near the goal whither we have 
 been tending, and by ways necessarily so devious that we 
 seemed some times hardly to advance, let us stop a moment, 
 and, as the tired huntsman, standing upon some breezy hill- 
 side, winds his horn at sun-set to call together the stragglers 
 of his party, let us, before descending into the valley, gather in 
 a few neglected companions who have fallen behind in the 
 hurry of the chase. 
 
 Among the earliest of our fellow-travelers was the school- 
 master of the colony. Hardly had the log cabin of the emi- 
 grants in the valley of the Connecticut, begun to send 
 upward from the mouth of its stone chimney, the 
 wreaths of smoke that rose to the heavens, like the 
 mornino; and evenino; oblation breathed bv the fathers 
 and mothers of Hartford ; scarcely had the voice of 
 Hooker thrilled the green leaves that canopied the first 
 worshiping assembly of the town ; when the inhabitants 
 began to turn their attention toward the school, where their 
 children were to be taught the rudiments of knowledge. 
 The earliest records of our old towns are either partially lost, 
 or were originally kept in such a careless manner, that we 
 are unable to trace the beginnings of that peculiar system 
 of universal culture, so cheap, so wholesome, so democratic, 
 and at the same time so conservative, which has so long dis- 
 tinguished the New England states from the rest of the world, 
 and which shows in the best possible light, the wisdom, the 
 social and political sagacity, which characterized the founders 
 of our old commonwealth. As early as 1642, we find the 
 voters of Hartford appropriating " thirty pounds a year to 
 the town school" This record takes for granted the fact that 
 
SCHOOL HOUSES AND SCIIOOL-BOYS. 565 
 
 a school was already existing and well established there. 
 Similar records also exist in most of the other old towns. 
 
 The school was one main pillar of the civil fabric. The 
 school-house stood next to the church. It was a humble 
 edifice with few modern conveniences ; its forms were hard, 
 with long legs, and without supporters for the spine ; but the 
 sons and daughters of the emigrants had no leisure to contract 
 curvatures of that delicate part of the human frame. Ven- 
 tilation, that important element, entering so largely into phy- 
 sical economy, and so loudly called for, yet so seldom found in 
 our day, their school-houses certainly did not lack, for the chinks 
 in the chimney that stood up against the outer wall, and the 
 crevices between the ill-fitting joints of the logs, from which 
 the urchins had in summer picked out the clay with their 
 mischievous fingers, would in the winter days let in many a 
 lusty current of the north-west blast that howled at the 
 door. 
 
 The school-boy's situation at that day, was no sinecure. 
 He was compelled to make many a deep indentation in his 
 brain with the sharp points of sums in arithmetic not easy to 
 do, and with sentences not readily subjected to the rules of 
 grammar, and long words difficult to spell. Tough points in 
 theology, seasoned with texts of scripture, and coupled with 
 knotty questions of election, of faith, of works, and saving 
 grace, formed a wholesome sauce to the more secular learn- 
 ing. Bits of practical philosophy, maxims that had been 
 tested and found to be solid old English proverbs, scraps of 
 experience pickled down in good attic salt ; something of 
 civil polity and political economy, reverence of gray hairs, 
 and respectful treatment to woman, were among the things 
 that he was obliged to learn. Rough he might be and often 
 was, but stupid he could not be, for knowledge, and that of a 
 kind not easily digested, was beaten into his skull as if by 
 blows upon an anvil. Gentle or simple, he must submit to 
 the same dry rules of application. 
 
 The estimation in which schools were held may be better 
 understood by finding out by what class of men they were 
 
566 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 taught, and how the community regarded them. The school- 
 master was indeed no vulgar man. He was a scholar well 
 skilled in all the rudiments of knowledge ; his mind was 
 stored with classical lore ; often a graduate of some one of 
 the English universities, he could speak Latin and write 
 Greek and read Hebrew. He was also, in most instances, 
 a gentleman. Next to the minister, teacher, ruling elder, magis- 
 trates, and more genteel planters, he was regarded with the pro- 
 foundest respect ; and when he walked through the village, 
 or rambled in the fields, with his head bowed down in medi- 
 tation upon some grave moral question, or solving some 
 ponderous sum, the boj's dared never pass him without pull- 
 ing off their hats. 
 
 Nor was the education of the young long left to the volun- 
 tary action of the towns. As early as 1644, the General 
 Court took the matter in hand and enacted the following 
 law : 
 
 " It being one chief project of that old deluder Satan, to 
 keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former 
 times keeping them in an unknown tongue, so in these latter 
 times by persuading them from the use of tongues, so that at 
 least the true sense and meaning of the original might be 
 clouded with false glosses of saint-seeming deceivers ; and 
 that learning may not be buried in the grave of our fore- 
 fathers, in church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our 
 endeavors — It is therefore ordered by this court and the 
 authority thereof, that every township within this jurisdic- 
 tion, after the Lord hath increased them to the number of 
 fifty householders, shall then forthwith appoint one within 
 their town to teach all such children as shall resort to him, to 
 write and read, whose wages shall be paid either by the 
 parents or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in 
 general by way of supply, as the major part of those who 
 order the prudentials of the town shall appoint; Provided, 
 that those who send their children be not oppressed by more 
 than they can have them taught for in other towns. And it 
 is further ordered, that where anv town shall increase to the 
 
[1G41.] THE CATECHISM. 567 
 
 number of one hundred families or liouseho]der.s, they shall 
 set up a grammar school, the masters thereof being able to 
 instruct youth so far as they may be fitted for the university. 
 And if any town neglect the performance hereof above one 
 year, then every such town shall pay five pounds {)er annum 
 to the next such school, till they shall perform such order. 
 
 " The propositions concerning the maintenance of scholars 
 at Cambridge, made by the commissioners, is confirmed. 
 And it is ordered, that two men shall be appointed in every 
 town within this jurisdiction, who shall demand what every 
 family will give, and the same to be gathered and brought 
 into some room, in March, and this to continue yearly as it 
 shall be considered by the commissioners." 
 
 It was also enacted that the selectmen of each town should 
 keep a "vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors," and 
 see to it that parents and masters did not neglect the education 
 of the children under their care ; and that all heads of fami- 
 lies should, at least once a week "catechise their children 
 and servants in the grounds and principles of religion ;" and 
 parents and guardians were to learn such children and a})- 
 prentices "some short orthodox catechism" so that they shall 
 be able to answer the questions that may be propounded to 
 them by their parents, masters, or the selectmen. 
 
 In the revised edition of the statutes published ^n 1672, 
 these laws were substantially retained, with the omission of 
 the last clause respecting the college at Cambridge. 
 
 In New Haven, it was ordered, in 1041, that " a free sciiool 
 should be set up" in that town ; and Mr. Davenport, together 
 with the magistrates were authorized to determine what 
 allowance should be given to it out of the common stock of 
 the town. During the same year, a public grammar school 
 was established there, and placed under the superintendence 
 of Mr. Ezekiel Cheever. In 1011, in response to the pro- 
 position of the commissioners, heretofore rel'crred to, a yearly 
 contribution was directed to he taken up to aid in the educa- 
 tion of indigent students, of re([uisit(' talents at the college in 
 Cambridge. In less than ten vears alter the erection of the 
 
568 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 first log house in Quinnipiack, the people of New Haven 
 colony began to consider the importance of founding a college 
 within their own borders. Thus, in 1647, in a vote relative 
 to the distribution of home lots, the committee were directed 
 to "consider and reserve what lot they shall see neat and 
 most commodious for a college, which they desire may be set 
 up as soon as their ability will reach thereunto." At a meet- 
 ing of the General Court, June 28, 1652, it was "thought to 
 be too great a charge for us of this jurisdiction to undergo 
 alone,"' but, they add, "if Connecticut do join, the planters 
 are generally willing to bear tiieir just proportion for erect- 
 ing and maintaining a college there." 
 
 In a code of laws for New Haven colony, drawn up by 
 Governor Eaton, and published in London in 1656, it was 
 made the duty of the deputies, or constables of the several 
 towns, to see to it that all children and apprentices of a suit- 
 able age are taught to "read the Scriptures and other good 
 and profitable printed books in the English tongue." In cases 
 where the parent or guardian refused or neglected this duty, 
 fines were imposed ; and if he persisted in his neglect, the 
 court was authorized to " take such children or apprentices 
 from such parents or masters," and place them in the care of 
 others " who shall better educate and govern them." 
 
 After the union of the colonies of New Haven and Con- 
 necticut, in 1665, the laws of New Haven colony were super- 
 ceded by those of Connecticut. In the code of 1672, it was 
 provided that a grammar school should be established in every 
 county, to be under the superintendence of a teacher who 
 should be capable of fitting young men for college. To 
 further this object, six hundred acres of land were appropri- 
 ated by the General Court to each of the four county towns — 
 Hartford, New Haven, New London, and Fairfield, — "to be 
 improved in the best manner that may be for the benefit of a 
 grammar school in said county towns, and to no other use or 
 end whatever." As this order seems not to have been in all 
 cases complied with, it was directed, nt the May session, 1677, 
 that where any county town should "neglect to keep a Latin 
 
[1C58.] GOVERNOR IIOPKIXS' WILL. 569 
 
 School according to order," a fine of ten pounds annually 
 should be levied and paid to the next town in that county 
 that would comply with the terms. A fine of five pounds w^as 
 imposed upon any town in the colony which should neglect 
 to provide a school for a period of more than tiu'ce months 
 in each year. 
 
 In 1G90, the county schools in Hartford and New Haven 
 were made free schools and constituted of a higher grade. 
 In them, children were to be taught readinir, writing, arith- 
 metic, the Latin and English languages. At the same time, 
 it w'as made the duty of the grand jurors, each year, to visit 
 every family suspected of neglecting the education of the chil- 
 dren and servants, and report all such neglects to the county 
 court, which court shall impose a fine of 205. for each child 
 or servant whose education is thus neglected. 
 
 On the 2d of June, 1G58, Governor Hopkins, died in Lon- 
 don, leaving by will certain property in New England, for 
 the "encouragement in those foreign plantations for the 
 breeding up of hopeful youth both at the grammar school and 
 college, for the public service of the country in future times." 
 This bequest was left in trust to Theophilus Eaton, Esq., and 
 Rev. John Davenport, of New Haven, and to Mr. William 
 Goodwin, and Mr. John Cullick, of Hartford. AC^r much 
 contention and doubt as to the precise intentions of Wovcrnor 
 Hopkins, the legatees finally allotted £400 to Hartford, and 
 £412 to New Haven. These sums laid the foundations of 
 the " Hopkins Grammar Schools," which are still flourishing 
 in each of those towns. 
 
 The Hopkins fund, in New Haven, now consists of a valu- 
 able lot on which the school-house stands, a building lot in 
 Grove-street, $2,000, and bank stock valued at 82,500. The 
 fund sustained a loss of $5,000 by the failure of the Eagle 
 Bank in 1823. The Hopkins fund, at Hartford, amounted in 
 1852, to $20,000, and yielded in that year an income of 
 $1,500.* 
 
 * Annual Report for 1853, of the Hon. Henry Barnard, Superintendent of tho 
 
670 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 In the revised edition of the laws, published in 1702, the 
 same general acts for the support of schools were retained, 
 and, in addition, a tax was ordered to be collected each year, 
 of forty shillings on every thousand pounds in the grand list, 
 W'hich was to be paid proportionably to those towns only 
 which should keep their schools according to law. Slight 
 alterations and amendments were made to this provision, but 
 it remained substantially the same for many years. In 1712, 
 it was extended to j^arisJies, instead of towns — and from the 
 year 1717, to the present time, parishes or ecclesiastical 
 societies have been authorized in some cases to conduct 
 business connected with common schools. 
 
 In May, 1733, the committee that had previously been 
 appointed to view the seven townships* belonging to the 
 colony, recommended that an act should be passed granting all 
 the monies that might be realized from the sale of those towns, 
 " to be improved and secured forever to the use of the schools" 
 of the several towns in the colony that had already been set- 
 tled ; and that one of the fifty- three shares in each of the 
 seven townships " should be sequestered for the use of the 
 school or schools in such town forever." The funds received 
 from the sale of the townships named, now constitutes a 
 portion of the local school fund of the different towns and 
 societie^ 
 
 Another edition of the statutes, newly revised, was pub- 
 lished in 1750, under the supervision of a committee appointed 
 in 1742. No important change was effected in the school 
 laws. Every town where there was but one ecclesiastical 
 society, and having seventy householders and upwards, and 
 every ecclesiastical society having that number of house- 
 holders, was compelled to maintain at least one good school 
 for eleven months in each year ; and every town and society 
 with less than seventy families was obliged to sustain a good 
 
 Coniinon Schools of Connecticut. A portion of the Hopkins property was allotted 
 to Harvard College, which now amounts to more than $30,000. 
 
 * Norfolk, Goshen, Canaan, Cornwall, Kent, Salisbury, and Sharon. 
 
 •f Annual Report of the Hon. Henry Barnard. 
 
THE RESERVATION, 571 
 
 school for at least half of each year. The majority of legal 
 voters in each town and society, were clothed with full power 
 to lay taxes and make all the necessary arrangements in 
 relation to the establishment and support of schools. The 
 selectmen of each town containing but one ecclesiastical 
 society, and a committee of each society when there was 
 more than one, were empowered to manage all lands and 
 funds belonging to the town or society, for the benefit of 
 schools. 
 
 In INIay, 17GG, and in October, 1774, provisions were made 
 for appropriating certain excise money for the use of schools. 
 From 1754 to 17(30, the annual amount ordered to be delivered 
 by the colonial treasurer to each town and school society 
 was ten shillings on every thousand pounds in the grand list ; 
 from 176G to 1767, this rate was twenty shillings ; and from 
 17G7 to 1800, it was forty shillings. 
 
 In 178G, Connecticut ceded to the United States all her 
 right and title in the public lands — with the reservation, 
 however, of a tract of about three and a half millions of acres, 
 lying within her ancient charter limits, and which is still 
 known as the "Connecticut Reserve," in Ohio.* At the 
 
 * The present counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull, Lake, Geauo;a, Portage, Cuy- 
 ahoga, jNIodina, Lorain, IIui-ou, Erie, and tho north part of iNIalioning and Sum- 
 mit, are embraced within the limits of the territory thus reserved. The right of 
 jurisdiction over the Reserve was ceded by Connecticut to the United States in 
 April, 1800. 
 
 In 179"2, the legislature of Connecticut granted five hundred thousand acres of 
 the western ])ortion of this tract, to citizens of Danbury, Fi)irlield, Norwalk, New 
 London, and Groton, to indenmify them for the loss of property occasioned by the 
 burning of those towns by the British during the revolution. The territory em- 
 braced in this grant was afterwards known as the "Fire Lands." 
 
 Our state has Sometimes been reproached for having made any reservation at 
 all. On this point, we cannot better vindicate the fame of CVmneeticut, than by 
 quoting tiie following extracts from a debate in the Senate of the United States 
 (Sept. 2G, IS.")!),) between Mr. Mason, of Virginia, and our own patriotic senator, 
 the lion. Roger S. Baldwin : 
 
 '•]\Ir. Mason. After the close of the war, in order to heal dissensions and 
 provide a fund for the federal government, all the states were called upon to make 
 cessions of these unappropriated lamls. In response to that call the state of Vir- 
 ginia gave up the whole at once. Like tho poor old Lear, in whcjse character the 
 
572 HISTORY OF COXNECTICUT, 
 
 May session of the General Assembly, 1795, a committee of 
 eight persons, of which the Honorable John Treadwell, was 
 
 poet has beautifully depicted principles that belong to the whole human family, she 
 gave up the whole. She reserved only a given quantity to satisfy her military 
 bounties, and to make mdemnity for the expenses of the war. And what did the 
 state which is represented by the honorable gentleman over the way [Mr. Bald- 
 win] do, when she made a cession of land in response to the same call ? Sir, in 
 that cession she reserved all the territory lying between the 41st and 42d degrees 
 of north latitude, and west of the western line of Pennsylvania, to the amount of 
 3,666,000 acres ; and that, too, for private purposes. She withheld it from the 
 general fund, in order that she might be enriched ; and from that territory the 
 state of Connecticut has derived in money upwards of $3,000,000. Yet, after all 
 this the state of Virginia is to be rebuked by the representative of that state for 
 having made large appropriations of military bounty land to her officers ! Sir, 1 
 feel strongly when a rebuke come from any quarter respecting the conduct of Vir- 
 ginia in regard to the revolutionary war ; but I feel something like indignation 
 when it comes from that quarter." 
 
 " Mr. Baldwin. Sir, the senator from Virginia has thought proper to refer 
 disparagingly, to the conduct of the state of Connecticut in reserving from her 
 cession a portion of her public domain. 1 can inform that senator, sir, that Con 
 necticut, small as she is in territory, small as she was in population when compared 
 with the state of Virginia, had more troops in the field during the revolutionary 
 war than the great state of Virginia.* 
 
 * The fdllowin? tnble, derived from the report of General Knox, tn Congress, in 1790. in obedi- 
 ence to a call on the War Dej)artineiit by the House of Representatives, shows the number of regu- 
 lar soldiers furnished by each state to the war uf tlie Revolution. See Xalional Intelligencer, Oct. 
 7, 1850. 
 
 SolJItTs. Populnllon in 1790. 
 
 New Hampshire, I'2,4n7 141,891 
 
 Massacluisetts, including Maine, , 07,01)7 475,257 
 
 Rhode Island, 5,'JU8 OU.llO 
 
 Connecticut, :n,;»5!) 238, 141 
 
 New York, 17,781 340,120 
 
 New Jersey, 10,720 181,139 
 
 Pennsylvania, 25,078 434,373 
 
 Delaware, 2,380 59,098 
 
 Maryland, 13,912 319,728 
 
 Virginia 20,078 748,308 
 
 North Carolina, 7,203 393,751 
 
 South Carolina, 0,417 249,073 
 
 Georgia, 2,509 82,.548 
 
 Total, 231,971 2,820,9.59 
 
 "This was stated by Chief Justice Ellsworth, one of the delegates from Con- 
 necticut in the convention which formed the constitution of the United States ; 
 and no delegate from Virginia — though Mr. Madison was present and participated 
 in the debate — ventured to deny it. And yet the senator from Virginia says he 
 looks almost with indignation upon the state of Connecticut, because one of her 
 
SALE OF EESERVE LANDS. 573 
 
 chairman, was appointed to make sale of the lands of this 
 reservation, and appropriate the avails to a permanent fund, 
 
 senators, in the performance of a duty imposed upon liirn as a member of one of 
 the eommittees of tliis body, has thought proper to rebuke the frauds which have 
 been committed by individuals in tlie state wliich that senator has tlie honor to 
 represent. Sir, Virginia is a noble state; I impute nothing dislionorable to her. 
 But, inasmuch as I have deemed it my duty to rebuke those frauds, the senator 
 alludes in terms of disparagement to the state which gave me birth, and wiiieh I 
 have the honor to represent, because with all lier revolutionary claims she thought 
 pioper, in ceding her western domain, to reserve a comparatively small portion of 
 it for the pui-poses of jiopular education. Sir, this reservation was not made for 
 any mere private objects; it was not made to aid her in the discharge of her 
 revolutionary responsibilities, or the payment of her civil-list expenditures, but for 
 the noble purpose of providing for the education of every child witliin lur limits, 
 and of peopling as well the magnificent territory which she ceded, as that which 
 she reserved, with an educated, enliglitcned, and enterprising population. 
 
 '' It was by this reservation that she laid the foundation of that munificent 
 School-Fund which enables those who took the census in 1840, to return that they 
 found in the whole state of Connecticut but five hundred and twenty-sl.\ persons 
 of adult age who were not able to read and write, and these are believed to have 
 been chiefly foreigners. Can the senator from Virginia say as much for his state, 
 and appeal to the returns of the census to confirm him ? 
 
 " But, sir, it seems that the state of Virginia, in order to induce her citizens to 
 share in the perils and the glories of the revolution, was obliged to offer the enor- 
 mous bounties which I have already stated to the Senate. Sir, the citizens of 
 Connecticut rushed at once to the combat. They were at Ticondaroga, sir. Yes, 
 sir; they were there with Ethan Allen, and his Green mountain boys — himself a 
 native of Connecticut, at their head — on an expedition planned in Connecticut, 
 and supplied from its public treasury, before the Continental Congress of 1775 
 had assembled — capturing that important fortress, almost before the blood had 
 grown cold that was shed at Concord and at Lexington. They were at Bunker's 
 Hill with Putnam, and Knowlton, and Grosvenor, and their brave compatriots, 
 who needed no bounty to induce them to engage in the service of their country. 
 I need not dwell on the revolutionary history of my state. It is known to all who 
 hear me. Was it too much, then, 1 ask, when the state of Virginia, with fewer 
 troops in the field than Connecticut, thought proper to reserve 9,1)00,000 acres of 
 land in w'hat is now the state of Kentucky, and 3,700,000 more in Ohio, in the 
 cession of her claims to the north-western territory, that the .state of Connecticut 
 should reserve .'},000,< )00 acres of her territory for the free education of her children ? 
 — the descendants of her sons who had bravely fought and many of whom liad 
 fallen on the battle-fields of the revolution, in tlie .service of their country — a ser- 
 vice in which they had engaged without any such inducements to stimulate their 
 patriotism as were offered by Virginia to her sons ? Was it too much for them to 
 ask ; and is it for Virginia to cast reproach for this? no, sir ; no, sir. 
 
 " Sir, I do not propose at this time to go into the question of the title of Virginia 
 
57-i HISTOKY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 the interest of, which should be annually distributed among 
 the several school societies of the state, according to the list 
 of polls and ratable estate in each.* 
 
 Since the year 1798, the towns, as such, have ceased to 
 have the controlling power in the direction and nnanagement 
 of schools, that authority having been vested in school socie- 
 ties especially constituted for the purpose. This arrange- 
 ment still continues throughout the states and certainly pos- 
 sesses some advantages over the systems that have been 
 adopted in other states. 
 
 The committee appointed to dispose of the lands of the 
 Connecticut Reserve, immediately entered upon their duties, 
 and at the October session, 1795, submitted their report, by 
 which it appeared that they had disposed of the tract for the 
 sum of twelve hundred thousand dollars, payable in five 
 years, with annual interest after the expiration of two years. f 
 
 to this north-western territory, which she professes to have ceded to the govern- 
 ment of the United States. If time permitted, sir, I could show that, wliile the 
 state cf Connecticut liad a title to the lands which she reserved, the title of Vir- 
 ginia to the territory she ceded was at least a doubtful one. And for all the ser- 
 vices which are claimed to have been rendered by her sons in conquering that ter- 
 ritory from the enemy, they have received a liberal reward from the government 
 and been quartered on the public treasury. How can it be claimed that Virginia 
 was entitled to the fruits of the conquest, when her soldiers have been so liberally 
 provided for out of the common treasury, and are now claiming that the govern- 
 ment of the United States should assume and pay a large additional amount for 
 the yet out-standing bounties offered by that state ? Sir, no such claim has been 
 made by the state of Connecticut." 
 
 * The other members of this committee were — James Wadsworth, Marvin 
 Wait, William Edmund, T. Grosvenor, Aaron Austin, Elijah Hubbard, and Syl- 
 vester Gilbert. 
 
 t Among the offers which the conmiittee did not think proper to accept, were 
 the following : James Sullivan, Esq., of Boston, offered $1,000,000; Zephaniali 
 Swift, Esq., of Windham, $1,000,000 ; Oliver Thelps, Esq., $1,000,000; Colonel 
 Silas Pepoon, of Stockbridge, $1,1.30,000 ; John Livingston, Esq., of the state of 
 New York, $1,255,000. The last offer was finally loithdrawn. The following is 
 a complete list of the gentlemen composing the company who, through their agent, 
 Ohver Phelps, Esq., effected the purchase, with the sums subscribi'd by each : 1, 
 Robert Charles Johnson, $(?D,000 ; 2, and 3, Moses Cleveland, $.32,600 ; 4, Wil- 
 liam Judd, $16,250 ; 5, James Johnson, .$30,000 ; 6, William Law, $10,500 ; 7, 
 Daniel Holbrook, $8,750 ; 8, Pierpont Edwards, $60,000 ; 9, James Bull, Aaron 
 Olmsted, and John Wyllys, $30,000 ; 10, Eiisha Hyde, and Uriah Tracy, $57,- 
 
[ISIO.] JAMES IIILLIIOUSE. 576 
 
 Down to 1800, the school fund was managed by the com- 
 mittee that negotiated the sale. In that year, Messrs. John 
 Treadwell, Thomas T. Seymour, Shubael Abbe, and the state 
 treasurer for the time being, were appointed " INIanagers of 
 the funds arising in the sales of the Western Reserve." For 
 the next thirteen years, the fund was administered by the 
 committee and this board of managers, and the interest paid 
 out to the several school societies, amounted to 835,13518 
 per annum. As it appeared from the annual report of the 
 managers in 1809, that a large amount of the interest was 
 unpaid, and that the collateral securities of the original debt 
 were not safe, it was deemed advisable to appoint some one 
 individual who should devote his whole time to a superin- 
 tendence of the fund. Accordingly, at the May session of 
 the legislature, 1810, the Hon. James Hillhouse, then a mem- 
 ber of the United States Senate, was appointed sole "Com- 
 missioner of the School Fund." He at once resigned his 
 seat in the senate, and entered on the duties of his appoint- 
 ment. By his thorough management he soon brought order 
 out of confusion, and reduced the complicated affairs of the 
 office to a system. During the fifteen years of his adminis- 
 tration, the annual dividend of the fund averaged $52,001 35, 
 and the capital was augmented to 81,719,434 24. 
 
 The State Constitution, adopted in 1818, provides that "no 
 law shall ever be made, authorizing said fund to be diverted 
 
 400; 11, LuthtT Loomis, and Ebenozer King, $44,318 ; 12, Roger Newberry, 
 Enoch Perkins, and Jonathan Brace, ,'$38,UUU ; 13, Ephralm Root, $42,000; 
 14, Epliraini Kirby, Uriel Holmes, .Jr., and Elijah Boardman, .$60,000; 15, 
 Oliver rhelps, and Gideon Granger, Jr., $80,000 ; 16, Oliver Phelps, $168,185 ; 
 17, John Caldwell, and Peleg Sanford, $15,000; 18, Solomon Cowles, $10,000; 
 19, Solomon Griswold, $10,000 ; 20, Henry Champion, 2d, .$85,075 ; 21, Sam- 
 uel P. Lord, $14,092; 22, Jabez Stocking and Joshua Stow, $11,423; 23, 
 Timothy Burr, $15,231 ; 24, Caleb Atwatcr, .$22,846; 25, Titus Street, ,$22,846; 
 26, Elias Morgan, and Daniel L. Coit, $51,402 ; 27, Daniel L. Colt, and Joseph 
 Ilowland, $30,461 ; 28, Ashur Miller, $.34,000 ; 29, ICphraim Starr, $17,415; 
 30, Joseph Williams, $15,231 ; 31, William Lyman, John Stoddard, and David 
 King, $24,730; 32, Nehemiah Hubbard, Jr., $19,039; 33, Asahel Hatheway, 
 $12,000; .34, William Hart, $30,462; 35, Samuel Mather, Jr., $18,461; 36, 
 Sylvanus Griswold, $1,683. Total, $1,200,000. 
 
576 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 to any other use than the encouragement and support of com- 
 mon schools among the several school societies, as justice 
 and equity shall require." 
 
 In 1823, the office of Assistant Commissioner of the School 
 Fund was created, and tke Hon. Seth P. Beers, of Litch- 
 field, was appointed, with a salary of $1,000 and his expenses. 
 Two years after, Mr. Hillhouse resigned, and Mr. Beers was 
 appointed commissioner.* 
 
 It has been found necessary to give a very brief, and there- 
 fore a very imperfect account of the enactments made by 
 our fathers, relative to our system of common schools, and 
 to note the origin and progress of the present magni- 
 ficent provision for the education of the youth of the state, 
 not for a single generation only, but for all future ages. It 
 was characteristic of the forethought and expansive benevo- 
 lence of our state, and has ])roved to be a measure as 
 benignant in the influences which it has shed upon other parts 
 of our great nation, as upon the citizens of Connecticut. 
 The noble domain thus devoted by our state for educational 
 purposes, was nearly equal in extent to the territory now 
 embraced within her jurisdiction. At the time of the sale, 
 it w^as a wilderness, shaded perhaps since the dawn of crea- 
 tion with vast forest-trees watered by rivers and washed by 
 the waves of Lake Erie. The panther, the bear, the wolf, the 
 wild-cat, and the fox, shared its acres as tenants in common, and 
 the red Indian roamed over it and left here and there on the 
 dry leaves that were matted above its surface, the blood-stain 
 of his vengeance. Fifty years have rolled away. Let us 
 look again. Where is the foifst, and where are the wild 
 beasts, and savage men, its old inhabitants ? They are gone, 
 to return no more. Who are their successors ? Look at the 
 animated features, the strong eye, the stalwart frame of him 
 who tills the field ; note the lively motions of the mechanic, 
 
 * Mr. Beers continued to hold the office until May, 1849. During his admin- 
 istration the principal of the fund was augmented to $2,049,482 32, and the 
 average annual income was .$97,815 15. The atrgrogate amount distributed to the 
 several societies during the twenty-four years of Mr. Beers' superintendence of the 
 fund, was $2,347,563 SO. 
 
[1812.] THE WESTERN KESERVE. 577 
 
 examine the daring schemes of the merchant, and the manu- 
 facturer, and you will answer unhesitatingly that these are 
 emigrants, or the sons of emigrants, iVom Connecticut. The 
 villages, rising "like an exhalation," as if in a single night, 
 the marts of business, sparkling with life, the readiness 
 with which old things are cast asi4e in the struggle for a 
 more jjerfect state of society ; more than all other objects, 
 the church-spire, the fre(|uent school-house, and the towered 
 college where science kee})s her select abode ; as you pause 
 to listen to the merry laugh of chiidi'en on their way to the 
 place where learning can be had without price, or the 
 tones of the bell that calls the worshiper to prayer, or the 
 undergraduate to the recitation room — all seem to eciio the 
 word '"Connecticut," 
 
 Long before the expiration of the seventeenth century, the 
 inhabitants began to agitate the question of establishing a 
 college within their borders. The Rev. John Davenport, 
 seems first to have suggested the necessity of such an institu- 
 tion. As Harvard was already in existence, and needed all 
 the patronage of the New England colonies, the project was 
 allowed to slumber until after that learned divine removed to 
 Boston. 
 
 In 1G98, the attempt was again made to institute a college 
 by a general synod of the churches of the colony. It was 
 proposed to call it " The School of the Church," and that it 
 should be kept in operation by money annually contributed 
 by the several churches. But this frail and uncertain tenure 
 of existence did not promise a long life, and the ])lan was 
 abandoned. The very next year, however, ten of the prin- 
 cipal ministers of the colony were named as trustees, and 
 were authorized to found a college, and to govern it.* These 
 
 * The following were the trustees named, viz., Rev. James Noycs, of Stoning- 
 ton ; Uev. Israel Cliauncey, of Stratford ; Rev. Tlionias Euekingham, of Say- 
 brook ; Rev. Abraliam Pierson, of Killingworth ; Rev. Samuel Mather, of Wind- 
 sor; Rev. S;imuel Andrew, of Milford; Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, of llaitford; 
 Rev. James Pierpont, of New Haven ; Rev. Noadiah Russtll, of Middletovvn ; 
 and Rev. Joseph Webb, of Fairfield. For sources of information in relation to 
 
 common schools, see Appendix. 
 
 C9 
 
578 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 gentlemen were, with one exception, graduates of Harvard, 
 and were well qualified for the trust confided to them. At 
 what precise time they held their first meeting is not known, 
 but it was certainly in the course of the year 1700. They 
 convened at New Haven, and proceeded to form an associa- 
 tion composed of eleven ministers and a rector, and resolved 
 to found a college in Connecticut, but did not at that time 
 decide at what place. They met again soon after at Bran- 
 ford. Each one of the trustees brought with him a few folios, 
 and presented them to the association, making use of this 
 simple formulary as he laid them on the table, "I give these 
 books for founding a college in Connecticut." These volumes 
 were committed to the charge of the Rev. Mr. Russell, the 
 minister at Branford, who kept them for a while at his house. 
 In order to give the new college the undisputed right to hold 
 lands, it was incorporated on the 19th of October, 1701. 
 Among the most efficient agents in this delicate, and at that 
 time dilTicult work, were Mr. Pierpont, of New Haven, Mr. 
 Andrew, of Milford, and Mr. Russell, the first librarian. 
 
 On receiving their charter, the trustees met at Saybrook, 
 November 11, 1701, and made choice of the Rev. Israel 
 Chauncey, of Stratford, as rector ; he, however, declined the 
 place, and the Rev. Abraham Pierson, of Killingworth, was 
 elected in his stead. The first student in the college was 
 Jacob Hemingway, who entered in March, 1702, and grad- 
 uated at Saybrook, in 1704. For the first six months after 
 entering, he continued alone under the instruction of Mr. 
 Pierson ; but before the close of the year, the number of 
 students had increased to eight. One of these, John Hart, 
 who had been three years at Cambridge, graduated alone in 
 1703. He was afterwards minister at East Guilford. 
 
 Though from the first the college was nominally established 
 at Saybrook, yet, as no building had been erected for the ac- 
 commodation of the rector, Mr. Pierson never removed from 
 Killingworth, but the students were kept with him until his 
 death in 1707. From that date, Mr. Andrew, of Milford, 
 another of the trustees, disrharged the duties of rector, 
 
[ITIC).] YALE COLLEGE. 679 
 
 without changing his residence. The senior class conse- 
 quently was stationed at Milt'ord, while the other classes 
 resided at Sayhrook under the instruction of tutors. It was 
 not until 1714, that measures were taken to remove the col- 
 lege from Saybrook. About that time, two of the trustees 
 preferred a petition to the legislature, desiring that the institu- 
 tion might be fixed at Ilartlord. They urged that Hartford 
 was more in the center of the colony ; that the peojjle of 
 that town, in connection with others, had subscribed such a 
 sum of money as would place the school in a flourishing con- 
 dition; that Hartford was surrounded with many consider- 
 able towns, which, it might be presumed, would furnish more 
 students for the college if it were removed as they proposed. 
 Several other towns now put in their claim. In October, 
 171G, a meeting of the trustees was held at New Haven during 
 the session of the legislature. At this meeting, it was resolved 
 by a vote of six to two, that the college should be removed 
 from Saybrook. A vote to establish it at New Haven was 
 then passed — five out of the eight trustees present concurring 
 in the proposition.* 
 
 It was now^ determined to erect a college building in New- 
 Haven, and the trustees applied to Governor Saltonstall for 
 a plan of it. Two new tutors were appointed, only one of 
 whom repaired to New Haven. The senior class was placed 
 under the care of Mr. Noyes, the minister of the town, but 
 nearly half of the students [persisted in remaining under the 
 tuition of Mr. Elisha Williams, at Wethersfield. Great dis- 
 satisfaction was manifested in diflerent parts of the colony, at 
 the action of the trustees. A plurality of the members of 
 the lower house of the legislature voted in favor of establish- 
 ing the college at Middletown ; while the upper house deci- 
 ded that the trustees had full power to determine the question, 
 and, as they had given their decision, all objections to the 
 validity of their proceedings were frivolous. Ti>e trustees 
 were summoned to appear before the Assembly ; and, after 
 a renewal of the debate, during which the contending parties 
 
 * Pres. Woolscy's Discourse, 
 
580 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 were fully heard, both houses of the legislature approved of 
 the action of the trustees in establishing the college in New 
 Haven. 
 
 The people of Saybrook manifested their disapprobation, 
 by attempting to prevent the removal of the college library 
 to New Haven. To such an extent was their opposition car- 
 ried, that the wagons in which the books were being trans- 
 ported were assailed at night, several of the volumes carried 
 off, and some of the bridges along the route destroyed. On 
 placing the books in the new college building, it was ascer- 
 tained that about two hundred and sixty volumes were 
 missing 
 
 At the commencement, September 12, 1718, the institu- 
 tion was formally named "Yale College," in honor of Elihu 
 Yale, Esq., of London, who had a short time before sent over 
 a donation to the college consisting of books and goods to 
 the amount of eight hundred pounds. At this commence- 
 ment, ten young gentlemen were graduated. The Rev. 
 Mr. Pierpont, of New Haven, delivered a salutatory oration 
 on the occasion ; the Rev. Mr. Davenport, of Stamford, 
 one of the trustees, pronounced a Latin oration ; and 
 Governor Saltonstali, in a Latin address, congratulated the 
 trustees on their success, and the prospects of the school. 
 
 In 1719, the Rev. Timothy Cutler, minister at Stratford, 
 was chosen rector. In a little more than three years, he, 
 together with Mr. Daniel Brown, the only tutor, as has been 
 stated elsewhere, became episcopalians. For some time after 
 this event, the college remained without a head. At length, 
 in 1726, the Rev. Elisha Williams, minister at Newington, 
 was appointed to the office of rector, and continued to occupy 
 the place until 1739. During his administration, the cele- 
 brated Bishop Berkeley gave to the college about one thou- 
 sand books, and a farm in Newport. 
 
 The Rev. Thomas Clap, minister at Windham, was chosen 
 to succeed Mr. Williams in the rectorship. He held the office 
 until 176G, a period of twenty-seven years. During this 
 time, in 1745, in the amended charter, the words " President 
 
[1- 
 
 PRESIDENT STILES. 581 
 
 and Fellows," were substituted for " Rector and Trustees," 
 in designating the officers of the college. The number of 
 students at the close of Mr. Clap's administration, was one 
 hundred and seventy. Some of the college buildings which 
 still stand, had been erected, and the professorship of didactic 
 theology had been established. 
 
 The corporation now invited the Rev. James Lockv^ood 
 to the presidency; but he having declined, the Rev. Dr. 
 Daggett, the professor of divinity, was invested with the 
 authority of president. He discharged the duties of the 
 office until 1777, when he resigned, but continued his pro- 
 fessorship until his death in 1780. 
 
 In 1777, the Rev. Ezra Stiles, D.D., a native of North 
 Haven, and iormerly a tutor in the college, was chosen pre- 
 sident of the institution, and remained in office until his 
 death, May 12, 1795. lie was one of the most learned and 
 patriotic men of the age. He appears to have been one of 
 the first persons in the country who anticipated and predic- 
 ted the independence of the American colonies. In 1772, he 
 wrote to a friend- — " When Heaven shall have doubled our 
 millions a few times more, it will not be in the power of our 
 enemies to chastise us with scorpions." In 1774, he addressed 
 one of his English correspondents as follows — " If oppression 
 proceeds, despotism may force an annual congress ; and a 
 public spirit of enterprise may originate an American Magna 
 Chcnta, and Bill of Rights, supj)orted with such intrepid and 
 persevering importunity, as even sovereignty may hereafter 
 judge it not wise to withstand. There will be a Runnymcde 
 in America." The Rev. Dr. Richmond Price, in allusion to 
 a letter received by him from Dr. Stiles, just at the beginning 
 of the revolution, assures us that he "predicted in it the very 
 event in which the war has issued ; particularly the conver- 
 sion of the colonies into so many distinct and independent 
 states, united under Congress." He published several ordina- 
 tion, funeral, and other occasional sermons, and the "History 
 of the three Judges of King Charles I., Whalley, Goffe, and 
 Dixwell." He left an unfinished ecclesiastical history of New 
 
582 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 England, and more than forty volumes of manuscripts. 
 During much of the early part of his otficial term, the inte- 
 rests of the college were sadly deranged by the revolutionary 
 struggle. In 1792, a change in the charter was effected, by 
 which the governor, lieutenant-governor, and the six senior 
 members of the council for the time being were constituted 
 members of the corporation. This provision has remained 
 substantially the same until the present time. 
 
 In September, 1795, the Rev. Timothy Dvvight, D.D., was 
 inaugurated as the successor of Dr. vStiles. He died, January 
 11, 1817, aged sixty-four, after a presidency of twenty-one 
 years. Of him, and of those who succeeded him in office, 
 mention will be made in another place. 
 
 These were the humble beginnings and such has been the 
 progess of Yale College. In this severe school, where men 
 were taught to think and forbidden to rant, have been educa- 
 ted the best thinkers of the continent. Here were developed 
 the minds of such men as Hopkins, Smalley, Humphreys, 
 Dwight, Barlow, Trumbull, Kent, Calhoun, and Walworth. 
 The subjoined note will give the reader some statistics which 
 will show what has been the influence of this institution upon 
 the country and the world.* 
 
 * Yalu Colloge has educated 105 Professors of Colleges ; 2 Professors of theUnited 
 States Military Academy at West Point ; 40 Presidents of Colleges, viz, 5 of Yale, 
 and 1 of Trinity, Connecticut ; 2 of Middlebury, and 2 of Vermont University, 
 Vermont ; 2 of Dartmouth, New Hampshire ; 1 of Amherst, and 2 of Williams, 
 Massachusetts ; 2 of Columbia, and 4 of Hamilton, New York ; 1 of Rutgers, 
 and 3 of Princeton, New .Jersey ; 1 of Pennsylvania University, and 1 of Dickin- 
 son, Pennsylvania ; 2 of Illinois College ; 1 of Missouri University ; 1 of Wiscon- 
 sin University ; 1 of Western Reserve ; 1 of Kenyon, Ohio ; 2 of Transylvania 
 University, Kentucky ; 1 of East Tennessee ; 1 of St. Johns, Maryland ; 1 of 
 Hampden Sydney, Virginia ; and 2 of University of Georgia, Georgia ; also, 8 
 Secretaries of States; 18 Lieutenant-Governors, and 21 Governors of States ; 
 80 Judges of Superior Courts of States ; 2 Chancellors of New York ; 4 Signers 
 of the Declaration of Independence ; 3 INIembers of the Convention for framing 
 the Constitution of the United States ; 12 members of the Continental Congress ; 
 also, 120 members of United States House of Representatives, viz., 45 for Con- 
 necticut; 19 for Massachusetts; 35 for New York ; 3 for Georgia; 4 for South 
 Carolina ; 2 for Ohio ; 2 for Pennsylvania ; and 2 for Maryland ; 1 for Delaware ; 
 1 for Kentucky ; 1 for Missouri ; 1 for Wisconsin ; 1 for Virginia ; and 3 for 
 
[1691.] GOVERXOK SALTOXSTALL. 583 
 
 The patronage bestowed upon this institution by Governor 
 Saltonstall, has associated his name inseparably witii its his- 
 tory. In a former chapter it has been stated that in 1722, 
 
 Vermont; also, 40 United SUitcs Sonatois, viz., 15 for Connecticut , 4 for Massa- 
 chusetts ; 5 for Vorniont ; 3 for Rhode Island ; 2 for Kew York ; 2 for Dela- 
 ware ; 2 for Georgia ; 2 for Ohio ; 2 for New Hampshire ; 1 for North Carolina ; 
 1 for South Carolina; and 1 for Illinois; also, 10 Members of the Cabinet; 3 
 District Judges ; and 1 Judge of Supreme Court of the United States ; 5 Foreign 
 Ministers ; and 1 Vice President of United States 
 
 PRESIDENTS OF COLLEGES EDUCATED AT YALE. 
 
 Trinity. — Nathaniel S. Wheaton, D.D. 
 
 Yale. — Xaphtali Daggett, D.D., E/ra Stiles, D.D. LI^.D., Timothy Dwight, 
 D.D. LL.D., Jeremiah Day, D.D. LL.D., Theodore D. Woolsey, D.D. LL.D. 
 
 MiDDLEBURY. — Jeremiah Atwater, D.D., ITeniy Davis, D.D., Vermont. 
 
 Vermont University. — Samuel Austin, D.D., Daniel Haskell. 
 
 Dartmouth. — Eleazer Wheelock, D.D., Bennet Tyler, D.D., New Hamp- 
 shire. 
 
 Amherst. — Ilcmau Humphrey, D.D. 
 
 Williams. — Ebenczer Fitch, D.D., Edward D. Griffin, D.D. , Massachusetts. 
 
 Columbia. — Satniiel Johnson, D.D., Wm. S. Johnson, LL.D. 
 
 IIajiilton, New York. — Azel Backus, D.D., Henry Davis, DD., Serene E. 
 Dwight, D.D., and Simeon North, D.D. 
 
 Rutgers. — Abraham B. Ilasbrouck, LL.D. 
 
 New Jersey. — Aaron Burr, D.D., Jonathan Edwards, D.D., and Jonathan 
 Dickinson, D.D. 
 
 Georgia University. — Josiah Meigs, Abraham Baldwin. 
 
 Dickinson, Pennsylvania. — Jeremiah Atwater, D.D. 
 
 Pennsylvania University. — William H. DeLancey. 
 
 East Tennessee. — David A. Sherman. 
 
 Western Reserve. — George E. Pierce, D.D, 
 
 Kenyon, Ohio. — David B. Douglass, LL.D., 
 
 Transylvania University, Kentucky. — Horace Ilolley, LL.D., Thomas W. 
 Coit, D.D., 
 
 Missouri University. — A. B. Longstreet, D.D. 
 
 Wisconsin University. — John H. Lathrop, LL.D. 
 
 Missouri University. — John H. Lathrop, LL.D. 
 
 St. Johns, Maryland. — Hector Humphreys, D.D. 
 
 Illinois. — Edward Beecher, D.D., J. M. Sturtevant, D.D. 
 
 Hampden Sidney, Va. — William Maxwell. 
 
 SENATORS EDUCATED AT YALE. 
 Connecticut. — T. Betts, Wm. S. Johnson, Stephen M. Mitchell, .Tames Hill- 
 house, Samuel W. Dana, Chauncey Goodrich, Samuel A. Foote, J. W. Hunting- 
 ton, Uriah Tracy, David Daggett, James Lanman, Gideon Tomlinson, R. S. 
 Baldwin, Truman Smith, Francis Gillette. 
 
584 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Dr. Cutler, the rector of the college, followed by several other 
 gentlemen, declared for episcopacy at a time when there was 
 not an episcopal church in the colony. This excited much 
 alarm. It was thought best that the questions of ditlerence 
 should be debated between the trustees and the ministers who 
 had so suddenly departed from their allegiance to the religion 
 of the colony. In October of that year, a special meeting of 
 the trustees to discuss the merits of episcopacy, was held 
 in the college library. Governor Saltonstall presided over 
 the meeting. Rector Cutler espoused the affirmative of 
 the issue, and the governor advocated the negative. Both 
 parties claimed to be triumphant. 
 
 The action of Governor Saltonstall, in causing the library 
 to be removed from Saybrook to New Haven, was much 
 blamed at the time, by those who desired to prevent its re- 
 moval. It is mainly owing to his firmness, that it was estab- 
 lished at New Haven, where it has since attained to such 
 a healthful stature. He contributed liberally from time to 
 time, to endow the institution. His wife also, made hand- 
 some donations to it. 
 
 This appears to be the proper place to give some account 
 of a man who wielded for many years, an influence in the 
 colony equalled only by that of our first Winthrop. Gurdon 
 Saltonstall was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1G6G, 
 and graduated at Harvard, in 1684. He was ordained at 
 New London, on the 25th of November, 1G91.* His reputa- 
 tion soon spread through the colony, and his influence over the 
 clergy finally become almost absolute. They appeared to regard 
 him with sentiments akin to idolatry. The structure of his 
 
 * This ordination ceremonial was a great event in its day. In full town meet- 
 ing it was voted " that the Honorable Major-General John Winthrop, is to appear 
 as the mouth of the town at Mr. Saltonstall's ordination, to declare the town's 
 acceptance of him to the ministry." " A large brass bell" which cost " twenty-five 
 pounds in current money," was also procui'ed on the occasion. An appropriation 
 was also made by the town to aid him in purchasing a building-lot, and erecting a 
 house suitable to his dignity. This house was placed on the Town Hill, and com- 
 manded a view of the town and adjacent country. An old highway which had 
 been shut up was also re-opened for his private accommodation, and led from the 
 
<^'^;y.,./v. 
 
V 
 
[1724.] GOVERNOR SALTONSTALL. 585 
 
 mind and character was such as led liim inevitably to cling 
 to strict ecclesiastical discipline, and, feeling few of the in- 
 firmities of our nature, he had little patience with the faults 
 of others. His personal ap))earance, as has been before 
 remarked, was so striking and imposing that the Earl of 
 Bellamont, regarded him as better representing the English 
 nobleman than any other gentleman whom he had seen in 
 America. He was more inclined to synods and formularies, 
 than any other minister of that day in the New England 
 colonies. The Saybrook platform was stamped with his seal, 
 and was for the most part an embodiment of his views. In 
 an episcopal country he would have made a bishop in whose 
 presence the lesser lights would scarcely have been seen to 
 twinkle. 
 
 On the death of Governor Fitz John Winthrop, in 1707, 
 he was chosen governor of the colony, and continued in 
 office until his death, which took place on the 20th of Septem- 
 ber, 1724. His elevation to office was charged by his ene- 
 mies to the secret influence and combined action of the 
 clergy, but seems to have grown rather out of his acknowl- 
 edged fitness for the place, than from any other cause. 
 His administration was peculiarly hapjjy and prosperous. 
 His death was deeply deplored, and his funeral obsequies 
 were celebrated with military honors. " The horse and foot 
 marched in four files, the drums, colors, trumpets, halberts, 
 and hilts of swords, covered with black, and twenty cannon 
 firing at half minute's distance." When the mournful train 
 had reached the family vault, the people gathered around the 
 spot, and in respectful silence waited for the body to be 
 
 roar of his house to the moctiiif,'-hous(\ Tliis liirrhwny was twenty-five feet wide. 
 Ilis way to tlie moeting-hoiise h'd through tlie orchard gate. At a later period, 
 when Mr. Saltonstall had become governor ol" the colony, it is retained by tradition 
 that lie might bo seen on a Sunday morning, issuing from this orchard gate, and 
 moving with a slow majestic step to the moeting-houso, aceompaniod by his wife, 
 and followed by liis children, four sons and four daughters, marshaled in order, and 
 the servants of tlio family in the rear. The same usage was maintained by his 
 son General Gurdon Saltonstall, whose family furnished a procession of fourteen 
 sons and daughters." Caulkiiis' New London. 
 
5QQ HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 lowered into the chamber where it still rests. Then two 
 volleys were fired from the fort, and after their echoes had 
 died upon the ear of the multitude, the military companies, 
 first the horse, and then the foot, in single file advanced and 
 discharged their " farewell shot" over his ashes. "^ 
 
 The character and personal appearance of Governor Salton- 
 stall, may be gathered from the following passages in the ser- 
 mon of the Rev. Mr. Adams, which was preached at the 
 funeral. " Who that was acquainted with him did not ad- 
 mire his consummate wisdom, profound learning, his dexterity 
 in business, and indefatigable application, his intimate 
 acquaintance with men and things and his superior genius. 
 * * * His aspect was noble and amiable, commanding 
 respect and reverence, and attaching esteem and love at the 
 first appearance ; and there was such an air of greatness and 
 goodness in his whole mien and deportment, as showed him 
 to be peculiarly formed for government and dominion." 
 He was eminently fitted for his station, and throughout his 
 long administration of nineteen years, exemplified his own 
 favorite maxim: "Justice is to be given, not sold — and that 
 with an equal and steady hand."f 
 
 Jonathan Edwards was a graduate of Yale College. A 
 brief sketch of this most gifted of all the men of the 
 eighteenth century, perhaps the most profound thinker of the 
 
 * For a more full description of this eminent man, see Caulkius' New Lonckin ; 
 also, Trumbull. The life of Saltonstall would itself afford material for a volume 
 larger than this. His tomb is still in a perfect state of preservation. A tablet rests 
 on it with the Saltonstall arms, and this simple inscription. " Here lyeth the body 
 of the Honorable Gurdon Saltonstall, Esquire, Governor of Connecticut, who died 
 the 20th of Sept., in the 5!)th year of his age, 1724." 
 
 + Sir llicliard Saltonstall, knight, who was descended from an ancient family in 
 Torkshiro, came to America with Governor Winthrop, in 1030. lie soon became 
 weary of the liardships of colonial life, and returned to England. But he always 
 felt a deep interest in the welfare of the colony. His two oldest sons resolved to 
 try their fortunes in America. Of these, Richard settled in Ipswich, where he 
 was chosen an assistant in 1G37. After the revolution, he went back to England, 
 but returned to Massachusetts, in 1G80. He soon after visited England, and died 
 at Hulme,iu 1094. His son Nathaniel was a graduate of Harvard. He lived and 
 died at Haverhill. Gurdon Saltonstall, Governor of Connecticut, was his oldest son. 
 
JONATHAN EDWARDS. 587 
 
 world, may not be out of j)lace in the liistory of a state which 
 had the honor of givini:i; birth to fiin). He was born in 1703, 
 in the old town of Windsor, on the margin of the Connec- 
 ticut, and in the midst of scenery beautiiul as the forms 
 of his thought. lie was the son of the Rev. Timothy 
 Edwards, for sixty years minister of the church in that town. 
 His mother was a daughter of the Rev. Solomon Stoddard, 
 of Northampton. This lady, remarkable for her intellectual 
 powers and humble piety, was the mother of ten daughters 
 and one son, who was her fifth child. Having four sisters 
 who were older, and six who were younger than himself, and 
 being from iiis infancy a delicate child, he enjoyed the rare 
 advantage, never understood and felt except by those who 
 have been fortunate enough to experience it, of all the soften- 
 ing and hallowed influences which refined female society 
 sheds like an atmosphere of light around the mind and the 
 soul of boyhood. Had that fond mother and those loving 
 sisters been fully aware of the glorious gifts that were even 
 then beginning to glow in the eyes of their darling — had 
 they been able to see in its full blaze the innnortal 
 beauty borrowed from the regions of spiritualized thought and 
 hallowed atlections, that was one day to encircle that forehead 
 as with a wreath from the bowers of Paradise ; they could 
 hardly have unfolded his moral and intellectual nature with 
 more discreet care. His home exhibited in their most attrac- 
 tive forms all the graces that adorn the life of the christian. 
 
 Massachusetts. — Theodore Sedgwick, John Duvis, I. C. Bates, Julius Rock- 
 well. 
 
 Vermont. — Lsrael Smith, Ilorutio Seyinour, Stephen R. Bradley, Samuel S. 
 Phelps, Nathaniel Chipman. 
 
 New llAMrsHiRE. — Jeremiah Mason, Simeon Olcott. 
 
 New York. — James Watson, John S. Hobart. 
 
 South Carolina. — John C. Calhoun. 
 
 Georgia. — Abraham Baldwin, John I'^llrath. 
 
 Ohio. — Stanley Griswold, R. J. Meigs. 
 
 Illinois. — Elias K. Kane. \ 
 
 Delaware. — John M. Clayton, John Wales. 
 
 North Carolina. — George K. Badger. 
 
 Rhode Isla.nd.— Christopher Ellery, Ashcr Bobbins, Ray Green. 
 
588 HiSTOEY or Connecticut. 
 
 Deeply as they loved him, they had too much of the old 
 emigrant spirit, which looks at the future of a child through 
 the medium of the present, to make him a toy with which to 
 amuse themselves. They regarded him rather as a holy 
 jewel, left in their charge to be kept pure and bright for the 
 use of the Prince who had entrusted it to them. Yet w^e are 
 not to suppose that this family entertained no thoughts of his 
 future promotion in the world. They were soon made aware 
 that he was no common child. The germ of great thoughts, 
 sown so freely and with such a broad cast by the creating 
 hand, began early to spring up and to grow in this young 
 mind, and were gracefully directed, though they seemed 
 scarcely to need it, by their fair fingers. New forms of 
 expression, combinations rare and strange, puzzling inquiries, 
 a remarkable gift of language, a fervent manner, and an 
 imagination that soared upward with a steady flight, like the 
 eagle, into the mid heaven — these were some of the attributes 
 that were observed in Edwards at a very tender age. He 
 hardly seemed to be a child, but rather a select and gifted 
 traveler who had come from some other land to look upon 
 the objects that surrounded him ; the rolling river, the starry 
 heavens, the birds fluttering among the branches of the trees, 
 the bursting flower, the falling leaf, the blinding snows — and 
 to read in them all a language weighty with the philosophy 
 that teaches the destinies of men and the attributes and 
 providence of God. Still, upon a near view to those who 
 watched him, he was but a child. It was observable 
 that he was all the while advancing in knowledge, and 
 in the attitudes and phases of his thoughts. His friends 
 also observed that his moral nature was becoming, as 
 he grew older, more exquisitely toned, more perfectly moulded, 
 and illuminated as if by a light burning steadily in his soul. 
 The elements of his character grew more harmonious, and 
 gradually fell into a sweet accord, like the parts in a highly 
 wrought piece of music. When only seven years old, he was 
 in the habit of retiring into the woods alone, to meditate upon 
 the great mysteries of human accountability and probation. 
 
JONATHAN EDWARDS. 589 
 
 Dark misgivings some times clouded his mind, as he looked 
 out upon nature through the leafy labyrinths of his retreat. 
 But after a few years, the whole plan of redemption, without 
 any sudden or startling revelation, was opened to him, and, 
 embraced by him. In his own inimitable words he has 
 described this change : 
 
 " There seemed to be as it were a calm sweet cast or ap- 
 pearance of divine glory in almost every thing. God's ex- 
 cellency, his wisdom, his purity and love, were visible in 
 every thing ; in the sun, moon, and stars ; in the clouds and 
 blue sky ; in the grass, flowers and trees ; in the water and 
 in all nature, which used greatly to fix my mind. I used 
 often to sit and view the moon for a long time ; and in the 
 day, spent much time in viewing the clouds and sky, to 
 behold the siveet glory of God in these things ; in the mean 
 time, singing forth with a low voice my contemplations of the 
 Creator and Redeemer. And scarce any thing among all the 
 works of nature was so sweet to me as thunder and light- 
 ning. * * * I felt God, if I may so speak, at the first 
 appearance of a thunder-storm, and used to take the opportu- 
 nity at such times, to fix myself in order to view the clouds, 
 and see the lightnings play, and hear the majestic and awful 
 voice of God." 
 
 What a perfect healthfulness of nature do these few sim- 
 ple words express ! With what even scales does this youth, 
 probably not more than fifteen years old, poise the relations 
 of the world and the conditions of humanity, which seem 
 to other minds so belligerant and wild. How precious to 
 all coming time will be those forest shades and secret nooks 
 by the banks of the Connecticut, and how tame in the eye 
 of the christian scholar, will one day seem the classic haunts 
 where Numa roved in dalliance with that shy nymph, Egeria; 
 how tame will be the mountain haunted by the muses, or the 
 palm groves that shaded the Socratic scli(_)ol ; how cold and 
 dead, when compared with the oaks, the elms, and " the 
 rushy-fringed bank," where this greatest of philosophers lin- 
 gered in his youth, solving for liimself the problems, and un- 
 
590 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 folding those hidden truths that were older than the sun that 
 met him on the lawn, or the moon that shed her trembling 
 beams upon the river ! 
 
 The progress made by Edwards in the studies which are 
 usually pursued by boys preparatory to entering college was 
 astonishing. When only six years old, his attention became 
 absorbed in acquiring the Latin language ; and when his 
 venerable father was too much occupied with the duties of 
 his calling, to assist him, his sisters who were older than him- 
 self would assume the place of teachers. The thorough ac- 
 quaintance with that language which he is known to have 
 had, as well as with Greek and Hebrew, and his high stand- 
 ing at Yale, evince that he was a scholar, as well as a thinker. 
 He entered college at the age of twelve years. His temper- 
 ance in diet, and the habitudes of his mind, while at Yale, 
 may be best known by reading his diary kept at that time.* 
 
 While at college, he was a frequent visitor at the house of 
 the Rev. James Pierpont, and there made the acquaintance 
 of Miss Sarah Pierpont, a young lady of uncommon powers 
 of mind, excellent education, and, as appears by the portrait 
 still preserved of her, one of the most beautiful women of her 
 time. To this lady, then in her eighteenth year, he was 
 married on the 28th of July, 1727. The following brief 
 extract, taken from a sketch of her character written by her 
 husband on the blank leaf of a book, in 1723, when he was 
 only twenty years old, and she but little more than thirteen, 
 is lover-like, yet perfectly truthful, and shows us what traits 
 in the female character he most admired. " If you present 
 all the world before her, with the richest of its treasures, she 
 
 * " Tuesday, July 7, 1724. — When I am giving the relation of a thing, re- 
 member to abstain from altering, cither in the matter or manner of speaking, so 
 much, as that if every one, aftervvarJs, should alter as much, it would at last come 
 to bo properly false. 
 
 " Tuesday, Sept. 2. — V>y a sparint,'ness of diet, and eating as much as may bo 
 what is light and easy of digestion, 1 shall doubtless be able to think more clearly, 
 and shall gain time ; 1. By lengthening out my life ; 2. Shall need less time for 
 digestion after meals; 3. Shall be able to study more closely, without injury to 
 my health ; 4. Shall need less time for sleep; 5. Shall more seldom be troubled 
 with the headache." 
 
[1727.] 
 
 SARAH riERPONT. 591 
 
 disregards it and cares not for it, and is unmindful of any 
 pain or affliction. Slie has a strange siucetncss in lier mind, 
 and singular purity in her affections ; is most just and con- 
 scientious in all her conduct, and you could not persuade her 
 to do any thing wrong or sinful, if you would give her all the 
 world, lest she should offend this Great Being. * * * 
 She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing 
 sweetly, and seems to be always full of joy and pleasure, and 
 no one knows for what. She loves to be alone, walking in 
 the fields and groves, and seems to have some one invisible 
 always conversing with her." 
 
 If ever the author of this exquisite passage saw any part 
 of God's creation through an exaggerating medium, it must 
 have been when he cast his partial regards upon Sarah Pier- 
 pont. Yet this description of her, as all who knew her 
 could have borne testimony, approached more nearly to a 
 handsome portrait, than it did to an ideal picture. She was 
 indeed worthy to be the wife of Edwards, the companion of 
 his solitudes, the soother of his toils, the superintendent of 
 his household, the mother and teacher of his children, the 
 hostess of those honorable guests, who thronged from the old 
 world and the new, to pay court to the great man beneath 
 his lowly roof, with deeper reverence than if he had been a 
 titled monarch. She was the one person on earth who like 
 him was always conversing " with some one invisible," and 
 who, with the greatness of the soul and the understanding of 
 the Iteart was his equal. A lady of graceful manners, a 
 thorough scholar, a prudent wile, the presiding genius of his 
 table, the provider of the most ordinary articles required in 
 the domestic economy,* she seemed made for a ministering 
 
 * Wliile he resided at Northampton, Mrs. Edwards, who took ehiirgc of all his 
 affiiirs, as well in the garden as in the house, on one occasion bogged her hus- 
 band, when he took liis accustomed walk, to call at the blacksmith's siiop and 
 leave directions with the smith to make two garden hoes for the use of the family. 
 The great man stopped as requested, and did the errand, " I will make one of them 
 to-morrow, may it please your reverence," was tlic prompt answer. " J>ut Mrs. 
 Edwards wants two," reiterated the philosopher. It was not till after some ex- 
 planation, tliat the author of the " Treatise on the Will," could be so far brought 
 
592 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 angel, to keep him as much as mortal can be kept from the 
 chilling contact of the world. 
 
 But we must not linger over the details of the life even of 
 such a man as Edwards. His faithfulness as a pastor, his 
 labors as a missionary, his humility, his mildness of temper, 
 his industry as a writer, the patience with which he investi- 
 gated the great subjects that occupied his mind, without ade- 
 quate libraries or suitable books of reference, belong rather 
 to his biographer than to the author of such a work as this. 
 
 Whether Edwards was accurate in all his views of the 
 divine economy, let theologians and metaphysicians decide. 
 There is a deep significance in the unabated contest that has 
 been going on now for nearly a century and a quarter, 
 between the philosophers of four generations and this great 
 normal New England mind. When we see Chalmers, with 
 reverent face approach and look upward, as the traveler 
 who gazes upon the sun-illumined brow of Mount Blanc, 
 until with dimmed eye, he turns away awestruck and 
 confounded — the spectacle is sublime. Nor are we less 
 amazed, when we see Mackintosh, Stuart, and a whole 
 swarm of English, Scotch, German, and American phi- 
 losophers, like so many geologists, attempting to knqck oft* 
 as with hammers the sharp angles and corners of "those 
 propositions which have remained as if they were mountains 
 of solid crystal in the center of the world." Even those who 
 ai'e least able to assent to those propositions, seem equally 
 with his followers to admire his transcendent genius. They 
 are unable to classify such vast powers, and to give an orbit 
 to this independent self-acting mind. They have exhausted 
 their whole vocabulary of technics in attempting to define 
 and illustrate what kind of man their adversary is. The 
 terms philosophy, theology, ethics, metaphysics, in their or- 
 dinary acceptation, can not bind his faculties with their iron 
 links, or fetter his swift limbs. If they build up around him 
 
 back to the consideration of common-place matters of existence, as to compre- 
 hend the fact that a blacksmith could not make upon the same anvil two hoes at 
 the same time. 
 
JONATHAN EDWARDS. 593 
 
 a wall of words and definitions, he vaults over it and escapes ; 
 if they oppose doors of iron and bars of brass to his entrance, 
 with one blow of his ponderous battle-axe, like the knight in 
 black armor, he batters them down. Clear-sighted as the 
 eagle, untiring as the light that travels from the fixed stars 
 regarding the wide field of human thought with a glance 
 more delicate and comprehensive than that of Plato, an im- 
 agination no less sublime, and a soul how much more serenely 
 pure than that of Bacon, he stands foremost among all phi- 
 losophical thinkers, ancient or modern. 
 
 As he excels all other philosophers in the vastness of his 
 conceptions and in the sharpness of their outlines, so of all 
 men who have lived since the days of the apostles, he ap- 
 proached nearest in the spotless purity of his life and in the 
 holiness of his affections, to Ilim \vho knew no sin. His last 
 days were his best. The farewell sermon that he preached 
 to his people from the text. " We have no continuing city, 
 therefore let us seek one to come ;" the sublimity with 
 which, when he had said farewell to his children on leaving 
 his old home to go among strangers, he turned himself about, 
 and looking toward the door where they were clustered to 
 watch through their tears the receding form of the patriarch, 
 and exclaimed, "/ cummit you to God" — are unequalled 
 save in the closing scenes that proved him victorious over 
 death and the grave.* 
 
 * Mr. Edwards was born in Windsor, October 5, 1703 ; graduated at Yale 
 College in 1720 ; became a tutor in that institution in 1724; and was settled in 
 Northampton, as colleague pa-stor with liis grandfather, the Rev. Solomon Stoddard, 
 in 1727. Having been dismissed at his own request in 1750, he succeeded Mr. 
 Sargeant as a missionary to the llousatonic Indians, at Stoekbridge, Massachu- 
 setts, where he remained until January, 1758, when he accepted the presidency 
 of the college of New Jersey. Tlie prevalence of the small-pox induced him to 
 be innoculatcd, an event which occasioned liis death on the 22d of the following 
 March, at tho ago of 54 years. 
 
 The principal works of President Edwards, are, an Essay on the Freedom of the 
 Will ; the great Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin ; a Treatise concerning Reli- 
 gious Affections -, Dissertation on the Nature of True Virtue 5 and a Dissertation 
 on the End for which God created the World, hi 1809, a splendid edition of his 
 works were published in England, in eight volumes, edited by Dr. Austin. In 
 
 70 
 
594 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Associated with the name of Edwards, is that of his friend 
 and fellow-laborer, Doctor Bellamy. This distinguished pub- 
 lic orator and divine, was born at Cheshire in 1719. He 
 was educated at Yale College, and was graduated in the year 
 1735, when only sixteen years old. Two years after, he 
 commenced that brilliant career as a preacher, which only 
 terminated with the coming on of those infirmities that unfit 
 the great as well as those of more humble abilities for the 
 active duties of life. Ilis reputation as an eloquent preacher 
 soon spread throughout the American colonies, and long 
 before he was settled over the people with whom he spent 
 the best portion of his life, the announcement that Mr. Bel- 
 lamy was to preach in any pulpit in Boston, Salem, Hartford, 
 or New Haven, would call together hundreds who were in 
 the habit of attending other places of worship. 
 
 While wandering through the thinly peopled parts of Mas- 
 sachusetts, the young licentiate one Saturday afternoon rode 
 
 ]830, an edition in ten volumes was published, edited by liis descendant, Sereno 
 Edwards Dwinjlit, D.D. 
 
 A recent number of " The Westminster Revieu^^'' speaks of Edwards as fol- 
 lows : " Before the connneucement of this century, America had but one great 
 man in philosophy, but that one was illustrious. P^'rom the days of Plato, there 
 has been no life of more simple and imposing grandeur, than that of Jonathan 
 Edwards." Says Sir James Mackintosh — " This remarkable man, the metaphy- 
 sician of America, was formed among the calvanists of New England, when their 
 stern doctrine retained its rigorous authority. His power of subtile arginnent, 
 perhaps unmatched^ certainly unsurpassed among men, was joined, as in some 
 of the ancient mystics, with a character which raised his piety to fervor." 
 
 " The London Quarterly Review," remarks, " The most elaborate treatise on 
 original sin is confessedly that of President Edwards of America. It is not only 
 the most elaborate but the most complete. There was every thing in the intellec- 
 tual character, the devout habits and the long practice of this great reasoner, to 
 bring his gigantic specimens of theological arguments as near to perfection as we 
 may expect any human composition to approach. * * * We are not aware that 
 any other human composition exhibits, in the .'same degree as his, the love of truth, 
 mental independence, grasp of intellect, power of concentrating all his strength 
 on a difficult inquiry, reverence for God, calm self-posse.ssion, superiority to all 
 polemical unfairness, benevolent regard for the highest interest of man, keen 
 analysis of arguments, and the irrcsi.stible force of ratiocination. He reminds us 
 of the scene described by Sir Walter Scott, between Richard and Saladin, uniting 
 in himself the sharpness of the cimiter, with the strength of the battle-axe." 
 
[1710.] KEY. DOCTOR BELLAMY. 595 
 
 up to the door of Mr. Edwards, at Northampton. He was 
 invited to stay and preach a part of the next day. Mr. Bel- 
 lamy consented to do so, and selected his sermon upon the 
 half-way covenant. Scarcely had the preacher announced 
 his text and began in his clear strong manner to set forth his 
 views upon a subject so familiar to the great metaphysician, 
 Avhen the latter began to manit'est unusual interest in the 
 discourse. His eyes became riveted upon the speaker, 
 and he bent forward and gazed at him with admiration. 
 As soon as the service was over, and while " the congrega- 
 tion were retiring, the two ministers were seen in the midst 
 of them, eniiatred and lost in earnest conversation. Indeed, 
 they had gone some distance from the door, before either dis- 
 covered that ]Mr. Edwards had forgotten to take his hat." 
 
 At the age of twenty- two years, he was ordained as pastor 
 of the congregational church in Bethlem. In this quiet 
 village, in the midst of scenery that could not iail to inspire 
 his mind with healthful thoughts, he soon developed powers 
 which could not be confined to the shades of retirement. 
 
 When only thirty years old, he published his great work 
 entitled, " True Religion Deli/icateJ," which soon found its 
 way to England and Scotland, and elicited the attention of 
 the whole religious world. The Rev. Dr. John Erskine, of 
 Edinburgh, and the Earl of Buchan, were his ardent admirers 
 and correspondents.* 
 
 Bellamy was the most powerful pulpit orator in New Eng- 
 land at that time. His personal appearance was eminently 
 calculated to command the attention of an audience. He 
 was large and tall, and of a commanding presence. His 
 manner was earnest and bold, and his voice deep and of 
 great compass. He was a close reasoner, and had not only 
 a happy facility in the use of language, but a practical mode 
 of illustrating and enforcing his positions that rendered them 
 
 * Cothrcn's \Yoo(lbury, '2'>\. The Earl of Huclian sent to Dr. Bellamy an 
 engraving of himself, which is still in the possession of the Bellamy family. 
 Within the past year, a gentleman from Seollninl has i)ai(l a visit to Bethlem to 
 look for materials for a more complete life of Dr. Bellamy, than has yet been given 
 to the public. 
 
596 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 obvious to the plainest capacity. The grave of this remark- 
 able man has not buried his fame. The spot where he died 
 is still a place of interest to the theological student of his own 
 country, and sometimes there wanders from the schools of 
 Aberdeen or Edinburgh, a young enthusiast who stops at 
 Bethlem to gather up some traditionary shreds of the per- 
 sona! history of Bellamy, and to shed a tear upon his tomb. 
 
 " He became early in his ministerial life," says the Rev. 
 Dr. McEwen,* " a teacher of theology ; and at Bethlem, for 
 years, he kept the principal school in the United States to 
 prepare young men for the ministry. The great body of the 
 living fathers in this profession, who adorned the closing part 
 of the eighteenth century, were his pupils." 
 
 It is difficult to name a portion of the whole continent that 
 might with more propriety be called a wilderness, than most 
 of the present county of Litchfield was, when those honored 
 patriarchs, John Marsh and John Buel,t with their neighbors 
 and friends, first began to clear the ground and build their 
 log houses on the unpromising alder-swamp where the village 
 of Litchfield now stands. Tiiis was nearly one hundred 
 years after the valley of the Connecticut was settled. It 
 needed an emigrant's faith to foresee the changes that human 
 industry, under the guidance of good principles, could bring 
 about in the face of wintry skies and in defiance of steep 
 hills. 
 
 In a few years, frame houses began to take the places of 
 
 * Discourse at the Centennial Anniversary of the North and South Consocia- 
 tions, at Litchfield, lS.-)2. 
 
 The origin of "Sabbath Schools," and the name of thuir supposed founder, 
 have long been the fruitful theme of christian writers. The Rev. E. W. Hooker, 
 D.D., however, assures us that Dr. Bellamy had such a school in his church from 
 the beginning of his ministry in Bethlem. It was divided into two classes, the 
 eldest being instructed by Dr. Bellamy himself, while the second class was placed 
 under the instruction of a deacon, or some other prominent member of the 
 church. 
 
 + The name of Bewelle has a coat of arms in England, which is thus described 
 in Burke's Complete Armory : — " Or, a cheveron between three tortcaux." 
 
 " Bewelle's Cross," in Bristol, England, is a place where criminals recite their 
 prayers previous to their execution. 
 
LITCHFIELD HILL. 597 
 
 the first rude attempts at architecture, and the court-house 
 and the jail, standing on the common hy the side of the meet- 
 ing-house, had begun to form a center of attraction for the 
 few towns that were gathering around it, most of them 
 perched upon their favorite hill-tops. There gradually sprang 
 up under the culture of a virtuous industr}^ a class of 
 men of uncommon mental endowments and of refined man- 
 ners. Clergymen, lawyers, physicians, taught partly at 
 Yale, and partly at home, were observed to thrive well there, 
 and it was noticed that althouLrli the climate was forbidding 
 at certain periods of the year, yet the seeds of learning germi- 
 nated in that ground with great certainty, and that the young 
 plants grew thriftily and took root with a firm fibre in the 
 strong mountain air. 
 
 At last, a second company of emigrants began to visit this 
 then remote region. They brought with them all their little 
 stock of wealth. The names of Allen, Birge, Beebe, Collins, 
 Garrett, Griswold, Kilbourn, Phelps, Stoddard, Sanford, 
 Webster, Woodrufi", and others, are enrolled among the 
 early settlers at "Bantam." 
 
 The revolutionary war was hardly over, when the Hon. 
 Tapping Reeve, one of the judges of the superior court, 
 opened a law school in this village. Its fame soon spread 
 over the whole union. Judge Reeve was the sole teacher of 
 this school from the time when he instituted it in 1784, down 
 to 1798, when he associated with him as joint instructor, 
 James Gould, Esquire. These two gentlemen continued 
 together in this capacity until the year 1820, when Judge 
 Gould took the superintendence of it, and delivered lectures 
 to the students, being aided in the recitation-room by the 
 Hon. J. W. Huntington. Judge Gould discontinued his lec- 
 tures in 1833, at which time there had been educated at the 
 Litchfield law school one thousand and twenty-four lawyers, 
 from all parts of the United States.* 
 
 * A catalogue embracing the names of 805 of these students has been pub- 
 lished, of whom 19 were from New Hampshire, 25 from Vermont, 98 from Mas- 
 sachusetts, 208 from Connecticut, 121 from New York, 14 from Delaware, 12 
 
598 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 It seems proper in this place to give a brief portraiture of 
 the two men who exerted such an influence upon the juris- 
 prudence of the western world, and upon the mind of that 
 generation. 
 
 from New Jersey, 37 from Maryland, 16 from Virginia, 16 from North Carolina, 
 45 from South Carolina, 60 from Georgia, 9 from Kentucky, 25 from Pennsylva- 
 nia, 22 from Rhode Island, every stale then in the Union having been represented 
 in the school. Fifteen of the number have been United States Senators, viz., 
 Benjamin Swift, William Woodbridge, Henry W. Edwards, John C. Calhoun, 
 Alfred Cuthbert, Horatio Seymour, Samuel S. Phelps, Jabez W. Huntington, 
 Levi Woodbury, Perry Smith, Roger S. Baldwin, Peleg Sprngue, Chester Asldey, 
 Truman Smith, William C. Dawson, and John M. Clayton. Five have been 
 members of the Cabinet ; viz., John C. Calhoun, Levi Woodbury, John Y. Ma- 
 son, John M. Clayton, Samuel D. Hubbard. Ten have been Governors of 
 states; viz.,H. W. Edwards, Marcus Morton, William Woodbridge, Levi Wood- 
 bury, George B. Porter, Richard Skinner, Roger S. Baldwin, John Y. Mason, 
 William W. Ellsworth, William C. Gibbs. Two have been Judges of the Su- 
 preme Court of the United States ; viz., Henry Baldwin and Levi Woodbury. 
 Fifty have been members of Congress ; forty have been Judges of the highest 
 state courts ; and several have been Foreign Ministers. 
 
 A literary friend, in whose accuracy I have entire confidence, has furnished me 
 with the following curious statistics relative to Litchfield county : 
 
 " Litchfield County contains less than one-five-hundredth of the population of 
 the United States, and about one-seventieth of that of the state of New York. Yet 
 it has been the birth-place of thirteen United States Senators, which is about one- 
 foriieth of all that have ever been in Congress, from all the states ; viz., Elijah 
 Boardman, Nathan Smith, Perry Smith, and Truman Smith, from Connecticut; 
 Jidius Rockwell, fi'om Massachusetts ; James Watson and Daniel S. Dickinson, 
 from New York ; Stanley Griswold, from Ohio ; Josiah S. Johnston, from Louis- 
 iana ; Augustus Porter, from Michigan ; Nathaniel Chipman, Horatio Seymour, 
 and Samuel S. Phelps, from Vermont. Litchfield County has also been the birth- 
 place of twenty-two representatives in Congress from the state of New York, 
 being about one-twenty-eighth of all that have ever been sent from that State ; viz., 
 Daniel B. St. John, Victory Birdsey, Edward Rogers, Freeborn G. Jewett, Lewis 
 Riggs, Amasa J. Parker, Samuel M. Hopkins, Thomas R. Gold, Frederick A. 
 Talhnadge, Charles Johnston, Theron R. Strong, Frederick Whittlesey, John M. 
 Holley, Henry Mitchell, Nathaniel Pitcher, John Sanford, Ambrose Spencer, Peter 
 B. Porter, John Bird, Gameliel F. Barstow, John A. Collier, and Graham II. Cha- 
 pin ; of fifteen judges of the supreme court in other states; of nine presidents of 
 colleges; viz., Jeremiah Day, D.D. LL. D., of Yale; Nathaniel S. Wheaton, 
 D.D., of Washington (now Trinity ;) Rufus Babcock, D.D., Waterville ; Horace 
 Holley, LL. D., Transylvania ; Charles G. Finney, A.M., Oborlin ; J. M. Stur- 
 tevant, D.D., Illinois ; Bennet Tyler, D.D., Dartmouth ; Joseph I. Footo, Wash- 
 ington, (Tennessee;) Ebenezer Porter, D.D., Andover Theological Seminary; of 
 eighteen profes.'sors of colleges, (not included in the above list of presidents, most of 
 
[1744.] JUDGE REEVE. 599 
 
 Tapping Reeve was a son of the Rev. Mr. Reeve, minis- 
 ter at Brookhaven, Long Island, and was born at that place 
 in October, 1744. He was graduated at Princeton in 1703. 
 Nine years after, lie removed to Litchfield, where he com- 
 menced the practice of the law under the most jjromising 
 auspices. Before he opened his office for (he instruction of 
 students in the elements of his favorite science, he iiad ac- 
 quired a high reputation for learning and intellect. He was 
 a man of genius, and in early and middle lil'e, when his I'eel- 
 
 wliom have been professors;) viz., Nathaniel W. Taylor, D.D., Matthew R. 
 Button, A.M., Samuel J. Hitchcock, LL. D., Henry Button, LL. D., Yale ; Eli- 
 sha Mitchell, D.D. , North Carolina ; David Prentice, LL. D., Geneva, N. Y. ; 
 Henry M. Day, A.M., Western Reserve ; Thomas GooJsell, ]NLD., Hamilton ; 
 Frederick Whittlesey, A.M., Genessee, N. Y. ; Joseph Emerson, A.M., Beloit, 
 Wis. ; Charles Davies, LL. D., Albert E. Church, LL. D., and William G. Peck, 
 A.M., (Assis't Prof.) West Point, N. Y. ; Amasa J. Parker, LL. D., Albany 
 University; Chester AveriU, A.M., Union, N. Y. ; Nathaniel Chipman, LL. D., 
 Richard Skinner, LL. D., and Daniel Chipman, IAj. 1)., Midillebury College. 
 
 In 1831, the Vice President of the United States and one-eighth of the United 
 States Senators, were either natives of, or had been educated in Litchfield County. 
 In ISjO, one-seventh of the whole number of United States Senators were found 
 to have been educated in the county. 
 
 The county has also been tlie birth-place of thirteen United States Senators, 
 and of eighteen judf;es of the supreme courts of states. Senators. — Elijah Loard- 
 man, Nathan Smith, Truman Smith, and Perry Smith, from Connecticut; Hora- 
 tio Seymour, Nathaniel Chipman, and Samuel S. Phelps, from Vermont ; James 
 Watson and Daniel S. Dickinson, from New York ; Julius Rockwell, from i\Ias- 
 sachusetts ; Josiah S. Johnston, from Louisiana; Staidcy Griswold, from Ohio: 
 and (probably) Augustus A. Porter, from Michigan. Judges. — Ambrose 
 Spencer, Freeborn G. Jewett, (chief judges,) Amasa J. Parker, Freilerick 
 Whittlesey, Samuel A. Foote, Tlieron R. Strong, of New York ; Clarke Wood- 
 ruff, of Louisiana ; Rufus Pettibone, Missouri ; Samuel layman, of Massachusetts ; 
 Nathaniel Chipman, Richard Skinner, (chief judges;) Robert Pierj)ont, Milo S. 
 Bennett, and Samuel S. Phelps, of Vermont, Roger Skinner, United States Judge 
 of the Northern District of New York ; and N. Smith, J. C. Smith, S. Church, 
 and J. Hinman, of Connecticut." 
 
 The Litchfield County Foreign Mission Society was the first auxiliary of the 
 American Board of Commissions for Foreign Mission.s. 
 
 The following eminent clergymen have officiated as i)astors in the county ; viz., 
 Joseph Bellamy, Azol Backus, Jonathan Edwards, Lyman Beccher, Edward 
 Dorr Griffin, George E. Pierce, Daniel Linn Carroll, Ebenezer Porter, Ralph 
 Emerson, Laurens P. Hickok, Nathaniel S. Wheaton, and Samuel Fuller, all of 
 whom have been presidents of colleges or theological seminaiies. 
 
600 HISTOEY OF COXNECTICUT. 
 
 ings were enlisted in the trial of a cause, he often displayed 
 powers of eloquence which, from the suddenness with which 
 they flashed upon the minds of his audience, and from his 
 impassioned manner, produced an overwhelming effect, and 
 contrasted strongly with the carelessness of his moi'e common- 
 place public eflx)rts. He was very unequal in the exhibition 
 of his powers. He was a man of ardent temperament, ten- 
 der sensibilities, and of a nature deeply religious. His sym- 
 pathies naturally led him to espouse the cause of the op- 
 pressed and helpless. He was the first eminent lawyer in 
 this country who dared to arraign the common law of Eng- 
 land, for its severity and refined cruelty, in cutting ofl' the 
 natural rights of married women, and placing their property 
 as well as their persons at the mercy of their husbands, who 
 might squander it or hoard it up at pleasure. His sentiments 
 did not at first meet with much favor, but he lived long 
 enough to see them gain ground in this and other states. 
 His principles did not die with him. All the mitigating 
 changes in our jurisprudence, which have been made to re- 
 deem helpless woman from the barbarities of her legalized 
 tyrant, may fairly be traced to the author of the first Ameri- 
 can treatise on " The Domestic Relations." His conduct 
 afforded a living example of his views on this important sub- 
 ject. His first wife, who was a daughter of President Burr, 
 was an invalid for twenty years. He bestowed upon her the 
 most unwearied attention, and watched her symptoms with 
 the liveliest solicitude. While writing his celebrated work, 
 he would often sit up with her whole nights, and administer 
 her medicines with the most delicate assiduity. He would 
 often shut up his office and lecture-room to attend upon her. 
 Judge Reeve was an ardent revolutionary patriot, and, 
 after the war was over, was distinguished as a political 
 writer of the Hamiltonian or Federal school. His features 
 were classically handsome, and his eye bright and expressive 
 of the tenderest and warmest emotions. His fervent piety 
 and well-timed charities, his noble impulses, his truthfulness, 
 his sim})licity of character, his disinterestedness, all served to 
 
J-iu/i"'bi/ M'hldi 
 
 n^\' huKBnhfi'rvi- J Avdr 
 
 -^ ^ ^^^^^^^<^. 
 
 Kit;;'' f .rH'Ibn.T:, llvs'lori| ..f 
 
JUDGE GOULD. 601 
 
 render him a general favorite in a widely extended circle of 
 friends and acquaintances. He died in 1823, at the advanced 
 age of 79 years. 
 
 James Gould, one of the most elegant scholars who have 
 adorned American letters, was born in Branford, on the 5th 
 of December, 1770. His family were originally from Devon- 
 shire, England, where they had a valuable estate. Richard 
 Gould, his great grandfather, was the first of the family who 
 came to this country. He settled in Branford, and died 
 there, April 28, 174(5, in the 84th year of his age. William 
 Gould, eldest son of Richanl, was born in North Fanton. 
 Devonshire, in February, 1692-'3. He came to Branford 
 about the time of his father's death, and died there in January, 
 1757. He was a respectable [diysician. His eldest son, 
 William Gould, was born, November 17, 1727, where he 
 died, July 29, 1805. He followed the profession of his father, 
 and was a man of high respectability and great influence 
 in his native town. 
 
 Judge Gould was the third son of the last named Dr. Wil- 
 liam Gould, by his third wife, daughter of Richard Guy, of 
 Branford. He was graduated at Yale College in 1791, on 
 which occasion he delivered the Latin Salutatory, then 
 the highest honor for the graduating class. Among ins class- 
 mates were Stephen Elliott, of South Carolina ; Samuel M. 
 Hopkins, of New York, and Peter B. Porter, afterwards sec- 
 retary of war. In 1793, he was appointed tutor of Yale 
 College, and for nearly two years had the entire charge of 
 the class which was graduated in 1797. Among his pupils 
 were the late Henry Baldwin, judge of the supreme court of 
 the United States, the Rev. Lyman Beecher, D.D., and sev- 
 eral other gentlemen of high distinction. In 1795, Mr. 
 Gould entered the law school at Litchfield, and after his ad- 
 mission to the bar, he became associated with Judge Reeve 
 in conducting that institution. 
 
 In May, 181G, Mr. Gould was appointed a judge of the 
 superior court and supreme court of errors of Connecticut. 
 In 1820, Judge Gould received from Yale College the 
 
602 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 honorary degree of doctor of laws, at the same time with his 
 classmate Mr. Elliott.* 
 
 Judge Gould was one of the most finished and competent 
 writers who have ever treated upon any branch of the Eng- 
 lish jurisprudence. His great work upon pleading is a model 
 of its kind. It is at once one of the most condensed and 
 critical pieces of composition to be found in the language, 
 and is altogether of a new and original order. He had at 
 first contemplated writing a much more extended treatise, 
 but while he was preparing the materials for it, the appear- 
 ance of Chitty's work on the same title induced him to 
 change his plan. As it was presented to the public, Gould's 
 Pleading is, therefore, only an epitome of the original design, 
 but for clearness, logical precision, and terseness of style, it 
 does not suffer in comparison with the Commentaries upon 
 the laws of England. 
 
 As a lawyer. Judge Gould was one of the most profoundly 
 philosophical of that age. He carried into the forum the 
 same classical finish which appears upon every page of his 
 writings. It would have been as impossible for him to speak 
 an ungrammatical sentence, use an inelegant expression, or 
 make an awkward gesture, in addressing an argument to a 
 jury, as it would have been for him to attempt to expound the 
 law when he was himself ignorant of it, to speak disrespect- 
 fully to the judge upon the bench, or to exhibit any want of 
 courtesy to the humblest member of the profession who might 
 happen to appear as his opponent. His arguments also, like 
 his writings, were expressed in the most brief forms in which 
 a speaker can convey his thoughts to his hearers. He sel- 
 dom spoke longer than half an hour, and in the most complex 
 and imjiortant cases never exceeded an hour. He had the 
 rare faculty of seizing upon the strong points of a case and 
 
 * Judge Gould was married in October, 1798, to Sally McCurdy Tracy, eldest 
 daughter of the lion. Uriah Tracy, of Litchfield, by whom he had eight sons and 
 one daughter, all of whom survived him except his third son, James Reeve Gould, 
 a young man of the highest promise, who died in Georgia, in October, 1830. A 
 younger son, John W. Gould, has since died. 
 
MISS SARAH riERCK, 603 
 
 presenting them with such force as to rivet the attention of 
 tlie jury and carry conviction to their minds. Like a skillful 
 archer, he could shoot a whole quiver of shafts within the 
 circle of the target with such certainty and force that they 
 could all be found and counted when the contest was over. 
 
 As a judge, his opinions are unsurpassed by any which ap- 
 pear in our reports, for clearness and that hapjiy moulding of 
 thought so peculiar to him at the bar and in social conversa- 
 tion. The position of this eminent jurist and of his venera- 
 ble associate was truly enviable. To them, flocked from 
 every part of the union, the youth who were to shape the 
 jurisprudence of their respective states. They looked upon 
 these renowned teachers with almost as much reverence as 
 the youth of Atliens regarded the teatures of the })hilosophers 
 who prepared their minds for the strifes of the Agora, the 
 debates of the council, or the shades of contemplative retire- 
 ment. To this pleasant little village among the hills came 
 the very flower and nobility of American genius. Here 
 might be seen Calhoun, Clayton, Mason, Loring, Woodbury, 
 Hall, Ashley, Phelps, and a host of others, who were prepar- 
 ing themselves for the high places of the cabinet, the senate 
 and the bench. 
 
 The influence of these sages upon the laws of the country 
 was almost rivaled by the eflbrts of Miss Sarah Pierce, in 
 another department of learning. This lady opened a school 
 for the instruction of females, in the year 1792, while the law 
 school was in successful operation, and continued it under 
 her own superintendence for nearly forty years. During this 
 time she educated between fd'teen hundred and two thousand 
 young ladies. This school was for a long period the most 
 celebrated in the United States, and brought together a large 
 number of the most gifted and beautiful women of the con- 
 tinent. They were certain to be methodically taught and 
 tenderly cared for, and under her mild rule they could hardly 
 fail to learn whatever was most necessary to fit them tor the 
 quiet but elevated spheres which so many of them have since 
 adorned. Miss Pierce lived to the advanced aiz:e of 83. 
 
604 HISTORY OF CONXECTICUT. 
 
 She was small in person, of a cheerful, lively temperament, 
 a bright eye, and a face expressive of the most active benev- 
 olence. She was in the habit of practicing herself all the 
 theories that she taugiit to her pupils, and, until physical in- 
 firmities confined her to her room, would take her accus- 
 tomed walk in the face of the roughest March wind that 
 ever blew across our hills. The intelligence of her death 
 cast a shade of sadness over many a domestic circle, and 
 caused many a silent tear to fall. 
 
 While these two schools were in full and active life, Litch- 
 field was famed for an intellectual and social position, which 
 is believed to have been at that time unrivaled in any other 
 village or town of equal size in the United States.* 
 
 * Several excellent. and flourishing literary institutions have been established in 
 our state since the date of the adoption of the constitution. 
 
 Trinity (formerly Washington) College, an episcopal institution, was founded at 
 Hartford, 1824, and in 1850, had nine professors, sixty-six students, and a library 
 of nine thousand volumes. At the latter date, its ahimni numbered two hundred 
 and fifty-seven, of whom one hundred and seventeen had taken orders in the 
 church. 
 
 This institution has already taken a high rank among the colleges of the United 
 States, and is believed to be inferior to none of them in the order of its discipline 
 and the faithfulness of its officers. It has already sent forth from its halls many 
 able clergymen and accomplished scholars. Its buildings are handso'mc and look 
 off upon a landscape as lovely as can be found in the valley of the Connecticut. 
 A more minute account of it will be given in the appendi.x — Title, " Trinity 
 College.'' 
 
 The Wesleyan University at Middletown was founded in 1831. The build- 
 ings and land connected with them, estimated at from thirty to forty thousand dol- 
 lars, were presented to the New York and New London conferences by the Lite- 
 rary and Seientilie Society of Middletown, on condition that forty thousand dollars 
 more should be raised, for the purpose of establishing a university, to be under the 
 control of the two conferences named, and any others that might unite with them 
 in the enterprise. These conditions were complied with, and a board of trustees 
 were elected by the New York and New England conferences. The state legis- 
 lature soon after gave a very liberal charter to the institution. The buildings, 
 which are of stone, are delightfully situated on an eminence in the western part of 
 the city, having a commanding view of the Conui'etieut river and of the adjacent 
 country. As I have elsewhere stated, the Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D.D., was elected 
 the first president of the university, and with the assistance of a corps of learned 
 and able professors, the institution went into operation under the most favorable 
 auspices. In 18.")0, the number of its alumni was 402, and of its students 116. 
 The library contains over 12,000 volumes. 
 
THE POETS. 
 
 605 
 
 But Connecticut has not been less distinguished for genius 
 than for scholarship. In poetry she may well claim to be 
 the Athens of America. Trumbull, Barlow, Humphreys, and 
 Dvvight, were in their day the first poets of the western 
 world. But since their time, there have sprung up a class of 
 writers whose genius and artistic finish place them among 
 the first ornaments of our literature. Of those who have 
 passed from the stage of life, Ilillhouse is by far the most clas- 
 sical and stately. He wrought his poetical compositions 
 to a degree of polish which until his day had never been 
 attained by the western muse. His conceptions are of that 
 large order, belonging only to men of high genius, and his 
 imagination has a breadth and sweep of wing that remind 
 the reader of " Paradise Lost." 
 
 Braiiierd, with less magnificence of drapery, was perhaps 
 not inferior to Hillhouse in vigor of imagination. His lines 
 on " the Falls of Niagara," inartificial as they are in con- 
 struction, are probably not surpassed by any poem in the 
 world of equal length, for the vastness of the thoughts and 
 the boldness of the grouj)ing. The mighty flow of the 
 cataract, its voice sounding on like a perpetual anthem, 
 the bow that hangs upon its " awful front," the sublime scrip- 
 ture imagery that clothes it, and the marks of centuries 
 " notched in the eternal rocks," as if by the finger of God, all 
 present a picture of condensed power and terrible sublimity. 
 The names of Lemuel Hopkins, Richard Alsop, Elihu 
 Hubbard Smith, Mrs. Laura Thurston, Miss Martha Day, 
 James Otis Rockwell, Hugh Peters, Mason, and others, are 
 familiar to all readers of American poetry, and are embalmed 
 in the afiections of the people. 
 
 Upon all former pages of this work, the acts and characters 
 of living men have been left out of view or treated of only in 
 notes, as was sometimes necessary to explain the text. But 
 in relation to literature, which may be said to be "an immor- 
 tality rather than a life," and which is not liable to the con- 
 ditions of ordinary decay, the adoption of a different rule will 
 hardly oflend the taste of any one. 
 
606 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Not inferior to the works of any other hving poet, are the 
 productions of the author of " Marco Bozzaris." Since the 
 death of him who wrote the " Elegy in a country church- 
 yard," no other writer has appeared who dared commit his 
 fame to the keeping of so few Hnes, and no poet has seemed 
 to be so well aware that to write little and well, is to lorite 
 much. His poem upon Connecticut, the one which recalls 
 with the breath of a faded rose plucked from " Allovvay's 
 witch-haunted wall," the fragrant memories and sufferino; 
 poverty of Scotland's best poet, and the precious tribute, 
 half epitaph and half sigh, that tells the gentle fate of Rodman 
 Drake, — " like flower-seeds by the far winds sown," will 
 bloom in all lands to the end of time. 
 
 Percival, who sports with the boughs of ocean-groves the 
 foliage of which was never " wet with falling dew ;" Pierpont 
 who has identified his name with that of Warren, and con- 
 secrated his song to hymn the first arrival of the emigrant to 
 the New England coast, and who has recorded the tenderest 
 and holiest emotions that can thrill a parent's heart for the 
 loss of sainted infancy ; and Prentice, smoothing from his 
 forehead the distracting wrinkles of business, and at intervals 
 withdrawing to some sequestered spot, 
 
 " Where billows mid the silent I'ocks, 
 Are brooding o'er the waters mild," — 
 
 these poets can no longer be circumscribed by the limits of 
 our state, for they " are Freedom's now, and Fame's." 
 
 Nor let us be unmindful of that daughter of song whose pages 
 have recorded the privations of " the Western Emigrant" by 
 the hoarse waters of the Illinois ; whose name is blistered 
 upon the title-page by the fast-falling tears of the poor girl 
 who muses with the book in her hand over the warbled 
 notes of the robin that she petted, and the " fresh violets " 
 that she tended, by the bank of the Connecticut ; nor of her 
 whose woman's ear listened not unwillingly to the whispers 
 of fame, and whose eye saw its hues of promise as she 
 looked upward through the branches of " The old Apple-tree;" 
 nor yet of her whose playful pen has made us almost wish 
 
JOHN- TRUMBULL 607 
 
 that the days of "Bride Stealing" might return.* Other 
 names, like those of Goodrich, Nichols, Wetmore, Ilill, 
 Brown, Dow, Burleigh, Park, and William Thompson Bacon, 
 who may well be called our Wordsworth, gather around 
 this briglit constellation, and make a galaxy which is to 
 be still I'urther extended, as one orb of song after another is 
 evolved from the chaos of darkness, and takes its place in 
 the firmament of letters. 
 
 But poetry is not the only field of art that has been suc- 
 cessfully trodden by our citizens. 
 
 When Master John Trumbull, the youngest son of our 
 first Governor Trumbull, was secretly learning how to use 
 the brush and to mix colors, and while he was still in the 
 hands of his sisters, who on account of his feeble frame 
 and delicate constitution regarded him as little more than a 
 plaything, his father, so wise and discriminating in all other 
 matters of public concern, and in most matters of private 
 interest, used his best endeavors to dissuade the boy from 
 such pursuits. At a later period, when the youth had 
 broken away from the domestic circle, and was at Harvard, 
 in the early part of his academical career, the governor 
 wrote to Mr. Kneeland, who had charge of his son : " I am 
 sensible of his natural genius and inclination for limning, an 
 art which I have frequently told him will be of no use to 
 him." Little did the statesman know that the art, the in- 
 fluence of which he so much deprecated, would, in the 
 hands of that son, transfer to canvas the features of all the 
 signers of the Declaration of Independence, and sketch as 
 if with the beams of the sun, the very likeness and action 
 of the great battles of the Revolution. Yet John Trumbull, 
 scarcely less important than his father, was born to paint his 
 country's history. Nothing could divert his attention from 
 this great purpose. New as the subject was, devoid of all 
 the romantic associations which a long lapse of time is sup- 
 posed to throw over events, he looked at the history of his 
 
 * Mrs. yi^()UI■ney, Mrs. Ann S. Steplicns, and Mrs. Emma Willard are 
 among the most giftc'l and cniineut wrilera in our country. 
 
608 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 country through the medium of great principles, political and 
 social, developed and illustrated by great characters, and saw 
 in them, what none but genius can see, new combinations 
 of greatness and new forms of beauty. As the result has 
 proved, the choice was wise as it was brave.* 
 
 While engaged in fighting the battles of American liberty 
 and unfolding the germs of literature, learning, and art, Con- 
 necticut has not lost sight of the great demands of the age 
 for a practical application of the physical sciences to the com- 
 mon place uses of life, and for that moral machinery which 
 has at last been made to turn all the wheels of our complex 
 society. Eli Whitney, ours by education and choice, in- 
 vented the cotton-gin, and although the money which the 
 two Carolinas had the justice to pay him for the labors of 
 his brain, was expended in litigating his claims in some other 
 states, yet the world which denied to his heirs the property 
 of which they had been robbed, has done justice to his 
 memory. John Fitch was the first to apply steam, now 
 the common drudge of man, to the uses of navigation. Junius 
 Smith was the originator of the grand project of navigating 
 the ocean by the same motive power. Morse, of a Con- 
 necticut parentage and culture, invented the magnetic 
 telegraph, and thus gave to the world a courier swifter 
 than the light, and more certain than the carrier-dove. 
 Jared Mansfield originated the present mode of surveying 
 
 * Colonel John Trumbull was born in Lebanon, June 6, 1756, graduated at 
 Cambridge in 1T73, and was appointed adjutant of the first Connecticut regi- 
 ment under General Spencer previous to the Battle of Bunker Hill. At the age 
 of nineteen years he was a:d-de-eamp to General Washington and major of 
 brigade ; and at twenty, he was appointed adjutant general with the rank of 
 colonel. Soon after he commenced painting, he took up his abode in London as a 
 pupil of Mr. West, in 1780, where he was arrested and imprisoned on a charge of 
 high treason. After being confined for eight months he was liberated. He re- 
 ceived various diplomatic appointments abroad, and resided in England and 
 France for several years. He became one of the most eminent artists of his day. 
 Many of his historical paintings and other works of art are preserved in the 
 " Trumbull Gallery," New Haven, lie died in New York in 1813 aged 87. 
 
 For my estimate of Trumbull and for facts in relation to him, I am indebted to 
 friend Mr. George F. ^V right. 
 
[17S7.] THE REBEL GOVERNOR. G09 
 
 lands. Ephraim Kirby published the first volume ol' law 
 reports ever issued in the United States. John Treadwell 
 was the first president of the American Board of Com- 
 missioners for Foreign Missions. Samuel Seabury was the 
 first episcopal bishop in the new world, and the first epis- 
 copal ordinations on this side of the Atlantic took place 
 in Connecticut. Joseph Bellamy, as we have shown, 
 founded the first Sabbath school in the world. The first 
 temperance society in Christendom was formed in this state. 
 The first asylum for the deaf and dumb ever instituted on 
 this continent was established by the enterprize of our citi- 
 zens, and upon our soil ; and the seeds of almost all the 
 colleges in the Union, have been carried from our fields and 
 planted by our citizens. The first British flag that fell into 
 the hands of the American patriots during the revolutionary 
 war, and the first upon the land as well as upon the sea that 
 did homage to our valor in the war of 1812, were all struck 
 to sons of Connecticut ; and her Trumbull was the only 
 governor of all the old thirteen colonies who merited the now 
 honored title oi' "rebel."* 
 
 Here ends the task so long ago undertaken, and followed 
 with so many interruptions, but with a fondness which 
 has clung more lovingly to the subject as the author has pur- 
 sued it from year to year. If these pages shall stimulate to 
 one generous eflbrt, or arouse one heroic sentiment in the 
 hearts of the young generation who arc now rising up, 
 to fill the places of their fathers, they will not have been 
 written in vain. 
 
 The enemies of our ancestors were cold, famine, priva- 
 
 * Connecticut has educated principally through Yale Collcf^e and the Litch- 
 field Law School, one-eighth of all tlie senators that have ever been iu Congress, 
 from all the states of the Union, and more than oiie-ninlh of all the cabinet 
 officers, besides being the birth-place of more than onc-tweU'th of the entire list 
 ^f United States senators, and one-third of all the postmasters general of the 
 United States. She has .also been the birth-place of one Secretary of the Navy, 
 one Secretary of the Treasury, two Secretaries of War, two Speakers of the 
 United States House of Representatives, one Judge and one Chief Judge of the 
 Supreme C(»urt of the United States. 
 
 71 
 
610 HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 tions, decimating wars and taxes that pressed heavily upon 
 them ; ours, on the other hand, are luxury, extravagance, 
 sloth, and the natural result of all these, moral and phy- 
 sical weakness. Let us study their history with sentiments 
 of filial regard, and not forget to thank the God whom 
 they trusted, that we are able to say, as they did, when 
 they planted those three vines in the wilderness, which 
 have since afforded fruit and shelter to millions, — " Qui 
 Transtulit Sustinet' 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 ROLL OF DELEGATES 
 
 TO THE CONVENTION WHICH RATIFIED THE CONSTITUTION OF THE 
 UNITED STATES, 
 
 HOLDEN AT HARTFORD, ON THE FIRST THURSDAY OF JANUARY, 1788. 
 
 Hon. Matthew Griswold, President. 
 Jedediah Strong, Esq., Secretary. 
 
 HARTFORD COUNTY. 
 
 Hartford. — 
 
 " Jeremiah Wadsworth, . . . . Y. 
 
 " Jesse Root,* V. 
 
 Berlin. — 
 
 " Isaac Lee, Y. 
 
 " Selahllart, Y. 
 
 Bristol. — 
 
 " Zebulon Peck, Jr., Y. 
 
 East Hartford. — 
 
 " W illiam Pitkin, nil dicit. 
 
 " Elisha Pitkin, Y. 
 
 East Windsor. — 
 
 " Erastus Wolcott, Y. 
 
 " John Watson, Y. 
 
 Enfield. — 
 
 " Daniel Perkins, N. 
 
 " Joseph Kingsbury,. 7n7 dicit. 
 Farmington. — 
 
 " JohnTreadwell,* Y. 
 
 " William Judd, Y. 
 
 Glastenhury. — 
 
 " Jtisiah Moseley, Y. 
 
 " Wait Goiidrich, Y. 
 
 Granhy. — 
 
 '• llezekiah llolcomb, N. 
 
 Southington. — 
 
 " John Curtis, Y. 
 
 " Asa Barnes, Y. 
 
 Sufield.— 
 
 " Alexander King, N. 
 
 " David Todd, N. 
 
 Simshury. — 
 
 »' Noah Phelps, N. 
 
 " Daniel Humphrey, N. 
 
 HARTFORD COUNTY. 
 
 Welhersfield. — 
 
 Stephen M. Mitchell,*. . .Y. 
 
 " Jolm Chester, Y. 
 
 Windsor. — 
 
 " Oliver Ellsworth, Y. 
 
 " Roger Newberry, Y. 
 
 NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 
 
 New Hacen. — 
 
 '' llogor Sherman, Y. 
 
 " Pierpont Edwards,* Y. 
 
 Branford. — 
 
 •' William Gould, N. 
 
 " Timothy lloadley, N. 
 
 Cheshire. — 
 
 " David P> rooks, N. 
 
 " Samuel Beach, Y. 
 
 Derby. — 
 
 " Daniel Ilolbrook, Y. 
 
 " John I lolbrook, Y. 
 
 Durham. — 
 
 " James Wadsworth, N. 
 
 '• Daniel Hail, N, 
 
 East Haven. — 
 
 " Samuel Davenport, N. 
 
 Guilford. — 
 
 •' Andrew Ward, N. 
 
 " John Eliot, N. 
 
 Hamden. — 
 
 " Theoph. Goodyear, 7iil dicit. 
 Milford. — 
 
 " Gideon Buckingham,. .. .T. 
 
 " I^wis Mallet, Y. 
 
61^ 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 
 
 North Haven. — 
 
 " J)anic-1 Bassett, N. 
 
 Wallingford. — 
 
 " Street Hall, N. 
 
 " Samuel Whiting, N. 
 
 Waterbury. — 
 
 " Joseph Hopkins, Y. 
 
 " Jdhn Welton, Y. 
 
 Woodbridge. — 
 
 " Samuel Osborn, N. 
 
 " Saiimel Newton, N. 
 
 MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 
 
 Middletown. — 
 
 " Ashur Miller, Y. 
 
 " Samuel II. Parsons, Y. 
 
 Chatham. — 
 
 " Ebenczer White, Y. 
 
 " Ilezekiah Goodrich, Y. 
 
 East Haddam. — 
 
 Dyar Throop, Y. 
 
 " Jabez Chapman, Y. 
 
 Haddam. — 
 
 " Cornelius Iliggins, Y. 
 
 " Ilezekiah Brainard, Y. 
 
 Killingworth. — 
 
 '' Theophilus Morgan, Y. 
 
 " Ilezekiah Law, Y. 
 
 Saybrook. — 
 
 " William Hart, Y. 
 
 " Samuel Shipmau, Y. 
 
 TOLLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Tolland. — 
 
 '' Jeremiah W^est, Y. 
 
 " Samuel Chapman, Y. 
 
 Bolton. — 
 
 " Ichabod Warner, Y. 
 
 " Samuel Carver, Y. 
 
 Coventry. — 
 
 " Jeremiah Ripley, Y. 
 
 " Ephraim Root, Y. 
 
 Ellington. — 
 
 " Ebenezer Nash, N. 
 
 Hebron. — 
 
 " Daniel Ingham, N. 
 
 " Elihu Marvin, N. 
 
 Somers. — 
 
 " Joslma Pomeroy, N. 
 
 " Ablel Pease N. 
 
 Stafford.— 
 
 " John Phelps, Y. 
 
 " Isaac Foot, Y. 
 
 Union. — 
 
 " Abijah Sessions, Y. 
 
 TOLLAND COUNTY. 
 
 Willington.^ 
 
 " Caleb Holt, 
 
 " Setli Crocker, . . . 
 
 .T. 
 .Y. 
 
 WINDHAM COUNTY. 
 
 Windham. — 
 
 " Eliphalet Dyer, Y. 
 
 " Jedediah Eiderkin, Y. 
 
 Ashford. — 
 
 " Simeon Smith, Y. 
 
 " Ilendriek Dow, Y. 
 
 Brooklyn. — • 
 
 " Seth Paine, Y. 
 
 Canterbury. — 
 
 " Asa Witter, Y. 
 
 " Moses Cleveland, Y. 
 
 Hampton. — 
 
 " (Unrepresented.) 
 
 Killingly. — 
 
 '' Simeon Howe, Y. 
 
 " William Danielson, Y. 
 
 Lebanon. — 
 
 " William Williams,* Y. 
 
 " Ephraim Carpenter, N. 
 
 Mansfield. — 
 
 " Constant South worth, . . . . N. 
 
 " Nathaniel x\t\vood, N. 
 
 Plainfield. — 
 
 '• James Bradford, Y. 
 
 " Joshua Dunlap, Y. 
 
 Pomfrei. — 
 
 Jonathan Randall, N. 
 
 '■ Simeon Coltou, N. 
 
 Thompson. — 
 
 " Daniel Learned Y. 
 
 Voluntown. — 
 
 " Moses Campbell, Y. 
 
 " Benjamin Dow, Y. 
 
 Woodstock. — 
 
 " Stephen Paine, N. 
 
 " Timothy Perrin, N. 
 
 LITCHFIELD COUNTY. 
 
 Litchfield. — 
 
 " Oliver Wolcott, Y. 
 
 " Jedediah Strong, Y. 
 
 Barkhamsted. — 
 
 " Joseph Wilder, N. 
 
 Bethlem. — 
 
 " Moses Ilawley, Y. 
 
 Colebrook. — 
 
 " (Unrepresented.) 
 
 Canaan. — 
 
 " Charles Burrall, Y. 
 
 " Nathan Hale, Y. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 613 
 
 LITCHFIELD COUNTY. 
 
 Cornicall. — 
 
 " Edward Piogers, . . . .Absent. 
 
 " JMattlmw Patterson, N. 
 
 Goshen. — 
 
 Daniel Miles, Y. 
 
 " Asaph Hall, Y. 
 
 Hartland. — • 
 
 '■ Isaac Burnliam, Y. 
 
 " John Wilder, Y. 
 
 Harwinton. — 
 
 " Abner Wilson, N. 
 
 " Mark Prindle, Y. 
 
 Kent. — 
 
 Jedediah Hubbell, Y. 
 
 New Hartford. — 
 
 " Aaron Austin,* Y. 
 
 " Thomas (woodman, N. 
 
 New Milford. — 
 
 " Samuel Canfield, Y. 
 
 " Daniel Everett, Y. 
 
 Norfolk.— 
 
 " Asahcl Humphrey, N. 
 
 " Hosea Humphrey, N. 
 
 Salishury. — 
 
 '• Hezekiali Fitch,.. Y. 
 
 " Joshua Porter, Y. 
 
 Sharon. — 
 
 '• Josiah Coleman, N. 
 
 '' Jonathan GiUett, N. 
 
 Southbury. — 
 
 " Benjamin Ilinman, Y. 
 
 Torrington. — 
 
 " Epaphras Sheldon, Y. 
 
 " Elipiialet Enos, N. 
 
 Warren. — 
 
 " Eleazer Curtis Y. 
 
 Washington. — 
 
 " John Whittlesey, Y. 
 
 " Daniel N. Brinsmade,. . . Y. 
 Watertoton. — 
 
 '' Thomas Fenn, Y. 
 
 " David Smith, Y. 
 
 Winchester. — 
 
 Robert MeCune, Y. 
 
 Woodbury. — 
 
 _ ''_ Daniel Sherman, Y. 
 
 " Samuel Orton, Y. 
 
 NEW LONDO.V COUNTY'. 
 
 Neio London. — 
 
 " Richard Law, Y. 
 
 " Amaza Learned,* Y. 
 
 NEW LONDON COUNTV. 
 
 Norwich. — 
 
 " Samuel Huntington, Y. 
 
 " Jedediah Huntiiiiiton Y. 
 
 Bozrah. — 
 
 '' Isaac Huntington, Y. 
 
 Colchester. — 
 
 " Robert Robbins Y. 
 
 " Daniel Foot, Y. 
 
 Franklin. — 
 
 Eli Hyde, Y. 
 
 Groton. — 
 
 " Joseph Woodbridge, . . . . Y. 
 
 " Stephen Billings, Y. 
 
 Lisbon. — 
 
 " Andrew Lee, Y. 
 
 Lyme. — 
 
 " Matthew Griswold, Y. 
 
 " William Noyes, Y. 
 
 Montville. — 
 
 " Joshua Raymond, Jr.,. . .Y. 
 Preston. — 
 
 " Jeremiah Halsey, Y. 
 
 " Wheeler Coit, Y. 
 
 Stonington. — 
 
 Charles Phelps, Y. 
 
 " Nathaniel Miner, Y. 
 
 FAIRFIELD COUNTV. 
 
 Fairfield. 
 
 — 
 
 
 " 
 
 Jonathan Sturges,.... 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 u 
 
 Thaddeus Burr, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 Danbury 
 
 — 
 
 
 '' 
 
 Elisha Whittlesey, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 u 
 
 Joseph M. White, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 Greenwic 
 
 h.— 
 
 
 " 
 
 Amos Mead, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 u 
 
 Jabez Plteh, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 New Fairfield. — 
 
 
 u 
 
 Nehemiah Beardsley,. 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 u 
 
 James Potter, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 Neictown 
 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 John Chandler, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 u 
 
 John Beach, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 Norvialk. 
 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 Samuel C. Sil!iman,.^6sc«<. 
 
 i( 
 
 Hezekiali Rogers,. . . . 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 Reading. 
 
 — 
 
 
 '• 
 
 Lemuel Sanford,*. . . . 
 
 ...Y. 
 
 " 
 
 William Heron, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 Ridgefield.-^ 
 
 
 " 
 
 Philip B. Bradley, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 " 
 
 Nathan Daueliy, 
 
 ..Y. 
 
 * Though II period of thirty yenrs elapsed between this convention and the convention which 
 formed the state constitution, it is a remarkable fact, that nt least eight persons were delegates to 
 both, viz., .lesse Root, Joliii Treadwell, Stephen M. Mitchell, I'ierpont Kdwards, Aaron Austin, 
 Amasa Leunied, Lemuel Sanford, and Wiiliiiin Williams. 
 
614 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 FAIRFIELD COUNTY. 
 
 FAIRFIELD COUNTY. 
 
 Stamford. — 
 
 " James Davenport, Y. 
 
 " John Davenport, Jr.,. ...Y. 
 
 Stratford. — 
 
 " William S. Johnson, Y 
 
 " Elisha Mills, Y. 
 
 ROLL OF DELEGATES 
 
 TO THE CONVENTION WHICH FORilED THE STATE CONSTITUTION, 
 
 HOLDEN AT HARTFORD, IN AUGUST, 1818. 
 
 His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, President. 
 
 James Lanman, Esq., ) 
 
 ^ ' ,, ? Clerks. 
 
 Robert Fairchild, Esq., 
 
 Hartford. — 
 
 " Sylvester Wells, 
 
 " Nathaniel Terry. 
 Berlin. — 
 
 " Samuel Hart, 
 
 " Samuel Norton. 
 Bristol. — 
 
 '• Bryan Hooker. 
 Burlington. — 
 
 " Bliss Hart. 
 Canton. — 
 
 " Solomon Everest. 
 East Hartford. — 
 
 " Ilichard Pitkin, 
 
 " Samuel Pitkin. 
 East Windsor. — 
 
 " Charles Jencks, 
 
 " Abner Reed. 
 Enfield.— 
 
 " Henry Terry, 
 
 " William Dixon. 
 Farmington. — 
 
 " Timothy Pitkin, 
 
 " John Treadwell, 
 Glastenbury. — 
 
 " Samuel Welles, 
 
 " David E. Hubbard. 
 Granhy. — 
 
 " S. Wilcox, 
 
 " Reuben Barker. 
 Hartland. — 
 
 " Aaron Church, 
 
 " ,l.)!m Treat. 
 Marlborough. — 
 
 " Elisha Buel. 
 Simsbury. — 
 
 " Elisha Phelps. 
 
 " J ouathan Pcttiboue, Jr. 
 
 Southington. — 
 
 " Roger Whittlesey, 
 " Chester Grannis. 
 
 Sufficld. — 
 
 " Christopher Jones, 
 " •Asahel Morse. 
 
 Weihcrsfield. — 
 
 Stephen I\I. Mitchell, 
 " Levi Lusk. 
 
 Windsor. — 
 
 " Eliakim ^larshall, 
 " Joslah Phelps. 
 
 New Haven. — 
 
 " William Bristol, 
 " Nathan Smith. 
 
 Branford. — 
 
 '' Eli Fowler, 
 " Jonathan Rose. 
 
 Cheshire. — 
 
 " Andrew Hull, 
 " Charles Shelton. 
 
 Derby. — 
 
 " John Riggs. 
 
 East Haven. — 
 
 " Bela Farnham. 
 
 Guilford. — 
 
 " Nathaniel Griffin, 
 " William Todd. 
 
 Hamden. — 
 
 " Russell Pierpont. 
 
 Mrriden. — 
 
 " Patrick Clark. 
 
 Middlcbvry. — 
 
 " Aaron Benedict. 
 
 Milford. — 
 
 " Benjamin Hull, 
 " Samuel B. Gunn. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 615 
 
 North Haven. — 
 
 " Daniel Pierpont. 
 
 Oxford. — 
 
 '• David Tomlinson. 
 
 Southhury. — ■ 
 
 SiiaJracli Osborn. 
 
 Wallingford. — 
 
 '* John Andrews, 
 '• AV'illiain Marks. 
 
 Waterbury.^ 
 
 •' Timon Miles, 
 
 '• Andrew Adams. 
 
 Wolcott.— 
 
 " Ambrose Ives. 
 
 Woodbridge. — 
 
 " .1 ustus Thomas, 
 " Cliauiicey Tollcs. 
 
 New LoN'noN. — 
 
 " Christopher Manwaring, 
 
 " Aniaza Learned. 
 Norwich. — 
 
 '' John Turner, 
 
 '■ James Lanman. 
 Bozrah. — 
 
 Roswell Fo,v. 
 Colchester. — 
 
 David Deming, 
 
 " John Ishain, Jr. 
 Franklin. — 
 
 " Joshua Hyde. 
 Grisifold. — 
 
 " Elisha J. Abel. 
 Groton. — 
 
 " John Daboll, 
 
 " AVilliam Williams. 
 Lisbon. — 
 
 " Daniel Braman. 
 Lyme. — 
 
 '' Moses Warren,. 
 
 " I'^beiiezer Brockway. 
 Montville. — 
 
 " Oliver Comstock. 
 North Sloninglon. — 
 
 " Chester Smith, 
 
 " William Randall, Jr. 
 Preston. — 
 
 " Nathaniel Kimball, 
 
 " 1 ) .nison Palmer. 
 
 Stoninsrtnn. — 
 
 " ^ \Villiam Randall, 
 
 " .\mos Gallup. 
 
 Waterfurd.— 
 
 '> Charles Avery. 
 
 F.\IRFIELr).- 
 
 David Hill, 
 Gideon Tomlinson. 
 
 Danbury. — 
 
 " Friend Starr, 
 " ^^'illiam Cook. 
 
 Brookfield. — 
 
 Noah A. Lacy. 
 
 Greenwich. — 
 
 " Clark Sanford, 
 '' Enos Lockvvood. 
 
 Huntington. — 
 
 '^ Timothy J. Welles, 
 " William Shelton. 
 
 Ncuj Canaan. — 
 
 " Nathan Seeley. 
 
 New Fail-field. — 
 
 " Samuel T. Barnum. 
 
 Newtown. — 
 
 " (jideon Botsford, 
 '• James Jj. Fairnian. 
 
 Nor^t-alk. — 
 
 " Moses Gregory, 
 '' John Eversley. 
 
 Reading. — 
 
 •' Samuel Whiting, 
 '' Lemuel Sanford. 
 
 Ridgejield. — • 
 
 " Joshua King, 
 " Abner Gilbert. 
 
 Shermaji. — 
 
 " Jedediah Graves. 
 
 Stamford. — 
 
 James Stevens, 
 " John Weed, Jr. 
 
 Stratford. — 
 
 " Pierpont Edwards, 
 '• Robert Fairehild. 
 
 Trumbull. — 
 
 " Lewis Burton. 
 
 Weston. — 
 
 " Abel Gregory, 
 " Isaac Bennett. 
 
 Wilton. — 
 
 " Erastus Sturges. 
 
 Windham. — 
 
 '• Peter Webb, 
 " Zaccheus Waldo. 
 
 Ashford. — 
 
 " Josias Byles, 
 
 " William Perkins. 
 
 Brooklyn. — 
 
 " Roger W. Williams. 
 
 Canterbury. — 
 
 " Ijuther Paine, 
 " J)aniel Frost. 
 
 Columbia. — 
 
 " Silas Fuller. 
 
 Hajnpton. — 
 
 " Ebenezcr Griffin. 
 
616 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Killingly. — 
 
 " Lutlier Warren, 
 " E/J'a llutcliins. 
 
 Lehanon. 
 
 " Thomas Babcock, 
 " Stephen D. TUden. 
 
 Mansfield. — 
 
 " Edmund Freeman, 
 " Artemas Gurley. 
 
 Plainfield. — 
 
 " Elias Woodward, 
 " Jolin Duulap. 
 
 Pomfret. — 
 
 '' Darius Matthewson, 
 " Lemuel Ingalls. 
 
 Sterling. — 
 
 " Dixon Hall. 
 
 Thompson. — 
 
 '' Geori^e Earned, 
 
 " Jonathan Nichols, Jr. 
 
 Voluntoum. — 
 
 '' Daniel Keigwiu. 
 
 Woodstock. — 
 
 " John McEellan, 
 '• Elias Childs, 2d. 
 
 JilTCllFIELD. 
 
 " Oliver Woleott, 
 
 " John Welch. 
 Barkhamsled. — 
 
 " Samuel Ilayden, 
 
 " Oliver Alills. 
 Bethlem. — 
 
 " Nehemiah Lambert. 
 Canaan. — 
 
 " William M. Burrall, 
 
 " William Douglas. 
 Colebronk. — 
 
 Arab Phelps, 
 
 " George Pinney. 
 Cornwall. — 
 
 " Philo Swift, 
 
 " Oliver Burnliam. 
 Goshen. — 
 
 " Adino Hale, 
 
 " Theodore North. 
 Hartrinton. — 
 
 " James Brace, . 
 
 " Uriah Hopkins. -^ 
 Kent.— 
 
 " Lewis St. John. 
 New Hartford. — 
 
 " Aaron Austin, 
 
 " Jonathan Marsh. 
 New Milford. — 
 
 " Orange Mcrwin, 
 
 " Jehiel Williams. 
 
 Norfolk. — 
 
 " Augustus Pettibone, 
 
 " Joseph Battell. 
 Plymouth. — 
 
 " Calvin Butler. 
 Roxhury.— 
 
 " John Trowbridge. 
 Salisbury. — 
 
 " Daniel Johnson, 
 
 " Samuel Church. 
 Sharon. — 
 
 " Cyrus Swan, 
 
 " Samuel E. Everett. 
 Torrington. — 
 
 " Abel Hinsdale. 
 
 " William Battel!. 
 Warren.— 
 
 " John Tallmadge. 
 Washington. — 
 
 " Hermanns Marshall, 
 
 " Ensign Bushnell. 
 Watertow7i. — 
 
 " Amos Baldwin. 
 Winchester. — 
 
 Levi Piatt, 
 
 " Joseph Rliller. 
 Woodbury. — 
 
 " Nathaniel Perry, 
 
 " Daniel IJacon 
 
 MlDDLETOWN. — 
 
 " Alexander Woleott, 
 
 " Joshua Stow. 
 Haddam. — 
 
 '' Ezra Brainard, 
 
 " Jonathan Huntington 
 Chatham. — 
 
 " Enoch Sage, 
 
 " Benjamin Hurd. 
 Durham. — 
 
 "• Thomas Lyman, 
 
 " Lemuel (Guernsey 
 East Haddam. — 
 
 '* Solomon Blakcslee, 
 
 " William Hungerford. 
 Killingworth. — 
 
 '' (ieorge Elliott, 
 
 '• Dan Lane. 
 Saybrook. — 
 
 " Charles Nott, 
 
 " Elisha Sill. 
 
 Tolland. — 
 
 " Ashbel Chapman, 
 ■' Eliphalet Young. 
 Bolton. — 
 
 " Saul Alvord, Jr. 
 
APPENDIX. 617 
 
 Stafford. — 
 
 '' Kpliraiin Tfydc, 
 
 " Nathan Jolinson. 
 Union. — 
 
 " [iig-dldsby W. Crawford, 
 
 " llobirt Paul. 
 Vernnn. — 
 
 Coventry. — 
 
 '■ Jesse Root, 
 
 '' Elislia Edgerton. 
 Ellington. — 
 
 " Asa Willey. 
 Hebron. — 
 
 '■ Daniel Burrows, 
 
 " John S. Peters. | " Pliiiieas Talcott. 
 
 Somcrs. — : WiUinglon. — • 
 
 " I>eiijamin Phelps, | " Jonathan Sibley. Jr. 
 
 " Giles Pease. 1 " tipafford Brigham. 
 
 COMMON SCHOOLS. 
 
 For a minute and comprehensivo survey of the "Legislation of Connecticut 
 respecting Common Schools, and other means of Popular Education," including 
 academic aud collegiate institutions from 1C3S to 1838, the reader is referred to 
 the annual rejiort of Henry Barnard, superintendent of the common schools, made 
 tu the General Assembly, May session 1853. The state may well be proud of her 
 larly legislation, in behalf of universal education. " If there is any thing,'' re- 
 marks Prof. Kingsley, in his historical discourse on the anniversary of the first 
 settlement of New llavon, " If there is any thing in the institutions of a free state, 
 wliich shows tiie character of Its founders, it is the regard paid to the education 
 of youth. Religion, morals, enterprise, whatever benefits or adorns society, rest 
 licre on their surest foundation ; and where eflfectual provision is made in the in- 
 fancy of a community, for general instruction, other salutary regulations may be 
 expected to accompany them. Take from our commonwealth tlie universal edu- 
 cation of our citizens, and our social system is at an end. The form might con- 
 tinue fir a time, but its spirit would have fled. To suppose that pure religion, 
 jiure morals, an upright administration of government, and a peaceable, orderly, 
 and agreeable intercourse in the domestic and social relations of life, can exist, 
 where the people as a body are ignorant of letters, is an egregious solecism. I do 
 not say that education is all that is needed, but without knowledge generally diflused, 
 other means of improving human society are comparatively weak and unavailing.'' 
 
 The establishment of the common school for the elementary instruction of all the 
 children of a neighborhood, as the broad and firm basis of a system of public edu- 
 cation, embracing the grammar school, and the college or university, by tho 
 founders of the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven, and the vigorous and pa- 
 tient efforts of many good and wise men for one hundred and fifty years afterward, 
 to bring the school near to every man's door, and to induce towns, parents, and 
 guardians, by these facilities, and by penalties for neglecting tliem, to look after 
 their " proper nurture and schooling," as well as their " training to some honest 
 occupation, of all children, apprentices, and servants," until it could with truth be 
 said that not only the liigh places in church and commonwealth were (llled with 
 a l"arnod ministry and an intelligent magistracy, but that the " barbarism " of 
 
618 APrENDIX. 
 
 having a " single person unable to read the Holy Word of God, and the good 
 laws of the colony," was not to be found in any household however poor, entitles 
 Conneeticut to a prominent place on the roll of civilized states, and her early legis- 
 lators to rank among the benefactors of the human race. " Did I know," Judge 
 Swift remarks in liis digest of the laws of Connecticut, " the name of the legisla- 
 tor, who first conceived and suggested the idea of common schools, I should pay 
 to his memory the highest tribute of reverence and regard. I should feel for him 
 a much higher veneration and respect, than I do for Lycurgus and Solon, the 
 celebrated lawgivers of Sparta and Athens. I should revere him as the greatest 
 benefactor of the human race ; because he has been the author of a provision ^ 
 which, if it should be adopted in every country, would produce a happier and 
 more important influence on the human character, than any institution which the 
 wisdom of man has devised." It may be difticult to assign to any one individual 
 the merit of having originated the common school system of Connecticut, or New 
 England. Mr. Barnard, in his history already referred to, remarks, " The outline, 
 and most of the features of our present system of common or public schools, will 
 be found in the practice of the first settlers of the several towns which composed 
 the original colonies of Connecticut and New Haven, before any express provision 
 was made by general law for the regulation and support of schools, or the bring- 
 ing up of children. The first law on the subject did but little more than declare 
 the motive, and make obligatory the practice which had grown up out of 
 the characters of the foimders of these colonies and the circumstances 
 in which they were placed. They did not come here as isolated individuals, 
 drawn together from widely separated homes, entertaining broad differences 
 of opinion on all matters of civil and religious concernment, and kept together 
 by the necessity of self defence in the eager prosecution of some temporary 
 but profitable adventure. They came after God had set them in families, and 
 they brought with them the best pledges of good behavior, in the relations 
 which father and mother, husband and wife, parents and children, neighbors 
 and friends, establish. They came with a foregone conclusion of permanence, 
 and with all the elements of the social state combined in vigorous activity — 
 every man, expecting to find or make occupation in the way in which he had 
 been trained. Tliey came with earnest religious convictions, made more 
 earnest by the trials of persecution ; and the enjoyment of these convictions was 
 a leading motive in their emigration hither. The fundamental articles of their 
 religious creed, that the bible was the only authoritative expression of the Divine 
 will, and that every man was able to judge for himself in its interpretation, made 
 schools necessary to bring all persons " to a knowledge of the scriptures," and an 
 understanding "of the main grounds and principles of the christian religion neces- 
 sary to salvation." The constitution of civil government, which they adopted 
 from the outset, which declares all civil ofticers elective, and gave to every inliabi- 
 tant who would take the oath of allegiance, the right to vote, and to be voted for, 
 and which practically converted political society into a partnership, in which each 
 nicmbor had a right to bind the whole firm, made universal education identical 
 with self preservation. But aside from these considerations, the natural and ac- 
 knowledged leaders in this enterprise — the men who, by their religious character, 
 
APPENDIX. 619 
 
 wealth, social ;).i,sition, and previous oxporionco in conducting large business 
 operations, commanded public confidence in church and commonwealth, were 
 educated men — as highly and thoroughly educated as the best endowed grammar 
 schools in England could educate them at that period, and not a few of them had 
 enjoyed the advantages of her great universities. These men would naturally 
 seek for their own children the best opportunities of education which could be 
 provided ; and it is the crowning glory of these men, that, instead of sending 
 their own children back to England to be educated in grammar schools and 
 universities, they labored to establish free grammar schools and a college here, 
 amid the stumps of the primeval forests ; that instead of setting up '' family 
 schools,'' and " select schools " for the ministers' sons and the magistrates' sons, 
 the ministers and magistrates were found — not only in town meeting, pleading for 
 an allowance out of the common treasury for the support of a public or common 
 school, and in some instances for a " free school " — but among the families, en- 
 treating parents of all classes to send their children to the same school with their 
 own. All this was done in advance of any legislation on the subject, and was more 
 easily made the habit of each new township by legislation framed in this spirit."* 
 
 In the practice above referred to, for near a century and a half, lay the peculiar 
 excellence of the common scliool system — the universality of the habit, and the 
 equality of the education given to all classes of the same community. The " children 
 of the rich and the poor, of the capitalist and the laborer, of the laborer with his 
 hands and the laborer with his head, were found side by side in the same school, 
 and in the same playground, without knowing or caring for any other distinction 
 than such as industry, capacity, or virtue may make. The teacher of the common 
 school held a recognized office of distinction in the neighborhood, not overshadowed 
 by the better educated and better paid teacher of private schools; one family bor- 
 rowed its practice of school attendance from another, and any new family fell into 
 the general habit of the district; and a firm, intelligent and public opinion in favor 
 of the school, coerced those who might otherwise liave proved forgetful or delin- 
 quent as to the education of their children. By degrees the supervision of the com- 
 mon school was transferred from the town where other public interests were looked 
 after, to an independent corporation, whose annual meeting was thinly attended 
 because nothing was to be done except the election of officers ; the support of the 
 schools was thrown mainly on the avails of public funds, which was followed by 
 a diminution of public interest in the affairs of the district ; the means of the rich, 
 no longer ta.xed for the support of the common school, were freely expended on 
 academic and private schools, for tlie exclusive benefit of a few families — and thus 
 this noble institution came to occupy a secondary place in the regards of a large 
 and influential portion of every district and town." 
 
 From 1820 to 18.38, strenuous eff(jrts were made by individuals, through the 
 press, and in conventions of teachers and friends of educational improvement, to 
 arrest the attention of the people, and the legislation, to the want of progress in 
 the common schools, and to causes which were operating to diminish tlieir useful- 
 ness. But it was not till 18.38 that any efTectual measure was adopted. At the 
 May session of the General Assembly in that year, Henry Barnard, whose reports 
 * Barnard's Legislation of Connecticut respecting Common Schools from 1636 to 1838. 
 
620 ■ APPENDIX. 
 
 havt^ been referred to, tlicn a member of the House of Representatives from 
 Hartford, succeeded in carrying through both bi'anehes, by an almost unanimous 
 vote, an " Act to provide for the better supervision of common schools," which 
 commenced a new era in the historj'^ of our school system. This act, while it left 
 every member of the community in his unabridged rights, as regards the educa- 
 tion of his own children, and school societies and districts to maintain and manage 
 its schools, correct abuses, and carry out desirable reforms according to their own 
 judgment, aimed to secure the more particular attention of local committees to 
 their supervision, and to enlist the counsel and experience of a board (consisting 
 of one member for each county), and the entire time, strength, and talents of one 
 person, to collect and disseminate information as to the condition of the common 
 schools, and to awaken, enlighten, and elevate public sentiment in relation to the 
 whole subject of popular education. Mr. Barnard was made a member of the 
 board for Hartford county, and finally, and at the earnest solicitation of the other 
 members of the board, and many influential citizens, he accepted the office of 
 secretary, and his whole time and strength devoted to the service of the common 
 schools of the state. 
 
 There have been few reformers, whether of the religious, moral, or civil condi- 
 tion of mankind, who have been popular in their day. They have to encounter 
 old prejudices, which have taken deep root and long drawn from the earth the 
 nourishment that should have been absorbed by the smaller fibres of the grains 
 that nourish, or the flowers that adorn our fallen humanity. They have to contend 
 against vanity, jealousy, envy, and ignorance. The world does not love to bo 
 told of its faults, and for this reason has almost always regarded its reformers and 
 teachers as its enemies. Besides there is some thing connected with the educa- 
 tion of the young, which the flippant materialist, the frigid fashionist and the 
 callous man of the world, looks upon with a kind of contempt as unvvoi'thy of his 
 notice. Hence many a fop who spends hours before his looking-glass in adjusting 
 his hair and beard, many a wily politician whose life has been spent in the practice 
 of low cunning and intrigue, turns his eye askance and curls his lip in scorn at the 
 sight of a Howard or a Gallaudet, as worthy only to be a nurse or a schoolmaster. 
 They cannot associate the idea of great powers with occupations that seem to bo 
 so humble. It will be noticed that such men almost always speak lightly of the 
 intellectual powers of tcoman, too, and skeptically of J Tim, who, in His divine cotii- 
 passion and infinite wisdom, beholding the ripe fruit in the opening bud, stretched 
 forth his arms exclaiming " suffer little children to come unto me." To such 
 men the wanderings of Hooker through the wilderness, the patient labors of 
 IMuirson, the episcopal missionary on the western border of Connecticut, are in- 
 vested with no poetry, and look forward to no glorious results of empire or tri- 
 umphant faith. To sport with the bubbles so constantly bursting and forming 
 a new on Iho changing surface of life is a pastime, business, luipe, and 
 eternity to them. 
 
 ^Vitli Henry Barnard, whose name is so intimatily associated with one of the 
 great reforms of the world, life is vahiablo only that it may be spent in improv- 
 ing the condition of mankind not only in the present generation, but in all ages. 
 To this noble work he has consecrated talents and acquirements of the highest 
 
APPENDIX. 621 
 
 orde". Desceii l!iJi;' from one of tlic emigrants \\]\o settle.] the (^olony, witli strong 
 local attai.hnients to Hartford, his nntive city, and to the old mansion vvliero 
 lie was l)()rn, — witli academical ac(iuirements among the best that Yale College can 
 bestow upon her sons, — with intellectual endowments and a gift of elo(juence which 
 might have dune honor to the senate, — with a mind trained by the best models of 
 Creek and Latin letters and cnrieiieil by the poetry, the philosophy and science 
 of Englanil's liest minds, a thorough lawyer with a lucrative and honovablo 
 practice opening before him, at the age of 21 years he abandoned all th-- attrac- 
 tions of political and professional life and the pleasures of literary and social 
 relations; and went furlh like a crusader of the middle ages, to wage war with the 
 bigotry, the parsimony and the old habits of thinking which encrusted the minds 
 of a largo proportion of the parents of Connecticut, in relation to that most vital 
 subject, the education of their children. They frowned upon him as an inter- 
 meddler ; and intimated, if they did not tell him in so many words that he liad 
 better mind his own affairs, and they would take care of theirs. lie expostulated 
 with them. They told him that their school-books and scltool-houscs had been 
 good enough for themselves, and that their children were no better th.in they. lie 
 reasoned witli them, stated facts to show them that the common sehool system 
 had degenerated from its old estate, and begged them to remember that the times 
 Were changing, and that especially in such a govermnent as this, every gene- 
 ration ought to imj)rove upon its predecessors. They told him that he de- 
 manded iif them to open their purses and contribute to him ; he replied, that 
 he only wished them to make an investment for themselves which should add 
 to their wealth and happiness an hundred fold. Gradually their views began 
 to relax, and after years of obstinate resistance, tliey have yielded and com- 
 menced in earnest the reformation so ardently desired and advocated by liim. 
 
 We cannot here review liis labors. After encountering the honest prejudices of 
 many, and the active opposition of not a few, who seem to have misunderstood 
 his motives and his aims — he has succeeded in collecting and disseminating a 
 vast amount of information as to the actual condition of the schools; in making 
 provision through a state normal sclioul, county teachers' institutes, a state 
 teachers' association, and a monthly educational periodical, for the professional 
 training and improvement of teachers ; in establishing a gradation of schools 
 in the large villages and cities ; in working not a change, but a revolution iu 
 the construction and furniture of school-houses ; in restoring the old Connecti- 
 cut principle of property taxation for the support, in part at least, of the com- 
 mon school ; in securing the more permanent employment and better compen- 
 sation of well qualified teachers ; in drawing back again to the improved common 
 schools the children of the educated and the wealthy ; in subjecting thi; district 
 schools to some general society regulations as to attendance, studies, books, and 
 vacations; and as the source and pledge of still greater improvements, in interest- 
 ing the public mind in the discussion of questions touching the organization, ad- 
 ministration, instruction, an<l discipline of common schools. 
 
 The history of our system of schools would be manifestly incomplete, without a 
 special reference to the invaluable services of the Hon. Seth P. Beers, of Litch- 
 field. His successful management of the School Fund t'lrough a period ef a 
 
622 APPENLIX. 
 
 quarter of a century, Ins h en referred to elsewhere. In his hands we have 
 seen the principal of that fund gradually increasing in extent and importance, 
 until the interest annually distributed among the different school societies of 
 the state, is of itself munifieent. To his office of commissioner of the fund, 
 was for some time added that of superintendent of common schools, in which 
 capacity he exerted an important influence in perfecting the system of general 
 education which now forms so interesting a feature in the history of our little 
 commonwealth. 
 
 TRINITY COLLEGE. 
 
 A CONVOCATION of the diocese, held at East Iladdam, in February, 1790, under 
 Seabury, first bishop of Connecticut, took the primary steps toward establishing 
 the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire. This, though incorporated in 1801, with 
 limited privileges, was intended as the foundation of a higher institution so soon 
 as a charter containing full collegiate powers could be obtained from the state. It 
 was often styled familiarly ''The Seabury College." 
 
 Efforts were made to enlarge the powers of the Academy in 1804, and again in 
 1810 and 1811, which in one instance only were so far successful, that an act 
 granting a college charter was passed by a full vote in the House of Representa- 
 tives, but rejected in the Council. 
 
 Vacancy in the episcopate, and afterward the establishment of the General 
 Theological Seminary, among other causes, occasioned the episcopalians of the 
 state to defer their projected college to happier times, which seemed to have 
 dawned in 1818, when the state constitution was adopted. Bishop Brownell, who 
 was consecrated in 181!), was enabled shortly to carry the design into execution. 
 A petition to the legislature numerously signed, was presented on the 13th of 
 May, 1823. The bill in form passed the lower House by a large majority on the 
 sixteenth, and received the governor's signature. The news of the final passage 
 of the bill was received with great joy by the citizens of Hartford. Cannon were 
 fired, and bonfires lighted. Measures were immediately taken to raise the requisite 
 funds, the charter having provided that the trustees should not proceed to organize 
 the institution, until funds to the amount of $30,000, should be secured. Over 
 $50,000 were immediately realized, about three-fourths of which sum, was sub- 
 scribed in Hartford, and its immediate vicinity. A most eligible site was procured, 
 comprising about fifteen acres. The buildings were begun in June, 1824, and 
 the college commenced operations in September of the same year. 
 
 It was considered one of the peculiar advantages of Washington College, that, 
 in addition to the regular system of collegiate education, a particular course of 
 instruction^ designed for those destined to pursuits for which a knowledge of the 
 ancient languages constitutes no essential preparation, was provided for ; a need, if 
 we mistake not, then unsupplied in nearly all the other colleges, but which is now 
 filled by the various scientific schools of our country. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Wheaton, being desirous of visiting England for the benefit of 
 
APPENDIX. 623 
 
 his hcaltli, was in 1801, requested !)\- the oorpornfldii to act as their agent to re- 
 ceive donations for the supply of a library and pliilosophical apparatus. 
 
 Tho first comniencement was luld in the Centre Chureh, in August, 1827, 
 wlicn ten young gentlemen received the degree of B.A. 
 
 Bishop Brovvuell, finding the cares of the diocese pressing heavily upon him, re- 
 signed tha presidency in 1831, and was succeeded by the Rev. N. S. Wlieaton, 
 D.D. During his incumbency, which was terminated in 1837, and chiefly by his 
 exertions, the Ilobart Professorship was endowed with the sum of $20,000. The 
 Seabury Professorship of JNIathematics and Natural Philosophy, with $'M,000, and 
 large additions made to the general fund. The Rev. Silas Totten, D.D., was 
 chosen president in 1837, and resigned in 1848. During his presidency Brownell 
 ITall was ei'ected in 1845, and the same year, by permission of the legislature, the 
 name of the college was changed from "Washington to yjf/jf/y, "to attest forever 
 the faith of its founders and their zeal for the perpetual glory and honor of one 
 Holy iin<l undivided Trinity." 
 
 The Trustees also at this time enacted certain statutes, committing the course of 
 study and discipline to a Boaid of Fellows, and empowering the Alumni of the 
 college to assemble together in accordance with their own rules, under the name 
 of the House of Convocation, and to consult and advise for the interests of their 
 Alma Mater. This House of Convocation took the place of the old '' Association 
 of the Alumni," which was dissolved in IS It). The good effects of this change 
 are just beginning to appear, but time enough has not yet elapsed to reap their 
 full advantage. 
 
 Upon the resignation of Dr. Totten in 1848, it was a source of congratulation 
 among the Alumni that the choice of a successor fell upon one of their own num- 
 ber, the Rev. John Williams, D.D. Under his presidency the Library was con- 
 siderably augmented, and the number of students steadily increased ; a new pro- 
 fessorship was established, that of Public lilconomy, and the Rev. Calvin Colton, 
 LL. D., appointed to it ; a Theological department was also organized. In 1849, 
 the fourth section of the original charter was altered by the legislature, and it was 
 provided that the Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of 
 Connecticut, should always be ex-officio, a member and president of the Board of 
 Trustees. In 1851, Dr. Williams was elected Assistant Bishop of this Diocese, 
 and finding that its duties demanded his whole time, he resigned the presidency in 
 1853, when the present incumbent, the Rev. Daniel R. Goodwin, D.D., late of 
 Bowdoin College, was elected. 
 
 The grounds comprise about sixteen acres, laid out with walks and adorned 
 with trees and shrubbery ; the site is elevated, and overlooks on one side tho city of 
 Hartford, and on the other a fine expanse of country. Tho Little River forms 
 their western boundary. The proposed new Park is to be connected with the 
 college ground, and the whole will comprise an area of about forty-six aens. There 
 are three buildings, of Portland stone, in the Ionic order. Jarvis Hall, erected 
 in 1824, and Brownell Hall, erected in 1S45, are each 150 feet long by 45 in 
 breadth, and four stories high — and a wing of each is the residence of a professor 
 and his fiimily, Seabury Ilall, erected in 1^21, !)0 by 55 feet, contains the chapel, 
 50 by 35 feet, which is furnished with a line org.nn, the library and cabinet, each 
 
62-i APPENDIX. 
 
 of the same dimensions, the laboratory, philosupliical chamber, anil other public 
 rooms. 
 
 There are, including that of the professor of ecclesiastical history, about 12,000 
 volumes in the library. The college library is rich in the Latin classics, the works of 
 the fathers of the church, and works on the controversy between the Protestant 
 and Romish churches. It is somewhat deficient in English literature and in scientific 
 works. There are also two libraries, belonging to societies of undergraduates, to- 
 gether numbering upwards of six thousand volumes, principally English literature. 
 Tiie cabinet contains an extensive collection of minerals and geological speci- 
 mens to which has recently been added one of the finest collections of shells in 
 New England. The philosophical and chemical apparatus is extensive. There 
 are two endowed profossonships, the Ilobart, endowed with $20,000, and the Sea- 
 bury with $1-1,000, and between thirty and forty endowed exhibitions which yield 
 their incumbents from $30 to $100, per annum. A few years since the college 
 received $11 ,800 from the state. Its endowment with this exception, being entirely 
 from private liberality. 
 
 In addition to the exhibitions mentioned above, the " Church Scholarship So- 
 ciety." established in 1827, gives assistance to such necessitous students as design 
 to enter the ministry, and to such also the tuition is remitted. 
 
 The present course of instruction is arranged as follows : 1st term, &c. 
 Examinations are held at the close of each term, in the presence of examiners 
 appointed by the Board of Fellows, from their own number or otherwise. Com- 
 mencement day is the last Thursday in July. The necessary expenses are, 
 
 Tuition, ts'l 1 per term, .$3.1,00 
 
 Room rent, from ;jp'3 to $4,r)0 per term, 12,00 
 
 Use of library, attendance, printing, 6:e., per term, 9, 00 
 
 Assessments for public damages, iSrc, 4,50 
 
 Board from ^2 to f 3 per week, 75,00 to $95,00 
 
 $1 33,50 to $153,50 per ann. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Adams, Andrew, LL.D., was born in Stratford in 1730, graduated at Yale 
 in 1700, and settled in Litchfield in 1774, where he spent the remainder of 
 liis life. lie was successively king's attorney, judge of probate, representative 
 at ten sessions, speaker of the House in 1779 and 1780, member of the Continen- 
 tal Congress, judge and chief judge of the superior court. lie received the 
 degree of doctor of laws from Yale College in 179G, and died November 20, 
 1797, aged 01. 
 
 Allen, Eth.w, General, was born in Litchfield, January 10, 1737 — and died 
 
APPENDIX. G25 
 
 on his tstitc in Colclu'ster, Vei'inout, February Kl, 1789, aged 52. Ilis history 
 lias bLvii so fully detailed in the course of these volumes, that no farther sketch of 
 him is necessary. 
 
 Allkn, Ira, a younger brother of the preceding, was born in Cornwall in 
 l~ii'2, and in early Ufe emigrated to Vermont, where he became distinguished as a 
 civil and military leader, lie was a member of the convention which formed the 
 State Constitution, in 1778 ; and was one of the commissioners to negotiate for the 
 admission of the state into the Federal Union, lie was the first secretary of state, 
 and was subsequently a member of the council, state treasurer, and surveyor gen- 
 eral. Having risen to the rank of senior major-general of militia, he proceeded 
 to Europe to purchase arms for the use of the state. In France, he purchased 
 twenty thousand muskets, and twenty-four brass cannon, with a part of which ho 
 was captured, November 'J, 17'JG, and carried into England. Ho was charged 
 with attempting to furnish the Iri^li rebels with arms, and a litigation of eight 
 years in the court of admiralty followed, which was finally decided in his favor. 
 He returned to this country in 1801, and spent the residue of his life mainly at his 
 home in Colchester, Vermont. He published a work entitled " The Natural and 
 Civil History of Vermont." He died in I'liiladelphia, January 7, 1814, aged G2 
 years. 
 
 Allvn, John, is mentioned for the first time on the colonial records of Connec- 
 ticut, in 16,")7, in connection with the first " troop of horse" formed in the colony, 
 of whicii he was chosen cornet. In IGGl, ho was a lieutenant, and a deputy to the 
 General Court. From lGt'i'3 to IGOG — a period of thirty-four years — he was one 
 of tlio magistrates of the colony; in 1GG4, he was chosen secretary of the colony, 
 an ofilee which he held for twenty-eight years. He was also a commissioner of 
 the united colonies, a member of the committee to negotiate the union between 
 the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven, and a member of the oonmiittec on 
 the New York boundary line. He died in 1096. He may have been a son of 
 Mr. Mathew Allyn, of Hartford and ^^'indsor, who was for many years a magis- 
 trate, and was chosen moderator of the General Court in 1GGI>. 
 
 Alsop, TlicHARD, was born in Middletown in January, 17G1, and was for some 
 time a student in Yale College, but left without graduating. He became a pro- 
 ficient in the ancient and modern languages, and devoted his life mainly to literary 
 pursuits. He was associated with Theodore Dwight, Mason F. Cogswell, Elihu 
 Hubbard Smith, and Lemuel Hopkins, in the authorship of " The Political Green 
 House," and " The Eclio." He published " The Fairy of the Enchanted Lake," 
 and a " IVicm on the Death of General Washington," which contained about five 
 hundred lines. He was liighly esteemed in his day for his h ai'ning, talents, and 
 gentlemanly manners, and the literary public, as if by common consent, have 
 awarded him an honorable place among the poets of America. He died suddenly, 
 of a disease of the heart, at Flatbush, Long Island, in August, 181,"). 
 
 Austin, Samuel, D.D., was born in New Haven, Oct. 7, 1700, jind graduated 
 at Yale in 1783. He was for many years p.astor of congregational chuiohes in 
 Fair Haven, Conn., and Worcester, Mass., and was a very eloquent and popular 
 preacher. For a few years, he was president of the University of V^crmont. 
 He published several sermons and dissertations, and other religious woiks. Dr. 
 
 72 
 
626 APPENDIX. 
 
 Austin, became partially deranged a few years previous to his death, which took 
 place December 4, 1830. 
 
 Bacon, Epaphroditus C., (son of Asa Bacon, Esq., an eminent lawyer of 
 Litchfield,) was born in Litchfield in 1810, graduated at Yale in 1833, and 
 settled in his native town in the practice of the law. In 1830, he was a dele- 
 gate to, and secretary of, the whig national convention; and in 1840 and 1841, 
 he was elected a representative from Litchfield, to the state legislature. lie was 
 distinguished for his historical and antiquarian investigations, and was highly 
 esteemed for his learning and courtesy. While traveling on the continent of 
 Europe, he died at Seville, in Spain, January 11, 1845, aged 34. 
 
 Backus, Azel, D.D., was born in Norwich, and graduated at Tale in 1787. 
 He became the successor of the Rev. Dr. Bellamy, as pastor of the church in 
 Bethlem, in 1791 ; and was inaugurated as the first president of Hamilton Col- 
 lege, New York, in 1815. He received the degree of doctor of divinity at 
 Princeton, in 1810. Dr. Backus died December 28, 1816, aged 51 years. He 
 was a man of original east of thought, and was distinguished for his earnest 
 piety. 
 
 Baldwin, Abraham, a native of Connecticut, and a graduate of Yale in 1772. 
 From 1775 to 1779, he was a tutor in that institution. Having studied law, he 
 settled in Savannah, Georgia, and in about three months after his arrival there he 
 was chosen a member of the legislature. He originated the plan of the University 
 of Georgia, drew up the charter by which it was endowed with 40,000 acres of 
 land, and finally persuaded the Assembly to adopt the project. He was a member 
 of the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1788 ; and was a member of the con- 
 vention which formed the Constitution of the United States. From 1789 to 1799, 
 he was a representative in Congress ; and from the last date until his death, ho 
 was a member of the United States Senate. He died on the 4th of jNIareh, 1807, 
 aged 53 years. He was for some time President of the University of Georgia. 
 
 Baldwin, Simeon, was born in Norwich, December 14, 1761, graduated 
 at Yale in 1781, and was a tutor in that institution from 1783 to 1786. lie 
 read law with Charles Cliauncey, Esq., and settled in New Haven. He was clerk 
 of the United States district and circuit courts for fourteen years, a member of 
 Congress for two years, and a judge of the supreme court for twelve years. He 
 was also president of the Board of Canal Commissioners, and mayor of the city 
 of New Haven. Judge Baldwin died in New Haven, May 26, 1851. His son, 
 the Hon. Roger S. Baldwin, LL. D., has been governor and United States 
 senator. 
 
 Barlow, Joel, LL. D., was born in Heading, in 1755, and graduated at Yale 
 in 1778, on which occasion he delivered a poem " On the Prospect of Peace," 
 which is preserved in the volume of " American Poems," edited by Elihu Hub- 
 bard Smith, and printed at Litchfield, in 1793. He studied divinity, and was for 
 some time a chaplain in the army. In 1781, on the occasion of receiving the 
 degree of master of arts. Barlow pronounced a poem which he subsequently em- 
 bodied in his " Vision of Columbus." At the close of the Revolution, he studied 
 law and was admitted to the bar. For some years, he was associated with the 
 late Major Babcock, in editing a weekly gazette at Hartford, called "The Ameri- 
 
APPENDIX. 627 
 
 can INIcrcuiy." In ITS,"), b)' request of the Cenei-al Assciciation of the Confrrega- 
 tional Cluirehes in Connecticut, lie preparid a revised edition of Dr. Watts' 
 psalms ; to which he appen(h'd a colloetion of liymns, several of which were 
 written by himself. The version of 1157th, which is still much admired, was also 
 from his pen. The work was published in the year last named, and was long the 
 authorized version of psalms and hymns in use ;nnoni;lhe coiinreaational ehurehes. 
 His " \'ision of Columbus,'' was published in 1787, and was repiihlislied in Lon- 
 don and Paris. In 17SS, he visited EurojJC as the agent of a land eompany, and 
 passed several years in England and France, during which time he was engaged in 
 various political and literary employments. 
 
 In 17115, ]\Ir. Barlow was appointed .Vmerican Consul to Algiers, and dis- 
 charged the duties of that post for two yeais. lie then revisited I'aris, where he 
 engaged in commercial speculations, ami amassed a fortune. In 1 805, after an 
 absence from this country of sevtnteen years, he returned and fixed his residence 
 in Washington City, where he erected a splendid mansion. In 18(18, his great 
 national poem, "The Columbiad,'' was published in a niagniiieent ijuarto V(]lume, 
 with plates. In 1811, President Madison appointed him minister jilenipotentiary 
 to the Court of France, and he immediately proceeded to Paris. While on his 
 way to \\'ilna, to met t the Emperor Napoleon, he was overcome by fatigue and 
 exposure, and died at an obscure village inn, near t'racow, in Poland, on the 22d 
 of December, 1812. 
 
 Beebe, Bezaleel, was born in Litchfield, April 28, 1741. He served first as 
 a soldier and subsequently as an oflieer in the French and Indian wars ; and in 
 the Revolution, he rose to the rank of colonel in the continental army. He was a 
 brave and skillful ofKecr, and served with distinction in several campaigns. lie 
 was often a representative in the legislature, and held otlier civil otllees. Colonel 
 Beebe died in Litchfield, May 29, 182 1, aged S?, years. 
 
 Beeciier, Lyman, D.I)., is a native of New Haven, and was pastor of the con- 
 gregational church in Litchfield, from 1810 to 1S2G. He has been for many years 
 president of Lane Seminary, near Ciiuinnati, Ohio. His complete works arc now 
 being published in Boston. Six of his sons have been or are distinguished as 
 clergymen, viz., William, of Ohio; Edward^ D.D., of Boston, (formerly Presi- 
 dent of Illinois College, and author of " The Conflict of Ages ;'') George, who 
 died at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1843 ; Henry Ward, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Charles, 
 of Newark, N. J.; and Thomas K., of Williamsbnrgh, L.I. His daughters, 
 Miss Catharine E. Beccher, and Mrs. Harriet Bccchcr Stowe, are well known 
 authors. 
 
 BoAiiu.MAN, I'^LiJAH, was bom in New Milford, .March 7, 1700, an<l became a 
 successful merchant in that town. He was a representative, member of the council, 
 state senator, and s( nator in Congress. He was a man of enterprise, intelligence, 
 and great activity of mind, ^^'hile on a visit to his children in the town of Board- 
 man, Ohio, he died August 18, 182:;. His brother, the Hon. David S. Board- 
 man, of New Milford, formerly a senator and chief judge of the eoui't of connnon 
 pleas, is still living. The Hon. William AA'. noardman,of New Haven, is a son 
 of the subject of this paragraph. 
 
 Brace, Jo.\ATnA.\, was born in Harwinton, November 12, 1754, graduated at 
 
628 APPENDIX. 
 
 Yale College in 1779, and studied law with Oliver Ellsworth. lie commenced 
 the practice of his profession in IManchestcr, Vermont, and while there he held 
 the offices of justice of the peace, state's attorney, and member of the council of 
 censors. He subsequently settled in Glastenbury, Connecticut, and represented 
 that town in the General Assembly several times, until August, 1794, when he 
 removed to Hartford, where he continued to reside until his decease. He was 
 state's attorney for the county of Hartford, judge of the county court, judge of 
 probate, assistant, and member of Congress. After the adoption of the constitu- 
 tion of the state, he was twice elected a member of the state senate. He was also 
 frequently elected a member of the common council and board of aldermen of the 
 city of Hartford, and held the office of mayor for nine years. He died in Hart- 
 ford, August 2G, 1837. 
 
 Bradley, Stephe.x R., LL. D., was born in Clieshire, October 20, 1754, and 
 graduated at Yale in 1775. He was the aid of General Wooster, when that 
 officer was slain. He settled in Vermont, and became one of the most popular 
 men in tliat state. In 1791, he was elected to the Senate of the United States, and 
 continued a member of that body for si.xteen years. He died at Walpole, New 
 Hampshire, December 16, 1830, aged 76. 
 
 BuEL, Jesse, was born in Coventry, January 4, 1 778, and having learned the 
 trade of a printer, he commenced the publication of the " Troy Budget," at Troy, 
 New York, in 1797. He subsequently, for ten years, published a paper called 
 "The Plebeian," at Kingston, Ulster county. In 1813, he removed to Albany, 
 and ctimmenceJ " The Albany Argus," and during the following year was appointed 
 state printer, a lucrative office, which he continued to hold until 1820, when he 
 sold out the Argus and abandoned the printing business. He now turned his 
 atteiitioii to other matters. Having purchased a farm of eighty-five acres in the 
 vicinity of Albany, he soon converted it from " sandy barrens" into what has long 
 been favorably known as "The Albany Nursery." In 1834, he commenced the 
 publication of " The Albany Cultivator," a valuable agricultural periodical, which 
 under his management soon had a list of twenty-three thousand subscribers. 
 While residing on his farm, Mr. Buel was several times elected a representative 
 from Albany county to the legislature ; was a judge of the court of common pleas, 
 and a regent of the state university. In 1836, he was the regular whig candidate 
 for the office of governor of New York. He died at Danbury, Connecticut, while 
 on his way to Norwich and New Haven, October 6, 1839. Besides, the periodi- 
 cals already named, .Judge Buel was the author of a volume on agriculture, pub- 
 lished by the Harpers, New York, and " The Farmers' Companion," published 
 under the auspices of the Massachusetts' Board of Education, and constituting one 
 of the members of their District School Library. 
 
 Burr, Aaron, was born in Fairfield in 1714, and graduated at Yale in 1735. 
 In ] 742, he was settled as the pastor of the presbyterian church in Newark, N. J. 
 From 1748, until his death, (which took place September 24, 1757,) he was pre- 
 sident of New Jersey college, at Princeton. He was an accomplished scholar and 
 an able divine. Ho married a daughter of the great Jonathan Edwards, and had 
 two children — a daughter who married Chief Justice Reeve, of Litchfield, and 
 Aaron ikirr, who became Vice President of the United States, 
 
APPENDIX. 629 
 
 CiiAUNCEY, Charles, TX. T)., w;is b>rri in Diirlinin, .l\mo 11, 1717, and 
 stiidu'd law witli James A. Ilillliousc, lOsij., of New llaviri, wliere lit' continiud 
 to reside until his doeoasc. He was not only a sound ami al)le lawyer, hut was 
 learned in various departments of literature, history, <'ivil |ioliey,and theology. In 
 1789, ho was appointed a, judge of the su]ierior emirt. Judge Chauneey died la 
 New Haven, April 18, 18-23. His son of the same name, graduated at Yale in 
 179'2, and became an eminent lawyer in Philadelphia. lie died in ]>urlington, 
 New Jersey, August 30, 1S4'J, aged 73. Both received the degree of doctor of 
 laws. 
 
 CniPMAN, Nathaniel, LL. D., was born in Salisbury, November ].">, 1752, 
 graduated at Yale in 1777, and settled as a lawyer in Tinmouth, then the capital 
 of Rutland county, Vermont. In 1780), he was elected a judge of the supreme 
 court; in 1789 he was chosen chief justice ; and two years after, he received 
 the appointment of judge of the United States district couit. He was subsequently 
 again elected chief justice, and in 1797, he was chosen Tnitcd States senator. 
 For twenty-eight years he was proR'ssor of law in MiddUbury College. He re- 
 ceived the dcgi'ee of doctor of laws from Dartmouth College, in 1797. 
 
 In 1793, Judge Chipman published a volume entitled '' Sketches of the Princi- 
 ples of Government," and another entitled, "Reports and Dissertations." The 
 first of these works, witli additions, was revised and republished in an octavo 
 volumes, of 333 pages, in 1833. He died at Tinmouth, February 1.5, 1813, in 
 the 91st year of his age. 
 
 Chipman, Daniel, LL. D., brother of the preceding, was born in Salisbury, Octo- 
 ber 22, 1765, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1788, and having studied law, he 
 was admitted to the bar in 1790. He commenced practice at Rutland, Vermont, 
 and in 1793, he represented that town in the convention held at Windsor for 
 amending the constitution. During the following year he lemoved to Middlebury. 
 He was frequently elected a member (»f both branches of the legislature, and in 
 1813 and 1814, he was chosen speaker of the House. In 1815, he was elected to 
 Congress; was subsequently reporter of the supreme court ; and in 183G, was 
 chosen a member of the constitutional convention. He was also professor of law 
 in Middlebury College, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and 
 Sciences. 
 
 In 1822, Mr. Chipman published an "Essay on the Law of Contracts for the 
 Payment of Specific Articles ;" and has since published a volume of " Law 
 Reports ;" " The Life of Nathaniel Chipman, LL. D., with .selections from his 
 miscellaneous Papers ;" "The Life of Colonel Seth Warner;" and " The Life 
 of Governor Thomas Chittenden." In 1848, he received the degree of doctor of 
 laws from Dartmouth College. 
 
 Chittenden, Thomas, was born in East Guilford, in 1730. At the age of 
 tvtrenty years he married a sister of the Rev. Sanuu'l Johnson, D.D., of Stratford, 
 and soon after settled in Salisbury, in the north-west corner of the colony. 
 While a resident of that town, he was commissioned as a colonel of militia, and 
 was elected a representative at thirteen sessions, between the years 1764 and 1772, 
 inclusive. In 1774, he removed to Williston, on Onion river, in tlio " New Hamp- 
 shire Grants," so called. He was a member of the convention which, January 
 
630 APPENDIX. 
 
 16, 1777, declared Vermont an independent state, and was appointed one of the 
 commissioners to negotiate for her admission into the Union. From 1778 to 1797, 
 with the exception of a single year, he was annually elected governor of Vermont. 
 lie died August 21, 1797. His son, Martin Chittenden, was a member of Con- 
 gress from 1803 to 1813, and governor of Vermont in 1813 and 1814. 
 
 Church, Samuel, LL. D., was born in Salisbury, February 4, 1785, and 
 graduated at Yale in 1803. He studied law with the Hon. Judson Canfield, of 
 Sharon, and at the Litchfield Law School, and was admitted to the bar in Septem- 
 ber, 180C. In the spring of 1808, he commenced the practice of law in his native 
 town; was appointed postmaster in 1810, a justice of the peace in 1818, and 
 during the later year he was chosen a delegate to the convention which formed 
 the i)resent constitution of this state. lie was subsequently a member of the 
 house of representatives six sessions, judge of the probate court eleven years, 
 state's attorney ten years, and in 1832 was chosen a judge of the superior court, 
 and of the supreme court of errors. In May 1847, he was appointed chief judge 
 of the supreme court, and at the following commencement of Trinity College ho 
 received the degree of doctor of laws. He died in 1854. 
 
 Church, Leman, brother of the preceding, was born in Salisbury, and pursued 
 his ])rofessional studies at the Litchfield Law School in 1815 and 1816. Soon 
 after his admission to the bar, he took up his residence in Canaan, where he con- 
 tinued to reside until his death. He became one of the best criminal lawyers in 
 the state, and had a very extensive practice. He was occasionally a representa- 
 tive from Canaan ; for several years he held the office of state's attorney ; and in 
 1835, he was appointed by the legislature, in connection with the Hon. Royal R. 
 Hinman and the lion. Elisha Phelps, a commissioner to revise the public statutes 
 of Connecticut. He died in Canaan, in 1849. 
 
 CusHMAN, John Paine, was born in Pomfret, graduated at Tale in 1807, mar- 
 ried a daughter of the Hon. Benjamin Tallmadge of Litchfield, and settled in 
 Troy, N. Y., in the practice of the law. lie was elected to Congress, was recorder 
 of Troy, a judge of the circuit court, and a regent of the university. He was a 
 man of eminence in his profession, and discharged the duties of these various 
 offices with fidelity and ability. He died, September 16, 1848, aged 64. 
 
 Daggett, David, LL. D.,was born in Attleborough, Mass., December 31, 1764, 
 graduated at Yale in 1783, read law with Charles Chauncey, Esq., jjnd settled in 
 New Haven. He was frequently a representative and speaker of the House, and 
 member of the council. From 18l3to 1819, he was a senator in Congress ; from 
 1826 tfl 1832 he was a judge of the supreme court, and was chief judge from the 
 latter date until he reached the ago of 70 years — December 31, 1834. He was 
 also state's attorney, mayor of New Haven, and professor of law in Yale College. 
 He died April 12, 1851. 
 
 Deane, Silas, was born in Groton, graduated at Yale in 1758, and became a 
 resident of Wethersfield. In 1774, he was chosen a member of the Continental 
 Congress, and continued in that body until he was appointed as a political and 
 commercial agent from the government of the United States to the court of 
 France, to endeavor to obtain her assistance. He arrived in Paris, in June, 
 1776. Through his efforts, Lafayette, Roehambeau, and others, were induced to 
 
APrENDIX. 631 
 
 engage with us hi the cause of independvnce. AN'ilh Dr. Franklin and Arthur 
 Leo, he was a coiiimissiimer for negotiating treaties with foreign powrrs. He died 
 at Deal, in England, August 23, 1789. 
 
 Dickinson, Daniel S., was born in Goshen, September 11, 1801), and at the 
 age of twenty-five years commeneed the study of the law in the otlice of Messrs. 
 Clark and C'lapp, Norwich, New York. In 1829, he was admitted to the bar, and 
 after practicing his new profession for a short time in Guilford, in that state, he 
 removed to Einghaniton, Broome county, his present residence. Here his busi- 
 ness increased, and lie soon became a favorite with his political party. In IS.'i 4, he 
 was elected president of the village of Binghamton, and in is;)(i he was elected a 
 member of the senate of New York for the term of four years. In 18 111, he was 
 nominated for the office of lieutenant-governor, but was defeated at the general 
 election ; in 1842, however, he was elected to that honorable post by a majority 
 of about twenty-five thousand. In 1844, ho was elected one of the two presiden- 
 tial electors for the state at large, and cast his vote for Mr. Polk. About the same 
 time, he received from Governor Bouck the appointment of United States Sena- 
 tor, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mi'. Tallmadgc On the 
 assembling of the legislature, lie was duly elected for the unexpired term ; and 
 was subsequently reelected for the full tei in of six years — w hich expired on the 
 4th of March, 1851. 
 
 r)wiGiiT, Timothy, DD., LL, D., was born at Noi1liam|(ton, Massachusetts, 
 May 14, 17.'>2. His father was Colonel Timothy Dwight, who graduated at Yale 
 College in 1744, and became a merchant in Northampton, where he married Mary, 
 daughter of the celebrated Jonathan Edwards. The subject of this sketch gradu- 
 ated at Yule in 17()9 ; and was a tutor in that institution from 1771 to 1777. In 
 the la.st year, lie served as chaplain to Parsons' brigade at West Point ; and dur- 
 ing that period he wrote several patriotic songs, the most celebrated of which was 
 entitled " Columbia." On the death of his father, he took up his residence in his 
 native town, in 1778, where he spent about five years ; and was chosen a repre- 
 sentative in 1781 and 1782. On the Dth of November, 1783, he was ordained as 
 pastor of the church in Greenfield, Connecticut, where he remained for twelve 
 years. In 1785, he published his celebrated poem, '• The Conquest of Canaan," 
 which was written eleven years before; and in 1795, he published another poem 
 entitled " Greenfield Hill." On the death of President Stiles, he was chosen Pre- 
 sident of Yale College, and was inaugurated in September, 1795. In this office 
 he remained until his death, which took place at New Haven, January 11, 1817. 
 In March, 1777, he had married a daughter of Benjamin Woolsey, of Long 
 Island, by whom he had eight sons, six of whom survived him. One of these was 
 the Rev. Sireno E. Dwight, D.D., President of Hamilton College, who died in 
 1850. The princii)al prose works of President Dwight, are his Travels, in 4 
 octavo volumes; and "Theology E.xplaincd and Defended," in 4 volumes. 
 
 He was succeeded in the Presidency of Yale College, by the Ile'V. Jeremiah 
 Day, D.D., LL. 1)., who had been profi ssor of mathematics and natural philoso- 
 phy for the fourteen years next preceding; in 1851, President Day resigned, and 
 Professor Theodore D. Woolsey, D.D., LL. D., was elected liis successor, and 
 still remains at the head of that venerable institution. 
 
632 APPENDIX. 
 
 Dyer, Elipiialet, LL. D., of 'Windham, grafluated at Tale in 1740. In 
 August, 1755, he was commissioned as a heutenant-colonel of one of the Connec- 
 ticut regiments designed for the reinforcement of our army in the vicinity of 
 Crown Point; and in March, 1758, he was appointed colonel of a regiment raised 
 for the service against the French in Canada. In 17G2, he was chosen a mem- 
 ber of the council ; in 1765, he was chosen a delegate to the General Congress in 
 New York; from 1766 to 1789, he was a judge of the superior court; and from 
 1789 to 1793, he was chief judge of that court. In 1774, he was elected a mem- 
 ber of the Continental Congress, and continued in that body, with the exception 
 of one year, until 1783. Judge Dyer received the degree of doctor of laws 
 from Yale College in 1787. He died May 13, 1807, aged 86 years. 
 
 Edmond, "William, was born of Irish parents, in South Britain (then a parish of 
 Woodbury,) September 28, 1755, and graduated at Yale in 1773. lie was a vol- 
 unteer soldier at the burning of Danbury, and received a wound in his leg which 
 made him lame for life. Jle studied law and settled in Newtown, where he mar- 
 ried a daughter of General Chandler. She having died, he married a daughter 
 of Benjamin Payne, Esq., of Hartford. He was chosen a representative and 
 speaker of the House, member of the council, representative in Congress, and 
 judge of the supreme court. He died in Newton, August 1, 1838, aged 82 years. 
 He was a man of powerful frame and of superior intellectual endowments. 
 
 Edwards, Jonathan, D.D., son of the great divine of the same name, was born 
 in Northampton, Mass., June 6, 1745, and graduated at the college of New Jer- 
 sey in 1765. Having studied divinity with Dr. Bellamy at Bethlem, he was 
 ordained pastor of the church at Wliite Haven, in the town of New Haven, 
 January 5, 1769, and remained there until May, 1795. He was soon after set- 
 tled over the church in Cokbrook, Litchfield county, and in June, 1799, he was 
 elected president of Union College, and immediately entered upon the duties of 
 tliis appointment. He died August 1, 1801, aged 56. Dr. Edwards was a man 
 of uncommon powers of mind. He published a large number of sermons and 
 dissertations, and edited several volumes of his father's works. 
 
 Edwards, Pierpont, of New Haven, was one of the most successful lawyers of 
 his time. He was speaker of the Connecticut house of representatives, member 
 of the Continental Congress, judge of the United States district court, and mem- 
 ber of the convention which formed the state constitution. 
 
 Edwards, Henry W., LL. D., son of the preceding, graduated at the college 
 of New Jersey in 1797, studied his profession at the Litchfield Law School, and 
 settled in New Haven. Pie was a representative in Congress from 1819 to 1823 ; 
 United States senator from 1823 to 1827 ; member of the state senate in 1828 
 and 1829 ; speaker of the Connecticut house of representatives in 1830 ; and 
 governor in 1833, and from 1835 to 1838. He died in New Haven in 1847. 
 
 Fitch, Thomas, born in Norwalk, graduated at Yale in 1721, and settled in his 
 native town. He was chosen an assistant the first time in 1734, and held the 
 office for twelve years. From 1750 to 1754, he was lieutenant-governor of the 
 colony, and from 1754 to 1766, he held the oflice of governor. He was also chief 
 judge of the colony for four years. In October, 1742, Mr. Fitch was appointed 
 by the legislature, in connection with Roger Wolcott, Jonathan Trumbull and 
 
APPENDIX. 633 
 
 John Bulklcy, to make a revision of all the laws of the colony. lie (lie<l in Nor- 
 walk, July IS, 1771, aged 77 years. 
 
 FiTCM, .lon.\, was born in ICast Wiiulsdr, and became one of the most ingen- 
 ious and ei lebratcd nieelianics of the age in which he lived. In the Revolution, 
 lie was principally employed in npairing arms for the continental army, residing 
 during the war in New Jcrsiy and Pennsylvania. In llS'y, he conceived the 
 idea of propelling water-craft by ste.-un. At that time, he did not know that there 
 was such a thing in existence as a sleam-cngine. In 1788, he obtained a patent fur 
 the application of steam t" iia\igati(in. During the year previous, he liad con- 
 structed a boat which made an experimental trip on tlu^ river at l'hilad<'l[)liia, the 
 governor and eouneil uf Pennsylv.ui'a being present, wlio were so nuicli gratiiled 
 with th.e result that tliey ]insi'iilrd l''iteh with an elegant silk ting. The boat at 
 that time went at the rate of eight miles an hour. iMr. Fiteli subseijnently visited 
 France, for the purpose of introducing the invent on into that country ; i)ut as the 
 French wei'e then in tli' midst of revolutions, he faik'd in the aecomiilishmcnt of 
 his plans. 'Slv. \'aill, our ('onsnl at L'Orient, afterwards subjected to the examina- 
 tion of Mr. Fulton, the papers and designs of Fitch. Mr. Fitch, in 1790, made 
 siill farther imi>rovements in his steamboat, but was unable to obtain the means 
 sutheieiit to jierleet his great invention. lie w^s, however, sanguine of the ulti- 
 mate triumpli of his plan of navigation ; and in .liuie, ll'J'?., in a ktter to INIr. 
 Rittcnhouse on his favorite tliemi.', he wrote — '' This, sir, will be the mode of 
 crossing the Atlantic in time, whether I bi'ing it to perfection or not." It is now 
 generally eonee<led that the honor of inventing and building the first steamboat in 
 the woili, belongs to John Fitch. 
 
 FooTE, S.\MUEL .\., LL. 1 )., was born in Che.shire, Nov. 8, 1780, graduated at 
 Yale in 171t7, and commenced the practice of law in his native town. He v\-as 
 chosen a member of Congress in 1819, 1823, and 18oo ; was speaker of the Con- 
 necticut liouse of representatives in 18"2.5 and 1S26; and was a senator in Con- 
 gress from 1827 to l8o3. In 1834, ho was elected governor of the state, and 
 during the same year he received the degree of doctor of laws from Yale Col- 
 lege. Governor Foote died September Ki, ISKi. 
 
 Gallaudet, Tho.mas II., LL. I)., was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
 December 10, 1787. AVhen ho wa.s thirteen years of age the family removed to 
 Hartford, and in 180") he gi'ailuated at Yale College. Jle engaged in the study 
 of law at Hartford until he was ehosen tutor in Yale College, in which situation 
 he remaine<l for two years. After a short experience in the mereanlil<' Imsincss, 
 he studied theology, and was licen.sed to preach in 1811. Ht^ now turned his 
 thoughts to the instruction of deaf mutes, and beeame a jiiomer in that work of 
 benevolence. In I81,j, ho went to Europe in order to learn the best method of 
 instruction. Soon after his return to this country, and maiidy through his influ- 
 ence. The American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb was opened in Hartford, 
 and he was appointed principal. This was the hrst institution of the kind in the 
 United States. He subsequently published several works on the subject, l-'ioni 
 1838, until his last sickness, he was (dia|)lain of the " Insane Retreat" at Hartford. 
 He died September 0, 1851. A discourse on his life, character and services, was 
 
634 APPENDIX. 
 
 delivered by the Hon. Henry Barnard, LL. D., at Hartford, in January, 1852, 
 which was publislied. 
 
 GoDDARD, Calvin, was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., July 17, 17G8, and gi-aduated 
 at Dartmouth in 1 786. He was admitted to the bar in Norwich, in November, 
 1790, and settled in Plainfield, from which place he was elected a representative 
 at nine sessions, three of which he was speaker of the Plouse. He removed to 
 Norwich in 1807. From ISOI to 1805 he was a member of Congress ; and from 
 1808 to 1815, he was a member of the council. He was also state's attorney for 
 the county of New London for five years, and mayor of Norwicli for seventeen 
 years. 
 
 Gold, Nathan, of Fairfield, was chosen a member of the council for the first 
 time in 1G57, and held the office for forty-eight years. He was also chief judge 
 of the superior coui-t for ten years, and deputy governor of Connecticut, from 1708 
 to 1724. Unless there were two persons bearing the same name and residing in 
 the same place, holding office continuously, the period of his ofik'ial life extended 
 over a period of si.\ty-seven years. 
 
 Goodrich, Ciiauncey, was the eldest son of the Rev. Elizur Goodrich, D.D., 
 of Durham, Connecticut, and was born on the 20tli of October, 1759. After a 
 career of great distinction at Yale College, where he spent nine years as a student, 
 a Berkeley scholar, and a tutor, he was admitted to the bar at Hartford in the 
 autumn of 1781. It was the leading trait in liis character as an advocate, that he 
 studied and applied the law chiefly in its principles. He regarded it as one of the 
 nobk'st of human sciences, in which no truth stands insulated, but each new case 
 as it arises, is only part of a great and harmonious system of tliought. He was 
 therefore, a "black letter lawyer ;" thoroughly versed in the writings of the early 
 masters of the profession, whose principles he was continually revolving in his 
 mind, or contemplating under new aspects as presented in later elementary trea- 
 tises down to the day of his death. In studying a subject, he was remarkable for 
 the tenacity with which he clung to it in its minutest details, until all were ex- 
 hausted ; so that an able lawyer once observed, after consulting him for some 
 hours on a point of great importance, " He has given us every thing that can 
 possibly belong to the case ; he has said all that can truly be said by any man on 
 both sides of the question." One wlio saw him only while weighing a subject with 
 this extreme nicety, might almost have thought him vacillating in his opinions • 
 but when the balance turned and his judgment was finally made up, it was immu-- 
 table as the law of gravity. In arguing a case, he laid no stress on the minor 
 points. He usually waived them with a frankness which gained liini the favor of 
 all ; and taking his stand upon a few great principles, he urged them with a dignity 
 of manner, a candor towards his opponents, a copiousness and force of argument 
 an evident and most perfect conviction of the truth of what he said, and a calm 
 but deep earnestness of feeling, which gave liim extraordinary power over a court 
 and jury. 
 
 After serving in the state legislature fur a single session, he was elected to Con- 
 gress as a member of the house of representatives, in the year 1794. For this 
 station he was peculiarly qualified not only by the original bent of his mind and 
 his habits of study, but also by the fact that an early marriage into the family of 
 
APPENDIX, 635 
 
 the second Governor "Wolcott, liail brounlit liiiii into llic elo.sr.st ri'lat.lons witli public 
 men and measures, and made liim investigate all the great questions of the day 
 with profound interest and attention. Mis brother-in-law (afterward the third 
 (uivernor Woleott,) held one of the highest offices under the General Govern- 
 ment. This led him, from the moment he took hia si^at in Congress, to becoino 
 intimately acquainted with the plans and policy of the a<lministrati()n ; and he 
 gave tliem his warmest siippijrt, under the impulse alike tif ]iolit;eal principle and 
 of personal feeling. A pai'ty in op]iosition to General AVashington was now organ- 
 ized for the first time in Congress, as the result of Mr. Jay's treaty with Great 
 Britain. Mr. Goodrich took a large share in the debates which followed ; and 
 gained the respect of all parties by his ehai'acterist'C dignity, candor, and force of 
 judgment; and especially by his habit of contemplating a subject on every side, 
 and discussing it in its remotest relations and dependencies. Mr. Albert Gallatin, 
 then the most active leader of tlie opposition, remarkt d to a friend near the close 
 of his life, that in tliese debates he usually selected the speech of Chaunccy Good- 
 rich as the object of reply ; feeling that if he could answer liim^ ho would liave 
 met every thing truly relevant to the subject which had been urged on the part 
 of the government. 
 
 In 1801, he resigned Iiis seat in Congress, and returned to the practice of the 
 /aw at Hartford. The next year he was chosen to the office of councilor (after- 
 ward senator) in the state k'gislaturc, wIlcIi he continued to fill down to 1807, 
 wlien he was elected to the Senate of the Lhiitcd States. During the violent con- 
 flicts of the ne.\t six years, he took an active part in most of the discussions which 
 arose out of the embargo, the non-intercourse laws, and the other measures which 
 led to the war with Great Britain. The same qualities whicli marked his early 
 efHirts, were now more fully exhibited in the maturity of his powers; while the 
 whole cast of his chai'acter made him peculiarly fitted lor the calmer deliberations 
 of the senate. He had nothing of svhat Ihiike calls " tin' smart ness of debate." 
 He never indulged in sarcasm or pei'soiial attack. In the most stormy discus- 
 sions, he maintained a courtesy which dis;;rm< d rudeness. No one ever sus])ected 
 him of wishing to misrepresent an antagonist, or evade the force of an argument; 
 and the manner in which he was treated on the tloor of tlie Sen;ite, .shows how 
 much can be done to conciliate one's jiolitical opponents, even in the worst times, 
 by a uniform exhibition of high principle, if connected with a i)enetrating judg- 
 ment and great reasoning powers. Mr. Jefferson playfully remarked to a friend 
 during this period, " That white-headed Yankee from Connecticut, is the most 
 difficult man to deal with in the Senate of the United States.'' 
 
 In 1813, he was chosen lieutenant-governor of the state, and contiiiuid to hold 
 this office until his death. At the meeting of the legislature in 1814, he was ap- 
 pointed a delegate to the celebrated Hartford Convention. Though in feible 
 health, he took a large share in the deliberations of that body, and especially in 
 those healing measures which were finally adopted. During its session, lie re- 
 ceived communications from distinguished men in other states, touching the vari- 
 ous questions at issue ; and particularly from Mr. Daniel Webster, who liad pre- 
 viously sent him an extended argument to .sliovv that the provisions of the embargo 
 law, " so far as it interdicts commeice between parts of the United States," were 
 
636 APPENDIX. 
 
 unconstitutional and oppressive in the highest degree. Mr. John Randolph, also, 
 addressed him under date of December 16, 1814, forwarding a pamphlet which he 
 had just published against the administration, in the hope of promoting " the wel- 
 fare of the country in these disastrous times." At an earlier period, Mr. Randolph 
 had been one of the strongest political opponents of Mr. Goodrich ; but he now 
 says, " Unfeigned respect for your character and that of your native state, which 
 hke my own is not to be blown about by every idle breath — now hot, now cold — • 
 is the cause of your being troubled with this letter ; a liberty for which I beg your 
 excuse." In reference to the convention, he remarks, "I make every allowance 
 for your provocations ; but I trust that the ' steady habits' of Connecticut will 
 prevail in the Congress at Hartford, and that she will be the preserver of the 
 Union from the dangers by which it is threatened from the administration of the 
 General Government, whose wickedness is only surpassed by its imbecility." 
 The anticipations of Mr. Randolph were correct. Xothing could be farther from 
 the design of that meeting, or the wishes of Connecticut, than to foster disunion. 
 The object of the convention was not to foment but to restrain violence. When 
 the report of its doings arrived at the city of Washington, Mr. David Daggett, 
 than a member of the Senate, wrote to Mr. Goodrich as follows, under date of 
 Jan. 11, 1815. " The proceedings of the convention reached us by yesterday's 
 mail. Tlie pamphlet was announced with almost as great sensibility, as would 
 have been a treaty of peace. The Senate had adjourned a few minutes before the 
 mail was opened ; and many of the members being present, Mr. Galliard read it 
 audibly. The mimls of our friends are relieved. To those of us who know the 
 authors of these proceedings, they are not more discreet, dignified, and wise, than 
 our strong partialities had led us to hope. Of others it may be truly said, they 
 exceed their most sanguine expcttations." He adds in reference to the friends 
 of the administration, "they are left without ground either of complaint or 
 triumph — I am perfectly satisfied." Such, the writer believes, will be the decision 
 of history ; notwithstanding the odium which has been heaped upon this conven- 
 tion, by those who had no personal knowledge of the men who composed it, or the 
 motives by which they were actuated. 
 
 Early in 1815, it was found that a hidden disease under which Mr. Goodrich 
 had for some time labored, was an aflfection of the heart. His death was probably 
 near — it would unquestionably be sudden — it might occur at any moment ! He 
 received the intelligence with calmness, but with deep emotion. He expressed his 
 feelings without reserve to his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Strong, and at a later period to 
 the writer of this sketch. From his youth, he had been a firm believer in the 
 divine authority of the Scriptures. He read them habitually even in the busiest 
 scenes of his life. So highly did he prize public worship, that he once remarked, 
 he would attend on preaching of a very low intellectual order, which was even 
 repulsive to his taste — and that he always did so (if he eouid find no better) when 
 away from home — rather than be absent from the house of God. As the result 
 of all his studies and reflections, he had become more and more fixed in has belief of 
 those great doctrines of grace, which had been taught him by his father, and which 
 are generally received in the churches of Connecticut. His life had, indeed, been 
 spotless, and devoted to the service of his country. But in speaking of our ground 
 
APPENDIX. 637 
 
 of acceptance before Gud, ho said in substance, '' A moral life is of itself nothing 
 for the salvation of the soul. I have lived a moral life in the estimation of the 
 world ; but no language can express my sense of its deficiency in tiie sigl^t of a 
 lioly God. If there were not an atonement, I must be condemned and miserable 
 forever. Here my hope is stayed. A sense of imperfection often sinks my 
 spirits ; but generally I have a hope that supports me ; and at times I have rejoiced 
 in God without fear, and have wished only to be in his hands and employed in his 
 service." In this state of mind his summons found him. On the ISth of August, 
 1815, in the midst of the family circle, while walking the room and engaged in 
 cheerful conversation, he faltered for a moment, sank into a chair, and instantly 
 expired in the fifty-sixth year of his age. His death was a shock to the whole 
 community. Party distinctions were forgotten under a sense of the general loss ; 
 and in the simple but expressive language which was used at his funeral, all united 
 iu " a tribute of respect to the memory of the man who has so long been dear to 
 us and done us so muck good.'''' 
 
 In liis person, iMr. Goodrich was a little above the medium height, of a full habit, 
 slightly inclining to corpulency. He had finely turned features, with prominent 
 and rounded cheeks, and a remarkable purity of complexion which retained 
 throughout life the flush of early youth. His countenance was singularly expres- 
 sive, showing all the varied emotions of his mind when e.vcited by conversation or 
 by public speaking. His eye was blue, and deep-sunk under an ample forehead. 
 He h:i(l the habit of fixing it intently upon those to whom he spoke in earnest con- 
 veri-at'oii ; and no one who has felt that look, will ever forget its searching and 
 subduing power. Ilis portrait by Colonel Trumbull is one of the best productions 
 of that celebrated artist. 
 
 Ill domestic and social life, he was distinguished for liis gentleness and iiibanity. 
 He had a didieaey of feeling which was almost feminine. A friend who had con- 
 versed with him intimately for many years, remarked that he liad one peculiarity 
 which was strikingly characteristic : " Not a sentiment or expression ever fell 
 from his lips in the most unguarded moment, wliich might not have been uttered 
 in the most refined circles of female society." He had, at times, a vein of humor, 
 which shows itself in his familiar letters to Oliver Woleott, and other's, as published 
 by Mr. Gibbs, in his " ^Memoirs of the Administrations of Washington and John 
 Adams." Hut, in general, his mind was occupied witli weighty thoughts, and it 
 was perhaps this, as much as any thing, that gave him a dignity of manner which 
 was wholly unassumed, and which without at all lessening the freedom of social 
 intercourse, made every one feel that he was not a man with whom liljcrtii's could 
 be t;'.ken. He could jilay witli a subject, when he chose, in a desultoi'v niamier ; 
 but h.,' ]ireferred, like Johnson, to '•converse rather than lalk.'' lie loved of all 
 things to uniti> with otlu'rs in following out trains of thought. The late Judge 
 Hopkinson, of Philadelphia, in a letter to Rlr. Gibbs, classes him in this respect 
 with Oliver Ellswcnnh, I'isher Ames, Uriah Tracy, Oliver Wolcott, and Roger 
 Griswold ; of whom he says, " You may well imagine wliat a ricli and intellectual 
 society it was. I will not say that we have no such men r.ow, but I don't know 
 where to find them." 
 
 Ilis crowning characteristic, that of integrity and honor, was thus referred to a 
 
638 APPENDIX. 
 
 few clays after his death, by a writer in one of the leading join-nals of Hartford. 
 " His judgment was so guided by rectitude, that of all men living he was, perhaps, 
 the only one to whom his worst enemy (if enemy he had) would have confided 
 the decision of a controversy, sooner than to his best friend.'" 
 
 Goodrich, Emzur, LL. D., was born at Durham, on the 24th of March, 17G1. 
 He was the second son of the Rev. Elizur Goodrich, D.D., who was for many 
 years one of the most active members of the corporation of Yale College, and 
 largely engaged in preparing young men for that institution. Hence, his son was 
 trained from childhood to an intimate acquaintance with the classics ; and retained 
 throughout life so great a familiarity with the Latin language especially, that he 
 could read it at all times with entire ease, and continued occasionally to write it 
 with accuracy and elegance. In the year 177.5, he entei'ed Yale College at the 
 age of fourteen. During his senior year, his life was brought into extreme dan- 
 ger at the time when New Haven was attacked by the British. On the landing 
 of the troops, July 5th, 1779, he joined a company of about a hundred in num- 
 ber, who went out, under the command of James Ilillhouse, to annoy and retard 
 the march of the enemy towards evening, when the town was taken and given up 
 to ravage and plunder, he was stabbed near the heart by a British soldier, as he 
 lay on his bed in a state of extreme exhaustion, and barely escaped with his life. 
 
 Having graduated in the autumn of the same year with the highest honors of 
 his class, he received the appointment of Berkley scholar, and continued at college 
 on this foundation for two years, when he was elected tutor, September, 1781, as 
 successor to his brother, Chauncey Goodrich. He now commenced the study of 
 law in connection with his college duties, under the tuition of his uncle, Charles 
 Chauncey, one of the most learned lawyers of the state ; and resigning his tutor- 
 ship at the end of two years, he commenced the practice of the law at New Ha- 
 ven, in the autumn of 1783. He was soon after married to a step-daughter of 
 David Austin, Esq., collector of the port of New Haven, and gradually rose into 
 a valuable and extensive business. 
 
 In 1795, ho was elected a representative of the town in the state legislature, an 
 office which he continued to hold for many years, during which he was repeatedly 
 chosen clerk and speaker of the House of Representatives. In 1799, he was 
 elected a member of Congress, and was present at the last session of that body in 
 Philadelphia, and its first session in Washington, when the seat of government was 
 removed to the District of Columbia. He soon made himself known in the House, 
 as a man of sound judgment and strong reasoning powers, but was invited, during 
 his second session, to an office of much responsibility at home. On the death of 
 his father-in-law, Mr. Austin, there was a general desire among the merchants 
 of New Haven, that Mr. Goodrich should accept the office of the collector of the 
 port; and recommendations to this effect having been forwarded to Washington, 
 the president sent for him and proposed to make the appointment. As there was 
 a probability, however, that Mr. Jefferson might be elected president in room of 
 Mr. Adams, it was thought proper by Mr. Goodrich and his friends, to learn, if 
 possible, whether a change would be made in offices of this kind, if a change of 
 administration took place. The question was, therefore, put to Mr. Jefferson by 
 a friend of the two parties, and he said at once, that in his view no such change 
 
APrENDix. 639 
 
 (Hit^lit to ho niadt', on tlie mere ground of political dilTorcnees. Mr. Goodrich, 
 tlicrelbro, acce|)ted tlie appointnitnt euily in ISOl ; but in this case, as in many 
 others, the opinions of the president were over-ruled by party influences, and Mr. 
 (ioodrich was removed at the end of about six juonths. He was immediately 
 elected to the state legislature, first as a member of the house of representatives, 
 and soon after as a member of the council (afterwards senate) of the; state ; which 
 last office he continued to hold by successive annual elections, until ISIS, when 
 he and his associates were succeeded by those who opposed them in ])olitics. lie 
 was thus, without intermission, a member of the state legislature, or of C\)ngress, 
 for the period of twenty-three years. I lis habits of mind fitted him peculiarly for 
 the duties of a legislative body, lie had great industry, clearness of judgment, 
 and accuracy of knowledge in the details of business. He was much relied on in 
 drafting new laws, as one who had been long conversant with the subject, and had 
 gained a perfect command of those ])recise and definite forms of expression which 
 arc especially important in such a case. Ho was, also, chief judge of the county 
 court for the county of New Haven thirteen years ; and judge of probate for the 
 same county seventeen years, down to the change of politics in 1818. In the lat- 
 ter office, he endeared himself greatly to numerous families throughout the county, 
 by his judgment and kindness in promoting the settlement of estates without liti- 
 gation, and by his care in providing for the interests of widows and orphans. He 
 was also mayor of the city of New Haven, from September 1803 to June 1822, 
 being a period of nineteen years, when he declined any longer continuance in this 
 office. For nine years, he was ])rofrssor of law at Yale College, and repeatedly 
 delivered courses of lectures on the laws of nature and nations, but resigned the 
 office in 1810, as interfering too much with his other public duties. 1 lis interest in 
 the college, however, remained unabated. For many years he was a leading mem- 
 ber of the corporation, and was particularly charged with its interests as a mem- 
 ber of the prudential eonmiittee ; and was secretary of the board for the period of 
 twenty-eight years, until he tendered his resignation in 1846. It isa striking cir- 
 cumstance, that from the time of his entering college in 1775, he was uninter- 
 ruptedly connected with the institution, either as a student, Berkley scholar, tutor, 
 assistant to the treasurer, in-tjfessor, member of the corporation, or secretary of 
 the board, for the space of seventy-one years .' He received from the college the 
 honorary degree of LL. I)., in the year INIJO. 
 
 The same year, 1818, in whieh he retired from public oftice, Mr. Goodrich had 
 the misfortune to lose his wife ; and from this period he divided his time in part 
 between his children, residing not only at New Haven, but at IIartft)id, and Utiea, 
 with his oldest son, and at \\'ashingtan City, in the family of his daughter, who 
 was married to the Hon. Henry L. Ellsworth, for many years commissioner of 
 patents for the United States. Wherever lie resided, his society was highly ac- 
 ceptable in private life. His cordial manners, extensive information, and genial 
 liumor, rendered him an object of interest to every circle he entered ; and with- 
 out any attempt at brilliancy, he made an impression upon the minds of strangers 
 by his powers of ccniversation, such as few men have ever surpassed. As he ad- 
 vanced in years, he resided chiefly at New Haven, retaining the full possession of 
 his mental powers to within a few months of his death, whieh took place w thout 
 
640 APPENDIX. 
 
 pain or any apparent disease, from the mere decay of nature, on the first day of 
 November, 1849, in the eighty-nintii year of his aoje. lie had been for some 
 years " the senior member of the Connecticut bar ;" and at a meeting of the pro- 
 fession the next day, it was " Voted, unanimously, that in tolicn of our resjiect for 
 the memorj' of the deceased, and our appreciation of his long and honorable pub- 
 lic service, we will attend his funeral in a body." 
 
 After what has been said, it is unnecessary to give any labored delineation of 
 Mr. Goodi'ich's character. He was distinguished for the clearness and strength 
 of his judgment, the ease and accuracy with which he transacted business, and 
 the kindness and affiibility which he uniformly manifested in all the relations of 
 hfe. His reading was extensive and minute ; and what is not very common in 
 public men, he kept up (as already stated) his acquaintance with the ancient clas- 
 sics to the last, being accustomed to read the writings of Cicero, Livy, Sallust, 
 Virgil, and Horace, down to the eighty-ninth year of his age, with all the ease and 
 mterest of liis early days. He professed the religion of Christ soon after leaving 
 college ; adorned his profession by a consistent life ; and experienced the consola- 
 tions and hopes which it affords, in the hour of dissolution. 
 
 Granger, Gideon, was born in Suffield, July 19, 17(37, and graduated at Yale 
 in 1787. He became celebrated as a lawyer and politician ; and in 1801, Presi- 
 dent .Jefferson appointed him postmaster-general of the United States — an office 
 which he held for thirteen years. In 1814, he removed to Canandaigua, N. T., 
 and in 1819, was elected a member of the senate of that state. He gave one 
 thousand acres of land in aid of the Erie Canal. He died December 31, 1822. 
 His son Fi'ancis Granger, of Canandaigua, was postmaster-general under Presi- 
 dent Harrison. 
 
 Griffin, Edward, Dorr D.D., was born in East Haddam, January G, 1770, 
 and graduated at Yale in 1790. In 179.5, he was ordained pastor of the congrega- 
 tional church in New Hartford ; and in 1801, he became the colleague-pastor 
 with the Rev. Dr. RIcWhorter, in Newark, New -Jersey. He was subsequently 
 pastor of the Park-street church, Boston, professor of sacred rhetoric in the theo- 
 logical seminary at Andover, and president of Williams College. He returned to 
 Newark in 1836, where he died, November 8, 1837, aged 67. Dr. Griffin was 
 one of the most eloquent preachers of his time. His memoirs were written by 
 the Rev. l^r. Sprague, of Albany, N. Y. 
 
 Griswold, Alexander, V., D.D., was born in Simsbury, became a learned 
 and eloquent divine of the episcopal church, and bishop of the eastern diocese of 
 Massachusetts. He received the degree of doctor of divinity from Harvard Col- 
 lege, Brown University, and fro.m the college of New Jersey. Bishop Griswold, 
 died in Boston, February 15, 1843, aged 70 years. His biography, by the Rev. 
 John S. Stone, D.D., has been published. 
 
 Griswold, Matthew, was born in Lyme, March 25, 1714 ; in 1751, he was 
 chosen a representative, and in 1759, he was elected a member of the council. Ho 
 was also a judge and chief judge of the superior court, lieutenant-governor, and 
 from 1781 to 1786, he was governor of the state. In 1788, he was chosen presi- 
 dent of the convention which adopted the constitution of the United States. He 
 died April 28, 1799, aged 85. He was father of Governor Roger Griswold. 
 
ArPEXDix. G41 
 
 Griswoi.d, Stanley, was born in Turringilii'il, November 1768, and graduated 
 at Yale in 1785. In 17'JO, lie was installed at New JVl'dlbrd, as colleague-pivstor of 
 the churt'h in that place with the Rev. Mr. Taylor, and continued in the pastoral 
 office in New Milford until 180-, when he resigned. In polities he was a .lelfer- 
 sonian democrat— an unusual circumstance among the congregational clergy of 
 Connecticut at that time. It was claimed that in consequence of his political opin- 
 ions, he was persecuted by his clerical brethren. At all events, he was excluded 
 from the South Consociation of Litclifield county — but the people of his charge 
 warmly espoused his course. In 1804, INIr. Griswold became the editor of a 
 democratic paper in Walpole, N. II., but soon after was appointed by Presideut 
 Jefferson to the post of secretary of the territory of Michigan. He was subse- 
 quently a United States senator from Ohio, and I'nited States judge for the uortli- 
 western territory. He died at Shawneetown, Illinois, August 21, 1814, aged 4(5 
 years. 
 
 Hall, Lyman, was a native of AVallingford, and graduated at Yale College in 
 1747. He studied medicine and established himself at Midway, Georgia. Hav- 
 ing early and zealously espoused the cause of his country, his efforts contributed 
 much to induce the Georgians to join the American confederacy. He was chosen 
 a member of the Continental Congress in May 1 775, signed the declaration of 
 independence, and continued in that body till the close of 1780. In 1783, he was 
 elected governor. He died in Februaiy, 1791, aged GO. 
 
 IIiLLHousE, James, LL. D., was born at New London, October 21, 1754, and 
 graduated at Yale in 1773. lie was an officer in the revolution ; and in 1701, 
 was elected a member of tlie House of Representatives in Congress. From 179(> 
 to 1810, he was a member of the United States Senate ; from 1810 to 182.3, he 
 was commissioner of the school fund of this state, and from 1782 to 1832, was 
 treasurer of Yale College. He died at New Haven, December 29, 1832, in the 
 79th year of his age. 
 
 IIillhouse, William, was a son of the Rev. James llillhouse, of New London, 
 where the subject of this paragraph was born August 2oth, ] 728. As a represen- 
 tative and member of the council, he attended the legislature at one hundred and 
 six semi-annual sessions .' — probably a nmch longer period than any other 
 person who ever lived in Connecticut. He was also a major of cavalry in the rev- 
 olution, judge of the county court, and a member of the Continental Congress 
 from 1783 to 1780. His brother, James Abraham Hillhouse, (born May 20, 
 1730, graduated at Yale College, 1749,) a distinguished lawvtr and member 
 of the council, died in 1775. 
 
 IIiNMAN, 1)I;njamin, Colonel, was born in Woodbury in 1720. He served 
 against the French in Canada as early as 1751, under a eommission as (juarter- 
 masterof the troop of horse in the 13th regiment. On the 19th of April, 1775, 
 he was commissioned as a captain in the regiment of Colonel Elizur Goodrich, 
 raised for the defense of his majesty's territories against the French at Crown 
 Point and vicinity. Before the close of the French and Indian wars, he had risen 
 to the rank of licutenant-co'onel ; and on the 1st of November, 1771, he was ap- 
 pointed colonel of the tliirtcenth regiment of horse. At the commencement of 
 the revolution, May 1st, 1775, he received from Governor Trumbull a commission 
 
 73 
 
642 APPENDIX. 
 
 ns colonel of the fourth regiment of troops enlisted for the defense of tlie colony. 
 He continued in active service until January, 1777, when ho returned home in ill 
 health. lie represented the town of Woodbury in the legislature at about twenty 
 sessions ; and after Southbury was incorporated, he represented that town at eight 
 sessions. Ho was also a member of the convention which ratified the constitution 
 of the United States. Colonel Ilinman died in Southbury, March 22, 1810. at 
 the age of 90 years. 
 
 HiNMAN, Royal R., (now a resident of Harlem, N. Y.,) was born in Southbury, 
 ;ind graduated at Yale in 1820. lie pursued his professional studies at the Litch- 
 field Law School, settled in his native town, and was chosen a representative 
 at four sessions of the General Assembly. In 1835, he was elected to the office 
 of secretary of state, and continued to be re-elected every year until 1842. In 
 1836, ho published a volume entitled, "Antiquities of Connecticut;" and in 
 1842, he compiled and published a work of 643 large octavo pages, entitled, " A 
 Historical Collection of the part sustained by Connecticut during the war of the 
 revolution" — a valuable book. He has latterly given to the public several excel- 
 lent genealogical works. In 1835, he was appointed chairman of a committee to 
 revise the public statutes of the states; and in 1838, he was appointed on a simi- 
 lar committee. Several volumes of statutes and public and private acts were 
 compiled and published under his supervision. In September 1844, Mr. Ilinman 
 was appointed collector of customs for the port of New Haven ; and he also, for a 
 short time, held the office of postmaster at Hartford. 
 
 Hitchcock, Peter, was born in Cheshire, October 19, 1781, and graduated at 
 Yale in ISOl. Having pursued the study of law in the county of Litchfield, in 
 his native state, he was admitted to the bar in March, 1804. He immediately 
 opened an office in his native town, and remained there for about two years, dur- 
 ing which time he married Miss Abigail Cook. In the spring of 1806, he re- 
 moved to Gcanga County, Ohio, and settled upon a farm. His location was in a 
 wilderness, and far away from the county-scat. Law business was of course dull, 
 and for several years his time was divided between his profession, teaching school, 
 and " clearing up" and cultivating his land. In 1810, he was elected a repre- 
 sentative to the General Assembly of the state; and from 1812 to 1816, ho was 
 a member of the state senate, and was elected president of that body at one ses- 
 sion. In 1817, he was chosen a member of Congress, and during the following 
 year, before the expiration of his congT'essional term, he was chosen by the legis- 
 lature a judge of the supreme court of the state for the term of seven years. He 
 was re-elected to the same office in February, 1826, in INIarch, 1835, and in Jan- 
 uary 1845 ; and retired from the bench in February 1852, after a judicial service 
 of twenty-eight years. A part of this time he had filled the place of chief justice, 
 i'^rom 1833 to 1835, he was again a member of the senate, and once more was 
 elected speaker or president. In 1850, Judge Hitchcock was elected a delegate 
 to the convention which formed the new constitution of the state. He died at the 
 residence of his son, the Hon. Reuben Hitchcock, in Painesville, Ohio, March 4, 
 1854. 
 
 Hitchcock, Samuel J., LL. D., was born in Bethlem, and graduated at Ynle 
 in 1809. Ho was a tutor from 1811 to 1815, and was suteequently until his 
 
APPENDIX. 643 
 
 death instructdi- of law in that college. IIo received tlie degree of doctor of laws 
 in 1S4'3, and died in 1845. lie was mayor of the city of New Haven, judge of 
 the court of eoinnion pleas, and commissioner of baidiruptey during the continu- 
 ance of the national bankrupt law. 
 
 IIoLLEV, Horace, LL. 1)., was born in Salisbury, February 13, ITSl, and 
 graduated at Yale in 1803. Having studied theology in New Haven, in 1805 he 
 was ordained pa-stor of the church at Greenfield Hill, Fairfield, over wliich Presi- 
 dent 1 )wight had formerly been settled. In 1809, he became pastor of the Ilollis- 
 stivet church, Boston, where he remained until 1818, when he accepted the presi- 
 dency of Transylvania University, in Kentucky. Under his auspices the univer- 
 sity so increased in popularity that in 1825 it numbered four hundivd students. 
 He resigned in the spring of 1827 ; and in July of that year he embarked at New 
 Orleans for the north, but on the fifth day out he died on ship-board, July 31, 
 1827, aged 4() years. He was a man of great learning, and was one of the most 
 eloquent and distinguished pulpit orators of the ago. Professor Caldwell, of Tran- 
 sylvania University, pronounced an eulogy upon him, which was published in a 
 handsome volume in connection with his memoirs by his widow. 
 
 Holmes, Abiel, D.D., LL. D., was born in Woodstock in 1763, and graduated 
 at Yale in 1783. For six years ho was pastor of a church in Midway, Georgia; 
 and in 1792, he became pastor of the first church in Cambridge, Mass., where he 
 spent the remainder of his days. He was highly respected for his talents, learn- 
 ing, and industry. In 1805, he published his " Annals of America," one of the 
 most valuable historical publications of the age. The work has since been repub- 
 lished in this country and in Europe. His life of President Stiles was published 
 in 1798. His other publications, consisting of sermons and historical disquisitions, 
 are about thirty in nunihor. He received the degree of doctor of divinity at the 
 l^ldinburgh ITniversity, and in 1822, the degree of doctor of laws was conferred 
 upon iiim by .Vlleg.iny College. He died June 4, 1837, aged 74. 
 
 llorKiNS, Samuel, D.D., was born at Waterbury, September 17, 1721, and 
 graduated at Yale College in 1741. For many years he was settled in the min- 
 istry in Great P>arrington, Mass., and in Newport, R. I. He was an eminent theo- 
 logian, from whom the Christians called " Ilopkinsians" derive their name. He 
 was the author of " A System of Doctrines, contained in Divine Revelation, 
 to which is added a Treatise on the Millenium," 2 volumes Svc, published in 
 1793; and also of several smaller works. He died December 20, 1803, aged 
 eighty-two. 
 
 IIosMER, TiTus, of Middletown, graduated at Yale in 1757. Having been for 
 many years a representative of the Connecticut Legislature, he was chosen a mem- 
 ber of the council in 1778, and was also three times elected a member of the Con- 
 tinental (Jongress. He was speaker of the house in 1777. In January 1780, he 
 was appointed by Congress, a judge of the court of appeals, for the revision of 
 maritime and admiralty eases. lie was regarded as one of the greatest men in 
 the state during his mature years. He died, August 4, 1780, aged 44. 
 
 HosMER, Stei'hkn T., LL. D., son of the preceding, was a native of Middletown, 
 and graduated at Yale in 1782. lie was a member of the council for ten years, 
 a judge of the superior court for fo'.ir years, and chief judge for fourteen years. 
 
644 . APPENDIX, 
 
 lie received the degree of doctor of laws from Yale College. lie died in Mid- 
 dletown, August 6, 1834. 
 
 Huntington, Samuel, LL. D., was born in "Windham in 17.32, and settled in 
 Norwich as a lawyer in 17G0, where he soon became distinguished in his profes- 
 sion. Previous to the revolution he had held the office of representative, assistant, 
 king's attorney, and judge of the superior court. In 1775, he was chosen a dele- 
 gate to the Continental Congress ; and on the 4th of July, 1776, he appended his 
 name to the declaration of independence. In 1779, he was chosen president of 
 Congress, and was re-elected to that honorable office in 1780. In 1781, he was 
 again appointed a judge and member of the council. In 1783, he was re-elected 
 to Congress, and during the following year he was appointed chief judge of the supe- 
 rior court and lieutenant-governor. In May 1786, Judge Huntington was elected 
 to the office of chief magistrate of the state, to succeed Governor Grisvvold, and 
 was annually re-elected until his death, which took place at Norwich, January 5, 
 1796, at the age of 63 years. He was also a member of the convention which 
 adopted the federal constitution in 1788. His wife, Martha, the daughter of Ebe- 
 nczcr Devotion, pastor of the church in Windham, died June 4, 1794. Governor 
 Huntington was not a graduate, but received honorary degrees from Dartmouth 
 and Yale. 
 
 Huntington, Joseph, D.D., brother of the preceding graduated at Yale in 1762, 
 and became pastor of the congregational church in Coventry. He published sev- 
 eral sermons and addresses, and was the author of a work, which was published 
 after his death, entitled, " Calvinism Improved, or the Gospel illustrated in a 
 system of real grace, issuing in the salvation of all men." He received the de- 
 gree of doctor of divinity at Dartmouth. He died in 1795, leaving two children ; 
 viz., a daughter who married Edward Dorr Griffin, D.D., President of Williams 
 College, and a son, Samuel, who graduated at Yale College in 1785, and became 
 chief justice and governor of Ohio, and died at Painesville, (Ohio,) July 7, 1817, 
 aged 49. 
 
 Huntington, Jabez, General, was born in Norwich in 1719, graduated at 
 Tale in 1741, and settled in his native town as a mercliant and importer. He 
 was chosen a member of the colonial assembly in 1750, was speaker of the House 
 for several years, and subsequently a member of the council. In the war of the 
 revolution was a member of the council of safety, and major-general of militia. 
 He died in 1786. 
 
 Huntington, Jedediaii, General, (a son of the preceding,) was born in Nor- 
 wich in 1743, and graduated at Cambridge in 1763, on which occasion he pro- 
 nounced the first English oration delivered in that college at commencement. He 
 was colonel of a continental regiment in 1775 ; and two years after. Congress 
 gave liiin a commission of brigadier-general, which office he held during the war 
 with high honor and usefulness. In 1788, he was appointed state treasurer, and 
 was a member of the convention which ratified the constitution of the United 
 States. He removed to New London in 1789, on receiving from President 
 Washington the appointment of collector of the customs for that port, an office 
 which he continued to hold for twenty-six years. He died September 25, 1818. 
 His first wife, Faith, daughter of Governor Trumbull, died at Dedham, Massachu- 
 
APPENDIX. G45 
 
 setts, in 1775, while on hor waj'witli her liushauil to join tho continental eaiiip at 
 Canibiiiliie. His second wife, a sister of Bishop Moore of Virp;inia, died in 1S31. 
 General Huntington was an officer of the church, and one of the original in('m- 
 bcrs of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 
 
 Huntington, Benjamin, LL. V>., of Norwich, graduated at Yale in 1701, and 
 having settled in his nativfe town in the practice of the law, he soon rose to emi- 
 nence in his profession. He was a judge of the superior court from 17fl)> to 1 798, 
 and was a member of the Continental Congress from 17SU to 1784, and fiom 
 1787 to 1788. After tlie reorganization of the government, he was elected a 
 Representative in Congress from 1789 to 1791. He was mayor of the city of 
 Norwich for twelve years. He died in 1800. 
 
 Huntington, Ebf.nezer, General, of Norwich, graduated at Yale in 177."), and 
 during the same year he joined the army near Boston, as a volunteer. In 1776, 
 lie was commissioned as a captain and appointed deputy adjutant-general. la 
 1777, lie received a major's commission, and during the following year he was 
 made lieutenant-colonel. In 1799, he was, at the recommendation of Washing- 
 ton, appointed a brigadier-general in the army raised by Congress in anticipation 
 of a war with France. He subsequently held the office of major-general of the 
 militia of Connecticut. General Huntington was elected a representative in Con- 
 gress in 1810 and again in 1817. He died in Norwich, in June 1834, at an ad- 
 vanced age. 
 
 Huntington, Jabez W., was born in Norwich, November 8, 1788, and gradu- 
 ated at Yale in 1806. He pursued his professional studies at the Litchfield Law 
 School, and commenced the practice of his profession in Litclifield, where lie re- 
 mained for about thirty years. In 1828, he was elected to the state legislature, 
 and in 1829, he was chosen a representative in Congress, in which office he re- 
 mained until his election as a judge of the superior court, in 1834. In 1840, he 
 was elected to the senate of the United States, and continued to hold that office 
 until his death, November 1, 1847. He took up his residence in his native town 
 a few years previous to his decease. 
 
 Tngersoll, Jared, LL. D., (son of the Hon. .Tared Ingersoll, stamp master and 
 judge of the admiralty court,) was a native of New Haven and a graduate of 
 Yale in 1766. He settled in Pliiladelphia, where he attained a high rank as a 
 lawyer. He was elected a member of the Continental Congress in 1780, and was 
 a member from Pennsylvania of the convention which framed the constitution of 
 the United States. He was also a judge of the district court and attorney general 
 of the state. In 1812, he was the candidate of the federal party for the office of 
 vice president of the United States. He died October 31, 1822, aged 73. His 
 sons, .Tosp|)h R. and Charles J., liavc both been members of Congress from 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Ingersoll, Jonathan, LL. D., a son of the Rev. Jonathan Ingersoll, was born 
 in Ridgefield, and graduated at Yale in 1766. He settled in New Haven and 
 became a lawyer of distinction. Besides holding many other offices of importance, 
 ho was a judge of the supreme court and lieutenant-governor of the state. IIo 
 died in the latter office, January 12, 1723, aged 76. 
 
 Johnson, William, LL. D., was bora in Middletown, graduated at Yale in 
 
646 APPENDIX. 
 
 1788, and settled in New York city in the practice of law. In IBOG, ho published 
 a translation of Azuni's " Maritime Law," accompanied by a commentary. lie 
 was the reporter of the supreme court of New York from 180G to 1823, and of 
 the court of chancery from 1814 to 1823. In 1838, he published a digest of 
 cases decided in these courts from 1799 to 1836. He received the degree of 
 doctor of laws from Hamilton College in 1819, and from the college of New- 
 Jersey in 1820. He died in the city of New York in July, 1848. 
 
 Johnston, Josiah S., was born in Salisbury, and emigrated to Kentucky in 
 
 1789, with his parents. He settled in or near New Orleans, as a lawyer. In 
 1821, he was chosen a representative to Congress, and in 1825, he was elected a 
 United States senator. On his return homeward from Washington City, in the 
 spring of 1833, he was instantly killed by the bursting of a steamboat boiler on the 
 
 ■ Ohio river, May 19. 
 
 KiLBOURNH, James, was born in New Britain (then a parish of Farmington,) 
 October 19, 1 770. He studied divinity, and became a clergyman of the episcopal 
 church. In l803-'4, he was instrumental in forming an emigrating colony to 
 Central Ohio, then a wilderness. His company nearly all united with the episco- 
 pal society, and for some time he officiated as their minister ; but as many secular 
 duties devolved upon him, he finally abandoned his chosen profession and de- 
 voted his time to the civil affairs of the settlement. A town was soon organized 
 and named Worthington. In 1805, he was appointed, by act of Congress, to the 
 office of United States surveyor of public lands ; and during the following year, the 
 legislature of Ohio, in joint ballot, chose him a member of the first board of trustees 
 of Ohio College, at Athens. In 1812, the ])resident of the United States ap- 
 pointed him a commissioner to settle the boundary between the public lands and 
 the f^reat Virginia reservation. About this time, he was commissioned as colonel 
 of the frontier regiment ; and during the year 1812, he was elected a representa- 
 tive to Congress. In the fall of 1814, he was re-elected to Congress. He was 
 also a member of the Ohio legislature, and discharged the duties of many other 
 public trusts with remarkable fidelity and ability. He was a man of wonderful 
 energy and perseverance, and an earnest friend of education, good order, and reli- 
 gion. Colonel Kilbourne died in Worthington, in April, 1850, in the 80th year 
 of his age. 
 
 KiNGSLEY, James L., LL. D., was born in Windham, August 28, 1778, and 
 graduated at Yale in 1799. In 1801, he was appointed tutor in that institution, 
 and in 1805, he was chosen professor of languages and ecclesiastic;d history. In 
 1831, on the appointment of Professor Woolsey, he ceased to give instruction in 
 Greek ; in 1836, the duties of his office were again divided, and from that date 
 until 1851, he filled the chair of professor of the Latin language and literature. 
 From 1805 to 1824, he was also the librarian of the college. Professor Kingsley 
 was a gentleman of extensive, accurate, and varied learning, and his writings aro 
 distinguished for perspicuity, terseness, and force. In the history of this country, 
 and especially of New England, he was well versed, and his contributions on these 
 subjects possess great value. He died in Now Haven, August 31, 1852. 
 
 KiRBV, Ephraim, was born in Litchfield, February 23, 1757. He was an offi- 
 cer in the revolution, and rose to the rank of colonel In the militia. He studied 
 
APPENDIX. 647 
 
 law, and commenced tin; practice of his prolVssii>n in his native town. In 1787, 
 lie received the honorary degree of master of arts froiri Yale College. Colonel 
 Kirby was chosen a representative in the legislature at fourteen sessions, and in 
 1801, lie was appointed by President Jetlerson, to the office of supervisor of the 
 national revenue for the state of Connecticut. About the same time he was the 
 dLinocratic candidate for governor. Upon the acquisition of Louisiana, the presi- 
 dent appointed him a judge of the newly organized territory of Oilcans. While 
 on his way to New Orleans to enter upon the duties of this a[ii)oiiitinent, he <lied 
 at Fort Stoddart, in the iNIississippi Territory, October x!, 1NU4, aged -17 years. 
 lu 1789, Colonel Kirby publislud a volume of ''Reports of the decisions of the 
 superior court and supreme ct>urt of errors'' in this state — the first work of the 
 kind published in the United States. The wife of Colonel Kirby, was Ruth Mar- 
 vin, the only daughter of Reynold Marvin, Esq., of Litchfield, who had been 
 king's attorney for the county, previous to the revolution. Major Reynold I\L 
 Kirby, U. S. A., who died October 7, 1842, and Colonel Edmund Kirby, U. S. A., 
 who died August 00, 1849, were his sons. 
 
 Lan.man, James, was born in Norwich, June 14, 17C9, graduated at Tale Col- 
 lege in 1788, and settled as a lawyer in his native town, lie was state's attorney 
 five years, representative two years, state senator one year, senator in Congress 
 six years, judge of the supreme court three years, mayor of the city of Norwich 
 three years, and a member of the convention which formed the state constitution. 
 lie died in Norwich, August 7, 1841. 
 
 Law, Richard, an early settler of Wethcrslleld, and afterwards of Stamford, 
 was for many years one of the most prominent men in New Ilavcn colony, under 
 the jurisdiction of which he was for many years a representative, commissioner 
 and magistrate. At the first session of the general court of Connecticut, after the 
 union of the two colonies. May, 10(3.'), Mr. Law was appointed a commissioner, 
 and was '• invested with magistratical powers in the towns of Stamford, Green- 
 wich, and Rye, and also to assist in the execution of justice in the courts at Fair- 
 field and Stratford." At a special session in July following, he was appointed on 
 the committee '■ to order and appoint" the means of defense against the antici- 
 pated invasion of our coast by l)e Ruyter, the Dutch Admiral. He continued to 
 serve occasionally as a deputy, and nearly every year as a commissioner of the 
 united colonies, until his death. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Thomas 
 Kilbourn, of Wethersfield. 
 
 Law, Jonathan, a son of Mr. Jonatlian Law of Milfonl, and grainlson of the 
 preceding, was born in Milford, August btli, 1G74 ; graduated at Harvard College 
 in 1095 ; from 171.3 to 1725, except one year, he was a judge of the superior 
 court ; and in 1725, he was elected chief justice and lieutenant-governor, which 
 offices he held until he was elected governor in 1741. lie died while holding the 
 office of governor, November G, 1750. He was frequently a representative, and 
 was speaker of the House. 
 
 Law, Richard, LL. D., son of the preceding, was born in .Mill'oid, Ahireh 17, 
 173.3, graduated at Yale in 1751, and .settled in New London, where he died Jan- 
 uary 2G, 1806. Ho successively held tlie offices of representative, member of the 
 council, judge and chief judge of the superior court, member of the Continental 
 
648 APPENDIX. 
 
 Congress, judge of the United States district court, and maj'or of New London for 
 twenty-two years. Richard Law, Esq., collector of the port of New London, 
 and Hon. Lyman Law, speaker of the House and member of Congress, were his 
 sons. 
 
 Mansfield, Jared, LL. D., was born in New Haven in May 1759, and 
 graduated at Yale College in 1777. In 1802 he published at New Haven a work 
 entitled " Essays Mathematical and Physical," which was the first volume of 
 original mathematical research issued in this country. In 1803, he was ap- 
 pointed surveyor general of the United States for the north west territories, and 
 while employed in that duty he devised the system of surveying and dividing the 
 public lands which is still in use. From 1812 to 1828, he was professor of natural 
 and experimental philosophy in the national military academy at West Point, with 
 the army rank of lieut. -colonel in the corps of engineers. He died in New Haven, 
 Feb. 3, 1830, aged 71. 
 
 jMaksii, Charles, LL. D., was born in Lebanon, July 10, 1765, graduated at 
 Dartmouth in 1786, studied law at the Litchfield Law School, and commenced 
 practice at Woodstock, Vermont, in 1788. For a long series of years he stood at 
 the head of the bar in that state. In 1815, he was chosen a representative in 
 Congress, and while a member of that body, he was associated with Judge Mar- 
 shall, Henry Clay, and others, in forming the American Colonization Society. 
 He was a trustee of Dartmouth College for forty years. He died at Woodstock, 
 Vt., January 11, 1849. 
 
 Maso.\, Jeremiah, LL. D., was born in L'jbanon, April 27, 1768, and graduated 
 at Yale College in 1788. Having studied law, he commenced the practice of his 
 profession at Westmoreland, near Walpole, N. H , and in 1797 removed to Ports- 
 mouth. He was appointed attorney general in 1802; and in 1813, lie was 
 elected a senator in Congress, a post wliieh he resigned in 1817. In 1832, he 
 removed to Boston, where he died Nov. 14, 1848. He was regarded as one of 
 the greatest lawyers in New England. Judge Woodbury of the supreme court of 
 the United States, said of him, " In a profound knowledge of several branches 
 of jurisprudence, and in some of the most choice qualities of a forensee speaker, he 
 had, in his palmy days, not merely in tliis state or New England, but in this 
 whole country, feio equals, and probably no superior.'' Daniel Webster, in 
 reference to Mr. Mason, wrote, " The characteristics of his mind, as I think, were 
 real greatness, strength, and sagacity. He was great through strong sense and 
 sound judgment, great by comprehensive views of things, great by high and ele- 
 vated purposes. His discrimination arose from a force of intellect, and quick- 
 seeing, far reaching sagacity, everywhere discerning his object, and pursuing it 
 steadily." He received the degree of doctor of laws from Bowdoin, Dartmouth, 
 and Harvard colleges. 
 
 Meigs, Return J., a son of Col. R. J. Meigs of the revolutionary army, w;is a 
 native of Middletown, and graduated at Yale in 1785. He settled in Ohio, and 
 became a judge of tlie supreme couit of that state, a senator in Congress and 
 governor of the state. He was appointed postmaster general of the United States 
 in 1814, and licld the office for nine years. He died at Marietta in March, 1825. 
 
 Meigs, Josiaii, was born in Middletown, graduated at Yale in 1778, and was 
 
APPENDIX. C-i9 
 
 pioL'ssor of mathematics and natural jiliilosopliy in that institution from 17'Jl to 
 IStl. lie >^iil)scquently became the fu'st president of the universit}' of Georgia, 
 and surveyor general of the United SUites. lie died in 1822, aged G."). 
 
 Mills, Samuel, Jr., was born in Torrington, April 21, 1T<S;5, and graduated at 
 Williams college In 1810. He originated the foreign mission school at Cornwall, 
 and exerted an important influence in the establishment of the American board 
 of connuissioners for foreign missions, the American bible society, and the Ameri. 
 can colonization society. Ho visited the city of Washington, and urged the 
 scheme of colonization upon the attention of the eminent men gathered there, and 
 attended the meeting at which the national society was organized. In his mis- 
 sionary tours at the west and south, he found thousands of families destitute of the 
 bible ; and in his report he urged the importance of a national bible society. Tlie 
 Rev. Dr. Spring, (who published his memoirs,) says "The formation of this great 
 national institution Mr. Mills thought of, suggested, and pressed the suggestion, 
 long before it probably entered into the mind or heart of any other individual." 
 In 1817, he was commissioned by the American colonization society as its agent 
 to exi)lore the western coast of Africa, and select a suitable place for the estab- 
 lishment of a colony. He was authorized to choose his colleague for this import- 
 ant mission. He accordingly selected the Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, professor of 
 mathematics and national philosophy in the university of Vermont. These two 
 young men set sail for England on the Gth of November, and reached Liverpool late 
 in December. Sailing thence in February, 1818, they reached the African coast 
 
 00 the 12th of March. After spending more than two months in exploring the 
 coast, they selected the site of Liberia, and starti-d on their return on the 22d of 
 iMay. On their voyage homeward, Mr. Mills died on the Kkh of .June, aged 35 
 years. 
 
 MrrciiELL, Stephen Mix, LL. 1)., was born in Wethersfield, Dee. 20, 1743, 
 graduattd at Yale in 1703, and was a tutor in that institution from 1700 to 1769, 
 
 1 laving settled in his native town as a lawyer, he was elected a member of the 
 Continental Congress in 1783, and was re-elected in 178.5 and in 1787. In 17'J0, 
 lie was appointed chief judge of the county court ; in 1793, he was chosen a 
 senator in Congress, which station he held until he was chosen a judge of the 
 superior court in 179.''), and from 1807 to 1814 he was chief judge. .Judge 
 Mitchell also held the office of assistant, or member of the council, for nine years. 
 He died September 30, 1835, aged 92. 
 
 MoRBE, Jedediah, D.D., was born in Woodstock, in 1701, graduated at Yale 
 in 1783, and was installed pastor of a ehuich in Charlestown, Mass., April 30, 
 1789. In the year 1821, he was dismissed; and died in New Haven, .June 9, 
 1826, aged O.'). His wife was Miss Breese, a granddaughter of President Finley. 
 Dr. Morse is particularly distinguished for his geographical and statistical works. 
 In 1789, his " American Geograi)liy" was i)ubiislied ; in 1793, it was greatly en- 
 larged and published in two volumes, and has since gone through many editions. 
 He published an " American Gazetteer," in 1797, and 1804 ; and .subsequently, 
 his great and valuable work, '' Morse's Universal Gazetteer," made its appear- 
 ance. In connection with Mr. Parish, in 1804, he published a history of New 
 England. His other publications are numerous. He received the degree of doc- 
 
650 APPENDIX. 
 
 tor of divinity at the University of Edinburgh. His son, Samuel F. B. Morse, 
 LL. D., (the inventor of the magnetic telegraph,) though a native of Massaeliu- 
 setts, received his education here, and has been a resident in this state. 
 
 Parker, Amasa J., LL. D., is a native of Sharon, and a graduate of Union 
 College. He studied law with Judge Edmonds, at Hudson, N.Y., and Colonel 
 Amasa Parker, his uncle, at Delhi, Delaware County, and was admitted to the 
 bar in October 1828. In 1833, at the age of twenty-six years, he was ejected a 
 representative in the state legislature ; and two years afterwards, he was elected 
 by the legislature, a regent of the university. At the age of twenty -nine years he 
 was elected a member of Congress from the counties of Delaware and Broome ; 
 and in 1844 he was appointed a circuit judge and vice chancellor of the court of 
 equity. He was thrown out of office by the adoption of a new state constitution, 
 and soon after was chosen a judge of the supreme court of the state of New York. 
 He now resides in Albany. 
 
 Phelps, Elisha, a native and resident of Simsbury, graduated at Yale in 1800, 
 and pursued his legal studies at the Lichfield Law School. He was speaker of the 
 house of representatives in 1821, and again in 1829 ; was elected to Congress in 
 1819, 1825, and 1827 ; and was comptroller of the state from 1830 to 1834. In 
 1835, he was appointed, with Leman Church, Esq., and the Hon. Royal R. Hin- 
 man, a commissioner to revise the statutes of Connecticut. He died in 1847. 
 
 Phelps, Samuel S., was born in Litchfield, May 13, 1793, graduated at Yalo 
 in 1811, and studied his profession at the law school in his native tovi'n. He 
 settled in Middlebury, Vermont. In 1827 he was chosen one of the council of 
 censors ; in 1831 he was elected a member of the legislative council, and a judge 
 of the supreme court. In 1838, he was elected a senator in Congress, and was 
 re-elected in 1844. He retired to private life in 1850, after a service of twelve 
 years in that body, having acquired a distinguished rank among the ablest states- 
 men in the Union. He has since been appointed to the same office, by the 
 governor of Vermont, to fill a vacancy. 
 
 Pitkin, Timothy, LL. D., vi'as born in Farmington in 1765 ; and graduated at 
 Yale in 1785. After representing his native town for several years in the legis- 
 lature, and having discharged the duties of speaker of the House for live sessions, 
 he was chosen a member of Congress in 1805, and continued to be re-elected 
 until 1819. In 1816 he publi.shedan octavo volume, entitled " A Statistical View 
 of the Commerce of the United States ;" in 1835, an enlarged edition of this work, 
 continued down to that time, was published. In 1828 he published his " Political 
 and Civil History of the United States from 1763 to the close of Washington's 
 Administration," in two volumes octavo. These works are highly esteemed for 
 their candour and accuracy. Mr. Pitkin died in New Haven, December 1 8, 
 1847, aged 82 years. The degree of doctor of laws was conferred upon him by 
 Yale College, in 1829. 
 
 PiTKi.v, William, of Hartford, was a member of the council from 1734 to 
 1754, when he was elected lieutenant-governor of the colony. He remained in 
 the latter office until 1766, when he succeeded Mr. Fitch as governor. He died 
 while holding the office of governor, Oct. 1st, 1769. Governor Pitkin was also a 
 judge of the superior court for thirteen years, and chief judge for twelve years. 
 
APPENDIX. 651 
 
 Plant, David, a native of Sti'utfoi-d, wlu'i-o lio CDiitinuiMl to resitlo until liis 
 death, lie graduated at Yale in 1804. In ISl'.) and again in 18'20, lie was 
 speaker of the house of representatives ; in 1821 he was chosen a member of the 
 state senate, and was twice re-elected ; from 1823 to 1827 he was lieutenant- 
 governor of the state ; and from 1827 to 182'J he was a member of Congress. 
 lie died October 18, 1851. 
 
 Porter, Peter BuEL, (son of Colonel Joshua Porter,) was a native of Salis- 
 bury, and a graduate of Yale College, where he took his first degree in 1791. 
 lie was for some time a student at the Litchfield Law School, and subsequently, in 
 couiiiany with his brother, the late lion. Augustus Porter, emigrated to western 
 New York. In 1809 he was elected a representative in Congress from that state, 
 and was re-elected in 1811. As chairman of the connnittee on foreign relations, 
 he reported the resolutions authorizing innnediate and active preparations for war. 
 In 1813, he was appointed major-general and chief in command of the state 
 troops, and in 1815 he received from President Madison the appointment of com- 
 mander-in-chief of the United States army — a post which he respectfully de- 
 clined. Soon after the war he was chosen secretary of the state of New York, 
 and was again elected to Congress. In 1828 he was appointed secretary of war 
 by President Adams. He died at Niagara Falls, March 20, 1844, aged 71. llis 
 wife, a daughter of the Hon. John Breekenridgc, of Kentucky, died in August, 
 1831. 
 
 Prentiss, Samuel, was born in Stonington, March 31, 1782. Having com- 
 pleted his legal studies under the instruction of Samuel Voce, Esq., of Northfield, 
 INIass., and John W. Blake, Esq., of Hrattleboro', Vermont, he was admitted to 
 the bar in December, 1802, at Montpelier, where he commenced practice. Hav- 
 ing serveil as a representative in the state legislature in 1824 and 1825, he was 
 during the latter year, elected a judge of the supreme court. In 1829, ho was 
 chosen chief justice, and in 1831 he was transferred to the senate of the United 
 States, in which distinguished body lie served for eleven years. He drew up and 
 presented to the senate the existing act against duelling in the district of Colum- 
 bia. In May 1842, Mr. Prentiss, took his seat upon the bench as judge of the 
 United States district court. 
 
 Riley, James, Captain, was born in Widdletown on the 27th of October, 1777. 
 At the age of fifteen years he commenced his seafaring life as a sailor on board a 
 sloop bound to the West Indies. He was soon appointed to the command of a 
 ves.sel ; and in 1808, being at that time captain of the Two Mary's of New York, 
 Lis ship was seized by the French while in the Bay of Biscay, and confiscated 
 under the Milan Decree of December 17, 1807. He returned to this country in 
 1809. In April, 1815, ho was master and supercargo of the brig Cominer(!c, of 
 llaitford, and sailed for New Orleans, where he exchanged his cargo, and set sail 
 for Gibraltar. At that port he loaded his brig w ith brandies and wines, and de- 
 parted for the Capo de Verd Islands, where he intended to com[)lete the lading 
 of his vessel with salt. In this voyage he was shipwrecked and thrown upon tho 
 coast of Africa. J*\)r about eighteen months he was detained as a slave by the 
 Arabs, and suffered almost incredible hardships, so that his weight was reduced 
 from 240 to (JO pounds. Ho was finally ransomed by Mr. Wiltshire, of Magadore, 
 
652 APPENDIX. 
 
 anil the ransom money for himself and his companions was refunded by the 
 United States government during President Monroe's administration. On his re- 
 turn to this country, Captain Riley published in a volume a narrative of his adven- 
 tures and suftei-ings, which has been widely circulated. Such were its extrordinary 
 details, that the account was for a long time regarded as a mere romance. The 
 subsequent testimony of his surviving companions, however, abundantly contirmed 
 its truthfulness. For some years after his return, he resided in Ohio, and was 
 there elected a representative. He, however, finally returned to his old employ- 
 ment, trading almost wholly at the port of Magadore. He died on board his brig 
 William Tell, bound to Morocco, March 15, 1840, aged 63 years. 
 
 Root, Er.\stus, was born in Hebron, March IG, 1773, graduated at Dartmouth 
 in 1793, studied law with the Hon. Sylvester Gilbert, of his native town, and in 
 17i)G settled in Delaware county. New York. During the following year, when 
 but twenty-four years old, he was elected a representative, and from that time, 
 until he declined holding office, he was almost constantly in public life. Among 
 the honors bestowed upon him, were the following, viz., representative in the 
 Assembly, eleven years ; speaker of the House, three years ; state senator, eight 
 years ; member of Congress, eleven years ; president of the Senate, and lieu- 
 tenant-governor of the state of New York, two years. He was also a member 
 of the constitutional convention In 1821, and was subsequently appointed by the 
 legislature one of the committee to revise the laws of the state. It is a singular 
 fact that during his first two legislative terms, he was the youngest member of the 
 legislature ; and during the last two years, he was the oldest member. He also 
 rose to the rank of major-general of militia. He died in New York city at the 
 residence of his nephew, George St. John, Esq., on the 24th of December 1846, 
 aged seventy-three yea'-s and nine months. He was a man of powerful frame, 
 and though of uncouth manners, he had a highly cultivated intellect and a correct 
 literary taste. He married Miss Elizabeth Stockton, of Delaware county, and had 
 five children, viz., Charles, who died at Rio Janeiro, while a midshipman in the 
 navy ; William, who now resides in Wisconsin ; Julianne, who married the late 
 Hon. S. R. Hobbie, the well-known first assistant postmaster-general ; Elizabeth, 
 who married Henry L. Robinson, Esq. ; and Augusta, who married William 
 Fuller, Esq., and died in Alabama in 1838. 
 
 Root, Jesse, LL. D., was born in Northampton, Mass., in January, 1737. 
 graduated at New Jersey college in 1756, and preached for about three years. 
 lie then studied law and in 1763 was admitted to the bar, and settled in Coventry, 
 He was a lieutenant-colonel in the revolution ; member of the Continental Con- 
 gress for five years ; a judge of the superior court for nine years; and chief 
 judge for nine years. He died March 29, 1822, aged 85 years. 
 
 Sai.tonstall, Gurdon, was a great grandson of Sir Richard Saltonstall, one 
 of the original patentees of Massachusetts Bay. He was born at Haverhill, Mass., 
 March 27, 1666, graduated at Harvard College in 1684, and was ordained pastor 
 of the church in New London, Conn., in 1691 . While in the clerical office he was 
 often employed in civil affiiirs, and on the death of Governor Winthrop in 1707, 
 he was elected to the office of governor of Connecticut, and continued to discharge 
 the duties of that important trust until his decease September 24, 1724. He was 
 
APPENDIX. G53 
 
 not only an able and elof[iicnt divine, but lie jiroved himself a consummate states- 
 man. To a noblo and dif^nified person, lie added the t^races of a polislK^l manner 
 and the powers of an accomplished oratory. 
 
 Sedgwick, Theodore, LL. D., was born in "West Hartford in May 174G. 
 When the subject of this sketch was about three years old, his parents removed to 
 Cornwall Hollow, in the western part of Connecticut, wlicre he continued to 
 reside until he entered college. He graduated at Yale in 17G.'), and settled as a 
 lawyer in Sheffield, Massachusetts, and from thence removed to Stockbridgc, in 
 the same state in 1785. He was a member of the Continental Congress from 
 1785 to 1787, and after the adoption of the federal constitution, lie was chosen a 
 representative in Congress. From the 11th of March 17'.tG to March 'M, 1799, 
 he was a United States senator, and was chosen president pro. tern, of that body 
 in 1798. Immediatelj- upon the expiration of his senatorial term in 1799, he was 
 again elected a representative in Congress, and was chosen speaker of the House. 
 From 1802 until his death, he was a judge of the supreme court of INIassachusetts. 
 He died in Boston, January 24, 1813, aged 66. He received the degree of 
 doctor of laws both at Princeton and Cambridge. 
 
 Seymour, Horatio, LL. D., was born in Litchfield, INIay Hi, 1778, graduated 
 at Yale in 1797, and pursued his professional studies at the Litchfield Law 
 School. He settled in Middlebury, Vermont, his present residence. ]]esides 
 being a judge of probate and member of the council, he was a senator in Congr< ss 
 from that state from 1820 to 1832. He received the degree of doctor of laws from 
 Tale College in 1847. 
 
 Sii.LiMAN, Ebenezer, of Fairfield, was born in the year 1708, graduated at 
 Yale in 1727, and was called to take a conspicuous part in the public atTairs of the 
 colony. Soon after he was admitted to the bar he was elected a representative 
 from Fairfield, and at the October session 1736, he was chosen speaker of the 
 House, a post to which he was re-elected at the three succeeding sessions. In 
 1739 he was chosen a member of the council, or upper house of the legislature, 
 and was annually re-eleeted for twenty-.seven years. At the end of that period, 
 he was again chosen a representative, and at the sessions in May and October, 
 1773, and in May 1774, he was elevated to the speaker's chair. Mv. Silli- 
 man was also annually elected a judge of the superior court for twenty-three 
 years, besides being a judge of the probate court, judge of the county court, 
 colonial auditor, and a member of various important committees. ]*'or a period of 
 over forty-five years, he was almost constantly in public life. He was, says liis 
 epitaph, " distinguished by a clear under.standing, a sedate mind, and dignity of 
 deportment," and was " well versed in jurisiirudcncc, learned in the law, and 
 religiously upright.'' He died at liis residence on "Holland Hill," two miles 
 north of the village of Fairfield, on the IStli of Jamiary, 1775, aged 68 
 years. 
 
 Si;.LiMAN, Gold Selleck, son of the ]>recedii;g, was born in I'a'rfield in 
 1732, and graduated at Yale in 1752. Having fitted himself for the bar, lie 
 settled in his native town in the practice of the 1 iw, and soon bci-ame distin- 
 guished in his profession. In May, 1775, in antieipation of .serious events, the 
 Assembly voted to raise troops for the defense of the colony, and Mr. Silli- 
 
654 APPENDIX. 
 
 man was cominissioned as a colonel, and on the Mth of June, 1776, he was 
 appointed to the command of a regiment of horse raised to reinforce the con- 
 tinental army in New York. In December of the year last named, he was ap- 
 pointed by the General Assembly brigadier-general of tlie fourth brigade 
 of militia, in which office he served with success until the close of the war. 
 While superintendent of the coast guard in the Spring of 1779, his vigilance 
 and energy proved a serious annoyance to the enemy, and in May Sir Henry 
 Clinton despatched a company of refugees from Lloyd's Neck, with directions, 
 if possible, to tyke him prisoner. Crossing the Sound in a whale boat, the com- 
 pany proceeded to the general's residence about midnight, under the guidance 
 of one Glover, who was well acquainted with the premises. Seizing General 
 Silliman, and his son William, who was major of brigade, the refugees conveyed 
 their prisoners to Colonel Simcoe, the officer in command at Lloyd's Neck, and 
 in a short time they were taken to New York under an escort of dragoons. 
 There being at that time no prisoner in the hands of the Americans whom the 
 British would accept in exchange for General Silliman, a friend of his, Captain 
 Daniel Ilawley, of Newfield, (now Bridgeport,) determined to procure one. 
 Selecting a trusty crew, he crossed to Long Island in a boat, and seized the 
 person of Judge Jones, of the supreme court of New York, a wealthy and influ- 
 ential loyalist, whom they soon brought in safety to Newfield. Mrs. Silliman, 
 hearing of the judge's arrival, sent for him and entertained him at her house for 
 several days. It was not, however, until May 1780, that an exchange was 
 clleeted. General Silliman was a brave, prudent, and efficient officer ; and was 
 highly esteemed in private life as a neighbor, gentleman, and christian. He 
 served his fellow citizens as a magistrate, representative, and state's attorney, 
 and was long a deacon in the church in Fairfield. He died July 21st, 1790, 
 aged fifty-eight. He was the fitlier of Benjamin Silliman, LL.D., the distin- 
 guished professor of chemistry and mincrology in Yale College. 
 
 Skinner, PacHARD, LL.D., was born in Litchfield, May 30, 1778, and re- 
 ceived his legal education at the Litchfield Law School. He settled in Manches- 
 ter, Vermont, where ho soon distinguished himself at the bar, and in public life. 
 He held the offices of state's attorney, judge of probate, member of Congress, 
 judge and chief judge of the supremo court, speaker of the house of representa- 
 tives, and governor of the state from 1820 to 1823. He received the degree of 
 doctor of laws from Middlebury College. Governor Skinner died in ^lanchester. 
 May 23, 1833, aged 55 years. 
 
 Smith, Israel, a native of this state, was born April 4, 1759, and graduated at 
 Yale in 1781. He studied law, and settled at Rupert, Vermont. He was chosen 
 a representative in Congress in 1791, and held the office for seven years ; in 1802 
 ho was elected a senator in Congress, but resigned in 1807, and Jonathan Robin- 
 son was chosen to fill the vacancy. He was also chief justice and governor of 
 the state. He died December 2, 1810, aged T)!. 
 
 Smith, Junius, LL. D., a son of Major-general David Smith, was born in 
 riymouth, October 2, 1780, graduated at Yale in 1802, and read law in the 
 liiehfield Law School. In 1805, he went to London on business connected with 
 his profession, and he finally became a resident merchant of that city, and remained 
 
APPENDIX. 655 
 
 there until ISnO. In the year last named, he commenced the great project of 
 navigating the Atlantic by steam. After pressing the matter upon the attention 
 of the leading ca[)italists and merchants of London and New York, and crossing 
 the ocean several times in the prosecution of his plans, he at length succeeded in 
 forming " The British and American Steam Navigation Company," with a capital 
 of £1,000,000. In July 1836, this company (of which Mr. Smith was a chief 
 director,) gave notice that they would receive plans and projjosals, and in Sep- 
 tember a contract was made with some ship-builders in London to construct a 
 steam ship of 201G tons burthen. The keel of the " British C^ueen," the fir.st 
 ocean steam ship ever built, was accordingly laid on the 1st of April, 1837. 
 Not long after, the company contracted for a steam ship of 700 tons, the " Sirius," 
 which was actually completed before the " British Queen,"' and was the first to 
 cross the Atlantic. On the 12th of July, 1839, the " British Queen " left Liver- 
 pool for New York, for the first time, having on board 150 passengers, among 
 whom were I\Ir. Smith ami his family ; and arrived in New York on the morning 
 of the 28th of July — after a voyage of fourteen and a half days. j\Ir. Smith subse- 
 quently turned his attention to the cultivation of the Tea Plant, and for that 
 purpose purchased a plantation in (Ireenville. South Carolina, and was prosecuting 
 the business with much success at the date of his decease, in 18.")3. In 1840 
 Yale College conferred upon him the degree of doctor of laws. 
 
 Smith, Natha.n, was born in Roxbury in 1770, studied law with his brother, 
 the Hon. Nathaniel Smith, and commenced his legal practice in New Haven, 
 where he continued to reside until his death. He became one of the most cele- 
 brated lawyers in the state, and had a very extensive business. In 1808 he re- 
 ceived the honorary degree of master of arts at Yale College. He was a repre- 
 sentative from New Haven, state senator, member of the convention which formed 
 the state constitution, state's attorney for the county of Now Haven, United 
 States attorney for the district of Connecticut, and a senator in Congress. He 
 died in the city of Washington, December 6, 1835, aged (J5 years. 
 
 Smith, Perry, was born in ^Vashington, pursued his professional studies at the 
 Litchfield Ijaw School, and settled in New Mijford in 1807. He was a representa- 
 tive four years, judge of probate two years, and United States senator six years. 
 He died in New Milford in 1852. 
 
 Spencer, Ambrose, LL. D., was born in Salisbury, December 13, 1765, and 
 graduated at Harvard College in 1783. Having studied law with John Canfield, 
 Esq., of Sharon, and others, he established himself at Hudson, N.Y. He succes- 
 sively held the offices of member of the House of Assembly, state senator, assistant 
 attorney general and attorney general of the state, member of the council of ap- 
 pointment, judge and chief judge of the supreme court, member of Congress, 
 mayor of Albany, «fec. In 1811, Judge Spencer was president of the wliig 
 national convention held at Baltimore, which nominated Henry Clay andTlieodoro 
 FreKnghuyseii for president and vice president of the United States. Before he 
 had completed his professional studies. Judge Spencer married Laura Canfield, a 
 d.iughter of hi.s preceptor above named. Their son, John Canfield Spencer, was 
 formerly a member of Congress from the state of New York, and has since been 
 secretary of the treasury and secretary of war. 
 
656 APPENDIX. ■ = 
 
 Stowe, jNIrs. Harriet B., a daughter of the Rev. Lyman Beecher, DD., and 
 wife of Professor Stowe, of Bowdoin College, was born in Litchfield. She 
 is the author of several works of merit, the principal of which is " Uncle Tom's 
 Cabin," in two volumes, which was published at Boston in 1852. It has, doubt- 
 less, liad a more extensive and rapid circulation in this country and in Europe, 
 than any work ever issued from the press. 
 
 Strong, Jedediah, was born in Litchfield, November 7, 1738, and graduated 
 at Yale in 1761. He then studied theology, but finally became a lawyer. He 
 was a representative at thirty sessions, member of the council, justice of the 
 quorum, member of the Continental Congress, member and secretary of the con- 
 vention which adopted the constitution of the United States, and commissary of 
 supplies in the revolution. He married a daughter of the lion. George Wyllys, 
 secretary of state, in 1788; and in about a year afterwards, she procured a 
 divorce from him on account of intemperance, personal abuse, &c. He died in 
 poverty and obscurity in 1802. 
 
 Stuart, Moses, D.D., was born in Wilton, Fairfield county, March 20, 1780, 
 graduated atrYale in 1790, and was admitted to the bar in Danbury in Xovembcr, 
 1802. About the same time he was appointed tutor in Yale College, and held 
 the office for some two years. Having resolved to leave the profession of law, he 
 devoted much of his time while a tutor, to the study of theology. In March, 
 180G, he was ordained pastor of the first congregational church in New Haven. 
 In February, 1810, he was inaugurated professor of saered literature in the theolo- 
 gical seminary at Andover, Mass., in which office he spent the remainder of his 
 life. He published numerous commentaries and theological treatises which have 
 had an extensive circulation both in this country and in Europe. He died in 
 Andover, Mass., January 4, 1852. 
 
 Talcott, Joseph, of Hartford, was for several years a representative and 
 speaker of the House, and in 1711 was elected a member of the council, in 
 which body he continued until he was elected lieutenant-govei'nor, in May, 1724." 
 In September of that year, Governor Saltonstall died, and licutenat-governor 
 Talcott was elected to fill the vacancy. He continued to hold the office of gov- 
 ernor until his death in 1741. 
 
 To.MLiNsoN, Gideon, LL. D., a native and resident of Fairfield, was successively 
 clerk and speaker of the house, a representative in Congress for eight years, United 
 States senator six years, and governor of the state for four years. He received 
 the degree of doctor of laws at Washington College, in 1827. Governor Tomlin- 
 son died in 1854. 
 
 Tracy, Uriah, born in Franklin, near Norwich, February 2, 1755, graduated 
 at Yale in 1778, read law with Judge Reeve, in Litchfield, and settled in that 
 town. He was often chosen a representative, and in 1793 was speaker of the 
 House. From 1793 to 1796, he was a representative in Congress, and from 1796 
 to 1807, he was a LTnited States senator. In 1800, he was president pro tern, of 
 the senate. Ho rose to the rank of major-general of militia. General Ti'acy was 
 a leader of the old federal party, and an intimate friend of Hamilton, Ames, 
 Morris, and their associates. He was a man of ])o\verful intellect, and was par- 
 
APPENDIX. 657 
 
 ticularly famed for his wit. He died at Washington city, July 19, 1807, and was 
 the first person buried in the congressional burying ground. 
 
 Wales, Samuel, D.D., son of John Wales, minister at Raynham, Mass., was 
 one of the most eminent divines of his day. He graduated at Yale in 1707, and 
 was settled in Milford from 1770 to 1782. In June of the latter year, lie was in- 
 augurated as professor of divinity in Yale College, and continued to discharge the 
 duties of that office with great ability and fidelity, until his death, which took 
 place in 1794. His son, the lion. John Wales, graduated at Yale in 1801, and 
 was recently a senator in Congress from the state of Delaware. 
 
 Walworth, Reuben Hyde, LL. D., was born in Bozrah, a part of the old 
 town of Norwich, on the 2Gth of October, 1789, and removed with his parents to 
 Renselaer County, N. Y., in 1793. Having studied law with John Russell, Esq., 
 of Troy, he was admitted to the bar in that place, and commenced the practice of 
 law in Plattsburg, Clinton County, in 1810. He was soon appointed a justice 
 of the peace and master in chancery. In 1813, during the war with Great Britain, 
 he was appointed aid to jNIajor General Mooers, and at the time of the siege of 
 Plattsburg, he was assigned the duty of acting adjutant general. In 1818, he 
 was appointed supreme court commissioner, and in the spring of 1821, lie was 
 elected a representative in Congress. Having declined a re-election, he was ap- 
 pointed judge of the circuit court for the fourth circuit, in 1825. In the fall of 
 this year, he removed to Saratoga springs, his present residence. In 1828, Judge 
 Walworth was appointed to the office of chancellor of the state of New York, a 
 post of distinguished honor, which he continued to adorn until the office was abol- 
 ished by the new constitution. During the administration of President Tyler, a 
 majority of the New York delegation in Congress, together with every member 
 of the New York legislature of both political parties, united in recommending 
 Chancellor Walworth, for the seat on the bench of the supreme court of the Uni- 
 ted States, rendered vacant by the death of Judge Thompson. The president 
 accordingly sent his name to the senate for confirmation, but that body having 
 neglected for so long a time to act upon the nomination, the executive became 
 convinced that it was determined to postpone the matter until a new administra- 
 tion should come into power. The cliancellor's name was therefore reluctantly 
 withdrawn, and that of chief justice Nelson substituted. In 1835, Chancellor 
 Walworth received the degree of doctor of laws from New Jersey College, at 
 Princeton, and in 1839, Yale College conferred upon him the same degree. 
 
 Weisster, Noah, LL. D., was born in West Hartford, October 16, 1758, and 
 graduated at Yale in 1778. During his junior year, ho enlisted into the army, 
 and served for several months in a company commanded by his father. After 
 graduating, he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1781. For some years 
 he gave his attention to the subject of education, and ])ublislied several elemen- 
 tary works, which were used as manuals for a long period througliout the country. 
 "Webster's Spelling P>ook," " Webster's School Dictionary," " Webster's His- 
 tory of the United States," and " Webster's Grammar," have had a greater circu- 
 lation than any works of the kind that have emanated from the .Xmeriean jiress 
 more than 24,000,000 of the former having been issued from the press previous to 
 1847. His " Sketches of American Policy," published in 1784, and his other po- 
 
 74 
 
658 APPENDIX. 
 
 litical writings, had great influence in forming public opinion, at an important 
 period in our history. In 1793, he commenced the publication of a daily paper in 
 New York, which is still continued under the title of The Commercial Advertiser. 
 In 1798, Mr. Webster settled in New Haven, where he continued to reside, except 
 a few years spent in Amherst, Massachusetts, until his decease. In 1807, he en- 
 tered upon the great business of his life, the compilation of a complete dictionary 
 of the Engli-sh language. He informs us in his preface that he " spent ten years 
 in the comparison of radical words, and in forming a synopsis of the principal 
 words in twenty languages^ arranged in classes under their primary elements or 
 letters." The fir.st edition of this great work, which was published in IS'^S, con- 
 tained twelve thousand words and between thirty and forty thousand definitions, 
 which are not to be found in any preceding work. In subsequent editions the 
 number of new words had been swelled to thirty thousand. Tlie work has since 
 gone through many editions both in this country and in Europe. In 1823, Mr. 
 Webster received the degree of doctor of laws from Tale College In 1843, he 
 published " A Collection of Papers on Political, Literary, and Moral Subjects," in 
 one octavo volume. 
 
 Mr. Webster was for a number of years an alderman of the city of New Haven, 
 and a judge of one of the state courts. Ho frequently represented the town in 
 the legislature ; and while a resident of Amherst, he was chosen to represent 
 that town in the legislature of Massachusetts. He died in New Haven, May 
 28, 1843. 
 
 Wheelock, Eleazer, D.D., was born in Windham, in April, 1711, and grad- 
 uated at Yale in 1733. He was settled as pastor of the second society in Leba- 
 non, (now Columbia,) and while in that place he opened a school for the purpose 
 of fitting young men for college, to which he admitted several Indian youths. In 
 1764, he had under his instruction about thirty pupils, one half of whom were 
 Indian lads. His institution he named " Moor's Indian Charity School," in honor 
 of Mr. Joshua Moor, of Mansfield, one of its most liberal benefactors. Large 
 sums were contributed to aid this school, in England and Scotland, which were 
 placed in the hands of a board of trustees, at the head of whom was the Earl of 
 Dartmouth. Thi; institution was at last so well endowed that it was removed to 
 Hanover, New Hampshire, and in 1769, it was incorporated by the name of Dart- 
 mouth College. In the act of incorpoi'ation, Eleazer Wheelock was declared to 
 be its founder and president, with the right of appointing his successor. He 
 died in 1779, and was succeeded in the presidency of the college by his son. He 
 published several sermons and narratives. In 1811, his memoirs were published 
 by Drs. McClure and Parish, in an octavo volume, with extracts from his corres- 
 pondence. He received the degree of doctor of divinity from the University of 
 Ivlinburgh, in 1767. 
 
 WnEEi.ocK, John, LL. D., son of the preceding, was born in Lebanon, Jan- 
 uary 28. 1754, graduated with the first class at Dartmouth in 1771, and was ap- 
 pointed tutor in 1772. In 177.'3, he was elected a representative in the legislature 
 of New Hampshire ; in the spring of 1777, he was appointed a major in the ser- 
 vice of New York, and in November, he was commissioned as a lieutenant-colo- 
 nel in the continental army. He remained in the army until the death of his 
 
APPENDIX. 659 
 
 father in 1779, when he succeeded liiiii in the presidency of Dartmouth College, 
 at the age of 25 years. He visited France, Holland, and England, in 1783, bear- 
 ing with him letters from General Wasliington, Governor Trumbull, and others, 
 and succeeded in procuring valuable donations for the coUfge, in money and books. 
 Tie published an eulogy on Dr. Smith, in 1809 ; and a history of I )artniouth Col- 
 lege, in 1S16; and left in manuscri[>t a large liistorieal woik. Ilcilieil Ajn-il 4, 
 1817, aged (53 years, beiiueathing about half of his estate to the Princi-ton Theo- 
 logical Seminary. 
 
 WnrrTLESEV, Elisiia, is a native of Washington, in the westei-n part of the 
 state. In early manhood, hu settled in the " Western Reserve," Ohio, as a law- 
 yer ; and in 1823, was elected to Congress — an office which he contimud to hold 
 for 18 years. Upon the election of President Harrison, ^Ir. Whittles! y was ap- 
 pointed auditor of the post office department ; and in 1849, he received the ap- 
 pointment of first comptroller of the United States treasury, lie continues to 
 reside in the city of Washington as general agent and director of the Washington 
 National Monument Society. 
 
 WiLLEY, Calvin, born in East Iladdam, Se])tenibir IT), 177(5, read law with 
 Judge Peters, of Hebron, and was admitted to the bar of Tolland county in F.;b- 
 ruary, 1798. He practiced for several years in Chatham and StalVord, but sitlh d 
 in Tolland in 1808. He was successively a representative, judge of probate, presi- 
 dential elector, state senator, and senator in Congress. 
 
 Williams, Elisiia, son of the Rev. William Williams, of Hatfield, Mass., 
 graduated at Harvard College in 1711. Having been for several years pastor of 
 the congregational church in Newingtou parish, in WethersfieW, he was inaugu- 
 rated president of Yale College in 172()j as the successor of Dr. Cutler. He re- 
 signed in 1739, and was soon after appointed a judge of the superior court. In 
 174.''>, he was a cha[)lain in the expedition against Cape Breton ; and in the follow- 
 ing year he was a colonel in the northern army. He afterwards visited England, 
 where he married a lady o{ superior accomplishments. He died in Wethersfield, 
 July 21, 17").^, aged fiO. Dr. Doddridge, who knew him intimately, represents 
 him as uniting in his character " an ardent sense of religion, solid learning, con- 
 summate prudence, great candor and sweetness of temper, and a certain nobleness 
 of soul, capable of contriving and acting the greatest things, without seeming to be 
 conscious of his having done them." 
 
 Williams, "N^'illiam, son of the Rev. Solomon Williams, D.D., of Lebanon, 
 was born in that town, April S, 1731, and graduated at Harvard College in 17.')). 
 In 177() and 1777, he was a mendjir of the Continental Congress from Connecti- 
 etit, and signed the declaration of independanee. He married a daughter of Gov- 
 ernor Trumbull. I lo made great eflbrts and .sacrifices in the cause of his country. 
 Mr. Williams died August 2, 181 1, aged 80. 
 
 Vale, Eliiiu, was a son of Thomas Yale, who came to New Haven in 1 G;'7, 
 with (iovernor Eaton and the Rev. John Davenixirt. The family came from th^' 
 vicinity of the city of Wrexham, in North Whales, where, for many generations, 
 they had possessed an estate of tlie yearly value of £.500. Elihu Yale was born 
 in New Haven, April .'i, KilS. At the age of ten years, he was carried to Eng- 
 land, where he rcci-ived hisediieation. About the year 1078, he went to the Ea.st 
 
660 APPENDIX. 
 
 Indies, where he acquired a great estate, was made governor of Fort St. George, 
 (Madras,) and married a lady of fortune, the widow of Governor Ilinmers, his pre- 
 decessor. On his return to England in 1G02, he was chosen governor of the 
 East India Company. Some yeai's after, hearing that a college had been estab- 
 lished in his native town, he sent over at diflorent times large donatioirs of goods, 
 books, anil money, for its encouragement. On the 10th of September, 1718, the 
 trustees gave to the institution the name of " Yale College," in commemoratiou 
 of his generosity, lie died, July 8, 1721, and was buried at Wrexham, the home 
 of his ancestors. 
 
 Young, Ebenezer, was born in KiUingly in 1784, and graduated at Yale in 
 1806. In 1823, ho was elected a member of the state senate and was twice re- 
 elected ; in 1827 and 1828, he was speaker of the house of representatives ; and 
 from 1829 to 1835, he was a member of Congress. He died at West Killingly, 
 August 18, 1851. 
 
 Note. — In the foregoing biographical notes, it will be observed that only those 
 persons are sketched who are deceased or who are residing out of the state. 
 While the rule thus adopted must necessarily exclude from these pages many gen- 
 tlemen of eminence and worth, it has seemed the only practicable course to be 
 pursued. Indeed, but a few of the many distinguished sons and daughters of 
 Connecticut, who have finished their course, or who have left their native state for 
 other fields of usefulness or fame, could possibly be named in a work like this. 
 The good deeds and public services of the living, will not be forgotten. With a 
 full heart, I commend them to the historian and chronicler of the future. 
 
APPENDIX. CGi 
 
 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF COLONEL THOMAS KNOWLTON.* 
 
 TiiK sul)jc'rt of tliis brief memoir, Colonel Thomas Knowlton, was the third son 
 of William, who emigrated from Ipswich, Massachusetts, to Ashford, Connecticut, 
 at which place the former was born, about the year 1740. Tlie father died early 
 in life, leaving besides a widow, three sons, and four daughters. 
 
 When the war broke out between England and France, in 1755, Thomas com- 
 menced his military career by joining himself to Captixin Putnam's rangers, which 
 composed a part of Lyman's regiment of provincials which were raised in Con- 
 necticut. During the si.v campaigns in which he served in the vicinity of Crown 
 Point, and on the Canadian frontier, he held successively the offices of sergeant, 
 ensign, and lieutenant. He was promoted to the last rank in the campaign of 
 176U, which ended in tlie conquest of Canada by the English and provincials. 
 
 He was with Putnam at Wuod Cretk, in tlie campaign of 1758, when the latter 
 was made a prisoner. On the inornin!,' of the 8th of August, some officers were 
 incautiously engaged in liring at a target for a dinner. The enemy taking advan- 
 tage of the firing lay in ambush and nearly succeeded in surrounding Putnam's 
 division, which had just commenced its march, before they were discovered. 
 Knowlton having become separated from his party found himself surrounded by 
 eight or ten Indians who rose up on every side. Each being anxious to make him 
 a prisoner made signs to that eflect. He immediately shot down one of the ninn- 
 ber and having fled over his body succeeded in reaching his company which at 
 the time were engaged with the enemy at some considerable distance from this 
 scene of jjeril. He often, on other occasions encountered dangers and endured 
 hardships common in Iiulian warfare ; but his courage and daring were equal to 
 any emergency. 
 
 When the war occurred between Great Britain and Spain, in 17(52, Lieutenant 
 Knowlton joined the expedition against Cuba, and was present at the reduction of 
 Havana. 
 
 A campaign in 17G4, under General Bradstreet, into the Indian country ended 
 his military course till the commencement of hostilities with England in 1775. 
 
 He married April 5, 1759, iMiss Anne, daughter of Samson Keyes, of Ashford. 
 
 Having served his country faithfully for a long period in tlie field, he now re- 
 tired to private life, and to the quiet and peaceful pursuits of agriculture, in the 
 bosom of a happy and rising familj'. 
 
 In the beginning of the year 1775, he held no military command. Yet he was 
 often honored by his townsmen with civil offices, and was at the time of which we 
 speak one of their selectmen. 
 
 * This interesting sketch from the pen of Mr. Ashl)el Woodward, of Franklin, wai received too 
 late to be inserted in the text, or even in its olplinbetirul place in the appendix. Rather than fail to 
 present it to the public I have placed it here. It is due to Mr. Woodward, to say, that every sylla- 
 ble of it is the |iraduclion of his pen. He Ins been inilpfati;;al)le in collecting the few fragments 
 that remain of the personal history of a hero (jf whom Washington said that "any country in the 
 world nii-jlil well be jirond." 
 
662 APPENDIX. 
 
 \A'Ik'1i the news of the battle (jf Lexington I'eacheJ Connecticut, the niil'.t'a 
 company of Ashfor.l, was without a captain. The members of this company 
 spontaneously assembled on the eastern border of the town, and unanimously 
 selected Lieutenant Knowlton for their commander. He immediately proceeded 
 with one hundred brave men to Cambridge. This was the first body of armed 
 men that entered Massachusetts fiom a sister colony. 
 
 While at Cambridge, Putnam and Knowlton, held frequent consultations. The 
 latter ever enjoyed the confidence of the former. 
 
 The provincial officers having been apprised of the design of the British com- 
 mander-in-chief to occupy the heights on the peninsula of Charlestown, detached 
 a large body of men on the night of the 16th of June, 1775, to proceed there and 
 throw up entrenchments. About one hundred and fifty of the one thousand who 
 were engaged in constructing these foitifications, were taken from the Connecticut 
 regiments. These men with Captain Knowlton at their head, were the first that 
 commenced throwing up the redoubt on Bunker Ilill. 
 
 When the fighting commenced, Captain Knowlton kft the redoubt, and took a 
 position behind the rail-fence which extended from thence to Mystic river. His 
 division having been reinforced, numbered now about four hundred men, all from 
 his own state. This constituted the left wing of the provincial army, the imme- 
 diate command of which was entrusted to him. 
 
 The troops from behind this temporary breastwork fought with such terrible 
 effect as to almost annihilate the force directly opposed to them. On the third 
 attack when the enemy carried the Hill, the commander of this division so formed 
 his men, as to use their arms with effect while on the retreat. In this way they 
 kept the enemy at bay till the main body of the American army had left the 
 heights, being himself the last officer that retired from the field. 
 
 Soon after the battle of Bunker Hill, he was promoted by the commander-in- 
 chief, to the rank of major, with tlie privilege of selecting his battalion from tho 
 New England troops. 
 
 After distinguishing himself in several acts of great personal daring and bravery 
 in the vicinity of Boston, at the end of seven months he returned to Connecticut, 
 and paid off his men in scrip. 
 
 In the campaign of 1776, he was raised to tho rank of lieutenant-colonel, and 
 given the command of a regiment of rangers. His military operations were now 
 in the vicinity of the city of New York, under the immediate observation of tho 
 commander-in-chief, whose friendship and confidence Colonel Ivnowlton fully 
 enjoyed. 
 
 Being anxious to wipe off the stain which rested on the Connecticut militia in 
 the affair at Kip's Bay, and to revive the flagging hopes of Washington, he made 
 a daring attempt to gain tlie rear of an advanced detachment of Highlanders and 
 Hessians under General Leslie, at Harlem Heights, where he fell mortally wounded 
 at the head of his regiment on the 16th of September, 1776. 
 
 Thus fell this war-worn soldier full of honors, after faithfully fighting the battles 
 and defending the rights of his country, during ten successive campaigns, at the 
 early age of thirty-six. 
 
APPEXDIX. 063 
 
 Of his family it only reniaiiis tliati f<limill add, thai lie left ri^ht tdiihh'on, horn 
 as foHows : 
 
 1, Frc<kTic, horn Deceniher -1, 17(J<X '2, Sally, born November t'l), ITfiS. 
 Thomas, born July 13, 17G.'). 4, Polly, born January 11, 1767. Abi<j;ail born 
 June 20, 17G8. 0, Samson, Februarys, 1770, died September 10, 1777. 7, 
 Anne, born Juue 8, 1771, died June 4, 1772. 8, Anne, 2d, born INhirch It), 
 1773. 9, Lucinda, born (after the death of the father,) November 10, 1770. His 
 widow Anne, died May 22, 1808. 
 
 His eldest son Frederic, was with his fatlier on the fatal battle field at Ilarlem 
 Heights. He soon after received a discharge from AVashington, and returned to 
 the care of his father's family. 
 
 Lieutenant Daniel Knowlton, was an elder brother of Colonel Thomas, and 
 served with the latter through the old French war. Of him it was said by Gen- 
 eral Putnam, " that such was his courage and want of fear, that he could order him 
 into the mouth of a loaded cannon." Captain Miner Knowlton, of the army, is a 
 grandson of Lieutenant Daniel Knowlton. 
 
 Tours, AsHBEL Woodward. 
 
 G. H. HoLLisTER, Esquire. 
 
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