aass_tj_18 
 Book J 
 
 * orSCo 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 FROM THEIR 
 
 FIRST SETTLEMENT AS COLONIES, 
 
 TO THE 
 
 CESSION OF FLORIDA, 
 
 IN EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE: 
 
 COMPRISING, 
 
 EVERY IMPORTANT POLITICAL EVENT | 
 
 WITH 
 A PROGRESSIVE VIEW 
 
 OF 
 
 THE ABORIGiyES; POPtTLATTON, HELTOTON, AOnTCtTLTtJnE, ASTD COM" 
 3rKRCE; OF THE AUTS, SCIENCES, AXD UTERATTTRE ; OCCASIONAL 
 BIOGRAPHIES OF THE MOST HEMAIIKABLE COLONISTS, WRI- 
 TERS AND PHILOSOPHERS, WARRIORS AND STATESMEN ; 
 
 AND 
 
 A COPIOUS ALPHABETICAL 
 
 BY WILLIAM GRIMSH^ 
 
 Author of a History of England^ &c. 
 THIRD EDITION. 
 
 
 PHILADELPBIA , J 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 
 
 ST LTDIA R. BAILET. 
 
 1822. 
 
E ASTER JV JD I STRICT OF PEJ\/WSYLVAJVIJ, to wit: 
 
 BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the twenty-seventh day 
 (L. S.) of August, in the forty-sixth year of the Independence of 
 the United States of America, A. D. 1821, William Gbim- 
 SHAW, of the said District, hath deposited in this Office the Title of 
 a Book, the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words follow- 
 ing, to Tffit : 
 
 " History of the United States, from their first settlement as Colo- 
 ** nies, to the Cession of Florida, in eighteen hundred and twenty- 
 *' one ; comprising every important political event ; with a progres- 
 " sive view of the Aborigines ; Population, Religion, Agriculture, 
 " and Commerce ; of the Arts, Sciences, and Literature ; occasional 
 " Biographies of the most remarkable Colonists, Writers and Philo- 
 " sophers, Warriors and Statesmen ; and a copious Alphabetical In- 
 <* dex. By William Gbimshaw, Author of a History of England, &c." 
 
 In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, in- 
 tituled, " An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the 
 copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of 
 such copies, during the times therein mentioned." And also to the 
 Act, entitled, " An Act supplementary to An Act, entitled, 'An Act 
 for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, 
 charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, 
 during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits 
 thereof to the arts of designing, engi*aving-, and etching historical 
 and other prints." 
 
 D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the 
 
 Eastern District of Pennsylvatiia. 
 
 
TO 
 
 THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 
 
 OF 
 
 LANGUAGE AND BELLES LETTRES. 
 
 THIS 
 
 BRIEF HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNITED STATES 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
*^^ Accompanying this Edition, there is 
 a small book of Historical Questions, for the 
 use of Schools. 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Rejlections. Imfirovements in Astronomy^ JVavigation^ and 
 Geography, Voyages of Columbus. 
 
 ALTHOUGH the period of man's residence in this sub- 
 lunary world is much curtailed, his amount of happiness 
 is increased. Providence has more than compensated the 
 diminution of his years, by the extension of his knowledge. 
 His mental faculties are no longer engrossed by the mere 
 operations of his body. His mind now ranges with delight 
 over the cultivated field ^f science. His acquaintance with 
 distant regions is enlarged ; he goes abroad to indulge his 
 curiosity, or makes an ideal excursion to amuse his imagi- 
 nation. 
 
 The exploring of the deeply hidden nature of the ele- 
 ments, has not been more tardy than our advances in ge- 
 ography. It is true, that the Chaldeans and the Egyptians, 
 at a time even beyond the most ancient records of authen- 
 tic history, had marked the revolutions of the heavenly bod- 
 ies, with a degree of industry and success, not less worthy 
 of admiration than difficult of comprehension, when we 
 contemplate their scanty apparatus ; and, that during the 
 refined ages, many centuries before the Christian era, the 
 latter, or perhaps the Greeks, had discovered the form, and 
 the dimensions, of this globe, with a geometrical exactness 
 approaching nearly to the truth ; yet, their ideas concern- 
 ing distant countries were extremely defective and per- 
 plexed. On this subject, their theories were, in general, 
 absurd, and tended to restrain inquiry ; thus, strengthening 
 
6 HISTORY OF 
 
 the maxim, that conscious ignorance is less injurious than 
 dogmatical error. 
 
 About six centuries before Christ, Pythagoras of Samos 
 became acquainted with the learning of Egypt, and diffus- 
 ed his observations throughout Greece and Italy. He 
 taught, that the sun was the centre of the universe, that 
 the earth was round, that people had antipodes, and that 
 the moon reflected the rays of the sun ; a system deemed 
 chimerical, until the philosophy and deep inquiries of the 
 sixteenth century proved it to be incontestible and true. 
 Philolaus, who flourished about a century afterwards, pro- 
 ceeded a step further in astronomy. Embracing the doc- 
 trine of Pythagoras, he asserted the annual motion of the 
 earth around the sun ; and, only a short time had elapsed, 
 when its diurnal revolution on its own axis was promul- 
 gated by Hicetas, a Syracusan. Nearly at the same time, 
 Meton and Euctemon made improvements in the science 
 at Athens ; and, subsequently, in various parts, Eudoxus 
 and Calippus, Aristarchus, Eratosthenes, Archimedes, and 
 Hipparchus; the last of whom, about one hundred and for- 
 ty years before our era, ascertained the latitudes and longi- 
 tudes of more than one thousand of the fixed stars, and en- 
 riched astronomy with many other valuable discoveries. 
 In our first century, Ptolemy, an Egyptian, formed a theo- 
 ry, which, although erroneous, was followed by all nations 
 for many ages. He composed, in the Greek language, a 
 great work, called the Almagest, containing his own and 
 the observations of his most illustrious predecessors. This 
 record, saved from the destruction of the Alexandrine 
 library, when burned by the Saracens in the seventh cen- 
 tury, was translated into Arabic in the ninth, and by the 
 emperor Frederic, into Latin, in the thirteenth ; and thus 
 "Were the acquirements in astronomy happily preserved, and 
 extensively diff*used. 
 
 From the latter period, until the discovery of America, 
 the science was cherished by many distinguished philoso- 
 phers, — Alphonso, king of Castile, Roger Bacon, an Eng- 
 lish monk, Purbach, and Muller. The latter, a native of 
 Xo^ningsberg, who died in 1476, invented several instru- 
 ments useful in navigation ; amongst which, was an armil- 
 lary astrolabe, resembling one formerly used by Hipparchus 
 and Ptolemy at Alexandria ; with which, and a good time- 
 piece, he made many observations. 
 
 Enabled by this preliminary sketch, to appreciate more 
 fully the efforts of the different navigators in extending the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. Z 
 
 sphere of commercial enterprise, we shall review, with ad- 
 ditional pleasure, their adventures, from the earliest ac- 
 counts, to the accomplishment of the great undertaking, 
 which gave, to what is denominated the old world, a know- 
 ledge of the new. 
 
 To the desire of riches, may chiefly be assigned our en- 
 larged acquaintance with the globe which we inhabit. The 
 ancients were not less eager than the moderns in the pur- 
 suit of wealth ; but their progress was unaided by the faith- 
 ful and constant guide, which now directs the mariner, dur- 
 ing the darkness of the night, or the gloomy horrors of the 
 tempest. Though acquainted with the property of the 
 magnet, by which it attracts iron, its more important and 
 amazing quality, of pointing to the poles, had entirely es- 
 caped their notice. Their navigation was therefore timid 
 and uncertain. They seldom dared to sail beyond the sight 
 of land ; but crept along the coast, exposed to every dan- 
 ger, and retarded by innumerable obstructions. 
 
 The Sidonians and Tyrians were more enterprising than 
 any other people of antiquity. Astronomy, on its decline 
 in Chaldea and Egypt, having passed into Phenicia, those 
 people applied it to navigation ; steering by the north polar 
 star: and, hence, became masters of the sea, and almost of 
 the whole commerce of the world. Their ships frequented 
 not only all the ports in the Mediterranean, but were the 
 first that ventured beyond the strait of Gades, now called 
 Gibraltar, or that visited the western coasts of Africa and 
 Spain. At the same time, having obtained several com- 
 miodious harbours towards the bottom of the Arabian Gulf, 
 they established, after the manner of the Egyptians, a regu- 
 lar intercourse with Arabia and the continent of India, on 
 the one hand, and with the coast of Africa, on the other ; 
 from which countries, they imported many valuable com- 
 modities, and, for a long while, engrossed that lucrative 
 trade without a rival. They landed their cargoes at Elath, 
 the safest harbour in the Red Sea, towards the north. 
 Thence, they carried them, by land, to Rhinocolura on the 
 Mediterranean, re-shipped them, and transported them to 
 Tyre ; and the vast wealth which the Phenicians had ac- 
 quired by this monopoly, incited the Jews, under David 
 and Solomon, to pursue a similar trade. Carthage, a colo- 
 ny of Tyre, applied to naval affairs, with unremitting ar- 
 dour, ingenuity, and success. It early rivaled and sur- 
 passed the parent state in opulence and power. Without 
 contending with the mother country, for the trade of the 
 
g HISTORY OF 
 
 east, the Carthaginians directed their attention towards the 
 west and north ; and, following the course ah'eady opened, 
 passed the strait of Gades, visited not only all the coasts 
 of Spain and Gaul, but reached the more distant shores of 
 Britain. Yet, they were not satisfied: they were the more 
 eagerly stimulated by the extent of their discoveries. They 
 carried their researches to the south. Stretching along 
 the western coast of Africa, they sailed almost to the tropic 
 of Cancer ; planted several colonies, in order to civilize the 
 natives and accustom them to commerce, and discovered 
 the Fortunate Islands, now known by the name of the Ca- 
 naries ; the utmost boundary of ancient navigation in the 
 western ocean. 
 
 Curiosity, as well as commercial avidity, induced them 
 to continue their researches. To those motives, were ow- 
 ing the famous voyages of Hanno and Himilco. Their 
 fleets were equipped by authority of the senate, and at the 
 public expense. Proceeding towards the south, Hanno ad- 
 vanced much nearer to the equinoctial line, than any former 
 navigator ; and Himilco explored the western coasts of 
 Europe. Of the same nature, was the extraordinary voy- 
 age of the Phenicians around Africa. A Phenician fleet, 
 prepared by Necho, king of Egypt, sailed, we are told, 
 about six -hundred years before the Christian era, from a 
 port in the Red Sea, passed the southern promontory of 
 Africa, (now called the Cape of Good Hope,) and, after a 
 voyage of three years, arrived by the strait of Gades, at the 
 Nile. Unfortunately, the particulars of those navigations 
 were not communicated to the rest of mankind. All au- 
 thentic memorials respecting the great naval skill of the 
 Phenicians and Carthaginians, seem, in a great measure, 
 to have perished, when the maritime power of the former 
 was annihilated by Alexander, and the empire of the latter 
 was overturned by the Roman arms. 
 
 The states of Greece pursued scarcely any commerce 
 beyond the confines of the Mediterranean. Their ignorance 
 of geography is almost incredible to us. But their know- 
 ledge was much enlarged by Alexander's expedition to the 
 east. Nor were the Romans less remarkable for their in- 
 attention to that science. In the history of the Roman 
 empire, hardly one event occurs, evincing a regard to geo- 
 graphical inquiry or navigation, further than it was con- 
 nected with the desire of conquest. Indeed, there prevail- 
 ed, amongst the ancients, an opinion, which conveys a 
 striking idea of the small progress made by them in the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 9 
 
 knowledge of the habitable globe. They supposed, that 
 the earth was divided into five regions ; whichsthey distin- 
 guished by the name of zones. Two of these, one at the 
 north, the other at the south pole, they termed frigid ; 
 believing, that the extreme cold which reigned perpetually 
 in both, was destructive to animal life. Another, which 
 was seated under the line, and extended on each side to- 
 Avards the tropics, they called the torrid zone ; imagining 
 it to be so burned up with unremitting heat, as to be equal- 
 ly destitute of inhabitants. To the other two regions, they 
 gave the appellation of temperate ; and taught that these, 
 being the only situations in which life could possibly sub- 
 sist, were assigned to man for his habitation. Wild, as 
 seems this opinion at the present day, it was adopted, as a 
 system, by the most enlightened philosophers, and the most 
 accurate historians, of Greece and Rome. Promulgated 
 by so respectable authority, that extravagant theory served 
 to render their ignorance perpetual ; as it represented all 
 attempts to open a communication with distant regions of 
 the earth, impracticable and hopeless. Even the small de- 
 gree of accurate geographical knowledge, which those peo- 
 ple had occasionally obtained, was almost entirely lost, on 
 the fall of the Roman empire. The various nations of the 
 north, who, in the fifth century, settled in the different 
 provinces, were unacquainted with regular government or 
 laws; strangers to letters, destitute of arts, ignorant of their 
 use, unambitious of their acquirement. No intercourse 
 existed even amongst themselves. Constantinople, how- 
 ever, was so fortunate as to escape their destructive rage. 
 There, the ancient arts and discoveries were preserved, 
 and commerce continued to flourish, when almost extinct 
 in every other part of Europe. 
 
 At length, the rude tribes in Italy having- acquired some 
 idea of regular government, and some relish for the modes 
 of civil life, Europe gradually recovered from its degrada- 
 tion. The Italian merchants, notwithstanding the violent 
 antipathy, which, as Christians, they possessed against the 
 followers of Mahomet, repaired to Alexandria, and estab- 
 lished with that port a lucrative trade. The commercial 
 spirit of Italy became active and enterprising. Venice, 
 Genoa, and Pisa, rose from inconsiderable towns, to be 
 wealthy and. populous. Their naval power increased ; they 
 visited the sea-ports of Spain, France, the Low Countries, 
 and England ; and infused a taste for the alluring produc- 
 tions of the East. 
 
10 HISTORY OF 
 
 The crusades served greatly to hasten the mercantile 
 progress of the Italians. The martial inclination of the 
 Europeans, impelled by religious zeal, and inflamed by su- 
 perstition, having prompted them to attempt the deliver- 
 
 . ance of the Holy Land from the dominion of the In- 
 
 fidels, vast armies, composed of all the nations in 
 Europe, marched upon this wild enterprise towards Asia. 
 The Italian sea-ports furnished the necessary shipping and 
 military stores ; for which, immense sums were received. 
 Venice, in particular, advanced in commerce, power, and 
 riches. Nor did their employers make those expensive and 
 disastrous voyages without future benefit. They became 
 familiar with distant regions, which, before, they knew only 
 by name, or by the reports of credulous pilgrims ; and as- 
 certained the arts, manners, and productions, of nations 
 more polished than themselves. 
 
 That intercourse subsisted for nearly two-hundred years ; 
 during which period, many individuals were induced, by a 
 different motive of religion, to penetrate the East, far be- 
 yond the countries entered by the crusaders. After these, 
 followed several illustrious travellers, incited either by the 
 hope of riches or a pure spirit of inquiry. Of the former 
 passion, the most distinguished votary was Marco Polo, a 
 
 . - nobleman of Venice : of the latter, sir John Mande- 
 ville, of England ; who returned, after an absence of 
 more than thirty years, and published an account of his 
 observations. 
 
 Whilst this inclination towards research was gradually 
 increasing, a discovery was made, the wonderful property 
 of the magnet, which communicates to iron a tendency of 
 pointing to the north, that had greater influence on naviga- 
 tion than all the efforts of preceding ages. The precise 
 era of this discovery cannot be ascertained. It is generally 
 attributed to Gioia, a Neapolitan, and dated in the year 
 1302 : but the supposition appears erroneous. The earliest 
 notice with which we are acquainted, is by a French writer, 
 Guyot de Provins ; who, in a poem written about the year 
 1 1 80, plainly alludes to the magnetic needle being then in 
 common use. The Historia Orientalis, of Vitriacus, who 
 had made many voyages by sea, and published that work 
 about forty years subsequent to the former; the writings of 
 Vicentius, at the same period, and many other authorities; 
 coincide in establishing its previous introduction, and, con- 
 sequently, in depriving the Neapolitan of any honour, fur- 
 ther than for having increased its utility, by fixing it on a 
 
THE UNITED STATES. II 
 
 pivot, and enclosing it in a box.* Seamen were now enabled 
 to abandon their timid course along the shore, and fearlessly 
 to launch into the wide bosom of the ocean. The first ap- 
 pearance of increasing confidence, may be dated from the 
 voyages of the Spaniards to the Canary islands. These, 
 which, we have already mentioned, had been visited by the 
 Carthaginians, were again discovered by that people : but 
 the genius of naval enterprise was not at this period fully 
 roused ; as navigation seems not to have advanced, then, 
 beyond the limits which circumscribed it before the down- 
 fal of the Roman empire. 
 
 The era at length arrived, when man was allowed to pass 
 the boundary within which he had been so long confined. 
 The next considerable effort was made by the seamen of 
 Portugal. In 1420, they sailed to Madeira ; (to which, they 
 were directed by its accidental discovery by an English- 
 man ;) about forty years from that date, they discovered the 
 Cape de Verd islands ; and soon afterwards, the Azores, 
 situated in the Atlantic, nine-hundred miles from any con- 
 tinent. When prosecuting their researches along the shores 
 . _ of Africa, they ventured to cross the equinoctial 
 line; equally pleased and astonished, on finding that 
 region not only habitable, but populous and fertile. This 
 occurred in the reign of Alphonso. His son, John the sec- 
 ond, possessed talents, capable both of forming great de- 
 signs and carrying them into execution. Patronised and 
 aided by this indefatigable monarch, the examination and 
 colonizing of the African continent became ardent and 
 unremitting. As they advanced towards the south, the 
 Portuguese found, that, instead of extending, according 
 to the doctrine of Ptolemy, it appeared to contract, its 
 breadth, towards the east. This unexpected discovery was 
 not unprofitably made. It induced them to credit the an- 
 cient Phenician voyages around Africa, which had long 
 been deemed fabulous ; and led them to conceive hopes, 
 that, by following the same track, they might arrive at the 
 East Indies, and engross, for a while, a traffic, which had 
 
 * " Valde necessarius est acns navigantibus marl," says Vitriacus: 
 — the needle is very necessary to seamen. " Cum enim," observes 
 Vicentius, *' vias suas ad portum dirigere nesciunt, cacumen acus ad 
 adamantem lapidem fricalum, per transversum in festuca parva infi- 
 gunl, et vasi pleno aquae immittunt :" — For, when they ('he naviga- 
 tors,) know not how lo find their way into a harbour, they fix the 
 point of a needle, rubbed upon a hard stone, crosswise in a piece of 
 wood, and place it in a sniall vessel full of water. 
 
12 HISTORY OF 
 
 always been so eagerly desired. The attainment of this 
 object was entrusted to Bartholomew Diaz ; an experienced 
 officer, distinguished alike for his sagacity, fortitude, and 
 perseverance. After advancing a thousand miles farther 
 than any of his predecessors, exposed to violent tempests, 
 mutinies, and famine, he at last beheld that lofty 
 promontory which terminates Africa on the south. 
 But, to behold it, was all that he could accomplish. The 
 violence of the winds, the shattered condition of his ships, 
 and turbulent spirit of his men, compelled him to return. 
 
 Diaz had called that promontory the Stormy Cape ; but 
 the king, now entertaining a sanguine expectation of having 
 found the long desired route to India, gave it a more ap- 
 propriate name. The Cape of Good Hope. 
 
 The vast length of this voyage, with the furious storms 
 which Diaz had encountered, so alarmed and intimidated 
 the Portuguese, that some time was requisite to prepare 
 their minds for the prosecution of their great design. In 
 the interval, an event occurred, no less extraordinary than 
 unexpected, unparalleled in the annals of naval enterprise — 
 the discovery of a new continent, situated in the west. 
 
 The honour of accomplishing an exploit so sublime, was 
 gained by Christopher Columbus. This great man, a nat- 
 ive of Genoa, descended from a respectable family, was 
 well qualified, by nature and education, to become distin- 
 guished on the ocean. Ardently inclined towards that ele- 
 ment, he went to sea at the age of fourteen ; and, in a few 
 years, visited the coast of Iceland, (then frequented by the 
 English on account of its fishery,) and advanced several 
 degrees within the polar circle. After a variety of adven- 
 tures, serving more to enlarge his knowledge than to in- 
 crease his fortune, he went to Lisbon ; a city in which 
 there lived many of his countrymen, and where, having 
 married a Portuguese lady, he fixed his residence. This 
 alliance did not lessen his early attachment to the sea. It 
 fortunately contributed to enlarge his naval information, 
 and excite a desire of still further extending it. His wife 
 was a daughter of Perestrello ; one of the captains employ- 
 ed by the Portuguese in their former navigations, and who 
 had first carried them to Madeira. Columbus got posses- 
 sion of his journals ; the study of which inflamed his fa- 
 vourite passion, and rendered irresistible his impatience to 
 visit the several countries which Perestrello had described. 
 He accordingly made a voyage to Madeira; and continued, 
 during many years, to trade with the Canaries, the Azores, 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 13 
 
 the coast of Guinea, and all the other places discovered by 
 the Portuguese on the continent of Africa. 
 
 At that period, the great object of the Portuguese, as al- 
 ready narrated, was to find a passage to the East Indies. 
 But they searched for it only by steering towards the south ; 
 in hopes of accomplishing their wishes by turaing to the 
 east, when they had reached the southern extremity of Af- 
 rica ; a course of so great extent, that a voyage from Eu- 
 rope to India must have appeared to them equally arduous 
 and uncertain. Stimulated by this reflection, the active 
 mind of Columbus, after attentively comparing the obser- 
 vations of modern pilots with the conjectures of the an- 
 cients, at last concluded, that, by sailing directly to the 
 west, across the Atlantic Ocean, new countries, which it 
 was likely formed a part of the great continent of Asia, 
 must infallibly be discovered. The spherical figure of the 
 earth was known ; its magnitude ascertained with some de- 
 gree of accuracy : and sir John Mandeville had already, 
 from astronomical demonstration, asserted, that it might 
 be circumnavigated. It was evident, that the continents 
 of Europe, Asia, and Africa, formed but a small portion of 
 the terraqueous globe. It seemed rational, that the vast, 
 unexplored space, was not entirely covered by water, but 
 was occupied, in some measure, by countries fit for the re- 
 sidence of man. These deductions did not rest merely on 
 conjecture. Although the offspring of scientific theory, 
 they were supported by recent observations. Timber, ar- 
 tificially carved, driven by a westerly wind, was seen float- 
 ing at an unusual distance in the ocean : to the west of the 
 Madeira isles, there had been found another piece, fashion- 
 ed in the same manner, brought by the same wind ; and 
 canes, of enormous size, resembling those described by 
 Ptolemy, as peculiar to the Indies. Trees were frequently 
 driven upon the Azores ; and, at one time, the dead bodies 
 of two men, with singular features, not corresponding with 
 the inhabitants of Europe, Africa, or Asia. 
 
 Fully satisfied with the truth of his system, Columbus 
 was impatient to bring it to the test of experiment. The 
 first step towards this, was to secure the patronage of some 
 considerable power. As long absence had not lessened his 
 aff'ection for his native country, he wished that Genoa should 
 reap the fruits of his ingenuity and labour ; and, according- 
 ly, laid his scheme before the senate. But he had resided 
 so long abroad, that his countrymen were unacquainted with 
 his character ; and, not being able to form any just idea of 
 2 
 
i4 HISTORY OF 
 
 the principles upon which he founded his hopes of success^ 
 they rejected his proposals, as the dream of a chimerical 
 projector. 
 
 Columbus had now performed a natural duty; a conduct, 
 which, though it does not form the grandest, is certainly 
 one of the most amiable, features in his history ; and must 
 be admired, whilst there is a mind clear enough to discern, 
 or a heart sufficiently warm to conceive, an act of gene- 
 rosity. 
 
 He was not discouraged by this repulse. Instead of re- 
 linquishing his undertaking, he pursued it with increasing 
 ardour. He made his next overture to the king of Portu- 
 gal ; in whose dominions, he had long resided; and whom 
 he considered, on that account, as having the second claim 
 to his services. John listened to his proposals, and appoint- 
 ed three eminent cosmographers to examine the merits of 
 his plan. But these men, after drawing from Columbus all 
 the information that treachery could devise, or their capa- 
 cities understand, basely conspired to rob the ingenious 
 seaman of his expected glory ; and the king adopted their 
 perfidious counsel. The pilot, however, chosen to execute 
 the fraud, was no less deficient in courage, than were his 
 employers in dignity and justice. He returned to Lisbon, 
 execrating the project as extravagant and dangerous. 
 
 Disgusted by this transaction, Columbus resolved to break 
 off all intercourse with a nation capable of so flagrant treach- 
 ery. He instantly went to Spain, that he might lay his 
 plan before Ferdinand and Isabella. But, he wisely increas- 
 ed the chances of success, by sending his brother Bartholo- 
 mew into England, to negotiate with Henry the seventh ; 
 who was reported to be one of the most sagacious and opu- 
 lent princes of the age. 
 
 Though Spain was then engaged in a serious contest with 
 Granada, the last of the Moorish kingdoms in that country, 
 yet, Ferdinand and his queen paid so much regard to Co- 
 lumbus, as to submit the consideration of his plan to a con- 
 fidential minister. To enumerate all the objections offered 
 to his scheme, or describe, in appropriate language, the 
 firmness with which the philosophic stranger combated his 
 successive disappointments, would neither be conformable 
 with our design, nor within the compass of our ability. 
 Some asserted, that he would find the ocean of infinite ex- 
 tent ; others, that, if he persisted in steering to the west, 
 beyond a certain point, the convex figure of the earth would 
 prevent his return; and, that it was absurd to attempt open- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. i'S 
 
 mg a communication between the two opposite hemi- 
 spheres, which nature had for ever disjoined. 
 
 But the total expulsion of the Moors produced a happy 
 change in the disposition of the Spanish court, and excited, 
 still farther, the vigilant and generous patrons of Colum- 
 bus, — Quintanclla, and Santangel ; who took advantage of 
 this joyful situation of affairs, to press, once more, the so- 
 licitations of their friend. Their effort was successful. 
 Though Ferdinand was still restrained by his characteristic 
 caution and reserve, Isabella, alive to the glory which must 
 accrue from the accomplishment of so grand an enterprise ; 
 and, if historians be correct, anxious to spread the know- 
 ledge of the Christian religion ; declared her resolution of 
 employing Columbus ; and, regretting the low state of her 
 finances, offered to pledge her jewels, in order to complete 
 the preparations for the voyage. A measure so humiliat- 
 ing to a feeling mind, was, however, fortunately prevented. 
 Transported with gratitude and admiration, Santangel kiss- 
 ed Isabella's hand, and engaged to advance, immediately, 
 the necessary sum. 
 . .Q^ On the 17th of April, more than seven years from 
 the date of his first application, an agreement with 
 Columbus was concluded. The ships, of which he was to 
 have the command, were fitted out at Palos ; a small town 
 in the province of Andalusia. But the armament was not 
 suitable, either to the rank of the nation by which it was 
 equipped, or to the important service for which it was in- 
 tended. It consisted only of three vessels. The largest, 
 of inconsiderable burthen, called the Santa Maria, was com- 
 manded by Columbus, as admiral ; the second, named the 
 Pinta, not superior in size to a large boat, by Martin Pin- 
 zon ; and the third, of similar dimensions, called the Nigna, 
 by Vincent Pinzon, a brother of the latter. The whole 
 were victualled for twelve months, and provided with ninety- 
 men. 
 
 On the 3d of August, Columbus set sail. He steered 
 directly for the Canary islands ; and, having refitted his 
 crazy vessels, departed from Gomera, on the 6th day of 
 September. Holding his course due v/est, he left the usual 
 track of navigation, and stretched boldly into seas unfre- 
 quented and unknown. His sailors, alarmed at the dis- 
 tance which they had proceeded without finding the ex- 
 pected land, began to mutiny^ threatened to throw him 
 overboard, and placed him in a situation, in which any other 
 mail would have vtelded to their entreaties to return. But 
 
16 HISTORY OF 
 
 he still maintained his accustomed serenity and resolution. 
 Fertile in expedients, possessing a thorough knowledge of 
 mankind, an insinuating address, and the talent of govern- 
 ing the minds of others, he promised solemnly to his men, 
 that, provided they would obey his commands for three days 
 longer, and that, in the meantime, land were not discover- 
 ed, he would comply with their request. 
 
 Columbus did not hazard much, by confining himself to 
 a period so short. For some days before, the sounding line 
 had reached the bottom, and brought up soil which indicat- 
 ed land to be at no great distance. The flocks of birds 
 increased, and contained many of a description supposed 
 not to fly far from shore. A cane was observed, that seem- 
 ed to have been recently cut ; and a branch of a tree, with 
 fresh berries. The clouds around the sun assumed a new 
 appearance ; the air was more mild, and, during the night, 
 the wind became unequal and variable. Each succeeding 
 hour confirmed Columbus in his opinion of being near land. 
 On the evening of the 1 1th of October, he ordered the sails 
 to be furled, the ships to lie to, and a strict watch to be kept, 
 to guard against the danger of running ashore in the night; 
 an interval of suspense and expectation, dviring which all 
 remained on deck, intently gazing towards that quarter 
 where they hoped to discover the interesting object of their 
 wishes. 
 
 The period at length an'ived. Columbus observed a 
 light, which seejued to be carried from place to place; and, 
 a little after midnight, there was heard from the Pinta the 
 joyful cry of Land ! 
 
 When morning dawned, an island was seen, about two 
 leagues to the north, presenting the aspect of a delightful 
 country. All the boats were immediately manned and 
 armed. The Spaniards rowed towards the shore, with their 
 colours displayed, with martial music, and all the dazzling 
 insignia of military pomp. As they approached the beach, 
 they saw it covered with a multitude of people, whose atti- 
 tudes and gestures expressed wonder and amazement. 
 Columbus was the first who set foot on this new world 
 which he had discovered. His men followed ; and all 
 kneeling, kissed the ground that they had long desired, but 
 expected never to behold : he then erected a crucifix, re- 
 turned thanks to God, and, with the usual formalities, took 
 possession of the country. 
 
 To this island, called by the natives Guanahani, Co- 
 lumbus gave the name of St, Salvador. It is one of that 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 17 
 
 hirgc cluster, called the Lucaya or Bahama isles ; situated 
 above three -thousand miles to the west, but only four de- 
 grees to the south, of Gomera ; so little had he deviated 
 from his intended course. 
 
 After discovering several other islands, amongst which 
 were Cuba and Hayti, (the latter named by Columbus, 
 Hispaniola,) the shattered condition of his vessels, and the 
 general eagerness of his seamen to return to their native 
 country, constrained him to make preparations for his de- 
 parture. He did not, however, neglect using every pre- 
 caution to secure the benefit of a first discovery. With 
 the consent of the cazique or sovereign of the district, he 
 erected a fort in Hispaniola : in which, he left a party of 
 his men ; and, on the 4th of January, sailed for Europe ; 
 140" where he arrived, after experiencing dangers and 
 fatigues which required all his skill and fortitude to 
 surmount. 
 
 Various conjectures were formed respecting these newly 
 discovered countries. Columbus adhered to his original 
 opinion, that they were part of those vast regions of Asia, 
 comprehended under the general name of India. From 
 their productions, this idea seemed correct. Gold was 
 known to abound in India; a metal of which he had obtain- 
 ed samples so promising, as led him to believe that rich 
 mines of it would be found. Cotton, another production of 
 the Indies, was common there. The pimento of the islands 
 he imagined was a species of the India pepper. The birds 
 brought home by him were adorned with the brilliant plu- 
 mage which distinguishes those of India : the alligator of the 
 one, seemed to be the crocodile of the other. This idea of 
 Columbus, the Spaniards and the other nations of Europe 
 have adopted. The name of Indies was given to them by 
 Ferdinand and Isabella, in a ratification of the former agree- 
 ment with the illustrious discoverer ; and, even after the 
 error which gave rise to that opinion was detected, the 
 name of West Indies has remained, and the aborigines are 
 called Indians. 
 
 In his third voyage, Columbus reached the conti- 
 nent, and landed in several places on the coast of 
 those provinces now known by the name of Paria and Cu- 
 mana. But he was deprived of the honour of associating 
 his name with this vast portion of the earth. Amongst the 
 officers, who, in the following year, accompanied Ojeda, to 
 explore still farther these new regions, was Amerigo Ves- 
 pucci, a gentleman of Florence; who, a« he was an experi- 
 
18 HISTORY OF 
 
 enced seaman, acquired so great authority amongst lii* 
 companions, that they willingly yielded to him the super- 
 intendence of the voyage. The crafty Florentine made an 
 extraordinary use of his situation. Soon after his return 
 to Spain, he transmitted an account of his adventures to 
 one of his own countrymen ; so ingeniously framed, as to 
 make it appear that he had the glory of first discovering 
 the continent of the new world. His narrative was drawn 
 not only with art, but with elegance. It contained an 
 amusing history of his voyage, and judicious observations 
 on the natural productions, the inhabitants, and customs, of 
 the places which he had visited. His description was the 
 first given to the public. It circulated rapidly, and was 
 read with admiration. The country, of which Amerigo 
 was supposed to be the discoverer, gradually received his 
 name, or a modification of it ; an error, which the caprice 
 of mankind has continued. 
 
 In the summary view, which, previous to our entering 
 on the voyages of Columbus, was given, of the gradual pro- 
 gress of discovery in the eastern hemisphere, we last allud- 
 ed to the advance of Diaz within sight of the great south- 
 ern cape of Africa. Rather stimulated than depressed by 
 the amazing issue of the patronage which they had denied 
 Columbus, the Portuguese attentively pursued their fa^ 
 vourite object. Their endeavours were successful. On 
 the 20th of November, in the year 1497, Vasco de Gama, 
 employed by the king of Portugal, " doubled" that cele- 
 brated promontory, and, in the month of May following, 
 arrived at Calicut, on the coast of Malabar. 
 
 Twenty-three years after that great event, Magellan, a 
 native of Portugal, in the service of Spain, penetrated into 
 the Pacific ocean, by the strait which bears his name, situ- 
 ated at the southern extremity of the American continent; 
 thus, opening a new route to the East Indies, and developing 
 a vast region of water, interspersed with beautiful and fer- 
 tile islands. 
 
 It seems, that it was only by accident, England had not 
 gained that renown which accrued to Spain, the fortunate 
 employer of the persevering Genoese. In his voyage 
 thither, Bartholomew Columbus was captured by pirates ; 
 who, having entirely robbed him, detained him a prisoner 
 for many years. When, at length, he arrived in London, 
 his indigence was so great, that he was obliged to employ 
 himself, during a considerable time, in drawing and selling 
 maps, as a means of raising money sufficient to purchase a 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 19 
 
 decent dress, in which to appear at court. He was there 
 treated with merited respect. Notwithstanding the exces- 
 sive caution of Henry the seventh, he received the over- 
 tures of Columbus with more attention than any monarch 
 to whom they had been before presented, and invited him 
 to England. But it was then too late. The achievement 
 was already accomplished. Bartholomew, in his return, 
 was informed, at Paris, of the issue of his brother's voyage; 
 an event not less exhilarating than unexpected. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 JSfeivfoundland discovered by Cabot. Abortive attempts to 
 settle Roa7ioke, by Sir Walter Raleigh. 
 
 THE English were the second people that ventured to 
 the new world, and the first that discovered the continent 
 of America. Two years had not elapsed, after the consum- 
 mation of the great navigator's hopes, when Giovanni Ga- 
 boto, (or Cabot,) a Venetian who had settled in Bristol, and 
 his three sons, were commissioned, by Henry the seventh, 
 to sail in quest of unknown countries, and endeavour to 
 reach India by a western course ; agreeably to the system 
 of Columbus, which the former had adopted. Accordingly, 
 the father and his second son, Sebastian, were despatched 
 from that city, the place of the latter's nativity, on board a 
 ship furnished by the king, accompanied by four small 
 barks provided by the merchants. Sebastian, for it was he 
 who had the direction of the voyage, conjectured, that by 
 steering farther to the north, he might reach India, by a 
 shorter course than that chosen by Columbus. On the 
 24th of June, 1497, he discovered a large island, to which 
 he gave the name of Prima Vista, or first seen ; now called 
 Newfoundland. He then changed his course ; steering to 
 the north : but, finding that the land continued to oppose 
 him in that direction, and that there was no appearance of 
 a passage, he tacked about, and ran as far as Florida ; the 
 island of Cuba, as he relates, being on his left. Here, his 
 provisions failing, he resolved to return to England; having 
 on board three natives, who accompanied him from New- 
 foundland. 
 
 The commercial progress of the English did not relax, 
 during the succeeding reigns of Henry the eighth and Ed- 
 
20 HISTORY OF 
 
 ward the sixth. In the former reign, many adventures 
 were made, along the southern portion of America ; in the 
 latter, the fisheries on the banks of Newfoundland became 
 an eager object of attention. But, after the accession of 
 Mary, their enterprises were directed towards another quar- 
 ter. That she might allay the jealousy of the Spanish 
 monarch, to whom she was espoused, the queen devoted all 
 her patronage to an intercourse opened in the preceding 
 reign with Russia. 
 
 On the accession of Elizabeth, a period commenced, 
 highly auspicious to mercantile extension. The domestic 
 tranquillity ; the peace with foreign nations, which subsisted 
 more than twenty years after she was seated on the throne ; 
 her economy ; all, were favourable to that rising spirit. 
 The opening of a direct intercourse with India, by sea, was 
 again attempted : but a route was marked out, different 
 from any that was before pursued. As every attempt to 
 accomplish this by the west, and the north-east, had proved 
 abortive, a scheme was formed, to hold an opposite course, 
 by the north-west ; the conduct of which was entrusted to 
 Martin Frobisher. In three successive voyages, that en- 
 1576-'7-'8 terprising officer examined the coast of La- 
 brador ; but without discovering any rational 
 appearance of a passage. The disappointment, however, 
 was in some measure compensated by sir Francis Drake ; 
 who accomplished, about this time, his celebrated voyage 
 round the globe ; an exploit, that, in conjunction with their 
 other marine achievements, impressed the English with a 
 just confidence in their own abilities and courage, as equal 
 to any undertaking. They had displayed their flag in eve- 
 ry region to which navigation then extended, and were not 
 excelled in naval exploits by any nation of the age. 
 
 A more interesting period of our history now approaches. 
 The British at length began to form plans of settling colo- 
 nies in those countries, which, hitherto, they had only visit- 
 ed. The projectors and patrons of these were chiefly men 
 of rank and influence. Amongst the number, sir Hum- 
 phrey Gilbert, of Devonshire, an officer distinguished for 
 his military talents, and his attention to naval science, ob- 
 tained a patent from the queen, investing him with the 
 necessary powers. But, two expeditions, both of which he 
 conducted in person, were unfortunate. The last voyage 
 1580 ^^^ awfully disastrous : when returning to England, 
 without having performed any thing more important 
 than the empty ceremony of taking possession of Newfound- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 21 
 
 land, the frigate in which he sailed was lost at sea, and all 
 on board found a watery grave. 
 
 But that misfortune did not discourage his relative, sir 
 Walter Raleigh. Adopting all the ideas of his brother-in- 
 law, he applied to the queen, in whose favour he stood high, 
 at that time, and procured a patent, with similar jurisdic- 
 tion and prerogatives. Raleigh despatched two small ves- 
 sels, under the command of Philip Amadas and Ar- 
 thur Barlow. They sailed on the 27th of April, and 
 reached the coast now called North Carolina on the 4th of 
 July ; making their passage in sixty-seven days : which 
 was by no means long, when we consider their course, by 
 the Canary and West India islands, and their having spent 
 many days, at those places, in trading and recruiting their 
 provisions. They touched first at an island, whictt they 
 call Wocokon, (probably Ocacoke ;) then, at Roanoke, 
 near the entrance of x'\lbemarle Sound ; and, after spend- 
 ing a few weeks in trafficking with the natives, and visiting 
 the adjacent continent, returned to England. Amadas and 
 Barlow gave so splendid a description of the country ; its 
 beauty, fertility, mildness of climate, and serenity of atmo- 
 sphere ; that Elizabeth gave it the name of Virginia, as a 
 memorial that this happy discovery was made under a 
 maiden queen. 
 
 The great profusion of grapes attracted their particular 
 notice. So plentiful were they along the shore, that the 
 surge of the sea overflowed them ; and, in all places, they 
 observed so many, on the sand in the plains, and on the 
 verdant ground upon the hills ; on every little shrub, and 
 climbing towards the tops of the lofty cedars ; that, in the 
 whole world, they declare, a similar abundance had not been 
 found. When they discharged their arms, so large a flock 
 of cranes arose around them, and with so loud a cry, re- 
 doubled by many echoes, that the noise equalled the com- 
 bined shouting of an army. They had remained at the island 
 two days, before they had seen any of the natives. On the 
 third day, they beheld a small boat rowing towards them, 
 containing three men ; one of whom was taken on board, and 
 presented with some clothes, meat, and wine ; with which, 
 he was highly pleased. The pleasure he received was not 
 unrecompensed. He returned to his little boat, and, after 
 fishing for about half an hour, and lading it as deeply as it 
 would allow, he came to a point of the land ; then, dividing 
 his fish into two parts, assigned one as the portion of the 
 ship, the other as the share of the pinnace; and, having thus 
 
n illSTORY OF 
 
 repaid his debt, he departed. The following day, there ap- 
 peai^ed several other boats. In one of these, was Granga- 
 nimeo, brother of th^ king Wingina ; accompanied by for- 
 ty or fifty men ; " very handsome and goodly people, and, 
 in their behaviour," it is said, " as mannerly and civil as 
 any in Europe." In the present age, this comparison may 
 seem, at the first view, extravagant and unjust : but, if we 
 consider the state of civilized society more than two cen- 
 turies ago, and reflect, that whilst these have been con- 
 stantly advancing, the other, from nearly the same cause, 
 have been declining, in their acquirement of what is sup- 
 posed to be the standard of refinement, we shall no longer 
 doubt its general correctness. 
 
 Encouraged by this pleasing report, Raleigh fit- 
 • ted out a squadron of seven small vessels, with one- 
 hundred-and-eighty adventurers : which sailed from Ply- 
 mouth, under the command of sir Richard Greenville. 
 This colony, he left on the island of Roanoke, under the 
 care of captain Lane, assisted by some men of eminence ; 
 amongst whom, was Hariot, a distinguished mathematician. 
 The latter individuals faithfully discharged their duty, in 
 obtaining a more ample knowledge of the country ; having 
 carried their researches farther than could have been ex- 
 pected, with so inconsiderable aid, and from a situation so 
 disadvantageous. But the same praise is not due to Lane, 
 and the majority of his subordinate companions. They 
 seemed to think nothing worthy their attention, except 
 gold and silver. Amused by the Indians, with extraordi- 
 nary tales, concerning pearl fisheries and rich mines of 
 those precious metals, they neglected the cultivation of the 
 soil ; and, being disappointed in attaining treasures, which 
 were only the invention of a people, now as anxious to de- 
 stroy, as they were before to assist, these dangerous intru- 
 ders, they were assailed by a two-fold calamity, hostility 
 and famine. Reduced to extreme distress, they were pre- 
 paring to disperse in quest of food, when Sir Francis Drake, 
 returning from the West Indies, appeared with his fleet, 
 and ofl'ered them assistance : but his generous intention 
 was frustrated by a storm. A small vessel, with provisions 
 destined for their service, was dashed to pieces ; and, as he 
 could not supply them, a second time, with adequate relief, 
 at their unanimous request, he carried them home to Eng- 
 land. Thus ended, that ill-conducted experiment, after a 
 trial of nine months. 
 Only a fevf days had expired, when a small bark, with some 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 33 
 
 stores, despatched by Raleigh, arrived at the place where 
 those men had been settled ; but, on finding it deserted, 
 she returned : and scarcely was that vessel gone, before 
 Greenville appeared with further aid. He searched for the 
 colony ; but, receiving no information of its fate, he left fif- 
 teen of his crew, to retain possession of the island, and de- 
 parted. 
 
 Early in the following year, the proprietors despatched 
 three vessels, under the command of captain White, Avith 
 one-hundred-and-fifty men. In the month of July, they 
 arrived at Roanoke, and endeavoured to find the small par- 
 ty left there by sir Richard Greenville ; but, of their fate, 
 they collected no satisfactory account. It is most proba- 
 ble, that their misconduct had caused their dispersion ; 
 perhaps their death : the bones of one person were seen ; 
 the fort which Lane had erected was thrown down ; but 
 their dwellings remained unhurt. Both were overgrown 
 with melons. Some deer had entered within the deserted 
 walls, and were feeding on the fruit, which perhaps their 
 late inhabitants had planted ; a melancholy scene. 
 
 In about a month after the arrival of captain White, his 
 daughter, the wife of Ananias Dare, one of the assistants, 
 had a female child, in Roanoke ; which, being the first born 
 in the colony, was named Virginia. 
 
 This event might seem propitious ; it was certainly a 
 very pleasing occurrence. But misfortune pursued even 
 this infant settlement. Insubordination, anarchy, distress, 
 were every day increasing. At the desire, therefore, of the 
 inhabitants, the governor returned to England, for supplies ; 
 and, at his request, a fleet, under the command of Green- 
 ville, was prepared at Biddiford : but, on account of the 
 Spanish Armada, which then threatened the parent coun- 
 try with subjection, this officer, whose talents were now re- 
 quired in a more important service, was ordered not to sail. 
 White, however, obtained two small pinnaces, the Brave 
 and the Roe ; the former of thirty, the latter of only twen- 
 ty-five tons, burthen ; with which, he departed for America. 
 The object of the voyage was, however, soon neglected ; 
 the distressed situation of the colony, forgotten. Piracy 
 engrossed the whole attention of the seamen. Having plun- 
 dered every vessel they could overtake, British, Scotch, 
 or foreign ; chased and beaten off an armed vessel of two- 
 hundred tons, with a degree of courage worthy of a better 
 cause, one of the pinnaces was attacked by two large French 
 privateers ; when, after a desperate battle, in which many 
 
24 HISTORY OF 
 
 men on both sides were killed, she and her consort were 
 themselves plundered, and forced to return to England ! 
 " Thus," says the narrator of these adventures, " God just- 
 ly punished the former thievery of our evil-disposed mar- 
 iners." 
 
 This atrocious desertion of their duty proved fatal to the 
 colony. Receiving no supply, its inhabitants perished 
 miserably by famine, or by the hands of their surrounding 
 enemies. 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 Exertions of Richard Hakluyt. Establishment at James 
 Totvn^ in Virginia. Life and adventures of cafitain 
 Smith. Marriage of ca/itain Rolfe with Pocahuntas. 
 Productions of Virginia : agriculture, mode of living, 
 religion, and afifiearance, of the Indians. 
 
 DURING the remainder of Elizabeth's reign, no farther 
 eiforts were made to establish a colony in Virginia. Al- 
 lured by new objects, and always giving a preference to the 
 most arduous and splendid, Raleigh engaged in under- 
 takings, much beyond his power of accomplishing; and, be- 
 coming cold to this unprofitable scheme, assigned his in- 
 terest in that country, which he had never visited, to sir 
 Thomas Smith and a company of merchants in Lon- 
 don. But they were satisfied by a petty traffic with 
 the natives, and made no attempt to take possession of the 
 soil. 
 
 A few years previous to this, Richard Hakluyt, preben- 
 dary of Westminster, in order to stimulate his countrymen 
 to naval enterprise, published a valuable collection of voy- 
 ages and discoveries made by Englishmen, and translated 
 some of the best accounts of the voyages of the Spaniards 
 and Portuguese to the East and West Indies. The mo- 
 tives of this publication are singular and interesting. They 
 display an affectionate regard for the honour and welfare of 
 his native land. By a long continued attention to the duties 
 of lecturing on geography, and an ardent curiosity in all 
 matters relating to distant countries, Hakluyt had grown 
 familiar with the principal sea-captains, and most eminent 
 merchants of the age ; by which means, his knowledge be- 
 came extensive and correct. Appointed to accompany the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 25 
 
 queen's ambassador to the court of Paris, during the five 
 years he remained in that service, his patriotic feelings 
 were daily wounded by the reproaches thrown out, in con- 
 versation and in books, against the sluggish indifference of 
 his countrymen, and by the extravagant praises lavished on 
 other nations, for their discoveries and naval enterprise ; a 
 neglect the more remarkable, on the part of England, in so 
 long and happy a time of peace. On his return, he imme- 
 diately commenced his voluminous and laborious undertak- 
 ing. In the preface of this work, which is dedicated to sir 
 Francis Walsingham, he strongly evinces the ardency of his 
 feelings, and presents an interesting summary of the foreign 
 relations of his country. " Which of the kings of England, 
 before her majesty," he demands, " displayed their banners 
 in the Caspian Sea ? Which of them have ever traded with 
 the emperor of Persia, and obtained for her merchants nu- 
 merous and important privileges ? Who, at any time before, 
 beheld an English regiment in the stately porch of the 
 Grand Signior at Constantinople ? Who ever found Eng- 
 lish consuls and commercial agents at Tripolis in Syria; at 
 Aleppo, at Babylon, at Balsara: and, still more, who, before 
 this period, ever heard of Englishmen at Goa : what English 
 ships did heretofore anchor in the great river Plate, pass and 
 repass the strait of Magellan, range along the coast of Chili, 
 Peru, and all the western side of New Spain, farther indeed, 
 than the vessels of any other nation had ever ventured ; 
 traverse the immense surface of the South Sea, land upon 
 the Luzones, in despite of the enemy ; enter into alliance, 
 amity and traffic, with the princes of the Moluccas and the 
 isle of Java; double the famous Cape of Good Hope, arrivti 
 at the isle of St. Helena, and, last of all, return home rich- 
 ly laden with the commodities of China." 
 
 By the zealous endeavours of a person respected equally 
 by traders and men of rank, numbers of both orders formed 
 an association, again to establish colonies in America ; and 
 petitioned James the first, to sanction the execution of their 
 plans. The period was highly favourable to their wishes. 
 James was scarcely seated on the throne, when he conclud- 
 ed, by an amicable treaty, the tedious war which had been 
 carried on with Spain ; and now readily granted their re- 
 quest. He divided, into two districts, of nearly equal ex- 
 tent, that portion of North America which stretches from 
 the 34th to the 45th degree, of latitude, excepting the ter- 
 ritory of any other Christian prince or people, already occu- 
 pied; one, called the First, or South Colony, the other, the 
 3 
 
^ HISTORY OF 
 
 Second, or North Colony^ of Virginia. He authorized sir 
 1606 Th^^^^ Gates, sir George Summers, Richard Hak- 
 luyt, and others, mostly resident in London, to settle 
 in a limited district of the South. An equal extent of the 
 North, he allotted to several gentlemen and merchants .of 
 Bristol, Plymouth, and other parts of the west of England. 
 As the object of association was new, so the plan of con- 
 ducting their affairs was uncommon. xThe supreme gov- 
 ernment of the colonies was vested in a council resident in 
 England, to be nominated by the king; the subordinate ju- 
 risdiction, in a council, which was to reside in America, and 
 also to be named by the crown, and act conformably with 
 its instructions. Several clauses, however, evinced con- 
 siderable liberality. Whatever was required for their sus- 
 tenance, or for the support of commerce, he permitted to 
 be shipped from England free of duty, during the space of 
 seven years : and, as a further incitement to industry, grant- 
 ed them the liberty of trading with other nations; appropri- 
 ating the duties to be laid on foreign traffic for twenty-one 
 years, as a fund for their exclusive benefit. 
 
 Though many persons of distinction became proprietors 
 in the company which undertook to plant the first colony 
 in Virginia, its stock was inconsiderable, and its efforts ex- 
 tremely feeble. In those days, the arts were not understood, 
 by which vast undertakings can be accomplished, as much 
 by the credit, as by the capital, of a corporation. A vessel 
 of only a hundred tons, and two barks, under the command 
 of captain Newport, sailed with one-hundred-and-five men, 
 destined to remain in the country. Some of these were of 
 respectable families ; particularly Mr. Percy, a brother of 
 the Earl of Northumberland, and several officers who had 
 served with reputation in the preceding reign. In follow- 
 ing the ancient course by the West Indies, Newport made 
 a tedious passage^ But, though his passage was retarded, 
 liis arrival was propitious. The first land that he discovered 
 was a promontory, the southern boundary of the Chesa- 
 » ., peake ; which he named Cape Henry, in honour of 
 P i,' the prince of Wales. He immediately entered that 
 spacious inlet ; and, keeping along the southern 
 shore, sailed about sixty miles up a river, called by the nat- 
 ives Powhatan ; but to which he gave the name of James 
 River, through respect to his sovereign. Here, the colony 
 determined to reside. Having, therefore, chosen a proper 
 site for their infant settlement, they conferred on it the 
 name of Jamestown ; which it still retains : and, though 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 27 
 
 it hever advanced to either opulence or importance, it is 
 on one account remarkable : it can boast of being the most 
 ancient habitation of the English on the American conti- 
 nent. 
 %/ In its earliest infancy, this feeble society was involved in 
 'war. Imprudent in their conduct towards the natives, the 
 suspicion, already excited in the minds of these independent 
 people, always watchful against invasion, was now heighten- 
 ed into resentment, at this open violation of their rights. 
 To war, was added a calamity more dreadful, that bravery- 
 would oppose in vain. A scarcity of provisions, approach- 
 ing to a famine, introduced diseases ; which, aided by the 
 effects of a sultry climate upon their exhausted frames, in 
 a few months swept away half their number, and left the 
 remainder sickly and dejected. " In such trying extremi- 
 ties," says an admired historian, " the comparative powers 
 of every individual are discovered and called forth ; and 
 each, naturally, takes that station, and assumes that ascen- 
 dency, to which he is entitled by his talents and force of 
 mind," Every eye Avas now turned towards Captain Smith, 
 who had been appointed in England one of the council ; 
 and all willingly devolved on him the government; an au- 
 thority much greater than that of which, on their arrival, 
 they had unjustly deprived him. 
 
 A character so distinguished in the annals of Virginia; 
 so marked, by nature, with those bold traits of spirit and of 
 genius ; arrests the historian's pen, and claims a more than 
 ordinary notice ; a degree of attention, in some measure pro- 
 portioned to the transactions with which he is associated. 
 Captain John Smith, the father of Virginia, was born of an 
 ancient family, in 1579, at Willoughby, in Lincolnshire, 
 and educated in the schools of Aiford and Louth. His pa- 
 rents, who died when he was only in his thirteenth year, 
 left him a small estate ; which, however, through his own 
 want of economy, and the inattention of his guardians, be- 
 came soon inadequate to his support. He then accompa- 
 nied a son of the famous lord Willoughby to France ; and, 
 after remaining there a short time, returned to his relations ; 
 who gave him a few shillings, out of his own estate, as an 
 acquittance from any further demands. He next served 
 for some years in the Low Countries, against the Spaniards. 
 Thence, passing over into Scotland, he remained there a 
 short time amongst his friends : but, weary of the successive 
 intemperance of company, in which he had never felt de- 
 light, he retired, with a faithfulservant, into the midst of 
 
28 HISTORY OF 
 
 an extensive forest, and, on the margin of a little brook, 
 entwined an arbour of boughs ; in which he lay, with no 
 other bed than leaves, no covering except his ordinary 
 dress. His study consisted in Machiavel's art of war, and 
 Marcus Aurelius ; his exercise, a good horse, with his 
 " lance and ring ;" his food, the deer, the rambling inhabit- 
 ant of the woods. Satiated, at length, by retirement, he 
 allowed himself again to intermingle in society, was again 
 disgusted, and entered, a second time, into the wars against 
 the Spaniards : but, abhorring a contest, in which one 
 Christian was emiployed in the slaughter of another, he de- 
 termined to use his sword in a cause more congenial with 
 his feelings. Accordingly, after various misfortunes, and 
 extraordinary, romantic adventures, he joined the Hunga- 
 rian army, at that time fighting under the banners of Aus- 
 tria, against the Turks. By his ingenious stratagems, he 
 contributed highly to his party's success. When encamp- 
 ed before the walls of Regall, in Transylvania, he had an 
 opportunity of distinguishing himself in a most singular 
 adventure. So much time had been spent by the Chris- 
 tians in erecting batteries, that the i urks were apprehen- 
 sive lest their enemy would depart, without making an 
 assault upon the town ; and, thereby, prevent them from 
 gaining honour in their repulse ; an honour, the more desi- 
 rable, as many ladies of exalted rank were anxious ob- 
 servers of the siege, and longed, after so much delay, to 
 see " some court-like pastime." In that chivalrous age, 
 when every soldier fought under the patronage of a favour- 
 ite mistress, whose image was impressed upon his heart, 
 to request was to ensure performance. A Turkish noble 
 immediately challenged any captain of the besieging army 
 to single combat, « for each other's head." The challenge 
 was readily accepted. The champion was appointed by 
 lot, and fate selected the intrepid Smith.— The combat soon 
 commenced, and soon the Turk paid the forfeit of his head : 
 the ladies were desirous of another trial, and again Smith 
 was rewarded with a head; the request was repeated, and 
 the issue was the same. Shortly afterwards, he aided in 
 taking the place by storm ; and, for his former exploit, 
 which nothing but the manners of the age can palliate, his 
 name was enrolled in the heraldic records of Transylva- 
 nia, with the appropriate armorial bearing of three Turks* 
 heads. 
 
 The undaunted temper of Smith, deeply tinctured with 
 the romantic spirit of the times, was happily adapted to the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. ^9 
 
 present trying situation. The vigour of his constitution 
 was unimpaired, and his mind knew not the sensation of 
 danger. As the recompense of his toils, he saw abundance 
 and contentment re-established, and hoped that he should 
 be able to maintain his people in a comfortable state, until 
 the arrival of supplies from England. But his expectation 
 ■was destroyed by an interesting misfortune. When hunt- 
 ing in the woods, he was attacked by two-hundred Indians, 
 who poured upon him a continued flight of arrows. Seiz- 
 ing one of the assailants, Smith tied him with his garter to 
 his arm, and used him as a shield to arrest the darts; a re- 
 source which did not induce his companions to desist, nor 
 was it sufficient to prevent their weapons from occasionally 
 reaching the intended mark. He sunk, in this unequal 
 contest, and was made prisoner. Charmed, however, by 
 the various arts which he used to astonish or to please his 
 Indian victors, they released him from captivity. Three- 
 hundred more, however, of these wandering people, a sec- 
 ond time pursued him, forced him to seek refuge in a marsh, 
 and, after he had thrown away his arms, which, by reason 
 of the cold, he could no longer use, obliged him to surren- 
 der, and carried him in triumph to Powhatan, the principal 
 chieftain of Virginia. The doom of death being pro- 
 nounced, he was led to the place of execution, and his head 
 already bowed down to receive the fatal blow ; when the 
 tender sentiment of female pity interposed in his behalf. 
 At that instant, the favourite daughter of Powhatan rushed 
 in between him and the uplifted club ; and, by her entreaties 
 and her tears, prevailed on her father to recall his sentence. 
 Nor did the beneficence of this amiable child, (for she had 
 not yet attained her thirteenth year,) terminate in the sav- 
 ing of his life : she soon afterwards procured his liberty, 
 and sent him, from time to time, seasonable presents of 
 provisions. 
 
 On his return to Jamestown, Smith found the colony 
 reduced to thirty-eight persons ; who, in despair, were, 
 making preparations to abandon a country, which they 
 thought not destined to be the habitation of Englishmen. 
 This resolution, he with difficulty induced them to defer. 
 The anxiously expected succour from England shortly^f- 
 terwards arrived. Plenty was again restored: one-hundred 
 new planters were added to their number; and they receiv- 
 ed all things required for the interest of agriculture. But, 
 an unlucky incident diverted their attention from the prop- 
 eV means of giving comfort to their situation. In a small 
 
so HISTORY OF 
 
 stream that issued from a bank of sand, near Jamestown, 
 there was discovered a shining mineral substance, resemb- 
 ling gold. Every hand was now employed in its collection : 
 large quantities of this glittering dust were gathered ; and, 
 by the judgment of an artist, whose ignorance of minerals 
 was exceeded only by the credulity of his companions, it 
 was pronounced extremely rich. With this imaginary 
 wealth, the first vessel returning to England was entirely 
 laden. The culture of the land, and every useful employ- 
 ment, were neglected ; either forgotten, or abandoned with 
 contempt. 
 
 The effects of this delusion were soon severely felt. Not- 
 withstanding all the provident activity, the unremitting 
 anxiety, the extraordinary self-denial, of captain Smith, the 
 colony began to suffer as much as formerly, from scarcity 
 of food and the consequent visitation of distempers. In the 
 hope of obtaining some relief. Smith proposed to open an 
 intercourse with the remote Indian tribes, and to ascertain 
 their state of culture and population. The execution of 
 this arduous and dangerous design, he, with his accustom- 
 ed bravery and zeal, undertook himself; with a small open 
 boat, a feeble crew, and a very scanty stock of provisions. 
 He began his survey at Cape Charles; and, in two dif- 
 ferent excursions, that occupied above four months, 
 visited all the countries on the eastern and western shores 
 •f the bay, entered most of the considerable creeks, traced 
 many of the great rivers to their falls, and obtained a soap- 
 ply of food for the suffering colony. After sailing upwards 
 •f three-thousand miles, and surmounting the most afflict- 
 ing hardships, with fortitude equal to whatever is related 
 ©f the most daring adventurers, he returned to Jamestown; 
 bringing an account of that large tract of country, now 
 comprehended in the states of Virginia and Maryland ; so 
 full and correct, that from his map all subsequent delinea- 
 tions have been formed. 
 lfi09 "^^ ^^^^ period, a change was made in the consti* 
 tution of the company, that promised to afford the 
 colony security and happiness. 
 
 The supreme direction of all their operations, which the 
 king had reserved for himself, discouraged persons of rank, 
 property, or independent spirit, from becoming members 
 of a society, subjected to the arbitrary decisions of the 
 crown ; upon a representation of which to James, he grant- 
 ed them a new charter, with privileges more ample and ex- 
 plicitly defined. He enlarged the boundaries of the colo- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 3% 
 
 ny ; abolished the jurisdiction of the council in Virginia ; 
 vested the government entirely in one residing in London, 
 the members of which were to be chosen by a majority of 
 the proprietors ; and empowered these to nominate a gov- 
 ernor who should remain in Virginia, and carry their orders 
 into execution. 
 
 To that important office, the new council appointed lord 
 Delaware : but, as this nobleman could not immediately 
 leave England, sir Thomas Gates and sir George Summers, 
 the former of whom had been chosen lieutenant general, 
 the latter, admiral, were despatched, with five-hundred 
 planters. Unfortunately, a violent hurricane separated, 
 from the rest of the fleet, the vessel in which these officers 
 had embarked. The remainder arrived safely at James- 
 town. The accident, however, produced consequences 
 which were serious and embarrassing. The original form 
 of government was held abolished ; no legal warrant could 
 be found, for establishing any other ; and every thing tend- 
 ed to the wildest anarchy. Smith was not in a condition 
 to act with his accustomed vigour. By an accidental ex- 
 plosion of gun-powder, this generous hero, at once the Fa- 
 bius and Marcellus, the shield and sword, of the infant col- 
 ony, had been so dreadfully mangled, that he was incapa- 
 ble of moving; and was under the necessity of being carri- 
 ed to England, in the hope of recovering by a mode of 
 treatment, more skilful than he could meet in Virginia. 
 
 We shall not attempt to exhibit a picture of the wretch- 
 edness which followed. We are unequal to the task ; and, 
 even were the task accomplished, the exhibition would be 
 alike superfluous and disgusting. In less than six months, 
 of five-hundred persons, whom Smith had left in Virginia, 
 only sixty remained alive ; so feeble and dejected, that they 
 could not have prolonged their existence for many days, 
 had not succour arrived from a quarter, whence it could not 
 
 g. have been expected, even by hope itself. Gates and 
 Summers made their appearance. Although wreck- 
 ed on one of the Bermuda islands, none of their compan- 
 ions had perished ; and a considerable part of their pro- 
 vision had been saved. In that delightful spot, the hand of 
 nature was so liberal, that one-hundred-and-fifty people 
 subsisted comfortably, for ten months, upon her bounty. 
 Impatient, however, to escape from a place where they 
 were cut off" from the rest of mankind ; for, all was solitude, 
 •—not a wandering Indian was found amidst its forests; they 
 commenced the building of two barks ; which, by wonder- 
 
32 HISTORY OF 
 
 ful ingenuity and perseverance, they at length completed ; 
 and, in these, after a more prosperous voyage than could 
 reasonably have been expected, they arrived at Jamestown. 
 But the relief which they afforded, though it saved the 
 wretched survivers from immediate death, was unable to 
 preserve them until the autumn. Nothing now remained, 
 but that the whole should abandon the colony, and seek 
 more immediate assistance. With only sixteen days' pro- 
 vision, they set sail, therefore, in hopes of soon reaching 
 the banks of Newfoundland, and getting relief from their 
 countrymen, employed there, at that season, in the fishery. 
 But, before they had proceeded to the mouth of the river, 
 they were met by lord Delaware ; who brought a large 
 supply of sustenance, a considerable number of new settlers, 
 and every thing requisite either for cultivation or defence. 
 Under the tender and skilful administration of 
 this nobleman, the colony began, once more, to as- 
 sume a promising appearance. He was succeeded by sir 
 Thomas Dale ; w^ho concluded a treaty of friendship Avith 
 the Powhatans ; one of the most powerful and Avarlike tribes 
 in Virginia. 
 
 An event, not very honourable to the governor, prepared 
 the way for that union. Pocahuntas, to whose intercession 
 captain Smith was indebted for his life, having persevered 
 in her attachment to the English, frequently visited their 
 settlements; and, during this intercourse, was betrayed, by 
 a reward of a copper kettle given to an old Indian woman, 
 on board a vessel, and there imprisoned. Her father, who 
 loved her with most ardent affection, was now obliged to 
 discontinue hostilities, and conclude a treaty, on such terms 
 as were dictated by his treacherous enemy. The treaty, 
 thus begun in perfidy, was, notwithstanding, productive of 
 signal benefit ; and, in consequence of a subsequent oc- 
 currence, cherished by its victim, with as much attach- 
 ra.ent as it had before experienced his opposition. The 
 beauty of Pocahuntas made so great an impression on Mr. 
 Rolfe, a young gentleman of considerable rank, that he 
 warmly entreated her to accept of him as a husband. The 
 princess readily consented, and her father did not disap- 
 „ prove the alliance. The marriage was celebrated, 
 ^ with extraordinary pomp ; and, from that period, a 
 friendly correspondence subsisted between the colony and 
 all the tribes subject to Powhatan, or that were under the 
 influence of his power. Rolfe and his princess went to 
 England J where, by the introduction of captain Smith, she 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 3t5 
 
 was received at court, with the respect due to her birth, 
 and to the happy advantages arising from the union ; was 
 carefully instructed in the Christian religion, and publicly 
 baptized. In her return to America, Pocahuntas died at 
 Gravesend. She left one son : from whom are sprung 
 some of the most respectable families in Virginia ; who 
 boast of their descent from this celebrated female, the 
 daughter of the ancient rulers of the country. 
 
 Powhatan had sent with the princess a cunning Indian, 
 under pretence of merely officiating as her servant; but, it 
 soon appeared, that this man was vested with a very differ- 
 ent, and far more important, commission — the numbering 
 of the inhabitants of England; in fact, the making of a sta- 
 tistical survey of the nation. For this purpose, on his ar- 
 rival at Plymouth, he procured a long stick, upon which 
 he assiduously began to note the census : but, a very short 
 time being sufficient to convince him that his arithmetic 
 was inadequate to so extended a task, he wisely relinquish- 
 ed the design. 
 
 Meanv/hile, sir Thomas Dale, not satisfied with the con- 
 cessions already extorted from Powhatan, deputed a mes- 
 senger to that prince, with further indications of his fn«"nd- 
 ship. " The governor," said the agent of this insidious 
 offer, " has sent you two pieces of copper, five strings of 
 white and blue beads, five wooden combs, ten fishing-hooks, 
 and a pair of knives; he will also give you a grind-stone, if 
 you think proper to convey it from the settlement : hearing 
 of the excellent qualities of your youngest daughter, he in- 
 tends to marry her, and desires that you will send her to 
 liim by me." — " I gladly accept your salute of love and 
 peace," replied the wary chieftain, " which, while I live, I 
 shall respect ; and I thankfully receive the pledges of his 
 esteem : but, as for my daughter, I have given her to a 
 prince who resides about three days' journey hence."— 
 " You can, however, recall her, to gratify * your brother,' " 
 rejoined the messenger ; <^ and the more easily, as she is 
 now only twelve years old." — " Never," returned the in- 
 dignant father; "I love my daughter as my life; and, 
 though I have many children, I delight in none so much 
 as in her. Should I not often behold her, I could not pos- 
 sibly exist : and see her I could not, were she to be con- 
 signed to him : having resolved not to put myself into the 
 hands of your people, nor go amongst them. Carry back, 
 then, to my brother, this answer, — that I desire no farther 
 proof of his friendship, than the promise he has made : 
 
34 HISTORY OF 
 
 from me, he has a pledge, one of my beloved daughters ; 
 which, during her life, must be sufficient : when she dies, 
 he shall have another. But I hold it not a brotherly part, 
 his desiring to bereave me of two of my children, at once. 
 If any injury be offered, my country is large enough to se- 
 cure me from his grasp : I am old, and wish to conclude 
 my days in peace." 
 
 Hitherto, no right of individual property in lands was 
 established. The small quantity which had been cleared^ 
 was cultivated by the joint labour of the whole ; the pro- 
 duct was lodged in common store-houses, and distributed 
 weekly to every family, according to its numbers and its 
 wants. A society, so constituted, might, indeed, under a 
 rigid discipline, and the terrors of actual famine, produce 
 the mere requisites of existence ; but it was not formed to 
 advance beyond that lowest approximation to a state of in- 
 fancy. The idle must still be a weight on the industrious. 
 To remedy this evil, the governor divided a considerable 
 extent of land into small lots, and granted one of these, for 
 ever, to each individual; from which period, the colony 
 , .^ rapidly extended and improved. They began the 
 culture of tobacco, a native of that soil, since be- 
 come the great staple of Virginia. But the eager demand 
 for this article in England, caused, for some time, another 
 scarcity of food; the inconsiderate attention to its produc- 
 tion constrained the settlers again to plunder the unhappy 
 Indians, revived their antipathy to the English name, and 
 called forth a renewal of their desolating vengeance. 
 
 Notwithstanding this dreadful state of alarm, the colo- 
 nists still pursued the cultivation of the favourite plant ; 
 and, as they formed more extensive projects, were unex- 
 pectedly furnished with the means of executing them with 
 greater facility. How much would we rejoice, could the 
 cause, at this moment, be buried in oblivion, its effect be 
 no longer traced ! A Dutch ship, from the coast of Guinea, 
 having sailed up James' River, sold to the planters a part 
 of her negroes; which race has been augmented in Virginia, 
 by successive importations, and the natural increase, un- 
 til it exceeds the number of the whites. What a climax 
 of human cupidity and turpitude ; what a glaring inconsist- 
 ence, between the public professions, and the private ac- 
 tions, of individuals, are here presented for consideration ! 
 Only forty years were elapsed, since Holland had burst the 
 fetters of a Spanish despot. She was, at this period, the 
 favourite asylum of the oppressed : thus, enjoying a politi- 
 
THE UNITEi:) STATES. 3S 
 
 cai freedom, made yet sweeter by the recollections of a 
 sanguinary bondage, and the proud satisfaction of receiving 
 within her bosom the trembling victims of superstition. But, 
 the fetters which her citizens had thus broken, and cast 
 upon the ground, are quickly lifted and repaired. With 
 adamantine permanence, they are transferred, to the feeble, 
 unoffending native, of another clime. The commerce, 
 which liberty had extended, is now made subservient to the 
 increase of slavery. The colonists become partakers in the 
 crime : they place the last rivet to the chains, and plead ne- 
 cessity in exculpation. But, there was no necessity : the 
 land which they had deserted maintained only a scanty 
 population, and required not their removal. Its neglected 
 soil was more generous, its climate more congenial, than 
 was either in the country that they adopted; its laws more 
 liberal than those which they now obeyed. It had not driv- 
 en these colonists away : their emigration was voluntary ; 
 embraced with ardour, because dictated by ambition. 
 
 Scarcely had they committed this violence on the liber- 
 ty of others, when they succeeded in the extension of their 
 own. Whilst trampling on their fellow men, they seemed 
 to rise in their own importance, and be impressed with a 
 more lively sense of the value of freedom. In compliance 
 with this spirit, the governor, sir George Yeardley, 
 called a general assembly, the first held in Virginia. 
 Population was now so increased, and the settlements were 
 so dispersed, that eleven corporations sent representatives to 
 this convention ; which was permitted to assume legislative 
 power, the natural privilege of man. The supreme authori- 
 ty was lodged partly in the governor, partly in a council of 
 state appointed by the company, and in a general assembly, 
 composed of representatives of the people. The first re- 
 sembled Xhe sovereign ; the second, the house of peers ; and 
 the last, the house of commons, of the British constitution : 
 then, the best mode of free government ever established by 
 any nation of the world, and the system from which all sub- 
 sequent English colonial policy has been formed. 
 
 A natural effect of that happy change was an increase of 
 their agriculture. There was now produced tobacco, ade- 
 quate 'not only to the consumption of Great Britain, but 
 some also for a foreign market. The company opened a 
 trade with Holland, and established warehouses in Middle- 
 burgh and Flushing. This measure is remarkable, as hav- 
 ing produced the first difference of sentiment between the 
 colony and the parent state. Jealous at seeing a commodi- 
 
56 HISTORY OF 
 
 ty, for which the demand was every day increasing, con- 
 ducted to foreign ports, without being subject to its control, 
 thereby causing a diminution of its revenue, the latter en- 
 deavoured to check this colonial enterprise ; not consider- 
 ing that the restraint was a breach of the sacred principles 
 of justice. 
 
 The bold spirit of discussion which the new constitution 
 had infused into the general courts of the colony in London, 
 having soon drawn the attention, and roused the suspicion, 
 of James, their charter, by a decision of the king's bench, 
 was forfeited, and the company dissolved. His successor, 
 Charles the first, adopted all his father's maxims, with res- 
 pect to Virginia ; so that, during a great part of his reign, 
 it knew no other law than the royal wvH. But, the colonists 
 not quietly submitting to this system of oppression, Charles 
 yielded to the people's voice : he recalled Harvey, his ob- 
 noxious governor, and in his place appointed sir William 
 Berkeley; a man of consummate abilities and exalted rank, 
 prudent, virtuous, and popular : under whose administra- 
 tion, Virginia remained, with some short periods of inter- 
 ruption, almost forty years. This pleasing change in the 
 person of the governor, was accompanied by a still farther 
 amelioration in the mode of government. The growing 
 opposition experienced by the king from domestic subjects, 
 prompted him to court the affections of those abroad, 
 Berkeley, though the literal tenor of his commission was 
 the same with that of his predecessor, received instructions 
 to declare, that, in all its concerns, civil and ecclesiastical, 
 the colony would be governed by the laws of England. He 
 was directed to issue writs for choosing representatives of 
 the people; who, in conjunction with himself and the coun- 
 cil, were to form a general assembly, and possess supreme 
 legislative power, (subject, however, to the ratification of 
 the general courts in England,) and to establish courts of 
 justice, in which all causes should be decided, agreeably to 
 the forms of procedure in the parent state. 
 
 After royalty was abolished in Great Britain, by the ex- 
 ecution of the king, and the consequent establishment of a 
 commonwealth, the authority of the crown continued to be 
 acknowledged in Virginia. Retaining a lively feelihg of 
 gratitude towards a monarch, from whom, through what- 
 ever reason, they had received immunities, not less valu- 
 able than unexpected, the colonists had preserved un- 
 shaken loyalty to Charles, during all his misfortunes. But 
 the measures of the commonwealth were prompt and 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 37 
 
 , , „ vif^orous. A numerous squadron, with a consider- 
 *^^ able body of land-forces, was despatched, to reduce 
 the Vh'ghnans to obedience. Berkeley made resistance to 
 this formidable armament ; but could not long maintain so 
 unequal a contest. He was soon defeated. His gallant 
 conduct, however, instead of injuring, was of service, to his 
 people. They received indemnity for the past, and were 
 allowed all the privileges of citizens. Notwithstanding, 
 the governor disdained to make any stipulations for himself; 
 and, choosing to pass his days far from a government which 
 he detested, he continued, for some years, in Virginia, as 
 a private man, beloved and respected by all over whom he 
 had presided. 
 
 The English commonwealth was not satisfied with the 
 mere subjection of the colonies. It next turned its atten- 
 tion to securing, by an express law, the benefit of their in- 
 creasing commerce. With this view, the parliament fram- 
 ed two acts: one, prohibiting all mercantile intercourse be- 
 tween the colonies and foreign states ; the other, the im- 
 portation of Asiatic, African, or American produce, into 
 the dominions of the commonwealth, except in vessels be- 
 longing to English subjects, or to the people of the respect- 
 ive colonies from which the importation was made ; navi- 
 gated by an English commander, and by crews, the greater 
 part of which must be Englishmen. 
 
 On the death of Mathews, the last governor appointed 
 by Cromwell after he had usurped the supreme power, the 
 Virginians, no longer under the control of authority, burst 
 out with the utmost violence. They forced sir William 
 Berkeley from his retirement, boldly erected the royal 
 standard, and proclaimed Charles the second, son of the 
 late monarch, their lawful sovereign. Thus, they were 
 the last British subjects who renounced, and the first who 
 returned, to their allegiance; a distinction, which, with 
 whatever degree of pride they were once fond of recollect- 
 ing it, would, now, be willingly relinquished. 
 
 Indeed, the satisfaction of living under their ancient sov- 
 ereign, was all, perhaps, they had expected. P'or, though 
 the unbending disposition of the Stuarts promised no 
 amendment in the government, their title was undisputed, 
 their family, from its antiquity, more respected than that 
 which had usurped their place ; considerations of moment- 
 ous influence, on the minds of a large number of men of 
 rank, recently arrived in the colony, to avoid the dangers 
 to which their principles exposed them in England. Eor- 
 4 
 
SiS HISTORY OF 
 
 tunately for the Virginians, another revolution soon placed 
 Charles the second on the throne, and saved them from the 
 chastisement to which they were exposed by their previous 
 declaration in his favour. But, gracious professions of es- 
 teem were the only return made by the new king for their 
 loyalty and service ; and the new parliament, instead of re- 
 moving the restraints imposed upon their trade by the com- 
 monwealth, not only adopted all their ideas, but carried 
 them still farther. This produced the memorable Act of 
 Navigation. It enjoined, that no commodities should be 
 imported into any British settlement, in Asia, Africa, or 
 America, or exported from them, except in vessels built 
 in England, or in the plantations ; of which vessels, the 
 masters and three fourths of the mariners should be Eng- 
 lish subjects : and that no sugar, tobacco, cotton, wool, indi- 
 go, or woods used in dying, of the growth or manufacture of 
 the colonies, should be shipped from them to any country 
 except England. Soon afterwards, this act was extended, 
 and prohibited the importation of any European commodi- 
 ty into the colonies, unless laden in England, in vessels nav- 
 igated according to the tenor of the act. 
 
 From that period, until the English revolution in 1688, 
 if we except an insurrection raised by Nathaniel Bacon, a 
 golonel of militia, there is not any occurrence in the histo- 
 ry of Virginia, essential to be noticed, in this work. The 
 number of its inhabitants then exceeded sixty -thousand ; by 
 which, it appears, that in the previous twenty-eight years 
 its population was doubled. 
 
 The college of William and Mary, at Williamsburg, the 
 principal seminary of learning in this state, was founded in 
 1691, in the reign of the sovereigns whose name it bears. 
 To aid in its erection and support, they gave nearly two- 
 thousand pounds, out of their private purse, and granted 
 twenty-thousand acres of land, besides a penny a pound on 
 all tobacco sent from the province and from Maryland to 
 the other English plantations. The assembly gave it addi- 
 tional revenues ; which increased its annual income to up- 
 wards of three-thousand pounds ; and a considerable dona- 
 tion was added, by the great Irish philosopher Boyle, for 
 the literary and religious instruction of the Indians. 
 
 When the continent of North America was first visited 
 by Europeans, the whole country, with the exception of 
 small patches cleared by the aborigines, and the ^irairies^ 
 or natural meadows, since discovered in the western terri- 
 tories, was one uninterrupted forest. The groves were 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 39 
 
 generally thick and lofty. Sometimes, the trees were felled 
 by the aid of fire and of sharp stones, but, for the most part, 
 they grew, died, and decayed, upon the same spot. Much 
 of the surface, especially near the sea-coast and along the 
 banks of rivers, was covered with swamps and stagnant 
 waters. There were no horses, cows, sheep, swine, nor 
 tame animals of any kind ; though, in a state of nature, 
 plenty of deer, moose, elks, and buffaloes; bears, squirrels, 
 and conies, suitable for food : also, wolves, and a kind of 
 lion ; besides other quadrupeds, amounting in the whole, 
 according to the accounts received in Virginia, to twenty- 
 eight different species. There was abundance of wild tur- 
 keys, pigeons, swans, geese, ducks, and partridges; herons, 
 cranes, hawks, and a vast number of other birds, making, 
 in all, eighty-five kinds. Sturgeon, herring, trout, ray, 
 mullet, plaice ; together with crabs, lobsters, tortoises, mus- 
 cles, and oysters ; abounded in the rivers. In the woods, 
 the natives gathered, chesnuts, grapes, walnuts, medlars, 
 apple-crabs, hurtleberries, and strawberries : they cultivat- 
 ed maize, peas, beans, pompions, melons, and gourds; and 
 were furnished, by the hand of nature, with an extensive va- 
 riety of large bulbous roots, which they dried and used as 
 bread. In agriculture, they had made some progress. 
 With wooden instruments, they broke up the surface of 
 the ground, and leveled the weeds and old stalks of corn ; 
 which, after remaining for a while exposed to the sun, they 
 burned to ashes, and scattered as manure. At a distance 
 of three feet, and in regular rows, they made holes, in each 
 of which they sowed four grains of corn, every grain being 
 detached ; and, in the intervals, planted beans, peas, pom- 
 pions, melons, and other useful vegetables. This is very 
 similar to the most improved method of the present day ; 
 and, when viewed in conjunction with the produce, leads 
 to an opinion, that these people were not in the least infe- 
 rior, in the arts of husbandry, to the cotemporaneous in- 
 habitants of Great Britain, and that they wanted only the 
 aid of iron, to render them superior.* " An English acre, 
 amongst the Indians," says Hariot, the correct observer, 
 from whom, chiefly, are drawn the accounts of their do- 
 
 * Agriculture, though mucli improved, was still very imperfect. So 
 much so, that the people of Eng'land, in a great measure, depended 
 upon foreign nations for their daily bread. Wheat was considered 
 low at thiriy-two shillings ; barley, at sixteen shillings per quarter 
 
 Reign of James the first. — Uumf. 
 
40 HISTORY OF 
 
 mestic economy and means of subsistence, " Avill yield, of 
 corn, beans, and peas, two-hundred London bushels; where- 
 as, in England, forty bushels of wheat from the same ex- 
 tent, are considered as a large crop." In some other parts, 
 however, they pursued the cultivation of the soil on a much 
 more extended scale. Towards the south, in those districts 
 now known by the names of West Florida and Alabama, 
 many thousand bushels of corn were collected against a 
 time of need, in the public granaries. This grain, distin- 
 guished in Europe by the name of maize, was called by the 
 Indians pogatour. In Virginia, there were silk worms, as 
 large as walnuts ; grass, resembling silk, of which a piece 
 of cloth was manufactured in England; besides flax and 
 hemp, equal in quality to those of Britain. But, of all the 
 objects of cultivation, the most careful attention seemed 
 given to the uppowac ; at present known, in commercial 
 language, by the name of tobacco. This was sown in beds, 
 distinct from every other plant ; as if to preserve it from 
 the unhallowed contact of an ignoble com.panion ; it being 
 the favourite incense offered to their deity, and considered 
 efficacious in quelling the stormy waves. They did not, 
 however, confine its use to the altar of the invisible spirit. 
 It had an extensive consumption, in the ordinary mode of 
 smoking, in pipes made of clay, as a potent averter of dis- 
 ease. 
 
 Their houses were built in a variety of forms, and of va- 
 rious dimensions. Some were framed with small poles, 
 brought together and fastened at the top, in a round, or an 
 oval form, resembling an arbour in an English garden, and 
 covered with bark, or with mats made of long rushes : 
 others were constructed with whole trees, in the manner of 
 the present log-house, and covered with palmetto leaves. 
 In several of these, which, according to the opinion of Ha- 
 riot, were not inferior to the houses of Great Britain, a hun- 
 dred people slept in one room; there being a separate apart- 
 ment for the king and queen. Each person lay on a log of 
 wood, hollowed so as to accommodate the back, with the 
 head supported on a higher piece, which formed the pillow. 
 The fire was kindled in the centre, and the smoke found a 
 passage through the door.* Ignition was produced by a 
 
 * England, about the same period, offers a similar picture of do- 
 mestic economy. "At this time, the dweUing's of people, even of 
 considerable estate, were of plank, badly put tog-ether, and chimneys 
 were aljnost unknown in Eng;iand. The fire wus kindled by the wall. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. .41 
 
 eofttinued rubbing together of two sticks. They had nei- 
 ther chair nor stool, but sat on the ground, commonly with 
 their elbows on their knees ; a mode and attitude still in 
 general practice amongst the poor peasantry in some parts 
 of Europe. A few wooden and stone vessels served all the 
 purposes of domestic life. Their knife was a sharp stone, 
 shell, or reed ; with which, they cut their hair, and trimmed 
 their bows and arrows. They made their axes of stones, 
 shaped similar to the usual ones of iron. They had wood- 
 en mortars, stone pestles, and chisels ; and dressed their 
 corn with a clam-shell, or with a stick made flat and shai'p 
 at one end. They had hooks made of flexible bone, which 
 they used for fishing; and nets, for the same purpose, thirty 
 feet long, wrought with cords of hemp, twisted by the wo- 
 men. Their towns, near the sea-coast, were small, and few 
 in number. They contained each from ten to thirty houses; 
 and were not unfrequently defended by a wall of stakes, 
 driven closely together into the ground. 
 
 The language of one community was diff*erent from that 
 of another; and the greater the intervening distance be- 
 tween the nations, the more perceptible was the dissimi- 
 larity. 
 
 Notwithstanding that these people were very ignorant, 
 when compared with the English, (in the opinion of the 
 same writer,) yet, making allowance for their want of means 
 to display their acquirements, they were both smart and in- 
 genious. Nor were they destitute of religion. Unaided 
 by the blessings of revelation, they had, by the mere dic- 
 tates of natural reason, received a system, which was, in a 
 great measure, adequate to the prevention of injustice. 
 They believed, that there were many gods ; who were of 
 various degrees, and possessed peculiar attributes : but, 
 that there was one God above the whole, by whom the 
 others, and the universe, were made : that the soul was 
 immortal ; and that there was, in a future state, a place of 
 reward for the virtuous, and punishment for the wicked. 
 They had priests ; and also temples, where were placed 
 images of their gods, in human shape, which they wor- 
 shiped. 
 
 and the smoke found Its way through the roof, door, or windows. 
 The furniture was appropriate. The people slept on straw pallets, 
 having a log under their heads for a pillow, and almost every domes- 
 tic utensil was of wood." 
 
 R.cign of Mavxj. — Hume. 
 4* 
 
42 HISTORY OF 
 
 The priests were not so positive in regard to the truth 
 of their own religion, as to prevent their expressing great 
 doubts of its correctness, and listening, with much atten- 
 tion, to the doctrines of Christianity ; a respect, however, 
 caused by an impression, that the English were, in compa- 
 rison with themselves, a superior order of beings. They 
 treated their governors with profound reverence ; and were 
 obedient to the laws ; which inflicted penalties in propor- 
 tion to the crime, extending, for enormous offences, to life 
 itself. 
 
 The narrow circle within which we have confined our ob- 
 servations, precludes our relating the manners and customs 
 of many Indian nations, advanced a much higher step to- 
 wards human perfection. The Peruvians and Mexicans, had 
 risen far above those of the north ; and, in the less remote 
 districts, bordering on the great western waters of the pres- 
 ent United States, works of considerable importance in the 
 science of defensive warfare, as well as institutions of civil 
 government, evinced a degree of elevation, much above the 
 rude operations of primitive society. No stronger evidence 
 need be offered in support of the latter assertion, than the 
 Gircuinstance of females being, in several nations, invested 
 with supreme authority. Amongst a pe.»ple as yet un- 
 acquainted with the salutary restraints imposed by a so- 
 cial contract of civil government, and whose natural ener- 
 gies are solely turned to the business of war, those, only, 
 are honoured with the chief situation, who are qualified, 
 by their valour and experience, to lead the nation against 
 an enemy. But, here, the long-established practice of civ- 
 ilized monarchies appeared. Hereditary accession had 
 gradually arisen, when the people, having acquired a relish 
 for domestic comforts, no longer sought to enlarge their 
 territories, by the extermination of a neighbour, but aimed 
 solely at guarding their ancient possessions against occa- 
 sional incursion. 
 
 In their persons, the Indians of America are, in general, 
 tall, straight, and well proportioned ; with dark eyes, and 
 aquiline nose : their colour is a dark brown, approaching 
 more to a black, than a red, hue : their hair, we believe, is 
 \iniversally black, of uncommon strength. Beards are rare- 
 ly seen amongst them : a smooth chin is considered an es- 
 sential mark of decency : and, accordingly, a hair is not 
 suffered for a moment to appear ; a fashion since adopted 
 in Europe, though entirely opposite to that which prevailed 
 there at the period of the first English settlement in Vir- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 43 
 
 ginia; as the mustachio was then universal. Captain Smith 
 speaks of accidentally meeting " his old friend Mosco, a lus- 
 ty savage of Wichomoco," whom he took to be " a French- 
 man's son, because he had acquired a black bushy beard.'* 
 — " Buffon," observes Mr. Charles Thomson, in allusion tm 
 the characteristic traits of the aborigines, " has, indeed, 
 given an affecting picture of the man of America : but, 
 sure I am, that there never was a picture more unlike the 
 original. * They have no beard,' that author asserts ! 
 Had he known the pains and trouble it costs the men to 
 pluck out, by the roots, the hair which grows on their faces, 
 he would have confessed that nature had not been deficient 
 in that respect. I have seen an Indian beau, with a glass 
 in his hand, examining his face for hours together, and 
 pulling out every hair he could discover, with a kind of 
 tweezer, which he used with great dexterity." 
 
 In dress, and artificial appearance in general, they resem- 
 bled the ancient Britains. They were partially clothed in 
 deerskins, coloured yellow, red, russet, or black : their bod- 
 ies, also, were stained, and punctured with thorns, to make 
 the paint more lasting. The women sometimes wore gowns 
 of moss, ingeniously matted into a kind of cloth. A few of 
 the men had in 'Sheir ears a small green and yellow snake, 
 about half a yard in length ; which, twining itself around 
 their necks, would often familiary kiss their lips. Some 
 ornamented their heads with the wing of a bird, or a large 
 feather and a rattle : others, with the entire skin of a hawk, 
 stuffed, and the wings extended. Their arms were similar 
 to those used by all nations unacquainted with gunpowder, 
 — bows, darts, and clubs. Their boats were formed mostly 
 from the solid tree, hollowed by stones and fire ; and many 
 were capacious enough to carry twenty men, with their 
 ainns and baggage. 
 
 The Indian is more remarkable for his agility than 
 strength ; fitted rather for the rapid pursuit of the forest 
 game, than the laborious duty of agriculture. His frame 
 has habitually assumed a texture corresponding with his 
 employment ; and, in a thinly populated country, this lies 
 amidst the swift -footed tenants of the woods. In the same 
 manner, the miller, the porter, the city chairman, display 
 their several professions, in the conforaiation of their shoul- 
 ders, and the muscular rotundity of their legs or arms. 
 
 Of all uncivilized people, the Indians are the most dis- 
 tinguished oi^tors. When addressing the passions, their 
 language is highly figurative and bold ; warm, animating, 
 
44 HISTORY OF 
 
 and interesting. They have an ingenious mode of retain- 
 ing the substance of their debates. A number of persons 
 stand around the speaker, and, at the end of every division 
 of his discourse, receive from him, in succession, a small 
 piece of stick, as a memorial of the preceding passage ; 
 which, on any future occasion, they are thus enabled fully 
 to recollect. 
 
 These are all the observations which it is thought ma- 
 terial to make, in this place, respecting the aborigines of 
 America. We have not endeavoured to give extraneous 
 ornament to history, by ingenious fictions of the imagina- 
 tion ; to associate falsehood with truth, and degrade millions 
 of our fellow beings, by unsupported assertions of physical 
 inferiority. European writers have assigned to the Indian, 
 qualities of mind and body ; passions of the one, and imbe- 
 cilities of the other ; which are alike erroneous and un- 
 founded. Having discovered a new world, they think it 
 essential that it should be inhabited by a new people ; dif- 
 ferent from those of the old, in every thing except the hu- 
 man form: but, recollecting that the whole race of man are 
 descended from a common parent, and that this parent was 
 created in Asia, they trace his journey from the old world, 
 and show, with industrious anxiety, his Asiatic resemblance. 
 They pursue another branch of their flimsy system, and 
 before their treatise is concluded, destroy the entire ro- 
 mance bv unavoidable collision. 
 
 CHAPTER IV, 
 
 Settlement of Massachusetts^ Rhode Island^ Connecticut, 
 J^ew Hamjishire, and the district of Maine, Sir William. 
 Phijifis. 
 
 WE have already mentioned the partition made of the 
 great territory of Virginia, into North and South colonies. 
 The operations of the Plymouth company, to, whom was 
 assigned the conduct of the northern division, was still more 
 feeble than those of the other ; though animated by the 
 zeal of sir John Popham, chief justice of England, sir Fer- 
 dinando Gorges, and other public spirited gentlemen of 
 the west. 
 
 The first vessel which they sent out was captured by the 
 Spaniards; and their next attempt was not more successftvlf 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 4B 
 
 In the following year, 1607, the same in which Jamestown 
 was founded, they began a small settlement on the river 
 Sagahadoc, now called the Kennebec : but, on account of 
 the rigour of the climate, it was soon abandoned ; and, 
 for some time, nothing farther was attempted than a few 
 fishing voyages to Cape Cod, or a petty traffic with the 
 natives. One of the vessels equipped for this purpose, in 
 1614, was commanded by captain Smith; who was employ- 
 ed also on objects more congenial with his enterprising 
 mind. He explored its coast and delineated its bays and 
 harbours. On his return, he laid before the prince of 
 Wales, the map, on which he had inscribed *' New Eng- 
 land ;" a title that the prince, delighted by the representa- 
 tions of Smith, immediately confirmed. 
 
 Although that adventure had been lucrative, and easily- 
 accomplished, it was not sufficient to allure, the people to 
 emigration. The splendid description which Smith pub- 
 lished of his discoveries, as well as the profit arising from 
 his voyage, was considered with suspicion. The one was 
 viewed as the transcript of a mind naturally enthusiastic 
 and easily deceived by novelty ; the other, as the fruits of 
 piratical violence. But, what could not be effected by the 
 desire of pecuniary emolument, was accomplished by the 
 operations of a higher principle. Religion had gradually 
 excited amongst a large body of the English, a spirit emi- 
 nently fitted to encounter the dangers, and surmount the 
 obstacles, which, hitherto, had rendered abortive the 
 schemes of the company at Plymouth. To this, are the 
 various settlemiCnts in New England indebted for their ori- 
 gin. It is not our intention, nor is it essential, to trace, 
 minutely, the various decrees fulminated against the exer- 
 cise of all religious ceremonies, or against the promulga- 
 tion of religious tenets, at variance with the court opinions, 
 by the tyrannical Henry, or the less severe ministers of 
 Edward ; the ferocious Mary, or the more cautious, and 
 less rigid, policy, of James. To the disgrace of Christian 
 professors, the sacred rights of conscience and of private 
 judgment, were not properly understood ; nor the charity 
 and mutual forbearance taught them by their divine master, 
 at that period practised, in any country. Every church 
 employed the hand of poAver, in supporting its own doc- 
 trines and opposing the tenets of another; in disseminating 
 its own truth, and destroying another's error. When re- 
 forming the ritual and exterior symbols of the church of 
 England, Elizabeth, lest, by a too wide departure from the 
 
46 HISTORY OB 
 
 Roman church, she might alarm the populiace, who are 
 attached to religious worship, more through the medium 
 of the senses than of the understanding, had allowed many 
 of the ancient ceremonies to remain unaltered. With seve- 
 ral of these, however, a large number of her subjects being 
 dissatisfied, they wished to address their creator agreeably 
 to their own opinions, but were subjected to very rigorous 
 penalties. One of the most strenuous and popular declaim- 
 ers against the established church, was Robert Brown; who 
 reduced his own ideas to a system, and prohibited his peo- 
 ple from holding communion with any other. From their 
 founder, his followers were called Brownists ; and, though 
 he abandoned his disciples, and accepted a benefice in the 
 established church, the sect continued to spread, especially 
 in the middle and lower ranks of life. But, as they were 
 carefully observed, and rigorously punished, a body, weary 
 of living in continual danger and alarm, retired to Holland, 
 and settled in Leyden, under the care of a respectable pas- 
 tor, Mr. John Robinson. After remaining there for many 
 years, the society were desirous of removing to some other 
 place, where they might profess and disseminate their opin- 
 ions with more pleasure and success ; and, not deterred 
 by the hardships to which all former emigrants had been 
 exposed, they turned their thoughts upon America, and 
 applied to James ; who, though he refused to give them 
 any positive assurance of toleration, seems to have inti- 
 mated some promise of passive indulgence, so long as their 
 conduct was inoffensive. 
 
 Accepting the terms, they readily procured a tract of 
 land from the company of Plymouth. But their prepara- 
 tions were very inadequate to begin a settlement in a dis- 
 tant region. Only one-hundred-and-twenty persons were 
 collected for this arduous undertaking. They sailed from 
 Plymouth, in 1620; their destination being Hudson's river: 
 however, the captain of their vessel having been bribed, it 
 is said, by the Dutch, who had already formed a plan, after- 
 wards accomplished, of sending thither a colony, carried 
 them so far towards the north, that the first land they 
 reached was Cape Cod. This treacherous behaviour placed 
 them not only beyond their stipulated territory, but even 
 beyond the boundaries of the company from whom they 
 derived their title. To proceed farther was impracticable. 
 It was now the 11th of November. Winter was approach- 
 ing, and the hardships of a long voyage had caused a gene- 
 ral imbecility and sickness. But the disappointment, so far 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 47 
 
 Ih)m being injurious, seems a fortunate event: as the coun- 
 try of their destination was thickly inhabited by Indians, 
 and this, almost depopulated ; a pestilence having recently 
 swept off more than three fourths of its inhabitants. Be- 
 fore landing, they bound themselves, by a written covenant, 
 to be ruled by the majority ; elected John Carver their 
 governor for one year; and, on the 11th of December, 
 chose for their station a place called by the Indians Patuxet, 
 to which they gave the name of New Plymouth ; partly 
 because the harbour in which it is situated had been styled 
 Plymouth by captain Smith, and partly in remembrance of 
 the kind treatment they had received in the port of that 
 name in England. 
 
 Before the spring, half their number were cut off by 
 famine or disease; and even those who remained were un- 
 able to give the requisite attention to the providing of food. 
 They were frequently employed in skirmishing with the 
 Indians. Let it not, however, be imagined, that the latter 
 >vere the aggressors. The records of the ancient settlers 
 incontestibly prove that the Indians were attacked without 
 provocation. In a few days after the English landed, cap- 
 tain Standish, with a party of sixteen men, well armed, 
 went to explore the country ; and, about a mile from the 
 sea, discovered five " savages," who immediately fled. 
 ^<' He pursued them about ten miles ; but, night coming on, 
 he placed sentinels, kindled a fire, and rested quietly." In 
 the morning, he continued the pursuit^ as far as Pamet 
 river, without seeing either inhabitants or habitations. 
 Pearly in December, he set out upon a fourth expedition of 
 discovery. On the first day, he saw a small party of In- 
 dians, who fled; and about midnight, when sleeping in the 
 woods, being roused by the sentinel, his men fired two 
 guns, but perceived no enemy: the shots, however, alarm- 
 ed the poor natives, who were probably lurking in the 
 neighbourhood, anxious to watch the motions of an enemy, 
 who had invaded their territory, and assailed them without 
 reason. Wherefore, in the morning, a shower of arrows 
 was poured against the English, accompanied by savage 
 yells, no less terrible to the Europeans than were the ex- 
 plosions of the death-dealing musket to the Indians. 
 
 Amongst the various traces of civilized life, observed 
 with these people, there was one evidence worthy of atten- 
 tion, as it will aid in removing the erroneous estimate of 
 their social improvement, so generally entertained. After 
 passing some corn-fields, the notice of the English was ar- 
 
48 History of 
 
 rested by a regular burying-yard, encompassed with pali- 
 sades, driven closely together; several of the graves heing 
 carefully surrounded in the same manner. 
 
 It was a favourite opinion with all the enthusiasts of that 
 age, that the Scriptures contained a complete system of 
 civil government, as well as of spiritual instruction ; and, 
 in consequence, without attending to the peculiar circum- 
 stances, or situation, of the people whose history is there 
 recorded, they deduced general rules, for their own con- 
 duct, from what happened to men in a very different state. 
 Influenced by this erroneous idea, the colonists of New 
 Plymouth, in imitation of the primitive Christians, threw 
 all their property into a common stock, and carried on 
 every work of industry by their joint labour, for public 
 benefit. This method, though it displayed the sincerity of 
 their professions, retarded the progress of their colony. 
 The same fatal effects flowed from this community of 
 goods, that had, before, from difterent motives, been expe- 
 rienced in Virginia ; and it was soon, through necessity, 
 relinquished. Excited by the same notion, and viewing 
 themselves as a chosen people of God, all their institutions 
 had reference to some ancient laws ; the language of their 
 familiar and historical writings was mostly quotations from 
 the Bible ; their hopes, their fears, their prospects of vic- 
 tory, or prognostications of defeat, all, were regulated by 
 the impulse of imaginary inspiration. Under these im- 
 pressions, their increase was extremely slow. Their relig- 
 ious principles were so extraordinary and unsocial, that, 
 at the end of ten years, these well-meaning people, when 
 they became incorporated with their more powerful neigh- 
 bours of Massachusetts Bay, did not exceed three-hundred. 
 
 Of this colony, it is now our intention to treat. Not- 
 withstanding the persecutions, to which religious dissenters, 
 of every denomination, w^ere still exposed in Britain, their 
 zeal and number continued to augment ; and, as they des- 
 paired of obtaining, in their own country, any relaxation 
 of the penal laws against their sect, they hoped to find an 
 asylum in New England. By the activity of Mr. White, 
 a non-conformist minister at Dorchester, an association 
 having been made to conduct a colony thither, they pur- 
 chased from the council of Plymouth, a territory, extend- 
 ing in length from three miles north of Merrimack, to three 
 miles south of Charles river ; and in breadth, from the At- 
 lantic to the Pacific ocean ; a boundary then supposed to 
 be not very far distant from the western shore. They found 
 
The united states. 49 
 
 110 difficulty in procuring partners sufficient to attempt its 
 occupation. But, as they entertained doubts concerning 
 the propriety of founding a colony on the basis of a grant 
 from a private company of patentees, who, though they 
 might convey a right to the soil, could not convey the priv- 
 ilege of forming a government, they applied for the neces- 
 sary powers to Charles the first ; who granted their request, 
 with a facility that appears extraordinary, when we con- 
 sider their principles and views. The charter which they 
 obtained was similar to that given to the two Virginian 
 companies, by James. They were formed into a corpora- 
 tion, empowered to dispose of the lands, and govern the 
 people who should settle on them ; and, notwithstanding 
 their migration to America, they and their desceridants 
 were to have all the rights of natural-born subjects. The 
 first governor and his assistants were appointed by the 
 crown : the right of electing their successors was vested in 
 the corporation. Charles seems not to have foreseen, nor 
 to have suspected, the secret intentions of those who pro- 
 jected the measure. So far was he from encouraging emi- 
 grants by any hope of religious indulgence, that he ex- 
 pressly provided for having the oath acknowledging his 
 supremacy in the church administered to every inhabitant 
 of the colony. But, whatever were the intentions of the 
 king, the adventurers kept their own object steadily in 
 view. In the year 1629, they fitted out for New England 
 five ships piwi board of which there embarked upwards of 
 three-hundred passengers ; amongst whom, were several 
 eminent non-conforming ministers. On their arrival, they 
 found the miserable remains of a small party, that had left 
 England the preceding year, under the conduct of Mr. 
 Endicott ; who, prior to their incorporation by royal chart- 
 er, had been appointed deputy governor. They were set- 
 tled at a place called by the Indians Naunekeag ; to which, 
 he had given the Scripture-name of Salem. Immediately, 
 the new colonists began the formation of their church ; 
 without regarding the intentions of the king, but in accord- 
 ance with that system which has since been distinguished 
 by the name of Independent. They elected, by the impo- 
 sition of hands, a pastor, a teacher, and an elder ; and all 
 who were admitted members of the church, gave an account 
 of the foundation of their own hope as Christians. They 
 disencumbered their public worship of every superfluous 
 ceremony, and reduced it to the lowest standard of Calvin=- 
 dstic simplicity. 
 5 
 
59 HISTORY OF 
 
 Much as we respect that noble spirit, which enabled 
 them to part with their native soil ; by some, held dearer 
 than friends, relatives, or children, and, by every generous 
 bosom, preferred even to life itself; we must condemn the 
 proceedings which ensued. In the first moment when they 
 began to taste of Christian liberty themselves, they forgot 
 that others had a right to the same enjoyment. Some of 
 the colonists, who had not emigrated through motives of 
 religion, retaining a liigh veneration for the ritual of the 
 English church, refused to join the colonial state-establish- 
 ment, and assembled separately to worship. But their ob- 
 jections were not suffered to pass unnoticed, nor unpunish- 
 ed. Endicott called before him the two principal offenders ; 
 and, though they were men of respectability, and amongst 
 the number of original patentees, he expelled them from 
 the colony, and sent them home in the first ships returning 
 to England. Had this inquisitorial usurpation been no far- 
 ther exercised, some apology, or at least, palliation, might 
 be framed. More interesting and painful consequences, 
 however, not long afterwards, resulted. The very men 
 tvho had countenanced this violation of Christian duties, 
 lived to see their own descendants excluded from church 
 communion ; to behold their grandchildren, the smiling in- 
 fants at the breast, denied the sacred rite of baptism. 
 
 As the intolerant disposition of archbishop Laud, in the 
 parent country, exacted religious conformity with increas- 
 ing rigour, the desire of emigration grew proportionally 
 ardent ; and several who now felt indignant at those meas- 
 ures, were persons of greater opulence, and of higher rank, 
 than any who had hitherto settled in New England. By 
 their influence, an important alteration was effected. The 
 company consented that the government of the colony 
 should be transferred to America, and vested exclusively 
 in those members who should reside there. 
 
 This transfer, though perhaps irregular, met no inter- 
 ruption from the crown. In a general court, John Win- 
 throp was appointed governor, and Thomas Dudley, depu- 
 ty governor, with eighteen assistants ; to whom, and the 
 body of freemen, were intrusted all the corporate rights of 
 the company. In the course of the ensuing year, fifteen- 
 hundred persons sailed for Massachusetts ; amongst whom, 
 were many distinguished families ; some in easy, several 
 in affluent, circumstances. On their arrival, a number 
 were so dissatisfied with the situation of Salem, that they 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 61 
 
 ^ removed ; and, settling in various places around the 
 bay, founded Boston, Charlestown, Dorchester, Rox- 
 borough, and other towns, since become of considerable 
 importance. Boston \yas named, through respect to Mr, 
 Cotton, after a town in Lincolnshire, of which, before his 
 arrival in New England, he had b'een minister. The ex- 
 tension of these settlements was aided by the sudden de- 
 crease of the natives. The small-pox, introduced by the 
 English, had carried off the Indian race in so great multi- 
 tudes, that whole tribes disappeared, and thus left vacant 
 a country in which they might remain without disturbance. 
 
 The first general court was held at Charlestown, on board 
 the ship Arabella. In this meeting, they ventured to de- 
 viate from their charter, in a matter of great moment ; a 
 deviation which strongly affected all the future operations 
 of the colony. A law was passed, declaring that none 
 should be admitted as freemen, or be entitled to any share 
 in the government, or even to serve as jurymen, except 
 those who had been received as members of the church ; 
 by which measure, every person whose mind was not of a 
 peculiar structure, or accidentally impressed with peculiar 
 ideas, was at once cast out of society, and stripped of his 
 civic rights. 
 
 This fanatical spirit continued to increase. But the next 
 transaction was more puerile than injurious ; rather a sub- 
 ject of amusement than a matter of alarm. A minister in 
 Salem, named Roger Williams, having conceived an aver- 
 sion to the cross of St. George, a symbol in the standard 
 of England, declaimed against it with so much vehemence, 
 as a relic of superstition and idolatry which ought not to be 
 retained amongst a people so sanctified and pure, that En- 
 dicott, in a transport of zeal, cut out the cross from the en- 
 sign displayed before the governor's gate. This frivolous 
 matter interested and divided the colony. Some of the 
 militia were now unwilling to follow a standard in which 
 there was a cross, lest they should do honour to an idol ; 
 others refused to serve under a mutilated banner, lest they 
 should be suspected of having renounced their allegiance 
 to the crown of England. The contest was at length ended 
 by a compromise. The cross was retained in the ensigns 
 of forts and vessels, but erased from the colours of the 
 militia. 
 
 The restless disposition of Williams had caused his ban- 
 ishment from Salem j a circumstance to which is owing, 
 
52 HISTORY OF 
 
 .-26 t^^ foundation of another state; for, so great was 
 the attachment of his hearers, that many accompa- 
 nied him in his exile. They directed their march towards 
 the south ; and purchased from the natives a considerable 
 tract of land, to which their leader gave the name of Provi- 
 dence : and, two years afterwards, William Coddington, a 
 wealthy merchant of Boston, having, with seventy-six 
 others, been banished from Massachusetts, for favouring the 
 religious doctrines of the celebrated Ann Hutchinson, and 
 holding no less than eighty erroneous opinions, purchased, 
 from the Indians, Aquetneck, a fertile island in Naraganset 
 bay ; and named it Rhode Island, (after the island of 
 Rhodes;) under which title, the previous settlement, by 
 Williams, is now included. Protection being afforded to 
 the oppressed, their new settlement became, in a few years, 
 so populous, as to send out colonists to the adjacent shores. 
 After his removal, Mr. Coddington embraced the senti- 
 ments of the Quakers, or Friends, and became the head of 
 that society in the island. The first establishment was 
 made at the north end, and named Portsmouth ; the next, 
 on a fine harbour, at the south-east, which was called New- 
 port ; a town that in a few years became the capital of the 
 colony. These received a charter from the British parlia- 
 ment, shortly after the commencement of the civil wars in 
 the reign of Charles the first ; and a confirmation and en- 
 largement of their constitutional powers from his successor. 
 By this, it was ordered, that " none were ever to be molest- 
 ed for any difference of opinion in religious matters :" yet, 
 the very first assembly convened under this authority, ex- 
 cluded Roman Catholics from voting at elections, and from 
 every office in the government. 
 
 To similar causes, the state of Connecticut is indebted 
 for its origin. About one-hundred persons, with their fam- 
 ilies, accompanied by Mr. Hooker, a favourite minister of 
 Massachusetts, after a fatiguing march through woods and 
 swamps, settled on the western side of the great river Con- 
 necticut, and laid the foundation of Hartford, Springfield, 
 and Weathersfield ; the first of which is now the capital. 
 This settlement was attended by great irregularities. Part 
 of the lands lay beyond the limits of the territory granted 
 to the colony of Massachusetts Bay; the authority from 
 which the emigrants derived the poAver of jurisdiction. 
 Two distinct claims were now made to the tract which they 
 occupied ; one, by the Dutch, the other, by lord Say-and- 
 Seal and lord Brook. The former, then established at Man- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 53 
 
 hattan, (called by them New Amsterdam, and, subseqvient- 
 ]y, by the British, New York,) had discovered the Con- 
 necticut river ; and the latter, the heads of two illustrious 
 families in England, who were disgusted by the arbitrary 
 measures of Charles the first, had taken possession, by 
 building a fort ; which, from their united names, they called 
 Say Brook. By degrees, however, the Massachusetts* ad- 
 venturers were freed from both these competitors. The 
 Dutch were themselves soon expelled from the adjoining 
 district ; the others assigned to the colony whatever title 
 was derived from a first possession ; and, at a subsequent 
 period, it was incorporated by royal charter. 
 
 One of the most remarkable laws in the infancy of Con- 
 necticut, was aimed against the use of tobacco. A similar 
 denunciation was fulminated in Massachusetts. It enacted, 
 that no person under the age of twenty, nor any other not 
 already habituated to it, should use it, until he had brought 
 a certificate from a physician, stating that it was necessary 
 for his health, and had, in consequence, received a license 
 from the court. Those who had already addicted them- 
 selves to this obnoxious weed, were prohibited from using 
 it in any company, at their labour, or on their travels, un- 
 less they were at least ten miles from a house ; and, then, 
 only once a day, under a penalty of six -pence for each of- 
 fence : of which, the constables were directed to give in- 
 formation to the district court. The Connecticut settlers 
 treated the Quakers with little less severity than their Mas- 
 sachusetts brethren. For the fourth breach of the law 
 framed against them, the offender was to be imprisoned, 
 kept to hard labour, and his tongue bored through with a 
 red-hot iron. 
 
 The next province that demands attention is New Plamp- 
 shire. Under the authority of a grant from the council of 
 New Plymouth, sir Ferdinando Gorges and captain John 
 Mason, in conjunction with several merchants of London, 
 Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Shrewsbury, and Dover, at- 
 tempted the establishment of a colony and fishery at the 
 river Piscataqua. For this purpose, in the spring of the 
 year 1623, they sent over David TJiompson, a Scot, Ed- 
 ward and William Hilton, fishmongers of London, and a 
 number of people, furnished with the requisite supplies. 
 They were in two parties. One landed at a place which 
 they called Little Harbour; where they built a house, after- 
 wards named Mason Hall. The other went farther, and 
 settled at a place since called Dover. But the funds of 
 
54 ' HISTORY OF 
 
 this company were not adequate to the undertaking. Nor 
 did the people, to whom they intrusted the establishment, 
 possess that enthusiasm which animated their neighbours 
 of Massachusetts with vigour to struggle through the hard- 
 ships attending an infant colony. It is probable, therefore, 
 that they must have abandoned their design, had not the 
 same motives which caused the migrations into Rhode 
 Island and Connecticut, assisted in the advancement of 
 New Hampshire. Mr. Wheelright, a clergyman of some 
 note, having, by his opposition to the church government, 
 been banished from Massachusetts, took a route opposite 
 to that of the other exiles, and founded the town of Exeter, 
 on a small river that fiow^s into Piscataqua bay. For a 
 long time, the parent colony claimed jurisdiction over New 
 Hampshire ; and the first reduction of its constitution into 
 a regular form was subsequent to the English revolution. 
 
 In the beginning of the eighteenth century. New Hamp- 
 shire received considerable increase, by an emigration of 
 above one-hundred families from the north of Ireland ; 
 chiefly Presbyterians of Derry, accompanied by their min- 
 isters. These industrious people introduced the manufac- 
 ture of linen, and excited much curiosity by their spinning- 
 wheels ; as the species which they brought over, being set 
 in motion by the foot, was a novelty amongst the colonists. 
 They also taught the cultivation of the potato ; a vegeta- 
 ble well known to have been carried to Ireland from Mexi- 
 co, about the middle of the sixteenth century. 
 
 The first attempt to colonize the District (now State) of 
 Maine, was made in 1607, on the west side of the Kenne- 
 bec, near the sea ; but no permanent settlement was then 
 effected. In 1635, Gorges obtained a grant of this territo- 
 ry, and in four years afterwards, a royal charter; under the 
 authority of which, he appointed a governor and council. 
 Upon his death, the people unanimously combined, and 
 formed a constitution, on a more liberal and extended basis : 
 by which they were governed until 1652, when they sub- 
 mitted to Massachusetts, who claimed the soil and juris- 
 diction of the province, as far as the middle of Casco bay ; 
 and Maine took the name of Yorkshire ; having liberty to 
 ^end deputies to the general court of Boston. 
 
 By extending their settlements, the English became ex-^ 
 posed to serious danger. The Indians around Massachusetts 
 Bay, being feeble and unwarlike, and having received from 
 the early settlers what they deemed an equivalent for their 
 lands., gave no iadications of hostility : but Providence and 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 55 
 
 Connecticut had soon to contend with nations more nume- 
 rous and powerful. Among these, the most considerable 
 were the Naragansets and the Pequods. The latter could 
 bring into the field a thousand warriors ; not inferior, in 
 discipline and courage, to any Indians in America. Fore- 
 seeing that the extermination of their entire race must be 
 the consequence of their permitting Europeans to spread 
 over the continent, they applied to the Naragansets; re- 
 questing them to forget their mutual animosities for a sea- 
 son, and co-operate in expelling a common enemy. But 
 the latter, with a refinement in policy, similar to that which 
 deluges with blood the numerous countries of the Christian 
 world, perceived, in this, a favourable opportunity of weak- 
 ening, if not of totally destroying, an ancient rival : instead, 
 therefore, of acceding to this prudent offer, they discovered 
 the hostile intention of their neighbours to the governor of 
 Massachusetts, and entered into an alliance with the Eng- 
 lish against them. 
 
 More exasperated than discouraged by this treach- 
 ery, the Pequods took the field, plundered and 
 burned remote settlements, and attacked fort Say Brook ; 
 from which, when driven off, they retired to places deemed 
 inaccessible to an invading enemy. The troops of Con- 
 necticut were soon assembled, and ready for the field : but 
 the march of those from Massachusetts was retarded by 
 the most singular cause that ever influenced the operations 
 of a modern army; reminding us of the superstitious Spar- 
 tans, who, when solicited to join the Athenians in opposing 
 the arms of Persia on the plains of Marathon, made answer, 
 that it was an established law with them, not to begin a 
 march before the full moon. When mustered, it being 
 found that some of the officers and many of the private 
 soldiers were " under a covenant of works," it was declared, 
 that a blessing could neither be implored nor expected to 
 accompany the arms of such unhallowed men. The alarm 
 became general ; and many arrangements were necessary, 
 to cast out the unclean, and render this little band sufficient- 
 ly pure to fight the battles of a people who entertained so 
 high ideas of their own sanctity and importance. 
 
 Not waiting for their puerile allies, the Connecticut 
 troops, with the Naragansets, commanded by captain Ma- 
 son, advanced against the enemy ; who had posted them- 
 selves in the middle of a swamp, near the head of the river 
 Mistic, and surrounded their camp with palisades. But they 
 displayed more prudence in choosing their situation, than 
 
56 HISTORY OF 
 
 in guarding it from surprise. Their assailants reached the 
 paling unperceived, and if a dog had not given the alarm, 
 the Indians must have been massacred whilst asleep. In 
 a moment, the warriors were in arms, and, raising the war- 
 cry, prepared to repel this formidable attack. Notwith- 
 standing, however, that, like the defenders of the Roman 
 capitol, they had been summoned by an instinctive guard- 
 ian, they were not equally successful in overthrowing their 
 invaders. A dreadful carnage ensued. Entering hastily 
 by two winding passages, which had been left open, the 
 English directed their guns towards the floors of the little 
 huts, that were covered with their inhabitants asleep. 
 Roused from their dreams by the unremitting discharges 
 of musketry, if they came forth, they rushed against the 
 surrounding swords ; if they reached the palisades, and at- 
 tempted to climb over, they were met by a shower of balls. 
 Their crowded dwellings were soon in flames : many, afraid 
 to venture out, remained in the devouring fire; others, who 
 had recoiled from the deadly weapons, rushed amidst the 
 blaze, and shared their fate. In a few minutes, " five or 
 six -hundred lay gasping in their blood, or were silent in the 
 arms of death." 4 The darkness of the forest," observes 
 a New England author, " the blaze of the dwellings, the 
 ghastly looks of the dead, the groans of the dying, the 
 shrieks of the women and children, the yells of the friendly 
 savages, presented a scene of sublimity and terror, inde- 
 scribably dreadful." The spirit of extermination was not 
 satiated here. The Massachusetts' troops, under captain 
 Stoughton, at length arrived, and in a few months the Pe- 
 quods ceased to be a nation. Their very name was heard 
 no more. Those who had been taken alive were sold as 
 slaves, abroad, or reduced to servitude at home. 
 . The dangers to which the New England colonies 
 
 were exposed, from domestic and foreign enemies, 
 induced them to form an alliance, for their defence. This 
 confederation included all except Rhode Island, which 
 Massachusetts was unwilling to admit, and was regulated 
 by stated assemblies, continued, with little alteration, until 
 their charters were annulled by James the second. 
 
 Whilst the settlers were lessening the number of the an- 
 cient inhabitants, they were daily receiving an addition to 
 their own. Notwithstanding all the efforts of the British 
 government to check the tide of emigration, the measures 
 of the crown were so hostile to the public rights, that, in 
 the course of the year 1638, about three-thousand persoiTy 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 57 
 
 embarked for New England ; choosing rather to bear all 
 the consequences of a royal mandate, than remain longer 
 under oppression. But, on the assumption of the supreme 
 power by the parliament, those motives to emigrate entirely 
 ceased. The Puritanical maxims, with respect to the gov- 
 ernment of the church and state, became predominant in 
 England, and were enforced by the hand of power. Up to 
 this period, twenty-one-thousand British subjects had set- 
 tled in New England ; but the number of people with which 
 it afterwards recruited the parent country, is supposed, to 
 equal the amount previously received. Some returns also 
 for the expenses incurred by its planters were now made i- 
 they began to extend the fishery, to export corn and lum- 
 ber to the West Indies ; which, with the produce of the 
 first, have since grown to be their staple articles of com- 
 merce. At length, a decided indication of increasing im- 
 portance was displayed. In the year 1652, the general 
 court of Massachusetts ordered a coinage of silver money 
 at Boston, stamped with the name of the colony, and with 
 a tree, as an appropriate symbol of progressive vigour. 
 No other colony ever presumed to coin metal into money. 
 But the royal government in England was recently over- 
 thrown. The mint-master, John Hull, made a large for- 
 tune. It was commonly reported, that he gave his daught- 
 er a marriage portion of thirty-thousand New England 
 shillings. 
 
 Although these children of the forest thus appi-oached 
 the situation of their parent, in the external relations of 
 society; in wealth, in commerce, in population; they seem- 
 ed to make an opposite movement in rectitude of judg- 
 ment : the absence of which produced bigotry, superstition, 
 intolerance, and cruelty. That persecuting spirit which 
 consigned its victims to the flames, having spent its rage 
 in almost every European nation, and been, in England, 
 long since exhausted, or restrained by a superior power, 
 now burst forth from those bosoms which had indignantly 
 recoiled from its effects. We here allude to the treat- 
 ment of the Quakers. A number of these people, 
 having arrived from England and Barbadoes, and 
 given offence to the clergy of the established church, by 
 the novelty of their religion, at that time, certainly a little 
 extravagant, were imprisoned, and, by the first opportunity, 
 sent away. A law was then made, which prohibited mas- 
 ters of ships from bringing any Quakers into Massachu- 
 setts, and themselves from coming there ; under a gradual- 
 
3^ HISTORY OF 
 
 ed penalty, rising, in case of a return from banishment, as 
 high as death. In consequence of this barbarous proscrip- 
 tion, several were hanged ; a mode of punishment not 
 adopted on account of its being more ignominious than 
 that of burning, practised in Europe, but perhaps to avoid 
 a too strict conformity with the usage of their ancient ene- 
 mies.* These proceedings are still the more reprehensi- 
 ble and remarkable, when contrasted with a previous de- 
 claration of their government, which tendered " hospitality 
 and succour to all Christian strangers, flying from wars, 
 famine, or the tyranny of persecution." 
 
 But this sanguinary conduct was soon prohibited, by an 
 order from Charles the second. During its continuance, 
 the number of Quakers in Massachusetts increased, instead 
 of being diminished. The pillory served, there, as a pulpit 
 for the celebrated George Fox, the founder of the sect. 
 
 The Anabaptists were the next object of persecution. 
 Many of these were disfranchised, and some were banished. 
 But, as oppression again created what it was intended to 
 destroy, the court judged it expedient to withdraw it, and 
 persecution for a while ceased. 
 
 Why, it may be asked, are these early scenes of folly re- 
 coloured, and exhibited on the stage of history, in this re- 
 mote age. Are they meant to calumniate the fathers of 
 our people, and augment the inclination towards religious 
 intolerance; to wound the feelings of our youth, and create, 
 anew, the malignant spirit of recrimination ? No, it is an- 
 swered ; they are to guard against a repetition, by reminding 
 society, that the same causes will produce similar effects, 
 amongst every nation, in every age ; and that the same as- 
 cendency over the civil authorities, which then prevailed, 
 might plunge us, even at this enlightened period, into that 
 vmhappy state, now contemplated with so much regret.-— 
 A great American statesman and profound philosopher, in 
 acicnowledging the receipt of a discourse on the consecration 
 
 • The following Quakers were hang-ed, for returning after banish- 
 ment : William Robinson, and Marmaduke Stephenson, on the 27th of 
 October, 1656; William Ledlea, on the 14th of March, 1660; Mary 
 Dyer, on the 1st of . Time. 
 
 Toleration was preached against, as a sin in rulers, that would 
 bring down the judgment of Heaven upon the land. Mr Dudley died 
 with a copy of verses in his pocket, of which the two following lines 
 make a part. 
 
 "Let men of God, in court and churches, watch, 
 ©'er such a^ do a toleration hatch." 
 
THE UNITED STATES. ^9 
 
 ©f a synagogue, expresses himself in these words : " Your 
 sect, by its sufferings, has furnished a remarkable p)roof of 
 the universal spirit of religious intolerance, inherent in 
 e^ery sect ; disclaimed by all while feeble, and practised 
 by all when in power. Our laws nave applied the only an- 
 tidote to this vice; protecting our religious, as they do our 
 civil, rights, by placing all on an equal footing. But, more 
 remains to be done ; for, though we are free by the law, 
 we are not so in practice : public opinion erects itself into 
 an inquisition, and exercises its office with as much fanati- 
 cism as fans the flames of an auto de feJ^ 
 
 On the accession of James the second, several of the 
 New England colonies were deprived of their charters; 
 which, however, with various modifications, not essential 
 to be enumerated, were restored after the ensuing revolu- 
 tion. But, this was not the only evil arising from the con- 
 tests of this period. France, being engaged in war with 
 the parent state, thought the opportunity favourable for 
 disturbing her American dominions : and, from the con- 
 tiguity of Canada, where the former was then established, 
 was enabled to keep the northern provinces in continual 
 alarm. Vigorous exertions were made to carry hostilities 
 into the colony of the aggressor. The command was given 
 to sir William Phipps, a distinguished character of those 
 days, and the first governor appointed under the new chart- 
 er. His earliest object was the conquest of L'Acadie, now 
 called Nova Scotia ; for which, having sailed from New- 
 England with a force of seven-hundred men, he arrived at 
 Port Royal, and took possession of the entire province for 
 Great Britain. But his next attempt was wholly unsuccess- 
 ful. Proceeding with a much larger equipment, and ar- 
 riving before Quebec, the winter was so far advanced, that 
 the troops from Connecticut and New-York returned, after 
 they had reached the lakes : and his own troops being sick- 
 ly and discouraged, he relinquished his intentions ; sailing 
 again to Boston, with the loss of one-thousand men. 
 
 The new charter, whilst it curtailed the liberties, extend- 
 ed the territory, of Massachusetts. To it, were now annex- 
 ed, New-Plymouth, Maine, and Nova Scotia, with all the 
 country between the two latter and the river St. Lawrence : 
 also Elizabeth Islands, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. 
 The people, however, had reason to complain : they no 
 
 • Mr. Jefferson's letter to Mr. Noah, of New-York, dated Monte- 
 cello, May 28, 1618. 
 
60 HISTORY OF 
 
 longer chose their governor, secretary, nor officers of the 
 admiralty : the militia was placed under the control of the 
 governor, and the same officer levied taxes and tried capi- 
 tal offenders. Against these innovations, however, an ad- 
 mirable spirit was evinced, in the very first act passed un- 
 der the new constitution. It was resolved, that no loan or 
 imposition of any kind, should be raised in the colony, un- 
 less with the approbation of the council and the represent- 
 atives of the people, assembled in general court. 
 
 " Sir William Phipps," observes a New England histor- 
 ian, " found the province in a most deplorable situation. 
 An Indian war was wasting the frontiers ; an agitation, a 
 terror in the public mind, in the greater part of Essex coun- 
 ty, was driving the people to the most desperate conduct. 
 In the tempest of passion, a government of la\vs, trial by 
 jury, all the guards against oppression, were too feeble to 
 protect the person or property of the most loyal subject. 
 The pillars of society were shaken to their foundation, by 
 the amazing powers of imaginary witchcraft. The people 
 of that county had lived amongst the Indians ; they had 
 heard their narratives of Hobbamocko, or the Devil; of his 
 frequent appearances to them, of his conversations with 
 them, and of his sometimes carrying them off. These were 
 the familiar tales of their winter evenings ; which confirm- 
 ed their opinions, laid the basis of superstition, and furnish- 
 ed materials for approaching terrors. The circumstances 
 attending the first strange accounts were most unfortunate, 
 and powerfully tended to give them currency. They appear- 
 ed in the family of their minister : he was credulous ; this 
 excited belief in others. An Indian and his wife were in 
 the house : they were supposed adepts in the science of 
 witchcraft; their opinions were important; to complete the 
 misery, the physician joined his suffrage ; the evidence now 
 in the public mind was conclusive. It is no wonder, that 
 the alarm was sudden and terrible. Children, not twelve 
 years old, were allowed to give their testimony. Indians 
 related their own personal knowledge of invisible beings, 
 and women told their frights. The testimonies then re- 
 ceived, would now be considered a burlesque on judicial 
 proceedings. One circumstance, however, deserves to be 
 noticed. The persons accused had generally, if not uni- 
 versally, done some singular or forbidden action ; were 
 mostly in the lower walks of life, and their misfortunes or 
 accidents, of thirty years standing, were now arrayed as fa- 
 tal charges against, them. The frenzy was greatest from 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 61 
 
 March to October, 1692. In the beginning of this period 
 of delirium, fasts were held at the ministers' houses ; after- 
 wards, in several congregations in the infected neighbour- 
 hood ; and, finally, the general court appointed a fast 
 throughout the colony.'* 
 
 A very learned pastor of New England, Cotton Mather, 
 was a firm believer in all those ridiculous stories. He re- 
 lates, with a degree of seriousness that is now amusing, as 
 many supernatural events, as would fill a volume ; prefac- 
 mg his ghostly narrative with a regret, that <' the neigh- 
 bours have not been careful enough to record and attest 
 the prodigious occurrences of this importance, and that 
 many true and strange occurrences from the invisible world, 
 have been buried in oblivion." He first mentions a woman 
 afl[licted by a devil, that spoke Dutch ; after which, he pro- 
 ceeds to a more entertaining narrative, which is here given 
 in his own words. — " In the year 1679, the house of Wil* 
 liam Morse, ^t Newberry, was infested with demons, after 
 a most horrid manner. It would fill many pages, to relate 
 all the infestations ; but the chief of them were such as 
 these : — Bricks, sticks, and stones, were often, by some in* 
 visible hand, thrown at the house, and so were many pieces 
 of wood : a cat was thrown at the woman of the house, and 
 a long staff danced up and down in the chimney ; and af- 
 terwards the same long staff was hanged by a line, and 
 swung to and fro ; and, v/hen two persons laid it on the fire, 
 to burn it, it was as much as they were able to do, with 
 their joint strength, to hold it there. An iron crook was 
 violently, by an invisible hand, hurled about ; and a chair 
 flew about the room, until, at last, it lit upon the table, 
 where the meat stood ready to be eaten ; and had spoiled 
 all, if the people had not, with much ado, saved a little. A 
 chest was, by an invisible hand, carried from one place to 
 another, and the doors barricadoed, and the keys of the fam- 
 ily taken, some of them from the bunch where they were 
 tied, and the rest flying about with a loud noise of their 
 knocking against one another. For, one while, the folks 
 of the house could not sup quietly, but ashes would be 
 thrown into their suppers, and on their heads, and their 
 clothes, and the shoes of the man being left below, one of 
 them was filled with ashes and coals, and thrown up after 
 him. When they were in bed, a stone, weighhig three 
 pounds, was, divers times, thrown upon them. A box and 
 a board were likewise thrown upon them ; and a bag of 
 hops being taken out of a chest, they were, by the invisible 
 6 
 
62 HISTORY OF 
 
 hand, beaten therewith, till some of the hops were scattered 
 on the floor, where the bag was then laid and left. The 
 man was often struck by that hand with several instru- 
 ments : and the same hand cast their good things into the 
 fire : yea, while the man was at prayer with his household, 
 a besom gave him a blow on his head behind, and fell down 
 before his face. When they were winnowing their barley, 
 dirt was thrown at them ; and assaying to fill their half- 
 bushel with corn, the foul corn would be thrown in with 
 the clean, so irresistibly, that they were forced thereby to 
 give over what they were about. 
 
 *' While the man was writing, his ink-horn was, by the 
 invisible hand, snatched from him, and being able nowhere 
 to find it, he saw it drop out of the air, down by the fire. 
 A shoe was laid on his shoulder, but when he would have 
 caught it, it was rapt from him : it was then clapped upon 
 his head, and there he held it so fast, that the unseen fury 
 pulled him with it backward on the floor. He had his cap 
 torn off his head, and was pulled by the hair, and pinched 
 and scratched, and the invisible hand pricked him with 
 some of his awls, and with needles, and bodkins ; and blows, 
 that fetched blood, were sometimes given him. Frozen 
 «lods were often thrown at the man ; and his wife going to 
 milk the cows, they could by no means preserve the ves- 
 sels of milk from the like annoyances, which made it fit 
 only for the hogs. 
 
 <," She, going down into the cellar, the trap-door was im- 
 mediately, by an invisible hand, shut upon her, and a table 
 brought and laid upon the door, which kept her there till 
 the man removed it. When he was writing, at another 
 time, a dish leapt into a pail, and cast water on the man, 
 and on all the concerns before him, so as to defeat what he 
 was then upon. His cap jumped off his head, and on again, 
 and the pot-lid went off the pot into the kettle, then over 
 the fire together. A little boy belonging to the family was t 
 a principal sufferer by these molestations ; for, he was flung 
 about at such a rate, that they feared his brains would have 
 been beaten out : nor did they find it possible to hold him. 
 The man took him, to keep him in a chair; but the chair 
 fell a dancing, and both of them were very near being 
 thrown into the fire. 
 
 " These and a thousand such vexations befalling the boy 
 at home, they carried him to live abroad at a doctor's. 
 There, he was quiet ; but, returning home, he suddenly 
 cried out ' he was pricked on the back j* where they found 
 
^HE UNITED STATES. 6^5 
 
 strangely sticking, a three-tined fork, which belonged unto 
 the doctor, and had been seen at his house after the boy's 
 deparivire. Afterwards, his troubles found him out at the 
 doctor's also ; where, crying again < he was pricked on th^ 
 back,' they found an iron spindle stuck into him ; and the 
 spectre would make all his meat, when he was going to eat, 
 fly out of his mouth ; and instead thereof make him fall to 
 eating ashes, sticks, and yarn." 
 
 Twenty persons, men and women, having been executed, 
 the supposed sufferers, by their alleged enchantments, be- 
 came more daring, and accused some of the best people in 
 the country. Suspicion now roused from its lethargy; 
 condemnation ceased ; the accusers were silent ; those un- 
 der sentence were reprieved, and afterwards pardoned. 
 
 Seldom, does the historic page offer to the biographer a 
 character more strongly marked than that of Phipps ; of 
 whose life, a cursory sketch may be found both instructive 
 and entertaining. He was born at a small plantation on the 
 river Kennebeck ; his father was a gun-smith, formerly of 
 Bristol, in England. His mother had twenty-six children, 
 twenty-one of whom were sons. William, one of the young- 
 est, remained with her when a widow, tending sheep, until 
 arrived at the age of eighteen. Actuated now by a power- 
 ful impulse, he conceived that he was born to fill a more 
 important part in the drama of human life, resisted the de- 
 sire of his friends that he would become a plantei', and, as 
 the first step towards attaining his imagined elevation, 
 bound himself apprentice to a ship-carpenter. In this pro- 
 fession, he shortly became an adept. Having removed to 
 Boston, he there followed his trade for about a year, and, by 
 his good conduct, obtained in marriage the daughter of cap- 
 tain Spencer, a respectable citizen. Notwithstanding a 
 severe disappointment and loss which soon afterwards befel 
 him, he was still buoyed up by his early expectation of ad- 
 vancement : he frequently told his wife, that he should yet 
 be captain of a king's ship, and have the command of bet- 
 ter men than he accounted himself. But he did not vainly 
 imagine, that riches would reward him in indolence, or that 
 honours would pursue him in retirement. He felt that he 
 possessed the vigour to attain what his ambition so eagerly 
 desired ; and that his prophecies might be fulfilled, by wis- 
 dom and prudence in the design, and patience and diligence 
 in the pursuit. Upon hearing of a Spanish wreck at the 
 Bahama islands, he made a voyage thither, to search for 
 treasure j but with no greater success than just enabled him 
 
U HISTORY OF 
 
 to visit England. His object in this, was to procure the 
 means of examining another, and fr.r richer, Spanish vvrcc^; 
 and, so forcible were his representations to the government, 
 tiat, in 1683, he was appointed " captain of a king's ship,'* 
 as he had prognosticated ; in which vessel, a frigate of 
 eighteen guns, this enterprising American arrived in his 
 native country. 
 
 Many years were spent in fruitless endeavours to ascer- 
 tain the position of the wreck ; many dangers surmounted, 
 •with a degree of patience and presence of mind, fortitude 
 and courage, scarcely surpassed by any hero, either of an- 
 cient or modern times. A few examples will be sufficient 
 to establish the justice of our remarks. His men, wearied 
 fey their ineffectual endeavours, having mutinied, approach- 
 ed him on the quarter-deck with drawn swords, and re- 
 quired that he should join them in running away with the 
 ship, for the purpose of carrying on the trade of piracy in 
 the Southern ocean. But their brave commander was 
 neither intimidated by their number, nor alarmed by their 
 ferocity. Unarmed, unaided, unprepared, he rushed with 
 heroic boldness upon the crov/d, and, by the mere vigour 
 of his blows, defeated his antagonists, and compelled them 
 to their duty. At another time, whilst his frigate lay ca- 
 reening in a desolate island, by the side of a rock, from which 
 was laid a plank reaching to the shore, his men, of whom 
 he had about one-hundred, went all, except eight or ten, to 
 amuse themselves, as they pretended, in the woods. Here, 
 another conspiracy was formed. They determined, that 
 iii the evening they would seize their captain and the few 
 faithful seamen who had remained on board, leave them to 
 perish on the island, and sail with the ship, to perpetrate 
 the robberies which they had planned before. Informed 
 of their intentions, aLd assured of the fidelity of the others, 
 he prepared immediately to guard his vessel against sur- 
 prise, and reduce the mutineers to obedience. Owing to 
 the inclined posture of the frigate, all the provisions had 
 been, through necessity, carried on shore; where they were 
 placed in a tent, and secured by cannon from the possibil- 
 ity of an attack by the Spaniards. These, he silently or- 
 dered to be unloaded, and turned towards the interior ; 
 thQn, pulling up the bridge, he brought his own guns to 
 bear on every part of the tent, and signified his intention of 
 abandoning his atrocious crew to the fate which they had 
 prepared for him. Terrified now by the apprehension of 
 immediate destruction from the guns, or, at the less instant 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 60 
 
 aneous, though more dreadful, death, from the want of 
 food, they quickly brought the stores on board ; and, hav- 
 ing, on their knees, with eager supplications, displayed that 
 cowardice which is the prominent feature of the assassin^ 
 they submitted to his orders. But Phipps would no longer 
 intrust his person, nor seek to accomplish his design, with 
 such a crew. He sailed to Jamaica, and discharged them. 
 When arrived at Hispaniola, and informed, by a very old 
 man, that the object of his desire was certainly upon a reef 
 of shoals a few leagues from Port de la Plata, he sailed 
 again for England; where, by the aid of the duke of Albe- 
 marle, and other persons of distinction, who became part- 
 ners in his adventure, he prepared the necessary imple- 
 ments, and, with the most sanguine hopes, departed for the 
 wreck. His perseverance was at length rewarded by suc- 
 cess : an Indian diver led him to the long-lost treasure. 
 Besides a large quantity of silver, brought up by a person 
 named Adderly, of Providence, our hero recovered thirty- 
 two tons ; which, with some gold and jewels, amounted to 
 three-hundred-thousand pounds sterling. So generous, 
 however, was he to his men, and so faithful to his partners, 
 that only sixteen-thousand were left to himself. But he 
 received marks of distinction from his sovereign, which, to 
 his noble mind, were more valuable than riches. He was 
 honoured, then, with the title of knighthood ; and, for his 
 general deportment, afterwards appointed to those stations 
 in which we have already observed him, — commander-in- 
 chief and governor of the colony. 
 
 His family has since been ennobled by the king of Eng- 
 land. Captain Phipps, a distinguished British navigator, is 
 descended from the persevering American; and now bears 
 the title of lord Mulgrave. 
 
 In the years 1627 and '33, '63, and '70, New England 
 experienced violent earthquakes ; which produced serious 
 alarm, but no real injury, to the inhabitants. In 1638^ 
 Harvard college, near Boston, the oldest seminary of learn- 
 ing in the United States, was founded. Two years before, 
 the general court having voted four-hundred pounds for the 
 establishment of a public school, at Newtown, that sum 
 was more than doubled by a bequest from Mr. John Har- 
 vard, a highly esteemed minister of Charlestown : who, in 
 his will, left to the infant seminary half his entire estate. 
 Thus endowed, the school was formed into a college ; re- 
 ceiving, in memory of its benefactor, the name of Hai'vard; 
 and Newtown, through respect to the university in Engla-nd, 
 
6« HISTORY OF 
 
 where many of the original emigrants had been educated, 
 was called Cambridge. The first Commencement was 
 held two years afterwards ; when nine students were hon- 
 oured with the degree of bachelor of arts. The first mas- 
 ter of the college, was Nathaniel Eaton ; who was a good 
 scholar, but had not the other requisites for the instruction 
 and government of youth. He was displaced for avarice, 
 in v/ithholding necessary commons ; and for cruelty, in 
 beating his usher with a cudgel, whilst two of his servants 
 held him by the legs and arms. — This is the most richly 
 endowed of all the American colleges. It has thirteen pro- 
 fessors ; and affords a wider range of liberal instruction 
 than any other in the United States. 
 
 Some years from that period, a building was erected there 
 for an Indian college ; into which, several natives entered : 
 but only one attained academical honours, before death and 
 other events disorganized an institution so truly benevolent. 
 But the generous designs entertained towards the improve- 
 ment of that people, did not rest here. As a farther com- 
 pensation for the injury suffered by them, from the en- 
 croachment on their lands, and consequent diminution of 
 the means of supporting life, Mr. Elliot, a pious clergyman 
 of Roxbury, translated the Bible into their own language, 
 and had it printed at the expense of a society established for 
 the spreading of the Christian religion. Besides, he com- 
 posed for them a primer, a grammar, and a book of psalms, 
 with several other useful works ; and was the means of 
 opening schools in the Indian settlements, where the child- 
 ren were instructed, not only in their own language, but in 
 the English, Greek, and Latin. Judicial courts were es- 
 tablished amongst them, on the same principles as the 
 county courts of the colony ; in which, one English lawyer 
 was united with the judges appointed by the natives. 
 
 But, let us inquire, what were the fruits of those institu- 
 tions, so liberally gifted, and planned with wisdom apparent- 
 ly so profound I Have the seeds, thus mdustriously sown, 
 and assiduously cherished, yielded a harvest commensurate 
 with the care devoted to their culture ? Or, have they 
 perished in a barren soil ? Has the mode of cultivation 
 been erroneous, the atmosphere injurious to increasing 
 vigour ? The soil, we believe, was generous : but there 
 was a want of skill in the labourer ; a destructive tendency 
 in the climate. The Indian was overwhelmed with a mul- 
 titude of doctrines, no less mysterious to the teacher, than 
 Incomprehensible to the pupil. The conduct of his patrons* 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 57 
 
 towards their own brethren, offered an example at variance 
 with their precepts; rendering him indifferent to their pro- 
 tection, and careless of a religion, that had not subdued in 
 themselves those passions which they now sought to re- 
 strain in others. Would he not exclaim, as did the simple 
 Mexican, " Are any of these people in that Heaven to which 
 we are invited ? If there are, we desire not to follow 1*' 
 Nor could he, though Virtue herself were to tender him 
 salvation through a distorted creed, of which more than 
 eighty opinions had been rejected by a Christian, receive 
 it with sincerity : he might profess it for a season ; but he 
 would repay the labour of his ephemeral conversion in the 
 accustomed deceptions of hypocrisy. 
 
 The third provincial seminary of letters, in point of time, 
 was established at New Haven, in Connecticut, in 1701 ; 
 ten years after that of William and Mary in Virginia. It 
 was called Yale college, in honour of one of its principal 
 benefactors; and intended principally for training up young 
 men to the duties of the church. Dartmouth college, also, 
 situated at Hanover, in New Hampshire, is a respectable 
 iiistitution. It was founded in 1769, and named after the 
 earl of Dartmouth, one of its most liberal promoters. 
 
 The first printing press established in the British col- 
 onies, was in 1639, at Cambridge, superintended by Stephen 
 Daye; but erected chiefly at the expense of Mr. Glover, an 
 English clergyman, who died on his passage to America. 
 
 The first newspaper printed in the British colonies, was 
 the Boston News Letter; in 1704. It was printed weekly, 
 by Nathaniel Greene, for the proprietor, John Campbell, 
 postmaster of Boston. No other paper was required, until 
 1719, a period of fifteen years; when William Brooker, 
 then at the head of the post-office, published the Boston 
 Gazette, and employed, as printer, James Franklin ; an 
 elder brother of the celebrated Benjamin Franklin. In 1721, 
 James began the publication of another journal, the New 
 England Courant. Its patrons formed themselves into a 
 club, and furnished it with short, original essays, in imita- 
 tion of the Spectator ; which soon brought the Courant in- 
 to notice. It was warmly opposed by the rigid puritans ; 
 whilst it was, with equal ardour, supported by men of more 
 liberal opinions. But the press was then, as it had been 
 during more than fifty years, in Massachusetts, under a 
 rigorous censorship. Nothing could, with impunity, be 
 published, unless pleasing to the colonial government. 
 Franklin was soon imprisoned, and ordered to discontinue 
 
68 llISTORY OF 
 
 his paper, unless he would submit it to a previous super- 
 vision : but, not inclining to yield submission, he conducted 
 it, for some years, in the name of Benjamin; who had been 
 one of its ablest contributors. 
 
 In about seventeen years after the first emigration to 
 New England, negroes were imported there, as a regular 
 branch of traffic with the West Indies. The number 
 brought into the northern colonies, was small, in compari- 
 son with that into the southern ; a circumstance which we 
 may attribute to the difference of climate : as, it appears 
 natural, that the same people who assented to the principles 
 of a trade, would have felt no repugnance to its extension, 
 had it been demanded by their immediate interest. It is 
 only just, however, in reflecting on this conduct of the early 
 settlers, to make a large allowance, in extenuation of that 
 practice. The rights of man, either as regarded his civil 
 or religious liberty, were not, in those days, fully under- 
 stood : nor the mental faculties of the sable African proper- 
 ly examined and acknowledged. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Settlement of Maryland ; of J^forth and South Carolina ; 
 JSTeiv Yorky JVenv Jersey -^ Pennsylvania, Delaware.^ and 
 Georgia. William Penn. 
 
 MARYLAND was founded by sir George Calvert, baron 
 of Baltimore in Ireland; a Roman Catholic nobleman, born 
 in England. Inclined to form a settlement in America, as 
 an asylum fqr himself and his friends, he went over to Vir- 
 ginia ; but, meeting an unwelcome reception on account of 
 his religion, and observing that the inhabitants had not ex- 
 tended their plantations beyond the Potomac, he fixed his 
 attention on lands northward of this river, and when he re- 
 turned to England, obtained a grant of them from Charles 
 the first. But he did not survive the completion of the 
 patent. After his death, however, it was given to his eldest 
 son, Cecilius ; who succeeded to his titles ; the country 
 being called Maryland, in compliment to the queen, Hen- 
 rietta Maria. 
 
 The religious toleration established by that charter, the 
 first draft of which was written, it is said, by sir George 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 69 
 
 himself, is highly honourable to his memory, and was strict- 
 ly respected by his son. 
 
 Leonard Calvert, the first governor of Maryland, was the 
 brother of Cecilius ; who sent him to America at the head 
 of the colony in 1633. Having sailed up the Potomac, he 
 anchored near an island, which he named St. Clements; and 
 there took formal possession of the country, in the name of 
 his sovereign. Thence, he went fifteen leagues higher, to an 
 Indian town on the Virginia side of the river, now called 
 New Marlborough ; where he was received in a friendly 
 manner by the natives. He next sailed to Piscataway, on 
 the Maryland shore, and had an interview with the chief- 
 tain. *' x4re you willing," said that lover of justice, " that a 
 settlement should be made in your country?" — " I will not 
 bid you go," replied the chief, »' neither will I bid you stay: 
 you may use your own discretion." — This, however, was 
 not thought a sufficient warrant for remaining. He visited 
 a creek on the northern side of the river, about four miles 
 from its m^outh, where was an Indian village ; which he 
 purchased from the natives, called it St. Mary's, and the 
 creek St. George's, and granted to each emigrant fifty acres 
 of land. In 1694, the town of Severn, was made a port 
 of trade, and received the name of Annapolis ; and, five 
 years afterwards, the legislature removed thither, from St. 
 Mary's ; since which time, Annapolis has been the seat of 
 government. 
 
 Whilst Virginia harassed all who dissented from the Eng- 
 lish church, and the northern colonies all who dissented 
 from the Puritan, the Roman Catholics of Maryland, a sect, 
 who, in the old world, never even professed the doctrine of 
 toleration, received and protected their Christian brethren 
 of every church, and its population rapidly increased. But 
 this enlightened spirit was, in the course of time, controlled. 
 In the beginning of the eighteenth century, laws were en- 
 acted, equally severe with those of Virginia and New Eng- 
 land, against the profession of any religious sentiments not 
 according with the principal tenets of the Church of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 The next province that claims our attention is North 
 Carolina. Though, by the unhappy termination of the 
 colony of Roanoke, and the subsequent deviation which 
 caused the discovery of the Chesapeake, this lost the honour 
 of being the earliest state ; yet the Union is indebted to those 
 events for a more propitious commencement, and a more 
 vapid approximation to maturity and strength. Of all the 
 
70 HISTORY OF 
 
 colonial family, none, we believe, is less gifted than North 
 Carolina with the means of supporting a numerous off- 
 spring. A generous soil, a wide diffusion of navigable 
 streams, a salubrious air ; every thing which ministers to 
 the wealth, or to the happiness, of man; seems here denied. 
 
 About the middle of the seventeenth century, some emi- 
 grants, chiefly from Virginia, began a settlement in the 
 county of Albemarle : and soon afterwards, another es- 
 tablishment was made at Cape Fear, by adventurers from 
 Massachusetts ; who obtained a transfer of the lands from 
 the ancient owners of the soil. They were held together 
 by the laws of nature, without any written code, without 
 the least degree of constitutional restraint. But they did 
 not long remain in this extraordinary situation. The coun- 
 ty being claimed by England, was made subservient to the 
 interest of the ruling monarch. Charles the second grant- 
 ed to lord Clarendon and others, the whole tract of coun- 
 try lying between the thirty-first and thirty-sixth degrees 
 of north latitude, and extending from the Atlantic to the 
 Pacific ocean. The proprietors, anxious to hasten the im- 
 provement of their extensive regions, offered every induce- 
 ment to emigration. They established a free government, 
 a perfect freedom in religion, and, for the first five years, 
 offered certain portions of land at one halfpenny per acre. 
 
 The settlers in Albemarle were placed under the super- 
 intendence of sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia ; 
 who, having repaired thither, after appointing civil officers, 
 and directing the calling of a general assembly, assigned 
 his authority to Mr. Drummond. 
 
 In 1671, the proprietors extended their settlements to 
 the banks of the Ashley and Cooper rivers, where Charles- 
 ton now stands ; and, in 1729, having, for a sum of money, 
 surrendered to the crown their interest in the soil, the col- 
 ony was divided into North and South Carolina, and a royal 
 governor appointed over each. 
 
 The exports of this colony, during the first twenty-five 
 years, were lumber, peltry, and naval stores. In 1700, the 
 growth of cotton was introduced. Two years afterwards, 
 governor Landgrave Smith received a small bag of rice 
 out of a vessel from Madagascar, which being distributed 
 amongst the planters, became the prominent staple : and to 
 this, about the year 1748, was added indigo ; the manufac- 
 ture of which was taught by Miss Lucas. In the charac- 
 ter of these two productions of Carolina, there is a wide 
 dissimilarity ; the rice being as remarkable for the excel- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. n 
 
 ience, as the indigo is for the inferiority, of its quality. The 
 indigo, as well as the sumac plant, grows spontaneously, 
 not only in this state, but in almost every portion of the 
 American continent : the collecting of the sumac, however, 
 for a foreign market, seems confined to a trifling attention 
 in some of the New England states ; though the consump- 
 tion in Europe, of this indispensable article in dying, is 
 very large, chiefly of Sicilian growth. 
 
 New York was first settled by the Dutch ; by whom it 
 was held for half a century. They founded their claim on 
 prior discovery, by Henry Hudson, a celebrated English 
 navigator, employed by them, in 1609, and on subsequent 
 actual occupation. The English, however, claimed the same 
 country, from its having been first visited by Cabot, above 
 a century before; and because that Hudson, under another 
 commission from the king of England, had, so early as the 
 year 1608, discovered Long Island, and Manhattan, the site 
 of the town of New York, with the river which now bears 
 his name. It is of small importance, at the present day, 
 to inquire whose title was the best. Neither had a just 
 claim upon the property of the native possessors : but, if 
 we be guided by the arbitrary rule of the European powers, 
 in matters of this kind, the dominion must be awarded to 
 Great Britain. 
 
 Peter Stuyvesant, the third and last Dutch governor of 
 this colony, began his administration in 1647. Assailed by 
 New England, on the one hand, and by a Swedish colony 
 and Maryland, on the other, this active officer was inces- 
 santly employed. He was distinguished as much for his 
 fidelity as for his vigilance. He earnestly stated to his em- 
 ployers, the West India company of Holland, the embar- 
 rassments which he experienced ; and the probability of an 
 attack from England : but his representations were un- 
 availing. Meanwhile, a war having commenced between 
 Great Britain and the commonwealth, Charles the second 
 assigned to his brother, the duke of York, all the territory 
 now called New York and New Jersey, together with a part 
 of Connecticut, and of what has since received the names 
 of Pennsylvania and Delaware ; and privately despatched 
 an armament to take possession of the colony. Stuy- 
 vesant was a brave officer; but, not being supported 
 in his defence by the magistrates, was, with much reluct- 
 ance, constrained to surrender. In the following month, 
 Fort Orange, on Hudson river, capitulated, and received 
 the name of Albany, after the second title of the duke. 
 
72 HISTORY OF 
 
 The British arms were equally successful against both the 
 Dutch and Swedes in the south ; so that the whole of Nova 
 Belgia was thus subjected to the English crown. 
 
 Few, however, of the inhabitants were removed. Govern- 
 or Stuyvesant retained his estate, and died in the colony. 
 His posterity still survive, and hold a respectable rank 
 among the citizens of the United States. The government 
 was administered, for several years, by colonel Nichols, the 
 officer intrusted with its reduction; and, after him, by colo- 
 nel Lovelace; under whom, the people lived very happilyj 
 until, in 1673, his powers were annulled by the re-sarren- 
 der of the colony ; an event caused by the treachery of one 
 Manning, who had the command of the principal fort. But 
 the Dutch enjoyed their ancient possession only for a short 
 period ; in the following year, a treaty of peace restored 
 this country to the English. 
 
 Being a conquered country, it was governed by the duke's 
 officers, until the year 1688 ; when representatives of the 
 people were allowed a voice in the legislature. Amongst 
 the governors, we perceive the name of Burnet ; who pre- 
 sided from 1720 until 1728 : a man not less remarkable on 
 account of his being a son of the celebrated prelate who 
 wrote the history of the reformation, than for his admira- 
 ble talents and correct deportment. He was easy and fa- 
 miliar in his manners, and universally esteemed by men of 
 letters. 
 
 The duke of York sold that part of his grant now called 
 New Jersey, to lord Berkeley and sir George Carteret. It 
 had previously been settled by Hollanders and Swedes, with 
 a small intermixture of emigrants from Denmark : all of 
 whom remained there, and became English subjects. The 
 county of Bergen was the first inhabited. Here, was erect- 
 ed a small town, of the same name, in which the settlers 
 resided ; having their plantations at a distance. Very soon, 
 there were four other towns in the province ; Elizabeth, 
 Newark, Middleton, and Shrewsbury ; which, and the ad- 
 jacent country, in a few years, received a large accession 
 of inhabitants, from Scotland, England, and the neighbour- 
 ing colonies. 
 
 Though, in reviewing the formation of the new govern- 
 ment in Jersey, we perceive no striking features to excite 
 a lively interest in its history, such as are in general the 
 chief materials for inquiry ; yet we feel the highest degree 
 of pleasure when contemplating one particular observation ; 
 when reflecting, that no violence was committed on the un- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. n 
 
 offending natives. In allotting lands to the settlers, Mr. 
 Carteret, the first governor, invariably obliged them to sat- 
 isfy the Indians. The result of so equitable an order was 
 no less favourable than merited They became good neigh- 
 bours ; thereby allowing the colonists to direct their whole 
 attention to the arts of peace. Carteret fixed his residence 
 at Elizabethtown ; v/hich t'- is became the earliest capital 
 of the province : but the present seat of government is 
 Trenton. 
 
 To dwell on the successive changes which occurred in 
 the proprietorship ; its division into East and West Jersey, 
 its mode of government, or the names of its several govern- 
 ors, would be not only tedious, but unessential. Amongst 
 the latter, however, it may be proper to mention the cele- 
 brated Barclay, author of the Apology for the Quakers : of 
 which sect, a large number had established themselves 
 there; setting their accustomed example of good order and 
 industry. 
 
 A college, originally commenced at Newark, was, in the 
 year 1748, finally established at Princeton. Its chief bene- 
 factor was governor Belcher; to whom, an offer Was made 
 of associating his name with the institution : but the honour 
 was declined. This seminary is indebted for its origin to 
 the same pious motives that founded the college in Con- 
 necticut. 
 
 Pennsylvania commands a more than usual share of cu- 
 riosity ; as well on account of the illustrious individual 
 whose recollection is perpetuated by its title, as its import- 
 ant rank in the present American union. 
 
 The founder of this state was William Penn, son of sir 
 William Penn, a distinguished admiral in the British navy, 
 during the protectorate of Cromwell and part of the reign 
 of Charles the second. From principle, 'amd in opposition 
 to all worldly motives, at an early period of his life, he 
 joined the Quakers, when they were an obscure and a per- 
 secuted sect. As one of their members, and a preacher, 
 he was repeatedly imprisoned. When brought to trial at 
 the Old Bailey, in London, he pleaded his own cause, with 
 the usual freedom of a Britain, and the boldness of a hero. 
 The jury, at first, brought in a special verdict; which being 
 declared informal by the court, they were menaced, and 
 sent back. Upon this, Penn said to them, " Ye are Eng- 
 lishmen; mind your privilege ! give not away your right!'' 
 The next morning, they made the same return, vere ■■>.^;±m 
 threatened, and again remanded to their chamber. But, 
 7 
 
74 HISTORY OJ^ 
 
 neither attentive to the instructions, nor fearful of the 
 threats, of a corrupted judge, the jury remained firm to 
 their opinion, and returned a verdict of acquittal. For this, 
 they were severely fined, and, with the accused, imprisoned, 
 until the unjust penalties were paid. Roused by proceed- 
 ings so atrocious, Penn's feelings and reflections led him to 
 adopt the most liberal ideas of toleration : a love of free in- 
 quiry, and a total abhorrence of persecution, took entire 
 possession of his expanded mind. 
 
 He had become, by purchase, a large owner of New Jer- 
 sey ; but, being dissatisfied with his partners, he formed the 
 design of acquiring a separate estate, and accordingly peti- 
 tioned the king; who, as an acquittance of sixteen-thousand 
 pounds due to William Penn's father, granted him 
 an extensive tract, which Charles named Pennsylva- 
 nia, in honour of the admiral. He soon afterwards obtain- 
 ed from the duke of York a conveyance of the town of New- 
 castle, with all that country which now forms the state of 
 Delaware. The patent provided for the king's sovereignty, 
 and for obedience to British acts regarding commerce, and 
 gave power to call a legislative assembly ; as well as to 
 make such laws for the benefit of the province, as should 
 not be repugnant to the laws and rights of England. 
 
 The first colony, who were chiefly of his own sect, began 
 their settlement above the confluence of the Schuylkill and 
 Delaware rivers. By these, the proprietor sent a letter to 
 the natives; informing them, that "the great God had been 
 pleased to make him concerned in their part of the world, 
 and that the king of the country where he lived had given 
 him a great province therein ; but that he did not wish to 
 enjoy it without their consent: that he was a mran of peace; 
 that the people whom he sent were of the same disposition ; 
 and that if any difference should happen between them, it 
 might be adjusted by an equal number of men chosen on 
 both sides." He also mentioned, that he had appointed 
 commissioners to treat with them, and that he himself would 
 shortly visit them for the same purpose. j 
 
 Having selected a few confidential companions^ i 
 this amiable man embarked, in the month of August, ^ 
 with about two-thousand emigrants, and, in October, ar- 
 rived in the Delaware. His reception must have been 
 highly congenial with his feelings. As his ship sailed up th^ 
 river, the inhabitants came on board, and saluted their new 
 governor with an air of joy and satisfaction. He landed at 
 Newcastle, (the Casimer of the Swedes, ai\d Niewer Amstel 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 76 
 
 of the Dutch,) and immediately cultivated the good will of 
 the natives; from whom, he purchased a sufficient quantity 
 of land for the present use of the colony. Besides those 
 sent out by himself, and those who accompanied him, there 
 were, along the right bank of the Delaware, at least three- 
 thousand persons, — Swedes, Dutch, Finlanders, and Eng- 
 lish ; and, in the course of a year, the settlers extended 
 from Chester to the falls of Trenton. They were chiefly 
 from England, Wales, Ireland, and Germany : it was the. 
 people of the last who" founded Germantown. 
 
 The first legislative assembly v/as held at Chester ; at 
 that time, called Upland. The Territories, (for, by this ti- 
 tle, was distinguished the purchase from the duke of York,) 
 were then annexed to the province ; but, afterwards, they 
 were detached, and continued a separate colony, with a dis- 
 tinct assembly, yet under the superintendence of the govern- 
 or of Pennsylvania. The laws at this period enacted were 
 perfectly consistent with the mild tenor of the founder's 
 professions. In addition to several tending to encourage 
 industry and repress the exercise of cruelty, it was declared, 
 " that none, acknowledging one God, and living peaceably 
 in society, should be molested for his opinions, or his prac- 
 tice ; nor compelled to frequent or maintain any ministry 
 whatever." To these liberal sentiments and wise regula- 
 tions, may be attributed the rapid improvement of Penn- 
 sylvania, and the spirit of diligence, order, and economy, 
 for which its inhabitants have been so much admired. 
 
 Philadelphia, which was begun on the site of the Indian 
 village, Ccquanoc, derives its name from a city in iVsia 
 Minor, celebrated, in sacred history, for having been the 
 seat of an early Christian church. During the first twelve 
 months after its foundation, about a hundred houses were 
 erected ; and, since that period, it has received a continual 
 accession of inhabitants from Ireland and (xermany. Penn's 
 residence in America was, at this time, not of long continu- 
 ance. In 1684 he went to England, with the humane in- 
 tention of soliciting a relaxation of the penal statutes against 
 the Quakers, and all other dissenters from the church of 
 England. In November, 1699, he returned, accompanied 
 by his family ; at a period when a malignant fever had just 
 ceased in Philadelphia, after carrying off two-hundred per- 
 sons. The number of houses in the city was then seven- 
 hundred : the inhabitants were about four-thousand. But 
 his residence was again only temporary, and much shorter 
 than the interest of the colony required. After remaining 
 
76 HISTORY OF 
 
 about two years, his presence was necessary in England, to 
 remonstrate against a design of the British government to 
 deprive the several colonies of their charters, as well as to 
 adjust disputed boundaries between himself and lord Bal- 
 timore. 
 
 The humanity of William Penn's disposition, whilst it 
 embraced the most extended range, did not neglect the mi- 
 nutest object. His biographers have recorded many pleas- 
 ing- occurrences. In a journey through the province as an 
 assiduous minister of his simple church, amongst the places 
 he visited was Haverford. He was on horseback, and, 
 overtaking a little girl, who was walking to attend the 
 meeting at that place, with his usual good nature, he de- 
 sired her to get up behind him ; and, drawing near to a 
 convenient place, she mounted, and thus rode away ; her 
 bare legs dangling by the side of the governor's horse. 
 
 Though Penn was a wise and good man, and the people 
 whom he led to Pennsylvania were in general orderly and 
 well disposed, yet there existed almost constant bickerings. 
 He changed the form of government three times, and each 
 change was apparently an improvement, and increased the 
 mutual satisfaction of the inhabitants ; yet, there seldom was 
 a similar feeling between ^the people and the governor. 
 From the opposition he had to encounter in England, and 
 the difficulties in Pennsylvania, his life was a continued 
 scene of vexation. His private fortune was materially in- 
 jured by his advances to promote the infant settlement, 
 particularly to preserve the friendship of the Indians ; and<j 
 after being harassed by his creditors, he was obliged to un- 
 dergo a temporary deprivation of his personal liberty. But, 
 though during his life, he was necessitous, on its termina- 
 tion he was wealthy. Having reached his seventy-fifth 
 year, he died at London, in 1718; leaving an inheritance 
 to his children, ultimately of immense value : which they 
 enjoyed until the Revolution, when it was assigned to the 
 commonwealth for an equitable sum in money. 
 
 The first seventy years, including the period in which 
 the Quaker principles ruled the colonial legislature, has 
 been termed the golden age of Pennsylvania. No instance 
 had occurred of the Indians killing unarmed people, unless 
 they appeared to have connexion with others that were 
 armed. This displays a striking contrast with the early 
 and long continued wars maintained against the natives in 
 New England ; and confirms our previous assertion, that 
 the Europeans were in that quarter the aggressors, 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 77 
 
 In the last years of the seventeenth, and the first of the 
 eighteenth century, during the destructive warfare between 
 England and France, the defence of New York, which 
 borders on Canada, being considered as both the duty and 
 interest of the other provinces, Pennsylvania was called on 
 for her proportion of men and money. But the assembly, 
 composed almost wholly of Quakers, firm to their principles, 
 would neither pass laws for the enrolling of militia, nor do 
 any other act which bore a military aspect. The necessity 
 at length was extreme, and the danger hourly increasing. 
 Assistance was most urgently demanded. But, as hitherto, 
 the noise of distant warfare was ineff'ectual, an attempt was 
 made to produce the terrors of actual invasion, by a strata- 
 gem. Evans, the governor, spread over the country an 
 alarm, on the foundation of false intelligence, that a num- 
 ber of hostile vessels had entered the Delaware bay, and ad- 
 vanced a considerable way towards its head. As the govern- 
 or held the Quaker doctrine of non-resistance in contempt, 
 he believed they would not stand a serious trial ; and, on 
 the receipt of this intelligence, which came from Newcastle 
 by a preconcerted express, he rode through the streets of 
 Philadelphia, with a drawn-sword in his hand, apparently 
 in much emotion, commanding and urging all to come for- 
 ward and defend the city. For a while, several believed 
 the report ; and, accordingly, concealed their property, or 
 removed with their families and eff'ects out of the reach of 
 immediate danger. But no indication of the Quakers' arm- 
 ing was given, and, before the close of the day, the impo- 
 sition being discovered, the governor and his friends were 
 insulted as the authors of a studied deception. 
 
 Shortly afterwards, there was practised a more innocent 
 stratagem : by which, Pennsylvania was relieved from an 
 illiberal demand of the Territorial government ; a duty, 
 payable in powder, on all vessels not owned by residents, 
 when passing the fort at Newcastle. Against this exaction, 
 the state had often remonstrated in vain. However, a few 
 Quakers, amongst whom was Richard Hill, adopted a novel 
 mode of defeating this claim, and without violating their 
 pacific principles. Hill had a vessel ready for sea ; but, 
 doubting the resolution of his captain to pass the fort with- 
 out a permit, he himself went in her down the river ; and, 
 a little before arriving abreast of the fort, dropped anchor, 
 went ashore, and used many arguments to obtain a free 
 passage for his ship. His reasoning, however, was ineffec- 
 tual. There was no relief except by stratagem. He there" 
 7* 
 
78 HISTORY OF 
 
 fore returned to his vessel, stood to the hehn himself, andv 
 passing the fort, received its fire unhurt. The commander, 
 in an armed boat, pursued. On his approach, Hill threw 
 out a rope, and brought him on board. The rope was in- 
 stantly cut. The boat fell astern. The commander was 
 conducted peaceably to the cabin ; whilst the vessel, with 
 her new passenger, pursued her voyage ; soon after which 
 determined conduct, the demand of powder was relin- 
 quished. 
 
 In the interval between 1730 and the period when this 
 history will relinquish the distinct colonial proceedings, to 
 conduct the narrative of a more sublime and awful period, 
 when individual interests combine and move forward with a 
 unity of action, there was an annual influx of emigrants. 
 These were principally from Germany and Ireland. They 
 settled in the counties of Lancaster, York, and Cumberland ; 
 Northampton, Berks, Bedford, Northumberland, and West- 
 moreland. The Irish and German people, at an early day, 
 brought the useful arts and manufactures into Pennsylvania. 
 To the former, she is indebted for the spinning and weaving 
 of linen and woollen cloth ; to the latter, for various trades 
 of indispensable utility to agriculture and society at large. 
 Of all nations who have settled in x\merica, the Germans 
 have availed themselves the least of the unjust and demor^ 
 alizing aid of slavery ; a circumstance the more remark- 
 abJe, as the governments under which they had been edu- 
 cated were almost invariably despotic. The Irish and the 
 French emigrants had enjoyed a large share of civil liberty, 
 and boldly contended for a total enfranchisement from regal 
 domination, and, in many instances, the latter seemed to 
 desire the annihilation of all dominion : yet, in the southern 
 states, no people less reluctantly practise this worst species 
 of tyranny; thus, when in power, openly denying that bless- 
 ing to others, which, when in subjection, they had claimed 
 for themselves. 
 
 The honour of printing the first newspaper in Pennsyl- 
 vania, belongs to Andrew Bradford and John Copson; who, 
 in the year 1719, published the American Weekly Mercu- 
 ry. The foundation of a medical school in the new world 
 was laid in 1764, by a course of lectures delivered at the 
 University of Pennsylvania by Dr. Shippen. 
 
 Delaware was first visited by the Swedes and Finlanders. 
 In 1627, they purchased from the natives a large tract on 
 e^ach side of the river which now bears that name, and gave 
 their colony the name of New Sweden. Having, by theii' 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 79 
 
 excellent deportment, obtained the friendship of the Indians, 
 they made a settlement on Christiana creek ; laid out a 
 liandsome town on the west side of the Delaware; and, soon 
 afterwards, formed establishments at Lewistown, Tenecum, 
 and Chester; at each of which, they erected forts. Tenecum 
 was their seat of government. About this period, the Eng- 
 lish began a settlement at Elsingburg, on the Jersey side of 
 the river: whence, they were expelled by the Dutch govern- 
 or; who employed the Swedes to keep them entirely out of 
 the Delaware. Of this opportunity, the Swedes, however, 
 made an unjustifiable advantage. Having raised a fort, on 
 the very ground from which they had expelled the English, 
 they asserted their own exclusive right to the navigation of 
 the river, and exercised authority over every vessel that 
 entered ; from which usurpation, the Dutch themselves 
 ■were not exempted. But this exclusion was not allowed to 
 pass unnoticed. The Swedes soon felt the effects of their 
 imprudence. Stuyvesant reduced all their forts, on both 
 sides of the Delaware, sent the officers and principal inhab- 
 itants in confinement to Holland, and incorporated the re- 
 mainder with his own government ; under which they re- 
 mained, until their invaders v/ere overthrown, as already 
 related, by the superior power of the English. 
 
 We come now to speak of Georgia ; the last settled of 
 the thirteen colonies that revolted from the government of 
 Britain, and established their independence. 
 
 It derives its name from the sovereign, George the sec- 
 ond ; by whose authority it was established. Its promoter 
 was general Oglethorpe. Under his conduct, one- 
 hundred-and-sixteen persons embarked at Graves- 
 end, in November; and, early in the ensuing year, on the 
 site of an Indian village, called Yomacrow, laid the founda- 
 tion of Savannah; a town named from the river upon which 
 it stands. A treaty was shortly afterwards made with the 
 Indians ; from whom was obtained a considerable cession 
 of lands ; which, for the purpose of defending the colony, 
 were, at first, granted to the settlers as military fiefs, on 
 condition that they were, when called upon, to appear in 
 arms. 
 
 As the Spaniards laid claim to Georgia, Oglethorpe en- 
 gaged with activity in the essential business of defence. 
 He erected forts at Augusta and Frederica. Tiie policy 
 of this measure was soon apparent. In a few days after 
 
 « their completion, the Spaniards sent against him 
 three-thousand men, to drive his people from tli-e 
 
80 HISTORY OF 
 
 colony. When this force was proceeding up the Altama- 
 ha, the governor was obliged to retreat to Frederica. Be- 
 sides some Indians, he had not more than seven-hundred 
 men : yet, with only a part of this inferior force, he bravely 
 advanced within two miles of the enemies' camp, designing 
 to attack them by surprise ; when a French soldier of his 
 party fired his musket, and ran into the Spanish lines. 
 Oglethorpe's situation was truly critical: he knew that the 
 deserter would make known his weakness. But though he 
 now despaired of repelling the enemy by force,, he hoped 
 to induce them to retreat by his address. Returning to 
 Frederica, he wrote a letter to the deserter, desiring him 
 to acquaint the Spaniards of its defenceless state, and urge 
 them to the attack. If he could accomplish this object, he 
 was directed to use all his art in persuading them to remain 
 three days at fort Simons's ; as, within that period, he 
 should have a reenforcement of two-thousand iand-troops, 
 with six ships of war : and, at the same time, he was cau- 
 tioned not to drop a hint of admiral Vernon's intended en- 
 terprise against St. Augustine. This letter was given to 
 a Spanish prisoner, under a promise of delivering it to the 
 deserter ; but he handed it, as was expected, to the com- 
 mander-in-chief Tlie Frenchman was accordingly placed 
 in irons. He was no longer considered a deserter, but a spy. 
 Meanwhile, three ships of war, despatched from Carolina, 
 appeared upon the coast; thus, realizing the apprehensions 
 of the Spaniard, and, in part, the ingenious stratagem of 
 his opponent. The enemy was agitated and alarmed : in 
 his consternation, he set fire to the fort, and hastily em- 
 barked. 
 
 For many years, during the infancy of Georgia, it lan- 
 guished, through various causes ; — the peculiar tenure of 
 the lands, the restriction on the importation of rum, (which 
 deprived it of a market for its lumber, in the West Indies,) 
 and the total prohibition against the introduction of slaves. 
 As regards the first, we believe that the arrangement was 
 both illiberal and impolitic ; the second was perhaps erro- 
 neous, though dictated by a parental feeling for the health 
 and morals of the colony: but the law respecting slaves is 
 approved by every generous, every manly feeling, of the 
 heart ; required by justice, by reason, by religion. Applica- 
 tion, however, was frequently made to the proprietors for 
 its annulment. With this, do the annals of the world afford 
 a parallel; except in the appeal made, above two centuries 
 before, by the Spaniards in Hispaniola, against the withhold- 
 
TPIE UNITED STATES. 8f 
 
 ing from exterminating slavery the legitimate tenants of 
 ,-^2 ^^® ^^^^ ^ '^^^ restriction, however, upon the sur* 
 render of the charter to the crown, was immediately 
 removed ; a measure which, though it may have increased 
 the riches of the colony, has placed the name of Georgia 
 pre-eminent amongst the supporters of this unhappy traffic. 
 The early settlers in this state were principally from 
 Scotland. Its founder was a native of England. Entering 
 the army at an early age, he served on the continent of 
 Europe under the celebrated prince Eugene, until the res- 
 toration of peace, when he was returned a member of the 
 British parliament. In that assembly, general Oglethorpe 
 distinguished himself as a useful legislator, by proposing 
 several laws for the benefit of trade and the reform of pris- 
 ons. His philanthropy should not be forgotten. At the 
 beginning of the colonial misunderstanding with the mother 
 country, he was offered the command of the British army 
 in America ; but, highly to his honour, he refused the im- 
 portant office, on the principle of ii^ being commissioned 
 to do that degree of justice to the people, to which he 
 might be equitably inclined. This able soldier, and virtu- 
 ous and accomplished citizen, died, after the contest was 
 decided, at the venerable age of ninety-seven years ; being 
 the oldest general in the English service. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 George Washingion. Defeat of Br addock. Death of gen- 
 eral Wolfe. Cdhquest of Canada. Dr. Franklin. Dis- 
 putes with the British Par iiajnent. Meeting of Congress. 
 War, Declaration of Independence. 
 
 WE have only slightly glanced at the uninterrupted hos- 
 tilities hitherto carried on between the colonists and the 
 French in one quarter, and the Spaniards in another. Nor 
 is it our intention, henceforward, to detail them w4th minute- 
 ness. Nothing shall be introduced, here, farther than what 
 seems essential, to preserve the continuity of history, and 
 enable us, when describing an event, to see perspicuously 
 the channels through which it flowed, and the source from 
 which it sprung. 
 
 In reviewing the desolating collision that so long subsist- 
 ed between the crowns of France and England, we are nat- 
 
8? HISTORY OF 
 
 urally led to inquire, to which party belonged the most 
 equitable right of possession. It is evident, that as far as 
 depended on discovery, England had the advantage ; but, 
 as regarded occupation, the claims of France were, in some 
 respects, superior, and, in all, nearly equal. The settle-* 
 ments at Jamestown and Quebec, the first capitals of both, 
 were made so nearly at the same time, as to be within fif- 
 teen months of each other. The first established was Que- 
 bec. But the period at length arrived, when the question 
 of boundary was no longer to be a subject of diplomatic in- 
 genuity, but of a more decisive mode of argument, the 
 sword. France, besides having possession of Canada, in 
 the north, had also a territory on the Mississippi, called 
 Louisiana, in the south ; and strove, by a military chain, 
 the links of which were formed of out-posts stretching 
 along the Ohio and the lakes, to connect these two extrem- 
 ities, and thus restrahi the British colonists within the ar- 
 bitrary limits of their own dictation. The latter, however, 
 were willing, neither to submit to the curtailment, nor yet 
 incur the additional inconvenience of a savage warfare, nur- 
 tured, by that means, at their very doors. They had too 
 severely felt the influence of the French, when more dis- 
 tant, by their encouraging the Indians to destroy them : 
 and, moreover, they claimed the entire lands from the At- 
 lantic to the Pacific ocean. 
 
 An interesting character was, by this misunderstanding, 
 brought forward. Repeated complaints of violence having 
 been made to the governor of Virginia, he determined to 
 send a suitable person to the French commandant near the 
 Ohio, with a letter, demanding the reason of his hostile pro- 
 ceedings, and insisting that he should ev^uate a fort which 
 he had lately erected. For this arduous undertaking, 
 George Washington, a major of the militia, then little more 
 than twenty-one years of age, offered his service. The 
 distance of the French settlement was above four-hundred 
 miles : half the route led through a wilderness, inhabited 
 by hostile Indians. He received his instructions from gov- 
 ,„ r, ernor Dinwiddie, on the last day of October, and im- 
 mediately commenced his journey. On the way, his 
 horse failed. He nevertheless proceeded, with a single 
 companion, on foot, with a gun in his hand, and his shoul- 
 ders burthened by a pack ; on the 12th of December, reach- 
 ed a French fort on the river Le Boeuf, and gave the letter 
 to the commander. In a few days, he received an answer ; 
 which, about the middle of January, he delivered to the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 88 
 
 governor at Williamsburg, after as fatiguing and perilous 
 a journey as it is possible to conceive. Throughout the 
 whole, he and his friend experienced a continued series of 
 cold, wet weather. Every moment, they were in danger 
 from a hidden foe ; and, at one time, an Indian, belonging 
 to a party who had lain for the purpose in ambush, dis* 
 charged a piece at them, when within less than fifteen 
 yards ; but fortunately missed his object. Yet, under all 
 these disadvantages, Washington was enabled, by his own 
 observations, and by inquiries from others, to gain very ex- 
 tensive information ; respecting the face and soil of the 
 country, the distances and bearings of places, and the num- 
 ber, size, and strength, of nearly all the enemy's forts. 
 
 George Washington was born in the parish which bears 
 his family name, in the county of Westmoreland, in Vir- 
 ginia, on the 1 1th (corresponding with the new style 22d) 
 of February, 1732. He was the third son of Augustine 
 W^ashington, a planter, of respectable talents, distinguished 
 integrity, and large estate ; descended from an ancient fa- 
 mily of Cheshire, in England : one of whom removed to 
 Virginia, about the middle of the seventeenth century, and 
 became the proprietor of a large tract of land in King 
 George's county. Inhaling a pure mountain air, and ac- 
 customed to the healthful occupations of a rural life, his 
 limbs expanded to a large and well-proportioned size, cor- 
 responding with his majestic stature. His education was 
 suited to the business of the country. His classical studies 
 were not pursued beyond the rudiments of the Latin tongue; 
 but his knowledge of arithmetic, and the most useful branch- 
 es of mathematics, was sufficiently extensive. 
 
 At the age of ten years, his father dying, the charge of 
 a numerous family devolved on major Washington's eldest 
 brother, Lawrence ; a young gentleman of promising tal- 
 ents, who had a captain's commission in the provincial 
 troops, employed in the celebrated attack against Cartha- 
 gena, under admiral Vernon. On his return, Lawrence 
 married the daughter of the honourable William Fairfax, 
 and settled on his patrimonial estate ; which, through re- 
 spect to his admiral, he called Mount Vernon. He was af- 
 terwards made adjutant-general of the militia of Virginia ; 
 but did not long survive the appointment. He left one 
 daughter, who died young ; and his second brother also, 
 having died without children, the major succeeded to Mount 
 Vernon. The genius of Washington was on the point of 
 Ipeing: exercised on a different element from that on which 
 
84 HISTORY OF 
 
 he has been already introduced. At the age of fifteen, he 
 was entered as a midshipman in the British navy ; but his 
 mother, then a widow, unwilling that he should be employ- 
 ed at so great a distance, that profession was abandoned. 
 
 The reply which the French commander had given, 
 brought matters to a crisis. The Virginia assembly were 
 induced to organize a regiment, in order to support the 
 claims of Britam over the territory in dispute. Of this, 
 Mr. Fry was appointed colonel, and young Washington 
 lieutenant colonel. With two companies, the latter 
 pushed forward as far as the Great Meadows ; where 
 he surprised and captured, in the night, a party of French 
 who were advancing towards the English settlements. 
 Shortly afterwards, Mr. Fry died, and Washington became 
 commander of the regiment. Having then collected the 
 whole at the Meadows, and being joined by two independ- 
 ent companies, he went on to dislodge the enemy from Fort 
 Duquesne (the site of the present Pittsburgh ;) a post 
 which they had recently erected at the confluence of the 
 Monongahela and Alleghany rivers. On his way, how^ever, 
 being informed that the garrison had been strongly re- 
 enforced, and that the French were again advancing with 
 nine-hundred men, besides Indians, his own party not be- 
 ing four-hundred, he deemed it prudent to fall back, and 
 make a stand at a fort which he had thrown up previous to 
 his setting out. Before he had time to complete his forti- 
 fications, he was attacked by De Villier. He made a brave 
 defence, behind his small unfinished works ; but, after a 
 contest of nine hours, in which two-hundred of the enemy 
 were killed, he was under the necessity of agreeing to a 
 capitulation ; his men being allowed to march out with all 
 the honours of war, to retain their arms and baggage, and 
 retire, unmolested, into the inhabited parts of Virginia. 
 
 To draw forth the colonial resources, in a uniform sys- 
 tem of operations, a meeting of the governors and most 
 distinguished members of the provincial assemblies was 
 held at Albany, in the state of New York ; where, it was 
 proposed, that a grand council should be formed, of per- 
 sons chosen by the respective assemblies : which council, 
 together with a governor, to be chosen by the crown, should 
 be authorized to make general laws, and to raise money, 
 from all the colonics, for the common defence. But this 
 plan was not acceptable to the British ministry. They pro- 
 posed another ; that the governors, attended by one or two 
 members of their respective councils, which were, for the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 85 
 
 most part, of royal appointment, should concert measures 
 for the whole colonies ; erect forts, and raise troops : with 
 power to draw on the English treasury, in the first instance; 
 but the expense to be ultimately reimbursed by a tax laid 
 on the colonies by act of fiarliament. This plan was as 
 much disrelished by the colonies, as the former had been by 
 the British ministry. Having been communicated, through 
 one of the royal governors, to Dr. Franklin, and his opinion 
 thereon requested, this sagacious patriot expressed his sen- 
 timents in writing ; and, by his strong reasoning powers, 
 discovered, in the intended measure, the germe of a con- 
 troversy in which he himself holds so conspicuous and 
 honourable a place. 
 
 By whatever means, however, the supplies were to be 
 raised, both England and the colonies agreed that no time 
 should be lost in commencing the military operations. It 
 was therefore resolved to drive the French from the Ohio, 
 and from all the posts which they held within the limits 
 claimed by the king of Great Britahi. To effect the first 
 , - purpose, general Braddock was sent from Europe to 
 Virginia, with two regiments ; where he was joined 
 by as many as increased his force to twenty-two-hundred 
 men. He was a brave man ; but his bravery was unaccom- 
 panied by experience. He was strict in the camp; but his 
 strictness was tinctured with severity, and his severity ap- 
 proached to arrogance. He particularly slighted the colo- 
 nial militia, and the Virginia officers. Washington, who 
 acted as aid-de-camp of the general, asked permission to 
 go before him, and scour the woods with provincial troops; 
 who were well acquainted with that service. But this was 
 refused. Braddock, with twelve-hundred men, pushed on, 
 incautiously, until, on the 9th of July, within a few miles 
 of Fort Duquesne, he fell into an ambuscade of French and 
 Indians. The invisible enemy commenced a heavy and well- 
 directed fire on his uncovered troops. The van was forced 
 back on the main body, and the whole was thrown into con- 
 fusion. The slaughter was dreadful: particularly amongst 
 the officers. In a short time, Washington was the only aid- 
 de-camp left alive, and not wounded. He had two horses 
 shot under him, and four bullets passed through his coat: 
 but he escaped unhurt. Throughout the whole of the car- 
 nage and confusion, he displayed the greatest coolness and 
 self-possession. Braddock, too, was undismayed, amidst 
 a shower of bullets ; and by his countenance and example 
 encouraged his men to stand their ground : but valour was 
 8 
 
86 HISTORY OF 
 
 useless, and discipline only offered a surer mark to the de- 
 structive aim of unseen marksmen. The action lasted near- 
 ly three hours, and seven-hundred men were killed upon 
 the spot. The general had three horses shot under him, 
 and received a mortal wound. All the officers in the Brit- 
 ish regiments evinced the utmost bravery : their whole 
 number was eighty-five ; of whom sixty-four were killed or 
 wounded. Their men were so disconcerted, by the unusual 
 mode of attack, and the dreadful war-whoop of the Indians, 
 that they soon broke, and could not be rallied : but the pro- 
 vincials, more accustomed to the scene, were much less af- 
 fected. They continued, an unbroken body, under colonel 
 Washington, and covered the retreat of their associates. 
 
 Three successive campaigns had procured nothing but 
 expense and disappointment. The French had the com- 
 mand of the lakes, a complete ascendency over the Indians, 
 and were in possession of the whole country which pro- 
 duced the war. With an inferior force, they had been suc- 
 cessful in every campaign ; in Anxerica, in Europe, and in 
 Asia. Gloomy apprehensions were entertained as to the 
 destiny of the British colonies. These fears were soon re- 
 
 y moved. A change of ministry took place. William 
 Pitt, (afterwards lord Chatham,) was intrusted with 
 the public helm. To despair, succeeded hope; and to hope, 
 victory. His active mind, and enterprising genius, seem- 
 ed to infuse themselves throughout the empire,— through 
 the senate and the people, the army and the navy. Sup- 
 plies were granted with liberality, and given without re- 
 luctance : soldiers enlisted freely, and fought with enthu- 
 siasm. In a short time, the French were dispossessed, not 
 
 1759 ^^^^ of all the territories in dispute, but of Quebec, 
 and her ancient province of Canada; so that all that 
 remained to her, of her numerous settlements in North 
 America, was New Orleans, with a few plantations on the 
 Mississippi. The French regular troops were transported 
 to France : the Canadians, being secured in the possession 
 of their property, and in the undisturbed enjoyment of their 
 religion, submitted, and took the oath of allegiance to the 
 king of England. 
 
 The siege of Quebec recalls the name of an illustrious 
 British officer, the gallant Wolfe ; the general who led the 
 European and colonial troops to victory before its walls, 
 and fell in the moment of success. His youth, his spirit, 
 his amiable and social manners, and an engagement which 
 he had formed in England with the interesting object of his 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 87 
 
 affections ; all, awaken the tenderest sympathies of a gener- 
 ous breast. The name of Wolfe will be recollected with a 
 pleasing sorrow. The closing scene of his military glory, 
 drawn by the commanding pencil of Barry, and of West, 
 will be a lasting subject of admiration. 
 ._ After hostilities had raged nearly eight years, a 
 
 general peace was concluded. France ceded Canada 
 to Great Britain ; and Spain, having tiken part in the war, 
 relinquished, as the price of recovering Havanna, both East 
 and West Florida ; leaving Britain in possession of an ex- 
 tent of country equal to the combined dimensions of several 
 kingdoms in Europe. The addition of Canada on the north, 
 and the Floridas on the south, made her almost sole mis- 
 tress of the northern continent.* 
 
 Important considerations attended the termination of this 
 colonial struggle. To enable us to form a judicious esti- 
 mate of the contending arguments, it will be useful to re- 
 late the occurrences by which they were preceded. As 
 often as pecuniary or military aid had been required from 
 the colonies, during the continuance af that widely-extend- 
 ed warfare, requisitions were made to their respective le- 
 gislatures ; which, in general, Avere cheerfully answered. 
 Very powerful assistance was given. Four-hundred colo- 
 nial privateers cruised with successful vigilance, and twen- 
 ty-four-thousand provincial soldiers co-operated with the 
 English regulars in North America. 
 
 The recent addition to the British empire, of those vast 
 regions, which would gradually be advancing in population 
 and in power, not only excited the jealousy of sovereigns, 
 but occasioned doubts in the minds of enlightened politi- 
 cians, that acquisitions so immense would contribute to the 
 welfare of the parent state. To combine, in one uniform 
 system of government, the extensive territory then subject- 
 ed to the British sway, appeared to men of reflection an 
 impracticable task. Nor were they mistaken in their con- 
 jectures. The high sentiments of liberty and independence, 
 nurtured in the colonies, from their local situation and hab- 
 its of society, were increased by the removal of hostile 
 neighbours. War, also, had left impressions no less ef- 
 fective on their future destination. They had gained ex- 
 perience in the field, and confidence in their own ability. 
 Foreseeing their importance, from the rapid increase of 
 their numbers, and extension of their commerce j and be- 
 
 • The Spaniards regained the Floridas, in the great American wa^'? 
 
88 HISTORY OF 
 
 ing jealous of their rights ; they readily admitted, and with 
 pleasure indulged, ideas favourable to independence : and, 
 whilst combustible materials were collecting in the new 
 world, a brand to enkindle them was preparing in the old. 
 Duriiig their infancy, Great Britain regarded her planta- 
 tions as mere instruments of commerce. Without charg- 
 ing herself with the care of their internal police, or seeking 
 from them a revenue, she was contented with a monopoly 
 of their trade. Until the year 1764, the colonial regulations 
 seemed to have no other object than the common good of 
 the whole empire. But a new era of political experiment 
 then commenced. When the colonies had grcAvn more 
 capable of resisting impositions, s'ne changed the ancient 
 system, under which they had long flourished. When pru- 
 dence would have dictated a relaxation of her authority, 
 she rose in her demands, and multiplied her restraints. She 
 enacted that their bills of credit should cease to have legal 
 currency, and commenced the anomalous system of raising 
 from them an efficient revenue, by direct internal taxes, 
 laid by authority of parliament ; a measure, universally re- 
 probated, as contrary to their natural and chartered rights, 
 and now brought forward as a means of reducing her na- 
 tional debt, amounting to nearly one-hundred-and-fifty -mil- 
 lions sterling. The minister urged, that it was reasonable 
 the colonies should contribute a just portion of the expen- 
 ses incurred by the late war, which had originated on their 
 account. To this principle, the latter made no objections ; 
 but, whilst they admitted the principle, they opposed the 
 manner of enforcement. They believed, that the chief ex- 
 cellence of the British constitution lay in the right of the 
 subjects to grant, or to withhold, taxes : and in their hav- 
 ing a share in the enactment of laws, by which they were 
 to be governed ; and, as they were not represented in the 
 British parliament, that they should not be obliged to con- 
 tribute what that body might find it their interest to exact. 
 At the time of that disastrous warfare, in which Wash- 
 ington rose upon the ruins of the incautious Braddock, re- 
 solutions had passed the British parliament for laying a 
 stamp-duty in America; but they were not followed imme- 
 diately by any legislative act. The declaratory opinion of 
 that body met no opposition, on either side of the Atlantic; 
 because, " the omnipotence of parliament'* was then a fa- 
 miliar phrase : but, afterwards, when the measure was ex- 
 amined, it was better understood, and constitutional objec- 
 tions were urged by many sagacious statesmen, both in 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 89 
 
 England and America. But, notwithstanding the powerful 
 reasons offered against this unjust and hazardous experi- 
 ment, George Grenville, impelled by a partiality for a long- 
 ._- cherished scheme, in the following year, again 
 brought into the house of commons this unpopular 
 bill, and succeeded in its enactment. By this, the instru- 
 ments of writing in daily use among&t a commercial people, 
 were to be null and void, unless executed on paper or 
 parchment stamped with a specific duty. Law documents 
 and leases, articles of apprenticeship and contracts, pro- 
 tests and bills of sale, newspapers and advertisements, al- 
 manacs and pamphlets, — all, must contribute to the British 
 treasury. 
 
 When the measure was examined, Charles Townshend 
 delivered a speech in its favour ; in concluding which, 
 " Will these Americans," he said " children planted by 
 our care, nourished by our indulgence, till they are grown 
 up to a degree of strength and opulence, and protected by 
 our arms; will they grudge to contribute their mite, to re- 
 lieve us from the weight of that heavy burthen under 
 w^hich we lie ?" — " They, planted by your care I" replied 
 colonel Barre: "No; they were planted by your oppres- 
 sions. They fled from tyranny, to an uncultivated, unhos- 
 pitable country, where they exposed themselves to all the 
 hardships to which human nature is liable ; and, amongst 
 others, to the cruelty of a savage foe, the most subtle, and, 
 I will take it upon me to say, the most formidable, people, 
 on the face of this earth : and yet, actuated by principles 
 of true English liberty, they met all hardships with pleas- 
 ure, compared with what they had sufHered in their own 
 country, from the hands of those that should have been 
 their friends. They, nourished by your indulgence ! They 
 grew up by your neglect. As soon as you began to extend 
 your care, that care was displayed in sending persons to 
 rule them, in one department and another, who were, per- 
 haps, the deputies of deputies to some members of thia 
 house; sent to spy out their liberties, to misrepresent their 
 actions, and to prey upon their substance : men, whose be- 
 haviour, on many occasions, has caused the blood of those 
 sons of freedom 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 1 They have i.obly taken up arms 
 in your defence, have exerted a valour, amidst their con- 
 , 8* 
 
90 HISTORY OF 
 
 stant and laborious industry, for the defence of a country, 
 whose frontier was drenched in blood, while its interior 
 parts yielded all its little savings to your emolument. And, 
 believe me, that the same spirit of freedom which actuated 
 these people at first, will accompany them still : — but, pru- 
 dence forbids me to explain myself farther. God knows, 
 I do not, at this time, speak from any motives of party heat. 
 I deliver the genuine sentiments of my heart. However 
 superior to me, in general knowledge and experience, the 
 respectable body of this house may be, yet, I claim to know 
 more of America than most of you ; having seen that coun- 
 try, and been conversant with its people. They are, I be- 
 lieve, as truly loyal as any subjects'the king has; but a 
 people jealous of their liberties, and who will vindicate 
 them, if ever they should be violated. But the subject is 
 too delicate : I will say no more." 
 
 The night after the bill passed. Dr. Franklin wrote to 
 Mr. Charles Thomson, " The sun of liberty is set ; you must 
 light up the candles of industry and economy." — Mr. Thom- 
 son answered: "I was apprehensive that other lights would 
 be the consequence, and I foresee the opposition that will 
 be made," 
 
 By a clause in the stamp-act, it was not to have opera- 
 tion until the first day of November; a period of more than 
 seven months from its passing. This gave the colonists 
 an opportunity of leisurely examining the subject, and 
 viewing it on every side. The voice of legislative oppo- 
 sition was, at this time, first heard in Virginia. In an an- 
 imated speech, Mr. Patrick Henry, on the 20th of May, 
 brought into the house of burgesses in that colony a num- 
 ber of resolutions, which were substantially adopted, and 
 which concluded by declaring, " That every individual, 
 who, by speaking or acting, should assert or maintain, that 
 any person, or body of men, except the general assembly 
 of the province, had any right to impose taxation there, 
 should be deemed an enemy to his majesty's colony." 
 
 " Caesar," exclaimed the orator, " had his Brutus; Charles 
 the first, his Cromwell ; and George the third — may profit 
 by his example." 
 
 A declaration, similar to that of Virginia, had been made, 
 nearly a century before, in Massachusetts. 
 
 Those resolutions were immediately disseminated through 
 the other provinces. The tongues and pens of the welU 
 informed citizens laboured in kindling the latent sparks of 
 patriotism. The fire of liberty blazed forth from the press. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 91 
 
 and its influence became general. As the assemblies met, 
 they displayed a similar feeling. The people, in their town 
 meetings, instructed their representatives to oppose the in- 
 novation. The assembly in Massachusetts (before the ar- 
 rival of the Virginia declarations) passed a resolution in 
 favour of a continental Congress ; fixed a day in October for 
 its meeting in New York, and sent letters to the speakers 
 of the other assemblies, requesting their concurrence. 
 
 This first advance towards a union was seconded by 
 South Carolina. "The other colonies, too, with the excep- 
 tion of Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia, prevented 
 by their governors, and New Hampshire, which dissented 
 from the proposition, espoused the invitation, and assem- 
 bled at the appointed place. Here, they agreed on a de- 
 claration of their rights, and a statement of their grievances; 
 asserting, in strong language, their exemption from all 
 taxes, not imposed by their own representatives ; and drew 
 up a petition to the king, with memorials to the house of 
 lords and the house of commons. 
 
 There was, however, a considerable degree of timidity 
 evinced in this congress ; and the members were on no 
 measure unanimous. Thomas Ruggles, of New York, who 
 presided, refused to affix his name to the memorial, though 
 he had, throughout the debate, apparently accorded with 
 the sentiments which they expressed ; and Mr. Ogden, 
 then speaker of the New Jersey assembly, followed his ex- 
 ample : for which conduct, he was burned in effigy, in ma- 
 ny counties of his province, and removed from his situation. 
 The boldest, and most impressive arguments were offered 
 by James Otis of Massachusetts ; who was one of the earli- 
 est patriots of that time, and fell a private sacrifice to the 
 cause which he had so fearlessly defended. 
 
 At length, arrived the first of November ; the day on 
 ■which the obnoxious impost was to commence its opera- 
 tion. The general aversion to the act was demonstrated 
 in a variety of ways. The people of Boston forcibly dis- 
 played their feelings. The morning which matured its 
 existence spoke forth its destroying agency in the mourn- 
 ful accents of the funeral knell ; many shops and stores 
 were closed ; effigies of the unpopular characters were pa- 
 raded through the streets, and exposed to that derision 
 which was merited by the originals. At Portsmouth, in 
 New Hampshire, the day was ushered in with similar evi- 
 dence of hostility and grief. The proceedings there were 
 remarkably affecting. In the course of the day, notice 
 
92 HISTORY OF 
 
 having been given to the friends of Liberty to attend her 
 funeral, a cofiin, neatly ornamented and inscribed with the 
 word, " Liberty," was carried to the grave. The proces- 
 sion moved forward from the state-house, attended by un-- 
 braced drums. Minute guns were fired, and continued 
 until the coffin arrived at the place of interment. Then, 
 an eulogium on the deceased was pronounced. It was 
 scarcely ended, before the coffin was taken up ; it having 
 been perceived that some remains of life were left : the in- 
 scription was immediately altered to " Liberty Revived :" 
 the bells exchanged their melancholy, for a joyful sound, 
 and satisfaction appeared in every countenance. 
 
 Notwithstanding that the stamp law was to have operated 
 from the first of November, yet legal proceedings in the 
 courts were carried on as before : vessels entered and de- 
 parted without stamped papers : printers boldly circulated 
 their newspapers, and, in most departments, business was 
 conducted, by common consent, in defiance of the parlia- 
 ment, as if no stamp act was in existence. The people of 
 Philadelphia, and, after them, nearly all the commercial 
 portion of English America, prohibited lawyers from in- 
 stituting any action for money due to an inhabitant of Eng- 
 land. Nor was their determined spirit of opposition con- 
 fined to a mere defensive means of parliamentary defeat. 
 Still farther measures were adopted. Associations were 
 formed against importing British manufactures, until that 
 law should be repealed ; which, by throwing many thousands 
 in the mother country out of employment, and depriving 
 her merchants of the usual benefits attending extensive or- 
 ders, made it the interest of both classes in England to 
 advocate the cause of the Americans. 
 
 In order to remedy the deficiency of British goods, the 
 colonists applied with diligence to domestic manufactures : 
 to increase the quantity of wool, they abstained from eat- 
 ing lamb : and to form a barrier against the enforcement of 
 the obnoxious act, they resolved to protect, by force of 
 arms, all who should be in danger from resistance. 
 ,.,-- Conduct so generous and firm had the desired ef- 
 fect. Warm discussions followed in the British par- 
 liament. The marquis of Rockingham, much esteemed for 
 his sincerity and the vigour of his genius, was appointed 
 first lord of the treasury in the room of George Grenville ; 
 and general Conway was called to fill the place of colo- 
 nial secretary. Anxiously desirous to obtain a revocation 
 of the obnoxious taxes, the new administration employed 
 
THE UNITED STATES. &3 
 
 the opinion and authority of Dr. Franklin ; who, as agent 
 for some of the colonies, was examined at the bar of the 
 house of commons ; and, in that pungent manner, charac- 
 teristic of his superior mind, gave extensive information, 
 which served greatly to remove prejudices, and promote a 
 disposition friendly to a repeal. The ablest speakers in 
 both houses denied the justice of taxing the colonies. "You 
 have no right," said William Pitt, "to tax America. I re- 
 joice that she has resisted. Three-millions of the people, so 
 lost to every sense of virtue, as voluntarily to submit to be 
 slaves, would have been fit instruments to make slaves of 
 all the rest." The opposition could not be withstood : the 
 repeal was carried in March ; an event which caused great 
 joy in England. The ships in the river Thames displayed 
 their colours, and the city was illuminated. In America, 
 the homespun clothes were presented to the poor, and or- 
 ders for British goods were given more extensively than 
 ever. 
 
 But, though the taxes were repealed, the right of levying 
 them was not relinquished. Simultaneously with the revo- 
 cation, was passed the declaratory act, purporting that the 
 legislature of Great Britain had aright to make laws to bind 
 the colonies in all cases whatever. This alleged power 
 would not, however, it was thought, have been used, had 
 not the Rockingham administration been displaced by the 
 baneful counsel of lord Bute; who was erabledto influence 
 the king, in consequence of having superintended his edu- 
 cation. The chief reins of government were now given to 
 the duke of Grafton. Charles Townshend, the new chancel- 
 lor of the exchequer, immediately procured a bill for grant- 
 ing in the colonies, duties on glass, paper, painters' colours, 
 and tea. 
 
 The fire of opposition, which had been deprived of its 
 fuel by the repeal of the former impost, was now kindled, 
 with additional ardour, by the same principle exhibited in 
 its new form. John Dickenson, of Pennsylvania, was an 
 able advocate of his country's rights. He attracted public 
 notice in a series of letters, signed " A Farmer ;" proving 
 the extreme danger that threatened the liberties of Ameri- 
 ca, from submission to a precedent establishing the claim 
 of parliamentary taxation. Dr. Franklin afterwards pub- 
 lished a number of pieces, much in the style of the Irish 
 patriot, Swift ; which, by their excellent M'it and humour, 
 combined with the pointed justness of the allegory, had a 
 powerful influence on the understanding of the people. 
 
94 HISTORY OF 
 
 Virginia held a pen which poured forth conviction in the 
 captivating style of classic elegance. The Monitor's Let- 
 ters, by Dr. Lee ; a Summary View of the Rights of Brit- 
 ish America, by Thomas Jefferson ; an Inquiry into the 
 Rights of the British Colonies, by Richard Bland ; and 
 t^ Considerations," by Robert Carter Nicholas, as well as the 
 memorials, remonstrances, and other public acts of that 
 colony ; were all written in a masterly manner. South 
 Carolina produced a poem, entitled ^' Liberty," under the 
 assumed name of Rusticus ; which, for dignity and vigour, 
 will vie with any that has ever appeared, on the subject of 
 politics. Its motto, " Et viajores vestros et posteros coffi- 
 tatCy*' (Think of your fathers, and your posterity,) was hap- 
 pily appropriate ; addressing every noble and generous 
 aifection of the human breast. The controversy was ably 
 supported also in New England. The subsequent orations 
 of Warren and Hancock, in commemoration of the affray 
 in which their fellow-citizens of Boston v/ere slain, exhibit 
 fine specimens of impassioned eloquence. But, the most 
 powerful writer was the celebrated Thomas Paine, at that 
 period in America; who, in a work entitled Common Sense, 
 roused the public feeling to a degree unequalled by any 
 previous appeal. 
 
 As might have been expected, the new duties gave rise 
 to a second association for suspending importations of Brit- 
 ish manufactures Uniformity in this measure was pro- 
 moted by the Mass^achusetts' assembly ; whose activity 
 drew forth the marked displeasure of the crown. They 
 were ordered to cancel their resolutions ; and, on their re- 
 fusal, were dissolved. 
 
 The bad humour which already so much prevailed, was 
 . wg about this time inflamed to a high degree of resent- 
 ment and violence, by the seizure of Mr. Hancock's 
 sloop Liberty, for not having entered all the wines she had 
 brought from Pvladeira ; a refusal made in accordance with 
 the recent spirit of non-importation. Soon afterwards, two 
 regiments and some armed vessels arrived in Boston, to 
 assist the revenue officers in the execution of their duty. 
 These served to restrain the fury of the multitude ; but they 
 increased the displeasure and vigilance of the more import- 
 ant members of society. Out of ninety-seven townships, 
 deputies from ninety-six attended a convention in that town, 
 reviewed the transactions of the past, turned their minds to 
 the alarming prospect of the future, and stated to the world 
 their opinions, and the causes of their meeting. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 95 
 
 Encouraged by the ex'pectation of quelling the refracto- 
 ry by arms, or by the too often tried system of division, 
 the parliament, for a while, maintained with obstinacy 
 their determination to enforce the duties. They continued 
 to dissolve the opposing assemblies, and even threatened 
 still farther infringements and severity. But the colonists 
 retained their accustomed finnness : each inroad upon 
 their rights arrayed a new sacrifice of commercial advan- 
 tage, a fresh retrenchment of domestic luxury and comfort. 
 This collision, the mercantile and manufactviring classes in 
 England having felt with destructive force, lord North, who 
 had succeeded the duke of Grafton as prime minister, 
 
 „y dreading the effects of popular resentment, paused 
 for a moment in the career of ruin and disgrace, 
 and obtained a repeal of the duties on glass, paper, and 
 painters* colours, — but retained it upon the tea. 
 
 This concession was followed by a temporary calm. 
 From the pledges then given by the British government, 
 that they would not again attempt to lay taxes on the colo- 
 nies for the purpose of revenue, and from the various 
 sources by which they were supplied with tea, without be- 
 ing under the necessity of infringing their determinations 
 against importing it from Great Britain, the mercantile in- 
 tercourse with the mother country was renewed; and many 
 hoped that the contention was closed for ever. In all the 
 provinces, except Massachusetts, appearances favoured 
 that opinion. But many incidents operated there, to dis- 
 turb that harmony which had begun, in other places, to re- 
 turn. The stationing of a military force amongst the in- 
 habitants in that province, was a fruitful source of uneasi- 
 ness. Reciprocal insults soured the tempers, and mutual 
 injuries embittered the passions, of the opposite parties. 
 Some high-spirited persons in Boston, who thought it an 
 indignity to have troops quartered on them, were constant- 
 ly exciting the populace to quarrel with the soldiers. On 
 the secontl of March, an affray took place between a private 
 soldier and an inhabitant: on the fifth, a party, when under 
 arms, were insulted by a mob, pelted with stones, and dared 
 to fire ; and, at length, unable to withstand the increasing 
 violence, a few muskets being discharged, by which three 
 men were killed, nothing but an engagement to remove the 
 army from the town, prevented the inhabitants from taking 
 immediate revenge. The captain who commanded, and 
 the privates who fired on the people, were tried on a charge 
 of murder, but acquitted ; a result which reflects great 
 
S6 HISTORY OF 
 
 honour on their counsel, John Adams and Josiah Quincey, 
 and also upon the jury; on the one, for thus boldly exertmg 
 their professional abilities ; on the other, for giving an up- 
 right verdict, in defiance of popular opinion or resentment. 
 
 " The events of that tragical night," observes a well-in- 
 formed historian, " sunk deep into the minds of the people, 
 and were made subservient to important purposes. The 
 anniversary of it was observed with great solemnity. Elo- 
 quent orators were successively employed, to deliver an 
 annual oration, to preserve the remembrance of it fresh in 
 their minds ; and thus, the blessings of liberty, the horrors 
 of slavery, the dangers of the standing army, the rights of 
 the colonies, were presented to the public, in their most 
 pleasing and alarming forms." 
 
 From these, and other occurrences not imperiously es- 
 sential to be noticed in the pages of an epitome, no ether 
 than the most guarded conduct, on both sides, could pre- 
 vent a universal explosion. But an impolitic scheme, after- 
 wards concerted between the British ministry and the East 
 India Company, led the contending parties again on the 
 disputed ground, and formed them in hostile array against 
 each other. 
 
 _ « The company were now authorized to export their 
 tea, to all places, free of duty. By this regulation, 
 that article, though loaded, in the colonies, with an excep- 
 tionable impost, would be cheaper, there, than before it 
 was made a source of revenue; for, the duty thus removed 
 when exported from Great Britain, was greater than that 
 to be paid on its importation into America. Confident, 
 therefore, of success, in finding a market for their tea, in 
 this manner lowered in its price, and also of collecting a 
 duty on it in the colonies, the company freighted several 
 ships with this commodity, and appointed agents for its 
 disposal. However, as the time approached when their 
 arrival might be expected, such measures were adopted, 
 as were the most likely to prevent the landing of their car- 
 goes. The consignees were in several places compelled 
 to relinquish their appointments : the pilots, in the Dela- 
 ware, were warned not to conduct any of the tea-ships into 
 that river ; and, in New York, popular vengeance was de- 
 nounced against all who would contribute, in any measure, 
 to forward the views of the East Iiidia Company. In con- 
 sequence, the captains, destined to New York and Philadel- 
 phia, returned directly to Great Britain, without making 
 any entry at the custom-house. But it was otherwise at 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 97 
 
 Boston. The tea, for the supply of that port, was consign- 
 ed to the sons and particular friends of governor Hutchin- 
 son. They were resolute in their determination to receive 
 it ; the custom-house officers and the governor equally 
 strenuous to prevent the vessels from departing, without a 
 regular entry and clearance. A new method of defence, 
 therefore, became necessary. What was so zealously im- 
 posed for their consumption, the people, with a correspond- 
 ing energy, were determined to destroy. Countenanced 
 by the general voice, a party, dressed as Indians, boarded 
 the tea-ships, broke open their cargoes, and threw the con- 
 tents into the sea. 
 
 The event of this business was very different from what 
 had been expected in England. With so much vigour had 
 the colonists acted, that there was not a single chest sold, 
 of all that were sent out by ihe East India Company, 
 j-w Enraged against the people of Boston, the parlia- 
 
 ment resolved to take legislative vengeance on that 
 devoted town. Disregarding the forms of the British con- 
 stitution, by which none are to be condemned unheard, or 
 punished without a trial, they passed a bill, closing, in a 
 commercial sense, its port : and, soon afterwards, its cus- 
 tom-house officers, and consequently its trade, were re- 
 moved to Salem ; there, to remain, until reparation should 
 be made for the property destroyed. The charter of the 
 colony was new-modeled; so that the whole executive gov- 
 ernment was taken from the people, and the nomination 
 to all important offices vested in the crown. Nor was this 
 thought sufficient. It was enacted, that if any person was 
 indicted for murder, or for any capital offence committed 
 in aiding the magistrates, the government might send him 
 to another colony, or to Great Britain, to be tried ; a pre- 
 caution evidently superfluous ; as a remarkable proof of 
 the dispassionate administration of justice in Massachusetts, 
 stood recorded, in the case of the British officer and his 
 party. 
 
 Property, liberty, and life, were thus subjected to minis- 
 terial caprice. But, though these violations excited grief, 
 they failed to produce terror, amongst the Americans. 
 They awoke the indiflfereni; they inflamed the ardent. One 
 soul now animated nearly all the colonies. The parlia- 
 ment, notwithstanding, did not rest here : they advanced 
 another step ; which increased their enemies on one side of 
 the Atlantic, and alienated their friends on the other. They 
 passed an act, relating to the government of Canada j by 
 9 
 
93 HISTORY OF 
 
 which, its boundaries were extended southward to the Ohio, 
 westward to the Mississippi, and northward to the borders 
 of the Hudson's Bay Company : its laws were assimilated 
 to the French : dispensing, in civil cases, with the trial by 
 jury : thereby, rendering its inhabitants passive agents in 
 the hands of power ; to aid, it was supposed, in deterring 
 the neighbouring provinces, and imposing on them consti- 
 tutions modeled after the same form. 
 
 Within little more than a month after the intelligence of 
 these arrangements reached America, it was communicat- 
 ed from state to state : and a flame was kindled in almost 
 every breast, through the widely-extended provinces. 
 
 In order to understand the mode by which this feeling 
 was spread, with so great rapidity, over so large an extent 
 of country, it is necessary to observe, that the several colo- 
 nies were divided into counties, and these subdivided into 
 districts. Accordingly, under the association formed to 
 oppose the revenue act of 1767, committees had been estab- 
 lished, not only in the capitals of every province, but in 
 most of the subordinate divisions ; an important and indis- 
 pensable means of union, which was at this period revived. 
 
 The British cabinet had no sooner finally resolved on 
 closing the port of Boston, than they determined to order 
 thither a large military force. General Gage, the com- 
 mander-in-chief of North America, was sent, in the addi- 
 tional capacity of governor of Massachusetts ; and, soon 
 afterwards, two regiments of foot, with a detachment of ar- 
 tillery, arrived ; and reinforcements from Ireland, New 
 York, Halifax, and Quebec. 
 
 Hitherto, Boston had been the seat of commerce and 
 plenty. The scene was now reversed; and every class was 
 affected by the change. The income of landholders either 
 entirely ceased, or was much diminished : the immense pro- 
 perty expended on stores and wharves, was rendered com- 
 pletely useless. Labourers, artificers, and others, employ- 
 ed in the numerous occupations arising from an extensive 
 trade, felt the general calamity ; a calamity rendered more 
 intolerable, from the recollection of past enjoyments. Yet, 
 all these inconveniences and hardships were borne with in- 
 vincible fortitude. Their determination to persist in the 
 same line of conduct which had been the occasion of their 
 sufferings, was unabated. If they had not a prospect of 
 mercy from their oppressors, they had the consolation of 
 sympathy from their friends. Addresses poured in from 
 corporate towns, town meetings, and provincial assemblies, 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 99 
 
 applauding their conduct ; and aid was provided, to sup- 
 port their perseverance. Marblehead generously offered 
 to Boston the use of her harbour, wharves, and warehouses, 
 and the personal attendance of her people, free of expense; 
 and Salem, with a magnanimous self-denial, to which com- 
 mercial annals afford no parallel, refused to adopt the trade 
 of the devoted town, and build its fortune upon the wreck 
 of a suffering neighbour. 
 
 Affairs rapidly approached the crisis. Both parties tend- 
 ed towards the awful collision with accelerating progress. 
 The proceedings and apparent disposition of the people, 
 together with the military preparations daily making 
 through the province, induced general Gage to fortify the 
 neck of land which joins Boston to the continent, and to 
 seize the powder lodged in the arsenal at Charlestown. 
 This excited a most violent ferment; Several thousand 
 people assembled at Cambridge ; who were with difficulty 
 restrained from marching immediately to Boston, to de- 
 mand a return of the powder, and, in case of a refusal, to 
 attack the troops. 
 
 During the confusion, a rumour went abroad, that the 
 royal fleet and military were firing upon Boston. In less than 
 twenty-four hours, thirty-thousand Americans were in arms, 
 marching towards the town : other risings of the people 
 took place, in different parts of the colony ; wiiose violence 
 was so great, that, in a short time, all who had taken an 
 active part in favour of Great Britain were obliged to screen 
 themselves in the capital. 
 
 A provincial congress now assembled at Concord, chose 
 John Hancock president, and remonstrated with the gov- 
 ernor against his hostile proceedings on Boston Neck. 
 Their admonitions were unavailing. In consequence, they 
 resolved to enlist a number of the inhabitants, who were ob- 
 liged to turn out at ^'' a minute's warning," and over whom, 
 and the militia, they commissioned as general officers, 
 Messrs. Pribble, Ward, Pomeroy, Thomas, and Heath. 
 
 As the winter approached, general Gage ordered bar- 
 racks to be erected for his troops ; but, so powerful was the 
 influence of the popular leaders, that the workmen desisted 
 from fulfilling his wishes, though their wages would have 
 been regularly paid. An application to New York was 
 equally unsuccessful; and similar obstructions were thrown 
 in the way of getting even clothing for the winter. The 
 merchants of this city answered, that they would never sup- 
 ply any article for the benefit of men sent to the country as 
 
100 HISTORY OF 
 
 enemies. The farmers in Massachusetts were discouraged 
 from selling them straw, timber, boards, and such articles 
 of convenience. The first, when purchased for the royal 
 service, was frequently overturned : vessels with brick were 
 sunk, and carts with wood overturned. 
 
 Measures of a still more decisive character were taken. 
 At Newport, in Rhode Island, the people seized and re- 
 moved from the public battery, about forty pieces of can- 
 non ; and at Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, a company 
 of volunteers, headed by John Sullivan and John Langdon, 
 having attacked the royal castle, secured the garrison, un- 
 til they got possession of the powder. Cannon balls and 
 other instruments of war, were carried from Boston to 
 places of safety in the country, through the English guards, 
 in carts apparently lor/led with manure ; and powder was 
 conveyed in the panniers and baskets of persons returning 
 from the market. 
 
 Meanwhile, on the 5th of September, a general congress 
 of the American states assembled in Philadelphia. Their 
 place of meeting was Carpenter's Hail; their president, 
 Peyton Randolph of Virginia ; their secretary, Charles; 
 Thomson of Pennsylvania. Twelve colonies were now re- 
 presented; comprising all the old British settlements ex- 
 cept Georgia : which from prudential reasons, satisfactory 
 to the others, had not elected deputies. This august bo- 
 dy, containing the first virtue and talent in the colonies, en- 
 tered into a non-importation, non-consumption, and non- 
 exportation agreement, prepared addresses to the people 
 and the sovereign of Great Britain, as well as to all the in- 
 habitants of North America ; and directed their attention 
 to every means of averting the dreadful calamity of civil 
 war. These, which were drawn under the immediate dic- 
 tation of Messrs. Livingston and J^y ; Adams, Johnson, 
 John Dickinson, and Rutledge ; are distinguished for their 
 pure and constitutional principles, and commanding ener- 
 gy of style. 
 
 Having, in the following month, finished their hnportant 
 business, they dissolved ; after recommending that another 
 congress should be held on the 10th of May, in the ensuing 
 year, in case a redress of their grievances was not previous- 
 ly obtained. 
 
 Impressed with a lively feeling of the sweets of liberty, 
 and a high respect for the members of the late assembly, 
 the greatest zeal was evinced, by a large majority of the 
 people, to comply with their determinations. Whilst the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 101 
 
 forms of the old government subsisted, a new and inde- 
 pendent authority was really established. It was so gener- 
 ally the sense of the people that the public good required 
 a compliance with the recommendations of congress, that 
 any man who discovwed anxiety about the continuance of 
 trade, was viewed as a selfish individual, preferring his own 
 interest to the good of his country. But the intemperate 
 zeal of the populace frequently transported them so far be- 
 yond the limits of moderation, as to apply unjustifiable 
 punishments to persons who contravened the general opin- 
 ion of the community. Some were placed beneath a pump, 
 and underwent forcible ablution ; others, after being smear- 
 ed with tar, were rolled in feathers, and, in this st\te, ex- 
 posed to the ridicule of the spectators : yet, a more com- 
 mon mode, was to treat them with contempt and scorn ; 
 arising in particular cases, to an exclusion from all social 
 intercourse; and to placard their names, with the appella- 
 tions of tories, traitors, cowards, and enemies. 
 
 When the British parliament assembled, the king, in his 
 speech, dwelt strongly on the tumultuous proceedings in 
 Massachusetts. An address from the commons, in reply, 
 recommending the punishment of that colony, brought on, 
 as usual, a spirited debate. In the house of lords, a con- 
 ciliatory plan was offered by the venerable Chatham, and 
 supported by ail the force of his unrivaled eloquence. But, 
 in both cases, the ministerial benches overthrew the oppo- 
 sition, by a large majority ; and petitions, in favour of pa- 
 cific measures, from the chief manufacturing and commer- 
 cial towns, were consigned to dishonourable oblivion. In- 
 deed, this line of conduct might very naturally be embraced; 
 when it is considered, that the minister received all his in- 
 formation respecting the colonial ferment from agents in 
 America, who, in the true spirit of lord Chesterfield's sys- 
 tem of flattery and deceit, transmitted their reports in ac- 
 cordance with the preconceptions of their employers. The 
 maxim which teaches the hearing of both parties is seldom 
 found within the precincts of a court. Upon this repre^* 
 sentation, a bill was passed to restrain the general com- 
 merce of the colonies : from whicli law, however, New 
 York, Delaware, and North Carolina, were exempted, ap- 
 parently to create disunion ; and at the same time the de- 
 termhiation was matured, of arresting the progiess of 
 American disaffection by an overwhelming army. 
 
 But the ministers were again defeated. The g-olden har- 
 vest thus offered to the latter, was suffered to fall unreap- 
 9* 
 
102 HISTORY OF 
 
 ed : and preparations on the one side were answered by in- 
 listments on the other. The coercive measures of the pa- 
 rent state inclined the colonies to extend their claims. 
 Hatred took the place of kind affections, and the calamities 
 of war were substituted for the benefits of commerce. 
 
 Meanwhile, the leading men of Massachusetts were, with 
 admirable prudence and address, preparing for the last ex- 
 tremity. They were furnishing the people with arms, and 
 training the militia. They had also collected and stored 
 provisions in several places, particularly at Concord, about 
 twenty miles from Boston. These, general Gage now de- 
 termined to destroy. He wished to prevent hostilities, by 
 depriving the inhabitants of the means of conducting war : 
 for, though zealous in his royal master's service, he dis- 
 covered a prevailing desire of a peaceable accommodation; 
 and, wishing to accomplish his object without bloodshed, 
 took every precaution to effect it by surprise. At eleven 
 o'clock at night, on the 1 8th of April, eight-hundred 
 grenadiers and light infantry marched for Concord, 
 under the command of colonel Smith. But neither the 
 secrecy with which this expedition was designed, nor the 
 silent hour chosen for its march, was sufficient to conceal 
 the intelligence of its movements from the country militia. 
 About two in the ensuing morning, a hundred-and-thirty 
 of the Lexington corps, under captain Parker, had assem- 
 bled in that town, to oppose them. These, however, from 
 the uncertainty as to the British soldiers appearing, were 
 dismissed ; with orders to muster again at beat of drum. 
 Between four and five in the morning, seventy of their 
 number had again collected ; and, soon afterwards, the Eng- 
 lish regulars approached. The officer who led the ad- 
 vanced guard rode up to the militia, and called out; "Dis- 
 perse, you rebels ; throw down your arms, and disperse." 
 They still however continued in a body ; on which, he dis- 
 charged his pistol, and ordered his soldiers to fire. This 
 was done with an huzza. The militia returned a few shots; 
 three or four of their number were killed on the green ; 
 and a few more when dispersing. The royal detachment 
 then proceeded to Concord ; where they disabled two can- 
 non, and destroyed the public stores. Here, they experi- 
 enced farther opposition. They were assailed by a party 
 of militia under colonel Barrett, were allowed not a mo- 
 ment for refreshment, and began a retreat towards Boston. 
 This was conducted with expedition. The adjacent inhabit- 
 ants had assembled in arms, and attacked them in every 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 103 
 
 quarter. At Lexington, the royalists were joined by nine- 
 hundred men under lord Percy, sent out by general Gage 
 to their support ; which reinforcement, having two pieces 
 of cannon, awed the provincials, and kept them at a great- 
 er distance ; but they continued a constant, though irregu- 
 lar fire, which did great execution. A little after sunset, the 
 regulars reached Bunker's Hill, worn down by excessive 
 fatigue, and smarting with their wounds ; having marched 
 that day between thirty and forty miles, and been employed 
 in their retreat by ah uninterrupted battle. On the next 
 day, they crossed Charlestown ferry, and returned to Bos- 
 ton. Their loss was sixty -five killed, besides two-hundred- 
 and-eight wounded and made prisoners ; that of the pro- 
 vincials, fifty killed, and thirty-eight wounded and missing. 
 
 Intelligence that the British troops had marched out of 
 Boston into the country, on some hostile purpose, being 
 forwarded from one committee to another, great bodies of 
 the militia, not only of Massachusetts, but of the adjacent 
 colonies, grasped their arms and flew to olfer battle. The 
 Americans who had fallen were revered by their country. 
 Resentment against the British burned more strongly than 
 before. The forts, magazines, and arsenals, which, by the 
 constitution of the country, had been in possession of the 
 king, were for the most part, seized by the provincial mili- 
 tia. Ticonderoga was surprised and taken by adventurer 
 from different states, under the direction of colonels Allen 
 and Arnold; Crown Point was captured by colonel Warner; 
 and provincial money, which had been collected in conse- 
 quence of previous grants, was appropriated to the com- 
 mon cause. 
 
 Hitherto, the Americans had no regular army. The 
 congress of Massachusetts, then assembled at Watertown, 
 ten miles from Boston, immediately after the battle of Lex- 
 ington, voted, that thirty-thousand men should be raised, 
 in the New England colonies. In consequence, the busi- 
 ness of recruiting was begun : and, in a short time, an army, 
 under the command of general Ward, was paraded in the 
 vicinity of Boston, much superior in number to the royal 
 troops. 
 
 These military arrangements, were not confined to the 
 New England states. They were general throughout the 
 colonies. Arms and ammunition, forts and fortifications, 
 were secured by the Americans, and money was coined for 
 their support. But the amount of money was extremely 
 small ; their forces were almost wholly destitute of experi- 
 
104 HISTORY OF 
 
 enced leaders ; the arms and ammunition, lamentably defi- 
 cient. When, however, they viewed the comparative 
 smallness of their funds, they relied on mutual confidence 
 for extension : when they reflected on their want of discip- 
 line, they looked for success from their courage. Paper 
 money was issued for the common benefit ; the pulpit, the 
 press, the bench, and the bar, laboured to unite the people, 
 and animate them to resistance.. 
 
 About the latter end of May, a great part of the rein- 
 forcements ordered from Great Britain arrived at Boston. 
 Three British generals, Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton, 
 whose behaviour in the preceding war had gained them 
 high reputation, came over about the same time. Thus 
 strengthened, general Gage prepared for acting with more 
 decision ; but, before he proceeded to extremities, he issued 
 a proclamation, holding forth the alternatives of peace or 
 war ; by offering pardon to all who would lay down their 
 arms, and return to their respective occupations. From 
 this indulgence, however, were excepted, Samuel Adams 
 and John Hancock. Their off"ences were said to be of too 
 flagitious a nature to admit of any other consideration than 
 the severest punishment. 
 
 As martial law was at the same time proclaimed, it was 
 supposed that those measures were a prelude to open war. 
 Accordingly, the Americans made preparations for the 
 event. A considerable height, named Bunker's Hill, at 
 the entrance of the peninsula of Charlestown, was so situ- 
 ated, as to render its possession a matter of great import- 
 ance, to either of the contending parties. Orders were 
 therefore issued, by the provincial commanders, that colo- 
 nel Prescott, with a detachment of a thousand men, should 
 intrench upon its summit. But, in fulfilling the orders, an 
 error was comm.itted. Instead of Bunker's, they intrench- 
 ed on Breed's Hill: high and large like the other, but situ- 
 ated a few hundred yards nearer to Boston. With so much 
 diligence did they work, that, between midnight and the 
 dawn of morning, on the seventeenth of June, they had 
 thrown up a redoubt, forming a square of eight rods ; and 
 so profound a silence was observed, that they were not 
 heard by the British on board their vessels, though at a 
 very trifling distance. The first information was given 
 them when the rising sun beamed against the works, which 
 filled them with amazement. An incessant firing was im- 
 mediately directed against the heights. The provincials 
 bore it with veteran firmness, and continued to labour until 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 105 
 
 they had thrown up a small breastwork, extending from 
 the east side of the redoubt to the bottom of the hill. As 
 this eminence overlooked Boston, general Gage thought 
 it necessary to have possession : about noon, theretore, he 
 detached for this purpose generals Howe and Pigot, with 
 the flower of his army and a body of marines ; making in 
 the whole nearly three-thousand men. 
 
 In the meantime, the Americans, for their farther se- 
 curity, in the interval between the extremity of their trench 
 and Mystic river, pulled up some post-and-rail fences, set 
 them down in two parallel rows, at a small distance from 
 each other, and filled the intervening space with hay. 
 General Putnam, an old officer of Connecticut, directed in 
 chief, aided by Pomeroy and Nolten of the same province, 
 Starke of New Hampshire, and Joseph Warren, a physi- 
 eian of Massachusetts. 
 
 The king's troops formed in two lines, and advanced 
 slowly, to give their artillery time to destroy the American 
 works. This allowed the provincials a better opportunity 
 for taking aim. They in general reserved their fire, until 
 the assailants were within sixty yards, and then commenced 
 a furious discharge of small-arms, loaded with balls and 
 buck-shot. The stream of the American fire was so in- 
 cessant, and did so great execution, that the royal troops 
 retreated in disorder and precipitation. Their officers ral- 
 lied them, and impelled them forward with their swords; 
 but they renewed the attack with much reluctance. The 
 Americans again reserved their fire, and put them a second 
 time to flight. General Howe and his officers redoubled 
 their exertions, and pushed on their men who were as re- 
 luctant as before. At this critical juncture, generals Clin- 
 ton and Burgoyne hastened from Boston with a reinforce- 
 ment, the powder of the Americans began to fail, and 
 their fire proportionably to slacken. The British brought 
 some cannon to bear; which raked the inside of the breast- 
 works from end to end : the fire from the ships and batte- 
 ries was increased ; and the redoubt was attacked on three 
 sides at once. Under these circumstances, a retreat from 
 it was ordered ; but the provincials delayed, and made so 
 long resistance, with the buts of their discharged muskets, 
 the. greater part being without bayonets, that the king's 
 troops had half filled the redoubt before it was abandoned. 
 
 It was apprehended, that the enemy would improve their 
 advantage, by marching immediately to the American head 
 quarters at Cambridge ; but they advanced no farther than 
 
106 HISTORY OF 
 
 Bunker's Hill. There, they threw up works for their o^vn 
 security. The provincials did the same, on Prospect Hill, 
 about a mile distant, in their front. Both were guarding 
 against an attack ; and both were in a bad condition to re- 
 ceive one. 
 
 Few battles, in modern wars, produced a greater destruc- 
 tion of men, than this short engagement. The loss of the 
 British was one-thousand-and-fifty-four ; amongst whom, 
 were nineteen officers killed, and seventy wounded. None 
 of the provincials had rifles : but they were good marks- 
 men, and aimed chiefly at the officers ; which accounts for 
 so unusual a destruction of the latter. The Americans lost, 
 in killed, wounded, and missing, four-hundred-and-fifty. 
 Their number, at the commencement of the battle, was fif- 
 teen-hundred ; only half the amount of the assailants. They 
 particularly lamented the death of general Warren; a man, 
 who, to the purest patriotism and most undaunted bravery, 
 added the virtues of domestic life, the eloquence of an ac- 
 complished orator, and the wisdom of an able statesman. 
 He was killed in the retreat. Finding his corps hotly pur- 
 sued by the enemy, despising all danger, he stood alone 
 before the ranks, endeavouring to rally his troops and en- 
 courage them by his example. He pointed to their ensigns, 
 and reminded them of their cheering mottos. An English 
 officer perceived him, and knew him ; and, having borrow- 
 ed a musket, and hit him with a ball, he fell dead upon the 
 spot. 
 
 Whilst the engines of war were employed on each side 
 in the business of death, the property of the Americans was 
 yielding, within view, to the consuming flames. As the 
 British were advancing to the attack, they received orders, 
 through a military policy, to burn Charlestown ; and, in a 
 short time, this ancient place, consisting of five-hundred 
 buildings, chiefly of wood, was in one great blaze. The 
 lofty steeple of the meeting-house formed a pyramid of fire, 
 and struck the astonished eyes of numerous beholders with 
 an awful spectacle. 
 
 Congress, agreeably with an arrangement made before 
 its dissolution in the preceding year, had assembled at Phil- 
 adelphia, on the 10th of May. They again chose Mr. Pey- 
 ton Randolph president ; and, on his being under the ne- 
 cessity of returning home, Mr. Hancock. When they re- 
 ceived a report of the affair at Lexington, they issued di- 
 rections for retaliating commercial distress on Britain ; and, 
 with their accustomed tone of moderation, dignity, and firm- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 107 
 
 ness, proceeded in the general business of the colonies. 
 Once more, they addressed the king, as well as the inhabit- 
 ants of Great Britain and Ireland ; and, at the same time, 
 published to the world the reasons of their appeal to arms. 
 " We are reduced," said they, " to the alternative of choos- 
 ing an unconditional submission to the tyranny of irritated 
 ministers, or resistance by force. The latter is our choice. 
 We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing 
 so dreadful as voluntary slavery.'* 
 
 The next object was a suitable person to conduct their 
 armies. In deciding this important question, there was 
 only one opinion throughout the states. George Washing- 
 ton was appointed, by congress, commander-in-chief of all 
 the forces at that time raised, or afterwards to be embodied. 
 
 For three years subsequent to the defeat of Braddock, 
 Washington superintended the troops of Virginia; m which 
 highly dangerous service, he continued, until peace was 
 given to the frontiers of his native colony, by the reduction 
 of Fort Duquesne; an enterprise undertaken in conformity 
 with his repeated solicitations, and accompanied by himself, 
 at the head of his own regiment. The arduous duties of his 
 situation, rendered irksome by the invidious treatment ex- 
 perienced from the governor, and by the unmanageable dis- 
 position of the Oilicers and privates under his command, 
 were related by himself, in a highly interesting narrative, 
 and fully acknowledged by the assembly of Virginia. Soon 
 afterwards, he retired to his estate at Mount Vernon, and 
 pursued the arts of peaceful life, with great industry and 
 success. When the proceedings of the British parliament 
 had alarmed the colonists with apprehensions that a blow 
 was leveled at their liberties, he again came forward to 
 serve the public ; was appointed a delegate to congress ; 
 and, in that body, was chairman of every committee selected 
 to make arrangements for defence. He was now in his forty- 
 fourth year, possessed a large share of common sense, and 
 was directed by a sound judgment. Enga-ged in the busy- 
 scenes of life, he knew human nature, and the most proper 
 method of accomplishing his plans. His passions were 
 subdued, and held in subjection to reason. His mind was 
 superior to prejudice and party spirit ; his soul, too gener- 
 ous, to burthen his country with expense ; his principles, 
 too just, to allow his placing military glory in competition 
 with the public good. 
 
 On the president of congress announcing his commission, 
 he replied ; <* Though I am truly sensible of the high hon- 
 
108 HISTORY OF 
 
 our done me in this appointment, yet, I feel great distress,, 
 from a consciousness, tliat my abilities and military experi- 
 ence may not be equal to the extensive and important trust. 
 However, as the congress desire it, I will enter on the mo- 
 mentous duty, and exert every power I possess, in their ser- 
 vice, for the support of the glorious cause. 1 beg they will 
 accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testi- 
 mony of their approbation. But, lest some unlucky event 
 should happen, unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it 
 may be remembered, by every gentleman in the room, that 
 I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think 
 myself equal to the command I am honoured with. As to 
 pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the congress, that, as no pe- 
 cuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept 
 this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic 
 ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from 
 it. I will keep an exact account of my disbursements : 
 those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I de- 
 sire." 
 
 In subordination to the commander-in-chief, four major- 
 generals, one adjutant-general, and eight brigadier-gene- 
 rals, were selected. The first were, Messrs. Ward, Charles 
 Lee, Schuyler, and Putnam : the commission of adjutant- 
 general was given to Horatio Gates ; and the duties of the 
 last were confided to Messrs. Pomeroy, Montgomery, and 
 Wooster; Heath, Spencer, Thomas, Sullivan, and Greene. 
 Lee and Gates were natives of England, and had gained 
 considerable reputation in the British army. 
 
 Even the women were desirous of signalizing their zeal 
 in defence of their country. In Bucks' county, Pennsylva- 
 nia, they raised and equipped a regiment at their own ex- 
 pense, and armed those who were unable to bear the charge. 
 The lady who presented the colours, embroidered with ap- 
 propriate mottos by their own hands, made an eloquent 
 harangue, exhorting the soldiers never to desert the ban- 
 ners of the American fair. 
 
 ^ , „ When general Washington joined the army at 
 ^ '^' Cambridge, he found the British intrenched on 
 Bunker's Hill ; having three floating batteries on Mystic 
 river, and a twenty-gun ship below the ferry, between Boston 
 and Charlestown. They had also a battery on Copse's Hill, 
 and strong fortifications on the Neck. The Americans were 
 intrenched at Winter Hill, Prospect Hill, and Roxbury ; 
 with posts of communication extending over a distance of 
 ten miles, and small parties stationed in several towns along 
 
 ^ 1 
 
 I 
 
THE UNITED STATICS. 169 
 
 the sea-coast. Every thing essential to an army, except 
 courage, was wanting in the patriot army. They had nei- 
 ther engineers to plan suitable works, nor sufficient tools to 
 erect them. Instead of tents, the soldiers were only partially 
 covered with sails; now useless to the mariner, from the ob- 
 structions of commerce. They had no commissaries ; in- 
 dividuals brought to camp their own provisions, on their 
 own horses : — nor, uniformity of dress : the hunting shi t 
 was introduced, to abolish provincial distinctions. On tuG 
 4th of August, the whole stock of po-.vder in the American 
 camp, and in all the public magazines of New England, 
 would have made little more than nine rounds. A supply 
 of several thousand pounds weight v/as soon afterwards ob- 
 tained from Africa. Domestic rum was sent thither, in 
 charge of confidential agents; who proceeded with so much 
 address, that every ounce for sale in the British forts on the 
 African coast, was purchased and brought off for the use of 
 their opponents in America. Some fearless patriots of 
 South Carolina in the following year boarded an English 
 vessel at St. Augustine; from which, they obtained fifteen» 
 thousand pounds : and a large quantity was manufactured 
 at Philadelphia; where a single mill produced five-hundred 
 pounds each week. 
 
 The continental army placed under the command of 
 Washington, amounted to fourteen-thousand-five-hundred 
 men. These had been so judiciously stationed around Bos* 
 ton, as to confine the British in the town, and exclude them 
 from the provisions afforded in the adjacent country and the 
 islands in the bay. They were now arranged in three grand 
 divisions. General Ward commanded the right wing, at 
 Roxbury ; general Lee, the left, at Prospect Hill ; and the 
 centre, the head quarters of which were at Cambridge, was 
 under the immediate command of Washington himself. The 
 military skill of adjutant-general Gates, in his particular 
 department, was eminently conspicuous. He introduced 
 punctuality and method, taught the officers and privates to 
 know their respective places, and to have the mechanism as 
 well as movements of an army. 
 
 Having thus accomplished a respectable beginning upon 
 land, the continental energies were directed also to another 
 element, the sea. In November, the Massachusetts assem- 
 bly and the general congress resolved to fit out armed ves- 
 sels, to cruise on the American coast ; for the purpose of 
 intercepting warlike stores and supplies destined for the 
 British army. The object was at first limited to these; but, 
 10 
 
no HISTORY OF 
 
 as the prospect of accommodation receded, it was extended 
 to all British property afloat. The Americans were diffi- 
 dent of their ability to effect any thing on water, against the 
 naval power of England, the greatest in the world. But 
 even their earliest attempts were successful, and inspired 
 them with confidence to venture on a larger scale. The 
 Lee privateer, under the direction of captain Manly, took 
 an ordnance vessel from Woolwich, containing a large brass 
 mortar, several pieces of brass cannon, a large quantity of 
 small arms and ammunition, warlike tools, utensils, and 
 machines ; a cargo so appropriate, that, had congress sent 
 an order for supplies, they could not have made a list of ar- 
 ticles more suitable to their present wants. Scarcely had 
 the first joyful impressions caused by this relief subsided, 
 when Manly gave additional proofs of successful vigilance. 
 Within a few days, he captured three other vessels, laden 
 with various stores from England, and one ship from Anti- 
 gua, with rum. Invigorated by this promise of important 
 aid from a new field of enterprise, congress determined to 
 create a national marine ; and gave orders for building five 
 vessels of thirty-two, five of twenty-eight, and three of twen- 
 ty-four guns, each. 
 
 About this time, one of the sea-port towns of Massachu- 
 setts suffered a melancholy devastation. Falmouth, con- 
 taining upwards of four-hundred dwelling-houses and stores, 
 was totally destroyed, by shells and red-hot shot ; thrown 
 into it without intermission, during a whole day, from a 
 ship of eighteen guns, commanded by captain Moet. 
 
 The seizure of Ticonderoga and other places on the lakes 
 adjoining Canada, in which enterprise, colonel Arnold bore 
 a distinguished part, has been already mentioned. Encour- 
 aged by the success of his first essay in the field, this am- 
 bitious officer lost no time in projecting more extensive 
 operations. He wrote a letter to congress, strongly urging 
 an expedition into Canada, and offering, with two-thousand 
 men, to reduce the whole province. In his zeal to oppose 
 Gitat Britain, or satiate his desire of glory, he had advised 
 the adoption of offensive war, even before congress had or- 
 ganized an army or appointed a single officer. His impor- 
 tunity, however, together with a belief that the Canadians 
 were, in general, discontented with their government, in- 
 duced that body to adopt his daring project. But, though 
 they acquiesced in his opinion, they did not invest him with 
 the command. The arrangements in the northern depart- 
 ment were committed to generals Schuyler and Montgome- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. U^ 
 
 ry : the former was stationed at Albany, to conclude a treaty 
 with the Indians; the latter was sent forward to Ticondero- 
 ga, with a body of troops from New York and New Eng- 
 land. 
 
 The nearest British post in Canada was St. John's; situ- 
 ated about a hundred miles to the north of Ticonderoga : 
 which, since the fall of the latter and Crownpoint, was just- 
 ly considered as the key of that province. Against this, 
 Montgomery erected a battery ; but, on account of the 
 scarcity of ammunition, was not likely to succeed in its re- 
 duction, until, by the capture of fort Chamblee, a post a few 
 miles below St. John's, on the same river, he obtained a 
 large supply of powder. In the meantime, a British force, 
 in number about eight-hundred, chiefly Indians and militia, 
 when attempting to relieve St. John's, by crossing the river 
 St. Lawrence opposite to Louqueil, were compelled to re- 
 tire with considerable loss, by three-hundred Green Moun- 
 tain men, under the command of colonel Warner. This 
 affair decided the fate of the besieged. Five-hundred re- 
 gulars and one-hundred Canadians surrendered to Mont- 
 gomery; with forty-eight pieces of artillery, and eight-hun- 
 dred stand of arms. The advantage gained by the invad- 
 ers was, however, in a small degree lessened, by the cap- 
 ture of the brave colonel Allen and a party of eighty men, 
 when on a tour of observation, near Montreal. But the 
 enemy were allowed only a short period to enjoy the satis- 
 faction of this trifling acquirement. Pursuing his good 
 fortune, general Montgomery immediately appeared before 
 Montreal, and, on the 13th of November, obtained a sur- 
 render of the place, together with general Prescott and the 
 garrison : besides eleven sail of vessels, laden with ammu- 
 nition, provisions, intrenching tools, and every thing re- 
 quired for the clothing and comfort of his army. General 
 Carleton, the commander in chief and governor of Canada, 
 very narrowly escaped being taken. Being blockaded in 
 that part of the St. Lawrence which lies between the city 
 and the mouth of the river Sorel, he threw himself into a 
 boat, and, aided by muffled oars and the obscurity of the 
 night, had the good fortune to pass the American guards. 
 
 After leaving some troops in Montreal, Montgomery, 
 with little more than three-hundred men, proceeded for the 
 capital, Quebec. But his situation was now very embar- 
 rassing. " Much to be pitied," observes a cotemporary 
 writer, " js the officer, who, having been bred to arms in 
 the strict discipline of regular armies, is afterwards called 
 
U.2 HISTORY OF 
 
 to command men who carry with them the spirit of free- 
 dom into the field. The greater part of the Americans, 
 officers as well as privates, having never before seen any 
 service, were ignorant of their duty, and feebly impressed 
 with the military ideas of union, subordination, and disci- 
 pline. They were soon tired of a military life. Novelty, 
 and the first impulse of passion, had led them to the camp; 
 but the approaching cold season, together with the fatigues 
 and dangers incident to war, induced a general wish to re- 
 linquish the service. Though, by the terms of inlistment, 
 they were to be discharged in a few weeks, they could not, 
 even for that short space of time, bear an absence from 
 their homes." 
 
 About the same tim.e that Canada was invaded by the 
 usual route from New York, a considerable detachment of 
 the American army was brought thither by a new and unex- 
 pected passage. Arnold, who conducted this bold under- 
 taking, acquired, thereby, the name of the American Han' 
 iiibal. He was sent, by general Washington, with a thou- 
 sand men, from Cambridge ; wdth orders to penetrate into 
 that province by ascending the river Kennebeck, and then, 
 after crossing the mountains which divide Canada from 
 Maine, by descending the Chaudiere, to the St. Lawrence. 
 Great were the difficulties, and severe the deprivations, 
 they had to encounter, in marching, three-hundred miles, 
 by an unexplored way, through an uninhabited country. 
 In ascending the Kennebeck, they were constantly obliged 
 to struggle against an impetuous current; were often com- 
 pelled, by cataracts, to land, and haul their batteaux up 
 rapid streams, and over falls of rivers. They had to con- 
 tend with swamps, woods, and craggy mountains. At 
 some places, they had to cut their way, for miles together, 
 through forests, so embai-rassed, that their progress was 
 only four or five miles a day. One third of their number 
 "vverc, from sickness and want of food, obliged to return. 
 Provisions grew at length so scarce, that some of the men 
 eat their dogs, cartouch-boxes, leather small-clothes, and 
 shoes. Still, they proceeded with unabated fortitude. 
 They gloried in the hope of completing a march which 
 v/ould rival the greatest exploits of antiquity ; and, on the 
 third of November, after thirty-one days spent in traversing 
 a hideous desert, they reached the inhabited parts of Cana- 
 da, where, the people, struck with amazement and admira- 
 tion when they saw this armed force emerging from the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 113 
 
 wilderness, received them with kind attention, and supplied 
 them with every thing requisite for their conifoit. 
 
 A m-dnifesto, subscribed by general Washington, which 
 had been sent with this detachment, was circulated amongst 
 the Canadians. They were informed, that the American 
 army came, not as enemies, but friends , not to plunder, 
 but to protect them : and were invited to arrange them- 
 selves uiider the common standard of security and freedom. 
 
 So favourable, were the prospects Oithe united colonies at 
 this period, liiat general MonLg'j mery began to form a reg- 
 iment of Canadians. James Livingscon, a native of New 
 York, who had long resided in Canada, was appointed to 
 command them. The inhabitants, on both sides of the river, 
 were very friendly. Expresses, in the employment of the 
 Americans, continued to pass without molestation between 
 Montreal and Quebec ; before which place, Arnold had 
 now arrived. Many individuals performed important ser- 
 vices in favour of the invaders. Amongst those, Mr. Price 
 stands conspicuous ; having advanced them, in gold and 
 silver money, five-thousand pounds. 
 
 On the 13th of November, the fifth night after his ap- 
 pearance before Quebec, Arnold crossed the St. Lawrence; 
 in hopes of entering the fortress by assault. But his chance 
 of succeeding, by this mode, was, in that short space of 
 time, greatly diminished. The critical moment, by un- 
 avoidable delay, was then lost ; the panic, occasioned by 
 his first appearance, had abated; and solid preparations 
 were adopted for its defence; wherefore, having no artille- 
 ry, after surmounting the craggy precipice which had been 
 ascended by general Wolfe, and drawing up his little band 
 near the plains of Abraham, he withdrew ; and, until the 
 arrival of Montgomery, aimed at nothing more than to cut 
 off supplies from the garrison. 
 
 This officer at length joined the blockading army, sum- 
 moned the garrison to surrender, without effect, soon after- 
 wards commenced a bombardment, and opened a six-gun 
 battery ; but his metal was too light. Defended by the 
 united fortifications of art and nature, Quebec, the last Can- 
 adian post remaining to the British, stood uninjured. Ani- 
 mated by the presence, and directed by the counsel of the 
 governor, sir Guy Carleton, the garrison could not be weari- 
 ed to submission. The fate of the besiegers was becom- 
 ing dangerous. Tov/ards the end of the year, the tide of 
 fortune began to turn. Dissensions threatened the annihil- 
 ation of discipline ; resourses were every day declining;; fa- 
 10* 
 
iU HISTORY OF 
 
 tigue weakened the bodies, and depressed the sph'its of the 
 men. Difficulties of every kind were rapidly increasing*. 
 The alternatives must be decided, of immediate retreat, or 
 an attempt to enter the place by storm. Montgomery de- 
 termined on the latter; though it was an undertaking in 
 which success was barely possible, and despair seemed 
 triumphant over hope. 
 
 The garrison numbered fifteen-hundred, the assailants 
 only eight-hundred men. Having divided this little force 
 into four detachments, he ordered two feints to be made 
 against the upper town; one, by colonel Livingston, at the 
 head of the Canadians, against St. John's gate ; the other, 
 by major Brown, against Cape Diamond : reserving to 
 himself and colonel Arnold the two principal attacks against 
 the lower town. On the last day of the year, at four o'clock 
 in the morning, in the midst of a heavy storm of snow, the 
 columns were put in motion. Montgomery passed the 
 first barrier ; but, when attacking the second, was killed, 
 and his division was led back. Arnold, being severely 
 wounded, was carried off the field : yet his party, placed 
 under the conduct of captain (afterwards general) Morgan, 
 contended amidst the works for three hours, until overpow- 
 ered by superior numbers. One-hundred Americans were 
 killed, and three-hundred made prisoners. 
 
 Few men have fallen in battle so much regretted, by 
 both sides, as general Montgomery. He had engaged in the 
 American cause from principle, and left the enjoyment of 
 an easy fortune, in Ireland, and the highest domestic hap- 
 piness, to take an active share in the dangers and fatigues 
 of a war, instituted to defend a community of which he was 
 sin adopted member. 
 
 Although the besiegers were so much weakened as to be 
 scarcely equal to their own defence, Arnold, who succeeded 
 Montgomery in the command, had the boldness to encamp 
 within three miles of the toAvn, and the address, even with 
 his reduced numbers, to impede the conveyance of provis- 
 ions into the garrison. His situation was extremely diffi^ 
 cult. His men were exposed, in the open air, when the 
 snow lay four feet deep, and the rigours of a Canada winter 
 assailed them with a severity beyond any degree which they 
 had before experienced. 
 
 But the failure of this enterprise did not extinguish 
 the ardour of their countrymen. They yet retamed 
 hopes of reducing in that quarter the English power. Gen- 
 eral Washington arranged measures to embody for the ser- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 115 
 
 vice of the north three regiments in New Hampshire ; and 
 congress resolved to forward the reinforcements previously 
 voted, as well as to raise four battalions in New York, 
 That the army might be supplied with blankets for this win- 
 ter expedition, a committee was appointed to procure, from 
 house-holders, all that could be spared from their families. 
 To obtain a supply of hard money, proper persons were 
 employed to exchange paper notes for coin ; and such was 
 the enthusiasm of the times, that many thousand silver 
 dollars were frequently given at par for the bills of congress. 
 No means of insuring success were overlooked. The cause 
 of the Americans had received so powerful aid from the 
 publications in their own gazettes, and from the fervent ex- 
 hortations of popular preachers, which connected the cause 
 of liberty with the animating sentiments of religion, that it 
 was determined to employ those two powerful engines of re- 
 volution, printing and preaching, to operate on the minds 
 of the Canadians. Accordingly, a complete apparatus, to- 
 gether with a printer and a clergyman, was sent into that 
 province ; also. Dr. Franklin, with Mr. Chase and Mr. 
 Carroll of Maryland ; the last of whom was a respectable 
 clergyman of the Roman Catholic persuasion, (the prevail- 
 ing doctrine of that country,) to invigorate the seeds of 
 revolution ; by promising that Canada should be received 
 into the colonial association on equal terms, that the inhab- 
 itants should enjoy the free exercise of their religion, and 
 the quiet possession of their ecclesiastical estates. 
 
 Yet, notwithstanding all these exertions to support the 
 war in Canada, their interest there, after the fall of Mont- 
 gomery, gradually declined. Their unsuccessful assault on 
 Quebec, made an impression, both on the Canadians and 
 Indians, unfavourable to their views ; and the reduction of 
 that place now seemed an object to which their resources 
 were inadequate. The inhabitants listened with jealous 
 diffidence to the declarations in favour of protecting their 
 religion. They reverted, with philosophic caution, to the 
 early breaches of civil faith amongst their neighbours, in 
 New England, and the stubborn animosity which theologi- 
 cal collision, had every where produced. To render still 
 v/eaker the chances of success, the small-pox found its way 
 throughout the invading army ; and, owing to the limited 
 ])ractice of early inoculation at that period, was a serious 
 calamity. It reduced their effective number from three- 
 thousand, to nine-hundred men. Whilst the forces of the 
 one party were thus decreasing, and their spirit sinking by 
 
116 HISTORY OF 
 
 disease, those of the other were recruiting, their energies^ 
 and hopes reviving. Determined to recover, without de- 
 lay, the ground which they had lost, the British government 
 suffered not a mom.ent to elapse, after intelligence of these 
 events arrived, before they despatched a numerous rein- 
 forcement for its relief; and, early in May, the van of this 
 body made its way up the river St. Lawrence, through the 
 ice. The besiegers immediately made preparations to re- 
 treat. Carleton led out a detachment to attack them, and 
 got possession of all their cannon and military stores: which, 
 in their confusion, they had abandoned. Thus, at the end 
 of five months' operations, the siege was raised ; after a 
 display of fortitude and perseverance, Avhich reflects the 
 highest honour on the officers and privates of both armies. 
 
 From an enemy, the conduct of general Carleton merits 
 distinguished praise. To the abilities of the accomplished 
 soldier, by which he fulfilled an arduous duty to his country, 
 he superadded the amiable qualities of a generous foe. The 
 numerous sick in the American hospitals, unavoidably de- 
 serted by their companions, he cherished with most tender 
 care : he fed and clothed them, and, when recovered, per- 
 mitted them to return ; and, by a humane proclamation, re- 
 moved the fears of those who might possibly be scattered 
 in the woods ; recommending them to go home, and apply 
 themselves again to the peaceful labour of their farms. 
 
 When the retreating army had reached the Sorel, and 
 thrown up some slight works for their defence, they were 
 joined by a few battalions who were marching to reinforce 
 them. General Thomas, the American commander in 
 chief in Canada, having died, his commission devolved on 
 Arnold, now advanced to the same rank : and afterwards 
 on general Sullivan. But, notv/ithstanding their increase 
 of numbers, it soon became evident that they must abandon 
 the entire province ; yet, from a desire of doing something 
 Vvhich would counterbalance, in the minds of the Canadians, 
 the injurious effects of their retreat, an attack, planned by 
 general Thompson, was made on the British post at the 
 Three Rivers. The assailants, however, were repulsed ; 
 Thompson and two-hundred men were made prisoners, 
 and about twenty-five were killed. Soon afterwards, Carle- 
 ton, at the head of the main body of the enemy, arrived, and 
 commenced a serious pursuit. The retreat, nevertheless, 
 was conducted by general Sullivan, with so much hidustry 
 and judgment, that the baggage, cannon, and military stores, 
 were brought off, and the numerous sick escorted to Grown 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 11^ 
 
 Point ; where he arrived on the 1st of July, and made his" 
 first stand. 
 
 At this period of the contest in the north, it becomes ne- 
 cessary to view the transactions, which, in the meantime, 
 had occurred at home. The first province that demands 
 attention, is Virginia. The inhabitants in that quarter, 
 though there was not a British soldier within its limits, 
 were involved, by the indiscretion of its governor, lord Dun- 
 more, in difficulties, little short of those which had assail- 
 ed the people of Massachusetts. This officer, aided by a 
 party from a royal vessel in James' River, having conveyed 
 the powder from the colonial magazine at Williamsburg, by 
 which conduct he brought upon himself the indignant fury 
 of the people, threatened, in case of farther opposition, to 
 enfranchise the negroes, and arm them against their for- 
 mer masters. This irritated, but did not intimidate. A 
 body of gentlemen, headed by Patrick Henry, compel- 
 led him to pay the value of the powder; and so alarmed 
 him, that he was induced to send his lady and family on 
 board a man-of-war, and surround his palace with artillery. 
 Affairs, thenceforward, grew daily more tempestuous. He 
 retired from his dangerous habitation ; with the aid of the 
 royalists, runaway negroes, and some frigates, established 
 a marine force, ravaged plantations, and at length attempt- 
 ed to destroy Hampton by a cannonade ; but was driven off 
 by the riflemen stationed on the shore. In a few days from, 
 this, he entered Norfolk ; but, after a skirmish at the great 
 bridge, in which a party of British grenadiers were defeat- 
 ed by the provincials, he abandoned the town, and again 
 retired with his motley forces on board his ships. Nor- 
 folk, however, survived only a short time this triumph over 
 the royal governor. Provisions being withheld from the 
 king's vessels in the harbour, the town, with all the pro- 
 perty which it contained, amounting in the whole to more 
 than a million of dollars, was, on the 1st of January, reduc- 
 ed to ashes. 
 
 Nor Avas the adjoining colony of North Carolina exempt- 
 ed from disturbance ; though of less serious amount. The 
 governor's party, there, was soon defeated, and he himself 
 compelled to follow the example of Dunmore, by retiring 
 on board a ship. Similar retreats were m.ade by the royal 
 governors of the other colonies ; and, before the year expir- 
 ed, the regal authority had entirely ceased throughout the 
 union. 
 
118 HISTORY OF 
 
 All this time, the British troops at Boston were sufFerin^ 
 the inconvenience of a blockade ; and the blockading forces 
 were equally uneasy for want of employment. Accustomed 
 to industry and motion on their farms, the latter could not 
 patiently bear the inactivity and confinement of a camp. 
 Fiery spirits declaimed in favour of an assault : they prefer- 
 red a thoughtless enterprise, which might bring immediate 
 glory, to passive fortitude and distant victory. To be in 
 readiness for the attempt, a council of war recommended 
 the assembling of seven-thousand militia ; which, added to 
 the regular army before Boston, would have made a force 
 of about seventeen-thousand men. But the Americans still 
 laboured under a scarcity of arms and ammunition. Though 
 great exertions had been made to manufacture gunpowder, 
 and to collect arms throughout the interior, the supply was 
 slow and inadequate. The eyes of all were now fixed on 
 general Washington; who, it was, notwithstanding, expect- 
 ed, would, by a bold exertion, free Boston from the English 
 troops. The dangerous situation of public affairs had led 
 him to conceal his real deficiency of means; and, with that 
 magnanimity which distinguishes th2 virtuous patriot, but 
 is often absent even from the brave, to suffer his character 
 to be assailed, sooner than vindicate himself by exposing his 
 army's weakness. There were not wanting persons, who, 
 judging from the superior number of his men, asserted, 
 that if he were not desirous, like the Marlborough of 
 England, to prolong his importance at the head of an army, 
 he might, by a vigorous attack, drive the enemy from Bos- 
 ton. Such insinuations were reported, and, by several, be- 
 lieved. But they were uncontradicted by Washington ; 
 who chose to risk his fame, rather than expose the lives of 
 his soldiers and the liberties of his country. 
 
 The patient vigilance of the correct general at length 
 gained a bloodless victory. Alarmed by the appearance of 
 the besiegers on Dorchester heights, which, on the night of 
 the 4th of March, had been fortified, under cover of a bom- 
 bardment and cannonade, Sir William Howe, leaving behind 
 a large quantity of artillery and other munitions of war, 
 evacuated Boston on the 17th, and sailed with his troops to 
 Halifax. His retreat was not impeded by the blockading 
 army ; lest an attack, at that period, might have caused him 
 to burn the town. The embarkation of the British troops 
 was scarcely finished, when general W^ashington with his 
 army entered; amidst marks of approbation and rejoicing 
 more flattering than a Roman triumph. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. U9 
 
 I'or some months past, every exertion had been made to 
 place South Carolina, and especially its capital, Charleston, 
 in a respectable posture of defence. Works were accord- 
 ingly erected upon Sullivan's island; which is situated so 
 near the channel, as to be a convenient post for annoying 
 vessels when attempting to approach the town. These 
 proved a judicious precaution. The place had soon to with- 
 stand a formidable attack. On the 28th of June, a British 
 admiral, sir Peter Parker, entered the harbour, with six 
 frigates and four smaller ships of war; mounting in the 
 whole, two-hundred-and-seventy guns, and having on board 
 three-thousand land-troops, under the command of sir Hen- 
 ry Clinton. To oppose these, the fort had thirty-six guns, 
 consisting of eighteen, twenty -four, and forty-two, pounders, 
 manned by about four-hundred militia and soldiers of the 
 line, commanded by colonel Moultrie. This small garri- 
 son made a most gallant and effectual defence. They fired 
 with deliberation; for the most part took aim ; and seldom 
 missed their object. The ships were torn almost to pieces ; 
 the killed and wounded on board exceeded two-hundred 
 men. The loss of the garrison was only ten men killed and 
 twenty-two wounded. The fort being built of palmetto, 
 was little damaged : the shot which struck it was buried in 
 its soft wood. Colonel Thompson, with seven-hundred 
 men, was stationed at the east end of the island, to oppose 
 the crossing of a British division, which had landed on Long 
 Island, in their rear; but, to effect that, no serious attempt 
 was made. The firing ceased in the evening; the vessels 
 slipped their cables ; before morning, they had retired about 
 two miles ; and, in a few days, the troops re-embarked, and 
 the whole sailed for New York. 
 
 Two grand objects of the British armaments were decid- 
 ed ; one, to relieve Canada, which had been successful ; the 
 other, to make a strong impression in the south, which end- 
 ed in defeat. A third remained to be determined, — the 
 possession of New York. The command of the force de- 
 signed to operate against the latter, was given to admiral 
 lord Howe, and his brother, general sir William Howe; offi- 
 cers, who, as v/ell from their individual characters, as the 
 known bravery of their family, stood high in ministerial con- 
 fidence, and were commissioned either to subdue by the 
 power of arms, or end the war by negotiation. The army 
 amounted to thirty-thousand men ; a force which exceeded 
 any before seen in America^ and was, besides, supported by 
 a numerous fleet. 
 
120 HISTORY OF 
 
 On their approach, the enemy found every part of New 
 York Island, and the most exposed parts of Long Island, 
 fortified, and well defended by artillery. About fifty British 
 transports anchored near Staten Island ; which had not been 
 «o much an object of protection. The inhabitants of this 
 place, either through fear or policy, or affection, expressed 
 great joy on their arrival ; and several assembling round 
 their standard, joined by about sixty persons from New Jer- 
 sey, were embodied as a royal militia. 
 
 But, whatever might be the hopes of Britain to obtain a 
 more absolute dominion over her colonies, by arms, the 
 time had now passed when even the ancient connexion could 
 be rcitained, by negotiation. Offers of pardon were not 
 less insulting than inappropriate. A new era had arisen in 
 the west. The link, which had, for ages, bound England 
 to her rising progeny, was, by the corroding influence of 
 evil ministers, severed from its ancient hold. The chain 
 which had stretched its political rcr/fi, to their common cen- 
 tre in Great Britain, now assumed a fresh arrangement, by 
 attaching together the children in resistance to the parent. 
 On the 4th of July, a few days after the arrival of this great 
 armament, the congress at Philadelphia agreed on a declar- 
 ation of Independence ;' thereby, absolving the colonies 
 from every allegiance to the crown of England. The mo- 
 tion for this purpose, first made on the 7th of June, by 
 Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, and seconded by John 
 Adams, of Massachusetts, in conformity with the particu- 
 lar instructions of the former's constituents and the general 
 voice of all the states, was decided by an almost unanimous 
 vote. 
 
 *■' WHEN, in the course of human events," says this 
 celebrated document, — " it becomes necessary for one peo- 
 ple to dissolve the political bands which have connected 
 them with another, and to assume, among the powers of 
 the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws 
 of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent re- 
 spect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should 
 declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 
 
 " We hold these truths to be self-evident : — that all men 
 are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator 
 with certain unalienable rights ; that, among these, are life, 
 liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these 
 rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving 
 their just powers from the consent of the governed ; that^ 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 121 
 
 whenever any form of government becomes destructive of 
 these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abol- 
 ish it, and to institute a new government, laying its founda- 
 tion on such principles, and organizing its powers in such 
 form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safe- 
 ty and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that gov- 
 ernments long established should not be changed for light 
 and transient causes ; and accordingly all experience hath 
 shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while 
 evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing 
 the forms to which they are accustomed. But, when a long 
 train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the 
 same object, evinces a design to reduce them under abso- 
 lute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off 
 such government, and to provide new guards for their future 
 security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these 
 colonies ; and such is now the necessity which constrains 
 them to alter their former systems of government. The 
 history of the present king of Great Britain, is a history of 
 repeated injuries and usurpations ; all having in direct ob- 
 ject the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these 
 states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid 
 world. 
 
 " He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome 
 and necessary for the public good. 
 
 " He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of imme- 
 diate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their 
 operation, till his assent should be obtained ; and, when so 
 suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He 
 has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of 
 large districts of people, unless those people would relin- 
 quish the right of representation in the legislature — a right 
 .inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only. 
 
 " He has called together legislative bodies at places un- 
 usual, uncomfortable, and distant from the repository of 
 their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them 
 into compliance with his measures. 
 
 " He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for 
 opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights 
 of the people. 
 
 " He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, 
 to cause others to be elected ; whereby, the legislative pow- 
 ers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people 
 at large, for their exercise ; the state remaining, in the 
 
 n 
 
122 HISTORY OF 
 
 meantime, exposed to all the dangers of invasion from with- 
 out, and convulsions within. 
 
 " He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these 
 states ; for that purpose, obstructing the laws for naturaliza- 
 tion of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their 
 migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appro- 
 priations of lands. 
 
 " He has obstructed the administration of justice, by re- 
 fusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. 
 
 " He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the 
 tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their 
 salaries. 
 
 " He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent 
 hither swarms of officers, to harass our people, and eat out 
 their substance. 
 
 " He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing ar- 
 mies, without the consent of our legislatures. 
 
 " He has affected to render the military independent of, 
 and superior to, the civil power. 
 
 *« He has combined with others to subject us to a juris- 
 diction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by 
 our laws ; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legis- 
 lation, for quartering large bodies of armed troops among 
 us : for protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment 
 for any murders vv^hich they should commit on the inhabit- 
 ants of these states : for cutting off our trade with all parts 
 of the world : for imposing taxes on us without our consent : 
 for depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by 
 jury : for transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pre- 
 tended offences : for abolishing the free system of English 
 laws in a neighbouring province, establishing therein an 
 arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries, so as 
 to render it at once an example and fit instrument for in- 
 troducing the same absolute rule into these colonies : for 
 taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, 
 and altering, fundamentally, the forms of our governments : 
 for suspending our own legislatures, and declaring them- 
 selves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases 
 whatsoever. 
 
 <' He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out 
 of his protection, and waging war against us. 
 
 '' He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt 
 our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. 
 
 " He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign 
 mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 123 
 
 tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and 
 perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and 
 totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. 
 
 <* He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive 
 on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to be- 
 come the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to 
 fall themselves by their hands. 
 
 "He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and 
 has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers 
 the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare 
 is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and 
 conditions. 
 
 " In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned 
 for redress, in the most humble terms : our repeated peti- 
 tions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, 
 whose character is thus marked by every act which may 
 define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 
 
 " Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British 
 brethren. We have warned them, from time to time, of 
 attempts made by their legislature to extend an unwarrant- 
 able jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the 
 circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We 
 have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and 
 we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, 
 to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably inter- 
 rupt our connexions and correspondence. They, too, have 
 been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We 
 must therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces 
 our separation; and hold them, as we hold the rest of man- 
 kind — enemies in war, in peace friends. 
 
 " We, therefore, the representatives of the United States 
 of America, in general congress assembled, appealing to 
 the Supreme Judge of the world, for the rectitude of our 
 intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good 
 people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that 
 these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and 
 independent states; that they are absolved from all allegi- 
 ance to the British crown, and that all political connexion 
 between them and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought 
 to be, totally dissolved ; and that, as free and independent 
 states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, 
 contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other 
 acts and things which independent states may of right do. 
 And, for the support of this declaration, with a firm reli- 
 
124 HISTORY OF 
 
 ance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually 
 pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred 
 honour."* 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Continuation of the ivar. Success of the Americans, Peace 
 of Paris. 
 
 IT had early occurred to general Washington, that the 
 possession of New York would be with the British a favour- 
 ite object. Its central situation, and contiguity to the ocean, 
 might enable them to carry the war to any part of the sea- 
 coast. Its acquisition was rendered still more valuable, by 
 the ease with which it could be maintained. Surrounded 
 on all sides by water, it was defensible by a small numbeD 
 
 •Tills declaration was composed by Thomas Jefferson ; one of a 
 committee appointed for the purpose. It was signed in the State- 
 liouse, at Philadelphia, in a chamber of the right wing, on the ground 
 floor ; the first which you enter from the centre hall of that building. 
 
 A painting, commemorative of the great event, in which are drawa 
 the persons of its illustrious authors, (whose names are here record- 
 ed,) in their position at the time of its being- presented by the com- 
 mittee for the approval of congress, has been drawn by an American 
 artist, colonel Trumbull ; and placed, in 1819, in the capitol at Wash- 
 ington. 
 
 John Hancock, President. Charles Thomson, Secretary. 
 
 JVe~M Hampshire; Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew- 
 Thornton. Massachusetts,' Samuel Adams, John Adams, Hobert 
 Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry. Rhode Island &c Stephen Hopkins, 
 William Ellery. Connecticut ; Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntingdon, 
 William Williams, Oliver Wolcott. JVexo York ; William Floyd, 
 Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris. JK^ew Jersey ; Rich- 
 ard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abra- 
 ham Clark. Pennsylvania; Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benja- 
 min Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George 
 Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross. Delaware; Coesar Rodney, 
 George Reed. Maryland; Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas 
 Stone, Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. Virginia ; George Wythe, Rich- 
 ard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nel- 
 son, junior, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton. Aor/A Carolina; 
 William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn. South Carolina ; Edward 
 Rutledge, Thomas Hay ward, junior, Thomas Lynch, junior ; Arthur 
 Middleton. Georgia; Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton. 
 
 Of these, the only survivors, at the time of publishing the third 
 edition of this history, in 18'32, were John Adams, Charles Carroll, 
 Thomas Jefferson, and Charles Thomson. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 125 
 
 of British ships, against adversaries whose whole navy con- 
 sisted only of a few frigates; and Hudson's river, being na- 
 vigable for vessels of the largest size, to a great distance, 
 afforded an opportunity of severing the eastern from the 
 other states, and of almost preventing between them any 
 communication. 
 
 In proportion to the desire which general Washington 
 judged that the British felt for the possession of New York, 
 did this sagacious officer direct his attention to its defence. 
 He had, in April, fixed his head quarters in that city, and 
 given it all the strength that wisdom could invent or indus- 
 try accomplish. He made anew distribution of the army: 
 leaving a part in Massachusetts, ordering a small division 
 to Canada, but drawing the greatest portion into New York. 
 Thus, although he now laboured to secure this important 
 place, he was not forgetful of the other districts of his coun- 
 try. His comprehensive mind embraced, in one view, the 
 condition of the whole ; and his experience taught him the 
 most effectual method of preserving them. He determined 
 on a " war of posts;" the best suited to the condition of hifj 
 infant troops, and the least adapted to the interest of his 
 enemy: as, while it increased the confidence of the one, 
 it retarded the operations of the other, by continual alarm. 
 
 The enemy resolved to make their first attempt on Long 
 Island ; a position more advantageous than that on which 
 the city stood, as it abounded with fresh provisions. On 
 the 22d of August, they landed without opposition between 
 two villages, Utrecht and Gravesend. The American 
 works protected a small peninsula ; having Waliabout Bay 
 on the left, Red Hook, to which they extended, on the right, 
 and East River, in the rear. General Sullivan, to whom 
 was intrusted the defence of the island, was encamped with 
 a strong force within these works, at Brooklyn. The passes 
 leading through the hills were all guarded, and a battalion 
 of riflemen observed the motions of the British. 
 
 General Heister, with his Hessian auxiliaries in English 
 pay, took post at Flatbush; and, on the foUov/ing morning, 
 the 27th, general Clinton gained possession of a height 
 commanding one of the defiles. The guard fled, without - 
 making any resistance. Early on the 28th, an attack was 
 made by the Hessians, and by another body under general 
 Grant ; which was well supported for a considerable time, 
 on both sides. The Americans who opposed general Heis- 
 ter were the first informed of the approach of Clinton, who 
 had come round upon their left. They immediately began » 
 
12§ HISTORY OF 
 
 retreat to their camp ; but were intercepted by the latter ; 
 who, having got into their rear, attacked them with his 
 light infantry and dragoons. The Americans were driven 
 back, until met by the Hessians ; and were thus chased, 
 alternately, by two parties. Some of the regiments, how- 
 ever, found their way to the camp. The Americans, under 
 lord Stirling, consisting of colonel Miles' two battalions, co- 
 lonels Atlee's, Smallwood's, and Hatch's regiments, who 
 were opposed to general Grant, fought with great resolution 
 for about six hours. But, from their total want of cavalry, 
 being ignorant of the movements made by general Clinton, 
 until some of his troops had traversed the whole extent of 
 country in their rear, their retreat was intercepted. Seve- 
 ral, notwithstanding, broke through, and got into the woods; 
 and a considerable number escaped to the lines. Many, 
 however, were drowned, and others perished in the mud. 
 
 The king's troops displayed great valour throughout the 
 ■whole day. The variety of ground occasioned a succession 
 of small engagements, pursuits, and slaughters, which last- 
 ed many hours. British discipline, however, in every in- 
 stance triumphed over the mere bravery of raw forces ; who 
 Tiad never been in any action, and whose officers were unac- 
 quainted with the stratagems of war. 
 
 The loss of the enemy, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 
 or, as it is concisely termed by the French, the numbei- 
 placed hoi's cle combat^ out of battle, was four-hundred-and- 
 iifty. That of the Americans was above a thousand. 
 Amongst the prisoners taken of the latter, were two gene- 
 rals, Sullivan and Stirling, and eighty-two other officers, in- 
 cluding every rank. 
 
 During the retreat, general Washington had brought 
 over reinforcements to the scene of action ; and, after he 
 had collected his principal force there, it was his wish and 
 hope that sir William Howe would attempt to storm his 
 works. But the remembrance of Breed's-hill, restrained the 
 British general from an assault. On the contrary, he made 
 demonstrations of a siege, and opened trenches v/ithin three- 
 hundred yards, to the left, at Putnam's redoubt. Though 
 general Washington had wished for an immediate assault, 
 yet, being certain that his works would be untenable when 
 the British batteries were fully opened, he called a council 
 ©f war, to deterniine on the most proper measures. It be- 
 ing resolved, that the objects in view were in no degree 
 proportioned to the dangers, to which, by a continuation on 
 the island, they would be exposed, dispositions were made 
 
THE UNITED STATES. ui 
 
 for retreating. This commenced soon after it was dark ; 
 from two points, the upper and lower ferries on East river. 
 General M'Dougal regulated the embarkation at one; colo- 
 nel Knox, at the other. Never was any movement more 
 skilfully ordered, conducted with more consummate ad- 
 dress, or more highly favoured by the aid of Providence. 
 The field-artillery, tents, baggage, and about nine-thousand 
 men, were conveyed to New Yo^k, over a river upwards of 
 a mile wide, in less than thirteen hours ; and without the 
 knowledge of the British, though not distant six-hundred 
 yards. The wind seemed, in one place, to change accord- 
 ing to their wants ; and, in another, a fog veiled them from 
 the hostile view. Half an hour after general Mifflin, with 
 the rear guard, had left the lines, they were entered by the 
 British. 
 
 Not rightly appreciating the spirit of the American lead- 
 ers, which was not subdued, but made more resolute, by 
 defeat, lord Howe considered the late reverse as favourable 
 to promote submission ; and, accordingly, sent general Sul- 
 livan, already mentioned amongst the prisoners, with a mes- 
 sage to the congress. In a few days, Dr. Franklin, John 
 Adams, and Edward Rutledge, were deputed to have an in- 
 terview with the British general, on Staten Island. They 
 were politely received ; but there arose no approximation 
 towards a peace. When concluding, lord Howe expressed 
 to Dr. Franklin, with whom, a mutual friendship had for 
 some time before existed, the extreme pain he would suffer, 
 in being obliged to distress those that he so much regarded. 
 4' I feel thankful to your lordship," replied Franklin, " for 
 your regard. The Americans will show their gratitude, 
 by endeavouring to lessen the pain you may feel on their ac- 
 count, in exerting their utmost abilities to take good care 
 of themselves." 
 
 It was happy for the cause of freedom, that a principle, 
 yet higher than that which often animates the common sol- 
 dier to maintain his post, actuated the superior officers in- 
 trusted with its defence. The army became universally 
 dispirited. The militia ran off by companies, and the reg- 
 ulars were infected by the example. The situation of 
 those generous leaders, who knew no fear, except in the 
 perspective ruin of their country; who offered every thing, 
 but honour, a sacrifice to avert its degradation; cannot be 
 described. How must the heart of Washington have been 
 wrung with anguish 1 To retreat, subjected him to animad- 
 versions, painful to bear, yet impolitic to refute. To stand 
 
128 HISTORY OF 
 
 his ground, and thus hazard the fate of America, on one 
 engagement, in which fortune might decide, was contrary 
 ,to every rational phm of defending his extensive charge. 
 A middle line, between abandoning and defending, was, 
 therefore, for a while adopted. The public stores were re- 
 moved to Dobbs' ferry, about twenty-six miles distant : 
 twelve-thousand men were ordered to the northern extremi- 
 ty of New York island ; four-thousand-five-hundred re- 
 mained to defend the city, and the rest were stationed with- 
 in the intermediate space, to act as occasion might require. 
 
 The same short-sighted politicians who had before cen- 
 sured general Washington for his caution, in not storming 
 the British lines at Boston, renewed the clamours against 
 him for this system of evacuation and retreat. But the 
 same wisdom which had then devised it as the best, now 
 confirmed his resolution to maintain it. Supported by a 
 consciousness of his own integrity, and by a full conviction 
 that these measures were the most advantageous to his 
 country, he again voluntarily subjected his fame to be over- 
 shadowed by a passing cloud. 
 
 General Howe pursued his object with unabating dili- 
 gence. Having prepared every thing for a descent on New 
 York island, he landed his men near Turtle-bay. The 
 Americans instantly fell back; and though some detach- 
 ments, under the command of colonel Knowleton of Con- 
 necticut and major Leitch of Virginia, the former of whom 
 was killed and the latter wounded, had fairly beaten their 
 immediate adversaries from the field, yet it became neces- 
 sary to evacuate the city. On the 12th of October, it was 
 entered by a brigade of the enemy. They had been only a 
 few days in possession, when a dreadful fire broke out, 
 which consumed a thousand houses. The Americans took 
 a position on the north end of the island ; but, soon after- 
 wards, left three-thousand men in Fort Washington, near 
 Kingsbridge, and retired. The royal army followed, in two 
 columns : and, after sustaining a considerable loss, by the 
 fire of a party v^hich general Lee had posted behind a wall, 
 halted with the Brunx in front: upon which, the Americans 
 assembled their main force at White Plains ; where they 
 formed intrenchments. A severe action took place, and 
 several hundreds fell. The British were commanded by 
 general Leslie ; the Americans, by general M'Dougal. 
 
 Soon afterwards, general Washington changed his front ; 
 his left wing standing fast, whilst his right fell back to some 
 contiguous hills. In this position, an admirable one for de- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. l2> 
 
 fence, he both desired and expected an attack ; but general 
 Howe having' declined it, and drawn off his forces to Dobbs' 
 ferry, the Americans retired to Northcastle. 
 
 Leaving seven-thousand men under general Lee, Wash- 
 ington crossed the North (or Hudson's) river, into New 
 Jersey, and took a position in the neighbourhood of Fort 
 Lee. In the meantime, sir William Howe commenced the 
 reduction of Fort Washington. On the 16th of November, 
 the royal army attacked in four divisions : the first was led 
 by general Kniphausen ; the second, by general Matthews, 
 supported by lord Cornwallis ; the third was under the di- 
 rection of colonel Stirling ; and the fourth, commanded by- 
 lord Percy. The garrison consisted of three-thousand men, 
 under colonel Magaw. Their outworks being carried, their 
 defenders crowded into the fort, and the whole surrendered 
 prisoners of war. The loss of the assailants was consider- 
 able. Their killed and wounded, from the fire of the gar- 
 rison, and of Rawling's corps of riflemen stationed in a wood 
 through which one of their divisions passed, were at least 
 twelve-hundred. 
 
 Shortly afterwards, lord Cornwallis crossed over to the 
 Jersey shore, and captured Fort Lee, with all its artillery 
 and stores ; the garrison having been saved by a previous 
 evacuation. General Washington then retreated to New- 
 ark. But he saw no hopes of being able to reiY^ain everi 
 there. He feared that he would be compelled to retire still 
 farther. " Should we retreat," said he, addressing colonel 
 Reed, " to the back parts of Pennsylvania, will the inhabit- 
 ants support us ?" The colonel replied, that if the lower 
 counties were subdued, and gave up, the upper districts 
 would do the same. " We must retire, then," rejoined 
 Washington, " to Augusta county, in Virginia : numbers 
 will be obliged to repair to us for safety, and if overpower- 
 ed, we must cross the Alleghany mountains." 
 
 But the general's situation became yet more distressing. 
 The term for which his army had enlisted was on the point 
 of expiring : the British commander offered pardon and re- 
 ward to all who would, within sixty days, desert the colonial 
 interest : and, when it was expected that he would withdraw 
 to winter quarters, pursued the diminished army in its re- 
 treat. Lord Cornwallis, at the head of six-thousand regulars, 
 was so close behind general Washington, as he retired, dur- 
 ing nineteen days, with about three-thousand undisciplined 
 troops, to Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton, and the Pennsyl- 
 vania side of the Delaware, that the rear of the one army 
 
130 HISTORY OF 
 
 pulling down bridges, was often within shot of the other's 
 van, hastening to repair them. 
 
 Scarcely one of the people joined the retreating army, 
 "whilst numbers were daily flocking to the royal standard, to 
 obtain forgiveness and protection. Not only the lower 
 classes changed sides in this gloomy season of adversity, but 
 some of the leading men in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, 
 particularly Mr. Gallaway and Mr. Allen, two members of 
 congress, adopted the same dastardly expedient, and declar- 
 ed themselves, at all times, averse to independence. Every 
 thing seemed tending to colonial overthrow. General Lee, 
 one of the most distinguished continental officers, was tak- 
 en prisoner ; a dispirited half-clad army was on the eve of 
 being disbanded ; the neighbourhood of Philadelphia be- 
 came the seat of warfare, and congress removed for safety 
 to Baltimore. 
 
 In proportion as difficulties increased, that assembly re- 
 doubled their exertions. They addressed the states in ani- 
 mated language ; recommended them to appoint a day of 
 solemn fasting and humiliation, invested Washington with 
 extraordinary powers, and endeavoured to obtain assistance 
 from foreign nations. 
 
 These judicious measures in the cabinet were accompani- 
 ed with proportionate vigour in the field. A bold enterprise 
 V.dS fcnr.sd by Washington, of re-crossing into Jersey, and 
 attacking those parties of the enemy which were stationed 
 at Burlington, Bordenton, and Trenton. In the evening of 
 Christmas day, he made arrangements for passing the Dela- 
 ware in three divisions ; two under the respective orders 
 of generals Cadwallader and Ewing, and one division to 
 be directed by himself. But, owing to the quantity of 
 broken ice, only the main body, commanded by Washing- 
 ton, succeeded in its purpose, at M^Konkey's Ferry, nine 
 miles above Trenton ; and the passage even of this was so 
 retarded, that it v/as three o'clock in the morning before the 
 artillery was landed. On arriving in Jersey, this party was 
 arranged in two divisions ; one commanded by general Sulli- 
 van, the other by general Greene, aided by Stirling, Mer- 
 cer, and St. Clair ; who were ordered to proceed to Tren- 
 ton by different roads, and charge the enemy before they had 
 time to form. At eight o'clock, they reached the advanc- 
 ed posts, within three minutes of each other. The out- 
 guards of the Hessian troops soon fell back, but kept up a 
 retreating fire ; their main body, after losing half their artil- 
 lery, and finding themselves surrounded, laid down their 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 131 
 
 arms. The detachment in Trenton consisted of fifteen-hun- 
 dred German infantry, and a troop of British cavalry : of 
 ■whom, forty were killed or wounded, and nine-hundred 
 taken prisoners; the remainder, about six-hundred, having 
 escaped towards Bordenton. Captain Washington, of the 
 Virginia troops, a relation of the commander in chief, and 
 five or six other Americans, were wounded ; two were kil- 
 led, and two or three frozen to death. 
 
 History affords not many examples superior to this mas- 
 ter-stroke in the art of war. Nothhig seemed more impro- 
 bable than such an attempt, to the commander in chief of 
 that district. When colonel Rahl, the officer in Trenton, 
 sent to his superior, general Grant, for a cautionary rein- 
 forcement, " Tell the colonel," he repied, " he is very safe. 
 I will undertake to keep the peace in New Jersey with a 
 corporal's guard." 
 
 The British had a strong battalion of light infantry at 
 Princeton, and a force yet remaining near the Delaware, su- 
 perior to the American army. General Washington, there- 
 fore, in the evening after his victory, conceived it the most 
 prudent to re-cross into Pennsylvania, with his prisoners. 
 These being secured, he returned to Trenton. The enemy, 
 as might have been expected, did not allow him to remain 
 long undisturbed. Their detachmicnts, which had been can- 
 toned over Jersey previous to the capture of the Hessians, 
 assembled immediately at Princeton; where they were join- 
 ed by the army from Brunswick, under lord Cornwallis. 
 ,-,-_ From this position, they proceeded, on the 2d of 
 January, towards Trenton ; hoping, by a vigorous 
 onset, to repair the injury sustained by the late defeat. 
 About four in the afternoon, they encountered a party of 
 the Americans, posted with four field-pieces a little to the 
 northward of the latter, and compelled them to retreat. 
 This advantage, however, was only for a short time retain- 
 ed. They were checked by some artillery, stationed on the 
 opposite banks of Assanpinck creek, fell back out of the 
 reach of the shot, and halted for the night. 
 
 Truly critical, however, was the situation of the Ameri- 
 can army. A retreat would endanger Philadelphia, the 
 capital of the infant union : an action with a superior force, 
 whilst a river lay behind, was dangerous and imprudent. 
 But the genius of the commander suggested a relief, by 
 Avhich not only defeat might be averted, but victory obtain- 
 ed. He determined to get round the advanced party of the 
 enemy, and attack them in the rear. Soon after it became 
 
i33 HISTORY OF 
 
 dark, he ordered the baggage to be silently removed i wheiij 
 leaving guards, as well as kindling fires, for the purpose of 
 deception, he marched, by a circuitous route, to Princeton. 
 This place, situated about ten miles distant towards the 
 north, be reached early in the morning ; and would have 
 completely surprised the British there, had not a party, on 
 their way to Trenton, descried his troops, and sent back 
 couriers to give an alarm. The royalists, consisting of three 
 regiments of infantry, an artillery corps with two field-pieces, 
 and three troops of light dragoons, charged the centre of 
 the Americans, on their march. The latter gave way in 
 disorder. The danger was extreme. Washington instant- 
 ly rushed forward. He placed himself between his own 
 men and the British, with his horse's head fronting the lat- 
 ter. The Americans made a stand ; returned the enemy's 
 fire; and the general, though exposed on both sides, escap- 
 ed unhurt. A party of the enemy fled into the college, and 
 surrendered. 
 
 In the course of the engagement, sixty of their number 
 were killed, many more wounded, and three-hundred made 
 prisoners. The rest, eluded capture; some, "by pushing 
 on towards Trenton : others, by returning towards Bruns- 
 wick. The American loss was numerically small : but 
 amongst the killed were some valuable ofliicers; particular- 
 ly, general Mercer, a native of Scotland ; who, like Mont- 
 gomery, was amiable in private life, brave and experienced 
 in the field. 
 
 Whilst they were engaged in Princeton, the British in 
 Trenton were under arms, chiding the tardy coming of the 
 dawn; which, with confident anticipation, was to light them 
 to easy conquest : for, with so much address had the 
 stratagem been conducted, that general Washington went 
 completely off the ground, with his entire force, stores, 
 baggage, and artillery, unobserved and unsuspected. When 
 the British heard the report of the artillery at Princeton, 
 though it was in the depth of winter, they believed it to be 
 thunder: and so great was their consternation, at these un- 
 expected movements, that the whole immediately retreated 
 to New Brunswick and Amboy. 
 
 During the late occupation. New Jersey had suffered 
 dreadfully, in the waste of property and insults upon the 
 inhabitants. The soldiers of the royal army, particularly 
 the Hessians, had unloosed the reins of every selfish, fero- 
 ciotJSj and brutal passion, of human nature. Their officers 
 
THE UNITED STATES. \S3 
 
 could not restrain them : friends and foes, loyalists and re« 
 publicans, all shared a common fate. 
 
 Seldom, however, there happens an evil without a con- 
 comitant or succeeding good. That whole country now 
 became hostile to the invaders. The militia of New Jer- 
 sey, who hitherto, had behaved most disgracefully, from 
 this time forward, redeemed their character; and evinced 
 a spirit and discipline equal in many respects to what dis- 
 tinguishes regular soldiers. 
 
 During those winter movements, both armies suifered 
 extraordinary hardships ; but the Americans underwent 
 the greatest. Many of these were without shoes, though 
 marching over frozen ground ; which so gashed their feet, 
 that each step was marked with blood. They were mis- 
 erably deficient in blankets, and almost wholly destitute of 
 tents. Yet, in this situation, the American army, which, 
 after the affair at Princeton, had retired to Morristown, 
 ■were inoculated ; and, as very few, either of the officers or 
 privates, ever had the small-pox, the disorder was nearly 
 universal. It had previously spread amongst them in the 
 natural way, and proved mortal to many: but, after inocu- 
 lation was introduced, the fatality was small ; and the effect 
 so gentle, that, from the beginning, there was not a single 
 day in which they could not have exchanged the situation 
 of invalid for that of soldier, and appeared in arms against 
 the English. 
 
 The campaign of one year had not ended, until carried 
 into the first month of the succeeding. For some time, 
 however, there had existed a state of cpmparative inactivi- 
 ty. Since the battle of Princeton, the operations extend- 
 ed not beyond a few skirmishes ; unimportant in themselves, 
 yet productive of future benefit. At Springfield, a small 
 party of Germans were beaten by an equa.1 number of Jer- 
 sey militia, under colonel Spencer. Near Somerset court- 
 house, general Dickinson, with four-hundred of the same 
 description and fifty Pennsylvania riflemen, defeated a large 
 foraging party, and got possession of their convoy. Col- 
 onel Barton, desirous of retaliating the capture of general 
 Lee, embarked with forty militia, in whale-boats, surprised 
 general Prescott at his quarters between Newport and Bris- 
 tol ferry, in Rhode Island, and brought him to the main 
 land. General Putnam was eminently useful, in guarding 
 the army against surprise ; and so much vigilance was 
 every where displayed, that Sir William Howe was con- 
 fined to limits so narrow, as would not, had a purchaser 
 12 - 
 
34 HISTORY OF 
 
 been found, have re-imbursed the expense of the attain- 
 ment. 
 
 Hitherto, the Americans were deficient in arms and am- 
 munition, as well as in men : but in the spring, they receiv- 
 ed from France twenty-thousand stand of arms and a thous- 
 and barrels of powder. 
 
 Before the royal army took the field, in prosecution of 
 the main business of the campaign, they accomplished 
 two enterprises, for the destruction of American stores. 
 At Peekskill, about fifty miles from New York, they cap- 
 tured or destroyed a considerable quantity of necessary ar- 
 ticles; which had been collected there, notwithstanding the 
 orders given by general Washington to the commissaries, 
 not to allow a large accumulation of provisions near the 
 water. At Danbury, the Americans lost sixteen-hundred 
 barrels of pork and flour, two-thousand bushels of corn, and 
 seventeen-hundred tents. On returning to their ships, the 
 British were attacked, at Ridgefield, by a party hastily col- 
 lected, under generals Wooster, Arnold, and Silliman, and 
 suffered a loss, in killed and wounded, of two or three hun- 
 dred men. The Americans had twenty killed ; amongst 
 whom, was the brave general Wooster; who, though seven- 
 ty years old, behaved with the vigour and spirit of youth. 
 Not long after, colonel Meigs, one of the intrepid compan- 
 ions of Arnold in the expedition to Canada, led a detach- 
 ment of one-hundred-and-seventy men, in whale-boats, to 
 Long Island; burned twelve British vessels, with a large 
 quantity of forage, in Sagg-Harbour, killed six soldiers, and 
 brought off ninety prisoners, without losing a single man. 
 
 As the season advanced, the American army in New 
 Jersey was reinforced by the successive arrival of recruits; 
 nevertheless, at the opening of the campaign, in the be- 
 ginning of June, it amounted only to seven-thousand men. 
 
 General Washington, having left his winter-quarters at 
 Morristown, took a strong position at Middlebrook. Sir 
 William Howe marched from Brunswick, and extended 
 his van as far as Somerset court-house ; but, in a few days, 
 was constrained to resume his former station. He then 
 endeavoured to provoke General Washington to engage ; 
 leaving no manceuyre untried to induce him to quit his 
 post. At length, fully convinced of the impossibility of 
 compelling a battle, on equal terms, and aware of the dan- 
 ger of crossing the Delaware whilst the Americans were 
 in his rear, he proceeded to Amboy, and thence passed 
 over to Staten Island ; resolved to pursue the objects of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 135 
 
 the campaign by another route. His real designs were 
 involved in obscurity. Washington was much embarrass- 
 ed. The enemy seemed, at one time, moving to the south ; 
 at another, to the north. At last, on the 23d of July, their 
 main body departed from Sandy Hook, and were reported 
 to steer to the southward. A letter from Sir William 
 Howe to general Burgoyne, then stationed in Canada, was 
 intercepted, which mentioned that they were steering to 
 New Hampshire. But the deception was so superficially 
 veiled, that, in conjunction with some particulars attending 
 the embarkation, it removed the uncertainty from the mind 
 of Washington, instead of misleading him to an opposite 
 direction. Within an hour after receiving the letter, he 
 gave orders for marching to the south. But he was yet so 
 much impressed with a conviction that it was the true in- 
 terest of Howe to form a junction with Burgoyne, that he 
 ordered his army to halt for some time at the Delaware ; 
 suspecting that the southern movement was a feint, intend- 
 ed to draw him farther from the Hudson. 
 
 The British fleet was a week at sea, before it reached 
 Cape Henlopen. Here, Sir William Howe, being inform- 
 ed that the passage of the Delaware was obstructed, gave 
 up his original intention of reaching Philadelphia by as- 
 cending that river, and resolved on a circuitous route, by 
 the Chesapeake. From Henlopen, he had a tedious pciS* 
 sage. Though the distance, in a direct line, is only about 
 forty leagues, twenty days elapsed before he entered the 
 capes of Virginia. He proceeded up the bay with a fa- 
 vourable wind, and landed his troops, sixteen-thousand in 
 number, at Turkey Point. The American army was imme- 
 diately put in motion to oppose them. Its number, on pa- 
 per, amounted to fourteen-thousand : but its effective force, 
 on which dependence might be placed in the day of battle, 
 did not much exceed eight-thousand men; many of whom 
 were without shoes. Its several divisions were command- 
 ed principally by Greene, Maxwell, and Stephens, Stirling, 
 Sullivan, and Wayne. The enemy advanced with boldness, 
 imtil within two miles of tjie Americans; who were then 
 posted near Newport. Washington soon changed his posi- 
 tion, and halted on the high ground near Chadd's ford, on 
 Brandywine creek; with an intention of disputing the pas- 
 sage. It was the wish, but by no means the interest, of the 
 Americans, to try their strength in an engagement. Their 
 regular troops were inferior, not only in discipline, but, 
 in numbers, to the royal army. Popular opinion, however^ 
 
136 HISTORY OF 
 
 imposed a degree of necessity on the genera!, to keep his 
 troops in front of the enemy, and risk an action for the se- 
 curity of Philadelphia; though, had he taken the ridge of 
 high land on his right, the British, ignorant of his army's 
 -weakness, must have respected his numbers, and would 
 probably have followed him into the country. By this 
 policy, the campaign might have been prolonged; whilst 
 the Americans would have been strengthened, and the in- 
 vaders wasted, by delay. For once, however, Washington 
 reUnquished his usual policy, and hazarded a disadvanta- 
 geous action. 
 
 At day -break, on the 1 1th of September, the royal army 
 3-noved fonvard in two columns, commanded by Kniphau- 
 sen and Cornwaliis. The first kept the direct road to 
 Chadd's ford, and made a show of passing it, in front of 
 the main body of the Americans: the other column came 
 «p on the west side of the Brandywine, to its fork ; cross- 
 ing both its branches, and then marching down on its east 
 bank, with the viev/ of turning their adversaries' right wing. 
 This, they accomplished : after a series of endeavours 
 throughout the entire day, the Americans were broken, and 
 every exertion to rally them was ineffectual. The retreat 
 Tioon became general, and was continued to Chester ; with 
 the loss of twelve-hundred men, killed and wounded. 
 
 Two distinguished foreigners served under the Ameri- 
 can banners at the Brandywine ; the Marquis De La Fayette 
 and count Pulaski; the one, a native of France, the other, 
 of Poland. Animated by the love of liberty. La Fayette, 
 a nobleman of high rank, had left the country of his birth, 
 and offered his service to congress. While in France, and 
 only nineteen years of age, he espoused the cause of the 
 Americans, with the most disinterested and generous ar- 
 dour ; and, having determined to join them, communicated 
 his intentions to their commissioners at Paris. His offer 
 was gratefully received. They justly considered, that a 
 patron of so much importance would be of the utmost ser- 
 vice to their cause. Before he embarked, intelligence ar- 
 rived in Europe, that the American patriots, reduced to 
 tw^o-thousand men, were flying before a British force of 
 thirty -thousand ; under which circumstances, the commis- 
 sioners thought it their duty to dissuade him from the pres- 
 ent prosecution of his dangerous enterprise. But their 
 candour was expressed in vain. His zeal to serve a strug- 
 gling country, was heightened, not abated, by her misfor- 
 tunes. His personal risk was not the only one which might 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 137 
 
 have deterred him. He hazarded his large fortune, by the 
 laws of France ; and also imprisonment, in case of capture 
 when on his way to the United ^tates : for, his sovereign 
 having forbidden his proceeding, despatched orders to the 
 West Indies, to have him, if found in that quarter, confined. 
 He was appointed a major-general in the American army; 
 an honour, of which he showed himself in the highest man 
 ner deserving. Though wounded in the late battle, he 
 continued in the field ; exerting himself, not only by his 
 voice, but his example, to rally the broken troops. Pulas- 
 ki was a " thunderbolt of war." It was he, who, a few 
 years before, carried off king Stanislaus from his capital, 
 though the monarch was surrounded by a numerous body 
 of guards, and by a Russian army. 
 
 The situation of his troops precluded Washington from 
 long impeding the enemies' advance. After a few days, he 
 was compelled to leave them in undisturbed possession of 
 the roads leading to Philadelphia. His troops were worn 
 down by a succession of severe duties ; a thousand of his 
 men were barefooted ; and, to increase his misfortunes, 
 Wayne's regiment, encamped near the Paoli tavern, was at- 
 tacked in the night by general Grey, and about fifty of its, 
 number slain with the bayonet. 
 
 It was no longer safe for congress to remain in Philadel- 
 phia. This august assembly, which, after a short residence 
 at Baltimore, had returned, were obliged, a second time, to 
 consult the public interest, by flight. They retired, first to 
 Lancaster, and afterwards to York. 
 
 Sir William Howe, having left the greater part of his 
 army in Germantown, a village about six miles northward 
 of the capital, entered Philadelphia on the 26th of Septem- 
 ber; where he was received by many with a real or appar- 
 ent welcome. 
 
 The possession of the largest city in the United States, 
 together with the dispersion of that grand council which 
 had hitherto conducted their affairs, was viewed by the 
 short-sighted as decisive of their fate. But, in the present 
 contest for sovereignty, the result was not in the power of 
 a single ruler, or a body of rulers, nor was it to be deter- 
 mined by the possession, or the loss, of any particular place : 
 it was the public mind, the sentiments and opinions of the 
 people, that were to decide. Indeed, it was conceived by 
 the more discerning politicians, that the luxuries of a great 
 city would so far enervate the British troops, as to indis- 
 pose them, like the conquerors of Cannae, for those active 
 
 ]0* 
 
138 HISTORY OF 
 
 exertions, to which they were compelled, whilst inconteni- 
 ently encamped in the open country. This speculation 
 was inculcated in France by Dr. Franklin, with his charac- 
 teristic humour. To remove the impression which the 
 British progress might have made in that country, and 
 place a modern Capua in view, he observed, that, " Instead 
 of saying Sir William Howe had taken Philadelphia, it 
 would be more proper to say that Philadelphia had taken 
 Sir William Howe." 
 
 One of the first objectsof the English, after they had ob- 
 tained possession of the city, was to erect batteries for the 
 purpose of commanding the river and protecting the town 
 from insult by water. On the other hand, the British ship- 
 ping were prevented from ascending the Delaware, by ob- 
 structions sunk at Mud Island; on which had been erected 
 a battery, and a fort, called in honour of general Mifflin. 
 Opposite to this, on the Jersey shore, there is a height 
 called Red-bank ; where, also, a battery was erected : and 
 between the two fortresses, which were about half a mile 
 distant from each other, the American naval armament for 
 the protection of the Delaware made its harbour of retreat. 
 
 The flattering anticipations, cherished by the continental 
 patriots, that effeminacy would forfeit the acquirements of 
 the sword, were not sufficiently powerful to check the ac- 
 customed vigour of the field. Such refinements enter not 
 amongst the calculations of the soldier. He rests his hope 
 on the more decisive agency of arms. General W^ashing- 
 ton, having been reinforced by twenty-five-hundred men, 
 and informed that Sir William Howe had detached a con- 
 siderable party for reducing the works in the Delaware, 
 conceived the design of secretly issuing from his position 
 at Skippack creek, and attacking the British post at Ger- 
 rnantown. Their line of encampment crossed the town at 
 right angles, near its centre; their left wing extending to the 
 Schuylkill, with strong parties of chasseurs and infantry 
 stationed in advance. The American divisions of Sullivan 
 and Wayne, flanked by Conway's brigade, were to enter 
 the town by the way of Chesnut-hill ; whilst general Arm- 
 strong, with the Pennsylvania militia, should fall down 
 Manatawny road, and attack the British in the left and rear. 
 The divisions of Greene and Stephens, flanked by M'Dou- 
 gal's brigade, were to proceed by the Lime-Kiln road ; the 
 militia of Maryland and Jersey, under generals Smallwood, 
 and Furman, by the old York road, and fall upon the rear 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 139 
 
 t)f their right ; and Stirling, with Nash's and Maxwell's 
 brigades, were to form a corps of reserve. 
 
 The Americans began the attack about sun-rise on the 
 4th of October. Their first assault obliged a body on Ches- 
 nut-hill road to retreat with precipitation ; but a thick fog, 
 concealing the true situation of the parties, occasioned mis- 
 takes, and an ill-judged attempt to expel a party from Mrs. 
 Chew's large stone house, caused so much delay, that the 
 British had time to recover from their first surprise. The 
 Americans left the field hastily, and all efforts to rally them 
 were ineffectual. General Stephens was cashiered for mis- 
 conduct in the retreat. Their loss, including four-hundred 
 prisoners, was a thousand men. Among the slain, were 
 general Nash, and his aid-de-camp, major Witherspoon. 
 Of the royal army, general Agnew and colonel Bird were 
 killed, and about five-hundred others, slain, wounded, or 
 made prisoners. 
 
 Soon after this battle, the British left Germantown, and 
 devoted their principal attention towards opening a free 
 communication between their army and their shipping. 
 Two-thousand Hessians, led by colonel Donop, made a fu- 
 rious attack on Red-bank, but were repulsed, with consid- 
 erable loss, by colonel Greene ; and an assault, about the 
 same time, on Fort Mifflin, by a naval force, was equally 
 disastrous. However, their next attempt counterbalanced 
 these misfortunes. The accumulation of sand against the 
 cheveaux-de-frise, placed between these works, having, at 
 length, obstructed the passage of the water, the current was 
 diverted into a new channel, and deepened the river on the 
 Pennsylvania side of Mud Island ; so as to admit vessels of 
 considerable draught. This post, therefore, was no longer 
 tenable. A large English ship, cut down, so as to require 
 only a small depth of water, enfiladed the works. Colonel 
 Smith, who had bravely defended the place during more 
 than forty days, being wounded, was removed to the main ; 
 and, within a week afterwards. Major Thayer, who had 
 volunteered to take charge of this dangerous post, was 
 obliged to save his remaining companions by an evacuation. 
 This was not done, however, until the works were entirely 
 beaten down, every piece of cannon was dismounted, and 
 one of the British ships so near, that she threw hand-gre- 
 nades into the fort, and killed the men upon the platform. 
 Three days afterwards, the garrison were withdrawn from 
 Red-bank ; and, thus, the British accomplished the much 
 tlesired communication.— The conduct of colonel Smith and 
 
UO HISTORY OF 
 
 commodore Hazelwood obtained the thanks of congresSj 
 signified by their voting to each a sword ; their long pro- 
 tracted defence of the Delaware having deranged the ene- 
 my's plans for the remainder of the campaign, and, conse- 
 quently, saved the adjacent country. 
 
 About this time, the presidential chair of congress be- 
 came vacant, by the departure of Mr. Hancock ; after he 
 had ably discharged its duties for nearly two years and a 
 half. In his place, was elected Mr. Laurens, of South Car- 
 olina ; a gentleman of easy fortune, much political experi- 
 ence, and incorruptible integrity : whom, the danger of 
 losing one estate could not intimidate, nor the offer of a 
 larger, corrupt. 
 
 The season for action was now almost spent, and with the 
 season, the desire of the British general for battle. After 
 a mutual display of the military art, by Sir William Howe 
 and the cautious Washington, both retired to winter quar- 
 ters ; the former into Philadelphia, the latter to Valley 
 Forge. At this place, which is distant from the city about 
 twenty miles, his companions, in a great measure without 
 shoes or stockings, tents or blankets, all cheerfully retired 
 into a wood, in the lattei' end of December ; sheltering 
 themselves from the severity of an American winter in tem- 
 porary huts. 
 
 During these operations in the middle districts, a war, 
 equally extensive, and of more important issue, was prose- 
 cuting in the north. 
 
 Sanguine in their expectation of forming a line of com- 
 munication between New York and Canada, the British 
 ministry had left nothing undone that could promote suc- 
 cess. The troops destined for this service were upwards 
 of seven-thousand ; with a train of artillery, the finest, and 
 the most efficiently supplied, that had ever been assigned 
 to second the operations of an equal force. Arms and ac- 
 coutrements were provided foi' the Canadians, and several 
 nations of Indians induced to take up the hatchet under 
 the royal banners. The command was given to general 
 Burgoyne ; an officer whose abilities were well known, and 
 whose spirit of enterprise, and thirst of military fame, could 
 not be exceeded. The British had the exclusive navigation 
 of lake Champlain. Their marine force on that inland sea, 
 with which, in the preceding campaign, they had destroyed 
 the American flotilla, was not only entire, but unopposed. 
 
 Having gained possession of Ticonderoga, as well as of 
 the other defences which had served to prevent or to im- 
 
THE UNITED STATES, 141 
 
 pede the advance of an enemy into the United States on 
 the side of Canada, and with a degree of alacrity and per- 
 severance that could not be excelled, reached Fort Edward, 
 on the Hudson, Burgoyne proceeded, in the beginning of 
 August, to force his passage down towards Albany. In the 
 meantime, every obstruction had been thrown in his way, 
 by Schuyler, Arnold, St. Clair, and other vigilant com- 
 manders ; who, at this period, owing to the evacuation of 
 the norihern forts, and the exertions of the leading patriots 
 in New York and the contiguous provinces, had in that 
 quarter an army of thirteen-thousand men. 
 
 In his advance to Albany, Burgoyne formed a plan to 
 draw resources from the farms of Vermont. For this pur- 
 pose, he detached five-hundred Hessians and one-hundred 
 Indians, wath two field-pieces, under the command of colo- 
 nel Baum ; a force deemed sufficient to seize a magazine 
 of provisions collected by the Americans at Bennirsgton. 
 But he proceeded with less caution than his perilous situ- 
 ation required. On the 16th of August, colonel Starke 
 attacked him, near that place, with about eight-hundred 
 New Hampshire militia, — undisciplined, without bayonets, 
 or a single piece of artillery ; killed or captured the greater 
 part of his detachment, and got possession of his cannon. 
 This was a brilliant service. Another achievement, scarce- 
 ly less conspicuous, immediately succeeded. Colonel Brey- 
 man, who had been sent by general Burgoyne to support 
 that party, arrived on the same ground, and on the same 
 day, not, however, until the action was decided. Instead 
 of meeting his friends, he found himself vigorously assailed. 
 This attack was made by colonel Warner ; who, with his 
 continental regiment, had come up, also to support his 
 friends, and was well assisted by Starke's militia, v/hich 
 had just defeated the party of colonel Baum. Breyman's 
 troops, though fatigued with the preceding march, behaved 
 with great resolution ; but were at length obliged to aban- 
 don their artillery, and retreat. In these two actions, the 
 Americans took four brass field-pieces, four ammunition 
 wagons, and seven-hundred prisoners. 
 
 The overthrow of these detachments was the first, in a 
 grand series of events, that finally involved in ruin the whole 
 royal army. It deranged every plan for continuing, or even 
 holding, the advantages previously obtained ; inspired the 
 republicans with confidence, animated their exertions, and 
 filled them with justly-formed expectations of future vic- 
 tory. 
 
142 HISTORY OF 
 
 After the evacuation of Ticonderoga, the Americans had 
 fallen back, from one place to another, until they at last 
 rested at Vanshaick's island. Soon after this retreating 
 system was adopted, congress removed their commanding 
 officers, and placed general Gates at the head of the north- 
 ern army. His arrival, on the 19th of August, gave fresh 
 vigour to the inhabitants. Encouraged by a hope of cap- 
 turing the whole British forces, a spirit of adventure burst 
 forth from every quarter, and was carried into various direc- 
 tions. An enterprise was undertaken by general Lincoln, 
 to recover Ticonderoga and the other posts in the rear of the 
 British anny ; and, though the first object was not accom- 
 plished, yet with so much address did colonel Brown, who 
 was despatched to the landing at lake George, proceed, that, 
 with five-hundred men, he surprised all the out-posts be- 
 tween the landing at the north end of the lake and the body 
 of that fortress; took Mount Defiance and Mount Hope, the 
 old French lines, and a block-house ; also two-hundred bat- 
 teaux, several gun-boats, besides two-hundred-and-ninety 
 prisoners ; and, at the same time released one-hundred 
 Americans. 
 
 Burgoyne, after crossing the Hudson, advanced along its 
 banks, and encamped about two miles from general Gates ; a 
 short distance above Still-Water. The Americans thought 
 no more of retreating ; and, on the 19th of September, en- 
 gaged him with firmness and resolution. The conflict, 
 though severe, was only partial, for the first hour and a half; 
 but, after a short pause, it became general, and continued for 
 three hours without any intermission. A constant blaze of 
 fire was kept up, and both sides seemed determined on vic- 
 tory or death. The Americans and British were alternate- 
 ly driven by each other, until night ended the effusion of 
 blood. The enemy lost five-hundred men, including killed, 
 wounded, and prisoners ; the Americans, three-hundred. 
 
 Every moment made the situation of the British army 
 more critical. Their provisions were lessening, their In- 
 dia.n and provincial allies deserting ; whilst the animation 
 and numbers of the Americans increased. From the un- 
 certainty of receiving farther supplies, Burgoyne curtailed 
 the soldiers' rations. His opponents pressed him on every 
 side. Much hard fighting ensued. The British were again 
 defeated. One of Burgoyne's generals, together with his 
 aid-de-camp, was killed, and he himself narrowly escaped ; 
 as a ball passed through his hat, and another through his 
 waistcoat. The American generals Arnold and Lincoln 
 
THE UNITED STATES. ii^ 
 
 were wounded. To avoid being surrounded, general Bur- 
 goyne left his hospital to the humanity of Gates, and retreat- 
 ed to Saratoga. He was still followed, and harassed ; driven 
 on one side and straitened on another. The situation of 
 his army was truly distressing : abandoned by their allies, 
 unsupported by their fellow -soldiers in New York, worn 
 down by a series of incessant efforts, and greatly reduced 
 in their numbers ; without a possibility of retreat, or of re- 
 plenishing their exhausted stock of provisions ; a continual 
 cannonade pervaded their camp, and grape-shot fell in 
 many parts of their lines. 
 
 The 12th of October arrived ; the day until which hope 
 had bidden the ajfflicted general wait for the promised assist- 
 ance from New York. But expectation vanished with the 
 departing sun. He took an account of his provisions. 
 There was only a scanty subsistence for three days. A 
 council of war declared that their present situation justified 
 a capitulation on honourable terms ; and a negotiation was 
 commenced. After various messages passed between the 
 hostile armies, it was stipulated, that, on the 17th, the Brit- 
 ish were to march out of their camp with the customary 
 honours of war; the arms to be piled by word of command 
 from their own officers; and an undisturbed passage allow- 
 ed them to Great Britain, on condition of their not serving 
 again in North America during the war. 
 
 By this convention, were surrendered five-thousand-sev- 
 en-hundred-and-ninety, of all ranks ; which number, added 
 to the killed, wounded, and prisoners, lost by the royal army 
 during the preceding part of the expedition, made, alto- 
 gether, upwards of ten-thousand men ; an advantage ren- 
 dered still more important to the captors, by the acquisi- 
 tion of thirty-five brass field-pieces, and nearly five-thousand 
 muskets. The regular troops in general Gates' army were 
 nine-thousand; the militia, four-thousand: but, of the for- 
 mer, two-thousand were sick or on furlough ; and of the lat- 
 ter, five-hundred. 
 
 The celebrated Polish patriot, Kosciuski was chief en- 
 gineer in the army of general Gates. 
 
 On learning the fate of Burgoyne, the British on the 
 North river retired to New York. Those who had been left 
 in his rear destroyed their cannon, and, abandoning Ticon- 
 deroga, retreated to Canada ; so that this whole country, 
 after experiencing for several months the devastations of 
 war, was now restored to perfect tranquillity. 
 
 Amongst the numerous tragical events arising from, the 
 
144 HISTORY OF 
 
 employment of the Indians by the British, one scene was 
 presented, which we select, not as having relation to the 
 public concerns of the army, bat from the interest which 
 it excites. This was, the murder of a Miss M'Crea. The 
 engaging manners and beauty of this young lady having 
 gained the heart of a British officer, he induced a return 
 of his affection, and her consent to become his wife. Anx- 
 ious for her safety, he wished to remove her from the neigh- 
 bourhood of a hostile army. On the day appointed for 
 the nuptials, he engaged a party of Indians to convey her 
 to the camp ; promising to reward the person who would 
 accompany her, with a barrel of rum. Tvt'O of the Indians, 
 both eager for the reward, disputed, after conveying her 
 some distance," which should present her to the intended 
 husband ; and the one killed her with his tomahawk, to 
 prevent the other from receiving it. Many will here ex- 
 claim. This is characteristic of the Indians. But it is other- 
 wise : it is a remarkable deviation from tneir accustomed 
 veneration for the weaker sex. The most delicate females 
 have been led captive by them for days and weeks, through 
 the midst of the unfrequented forest, without experiencing 
 the smallest degree of injury or insult. 
 
 It has been already mentioned, that congress had laid 
 the foundation of a national fleet, and authorized the fitting 
 out of private armed vessels. Commodore Hopkins, cap- 
 tain-general of the navy, made a sudden descent at New- 
 Providence, where he seized a large quantity of, warlike 
 stores, and in his return engaged a British frigate, and cap- 
 tured an armed brig. The American privateers rapidly 
 increased, and were unusually successful. In the iirst nine 
 months of 1776, embracing the period of their existence in 
 that year, they captured property worth a million sterling. 
 In the present year, they advanced in boldness. They car- 
 ried their enterprising spirit to a degree unprecedented by 
 the vessels of any nation ; obliging the enemy to appoint 
 convoys, for the purpose of guarding their commerce, even 
 in the Irish channel. Captain Barney and the volunteers 
 who accompanied him in the Hyder Ally, a vessel equip- 
 ped by the inhabitants of Philadelphia, achieved an hon- 
 ourable service, by capturing a sloop of war, much supe- 
 rior in force, off the Delaware : but the most daring of all 
 the officers sailing under the republican flag, was a native 
 of Scotland ; the celebrated Paul Jones. 
 
 Until the capture of Burgoyne, the European nations 
 viewed the war between Great Britain and her colonies 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 145 
 
 mily as spectators. Anxious for the territorial dismem- 
 berment of a powerful rival : yet, fearful that an early 
 interference might heal the breach it was their interest to 
 widen ; they had cautiously abstained from positive declara- 
 tions of assistance, whilst there remained any appearance 
 of conciliation or any danger of defeat. France was the 
 first ally which the breath of hostility carried to the aid of 
 America. Even the sound of freedom, so discordant to the 
 ear of royalty, was not sufficient to destroy the inveterate 
 competition. Her sovereign consented that the colonies 
 should be free, if Britain could, by that means, be render- 
 ed weak. On the 6th of February, a treaty, nego- 
 tiated by Silas Deane, Dr. Franklin, and Arthur 
 Lee, was signed by the United States and Lewis the Six- 
 teenth ; on the basis of perfect reciprocity of interest, and 
 in which the French monarch guarantied their commerce 
 and independence. 
 
 Only three days had elapsed, when the British govern- 
 ment received information of this treaty. Immediately, 
 fresh terms of reconcilement were transmitted to their com- 
 manders in the United States, and offered to the consider- 
 ation of congress at York ; but, notwithstanding that this 
 assembly was yet ignorant of the important European aid, 
 they were again rejected. The English ministry proposed, 
 that no military force should be stationed in North Ameri- 
 ca, without the approbation of the colonies ; and that, to 
 remove the former objections against the laying on of taxes, 
 unless with an accompanying representation, provincial 
 deputies should be allowed a seat in the parliament of Brit- 
 ain. But the United States would consider no propositions 
 which did not include their independence. Their citizens 
 could not be intimidated in the field, nor purchased in the 
 cabinet. To an offer of court remuneration, made through a 
 late royal governor, Johnstone, to colonel Joseph Reed, an 
 influential member of congress, this patriot replied : " I 
 am not worth purchasing ; yet, such as I am, the king of 
 Great Britain is not rich enough to buy me." 
 
 It has already been mentioned, that the hostile armies of 
 Washington and Howe had withdrawn into their respective 
 winter-quarters ; the former to the huts at Valley Forge ; 
 the latter, into the warm accommodation of Philadelphia. 
 That season, and the early part of summer, were almost 
 elapsed, without producing any events more remarkable 
 than a few successful excursions of the royal troops into the 
 neighbouring country, for the purpose of bringing in sup- 
 13 
 
146 HISTORY OF 
 
 plies, and destroying merchandise and shipping. The trea- 
 ty with France roused both armies from their long-continu- 
 ed inaction. Apprehensive that a French fleet would be 
 despatched to block up the British squadron in the Dela- 
 ware, the ministry ordered Sir Henry Clinton, who had re- 
 cently succeeded general Howe in the command of the 
 British army, to evacuate Philadelphia, and concentrate the 
 royal forces in New York. Accordingly, the troops in that 
 city passed, on the 22d of .Tune, by the way of Gloucester 
 Point, into New Jersey. The intended mov .ment was not 
 unknown to Washington. FIc immediately sent general 
 Maxwell's brigade to co-operate with the Jersey militia in 
 obstructing their progress, then crossing the Delaware at 
 Coryell's Ferry, above Trenton, followed with his whole ar- 
 my, and halted in the vicinity of Princeton. From this, fif- 
 teen-hundred men were detached, to act against their flanks 
 and rear, under the command of general Scott. The British 
 were at this time proceedii^g towards Sandy Hook, by the 
 way of AUentown and Monmouth court-house. Another 
 detachment was sent forward, under general Wayne, ac- 
 companied by La Fayette : the latter having orders to take 
 charge of both the advanced parties ; a command which af- 
 terwards devolved on Lee ; who had been exchanged for 
 general Prescott. The main body followed at a proper dis- 
 tance, and reached Cranbury on the 28th. But, when they 
 had proceeded a few miles farther, Washington was sur- 
 prised to find Lee retreating ; without having offered any 
 obstruction of importance. The commander in chief re- 
 monstrated ; Lee replied with warmth and unbecoming lan- 
 guage ; but, at length, consented to fight the enemy on a 
 piece of ground which Washington assigned him. A warm 
 cannonade immediately began between the artillery, and a 
 heavy firing of musketry between the advanced troops, of 
 the British and Americans. These stood their ground un- 
 til intermixed with the enemy ; and general Lee was the 
 last on the field of battle, and brought off* the rear of the re- 
 tiring troops. The advantage, however, which the British 
 thus gained, was only momentary. The check which they 
 had received enabled Washington to make a favourable dis- 
 position of his left wing and his second line in a wood ; and 
 to plant some cannon on an eminence, under the able direc- 
 tion of lord Stirling. Generals Greene and Wayne, also, 
 bore a conspicuous part in the engagement ; which was 
 continued with much spirit until dark. In the night, the 
 British troops went off, with so much silence, that general 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 147 
 
 Poor, though very near them, knew nothing of then' de- 
 parture ; and, continumg their march without farther in- 
 terruption, they soon reached Sandy Hook. The Ameri- 
 cans proceeded for the borders of North River. Colonel 
 Bonner, of Pennsylvania, and major Dickenson, of Virginia, 
 two highly-esteemed officers, were amongst the slain. Be- 
 sides the usual destruction attending military engagements, 
 the emotions of the mind, added to fatigue in a very hot 
 day, brought on so great a suppression of the vital powers, 
 that sixty of the British, and some of the Americans, were 
 found dead on the field of battle, without any marks of vio- 
 lence. 
 
 The conduct of general Lee could not be withheld from 
 investigation. The public interest demanded a proper scru- 
 tiny. He was tried by a court martial ; and, being pro- 
 nounced guilty of making an unnecessary retreat ; of dis- 
 obedience of orders, and disrespect to the commander in 
 chief; was sentenced to be suspended from his professional 
 functions for the space of one year : a judgment, which, 
 though according with the majority in the United States, 
 was not without dissentients ; as, whilst every one admitted 
 his violence, and impatience of subordination, none seemed 
 to question his fidelity and courage. 
 
 Soon after the battle of Monmouth, the American army 
 took a station at White Plains, beyond Kingsbridge; where, 
 the British, though only a few miles distant, did not molest 
 them. They remained there from an early day in July until 
 nearly the end of autumn, and then retired to Middle Brook, 
 in Jersey ; at which place, they built for themselves huts, 
 in the same manner as at Valley Forge. 
 
 Immediately on the departure of the British from Phila- 
 delphia, congress returned to its former place of delibera- 
 tion, and soon afterwards, had a new, and most pleasing, 
 duty, to perform — to give public audience to a minister 
 plenipotentiary of France. Thus, in little more than a cen- 
 tury and a half from the period when their struggling germe 
 was planted amidst the forest, the United States had attain- 
 ed an elevated rank amongst the sovereign nations of the 
 earth . 
 
 The first object of the French fleet, as had been conjec- 
 tured by the British government, was to surprise their ad- 
 miral in the Delaware. But its passage from Toulon had 
 been so tedious, that lord Howe, by sailing to New York, 
 was enabled to evade the almost certain mortification of 
 yielding to a doubly superior force ; a remarkable escape ; 
 
U8 HISTORY OF 
 
 from which, as the interest of the colonies did not finally 
 suffer, it is not, in one point of view, to be regretted. The 
 subsequent conduct of the French admiral, D'Estaign, in 
 avoiding his antagonist; who, though reinforced by a squad- 
 ron sent from England with lord Byron, was still his infe- 
 rior ; induces a generous mind to withhold, even from one's 
 ally, an easily acquired victory. Much inconvenience ac- 
 crued to the land-troops of the United States from this want 
 of co-operation by the admiral ; and Rhode Island was evac- 
 uated by the brave men intrusted with its recovery from 
 the British. 
 
 The disastrous invasion of Canada had not taught con- 
 gress the impolicy of carrying the war out of the limits 
 of the Union : an enterprise against Florida, conducted by 
 the American general Howe, with two-thousand men, of 
 whom, a fourth were surrendered victims to the climate, 
 exhibited, again, the unprofitable waste of foreign expedi- 
 tions. 
 
 Hitherto, the British had made only a feeble effort to 
 promote the grand object of the war, by operations in the 
 south. More than two years of comparative enjoyment had 
 been allowed that portion of the states. But, at this peri- 
 od, Georgia, one of the weakest members of the Union, and 
 moreover, abounding with provisions, being marked out as 
 the most advantageous ground on which to try the fortune 
 of the English arms, in November, colonel Campbell, an 
 officer of known courage and ability, arrived at Savannah, 
 with about two-thousand men. From the landing-place, 
 a narrow causeway of six-hundred yards in length, with a 
 ditch on each side, led through a swamp. A body of the 
 British light infantry moved forward along this passage. 
 On their advance, they received a heavy fire from a small 
 party posted under the command of captain Smith ; but 
 the British forced their way, and compelled the others to 
 retreat. General Howe, the American officer to whom the 
 defence of Georgia was committed, took his station on the 
 main road; and posted his little army, consisting of about 
 one-thousand continentals and militia, between the landing- 
 place and the town: with the river on his left, and a morass 
 in front : a position which offered great difficulties before 
 he could be dislodged. But these were obviated by a for- 
 tuitous event. Information being received from a negro, 
 of an unguarded path through the swamp, a party of the 
 British found their way unobserved, and appeared in the 
 rear of the Americans. Howe ordered an immediate re- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 149 
 
 treat ; the British pursued : upwards of a hundred Ameri- 
 cans were killed ; four-hundred-and-fifty officers and pri- 
 vates, seven pieces of cannon, the fort, with its ammunition 
 and stores, the shipping in the, river, and a large quantity 
 of provisions, were all, in the space of a few hours, in pos- 
 session of the enemy. 
 
 With the capital of Georgia, the entire province, also, 
 seemed re-united to the British crown. Colonel Campbell 
 acted with great policy in securing the submission of the 
 inhabitants. His moderation and prudence were more suc- 
 cessful in reconciling their minds to the former constitu- 
 tion, than the severity which had generally been adopted 
 by other British commanders ; as Georgia was the only 
 state in the Union, in which, after the declaration of inde- 
 pendence, a legislative body assembled under the authori- 
 ty of Great Britain. 
 
 Meanwhile, general Prevost arrived, with his troops 
 from St. Augustine, and, having in his way overpowered 
 the garrison at Sunbury, took the command of all the Brit- 
 ish forces in the province : at which period, the campaign 
 ended; the least animated of any since the beginning of the 
 war. 
 
 In the American marine, severe loss had been sustained, 
 from the destruction of srme of its largest vessels in the 
 Delaware ; yet, for these misfortunes, regret produced no 
 higher feeling than had arisen from the diminution of na- 
 tional power. But the fate of the Randolph was unusual- 
 ly afflicting. This vessel, a frigate of thirty-six guns and 
 three-hundred men, having sailed on a cruise from Charles- 
 ton, and engaged, in the night, an English vessel of sixty- 
 four guns, in about a quarter of an hour, blew up ; when 
 only four of her men were saved upon the fragment of the 
 wreck. These had subsisted, during four days, on rain- 
 water, which they drank from a piece of blanket. On the 
 fifth day, captain Vincent, of the British vessel, Yarmouth, 
 on discovering them, humanely suspended a chase, and 
 took the wretched sufferers on board. Captain Biddle, the 
 commander of the Randolph, was universally lamented. 
 In the prime of life; skilled in his professional duties; bold 
 in their execution; he had excited high anticipations of fu- 
 ture benefit to his country. 
 
 The inadequacy of the provision made for the support of 
 military officers, had induced many resignations. This 
 forced on congress some improvement in their situation. 
 From a conviction of the justice and policy of renderintj: 
 
150 HISTORY OF 
 
 commissions valuable, impressed by the warm but disinter- 
 ested recommendations of general Washington, that body 
 resolved, that half-pay should be allowed their officers, for 
 the term of seven years after the expiration of their service ; 
 a remuneration subsequently extended to the duration of 
 their lives. 
 
 - Throughout the year into which we are now en- 
 tering, the British aimed at little more, in the states 
 to the north of Carolina, than depredation and distress. 
 For this purpose, they planned several expeditions. Sir 
 George Collier and general Matthews, accompanied by na- 
 val and land forces, having, in May, proceeded to Virginia,. 
 took possession of Portsmouth ; crossed the river to the 
 remains of Norfolk, and seized the shipping. They next 
 marched to Suffolk, Kemp's Landing, Gosport, and other 
 places in the neighbourhood; burned or otherwise destroy- 
 ed the naval stores, shipping, and provisions, and embark- 
 ing with three-thousand hogsheads of tobacco, returned in 
 safety to New York. Soon afterwards, governor Tryon 
 was despatched, with a similar intention, against Connecti- 
 cut. Accompanied by a numerous force, under the escort 
 of admiral Collier, he landed at East Haven ; then, visited 
 New Haven, Fairfield, and Norwalk ; in each of which 
 places, there was exhibited a barbarous scene of plunder 
 and burning, insult and devastation. No object was too 
 valuable, none too contemptible, to save it fix)m destruction, 
 or their grasp. No building was sufficiently sacred to re- 
 strain the torch : what was spared by one party, in the 
 morning, was, by another, in the evening, destroyed. 
 
 Whilst they were carrying on this desultory warfare, the 
 American army was incapable of covering the country ; or 
 the navy, of protecting the creeks and harbours. Had 
 Washington divided his army, in conformity with the 
 wishes of the invaded, he would have subjected his whole 
 force to be destroyed. It was, therefore, his uniform prac- 
 tice, to risk no more than was consistent with the general 
 safety : and to lie, with his main body, at a convenient dis- 
 tance from the head quarters of the British. Flis army 
 was, at this period, stationed on both sides of the North 
 river ; the enemy, within their lines, at New York. 
 
 This campaign, though barren of important events, was 
 distinguished, on the fifteenth of July, by one of the most 
 gallant enterprises that occurred during the whole war, — 
 the capture of Stony-Point, on the North river, by general 
 Wayne. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 151 
 
 !But that achievement, as well as the brilliant surprise of 
 an English garrison at Paulus Hook, by major Lee, was 
 more than counterbalanced by the disastrous termination 
 of an enterprise made by the state of Massachusetts, with- 
 out the knowledge of general Washington, against a Brit- 
 ish post at Penobscot. The land-forces were intrusted to 
 general Lovel ; the fleet, to commodore Saltonstall. In- 
 stead of boldly assaulting the half-finished works, upon 
 which not a single gun was, at his first appearance, mount- 
 ed, the general sat respectfully down, at seven-hundred- 
 and-fifty yards distance, as before a regular fortification, 
 proceeded to erect a battery, and cannonaded the feebly de- 
 fended place, for about a fortnight. This delay gave time 
 for admiral Collier to arrive with his squadron to its relief. 
 The American fleet, being overpowered, was either captur- 
 ed or destroyed. Lovel converted the siege into a retreat; 
 and, not only with his soldiers, but the seamen also, who 
 had escaped on shore, had to return to Boston, a great part 
 of the way by land, through thick and unfrequented woods. 
 
 We must again lend our attention to the southern states. 
 In Carolina and Georgia, the royal forces were now carry- 
 hig on a vigorous warfare. Although, in the north, hostili- 
 ties had no other than the avowed object of wasting a coun- 
 try which could not be enjoyed, the re-establishment of 
 British authority was seriously attempted in the south. To 
 superintend the American forces in that quarter, congress 
 appointed general Lincoln. But his army, excepting a few 
 hundred regulars, consisted only of inexperienced, disor- 
 derly militia ; who added more to his numbers than to his 
 strength. 
 
 The first object of the British at Savannah, after being 
 reinforced by the junction of the troops from St. Augustine, 
 was to get possession of Port Royal, in Carolina. From 
 this, however, their detachment was gallantly repulsed, by- 
 general Moultrie. Restrained in that direction, they ex- 
 tended themselves over a great part of Georgia; fixing posts 
 at Ebenezer and Augusta, and endeavouring to increase 
 their strength, by drawing to their standard the " tories'* 
 in the western districts of this state and Carolina. Several 
 hundreds of these royalists proceeded towards Augusta. 
 Their general character was that of a plundering banditti, 
 more solicitous for booty than for the interest of the king. 
 They immediately began to rob the defenceless settlements. 
 But they were not allowed to commit, with impunity, so 
 atrocious an outrage against society. Colonel Pickens, 
 
152 HISTORY OF 
 
 having assembled a few hundred of the inhabitants, over- 
 took them at Kettle-creek ; and, in three-quarters of an 
 hour, kiiied, captured, or dispersed the entire. 
 
 General Lincoln fixed encampments on the Carolina side 
 of the Savannah river, at Black Swamp, nearly opposite to 
 Augusta. From these posts, he formed a plan of enter- 
 ing Georgia ; with a view of limiting the British to the low 
 country, near the ocean. In the execution of this design, 
 general Ashe, with fifteen-hundred North Carolina militia 
 and a few regular troops, after crossing the Savannah, took 
 a position on Briar-creek; but, on the 3d of March, he was 
 surprised by colonel Prevost ; who, having made a circuit- 
 ous march, came on his rear with nine-hundred men. The 
 militia were thrown into confusion, and fled at the first fire. 
 One-hundred-and-fifty of the Americans were killed, and as 
 many taken prisoners. The few continentals, under Elbert, 
 made a brave resistance; but the survivers of this body, 
 with their gallant leader, were at last compelled to surren- 
 der. This event was a serious misfortune. It deprived 
 general Lincoln of one-fourth of his numbers, and opened a 
 communication between the British, the Indians, and the 
 royalists of North and South Carolina. 
 
 Great apprehensions were accordingly entertained for the 
 safety of the adjacent states. The militia of South Caro- 
 lina was therefore more efficiently organized, a regiment of 
 cavalry embodied, and John Rutledge, a man of distinguish- 
 ed abilities, called to the provincial chair; and, in conjunc- 
 tion with his council, invested with dictatorial power. The 
 original design of penetrating into Georgia, was now re- 
 sumed; and troops, under general Lincoln, for that purpose 
 began their march. But, when he had ascended about a 
 hundred-and-fifty miles towards the head of the Savannah, 
 general Prevost, availing himself of the critical moment, 
 crossed, with twenty-four-hundred, over the same river, into 
 Carolina. Proceeding for the capital, he drove before him 
 one division left under Moultrie, to defend the frontiers ; 
 but, at the same time, he was himself followed by another, 
 under Lincoln ; who had re-crossed the Savannah, intend- 
 ing to arrest the enemy's progress to Charleston. Had the 
 British general continued his march, with the same rapidi- 
 ty with which it was begun, he might have entered the 
 town by a coufi-de-main : but he halted two or three days, 
 when advanced nearly half the distance; and, thus, allowed 
 the Carolinians to make extensive preparations towards its 
 defence. For its security, all the houses in the suburbs 
 
THE UNITED STATES. I53 
 
 were burned ; lines were carried, in its rear, across the 
 peninsula, between Ashley and Cooper rivers, cannon 
 mounted along the whole extent, and three-thousand men 
 assembled within the works. 
 
 The main body and baggage of the English army being 
 left on the south side of Ashley river, a detachment of nine- 
 hundred men crossed the ferry, and appeared before the 
 town. But, after a short stay, which the defenders had 
 artfully consumed by negotiations, the British general, in- 
 formed that Lincoln was coming on his rear, retreated with 
 his whole force to the islands near the sea. Both armies 
 observed each other's motions, imtil the 20th of June ; 
 when, an attack was made by general Lincoln, with about 
 twelve-hundred men, on six or seven-hundred of the British, 
 advantageously posted at Stono-ferry : but, owing to some 
 mismanagement, by which the assailants were disappointed 
 in support, they were under the necessity of withdrawing ; 
 after being deprived of the services of one-hundred-and-fifty 
 men, who were killed or wounded. Amongst the slain, 
 was colonel Roberts ; an artillery officer of distinguished 
 abilities. Bred to arms in his native country, England, he 
 had been particularly serviceable in diffusing military know- 
 ledge amongst the less informed of the American officers. 
 His last moments were truly characteristic cf the soldier. 
 Being visited on the field of battle by his son, captain Rob- 
 erts, of his own regiment, the expiring father, presenting 
 to him his sword, " Behave worthy of it," he said ; <' use it 
 in defence of liberty and your country. Return to your 
 proper station : there, you may be useful ; but, to me, you 
 can now be of no service." 
 
 Immediately after this repulse, the American militia, im- 
 patient of absence from their homes, retired to their plan- 
 tations : the continentals, under the command of Lincoln, 
 withdrew to Sheldon ; a healthy situation in the vicinity of 
 Beaufort ; and the British retreated to Port Royal and Sa- 
 vannah. 
 
 Both armies remained in their respective encampments, 
 until the arrival of a French fleet on the coast of Georgia, 
 roused the whole country to activity. Admiral D'Estaign, 
 by the desire of the authorities in Carolina, having sailed, 
 on the first of September, from the West Indies, appeared 
 so unexpectedly to the British, that a ship of fifty guns and 
 three frigates fell into his hands. General Lincoln march- 
 ed towards Savannah; and orders were given for the militia 
 ef Georgia and South Carolina to rendezvous near the same 
 
154 > HISTORY OF 
 
 place. The British were equally diligent in preparing for 
 defence. D'Estaign, previous to the arrival of Lincoln, 
 had demanded the surrender of the town ; upon w^hich, 
 Prevost asked for a suspension of hostilities, during twenty- 
 four hours, that he might prepare terms of capitulation. 
 This was inconsiderately granted. Before the time elapsed, 
 several hundred British soldiers, who had been stationed at 
 Beaufort, made their way through many obstacles, and 
 joined the royal army in Savannah ; and the works were 
 hourly strengthened by the labour of the negroes, directed 
 by a skilful engineer. As the hurricane season was ap- 
 proaching, when it would be imprudent for D'Estaign to 
 risk his fleet on so dangerous a coast, an assault, or imme- 
 diate retreat were the only alternatives. A sense of honour 
 determined the besiegers to adopt the former. On the 9th 
 of October, before day, two feints were made with the coun- 
 try militia, and a real attack on Spring-Hill battery, with 
 thirty-five-hundred French troops, six-hundred cantinent- 
 als, and three-hundred-and-fifty inhabitants of Charleston, 
 under the command of D'Estaign and Lincoln : but a heavy 
 fire from the batteries and the shipping threw the front of 
 their columns into confusion. Two standards were, notwith- 
 standing, planted on the British redoubts : after which, it 
 became necessary to retreat. Six-hundred of the French, 
 and upwards of two-hundred of the Americans, were killed 
 or wounded. D'Estaign and count Pulaski were wounded j 
 the latter, mortally. The force of the garrison was between 
 two and three-thousand. Their loss was trifling ; as they 
 fired from behind a cover, and few of the assailants return- 
 ed a shot. 
 
 A few hours before this attack was made, a council of 
 war had been held by the assailants, the determinations of 
 which became known to a spy, who had the address to 
 stand as sentinel at the entrance of the tent where the offi- 
 cers were deliberating ; and, escaping in the dark, convey- 
 ed their intention to the British. 
 
 The siege being raised, D'Estaign re-embarked his 
 troops; the continentals retreated over the Savannah river; 
 and the militia again returned to their plantations. The 
 presence of the French admiral in the American waters 
 was not, however, without benefit to the republican interest. 
 It caused a useful diversion of the royal troops, and the 
 garrison of Rhode Island was accordingly withdrawn, on 
 Ihe 15th of October, into New York. 
 
 Whilst the faj:e of Savannah was pending, an enterprise 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 155 
 
 was effected by colonel John White, of the Georgia militia; 
 which, for extraordinary success, cannot, it is conceived, 
 be paralleled in the annals of military achievements. Cap- 
 tain French had been stationed, with about one-hundred 
 British soldiers, near the river Ogechee. There were also 
 at the same place forty sailors, on board of five English ves- 
 sels ; four of which were armed. All these men, together 
 with the vessels, were surrendered to colonel White, cap- 
 tain Elholm, and four others; one of whom was the colonel's 
 servant. On the preceding night, this small party had 
 kindled a number of fires, and adopted the parade of a large 
 encampment; by which, and a variety of other stratagems, 
 the British officer, impressed with an opinion that nothing 
 but immediate submission, in conformity with a perempto- 
 ry summons, could save his men from being cut to pieces 
 by a superior force, yielded, without making any resistance. 
 Although the campaign which has been here concluded, 
 affords several instances of distinguished vigour, yet, on the 
 whole, it is remarkable for the general lethargy of the Ame- 
 ricans. Causes which had previously excited their energy, 
 had, in a great measure, lost their influence. In the be- 
 ginning of the war, enthusiasm for liberty made them in- 
 different as to the most valuable property, and fearless of 
 the greatest dangers. Their successes had gained them 
 allies, and their allies had inspired confidence. The brisk 
 circulation of a large quantity of paper money, had caused 
 both activity and decision. Every fear of a happy termi- 
 nation of the contest, was, by these means, banished, and 
 every past misfortune unlamented. But, the failure of each 
 succeeding scheme of co-operation with the French, pro- 
 duced despondency amongst the troops ; the depreciation 
 of the paper money created stagnation in the pursuits of 
 commerce ; and it was, for a time, doubtful, whether the 
 Americans were to be independent citizens or conquered 
 subjects.* 
 
 * The depreciation of the continental money, the manner of redeem- 
 ing which, can never be considered by an honest mind, witliout feel- 
 ings of deep regret, began ai different pei-iods \n the different states; 
 but, in general, about the middle of 1777: two years after its first 
 appearance. Towards the end of that year, the depreciation was 
 about two or three for one. In 1778, it increased to six, and, in the 
 following year, to twenty-eight, for one. In 1780, when it amounted 
 to two-hundred-millions, to fifty or sixty for one of silver ; after v hich 
 period, its circulation was only partial; but, where it did pass, it 
 soon fell to one-hundred-and-fifty for one. In a few places, it continu- 
 
156 HISTORY OF 
 
 No sooner was the departure of the French fleet from 
 Savannah known to the British in New York, than sir Hen- 
 ry Clinton, assigning the command of the royal army in this 
 city to general Kniphausen, embarked for the south, with 
 seventeen regiments of foot, two-hundred-and-tifty cavalry, 
 and a powerful detachment of battering and field guns. 
 After a tedious and dangerous passage, in which, most of 
 .^ the artillery and all the cavalry horses were lost, 
 the troops effected a landing, on the 4th of February, 
 about thirty miles from Charleston ; took possession of 
 John's Island and Stono-ferry, James' Island and Wappoo- 
 Cut; and having thrown a bridge over a canal, part of their 
 number took post on the banks of Ashley river, opposite to 
 Charleston. 
 
 The governor of the state immediately summoned the 
 militia : but, though the necessity was great, few obeyed 
 the pressing call. He did not, however, neglect any means 
 calculated to induce their assembling. When the love of 
 country was insufficient to promote resistance to the com- 
 mon enemy, he appealed to another passion ; which, in the 
 absence of the former, is seldom found inactive. Under his 
 extraordinary powers, he issued a proclamation, requiring 
 those in the country who had been regularly enrolled, and 
 all the inhabitants of Charleston capable of bearing arms, 
 to join the American standard, under pain of confiscation. 
 Still, however, their brethren in the capital received only 
 trifling aid from the people of the interior. 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton, after being reinforced from the gar- 
 rison of Savannah, made arrangements for commencing the 
 siege. He formed a depot, and erected fortifications, on 
 James' Island, as well as on the main land, opposite to the 
 southern and western extremities of the city, and sent 
 across the Ashley an advanced party ; who, on the first of 
 April, broke ground at the distance of eleven-hundred 
 yards from the American works. At successive periods, 
 he erected five batteries on Charleston Neck; and, alto- 
 gether, conducted his approach on a scale of magnitude 
 seldom witnessed before a town, which, notwithstanding 
 the assiduity of the garrison, had no other defences than 
 
 ed in circulation for the first four or five months of 1781; but, at this 
 time, many would not take ir at any price ; and they who did, receiv- 
 ed it at the rate of seveiul hundreds for one. Besides that immense 
 sum, the paper bills of 'he individual states amounted to many mil- 
 lions ; which added still farther to its depreciation. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 157 
 
 common fiekUworks. The British marine force, consist- 
 ing of eight large and small frigates, carrying in all two- 
 hundred-and-eighty gmis, crossed the bar, and anchored 
 in Five-Fathom Hole. The American fleet, composed of 
 nine ships, under commodore Whipple, mounting only 
 two-hundred-and-twenty guns, was not thought equal to 
 engage the enemy, and therefore fell back to the city ; 
 where, the commodore landed his men and guns, to rein- 
 force the batteries. On the 9th of April, the British ad- 
 miral passed all the forts in the harbour; after which, colo- 
 nel Pinckney, and a part of the men under his command, 
 were withdrawn from Sullivan's Island into Charleston. 
 Fort Moultrie surrendered on the 6th of May. On the 
 same day, the remains of the American cavalry, which had 
 escaped from a late surprise at Monk's Corner, were again 
 surprised, by Colonel Tarleton, at Laneau's ferry, on the 
 Santee ; when the whole v\^ere either killed or captured, or 
 dispersed ; and the British thus gained entire command of 
 the Cooper river. Their batteries of the third parallel 
 were opened. Shells were thrown into almost every quar- 
 ter of the town, and several houses were burned. The can- 
 non played at a less distance than a hundred yards. The 
 Hessian chasseurs were so near the American lines, that 
 they could easily strike any object on them with their rifles. 
 The British crossed the wet ditch by sap, advanced within 
 twenty-five yards of the works, and were ready for making 
 a general assault, by land and water. AH expectation of 
 succour was at an end. The only remaining hope was, 
 that nine-thousand men, the flower of the British army, 
 supported by a naval force, might f-iil in storming exten- 
 sive lines, defended by less than three-thousand. The pe- 
 riod was awful. Perseverance might provoke revenge, but 
 could not ensure succerss. On the 1 Ith of May, a number 
 of the citizens addressed general Lincoln ; declaring their ' 
 acquiescence in the terms of surrender which the besiegers 
 had some time before offered, and urging him to accept 
 them. The general v/rote, accordingly, to Sir Henry Clinton; 
 who, wishing to avoid the extremity of entering the town by 
 storm, and unw-illing, notwithstanding his subsequent pro- 
 gress, to press the unconditional surrender of an enemy 
 whose friendship he wished to conciliate, returned a favour- 
 able answer. A capitulation v/as signed on the 12t]i; and, 
 on the next day, the British took possession of the city. 
 By this agreement, the garrison were to march out of the 
 town, and deposit their arms in fror^t of the works : but 
 14 
 
158 HISTORY OF 
 
 their drums were not to beat a British march, nor their 
 colours to be uncased. The continental troops and seamen 
 were to keep their bag-gage, and remain prisoners of war 
 imtil exchanged. The militia were allowed to return home, 
 as prisoners on parole ; and the inhabitants of the town 
 were placed in the same situation. 
 
 The number that surrendered, including every adult 
 male inhabitant, was five-thousand ; but the proper garri- 
 son did not exceed twenty-five-hundred. The artillery 
 amounted to four-hundred. The loss on both sides, during 
 the siege, was nearly equal: of the Americans, eighty-nine 
 were killed, and one-hundred-and-forty wounded ; of the 
 royal army, seventy-six were killed, and one-hundred-and- 
 eighty-nine wounded. 
 
 After the fall of Charleston, the Alliance and Deane 
 frigates were the only remnant of the American navy. 
 These were soon afterwards sold, the navy-boards dissolved, 
 and all maritime adventures ceased, except by the armed 
 vessels of individuals. 
 
 The next object with the British, was to secure the gen- 
 eral submission of the state. To this end, they posted gar- 
 risons in different parts of the country, and sent two-thou- 
 sand men towards North Carolina. Colonel Tarleton ad- 
 vanced rapidly, with about seven-hundred horse, in pursuit 
 of three or four-hundred infantry, and a few cavalry, who 
 were retreating under colonel Buford ; and, having over- 
 taken them at the Waxhaws, brought them to an action : 
 in which, though the Americans had, in the very begin- 
 ning, sued for quarter, the greater part of their number 
 were either killed, or so cruelly mangled as to be incapable 
 of being removed from the field of battle. 
 
 Early in June, Sir Henry Clinton, leaving about four- 
 thousand men for the southern service, embarked, with the 
 main army, for New York. On his departure, the command 
 devolved on lord Cornwallis ; who, having committed the 
 care of the frontier to lord Rawdon, (afterAvards entitled 
 earl of Moira, and now the marquis of Hastings,) repaired 
 to Charleston; where he devoted his principal attention to 
 the civil regulations of the state. In the meantime, the 
 impossibility of removing with their families and property, 
 and the want of an army, around whose standard they might 
 repair, induced the people, except in the extremities of the 
 provmce bordering on North Carolina, to relinquish all 
 schemes ^ farther resistance.. This was followed by an 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 159, 
 
 unusual calm ; which induced the British to suppose that, 
 the state was entirely conquered. 
 
 As the enemy advanced to the upper districts, a consid- 
 erable number of patriots retreated before them, and took 
 refuge in North Carolina. Amongst these, was colonel 
 Sumpter; a distinguished individual, whom a party of exiles 
 had selected as their leader. They had no pay, no uniforms, 
 nor any certain means of subsistence : they lived upon what 
 chance, or their own courage, provided them. They ex- 
 perienced even a want of arms and ammunition ; but they 
 made themselves rude weapons from the instruments of 
 husbandry ; and instead of balls of lead, they cast them of 
 pewter, from the dishes which the patriots gave them for 
 that purpose. But these resources were far from being 
 sufficient. They several times encountered the enemy 
 with only three charges of ammunition to each man ; and 
 some, who vv^ere without arms, remained aside, waiting un- 
 til the death or wounds of their companions permitted them 
 to take their place. Having, at the head of this little band 
 of freemen, returned to his own state, he took the field 
 against the victorious invaders ; and, on the 12th of July, 
 two months after the fall of Charleston, routed a detach- 
 ment posted in a lane at Williamson's plantation ; the first 
 effort of renewed warfare, and the first advantage eained 
 over the British, since their landing in the beginning of the 
 year. His troops, which were, at this time, only one-hun- 
 dred, increased, in a few days, to six-hundred. With these, 
 he made a spirited attack on a party at Rocky Mount: but, 
 as he had no artillery, and the enemy were secured behind 
 a breast-work, he was obliged to retreat. His next enter- 
 prise more than compensated for this disappointment. Hav- 
 ing attacked another detachment, consisting of a small Brit- 
 ish regiment and a large body of royalists, posted at Hang- 
 ing-Rock, he almost totally destroyed the former, and dis- 
 persed the latter, who had advanced from North Carolina, 
 under colonel Bryan. This achievement was of^ most im- 
 portant advantage. The panic, occasioned by the fall of 
 Charleston, daily abated. The whig militia, on the extrem- 
 ities of the state, formed themselves into parties, under 
 leaders of their own choice, and harassed the royal army 
 with continual disturbance. 
 
 While Sumpter kept up the spirits of the people, by a 
 succession of gallant enterprises, a respectable continental 
 force was advancing through the middle states to their re- 
 lief. These, consisting of the Maryland and Delaware 
 
160 HISTORY OF 
 
 troops, under general Gates, reached Clermont, thirteen 
 miles from Camden, about the middle of August ; after 
 escaping imminent danger of destruction, from the heat of 
 the season, the unhealthy climate, and insufficiency of food; 
 in passing many hundred miles, through pine-barrens, 
 swamps, and sand-hills. 
 
 As those indefatigable Americans were approaching, lord 
 Rawdon concentrated his forces at Camden. Encouraged 
 by these favourable events, — the retreat of the enemy from 
 their out-posls, and the appearance of their friends; the citi- 
 zens of Carolina, impatient of insolence, rapine, and sub- 
 jection, rejoiced in the prospect of freeing their country 
 from its oppressors. Gates displayed the utmost energy 
 and wisdom in fostering the growing spirit. His measures 
 were followed by a general revolt; and his strength, increas- 
 ed by the arrival of some Virginia militia, led by general 
 Stephens, promised a durable emancipation. His army was 
 nearly four-thousand men; of whom, however, only a fourth 
 were regulars. On the approach of Gates, lord Cornwallis 
 hastened from Charleston to Camden; where he arrived on 
 the 14th of August. His force did not exceed two-thou- 
 sand ; an inferiority which would have justified a retreat : 
 but, choosing rather to stake his fortune on the decision of 
 ^xx jmroediate battle, he marched from Camden on the fol- 
 lowing night ; intending to attack the Americans in their 
 camp at Clermont. Gates, also, having moved forward, 
 that he might secure an advantageous position, their ad- 
 vanced parties met in the night, and engaged. The Ameri- 
 can cavalry recoiled at the first fire, and threw the wholo 
 line of the main body into confusion. But they soon re- 
 covered their order, and both armies skirmished until morn- 
 ing. When the day broke, the engagement became gene- 
 ral. The Americans suffered a heavy loss. At the first 
 onset, nearly ail the Virginia militia, on being charged with 
 bayonets, threw down their arms, and fled ; and a consider- 
 able part of the North Carolina militia followed the unwor- 
 thy example. But the regular troops of Maryland and 
 Delaware, commanded by a German officer, baron de Kalb, 
 bravely maintained their ground, until overpowered by 
 numbers, and almost surrounded. The British took two- 
 hundred-and-ninety wounded prisoners; of whom, two-hun- 
 dred were continentals, eighty were North Carolina, and 
 two Virginia militia; together with the whole of the Ameri- 
 can artillery, two-hundred wagons, and the greater part of 
 the baggage. General Gregory, who commanded that 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 161 
 
 portion of the North Carolma militia which continued in 
 activon, was twice wounded by a bayonet. Baron de Kalb, 
 the second in command under general Gates, was taken 
 prisoner by Tarleton's cavalry, and died, on the next day, 
 of his wounds. His merit was not neglected by his Trans- 
 atlantic friends. Congress resolved that a monument, with 
 a very l\onourable inscription, should be erected to his 
 memory, at Annapolis. 
 
 To embitter the distressing situation of the Americans, 
 the defeat of Gates was followed by the surprise and disper- 
 sion of Sumpter's corps. Sumpter, now promoted to the 
 rank of brigadier-general, after taking a number of prison- 
 ers, and depriving the British of some stores, had found it 
 expedient, on learning die misfortune which had befallen 
 his superior, to retreat ; when, his party, overcome by fa- 
 tigue, and unable to observe even the usual caution in 
 guarding against surprise, were attacked at Fishhig-creek; 
 and all that were not killed or captured, were dispersed. 
 
 South Carolina seemed a second time subdued. Those 
 who had nobly entered the field of battle, were scattered or 
 imprisoned ; or had fallen, never again to aid in rescuing 
 their country. Some, whose professions, or imbecilities, 
 had prevented them from becoming soldiers, but whose 
 firmness on the side of liberty made them, even when at 
 home, dangerous enemies to the invaders, were banished 
 from the state; many submitted to the victors through ne- 
 cessity, and others through inclination. The mischievous 
 efiects of human slavery now became apparent. As the 
 slaves had no interest in their own persons, a change of 
 masters was to them no misfortune ; and, as they had no 
 interest in the state, its subjugation was a matter of tri- 
 umph. 
 
 After the defeat of general Gates, the miserable remnant 
 of his army, which had rendezvoused at Charlotte, retreat- 
 ed to Salisbury, and from Salisbury to Hillsborough. There 
 was no anny to oppose lord Cornwallis. But, what was 
 wanting in the strength of one party, was in a great measure 
 supplied by the weakness of the other. Unaccustomed to 
 the noxious air of a Carolina summer, sickness restrained 
 the weapons which could not be opposed, and checked the 
 British soldiers in tlieir pursuit of conquest. 
 
 About the time when Sumpter was rewarded with the 
 
 rank of general, another partisan was advanced to the same 
 
 rank. This was Marion; an officer much celebrated in the 
 
 annals of his country. For several weeks he hud under his 
 
 14* 
 
162 HISTORY OF 
 
 command only seventy men ; at one time, no more than 
 twenty-five. Yet, with this little band, he kept the field 
 amidst surrounding foes, and harassed the quarters of the 
 royal army by unremitting sallies. With only thirty com- 
 panions, he surprised and captured in the night a party of 
 ninety British soldiers, on their march to Charleston with 
 tvv'o-hundrcd American prisoners. But open resistance to 
 British government was not confined to those. There wa?*, 
 without any apparent design, a powerful combination of 
 several commanders of the adjacent states. Colonel Camp- 
 bell, of Virginia ; colonels Cleveland, Shelby, Sevier, and 
 M'Dowell, of North Carolina; together with colonels Lacey, 
 Hawthorn, and Hill, of South Carolina ; assembled with 
 sixteen-hundred men : though they were under no general 
 command, and were not called upon by any authority what- 
 ever. They had so little of the mechanism of a regular- 
 army, that the colonels, by mutual consent, commanded, 
 each in rotation, for a day. The hardships suftered by these 
 volunteers were great. At night, the earth afforded them 
 a bed, and t.^e limbs of trees were their only covering. 
 Ears of corn or pompions, thrown into the fire, with occa- 
 sional supplies of beef or venison, killed and roasted in the 
 vv'oods, were the chief articles of their provision. The run- 
 ning stream quenched their thirst : they had neither spiritu- 
 ous liquors nor stores of any kind. 
 
 A particular instance of deprivation deserves recording. 
 A British officer, having been sent from Georgetown to ne- 
 gotiate an exchange of prisoners, was conducted, after the 
 usual ceremony of blindfolding, into Marion's encampment. 
 Vv'hen the business was concluded, the officer took up his 
 bat to retire. — " Oh, no l" saici iVIarion, " it is now about our 
 time of dining ; and I hope, sir, you will give us the pleas- 
 ure of your company to dinner." — On mention of the word 
 dinner^ the British officer looked around him ; but, to his 
 great mortification, could see neither pot nor pan, nor any 
 other utensil that could raise the spirits of a hungry man. 
 — '' Come, Tom," said the general, to one of his men, 
 *< give us our dinner." — The dinner, to which he alluded, 
 was no other than a few sweet potatoes roasting under the 
 embers, and which, Tom, with his pine-stick poker, soon 
 drew from their concealment ; pinching them, every now 
 and then, with his fingers, especially the large ones, to 
 know were they sufficiently roasted : then, having cleansed 
 them from the ashes, partly by blowing them with his 
 breath, and partly by brushing them with the sleeve of his 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 163 
 
 «>ld cotton shirt, he piled some of the best on a large piece 
 of bark, and placed them between the British officer and 
 Marion, on the trunk of a fallen pine, on which they sat. — 
 '»> I fear, sir," said the general, "our dinner will not prove so 
 palatable as I could wish ; but it is the best we have." — 
 The officer, v^ho was a well-bred man, took up one of the 
 potatoes, affecting to eat it, as if he had found a great dain- 
 ty : but presently, he broke out into a hearty laugh. Mari- 
 on looked surprised. — ^^ 1 beg pardon, general," said the 
 other; " I was only thinking, how droUy some of my brother 
 officers would look, if our government were to give them 
 such a bill of fare as this !" — " I suppose," replied Marion, 
 " it is not equal to their style of dining." — " No, indeed," said 
 the officer ; " but this, I imagine, is one of your accidental 
 lent dinners : in general, no doubt, you live much better."— 
 " Rather worse," rejoined the American ; " for often we 
 don't get enough of this." — " But, though stinted in /iro- 
 -vi&ioTis^ you draw noble fiay." — " Not a cent, sir," replied 
 Marion — " not a cent." — • 
 
 On his return to Georgetown, he was asxvcd by colonel 
 Watson, why he looked so serious. — " I have cause, sir," 
 replied he, " to look serious." — " Has Marion refused to 
 treat ?" — " No sir." — " Has Washington defeated sir Henry 
 Clinton?" — " No, sir, not that neither; out worse. I have 
 seen an American general and his officers, without pay, 
 and almost without clothes, dining on roots, and drinking 
 w^ater, and all these privations undergone for Liberty. 
 What chance have we against such men ! 
 
 Colonel Watson was little animated by this discoveiy ; 
 and the young officer was so affected by Marion's senti- 
 ments, that he resigned his commission and retired from 
 tlie service. 
 
 Having selected about a thousand of their best men, col- 
 onel Campbell and his associate leaders mounted them on 
 their fleetest horses ; and, on the 7th of October, attacked 
 major Ferguson, a British officer who had collected a corps 
 of royal militia, on the top of King's Mountain, near the 
 confines of North and South Carolina. The Americans 
 formed three parties. Colonel Cleveland addressed his 
 division in the follov/ing unvarnished, though energetic, 
 language: " My brave fellows, we have beaten the tories, 
 and we can again beat them. They are all cowards. If 
 they had the spirit of men, they would join their fellow-cit- 
 izens, in supporting the independence of their country. 
 When engaged, you are not to wait the word of command 
 
164 HISTORY OF 
 
 from me. I will show you, by my example, how to fight. 
 I can undertake no more. Every man must consider him- 
 self as an officer, and act from his own judgment. Fire as 
 quick as you can, and stand as long as you can. When you 
 can do no better, get behind trees, or retreat. But I beg 
 you will not run quite off. If we be reptilsed, let us make 
 a point to return, and renew the fight. Perhaps, we may 
 have better luck in the second attempt, than in the first. 
 If any be afraid, such have leave to retire ; and they are re- 
 quested immediately to take themselves off." 
 
 Ferguson boldly met the assailants with fixed bayonets, 
 and compelled them successively to retreat : but they fell 
 back only a short distance ; and, concealed amongst trees 
 and rocks, renewed the fire. The British being uncovered, 
 were aimed at by the marksmen, and many of their party 
 were slain. After a severe battle, major Ferguson, who had 
 displayed the utmost bravery, received a mortal wound ; 
 and as there was no prospect of successful resistance, or of 
 escape, the contest was ended by his submission. Upwards 
 of eight-hundred became prisoners, and two-hundred were 
 killed and wounded. An unusual number of the killed 
 were found shot in the head. Riflemen brought down each 
 Qther, so effectually, that their eyes remained, after they 
 were dead, one shut and the other open ; in the ordinary 
 manner of marksmen when leveling at their object. 
 
 During the first three months which followed the defeat 
 of the American army near Camden, general Gates was 
 industriously preparing to take the field. Having collect- 
 ed a force at Hillsborough, he advanced to Salisbury, and, 
 soon afterwards, to Charlotte. He had done every thing 
 in his power to repair the injuries of his defeat, and was 
 again in a condition to meet the enemy : but, from the in- 
 fluence, which, in a commonwealth, popular opinion has 
 over public measures, congress resolved to supersede him, 
 and order an examination of his conduct. 
 
 In the northern states, the campaign was barren of im- 
 portant events. The only movement, worthy of attention, 
 was made by general Kniphausen, from New York ; intend- 
 ed rather for devastation than conquest. From Elizabeth- 
 town, in Nev/ Jersey, this officer proceeded, in June, to 
 Connecticut farms: where, besides a number of dwelling 
 houses, he burned the Presbyterian church, and then con- 
 tinued his progress towards Springfield. As he advanced, 
 he was annoyed by colonel Dayton, with a few militia, and 
 by general Maxwell j who, with some continental troops. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 165 
 
 was stationed at a bridge to dispute his passage. Here, 
 the British made a halt ; and soon afterwards returned to 
 Elizabethtown : but, being reinforced, they advanced, a 
 second time, towards Springfield. They w^ere now oppos- 
 ed by general Greene, with a considerable body of regulars 
 from the head quarters of the northern army at Morris- 
 town. But superior numbers compelled the Americans to 
 retreat. The British, instead of improving their advan- 
 tage, began to burn the town of Springfield ; and, after 
 destroying about fifty houses, again retired : with the en- 
 raged militia in their rear, until they reached Elizabeth- 
 town. By such desultory operations, were hostilites, at 
 this time, carried on, in the northern states. Individuals 
 were killed, houses were burned, much injury was done, 
 but nothing efiected, tending either to reconcilement or 
 subjugation. 
 
 The distress suffered by the American army, did not ar- 
 rive at its highest pitch until the present season. The of- 
 ficers of the Jersey line, now addressed a memorial to their 
 state legislature, complaining, that four months' pay of a 
 private would not procure for his family a single bushel of 
 wheat : that the pay of a colonel would not purchase oats 
 for his horse ; and that a common labourer received four 
 times as much as an American officer. They urged, that 
 unless an immediate remedy were provided, the total dis- 
 solution of their line was inevitable ; and concluded, by 
 saying, that their pay should be realized, either by Mexi- 
 can dollars, or something equivalent. Nor was the insuffi- 
 ciency of their support the only motive to complaint. Other 
 causes of discontent prevailed. The original idea of a 
 continental army, to be raised, paid, and regulated, upon 
 an equal and uniform principle, had been, in a great meas- 
 ure, exchanged, for that of state establishments; a perni- 
 cious measure, partly originating from necessity, because, 
 state credit was not quite so much depreciated as conti- 
 nental. Some states, from their superior ability, furnished 
 their troops, not only with clothing, but with many articles 
 of convenience. Others supplied them with mere neces- 
 saries ; whilst a few, from their particular situation, could 
 give little, or perhaps nothing. The officers and men, in 
 the routine of duty, daily intermixed and made compar- 
 isons. Those who fared worse than others, were dissatisfi- 
 ed with a service that allowed sucli injurious distinctions. 
 Mutiny began to spread, and at length broke out amongst 
 the soldiers at fort Schuyler. Thirty-one privates of that 
 
166 HISTORY OF 
 
 garrison went off in a body. They were overtaken, and 
 thirteen of their number instantly killed. About the same 
 time, two regiments of Connecticut troops mutinied, and 
 got under arms; determined to return home, or gain sub- 
 sistence by the bayonet. Their officers reasoned with them, 
 and used every argument that could interest their passions 
 or their pride. They at first answered, " Our sufferings 
 are too great — v/e want present relief." But military feel- 
 ings Avere, in the end, triumphant : after much expostula- 
 tion, they went back to the encampment. 
 
 It is natural to suppose, that the British commander 
 would not lose so favourable an opportunity of severing the 
 discontented from their companions, and attracting them 
 to his own standard. He circulated a printed paper in the 
 American camp ; tending to heighten the disorder by ex- 
 aggeration, and create desertion by promises of bounty and 
 caresses. But, so great was the firmness of the soldiery, 
 and so strong their attachment to their country, that, on 
 the arrival of only a scanty supply of meat, for their imme- 
 diate subsistence, military duty was cheerfully performed, 
 'and the rolls were seldom dishonoured by desertion. 
 
 The necessities of the American army grew so pressing, 
 that Washington was constrained to call on the magistrates 
 of the adjacent counties for specified quantities of provis- 
 ions, to be supplied in a given number of days ; and, at 
 other times, was compelled to send out detachments, to 
 bring away subsistence at the point of the bayonet. Even 
 this expedient at length failed ; the country, in the vicinity 
 of the army, being soon exhausted. His situation was pain- 
 fully embarrassing. The army looked to him for provis- 
 ions ; the inhabitants, for protection. To supply the one, 
 and not offend the other, seemed impossible. To preserve 
 order and subordination, in an army of republicans, even 
 when well fed, regularly paid, and comfortably clothed, is 
 not an easy task; but, to retain them in service, and sub- 
 ject them to the rules of discipline, when wanting, not only 
 the comforts, but often the necessaries, of life, require such 
 address and abilities, as are rarely found in human nature. 
 These were, however, combined in Washington. He not 
 only kept his army in the field, but opposed those difficult- 
 ies with so much discretion, as to command the approba- 
 tion both of the soldiers and the people. 
 
 To obviate these evils, congress sent a committeeof their 
 own members to the encampment of their main army. 
 They confirmed the representations previously made, of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. l67 
 
 the distresses, and the disorders arisins^ from commissarial 
 mismanagement, which every where prevailed. In par- 
 ticular, they stated, that the army was unpaid for five 
 months ; that it seldom had more than six days' provision 
 in advance ; and was, on different occasions, for several suc- 
 cessive days, without meat ; that the horses were destitute 
 of forage ; that the medical department had not any sugar, 
 tea, chocolate, wine, nor spirituous liquors of any kind ; 
 that every department was without money, and without 
 credit ; and that the patience of the soldiers, worn down 
 by the pressure of complicated sufferings, was on the point 
 of being exhausted. 
 
 Misfortunes, from every quarter, Avere, at this time, pour- 
 ing in upon the United States. But they seemed to rise 
 in the midst of their distresses, and gain strength from the 
 pressure of calamities. When congress could obtain neither 
 money nor credit for the subsistence of their army, the in- 
 habitants of Philadelphia gave three-hundred-thousand dol- 
 lars, to procure a supply of necessary provisions for the 
 suffering troops : and the ladies of that city, at the same 
 time, contributed largely to their immediate relief. Their 
 example was very generally followed. The patriotic flame, 
 which blazed forth in the beginning of the war, was rekind- 
 led. The different states were ardently excited ; and it was 
 arranged, that the regular army should be raised to thirty- 
 five-thousand effective men. 
 
 France, too, about the same time, determined to augment 
 her co-operation. The marquis La Fayette had gone over, 
 for a short time, to that country, and successfully urged 
 the government to enlarge its aid. On the lOth of July, 
 admiral de Ternay arrived at Rhode Island, with a squad- 
 ron of seven sail of the line, five frigates, and five smaller 
 armed vessels ; besides, a fleet of transports, having on 
 board six-thousand men, under the command of general 
 count de Rochambeau. 
 
 United both in interest and affection with the Ameri- 
 cans, the French troops eagerly desired an opportunity to 
 act with them against the common enemy. Only a short 
 time, however, was allowed for the indulgence of these sen- 
 timents, before the French fleet and army were blocked 
 up at Rhode Island, by admiral Arbuthnot, with ten sail of 
 the line. Hopes were, nevertheless, indulged, that, by the 
 arrival of another fleet, then in the West Indies, under the 
 command of count de Guichen, the superiority would be so 
 much in favour of the allies, as to enable them to prose- 
 
168 HISTORY OF 
 
 cute their original design of attacking New York. But, 
 when the expectations of the Americans were raised to the 
 highest pitch, intelligence arrived that de Guichen had 
 sailed for France. This disappointment was extremely 
 mortifying. Their pleasing anticipations were suddenly 
 extinguished, and deeper shades were added to the heavy 
 cloud, vk'hich, for some time past, had hung over their af- 
 fairs. 
 
 Whilst the American cause was thus openly menaced 
 by defeat and disappointment, it was secretly assailed by 
 the ruinous hand of domestic treachery. A distinguished 
 officer engaged, for a stipulated sum of money, to betray 
 into the hands of the British an important post. The per- 
 son who committed this foul crime, was general Arnold, of 
 Connecticut ; a man who had been amongst the first to 
 take up arms against (ireat Britain, and to widen the breach 
 between the parent state and the colonies. His conspicu- 
 ous military talents had procured him every honour that a 
 grateful nation could bestow. Poets and painters had mark- 
 ed him as a rich subject for their labours. His country 
 had not only loaded him with honours, but forgiven him his 
 improprieties. Though, in his army accounts, there v/as 
 much room to suspect imposition, yet the recollection of 
 his gallantry and good conduct in the field, had in a great 
 measure, consigned them to oblivion. But the generosity 
 of the states did not keep pace with his extravagance. A 
 sumptuous table and expensive equipage, unsupported by 
 the resources of private fortune, and unaided by economy, 
 soon increased his debts, beyond a possibility of his dis- 
 charging them. Oppression, extortion, and misapplication 
 of the public money, furnished him with the means of grati- 
 fying his ruling passions: treachery and ingratitude afford- 
 ed the only hope of evading a scrutiny, and replenishing 
 his exhausted coffers. He solicited for the command of 
 West Point ; called the Gibraltar of America ; a post 
 strengthened for the defence of the North river, and deem- 
 ed the most proper for commanding its navigation. Rocky 
 ridges, shelving one above another, rendered it incapable 
 of being invested by less than twenty-thousand men. Some, 
 even then, entertained doubts of Arnold's fidelity. But 
 Washington, in the unsuspecting spirit of a soldier, grant- 
 ed his request, and intrusted him with the important bar- 
 rier. Thus invested with the command, Arnold began a 
 correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton; and agreed, that 
 the former should make a disposition of his forces, which 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 169 
 
 would enable the British general to surprise West Point ; 
 un^er such circumstances, that the garrison must either 
 lay down their arms, or be cut to pieces. The agent em- 
 ployed in this serious business, on the part of Sir Henry 
 Clinton, was major Andre, adjutant-general of the British 
 army ; a young officer of great hopes and uncommon merit. 
 His fidelity pointed him out for this negotiation ; but his 
 candour made him inexpert in those arts of deception 
 which it required. When returning from a conference 
 with Arnold, devested of his uniform, he was intercepted 
 on the 22d of September, near Tarrytown, by three faithful 
 militia soldiers, John Paulding, Isaac Van Wert, and David 
 Williams ; and by the laws of war, forfeited his life to a 
 .country struggling with an accumulation of disasters, and 
 constrained to guard, by the most vigilant attention, against 
 the destructive agency of treason. 
 
 The exchange of one of their best officers for the worst 
 man in the American army, was the only effect of this 
 grand project of the enemy. Arnold, who, on the capture 
 of major Andre, had escaped, was immediately appointed 
 a brigadier-general in the service of Great Britain. But, 
 though his new companions had wished to4)rofit by the 
 treason, they viewed the traitor with contempt. " What 
 treatment," inquired Arnold from a British officer, " am 
 I to expect, should the x'ebels make me their prisoner ?'* — 
 *' They will cut off," replied the officer, "the leg that was 
 wounded at Saratoga, and bury it, with all the honours of 
 war ; but, having no respect for the rest of your body, they 
 will hang it on a gibbet."* 
 
 It is a subject of reproach to the United States, that 
 they brought into public view a man of Arnold's character: 
 but it is honourable to human nature, that a great revolu- 
 tion, continued through an eight years' war, produced only 
 one such example. His singular case, however, enforces 
 the policy, indeed the moral obligation, of conferring high 
 trust, exclusively, on men of unspotted reputation ; and of 
 withholding all confidential situations from those who are 
 under the dominion of expensive pleasure. 
 
 France was not the only nation that felt an interest in the 
 colonial war. Spain did not suffer the favourable juncture 
 to elapse, without attempting to regain at least a part of 
 her former losses in the western hemisphere. The sum- 
 mer in which Louis had declared his friendship for the 
 
 • General Arnold died in London, in 1801. 
 1 5 
 
170 HI^'ORY OF 
 
 United States, had scarcely commenced, when the Spanish 
 monarch, on some general pretences, announced hostilities 
 against Britain ; and directed his governor of Louisiana 
 to invade her settlements in East and West Florida ; an 
 enterprise attended with complete success. But he was 
 not so fortunate in the designs of recovering Gibraltar and 
 Jamaica. By the vigilance of admirals Rodney and Darby, 
 general Elliot, having received a supply of provisions for 
 the starving garrison of Gibraltar, was enabled, by extraor- 
 dinary exertions, to frustrate the Spaniards, in their mem- 
 orable siege of that great fortress ; and the superior sea- 
 manship of Rodney having produced the defeat and cap- 
 ture of admiral De Grasse, in the West Indies, there no 
 longer existed any fear for the safety of Jamaica. 
 
 These alDortive plans operated severely against the Unit- 
 ed States ; especially the latter misfortune : which, as al- 
 ready noticed, prevented the co-operation of count de 
 Guichen with admiral de Ternay, when the latter was 
 blocked up by the English, at Rhode Island, But this was, 
 in a short time, counterbalanced, by the opposition made 
 to Great Britain through the armed neutrality of the north- 
 ern powers, and a rupture between that country and the 
 Dutch. 
 
 The naval superiority of England had, for ages, been to 
 the other European states a subject of envy and regret. 
 The imperious claim which she had long exacted, that the 
 flags of all nations should pay obeisance to her ships of 
 war, could not be otherwise than mortifying to independent 
 sovereigns. This, howxver, was not their only subject of 
 complaint. Various litigations had arisen, between the 
 commanders of British armed vessels and those in the ser- 
 vice of neutral countries, as to the extent of the commerce 
 allowable during a strict and fair neutrality. The British 
 insisted on capturing all supplies intended for their enemies. 
 The empress of Russia opposed this innovation ; which, 
 power, not right, had prompted them so injuriously to prac- 
 tise. She addressed a manifesto to the courts of London, 
 Versailles, and Madrid ; the three European belligerants : 
 wherein she maintained. That neutral ships should enjoy a 
 free navigation,, even from port to port of the nations at 
 "war, and on their coasts ; and that all articles belonging to 
 the contending parties, should, when on board those vessels, 
 be free from capture ; excepting warlike stores, and goods 
 destined for places actually blockaded or besieged. These 
 principles were communicated by Catharine to the Dutch 
 
THE UNITED STATES. Ifl 
 
 republic, and to the sovereigns of Denmark, Sweden, and 
 Portugal ; from all of whom, except the latter, a concur- 
 rence in opinion was received. Thus, the usurped authori- 
 ty of Great Britain was checked ; a restraint the more em- 
 barrassing, as it emanated from a power in whose friend- 
 ship she had confided. 
 
 Holland, it appears, required not the stimulating hand 
 of Russia, to array her against a nation, which, in the pre- 
 ceding century, in violation of an ancient treaty, had sur- 
 prised her colonies, and made extensive inroads on her com- 
 merce. Few European states had a brighter prospect of 
 advantage from American independence: none was more 
 acute in discerning, none more ready in discovering, the 
 means of promoting, the profit of her merchants. Com- 
 plaints had been made by the court of London, respecting 
 the illicit commerce alleged to be carrying on between the 
 Dutch at St. Eustatia and the Americans ; and succours 
 were demanded by the former, agreeably with a compact 
 formed in the reign of Charles the Second. But the event 
 which occasioned a declaration of war, was the capture of 
 Mr. Laurens, when on his passage to Holland, in order to 
 negotiate a loan and a treaty on the part of the United 
 States. Papers being found with the American minister, 
 confirming the British in their suspicions of the hostile in- 
 tention of the Dutch republic, the English ambassador re- 
 ceived instruction from his government to depart from the 
 Hague ; and war against that country was soon afterwards 
 published in London. The gathering storm of British ven- 
 geance burst forth on St. Eustatia ; an island of small 
 value in itself, but highly important as the seat of an ex- 
 tensive commerce. The w^calth then concentrated in this 
 barren spot, is almost incredible. The whole island seem- 
 ed to be one vast magazine : the store-houses were filled, 
 the beach was covered, with valuable commodities. The 
 amount of three-millions sterling fell into the hands of the 
 British captors ; a booty still farther increased by subse- 
 quent arrivals. Yet the public interest of Britain was ' 
 deeply injured by the prize. Whilst admiral Rodney and 
 his officers were bewildered in the sales of confiscated pro- 
 perty at St. Eustatia ; and, especially, whilst his fleet was 
 weakened ]jy a large detachment, sent with the produce of 
 the sales to England ; the French were silently executing 
 a scheme, which insured them a superiority on the Ameri- 
 can coast, and caused the total ruin of the British army ia 
 tke United States. 
 
172 HISTORY OF 
 
 Some extraneous aid appeared essential fo sup- 
 port the patriots, amidst the numerons misfortunes 
 •which assailed them. At no period of the war, were their 
 domestic affairs in a more deplorable situation. Famhie, 
 mutiny, amongst the Pennsylvania, and part of the New 
 Jersey, troops ; as well as a total annihilation of public 
 credit; threatened the dissolution of the army, and a mel- 
 ancholy termination of all their labours. The American 
 general Clinton, in a letter to Washington, dated at Alba- 
 ny, about the middle of April, says; " There is not now, 
 independent of Fort Schuyler, three days' provisions for the 
 troops, in the whole department ; nor any prospect of pro- 
 curing any. The recruits of the new levies I cannot re- 
 ceive, because I have nothing to give them. The Cana- 
 dian families I have been obliged to deprive of their scanty 
 pittance ; contrary to every principle of humanity. The 
 quarter-rnaster's department is wholly useless. The pub- 
 lic armoury has been shut up for nearly three wrecks ; and 
 a total suspension of every military operation has ensued." 
 
 These events, however, were not unforeseen by the rulers 
 of America. New resources were providentially opened, 
 and the war was carried on with the same vigour as before. 
 A large amount of gold and silver was introduced, by a 
 beneficial trade with the Spanish Vv^est India islands ; and 
 the king of France lent the United States several millions 
 of iivres, besides pledging his security for a larger sum bor- 
 rowed for their use in Holland. A regular system of finance 
 also was adopted, under the direction of Robert Morris ; 
 who made the different arrangements with great judgment 
 and economy. The Bank of North America, at Philadel- 
 phia, the oldest monied institution in the United States, this 
 year established by a charter from congress, was eminently 
 useful in furnishing it with the sinews of war. The issuing 
 of paper money under the authority of government was 
 discontinued, and the public engagements were made paya- 
 ble in coin. The old continental money ceased to have cur- 
 rency. Two-hundred-millions of paper dollars were made 
 redeemable by five-millions of silver ; a measure submitted 
 to without any tumults. Public faith was indeed violated : 
 but the money, having, in a great measure, gone out of the 
 hands of those who had received it at the original value, it 
 was in the possession of others, who had obtained it at the 
 rate not exceeding what was fixed by the scale of deprecia- 
 tion ; and the redemption of the bills at their nom.inal value, 
 instead of remedying the distresses of the sufferers, wouldj 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 173 
 
 it was thought, m many cases have increased them ; by sub- 
 jecting their property to a taxation of greater amount than 
 that of the paper which had finally rested in their hands. 
 
 The British were at this time, carrying on the most ex- 
 tensive plan of operations attempted since the beginning of 
 the war. Hostilities raged, not only in the vicinity of their 
 head quarters at New York, but in Georgia, South Caroli- 
 na, North Carolina, and Virginia. The industry with which 
 the perfidious Arnold lent his aid, under his new commis- 
 sion, was calculated to impress the idea of a sincere devo- 
 tion to the British cause. His extensive ravages, together 
 with his plundering achievements, in Virginia and Connec- 
 ticut, made it difficult to judge, whether his recent warfare, 
 in the character of incendiary and robber, did not more 
 than compensate the enemy for the damage before sustain- 
 ed from the arms of his heroic countrymen ; led by himself 
 to successive victories, through a desire of fame. 
 
 The good fortune which attended the British troops, 
 since they had reduced Savannah and Charleston, encour- 
 aged them to pursue their object, by advancing from the 
 latter to North Carolina. To relieve the southern states, 
 though congress were unable to forward either men or 
 money, yet they did what was equivalent. They sent them 
 a general, whose military talents were equal to a numerous 
 army. The nomination to this important trust was left to 
 the commander in chief. He mentioned general Greene, 
 as an officer in whose abilities, fortitude, and integrity, from 
 a long and intimate acquaintance, he had the most entire 
 confidence. 
 
 The same day on which general Greene took charge of 
 the army at Charlotteville, he received information of a 
 successful enterprise by colonel (late captain) Washington, 
 Being out on a foraging excursion, this active officer had 
 penetrated within thirteen miles of Camden, to Clermont ; 
 the seat of colonel Rugely, of the British militia. This 
 was fortified by a block-house, encompassed by an abatis, 
 and defended by one-hundred of the inhabitants who had 
 submitted to the royal government. Colonel Washington 
 advanced before it, mounted the trunk of a pine tree on 
 wagon-wheels, so as to resemble a field-piece, and peremp- 
 torily demanded a surrender. The stratagem had the de- 
 sired effect. Dreading a cannonade, the garrison instantly 
 obeyed the summons, without a shot having been fired on 
 either side. 
 
 The whole southern army now consisted of about two- 
 15* 
 
174 HISTORY OF 
 
 thousand men ; more than a half of whom were militia, in 
 a very relaxed state of discipline. Having divided his force, 
 the commander sent general Morgan with a detachment 
 into the district of Ninety-six, in the western extremity of 
 South Carolina; whilst he himself marched with the main 
 "body to Hick's creek, on the north side of the Pedee, op- 
 posite to Cheraw Hill. Morgan was not long without em- 
 ployment. Lord Cornwallis, being at this time far advanced 
 in preparations for invading North Carolina, could not, 
 agreeably with the policy of war, leave an enemy in his 
 rear; and therefore sent against him colonel Tarleton, at the 
 head of about eleven-hundred men. Tarleton had two 
 field-pieces, a superiority of infantry, in the proportion of 
 five to four, and of cavalry, in the proportion of three to 
 one. Under these advantages, he engaged general Morgan 
 at the Cowpens, on the 1 7th of January ; with the expecta- 
 tion of driving him out of the state. But the impetuosity 
 of Tarleton, ^hich had gained him high reputation, when 
 he had surprised an incautious enemy, or attacked a panic- 
 struck militia, was at this time the occasion of his ruin. 
 Impatient of delay, he engaged with fatigued troops, led 
 them into action before they were properly formed, or the 
 reserve had taken its ground; and after one of the severest 
 conflicts witnessed in the course of the whole war, was de- 
 feated, with the loss of three-hundred men killed and wound- 
 ed ; besides five-hundred prisoners, his artillery, and bag- 
 'gage. The Americans had only twelve killed and sixty 
 wounded. General Morgan was ably supported by colonels 
 Washington, Howard, and Pickens ; who, as well as their 
 commander, were honoured by congress with distinguished 
 testimonies of their good conduct in this arduous engage- 
 ment. 
 
 Tarleton could not- bear to hear his enem.y praised. 
 When some ladies in Charleston were eulogizing colonel 
 Washington, he replied, with a scornful air ; " I would be 
 very glad to get a sight of colonel Washington : I have 
 heard much talk of him, but have never yet seen him.." — 
 « Had you looked behind you, at the battle of the Cowpens," 
 rejoined one of the ladies, " you might easily have enjoyed 
 that pleasure." 
 
 The defeat of Tarleton, his favourite officer, surprised 
 and mortified, but did not discourage, lord Cornwallis. By 
 vigorous exertion, he hoped soon to repair the late disaster; 
 and, accordingly, commenced a pursuit of general Morgan; 
 •whfo had moved off towards Virginia with his prisoners. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 175 
 
 Greene immediately left his main army under the command 
 of general Huger, and, escorted by a few dragoons, rode a 
 hundrcd-and-iifty miles through the country, to join the de- 
 tachment under Morgan; that he might be in front of lord 
 Cornwallis, and superintend the movements of both divis- 
 ions. As Cornwallis was gaining ground upon him, the 
 American commander ordered the prisoners to Charlotte- 
 ville, and the troops to Guilford Court-house; whiiher, he 
 had directed Huger to proceed with the main army. The 
 British general at length destroyed nearly all his baggage ; 
 and thus, relieved from the burthen of every appendage not 
 essential for immediate subsistence, urged the pursuit, with 
 so much rapidity, that he reached the Catawba the evening 
 of the same day on which his flying adversary had crossed 
 it. Before the next day, a heavy fall of rain made the river 
 impassible ; an event, which, in a signal manner, favoured 
 the Americans : had it taken place only a few hours earlier, 
 General Morgan, with his whole detachment, and five-hun- 
 dred prisoners, would have had scarcely any chance of 
 escaping. Still, the ardour of the British was unabated. 
 When the freshet had, in some degree, subsided, they 
 marched through the river, which was upwards of five-hun- 
 dred yards wide, and three feet deep ; susta'ining a constant 
 fire from the militia on the opposite bank, without return- 
 ing a single shot until they had efiected their passage. As 
 soon as they reached the shore, the Americans dispersed. 
 The latter continued to fly, and the former to pursue. But 
 the swelling of the river Yadkin again off'ered a barrier to 
 obstruct the British army : a second interposition of the 
 floods ; which, being considered, by many, as the immedi- 
 ate hand of Providence, gave fresh vigour to their exertions 
 in favour of independence. 
 
 In the meantime, the tv/o divisions of the American army 
 had formed a junction, at Guilford Court-house ; but their 
 number was so much inferior to the British, that general 
 Greene could not, with any propriety, risk an action. He 
 therefore held a council of officers ; who unanimously con- 
 curred in opinion, that he ought to retire over the Dan, and 
 avoid a battle, until reinforced. Lord Cornwallis had yet 
 hopes of getting between the Americans and Virginia. 
 But in this expectation he was deceived. The rapidity of 
 one general was evaded by a corresponding celerity in the 
 other. On the 1 4th of February, the American light troops 
 having retired on that day upwards of forty miles, general 
 
176 HISTORY OF 
 
 Greene crossed the river Dan into that province, with his 
 entire army, artillery, and baggage. 
 
 He did not allow his men to remain long inactive. Being 
 informed that many of the inhabitants of North Carolina 
 were preparing to make submission to the British general, 
 he shortly afterwards re-crossed the river ; accompanied by 
 a brigade of Virginia militia ; for the purpose of keeping 
 alive the courage of his party. Some of his light troops, 
 commanded by colonel (late major) Lee, fell in with three- 
 hundred-and-fifty of the royalists, on their way to join the 
 British standard at Hillsborough; when these, mistaking the 
 Americans for a royal detachment sent to their support, were 
 eut down, as they were crying out "God save the kingl" 
 and making protestations of their loyalty. That was not 
 the only misfortune of a similar kind, which attended these 
 unnatural attempts at co-operation. Colonel Tarleton put 
 to the sword several parties of the same description, in their 
 advance to the British quarters ; mistaking them for the 
 patriotic militia of the country : events which overset all 
 the schemes of lord Cornwallis, and entirely stopped the 
 recruiting service in behalf of the royal army. 
 
 Whilst general Greene was unequal even to defensive 
 operations, he lay, for seven days, within a few miles of the 
 British camp : but took a new position every night ; by 
 which frequency of movement, lord Cornwallis could not 
 gain intelligence of his situation, in time to attack him with 
 proper advantage. He manoeuvred in this manner for three 
 weeks ; during which time, he was often obliged to ask 
 bread from the common soldiers, having no provisions of 
 his own. At the end of that period, a reinforcement ar- 
 rived. This gave him a superiority of numbers, and de- 
 termined him no long-cr to avoid a battle. An action took 
 place, on the 15th of March, at Guilford Court-house. The 
 American army consisted of four-thousand-four-hundred 
 men, drawn up in three lines ; of whom more than a half 
 were militia ; the British, of twenty-four-hundred ; chiefly 
 troops inured to victory. After a brisk cannonade in front, 
 the British advanced in three columns, and attacked the 
 first line, composed of North Carolina militia. It gave 
 way before the enemy were within a hundred yards. This 
 was owing to the misconduct of a colonel ; who called out 
 to an ofticer at some distance, that he would be surrounded. 
 The militia were obliged to quit the field. The regulars 
 maintained the conlii* l v/ith great spirit for an hour and a 
 half; but the discipline of the British soldiers finally pre- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. \f.7 
 
 vailed. A retreat was therefore directed ; and general 
 Greene, about four-hundred of his men having been killed 
 or wounded, retired in good order lo Speedwell's iron- 
 works, ten miles from the field of battle. This was a dear- 
 ly purchased victory. Eord Cornwallis lost the service of 
 a third of his army, by death or v/ounds, and was m no con- 
 dition to improve his advantage. 
 
 One day, in the middle of winter, general Greene, when 
 passing a sentinel who was barefooted, said : '' I fear, my 
 good fellow, you suffer much from the severe cold," — 
 "Yes, very much," was the reply, '»' but! do not complain. 
 I know I should fare better, had our general the means of 
 getting supplies. They say, however, that, in a few days, 
 Ave shall have a fight; and then, I shall take care to secure 
 a pair of shoes." 
 
 In the same campaign, Dr. Faysough, when joining* 
 Greene's army, called at the hut of general Huger, and was 
 refused admission. The doctor insisted on his right to en- 
 ter : the sentinel repeated his refusal. But Huger, recognis- 
 ing the voice of his friend, ordered that he should be allow- 
 ed to pass. " Pardon me, sir," said the general, who lay- 
 on the ground, wrapped up in an old military cloak, " for 
 this ungracious reception. The fate of war has robbed me 
 of every comfort, and I confined myself to solitude and an 
 old cloak, while my washerwoman is preparing the only- 
 shirt I own." 
 
 During those interesting occurrences, the whig inhabit- 
 ants of South Carolina were animated by the gallant exer- 
 tions of Sumpter and Marion ; the former, in the western, 
 extremity, ably supported by colonels Neil, Lacy, Hill, Brat- 
 ton, Winn, and Brandon ; the latter, in the north-eastern > 
 aided by colonels Peter and Hugh Horry, colonels Baxter 
 and PostcU, with majors Postcll and James. 
 
 An affair in which major Postell was concerned, may- 
 serve to show the spirit of the times, and, especially, the 
 indifference for property which then prevailed. A captain 
 of the royal army, with twenty-five grenadiers, having taken 
 post in the house of Postell 's father, the major placed his 
 small army of twenty-one militia so as to command its doors, 
 and then called on them to surrender. This being refused, 
 he set fire to an out-house ; was proceeding to burn the 
 dwelling in which they were posted ; and nothing but their 
 immediate submission restrained him from sacrificing his 
 father's valuable establishment for the interest of his coun- 
 try. 
 
178 HISTORY OF 
 
 Another event is still more worthy of admiration ; as pro- 
 reeding from the patriotic feeling of the female sex: who 
 are less enabled to recover, by future industry, from the 
 devastations of civil war. The British having built some 
 works around Mrs. Motte's dwelling, situated above the 
 fork, on the south side of the Congaree, she aided the 
 Americans in burning her own house ; and was thus the 
 means of compelling the garrison of nearly two-hundred 
 men to surrender at discretion. The manner of accom- 
 plishing this was singular. Opposite to the hill on which 
 this lady's mansion stood, was another elevation, where she 
 resided in the old farm-house. On this height, colonel Lee 
 was posted, while general Marion occupied the eastern de- 
 clivity of the ridge on which the fort stood. Lee having 
 imparted to Mrs. Motte his design of burning her mansion 
 by means of combustible matter conveyed by arrows, this 
 magnanimous woman cheerfully presented him with a bow 
 and its apparatus imported from India. The first arrow 
 struck, and kindled a flame : a second and a third were 
 equally successful, and very soon the entire roof was in a 
 blaze. 
 
 The escape of one of the prisoners taken at Mrs. Motte's 
 house, was attended with a remarkable mcident. Amongst 
 those denominated tories, was a person named Smith ; who, 
 greatly dreading the resentment of his countrymen, pre- 
 vailed on a sickly man, to whom he was hand-cuffed, to 
 join him in eluding the guard. They had not travelled far 
 into the woods, before his yoke-fellow, quite exhausted by 
 fatigue, declared he could go no farther, and fell insensible, 
 in a swoon. Confined by the hand-cuffs. Smith was com- 
 pelled to lie by him two days and as many nights, without 
 meat or drink ; his comrade being frequently in convul- 
 sions. On the third day, he died. Smith could remain no 
 longer : with his knife, he separated himself from the dead 
 man, by cutting off his arm at the elbow, which he bore 
 with him to the royal garrison at Charleston. 
 
 An American soldier, flying from a party of the enemy, 
 sought the protection of Mrs. Richard Shubrick. His pur- 
 suers pressing closely after him, insisted that he should be 
 delivered up, and, in case of refusal, threatened immediate 
 destruction to her house. But, this intrepid female placed 
 herself before the chamber into which the unfortunate fugi- 
 tive had been conducted, and resolutely said ; " To men of 
 honour, the chamber of a lady should be sacred. I will de- 
 fend it, though I perish. You may succeed and enter it ; 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 179 
 
 but it shall be over my corpse." — The officer, was, for a 
 moment, speechless. " If muskets," he exclaimed, " were 
 placed in the hands of a few such women, our only safety 
 would be in retreat. Your heroism, Madam, protects you ; 
 I relinquish the pursuit." 
 
 So much, indeed, were the ladies of the south habituated 
 to injuries, and so warmly were they interested in the con- 
 test, that misfortunes were a cause rather of jocoseness, 
 than regret. Mrs. Sabina Elliott having witnessed the ac- 
 tivity of an officer who had ordered the plundering of her 
 poultry -house, and finding an old Muscovy drake which had 
 escaped the general search, had it caught, ordered a ser- 
 vant to follow, on horseback, and deliver the fovA to the of- 
 ficer ; with her compliments, that she concluded, in the 
 hurry of departure, it had been left behind, altogether by 
 mistake. 
 
 An anecdote is related of Mrs. Charles Elliott. A Brit- 
 ish officer, noted for inhumanity and oppression, meeting 
 this lady in a garden adoi-ned with a great variety of flowers, 
 asked the name of the Chamomile, which seemed to flour- 
 ish with remarkable luxuriance. " That is the rebel flow- 
 er," she replied. — " The rebel flower I" rejoined the offi- 
 cer, " Why did it receive that name ?" — " Because," an- 
 swered the lady, " it thrives miost, when most trampled on." 
 
 Volumes would not record all the heroism of the Ameri- 
 can females. Shortly after the commencement of the war, 
 the family of Dr. Channing, then residing in England, re- 
 moved to France, and sailed thence in a well-armed vessel 
 for America. They had proceeded only a short way, when 
 they were attacked by a privateer. A fierce engagement 
 ensued ; during which, Mrs. Channing staid on deck, hand- 
 ing cartridges, dressing the wounded, and exhorting the 
 crew to resist till death. The colours of her vessel, were, 
 however, struck ; when, seizing the pistols and side-armc 
 of her husband, she threw them into the sea ; declaring, 
 that she would rather die than see them surrendered to the 
 English. 
 
 The boys also were courageous, and wielded the arms of 
 war at a very tender age. At the battle of Ramsour's Mill, 
 when captain Falls received a mortal wound, and fell, his 
 son, a youth of fourteen, rushed to the body, when the man, 
 who had shot him, was beginning to plunder it ; and, re- 
 gardless of his opponent's strength, snatched up his father's 
 sword, and laid him dead at his parent's feet. 
 
 The movements of lord Cornwallis after the battle of 
 
180 HISTORY OF 
 
 Guilford, mdicated rather a defeat than a victory. Leaving 
 his sick and wounded with the neighbouring loyalists, he 
 began a march towards Wilmington ; which had all the 
 appearance of a retreat. The Americans followed, until 
 they arrived at Ramsey's mill, on Deep river. Cornwallis 
 refreshed his army for about three weeks, and then moved 
 to Petersburg, in Virginia. Even before it was known 
 that the British commander had determined on this step, 
 general Greene had formed the bold resolution of returning 
 to South Carolina. Here, the British had erected a chain 
 efforts, from the capital to the extreme districts of the state; 
 which had regular communications with each other. The 
 first object of Greene's attack, was Camden ; a village gar- 
 risoned by lord Rawdon, with nine-hundred men. But, as 
 his force consisted only of about an equal number of con- 
 tinentals, with a few hundred militia, he was unequal to the 
 task of carrying the place by storm, or of completely in- 
 vesting it ; and therefore chose a good position, about a 
 mile distant, in expectation of alluring the garrison from 
 their lines. Lord Rawdon indulged him in his desire. 
 With great spirit, he sallied out, on the 25th of April, and 
 defeated his antagonist, at Hobkirk Hill ; after which, he 
 returned to Camden ; while the Americans, having retreated 
 in good order, encamped about five miles beyond their 
 former position. 
 
 Soon afterwards, lord Rawdon, finding that his commu- 
 nication with the capital was cut off, burned a considerable 
 portion of the town, and retired to the southward of the 
 Santee. The British lost six posts in rapid succession, and 
 abandoned all the north-eastern extremities of the state. 
 But the bright prospect, now opening to the American ar- 
 my, was, in a short time, obscured, by a heavy gloom. 
 When nearly masters of the whole country, they experi- 
 enced many severe repulses, particularly at Ninety-six, 
 (afterwards named Cambridge,) and were compelled to re- 
 treat to its utmost boundary. Greene was advised to re- 
 tire, with his remaining force, to Virginia. To this sug- 
 gestion, he replied, " I will recover South Carolina, or die 
 in the attempt." He adopted the only expedient now left 
 him ; that of avoiding an engagement, until the British 
 force should be divided. His determination was rewarded 
 with most signal success. After a series of manoeuvres, 
 which deranged the entire plan of the British operations, 
 on the eighth of September, he attacked their main body, 
 encamped, under the command of colonel Stuart, at Eutaw 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 181 
 
 Springs, and overthrew them, with a loss, on their side, of 
 eleven-hundred men, including prisoners and wounded. 
 
 When Marion's brigade was engaged in this battle, cap- 
 tain Gee was supposed to be moriaily wounded. A ball 
 passed through the cock of his hat, very much tearing the 
 crown, and also his head. He lay, for many hours, insensi- 
 ble ; but, suddenly reviving, his first inquiry was after his 
 hat : which being brought to him, a friend at the same time 
 lamenting the mangled state of his head, he exclaimed : 
 " Oh, I care nothing about my head : time and the doctors 
 will mend that ; but it grieves me to think that the rascals 
 have ruined my new hat for ever." 
 
 In the close of the year, Greene moved down into the 
 lov.'er country ; and, about the same time, the British, 
 abandoning their out-posts, retired, with their whole force, 
 to Charleston Neck. The holding of the interior was re- 
 linquished : the conquerors, v.ho had lately carried their 
 aruis to the extremities of the state, now seldom aimed at 
 any thing more than to secure themselves in the vicinity of 
 the capital. 
 
 The battle of Eutaw may be considered as ending the 
 war in South Carolina : a few excursions were afterwards 
 made by the British ; but nothing of more general conse- 
 quence than the loss of property and of individual lives. 
 
 When last we spoke of lord Cornwallis, he was march» 
 ing towards Petersburg. Various plans of operation had 
 occurred to him: whether he should return to South Caro- 
 lina by sea ; follow general Greene directly through the 
 barren country; or, leaving that province to the care of 
 lord Rawdon, persevere in his design against Virginia. 
 The last object was, after much deliberation, embraced; 
 judging that the possession of the latter would, at any time, 
 insure the obedience of South Carolina. In less than a 
 month he reached Petersburg ; where he was joined by a 
 numerous detachment, under general Philips : but, in pro- 
 ceeding on his march, he was closely observed, and occa- 
 sionally impeded, by the Marquis La Fayette; who, with 
 a few thousand troops, was intrusted with the principal com- 
 mand in that state. At Williamsburgh, the rear of the 
 British army, being attacked by colonel Butler, sustained 
 considerable loss ; and was afterwards in no small degree 
 inconvenienced by the manoeuvring of general Wayne. 
 Finally, lord Cornwallis, in conformity with the instructions 
 of Sir Henry Clinton, but much against his own judgment, 
 took a station at Yorktown, as the most desirable for a 
 16 
 
182 HISTORY OF 
 
 strong, permanent place of arms, both for the army and 
 Jiavy. 
 
 . Expecting a reinforcement from the West Indies, the 
 British naval officers conceived that important operations 
 would shortly be commenced in Virginia. But, whilst 
 they were indulging these hopes, the count De Grasse, with 
 a French fleet of twenty-eight sail, entered the Chesa- 
 peake ; and, about the same time, intelligence arrived, that 
 the combined armies, which had been stationed in the more 
 northern states, were approaching. Before they had fully 
 contemplated the danger of their situation, De Grasse block- 
 ed up York river with three large ships and some frigates, 
 and moored the principal part of his fleet in Lynhaven 
 bay. Three-thousand French troops, commanded by the 
 marquis De St. Simon, were disembarked ; which, having 
 formed a junction with the continental troops under La 
 Fayette, the whole took post at Williamsburgh. An at- 
 tack on this force was designed : but, in consequence of 
 promised reinforcements, lord Cornwallis thought it more 
 consistent with military prudence to defer his original in- 
 tention : and, as his instructions to hold his ground were 
 considered positive, he used, at this period, no endeavour 
 to abandon his station, though becoming, every day, more 
 dangerous. 
 
 Admiral Greaves, with twenty sail of the line, made an 
 effort for the relief of Cornwallis ; but without efl*ecting 
 his purpose.' On the 5th of September, when he appeared 
 off the capes of Virginia, count De Grasse went out to 
 meet him, and an indecisive engagement took place. The 
 British were willing to renew the action ; but De Grasse, 
 for good reasons, declined the challenge. His chief design 
 was to cover a French fleet, of eight line-of-battle-ships, 
 expected from Rhode Island ; an object which he accom- 
 plished : for, whilst he was manoeuvring with admiral 
 Greaves, they passed the latter in the night, and got with- 
 in the capes. This gave the French a decided superiority: 
 Greaves soon departed, and De Grasse re-entered the Ches- 
 apeake. 
 
 Before sir Henry Clinton was informed of that engage- 
 ment, his solicitude had urged him to send a gallant offi- 
 cer, with a letter to lord Cornwallis. This hazardous duty 
 was performed by major Cochrane. The British admiral 
 had left the Virginia waters before his arrival: yet at every 
 peril, he ran through the whole French fleet, in an open 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 183 
 
 boat, landed safely, and delivered his despatches ; but im- 
 mediately, his head was shot off by a cannon ball. 
 
 The loss ultimately sustained by the British, in the cap- 
 ture of St. Eustatia, was now apparent. Weakened by 
 the absence of a squadron sent to England with the wealth 
 acquired in that island, their fleet was rendered inferior to 
 the French ; and thus, although individuals were enrichedj 
 the interest of the nation was involved in ruin. 
 
 All this time, in accordance with the well-digested plan 
 of the campaign, the French and American forces were 
 marching through the middle states, on their way to York- 
 town. 
 
 New York had been fixed as the grand object of assault; 
 but subsequent events had rendered an attack on Yorktown 
 the most desirable. A show of prosecuting the original 
 design, was, nevertheless, continued. A letter from gen- 
 eral Washington, detailing the particulars of the first in- 
 tended operations, had been intercepted by Sir Henry Clin- 
 ton ; so that this officer bent his whole force to the strength- 
 ening of that post : and, believing that every movement 
 towards Virginia was a feint, he suffered the allied forces 
 to pass him unmolested. 
 
 Washington and Rochambeau reached Williamsburgli 
 on the 14th of September ; and, with a few confidential of- 
 ficers, visited the count Be Grasse on board his zhlZ, Z?,i 
 decided the arrangements. On the 25th, the combined 
 forces, under the care of general Nelson, arrived there ; 
 and, in a few days afterwards, general Washington moved 
 down with the whole towards Yorktown. 
 
 The works erected for its security, on the right, were re- 
 doubts and batteries, with a line of stockade in the rear. 
 A marshy ravine lay in front of the right ; over which, was 
 placed a large redoubt. A morass extended along the cen- 
 tre, guarded by a line of stockade and batteries. On the 
 left of the centre, was a horn-work, with a ditch, a row of 
 frise, and an abatis. Two redoubts were advanced before 
 the left. The combined forces took possession of an out- 
 ward position, from which the British had retired. About 
 this time, the latter detached some cavalry to Gloucester ; 
 which, general De Choisy so fully invested, as to cut off 
 all communication between it and the country. In the 
 meantime, the royal army was exerting every nerve to 
 complete their half-finished works, and impede, by their 
 artillery, the operations of the combined army. On the 
 9th of October, the Utter ppened their batteries, and kept 
 
184 HISTORY OF 
 
 up a well-directed fire, from heavy cannon, mortars, and 
 howitzers. The shells of the besiegers reached the vessels 
 in the harbour. 
 
 On the 10th, another messenger arrived, with a despatch 
 from Sir Henry Clinton to lord Cornwailis, which stated 
 various circumstances, tending- to lessen the probability of 
 relief, by a direct movement from Nev/ York. 
 
 The besiegers commenced their second parallel, two- 
 hundred yards from the British works ; but, tvvo redoubts, 
 advanced on the left of these, greatly impeded the progress 
 t>f the combined army. It was, therefore, proposed to en- 
 ter them by storm. To excite a spirit of emulation, the 
 reduction of one was committed to the P^rench; of the 
 other, to the Americans. The latter, led by colonels Hamil- 
 ton and Laurens, marched to the assault with unloaded 
 muskeis ; and, having passed the abatis and palisades, over- 
 came the redoubt in a few minutes, with inconsiderable 
 loss. Eight of the British were killed, one-hundred-and- 
 twenty were captured, and a few escaped. The French 
 were equally successful ; though at a greater expense of 
 lives. They took the redoubt assigned to them ^ith rapidi- 
 ty ; but, being more numerously opposed, their less amount- 
 ed CO nearly one-hundred men. These works being, im- 
 mediately afterwards, included in the second parallel, then- 
 occupation facilitated the subsequent approaches. 
 
 The situation of the besieged was hourly growing more 
 distressing. Their fate was hastening to a crisis. The 
 assailants poured destruction upon them, from the very 
 means which they had erected for defence ; whilst continu- 
 ed sallies to repel them, could not, with propriety, be risk- 
 ed. One was projected, with four-hundred men, command- 
 ed by colonel Abercrombie. He proceeded so far as to 
 force two redoubts, and spike eleven pieces of cannon ; but, 
 though the officers and privates displayed great bravery in 
 this enterprise, their success produced no essential advan- 
 tage. The cannon were soon unspiked and rendered fit for 
 service. 
 
 By this time, the batteries of the besiegers were covered 
 with nearly a hundred pieces of heavy ordnance ; and the 
 works of the besieged were so much damaged, that they 
 could scarcely show a smgle gun. Lord Cornwailis had 
 no safety left, except in capitulation or escape. He deter- 
 mined on the latter. • Means were accordingly prepared, 
 to carry the troops, in the night, to Gloucester Point ; 
 l»ut, after one party had crossed over, a violent storm dis- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 185 
 
 persed the boats, and frustrated the entire desip^n. Thus 
 weakened by separation, the royal army was exposed to in- 
 creased dani^er ; and orders were sent to those who had 
 passed, to return. Loni^er resistance would aggravate, 
 without offering the remotest probability of averting, their 
 misfortune. Lord Cornv/allis, therefore, wrote a letter to 
 general Washington, requesting a cessation of arms for 
 twenty-four hours, and the appointment of commissioners 
 to arrange the terms of a surrender. A capitulation was 
 agreed on ; by which, the posts of York and Gloucester 
 were entered by the combined forces, on the 1 9th of Octo- 
 ber. The honour of marching out with colours flying, 
 which had been refused to general Lincoln on his giving 
 up Charleston, was now refused to Cornwallis: and Lincoln 
 was appointed to receive the submission of the royal army, 
 precisely in the same way in which Sir Henry Clinton had 
 received his own. 
 
 The troops of every kind that surrendered, exceeded 
 seven-thousand ; but, so great v/as the number of sick and 
 wounded, that there were not four-thousand capable of 
 bearing arms. The regular forces, employed in their re- 
 duction, consisted of seven-thousand French, and five-thous- 
 and-five-hundred Americans, with the addition of about 
 four-thousand militia. 
 
 This may be considered a^ the closing scene of the re- 
 volutionary war. The whole project was conceived with 
 profound wisdom, and the incidents were combined with 
 singular propriety. The French and American engineers 
 and artillery merited the highest praise. Generals Du 
 Portail and Knox, with colonel Gouvion, and captain Roche- 
 fontaine, were promoted. Washington, Rochambeau, De 
 Grasse, and all the officers and men under their command, 
 were honoured by the thanks of congress. Unusual trans- 
 ports of joy pervaded the whole people. It is asserted, 
 that the nerves of some were so agitated, as to produce 
 convulsions ; and the aged door-keeper of congress, expir- 
 ed from the violence of his feelings. General Washington 
 ordered, that those who were under military arrests, should 
 be pardoned, and that divine service should be performed in 
 the different brigades of the army; at which, he recom- 
 mended the presence of all the troops not upon duty, to 
 assist, with a serious deportment and grateful heart, in of- 
 fering thanks to that Providence who had so remarkably- 
 extended his hand in their behalf Moved by a similar 
 feeling, congress resolved to go hi procession to church, to 
 16* 
 
186 HISTORY OF 
 
 give public acknowledgment to Almighty God ; and issu- 
 ed a proclamation for religiously observing the 13th of De- 
 cember following, as a day of thanksgiving and prayer. 
 
 We cannot quit this interesting period of our history, 
 without paying a tribute of respect to the admirable de- 
 portment of the French army, since their first arrival in 
 the United States. At Rhode Island, where they had spent 
 the chief part of their time, they conducted themselves 
 towards the inhabitants as brothers. In their march to York- 
 town, five-hundred miles of their journey lay through a 
 country abounding in fruit, and at a time when the most 
 delicious productions of nature, growing on and near the 
 high-ways, presented both opportunity and temptation to 
 gratify their appetites, rendered eager by the effects of a 
 parching sun ; yet, in this long route, amongst a people 
 of different principles, customs, language, and religion, so 
 complete was their discipline, that scarcely an instance 
 could be produced of a peach or an apple being taken, 
 without the consent of the inhabitants. 
 
 A happy reward of all their labours, a full compensation 
 for the streams of blood so generously shed by the Ameri- 
 can patriots, were now almost obtained. The year ter- 
 minated in every part of the United States, in favour of the 
 cause of freedom. It began with Aveakness, mutiny, and 
 devastation, and ended in confidence, victory, and joy. ^'. 
 
 General Washington, with the greater part of his forces/^Jj 
 returned, after the completion of this conquest, to New 
 York. An obstruction of the intercourse between the town 
 and country, was all that he at this period attempted; and 
 the British, on their part, were coiilented to remain wathin 
 their lines. In Carolina, the same conduct was mutually 
 observed. But, in one of the desultory skirmishes which 
 occurred in the neighbourhood of Charleston, the Ameri- 
 cans had to deplore the loss of the amiable and intrepid 
 colonel Laurens. In Georgia, the war ended with a se- 
 vere, though indecisive, engagement, near Savannah ; in 
 which, the royal troops, aided by a large number of Creek 
 Indians, were opposed by an American detachment under 
 general Wayne. The English government, having deter- 
 mined to relinquish, at least for the present, an offensive 
 warfare in the United States, withdrew their forces from 
 this, and the adjoining province of South Carolina. 
 
 It was happy for all the contending parties, that the na- 
 tional pride of Britain did not interfere, to prevent what 
 "\zras so forcibly urged by policy. Humbled by the defeat 
 
THE UNITED STATES. li^7 
 
 at Yorktown, it required the splendid victories gained b)' 
 her navy in the West Indies and her army at Gibraltar, to 
 reconcile an acquiescence with revolted colonies ; for, 
 Eng-land never admits that she is vanquished. France, as 
 well as Spain, saw no prospect of success. Disappointed 
 in their immediate views, both, it may easily be conceived, 
 would have sheathed the sword, and allowed the young re- 
 public to struggle, unaided, for existence. Britain, wearied 
 by a contest, in which one-hundred-millions sterling had 
 been added to her debt, and the lives wasted of fifty-thousand 
 of her subjects ; in which, defeat was doubly disgraceful, 
 and victory without the consolation of renown, would glad- 
 ly have desisted from offensive operations in the United 
 States. But the Americans, firm to their stipulations, 
 were determined not to remain inactive, and to conclude 
 no arrangement which did not comprise their European 
 allies. 
 
 In the British parliament, which met in December, short- 
 ly after the capitulation at Yorktown became known in 
 London, the decided language of the king's speech, point- 
 ing to the continuance of the American war, was approv- 
 ed, or, at least, assented to, by a majority of both lords 
 and commons. A few days afterwards, a motion was in- 
 troduced in the lower house, declaring. That all farther 
 attempts to reduce the Americans, to obedience, by force, 
 would be ineffectual, and injurious to the best interests of 
 Great Britain. This, however, was not carried ; though 
 the debate on the subject was prolonged until two o'clock 
 in the morning, and the friends of peace, amongst whom 
 Mr. Burke and Mr. Fox were particularly distinguished 
 for their eloquence, had received additional strength. As 
 the opposition party become every day more numerous, and 
 the nation were now almost universally actuated by the same 
 feelings, general Conway soon afterwards brought forward 
 
 H.oc> a similar resolution; which, after much strenuous 
 debating, was successful, by a respectable majority. 
 A new administration was the necessary consequence of 
 this change in the public sentiment. Lord North's situa- 
 tion was assigned to the marquis of Rocking*l>am ; and, oa 
 the decease of the latter, the chief reins of government 
 were intrusted to the earl of Shelburne, assisted by Wil- 
 liam Pitt, son of the celebrated lord Chatham. This no- 
 bleman, whose memory is entitled to the highest degree of 
 respect and gratitude, in the breast of every American, 
 had been removed in the year 1778, by death, from the 
 
i88 HISTORY OF 
 
 uneasy contemplation of those destructive measures that 
 he had so ably combated, and that were now on the eve of 
 being abandoned. 
 
 , To remove constitutional impediments, an act of parlia- 
 ment was passed, giving the crown a power of negotiating 
 with the revolted colonies ; an indispensable authority : as, 
 by the terms on which the king holds the executive func- 
 tions of the British empire, he cannot divest it of any of its 
 ancient appendages. 
 
 Every difficulty being removed, commissioners on the 
 part of her late colonies and Great Britain entered on the 
 important business of pacification, at Paris. The former 
 confided their interest to John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, 
 John Jay, and Henry Laurens; the latter, to Mr. Fitzher- 
 bert and Mr. Oswald. Two of the first sovereigns of Eu- 
 rope, the empress of Russia and the emperor of Germany, 
 were mediators in promoting the desirable agreement. 
 Preliminary articles of peace were signed on the 30th of 
 November ; and on the 3rd of September in the next 
 year, they were ratified and inserted in a definitive 
 treaty between Great -Britain and France. The independ- 
 ence of the states was acknowledged. Very ample bound- 
 aries were allowed them ; comprehending the fertile and 
 extensive countries on both sides of the Ohio, and on the 
 east side of the Mississippi. They were also allowed the 
 right of fishing on the banks of Newfoundland, and in all 
 other waters hitherto visited for that purpose by both na- 
 tions. The ministers of congress procured for their coun- 
 trymen better terms than they had reason to expect ; larg- 
 er boundaries than the states, when colonies, had ever 
 claimed: but the additional territories could have been of 
 no use to Great Britain ; and might, if retained, have oc- 
 casioned another war. 
 
 Peace was proclaimed in the American army, on the 
 19th of April; just eight years from the memorable day 
 when the first blood was shed between the colonies and the 
 parent state, in the fields of Lexington and Concord. 
 
 In the midst of the pleasing reflections on the past, and 
 anticipations of the future, the circumstances of the brave 
 Americans who had spent the prime of their lives in com- 
 bating even more than a human enemy could inflict, drew 
 forth the commiseration of every generous breast. The 
 states, which owed to them their political existence, were 
 all unable, at thisperiod, to fulfil their stipulations with their 
 Koopsj and several were unwilling, through selfish motives. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 189 
 
 to join with congress in establishing a uniform taxation at 
 the sea-ports, from which a fund might arise for doing jus- 
 tice to them hereafter. OfTicers and privates were about 
 to be dismissed, many of whom had not, for five years, re- 
 ceived the smallest pecuniary compensation, to reward their 
 dangers and fatigues, or cancel the debts contracted in 
 th( ir absence by their families. Consequences the most 
 serious were apprehended. Anonymous publications were 
 circulated, to inflame the minds of the unrequited forces, 
 and induce them to unite in redressing their grievances, be- 
 fore they parted with their arms. The dignified coolness 
 of general Washington interposed to dispel the storm. He 
 requested the general and field officers, and an officer from 
 each company, to assemble at an early day ; and, previous 
 to the meeting, sent for one of these after another, and en- 
 larged, in private, on the loss of character, to the whole ar- 
 my, which would result from intemperate resolutions. 
 When they were afterwards convened, he addressed them 
 in a speech, well calculated to sooth their minds ; pledging- 
 himself to exert all his influence in their favour, and ap- 
 pealing to their honour, their humanity, and their regard 
 to the military as well as the national character of their 
 rising country. He then retired. No reply whatever v.'as 
 attempted. Softened by the eloquence of their beloved 
 commander, those who had entered the meeting irritated 
 in the highest degree, by the contemplation of their wrongs 
 and the extent of their sufferings, acquiesced in a reso- 
 lution, " That no circumstances of distress, or danger, 
 should induce a conduct that might tend to sully the repu- 
 tation and glory they had acquired; that the army continu- 
 ed to have an unshaken confidence in the justice of congress 
 and their country ; and that they viev/ed with abhorrence, 
 and rejected with disdain, the infamous proposition in the 
 late anonymous addresses." 
 
 Soon afterwards, congress determined, that the officers 
 who preferred an immediate sum to the half-pay for life, 
 before promised them, should be entitled to receive, in its 
 place, the amount of five years' full pay, in money, or in 
 securities bearing interest. 
 
 To avoid the inconvenience of dismissing a great num- 
 ber of soldiers, in a body, furloughs were readily granted to 
 individuals; without enjoining their return. Thus, a great 
 part of an unpaid army was clisbanded, and dispersed over 
 the several states, without tumult or disorder. About 
 wghty, however, of the Pennsylvania levies, formed an ex- 
 
190 HISTORY OF 
 
 ception to the general disposition of the army. Having, lu 
 defiance of their officers, marched to Philadelphia, where 
 they prevailed on some other troops to join them, the whole, 
 amounting to upwards of three-hundred, proceeded, with 
 fixed bayonets, to the statehouse, in which, congress and 
 the executive council of Pennsylvania were assembled ; 
 placed guards at the door, and sent in a written message to 
 the president and council, threatening them with military 
 vengeance, if their demands were not satisfied in less than 
 twenty minutes. Dreading the fury of an enraged soldiery, 
 congress, after a three hours' confinement, retired, and ap- 
 pointed their next place of meeting at Princeton. Washing- 
 ton again displayed his parental care. He immediately or- 
 dered a strong detachment of his army to march to Phila- 
 delphia. Several of the mutineers were tried, and condemn- 
 ed to suffer death ; but they were all ultimately pardoned. 
 Four months' pay was, afterwards, through the great ex- 
 ertions of the superintendent of finance, given to the ar- 
 my ; a sum, which, although trifling, was all the recom- 
 pense the states were at that time able to make. 
 
 On the 25th of November, about three weeks after the 
 American army was discharged. New York was evacuated 
 \j'y tliC British forces i and Washington, accompanied by 
 governor Clinton, made a public entry into tha,t city, in 
 grand procession. An interesting moment was approach- 
 ing. The period arrived, when the commander-in-chief 
 was to bid adieu to his officers ; men endeared to him by 
 a long series of common sufferings and dangers, and by the 
 successful issue of their exertions. The parting was solemn 
 and affecting. Calling for a glass of wine, Washington 
 thus addressed them : " With a heart full of love and grati- 
 tude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that 
 your latter days may be as prosperous and happy, as your 
 former have been glorious and honourable." The officers 
 advanced to him successively; he took an affectionate fare-, 
 well of each; and then passed through a corps of light in- 
 fantry to the place of embarkation. They followed in mute 
 procession, with countenances expressive of their serious 
 feelings. He entered the barge, turned to the companions 
 of his glory, waved his hat, and bade them a silent adieu. 
 
 His military cares being ended, Washington lent his fos- 
 tering regard to the civil adm.inistration. Anxious that 
 they should enjoy in tranquillity what they had gained by so 
 great an expenditure of lives, he addressed a circular letter 
 to the governors of the different states ; in which? with all 
 
THE UxVITED STATES. 191 
 
 the charms of his distinguished eloquence, he inculcated 
 the necessity of justice, of subordination to the arrange- 
 ments required by their new situation, and improve-iicnt in 
 the original bond of political union. 
 
 He next proceeded to Annapolis, then the seat of con- 
 gress, to resign his commission. In every town and village 
 through which he passed, he was met by demonstrations of 
 gratitude and joy. The 23rd of December, having been 
 appointed for that interesting ceremony, general Washing- 
 ton appeared before them ; when, addressing the president, 
 *' The great events on which my resignation depended," 
 said he, " having at length taken place, I have now the 
 honour of offering my sincere congratulations to congress, 
 and of presenting myself before them, to surrender into 
 their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the in- 
 dulgence of retiring from the service of my country. Hap- 
 py in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, 
 and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States 
 of becoming a respectable nation, I resign, with satisfaction, 
 the appointment I accepted with diffidence ; a diffidence of 
 my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task : which, how- 
 ever, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of 
 our cause, the support in the supreme power of the Union, 
 and the patronage of Heaven. The successful termination 
 of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations: my 
 gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assist- 
 ance I have received from my countrymen, increases with 
 every review of the momentous contest. While I repeat 
 my obligations to the army, in general, I should do injustice 
 to my own feelings, not to acknowledge, in this place, the 
 peculiar services, and distinguished merits, of those gentle- 
 men who have been attached to my person during the war. 
 It was impossible the choice of confidential officers, to com- 
 pose my family, could have been more fortunate. Permit 
 me, sir, to recommend, in particular, those who have con- 
 tinued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of 
 the favourable notice and patronage of congress. 
 
 *' I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last 
 solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests 
 of our country to the protection of Almighty God, and 
 those who have the superintendence of them to his holy 
 keeping. 
 
 " Having thus finished the work assigned me, I retire 
 from the great theatre of action ; and, bidding an affectionate 
 farewell to this august body, under whose orders I hare 
 
i92 HISTORY OF 
 
 long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave 
 oi all the employments ot public life." 
 
 After an eloquent and affecting reply by the president, 
 general Mifflin, Washington withdrew. He hastened, with 
 exquisiie delight, to Mount Vernon ; where, he exchanged 
 the anxious labours of the camp, for the pleasing industry 
 of a farm; the instruments of war, for those of husbandry; 
 and became the patron and example of ingenious and pro- 
 fitable agriculture, as well as the successful promoter of 
 inland navigation. 
 
 Having thus followed the great military exertions of the 
 American patriots to a happy termination, a short account 
 of the legislative proceedmgs of the individual colonies may 
 here be given with advantage. 
 
 The important revolution, as regarded their dependence 
 on Great Britain, required a corresponding alteration in 
 their governments. This had been reconnnended by the 
 general congress, at an early period of the war. Except 
 in Rhode Island, which retained the charter granted by 
 Charles the second, conventions were assembled; which 
 formed new constitutions, agreeably with the strictest prin- 
 ciples of republicanism ; retaining whatever was desirable 
 in the original institutions, and providing every additional 
 security against tyranny and corruption, that ingenuity or 
 experience could dictate. In these, though, in som-e mat- 
 ters there is an opposition of sentiment, yet, in the main ob- 
 jects, tending to allow to man his natural right of liberty 
 and equality, the features have a striking resemblance. 
 With a few exceptions, the mind is uncontrolled in its in- 
 tercourse with God. There is no inconvenience, either 
 civil or political, suffered by individuals who differ in relig- 
 ious opinions from the predominant party in the state. All 
 religions are equally protected ; and all citizens of good 
 moral character, not denying the existence of one superin- 
 tending Being, with a future state of rewards and pun- 
 ishments, are, in most of the American communities, elig^ 
 ible to the highest honours that the several republics can 
 confer. 
 
 The statute and common laws of England, formerly ob- 
 served in the provincial courts of justice, remain in prac- 
 tice, as before. The inestimable privilege, of British deri- 
 vation, a trial by jury ; the freedom of the press, with the 
 additional right, in case of prosecuting for a libel, of giving 
 evidence as to the truth of the facts alleged in the obnoxi- 
 ous publication, where the matter is a proper subject of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 19d 
 
 public interest ; are declared fundamental principles of the 
 newly adopted constitutions : also, that debtors shall not 
 be imprisoned, after delivering to their creditors a true 
 schedule of all their property ; that capital punishments 
 shall be inflicted only for enormous crimes ; and that no 
 conviction in a court of justice shall cause the forfeiture of 
 the criminal's estate, or any degree of injury to the rights 
 of his descendants. No hereditary honours can be granted. 
 No titles, except those which designate an office, are recog- 
 nised by law. There is only one deviation from the latter 
 essential mark of the republican spirit. Massachusetts has 
 conferred the ephemeral title of " His Excellency" on the 
 governor ; and upon the lieutenant-governor, of the state, 
 that of " His Honour." But, although these aristocratic 
 customs are so generally denounced by the laws, they are 
 eagerly followed by the people. They are universally 
 usurped, and mutually allowed, by the members of the 
 state and general governments, and as freely applied by 
 their constituents. There are in the United States more 
 nominal nobility, than any country in the world exhibits, of 
 legitimate creation. Every governor is Excellent ; every 
 judge, senator, and representative, is Honourable; and every 
 justice of the peace, distinguished by the chivalric title of 
 Esquire. These frivolities should be carefully discouraged, 
 and the dangerous assumptions, by every real friend of 
 liberty, opposed. They are the first robes in which a repub- 
 lic advances to aristocracy ; thence, ta monarchy, and, from 
 monarchy, to oppression and extravagance. 
 
 The governments resemble, in their principal organiza- 
 tion, the frame of the new federal constitution. They consist 
 of three branches ; a governor, a senate, and a lower house 
 of representatives. But, in nearly all the states, property 
 is required to qualify the candidates for their situations ; 
 and, in many, it is a requisite qualification in the elector. 
 Jn New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania; Dela- 
 ware, South Carolina, and Georgia ; the greatest liberality, 
 in that respect, prevails. In those states, every free citi- 
 zen of twenty-one years of age, after residing a certain time 
 within the respective commonwealths, and contributing his 
 share of the public expenditure, (excluding, in some, the 
 inhabitants of colour,) is allowed a vote. Massachusetts 
 and Connecticut ; New York, New Jersey, and Virginia ; 
 confine the elective right to citizens possessed of prc^ :.rty. 
 New Jersey formerly extended the right of voting to fe- 
 males. Maryland allows no political liberty except to 
 17 
 
194 HISTORY OF 
 
 Christians; North Carolina observes a similar jealousy of 
 all but Protestants : and Christians are the only people en- 
 titled to general protection by the constitutions of New 
 Hampshire and Massachusetts. Senators are required to be 
 more advanced in years than members of the lower house : 
 they hold their stations for a longer period of time ; and, in 
 several states, are not chosen directly by the people, but by 
 the representative bodies, or by intermediate electors, ap- 
 pointed by the former. In New York, and Maryland, North 
 and South Carolina, and Georgia, clergy are not eligible as 
 members of either branch of the legislature. 
 
 To enable the public to have the services of men, who, 
 with integrity and talents, possess not adequate means of 
 support when absent from their usual vocations, compen- 
 sation is allowed to members of the legislature, during their 
 journey and attendance at the seat of government ; a regu- 
 lation similar to the ancient practice in England. That 
 frequent recurrence may be had to the judgment of the 
 people, the terms of representative service are short. Elec- 
 tions, for the lower branch, are, in general, made yearly. 
 The votes are, in some states, given by ballot ; in others, by 
 open voice ; both modes having their advocates ; as it is 
 difficult to ascertain whether, in practice, the former method 
 is entitled to a preference. 
 
 The interruption suffered by foreign commerce, gave a 
 lively stimulus to domestic ingenuity. To the revolution, 
 the United States are indebted for the cultivation of sugar 
 from the maple tree. Determined to use, so far as it was 
 possible, no productions except of their own growth or 
 manufacture, the inhabitants tried every means of supplying 
 their conveniences from their native stores ; and a farmer, 
 at Bernardstown, in Massachusetts, in the early stage of the 
 misunderstanding with the British parliament, succeeded 
 in producing, from the northern forest, a species of sugar, 
 little inferior to that usually manufactured from the cane. 
 
 The department of literature is the next subject that 
 claims attention. Several years before the revolution, a 
 type-foundry was commenced at Germantown, but em- 
 ployed chiefly for the presses of its owner, Christopher 
 Sower, who printed the Bible, and other works, in the Ger- 
 man language; and, in 1769, Abel Buel of Killingsworth, 
 in Connecticut, began the casting of types, on a small scale: 
 but, the first, who regularly pursued this business in the 
 United States, was John Baine, of Edinburgh, who settled 
 in Philadelphia, soon after the termination of the war. ' 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 19o 
 
 Some of the early settlers in Virginia were men of letters : 
 but, with the exception of their historians, Smith, Stith, 
 Beverley, and Keith, they have left no writings of import- 
 ance. Before the revolution, the only work of general in- 
 terest published in the colonies, was the first volume of the 
 Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, insti- 
 tuted in 1743, and held in Philadelphia. Men of science 
 liad promulgated their ordinary ideas in the newspapers, 
 and their essays, of a higher character, through the medium, 
 of the Royal Society of London. Fourteen Americans, — 
 four of the name of Winthrop, Paul Dudley, and president 
 Leverett ; Thomas Brattle, Cotton Mather, doctors Frank- 
 lin, Boylestone, Mitchell, Morgan, Rittenhouse, and Gar- 
 den; were members of that association. 
 
 The families of Winthrop and Mather were distinguished 
 amongst the first inhabitants of New England, for their 
 virtues and general abilities. Of the latter, (no fewer than 
 ten of whom exercised, at the same time, the clerical pro- 
 fession,) Cotton Mather was the most conspicuous. He 
 was one of the most voluminous writers of his day. His 
 Magnalia, published in the beginning of the last century, is 
 an extraordinary performance ; alike interesting, as con- 
 
 tainlngf the church history of New England, and curious, aS 
 
 displaying a puerile inconsistency with his liberal education, 
 in his belief of witchcraft, and its whole train of antichris- 
 tian absurdities. Dr. Boylestone, in the year 1720, intro- 
 duced into Boston, the practice of inoculation for the small- 
 pox ; before w hich time, it was not used in any part of the 
 American continent. |^ 
 
 The name of Franklin, which has frequently appeared in 
 our political narrative ; a name inseparably associated with 
 that of liberty ; is no less illustrious in the annals of philoso- 
 phy. Benjamin Franklin will be a lasting theme of admi- 
 ration. Endued by nature with an originality of thought, 
 uncommon accuracy of judgment, and deep penetration ; 
 his mental faculties unclouded by intemperance ; his whole 
 time devoted to industry; his resources improved by a rigid 
 system of economy ; he rose, from an humble station, to 
 eminence in business, enjoyed the highest honours within 
 his adopted province, and enriched the fieldof science with 
 the sublimity of his researches. In developing the subtle 
 nature of the electric fluid, he was unrivaled. Though his 
 theory of " positive and negative electricity" has not been 
 demonstrated to the entire satisfaction of philosophers, yet, 
 no other has been imagined to supply its place ; nor have 
 
196 HISTORY OF 
 
 any experiments, in the smallest degree, shaken the prolra.- 
 bic correctness of his system. But a discovery of a grand- 
 er character was reserved for Dr. Franklin. To him, the 
 Avorld is indebted, for showing the electrical quality of 
 lightning ; and, consequently, the means of preserving our 
 dwellings and shipping from the destructive flash. No one 
 should be unacquainted with the mental treasures contained 
 in his various works. His biography and maxims, togeth- 
 er with a sketch of his principal discoveries, should be in 
 the hands of every youth ; and the whole of his essays and 
 transactions, studied with minute attention by the philoso- 
 pher. Boston may justly be proud of being the birth-place 
 of Dr. Franklin ; and Pennsylvania will gratefully remem- 
 ber the services of her adopted citizen. Besides the foun- 
 dation of the Philadelphia Library, in 1731, his country re- 
 mains largely indebted to him for innumerable institutions, 
 as well as for pecuniary bequests mentioned in his will.* 
 
 The translation of Cicero's treatise on old age, made, in 
 the year 1734, by Mr. Logan, of Pennsylvania, is highly de- 
 serving the perusal of those who are advanced in years, and 
 of young persons in their progress to maturity. Much 
 comfort will be received from it by the aged, and much 
 p-ood advice to inconsiderate youth. It illustrates the ad- 
 vLintages of temperance, and of early mental improvement, 
 by copious examples of men, who, long after the period 
 usually allowed to human life, had served their country with 
 distinction in the senate, enlightened mankind by their 
 wisdom, or enjoyed the satisfaction of domestic retirement. 
 The translator has furnished notes, containing a more ex- 
 tended biography of the characters mentioned in the origi- 
 nal ; thereby rendering the work more interesting to read- 
 ers not extensively conversant with ancient history : and 
 Franklin, by whom it was originally published, has confer- 
 red an important obligation on those who are deficient in 
 sight, by printing it with a type of unusually large size. In 
 the preface. Dr. Franklin says, " this is the first translation 
 made of any of the ancient classics, in the western world ;'* 
 an assertion, that is, we believe, erroneous: as, in 1623, 
 more than a century before, it appears, that Mr. Sandys, 
 treasurer of the Virginia Company, translated Ovid's Meta- 
 morphoses,— the most ancient literary production of Amer- 
 ica. 
 
 • Dr. Franklin died in Philadelphia, in the year 1790, at the atl- 
 vanced age of eighty.four. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 197 
 
 As a botanist, Dr. Clayton, of Virginia, holds an honoura- 
 ble station, and Rittenhouse of Pennsylvania is equally dis- 
 tinguished in astronomy. The former passed a long life in 
 examining the plants of his native province. His Flora 
 Virginica, published at Leyden in the year 1762, ranks him 
 amongst the most industrious and useful enlargers of the 
 botanical catalogue. 
 
 CHAPTER VHI. 
 
 NEW FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 
 
 J\''ational Bank. Insurrection in Massachusetts.^ and in 
 Pennsylvania. Vermont. Kentucky. War with the 
 Indians. 
 
 BY the treaty of peace, large territories, which had not 
 been granted to individuals, were ceded to the United 
 States. But these lands were included within the charter- 
 ed limits of particular states, and were in actual posses- 
 sion of the aborigines. Ample cessions were, however, 
 made in favour of the nation, by the former ; and a large 
 tract of country, situated to the north-west of the Ohio, 
 was surrendered by the latter ; on condition of their enjoy- 
 ing the friendship of the United States, and a regular sup- 
 ply of merchandise. Having joined the British in the re- 
 volutionary contest, they were considered, by the laws of 
 v/ar, as a conquered people ; a principle which was men- 
 tioned to their leaders, and upon which the terms of this 
 arrangement were, in a great measure, conducted. 
 
 There yet remained for discussion, a subject of much 
 higher importance. The general government was not es- 
 tablished on a solid foundation. The articles of union, 
 formed under the pressure of common danger, were founcj 
 inadequate to the eflicient management of the same countiy, 
 in the selfish periods of peace and security. It was neces- 
 sary that there should be a radical reform. The original 
 compact required the concurrence of seven states to every 
 act, and of nine, to several higher objects, of legislation. 
 It frequently happened, that some of the states were not 
 represented in the general congress ; or, perhaps, by only 
 one It. ember, or by an even number, equally divided in 
 opinion j cases, in which, their votes were of no effect, 
 
 ir* 
 
198 HISTORY OF 
 
 This bond of union was defective, not only in its powei;s, 
 but in the means of executing them. Its acts required the 
 interposition of the states composing it, to give them effect 
 within their respective jurisdictions. The laws of con- 
 gress, without the aid of state laws to enforce them, were 
 nugatory ; and thus, the government was paralysed. No 
 efficient fund being provided to pay the interest of the na- 
 tional debt, the public securities of the United States fell 
 to one-tenth of their nominal value. The soldier who had 
 received a certificate for the payment of his hard-earned 
 dues, was often, from necessity, obliged to transfer his right 
 for an insignificant consideration. The monied man, who 
 had trusted his country in the hour of its distress, was de- 
 prived, not only of his interest, on which he depended for 
 support, but of a great part of his capital. A necessity 
 was created, or an apology furnished, for the non-payment 
 of private contracts ; mutual confidence received a deadly 
 wound, and the morals of the people were seriously im- 
 paired ; evils, which general Washington, in his circular 
 letter, before his resignation, most forcibly predicted. 
 These sufferings were increased by restrictions on Ameri- 
 can commerce. The intercourse with the British West 
 India islands, from which, the colonies had derived large 
 quantities of gold and silver, was forbidden to them by the 
 English government, in their new character of independent 
 states : Spain denied their right of navigating the Missis- 
 sippi : and, they could no longer safely enter the Mediter- 
 ranean ; a privilege which they had always enjoyed, when 
 a part of the British empire. Unable to defend themselves 
 against the Algerines, whose forbearance was purchased 
 by England, they were constrained either to relinquish a 
 beneficial trade, or insure their adventures, to that quarter, 
 at a ruinous premium. Thus, when the people supposed 
 their troubles at an end, they found that they were only 
 -varied; that they had obtained liberty, without the con- 
 comitant blessings of freedom ; the name, without the at- 
 tributes of a nation. 
 
 Feeling the pressure of their sufferings, and unprovided 
 with a remedy, because unacquainted with their source, 
 the inhabitants became uneasy ; and many were ready to 
 adopt any desperate measures that turbulent leaders recom- 
 mended. Several thousand disorderly citizens of Massa- 
 chusetts, headed by Daniel Shay, who had been a subaltern 
 1786 ^^^^'^ ^^ ^^® revolutionary war, complaining of 
 heavy taxes, threatened to march to Boston and 
 
THE UNITED STATES. I^§ 
 
 compel the general assembly to reduce them ; attacked 
 the arsenal at Springfield, and thus opposed the laws which 
 their own authority had framed. However, by the mod- 
 eration of the legislature, aided by the bravery and good 
 conduct of generals Lincoln and Shepherd, who were plac- 
 ed at the head of a firm and well-affected militia, the in- 
 surgents were speedily dispersed, with inconsiderable loss 
 of lives. 
 
 The friends of social order and national respectability, 
 were not idle spectators of this accumulating danger. In 
 accordance with a motion of James Madison, a proposal 
 was made by Virginia, to all the other states, to meet in 
 convention, for the purpose of digesting a form of govern- 
 ment equal to the exigences of the Union. Delegates, 
 from every state except Rhode Island, met in Philadelphia, 
 „ on the 25th of May, chose general Washington 
 president, and, after deliberating with closed doors 
 until the 17th of September, agreed on a new plan of na- 
 tional government. This, being transmitted to the state 
 legislatures, was by them assigned to delegates, specially 
 appointed in each, by the people, and, at length, but not 
 Avithout considerable diversity of opinion, was adopted. 
 
 When the people were examining the merits of this plan, 
 its principle and arrangement were ably developed and de- 
 fended in a series of essays, signed Publius. These, which 
 now appear in a book entitled the Federalist, were written 
 by three authors, (colonel) Alexander Hamilton, Mr. Jay, 
 and Mr. Madison ; but the two latter furnished only a few 
 papers ; nearly the whole being from the pen of Hamilton. 
 This work may be ranked in the highest class of writings 
 on the economy of government. The view which it af- 
 fords of the several confederations, amongst the states of 
 Greece and Germany, Switzerland and Holland, and of the 
 constitution of Great Britain ; thereby displaying, in a lu- 
 minous train of argument, the superiority of the American 
 constitution ; renders it invaluable to the politician ; espe- 
 cially, of the United States ; and places the Federalist in 
 honourable competition with the labours of De Lolme, 
 Montesquieu, and Blackstone. 
 
 By the new constitution, all legislative powers are vest- 
 ed in a congress of the United States, consisting of a pres- 
 ident, a senate, and a house of representatives. 
 
 The executive power is vested in the president ; who 
 must be a natural born citizen, or have been a naturalized 
 citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption 
 
209 HISTORY OF 
 
 of this constitution ; of the age of thirty -five years, four- 
 teen of which he must have resided within the country. 
 He holds his office during the term of four years ; and, 
 together with a vice-president, chosen for the same period, 
 is appointed by electors, nominated according to regula- 
 tions of the several states. The presidelit is commander 
 in chief of the land and sea forces of the United States, 
 and of the militia of the individual states when called into 
 the general service. 
 
 The senate is composed of two persons from each state; 
 chosen, by its own legislature, for six years ; divided, after 
 its assembling, as equally as possible, into three classes; of 
 which, the seats of the first class are vacated at the end of 
 the second year; those of the second, at the expiration of 
 the fourth ; and those of the third class, at the termination 
 of the sixth year. A senator must have attained the age 
 of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United 
 States. 
 
 The house of representatives is composed of members 
 chosen by ballot, w^ithout any reference to their property 
 or their religion, every second year, in the several states; 
 by electors having the same qualifications necessary to en- 
 title them to vote for delegates to the most numerous 
 branch of their respective state legislatures. No person 
 can be a representative, who has not attained the age of 
 twenty -five years; been seven years a citizen of the United 
 States ; and who is not, when elected, an inhabitant of that 
 state in which he shall have been chosen. The number of 
 representatives must not exceed one for every thirty-thous- 
 and of the population. 
 
 The congress assemble at least once in every year; which 
 meeting is fixed to be on the first Monday in December. 
 Members of both housffs receive a compensation for their 
 services, paid out of the treasury of the United States; and 
 are privileged from arresi, during their attendance, or their 
 journey, in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of 
 the peace. 
 
 No senator or representative can be appointed to any civil 
 office, under the authority of the United States, which shall 
 have been created, or the emoluments of which shall have 
 been increased, during the term of his election; and no 
 person holding any official situation in the general govern- 
 ment can be a member of either house, during his continu- 
 ance in office. 
 
 Every bill, when it has passed the house of representa- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 201 
 
 lives and the senate, must, before it becomes a law, be car- 
 ried to the president of the United States. If he approve, 
 he shall sign it : but, if he disapprove, he sliall return it, 
 with his objections, to that house in which it originated; 
 where, it shall be re-considered. If two-thirds of the mem- 
 bers shall then agree to pass the bill, it is sent, together 
 with the objections, to the other house; by whom, likewise, 
 it is to be re-considered ; and, if approved, by a similar 
 majority, it becomes a law : or, if any bill shall not have 
 been returned by the president within ten days after its 
 presentation, it becomes a law, the same as if it had re- 
 ceived his signature. 
 
 Congress has power to lay and collect taxes, to pay the 
 debts, and provide for the common defence and general 
 welfare, of the United States ; to borrow money; to regu- 
 late foreign commerce ; to establish a uniform system of 
 naturalization ; to coin money, and fix the standard of 
 weights and measures ; to establish post-offices and post- 
 roads ; to declare war, grant letters of marque, raise and 
 support armies, and provide and maintain a navy. 
 
 No title of nobility can be granted, either by the united 
 or the individual states ; nor can any person, holding a. 
 public office, accept of any emokiment, employment, or 
 title, from a foreign state, without the consent of congress. 
 
 The United States guaranty to every member of this 
 great political family a republican form of government ; 
 and are bound to protect it against invasion, and against 
 domestic violence. Provision is made for the occasional 
 amending of the constitution ; to uphold which, all offici- 
 ating persons are pledged, by oath or affirmation : but no 
 religious test is ever required as a qualification to any 
 office under the United States. 
 
 The judicial power of the United States is vested in one 
 supreme court, and in such district and circuit courts as 
 congress shall think proper to erect. 
 
 Thus, were established, two separate governments over 
 the Union ; one, for local purposes, over each state, by the 
 people, as citizens of each state; the other, for national 
 purposes, over all the states, by the people, as citizens of 
 the United States. 
 , wgg Members of both branches of the legislature as- 
 sembled, in the beginning of April, at New York ; 
 where, they were, soon afterwards, joined by the former 
 commander in chief: who, now in his fifty-seventh year, 
 by the unanimous voice of the people, had again been cal'- 
 
202 HISTORY OF 
 
 ed from his agricultural pursuits, and, with much reluc- 
 tance, consented to act as president of the United States. 
 On his way to the seat of government, one emotion of 
 delightful recollections pervaded the whole community. 
 When he had crossed the Delaware, and landed on the 
 Jersey shore, he was saluted by the inhabitants with three 
 cheers ; the spontaneous greetings of overflowing hearts ; 
 more grateful to a patriot's ear, than the hired flourishes 
 of a thousand trumpets. When he came to the brow of 
 the hill, on his way to Trenton, he beheld, on the bridge 
 which crosses the Assanpinck creek, a triumphal arch, 
 erected under the superintendence of the ladies of the 
 place. The crown of the arch was highly ornamented 
 with flowers and laurels; and displayed, in large characters, 
 in commemoration of the surprise of Trenton, " December 
 26th, 1776: The Hero who defended the Mothers, will 
 also protect the Daughters." On the north side, were little 
 girls, dressed in white, with garlands on their heads, and 
 baskets of flowers on their arms : in the second row, stood 
 the young ladies, and behind them the matrons, of the 
 neighbourhood. The instant when Washington passed 
 flie arch, the children began to sing^the following ode: 
 
 " Welcome, mighty chief, once more, 
 welcome to this grateful shore: 
 now, no mercenary foe 
 aims again the fatal blow, 
 aims at thee the fatal blow. 
 
 " Virgins fair and matrons grave, 
 (these, thy conquering arm did save,) 
 build, for thee, iriumphal bovvers. — 
 Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers, 
 strew your hero's way with flowers."* 
 
 The 30th of April was fixed for his taking the oath of 
 ©ffice : which was administered by Mr. Livingston, chan- 
 cellor of the state of New York, in the presence of an im- 
 mense concourse of citizens. When the president retired 
 to the senate chamber, he addressed both houses in an im- 
 pressive speech ; reminding them, that no truth was more 
 thoroughly established, than that there exists an indissolu- 
 ble union between virtue and happiness; — between duty 
 and advantage ; between the genuine maxims of an honest 
 
 * The author of this work, by using a capital letter only at the 
 beginning of each sentence, has taken The liberty of varying- from the 
 established mode of writing English poetic verse. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 203 
 
 and magnanimous people, and the solid rewards of public 
 prosperity and felicity; and that the propitious smiles of 
 Heaven could never be expected on a nation who disre- 
 garded the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven 
 itself had ordained. He concluded by saying, that, in con- 
 formity with the principle he had adopted when command- 
 er in chief, he renounced all pecuniary compensation for 
 his presidential duties, firther than was equivalent to his 
 additional expenditure m office : which should not, at any 
 time, be greater than was required for the public good. 
 
 The annual salary of the president was fixed at twenty- 
 five-thousand dollars ; of the vice-president, secretary of 
 state, and secretary of the treasury, each five-thousand 
 the secretary of war was to receive foiir-thousand-five-hun- 
 dred dollars ; and the attorney-general, three-thousand. 
 John Adams was elected vice-president : the remaining 
 great political departments were, by Washington's ap- 
 pointment, filled, respectively, by Thomas Jefferson, colo- 
 nel Hamilton, general Knox, and Edmund Randolph. John 
 Jay received the office of chief justice : the associate judges 
 were John Rutledge, James Wilson, John Gushing, Robert 
 Harrison, and John Blair. 
 
 The people of the United States now possessed the means 
 of future happiness jn a more ample measure than were 
 ever enjoyed by any other;— a constitution framed by their 
 wisest and m.ost virtuous men, and approved by them- 
 selves ; embracing all that was valuable, and excluding 
 every thing that was found injurious, in the British form 
 of government ; with deficiencies supplied, and superflui- 
 ties retrenched; m which, merit was rewarded by election, 
 and hereditary distinctions were unknown : a director sa- 
 gacious to discern, able and determined to protect, the in- 
 terest of society ; to repress the turbulent, and conciliate 
 the discontented : a soil fertile to generate, and a climate 
 suitable to mature, the various productions of the globe; 
 stored with every mineral essential to the real wants of 
 society, and with many required forits decoration : streams, 
 which in one place perform the office of human labour, and 
 in another facilitate the exchanges of foreign and domestic 
 commerce. 
 
 To replenish the empty treasury, was the first object of 
 legislative attention. For this purpose, duties were levied 
 on imported merchandise, and reasonable taxes imposed 
 on the tonnage of vessels. The next, was the sup- 
 port of public credit. In the month of January, 
 
204 HISTORY OF 
 
 colonel Hamilton brought forward a system, luminous in 
 its detail and ingenious in its application; perhaps the best 
 that could be devised to unite the conflicting interests. His 
 mode of funding the public debt, gave rise to much ani- 
 mated discussion ; in which, James Madison proposed an 
 amendment, more difficult in practice, and not less objec- 
 tionable in its principle. Mr, Hamilton advocated a reduc- 
 tion of the established interest ; Mr. Madison, a discrimi- 
 nation between the original lender of money and the pres- 
 ent holder of certificates. The principle of the secretary, 
 however, and nearly his entire plan, were adopted ; fund- 
 ing one part of the debts at three per cent. ; deferring the 
 accruing of any interest on another portion, for ten years ; 
 and limiting the highest rate of interest to six per cent. In 
 this arrangement, besides fifty-four-millions of the general 
 debt, were included twenty-one-millions-and-a-half of the 
 debts of individual states ; confined to certificates issued 
 above their just proportion, for general defence, during the 
 revolutionary war. The assumption of the state debts re- 
 quired additional revenue; and suggested the laying of du- 
 ties on domestic distilled spirits ; a measure, which, while 
 it increased the credit of the United States, had a serious 
 effect on the tranquillity of particular sections. 
 
 Notwithstanding the arguments that might justly be of- 
 lered against the manner in which the public debts were 
 funded ; the system was, on the whole, eminently benefi- 
 cial to the country. Public paper, which had previously 
 sunk in the proportion of ten to one, rapidly advanced to 
 par; and, being now convenient for circulation, invigorated 
 agriculture and commerce, to a degree not less than would 
 have resulted from the introduction of an equal quantity of 
 metallic coin. 
 
 To complete the financial department, colonel Hamilton 
 recommended the formation of a national bank. This meas- 
 ure was strenuously opposed. Some objected to the utili- 
 ty of any banking establishment ; others, to the plan of the 
 one proposed : but more, to its institution, on the ground 
 of the inadequate constitutional powers of congress ; on 
 which, the legislature and the cabinet were divided. A 
 law for the purpose having at length passed both houses, 
 the president, who was extremely guarded against infring- 
 ing the constitution, required from the heads of depart- 
 ments their opinions on the subject ; and then, examining 
 it in all its relations, deliberately gave it the sanction of his 
 »arae. The bank was chartered for twenty years; its capi- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. ^m■ 
 
 tal was ten millions, in shares of four-hundred dollars eacho 
 The rights acquired by the subscribers were in so great dc-' 
 mand, that they rose in a short time to two-hundred dol- 
 lars advance on the first payment of twenty-five. Branches, 
 termed offices of discount and deposit, Avere established in 
 the principal sea-ports of the United States; the parent 
 bank being placed in Philadelphia, at that time the seat of 
 government. 
 
 But the public blessings which we have been contem- 
 plating, were not without alloy. The immense wealth ac- 
 quired by individuals, from the increase in the value of 
 property, and especially of the public stocks, made them 
 objects of envy. Whilst the partisans of Hamilton, and 
 those enriched by his plans, adored him as the financial sa- 
 viour of the United States, others reviled him as the friend 
 of monarchy, who wished to invest the government with 
 artificial strength, by raising up a monied aristocracy, obe- 
 dient to its will ; and, at the very time when the country 
 was enjoying unexampled prosperity from the wise ad- 
 ministration of an efficient government, its authors were 
 loaded with execrations, by a large portion of their fellow- 
 citizens. 
 
 A criminal resistance was thus promoted to the payment 
 of the excise duty on domestic spirits. This duty was par- 
 ticularly obnoxious to those inhabitants of Pennsylvania 
 who dwelt on the western side of the Alleghany 
 mountains. A meeting of delegates from the mal- 
 contents was held at Pittsburgh ; where, all v/ho should 
 obey or execute the excise law, were proscribed as enemies 
 to their country. Government was careful to remove all 
 real grievances. In the following summer, the law was re- 
 vised, and every reasonable objection canceled or amend- 
 ed. But the amendment was unavailing. The very prin- 
 ciple of excise was the object of hostility. A second meet- 
 ing was convened ; in which, resolutions were adopted for 
 1704, opposing the execution of the law: the marshal, 
 when in the performance of his duty, was shot at by 
 a party of armed men ; and, on the following day, the iii- 
 surgents, to the number of five-hundred, attacked the house 
 of the inspector, and forced him, together with a small 
 military guard, to surrender. 
 
 Sensations the most distressing pervaded the breast of 
 
 general Washington. Humanity restrained the avenging 
 
 sword of justice, in one hand ; whilst the solemn obliga- 
 
 4:ions of duty directed his attention to the balance, in the 
 
 18 
 
206 HISTORY OF 
 
 other. He detennined to execute the laws ; and, by eni-' 
 ploying an army sufficient, from its numbers, to make re- 
 sistance desperate. The utmost force the insurgents could 
 bring into the field, was supposed to be seven-thousand. 
 A requisition was accordingly made, to the governors of 
 New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, for an 
 aiTny of fifteen-thousand. The militia turned out with un- 
 common alacrity. The troops of New Jersey and Penn- 
 sylvania rendezvoused at Bedford ; those of Maryland and 
 Virginia, at Cumberland, on the Potomac. The president 
 visited each division, and left the whole under the com- 
 mand of general (late colonel) Lee, now governor of Vir- 
 ginia. He marched into the disturbed country ; but found 
 no armed bodies of the insurgents : the greatness of the 
 force produced the desired effect, and restored tranquilli- 
 ty, without bloodshed. 
 
 Whilst the extremity of Pennsylvania was thus suffering 
 from the virulence of human passion, its capital was afflict- 
 ed with a melancholy visitation of Providence. In the year 
 1793, Philadelphia was ravaged by the awful effects of a 
 yellow fever. It commenced in the beginning of August, 
 and continued for about three months; during which time, 
 there died four-thousand, out of a population of sixty-thous- 
 and, by that disorder alone. Its greatest height was about 
 the middle of October; when, one-hundred-and-twenty per- 
 sons were carried off in a single day. Many fled to the 
 country: the usual vocations of society were abandoned. 
 The streets became a desert. Distress appeared in every 
 form. In the midst, hov.ever, of this calamity, much be- 
 nevolence was shown. A committee took charge of the 
 sick poor, and provided them with a house, medicine, and 
 attendance : and the orphans were collected in a place of 
 safety; where, they were nursed, fed, and furnished with 
 every comfort. About the middle of November, the dis- 
 order ceased; the citizens returned; and business reassum- 
 ed its course. Since that period, a similar species of fever 
 has, at intervals, appeared in Philadelphia, and other com- 
 mercial cities in the United States; particularly, in New 
 York, Baltimore, Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans: 
 but, from the precautionary measures of the several boards 
 of health, malignant fevers, for nearly the last twenty years, 
 are almost unknown in any of the towns situated to the 
 north of Charleston. 
 
 Amongst the distinguished individuals during that ca- 
 lamitous season, the most conspicuous was Benjamin Rush ; 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 2Q7 
 
 whether we consider his humanity, his fearless conduct 
 aniidst the appalling scenes of contagion, or the skill with 
 which he combated the destructive antagonist. This ac- 
 complished physician, already khown as an active member 
 of that congress which voted the independence of his coun- 
 try, Avas a native of Pennsylvania. He was born about 
 twelve miles from Philadelphia ; the third in descent from 
 English ancestors, who accompanied William Penn. His 
 classical education was completed at Princeton ; his medi- 
 eal, in the celebrated school of Edinburgh. Ambitious, at 
 an early age, to excel in his profession, he registered, in a 
 common-place book, every occurrence worthy of remem- 
 brance. Great was the benefit derived from his juvenile 
 record. To that journal, happily commenced in his eigh- 
 teenth year, he had recourse, at the age of fifty, for the on- 
 ly account then extant of a malignant fever which prevail- 
 ed in Philadelphia in the year 1762 ; thereby, preserving 
 valuable information as to its general symptoms, and the 
 most effective mode of resisting its effects. In cases of an 
 alarming or desperate nature, his decisions were firm, and 
 his practice intrepid. He not unfrequentiy lost credit, for 
 a time, in subduing sickness, and saving life, by remedies 
 that were not approved by his connexions or his friends. 
 This trait in his character, Dr. Rush now strikingly display- 
 ed. His house, although itself the abode of sickness, was 
 the resort of thouSiiiKh> v/hcm h^ v/:is "r.C^ole to visit at 
 their dwellings. Their confidence was not misplaced. He 
 devised a mode of treatment, which tended greatly to over- 
 come the malignant power of the disease: and, devothig 
 himself entirely to the service of the aiiiicted, he remain *1 
 at his post until the mortality ceased ; although he himself 
 had been a subject of its attack, and many of the faculty 
 had sought an asylum in the country. His professional 
 works are contained in five volumes; entitled. Medical In- 
 quiries and Observations ; and a sixth volume, composed 
 of introductory lectures.* 
 
 Two new states had now been admitted as members of 
 the great federal government, — Vermont and Kentucky. 
 Vermont was fcjrmed into an independent community 
 against much opposition, and received into the Union in 
 1791. Ovv^ing to British acts of parliament, inconsistent 
 with each other, tlie soil was claimed by several adjacent 
 states ; particularly, by New York. Civil war between the 
 
 * Dv. Rush died, after a short illness, in the vcar 1813. 
 
^08 HISTORY OF 
 
 parties was repeatedly approached; but hostilities were re- 
 strained by the paternal advice of Washington, and finally 
 prevented by the eloquence of Alexander Hamilton ; who 
 induced New York to acquiesce in the demand of Vermont 
 for independence. — Kentucky owes its political existence to 
 the liberal spirit of Virginia. It was a part of this province, 
 until she authorized and encouraged the former in the es- 
 tablishment of a separate government, to be organized by 
 the free voice of its own inhabitants. This was according- 
 ly done, in the year 1785; and, in 1792, it was admitted 
 into the Union, on equal terms with its indulgent parent. 
 Kentucky was known, at an early period, by the French ; 
 but v/as long carefully hidden from the knowledge of the 
 British colonies. In 1714, Mr. Spotswood, governor of 
 Virginia, made a journey to the Alleghany mountains ; as- 
 certained the practicability of crossing them ; and, from 
 heir lofty summits, beheld the beautiful v/estern plains 
 comprehended within his jurisdiction. Hunters and Indian 
 traders, before and afterwards, had occasionally traversed 
 them ; but James M'Bride was the first white person that 
 visited the country with a view of settling-. In 1754, he 
 curved bis name on a tree, as an evidence of his taking pos- 
 session. The French war, however, which immediately 
 follov/ed, prevented the execution of his design. The ear- 
 liest permanent settlement was made by colonel Daniel 
 liGor, ; wnc, 'wll^h L fcv; companions, explored it in 1769. 
 But this little colony, meeting with nothing but harusitipS) 
 grew exceedingly disheartened. They were plundered, dis- 
 persed, or killed, by the wandering Indians; except Boon 
 l.imself, who continued a solitary inhabitant of the wilder- 
 ness, until the year 1771. The colonel was not easily dis- 
 couraged. He returned to this fertile region, accompanied 
 by forty families of Powell's Valley ; who, in 1773, were 
 the whole population of Kentucky. The oldest settlement 
 is Boonsborough. Lexington was commenced in 1782. 
 This country was never inhabited by the Indians: it was 
 only known to them by the name of the Dark and Bloody 
 Ground ; being claimed by various tribes, whose titles, if 
 they had any, were so obscure, as to render it doubtful to 
 which nation it belonged ; and hence, it became a theatre 
 of war, and the residence only of wild beasts. Its progress 
 in population and general improvement, almost exceeds 
 belief. The annals of colonization do not, as far as our in- 
 formation extends, aiford any previQus instance of similar 
 ^dvajicement. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 209 
 
 The extension of settleftients beyond the Ohio, was much 
 retarded by the hostile disposition of the Indians. Com- 
 pelled, through necessity, to make a seeming relinquish- 
 ment of those lands, on which they had drawn their earliest 
 breath, and ranged, undisturbed, in pursuit of their favourite 
 game, the untutored children of the forest, like the sophis- 
 ticated politicians of the eastern world, adhered to their 
 agreements no longer than they were constrained by inter- 
 est or fear. The Indians were now a formidable people. 
 They had been instructed by the French in the use of fire- 
 arms, iron tomahawks, and swords ; and had acquired con- 
 siderable knowledge of their discipline. In natural cour- 
 age, they were never deficient : though, in bodily strength, 
 they were inferior to the Virginians, and other descendants 
 of Europeans ; especially, to those who inhabited the hilly 
 country of the west. 
 
 In the south, the Creek Indians, whose fighting men 
 amounted to six-hundred, under M'Gillivray, the son of a 
 white man, had been at war with Georgia: peace, however, 
 was restored there, in 1790, in consequence of a treaty sign- 
 ed by that chieftain, at New York. Pacific overtures, made 
 to the north-western Indians, were rejected. In the follow- 
 ing year, fourteen-hundred men, of whom three-hundred 
 were regulars, and the remainder militia from Kentucky 
 and Pennsylvania; the whole under the command of gene- 
 ral Harmar; were sent to destroy their settlements on the 
 Scioto and the Wabash ; but the militia being panic-struck, 
 the expedition was defeated, with the loss of three-hundred- 
 and-sixty men killed. The next attempt against these peo- 
 ple, was still more disastrous. General St. Clair, at that 
 time governor of the Avestern territory, being placed at the 
 head of two-thousand militia and regulars, proceeded to 
 destroy the Indian villages on the Miami, and expel the 
 inhabitants from that country : but, owing to the shameful 
 conduct of the militia, he was completely routed, by an in- 
 ferior number of the enemy ; who killed, in the battle and 
 during the retreat, thirty-eigh^ officers and nearly six-hun- 
 dred privates. Amongst the dead, was the gallant general 
 Butler: amongst the wounded, were colonels Gibson and 
 Darke, major Butler and adjutant Sargent; officers of dis- 
 tinguished merit. Seldom, had the Americans experienced 
 so severe a loss ; and never from an enemy so contemptible 
 in number. St. Clair, having resigned, was succeeded by 
 general Wayne; who, in September, 1793, reached the 
 ground where that officer had been defeated, erected a fort, 
 18* 
 
210 HISTORY OF 
 
 to which, he gave the name of Recovery, and made every 
 preparation for advancing against the Indian settlements 
 early in the following year. On the 20th of August, after 
 his ineffectually endeavouring to negotiate a peace, a gene- 
 ral engagement ensued near the Miami. The Indians 
 amounted to about two-thousand ; the American army, to 
 three-thousand: of whom, two-thirds were regulars, and the 
 remainder mounted militia, from Kentucky, commanded 
 by general Scott. 
 
 The action was decisive : the Indians were completely 
 routed. General Wayne drove the Indians out of the coun- 
 try, and erected forts in the midst of their late settlements, 
 to prevent their return. 
 
 In the year after, Wayne concluded, at Greenville, treat- 
 ies with the hostile Indians north-west of the Ohio ; by 
 which, peace was established, on terms mutually satisfac- 
 tory and beneficial. A humane system now commenced 
 for amelioraiing their condition. They were, henceforth, 
 protected by the United States from the impositions and 
 incursions of lawless white people; taught the use of the 
 loom ; and encouraged in the pursuits of agriculture : meas- 
 ures reflecting high praise on colonel Hawkins, who was 
 amongst the first to execute the benevolent intentions, orig- 
 inally projected by the humane spirit of general Washing- 
 ton. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 FRENCH REVOLUTION. 
 
 K}7iori IVar ivith France. Jay^s treaty ivith Great Britain. 
 Death of General Washington. 
 
 WHILST the administration were employed in quelling 
 the refractory, and restraining the inroads of a subtle enemy, 
 within the bosom of the country, they were unexpectedly 
 involved in a foreign war, by the great political convulsions 
 of Europe. Emboldened by the success of the American 
 revolution, the people of France had proceeded in their en- 
 deavours to obtain freedom, until they had deprived their 
 unhappy monarch of his sceptre, and finally of his life ; and 
 were now contending, single-handed, against the surround- 
 ing states. Ii> this situation, the French Directory turned 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 2U 
 
 their eyes towards America, and demanded, in the friend- 
 ship and assistance of the emancipated colonies, a return for 
 the aid rendered them by Louis; an aid given by a sovereign 
 whom they had deposed ; whose interest was unconnected 
 with his people's : and that the United States would violate 
 the bond of peace, the attainment of which was the only 
 merit claimed by their former allies. The minister ap- 
 pointed by their fallen monarch having been recalled from 
 the United States, M. Genet, was sent over in his place. 
 This envoy treated the American republic more like a 
 tributary vassal, than a country holding a high rank amongst 
 independent nations. In a few days after his landing, which 
 was at Charleston, he undertook to authorize the arming of 
 vessels in that port, and the enlisting of men ; giving com- 
 missions, in the name of the* French government, to cruise 
 at sea, and commit hostilities on land, against nations with 
 whom the United States were at peace. The British min- 
 ister remonstrated. The president, before the arrival of 
 Genet, had determined on the Vvae he should pursue; which 
 was, a strict neutrality ; and issued the proper orders for 
 defeating the unwarrantable interference of tlie French am- 
 bassador. A large body of the people, however, were at 
 this time, favourable to the French encroachments ; — some, 
 enlightened men, who v/ere willing to sacrifice every thing, 
 to aid a country struggling for liberty against a world in 
 arms; many, through a desire of profit; and more, through 
 ignorance, — -anxious to repay an obligation, yet unable to 
 discover to whom they were indebted. Encouraged by 
 these generous feelings, Genet designed a measure unex- 
 ampled in the page of history. Ke threatened an appeal 
 to the people. They, only, he declared, and not the dele- 
 gated authorities, possessed the sovereignty, in a demo- 
 cratic state. This appeal offended and alarmed all who 
 felt for the hdnour and independence of their country. 
 The president requested that he should be recalled ; and 
 he was accordingly superseded. His successors were less 
 violent in their deportment, but nearly similar in their de- 
 signs. F.very day gave indications of an open rupture. 
 Not contented with seizing enemies' property when found 
 on board vessels of the United States, the French Directo- 
 ry authorized the indiscriminate capture of all vessels sail- 
 ing under their flag ; demanded a large sum of money, as 
 the price of a negotiation ; and ordered general Pinckney 
 and Mr. Marshall, two envoys from the American govern- 
 Hient, to quit the territories of France. 
 
312 HISTORY OF 
 
 In the meantime, general Washington, having 
 completed a double period of his magisterial duties, 
 was succeeded by John Adams, the late vice-president; the 
 office of the latter being filled by Thomas Jefferson, secre- 
 tary of state. 
 
 When those events were known in the United States, they 
 excited the keenest and most extensive indignation. The 
 ardour of their infantile years was rekindled ; the rancour of 
 party was suspended. " Millions for defence, but not a 
 cent for tribute," resounded throughout the Union. Au- 
 thority was given for capturing French armed vessels. 
 Two severe and well fought actions took place in the West 
 India seas ; the first, between the American frigate Con- 
 stellation, of thirty-eight guns, commanded by com- 
 modore Truxton, and the French frigate, LTnsur- 
 gente, of forty; the second, between the Constellation, and 
 La Vengeance of fifty guns. LTnsurgente was captured; 
 but La Vengeance, after having struck, escaped in the night, 
 by reason of the disabled state of her antagonist. 
 
 Addresses poured in upon the president, from every 
 section of the Union ; promising him the most efficient 
 support. A military resistance being determined on, all 
 eyes were again turned towards their beloved Washington; 
 as the man, who, more than any other, could draw into the 
 public service the best military talents, and the whole nat- 
 ural strength, of the country. He obeyed the call, and 
 accepted the charge of organizing the army, and directing 
 its operations. What could not be effected by negotiation, 
 was accomplished by the conduct of an heroic soldier. 
 When supplicating, America was insulted ; when armed, 
 she was respected. France soon intimated a desire for 
 peace. Envoys were, accordingly, sent to Paris ; where, 
 they found the Directory overthrown, and the government 
 in the hands of Buonaparte, with the title'of first consul. 
 The ambassadors were now received with the respect due - 
 to their character and country ; all disputes were speedily 
 adjusted, and, shortly afterwards, a new treaty between the 
 two nations was concluded. 
 
 To the prudent neutrality which the American govern- 
 ment maintained, whilst, for a long series of years, the sev- 
 eral kingdoms of Europe were involved, by their indiscre- 
 tion, in a destructive war, may be attributed the greater 
 part of the wealth gained by the present merchants of the 
 United States; the increase and experience of her seamen; 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 213 
 
 the improved skill of her mechanics, and the unrivaled 
 prosperity of her farmers. 
 
 But there was still another power, the great antagonist 
 of France, with which, disputes, of not less importance, 
 had to be adjusted. This was Great Britain. Although, 
 since the definitive treaty of Paris, there occurred no open 
 hostilities between England and the United States, yet they 
 were far from being on terms of perfect amity and recon- 
 ciliation. Soon after the termination of the revolutionary 
 contest, the two countries charged each other with having 
 violated that treaty ; a charge, which, though reciprocally 
 denied, was reciprocally proved. The British had stipu- 
 lated that they would not carry off or destroy the negroes, 
 or other property, of the Americans. But the greatest 
 vigilance, and the purest intentions, could not have secured 
 the entire fulfilment of this agreement. Good faith to the 
 blacks produced an infraction of contract with the whites ; 
 for, many of the former, being in possession of freedom, in 
 consequence of their having joined the royal standard, 
 could not, on any principle of English law, be delivered as 
 slaves to their American masters. One failure produced 
 another. The Americans had agreed to pay the British 
 merchants all debts contracted before the war, without any 
 impediment, in sterling money. This stipulation was very 
 generally infringed. Some were prevented from fulfilling 
 their engagements by the loss of their negroes, and the 
 consequent non-cultivation of their lands ; others, by the 
 unjust measures of the individual states, compelling the 
 acceptance of depreciated paper, in place of coin. The evil 
 did not terminate with these. The non-payment, on the 
 part of the Americans, of their mercantile debts, was as- 
 signed by Great Britain as a reason for retaining the mili- 
 tary posts on the south side of the lakes, which form the 
 northern boundary of the United States. In this unsettled 
 posture of affairs. Great Britain became opposed to France 
 in the great continental war, which has already been a sub- 
 ject of our notice. As France was then generally beloved 
 in the United States, and England proportionably hated, 
 the hostile feeUng that before existed was thenceforth in- 
 creased; not only from the previous excitement, but from 
 new causes, arising from the war. The Americans had 
 become the shipping carriers of France; and, adhering to 
 their fLivourite principle, that '' free ships make free goods," 
 were indignant at the frequent searches, as well as captures 
 of their vessels, and of French property on board. But of 
 
2-U HISTORY OF 
 
 this conduct, the American merchants could, in justice, 
 only partially complain. By the treaty which ended the 
 revolutionary war, the search of their vessels, and the 
 seizure of enemies' property on board, were formally per- 
 mitted : notwithstanding, that, by a previous agreement 
 between the United States and France, a contrary principle 
 was sanctioned, as regarded the relations of the latter. 
 
 As an ultimate resource for the preservation of peace, 
 Mr. Jay, chief-justice of the United States, was deputed (in 
 1794, by general Washington) envoy extraordinary to Lon- 
 don. A treaty was the result of this mission, in the ensuing 
 year. But, though more was now yielded than at any former 
 period of the negotiation, the concessions, on the part of 
 England, were much less, and, on the part of the United 
 States, much greater, than were pleasing to the majority of 
 the American people. The posts were given up, and com- 
 pensation was made for several of the illegal captures. Their 
 favourite maxim, however, that "free ships make free 
 goods," was abandoned, and the seq^rch of their merchant 
 vessels admitted. The United-States agreed to pay six- 
 hundred-thousand pounds sterling to the British govern- 
 ment, in trust for the English creditors of the Americans, 
 for all remaining claims of individuals of the one nation 
 against individuals of the other: thus, settling all grounds 
 of controversy emanating from the revolution. 
 
 The happiness arising from the accommodation with the 
 French, was more general; but it was mingled with a re- 
 cent grief, that checked the full expression of public feel- 
 ing. Washington, than whom, though none was ever more 
 alert in war, none more sincerely cherished the benign 
 sentiments of peace, was not allowed to partake in the 
 general joy. Before accounts arrived of this amicable ad- 
 justment, he ceased to be numbered with the living. 
 
 He had received a slight sprinkling of rain, whilst at- 
 tending some improvements at Mount Vernon. In the fol- 
 lowing night, he was seized with an inflammation in his 
 throat ; shortly afterwards followed by fever and difiiculty 
 of breathing. He was, at that time, bled ; but would not 
 allow his family physician to be called before day. Dr. Craik 
 arrived about eleven, and, by his recommendation, was 
 soon joined in consultation by two other physicians. But 
 their united powers were unavailing. On the 14th of De- 
 cember, in about twenty-four hours from the time of his 
 usual health, he expired, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. 
 
 The equanimity which attended him through life, did 
 
THE UNITED STATES. :215 
 
 not forsake him on his death-bed. He submitted, to the 
 inevitable stroke, with the becoming firmness of a man, the 
 calmness of a philosopher, the resignation and confidence of 
 a Christian. When conviiiced that his dissolution was fast 
 approaching, he requested leave to die without farther in- 
 terruption : then, undressed himself, went tranquilly to bed, 
 and, having placed himself in a suitable attitude, soon af- 
 terwards closed his eyes with his own hands, and yielded up 
 his spirit without a struggle. 
 
 As no pencil has been able correctly to delineate the 
 impressive dignity of his countenance; nor any chisel, the 
 majestic figure of his person; so, no pen can fully concen- 
 trate the transcendent qualities of his mind, or the amiable 
 dispositions of his heart. The history of his country is his 
 best eulogium ; his most faithful monument, the love and 
 admiration of the world. 
 
 The same Providence which guided the affairs of the 
 revolution, and, in the agency of Washington, raised man 
 almost above his accustomed rank in the creation, withdrew 
 his favourite production, when human talent, or human 
 virtue, was no longer sufficient to preserve the tranquillity, 
 or retain the veneration, of his country. The pages of fu- 
 turity, if then unfolded, would have reversed the deep sen- 
 sations of regret; by changing into thankfulness, the un- 
 equaled feelings caused by a departure, at an age that 
 promised many years of 'happiness to himself, and benefit 
 to his country. 
 
 The mind of the great Washington was not more solici- 
 tous for the welfare of the nation, than for the comfort of 
 the poor. His charities, whilst given with a discerning, 
 were diffused with an unsparing, hand. On each of his 
 plantations, a corn-house was every year filled, solely for 
 their use ; on one of his best fishing-shores, he kept, in 
 complete order for them, a boat and net; and men ready to 
 help those who were themselves too weak to haul the seine: 
 and, so feelingly attentive was he to any poor persons who 
 wished to speak to him, he had a room set apart for them; 
 and, if in company with the most distinguished characters, 
 he instimtly begged a few moments' absence, and attended 
 the distressed. 
 
 General Washington had never any offspring. In his 
 twenty-seventh year, he had married Mrs. Custis ; a lady, 
 who, to a handsome person and large fortune, added every 
 accom])lishment that contributes to the felicity of the con- 
 nubial state. To Mrs. Washington, his domestic partner 
 
216 HISTORY OF 
 
 for forty years, he bequeathed, dming her Hie, Moudi 
 Vernon, and a considerable share of his extensive lands; 
 which, on her decease, were to become the property of liis 
 nephew, Bushrod Washington. To his brother Charles, 
 he left only a memorial of his affection; in consideration of 
 the am.ple provision made by him for his children. Mrs. 
 Washington's grand-children were remembered as his 
 own ; every branch of his numerous relatives, and many 
 charitable institutions, experienced the liberality of his 
 heart. He directed that his negroes should be emancipated, 
 after Mrs. Washington's decease ; lamenting that impedi- 
 ments insurmountable had prevented his liberating them 
 before : he provided for the support and education of the 
 young on his plantations, and for the maintenance of the 
 ©Id and infirm. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 FOUNDING OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 Removal of the seat of govermnent to the neiv ca/iitai^ 
 Washington. War with Trifioli, Tennessee. Ohio. 
 Purchase of Louisiana. Trial of Aaron Burr. 
 
 IT had been strongly advised by Washington, that the 
 seat of government should be removed to a place more 
 convenient for the general interest of the United States, 
 than either New York or Philadelphia. Accordingly, at 
 the second session after the formation of the new federal 
 government, his recommendation was considered with 
 merited attention, and adopted. A territory, ten miles on 
 every side, now called the District of Columbia, having 
 been ceded, for this purpose, by Virginia and Maryland, a 
 city, bearing the name of the illustrious protector of his 
 country, was founded on the Potomac, in that portion given 
 by the latter. The ancient laws of the ceded territory 
 were secured to the respective divisions ; and the sove- 
 reign authority of the District was vested in the general 
 congress. In 1800, the public offices were removed from 
 Philadelphia (the seat of the federal government for the 
 preceding ten years) to the infant capital; in which, mag- 
 nificent buildings had been erected for their accommoda- 
 tion ; and congress met there in December. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 2\7 
 
 , - .\t the usual period before the completion of the 
 
 prcsicjcntial term of clutj', John Adams was again 
 a candidate, but was successfully opposed by Thomas Jef- 
 ferson ; the vice-president elected being Aaron Burr. 
 
 llurniony now subsisted between the United States and 
 the great European powers. But anew scene of vexation, 
 and evc!\tually of war, arose, from the piracies of the Barba- 
 ry states. The disputes which had, for some time, existed^ 
 ^\ith the tributary princes of the Turkish empire, Tunis, 
 Algiers, and Morocco, were settled by treaty, without the 
 occurrence of any remarkable event. But there remained 
 another of these barbarian freebooters, with whom a simi- 
 lar adjustment was impracticable, until chastised, in some 
 degree, to submission. 
 
 The bashaw of Tripoli, having dismissed the American 
 consul, and threatened speedy depredations on the Ameri- 
 can commerce, unless certain demands of tribute were con- 
 ceded ; on the refusal of the United States to comply with 
 these degrading terms, proceeded to the execution of his 
 threats. Several vessels were accordingly captured. But 
 these insults were not suffered to remain long unavenged. 
 The navy of the United States, though small in number, 
 was not deficient in activity and courage. Captain Sterret, 
 in the schooner Enterprise, fell in with a Tripolitan 
 cruiser, off Malta. A desperat eengagement ensu- 
 ed. It was, in the first instance, continued several hours, 
 when the Tripolitan hauled down her colours. The crew 
 of the Enterprise, quitting their guns, gave three cheers ; 
 whereupon, the faithless pirate fired a broadside into the 
 American, hoisted her flag, and renewed the action with ad- 
 ditional ferocity. But she was soon, again, overcome, and 
 ordered under the quarters of the Enterprise. Here, she a 
 second time re-commenced the contest, by pouring a broad- 
 side into her antagonist ; at the same time, hoisting the 
 bloody flag, and making strenuous attempts to board. The 
 indignation of a generous enemy was now raised to the ut- 
 most pitch. — " Fight on, and sink the perfidious villains to 
 the bottom," exclaimed the American commander. — " Sink 
 her to the bottom," vociferated his enraged companions.— 
 A position was taken which enabled them to rake her fore- 
 and-aft. Her mizen mast was shot away ; her sides, open- 
 ed by well-directed shots, admitted overwhelming torrents 
 from the sea; her commander, throwing his colours over- 
 board, implored for mercy. The supplication was not made 
 in vain. Contempt, having quelled thQ infuriated breast, 
 19 
 
218 HISTORY OF 
 
 allowed the wretches the unmerited rights of civilized war- 
 fare. His instructions not permitting him to capture the 
 vanquished corsair, captain Sterret ordered her crew to • 
 throw her guns into the sea ; and, having paid every atten- . 
 lion to the wounded Tripolitans that humanity could dic- 
 tate, he ordered their vessel to be dismantled. Her remain- ' 
 ing masts were cut down: a spar was erected, to which was 
 hung, as a flag, a tattered sail ; and, in this condition, she 
 was sent into Tripoli, as an awful specimen of what might 
 be expected from a nation determined to pay tribute only 
 in powder and ball. The reception of her treacherous com- 
 mander was in conformity with the sentiments of his barba- 
 rian chief: he was punished, not for his perfidy, but for his 
 defeat. Mounted on a jack-ass, he was paraded through 
 the town, as an object of public scorn, and afterwards, chas- 
 tised, with five-hundred bastinadoes. 
 
 In the course of the year, the United States sent three 
 frigates and a sloop of war into the Mediterranean, under j 
 commodore Dale. On his arrival, he blockaded the port of \s 
 Tripoli ; by which means, the piratical vessels being con- 
 fined within their harbours, the American commerce was 
 effectually secured from molestation. In the following 
 year, commodore Murray, when cruising off Tripoli in the 
 frigate Constellation, was attacked, during a calm, by a 
 formidable number of gun -boats ; but, dashing in amongst 
 them, he obliged them to retire in confusion and dismay. 
 
 The next naval occurrence excites considerable re- 
 gret; not, however, as proceeding from misconduct, 
 but from unavoidable misfortune. Determined on vigorous 
 measures against Tripoli, the government of the United 
 States despatched to the Mediterranean, a squadron of sev- 
 en sail, — the Philadelphia and Constitution, each of forty- 
 four, with the Argus and Syren, the Nautilus, Enterprise, 
 and Vixen, of from fourteen to eighteen guns each ; under 
 the command of commodore Preble. The Philadelphia, 
 commanded by captain Bainbridge, when returning from a 
 fruitless chase, ran upon a rock, not laid down in any known 
 chart ; distant about five miles from the town of Tripoli, 
 To lighten the vessel, all her cannon were thrown over- 
 board, except a few, on the upper deck, reserved as a de- 
 fence against the gun-boats, which were fast advancing to 
 attack her. The foremast was cut away, every art was 
 tried to get her off; but all proved unavailing. Her situa- 
 tion was awfully distressing. Not a ray of hope appeared, 
 to lessen, even by fallacious expectation, the terror of ap- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 2iy 
 
 proaching bondage ; a bondage more dreaded by her in- 
 dignant crew, than immediate death. Assailed on all sides, 
 deprived of every means of effectual resistance, the Phila- 
 delphia was compelled to strike her colours, was taken pos- 
 session of by the Tripolitans, and her officers and crew, 
 amounting to three-hundred, were made prisoners. 
 
 This victory, which accident, not valour, had given to 
 the barbarians, was, in the following summer, in a great 
 measure, regained. Whatever anticipations of future ben- 
 efit the Tripolitan chief was enabled to enjoy, in the con- 
 templation of individual ransom, he was not long allowed 
 the pleasure of beholding the recent accession to his navy. 
 A young officer in the American squadron, conceived the 
 design of retaking, or, at least, of destroying, the captured 
 frigate ; which had been towed off by the enemy, and was 
 then lying at anchor within the harbour. Lieutenant Ste- 
 phen Decatur, the projector of the intended enterprise, 
 having submitted his plan to the commodore, and received 
 his approbation, performed the daring service with that 
 gallantry and judgment, which have, subsequently, in more 
 important actions, gained him the respect and admiration 
 of his country. Furnished with a small schooner, the In- 
 trepid, and seventy men, he sailed from Syracuse, and, 
 1 9n^ under a neutral flag, appeared off Tripoli on the 
 16th of February, accompanied by the brig Syren; 
 which vessel was directed to remain in a convenient station, 
 for the purpose, if required, of covering a retreat. When 
 within two-hundred yards of his object, Decatur was hailed, 
 and ordered to anchor, on the peril of being sunk. His pilot 
 replied, that her anchors were lost, and carried the schooner 
 to within fifty yards of the frigate ; where she was becalmed. 
 Decatur warped up his vessel, laid her alongside, sprang 
 on board, followed by his determined crew; rushed, sword- 
 in-hand, upon the Tripolitans, soon overcame them, and, 
 amidst a tremendous assault, from two corsairs and the bat- 
 teries on shore, set fire to the Philadelphia, and, with his 
 brave companions, retired. 
 
 For the intrepidity and skill displayed in this bold enter- 
 prise, Decatur was advanced to the rank of post-captain. 
 
 From the 3d to the 29th of August, Preble made three 
 general attacks on the Tripolitan batteries; all conduct- 
 ed with admirable gallantry, and producing a correspond- 
 ent effect. In the first engagement, lieutenant Decatur, 
 brother of the captain, was killed ; but, on the whole, the 
 loss was trifling. In another, the American vessels, fired 
 
220 HISTORY Ol 
 
 a-hundred-aud-twenty rounds each, and sunk several gnin- 
 boats and a polacre. The Tripoiitan force, on this occa- 
 sion, was very great. They had in the harbour twenty-four 
 armed vessels, a-hundred-and-fifteen guns on the batteries^ 
 and, besides the inhabitants, forty-iive-thousand Arabs to 
 defend the city. 
 
 But these long-continued demonstrations of heroic reso- 
 lution, were not sufficient to break the fetters of captivity, 
 nor lessen the rigours of barbarian insolence. The prison- 
 ers were treated w^th atrocious cruelty. They encountered 
 cold and hunger, labour, menaces, and stripes: they were 
 chained to loaded carts, and, like oxen, compelled to drag | 
 them through the town. Every remonstrance made by 
 captain Bainbridge in behalf of liis companions, was un-i 
 heeded ; every eflbrt to mitigate their sufferings, unsuc- 
 cessful. Som.e new experin"ient was imperiously demanded. 
 Il was, therefore, resolved by the x\mcrican ministry, to 
 try another enterprise ; in order to gain the liberation of 
 the prisoners, and a speedy and honourable peace. This 
 was, a co-operation with Hamet,the ex-bashaw of Tripoli; 
 who had been driven from the government, by the usurpa- 
 tion of his younger brother. Accordingly, William Eaton^ 
 of Massachusetts, who had been, for many years, American, 
 consul at Tunis, was despatched, to communicate the pro- 
 ject to Hamet, and make arrangements for its execution. 
 Eaton performed his part with distinguished lustre. After 
 much embarrassment, he effected an interview with the 
 exiled sovereign, in Upper Egypt; Avhere he had associ- 
 ated w^ith an army of Mamelukes, at war with the Turkish 
 government. Hamct was well pleased wuth the scheme of 
 the Americans, and appointed Eaton commander of the 
 forces destined for its accomplishment; an event that would 
 restore Hamet to his throne. It was designed to penetrate 
 by land into the Tripoiitan dominions; with whatever force 
 could be mustered amongst the partisans of Hamet, sup- 
 ported by as many Americans, and other Christians, as felt 
 for the distresses of the imprisoned seamen. On the 6th 
 of March, general Eaton, accompanied by Hamet, 
 ^ with three-hundred well-mounted Arabs, seventy- 
 Christians, and about a hundred camels laden with baggage 
 and provisions, began his march from Alexandria; and, 
 yfler fifty-two days, spent in traversing a hideous desert of 
 five-hundred miles, during which, all the dangers and per- 
 severance related in romance seemed realized, he arrived 
 before Derna, a city in the regency of Tripoli. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 221 
 
 An army, sent by the reigning bashaw, was hastening to 
 its relief; and was then*within one clay's march of the town. 
 No time was therefoi;;^ to be lost. Eaton summoned it to 
 surrender. The governor returned an answer of defiance. 
 An assault was made on the next day; when, after a com- 
 bat of two hours and a half, supported, on the water side, 
 by part of the American squadron, the town was carried 
 by the bayonet. The Christians suffered severely in the 
 action ; nearly a third of their number were killed, and 
 Eaton himself was wounded. 
 
 On the 18th of May, the Tripolitans advanced, with the 
 design of recovering the captured city: but, after a contest 
 of four hours, in which the Christians engaged the barba- 
 rians in the proportion of one to a hundred, the latter has- 
 tily retreated behind the mountains. On the 10th of June, 
 a general battle again occurred ; the American vessels a 
 second time co-operated, and galled the enemy by a well- 
 directed fire. It lasted nearly five hours, and ended in the 
 farther overthrow of the assailants. 
 
 The brilliant progress of general Eaton promised the 
 most glorious and beneficial result. But the fruits of his 
 achievement were blasted, before they reached maturity. 
 The object which had been pursued by arms, was suddenly 
 attained by treaty; a mode always to be preferred, when it 
 involves no diminution of national character; always to be 
 shunned, when there is a sacrifice of honour. This ar- 
 rangement, made with the reigning bashaw, by Mr. Lear, 
 and ratified in the United States, obtained the release of 
 the prisoners for the sum of sixty-thousand dollars ; and 
 engaged that the Americans, in withdrawing their forces, 
 should use their influence to induce Hamet to retire. 
 
 The state of Massachusetts was not forgetful of the war- 
 rior of Derna. Whilst congress were debating whether 
 general Eaton should be rewarded by a stvord^ or by a 
 jnedal^ his countrymen displayed a becoming liberality, in 
 toting him ten-thousand acres of land. 
 
 Fostered by the parental nature of the government, emi- 
 grations from the European v/orid continued to increase. 
 New manufactures were introduced into the United States; 
 the sciences were annually spreading. Hardy labourers 
 from Germany and Ireland assisted in giving strength to 
 the republic, by an important addition to its numbers. The 
 axe every where resounded through the western forests, 
 and new communities sought association with the old. 
 Since we noticed the establishment of Kentucky, two other 
 19* 
 
222 HISTORY OF 
 
 states were joined in the federal constitution, — Tennessee 
 and Ohio ; formed out of the anodent dominions of the 
 Union. In 1789, North Carolina had ^^signed to the United 
 States a large tract of her western lands. This country 
 ■was called the southern territory, and erected by congress 
 into a separate government, on the same plan as the north- 
 western. In 1794, its inhabitants, having amounted to 
 thirty -thousand, sent a delegate to congress, who, by law, 
 was allowed a seat in the lower house, with a right of de- 
 bating, but not of voting ; and, in two years afterwards, it 
 was erected into a state, called Tennessee, and admitted to 
 a full participation in the advantages of the Union. Ohio, 
 a portion of the territory westward of Pennsylvania, became 
 a member of the general government in the year 1802; 
 under the first American constitution, that declared, ex- 
 plicitly, against the practice of holding slaves ; in conform- 
 ity with a restriction humanely imposed, by congress, upon 
 all that region of which it forms a part. Its earliest set- 
 tlers were a colony from New England ; who, in 1788, 
 founded Marietta, under the superintendence of general 
 Putnam. 
 
 In 1803, Louisiana was purchased from the French gov- 
 ernment, for the sum of fifteen-millions of dollars; two-mil- 
 lions-and-a-half of which were to be retained by the United 
 States, as compensation for illegal captures made by France. 
 At this period, its population did not entitle it to an inde- 
 pendent rank ; but a district of it was subsequently admit- 
 ted to that privilege, and formed the eighteenth member of 
 the great American confederation.* 
 
 In Louisiana, from the undisturbed navigation of the 
 Mississippi, now secured ; by which, the Atlantic is con- 
 nected with the remote regions of the west, and, (by its 
 joining the Ohio,) with the ancient colonies as far as Penn- 
 sylvania ; the United States have acquired a territory less- 
 ened in value only by its magnitude. Nature is there found 
 in all the majesty of youth. A new field of enterprise is 
 opened, and new productions are added to the rich variety 
 of their former catalogue. The sugar of New Orleans, in 
 size and brilliancy of grain, is not excelled by any in the 
 world : the cotton- of the lower district is abundant, and 
 superior, in staple, to the upland species of Georgia or of 
 Carolina. A large quantity of indigo was formerly pro- 
 duced there; but this article, like the indigo of Carolina, 
 
 • In tJie year 1812. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 223 
 
 has been, for many years past, degenerating in quality, as 
 well as decreasing in amount ; the planters having trans- 
 ferred their attention to a more profitable cultivation. 
 
 Louisiana, the boundaries of which were not then com- 
 pletely ascertained, formed part of the vast region, includ- 
 ed, by the Spaniards, under the general name of Florida. 
 One of their officers, De Soto, seems to have passed through 
 the lower districts of this province, and to have reached the 
 Mississippi, at a very early period after the discovery of 
 America. But the interior regions were not in any manner 
 explored, by Europeans, until about the year 1673; when, 
 the French government of Canada sent a few persons to 
 learn the truth of a report given by the Indians, respecting 
 the existence of that great river. They descended the 
 Mississippi, as far down, at least, as the Missouri. But 
 little more was done in its examination, until undertaken 
 by the enterprising La Salle ; Avho, boldly following its 
 course, arrived, in 1682, at its mouth, in the Gulf of Mex- 
 ico, and named the country after Louis the fourteenth. 
 New Orleans was founded, and became the seat of govern- 
 ment, in 1721. The whole population of the colony did 
 not then exceed five-hundred. In 1762, by the treaty of 
 Fontainbleau, which gave England possession of Spanish 
 Florida, France, in a secret article, transferred Louisiana to 
 the king of Spain; with whom, it remained, until restored 
 to the French republic, in the year 1800. But the acqui- 
 sition was only nominal. The maritime superiority of 
 England rendered it impossible for the French to convey 
 an army destined for its occupation; and it was, in conse- 
 quence, assigned to the United States, at the period alrea- 
 dy mentioned. 
 
 To render the purchase of the utmost benefit, as well as 
 to extend the field of natural science, Messrs. Lewis and 
 Clarke, both officers of the regular army, were sent by the 
 president, with instructions drawn by Mr. Jcfierson himself, 
 to explore the river Missouri and the contiguous countries, 
 and discover the best communication with the Pacific Ocean. 
 Never was an arduous enterprise accomplished with more 
 ability and prudence. Accompanied by thirty-five persons, 
 mostly soldiers, they embarked at St. Louis, in suitable 
 boats, in May, 1804, and ascended the Missouri to its stu- 
 pendous falls, a distance of three-thousand miles; thence, 
 crossed the Rocky Mountains, impeded by its everlasting 
 snows, and descended various streams, until, after travel- 
 ing four-hundred miles, they reached the navigable waters 
 
24 HISTORY OF 
 
 of the Colunibia ; and, following its course six-hundred- 
 and-forty? were recompensed for all their toils and priva- 
 tions by a view of the Pacific. They reached St. Louis, on 
 their return, in September, 1806, after an absence, from all 
 civilization, of more than twenty-seven months. The jour- 
 ney from St. Louis, was above four-thousand miles ; in re- 
 turning, thirty-five-hundred; making, in the whole, seven- 
 thousand-five-hundred miles. Only one of their party, of 
 a sickly constitution, had died. Amongst all the Indian 
 nations through w^hich they passed, they were only once 
 incommoded by a skirmish, in defending a rifle. 
 
 Their most dangerous enemies were the bears. These 
 are described as most formidable animals, and frequently 
 assailed them. One evening, the men discovered a large 
 brown bear, lying on the open ground, about three-hundred 
 paces from the river. Six good hunters immediately went 
 to attack him; and, concealing themselves by a small emi- 
 nence, approached within forty yards. Four of their num- 
 ber now fired, and each lodged a ball in his body — two of 
 them directly through his lungs. The furious beast sprang 
 up, and ran at them with open mouth. As he came near, 
 the two hunters who had reserved their fire, gave him two 
 wounds; one of which, having broken his shoulder, retard- 
 ed his motion for an instant: but, before they could reload, 
 he was so close, that the whole party were compelled to 
 run towards the river, and, before they reached it, he had 
 almost overtaken them. Two jumped into the canoe; the 
 other four separated, and, hiding amongst the w^illows, fired 
 as fast as they could reload. They struck him several 
 times ; but, instead of weakening the monster, or causing 
 him to retreat, each shot seemed to invigorate him, and 
 direct him towards the hunters : till, at length, he pursued 
 two of them so closely, that they threw aside their guns 
 and pouches, and jumped down a perpendicular bank of 
 tw^enty feet, into the river. The bear sprang after them, 
 and was within a fev/ feet of the hindmost, when one of the 
 hunters on shore shot him through the head, and killed 
 him. Captain Lewis, himself, was exposed to a similar 
 peril. Having shot a buffalo, one of at least a thousand 
 W'hich formed a herd, before he could reload, he was chased 
 by a huge bear for three-hundred yards ; when, plunging 
 into the river, and presenting his spear, the animal was 
 deterred ; and, v/heeling about, retreated, in as much haste 
 as he had pursued. 
 
 The exploring party were frequently invited to share in 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 225 
 
 the rud? festivities of the Indians. The journal of their ob- 
 servations particularly describes an entertainment given 
 them by a tribe of the Sioux, called Tetons. After eating 
 and smoking for an hour, it became dark, and every thing 
 ^vas cleared away for a dance ; a large fire being kindled 
 in the centre of the house. The orchestre was coniposed 
 of ten men ; who played on a sort of tambourine, formed 
 of a skin stretched across a hoop ; and made a jingling 
 noise with the hoofs of deer and goats, suspended from a 
 long slick. The third instrument, was a small skin bag, 
 coPitaining pebbles,. These, with five or six young men, 
 for the vocal part, made up the band. The women then 
 came forward, highly decorated: some, vv'ith poles in their 
 hands, to which were hung the scalps of their enem.ies ; 
 others, with spears, guns, and different trophies, taken in 
 war, by their husbands,, brothers, or connexions. Having 
 arranged themselves in two columns, one on each side of 
 the fire, they danced towards each other, until they met in 
 the centre ; when, the rattles were shaken, and they all re- 
 tired to their places. They had no step, but shuffled along 
 the ground ; nor did their music appear to be any other 
 than a confusion of noises, distinguished only by hard or 
 gentle blows. The song was wholly extemporaneous. In 
 the pauses of the dance, any of the company came forward, 
 and recited, in a low guttural tone, some little story or 
 event ; which was either martial or ludicrous, or voluptu- 
 ous and indecent. This was repeated, in a higher tone, by 
 the orchestre and dancers ; the latter, at the same time, 
 moving in accordance with its strain. The dances of the 
 men, which were always separate from those of the women, 
 were conducted nearly in the same way; except that the 
 men jumped up and down, instead of shuffling ; and in the 
 war dance, the recitations were all of a military cast. The 
 harmony of the entertainment was a little disturbed by one 
 of the musicians; who, thinking he had not received a due 
 share of the tobacco which Lewis and Clarke had distrib- 
 uted, put himself into a passion, broke one of the drums, 
 threw two into the fire, and left the hou&e. 
 
 „ In the following year, Mr. Pike, an officer highly 
 conspicuous for his subsequent conduct in the field 
 of battle, accomplished an extensive geographical survey 
 of Louisiana; which, with the former expedition, and the 
 industrious researches of Mr. Bradbury, in the botanical 
 department, have given all the infornia.tion required of 
 
226 HISTORY OF 
 
 these countries, in the present state of American popula- 
 tion. 
 
 This period is remarkable, on account of the trial of 
 Aaron Burr, for a serious offence against the laws of the 
 United States. The circumstances that led to so unpleas- 
 ant an occurrence, and to the tragical fate of a distinguish- 
 ed member of the republic, by which it was preceded, de- 
 serve to be related. At the close of the year 1800, the elec- 
 tion for president and vice-president had again occurred ; 
 when, the candidates were, besides John Adams and Thomas 
 Jefferson, the magistrates then in ofhce, Charles Pinkney 
 and colonel Aaron Burr. Party feeling was high. Strenuous 
 efforts were made to change what was called the "federal" 
 administration of Mr. Adams, for one thought to be more 
 truly democratic. Although the friends of Mr. Jefferson, 
 the democratic candidate, had intended Burr only as vice- 
 president, yet, as he had an equal number of votes, the 
 awarding of pre-eminence, agreeably with the constitution, 
 devolved on the house of representatives. But, after thirty- 
 five several ballotings, the issue was indecisive. However, 
 Burr having at length declined aspiring to the presidency, 
 tw^o federal members, who had supported him merely 
 through opposition to Mr. Jefferson, withdrew ; and, on 
 the thirty-sixth appeal to the ballot, the latter was elected 
 to the first, and Burr, of course, became entitled to the 
 second, situation. 
 
 This scene agitated the public mind more than any of a 
 civil nature that had occurred during the whole adminis- 
 tration of the government. It was requisite to guard against 
 a recurrence of so inflammatory result ; and, accordingly, 
 it is now the duty of electors to designate the respective 
 office intended for each individual. 
 
 From that time. Burr, who had been a leading man 
 amongst the democratic party, declined in favour with his 
 political adherents. They suspected, that he had connived 
 with the opposition to supplant Mr. Jefferson, and, there- 
 by, procure his own election. His genius, acknowledged 
 to be of the highest order, began to form a plan to recover 
 liis former influence. He became a candidate for the office 
 of governor of New York ; calculating on success from a 
 junction of his numerous personal friends with the federal 
 party in that state, who formed a respectable minority. The 
 design, however, was not successful. It ^yas defeated by 
 Alexander Hamilton; long the professional rival and politic 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 227 
 
 cal opponent of colonel Burr. The disappointed candidate 
 was determined on revenge. He addressed a note to Mr. 
 Hamilton ; the consequence of which was a duel, on the 
 i2th of July, 1804, at Hoboken, in New Jersey: where, at 
 the first fire, the latter was mortally wounded. 
 
 During the winter, Burr conceived the project of an en- 
 terprise in the west. His designs have remained in some 
 degree of obscurity : but, public opinion concluded, that 
 he intended either a governmental separation of the west- 
 ern from the Atlantic portion of the Union; or an invasion 
 of Mexico and other Spanish provinces in the neighbour- 
 hood of the United States. For this purpose, having se- 
 duced to his interest some individuals of wealth* and in- 
 fluence, he assembled a few desperate partisans on the 
 Ohio, and steered his course towards the Mississippi. But 
 the vigilance of the public officers defeated his intentions. 
 He was apprehended, and conveyed a prisoner to Rich- 
 mond, in Virginia ; the state in which his adherents had 
 first collected. On the 17th of August, 1807, he was 
 brought to trial. Several days were consumed in the ex- 
 amination of witnesses; who proved an assembling of twen- 
 ty or thirty persons on Blennerhassett's island, in the pre- 
 ceding December: but, as it did not appear that the con- 
 spirators had used any force against the authority of the 
 United States, or that Burr was present at the meeting, he 
 was acquitted. Indictments had been found against Her- 
 man Blennerhassett, and five other persons, for a similar 
 ofi'ence: but, on the issue of colonel Burr's trial, the attor- 
 ney-general declined any farther proceedings. 
 
 Alexander Hamilton, of whose valuable services the 
 country was now deprived, was born in the island of St. 
 Croix. His father was a descendant of an English family; 
 his mother was a native of one of the British colonies now 
 comprised in the United States. At the age of sixteen, 
 Mr. Hamilton emigrated to Ncv/ York, and entered as a 
 student of Columbia College ; where, he first mariifcsted 
 those extraordinary talents that afterwards raised liim to 
 public notice. Oniy three years were given to collegiate 
 studies. He could no longer remain in the academic grove, 
 when his adopted country was in danger; and, according- 
 ly, in his nineteenth year, he entered the patriot army, as 
 captain of artillery ; in which capacity, having distinguish- 
 ed himself in several arduous engagements, it was not long 
 before he was selected by the commander in chief as his 
 first aid-de-camp, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. From 
 
228 HISTORY OF 
 
 that period, 1777, until the capture of lord Coinwai'iiS) 
 Washington and Hamilton were inseparable companions. 
 At the sic^c of Yorktown, he led, by his own request, 
 the American detachment, which, simultaneously with an 
 attack, made by another party from the French army, g-al- 
 lantly stormed one of the enemy's out-works. In the year 
 17F2, h^ Mas elected a member of congress from the state 
 of N-.^vv York; in which office, he was a distinguished lead- 
 er, in all the most important measures of the session. Hav- 
 ing returned to the practice of the law, he soon gained the 
 foremost rank in the profession. When the new federal 
 constitution was to be examined, colonel Hamilton was ap- 
 pointed,* by his former constituents, a representative to the 
 general convention. In 179 8, when the French republic 
 threatened to invade the United States, and Washington 
 again yielded to his country's call in marshaling her forces, 
 the appointment of Flamilton to the post of second in com- 
 mand was made an inseparable condition of his acquies- 
 cence ; and, when his illustrious companion was removed 
 from this scene of trouble, he was, in course, at the head 
 of the American army, rxeneral Hamilton was killed in 
 the forty-seventh year of his age. Although under the 
 middle stature, he possessed a striking and manly appear- 
 ance. Flis mental faculties v.-ere of the highest order. As 
 a lawyer and an orator, a soldier, financier, and statesman, 
 he vvas profound and eloquent ; brave, ingenious, and up- 
 right. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THREE years' WAR. 
 
 Berlin and Milan Decrees of jYa/ioleon. British Orders 
 in Cotincil. Cafiture of J incricaji vessels. Ini/iress- 
 jnent of American seamen. Kmbargo, JVon-intcrcourse. 
 War with Great Britain. 
 
 FROM domestic events, it now becomes necessary to 
 revert to the affairs of Europe ; to those vast occurrences, 
 the destructive influence of which is almost hidden by their 
 sublimity. For a long time after the spoliations on the com- 
 merce of the United States had ceased, in consequence of 
 the treaty negotiated by Mr. Jay, their shipping interest 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 229 
 
 experienced few impediments, worthy of animadversion. 
 Their merchants were enriched by the European warfare^ 
 beyond any previous example: their flag, for many years, 
 was the only one that enjoyed the happy and enviable ad- 
 vantage of neutrality. But that great national blessing was 
 doomed to have a period. When, in the year 1804, the 
 flames of inveterate hostility, which had been withdrawn, 
 not extinguished, by the short-lived peace of Amiens, burst 
 forth, and spread with unequalled fierceness ; and the feel- 
 ings of Great Britain, in refusing to acknowledge the im- 
 perial dignity assumed by Napoleon, were responded by all 
 the royal famalies of Europe; the civilized world was shak- 
 en by the awful contest. Every antagonist except Britain, 
 was crushed by the arms of France. Napoleon's ambition 
 was bounded only by the fleets of England; her fleets were 
 supported by her commerce and manufactures; and, to an- 
 nihilate the one, it was necessary to destroy the others. 
 Britain seemed contending for existence; but, while strug- 
 gling to avert her individual ruin, she afl^ected to be the 
 bulv/ark of the world. Flattered by this proud assumption 
 of disinterested generosity, the encroachments of Napo- 
 leon on neutral rights were met by corresponding obstruc- 
 tions ; and, when France interdicted all commerce with 
 Great Britain, the latter denounced all commercial inter- 
 course with France. The Berlin decree of 1806, and that 
 of Milan in the succeeding year, (both issued by Napoleon 
 to prevent the American flag from trading with his enemy,) 
 were followed by the British orders in council ; no less ex- 
 tensive than the former, in their design, and equally repug- 
 nant to the law of nations. 
 
 France, however, had, at this period, no power upon the 
 ocean. Her fleets were, by the fate of war, transferred to 
 her victorious rival. There, France could wage only a 
 combat of decrees. She was unable to preserve a single 
 cruiser, against the superior discipline of the British navy. 
 It was not until the friendly vessels had reached her ports, 
 after sailing from her opponent's harbours, that the con- 
 fiscations were eff'ected. The plunders, by the other belli- 
 gerant, could be made at all times ; on the ocean, or within 
 her harbours. England was jealous, because America de- 
 layed resistance to the feeble marine of France : the latter, 
 enraged, from the patience with which the neutral suffered 
 the encroachments of England. Both continued their de- 
 predations ; and each strove to rouse the vengeance of the 
 injured against the other. 
 
230 HISTORY OF 
 
 But there was a farther cause of irritation ; arising, sole- 
 ly, from the conduct of Great Britain. This was, the cus- 
 tom of searching American vessels on the ocean, and im- 
 pressing from them British seamen ; a custom at variance 
 with the free principles of the English constitution, when 
 applied to her own, and with the rights of independent na- 
 tions, when practised against foreign, vessels. The seamen, 
 and consequently the trade, of the United States, were af- 
 fected, in a peculiar manner, by this proceeding. Using 
 the same language with the native subjects of the British 
 monarch; speaking with the same provincial dialects; re- 
 sembling them in dress and in personal appearance; it was 
 impossible to distinguish, with legal certainty, the sailors 
 of one country from the people of the other ; and, besides, 
 the United States had always exercised a right of natural- 
 izing, after a certain length of residence, the inhabitants of 
 every nation: England had long been in the habit of ex- 
 tending to foreigners, who entered her naval service, a 
 similar privilege ; and it was asserted, that to invade the 
 deck of a ship on the common sea, was an act of hostility, 
 no less than the invasion of the land to which the vessel 
 belonged. 
 
 y The climax of audacity and insult at length ar- 
 rived. Hitherto, the custom of impressment had 
 been confined to private vessels ; but, now, it was carried to 
 the utmost point to which aggression could extend. Nation- 
 al armed ships were not exempted from intrusion. Four 
 seamen, deserters from the British navy, were reported to 
 have entered the service of the United States, and to have 
 been received on board the frigate Chesapeake, at that 
 time lying in Hampton Roads, preparing for the Mediter- 
 ranean. Admiral Berkely, commander of his Britannic 
 majesty's fleet on the Halifax station, the American gov- 
 ernment having refused to permit the frigate to be search- 
 ed, ordered the officers of a squadron within the capes of 
 Virginia to follow the American beyond the waters of the 
 United States, and then procure from her, by force, if ne- 
 cessary, the reputed deserters. This service was under- 
 taken by captain Humphries, of the Leopard. He follow- 
 ed the Chesapeake; and, on the 22d of June, after demand- 
 ing the deserters, attacked her with a broadside. This un- 
 expected occurrence so disconcerted her commander, com- 
 modore Barron, that he struck his colours, and permitted 
 the four seamen to be taken, without resistance. The 
 
 J 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 231 
 
 Leopard carried fifty guns, the Chesapeake only thirty- 
 six. On board the latter, four men were killed and sixteen 
 wounded: one of the impressed seamen was soon after- 
 wards hanged, and another died in prison. Three of their 
 number were natives of America. 
 
 Commodore Barron was tried by a court martial, found 
 guilty of neglect of duty, and suspended from command 
 for the term of five years. 
 
 The indignant feeling which arose from this tragical- 
 occurrence, was for a moment lessened by the succeeding 
 conduct of the British government. Admiral Berkely's. 
 orders were immediately disavowed ; he was removed from 
 the American station, and naval officers were instructed to 
 respect, in future, the national armed vessels. But the 
 wound inflicted upon American dignity was yet unhealed. 
 Something farther was demanded as an atonement. An 
 apology was required, not less conspicuous than the ag- 
 gression. Yet, whilst the offending admiral was degraded 
 in one quarter, he received an appointment, of higher hon- 
 our, in another: new systems of blockade were invented ; 
 the catalogue of commercial articles deemed contraband 
 was still more grievously enlarged. From the amplitude 
 of these, and of the French imperial decrees, a general cap- 
 ture of all American property afloat seemed almost inevi- 
 table. Congress, therefore, on the recommendation of Mr. 
 Jeff*erson, ordered an embargo; prohibiting the exportation 
 of every article from the United States. 
 
 In a moment, the commerce of the American republic, 
 from being, in point of extent, the second in the world, was 
 reduced to a coasting trade between the individual states. 
 But, though all had, in public meetings, urged the adop- 
 tion of efficient measures against the belligerant parties, 
 and pledged themselves to aid the general government in 
 any measures calculated to avenge the honour, or, at least, 
 to guard the property, of the country, yet, many were un- 
 willing to support the very laws which they had recom- 
 mended. Several states declared against the embargo ; and 
 individuals, throughout the whole, seized every opportuni- 
 ty of infringement. Overrating her relative importance in 
 the commercial scale of the Union, New England charged 
 the southern and the western states, which were more em- 
 ployed in agricultural pursuits, with having sacrificed the 
 mercantile interest, through sectional hostility ; and trad- 
 ers, in every port, sought to reap a double harvest by in- 
 fraction. Forgetting' the solenin compact, by which the 
 
232 HISTORY OF 
 
 voice of one state was surrendered to the interest of all, the 
 former aimed only at her own gratification : unmindful of 
 the sacred duty of citizens, the latter paralysed the opera- 
 tions of their own representatives, for the sordid consider- 
 ation of individual gain. The opposition in the eastern 
 states daily grew moi^ violent. The restriction could not 
 be enforced, there, without military coercion. The govern- 
 ment, therefore, which, for many years, had sacrificed 
 largely for the preservation of peace with foreigners, found 
 . o Q it expedient to observe a similar conduct at home. 
 They repealed the embargo law, as respected some 
 branches of commerce, and substituted a non-intercourse 
 with France and England. 
 
 The 3rd of March having concluded the administi^tion 
 of Thomas Jefferson, after a second election, he was suc- 
 ceeded in the presidential office by James Madison. 
 
 A ray of national prosperity shortly afterwards burst 
 through the general gloom. But the renewal of commer- 
 cial intercourse with England, arising from the magnani- 
 mous reparation for recent injury, offered by Mr. Erskine, 
 (an envoy commissioned to the United States by the liberal 
 administration of Mr. Fox,) and the conciliatory tone used 
 by those enlightened patriots, was, in a short time, sus- 
 pendedj by the refusal, on the part of their successors, now 
 \inder the baneful influence of lord Castlereagh, to ratify 
 the treaty concluded by Mr. Erskine. The insult- 
 ing deportment of the succeeding negotiator, Mr. 
 Jackson, heightened the resentment of the republic ; and 
 a rencounter between the American and British ships of 
 war, the President and Little Belt, increased the unfriend- 
 ly sentiments of England. 
 
 The affairs, however, between the Leopard and Chesa- 
 peake, the President and Little Belt, were, on the arrival 
 of Mr. Foster from the court of London, finally adjusted. 
 Provision was made by the British government, to support 
 the seamen who had been disabled, together with the fami- 
 lies of the unfortunate men killed or wounded by the Leo- 
 pard ; and the impressed sailors, yet remaining alive, were 
 restored, on the same deck from which they had been un- 
 justly taken. 
 
 This was an important victory. But much was still to 
 be accomplished. Every experiment had failed, in pro- 
 curing a change of the systems practised by Great Britain 
 and France against American trade. The United States 
 now offered to their consideration, that the non-intercourse 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 233 
 
 'drrangement would be discontinued, towards either of the 
 bellit^erants, or both, as soon as they, respectively, ceased 
 to violate the neutral commerce of the republic. This al- 
 ternative proposition caused a line of proceeding, singular- 
 ly artful on the part of France. It enabled her ruler to 
 maintain a peace with the United States, and involve the 
 other power in the calamity of war. Napoleon's minister 
 having informed general Armstrong, the American resi- 
 dent at Paris, that the decrees of Berlin and Milan were 
 revoked, the non-intercourse, as regarded France, was, by 
 proclamation of the president, v/ithdrawn. But, Great Brit- 
 ain, suspecting the intentions of Napoleon, would not be- 
 lieve that the French decrees were, at this period, actually 
 annulled. Indeed, when it is considered, that nearly two 
 years elapsed, before a copy of the document, by which 
 the emperor asserted they had been repealed, was handed 
 to the American minister; and that its date was seven 
 months earlier tlian the period of its communication, an 
 impartial observer cannot avoid declaring, that there was 
 greater reason for suspicion than belief.. 
 
 ^^ ^ The formal publication of that mysterious annul- 
 ment, was followed by a corresponding retraction, 
 on the part of England. But the measure was then too 
 late. The American government had resolved, that what 
 could not be obtained through a sense of justice, should 
 be enforced by the aid of arms. When intelligence of the 
 repeal arrived in the United States, war had commenced 
 against Great Britain. The bill for this purpose was voted 
 in the house of representatives by a majority of thirty mem- 
 bers in a hundred-and-twenty-eight ; in the senate, by a 
 majority of six out of thirty-two ; and confirmed by the 
 approbation of the president. 
 
 This ultima ratio (the last appeal) Avas made on the 18th 
 of June ; and, as the questions of search and impressment 
 were still unsettled, it was thought to be the interest of the 
 nation that hostilities should be continued, until after a final 
 adjustment of every dispute. It had been long manifest, 
 that both Great Britain and France concurred in the opin- 
 ion that the spirit of the United States was not martial, 
 and that the majority of the American people were under 
 the influence of commerce : from which supposition, caused 
 by the past forbearance of the government, they presumed, 
 that they would make no other than a war of plenipoten- 
 tiaries and countervailing statutes. That solemn resolu-- 
 tion was not a little hastened by a commimication of an ex- 
 
234 HISTORY OF 
 
 traovdinary nature, made to congress, by the president. A. 
 person named John Henry, more conspicuous for his ability 
 than virtue, had been commissioned by sir James Craig, 
 governor of Canada, to heighten the dissatisfaction of the 
 eastern states, and, thereby, cause them to withdraw from 
 the great federal union. His endeavours proving ineffec- 
 tual, his mission was not acknowledged by the British 
 ministers, nor his labour, in any manner, rewarded : he 
 therefore assumed a new character; and, as his friends had 
 not remunerated his exertions as a spy, he sought, from his 
 intended victims, the wages of an informer, and obtained 
 fifty-thousand dollars for the disclosure. 
 
 Some months before the declaration of hostility, congress 
 were seriously engaged in preparing for the contest. Be- 
 sides the ordinary militia, they voted that an addition of 
 twenty-five-thousand should be made to the regular land 
 forces; thus, increasing the latter to thirty-one-thousand 
 men : that the existing navy should be placed in a proper 
 state for service, and that two-hundred-thousand dollars 
 should be annually appropriated to its increase : a loan of 
 eleven-millions was authorized, and five-millions were di- 
 rected to be raised by the issue of notes from the treasury 
 department. The duties on goods imported were in gen- 
 eral doubled. Taxes were afterwards laid on articles of 
 domestic manufacture ; upon lands, houses, and nearly 
 every other description of property. In using these re- 
 sources, however, great improvidence was shown. From 
 the hope entertained of a favourable issue of the negotia- 
 tion, or the dread existing in the legislators of losing their 
 popularity, internal taxes were not laid on until the exist- 
 ence of actual warfare. The consequence was severely felt. 
 Speculators seized the opportunity afforded by a sudden 
 demand for money, and supplied the exhausted treasury 
 by giving eighty dollars each for debentures not redeemable 
 under a hundred. 
 
 A few days after the declaration of war, the town of Bal- 
 timore was seriously disturbed. Some harsh strictures on 
 the conduct of government having appeared in a newspaper 
 of that city, entitled the "Federal Republican," the resent- 
 ment of the opposite party was shov/n by destroying the 
 office and press of that establishment. The commotion 
 excited by this outrage, had, however, in a great measure, 
 subsided, and the transaction was brought before a criminal 
 court for investigation. But events more alarming and 
 tragical shortly afterwards succeeded. On the 26th of July, 
 
 J 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 2'3S 
 
 Mr. Hanson, the leading editor of the obnoxious journal, 
 who had deemed it prudent to leave the disordered city, 
 returned; accompanied by his political adherents; amongst 
 whom, was general Henry Lee, of Alexandria; an officer 
 distinguished in the revolution, for his bravery in partisan 
 warfare, at the head of a legion of cavalry ; afterwards gov- 
 ernor of Virginia, and a representative from that state in 
 the congress of the federal government. Determined to 
 re-commence the paper, by first printing it in Georgetown, 
 in the District of Columbia, and then transmitting it to 
 Baltimore for distribution, a house was, for this purpose, 
 occupied in Charles street, secured against external vio- 
 lence, and guarded by a party well provided for defence. 
 On the 28th, papers were accordingly issued. These con- 
 tained severe animadversions against the mayor, police, 
 and people of Baltimore, for the depredations committed 
 on the establishment in the preceding month, and were gen- 
 erally circulated throughout the city. 
 
 In the course of the day, it became known, that Mr, Han- 
 son was in the new office in Charles street, and it was early 
 whispered that the building would be assailed. A number 
 of citizens, who espoused his opinions, went, therefore, to 
 the house, and joined in its protection. Towards the even- 
 ing, a crowd of boys collected; who, after using opprobri- 
 ous epithets to those within, began to throw stones at the 
 windows ; and, about the same time, a person on the pave- 
 ment, endeavouring to dissuade the youths from mischief, 
 was severely wounded, by something ponderous thrown 
 from the house. They were cautioned from the windows 
 to desist; but still continued to assail the place with stones. 
 Two muskets were then fired from the upper story ; charg- 
 ed, it was supposed, with blank cartridges, to deter them 
 from farther violence; immediately, the crowd in the street 
 greatly increased; the boys were displaced by men; the 
 sashes of the lower windows were broken, and attempts 
 made to force in the door. Muskets, in quick succession, 
 were discharged from the house: some military arrived to 
 disperse the crowd; several shots were fired in return; and, 
 at length, a doctor Gale was killed, by a shot from the office 
 door. The irritation of the mob was increased. They 
 planted a cannon against the house, but were restrained 
 from discharging it, by the timely arrival of an additional 
 military force, and an agreement that the persons in the 
 house would surrender to the civil authority. Accordingly, 
 early in the following morning, having received assurances, 
 
^36 HISTORY OF 
 
 on which they thought themselves safe in relying, they 
 surrendered, and were conducted to the county jail, con- 
 tiguous to the city. The party consisted of about twenty 
 persons; amongst whom, were general Lee, general James 
 Lingan, and Mr. Hanson. 
 
 The mayor seems to have acted with alacrity, yet not 
 with sufficient prudence. He directed the sheriff to use 
 every precaution in securing the doors of the prison, and 
 the commander of the troops to employ a competent force 
 to preserve the peace. In the evening, every thing bore 
 the appearance of tranquillity ; and the soldiers, by the 
 consent of that magistrate, were dismissed. But, shortly 
 after dark, a great crowd of disorderly persons re-assem- 
 bled about the jail, and manifested an intention to force it 
 open. On being apprized of this, the mayor hastened to 
 the spot, and, with the aid of a few other gentlemen, for 
 a while prevented the execution of their design : but they 
 were at length overpowered, by the number and violence 
 of the assailants. The mayor was carried away by force ; 
 and the turnkey compelled to open the doors. A tragedy 
 ensued, which cannot be described : it can be imagined 
 only by those who are familiar with scenes of blood. Gen- 
 eral Lingan was kiiled ; eleven were beaten and mangled, 
 with weapons of every description, such as stones, blud- 
 geons, and sledge-hammers, and then thrown, as dead, into 
 one pile outside of the door. A few of the prisoners for- 
 tunately escaped through the crowd: Mr. Hanson, fainting 
 from his repeated wounds, was carried by a gentleman (of 
 opposite political sentiments) at the hazard of his own life, 
 across the adjoining river, whence, he with difficulty reach- 
 ed the dwelling of a friend. 
 
 No effectual inquisition was ever made into this signal 
 violation of the peace, nor punishment inflicted on the 
 guilty. The leaders, on both sides, underwent trials ; but, 
 owing to the inflammation of the public feelings, they were 
 acquitted. 
 
 The Indians on the western frontier were not inattentive 
 to the hostile attitude of the British government. As usual, 
 they deemed the opportunity favourable, to invade the ter- 
 ritories which they had, by treaty, surrendered to the Unit- 
 ed States. Under the influence of a fenatic of the Shawa- 
 nese tribe, who assumed the name of Prophet, brother of a 
 celebrated chief, Tecumseh ; and inflamed, it must, with 
 historical justice, be admitted, by the encroachments of 
 some lawless citizens ; the Indians inhabiting the neigh- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 2^7 
 
 I)Ourhood of the Wabash had formed a powerful combina- 
 tion, and assailed the unprotected white settlers with the 
 accustomed barbarities of savage warfare. To repel this 
 invasion, and recover the plundered property, a force was 
 assembled in the Indiana country, consisting of regulars 
 and neighbouring militia, and placed under the command 
 of Mr. Harrison, governor of that district. The expedition 
 was conducted with the greatest prudence, and effectually 
 relieved the unhappy settlers. By the unremitting vigi- 
 lance of the commander, a treacherous attack on his en- 
 campment at the Tippecanoe, a branch of the Wabash 
 river, (on the 7th November, 1811) was repelled, and am- 
 ple vengeance inflicted, by the dispersion of the entire 
 confederation. But this service was not performed without 
 the loss of many valuable lives. One-hundred-and-eighty 
 American citizens were slain or wounded. Of the former, 
 none were more deservedly lamented than major Davies 
 and colonel Abraham Owens, of Kentucky ; men,, whose 
 deportment in time of peace, was equally respectable with 
 their conduct in the day of battle. 
 
 Amongst the number of general officers about this time 
 appointed, was William Hull ; then, governor ef tb«- 
 Michigan territory: who was entitled to public confidence 
 from his, military services during the revolution. Antici- 
 pating the commencement of hostilities with Britain, the 
 war department had given personal instructions to general 
 Hull; agreeably with which, he had proceeded for his des- 
 tination to the north-west, early in the month of May ; and, 
 when arrived at Dayton, a town situated on a branch of the 
 Great Miami, the forces which he had collected in Mary- 
 land, Pennsylvania, and Ohio,, were joined by a body of 
 volunteers. These were from the latter state ; under the 
 command of colonels Cass, Findley, and M'Arthur. The 
 general then marched directly towards Detroit; a strong 
 military post in Michigau, eighteen miles from lake Erie, 
 
 The object of this expedition, was the invasion of Cana^ 
 da. Accordingly, on the 12th of July, intelligence of the 
 war with England having reached the commander, he cross-^ 
 ed over into that province, and fixed his head quarters at 
 Sandwich. He was now distant only a few miles from 
 Maiden, the strongest fortress in Upper Canada ; reputed 
 to be in general guarded by about one-hundred-and-sixty 
 men. At this time, the garrison had been increased ; more, 
 however, in its number than its strength : it consisted of 
 Canadian militia, British regulars, and Indians j a motleys 
 
238 HISTORY OF 
 
 assemblage, amounting, in all, to about one-thousand. Sev- 
 eral parties were detached from the American army, to 
 reconnoitre the surrounding country ; and inconsiderable 
 skirmishes ensued, producing no immediate advantage to 
 either side. But, in the end, they were beneficial to the 
 enemy. Their numbers were, in the meantime, increasing: 
 the spirits of the American army were suffered to cool ; 
 their confidence in their leader was rapidly declining. The 
 Canadians were allowed a whole month, to deliberate on 
 the question of submission or resistance : during which 
 interval, they ascertained the materials of the invading 
 army ; that they were volunteers and militia, not regular 
 soldiers ; and that, whatever might be their individual 
 courage, their bravery would be rendered ineffective by the 
 misconduct of their commander. 
 
 Meanwhile, a severe disaster befell the United States, 
 from an invasion by the enemy. Whilst the American 
 general was losing, in vain parade, the opportunity of cap- 
 turing a British post, his antagonists succeeded in gaining 
 possession of Michillimackinac, by surprise. This fortress 
 is situated at the entrance of the strait that connects the 
 rakes Michigan and Huron, on an island; where, was an- 
 nually held a market ; at which the Indian traders and 
 merchants of Albany and Montreal convened, to exchange 
 the peltries of the north for the commodities of the east ; 
 and is important, as commanding the intercoure between 
 those great waters, and a convenient passage between Can- 
 ada and the United States. 
 
 When information of this misfortune reached the Amer- 
 ican camp at Sandwich, general Hull was filled with most 
 gloomy anticipations. He dreaded, lest the ^^ northern 
 hive" of Indians would be poured upon his rear, and speed- 
 ily envelop his entire army. Some decisive step, he saw, 
 must immediately be taken. His troops ardently wished 
 to repel the ideal danger, by a victorious assault on the 
 British works : but their leader resolved to avoid it, by a 
 contrary movement — an immediate retreat. On the 8th of 
 August, he determined on returning to Detroit. The Brit- 
 ish general, Brock, was at no great distance in his rear ; 
 and, when arrived at the margin of the adjoining strait, 
 made several demonstrations of an intention to cross it, in 
 order to besiege the American fort. Either panic-struck 
 or influenced by treacherous engagements, general Hull 
 now exhibited strong indications of yielding that important 
 post, and the whole army under his command, to the very 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 239 
 
 inferior force of the enemy. Language cannot describe 
 the indignant feelings of his brave associates. When his 
 intention was suspected, a plan was immediately in agita- 
 tion, to deprive him of his command ; and failed only from 
 the precipitation of his surrender. He had not the smallest 
 reason for alarm. A regiment of the line was stationed in 
 the fort: the Ohio volunteers, with a part of the Michigan 
 militia, behind some pickets ; so situated, that the whole 
 flank of the enemy, would, in their approach, be exposed 
 to a destructive fire; and the remainder of the latter regi- 
 ment were in the upper part of the town, to resist the in- 
 cursions of the Indians. Two pieces of artillery, twenty-four 
 pounders, loaded with grape-shot, were placed on a com- 
 manding eminence; ready to sweep the advancing column 
 of the enemy, as it approached the fort. Full confidence 
 in a favourable result was felt by the Ahierican army. 
 Every man expected a proud day for his country; and each 
 was anxious to contribute to the victory, by his individual 
 exertion. 
 
 On the 15th of August, when the head of the British 
 column arrived within five-hundred yards of the American 
 lines, general Hull ordered that the whole should retreat 
 into the fort, and that the twenty-four pounders should not 
 be fired. Immediately, there was heard a universal burst 
 of indignation. The folly was apparent, of crowding eleven- 
 hundred men into a work that could be fully manned by 
 three-hundred ; and into which, the shot and shells from 
 the Canadian shore were continually falling. The order, 
 however, could not be disobeyed. It was not the com- 
 mander's intention that the garrison should long remain in 
 danger. They were directed to stack their arms; a white 
 flag was hung out upon the walls, and a communication 
 passed between the two generals, which was shortly fol- 
 lowed by a capitulation. — Not an officer had been consult- 
 ed. No one, except the commander, thought of a surren- 
 der, until the flag was displayed ; and even the women 
 were indignant at so shameful a degradation. 
 
 The volunteers and militia, being disarmed, returned, in 
 sorrow, to their respective homes ; on condition of not 
 serving agaijn during the war, unless exchanged. The 
 general, and the regular troops, were sent to Quebec, as 
 prisoners of war. 
 
 But, it was not thought sufficient to give the enemy un- 
 disputed possession of the fortress. The whole territory 
 of Michigan was included in the capitulation. The United 
 
240 HISTORY OF 
 
 States were not deprived alone of the services of the troops 
 within the fort : detachments, unconnected with the gar- 
 rison, were involved in the dishonourable agreement. Cap- 
 tain Brush and his party became prisoners at Fort Dear- 
 borne: six-hundred men under colonel Miller, and three- 
 hundred under colonel M'Arthur, (the former on his re- 
 turn from Brownstown, where he had defeated a body of 
 British and Indians,) were also obliged to ground their arms. 
 
 On being exchanged, general Hull was arrested and 
 brought to trial ; charged with treason, cowardice, and ne- 
 glect of duty. The court martial, not having legal juris- 
 diction in treasonable matters, declined giving judgment 
 on the first charge ; at the same time, stating, that they 
 did not believe him guilty of treason : yet they found him 
 guilty of the rest. He was sentenced to be shot: but, in 
 consideration of his revolutionary conduct, and of his ad- 
 vanced age, the court recommended him to the mercy of 
 the president ; and the punishment of death was, in con- 
 sequence, withdrawn. His name was then struck from the 
 roll of officers : a substitution, less rigorous, as regards the 
 law, but equally painful to every man possessing the hon- 
 ourable feelings of a soldier. 
 
 On another element, the Americans received ample con- 
 solation for that afflicting disaster. Unexpected laurels 
 crowned their brave defenders on the ocean. A series of 
 achievements had commenced, which, in the course of this 
 arduous contest, raised the naval glory of the United States 
 to an elevation, scarcely surpassed by any nation in the 
 world. Her fleet was few in number ; at this period, only 
 seven frigates, eight sloops and brigs, four schooners, and 
 one corvette : yet, with this inconsiderable force, her sea- 
 men courted a participation in the struggle, against the 
 gigantic fleets of Britain ; which, amounting to a thousand 
 vessels, were then riding triumphantly over the watery sur- 
 face of the globe. 
 
 The Constitution, captain Hull, had sailed from An- 
 napolis on the 5th of July. On the 17th he was chased by 
 a ship of the line and four frigates ; when, by an exertion 
 of able seamanship, than which, victory itself, though more 
 beneficial, could not be more worthy of applause, he es- 
 caped from the unequal combat. On the 19th of August, 
 he had an opportunity of trying his frigate against a sin- 
 gle vessel of the enemy. This was the Guerriere ; one ef 
 the best, of the same class, in the British navy, and in no 
 way averse to the rencounter; as she promptly awaited 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 241 
 
 Iier antagonist's arrival. She had, for some time, been 
 searching for an American frigate ; having given a formal 
 challenge to every vessel of the same description. At one 
 of her mast-head's, was a flag ; on which her name was in- 
 scribed, in conspicuous letters ; and on another, the words, 
 " Not The Little Belt ;" alluding to the broadsides which 
 the President had fired into that sloop, before the war. — 
 The Constitution being made ready for action, now ap- 
 proached ; her crew giving three cheers. Both continued 
 manceuvrhig for three quarters of an hour: the Guerriere 
 attempted to take a raking position ; and failing in this, 
 soon afterwards began to pour out her broadsides, with a 
 view of crippling her antagonist. From the Constitution, 
 not a gun had been fired. Already, had an officer twice 
 come on the quarter-deck, with information that several of 
 the men had fallen at the guns. Though burning with im- 
 patience, the crew silently awaited the orders of their com- 
 mander. The long expected moment at length arrived. 
 The vessel being brought exactly to the designed position, 
 directions were given to fire broadside after broadside, in 
 c[uick succession. Never was any scene more dreadful. — 
 For fifteen minutes, the lightning of the Constitution's guns 
 is a continued blaze, and their thunder roars without in- 
 termission. The enemy's mizen mast lies over her side, 
 and she stands exposed to a fire that sweeps her decks. 
 vShe becomes unmanageable ; her hull is shattered, her 
 sails and rigging cut to pieces. Her mainmast and fore- 
 mast fall overboard, taking with them every spar, except 
 the bowsprit. — The firing now ceased, and the Guerriere 
 surrendered. Her loss was fifteen killed, and sixty-three 
 wounded: the Constitution had seven men killed, and seven 
 wounded. The Guerriere was so much damaged, as to 
 render it impossible to bring her into port : she was, there- 
 fore, on the following day, blown up. The Constitution re- 
 ceived so little injuiy, that she was, in a few hours, ready 
 for another action. 
 
 This brilliant event spread unbounded joy over the whole 
 country. Captain Hull and his equally gallant officers were 
 received with enthusiastic demonstrations of gratitude, 
 wherever they appeared. He was presented with the free- 
 dom of all the cities through which he passed to the seat 
 of government, and with many valuable donations. Con- 
 gress voted lifteen-thousand dollars to the crew, as a re- 
 compense for the loss of the prize. Sailing-master Alwyn, 
 who had been severely wounded, was promoted to the rank 
 
242 HISTORY OF 
 
 of lieutenant ; lieutenant Morris, who also had been wound- 
 ed, to the rank of post-captain. The achievement was re- 
 markable. Great Britain had not, in the course of thirty- 
 years, lost a frigate in any conflict, with a similar equality 
 of force. 
 
 Another victory, not less glorious to the American navy, 
 was soon afterwards gained, by the frigate United States, 
 commanded by commodore Decatur; an oflicer, already 
 distinguished for his skill and courage, particularly in the 
 Mediterranean. On the 25th of October, the United States, 
 after an action of two hours, captured, off the Western 
 Isles, the British frigate Macedonian. The liberal conduct 
 of the American seamen drew forth a species of praise 
 from the enemy, not less grateful than that experienced 
 from their friends. All the private property belonging to 
 the officers and crew of the Macedonian was restored, with 
 the most rigid exactness ; and they were treated with the 
 greatest humanity and politeness. 
 
 The carpenter of the United States, being amongst the 
 killed, had left three small children to the care of a profli- 
 gate mother. This circumstance, when known to the gen- 
 erous crew, produced an act of benevolence which deserves 
 to be recorded. They instantly raised a fund among them- 
 selves, amounting to eight-hundred dollars, for the main- 
 tenance and education of the unhappy orphans. 
 
 The next naval achievement, was the capture of the brig 
 Frolic, of twenty-two guns, by the Wasp ; a sloop of war 
 commanded by capt-ain Jones. The Frolic fired as she rose 
 upon the water; so that her shot was either thrown away, 
 or touched the rigging of the American: the Wasp, on the 
 contrary, fired as she descended ; and, thus, at every dis- 
 charge, struck the hull of her antagonist. On boarding the 
 British vessel, the surprise of the Americans can scarcely 
 be imagined. They beheld only three officers, and the sea- 
 man at theJhelm. The deck was slippery with blood ; pre- 
 senting a most awful scene of havoc and distress. The col- 
 ours were still flying; there being no one left to haul them 
 down. The birth-deck was crowded with the dead, the 
 dying, and the wounded ; and the masts soon after fell ; 
 covering every thing beneath, and leaving her a melan- 
 choly object of devastation. The loss on board the Frolic, 
 was thirty killed and fifty wounded ; on board the Ameri- 
 can, five killed and five wounded. Neither of the vessels, 
 however, arrived in the United States. They were both 
 captured before evening, by a British ship of the line. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 245 
 
 No subject of martial discipline ; not even the long dis- 
 puted question, which was the most efficient, the Macedo- 
 nian phalanx, or the legion of the Roman army; ever cre- 
 ated a more eager spirit of inquiry, than did the extraordi- 
 nary success of the American navy. The British assigned, 
 as the cause, the superior dimensions of their enemy's ves- 
 sels: the Americans, the voluntary enlistment of their sea- 
 men. But neither the one nor the other reason, will bear 
 the test of experience. The first is erroneous; because iLe 
 superiority of a few guns, could not produce a continuation 
 of similar results : the second is equally untrue; being con- 
 tradicted by historical evidence. During the revolution, the 
 British mercenary soldiers almost invariably overthrew the 
 American militia; and, in the English navy, -no difference 
 has been, at any time, recorded, between the exertions of 
 the impressed seamen and the volunteer. The cause, how- 
 ever, may easily be discovered. It arose, entirely, from the 
 superior accuracy of the American fire, and the point to 
 which the shot was, in every instance, directed. The French 
 aim their engines of destruction at the rigging; thus, hop- 
 ing to escape from a disabled enemy ; the English, chief- 
 ly at the deck ; but the Americans pursue a system diifer- 
 ent from either, and combining the advantages of both. 
 They pour their unerring fury against the hull ; the shat- 
 tered sides admit overwhelming torrents of the ocean, and 
 the descending vessel compels the drowning enemy to strike 
 his colours. 
 
 Feats of naval prowess were not confined to the public 
 ships of the United States. The exploits of private armed 
 vessels, daily filled the gazettes. Privateers sailed from 
 every port ; to distress, or reap advantage from, the ene- 
 my ; and exhibited the same superiority that was display- 
 ed by the regular navy. One of the first at sea, was the 
 Atlas, commanded by captain Mofiit ; which, with the 
 Dolphin, commanded by captain Endicott, the Comet, the 
 General Armstrong, and the Decatur, became particular- 
 ly conspicuous. A revolutionary veteran, also, commodore 
 Barney, sailed from Baltimore, in theRossie; and evinced, 
 by a rapid series of success, that none of his early vigour 
 was abated by the hand of time. Before the meeting of 
 congress, in November, nearly two-hundred-and-fifty ves- 
 sels were captured from the enemy; and more than three- 
 thousand prisoners. Upwards of fifty of those were armed; 
 carrying nearly six-hundred guns. 
 
 The good effect of these splendid triumphs, in promoting 
 
244 HISTORY OF 
 
 confidence, soon extended beyond the element on which 
 they had been gained. A spirit was, thereby, roused on 
 }and ; producing a happy contrast to the previous languor 
 of despondence. In the western and southern states, vol- 
 unteer corps were, every where, forming, and tendering 
 their services to march to any quarter of the Union. Great 
 alacrity was shown in the western sections of Pennsylvania 
 and Virginia; but this generous zeal was the most forcibly 
 displayed in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. Civil pur- 
 suits were, there, forsaken, for the operations of war : pri- 
 vate concerns were abandoned, for the general interest of 
 the nation ; and this enthusiasm pervaded the bosoms of 
 every sex and every age. Females, in the humblest, as well 
 as in the highest, rank of life, prepared military clothing 
 and knapsacks for their relatives and friends. In a fev/ 
 weeks, upwards of four-thousand volunteers w^ere, in these 
 states, ready for the field. The command of the Kentucky 
 forces was assigned to general Payne ; those of Ohio were 
 placed under general Tupper ; and the troops of Virginia 
 and Pennsylvania, respectively, under generals Crooks and 
 Leftwich. General Harrison v/as invested with the supreme 
 command; and, by his subsequent exertions against the In- 
 dians, near the Wabash, the Miami of the Lakes, and other 
 places in that distant quarter, maintained the confidence 
 merited by his previous operations. 
 
 Towards the close of the year, the American forces on 
 the northern frontier were concentrated cliiefly in two 
 bodies: one division near Lewistown ; consisting of some 
 regulars newly enlisted, and militia, under general Van 
 Renssalaer of New York: the other, in the neighbourhood 
 of Plattsburg and Greenbush ; under the commander in 
 chief, general Dearborne. The former was named the 
 army of the Centre ; to distinguish it from the division of 
 Harrison: the latter, the army of the North. Some regu- 
 lars and militia were stationed also at Black Rock, Ogdens- 
 burgh, and Sackett's Harbour. It was expected, that, be- 
 fore October, every thing would be ready for a formidable 
 invasion of Canada. But, from an extraordinary cause, 
 there was experienced considerable disappointment. Un- 
 friendly to the M^ar, particularly to its being made offen- 
 sive, the governors of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and 
 Connecticut, refused to allow the militia of these states to 
 march, under the requisition of the president. They de- 
 clared, that they were, themselves, the proper judges, in 
 Hccordance with the federal constitution, of the necessity 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 245 
 
 which mii^ht require them in the field. Their refusal de- 
 layed, for a short time, the intended movements, but did 
 not depress the spirits of the troops collected. Dearborne, 
 who had been appointed in consequence of his experience 
 in the revolutionary war, aided by general Smyth, who was 
 considered an able tactician; together with such officers as 
 Pike, Boyd, and Scott ; was unremittingly engaged in drill- 
 ing the undisciplined, and diffusing organization through- 
 out the whole. Nearly ten-thousand men were, at length, 
 embodied on the northern lines, and skilful sea-officers 
 were employed in forming a navy on lakes Erie, Ontario, 
 and Champlain. 
 
 An achievement, performed on lake Erie, by lieutenant 
 Elliot, in the capture of two British vessels, the Detroit 
 and Caledonia, kindled, in a high degree, the ardour of the 
 forces. They demanded to be instantly led to the invasion 
 of Canada. Unless gratified, some of the volunteers threat- 
 ened, immediately to return home. An opportunity was 
 soon given by their commander, of ascertaining, whether 
 this eagerness was the spirit of the genuine soldier, or the 
 puerile rashness of inexperience. General Van Renssalaer 
 having resolved to attack the heights of Queenstown, an 
 attempt \w<is made, at four in the morning of the llth of 
 November, to cross the Niagara. The passage, however, 
 could not then be effected. The failure rendered the troops 
 almost ungovernable ; and no time was therefore lost in 
 preparing for a second trial. Early on the morning of the 
 ioth, the men w^ere again embarked, under cover of the 
 American batteries ; the force designed to storm the 
 heights being divided into two columns ; one, of three- 
 hundred militia, under colonel Van Renssalaer ; the other, 
 of as many regulars, under colonel Christie ; to be follow- 
 ed by colonel Fenwick's artillery and the remainder of the 
 army. Van Renssalaer, who led the advance, and directed, 
 the entire, having scarcely reached the shore with a hun- 
 dred men, when he was severely wounded, the command, 
 of his party devolved on captain Ogilvie ; who, at the head 
 of this trifling number, drove the enemy with precipitation 
 down the hill. The detachment under colonel Christie now 
 landed ; and reinforcements arrived from the main body of 
 the army. On the other hand, the British received an ac- 
 cession of force, with equal rapidity ; general Brock arriv- 
 ing with six-hundred regulars. A sanguinary contest en- 
 sued. Brock's regiment was put to flight, by an inferior 
 body, under Christie i and, in the carnage, he himself with 
 2J* 
 
246 HISTORY OF 
 
 his aid-de-camp was slain. Thinking the victory complete, 
 general Van Renssalaer now arrived, for the purpose of 
 fortifying a camp against any future attacks, in case the 
 enemy were reinforced. But the fortune of the day was 
 not yet decided. Joined by several hundred Indians, the 
 British, at three o'clock, made another assault, and, at 
 the point of the bayonet, were a second time repulsed. 
 A third attempt was made; and thrice had the Americans 
 been victorious : yet, their equally brave antagonists were 
 determined not to leave the field. They were soon rallied; 
 and hastened, a fourth time, to regain the disputed ground. 
 The American commander was not inattentive to their 
 approach. He repassed the river, to quicken the departure 
 of the reserve; who, he perceived, were tedious in entering 
 the boats. But they positively refused to embark 1 The 
 same men, that, in the morning, had reproved the tardy 
 movements of their leader, now, with equal insubordina- 
 tion, opposed every entreaty to assist him. Threats, sup- 
 plications ; appeals to their honour, their patriotism, their 
 humanity; were made in vain. More than twelve-hundred 
 men, under arms, stood on the opposite beach, as idle 
 spectators of their associates' destruction. They pleaded 
 constitutional privilege for their desertion : thus, using the 
 rights of freemen as an apology for cowardice. 
 
 In the meantime, the engagement was renewed, with 
 mutual desperation. The American militia were sooo 
 driven off the ground ; the regular soldiers, not above 
 three-hundred, were left to sustain the action alone, and at 
 length, overpowered by superior numbers, the whole v/ere 
 obliged to surrender prisoners of war. These, with their 
 brave companions who had fallen in the contest, amounted 
 to at least one-thousand. 
 
 During the embarkation, a fire had been opened from 
 Fort St. George, on the Canadian shore, against the Amer- 
 ican fort, Niagara; which was returned, and continued, on 
 both sides, throughout the day. A battery, intrusted to 
 captain M'Keon, was managed with conspicuous ability; 
 having enveloped in flames several houses, near the British 
 works : and, in a few days afterwards, in the time of an- 
 other tremendous engagement between the forts, in which 
 major Armistead, of the United States artillery, was par- 
 ticularly useful, the same officer was again equally distin- 
 guished. 
 
 On this occasion, a remarkable instance of female bravery 
 ocTurred. The wife of a common soldier, named Doyle? 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 247 
 
 who had been taken prisoner at Queenstown, incensed to 
 a high degree by the captivity of lier husband, volunteered 
 her service, and continued to serve red-hot shot until the 
 last gun was fired; although the shells from the enemy's 
 batteries fell constantly around her. 
 
 Van Renssalaer having resigned, the command devolved 
 on general Smyth, of the regular army; who announced, 
 in a most conspicuous manner, his resolution of immedi- 
 ately retrieving the honour of his country, by another at- 
 tack on the Canadian frontier. He accounted for the late 
 disasters, by the injudicious operations of his predecessor; 
 and invited fresh bands of volunteers, to partake in the 
 glory which was to proceed from the well-directed plans 
 of a brave and accomplished leader. 
 
 His address promoted considerable animation. Before 
 the end of November, he was attended by nearly five- 
 thousand men ; consisting of regulars, and volunteers, 
 from Pennsylvania, New York, and the town of Baltimore. 
 These were carefully drilled, and properly equipped. A 
 sufficient number of boats was in readiness to carry them, 
 at once, to the scene of action. Two detachments, sent over 
 in advance, by their spirited assault, (particularly that led 
 by captain King,) gave a cheering presage of success. 
 But this bright prospect was soon converted into a sadden- 
 ing gloom. A portion of the recent unmilitary feeling, or, 
 rather the entire, seemed transfused into the breast of the 
 present leader : the embarkation of the main body was re- 
 tarded much beyond the appointed time; so. that, when 
 twelve o'clock arrived, only two-thousand men had left 
 the shore. At this time, the enemy had prepared to op- 
 pose their landing, and general Smyth had changed his 
 plan of invasion. He ordered, that the troops which were 
 on their way should immediately return. Great murmur- 
 ing followed this unaccountable proceeding; but it was, in 
 some measure, silenced, by the assurance, that he would 
 soon make another attempt. The general can scarcely be 
 charged with a breach of promise: on the 29th, the entire 
 body, except about two-hundred, were in the boats ; the 
 men conducting themselves with great order and obedience. 
 Nothing was now wanting but the word to move ; when, 
 orders were suddenly given for the whole to disembark, 
 and make arrangements for going into winter-quarters; as 
 the invasion of Canada was postponed until the following 
 season. 
 
 A loud burst of indignation assailed the vacillating lead- 
 
248 HISTORY OF 
 
 er: the greater part of the militia threw down their arms., 
 and returned home : much dissatisfaction was every where 
 excited ; and his military reputation from that period rap- 
 idly declined. 
 
 The army of the North, stationed along the St. Lawrence, 
 were, in the meantime, sufficiently energetic. But the la- 
 mentable surrender of general Hull having defeated their 
 principal design, the capture of Montreal, nothing of im- 
 portance was effected before the ensuing year. Captain 
 Forsythe and colonel Pike made bold incursions into the 
 enemy's country : and general Brown, of the New York 
 militia, after a sharp action of two hours, repelled a large 
 body of British soldiers; who, in retaliation, had attempted 
 the destruction of Ogdensburg. 
 
 The indefatigable exertions of commodore Chauncey, in 
 creating a fleet upon the northern lakes, produced most 
 beneficial results. During the revolutionary war, the oper- 
 ations on these inland seas extended not beyond the con- 
 tests of temporary gun-boats, or inconsiderable schooners ; 
 but, at this time, preparations were making, from which, 
 arose, a sublimity of combat, not less interesting than the 
 battles on the extended waves of the Atlantic. In the be- 
 ginning of October, the Americans had not a single armed 
 vessel on lake Erie, and their whole force on lake Ontario 
 was a brig carrying sixteen guns. The coinmodore began 
 his operations on the former in the first week of November. 
 His fleet then consisted of the Oneida of sixteen guns, and 
 five smaller vessels, carrying all together thirty-two guns ; 
 whilst the British squadron carried upwards of a hundred; 
 yet, notwithstanding this great inequality of strength, he 
 occasionally skirmished with squadrons of the enemy; at 
 ane time, causing the flight of the Royal George of twenty- 
 six, and at another, capturing the Prince Regent schooner 
 of eighteen guns. 
 
 Thus, the navy had been invariably successful, and the 
 army, though equally brave, when brought into action, had 
 been, in almost every instance, unfortunate. The one had 
 been the early favourite of the party that now opposed the 
 war ; the other, considered, by the ministerial adherents, 
 as the only means of national defence, (excepting gun- 
 boats,) worthy of attention. When congress re-assembled 
 in November, the glory of the seamen was contrasted with 
 the misfortunes of the army, as a fresh argument against 
 the measures of the existing government. Party spirit rose 
 to an alarming height 9 and, as usual, the members of the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 249 
 
 several legislatures were not less under its influence, in 
 their public, than in their private situations. Mutual 
 charges were made, of French control and improper sub- 
 mission to the outrages of Britain. Some degree of justice 
 seemed to be on the pacific side ; yet, the advocates for 
 war were able to produce arguments, equally meriting at- 
 tention. A proposal for an armistice, made by the govern- 
 or of Canada, had been thought inadmissible; and a simi- 
 lar offer by admiral Warren, was, on the same principle, 
 rejected : but, on the other hand, the American minister at 
 London had made a pacific overture, which proved abor- 
 tive ; and a mediation offered to the British government^ 
 by the emperor of Russia, was equally ineffectual. 
 
 Congress had not been long in session, when the public 
 feelings were once more excited by most flattering news. 
 The flag of another British frigate was transferred to the 
 capitol, and placed amongst the former trophies of the 
 American navy. This achievement was gained by the 
 Constitution ; a vessel already distinguished under the 
 command of captain Hull, and now bearing the flag of 
 commodore Bainbridge. In October, this frigate, with the 
 Hornet, captain Lawrence, sailed from New York, to effect 
 a junction with the Essex, commodore Porter; which de- 
 parted about the same time from the Delaware: the whole 
 intending to cruise in the Pacific Ocean, and destroy, in 
 that quarter, the British fisheries and commerce. The 
 junction not happening at the place appointed, commodore 
 Porter passed round Cape Horn, alone ; and, in the meanr 
 time, on the 29th of December, a few leagues west of St. 
 Salvador, the Constitution, which had, a few days before^^ 
 separated from the Hornet, descried a British frigate. Af- 
 ter a severe action, which continued about an hour, the 
 enemy lay an unmanageable wreck. Having struck her 
 colours, she was found to be the Java, commanded by a 
 gallant officer, captain Lambert; who was mortally wound- 
 ed. Besides her own crew, of four-hundred men, she had 
 a hundred, designed for service in the East Indies : also, a 
 number of distinguished passengers; amongst whom, was 
 general Hislop, governor of Bombay. The Constitution 
 had nine killed and twenty-five wounded ; the Java, sixty 
 killed, and a hundred-and-twcnty wounded. The prize was 
 in a miserable condition. It being found impossible to 
 bring her into port, she was, in a few days afterwards, 
 blov/n up. On arrivinp; at St. Salvador, the commodore 
 received the public acknQwledgments of governor Hislop; 
 
250 HISTORY OF 
 
 who, in consideration of his polite treatment, presented him 
 with an elegant sword. The private passengers were re- 
 leased, without being viewed as prisoners : those holding 
 situations under their government, as well as the officers 
 and crew, were liberated on parole. 
 
 A melancholy contrast to this gratifying incident 
 was soon offered to the public mind. Fresh disas- 
 ters in the west, accompanied by circumstances that rarely 
 occur in the annals of history, tended greatly to check the 
 national joy, for that second victory of the Constitution. 
 
 General Harrison had fixed his head quarters at Frank- 
 linton; his object being to concentrate a respectable force 
 at the Rapids, and, thence, proceed to the reduction of 
 Detroit. In the meantime, general Winchester continued 
 at Fort Defiance, with about eight-hundred men ; many of 
 the volunteers having returned home, after the expiration 
 of the term of service. Those who remained were chiefly 
 from Kentucky : the greater part ranked amongst the 
 wealthiest and most distinguished citizens of the state. 
 Early in the month of January, general Winchester, having 
 received intimation from the inhabitants of Frenchtown, a 
 village situated on the river Raisin, between the Rapids 
 and Detroit, that a large body of the British and Indians 
 designed to concentrate there ; and that they dreaded the 
 horrors of an Indian massacre; the sensibility of the young 
 volunteers was strongly excited, and they earnestly be- 
 sought the general to lead them to their defence. W^ith 
 some reluctance, and, contrary to the arrangements of the 
 commander in chief, he yielded to their wishes. Accord- 
 ingly, he sent forward a detachment, under colonels Lewis 
 and Allen, with orders to wait at Presque Isle until the 
 arrival of the main body. An advanced party of the enemy 
 having already taken possession of Frenchtown, it was de- 
 termined instantly to attack them. There followed a se- 
 vere conflict. But the British were at length defeated, 
 pursued by a continual charge for many miles, and entirely 
 dispersed. The Americans then encamped, and remained 
 in their position until the 20th; when they were joined by 
 general Winchester. His whole force was now about 
 §even-hundred-and-fifty men. Of these, six-hundred were 
 placed within a breast-work, and the remainder encamped 
 in an open field. But they were allowed only a short res- 
 pite from fatigue. On the morning of the 22d, they were 
 suddenly attacked by a combined force, under general 
 |*roc^or and the Indian leaders, Split-Log and Roijnd-Head^ 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 251 
 
 and, though quickly ready for their reception, their strength 
 was every moment failing. It was fruitless to contend with 
 the enemy's superior numbers. In order to preserve the 
 remainder of his brave party, the general surrendered them 
 prisoners of war; on condition of their being allowed to re- 
 tain their private property and side arms, and of being pro- 
 tected against the usual fury of the Indians. At this time, 
 the killed, wounded, and missing, of the little army, amount- 
 ed to more than three-hundred. But the loss during the 
 engagement was the least deplorable disaster. Instead of 
 being guarded by the British soldiers, the prisoners were, 
 with few exceptions, assigned to the charge of the Indians, 
 to be marched in the amiy's rear, to Maiden ; and the 
 greater part were murdered on the way. Those who had 
 escaped the dreadful tomahawk or scalping knife, were re- 
 served, by the cruel escort, for an abominable traffic. They 
 were dragged from door to door through the streets of De- 
 troit, and offered to the inhabitants for sale. 
 
 The people of Detroit exhibited a degree of tenderness 
 for their unfortunate countrymen, which entitles them to 
 everlasting gratitude. All classes eagerly sought oppor- 
 tunities of redeeming the unhappy captives. For their pur- 
 chase, many parted with every thing of value. The female 
 sex were particularly conspicuous for their sympathy : they 
 promptly bartered what clothing they could spare ; next, 
 their ear-rings, and, when nothing else remained, the blan- 
 kets from their beds. Mr. Woodward, formerly a judge 
 of the supreme court, was a father to the survivers. He 
 remonstrated v»'ith general Proctor in the manly tone of his 
 injured country ; depicting, in appalling language, his in- 
 famous behaviour. Several of the British officers, also, are 
 deserving of praise : particularly, major Muir, captains 
 Aiken and Curtis; the reverend Mr. Parrow and Dr. Bowen. 
 
 The news of this melancholy affair reached general Har- 
 rison when on his march to Frenchtown with a reinforce- 
 ment. He had heard, with displeasure, the unauthorized 
 movement of general Winchester: apprehending the result, 
 had then ordered a detachment to push forward to his relief: 
 and, now, sent on a chosen body, to save any ofthe wretch- 
 ed party who might have escaped. But their number was 
 very small : the snow, being deep, rendered it almost im- 
 possible for them to make their way. 
 
 Shortly afterwards, the general erected at the Rapids a 
 defence; named by him in honour of the governor of Ohio, 
 Fort Meigs.- The enemy had been, for some time pasty 
 
252 HISTORY OF 
 
 collecting in considerable numbers, for the purpose of be- 
 sieging this place ; which, as the troops expected from Ohio 
 and Kentucky had not yet arrived, was in considerable dan- 
 ger : but the Pennsylvania brigade, under general Cooks, 
 although its term of service had expired, volunteered for 
 its protection. This fort is situated on a rising ground, a 
 few hundred yards distant from the river ; the banks of 
 which are chiefly natural meadows. With the aid of cap- 
 tains Wood and Gratiot, his two principal engineers, the 
 general laboured, night and day, to strengthen its fortifica- 
 tions : the garrison, amounting to about twelve-hundred 
 men, being in high spirits, and resolved to defend them- 
 selves to the last extremity. — On the first of May, the Brit- 
 ish commenced a fire, with one twenty-four pounder, one 
 twelve, a six pounder, and a howitzer. By these, no mater- 
 ial injury was done ; though general Harrison narrowly 
 escaped being killed : a ball struck a ber.ch on which he 
 was sitting, and, at another time, a man was mortally 
 wounded by his side. On the 3d, an additional battery as- 
 sailed the American works, at the distance of about two- 
 hundred-and -fifty yards, furnished with a mortar ; which, 
 after throwing a number of bombs, was completely silenced. 
 The Indians now mounted on the trees, fired into the fort, 
 and killed and wounded several of the garrison. At this 
 time, the levies under general Clay, were seen approaching, 
 and orders were instantly sent to this officer to detach eight- 
 hundred men, for the purpose of landing on the opposite 
 side of the river, and destroying the enemy's batteries; a 
 sortie from the garrison being, in the meantime, projected, 
 against the battery erected on the same side with the fort. 
 Colonel Dudley, who was charged with the performance of 
 the first, overcame the four batteries in an instant, compel- 
 ling their defenders to retire ; and, having executed his or- 
 ders, commanded a retreat. But his men, elated by suc- 
 cess, and eager to avenge the recent slaughter of their coun- 
 trymen, pushed forward, with irresistible impetuosity. The 
 consequence was dreadful. In a few moments, they were 
 surrounded by an Indian army, three times their number, 
 headed by the brave Tecumseh ; a desperate fight ensued, 
 and a scene of slaughter almost as terrible as at the river 
 Raisin. Only a hundred-and -fifty escaped : the rest were 
 either killed or taken prisoners. Colonel Dudley was 
 amongst the slain ; a melancholy sacrifice to rashness and 
 insubordination. 
 
 This, in some measure disconcerted the plan of the Sortie 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 25S 
 
 fe'orn the fort. Yet, colonel Miller sallied out at the head 
 of three-hundred men, assaulted the besiegers' entire line, 
 though manned by three-hundred-and-fifty regulars and as 
 many Indians, spiked the cannon of the principal batteries, 
 and returned with above forty prisoners. 
 
 Happily, this was the last occasion requiring the garrison 
 to display their active bravery. The Indians, after their 
 successful ambuscade, having, according to their usual cus- 
 tom, returned home, notwithstanding the entreaties of Te- 
 cumseh and his subordinate chieftains, general Proctor 
 made instant preparations to retreat ; when, a cessation of 
 hostilities taking place, arrangements were entered into for 
 an exchange of prisoners, and, on the 9th of May, after an 
 assault of thirteen days, the enemy withdrew. 
 
 The termination of this siege was glorious to the defend- 
 ers, and reflected lustre on the American army. It taught 
 their enemies, that, in future, they must expect to meet a 
 resistance ditferent from what they had experienced from 
 Hull; and, that if they Would succeed in overcoming an 
 American fortress, they must previously destroy the gar- 
 rison. 
 
 Designing to organize the expected forces, general Har- 
 rison returned to Franklinton. Here, a deputation from all 
 the Indian tribes residing in Ohio, and some of the territo- 
 ries of Indiana and Illinois, having made a tender of their 
 services to follow him into Canada, their offer, after some 
 deliberation, was accepted ; as, hitherto, the United States 
 employed none of the friendly Indians, with the exception 
 of a small band commanded by Logan, a distinguished chief, 
 a nephew of Tccumseh. They were advised to remain 
 neutral. But the advice could not be understood by these 
 warlike people : they considered it rather as a reproach upon 
 their courage, than a desire to promote their welfare ; es- 
 pecially, as several inroads had been n" ade upon their set- 
 tlements by the hostile tribes « for which reason, general 
 Harrison now consented to their wishes ; on condition that 
 they should be merciful to their prisoners, and, in all things, 
 conform to the established rules of civilized warfare. 
 
 Our attention is next drawn to the military operations on 
 the northern frontier; where, events of a very important 
 character had occurred. 
 
 During the winter. Great Britain had sent a number of 
 troops to Halifax ; for the purpose of ascending the St. Law- 
 rence in the spring, and being in early readiness to aid in 
 the defence of Canada. Recent victories of the allied sov- 
 ^2 
 
254 HISTORY OF 
 
 creigns on the European continent, by which. Napoleon's 
 gigantic power was almost annihilated, had decreased her 
 necessity, and, consequently, her desire, of pacification with 
 the United States. A larger force could therefore be di- 
 rected against her trans-atlantic enemies ; and, besides, the 
 militia of her American provinces were disciplined with 
 peculiar care. 
 
 By an exchange of prisoners, many valuable officers, tak- 
 en in the first campaign, were restored to the American 
 army. The troops enlisted in the middle and northern dis- 
 tricts, were marched to Sackett's Harbour and other places 
 in the neighbourhood; where, by the indefatigable industry 
 of Pike, now promoted to the rank of brigadier general, 
 they were converted into efficient soldiers. 
 
 The first interesting engagement, in that quarter, took 
 place on the 21st of February; when, the British, with' 
 twelve-hundred men, having attacked Ogdensburg, com- 
 pelled the Americans, under colonels Forsythe and Bene- 
 dict, to evacuate the place. The vanquished troops, however, 
 had, soon afterwards, an opportunity of silencing the tri- 
 umphs displayed by the enemy on this occasion. Lake On- 
 tario was no sooner clear of ice, than a descent on the Cana- 
 da shore was projected ; the first object of attack, being 
 York, the capital of the upper province, the depot of the 
 British military stores for supplying their western posts, 
 and a place of great importance to the success of either 
 party. The plan, chiefly suggested by general Pike, was 
 highly judicious ; and, at his particular request, general 
 Dearborne, intrusted him with its execution. On the 27th 
 of April, the troops, escorted by commodore Chauncey, who 
 rendered most important assistance, reached the place of 
 debarkation, at the ruins of Torento, about ten miles from 
 the town of York. Major Forsythe, and his corps of rifle- 
 men, were the first on shore, amidst a galling fire of musk- 
 etry, and were in a moment engaged with the whole force. 
 General Pike followed; and, afterwards, a detachment under 
 major King ; consisting of the light artillery, a volunteer 
 corps, and a few riflemen, commanded by major Eustace, 
 colonel M'Clure, and lieutenant Riddle. Placing himself 
 at the head of the first formed, general Pike ordered the 
 rest to follow rapidly, and ascended the bank against a show- 
 er of bullets from the grenadiers. He charged with impetu- 
 osity : they were thrown into confusion, and fled. Scarcely 
 was this achieved, when the bugles of Forsythe announced 
 that he, also, had been victorious. — A fresh body of the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 255 
 
 Quemy's grenadiers now suddenly issued from the woods ; 
 making a desperate charj^e on major King's regiment. It 
 faltered for a moment ; but immediately rallied, and drove 
 the British from the field. Again, they were seen forming 
 at a distance ; but reinforcements having, by this time, land- 
 ed from the fleet, they retreated from the adjacent garrison. 
 
 The American troops were now arranged according to 
 the intended order of battle. They moved forward with 
 becoming ardour and veteran precision. They confided in 
 their leader, and their leader placed a well-grounded confi- 
 dence in them. On emerging from a wood, a twenty-four 
 pounder opened from one of the enemy's batteries : but this 
 was soon taken, and the column moved on to the second, 
 which was abandoned on their approach. General Pike 
 here ordered his men to halt ; for the purpose of learning 
 the strength of the garrison of York, and obtaining other 
 information ; for, as the barracks appeared to be evacuated, 
 he suspected a stratagem, to draw him within the reach of 
 some secret force. Lieutenant Riddle was sent forward to 
 ascertain the enemy's situation. Meanwhile, the heroic Pike, 
 as humane as he was brave, occupied himself in removing 
 a wounded British soldier from a place of danger ; and, after 
 performing this act of generosity, was calmly seated on the 
 stump of a tree, in conversation with another soldier who 
 had been taken prisoner; when, suddenly, the air was con^ 
 vulsed by a tremendous explosion. The British magazine, 
 at the distance of two-hundred yards, near the barracks, 
 had blown up. Huge stones and fragments of wood were 
 rent asunder, and whirled aloft, by the exploding of five- 
 hundred barrels of gunpowder. Immense quantities of 
 those fell in the midst of the victorious column, killing and 
 wounding upwards of two-hundred men. Among.":* the 
 Avounded, was general Pike. But the Americans, though 
 for a moment confounded, soon recovered their former or- 
 der : the ranks were instantly closed, and their undaunted 
 spirit was evinced by three loud huzzas. 
 
 The wound of the gallant Pike was soon found to be 
 mortal ; yet he still retained the fire and solicitude of the 
 soldier and commander. " Move on, my brave fellows," 
 he exchumcd, " and revenge your general." They instant- 
 ly obeyed. He was then carried on board a vessel, and, 
 shortly afterwards, gratified by the sight of the British flag. 
 On seeing the victorious trophy, his eyes, over which ap- 
 proaching death had already drawn the prophetic film, for 
 
256 HISTORY OF 
 
 a moment, resumed their lustre ; and, making signs for it 
 to be placed under his head, he contentedly expired. 
 
 After a short delay, the Americans, under colonel Pearce, 
 moved forward towards the town, and, on their way, were 
 met by an oifer of capitulation. The public stores were as- 
 signed to the invaders, and all the troops surrendered pris- 
 oners of war. The British loss, in men, amounted to seven^ 
 hundred-and-iifty, in killed, wounded, and captured ; of the 
 latter, there were fifty of the line and five-hundred militia. 
 The public property destroyed was immense ; and that which 
 was reserved uninjured, amounted in value to at least half 
 a million of dollars. 
 
 The object of the expedition being now fully attained^ 
 the American forces evacuated York on the 1st of May, 
 and re-embarked; but the fleet did not leave the harbour, 
 until the 8th. 
 
 An attack on Fort George, and Fort Erie, unsuccessful- 
 ly attempted the year before, was the next thing to be un- 
 dertaken. Accordingly, on the mornuig of the 28th, a se- 
 vere cannonade between the opposite batteries having oc- 
 curred the day before, decidedly advantageous to the Amer- 
 icans, generals Dearborne and Lewis embarked, with their 
 whole force, amounting to four-thousand men. The ad- 
 vance, under colonel Scott, consisting of five-hundred, was 
 exposed, in approaching the shore, to incessant volleys of 
 musketry, from at least t%velve-hundred regulars, stationed 
 in a ravine; yet, they faltered not a moment: no sooner 
 were they formed on the beach, than they were led to the 
 charge, and dispersed the enemy. Meanwhile, the works, 
 on each side of the river, were furiously engaged. Fort 
 George bei:,g in a short time rendered untenable, the Brit- 
 ish, l:iying trains to their magazines, hastily retired. The 
 American light companies took possession of the abandon- 
 ed works ; captains Hyndman and Stockton entering first, 
 and extinguishing the fire intended to create the explosion. 
 The former withdrev/ a match at the imminent hazard of 
 his life. Before twelve o'clock, the whole of the fortifica- 
 tions in that quarter were surmounted by the American 
 flag: the enemy having lost, in killed and v/ounded, above 
 two-hundred-and-fifty men, besides six-hundred prisoners ; 
 their antagonists, only thirty-nine killed and a hundred-and- 
 eight wounded. High praise was given by the commodore 
 and the general to the forces under their respective orders. 
 Scott and Boyd were particularly mentioned ; and much 
 honour was gained by colonel M. Porter and major Arm- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 247 
 
 istead of the artillery ; by captain Totten of the engineers, 
 and lieutenant Oliver H. Perry of the navy. Commodore 
 Cliuuncey himself bore a distinguished part in this splendid 
 enterprise ; the judicious attack with his vessels, on the 
 different batteries, having largely contributed to its suc- 
 cess. 
 
 A few days afterwards, it became known, that the enemy, 
 under general Vincent, amounting to fifteen-hundred men, 
 had encamped on the heights at the head of Burlington 
 bay. The American commander determined to allow them 
 no repose. A force, therefore, much superior in numbers, 
 under Chandler and Winder, in a short time arrived with- 
 in a few miles of their position; using every means, as well 
 to prevent their escape, as to guard against surprise. The 
 situation of the British army was almost hopeless. To con- 
 tend openly, would have been the last refuge of despair ; 
 yet, what could not be gained by this alternative, might, 
 notwithstanding, be accomplished by address. Their com- 
 mander resolved to try the fortune of an attack in the night. 
 The fires kindled by the Americans, whilst they guided the 
 assailants to their camp, served to conceal them during 
 their approach. Several of the American sentinelsy owing 
 to the extreme negligence of the main guard, were silently 
 bayoneted by the enemy ; who, to the number of seven or 
 eight-hundred, passed them when asleep. The assailants 
 now raised a tremendous Indian yell. The main body of 
 the Americans were, by this, suddenly awoke, and, seizing 
 their arms, commenced a heavy and destructive fire. An 
 awful combat immediately overspread the encampment. A 
 scene of confusion followed, equally distressing to the com- 
 manders, and difficult of delineation. The soldiers of one 
 party were intermingled with those of the other; the dark- 
 ness of the night rendered friends undistinguishable from 
 foes, and the irregular firing of the whole prevented the 
 respective orders being heard. General Chandler was at 
 length entangled amongst the enemy ; general Winder 
 soon afterwards found himself in the same situation, and 
 both were taken prisoners. Finding two pieces of artillery 
 limbered, the British drove them off, overturned others, 
 hastily retired, and, before day-light, concealed themselves 
 with the main body in a wood. The Americans returned 
 to Fort George; harassed, nearly the whole way, by the In- 
 dians, and their disappointment rendered still more griev- 
 ous, from the capture, by an armed schooner, of nearly all 
 their eamp equipage and baggage. 
 22* 
 
258 HISTORY OF 
 
 The movement of general Dearborne against the fortin- 
 cations on the Niagara, was attended wich imminent dan- 
 ger to Sackett's Harbour. In his absence, it experienced 
 a formidable attack. Sir George Prevost having embark- 
 ed, with a thousand men, on board the fleet of sir James 
 Yeo, scarcely had commodore Chauncey arrived at Niaga- 
 ra, when the British squadron appeared off the harbour. 
 An alarm was immediately given. General Brown, with 
 about a thousand men, of every description — seamen, ar- 
 tillerists, militia invalids, and volunteers, made the best 
 preparation that the occurrence would permit. At the on- 
 ly place of landing, he hastily raised a battery and breast- 
 work ; behind which, some militia and artillery were sta- 
 tioned ; and the remainder of his forces, in a second line 
 near the public buildings. The approach of the enemy's 
 boats, did not, at first, disturb the firmness of the militia, 
 who formed the front line ; but, when they had discharged 
 their muskets, they were seized by a sudden panic, and 
 neither threats nor entreaties could arrest their flight. A 
 sharp conflict now began, with the regulars and artillery 
 under colonel Backus: who retired gradually; taking pos- 
 session of the houses and barracks, and continuing to an- 
 jioy the assailants from the windows. At this time, the 
 liopes of the American commander revived. Ashamed of 
 xheir panic, (to which, indeed, the bravest troops, if inex- 
 perienced, are subject,) a considerable part of the militia 
 had rallied near the scene of action : with these, general 
 Brown marched silently through the woods, in apparent 
 secrecy, yet intending to be discovered. The stratagem 
 was successful. Believing that his rear was in danger of 
 assault, and perhaps informed that a strong reinforcement 
 to the Americans was approaching, the British commander 
 ©rdered a retreat, and, leaving his dead and wounded on 
 the field, hastily embarked. 
 
 The attack, however, although repulsed, created con- 
 siderable damage. Supposing that his friends were en- 
 tirely beaten, commodore Chauncey, agreeably with a pre- 
 vious arrt^ngement, set fire to the public store-houses, and, 
 before the flames were suppressed, the destruction was ex- 
 tensive. 
 
 General Dearborne, having been, for some time, labour- 
 ing under a severe indisposition, now retired from service; 
 assigning Fort George to the care of colonel Boyd. The 
 American arms scon afterwards experienced a severe re- 
 verse, by an irrational attack on a British party at La 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 259 
 
 Coose's Ilouse, about seventeen miles from the fort : and 
 on the 8th of July a general skirmish ensued, without any 
 advantage remaining on either side. Losses were frequent- 
 ly occurring, from the peculiar warfare of the Indians : 
 Boyd, therefore, considering the forbearance, hitherto ob- 
 served, in refusing the service of the friendly tribes, inju- 
 rious to the army, accepted the aid of the Seneca nation, 
 having about four-hundred warriors, under young Corn- 
 planter: with a stipulation of the same nature as that en- 
 tered into by the western Indians with general Harrison. 
 On the last day of July, twelve-hundred British landed at 
 Plattsburg, destroyed the public stores, and carried oft" 
 large quantities of individual property; interesting engage- 
 ments continued between sir James Yeo and commodore 
 Chauncey ; in which, the latter, though he contended with 
 the utmost gallantry and skill, suffered occasional defeats. 
 
 During the first year of the war, the Atlantic shore en- 
 joyed a state of comparative peace. Early in the spring, 
 however, a devastating mode of hostility began, against the 
 most exposed southern states ; a distinction having been 
 made between the north and south: from a belief that the 
 northern states were not only unfriendly to the war, but 
 strongly inclined to separate from the Union, and return 
 to their former allegiance under the king of England. On 
 the 4th of February, a British squadron, consisting of tw© 
 ships of the line, three frigates, and some shipping of in- 
 ferior size, ascended the Chesapeake, destroyed the small 
 vessels employed in navigating the bay, and effectually 
 blockaded its entire waters. About the same time, another 
 squadron, under admiral Beresforcl, entered the Delaware, 
 and, on the 10th of April, demanded from the people iu 
 the village of Lewistown a supply of provisions : which 
 were spiritedly refused by colonel Davis ; the oilicer com- 
 manding at this place. The frigate Belvidera then moved 
 near the village, and commenced a furious bombardment. 
 But this mode of obtaining a supply was equally ineffective* 
 Her fire being returned from a small baitery hastily erect- 
 ed on the shore, after a cannonade of twenty-four hours, 
 the attempt was relinquished. Another trial, near the same 
 place, in the ensuing month, met a similar opposition: th& 
 admiral having attempted to land a party from his barges, 
 major Hunter, who was detached by colonel Davis with a 
 hundred-and-fifty men, made so gallant a resistance, that 
 he compelled them to hasten to the shipping : soon after 
 which, the squadron returned to Bermuda, 
 
260 HISTORY OF 
 
 In the meantime, scenes of the most distressing kind 
 were presented in the Chesapeake. Admiral Cockburn 
 was satiating his unmanly and unsoldierlike propensities, 
 in a species of warfare, at once reflecting dishonour on the 
 brave and generous character of the British navy, staining 
 his own memory with indelible reproach, and embittering, 
 for ages, that antipathy, which, since the early period of 
 the revolution, was still existing. Having taken possession 
 of several islands in the bay, particularly Sharp's, Tilgh- 
 man's, and Poplar islands, he could make an easy descent 
 upon the neighbouring shores. At first, his depredations 
 were directed against the farm-houses and seats of private 
 gentlemen. These were plundered, their owners, in the 
 rudest manner, insulted; and cattle which could not be 
 removed were wantonly destroyed. This devastating hos- 
 tility was, in a short time, practised on a bolder and more 
 extensive scale. Frcnchtown and Havre de Grace; the one 
 a village situated on Elk River, the other, a more consid- 
 erable town, higher up the bay, on the Susquehanna, and 
 both places of deposit for military and mercantile property, 
 in its passage between Baltimore and Philadelphia; were 
 plundered and entirely burned. Georgetown and Fred- 
 ericktown, two beautiful visages on the river Sassafras, 
 experienced a similar destruction. The opposition made 
 by the few inhabitants and militia who hastily assembled, 
 was unavailing, against five-hundred well disciplined ma-- 
 rines. The people of Frenchtown, after firing a few shots, 
 lied on the enemy's approach ; with the exception of an 
 old Hibernian, named O'Ncil. This heroic citizen con- 
 tinued the battle, alone ; lor;ding a piece of artillery, and 
 firing it himself, until, by recoiling, it ran over his leg and 
 wounded him severely; and even then, exchanging his 
 piece of ordnance for a musket, and limping away, he still 
 kept up a retreating fight with the advanced column of the 
 British. He was, at length, made prisoner, but, soon after- 
 wards, released. — The behaviour of colonel Veazy and a 
 small party at Fredericktown, was equally deserving of 
 applause. Aided by a few militia, the remainder of fifty 
 who had opposed the enemy on their landing, this brave 
 officer continued a steady and well directed fire, until longer 
 delay would bring inevitable destruction upon themselvesj 
 and increased severity upon the neighbourhood. 
 
 The arrival of Admiral Warren augmented the British 
 naval force in the Chesapeake, to a formidable number. 
 Seven ships of the line and twelve frigates, with a pro- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 261 
 
 portional attendance of smaller vessels, and a large body of 
 land troops accompanied by sir Sidney Beckwith, held un- 
 disturbed possession of the bay. The unguarded villages 
 had already felt the unsparing hand of barbarous warf4re : 
 the strongest cities were now in danger of destruction. 
 i3altimore, Annapolis, and Norfolk, were equally in ex- 
 pectation of assault. 
 
 Norfolk was destined as the first object of attack. The 
 naval and military commanders were alike active in making 
 preparations against the impending danger. Commodore 
 Cassin, having received intelligence that a squadron of the 
 enemy had arrived in Hampton Roads, ordered that the 
 frigate Constellation should he anchored between the two 
 forts, which command the approach to Norfolk; and that 
 the gun-boat flotilla, under captain Tarbell, should engage 
 the foremost of the enemy. Ten-thousand militia were 
 already assembled in the town. The flotilla did consider- 
 able damage to one of the advancing frigates; but was soon 
 under the necessity of retiring. Four days afterwards, (on 
 the 22d of June,) the British were discerned approaching, 
 with about four-thousand land troops; whom, they endea- 
 voured to disembark on Craney Island, out of the reach of 
 the American gun-boats. But, in avoiding one danger, 
 they encountered another, more destructive. A battery, 
 under the direction of lieutenant Neale, was managed with 
 so much precision, that several of their boats were cut in 
 two, the admircus barge was sunk, and the whole force, 
 after half their number had landed, compelled to make a 
 precipitate retreat. Nor was this the only scene of their 
 disappointment. A large body who had disembarked on 
 the main shore, were not less ably resisted by the Virginia 
 volunteers, on their crossing the narrow inlet to the west. 
 Here, too, they were forced to relinquish the attempt ; 
 their loss, altogether, being two-hundred in killed and 
 wounded, besides a number who seized the opportunity of 
 deserting. The Americans lost not a single man. 
 
 The safety of Norfolk, as well as of Gosport, Portsmouth, 
 and other places, is to be attributed to the resolute defence 
 of Craney Island. The conduct of lieutenant Neale and 
 his equally brave companions, Shubrick, Saunders, and 
 Breckenridge, was gratefully acknowledged by the inhab- 
 itants ; and colonel Beaty and his officers were no less en- 
 titled to applause. 
 
 Changing the mode of approach, the enemy determined 
 on proceeding against Hampton ; a town, distant about 
 
262 HISTORY OF 
 
 eighteen miles from Norfolk. The fortifications of this 
 place were of small importance : the garrison was weak ; 
 not exceeding four-hundred men. Possessed of this place, 
 it was thought that Norfolk would be the more easily sub- 
 dued ; as its communication with the upper country would 
 then be entirely interrupted. On the 25th, admiral Cock- 
 burn advanced, with a number of barges, tenders, and small- 
 er vessels; throwing rockets, and firing towards the town: 
 while general Beckwith landed below, at the head of two- 
 thousand m.en; intending to march up and gain the Amer- 
 ican rear. But the admiral was so warmly received by ma- 
 jor Crutchfield, the officer commanding at Hampton, who 
 opened against him a few pieces of artillery, that he was 
 compelled, instantly, to withdraw, and conceal his men be- 
 hind a point. 
 
 The general now appeared, and was severely galled by 
 a rifle company under captain Servant, which had been 
 posted in a wood. Major Crutchfield soon afterwards 
 brought his infantry to their support ; but, finding himself 
 unable to stand against numbers so superior, he retreated. 
 The enemy were rapidly gaining ground. Captain Pryor, 
 who had been left to command the battery that had opposed 
 them in their landing, when the royal marines had ap- 
 proached within sixty yards, and his party were in imme- 
 diate danger of being captured, ordered the guns to be 
 spiked ; and, charging upon the enemy, threw them into 
 confusion : by which act of desperation, he effected his 
 escape, without losing any of his men. Altogether, the 
 Americans lost, in killed and wounded, nineteen ; the Brit- 
 ish, thirty-eight. 
 
 With painful feeling, and reluctance, we here record the 
 barbarities that followed. Unwilling to perpetuate the re- 
 collection of atrocities, and, consequently, prolong the hos- 
 tile feeling towards the British, we would pass them over 
 in silence ; yet, a brief memorial seems imperiously re- 
 quired, to animate the exertions of every citizen against 
 invasion at a future day. The troops employed in the at- 
 tack on Craney Island, were chiefly of the vilest description ; 
 prisoners taken from the French armies in Spain : who had 
 entered the British service with a view of rewarding their 
 own desertion by the plunder of their friends. No sooner 
 was the town in possession of these wretches, than leave 
 was given them to satiate the worst passions of corrupted 
 nature. Neither age nor sex, sickness nor decrepitude of 
 years, restrained the monstrous cruelties of these barbaii- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. ,2^S 
 
 aas. Some justification of their enomiities was offered by 
 the British commander. When appealed to by general 
 Taylor, sir Sidney Beckwith declared, that excesses were 
 permitted in retaliation for the conduct of the Americans 
 at Crancy Island, in shooting at a crew of English seamen, 
 who had clung to their barge when overset ; nevertheless, 
 that the troops had proceeded to a degree of severity, un- 
 warranted, and that, on learning the extent of their enor- 
 mities, he had ordered them to re-embark. The Ameri- 
 cans, however, deny the existence of that ground of retalia- 
 tion ; it having, after solemn inquiry, appeared, that they 
 had acted with uniform humanity. 
 
 During the remainder of the summer, the British were 
 employed, chiefly, in threatening Washington, Annapolis, 
 and Baltimore. Admiral Cockburn was permitted to follow 
 his inclination, by moving with a large squadron to the 
 south ; where he carried on, in the Carolinas and in Geor- 
 gia, the same species of warfare so extensively practised 
 by him in the Chesapeake. 
 
 To this, a pleasing contrast was shown, in the deportment 
 of commodore Hardy; who commanded a squadron off the 
 northern states. His conduct was brave, honourable, and 
 humane : whilst performing his duty as a British officer, 
 he did not forget the laws of established warfare: he fought 
 the battles of his country ; but, with the severity of the sol- 
 dier, he blended the mildness of the Christian. 
 
 The United States now so justly estimated the value of 
 their marine department, that congress, during the last 
 session, authorized the building of several additional ves- 
 sels. 
 
 This confidence, arising from the success of the past, 
 was not disappointed by the achievements of the future. 
 Succeeding victories were equally splendid with the former. 
 The arrival of the Hornet gave another addition to the 
 long catalogue of marine attainments. Captain Lawrence 
 had been ordered to blockade a British ship of war at St. 
 Salvador ; which vessel was formerly challenged by the 
 Hornet ; but, unwilling to risk the loss of a large amount of 
 silver, she thought it prudent, though of superior force, to 
 decline the combat. The Hornet afterwards sailed for Per- 
 nambuco ; on the 4th of February, captured an English 
 brig often guns, with above twenty-thousand dollars; then, 
 sailed along the coast of Maranham, and on the 22d steered 
 for Demerara. The next day, captain Lawrence engaged 
 a large national armed brig, the Peacock; pouring into her 
 
364 HISTORY OF 
 
 so heavy a fire, that, in fifteen minutes, she not only surren- 
 dered, but hoisted a signal of distress. She was cut alniqpt 
 to pieces, and had already six feet of water in her hold. 
 The sea rushed impetuously through her wounds ; threat- 
 ening every moment to ingulf her. A party were immedi- 
 ately sent to remove her crew onboard the Hornet. They 
 found, that her captain had been killed, that the greater 
 part of her men were either killed or wounded, and that 
 she was rapidly sinking, notwithstanding all their eflbrts to 
 keep her above the water. Her guns were now thrown over- 
 board, the shot-holes stopped, v/hilst a part of the Hornet's 
 crew laboured strenuously to save the vanquished. But 
 the utmost exertions of these generous men were unavail- 
 ing : she sunk, in the midst of them ; carrying down nine 
 of her own men, and three of the Americans. 
 
 Hitherto, invariable success had attended the navy ; but, 
 for a while, Great Britain seemed to have regained her an- 
 cient character of invincibility. Perhaps, this change was 
 beneficial to the United States. A longer continuance of 
 victory might have relaxed that vigorous discipline, which, 
 the want of confidence, not experience, had established. 
 
 On the 10th of April, a few days after the arrival of the 
 Hornet, the Chesapeake frigate returned to Boston, from a 
 four months' cruise; when, her commander, captain Evans, 
 being appointed to the New York station, she was assigned 
 to captain Lawrence. About the latter end of the month, 
 the British frigate Shannon, commanded by captain Broke, 
 appeared off Boston Harbour, prepared for a desperate ren- 
 counter; and sent a formal challenge to captain Lawrence: 
 which, unfortimately, was not received. He was, at this 
 time, absent from the port. On arriving, he was informed, 
 that a British frigate was lying off the harbour; apparently 
 inviting a combat with an American. He was pleased with 
 the occasion ; as he burned with impatience again to meet 
 the enemy. But his spirit was more commendable than 
 his prudence. He did not sufficiently inquire into the rela- 
 tive condition of the vessels. The greater part of the 
 Chesapeake's crew had !>een recently discharged ; others 
 had been enlisted, and several of the officers were sick. 
 Under these disadvantages, he sailed out on the first of 
 June, determined to risk a battle. When he came within 
 sight of the Shannon, he addressed his crew ; but found 
 that they listened with no enthusiasm : som^e heard him with 
 sullen coldness ; others, with murmurs and dissatisfaction. 
 They alleged, as a reason of complaint, the non-payment of 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 265 
 
 Uieir prize money. For this, he immediately gave them 
 nckets, and thought that they were reconciled : but he was 
 mistaken ; they were, at this moment, ahuost in a state of 
 mutiny. At length, the Chesapeake closed with the enemy, 
 and gave her a broadside ; which was returned with equal 
 destruction : but the Chesapeake was more unfortunate in 
 the loss of officers. A second and a third broadside were 
 exchanged; when the same misfortune continued. A hand 
 grenade, thrown from the Shannon, exploded in the arm- 
 chest of the Chesapeake, with disastrous effect. Captain 
 Broke, with great alertness, seized the moment of distress, 
 and boarded the American. A scene of horrid carna^^c 
 ensued. Captain Lawrence had been mortally wounded 
 early in the action, and carried below ; exclaiming as he 
 left the deck, " Don't give up the sJiip ;" every officer, 
 qualified for command, was either killed or severely wound- 
 ed, and, of the crew, one-third were disabled. In twelve 
 minutes from the commencement of the action, the ship 
 was overcome, and her colours hauled down. Of the ene- 
 my, twenty-three were killed and fifty-six wounded. On 
 board the Chesapeake, about eighty men were killed and 
 as many wounded ; the greater portion of which loss was 
 suffered after the enemy had gained the deck. 
 
 The body of captain Lawrence, together with that of 
 lieutenant Ludlow, who, also, had been mortally wounded 
 in the action, was interred by the enemy at Halifax, with 
 every honour, — civil, naval, and military. A passport being 
 obtained from commodore Hardy, they were afterwards 
 brought to the United States, by Mr. Crowninshield of Sa- 
 lem, in his own barge, manned by twelve masters of vessels. 
 
 Seldom did any victory create in England, amongst the 
 adherents of the government, a more pleasing sensation, 
 than the capture of the Chesapeake. Not even the bril- 
 liant achievements of Wellington in Spain, nor of Nelson, 
 on the ocean, had called forth more lively expressions of 
 satisfaction ; and, in accordance with this feeling, the prince 
 regent conferred upon the victor, who had undoubtedly 
 evinced the utmost contempt of danger, the honour of 
 knighthood. 
 
 On the 4th of August, another American vessel was cap- 
 tured by the British. A sloop of war, the Argus, had the 
 misfortune to be vanquished. After conveying Mr. Craw- 
 ford, the United Slates' minister, to France, the Argus 
 proceeded early in June to cruise in the English channel ; 
 where, she continued for two months, committing extensive 
 
266 HISTORY OF 
 
 havoc amongst the enemy's shippmg; and causing so much 
 uneasmess, that the British merchants were unable to pro- 
 cure insurance on their vessels, navigating in that quarter, 
 under three times the customary premium. Several ships 
 of war were ordered out in search of this daring and des- 
 tructive foe; one of which at length discerned her, amidst 
 the flame of a brig which she had set on fire. This was the 
 Pelican ; a vessel of her own class, but said to be two guns 
 superior to her in force. An action commenced, at the 
 distance of musket shot ; the Pelican being to windward. 
 At the first broadside, captain Allen of the Argus fell, se- 
 verely wounded ; and lieutenant Watson, also, on whom 
 the command devolved, after a brave and skilful perform- 
 ance of his duty for an hour and a half, was rendered unfit 
 for service. In five minutes more, the Argus was so great- 
 ly damaged in her rigging, that she could no longer be 
 manoeuvred; and, after sustaining a tremendous raking fire 
 for half an hour, she surrendered. 
 
 Captain Allen, who was justly a favourite of his country, 
 with midshipmen Delphy and Edwards, died in England ; 
 where they were buried, with all the professional tributes 
 of respect. 
 
 America was soon afterwards consoled for the loss of the 
 Argus. Victory again favoured the republic. In the follow- 
 ing month, the brig Enterprise, lieutenant Burroughs, when 
 a few days out of Portland, captured the Boxer; a vessel 
 rather superior in eff'ective force. The Enterprise had only 
 one killed and thirteen wounded ; but that one was the la- 
 mented Burroughs. The British loss was more consider- 
 able ; and amongst their slain, also, was their commander, 
 captain Blythe : who was buried by the side of his antago- 
 nist, in Portland. 
 
 Meanwhile, extensive preparations were making on the 
 land. In -the west, the campaign opened with an affair, 
 which, though of small importance, as affecting the chief 
 object of the war, was, nevertheless, conspicuous for its 
 brilliancy. This, was the remarkable defence of Fort San- 
 dusky, by major Croghan ; a youth of only twenty-one years 
 of age. When commanding at another post, Croghan, hav- 
 ing received information that the enemy intended to invest 
 the fort of Lower Sandusky, had marched hither, with 
 some additional men, and been occupied, with great assidu- 
 ity, in placing it in the best posture of defence. But the 
 only addition that he was enabled to complete, was a ditch 
 around the stockade of pickets ; a species of fortification 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 267 
 
 which encloses these hastily constructed forts, but affords 
 small protection against artillery. One six pounder was his 
 entire ordnance : a hundred-and-sixty men, regulars, and 
 Pittsburgh and Petersburgh volunteers, the total number of 
 his garrison. There seemed no likelihood of his defending 
 the place. General Harrison, conceiving it impossible to 
 hold it, ordered him, on the approach of the enemy, to de- 
 stroy the works, and retire. But this, the heroic Croghan, 
 taking the responsibility on himself, determined to disobey. 
 
 On the 1st of August, general Proctor appeared, with 
 about five-hundred regulars and seven-hundred Indians, 
 together with some gun-boats ; when, after making the 
 most prudent arrangements to cut off the garrison's re- 
 treat, he demanded a surrender. But the major refused to 
 obey the summons. Finding that his companions would 
 support him to the last, he retained, in presence of the 
 enemy, the same courage as when expecting their arrival, 
 and returned the answer of a soldier. He withstood, un- 
 daunted, the whole fury of their cannon, directed against a 
 single point of his defence ; strengthening it with bags of 
 flour and sand: concealed his six pounder loaded with slugs 
 and grape, in the bastion that covered the angle through 
 which the assailants meant to enter ; and, reserving his 
 fire, until several hundred of their number had reached the 
 ditch, commenced, with an effect, so destructive, that near- 
 ly the whole were either killed or wounded. The resolu- 
 tion of the assailants, seemed equal to the calm gallantry 
 of the defenders. The assault was repeated, with bravery 
 augmented by resistance. But those who escaped destruc- 
 tion from the cannon, were met by a shower of bullets from 
 the small-arms, the remainder sought shelter in the woods, 
 and, the next morning, disappeared. 
 
 This exploit called forth the admiration of every party 
 in the United States. The commander, and his com- 
 panions, captain Hunter, lieutenants Johnson, Bayley, An- 
 thony, and Meeks; ensigns Ship and Duncan; of the regu- 
 lar army ; as well as all the other officers and volunteers ; 
 were highly complimented by the general, and received the 
 still more conspicuous approbation of congress. Croghan 
 was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel ; and, to 
 render his happiness complete, was presented with a sword 
 by the ladies of Chilicothe. 
 
 The utmost exertions had been making to gain the as- 
 cendency on lake Erie. The completion of the naval force 
 in this quarter ; a means so essential to check the Britisll 
 
^p8 HISTORY OF 
 
 progress in the west; was intrusted to commodore Perry: 
 an officer, already mentioned in our history, who joined the 
 steadiness of age with the ardour and enterprise of youth. 
 He was then in his twenty-eighth year. His fleet consist- 
 ed of two vessels, each of twenty guns ; two of four, one of 
 three, one of two, and three of one gun each: in all, nine 
 vessels, carrying fifty-six guns. The British squadron, 
 which was commanded by captain Barclay, comprised one 
 vessel of twenty-one guns, one of seventeen, one of fifteen, 
 another of ten, and two of three, guns each ; in the whole, 
 six vessels, mounting sixty-nine guns. On the morning of 
 the 10th of September, the enemy appeared off Put-in-Bay, 
 ■\yhere commodore Perry was at anchor, bearing down up- 
 on the latter with a fair wind. The American squadron 
 soon got under way : the engagement having commenced 
 with the largest vessel in advance, became general along 
 the line. The conflict was tremendous. The British fought 
 with a degree of bravery worthy of their ancient fame ; the 
 Americans, with resolution becoming the defenders of their 
 country. The flag-ship of commodore Perry suffered dread- 
 fully in the loss of men ; and was, every moment, on the 
 point of sinking. He descended into a boat, proceeded, 
 amidst the hottest of the fire, to another vessel, at the same 
 time^ waving his sword on high, to invigorate his men. 
 Three hours, had the battle held the combatants in awful 
 suspense, before the scale of victory was turned. At length, 
 the laurel crown was assigned to Perry ; the triumph was 
 complete ; — not a single vessel of the enemy escaped. 
 
 The Americans were now masters of the lake ; but they 
 still felt the effects of Hull's surrender. Part of their terri- 
 tory was yet in possession of the British. The next move- 
 ments of general Harrison were against the captured for- 
 tress of Detroit, and the Canadian fort at Maiden. Placing, 
 at the former, a strong guard under colonel M' Arthur, on 
 the 27th of September, he embarked, with his main body, 
 consisting of several thousand regulars, militia, and volun- 
 teers from Ohio and Kentucky ; and, passing over lake 
 Erie, landed about three miles below Amherstsburgh. The 
 British general. Proctor, had, in the meantime, evacuated 
 Detroit, and destroyed the fort and public stores of Mai- 
 den ; and, joined by Tecumseh's Indians, retreated across 
 the Thames. General Harrison determined on pursuing. 
 On the 2nd of October, he marched with thirty-five-hun- 
 dred of his most active troops, consisting of a few regu- 
 lars, colonel Ball's dragoons, colonel Johnson's regiment, 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 269 
 
 with some of governor Shelby's volunteers ; and, after 
 skirmishing with the Indians, capturing a guard and a 
 large quantity of arms and ammunition, reached the place 
 where the enemy had, the night before, encamped. They 
 were drawn up across a narrow strip of land ; hemmed in, 
 on one side, by a swamp, and, on the other, by the Thames : 
 their right consisting of Indians, under Tecumseh ; posted 
 in a thick wood, in the vicinity of a morass. General Har- 
 rison immediately prepared for battle. His manner of at- 
 tack was judicious. Knowing the dexterity of back-woods- 
 men in riding through a forest, and the ease with which 
 they carry rifles in that situation, he determined to sur- 
 prise the regulars, by charging them with colonel John- 
 son's mounted regiment ; who were, accordingly, drawn 
 up in front. The horses, at first, recoiled from the enemy's 
 fire ; but, soon afterwards, again getting in motion, at full 
 speed, with irresistible impetuosity, broke through the op- 
 posing column. In a moment, the contest was over, in the 
 foremost ranks. The Americans instantly forming in their 
 rear, were preparing to make another charge ; when, the 
 British officers, finding it impossible to form, with suffi- 
 cient rapidity, their shattered ranks, immediately surren- 
 dered. Much, however, was still to be accomplished. The 
 Indians were not yet disturbed. They remained, unshaken, 
 at their post. The tremendous voice of Tecumseh was dis- 
 tinctly heard, encouraging his warriors, who, though beset 
 on every side, fought with more obstinate courage than had, 
 at any time, been witnessed in these people. But the gal- 
 lantry of Johnson soon deprived them of their spirit. Rush- 
 ing towards the spot where the faithful warriors clustered 
 around their chief, amidst the well-aimed bullets which 
 the conspicuous figure of the brave Kentuckian, from his 
 uniform and white horse, attracted as he approached, he 
 was discovered by Tecumseh, when covered with wounds, 
 and at the moment when his horse was about to sink, from 
 the loss of blood. The chief, having discharged his rifle, 
 sprang forward with his tomahawk ; but, amazed by the 
 appearance of his antagonist, for a moment withheld his 
 blow. The interval was fatal. Leveling a pistol at his breast, 
 colonel Johnson instantly brought him to the ground ; and 
 the Indians, no longer hearing the voice of their leader, 
 soon afterwards dispersed. 
 
 The British loss in this engagement was seventy killed 
 and wounded, and six-hundred prisoners. The Americans 
 lost, in killed and wounded, about fifty j amongst the slain? 
 23* 
 
270 HISTORY OF 
 
 was .colonel Whitely, a soldier of the revolution; who serv- 
 ed, on that occasion, as a private. Shelby, the venerable 
 governor of Kentucky, bore a distinguished part in the 
 honours of the day. Though, in the struggle for inde- 
 pendence, particularly on King's Mountain, he had, already, 
 entailed a heavy debt of gratitude upon his country, he 
 now, at an age approaching seventy, came forward to es- 
 tablish what he had aided in acquiring. 
 
 The Indians left a hundred-and-twenty on the field: but 
 the fall of Tecumseh was more weakening than the loss of 
 half their nation. No longer attempting to renew the war, 
 they were received by the Americans as allies. — Tecumseh 
 was the most formidable chief that ever raised the toma- 
 hawk against the United States. Subtle, brave, eloquent, 
 and liberal; of a dignified and commanding aspect; a form, 
 at once welj proportioned and majestic ; he was fitted to 
 gain the affections of his people, and lead them to the most 
 desperate encounters. 
 
 Harrison now allowed the greater part of the volunteers 
 to return home ; and, stationing general Cass at Detroit, 
 with about a thousand men, proceeded, according to in- 
 structions, with the remainder of his force, to join the army 
 of the centre, at Buffaloe. 
 
 To make a serious impression on Canada, if not a total 
 conquest of the province, was, again, a favourite object 
 with the American government. Recent victory had in- 
 creased the confidence of the administration, and revived 
 "he martial spirit of the people. A larger force, than at 
 any former period, was collected along the northern fron- 
 tier. At the head of the war office, was placed general 
 Armstrong ; a man of acknowledged energy and talents ; 
 naturally inclined to military study ; and, by a long resi- 
 dence in Europe, skilled in all the modern improvements 
 in that arduous department. Dearborne was succeeded by 
 general Wilkinson, from the southern district ; an officer 
 supposed to possess more extensive military science than 
 any other in the United States: and general Wade Hamp- 
 ton, from the same quarter, distinguished, as well as Wil- 
 kinson, amongst the revolutionary soldiers, was also sum- 
 '^moned to aid in the intended enterprise. The troops col- 
 lected under the former, on the Niagara frontier, amount- 
 ed to eight -thousand regulars ; independent of those short- 
 ly expected under Harrison. The latter assembled at Platts- 
 burgh ; numbering four-thousand men ; and, making a to- 
 tal superior to any mustered since the beginning of the 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 27 i 
 
 .war. The Americans had the command of the water com- 
 munication : Fort George and the neighbouring shores 
 were in their possession. General Armstrong himself, with 
 more solicitude, however, than prudence, visited the army, 
 to deliver instructions for the campaign: and the ablest 
 officers that the Union could afford; such as Brown, Scott, 
 and Macomb ; Boyd, Porter, and Forsythe ; accompanied 
 the expedition. 
 
 Montreal was destined to be the first object of attack. 
 The chief place of rendezvous was Grenadier's Island ; half 
 way between Sackett's Harbour and Kingston: whence, it 
 was appointed that the army should embark, and proceed 
 down the St. Lawrence to a convenient place for landing. 
 A brilliant rencounter, which occurred on the 21st of No- 
 vember, between an American regiment, under colonel 
 Ripley, and a superior number of the enemy, at Chrystler's 
 field, gave a happy specimen of bravery and skill, and pro- 
 mised a glorious consummation of the army's hope: but, a 
 letter received by the commander in chief, from general 
 Hampton, declaring the impracticability of his co-operating 
 in the original design, stopped any farther prosecution of 
 the campaign. The army then retired into winter-quarters 
 at Frenchtown Mills. 
 
 Opinion was much divided as to the causes of this failure, 
 as well as to the party that should bear the blame. The 
 dissatisfaction was in proportion to the flattering anticipa- 
 tion of success : and even the government was not without 
 a share of the universal censure ; for having associated two 
 officers, Wilkinson and Hampton, between whom there had 
 previously existed a well-known spirit of hostility. 
 
 But the injury suffered by the United States did not end 
 merely in disappointment. Failing in the extension of their 
 conquests, they were deprived of their former acquisitions 
 on the Canadian shore. Fort George was shortly afterwards 
 abandoned. Before the middle of December, the force un- 
 der general M'Clure, to whom, the charge of that fortress 
 had been given, being reduced, by the departure of the 
 militia, on the expiration of their term of service, to a num- 
 ber insufficient for its defence; it was evacuated and blown 
 up. His retreat was preceded by an act which excited 
 universal dissatisfaction throughout the United States, and 
 caused severe retaliation by the enemy. Misconceiving 
 his instructions, he left the handsome village of Newark in 
 flames : this provoked the resentment of sir George Prev- 
 ost } and, accordingly, Fort Niagara being surprised, owing 
 
2712 HISTORY OF 
 
 to the negligence of captain Leonard, by a party of British 
 soldiers, the garrison, nearly three-hundred in number, 
 were, all, except about twenty, put to the sword: and, im- 
 mediately the invaders began to lay waste the adjoining 
 frontier ; burning Lewistown, Manchester, Youngstown, 
 the Indian village of the Tuscaroras, and Buffaloe. 
 
 In the meantime, commodore Chauncey had skirmished 
 with the enemy's squadron ; capturing, by unremitting 
 vigilance and consummate abilities, several armed vessels, 
 and forcing the remainder to keep within their harbour : 
 but the inconsiderable breadth of the passage which sepa- 
 rates'the frontiers in the neighbourhood of the several forts, 
 allowed the British to cross over in their small boats, and 
 rendered his naval superiority, in that respect, unavailing. 
 . o . ^ The impolicy of carrying on offensive war, for the 
 purpose of conquering a British province, was, eve- 
 ry day, more apparent. Though the army had improved 
 in discipline, and individuals had acquired renown, the 
 national aspect was becoming, on the whole, more gloomy. 
 Inexperience in commissarial affairs promoted waste and 
 disappointment. At one time, the soldiers were furnished 
 with exuberance ; at another, they were destitute of suffi- 
 cient food. Those comforts which "preserve the health, 
 and invigorate the spirits, of an army, were generally want- 
 ing ; and, in the snowy regions of the north, the men, thus 
 neglected, or made subservient to individual avarice, suf- 
 fered more by sickness than the sword. The expenditure 
 was, thus, three times larger than the ministerial estimates; 
 and the consumption of the regular soldiers, greater than 
 could be balanced by recruiting. Militia and volunteers 
 could be assembled for national defence: but regulars, 
 only, were suitable for offensive war; and these came for- 
 ward with reluctance, because the name of enlisted soldier 
 was held in disrepute. No expedient, however, was left 
 untried, to remove the prejudice, or act on the cupidity, 
 of the people. The pay was enlarged, immediate bounty 
 offered in money, and future benefit in lands. Several 
 millions of acres, v/ere, for this purpose, surveyed in Illi- 
 nois, and a large quantity in Missouri; of which, a hun- 
 dred-and-sixty were to be given to each private, and a pro- 
 portionate allowance to subordinate officers, on the conclu- 
 sion of the war. 
 
 In the beginning of the year, a British flag of truce ar- 
 rived at Annapolis, with despatches for the American gov- 
 ernment ; announcing the expulsion of Napoleon's armies 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 273 
 
 from Spain, his signal defeat, about the same period, at 
 Leipsic, and, that, notwithstanding the rejection of the 
 Russian mediation, the prince regent of England was will- 
 ing to enter on direct negotiations of peace. The presi- 
 dent having frankly acceded to the proposal, it was agreed, 
 that commissioners should assemble at Ghent. Henry- 
 Clay, speaker of the house of representatives, and Jonathan 
 Russel, were appointed, on the part of the United States, 
 to proceed to Europe ; and, with John Quincy Adams, (son 
 ©f the ex-president Adams,) James A. Bayard, and Albert 
 Gallatin, diplomatists already there, to commence the 
 pleasing business of conciliation. 
 
 Mr. Clay had filled the arduous duties of his office 
 with conspicuous dignity and attention. His chair was, at 
 his departure, assigned to Langdon Cheves, an eminent 
 lawyer of Carolina ; who, by his talents and uniform disin- 
 terestedness, gained, in that exalted station, the universal 
 esteem of his country. 
 
 After the failure of the campaign against the British 
 l^rovinces, the northern army remained in winter quarters, 
 without any material occurrence, until the latter end of 
 February. General Wilkinson had submitted several plans 
 of attack on the different posts in his vicinity: which, how- 
 ever, did not meet the concurrence of the secretary oif war; 
 who directed, that the army should be withdrawn from its 
 position, to Plattsburgh, and that general Brown should 
 proceed with two-thousand men to Sackett's Harbour, ac- 
 companied by a due proportion of field and battering artil- 
 lery. On the 13th of March, general Wilkinson, at the 
 head of about four-thousand men, recrossed the Canadian 
 lines, for the purpose of attacking La Colle's Mill ; a forti- 
 fied stone-house, garrisoned by about two-thousand, under 
 major Handcock : but, after a persevering assault, in 
 which, he suffered considerable loss, he was obliged to re- 
 linquish the design. The unfortunate issue of this affair, 
 combined with the failure of the late campaign, having 
 brought Wilkinson into disrepute, the administration sus- 
 pended him from command, and, in his place, appointed 
 general Izard. Wilkinson, however, after a minute inves- 
 tigation, was honourably acquitted of every charge. 
 
 Whilst M*Donough was employed in forming a navy on 
 lake Champlain, the indefatigable Chauncey was equally 
 industrious in keeping pace with the enemy's preparations 
 on lake Ontario. It was required, that every nerve should 
 be exerted, in this quarter. The British were here build- 
 
274 HISTORY OF 
 
 ing a ship, of no less magnitude than a hundred-and-twelve 
 guns; and, as they had failed in contending with the Amer- 
 ican vessels when afloat, they endeavoured, by formidable 
 incursions, to destroy them on the stocks, as well as the 
 naval stores, intended for their equipment. Their most 
 daring attempt was made against Oswego. Here, colonel 
 Mitchell commanded; and, though, after a heavy bombard- 
 ment, by a superior number of the enemy, under general 
 Drummond, he was compelled to evacuate the fort, yet, 
 by his provident removal of the stores, and obstinate resist- 
 ance, they gained only a barren victory, with considerable 
 loss of men. Their killed and wounded were at least two- 
 hundred. The Americans were not tedious in following 
 their example. On the 29th of May, a party, under major 
 Apling and captain Woolsey, having entered Sandy Creek, 
 carried off a hundred-and-thirty seamen, together with all 
 the boats and cutters in the harbour; an enterprise severe- 
 ly felt by the British squadron; as they lost thereby, many 
 of their ablest officers, and gave commodore Chauncey, 
 once more, the command of lake Ontario. 
 
 The death of colonel Forsythe, one of the most distin- 
 guished officers in the whole army, who, at this period, 
 was killed in a skirmish with the enemy, was deeply la- 
 mented. But an occurrence of a different kind, about the 
 same time, caused a much more serious impression on the 
 public mind. An American officer, colonel Campbell, 
 having crossed lake Erie with five-hundred men, and land- 
 ed at Dover, a small Canadian village, destroyed the mills, 
 together with the greater part of the private dwellings ; a 
 proceeding that underwent the investigation of a military 
 court : by which, it was determined, that, although the 
 destruction of the mills might be justified, by the usages of 
 war, on account of their having furnished the British troops 
 with necessary supplies, the damage inflicted on the dwell- 
 ings could not pass without disapprobation. 
 
 The eastern states did not escape, entirely, from the evils 
 attending this extensive warfare. The aversion to hostili- 
 ties entertained by the majority in New England, nor the 
 partiality which it was supposed they felt for the British, 
 in comparison with the French government, v/as not suffi- 
 cient to protect their coasts, throughout the war, from the 
 ravages of the English navy. Saybrook and Brockway's 
 Ferry, Wareham and Scituate, had, in the beginning of 
 April, to lament the entire destruction of their shipping. 
 A part of the district of Maine, lying between Penobscot 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 2.76 
 
 viver and Passamaquoddy, as well as all the islands on the 
 eastern side of the bay, were, soon afterwards, completely 
 overrun by the invaders. They declared this section to be 
 a portion of the British empire, and induced two-thirds of 
 the people to swear allegiance to the crown of England. 
 Very different, however, was their reception at Stonington. 
 Its destruction was prevented by the gallantry of its inhab- 
 itants ; and victory, considered by the enemy as certain, 
 thus changed, into the mortification of defeat. 
 
 The American navy continued to be an interesting sub- 
 ject of attention. Commodore Porter, although constrain- 
 ed to yield the Essex at Valparaiso, suffered no loss of 
 reputation. His services, before entering the Pacific Ocean, 
 and his glorious cruise in that distant quarter, where twelve 
 armed ships, carrying above a hundred guns, had been 
 taken by him from the enemy, could not be erased by his 
 yielding to a superior squadron, whilst apparently protect- 
 ed by the usages of a neutral port. Nor is commodore 
 Decatur the less entitled to national esteem, though, in the 
 following year, the chance of war placed him in contact 
 with another squadron, which, anxious to revive the droop- 
 ing laurels of the British flag, had roused his indignation 
 by transferring the fruit of their combined manoeuvres to 
 a single frigate. The confidence in these distinguished 
 officers underwent not the smallest diminution: the Amer- 
 ican navy maintained, in every action, the same superiority 
 by which its glory was acquired. The sloop of war. Pea- 
 cock, by the capture of the brig Epervier, impressed the 
 name of Warrington on the public mind ; and a vessel of 
 the former class, the Wasp, (lately built,) which compelled 
 the surrender, in different actions, of the Reindeer and 
 Avon brigs, caused yet stronger feelings of respect for the 
 memory of Blakely. His memory is all that his fellow- 
 citizens can now contemplate. The Atlanta, a vessel of 
 eighteen guns, taken off Madeira, was the last trophy pre- 
 sented by that officer. The W^asp never returned to the 
 United States : no information of her fate has been receiv- 
 ed, and all hopes of her arrival have, long since, diappear- 
 ed. This was a severe affliction. But, if a continuation of 
 success could, in any manner, diminish the regret for the 
 loss of so many valuable lives, the United States, in the 
 ensuing spring, received no small degree of consolation. 
 The Hornet sloop of war, commanded by captain Biddle, 
 captured the English national brig. Penguin ; and the Con- 
 stitution, under captain Stewart, overcame the united forces 
 
276 HISTORY OF 
 
 of the Cyane and the Levant; the latter carrying eighteen 
 guns; the former, thirty -four. 
 
 On the northern frontier, the army not only retained its 
 accustomed spirit, but emulated the high character of the 
 navy, by its improvement in discipline. The battle of 
 Chippeway, in which, on the 4th of July, the British com- 
 mander, Riall, retreated before general Brown, was an 
 achievement happily gained on the anniversary of Ameri- 
 can independence; and Niagara soon afterwards Avitnessed, 
 that, although general Drummond, the superior of the 
 vanquished leader, had determined to retrieve the misfor- 
 tune of his arms, the victorious officer was able to' heighten 
 the brilliant character of himself and his companions, by a 
 second conquest. Chippeway is remarkable in the annals 
 of America: but the battle of Niagara may justly be placed 
 in the foremost rank of all the anterior engagements of the 
 war. The obstinacy displayed by the British soldiers, en- 
 hanced the merit of their enemy, but did not prevent gen- 
 eral Riall, nor even the aid-de-camp of general Drummond, 
 from gracing the triumph of the victors. — In these actions, 
 generals Scott, Ripley, and Porter, conducted their several 
 divisions in the brave and able manner insured by their 
 previous conduct : colonel Miller, with majors Hindman 
 and Jessup, Leavenworth and M'Neil, though of inferior 
 stations, were not less energetic in their duty; and captain 
 Towson evinced the same precision in the management of 
 his artillery, that, since the commencement of the contest, 
 had rendered his name a familiar topic of applause. — A 
 party of the enemy, who had crossed the Niagara with the 
 design of recapturing general Riall, were repulsed by 
 the firmness of major Morgan ; and a more formidable 
 attack on Fort Erie, (retaken by the Americans,) in which 
 the whole energies of the British officers were exerted, 
 was repelled by the good conduct of the army under the 
 prudent superintendence of general Gaines. 
 
 But these conspicuous proofs of advancement in military 
 knowledge, did not enable the Americans to enlarge the 
 boundaries of their conquests, nor even to retain a footing 
 on the Canadian side. The weather growing cold, and the 
 season of inaction fast approaching, it was thought expe- 
 dient to transport the whole army into the United States ; 
 thus, terminating the third invasion of that British prov- 
 ince. 
 
 Early in June, intelligence having arrived of the com- 
 plete success of the allied powers in Europe, and the con- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 27^ 
 
 sequent dethronement of Napoleon, most serious appre- 
 licnsions were entertained from the exertions of Great Brit- 
 ain, now directed against a single point. It was naturally 
 supposed, that some place in the southern portion of the 
 Union, would feel the earliest effects of her concentrated 
 force. This conjecture was soon realized. Twenty-one sail 
 of the line, under admiral Cochrane, arrived in the Chesa- 
 peake, on the 1 6th of August. Another fleet from Bermuda, 
 followed, under the command of admiral Malcolm. Accom- 
 panying these, were several thousand land troops, the flow- 
 er of lord Wellington's army, under one of his most active 
 officers, general Ross. Despatching to the Potomac two 
 frigates, together with some rocket and bomb vessels, in 
 charge of captain Gordon, for the purpose of demolishing 
 Fort Washington ; and a strong division of his fleet, with 
 sir Peter Parker, to threaten Baltimore; admiral Cochrane 
 sailed with the main body up the Patuxent. The troops 
 Avere landed at Benedict, and, on the 21st of August, 
 marched to Nottingham. Thence, they pursued their 
 route to Upper Marlborough; where, they arrived at two 
 o'clock in the afternoon of the following day. To this 
 place, eighteen miles from Washington, commodore Bar- 
 ney, after a long continuance of gallant service in these 
 waters, having retreated, some time before, he now, on the 
 approach of his formidable antagonist, retired, to join the 
 American army in his rear; leaving a party of marines : 
 who, agreeably with his orders, accomplished the de:;truc- 
 tion of his flotilla. 
 
 General Ross had debarked thirty-five-hundred men. 
 The army destined to oppose him, was confided to general 
 Winder; who had been recently exchanged. It amount- 
 ed to fifteen-thousand ; of which number, about one-half 
 were actually assembled, or approaching. Five-hundred 
 of these were infantry of the line; a hundred-and-fifty, reg- 
 ular dragoons: six-hundred were seamen and marines; 
 and the remainder, militia, of the states of Virginia, Mary- 
 land, and the District of Columbia. 
 
 W^hilst the enemy were advancing, general Winder was 
 collecting his forces at the Wood Yard, fourteen miles 
 from Washington; falling back, when he had reached Up- 
 per Marlborough, to a place called the Old Fields: where, 
 he encamped. At noon, on the ensuing day, he detached 
 colonel Scott of the United States' thirty-sixth regiment, 
 major Peter of the Georgetown artillery, and captains Da- 
 vidson and Stull, witli their several corps, to reconnoitre 
 24 
 
278 HISTORY OF 
 
 the enemy, and impede them on their march. About six 
 miles from the American camp, they perceived the head 
 of the British cokmm, moving directly for the capital. A 
 slight skirmish ensued, and the party retvirned to the main 
 body. The enemy advanced, and, in the evening, halted 
 within three miles of general Winder. The general again 
 changed his position. To avoid a battle in the night, which 
 would deprive him of his great superiority in cannon, (hav- 
 ing above twenty pieces, and the British no more than 
 three,) he marched, about sun-set, into Washington, and 
 encamped near the bridge above the navy-yard. The ene- 
 my were seen from Bladensburg, about noon, on the 24th. 
 General Stansbury had arrived there on the 22nd, with 
 thirteen-hundred men from Baltimore; followed by colonel 
 Sterrett with three-hundred artillery, commanded by cap- 
 tains Myers and Magruder, and a light battalion of rifle- 
 men, under major Pinkney : the whole, nearly exhausted, 
 from the heat of the weather, and an insufficient supply of 
 provisions ; during a tantalizing march ; in Avhich, at one 
 time, they were obliged to halt for orders, and at another, 
 urged on with the greatest possible rapidity. General 
 Stansbury took a position on the west side of the eastern 
 branch of the Potomac ; being on the north of the turn- 
 pike road which leads through Bladensburg to Washing- 
 ton. Between his infantry and the bridge, he stationed his 
 artillery and riflemen ; with which advanced party, the ac- 
 tion now commenced. In the meantime, general Winder 
 had arrived, and sanctioned the arrangement : then, riding 
 back about half a mile from the bridge, he met his mam 
 body approaching, under general Smith of the Columbia 
 militia. It was now too late, to make such a disposition of 
 the whole, as might have been the most advantageous. 
 Without halting more than twenty minutes after coming 
 in full view of the American front line, the enemy moved 
 in column at a quick pace, through Bladensburg, to the 
 bridge. Their van, led by colonel Thornton, were, for a 
 moment, checked ; but, encouraged by their officers, they 
 proceeded firmly to the charge, and forced their passage. 
 General Ross, accompanied by admiral Cockburn, crossed 
 with the main body ; and, meeting no impediment, except 
 from major Peter's artillery, continued steadily along the 
 road. The Baltimore artillerists and riflemen, who formed 
 the front line, broke, and retreated ; when, pressing on 
 Stansbury's infantry, who formed the second, they caused 
 them to participate in the confusion, and, with the former, 
 
THE UNITED STATES. ' 275! 
 
 to abandon the scene of action. Peter's guns continued to 
 assail the invaders with a destructive fire: but they pushed 
 forward undismayed. Smith's brigade was now on the 
 point of eng-aging, when general Winder ordered a retreat. 
 This was made in as correct a manner as the ground would 
 permit. After falling back a few hundred yards, it was 
 perfectly formed, and ready to oppose the enemy ; but 
 was again directed to retire. Immediately before this, 
 commodore Barney, with his flotilla men, arrived ; also 
 captain Miller, with the marines. The commodore opened 
 a most destructive fire upon their front ; whilst Miller en- 
 filaded their left fiank. The first discharge from one of 
 Barney's eighteen pounders, made extensive havoc, and 
 literally cut an avenue through their column. They delib- 
 erated, for a moment, a.nd then tried to deploy upon Mil- 
 ler's division. But they could not accomplish their design. 
 They received so copious a discharge from his twelve 
 pounders, doubly loaded with canister shot, and from his 
 musketry, at the same time, that their leading platoons 
 were thrown into confusion, and fell back upon the advanc- 
 ing column. At this moment, the enemy might be regard- 
 ed as defeated. They w^ould, probably, have surrendered, 
 had the commodore's left been covered by a few resolute 
 infantry ; or, by as many marines as were on the right, com- 
 manded by such an ofincer as himself, or by another Miller. 
 But this protection not being afforded, the opportunity was 
 lost: general Ross succeeded in manoeuvres, which, in that 
 case, he would not even have attempted. His left pushed 
 forward up the hill, in front of Beall's Maryland militia; 
 who fled, without making the least resistance; the marines 
 were charged in front, and simultaneously, on their flanks, 
 by a division three times theif number. Their commander 
 Mas wounded, and, resigning them to captain Sevier, or- 
 dered them to retire. Barney's corps continued to make 
 dreadful havoc, until nearly surrounded, and the British 
 had even seized on their pieces : but, unable to effect any 
 thing more, in tiiat place, they joined the marines in their 
 retreat. Tl\e commodore now lay bleeding on the ground, 
 and, with captain Miller, fell into the hands of the enemy; 
 both receiving from them, in consideration of their distin- 
 guished gallantry, every encomium and attention. 
 . The marines and flotilla corps had expected to find, with- 
 in a short distance, the army rallied and posted for a sec- 
 ond contest. But, by general Winder's order, they had 
 left the field. Mr. Madison, general Armstrong, colonel 
 
280 HISTORY OF 
 
 Monroe, and the other chief officers of the government, 
 were present on the commencement of the battle; but, in 
 its progress they judged it prudent to retire. They inti- 
 mated to general Winder the possibility of still defending 
 the city; to which suggestion, he replied, that his army 
 "vvas dispersed, and broken down by fatigue. Thus, the fate 
 of Washington was decided. General Ross, with a thous- 
 and men, slowly approached the city ; where he arrived at 
 eight o'clock in the evening; his horse behig shot under 
 him, by some imprudent person who fired from a window. 
 The rear came up afterv/ards, and encamped within sight 
 of the capitol. The invaders then proceeded to burn this 
 fine building ; containing the senate-chamber and repre- 
 sentative-hall, supreme court-room, congressional library, 
 and public records. The treasury, war, and navy offices, 
 shared in the conflagration. Every public building, except 
 the general post-office, containirig the models of ingenious 
 patented inventions in the arts, v/as subjected to the same 
 Vandalic torch; in retaliation, it was declared, for the burn- 
 ing of York and other places, in Canada. Immense dam- 
 age was sustained, also, from the burning of the stores at 
 the navy-yard, by American orders; to prevent their falling 
 into the hands of the enemy. 
 
 General Ross remained in Washington until eight o'clock 
 on the evening of the 25th. He then began his return, over 
 the same road by which he had advanced. His army re- 
 tired in great disorder. It did not reach I31adensburg until 
 the afternoon of the 26th, distant only live miles; nor Ben- 
 edict until the evening of the 27th. It was in detachments ; 
 marched by different routes; was separated by hitcrvals of 
 many miles, and preceded by a drijve of sixty or seventy- 
 head of cattle. No impediment, however, except by the 
 country-people, was offered to this straggling enemy : 
 though, it can hardly be doubted, that half the Ameri- 
 can troops, overcome by them at Bladcnsburg, might, 
 if resolutely commanded, have retrieved their lost honour, 
 in a vigorous pursuit. Several officers of rank, and about 
 a hundrcd-and-iifty non-commissioned officers and privates 
 of the British army, whose wounds would not permit their 
 removal, were left behind. Their loss, altogether, was 
 very great. Four-hundred were killed and wounded, be- 
 sides five-hundred more who were made prisoners, or de- 
 serted. This indicated, not so much a victory, as a defeat. 
 The report from the vanquished army was the reverse : 
 twelve killed, and about thirty wounded. It is only just^ 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 281 
 
 however, to mention, that a court of inquiry^ held in Bal- 
 timore, investigated the conduct of general Winder, and 
 exonerated him from the charges which had been made, of 
 insufficient alacrity. 
 
 Captain Gordon was, in the meantime, ascending the 
 Potomac. On the 27th of August, two days after the 
 evacuation of the capital by general Ross, he approached 
 Fort Washington, situated on the east side of the river, 
 about six miles below Alexandria: when, having com- 
 menced a distant fire, the officer intrusted with its defence, 
 blew it up, in accordance with his instructions; and, with- 
 out returning a single shot, retreated with his garrison. 
 The consequence of this proceeding was the capture of the 
 town. One hour, only, was allowed the corporation, to re- 
 ply to the terms dictated by the English squadron. All 
 public and private stores were, accordingly, surrendered: 
 the vessels in the harbour, fully equipped by their respec- 
 tive owners; those sunk for its security, raised, and placed 
 in sailing order ; were delivered ; and the merchandise, of 
 every description, including that removed since the 19th 
 of the month, embarked, by the inhabitants, on board the 
 surrendered ships. Sixteen -thousand barrels of flour, one- 
 thousand hogsheads of tobacco, besides a large amount of 
 wine, sugar, and cotton, were thus lost to Alexandria. 
 
 The same good fortune did not attend captain Parker. 
 Having landed with two-hundred-and-fifty marines, in the 
 neighbourhood of Moor's Fields, on the eastern shore of 
 Maryland, he was opposed by colonel Reid with a hundred- 
 and-seventy militia, supported by two pieces of artillery : 
 by whom, after an obstinate contest, which lasted for an 
 hour, he was repulsed: himself being mortally wounded, 
 and thirteen of his party left dead upon the field. 
 
 There was only one opinion respecting the next grand ob- 
 ject of attack. All anxiously awaited the fate of Baltimore. 
 The unvaried hostile sentiments evinced towards the Brit- 
 ish government, by its inhabitants; the arrangements of 
 the invading enemy ; their recent victory at Bladen sburg, 
 and easy acquisition of the capital ; induced most solicit- 
 ous endeavours for its defence. Nor were the citizens of 
 Baltimore, alone, affected by its dangerous situation. Phi- 
 ladelphia was moved by scarcely less fearful anticipation ; 
 and New York, still farther distant from the interesting 
 scene, was equally industrious in guarding against an as- 
 sault by land. 
 
 Large bodies of militia, from Pennsylvania and Virginia, 
 24* 
 
2^8-2 HISTORY OF 
 
 and the interior of Maryland, assembled in Baltimore'. 
 Commodore Rodgers, with his marines, took charge of 
 the principal batteries on the high ground, situated on the 
 eastern side of the town ; the only point through which it 
 was assailable by land: where, a ditch was hastily thrown 
 up, and guarded by at least ten-thousand men. One divi- 
 sion of this force was confided to general Winder; another, 
 to general Strieker ; and the whole were under the com- 
 mand of general Samuel Smith ; an officer distinguished 
 in the revolutionary war, by his defence of Fort Mifflin. 
 The approach to the city, by water, was defended by Fort 
 M'Henry, (two miles from Baltimore,) garrisoned by one- 
 thousand men, under major Armistead; by large vessels 
 sunk in the opposite channel; besides two temporary works, 
 in the rear, superintended by lieutenants Newcomb and 
 Webster. 
 
 On the 11th of September, admiral Cochrane appeared 
 at the mouth of the Patapsco, with a fleet, of ships of war 
 and transports, amounting to fifty cail. The next morning 
 at seven o'clock, general Ross, having landed five-thousand 
 troops near North Point, about eight miles from the city, 
 immediately marched forward. General Strieker, who had 
 been sent out to impede his progress, with a brigade of 
 three-thousand, commenced a vigorous series of skirmish- 
 ing. The firing had not continued long before the British 
 general was killed. The command devolved on colonel 
 Brooke ; who pushed towards the city, whilst the Ameri- 
 cans gradually retired, until the evening ; when, they rest- 
 ed within half a mile of their intrenchments. The enemy 
 suffered heavily. Their loss in killed and wounded, was at 
 least three-hundred. The Arnerican loss was comparative- 
 ly small: about a hundred-and-sixty. On the follo^^ing 
 morning, the British were seen at a distance of only two 
 miles in front of the lines ; and, shortly afterwards, they 
 moved towards the right, as if desirous of entering by the 
 York and Harlford roads: in which intention, having been 
 frustrated by skilful manoeuvres, they advanced within one 
 mile, apparently with a design of assaulting the works, in 
 front. 
 
 Meanwhile, Fort M'Henry was furiously assailed. At 
 sun-rise, the British admiral, having brought sixteen ships 
 within two miles and a half of this important defence, be- 
 gan the assault with five bomb vessels, still farther in ad- 
 vance. At this time, the fort remained entirely silent. The 
 enemy were not within the range of the American guns. 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 283 
 
 But, when they moved yet nearer, major Armistead opened 
 a tremendous fire, which compelled them to resume their 
 former position. When it became dark, they attempted 
 to land some troops, by ascending the river towards Spring 
 Garden: but, thoui^h they had passed the outer works, un- 
 noticed, they were discovered by the smaller forts in the 
 rear, and obliged to withdraw ; after losing one of their 
 barges, with all that were on board. 
 
 When colonel Brooke's movements showed a design of 
 forcing the intrenchments, general Smith prudently station- 
 ed Winder and Strieker on the left, to assail the enemy on 
 their right, and on their rear, if they seriously attempted 
 the assault. This, perhaps, changed the intention of the 
 British land troops: the admirable defence made by Fort 
 M'Henry caused them to await the issue of the bombard- 
 ment, and, at the same time, determined the marine to de- 
 cline the contest. The capture of Baltimore was abandon- 
 ed. In the course of the night, Admiral Cochrane held a 
 conference with colonel Brooke, the land forces retreated 
 towards their boats, and, the next morning, returned on 
 board their ships. 
 
 High praise is due to the defenders of Baltimore, par- 
 ticularly to those stationed at the fort A bombardment,, 
 that, during twenty-five hours, had expended fifteen-hun- 
 dred shells, a large portion of which burst over their heads, 
 and a great number within the works, scattering fragments 
 in every direction, and seriously damaging several of the 
 buildings, demanded considerable firmness ; though the 
 personal injury, the killed being only four, and the wound- 
 ed twenty, was less than might have been imagined from 
 its magnitude.* 
 
 But it required the brilliant victory on lake Champlain, 
 and the equally splendid defence of Flattsburg, to remove 
 the unfavourable impression made on the negotiations in 
 Europe, by the unfortunate surrender of the capital. Com- 
 modore M'Donough, by the defeat of the British squadron 
 under captain Downie ; emd general Macomb, by the re- 
 pulse of the army under sir George Prevost; (two achieve- 
 ments which occurred simultaneously, and at the same 
 place, on the llih of September;) have gained imperish- 
 able honour to themselves and their brave companions. 
 
 • Admiral Cochrane Is an uncle of the gallant naval officer and 
 distiiig'uis'htd patrid, lord Cochiane; and a brother of the earl of 
 Dundonald, a scientific nobleman of Scotland. 
 
284 HISTORY OF 
 
 The American squadron on lake Champlain, consisted of 
 fourteen vessels, carrying eighty-six guns and eight-hun- 
 dred-and-twenty-six men ; the British of seventeen vessels 
 with ninety-five guns and one-thousand-and-fifty men. Of 
 these, one frigate, one brig, and two sloops, were captured, 
 some were sunk and others escaped; eighty-four men were 
 killed, one-hundred-and-ten wounded, and eight-hundred- 
 and-fifty-six made prisoners. — General Prevost,with twelve- 
 thousand men, endeavoured to cross the river Saranac in 
 three several places, and storm the forts at Plattsburgh, 
 defended by an inconsiderable force, principally militia ; 
 but was repulsed in every attempt. The British army lost 
 in killed and wounded, and by desertion, above two-thous- 
 and ; the American, a hundred-and-twenty-one. 
 
 It might rationally have been supposed, that the war 
 would, before this period, have ceased. Sufficient evidence 
 had been offered to the enemy, that no serious impression 
 could be made on the United States. The pacification of 
 Europe had withdraw^n the immediate causes of dispute, 
 and the American commissioners had been directed to al- 
 low the subject of impressment to remain unsettled. But 
 the English government were not equally desirous of peace. 
 They proposed, as an essential requisite of this great bless- 
 ing, a most insulting relinquishment ; — no less than a sur- 
 render of a large portion of territory, and the total aban- 
 donment of the coast along the lakes. 
 
 Early in September, it became known, that the enemy 
 were preparing to make a formidable invasion of Louisiana. 
 Governor Claiborne ordered the two divisions of the militia 
 of that state ; the first, under general Villere, and the se- 
 cond, under general Thomas; to hold themselves in readi- 
 ness to march at a moment's warning: and sent forth an 
 animating address, calling on the inhabitants to rise, for 
 the defence of their families and homes. But the majority 
 of the planters, there, at least of French extraction, had 
 felt little interest in the war : the militia, therefore, were 
 scarcely organized, instead of being disciplined and armed. 
 Nothing short of actual invasion could rouse them, in the 
 country. In the city, the case was different. Every man, 
 that could carry arms, had, in New Orleans, become a sol- 
 dier. The free people of colour, too, a numerous class, 
 were allowed the privilege of forming volunteer compa- 
 nies, and joining their white brethren in the momentous 
 duty of protection. 
 
 But the chief safety of the inhabitants was in the nature 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 285 
 
 of their country. It was exceedingly difficult of access, by 
 sea. In front, was a shallow coast ; and the principal en- 
 trance, a river ; which, after crossing the bar, is narrow, 
 deep, and rapid, and of a course so winding, as to render 
 it easily susceptible of being fortified. On the west, are 
 impassable swamps ; and, on the east, the low, marshy 
 coast, can be approached only through a shallow lake. 
 Gun-boats, the most appropriate means of annoyance, had, 
 notwithstanding, been neglected. As regarded men, arms, 
 and military Avorks, Louisiana was in a most defenceless 
 situation: the legislature had been convened; but, instead 
 of actively providing for the public safety, its time was 
 wasted in discussion. 
 
 When danger suddenly approaches, the energetic mind 
 of an individual may be of greater value than the combined 
 Avisdom of a senate. The formalities of law are ill suited 
 to expel an enemy, when at our very doors. Flappily for 
 NcAV Orleans, the commander of the district, general Jack- 
 son, arrived there, on the 2nd of December, from Mobile ; 
 to which place, he had returned, after performing an im- 
 portant military service at Pensacola, and, at an earlier pe- 
 riod of the Avar, rendering Jiimself conspicuous, by the al- 
 most total annihilation of thS Creek Indians. His presence 
 Avas instantly felt, in the confidence Avhich it inspired, and 
 in the unanimity Avith which the people seconded his prompt 
 arrangements. He visited, according to his invariable cus- 
 tom, every point Avhere it might be necessary to erect 
 Avorks to oppose the enemy. He directed that all the in- 
 lets from the Attakappas to the Manchack, should be ob- 
 structed ; that the banks of the Mississippi should be for- 
 tified, and a battery erected on the Chef Monteur. About 
 a thousand regulars Avere stationed in the city ; Avhich 
 troops, together Avith the Tennessee militia, under generals 
 Coifee and Carroll, Avere distributed at the most vulnerable 
 points. 
 
 Three days had not elapsed, after the arrival of general 
 Jackson, Avhen intelligence Avas received, that the British 
 fleet, consisting of at least sixty sail, Avas off the coast, to 
 the east of the Mississippi. Commodore Patterson imme- 
 diately despatched some gun-boats to Avatch their motions; 
 but, on the 14th, this little squadron Avas captured by a su- 
 perior force ; not, hoAvever, without making a spirited re- 
 sistance. This misfortune enabled the enemy to choose 
 their place of landing, and, at the same time, prevented 
 the Americans from gaining information. But the general 
 
286 HISTORY OF 
 
 neglected no means of guardin.G^ the several land-passes. He 
 stationed troops l)clc*\v the town, at every place where an 
 entry was considered practicable; and, to cause the utmost 
 vigour in every department, immediately proclaimed mar- 
 tial law. 
 
 All the principal bayous or inlets, communicating with 
 lake Ponchartrain, as well as the narrow strip of land on the 
 border of the INIississippi, had been secured. There was, 
 however, a communication with lake Borgne, called the 
 Bayou Bienvenu, little known, and used only by fishermen, 
 its head near the plantation of general Villerc, seven miles 
 below the city. Guided by some traitors, the enemy, on the 
 22d, came suddenly on the American guard, through that 
 secret passage, and made them prisoners; one of their divi- 
 sions, under general Keane, at four o'clock in the morning, 
 reached the commencement of Villere's canal, having dis- 
 embarked and rested a few hours, proceeded through the 
 cane-brake, and, at two in the afternoon, arrived on the 
 bank of the river. The alarm being given, general Jack- 
 son resolved immediately to attack him. In four hours, 
 the American corps were united on Rodrigues' canal, six 
 miles below the city. The whple did not then exceed two- 
 thousand. The British force* at this time, amounted to 
 three-thousand; but, convinced that the most arduous part 
 of the enterprise was achieved, instead of marching direct- 
 ly towards the city, they had encamped, and were prepar- 
 ing their evening repast. They were soon made sensible of 
 their error. Never were any troops more suddenly disturb- 
 ed. The first intimation of the Americans' approach, was 
 a raking broadside from commodore Patterson's schooner, 
 the Caroline; the fires enabling him to take deliberate aim. 
 Coftee's division impetuously rushed upon their right, whilst 
 Jackson's, with equal rapidity, advanced against their front. 
 Though surprised, and several hundreds killed and wound- 
 ed, they were not yet defeated : extinguishing their fires, 
 they came boldly forward into action. The fighting, how- 
 ever, soon afterwards ceased. A thick fog having produced 
 some confusion in the American troops, Jackson prudently 
 called them off, lay on the field until morning, and then 
 took a position on the other side of the canal. His loss 
 was twenty-four killed and about two-hundred wounded and 
 prisoners: that of the British, estimated, in all, at four-hun- 
 dred. 
 
 The American general lost no time in fortifying his post. 
 This was effected by a simple breast-work, from the river 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 287 
 
 to the swamp, with a ditch in front; cotton bales, of a 
 square form, being used, as the checks of the embrasures. 
 Meanwhile, the enemy having blown up the Caroline, which 
 was previously abandoned by her crew, their commander 
 in chief, Sir Edward Packenham, landed the main body of 
 his army ; on the 28th, advanced up the levee, with the in- 
 tention of driving Jackson from his intrenchments, and, at 
 the distance of half a mile, began the attack on the unfin- 
 ished works, with Congreve rockets and a heavy cannonade. 
 But they were a second time repulsed. A fresh American 
 schooner having been brought up, caused great havoc 
 amongst their columns : the fire from the batteries was not 
 less destructive ; and, after an obstinate struggle of seven 
 hours, the British general retired. The Americans at this 
 time, lost fifteen in killed and wounded ; the enemy, consid- 
 erably more. 
 
 . On the 1st of January, the invaders made another 
 
 attempt to force general Jackson's fortifications. 
 They had, in the night, erected an adjacent battery, and, 
 early in the morning, opened a brisk cannonade ; making, 
 at the same time, two bold efforts to turn his left wing: but 
 they were a third time repulsed, with the loss of about sev- 
 enty men. ' 
 
 On the 4th, general Jackson received an increase of twen- 
 ty-five-hundred militia, from Kentucky^ under generals 
 Thomas and Adair; and on the 6th, the British were rein- 
 forced by the arrival of general Lambert. Their whole 
 number was now fourteen-thousand. General Jackson com- 
 manded about six-thousand. An interesting moment was 
 approaching. Serious preparations were commenced, for 
 storming the American works, now strengthened by addi- 
 tional batteries, and by additional small arms. The lines, 
 on the right bank, were intrusted to general Morgan; with 
 the Louisiana, and detachments of New Orleans and Ken- 
 tucky, militia. The works on the left bank, covering the 
 main body, were occupied by general Jackson himself; with 
 the Tennessee forces, under generals Coffee and Carroll ; 
 also, a part of the Kentucky and New Orleans militia; the 
 seventh and forty-fourth regiments of United States' infan- 
 try ; with corps of active sailors and marines. Here, the 
 intrenchments extended about a thousand yards, between 
 the river and the swamp ; strengthened, on the flanks, by 
 batteries ; and, in front, by a wet ditch, having about four 
 feet depth of water. 
 
 Early in the morning of the 8th of January, the British 
 
288 HISTORY OF 
 
 columns moved forward, at the same time, against the rig-ht 
 and left of the American batteries. They approached with 
 a determined countenance, with their muskets shouldered, 
 accompanied by detachments carrying fascines and ladders. 
 The former were designed to fill up the ditches in front ; 
 and with the latter they intended to mount the ramparts. 
 The American artillery opened a tremendous fire, at the 
 distance of nine-hundred yards, and mowed them down with 
 terrible slaughter. But they still moved on with a firm 
 step; invariably supplying the place of the fallen, with fresh 
 troops. At length, they came within reach of the Amer- 
 ican small-arms. The whole of Jackson's line was now en- 
 veloped in flames. The cannon thundered from every Bat- 
 tery : the rifles were leveled with deadly aim ; grape-shot 
 and shells were scattered as thick as hail-stones, over the 
 plain. The enemy's columns faltered, but were, in a mo- 
 ment, pressed forward by their oflicers. But all their ef- 
 forts succeeded only in leading their veteran soldiers to de- 
 struction : the men shrunk from a contest, in which they 
 saw nothing but immediate slaughter. The columns broke, 
 and retreated in confusion. A few pushed boldly forv/ard ; 
 dropping half their men in the desperate adventure. Some 
 of the head platoons, led by colonel Renee, leaped the ditch, 
 and clambered up the rampart : but, scarcely had they 
 reached the parapet, and raised a shout, when the whole, 
 with a single exception, were brought down, and their dead 
 bodies tumbled into the ditch. The repulse was now uni- 
 versal. A second effort was notwithstanding tried. Col- 
 lecting all their courage, and animated by rage and disap- 
 pointment, the invaders made another furious assault. But 
 it w^as with the same result : every exertion to bring them 
 to the intrenchments was ineffectual. 
 
 On the right bank, however, the enemy had gained the 
 advantage. By some unaccountable misconduct of the 
 troops, who had, on other occasions, displayed great intre- 
 pidity, a detachment, conducted across the river in boats, 
 by colonel Thornton, obtained possession of the batteries. 
 But, as soon as the fate of his companions, on the left bank, 
 was ascertained, the conquest was abandoned. 
 
 The loss of the British army, on this memorable day, was 
 seven-hundred killed, fourteen-hundred wounded, and five- 
 hundred captured. That of the Americans, on the left bank 
 of the Mississippi, was no more than six killed, and nijie 
 wounded : on both banks, it was thirteen killed, thirty-nine 
 wounded, and nineteen missing. The invaders had to re- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 289 
 
 ^ret the death of many experienced and gallant officers. 
 General Packenham, a brother-m-law of lord Wellington, 
 fell early in the engagement. Generals Keane and Gibbs, 
 who, as well as Packenham, had distinguished themselves 
 against the French in Spain, were dangerously wounded^ 
 Keane survived only a few days ; the command having, in 
 the interim, devolved on general Lambert. 
 
 CHAPTER Xn, 
 
 PEACE OF GHENT. 
 
 Banks, The Army and Kavy. 
 
 THE splendid preservation of New Orleans is the last 
 military subject, material for us to notice. The defeat of 
 the British before Plattsburgh, having given a new turn to 
 the negotiation, a treaty of peace was signed at Ghent on 
 the 24th of December, (in the preceding year,) ratified by 
 the prince regent of England on the 28th, and by the pre- 
 sident of the United States, with the approbation of the sen* 
 ate, on the last day of February, 1815. Both nations agreed 
 to restore their respective conquests, to appoint commis- 
 sioners for settling disputed boundaries, and pledged them- 
 selves to use their utmost endeavours towards the entire 
 abolition of the slave trade. No allusion was made to the 
 causes of the war. Security against their recurrence, rests^ 
 however, on a much firmer basis than the provisions of the 
 most solemn treaty. Britain has been taught to appreciate 
 the strength of the republic. She will read, in the history 
 of the late struggle, the most convincing arguments against 
 the invasion of neutral rights. 
 
 Hostilities had continued two years and eight months ; 
 but, for the purpose of distinction, the contest will be known 
 as the Three Years' War. It increased the public debt a 
 hundred-millions of dollars, and made the whole arrears 
 about a hundred-and-fifty-millions ; a sum that can, in a few 
 years, be discharged, by the ordinary revenue. But the 
 gjerme of a la:sting evil was created, in the nearly universal 
 failure of the banks. So largely, had these speculated in 
 «5 
 
290 HISTORY OF 
 
 the national funds, (excepting the banks in the casteni 
 states, which were restrained by prudence, and aversion to 
 the war,) that, in the autumn of 1814, not a single institu- 
 tion, in any of the sea-ports, south of New England, could 
 redeem its notes. The western states felt a similar embar- 
 rassment. The national bank had ceased to exist, on the 
 expiration of its charter. The notes of all that were not 
 able to pay their engagements in metallic coin, depreciated 
 from twenty to thirty per cent. Mercantile failures were 
 alarming. The fiscal operations of the government were 
 almost suspended. Opportunities of fraud were every day 
 increasing. Designing individuals, who possessed not any 
 capital, nor any credit, unless at a distance from their hab- 
 itations, spread innumerable banks throughout the country, 
 got into their hands immense sums of money, by discount- 
 ing promissory notes, and employing agents for the circu- 
 lation of their paper ; and, sanctioned by the situation of 
 the more respectable establishments, amassed fortunes, by 
 the issuing of bills, upon which they allowed no interest 
 against themselves, whilst they were charging the accus- 
 tomed interest to others. Patriotism can not be adduced 
 to extenuate the injury done by those enormous subscrip- 
 tions to the public loans. Excepting the magnanimous aid 
 given to the old congress, by the Bank of North America, 
 at Philadelphia, history furnishes no evidence of disinter- 
 ested assistance, on the part of any body, formed, as are all 
 similar companies, upon the narrow basis of private benefit. 
 The peace establishment of the regular army was fixed 
 at ten-thousand men. The militia, however, assembles 
 monthly, and includes, with a few exceptions, every citizen 
 of vigorous age. The naval power, as regarded the larger 
 vessels, was not diminished ; but, on the contrary, was al- 
 lowed gradually to augment. On the Atlantic service, there 
 were now afloat, one ship of seventy-four guns, seven frig- 
 ates, nine sloops of war, and fourteen schooners : on the 
 lakes, were twenty-nine vessels, carrying three-hundred-and- 
 sixty guns ; making the whole naval force, including gun- 
 boats, two-hundred-and-seventy-four vessels, with fifteen- 
 hundred guns. In 1791, the national mint was established 
 at Philadelphia ; in 1798, the navy department at Wash- 
 ington ; and, in 1802, the military academy at West Point, 
 ©n the same principles as the polytechnic school at Paris- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 291 
 
 CHAPTER XHI. 
 
 CESSION OF FLORIDA. 
 
 Commercial Treaty with England. Re-establi.shment of a 
 JSTational Bank. Indiana. Mississijifii. Illinois. Ala- 
 bama. Maine. Missouri. Florida ceded by S/iain. Pro- 
 gress of the Arts and of Literature ; of Population and 
 Emancifiation, 
 
 THE amicable relations with Great Britain, which had 
 been restored by the treaty of Ghent, were soon afterwards 
 drawn closer by a treaty of commerce. This convention, 
 which was negotiated at London by Messrs. Adams, Clay, 
 and Gallatin, and concluded by them on the third of July, 
 stipulates, that the duties charged on merchandise and ton- 
 nage shall be reciprocally the same, in both nations ; wheth- 
 er the vessels entering their respective ports be of Great 
 Britain or the United States ; and, that the vessels of the 
 latter shall be allowed, under certain limitations, to trade 
 with the principal British settlements in the East Indies. 
 But, a similar privilege was not extended by England with 
 regard to her colonies in the West Indies and on the conti- 
 nent of North America. Her navigation laws, made in the 
 reign of Charles the second, were, in respect to these, with 
 the exception of Bermuda, Halifax, and St. John's, most 
 rigorously maintained ; and, consequently, the United 
 States, judging it expedient to enact a countervailing regu- 
 lation, have since excluded from their ports all vessels sail- 
 ing from the American colonies of England. 
 , . But those pacific conventions did not lessen the 
 
 propriety of augmenting the national defence. Peace 
 is the most advantageous time for preparing the means of 
 war. Congress resolved that the nayy should be still far- 
 ther increased ; and, for this purpose, voted an annual ap- 
 propriation of one-million of dollars, during eight years, 
 and authorized the president to have built, independent of 
 vessels of a smaller size, nine ships of the line, twelve frig- 
 ates, and three floating batteries ; the latter to be propelled 
 by steam. *' 
 
 The return of peace had not yet restored the currency of 
 metallic coin. The banks conthiued to inundate the coun- 
 try with paper money. Except in New England, all these 
 institutions laboured under a continued inability to pay 
 
2S2 HISTORY OF 
 
 their notes in gold or silver. Speculators were still lavishly^ 
 supplied by new issues, and no termination appeared of the 
 vexatious embarrassments arising from these fertile sources 
 of national evil. In the absence of an adequate amount of 
 specie, to meet the public claims, and create a respectable 
 circulation, as well as a test of their solidity, the re-estab- 
 lishment of a national bank, which had ceased, by the ex- 
 piration of its charter, in 1810, was thought to be the most 
 speedy cure. It was, therefore, enacted, after a most stren- 
 uous opposition, that a bank should be organized, with a 
 capital of thirty-five-millions of dollars, to continue twenty- 
 one years from the first of July. Its labours to attain these 
 ends, were, in the beginning, highly beneficial. A day was 
 fixed, on which should be resumed a simultaneous payment 
 of notes, in coin. All banking companies, that did not, ac- 
 cordingly, redeem their promises, were known to be insol- 
 vent ; a salutary check was thus placed on the immoderate 
 circulation of their notes, and commercial adventure con- 
 fined by the prudent employment of only a sufficient capi- 
 tal. But, the general management of this great monied 
 corporation was most reprehensible. Its first salutary in- 
 fluence was counterbalanced by its succeeding conduct. 
 Extravagant sums were advanced, in the way of discounts, 
 on the security of its own hypothecated stock ; shares of 
 which, originally obtained for a hundred dollars, were thus 
 inflated to a hundred-and-sixty, but afterwards, on the ex- 
 posure of this immoral scheme, they declined to eighty. 
 Several millions were, in consequence, lost by the institu- 
 tion, and many individuals were rendered pennyless. Con- 
 gress was not inattentive to this perversion, which, instead 
 of relief, had diffused ruin, throughout the country. Its 
 president was removed, and in his place was appointed Mr. 
 Cheves, formerly speaker of the house of representatives, 
 ajid, more recently, one of the judges of South Carolina ; 
 under whose able and impartial direction, the capital of the 
 bank having been gradually restored, its stock has again 
 risen above par. 
 
 The next subject that engrossed the attention of con- 
 gress, was a revision of the duties on goods imported. In 
 forming the new tariff, a judicious attention was given to 
 protect domestic manufactures, without, at the same time, 
 injuring the national revenue, or lessening, by over-indul- 
 gence, the industry and economy requisite to their full suc- 
 cess.. The double war imposts were, with few exceptions, 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 293 
 
 reduced ; but, a large increase was made to the duties on 
 some fabrics, particularly cotton cloths, of a coarse de- 
 scription, especially when imported from the East Indies ; 
 where, these articles are manufactured by persons content- 
 ed with daily wages not exceeding a few cents, and from a 
 material not grown in the United States. 
 
 _ Mr. Madison having filled the office of president 
 a second period of four years, and, in conformity 
 with the example of his several predecessors, not having, a 
 third time, offered himself as a candidate for that honoura- 
 ble station, was succeeded by James Monroe; the vice pre- 
 sidential chair being assigned to Daniel Tomkins of New 
 York. 
 
 Mr. Monroe, who enjoys the rare happiness of promoting 
 the esteem, and combining in his favour the suffrages, of 
 all parties, is, as were all the presidents, except Mr. Adams, 
 a native of Virginia. At the early age of seventeen, he was 
 dangerously wounded in the battle of Trenton, was soon af- 
 terwards appointed aid-de-camp to lord Stirling, and sub- 
 sequently colonel of a regiment. In 1782, he was intrust- 
 ed with a seat in the legislature of his native state, in the 
 following year he was a member of the national congress, 
 and in 1790 was chosen a senator of the United States. 
 Soon after the formation of the French republic, he was 
 deputed, by general Washington, as an ambassador to Paris; 
 and, at another time, by Mr. Jefferson, to negotiate, with 
 the consulate of France, the purchase of Louisiana. In 
 1803, he was appointed minister to London, and, two years 
 afterwards, was sent on a special mission to Madrid. On 
 his return, he was elected governor of Virginia ; in the 
 following year, was appointed secretary of state ; and, after 
 the capture of the city of Washington, he consented to un- 
 dertake the arduous duties of secretary of war. 
 
 In the winter of this year, the country was de- 
 prived of the services of commodore Perry; who fell 
 a victim to the climate of Trinidad : and, in the following 
 spring, Decatur was killed in a duel, near Washington, by 
 commodore Barron. 
 
 Since the termination of the war, by the peace of Ghent, 
 the foreign and domestic trade of the United States, con- 
 tinued to be variable and unprofitable. Merchandise and 
 shipping, as well as landed estates, which, in the first two 
 years of peace, had risen to an almost unprecedented de- 
 gree, did not long mainta-in their value, The channels •£ 
 ^ 25* 
 
294 HISTORY OF 
 
 consumption in America, became gradually supplied and 
 overfilled. The use of her grain, in Europe, had almost 
 ceased. The universal peace allowed the ships of every 
 nation to be its own carriers, and its own citizens to be 
 again its merchants. The flag of the United States, (as it 
 had been before their rupture with England) was no longer 
 the agent in trading between the various belligerants, nor 
 were their sea-ports the general entrepots of the world. 
 The terms of freight rapidly declined, vessels rotted in the 
 American ports, ware-houses groaned under the stagnant 
 pressure of accumulating merchandise. Internal traffic 
 was not sufficient to employ the numerous individuals, com- 
 pelled to seek, at home, a field of enterprise, now closed 
 to them abroad. Competition, throughout the Union, be- 
 came excessive. Houses and lands were advanced to dou- 
 ble, and in many places, to treble, their former prices. 
 Bank-loans had created a superabundance of paper-money, 
 and furnished unlimited means of speculation and of sump- 
 tuous living. But the crisis at length arrived. After the 
 re-establishment of the national bank, the redemption of 
 that easily acquired money was no longer optional, but 
 compulsory. Loans were, henceforth, given with caution, 
 payment was demanded of those already issued, property 
 was hurried into the market to answer this sudden call, and 
 estate of all kinds declined to its former price. This, is a 
 brief exhibition of the disasters produced by the transition 
 from a warlike to a pacific condition, and which may be 
 expected in changing also from peace to war. Let us, 
 however, pray fervently iov peace ; and seek comfort by the 
 slow but faithful aid of industry and economy, rather than 
 splendour by the rapid career of deceitful speculation. 
 
 The public revenue could not escape being impaired by 
 these multifarious embarrassments. It became inadequate 
 to the expenditure, lately increased by a support given to 
 the revolutionary soldiery. By an act of congress, in 1818, 
 a yearly pension, sufficient for their decent maintenance, 
 having been granted to those officers and privates who had 
 served three successive years, more than thirty-thousand of 
 that venerable army made application for relief. Several 
 inillions were annually required to satisfy their claims. 
 Money was, in consequence, obtained by loans, and other 
 public expenses were curtailed. The military was reduced 
 , ^ . in number, and the building of ships of war, in some 
 " degree, suspended. The army now consists of six- 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 295 
 
 thousand men ; the navy, fit for service, of eight vessels of 
 the line, seven frigates, seven sloops or corvettes, and ten 
 brigs and schooners. 
 
 Since the admission of Louisiana, in 1812, six other states 
 have been received into the Union, — Indiana, Mississippi, 
 Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri. The original 
 members of the federal government were thirteen : they 
 are now twenty-four. Indiana was admitted in 1816, Mis- 
 sissippi in 18b7, and Illinois in 1818; Alabama in 1819, 
 Maine and Missouri* (the latter conditionally) in 1820. 
 Indiana and Illinois are sections of the same territory from 
 which Ohio was made a state : Mississippi and Alabama 
 belonged to Georgia; Maine was separated from Massachu- 
 setts, and Missouri from the vast tract ceded by the French, 
 under the name of Louisiana. Slavery is forbidden, by a 
 law of congress, to exist in Indiana or Illinois, and had long 
 ceased in Maine, as a district of Massachusetts. 
 
 A negotiation, commenced with Spain, for the remainder 
 of that portion of her territory, named Florida, v/hich had 
 been interrupted by the temporary overthrow of the old 
 Spanish dynasty by Napoleon, was, on the return of Ferdi- 
 nand the seventh to Madrid, renewed. That region was, at 
 length, assigned to the United States. A treaty was con- 
 cluded at Washington, on the twenty-second of February, 
 1819; which, after many vexatious delays on the part of 
 Spain, was ratified by Ferdinand on the twenty-fourth of 
 October, in the succeeding year, approved by the senate 
 of the United States on the nineteenth, and by the presi- 
 dent, on the twenty-second of February, 1821. Five- 
 millions of dollars were named as the price of Florida. 
 This sum is not, however, to be paid to Spain. It is to 
 be apportioned amongst the American citizens, as indem- 
 nity for illegal seizures made of their property, in Spanish 
 ports, when under the uncontrollable influence of France. 
 Florida, though desirable as an extensive field of profitable 
 agriculture, is more important, as placing the southern 
 boundary of the United States on the Gulf of Mexico ; and, 
 consequently, removing the disagreeable jealousies, which 
 had frequently irritated the feeiings of the two nations, 
 caused by the occupation of Amelia Island and other 
 
 * The legislature of Missouri, having* signified its concurrence with 
 the aci of congress, restricting it tVom preven'.ii;g the iesidence of 
 free persons of colour, ii was formally declured a siate, by a proclaj- 
 mation of the president, on the tenth of August, 1821. 
 
296 HISTORY OF 
 
 places, by disorderly troops, under ill-judged commissions 
 from the South American republics ; as well as by the in- 
 roads of the Seminole and other nations, when stimulated 
 either by their own chiefs, or foreign white people who 
 had visited them for trade : — and the treaty designates the 
 boundary on the side of Mexico, (as delineated in the map 
 of the United States, by Melish,) which had been undefined 
 in the cession of Louisiana. 
 
 Literature and science ; the arts, useful and ornamental ; 
 are every year extending in the United States. No coun- 
 try has more liberally provided for seminaries of learning, 
 as respects the rudimental instruction of the labouring clas- 
 ses ; and few governments have devoted more attention to 
 the studies of the accomplished scholar, than the different 
 legislatures of this great republic. Useful education is ve- 
 ry generally attained. Works of polite literature, as well as 
 of scientific subjects, are much esteemed, by all who claim 
 association with genteel society ; and writings of domestic 
 origin evince, that there continues to be a large fund of na- 
 tive talent in the United States. Many of those have been 
 already noticed. Dr. Morse has laid the foundation of a 
 geographical dictionary. The Notes on Virginia show, that 
 Jeiferson, when treating on geological subjects, has min- 
 gled a little scepticism with much strong philosophical ar- 
 gument. Ramsay's history of the Revolution is written 
 with sufficient dignity and elegance, and with as rigid im- 
 partiality as any narrative that ever issued from an honest 
 pen : his biography of Washington, though an abridgment, 
 in comparison with the life by Marshall, should be translat- 
 ed into every language, and placed, at an early age, in the 
 hands of every youth. There is another history of the re- 
 volutionary period, from the accomplished hand of Mrs. 
 Warren. D wight was a voluminous writer on theology, 
 and courted the favour of the poetic muse. His version of 
 the Psalms is approved by several respectable congrega- 
 tions, but his conquest of Canaan is little read. He has the 
 ear, without the imagination, of a poet. This production 
 is the out-pouring of a mind, encumbered and overwhelm- 
 ed by the accumulated lines of other writers. It displays 
 no novelty of thought, nor variety of style. One who is 
 familiar with only a small number of poems, can not easily 
 persuade himself that the Canaan is a new work. The an- 
 tithetic and condensed structure of Pope, and the flowing 
 melody of Goldsmith, are pleasing, when accompanied by 
 a teeming richness of fancy j but the monotonous imitatioiJS 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 297 
 
 by Dwight, are insupportably fatiguing.* In the Vision of 
 Columbus, or Columbiad, of Joel Barlow, the language 
 is smooth and stately; the allusions are judicious, the simi- 
 lies mostly well drawn, and appropriate. It is, altogether, 
 a respectable performance, and superior to the Canaan. 
 But dignity, softness, and general propriety, are its whole 
 merits. Those bold, happy efforts, of the imagination, which 
 interest and delight us, equally by their novelty and inge- 
 nuity, are seldom found in the Columbiad. The structure 
 of the Iliad ; its manner, similies, and figures, as copied or 
 varied in the jEneid, and reflected in the fine translations, 
 of the former by Pope and Cowper, and of the latter, by Pitt 
 and Dryden ; incessantly recur. M'Fingall, a Hudibrastic 
 satire by Trumbull, exhibits more invention than either of 
 the preceding. Charles Thomson has translated the Bible 
 from the Septuagint. John Quincy Adams has published 
 his brilliant course of rhetorical lectures. The '^ British 
 Spy" of Wirt, decidedly claims a place amongst the Ameri- 
 can classics. Salmagundi, the combined effusions of Ir- 
 ving, Paulding, and Verplanek, is an admirable fund of hu* 
 mour, and contains some beautiful specimens of poetry. 
 The semi-historical volumes, entitled Knickerbocker's His- 
 tory of New York, by Irving, give a most humorous carica- 
 ture of real events. Paulding's allegorical history, bearing 
 the title of John Bull and Brother Jonathan, will not appear 
 the less entertaining, when compared with the happiest ef- 
 fort of Swift, in the same difficult line of political satire. 
 These three authors possess fine talents for the comic dra- 
 ir.a. Brackenridge writes with energy and clearness. 
 Walsh is known by his strictures on the French revolution> 
 
 ♦ "Give me the line that ploughs its stately coursCj 
 Like a proud swan, conquering the stream by force; 
 That, like some collage be./ily, strikes the heart. 
 Quite unindebted lo the tricks of art. 
 "When labour and when dullness, club in hand» 
 I/ike ihe two figures ai St. Dunfitan's, stand, 
 Beating alternately, in measui-ed i-hyuje. 
 Exact and reguhirtlie sounds will be. 
 But such mere quarter-strokes are notfor me." 
 
 Cowper's Table Talk, 
 
 Speaking of Pope, Cowper says ; — 
 
 "But he, (his musical fines.se was such,) - 
 So nice his ear, so delicate his touch, 
 Made poetry a mere mechanic art. 
 And every warbler has his tune by heart/* 
 
298 HISTORY OF 
 
 Carey's style is bold, familiar, and impressive. His typo- 
 graphical emphases, for which he is remarkable, are not 
 veiy comphmentary to his readers ; and perhaps, by the 
 majority, are not required : however, where prejudice exists, 
 or a clear mental perception is wanting, the ocular aid af- 
 forded in his valuable Olive Branch, is not only pardonable, 
 but useful. 
 
 Architecture, except in a few buildings at New York and 
 Philadelphia, and the capitol and president's house at Wash- 
 ington, has not yet appeared in classical elegance or gran- 
 deur ; but, in private dwellings, there is shown a neatness, 
 durability, and elegance of workmanship, not surpassed in 
 the finest cities of the old world. Useful inventions are en- 
 couraged by the legislature; and the fertility of American 
 genius is commensurate with the protection. It is not a just 
 criterion of ingenuity, that, in twenty -four years, two-thous- 
 and general patents were obtained, to secure the inventors* 
 rights : a considerable number of these improvements are of 
 European growth, and many American theories are proved 
 illusive by the hand of practice ; but the inventive faculty 
 in the United States is demonstrated by various exhibitions 
 of mechanical economy. Whittimore's engine for making 
 wool and cotton cards, is a wonderful display of mental fac- 
 vilty ; and the machinery for cutting nails, the invention, we 
 believe, of Briggs, embraces, in its successive improve- 
 ments, an interesting variety of labour-saving modifications. 
 The accomplishment of an eff'ective steam-boat, is an era 
 in human progress. Fulton is entitled to the same species 
 of merit, for his successful adaption of the power of steam 
 to navigation, that is due to Watt, of Great Britain, for his 
 improvement in the steam-engine. A century had elapsed, 
 from the time when the first hint of this engine was given 
 by the marquis of Worcester, to its consummation by the 
 philosophic Watt ; and nearly as long an interval, from the 
 first experiment on the steam-boat, by Jonathan Hulls, of 
 London, to its completion by Robert Fulton. Hulls obtain- 
 ed a patent for his invention, from George the second, in 
 the year 1737 ; Fitch propelled a boat, by the same princi- 
 ple, on the Delaware, in 1783: Miller, of Scotland, con- 
 structed a double boat, with a wheel in the centre, with 
 which, he made a safe passage to and from Sweden, in 1789 : 
 and, finally, after various trials, by different persons, on the 
 Thames and on the Seine, Fulton rendered the plan sus- 
 ceptible of little farther improvement, in 1807. The Cler- 
 mont was then driven on the Hudson, at the rate of five 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 299 
 
 miles an hour ; and, subsequently, all the great rivers of 
 the United States have been navigated, by similar vessels, 
 fully twice the distance in the same space of time. In the 
 summer of 1819, the Atlantic was crossed, for the first time, 
 by a steam-boat. A vessel driven by steam, with the occa- 
 sional aid of sails, was despatched by some enterprising 
 merchants of Savannah, to St. Petersburg^, and made her 
 passage home in fifty days. Fulton, celebrated also for his 
 submarine explosions, was born in Little Britain, Pennsyl- 
 vania, and educated in the town of Lancaster; whence, hav- 
 ing removed to Philadelphia, he attended, for a short time, 
 the business of a jeweller, and acquired, in his leisure hours, 
 considerable proficiency in the art of painting. He lived 
 many years in England, under the patronage of the Ameri- 
 can West; and, becoming known to his countryman, Rum- 
 sey, the duke of Bridgewater, lord Stanhope, and many 
 other opulent promoters of the arts, attended, thencefor- 
 ward, chiefly his favourite inclination towards the formation 
 of canals. Paris was the next theatre of his enterprise ; 
 where he rem_ained, for several years, the companion of the 
 American minister, Joel Barlow, and the inmate of his 
 house. He returned to his native country, in 1806; and 
 died, when little above the middle age, by inflammation of 
 the lungs, in 1815, at New York. 
 
 The neutrality, so long maintained by the American re- 
 public, offered an asylum to many distinguished Europeans. 
 The visit of Moore, the lyric poet, was one of pleasure. 
 But Talleyrand, the great political Proteus, resided several 
 years in the United States, to avoid the proscriptions of his 
 own country; a son of the marquis la Fayette, Chateaubri- 
 and, Volney, general Moreau, Joseph and Jerome Buona- 
 parte; Dr. Priestley, the celebrated philosopher and polemi- 
 cal divine ; also Thomas Paine ; sought refuge in different 
 places of the Union. Dr. Priestley died in Pennsylvania ; 
 the latter, in New York. Jerome Buonaparte was unwor- 
 thy of protection. His conduct, in deserting, by his broth- 
 er's mandate, the daughter of a respectable citizen of Bal- 
 timore, whom he had married, and afterwards placing on 
 his throne a princess of Napoleon's choice, will always be 
 remembered with detestation. Her disappointment, and 
 his own reverse, remind us, when impelled by inordinate 
 ambition, that happiness cannot be secured by exalted rank, 
 nor a throne by the power of armies. 
 
 In the year 1820, the fourth census of the inhabitants 
 ■was recorded. In 1790, the population was three-millions- 
 
3oa HISTORY OF 
 
 nine-hundred -and -twenty-one-thousand ; m 1800, five-mll- 
 lions-three-hundred-and -twenty-thousand ; in 1810, seven- 
 millions-two-hundred-and-forty-thousand ; m 1820, nine- 
 millions -six-hundred-and-thirty-eight-thousand. At the last 
 of these periods, the inhabitants of Boston numbered forty- 
 two-thousand ; of Providence, twelve ; New York, one- 
 Imndred-and-twenty ; Philadelphia, one-hundred-and-nf- 
 teen ; Pittsburg, seven-thousand ; Baltimore, sixty-two ; 
 Washington, thirteen; Norfolk, eight ; Richmond, twelve ; 
 Charleston, twenty-five ; Savannah, seven ; New Orleans, 
 twenty-seven-thousand. The Indians within the federal ju- 
 risdiction, are not included in the census. In 1790, six- 
 hundred-and-ninety-eight-thousand were slaves; in 1800, 
 eight-hundred-and-ninety-seven-thousand ; in 1810, one- 
 million-one-hundred-and-ninety-one-thousand; in 1820, one- 
 million-five-hundred-and-thirty-thousand. In those which 
 are denominated slave-holding states, the largest proportion 
 appeared, then, in South Carolina, Louisiana, and Georgia; 
 Mississippi, Virginia, and Alabama ; North Carolina, Ma- 
 ryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri; descending, in 
 comparative amount, from South Carolina, where fifty-one 
 out of every hundred of the entire population were in bond- 
 age, to Missouri, in which were fifteen in every hundred. 
 Delaware and New Jersey possessed a considerable num- 
 ber of slaves : the latter, comparatively the smallest. The 
 number in New York was proportionably less than in New 
 Jersey : Rhode Island had only forty-eight ; Connecticut, 
 proportionably fewer ; Pennsylvania, fewer still ; Maine, 
 Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, none. 
 
 Since the middle of the last century, expanded minds have 
 been, with slow gradations, promoting the decrease of human 
 .slavery in North America. The progress of truth is slow; 
 but it will, in the end, prevail. The first voice raised against 
 this uncharitable practice, v/as by a Quaker, the amiable 
 and enlightened John Woolman, of Mount Holly, in New 
 Jersey. He wrote his sentiments on that subject in the 
 year 1746 ; strenuously recommended its abolition, at the 
 several stated meetings of his society ; and, in 1754, pub- 
 lished his " Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes ;" a 
 work admirable for its dispassionate and lucid style of ar- 
 gument ; highly beneficial in his own time, and deserving 
 most serious attention at the present. Anthony Benezet, 
 of Philadelphia, though his writings were subsequent to 
 Woolman's, has acquired a yet higher rank among philan- 
 tliropists. His labouris, in the same field, were singulai'ly 
 
THE UNITED STATES. 301 
 
 active, and conspicuously successful. St. George Tucker, 
 of Virginia, also, wrote an able dissertation against slavery. 
 A duty on the importation of slaves was laid by New York, 
 in 1753 ; by Pennsylvania, in 1762 ; and by New Jersey, in 
 1769. Virginia, the first state concerned in their introduc- 
 tion, was also the first that set an example of their exclu- 
 sion; having, in the year 1778, amidst the perplexing scenes 
 of civil warfare, passed an act to discontinue their entry in- 
 to her ports. In 1780, Pennsylvania made a law for the 
 gradual abolition of slavery ; a law, which, although it did 
 not allow all the natural rights declared in her constitution, 
 has the merit of being the earliest legislative proceeding of 
 the kind, in any nation ; and, soon afterwards, there was in- 
 stituted in the same state, a society " for promoting the 
 abolition of slavery, for the relief of free negroes unlawfully 
 held in bondage, and for improving the condition of the 
 African race." All the states, north and east of Maryland, 
 have since made laws for their gradual emancipation. On 
 the adoption of the federal government, congress was au- 
 thorized to prohibit, at the end of twenty years, the import- 
 ation of negroes, into any part of the United States ; and, 
 accordingly, no arrivals have legally occurred since 1807. 
 In 1820, a society for colonizing free people of colour, be=- 
 gan a settlement at Sierra Leone, on the coast of Africa. 
 A heavy grievance, however, is yet to be removed. Vir- 
 ginia, as well as every other American republic that still 
 sanctions domestic bondage, will, we confidently anticipate, 
 at no distant period, make arrangements, to unloosen, by 
 degrees, the fetters, which are no less alarming to the mas- 
 ter, than galling to the slave. Let us not only declare by 
 words, but demonstrate by our actions, " That all men are. 
 created equal ; that they are endowed, by their Creator, 
 with the same unalienable rights ; that, amongst these, ari; 
 life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Let us vener- 
 ate the instruction of that great and amiable man, to whom, 
 chiefly, under Providence, the United States are indebted 
 for their liberties ; the world, for a common home : " That 
 there exists an indissoluble union between virtue and hap- 
 piness, between duty and advantage." 
 
 26 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Adair, general, 287. 
 
 Adams, John, 96, 100, 120, 124, 
 
 127, 188, 203, 212, 217. 
 Adams, John Quiiicy, 273, 291, 
 
 297. 
 Adams, Samuel, 104, 124. 
 Alabama, 295. 
 Albany, 71, 84. 
 Alexandria, 281, 
 Algiers, 198, 217. 
 Allen, captain, 266. 
 Allen, colonel, 103, 111. 
 Andre, major, 169. 
 Annapolis, 69. 
 Armistead, major, 246,. 256, 282, 
 
 283. 
 Armstrong, gen. 270, 271, 279. 
 Arnold, gen. 103, 110, 112, 113, 
 
 114, 116, 134, 140, 142, 168, 
 
 169, 173. 
 Augusta, 79. 
 
 B. 
 
 Bacon, col. 38. 
 Bainbridge, com. 218, 249. 
 Baltimore city, 68, 234, 281, 283, 
 
 300. 
 Baltimore, lord, 68, 76. 
 Banks, 172, 204, 289, 290, 291, 
 
 292. 
 Barclay, governor, 73. 
 Barlow, Joel, 297. 
 Barney, com. 144, 243, 277, 279. 
 Bane, col. 89. 
 Barron, com. 230, 231, 293. 
 Barton, col. 133. 
 Bavard, James A. 273. 
 Beckvviih, gcu. 261, 262, 263. 
 Benezet, Anthony, 300. 
 Beniiington, 141. 
 Berkely, sir W. 36, 37, 70. 
 Biddle, capt. 275. 
 Bladensburg, 278. 
 Blakely, capt. 275. 
 Blennerhasset, 227. 
 Boon, col. 208. 
 Boston, 51, 300. 
 Boyd, s^n. 245, 258, 259, 271. 
 
 Boylestone, Dr. 195. 
 
 Braddock, gen. 85, 86. 
 
 Brandy wine, 136. 
 
 Breed's Hill. See Bunker's Hill. 
 
 Brock, gen. 245. 
 
 Brown, gen 248, 258, 273, 276. 
 
 Brown, Robert, 46. 
 
 Brownstown, 240. 
 
 Buffaloe, 272. 
 
 Bunker's Hill, 104, 105, 106. 
 
 Buonaparte, Jerome, 299. 
 
 Buonaparte, Joseph, 299. 
 
 Buonaparte, Napoleon, 212, 229, 
 
 233, 254, 273, 274, 277. 
 Burgoyne, gen. 104, 105, 135, 140, 
 
 141, 142, 143- 
 Burke, Edmund, 187. 
 Burlington bay, 257. 
 Burr, col. 217, 226, 227. 
 Burrougits, lieut. 266. 
 Bute, lord, 92. 
 
 Cabot, 19. 
 
 Calvert, sir George, 68. 
 
 Cambridge, 66. 
 
 Camden, 160, 180. 
 
 Canada, 86, 87. 
 
 Carleton, gen. Ill, 113, 116. 
 
 Carroll, gen. 285. 
 
 Carver, John, 47. 
 
 Cassin, com. 261. 
 
 Chamblee, fort. 111. 
 
 Champlain, lake, 283. 
 
 Chandler, gen. 257. 
 
 Charleston, 70, 119, 156, 157, 300. 
 
 Charlestown, 51, 106, 119, 156, 
 
 157. 
 Chatham, lord, 86, 93, 101, 187. 
 Chauncev, com. 248, 257, 258, 
 
 259, 272, 273. 
 Chesapeake, 26. 
 Chester, 75, 79. 
 Cheves, Langdon, 273, 292. 
 Chippaway, 276. 
 Christie, col. 245. 
 Chrysiler's-field, 271. 
 Clay, Henry, 273, 291. 
 Clayton, Dr. 197. 
 
304 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Clermont, ITS. 
 Cleveland, col. 162, 163. 
 Clinton, American gen. 172. 
 Clinton, British gen. 104, 105, 
 
 119, 125, 126, 146, 156, 157, 
 
 158, 172, 181, 182, 185, 184. 
 Cochrane, adm. 277, 282, 283. 
 Cockburn, adm. 260, 262, 263, 
 
 278. 
 Codding-ton, "William, 52. 
 Coffee, gen. 285, 286. 
 College, Dartmouth, 67. 
 College, Harvard, 65. 
 College, New Haven, 67. 
 College, Princeton, 73. 
 College, William & Mary, 38. 
 College, Yale, 67. 
 Columbia, District of, 216, 
 Columbus, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 
 
 18. 
 Concord, 102. 
 Congress, old, 91, 100, 106, 130, 
 
 137, 147, 190. 
 Connecticut, 52, 193. 
 Constitution, federal, 199. 
 Cotton, Rev. Mr. 51. 
 Cornwallis, lord, 129, 131, 136, 
 
 158, 160, 174, 175, 176, 177, 
 
 179, 180, 181, 182, 184, 185. 
 Cotton, culture of, 70. 
 Cowpens, 174. 
 Cranev Island, 261. 
 Croglian, col. 266, 267. 
 Crown-point, 103. 
 Crutchfield, major, 262. 
 
 D. 
 
 Dale, com. 218. 
 
 Davis, col 259. 
 
 Deane, Silas, 145. 
 
 Dearborne, gen. 244, 245, 256, 
 
 258. 
 Debt, national, 204, 289. 
 Decatur, com. 219, 242, 275, 293. 
 D'Estaign, adm. 148, 153, 154 
 De Grasse, adm. 170, 182, 183, 1 85. 
 De Guichen, adm- 167, 168, 170. 
 De Kalb, baron, 160, 161. 
 Delaware, lord, 31, 32. 
 Delaware, state, 71, 74, 78, 193. 
 Derna, 220, 221. 
 De Ternay, adm. 167, 170. 
 Detroit, 238, 239, 268. 
 Dickenson, gen. 133. 
 
 Dickenson, John, 93, 100. 
 Dinwiddie, governor, 82. 
 Dorchester, 51, 118. 
 Dover, 53- 
 
 Drummond, gen. 276. 
 Dudley, Thomas, 50. 
 Du Portail, gen. 185. 
 Duquesne, fort, 84, 107. 
 
 E. 
 
 Eaton, gen. 220, 221. 
 Rlholm, capt. 155. 
 Elizabeth Islands, 59. 
 Elizabethtown, 73. 
 Elliott, gen. 170. 
 Elliott, Rev. Mr. 66. 
 Embargo, 231, 232. 
 Endicott, govei-nor, 49, 51. 
 Erie, fort, 256, 276. 
 Erie, lake, 248, 267. 
 Eutaw, 180. 
 Exeter, 54. 
 
 F. 
 
 Falmouth, 110. 
 
 Fenwick, col. 245. 
 
 Fishing creek, 161. 
 
 Florida, 87, 170, 295. 
 
 Forsvthe, col. 248, 254, 271. 
 
 Fox,'C. J. 187, 232. 
 
 Fox, George, 58. 
 
 France, 166, 172. 
 
 Franklin, Benj. 67, 85, 90, 115, 
 
 124, 127, 138, 145, 188, 195, 
 
 196 
 Franklin, James, 67. 
 Frenchtown, (Mich.) 250. 
 Frenchtown, (Del.) 260. 
 Fredericklown, 260. 
 Fulton, Robert, 298, 299. 
 
 Gage, gen. 98, 99, 102, 103, 104, 
 
 105. 
 Gaines, gen. 276. 
 Gallatin, Albert, 273, 291. 
 Gates, gen. 108, 109, 142, 160, 
 
 164. 
 Genet, M. 211. 
 George, fort, 246, 256, 271. 
 Georgetown, 260. 
 Georgia, 79, 193, 194. 
 Germantown, 75, 138. 
 Gibbs, gen. 289. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 305 
 
 Government, 192, 193, 199. 
 
 Grafton, duke of, 93, 95. 
 
 Gvear Meadov/s, 84. 
 
 Greaves, adni. 182. 
 
 Greene, col. 139. 
 
 Greene, .e^cn. 108, 130, 135, 138, 
 
 146, 165, 173, 174, 175, 176, 
 
 177, 180, 181. 
 Grenville, Georg-e, 89. 
 Guilford, 176. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hakluvt, Richard, 24, 25, 26. 
 Hamilton, cen. 184, 199, 203, 204, 
 
 205, 226';' 227. 
 Hampton, gen, 270, 271. 
 Hampton, town, 117, 261. 
 Hancock, John, 94, 99, 104, 106, 
 
 124, 140. 
 Hanging Rock, 159. 
 Hardy, com 263, 265. 
 Harmar, gen. 209. 
 Harrison, s:en. 237, 244, 250,251, 
 
 252, 253, 267, 268, 269, 270. 
 Hartfbrd. 52. 
 Havre de Grace, 260. 
 Hazlevvood, com. 140. 
 Heath, gen. 99, 108. 
 Henry, John, 234. 
 Henrv, Patrick, 90, 117. 
 Hobkirk Hill, 180. 
 Holland, 171- 
 Hooker, Rev. Mr. 52. 
 Hopkins, com. 144. 
 Howard, col. 174. 
 Howe, adm. 119,147- 
 Howe, gen. 104, 105, 118, 119, 
 
 126, 127, 128, 129, 133, 134, 
 
 135, 137, 138, 140, 146, 148. 
 Huger, e;(;n. 175, 177. 
 Hull, ca'pt. 240, 241. 
 Hull, gen. 237, 238, 239, 240. 
 Hull, John, 57. 
 Hutchinson, Ann, 52. 
 Hutchinson, gov. 97- 
 
 I. 
 
 Illinois, 295. 
 
 Independence, declaration of, 120. 
 
 Indiana, 295. 
 
 Indians, 42, 43, 44, 209. 
 
 Indigo, 70. 
 
 Izardj gen. 273. 
 
 3. 
 
 Jackson, gen. 285, 286, 287, 288. 
 Jamesto«-n, 26, 29, 30, 82 
 Jav, John, 100, 188, 199, 203, 214. 
 JefTerson, Thomas, 59, 93, 124, 
 
 203, 212, 217, 223, 232. 
 Johnson, col. 269. 
 Jones, capt. 242. 
 Jones, Paul. 144. 
 Judiciary, 201. 
 
 K. 
 
 Keane, gen. 287, 289. 
 Kentucky, 207, 208. 
 Kettle-creek, 152. 
 King's-mountain, 162. 
 Kniphausen, gen. 129, 136, 15.6, 
 
 164. 
 Knox, gen. 127, 185, 203. 
 Kosciuski, gen. 143. 
 
 L. 
 
 La CoUe's Mill, 273. 
 
 La Goose's House, 258, 259. 
 
 La Favette,135, 146, 167, 181, 182. 
 
 Lambert, gen. 287, 289. 
 
 Langdon, John, 100. 
 
 Laurens, col. 184, 186. 
 
 Laurens, Henry, 140, 171, 188. 
 
 Lawrence, capt. 249,263,264,265, 
 
 Lee, Arthur, 145. 
 
 Lee, gen. Charles, 108, 109, 128, 
 
 129, 130, 146, 147. 
 Lee, gen. Henry, 151, 176, 173, 
 
 206, 235. 
 Lee, R. H. 120, 124. 
 Lewis and (Jlarke, 223. 
 Lewistown, 79, 259. 
 Lexington, 102, 103. 
 Lincoln, gen. 142, 151, 153, 157,. 
 
 187, 199. 
 Lingan, gen. 236. 
 Livingston, chanc 100, 202- 
 Livingston, col. 113, 114. 
 Logan, Mr 196. 
 Long Island, 71, 125. 
 Louisiana, 82, 222, 223. 
 Lovel, gen. 151. 
 
 M. 
 
 Macomb, gen. 271. 
 Madison, James, 199, 204, 232, 
 279, 295. 
 
306 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Magnet, 7, l^. 
 
 Maine, 54, 59, 295. 
 
 Maize, ^). 
 
 Manly, capt. 110. 
 
 Marietta. 222. 
 
 Marion, gen. 161, 162, 163, IT?, 
 
 178, 181. 
 Martha's Vineyarrl, 59. 
 Maryland, 68, 193, 194. 
 Massachusetts, 48, 193, 194. 
 Mather, Cotton, 61, 195. 
 M'Ciure, gen. 254, 271. 
 M'Donough, com. 273, 283. 
 M'Douga'il, gen. 127, 128, 138. 
 Medical School, 77. 
 Meigs, col. 134. 
 Meigs, fori, 251, 252. 
 Mercer, gen. 130, 132. 
 M'Henry, fort, 282, 283. 
 Michillimackinac, 238. 
 Mifflin, fort, 138, 139. 
 Mifflin, gen, 127, 138, 192. 
 Military Academy, 290. 
 Miller, capt. 279"! 
 Miller, ^(t\-\. 240, 253. 
 Mint, 290. 
 
 Mississippi, river, 223. 
 Mississippi, state, 295. 
 Missouri, 295. 
 
 Money, conriftental, 155, 172. 
 Monmouth, 146. 
 Monroe, James, 280, 293. 
 Montgomery, gen. 108, 110, 111, 
 
 113, 114.' 
 Montreal, 111, 271. 
 Moor's Fields, 281. 
 Morgan, gen. 114, 174, 175. 
 Morocco, 217. 
 Morris, capt. 242. 
 Morris, Robert, 124. 
 Motte, Mrs. 178 
 Moultrie, gen. 119, 151, 152. 
 Mount Vernon, 83, 216. 
 Murray, com. 218. 
 
 N. 
 Nantucket, 59. 
 Navv, 1U9, 110, 158, 263, 291, 294, 
 
 295. 
 Negroes; see Slaves. 
 Newark, (Canada,) 271. 
 Newcastle, 74. 
 New England, 45, 56 
 New Hampshire, 5o, 193, 194. I 
 
 New Jersey, 71. 72, 193. 
 
 New Orleans, 86, 223, 284, 285, 
 
 286, 287, 288. 
 xN"ew Plyri^outh, 47, 48, 59. 
 Newport, 52, 100 
 New Providence, 144. 
 New York, city, s:->, 128, 190,30(1 
 New York, state, 71, 193, 194. 
 Newspapers, 67, 77. 
 Xiagara battle, 276. 
 Niagara, fort, 246, 271. 
 Ninety-six, 180. 
 Non-intercourse, 232. 
 Norfolk, 117, 150, 261, 300; 
 North Carolina, 21, 69, 194. 
 North, lord, 95, 187. 
 North Point, 282. 
 Nova Scotia, 59. 
 
 O. 
 
 Ogdensburg, 248, 254. 
 
 Ogechee, 155. 
 
 Oglethorpe, gen. 79, 80, 81. 
 
 Ohio, 222. 
 
 Oswego, 275. 
 
 Otis, James, 91. 
 
 P. 
 
 Packenham, gen. 287, 289. 
 Paine, Thomas, 94, 299. 
 Paoli tavern, 137. 
 Parker, adm. 119. 
 Patterson, com. 285, 286. 
 Paul us Hook, 151. 
 Paulding, John, 169 
 I'ennsvlvania, 71, 72^, 193 
 Penn, William, 7o, 74, 75, 7^. 
 Penobscot, 151. 
 Pensacola, 285. 
 Perry, com. 257, 268, 293. 
 Peter, major, 278, 279. 
 Philadelphia. 75, 137, 146, 500. 
 Phipps, sir William, 59, 60, 63, 
 
 64, &5. 
 Pickens, col. 151, 174. 
 Pike, ^(:\\. 225, 245, 248, 254, 255. 
 Pittsburg, 84, 300. 
 Pitt, Wi'lliam, 187. 
 Piatt sburg, 259, 283, 284. 
 Pocahuntas, 29, 32, oo- 
 Pomeroy, gen 99, 105, 108. 
 Populat'ion, ^^5, 50, 57, 299, 300. 
 Porter, com. 249, 275. 
 r»or'.er, gen. 256, 271, 276. 
 Port Royal, 151. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 !5or 
 
 Portsmouth, R. I. 5^2. 
 Portsmouth, N. H. 100. 
 Postell, major, 177. 
 Potato, 54. 
 Powhatan, 29, 32, 33. 
 Preble, com. 218, 219. 
 President of the U. States, 199, 
 
 203. 
 Prevrst, gen. 149, 152, 258, 271. 
 
 283, 284. 
 ^Priestley, Dr. 299. 
 Princeton, 73, 132. 
 Printing, 67. 
 Proctor, gen. 250, 251, 253, 267, 
 
 268, 269. 
 Providence, 52, 300. 
 Pulaski, count, 136, 137. 
 Putnam, gen. 105, 108, 133, 222. 
 
 Q. 
 
 Quebec, 59, 82, 86, 111, 113. 
 Queenstown, 245. 
 Quincey, Josiah, 96. 
 
 R. 
 
 Raisin, river, 250. 
 Raleigh, sir W. 21, 22, 23. 
 Ramsay, Dr. 296. 
 Randolph, Edmund, 203. 
 Randolph, Peyton, 100, 106. 
 Kawdon, lord, 158, 160, 180. 
 Red Bank, 138, 139. 
 Heed, col. 129, 145. 
 Representatives, house of, 199,200. 
 Rliode Island, 52, 192, 193. 
 Rice, 70. 
 Richmond, 300. 
 Ridgfield, 134. 
 Ripley, gen. 271, 276. 
 Puttenhouse, David, 195, 197, 
 Roanoke, 21, 22, 23. 
 Robinson, Rev. John, 46. 
 Rocfiambeau, gen. 167, 183, 185. 
 Rockingham, marquis of, 92, 93, 
 
 187. 
 Rodgers, com. 282. 
 Rodney, adm. 170, 171. 
 Rolfe, Mr. 32. 
 
 Ro.<;s, gen. 277, 278, 280, 282. 
 Roxborough, 51. 
 Rush, Benjamin, 124, 206. 
 Russel, Jonathan, 273. 
 Ruiledge, Edvv. 100, 124, 127, 
 Rutledge, John, 152, 156, 203. 
 
 S. 
 Sackett's Harbour, 258. 
 Sagg Harbour, 134. 
 Salem, 49, 50, 97, 99. 
 Saltonstali, com. 151. 
 Sandusky, fort, 267. 
 Saratoga, 143. 
 
 Savannah, 79, 148, 153, 186, 300. 
 Saybrook, 53, 55. 
 Schuyler, gen. 108, 110, 141. 
 Scott, gen. 245, 256, 276. 
 Senate of the U. States, 199, ?0G,. 
 Shay, Daniel, 198. 
 Shelburne, lord, 187. 
 Shelby, gov. 162, 269, 270. 
 Shepherd, gen. 199. 
 Sierra Leone, 301. 
 Slaves, 34, 68, 80, 300, 301. 
 Small-pox, 195. 
 Smallwood, gen, 138. 
 Smith, Captkin, 27, 28, 29, 30, SI", 
 
 32 45 47. ~^ 
 
 Smith, gen. S. 139, 282, 283. 
 Smyth, gen. 245, 247. 
 Somerset, 133. 
 South Carolina, 70, 193, 194. 
 Spain, 169. 
 
 Springfield, 52, 133, 199. 
 Starke, gen, 105, 141. ' 
 St. Clair, gen. 130, 141, 209. 
 Steam-boat, 298. 
 Sterrett, Captain, 217, 218. 
 Stewart, Captain, 275. 
 St. George, fort. See Fort George. 
 Stillwater, 142. 
 Stirling, gen. lord, 126, 130, 135, 
 
 139, 146. 
 St. Johns, fort, HI. 
 Stoney-point, 150. 
 Stonington, 275. 
 Stono JFerry, 153. 
 Strieker, gen. 282, 283. 
 Stuyvesant, gov. 71, 72. 
 Sugar, maple, 194. 
 Sullivan, gen. 108, 116, 125, 126, 
 
 130, 135, 138. 
 Sullivan's Island, 119. 
 Sumpter, gen. 159, 160, 177. 
 Sunbury, 149. 
 
 T. 
 Tarleton, col. 158, 174, 176. 
 Taxes, British, 85, 88,89, 90, 92, 
 
 93, 95, 96. 
 
508 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Tecumseh, 236, 269, 270. 
 TenM-'^s.sees 222. 
 Thames, 269. 
 Thomas, j,^^n. 99, 108, 116. 
 Th',>m.^cn, Charles, 90, 100, 297, 
 Three Rivers, 116. 
 Ticonderoga, lu3, 140. 
 Tippecanoe, 237. 
 Titles, 193, 201. 
 Tobaccok, 34, 40, 53. 
 Towiishend, Charles, 89, 93. 
 Treaty of Paris, 145, 188. 
 
 of Greenville, 210. 
 
 with French repub. 212. 
 
 Jay's with G. Brit. 214. 
 
 wi\h Tripoli, 221. 
 
 of Ghent, 289. 
 Trenton, 73, 130, 131, 132. 
 Tripoli, 217, 218, 221. 
 Truxiun, com. 212. 
 Tunis, 217. 
 Type-foundry, 194. 
 
 V. 
 
 Van Renssalaer, col. 245. 
 
 Van Renssalaer, gen, 244, 245, 
 
 246, 247. 
 Van Wert, Isaac, 169. 
 Veazy, col. 260. 
 Vermont, 207, 208. 
 Vespucci, Amerig-o, 17, 18. 
 Virgmia, 21, 26, 35. 
 
 W. 
 
 Ward, gen. 99, 103, 108, 109. 
 Warner, col. 103, 111, 141. 
 Warren, adm. 249, 260. 
 Warren, Dr.-& gen. 94, 105, 106. 
 
 Warrington, capt. 275. 
 
 Washingion, George, 82, 83, 84, 
 85, 86, 107, lv;8, 109, 112, 113, 
 114, 118, 124, 12.5, 126, 127, 
 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 134, 
 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 146, 
 150, 166, 183, 185, 186, 189, 
 190, 191, 192, 198, 199, 201, 
 202, 203, 205, 206, 210, 211, 
 212, 214, 215, 216, 228. 
 
 W^ashinj^ion, Bushrod, 216. 
 
 Washington, cny, 216, 280, 300. 
 
 Washington, col 131, 173, 174. 
 
 W^ayne, gen. lo5, 137, 138, 146, 
 150, 181, 186, 209, 210. 
 
 Weailjersfield, 52 
 
 Wesi Point, 160, 290. 
 
 AVheelright, Rev. Mr. 54. 
 
 White col. 155. 
 
 White Plains, 128. 
 
 White, Rev, Mr. 48. 
 
 Wilkinson, gen. 270, 271, 279- 
 
 Williamsburg, 181. 
 
 Williams, David, 169, 
 
 Williams, Roger, 51. 
 
 Winchester, gen, 250, 251. 
 
 Winder, gen. 257, 277, 278, 279, 
 280, 281, 282, 283. 
 
 Winlhrop, gov. 50. 
 
 Wolfe, gen 86. 
 
 Woolman, John, 300, 
 
 Wooster, gen. 108, 134j 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yeo, com. 258, 259. 
 
 York, (Canada) 254, 255, 256. 
 
 Yorktown, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185. 
 
 THE END.