intljeCttpoflmigork LIBRARY 2- THE LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. VOL. II. JA •> •» 5 J » T 5 5 ' 3 , > 3 9?* ' '" a ' » btu-irt. .iiiil vv STTiim, Sc. '/' THE LIFE ■> OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. BY CHARLES ^y. UPHAM. Volume II. BOSTON: LITTLE, BROTTN, AND COMPANY. 1873. . , : . • J .•• •T'/rr r Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, ty HENUY PICKERIXG, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. CAMBRIDGE: PRESS OF JOITX WILSON AND SON. PREFACE TO CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. From early life Colonel Pickering was in the habit of preserving letters, accounts, and documents of all sorts, that came into his hands. After his death, his sons selected, at different times, what were deemed most valu- able, arranged and caused them to be bound in volumes, with indexes to each. These volumes, above sixty in number, are in the permanent custody, and by the direc- tion of Octavius Pickering have become the property, of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Five volumes are reserved by the family. Only a small portion of these materials, such as have been requisite for the purposes of a biography, has been used in this work. The residue is of great value, and will well reward the researches of students of American history, — shedding light upon the period of the Revolu- tion, and the operations of the government and experi- ence of the country for the subsequent half century. Copies of his own letters, and other productions of his pen, were carefully made by Colonel Pickering, and are found among his papers. While in the cabinet, espe- ^-'^.QQQQ vi LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEUIXG. cially when Secretary of State, he was under the necessity, from the pressure of business, of using a copying-machine. Unfortunately many of tliese copies have become more or less illegible. They are the only record of interesting and important information, illustrating the most critical and momentous emergencies in the public affairs of the country, particularly in its foreign relations ; and care ought to be taken to put into an enduring form so much of them as can be recovered and made out by persons expert in deciphering such faded documents. These bound volumes do not contain half of Colonel Pickering's manuscripts. There were chests filled with packages of unarranged materials, innumerable accounts and vouchers, personal and domestic, and also growing out of his business as Quartermaster-General of the Kevolutionary army, and papers m reference to farming operations, and agricultural subjects generally. Those relating to agriculture have been deposited with the Essex Agricultural Society, of which he was the founder and first President. Some of a local interest, with dupli- cates of matter in the bound volumes, have been placed in the hands of the President of the Essex Institute, and the remainder passed back to the family. In order to become fully possessed of the elements of the subject, before entering upon a continuation and the completion of the life and cnaracter of Timothy Picker- ing, an examination, with careful scrutiny, of this mass of materials, bound and unbound, has been regarded as necessary. Mr. Octavius Pickering, in dictating the items of a will, on the last night of his life, caused to be inserted in it, that I should be asked to complete the Biography LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEEIXG. vii of his father, of which he had published one volume. The request of a friend so highly esteemed, under the circumstances, of course had very great weight. Further, his father and mine were class-mates and room-mates in college, and their friendship lasted through life. Colonel Pickering was my parishioner. I w^as at the side of his death-bed ; with his family and descendants I have enjoyed a friendly and affectionate intimacy. , But chief among the motives that constrained me to undertake the task, was the fact that statements and anecdotes of much importance to his Biography, and heard from his own lips, now that his children and other associates of his later years are all gone, exist only in my memory. In looking back over the long line of his public life, i Colonel Pickering attached peculiar importance to his ! Indian service, his estimate of which was continually heightened by reflection and observation. It has been felt to be the duty of his biographer to make a particu- larly full presentation of this subject. The intervening experiences of the country, and the difficulties that at present embarrass and perplex the government in its relations with aboriginal tribes, will probably lead to a general conviction that Colonel Pickering's policy was wise as well as humane. A large space has been given to domestic history, and to details of agricultural operations and afl*airs. This was regarded as indispensable and imperative in por- traying the character of a man who, in all elevated spheres of public life, military and civil, ever remembered that the position of head of a family was the most respon- sible and sacred a citizen can occupy, and found more viii LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. enjoyment in rural scenes and labors than in the highest official stations. He adorned the posts of Senator, chief of departments, and Minister of State ; but the titles he considered the most lionorable, and cherished with most pride, were Father and Farmer. The extensive use in these volumes of letters and documents written at the time by him and his corre- >spondents is designed to impart to the work the author- ity, and, it is hoped, has given it the interest, of an autobiography. The person particularly presented, his eminent compatriots, and all his fellow-actors, are thus made to pass over the stage of life again before the eyes of the reader. c. w. u. Salem, 1873. CONTENTS OF YOL. 11. CHAPTER I. 1775-1783. Colonel Pickering's Service in the Revolutionary War, pp. 1-44 CHAPTER II. 1775-1783. His Military Character, 45-68 CHAPTER HI. 1775-1783. ^ Pickering and Washington, 69-110 CHAPTER lY. 1775-1783. Colonel Pickering and the Tories of the Revolution, . 111-139 CHAPTER Y. 1785, 1786. Colonel Pickering a Merchant in Philadelphia. — Prize Agent. — Private-armed Navy of the Revolution. — Society in Phila- delphia. — Colonel Pickering's Enjoyment of it. — His Wife ; her Character. — His Yiews on Education. — Family Corre- spondence, 140-176 X CONTENTS. CHAPTER VI. 1785, 1786. He resolves to become a Pennsylvania Farmer. — Alarming Sick- ness, and remarkable Recovery, of his Brother. — The Rebel- lion in Massachusetts. — Appointed to civil Offices in the County of Luzerne, 177-196 CHAPTER VII. 1753-1778. Wyoming Lands Controversy, 197-246 CHAPTER VIIL 1786, 1787. Colonel Pickering organizes the County of Luzerne. — Removes his Family to Wyoming, 247-287 CHAPTER IX. 1787. Disturbances in Wyoming. — John Franklin's Arrest and Im- prisonment. — The Pennsylvania Commissioners driven out of the Country. — Colonel Pickering's Escape into the Woods, 288-325 CHAPTER X. 1787. Colonel Pickering in Philadelphia. — An Exile from Wyoming. — Member of the Convention of Pennsylvania, to act upon the proposed Constitution of the United States, . 326-343 CHAPTER XL 1787. Letter to the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania. — Argument in Favor of Adopting the Constitution of the United States, 344-368 CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER XII. 1788. Colonel Pickering returned to Wyoming. — Ineffectual Attempts to procure proper Measures of Legislation for the People of that Territory. — ^ The whole Country much excited on the Question of ratifying the Federal Constitution. — Colonel Pickerino-'s Abduction. — The Failure of the Desig^n of his Captors. — Their Dispersion. — The final Establishment of Law, Order, and Peace in Wyoming, .... 369-411 CHAPTER XIIL 1788, 1789. Mrs. Pickering's Visit to Salem. — Correspondence with William Binsfham. — A Member of the Convention for Framino: a Xew Constitution for the State of Pennsylvania. — Visit to Charles Thomson. — Unsuccessful Applicant for Office, . 412-446 CHAPTER XIV. 1789-1791. The First Con2:ress under the Constitution. — Colonel Pickerinor's Mission to the Seneca Indians. — His Views as to the Educa- tion and Civilization of the Indians. — Declines the Office of Superintendent of the Northern Indians. — Declines the Office of Quartermaster of the Western Army. — Mission to the Six Nations. — Appointed Postmaster-General of the L^nited States. — Letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania, 447-509 CONTENTS OF VOL. III. CHAPTER I. 1791, 1792. The Post-office Establishment in 1791. — Applications for Ap- pointment as Local Postmasters. — Colonel Pickering and Judge Peters. — Pi-eaching provided at Ayyoming. — The War with the Indians north-west of the Ohio. — Colonel Pickering's Service in negotiating a third Treaty with the Six Nations. — Removal of his Family to Philadelphia. — Visit to New England. — Family Correspondence, pp, 1-44 CHAPTER II. 1792-1794. The General Post-office in 1792, — A Commissioner to treat with Indians north of the Ohio. — Yellow-fever at Phila- delphia in 1793. — Makes a Treaty with Indians at Canan- daigua. — Makes another Treaty at Oneida. — A Difficulty with New York amicably adjusted. — His Service as Negotia- tor with Indians, 45-87 CHAPTER III. 1787-1873. National Parties. — Presidential Electors. — State Rights. — The Congress of the Confederation. — The Senate of the United States. — Foreign Influence, 88-138 CHAPTER IV. 1795. Colonel Pickering, Secretary of War, in Charge of Military, Naval, and Indian Affiiirs. — Personal Traits, .... 139-171 CONTENTS. Xlll CHAPTER Y. 1795. Secretary of War. — Washington's Foreign Policy. — Jay's Treaty. — Approved by tlie Senate. — Extraordinary Meas- ures to prevent its being ratified by the President. — Wash- ington ratifies it. — Correspondence relating to it, 172-208 CHAPTER VI. 1795. Policy of France as to the United States. — Fauchet's Letter. — Edmund Randolph's Resignation. — Colonel Pickering ap- pointed " Acting Secretary of State." — Affair of Captain Rodham Home. — Exchange of Ratifications of the British Treaty, 209-248 CHAPTER YII. 1795, 1796. Colonel Pickering Secretary of State. — Still called to Discharge some Duties of the War Department. — Harper's Ferry Ar- senal. — Military Establishment. — Regulating Trade with the Indians. — West Point. — " Talk " to the Cherokee Nation. — Letter to the Oneida Nation. — The Frigate pre- sented to the Dey of Algiers. — The North-Eastern Boundary Line. — Seizure of American Vessels and Impressment of Sailors, 249-282 CHAPTER YIII. 1796-1800. His Domestic and Personal History while attached to the Gov- ernment in Philadelphia. — Death of a Son. — His Land Speculations. — Yellow-fever at Philadelphia in 1797. — Correspondence with Rev. Joseph Pickering in England. — Libel on Colonel Pickerinoj. — Death of Rev. Dr. Clarke of Boston. — Yellow-fever at Philadelphia in 1798. — The Degree of LL.D. conferred by the College at Princeton, JST. J. — Letter of George Cabot declining the Office of Secretary of the Navy. — John Pickering. — Timothy Pick- ering, Jr., 283-329 XIV CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. 1796, 1797. Secretary of State. — Official Intercourse with Foreiorn Nations. — Correspondence relating to Questions with Great Britain, and with France, 330-364 CHAPTER X. 1797, 1798. John Adams inaugurated President of the United States. — Colonel Pickering continued as Secretary of State. — Official Intercourse with foi'eign Nations. — Correspondence relating to Questions with France. — Proceedings of the Spanish Min- ister, his Prosecution of William Cobbett, his Complaints against the Government ; and Colonel Pickering's Refutation of them, 365-411 CHAPTER XL 1797-1800. Secretary of State. — The Federal Administration. — Differences of Opinion among its Supporters. — The relative Rank of Major-Generals in the Provisional Army. — The Institution of another Mission to France. — The Pardon of Fries. — The Presidential Election in 1800. — Overthrow of the Federal Party, 412-454 CHAPTER XII. 1797-1800. The Relations between John Adams, President of the United States, and Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State. — Wil- liam Stephens Smith. — Answer to an Address to the Presi- dent from the Freeholders of Prince Edward County, Virginia. — Adams dismisses Pickering from Office. — Their Charac- ters and Lives, 455-499 CONTENTS OF YOL. IV. CHAPTER I. 1800, 1801. Colonel Pickering prepares to leave Philadelphia. — Resolves to become a first Settler in the Woods. — Correspondence Avith Friends on the Occasion. — Sets out for the Wilderness. — Makes a Clearins;. — Builds a Cabin. — At the end of the Season visits his Relatives in Massachusetts. — Sells a large Part of his Land. — Returns to his Settlement. — Estab- lishes a Son upon it. — Removes with his Family to Massa- chusetts, pp. 1-41 CHAPTER II. 1801-1804. Colonel Pickering a Farmer in Essex County, Massachusetts. — Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. — Candidate for a Seat in the House of Representatives in Congress. — Defeated. — Elected to the Senate of the United States. — The Louisiana Treaty. — Amendment of the Constitution, as to Mode of electing; President and Vice-President. — Passas^e with Aaron Burr. — Domestic Correspondence. — Political and miscellaneous Correspondence. — Relations with Jeffer- son. — George Cabot. — Richard Peters, . . . 42-92 CHAPTER IIL 1805-1808. Elected a Senator of the United States for Six Years. — The ninth Congress, first Session. — Domestic Correspondence. — Pur- chases, and establishes his Family on a Farm, in Wenham. — XVI CONTENTS. Second Session of the nintli Congress. — Domestic Corre- spontlence. — Battle of Trafalgar, the Effect of upon Parties in America. —The War of 1812, the Effect on the National Parties. — Burr's Exjiedition. — Sickness of Timothy Picker- ing, Jr. — Colonel Pickering's Journey to Starucca. — Death of Timothy Pickering, Jr. — Tenth Congress. — First Ses- sion. — High Party Excitement. — Colonel Pickering par- ticularly assailed. — Ilis Letter to Governor Sullivan. — Public Receptions and Honors in Salem and Newbury- port, 93-137 CHAPTER IV. 1808-1810. A Senator of the United States. — Tenth Congress, Second Ses- sion. — His Speeches on the Embargo. — First and second Sessions of eleventh Congress. — Domestic and general Cor- respondence. — Hanged and burned in Efligy. — A libellous Handbill. — His Correspondence and Proceedings in reference to Libellers. — The fast-anchored Isle, .... 138-173 CHAPTER V. 1810, 1811. Senator of the United States. — Eleventh Congress, third Session. — A Vote of Censure by the Senate, and its Effects on his Reputation. — " Instructions " to Members of Con- gress. — The Bank of the United States. — " Address " to the People of the United States. — Domestic and gen- eral Correspondence. — Timothy Pickering and James Hill- house, 174-211 CHAPTER YL 1811-1814. Returns to private Life. — Journey to "Wenham. — Death of his Brother. — Correspondence. — His North Carolina Lands. — The ancestral Mansion. — Joseph Dennie. — Letters to the Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. — Baltimore CONTENTS. XVll Riot. — His Election to Congress from Essex l^orth District. — Vice-President Gerrv. — First Session of the thirteenth Congress. — Correspondence. — Letters to the People of the United States. — Second Session of the thirteenth Conorress. — Speech on the Loan Bill. — Correspondence, 212-251 CHAPTER YIL 1814-1816. Board of Commissioners for Sea-Coast Defence, and Board of War, in Massachusetts. — Elected to the fourteenth Congress from Essex South District. — Third Session of thirteenth Congress. — Correspondence. — Speech on military Peace Establishment. — Correspondence. — First Session of the fourteenth Congress. — Correspondence. — John Randolph of Roanoke. — Colonel Pickering declines a Re-election to Con- gress, 252-280 CHAPTER YHL 1816-1818. Second Session of the fourteenth Congress. — Speeches on the Compensation Law, and on internal Improvements. — Cor- respondence. — Colonel Pickering's Reputation. — His Merits recognized by political opponents. — Thomas H. Benton. — Charles Jared Ingersoll. — Philip P. Barbour. — John Ran- dolph of Roanoke. — The Close of Colonel Pickering's Ser- vices under the United Statues. — A Member of the Executive Council of Massachusetts, 281-315 CHAPTER- IX. 1818-1828. Agricultural Society of Essex County. — Colonel Pickering its President. — His Address in 1818. — Visit to his Dausjh- ter in Maryland. — Her Death. — Agricultural Address in 1820. — Journey to Baltimore. — Removes his Family to Salem. — Correspondence with Jefferson on Religion. — Chair- man of the Salem School-Committee. — Visit to Philadelphia. — James Taylor. — Address before the Massachusetts Agri- VOL. U. ft XVIU CONTEXTS. • cultural Society. — Wins the first Premium at a Plougliing- Matcli. — Kcads tlie Declaration of Independence at a Fourth of July Celebration. — lielations with John Adams. — Adams and Cunningham Cori'espondence. — Ilis " Review " of it. — Agricultural Report. — Engaged to write the Life of Ham<^ ilton. — Visits Philadelphia and New York. — Personal Friendships. — Interest in the Greek Revolution. — Address on the Subject. — Death of his Wife. — Essex Agricultural Address in 1828 316-357 CHAPTER X. 1829. Colonel Pickering's Death. — Sermon on the Occasion. — His Character, 358-392 SUPPLEMENT. Colonel Pickering's Family and Descendants, .... 393-430 APPENDIX. A. Thoughts on the military Establishment proper for the United States at the Conclusion of the War in 1783, . 431-443 B. "An Inquiry concerning the Northern Boundaries of Canada and Louisiana," • 444-452 C. Timothy Pickering's Vindication from Libel in " Baltimore Whig," 453-462 Colonel Pickering's 01)servations Introductory to Reading the Declaration of Independence at Salem, July 4, 1823, 463-469 E. « The Suffering Greeks," 470-476 CONTENTS. XIX F. MIS CELL ANEOIJS. John Randolph ; Precision of Language. — Cognomination ; Feb- ruary 14th, 1817. — Americanisms; March 2d, 1817. — John Randolph. — General Arthur St. Clair. — General Gates. — Patrick Henry. — " Edinburgh Review," July, 1821 ; No. LXX. — Madame Roland. — Anecdote; Jefferson the Friend of Hamilton ! — Doctor James Wallace, of Virginia, Febru- ary 9th, 1822. — Pericles. — Peter Stephen Duponceau. — Chateaubriand. — Washington, &c. — Providential Events. — The United States : their Independence ; their Republican Institutions. — Memoirs of my own Times, . . 477-499 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. CHAPTER I. Colonel Pickering's Service in the Revolutionary War 1775-1783. Before taking up, in continuation, the life of Colo- nel Pickering, and entering upon the subsequent stages of his career, it may be well to present a retrospective view of the part he acted in the struggle that severed the Colonies of Great Britain in North America from that eaipire. His military life is wholly covered in the preceding volume, and it may as well be reviewed at this point as at the end of his biography. The war, resulting in the Independence of the United States, is generally considered as beginning on the 19th of April, 1775, the date of the battle of Lexington, and ending on the 19th of April, 1783, when the Proclama- tion of Congress, announcing the cessation of hostilities, was read by order of Washington, at his head-quarters in Newburgh, — a period of precisely eight years. Col- onel Pickering's connection with it covered, however, a longer period. Soon after finishing his collegiate course at Harvard University, in 1763, while pursuing legal studies, and writing, as he could find leisure, in the offices Vol. II. 1 ,,, ,,t '',;*» ' r « c « ♦ • • , • • • ' r » •_• r « • • • • » » ' t » • f « ,, J.P7<:,0F TIMOTHY PICKERING. ' of tHe Keiristrv of Deeds in the County of Essex, and Vrd^vjfi'. Cle.rk- of Salem, he turned his attention with 1 . . . . • . f > . 1 1 irreat earnestness to military matters, and commenced a series of active measures to prepare the people of his town and its neighborhood to defend their rights, if occasion should require, in arms. His proceedings to this end seem to make it quite certain that he discerned the shadows which coming events cast before. In Jan- uary, 1766, when not twenty-one years of age, he was commissioned, by the Governor of the Province, as Lieutenant of a company of foot, in the First Regiment of the militia in the County of Essex ; in May, 1769, was Captain of the same ; and, on the 13th of February. 1775, was elected Colonel of the regiment, receiving his commission from the Royal Governor, which, like all commissions from that source and under that authority, having been made void by an act of the General Court of Massachusetts, was renewed on the 14th of February, 1776, by the " Council of the Massachusetts Bay." In 1771, besides the care of his own company at home, he w^ent at stated days of each week to Marblehead to drill, and instruct in infantry exercise, as many as could be gathered there. All the while his pen was employed in laboring to diffuse a military spirit among the people. Articles to that purpose w^ere inserted in the newspa- pers, and his studies were directed to bringing the mili- tia to greater efficiency, placing it on a reformed basis, correcting irregularities in its usages, and impressing the importance of its acquiring a systematic organiza- tion, and strict habits of order and discipline. As early, indeed, as 1769 he published in the " Essex Gazette '* suggestions as to the formation of military companies. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 3 By such active exertions, and the boldness and deci- siveness of his course in the political discussions by which the public mind was rapidly becoming more and more agitated, he soon was felt and acknowledged by his immediate fellow-citizens as the head of the popular movement. The energy of his character, and even then his universally recognized integrity of principle and purity of purpose, made all men look to him for counsel and direction. He was chairman of political committees, and the master spirit in all the proceedings of that crit- ical period in his town and county. The following cor- respondence shows, in its Gonfidential character, that those of his fellow-citizens who favored the Royalist side in the approaching contest regarded him as the person to be addressed, as the representative and head of the party opposed to them. It illustrates the efficiency and thoroughness of the measures adopted by the patriotic leaders to ascertain and develop the military resources of the people ; and also the courteous and kindly spirit of Colonel Pickering in his intercourse with persons of supposed Tory proclivities. Andrew Oliver, a son of the Secretary and Lieuten- ant-Governor of the Province, was a resident of Salem, for many years one of its representatives to the General Court, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and, as political divisions became decisive, appointed a Manda- mus Councillor. He was classed with the opponents of the popular cause, and considered as sympathizing with his father and family generally. *' Salem, March 4th, 1775. «' Sir, "As I have ever made it my study to avoid giving offence, either to my country or fellow-townsmen ; to the latter of 4 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. which I am not forgetful of the obligations I am under for the honor they liave done me in the repeated instances of their good-will and confidence in times past, I would beg the favor of you, Sir, (in confidence) to inform me whether my personal appearance, on Tuesday next, will be expected, as, if the weather should prove unfavorable, it would be at the risk of a fit of the gout, which I have happily escaped this season liitlierto. My military accoutrements, according to the requi- sition published in the ' Essex Gazette,' will be ready for inspection either at home or upon the place of parade if nec- essary. These are now, and ever have been, ready for use in the service of my native country, and for the support and vindication of the constitutional rights, liberties, and privi- leges of British Americans. " I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, ''A. Oliver. "Colonel Timothy Pickeking." " Salem, March 13tb, 1775. " Sir, " Your townsmen are not forgetful of your amiable and worthy conduct in times past, particularly in renouncing that unconstitutional and justly odious office of a Mandamus Councillor under an act of Parliament, which would overturn the long-established, salutary, and happy government of the Province, and lay a foundation for com^^lete slavery, — a renunciation which took place as soon as the importunity of friends gave a moment's time for reflection. I am persuaded. Sir, you still enjoy the ' good-will and confidence ' of your fel- low-citizens, and I doubt not you will continue to deserve it. '' Your personal ajDpearance, Sir, to-morrow, will not be expected. It rather gives me pain to have you call the noti- fication for the muster, with army accoutrements, a 'Requi- sition.' I know some have represented it as such, and gone so far as lyingly to say that all who did not prepare and appear were immediately to be attacked and abused ; but nothing was farther from the intention of the officers. The inhabitants, in general, had remained listless and inactive with respect to their military preparations, and it was thought LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 5 r necessary to notify a muster in the terms made use of as a spur to quicken them to do what they, in general, were saying ought to be done, but which, like a reformation of manners, they left tmdone. " I am, Sir, with great regard, your humble servant, " T. Pickering, Jr. " P. S. You will have no objection to some officers of the ward in which you live, waiting upon you to note down the particulars of your arms and accoutrements, that so our return to the Congress may be as large and complete as possible." In all his efforts to prepare the people to meet the issue of the pending political controversy, if it should come to a conflict in arms with the power of the mother cpuntry, Colonel Pickering, while holding a subor- dinate commission in his regiment, was embarrassed by the circumstance that its Colonel was a Tory, a person of great influence and respectability, and the represen- tative of a family which for many generations had been the wealthiest in that part of the country. Of course no countenance or consent could be obtained from "him in attempts to prepare the people for a military strug- gle ; and a character of irregularity, if not of illegality, was given to such attempts when made by oflicers of in- ferior rank, without his sanction, and against his wishes and views. To put the organization of his regiment into public and long-continued action without his ap- proval — for Captains of companies to be drilling and parading them before the eyes of their Colonel, in disre- gard of his authority, under his frowns, and in pursu- ance of a purpose he was known to abhor — had the appearance, at least, of a mutinous course of proced- ure. This feeling paralyzed, more or less, the action of many, and particularly in the country towns, and was 6 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEKING. SO considerable an obstacle in tbe way of the general military training and preparation of the people, that it was necessary to take some special steps to remove it. The following letter, apparently addressed to officers of the regiment in other towns than Salem, and prob- ably signed by the Captains of the four Salem companies, is found in a rough-draft among Colonel Pickering's manuscripts. It is in his handwriting. Having therein explained and justified their course, the Captains of the Salem companies continued to gather their men for fre- quent and systematic instruction, without taking any notice of their Colonel ; and the difficulty was, before long, removed by the course of events, necessitating his supersedure, on the 13th of February, 1775, as has been stated. " Captain Timothy Pickering, Jr.," was elected Colonel of the regiment in his place. " Salem, December 26th, 1774. " Gentlemen, "•Being elected to command the companies of militia in this town, we have met to consider and resolve on such measures as appear practicable for disciplining them. Now the greater part of us being wholly unacquainted with them, it is first of all necessary that we should instruct ourselves in military exercises. Tliis we have resolved to do fortliAvith ; and we shall endeavor to procure as man}^ as we can to asso- ciate with us for the same purpose. While we are thus applying ourselves to the business, we shall cause the men in each company to be taught, and give all the encourage- ment in our power to induce them to attend their teachers. Such are the circumstances of the town we are of opinion that it will be impracticable for us to proceed otherwise at present. " We hope the necessity we are under of acting in this manner will prove no discouragement to the rest of the regi- ment ; nor would we, by any means, be a bar to their pro- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEKIXG. 7 ceeding to fulfil, in every particular, the Resolves of the Provincial Congress. We are. Gentlemen, your friends and humble servants. By direction of the new elected officers of the four militia companies in Salem." This early period of Colonel Pickering's life exhibits an activity and versatility of powers quite extraordinary. Besides the clerical and professional engagements that must have demanded much of his time, he was a very frequent contributor to the local press, not only in ref- erence to military matters, but on other subjects that engaged the interests of the community. A protracted parish controversy and a vehement discussion arising out of the establishment in Salem of a small-pox hos- pital, drew from his pen numerous articles, filling columns in the newspapers, displaying the traits of precision, earnestness, w-armth, and energy, which sub- sequently distinguished his productions in high public and diplomatic spheres. In all movements and meetings, in these and other miscellaneous affairs, his presence and co-operation were never wanting. He was deeply inter- ested in music, particularly psalmody, and was a leader and teacher of the choir in his own place of worship. It is a circumstance characteristic of the times, as w^ell as of the man, that, on his visits to Marblehead to in- struct the people in the military art, he stayed there after the drill was over to teach and lead a class in sacred music. When to all this was added the constant care he gave to his own military company, calling them to frequent meetings for exercise in the manual, march- ings, and musket practice, it would seem that his days and evenings must have been wholly engrossed, and no time left unoccupied. But it was not so. He found, LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEHING. or made, intervals amidst his multifarious engagements, which were devoted to a special study, and resulted in an elaborate work. It probably engaged all his avail- able hours for several years prior to the Revolution. In 1775 he published a volume of one hundred and eighty compact and w^ell-filled pages of letter-press, to which are appended fourteen pages of engraved copperplate illus- trations. It was printed with creditable carefulness and accuracy, and published in Boston, by S. Hall, and is, in all respects, a literary and historical curiosity. The title is, "An Easy Plan of Discipline for a Militia ; by Timothy Pickering, Jr." The author had evidently explored all sources of information, and studied works published in England and Europe on the subject. That style of sim- plicitv, plainness, purity, and conciseness, which is the last result of culture and practice by the best writers, pervades the book. The details and minutise belonging to the subject are so expressed as to be perfectly clear and intelligible. In this respect it is a model perform- ance. Beginning with rudimental definitions and de- scriptions of the exercise and training of a single soldier, descending to the smallest particular, as to atti- tude and posture, the movements of the feet and limbs, carriage of the body, and handling of the gun, it lays down all the rules for a section, file, division or platoon, company, battalion, or regiment. As a guide or hand- book it has the appearance of completeness ; while, as a directory, the numerous engravings provide all that is needed. As a manual of instruction in military drill, it probably will stand comparison creditably with more modern works, and is, at any rate, well worthy of being studied by all who may be led to treat of the subject. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 9 In the preface to the work he acknowledges that it is the production of " a mere militia-man, of one who was not formed on the parade, or seen any service," and who only claimed to have been " somewhat used to fire-arms," to have " had a little experience in the militia," and to be " in some degree acquainted wdth the difficulties in train- ing up the men to military knowledge," in the short time that citizen soldiers can give to the subject. In apology for some features of the work, in which he departs from previous treatises on the subject, he says " custom and prejudice are the foundation of many practices among the military. Maxims have been blindly adopted without any examination of the prin- ciples on which they are founded." " If we attend to any other arts, the same absurdities will appear. Many customs are followed, and laws observed, when their origin is unknown, and their reason has ceased to exist." In this connection he adduces an illustration which has been singularly repeated in our day. " It seems that the Prussians were the first who, in the present century, ventured to depart from the old-established form of ex- ercise ; and their amazing victories under their present King having astonished all Europe, every nation was emulous to imitate that discipline by which such won- ders were performed." He then mentions the principal reforms in the English service, thus instigated by the example of Prussia, and proceeds to point out various particulars in which still further reformation is needed, and which it is the design of his book to introduce. The preface concludes as follows : " I have endeavored to explain every part of the exercise minutely, and with the utmost clearness and certainty of expression. Some 10 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. indeed may think me in many cases too triflingly partic- ular, but I have inserted nothing but what, when the miHtary art was entirely new to me, would have been very acceptable, and have saved me much time and study. If the work, such as it is, shall facilitate, to the officers and others in the militia, the getting an acquaintance with the military art, and so prove ben- eficial to my country, I shall obtain my highest wish." Following the title, in the second edition, is this copy of record : — " Massachusetts Bay in Council, May 1st, 1776. " Whereas, the Plan of Military Discipline, lately pub- lished by Timothy Pickering, Esq., appears to this Court to be well adapted to the use and practice of a militia, as it contains all the motions in the manual exercise that are nec- essary and useful, and is not, like the 64th Norfolk and others, clogged with many superfluous motions, which only serve to burden the memory and perplex the learner ; and it also contains many useful manoeuvres, &c., not published in the 64th. Therefore, *' It is resolved. That the aforesaid Plan of Exercise, pub- lished by Timothy Pickering, Esq., shall for the future be used and practised by the militia of this colony : and all offi- cers thereof are hereby directed and enjoined to use the same ; and to instruct and exercise the soldiers under their command respectively, agreeable to the said plan, in all their j)ublic trainings and musters accordingly. " Sent down for concurrence. John Lowell, Deputy Sec- retar}^, pro tern. " In the House of Representatives, read and concurred. Samuel Freeman, Speaker, pro tem^ Colonel Pickering sent letters accompanying his book to the generals commanding continental troops at differ- ent junctures and positions, as they gathered to the opening scenes of the w^ar. They are found among his LIFE OF TIMOTHY nCKERING. 11 manuscripts, addressed to Generals Heath, Thomas, Charles Lee, Ward, and Washington. The two last are here given : — To THE HONOEABLE GeNEKAL WAED. " Sir, " The ensuing plan of discipline, though, through number- less avocations and interruptions, hut just completed, was begun soon after the Exercise, ordered by his Majesty in 1764, was recommended by the Provincial Congress to be used in the militia. This Exercise, though well enough adapted to persons already versed in the military art, was yet far too obscure for the instruction of men to whom the discipline of war was novel. At first, however, I supposed a few explana- tions might render it "sufficiently clear and intelligible. But, upon examining that and the Norfolk Discipline, I imagined, by the help of both and other aids, a plan might be framed, which, for a militia, should be preferable to either. Hence I was induced to attempt the following work, little thinking, at that time, my fellow-countrymen would so soon be called forth to actual ser^dce, and believmg a well-disciphned militia to be the most effectual means of preventing our present unhappy conflict in arms. Of the merit of the work it belongs not to me to decide. I assure myself, however, that it may facilitate to the militia the learning the military art ; and, con- sidering the circumstances under which the army has been formed, even there^ to many it may not be unprofitable. In either case. Sir, particularly the latter, it has, perhaps, some claim to your patronage. I wish my abilities and experience had been equal to the production of a work more worthy of your notice. But should I, unhappily, have entirely mistaken my proper talents and business, yet, a candid mind will, at least, excuse a well-meant though fruitless attempt to serve one's country. I am, with great respect, your Honor's most obedient and humble servant, "T. Pickering, Jr. 12 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. To His Excellency General Washington. Sir, Convinced of the utility, the necessity, at all times, of a well-disciplined militia, to every free state ; when the united wisdom of the continent, referring to the contest with the parent kingdom, called on every colonist to prepare for the most unhappy events ; and the more immediate recommenda- tions of our Provincial Congress demanded a diligent api)lica- tion to the military art ; deeming the plans of discipline then extant inadequate for the instruction of men, unused to this kind of study, and destitute of living instructors, I gladly embraced the opportunity which then presented, of applying to the service of my country the little knowledge and experi- ence an office in the militia had led me to acquire, by writing the following plain rudiments of the militar}^ art. They were designed, as their title imports, merely for the militia, and chiefly written before the predicted ' unhappy events ' had called my fellow-citizens to arms. This call, and the various avocations and interruptions subsequent thereon, greatly retarded the completion of the work ; and perhaps have rendered it less useful than it might otherwise have been. Some parts of it, and those perhaps the most 'essential, I imagine, however, may still prove advantageous in an army hastily assembled, and frequently called from the exercise of arms to the other equally necessary, but more laborious, occu- pations of war. This army being, to the joy of every American, committed to your Excellency's care and direction, both duty and inclination lead me to present you the ensuing plan of discipline for a militia, and to submit to your decision the expediency of recommending or j)ermitting its use among the officers and soldiers under your command. " I am. Sir, your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant, " Timothy Pickering, Jr." The pre-existing authorities in the British service, referred to as " the 64th " and " Norfolk " Exercise, are examined in Colonel Pickering's book, and the particu- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. ]3 lars pointed out in which he varies from them. In 1757, the militia of England was put upon a new footing, and, from the special interest taken in the subject at the time, some gentlemen of Norfolk County were led to compile a work called the "Norfolk Exercise." In 1764, the militia was reorganized, and placed under the direction of a new " Exercise," ordered into use by Koyal author- ity. In the American service Colonel Pickering's book at once became the accredited manual, and remained so in the army of the Revolution, until superseded by Baron Steuben's " Regulations for the Infantry of the United States," which work, when offered to Washington by the Baron, was referred to the examination of Colonel Pickering, The estimation in which his knowledge of military science was held by Steuben, as well as by Washington, is shown in the documents quoted in the preceding volume (p. 236). The " Regulations " of Baron Steuben were the result of the latest and widest experience of European armies ; and the cordial and earnest recommendation of them, as a substitute for his own " Easy Plan," is one of the most honorable acts of Colonel Pickering's life. When all the circumstances that have been related of Colonel Pickering's extraordinary exertions, for several years before the Revolutionary war began, to put his countrymen into a state of preparation for the defence, in arms, of their rights and liberties, are thoughtfully considered, particularly in the composition and publica- tion of the work just described, it cannot be doubted that he foresaw the approaching conflict, in the battle- field, with the mother country. It came earlier than he expected it ; and there is, indeed, no express 14 LIFE OF TIM0TH7 PICKERING. indication of bis expecting it, but it cannot but be inferred from all bis proceedings, and it seems to underlie many of tbe pbrases found in bis writings. At any rate, it is not to be doubted tbat some migbty cominj; event was foresbadowed on bis mind. In a letter to bis nepbew, Jobn Clark, tben about to graduate at Harvard College, dated June lotb, 1774, tbere is, for instance, a passage wbicb sbows tbat be foresaw some approacbing conflict, some momentous crisis, and bow wonderfully be bebeld, as in propbetic vision, tbe destiny of America. Tbe letter, as well as Clark's reply, are interesting documents. As a long time bad elapsed since bearing from bis nepbew, tbe uncle adopted tbe playful device of considering tbat be must bave departed tbis life, and addressed bis letter to "tbe gbost" of Clark. Tbe answer is in tbe same vein, and botb are pleasing specimens of classic ingenuity and elegance. Tbe uncle urges bim to return to tbe terrestrial scene. " I adjure you by all tbat is valuable in life to quit every pursuit wbicb sball prevent your restoration to me, to your friends, and to your country.'" Tbe idea covertly conveyed is tbat tbe young scbolar must not allow an overweening devotion to tbe muses, and an exclusive converse witb tbe writings of tbe great pbilosopbers and poets, beroes and patriots, of past ages, to prevent bis taking an earnest interest in wbat was tben transpiring in tbe living world. He uses tbis remarkable language, — '' Too long a converse with departed souls has reduced you to your present state. Heroes and patriots, they once lived to bless mankind, to save them from sinking under the heavy hand of power, to make them wise and vir- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 15 tuous ; and having acted well their parts, they left the theatre of life to dwell among the gods. But yon are yet too young to quit the stage for ever. Besides, a groic- ing empire opens to our vieiu. America now demands the genius^ learning^ and virtue of all her sons. Either slavery will make one universal blot ; or heroes and patriots of this Western loorld will grace the annals of the present age."" In view of such facts and considerations as the fore- going, Colonel Pickering's connection with the Revolu- tionary war, in his thoughts, feelings, and labors, must be regarded as dating back long prior to 1775. His service in that war itself may be dated from the 26th of February of that year, when, as the newly elected Colonel of the Essex Militia, he naturally took a leading part in the spontaneous and successful rising of the people, at the North Bridge in Salem, to prevent Leslie's battalion of British troops from marching into the country beyond it, to seize some military stores collected by the patriots. While engaged in his duties as Register of Deeds, and w^riting at his desk between eight and nine o'clock in the forenoon of the 19th of April, 1775, Captain Epes, of the Danvers company of his regiment, brought the Colonel intelligence that a body of Britisli troops, having crossed from Boston under cover of the night, was early on its march towards Lexington, and had attacked the militia. He ordered Epes to start his com- pany instantly towards the scene, while he, as soon as possible, would collect such other forces as he could, and follow on. Going down to the centre of the town, he issued orders forthwith, and, as Colonel of the regi- ment, chairman of the Selectmen, and member of the Committee of Safety, succeeded, notwithstanding objec- tions made by many that the distance was so great as to 16 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. render tlie movement unnecessary, in collecting a consid- erable portion of his regiment, with which he started at once. Halting, for some twenty minutes, near Bell's tavern, in Dan vers, now Peabody, to put his men in order for the march, he pushed on over the old road to Lvnn. A short respite was given there by the side of a pebbly brook, wliich is still pointed out, where the men cooled their heated feet. Upon reaching Winter Hill, he first saw the smoke arising from the road along which the enemv was retreating. He ordered his men to load and prime, and hastened them on towards Medford. Before reaching that place, a messenger from General Heath brought directions not to advance further, at that moment ; but by a halt, to avoid the fire of the Brit- ish field-pieces, then nearing that point. Mounting his horse, the Colonel galloped forward to meet Heath for consultation. It was then sunset, but they could see the last of the enemy's forces passing into Charlestown, and beyond reach. In the preceding volume notice is taken of the attempts, suggested by subsequent party rancor, and countenanced in certain political quarters, to bring censure upon Colonel Pickering for not getting to the scene of action earlier. It would be difficult to find a stronger illustration of the effect of partisan prejudice to warp the judgment, and pervert the mind, than this calumny. It was ever regarded as such by all who really knew the circum- stances of the occasion. It was denounced by his offi- cers and men, and his fellow- citizens generally, at the time when it was first started, and at all times. Vener- able persons, who followed him on this march, but had LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. 17 ill later years become ranked amono: his most vehement political opponents, while standing around the grave, which more than a half-century afterwards received his honored remains, expressed, in my hearing, the indig- nation with which they looked back upon this most unjust charge. Whoever examines the route pursued from Salem, will have no other sentiment than surprise, that the force led bv Pickerino^ could have reached Medford as soon as it did. The distance, as the road then ran and as given in the almanacs at the time, was eighteen miles. The companies, collected at Salem, could not possibly have started before the middle of the forenoon. The sun shone all day from a clear and cloudless sky, and it was warm even to sultriness. It is known to all how oppressive such weather is, thus prematurely occurring, while heavy winter clothing is still worn, and the body has not yet been acclimated to summer temperature. Gathered, literally, at a moment's warning, from the midst of their ordinary occupations and labors, the men were hurriedly prepared, unprovided with conveniences for their comfort or sustenance by the way. Frequently they were met by intelligence that the British had gone back to Boston, and that the crisis was over. But not being absolutely sure of its correctness, and with a determination to render service if needed, — at any rate, to give evidence of their devotion to the cause, — this patriotic and heroic body of men, worn and hungry as they were, held on with unremitted resolution, zeal, and speed. With occasional slight pauses, to give the officers opportunity to confer as to the direction to be pursued to meet the exigencies of the day, for they were Vol. II. 2 18 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. ignorant of the precise point or line where the enemy might be most speedily or eiFectually met, they really made no considerable halt until they reached Medford. The companies belonging to Uanvers, whom the Colonel had ordered to proceed at once, without waiting for him to collect the residue of the regiment, were in time to encounter the retreating enemy, and rendered the most efficient service. No men — at least, no organ- ized body of men — travelled, that day, any thing like an equal distance to that accomplished by this portion of Colonel Pickering's regiment, and which succeeded in engaging in the fight. The fact stands, a glorious mon- ument of their earnest enthusiasm and noble daring, that the number of killed and wounded belonging to Danvers surpassed that of any other tow^n but Lexington itself. More than a quarter part of all the provincials who fell belonged to Colonel Pickering's regiment, none of whom could have reached the line of conflict until far in the afternoon ; demonstrating the prompt bravery with which they exposed themselves. All these things con- sidered, it is indeed surprising that such a calumny should have ever been entertained. The truth is, that it was natural for all to have regretted that the residue of the regiment was just too late to render decisive service in cutting off the flight of the Koyal troops. That regret, in the minds of some unacquainted with the circumstances, was allowed to assume the form of complaint. The matter was fully investigated, and justice done to the conduct of Colonel Pickering and his gallant companies. They remained at Medford that night, guarding the bridge, and prepared for any exigency. The next LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 19 morning Colonel Pickering attended a council of offi- cers at Cambridge. Under the excitement of the preceding day, — while their blood was up, — it was urged by some to attack the British in Boston forth- with. Colonel Pickering resisted the proposal, showing how useless it would be to get foothold in Boston, and how vain to try to hold it, while surrounded by the enemy's frigates. He maintained if any, the first and only thing to be done, was an assault upon Castle Island, now Fort Independence. Any one examining the map of Boston and its environs, and the chart of its harbor, channels, soundings, and islands, will appreciate at a glance the folly of the project proposed, and the military skill and acumen of Pickering, in preferring, in the first instance, an attempt upon Castle Island. It might, perhaps, at that moment of confusion, and while the enemv had not recovered from the shock of the disas- trous conflict and retreat of the preceding day, have succeeded. The stroke, if successful, would have astounded the Royal forces, and attracted the admiration of the world. It would have equalled in brilliancy the storming of Stony Point, at a subsequent period of the war, or any similar achievement in history. It would have compelled, if not the immediate surrender, an instant flight, and at great loss, of the British ships and troops, and the first decisive step in the progress of the Revolutionary contest, the evacuation of Boston, been antedated nearly a year. But nothing was con- cluded upon but to hold their position, organize their forces, and await events. The Essex troops returned to their homes, and remained, as minute men, to answer any call that might be made. 20 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. In addition to Colonel Pickering's duties as Eegister of Deeds, Chairman of the Selectmen of Salem, Town Clerk, and leading member of the Committee of Safety, the Provincial Government of Massachusetts commis- sioned him a Justice of the Peace, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the county, and sole Judge of Admiralty for the district comprising Boston, Marble- head, Salem, Beverly, Gloucester, and Newburyport. While he held the last-named office he adjudicated upon about one hundred and fifty prize cases. During the period occupied by these multifarious public trusts, besides private business, he finished the preparation for the press and published his " Plan of Discipline for a Militia." In January, 1776, it having been ascertained that, on account of the extent to which the population of Salem had been drained by the response of the people to pre- vious calls into the military and naval service, it was impossible to raise the quota assigned to the place by an order of the Provincial Congress, Colonel Pickering and others organized a volunteer company, and, in a letter to the Commander-in-Chief, proffered their service, without pay, during the period for which the levy was to be raised, to assist in manning the lines at Cambridge and Roxbury. The answer of Washington shows how highly he appreciated this patriotic act. In May, of this year. Colonel Pickering was elected a representative from Salem in the General Court, on the distinctly announced readiness of the town to sus- tain a Declaration, by Congress, of the Independence of the American Colonies. Soon after this the provincial government appointed him to the command of a special LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 21 force to be raised for " a sea-coast defence " of Salem and the yicinity. In Jnly the General Court passed an act to bring into the field one-quarter part of the whole pop- ulation of the Colony capable of bearing arms, to re-en- force the Continental army, at a moment of extreme exigency. Steps to carry out the measure were taken with as much speed as possible throughout the Colony ; but considerable time was required to make the neces- sary arrangements, to organize companies and regiments, and furnish suitable equipments and supplies for so large a force. It was a great strain upon the resources of a population scattered over farming districts and along the coasts, and whose necessary occupations, at that season of the year, required their presence in gath- ering the harvests of land and sea. Extraordinary efforts and sacrifices were demanded, and extraordinary means were to be used to rouse and stimulate the peo- ple to meet the great emergency. At the summons of Colonel Pickering the inhabitants of Salem assembled in the meeting-house of the First Church. He went up into the pulpit and addressed them, laying before them fully and plainly the then critical and all but desperate condition of affairs, refer- ring to the defeat on Long Island, the disastrous inci- dents in New York and its neighborhood, and the retreat of Washington with his shattered and dissohdng army into the Jerseys. It was the gloomiest moment of the Revolutionary struggle. He urged the duty of all pa- triots to rush to the rescue with undaunted spirit, and by freely and bravely devoting their utmost energies and resources to the hour, retrieve the cause. Xow, he said, was the time for heroic men to show themselves. 22 LIFE OP^ TIMOTHY PICKEIUNG. • To save the country, business, home, and family must be given up. He urged volunteers to come forward, and led the way ; declaring that he, that moment, enlisted for the service ; and, coming down from the pulpit, called upon all to follow him. He marched through the aisles of the old church with a drum, it is said, beating before him. As he went, pew doors opened, old men and young, one by one, came out and fell in. Many leading citizens, sea-captains, with their mates and sailors, men of business, caught the enthusi- asm of the scene, and, after completing the traverse of the aisles, he passed out into the street, the full quota of the town following him. The painter and the poet will regard this as one of the historic spectacles of that great war. The vast and venerable church, with its double row of galleries; the crowded, anxious, and excited assembly ; the noble form of Pickering, as he strode through the aisles ; the sturdy and weather-beaten seamen and master- mariners ; the merchants, mechanics, and men of all classes, rising from their pews and benches, and joining him as he passed ; the whole mixed multitude expressing in their countenances and attitudes the glowing patriotism and devotion to their imperilled country to which they had all, old and young, men, women, and children, been wrought up, — supply materials to the canvas or the page, rarely equalled. The ranks of the regiment were filled up from other towns in the county of Essex, and Pickering was com- missioned as. its Colonel. Having been fully organized, equipped, and provided, it started from Salem, on the 24th of December, 1776, and reached Providence on LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 23 the 26tli, where it was detained by order of General Lincohi, who met it there. On the 30th it left Provi- dence, and pursued its march through Rhode Island and Connecticut, reaching Danbury, by way of Hart- ford, on the 2d of January, 1777. Colonel Pickering was ordered to remain there until the 13th, to put in order and forward troops as they arrived. He then pro- ceeded to Bradford. N. Y., and passing through North Castle, arrived at Tarrytown on the 1-lth, where he came under the command of General Heath. On the 16th of February his regiment crossed the Hudson at King's Ferry. For more than a month it had been eno^a^ed in the most arduous kind of service, — skirmishing in the neighborhood of Fort Independence, then strongly held by the British. It was often under fire, but no regular battle took place. The weather was of the worst kind for military or field operations, an alternation of snow and rain, boisterous and most uncomfortable. The regiment w^as, for the most part, literally on fatigue duty ; foraging, marching to and fro, feeling the out- posts of the enemy, without shelter or rest, and often suffering for food and adequate clothing. Colonel Pick- ering shared all the toils and privations of his men, bivouacking with them in the w^oods, fields, and on the roadsides, sleeping sometimes on the floors of houses or barns, but often on the bare frozen s^round. The res^i- ment was constantly on the move, changing its position and route, as orders reached it. It was the custom of the Colonel to strap his pack and blanket to his back, and march, on foot, by the side of the rank and file, while some more weary and worn officer or private rode his horse. By thus sharing their fatigues, he encour- 24 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. aged their spirits and kept them more cheerfully to their work. Leaving the Hudson, the regiment reached Bound Brook, in the neighborhood of Morristown, N. J., General Washington's head-quarters, on the 21st of February. The time of their service having expired. Colonel Pickering's regiment started for home on the 21st of March. He followed them the next day, and arrived at Salem on the 1st of April. The journey was mostly by the saddle, although, owing to the difficulty of obtain- ing horses, often on foot. On one particular day he walked twenty miles, and also parts of other days. During the month that this regiment was connected with the army at head-quarters, the Commander-in-Chief had frequent opportunities to notice the bearing and observe the character of its Colonel ; and in no instance did Washington more strikingly demonstrate the faculty of judging of men, for w^hich he was so remarkable, than in this. The confidence he placed in Pickering, shown ever afterwards through the war and his civil administration, was then inspired. A week after he left camp the General wrote a letter tendering him the office of Adjutant-General of the Army of the United States, and enclosing, in case of his declining to accept the situation, a tender of the office to Colonel William Lee, also of Massachusetts. Washington's account of the transaction is in a letter to the President of Congress, dated May 24, 1777. The circumstances connected with it, and the correspondence between the parties, so honorable to them all, having been presented in the previous volume, need no recapitulation here. The LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. 25 result was that Pickering finally accepted the appoint- ment. The conclusion to which he was led was reached through a conflict of motives that appealed to the strong- est principles and deepest sentiments of his nature. The property of his family consisted mostly of real estate, of which his only, but elder, brother w^ould, according to the law and usage of that day, inherit two- thirds. A large number of sisters, all w^ith families of their own, would have their respective shares of w^hat personal estate there might be, on the death of his parents, who were quite aged and needed his presence. With a wife and infant child — born while he w^as on his w^ay, three months before, w^ith his regiment to join the army of Washington — it was necessary for him to look to his own exertions for a competent support. The duty of making provision for one's own family was always regarded by him as a sacred obligation. His only reliance w^as in the emoluments of the clerical offices he held, and in what might be derived from his profession as a law^yer ; but these could reasonably be regarded as a sufficient and sure resource. The aban- donment of these positions and of prospective legal practice would involve the loss of all he had or could expect. The confidence, however, expressed by Wash- ington, so much above his owm estimate of his abilities, the urgency of the call, and his deep sense of patriotic duty, overcame all reluctance, all scruples, and all per- sonal and domestic considerations. His friends and fellow-citizens generally throughout the county appre- ciated the sacrifice he made, and gave assurance that at the end of his military service the office of Eegister of Deeds should revert to him ; a pledge that would have 26 LITE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. been redeemed by the voice of the whole people had the course of events brought him back to his native home. He left Salem on tlie 2d of June, 1777, and reached head-quarters, at Middlebrook, N. J., on the 17th. The services on which he then entered, in connection with the army, were so uninterrupted and engrossing that, wdth the exception of one short, flying visit of a few days to his family in Salem, he never found a respite long^ enough to return to Massachusetts, The office of Adjutant- General kept him by the side of the Com- mander-in-Chief, and made him, for the time being, a member of his family. It was a position of great labor and activity, of constant responsibility, and, in all battles, and critical movements in front of the foe, of much exposure. But, in verification of his language in a letter to his wife, " in the most desperate engagements there are many chances in favor of life," — although his official duties often called him, in bearing orders from the commanding General, to and fro, dashing on horse- back in front of the enemies' lines and under fire, his remarkably observable figure, stature, and aspect making him a conspicuous mark, — he was never wounded. This intimate connection with Washington constantly heightened his estimate of the integrity, prudence, and patriotism of that great man, and laid deep the founda- tions of a personal friendship, that remained invulner- able, on both sides, until death separated them. Yielding to the requirements of the public service, Washington reluctantly parted with him as his Adjutant- General, w4ien called by Congress to the Board of War. Delay occurring in the organization of the Board, Colonel Pickering continued to perform the duties of LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 27 Adjutant- General, going with the army into its winter- quarters at Valley Forge. On the oOth of January, 1778, he finally left camp, and reached Yorktown on the -ith of February to enter upon his new position. The Board of War was composed at that tiuie of the following persons : Generals Gates and Mifflin, Colonels Joseph Trumbull and Timothy Pickering, and Richard Peters, Esquire. It had been created by Con- gress in the preceding fall. Its duties were extremely important and complicated, embracing those now per- formed by the War Department, with extraordinary functions arising from the exigencies of the time, in the novel circumstances of the crisis. It stood between Congress and the Commander-in-Chief, communicating in conference and formal written correspondence with both, and devising and concerting all necessary arrange- ments to carry out the military administration of affairs. Having been unanimously elected by Congress to the office of Quartermaster-General, Colonel Pickering repaired, on the 5th of August, 1780, to head-quarters, then at Tappan. The circumstances attending this appointment, as presented in the previous volume, de- monstrate the estimation in w4rich his energy, fidelity, and ability w^ere held, as well as the boldness of spirit and patriotism that inspired him in encountering its im- mense responsibility, and the apparently insurmountable difficulties that encompassed it, at that particular juncture. His immediate predecessor, by universal acknowledg- ment one of the very ablest men in the army and the countrv, General Greene, had abandoned the office from a conviction which he had strongly and earnestly urged upon the consideration of Congress, that its duties 28 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. were a greater burden than ought to be imposed upon any one man. No reduction of them, however, was deemed practicable. Colonel Pickering much preferred his position as a member of the Board of War, and fully appreciated the complicated labors and discouraging perplexities that embarrassed the action of Quarter- master-General. He expressed to Congress the appre- hension that they had over-estimated his ability in calling him to the station, and only yielded at last to a sense of public duty, in obeying the call. He immediately, as the first step to rescue his depart- ment from the evils that were paralyzing it and threat- ening general disaster, addressed an urgent appeal to Congress to establish the principle that all contracts and purchases for the army should be based upon specie payments. The demand may be considered as the con- dition upon which he accepted the office ; and Congress complied with it. The depreciation of the currency, which had reached a point that had well-nigh ruined the country, was at once checked. Placing his admin- istration of the military finances and resources of the United States on this only solid basis, he carried his policy firmly and safely through to the end. His labors were such as would have broken down any one of ordinary strength and power gf endurance, bodily and mental. Besides foreseeing and providing for the general wants of the army, every transaction of the minutest kind, that had involved expense, was ultimately subjected to his personal scrutiny, and the vast mass of papers connected with the business of his department, still remaining, demonstrate the enormous accumulation of contracts, accounts, and reports of subordinates sub- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 29 jected to his examination, and the multifarious corre- spondence he conducted. By order of Congress, the pay and rations of a Brigadier-General, with some additional items and per- quisites, constituted his emoluments, while his rank remained that of a Colonel. It is a noticeable circum- stance, quite in contrast with recent practice, that the old Congress did not shower the highest military commissions broadcast over the land. Colonel Pickering held the eminent positions of Adjutant- General and Quartermaster- General of the army of the United States, being thus, during nearly the whole of the War of the Revolution, close to the person and in constant intimate counsel with the Commander-in-Chief, but never held a rank or title greater than he bore, before the war began, in the Provincial Militia, under a royal commission ; and which same rank and title he won, subsequently, for himself, by raising a regiment in 1776, marching at its head, through the snows of winter, and presenting it to Washington in the Jerseys. For a long time after, the same economy of rank and title was observed. During the w^ar of 1812, the head of one of the chief arms of the service, the artillery, was a Brigadier- General. The title of * Colonel, for more than half a century, was ^o universally attached to Timothy Picker- ing's name — even when, in later years, successively, the head of different departments of the Government, and member of both branches of Congress, besides having at several times been a Judge — that it seems unnatural to separate it, and -it is therefore constantly applied to him throughout this memoir. Congress also voted that he should continue, as be- 30 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. fore, to bold his seat in the Board of War, his pay as sucli being suspended while in office as Qiiartermaster- General. His experience, counsel, and co-operation, particularly in drafting paj)ers, were considered so im- portant as to render such an arrangement, in their view, quite important. The office of Quartermaster- General w^as continued after the cessation of hostilities, the ratification of the treaty of peace with Great Britain, and the establish- ment of the Independence of the United States of Amer- ica. Much time was required to wind up its business. Colonel Pickering superintended the laborious and com- plicated task of bringing its widely scattered and multi- farious accounts to a final settlement and close. He held the office until its abolition on the 28th of July, 1785. That day terminated his Revolutionary service. It may be mentioned that in December, 1780. his wife and family joined him at Newburgh, and continued to be with or near him, at head-quarters generally, but for considerable intervals of time at Philadelphia, which may be regarded as having been their chief and most permanent abode. Colonel Pickering's service in the actual War of Inde- pendence dates from its first outbreak on the 19th of April, 1775, when by a forced march he led so much of his regiment as could be collected to Medford. From that day, as Judge of Admiralty, on the field with a reg- iment he had raised for the re-enforcement of the Conti- nental army, as Washington's Adjutant-General, as a member of the Board of War, and in managing the arduous afi'airs of the Quartermaster's department, his labors were continuous. This embraced a period of LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 31 more than ten years. If we take into the account, as 'it is but reasonable to do, his extraordinary activity, for at least five years antecedent to the conflict in arms, in preparing the people for the impending military crisis, the productions of his pen in the public prints, to this end and purpose, the time he spent in organizing and drilling companies in Salem and the neighborhood, and the elaborate work he prepared and published on the subject, the design of which was to render the militia an effective soldiery for the protection of their civil rights, as expressed in the motto on its title-page, '-Men who are not in a capacity to defend their Liberties^ will certainly lose them," it will be seen that his prospective added to his actual service justifies the statement, in the opening of this chapter, that Colonel Pickering's connec- tion with the War of Independence covered a much longer period than the war itself. Well might he say, at the age of forty, that his mature life had all been given to his country. The fact has been stated, that from the hour when he started from Salem to report at head-quarters, as Ad- jutant-General, in obedience to the call of Washington, until a year after the war had closed, he had made but one visit to his home in Salem. A few passages from his correspondence, relating to that visit, will afford in- teresting details. His application for leave of absence, ad- dressed to the President of Congress, was as follows : — " War Office, October 8th, 1778. " Sir, " It being now one year and fom- months since I left my family and friends, having also in that period lost my father, I am under the necessity of requesting of Congress permis- 32 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. sion to go lioiiie. This indulgence I hoped for in the spring, but General Gates and General Mifflin being then called from the Board, I did not ajiply for it. I would, if public business required it more than at other times, suspend my request still longer. But, in that regard, it seems very immaterial when I go home, all seasons having hitherto been alike busy. And if I return again, I wish to do it while the roads are passable, and before the severity of winter sets in ; the rather, as I should bring my family with me, the removal of which Avill be impracticable, if my going home be any longer post- poned. For the same reason I should hasten back as quick as possible." The business of the Board of War delayed his departure for some time, and reqmred more or less detention on the way; so that he did not reach Salem until winter had set in, and he could remain there scarcely more than a week. The following letter gives an account of his return. It illustrates the modes and liabilities of travel at that time, and gives a pleasing glance of the character of his first and then only child, John, born February 7th, 1777, Avhose memory is dear to all who knew him. He became one of the most accom- plished citizens, and learned scholars of America, whose labors, as such, will ever be gratefully appreciated by classical students. He was acknowledged as a peer by the greatest philologists of his age. " Philadelphia, January 1st, 1779. " Dear Brother, " You will perceive by the place of this date that we are arrived at Philadelphia. We got here last Wednesday even- ing, after encountering a variety of difficulties, chiefly from the unusual badness of the weather, which, with so much wagoning, had made the worst roads I ever saw. However, no harm has happened to any of us, save that John has a slight cold. Nothing could have accommodated us better than o LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 66 tlie wagon. Every contrivance for the carriage of ourselves and baggage answered perfectly well. All the causes of delay on the road Isaac can relate particularly. I regretted the loss of time, and increased expenses by those delays, but was happy to find that the mode of riding occasioned very little fatigue to my wife and John. The latter slept half the time, and the other half was singing or enjoying the ride, and looking at every object, as we passed, with so much sat- isfaction as hardly twice to complain or appear discontented. We were both surprised to find him so extremel}" quiet. We think he has grown considerably fatter and heavier since we set out. I shall go into the house I hired to-morrow, when we sliall have collected sufficient materials for commencing housekeejDing. I should have written to you several times on our way hither ; but, as I could only mention our difficul- ties and delays, I chose to postpone it, that we only might feel the trouble of them, hoping we should arrive safe at last, as we have done. We heard twice on the road of a gentle- man and his family, from Rhode Island, going in a wagon to this city, about ten clays before us, who were twice overset on this side the North River. The wagoner, it seems, wanted to return, but the gentleman said he would not part with him on any account, for he had the singular faculty of oversetting them without doing any hurt. Perkins drove very well ; and, notwithstanding the rocks and gullies, there was scarcelv a chance of our oversettins: during' the whole journey. On account of the detention I have given Perkins something more than he agreed for, together with my woollen overalls, which were very serviceable on the way. I think sister GooU has the pieces of the same cloth (or they were left at my house), which he should have to mend them. T have paid Perkins fifteen dollars towards the one hundred I was to give him, and drawn an order on you for eighty-five, agreeably to your proposal. The amount of my expenses on the journey is <£1.34.3, full double what I expected." . . . He made another short visit to Salem after the close of the war, but before his service as Quartermaster-Gen- VoL II. 3 34 LIFK OF TIMOTHY TICKERING. oral of the Revolutionary army was concluded. It is described in the following passages of letters : — " Newburgh, January 12th, 1784. ''Dear Sir, " I have concluded to take a ride to Massachusetts while there is snow on the ground. On reflection I thought no time would be so convenient for a year to come. My brother and Mr. Williams have requested it, the latter on commercial as well as friendly accounts. A little public business will coincide. I shall doubtless setjDut to-morrow morning. The sleighing is good, and likely to continue. Be so good as to hand the enclosed to my wife. " Samuel Hodgdon, Esq." " Newburgh, January 12th, 1784. " My Dear Beckey, '' About a week since I wrote you that I intended in two or three days to set out on a visit to our friends at Boston and Salem ; but I have not been able to do it. However, to-morrow I shall doubtless commence this journey. The weather is severely cold, which makes good sleighing. I shall go in a sleigh ; and as Major Coggswell is to be discharged to-day, he takes a seat in my sleigh. When I, at first, con- cluded to make this tour, I wished for John Pickering, that I might carry and present him to his grandmother and uncle and to all his relations ; but I shall find perhaps an opportu- nity hereafter. I shall stay at Salem so short a time that I do not think a letter from you can reach that place before I leave it. ... A thought has occurred which I will men- tion because I persuade myself you will not only approve, but be pleased with the idea. Among my nieces at Salem I trust one may be found who will be desirous, or at least con- tented, to visit Philadelphia, and stay there till spring, or after the month of May. Should this be the case, and the sleigh- ing continue, I shall certainly bring one of them along with me ; which at the same time will oblige me to proceed with- out delay to Philadelphia, which circumstance you will not be displeased with. The assistance of such a niece will T'elieve you, and her company be agreeable to both of us. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 55 ..." I remain, my dear, in perfect health : God grant you and the children the same enjojnnent. " I shall write you from Boston or Salem, and return in the beginning of February. In the mean time I remain, as ever, wholl}- yours. " Tell John and Tim they must continue very good boys that they may not disprove the favorable accounts I shall give of them to their grandmother, uncle, and aunts. Adieu ! " T. Pickering. " Mns. R. Pickering." One of the first acts of Colonel Pickering in entering upon the office of Quartermaster-General was to organ- ize the entire transportation business of the army into a distinct branch or bureau of his department, which he committed to the charge of Major Thomas Coggswell, the gentleman above spoken of as the companion of his sleigh-ride from Newburgh to Salem. Major Coggswell was a native of Plaverhill, Massachusetts, from which place he started on the 19th of April, 1775, at the head of a hundred volunteers, for Lexington. Although from the distance unable to reach the scene of action until the day was over, he and his brave followers showed their zeal in the cause. He never sheathed the sword then drawn while the war lasted. In a letter dated in January, 1781, at New Windsor head-quarters, Wash- ington thus spoke of him : " Major Coggswell has been always represented to me as an intelligent, brave, and active officer." In the previous volume of this biogra- phy, Colonel Pickering's letter of honorable discharge of Major Coggswell is given. Its date, Newburgh, 1-lth of January, 1784, shows that they did not start on their journey so soon as they had expected. Major Coggswell spent the rest of his days, holding the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, at 36 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Gilmanton, N. H., where he died on the 3d of Septem- ber, 1810, sixty-four years of age. In compliance with Colonel Pickering's wishes, one of his nieces accompanied him in his sleigh, on his return ; a daughter of his sister Lydia and George Williams, of the same name as her mother ; and he often refers to the happiness her visit of several months imparted to his family. In a letter to his sister, Lois Gooll, the mother of the wife of the late Judge Samuel Putnam, of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, dated Philadelphia, May 17th, 1784, he thus expresses his estimate of this beloved niece : — " Lydia is a charming girl. My wife and I shall be very unwilling to part with her. I hope her mother will not be in haste to send for her, unless Lydia herself should desire it ; which I imagine she will not do yet." Lydia returned by vessel to Providence, July 3d, 1784. She married Theodore Lyman, and w^as the mother of a family honored in its branches and descend- ants. The late distinguished citizen and Mayor of Boston, a gentleman of rare accomplishments and philanthropy, Theodore Lyman, was one of her sons, and the present President of Harvard University, Charles William Eliot, is her grandson. This general review of Colonel Pickering's Revolution- ary service would not be complete without reference to the labors of his pen. From the earliest stages of his education he had made style an object of special care and study, aiming to acquire facility of composition, and especially a plain, exact, and terse use of language. His success in this training was one of the elements of his usefulness and distinction in all the diversified spheres LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 37 of his life, and not the least during its military epoch. It is easy to detect certain rules or principles by which he was careful to be guided in composition. Of words of any thing like equivalent meaning, he chose the shortest and simplest in its formation. So far as could be done, without lowering the dignity of the diction, he preferred to use language and phrases that were familiar to common speech. He avoided loading his sentences with unnecessary terms or expletives, and employed only such, or as many, adjectives as were absolutely required to give the true color to the ideas designed to be depicted or conveyed. He had discovered that brevity was a chief element of force, that words never ought to be allowed to encumber, obscure, or dilute the sense, and that figurative or rhetorical expressions were not to be sought for merely to embellish, but only to elucidate, the thought. But, above all, he clung to the good old Anglo-Saxon phraseology, refraining as much as possible from composite terms, either of foreign extraction or ancient, even if classical, forms, whether in whole or in part. A writer trained under such a strict system of restraint, whose tastes are adjusted to a severe simplicity, may safely depend upon the glow of composition for all requisite fervor and force. It was so eminently in his case. The warmth of his temperament, the earnestness of his nature, and the strength of his faculties, without violating the simplicity of his language, but in fact in virtue of it, not only in the productions of his pen, but under the excitements of discussion and conversation, and in the ardor of debate, often raised him to the most effective results of eloquence. The views now given of Colonel Pickering's style as a 38 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. writer, and the elements of its excellence, are illustrated in all his public documents and private correspondence. They are suggested by an examination of his earliest productions, before the War of the llevolution; in his articles found in the columns of newspapers ; official communications in connection with Committees of Safety and the movements of the patriots generally at that time ; in his elaborate work on the military art: but pre- eminently in the address delivered by him to the British Governor, from the merchants and freeholders of the town of Salem, declining any favor from the Crown, to the injury of their suffering brethren in Boston, which re- ceived the encomium of Edmund Burke, was applauded on both sides of the water, and will hold for ever a most conspicuous place in the history of this country. Throughout the war, Colonel Pickering's promptness and felicity with the pen were constantly called to the public service, and estimated most highly by his asso- ciates. From the purity, accuracy, elegance, and force of his style, his able and distinguished colleagues in the Board of War felt it proper to throw upon him the labor of inditing the principal part of their correspond- ence with Congress and the Commander-in-Chief ; while documents of this sort connected with the conduct of the Quartermaster's department would fill volumes. The student of /American history, desirous of appreciat- ing, in detail, the exigencies and difficulties in providing for the maintenance of the War of the E-e volution, will find materials lucidly stated scattered abundantly through the manuscripts of Colonel Pickering. The estimate in which his qualities as a writer came to be held is de- monstrated by the fact that he was called by the united LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 39 voices of his comrades of the highest grades to draft the answer of the army to the farewell address to them of their illustrious chief. The honorable service was well performed. * While the document, in some passages, rises to the highest dignity of expression, and glows with the warmest eloquence, it is pervaded by simplicity of diction, and avoids all fulsome adulation. It would be difficult, however, in all the eulogies or benedictions that have been pronounced upon the great hero and patriot, to find the verdict of history and the love of the people uttered in more fitting language. The extent of the service Colonel Pickering rendered with his pen, during the war, cannot be measured or ascertained. In general, it may be said, that his associ- ates availed themselves of his facility and ability as a writer freely and at all times. Washington could not possibly — no one man could — have personally com- posed all the innumerable documents that required his signature ; and it was his good fortune, as well as great wisdom, to have in his entire confidence and in his official family, men like Pickering and Hamilton, who could on an emergency, and in a pressure, put his ideas into the most exact, lucid, and forcible expression. As a pleasing as well as decisive illustration of the value attached bv his brother officers to his stvle as a writer, and as shedding light upon the character of another of the heroes of the War of Independence, Major-General Henry Knox, the following anecdote may here be given. Colonel Pickering often related it. not at all from personal vanity, — a sentiment utterly un- * The " answer," with the circumstances relating to it, is given in the pre- vious volume, p. 487. 40 ' LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. known to him, — but to demonstrate the true noble- mmdedness of Knox, upon whose chivah'ous gallantry and sterling worth he delighted to expatiate. In October, 1780, a State Constitution went into oper- ation in Massachusetts. This auspicious event was justly regarded with great interest then, and has an historic importance that will be more deeply appreciated as time rolls on. The American Revolution, as a mili- tary contest, is a less memorable and instructive occur- rence than the transformation into States of provincial governments. This is the grand and only adequate consummation of efforts to redeem a people to liberty. To break down an old form of government is one thing, to organize a new one is the harder and greater work. AYhile the war was still raging, and its issue dark and discouraging, the people of Massachusetts entered on and deliberately went through the steps necessary to reconstruct the body-politic upon the basis of self- government ; and, clothed with all the functions requi- site to preserve and develop the elements of freedom, equal rights, personal security, and civil order, — freed from the abuses that had, in all other countries and all ages, been inseparable from political power, — that State rose to view as a E-epublic. The august process was passed through in all the Colonies, travelling sub- stantially in the same path, until they severally became sovereign States. This completed the work of the American Revolution, and solved the problem for all other nations, in all coming time. The fact that this great American nation consists wholly of States, which, although united into one empire, still continue, within their proper sphere, sovereign, entire, and equal as govern- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 41 ments, constitutes the peculiar glory of the United States, among the nations, and makes it the Model Kepublic. The fact that this organic change had been consum- mated, under circumstances that commanded general attention, was rendered still more interesting by the election of John Hancock to be the Governor of the new-born Commonwealth, — one of the immortal two proscribed patriots of 1775, whose bold autograph, as President of Congress, stands so conspicuously at the head of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In the great excitement produced in the encampment of the American army by the receipt of this intelli- gence, the idea was suggested, that a special expression w^as due to the occasion by the Massachusetts troops in the vicinity of head-quarters. A meeting of the officers was accordingly notified by General Knox, the highest in rank from that State, to be held at his quarters. When they were assembled, the General rose and explained the object of the meeting. After an expres- sion of opinion all around, in accordance with the sug- gestion of the General that an address ought to be signed by them severally and despatched to Governor Hancock, congratulating him on his election, and expressing the joy with which the soldiers of Massa- chusetts had heard of it, the General again rose and said that not doubting such would be the resolve of the officers, and feeling that what was done it were better to do quickly, fearing also that it might not have occurred to anv other officer, he had ventured to write a form of address, which, if approved, might be used on the occasion. Its reading, of course, was called for. Upon finishing the document, he laid it on the 42 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. table and resumed his seat. Not exactly fancying the diffuseness of the General's composition, and thinking it of real importance that there should be greater con- ciseness in such a paper, — disagreeable as it was to take such a step, — Colonel Pickering rose, and, in the name of the whole assembly, thanked the General for having called the meeting, and for his forethought and considerateness in preparing a draft of an address. He entirely agreed with the General that what was done had better be done quickly ; and, like the General, doubting whether any other gentleman would come prepared with a form of language, he also had written one. Upon his saying this, the General, in the most cordial and earnest manner, called upon him to read it, Avhich he forthwith did. At its conclusion Knox instantly rose, stretched out his hand (bearing the marks, in its somewhat mutilated fingers, of an accidental explosion of his fowling-piece, while shooting at ducks in Boston harbor, several years before the Revolution), clutched up his own manuscript, put it into his pocket, and exclaimed, in the heartiest manner, " I like it a thousand times better than my own. Let us sign and send on Colonel Pickering's address.'' It was transmitted, through General Lincoln, to Governor Hancock, whose reply, couched in grateful and becoming terms, was dated December 1st, 1780. The address of the officers was as follows : — " To HIS Excellency John Hancock, Esq., Goyeenor OF THE Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "Sir, '' The General and Field-Officers of the Massachusetts troops, in behalf of themselves and their brethren in the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 43 field, take the earliest opportunity to present your Excel- lency with their congratulations on your advancement to the highest seat in the Government of the State ; an elevation the more honorable, as being effected by the voluntary suf- frages of a free people. We are happy that such a mode of electing the first magis- trate, and principal officers of the Government, is fixed by the Constitution of the State ; a mode so contrived as to preclude delay, and which cannot be subjected to corrupt influence on one hand, nor, on the other, to riotous tumult or cabal. We are happy that the Constitution is framed on such generous and enlarged principles, that no member of the State, whatever be his occupation or employment, whose circumstances render liim sufficiently independent, and w^ho gives reasonable assurances of his fidelity, can be excluded from any of the rights of a free citizen. We shall be happy when the time shall come that we may again assume the character of citizens, — a character of which we never divested ourselves, even in idea. We shall be happy to partake, wdth our fellow-citizens, the blessings of a well-earned peace ; and our happiness will be completed in the reflection that, under the direction of Heaven, we, by our exertions, sufferings, and dangers, in conjunction with those of our fellow-soldiers, have been so greatly instrumental in acquiring them. But, before that wished-for period shall arrive, much re- mains to be performed, much to be endured, and in doing and suffering we shall cheerfully participate with our fellow- citizens. Much, especially, will be expected from those who hold distinguished places in public life. Placed at the head of the Government, your Excellency will have many oppor- tunities of rendering the most important seiTices to the country at large, and to the troops of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in particular ; and your discernment of its true interest, and your fellow-feeling for those who greatly suffer in their country's cause, will induce you to improve them. We will no longer detain your Excellency than to express our sincere wishes that the execution of your important office 44 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. may be attended with all that success and applause of your fellow-citizens which a wise and faithful administration of the Government shall deserve. Camp at Totowat, November 12t]i, 1780." An interesting passage of the same kind occurred a fe^v years afterwards between these large-hearted men. It is mentioned in the previous volume, page 487. The committee appointed by the officers of the army to draft an answer to Washington's " Farewell Orders," issued on the fSd of November, 1782, seem to have agreed to prepare each a form of language, and to sub- mit them for consideration. On coming together, Gen- eral McDougall excused himself on account of the pressure of other engagements ; General Knox and Colonel Pickering produced their manuscripts. Picker- ing was much pleased wdth that offered by Knox ; but the latter, again manifesting his superiority to all pride of authorship or personal conceit, declared his prefer- ence for the Colonel's production, which was reported to a full meeting of the officers and unanimously adopted. As Colonel Pickering's militai-y career was finally closed with the abolition of the Pevolutionary office of Quartermaster-General, — the entire residue of his eventful and remarkable life being passed in civil sta- tions and private pursuits, — it may be proper, in con- cluding a retrospective glance of the period embraced in the first volume of this w^ork, to ofi'er some general remarks, despatching all that may remain to be said of him as a soldier of the Revolution, which will be comprised in the three following chapters. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 45 CHAPTER II. His Military Character. 1X75-1783. Colonel Pickering's life as a soldier terminated, strictly speaking, as has been observed in the preceding chapter, with the War of the Revolution, and the aboli- tion of the office of Quartermaster-General. As he never afterwards had any connection with military affairs, except as Secretary of War in Washington's cabinet, it may be well at this point also, rather than at the conclusion of his biography, to sum up what may be required to be said as to his military character, and to dispose of such matters as are particularly connected with his service in the army of the Revolution. It appears, by the documents presented in the previ- ous volume of this work (pp. 135, 136), that Congress ; having recommended Colonel William Lee, of Marble- head, for the office of Adjutant-General, Washington offered the place in the first instance to Colonel Pickering, ' with a request, if he could not make it compatible wdth his other obligations to accept it, to convey to Colonel Lee an enclosed tender of the same. Pickering, feel- ing constrained to decline the appointment, despatched the letter to Lee, who immediately repaired to head- quarters at Morristown, New Jersey, and expressed to Washington an earnest desire that Pickering might be prevailed on to take the situation, declaring that from " a 46 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. very intimate and friendly acquaintance " he knew him to be "a first-rate military character," and that in his opin- ion no one was better qualified for the post. Pickering having been finally persuaded to accept the proposal, Washington, in a letter to the President of Congress, re- ferring to these circumstances, and in justification of his own course, said : " This conduct in preference of Colonel Pickering I was induced to adopt from the high charac- ter I had of him, both as a great military genius cul- tivated by an industrious attention to the study of war, and also as a gentleman of liberal education, distin- guished zeal, and great method and activity in business." It further appears that Pickering, feeling that his abil- ity to fill the office was over-estimated by Washington, used this language in accepting the place : '' My mili- tary character, which you are pleased to mention as a motive to the appointment, is, in my own estimation, of no great account. I have, it is true, studied the rudiments of the military art, but have very small, or rather no, preten- sions to capacity and skill in the important scenes of war." It becomes a matter of interest to ascertain how far the military reputation with which he joined the army, thus attested by Washington and Lee, but modestly dis- avowed by himself, was sustained by his actual service. It is quite certain that no officer of the Revolutionary army had been more conversant with military science, as taught in books, than Timothy Pickering. His writings show that he had studied the history of the great masters of the art of war, and read the European and English authors on the subject, from Julius Ceesar down to his own time. He was familiar with the prin- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 47 cipal manuals and authorized systems relating to it, in all their details. Besides this book learning, he had for years been accumulating the results of personal observation and experience, in exercising his own com- pany and others of neighboring towns, in the minutice of the soldier's duty. His own treatise, the " Plan of Discipline," covers, as has been stated, the whole ground fully, including every, even the smallest, partic- ular as to the attitudes, postures, and movements of men and officers in the drill, at the parade, and on the field, in all evolutions and actions, and in the handling and use of sword and musket. As a teacher of rudiments to the raw soldier, and in the exercise and training of a company or battalion, he probably had no superior. It may be considered quite certain that no private citi- zen in the country had taken more pains, or spent more time, in volunteer efforts to prepare his fellow-citizens for the approaching contest, as Captain of his Salem company, the instructor of other companies, and as Colonel, before the war began, of the Essex regiment. When, afterwards, he raised another regiment, and marched it to head-quarters, we may be sure that no Colonel of that day presented to Washington a body of troops more perfectly in hand. This is shown in the im- pression made upon the mind of the Commander-in-Chief during the short period the regiment remained under his eye, and which led him, at the first opportunity, and not- withstanding the recommendation by Congress of another distinguished officer, to call its commander to the post of his Adjutant-General. As his service in the Revolutionary war, after joining the stafi" of Washington, took him to a great degree out 48 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. of the field of personal and particular command, no opportunity occurred of showing his capacity for the immediate management of divisions of troops against the enemy, or conducting campaigns or battles ; and the means are not afforded of determining his military talents on this scale. But from the advice he gave on several occasions of emergency, a judgment may perhaps be formed with considerable confidence. As has been before remarked, his suggestion in a council of officers on the morning after the battle of Lexington, that to seize and hold Castle Island was the only feasi- ble thing to be done at that crisis against the British forces in the town and harbor of Boston ; that if an offensive operation were then attempted, it should be at that point, — besides showing his readiness to engage in a daring enterprise, and meet any danger, will be regarded by all who examine the then state of things, in connection with the topography, as bearing the stamp of military genius. If successful, it would have com- pelled the surrender of the enemy's troops and fleet, and taken its place in history among the boldest and most heroic achievements ever accomplished. Its effects upon the current of events would have been incalculable. At the battle of Brandywine, when the fate of the army was at stake, and perplexity hung over the condition of thin<>s, the advice of the Adjutant-General, given with great emphasis, and heeded by the Commander-in-Chief, pre- vented what would otherwise have been an utter defeat. His views, urged with equal earnestness in the affair of the Chew house at German town, but overruled by the older and more cautious Generals, would, if followed, it appears to be universally conceded, have saved the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. 49 day. In drawing the lines around the enemy at York- town, and inflicting upon Cornwallis the decisive and last blow of the war, Colonel Pickering's opinions and suggestions were of invaluable service. The conclusion to be drawn from instances like these is, that if he had occupied the position of a military commander in charge of campaigns, directing the mana^u- vres of armies, and conducting the shock of battle, he would have exhibited energy, promptness, and boldness; in all probability, have achieved great distinction and success ; and established the character of an eminent military commander. He suffered, however, one incon- venience, disqualifying him, to some extent, for services in the field. He was near-sio^hted, and could not survev distinctly a wide or distant area. He had experienced this defect from early life ; and it was, no doubt, one of the consid- erations that led him to be so diffident of his ability to execute the functions of an Adjutant-General. He was under the necessity of wearing glasses. A mounted officer, often having occasion to ride swiftly to and from remote points, conveying orders and bringing intel- ligence to his chief, frequently where there Avere no roads to guide him, while the complicated and fluctuat- ing movements of a battle were going on, must have felt more or less embarrassed by dependence upon such an artificial aid to sight, liable to be misplaced, broken, or thrown off. But so great were his qualifications in all other respects, that no difficulty, on this score, appears to have been noticed while he was on \Vashinii:ton's staff. Spectacles were very little in use at that time com- pared with the present. Probably but very few, if any Vol. II. 4 50 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. others, were worn in the Hevolutionary army. An old soldier of that war, who had enlisted from an interior town of Massachusetts, related to me the following : — While the army was encamped near the Hudson, in the neighborhood of the Highlands, in a stormy night, somewhat before the break of day, they were roused bv an alarm. Companies and regiments hurried to their posts. While waiting under arms to receive orders, and all alive with the excitement of an expected encounter with the enemy, from whatever quarter he might appear, after the day had dawned, a mounted officer was seen approaching, at the top of his speed, along the road, which was straight and in view for some distance. As he came dashing on, his eyes at intervals, and for the moment, seemed to be balls of flame. The frequent recurrence of this strange phenomenon attracted great interest. When the horseman came near, the stalwart form of the Adjutant-General was recognized, and the alternating and intermittent light was found to be the re- flection on his eye-glasses of the blazing camp-fires he had passed on his route. My informant assured me that this was the first time in his life he had ever seen spectacles. In the Board of War but little opportunity was afforded for the immediate and distinctive display of what are considered military talents. Colonel Pickering was transferred to that position on account of his known capacity for the transaction of business, his methodical habits of exactness, the clearness of his mental processes, the energy of his character, and his incorruptible integ- rity. These qualities had become fully appreciated by the Commander-in-Chief and by Congress, and were LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. 51 acknowledged by his associates in that important com- mission. While the functions of members of the Board of War withdrew them from the area of, strictly speaking, military service, it was not so with the office of Quarter- master-General, which, particularly at that time in that aj-my, opened a field for the display of some of the ele- ments of character and genius essential to the conduct and management of a protracted war waged over a wide territory. The great commander finds but a part of his sphere of operations in the movements and evolutions of troops in the progress of campaigns in front of the foe, or on the field of battle. The calculations and arrangements for the supply of food, clothing, ammuni- tion, and the means of transportation, comprise a vital department of military science. It has always been the great w^ork of war. The most renowiied generals in all ages, and more especially in recent times, have derived their reputation and success from the foresight, compre- hension of view, and ability with which this department has been administered. In the war of the American Eevolution, it w^as pre- eminently difficult, and called for the highest order of talent. The theatre of the conflict embraced a con- tinent. At its opening, the country was wholly unpre- pared to meet the demands of the crisis in this particular. Its resources and capabilities were undeveloped and unknown. Brave men, as at Lexington and Bunker Hill, could seize their muskets and rush to the field ; but how to keep them there, — how to sustain them in aggregate masses ; to feed, clothe, and shelter them ; supply them with animunition, arms, and accoutrements ; 52 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. and triinsport them, with all their luggage, from point to point, over a new, rough, broken country, as the scene of the struggle shifted all along the Atlantic regions, — this was the problem which tasked the great mind of Washington, as it does more or less all com- manders of armies, and all in any way responsibly entrusted with the conduct of war. In the Revolution- ary army, this vast burden of duty and care pressed with its chief weight upon the department of which the Quartermaster-General was the head. The immense mass of papers relating to it among the manuscripts of Colonel Pickering — business correspondence with subordinates and persons of all sorts furnishing sup- plies, and accounts without number, great and small — demonstrate the magnitude of the service. It is evident that all passed under his own eye, and, in every detail, was subject to his direction and examina- tion. None but a man of his herculean strength — physical, intellectual, and moral — could have discharged such a trust. The circumstances under which he was appointed to the office show that this was the opinion of Congress and the Commander-in-Chief. The grandest military achievement of the Revolution- ary contest — that which stamps Washington with the character of a great General, on a level with the greatest of all nations and ages — was the instantaneous change of the whole scheme of the war, by which all movements and operations in all quarters of the country were at once simultaneously reversed, and the combined American and French armies transferred with marvellous rapidity from both sides of the Hudson to the lower coun- ties of Virginia, south of the Chesf^peake, — from Xew York to Yorktown. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 53 The alliance with France furnished an effective re-en- forcement to the American army, but its vital impor- tance was that it supplied the United States with a naval force competent to meet that of Great Britain. At the moment of its consummation Washington con- ceived a purpose that was cherished and strengthened from day to day, and at last fully developed at a con- ference with Count de Kochambeau at Weathersfield, on the 23d of Mav, 1781. It was to draw the allied armv around New York, while the French fleet was to blockade that port, thus hemming in Sir Henry Clin- ton and capturing him with the main British army hav- ing its head-quarters there. This would end the war. To accomplish it all the forces, land and naval, of France and America, that could possibly be made available, were to move towards New York. Count de Rocham- beau immediately started his troops in that direction ; and it w^as understood that the French fleet, then in two separate squadrons at distant stations, would co-operate ; that under Count de Barras to repair forthwith from Newport, Rhode Island, to Chesapeake Bay to block up the British army in Virginia, under Cornwallis ; while the main squadron, under Count de Grasse, consisting of about thirty ships of the line, was to make its way from the West Indies to Sandy Hook ; thus shutting up both Cornwallis and Clinton, preventing all supplies, re-enforcements, or succors whatever, from passing be- tween them or reaching them from England, and ulti- mately securing the capture of them both. This was surely a splendid plan of joint operations, and every thing seemed to show that it was practicable. Washington did his part. He addressed earnest and 54 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING repeated appeals to Congress, the Governors of States, and all persons in authority, to aid in the operation by sending every possible man to swell his ranks, and by forwarding supplies of all sorts to the utmost of their capacity. The country responded to his demands most nobly. It drained its resources to give effect to this last great effort for its deliverance. The work went on most auspiciously, and every thing promised a sure result. On the 14th of August, 1781, Robert Morris, having arrived at camp, accompanied by Colonel Pickering, went to head-quarters to confer with the General in ref- erence to matters connected with the Board of War. When they entered his apartment he was striding to and fro in such a state of uncontrolled excitement that he did not seem to notice their presence. They imme- diately withdrew. In a short half-hour they were sent for, and found him clothed with his usual serene dignity of countenance and mien. The terrific storm had wholly passed, and was succeeded by a perfect calm. After transacting their business, he referred to the scene that had just occurred, apologizing for his extraordinary appearance on the occasion ; he proceeded to explain it in a perfectly composed manner, giving in general terms the great plan that had been agreed upon by him and the French commanders ; he related how, for months, his thoughts and heart had been fixed upon it, and the resources of his army and country strained to carry it to its consummation. He pointed out how certain would have been its success, and dilated upon the glo- rious consequences in the independence, freedom, and happiness of America. He went on to express, — per- fectly controlling his feelings, which were evidently LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 55 wrought to the highest pitch, and tossing like a sup- pressed volcano within, — in slow and measured phrase, how bitterly and utterly he had been disappointed. He intimated that this was not the first disappointment of the kind, and, with vexation of heart, exclaimed, " I wish to the Lord the French would not raise our expec- tations of a co-operation, or fulfil them ! " Pausing for a moment, he again, but more particularly, sketched the elements of the scheme which had engrossed and absorbed him. General Greene was taking care of the Carolinas, and nothing adverse was to be apprehended from that quarter. The Marquis Lafay- ette was baffling and holding Cornwallis in Virginia. The Count de Barras was to keep the Chesapeake closed, so that no relief could come or go between the two chief divisions of the British armv in New York and Vir- ginia. The whole programme was being carried out ; all thino:s were workinsr to a charm. The French forces under Rochambeau were reaching their positions, and New York was invested by land. All that was wanted was the appearance of the French fleets at their respec- tive destinations, and information to that effect was impa- tiently and hourly expected. On the 20th of July the first shock was given to his hopes. A letter was that day received by him from Count de Barras, informing him that, instead of going to the Chesapeake, he had concluded to take his fleet to Newfoundland. Aston- ished beyond measure by this unaccountable departure from the plan, he brought his mind to submit to the dis- appointment. All then depended upon the appearance of the great fleet of Count de Grasse in the waters of New York, and it was constantlv looked for with fever- ish and painful anxiety. o6 lAFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. X)n that very morning, August 1 Jrtli, just before Morris and Pickering entered, he had received a letter from Count de Grasse, stating that he should not come to New York at all. That he was designing to take his squad- ron, with a large land force on board, to the Chesa- peake, and would be under the necessity of returning with his fleet to the West Indies by the middle of October ! The same hour word had been brought that a large re- enforcement to Sir Henry Clinton from England had entered the harbor of New York ! This intelligence had overwhelmed him for the moment. Resentment, indignation, and despair had burst upon him. His hopes were blasted, and he felt that the cause was lost and his country ruined. In relating the details of this occasion, and describing the furious outburst of Washington's wrath at the first interview, and its entire disappearance at the second, with so short an interval of time, Colonel Pickering used to say that such a complete triumph of a great mind, over adversity and over itself, he had never wit- nessed. The common impression, perhaps, is that Washington was a man of a cold temperament. The truth is that he naturally had the strongest passions, and the deepest sensibility ; and affords one of the most re- markable instances in human history of habitual and almost constant self-control. Only in a few emergencies was he ever known to lose it, and then, it may almost literally be said, but for a moment. The case just described is one. Another was when some of his troops were, as he thought, disgracefully panic-stricken and driven back through New York City after the disastrous defeat on Long Island, and another when he met General LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 57 Charles Lee retreating at the battle of Monmouth. Ordinarily, neither the extremity of misfortune, nor the most appalling danger, nor the folly or wrong-doing of others, could disturb the equanimity of his demeanor. He ruled his own spirit as he did that of his fiery war- horse, with a strong, firm, and steady hand. This is one of the chief glories of his character. On the recovery of his mind from this great shock, instantly, perhaps before summoning back to his pres- ence Pickering and Morris, he formed the design the prosecution of which was, as I have said, the most brill- iant achievement of the war. and secured its orlorious termination. He communicated it before the day was over to Colonel Pickering, and a conference was had with him, as to the measures to be taken to carry it out. He directed Pickering to put the whole machinery of his department into immediate operation, so that the artillery should be prepared to move at once, transpor- tation be provided, and all necessary arrangements made to furnish the army with what might be requisite at its start on a long march, and to have supplies collected at convenient points all along the way, so that provisions, clothing, horses, wagons, boats, and vessels should be in readiness wherever needed. The details of the whole campaign were settled between them. The plan was this : — As Washington could no longer think of moving upon Sir Henry Clinton in New York, he resolved to do the business for Lord Cornwallis in Virginia. Orders were given for the French troops, and as many of his own as could be spared from guarding the Xorth E-iver and the posts around New York, to begin to break up 58 LIFE OF TIMOTHY TICKERING. their encampments, and prepare for a march. ' Ever\ thing was put in process for the transferrence of the various divisions from the Hudson to James River. It was necessary to make the great movement without an .liour's dehiy. The presence of Count de Grasse's fleet in the Chesapeake was absolutely necessary to the suc- cess of the manoeuvre, and it could remain in those waters onlv to the middle of October. The scheme required to be accomplished in two short months. The combined armv was actuallv in motion in five davs. The American detachments crossed the Hudson on the 20th of August. Rochambeau passed over his lesrions on the 21st ; on the 24th thev were all in full way. The arrangements w^ere based upon reaching the Head of Elk on the 8th of September. Washington, with the advance divisions, w^as there on the 6th. Two davs after embarkation began at the Head of Elk ; and the whole army was soon afloat, and descending the Chesa- peake from that point and Baltimore to James River. Washington and Kochambeau were at Mount Vernon on the 10th, at Fredericksburg on the 12th, at !New Castle on the 13th, and at Williamsburg on the 14th. On the 20th, every thing being ready, the whole army was marched within two miles of York, and the siege of that place began. The French fleet was at hand, and the investment of the enemy complete. The artil- lery was brought up and put into battery. Trenches were dug, and redoubts erected. On the 6th of Octo- ber the first parallel was begun, and finished on the 8th, within 600 vards of Cornwallis's works. On the nis^ht of the 11th the second parallel was commenced, and completed on the 14th. On that evening a brilliant and LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 59 successful assault was made upon the enemy's redoubts. On the 15th the enemy made an ineffectual sortie. On the 17th CornwaUis sent a message preliminary to a surrender. On the 19th, articles of capitulation were signed ; and the British forces, land and naval, were all prisoners of war. Virginia and the Middle States were wholly rescued from the foe. The work was done, and the Independence of America placed beyond all further doubt. This crowning victory of the Eevolutionary conflict was accomplished within two months from the starting of the allied army from the Hudson. Whoever examines the map, and marks the distances and the route travelled, considers the sultriness of the season in that region, particularly during the first month of the march, and takes into view the unavoidable difficulties of the travel and transportation of large bodies of troops in those days over a country so intersected by rivers and bays, must feel that the movement was indeed a splendid achieve- ment of organization, energy, and strategic skill. Of course the burden of the great work was chiefly on Washington himself, whose personal labors were im- mense. His mind conceived the plan ; his wisdom guided its progress ; and his prowess and force of will pressed it on to consummation. Xo one, however, was more careful than he was that the honor of the vrork should be justly shared by all who participated in it. Carrying the cannon, with all their appendages, over such a long and rough route, was one of the principal difficulties. That was the service committed to General Knox, at the head of the artillery through the war. Washington bore testimony, in frequent expressions, to 60 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKKRING. the ability of that distinguished officer, in the execution of his trust on this occasion. At the conference just mentioned, on the 14th of August, 1781, between Washington and Colonel Picker- ing, the latter acting in the double capacity of consult- ing and co-operative member of the Board of War and Quartermaster- General of the army, all the arrangements were consummated for the transferrence of the allied forces from the Hudson to James Kiver. The necessary papers were drawn up, and orders prepared. The dis- tances and the times of movements and junctions of the forces ascertained and determined ; the quantities and descriptions of supplies by the way agreed upon; all materials and equipments calculated and provided for, and the requisite means of transportation estimated and arranged. The great work was comprehended, in all its multiplex details. They separated and did not meet again, until the whole programme had been carried out and the allied army were moving directly upon York- town. Washington conducted his troops, and at every point the arrangements of the Quartermaster-General were found completed and ready to meet them. Nearly twenty-nine years afterwards, General Henry Lee wrote to Joseph Lewis : — " I must trouble you to inquire, and Coloilel Pickering can tell you. What was the mode of march of the allied army from the Hudson to York in Virginia, under AVashington ? What part came by water, and what by land ? Did one division embark at the Head of Elk, and a second at Bal- timore ? Did the part proceeding by land pass through Baltimore or Frederictown ? Who succeeded Scammel as Adjutant-General ? And was he Adjutant-General when he was killed near York ? " LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING 61 Joseph Lewis was a member of the House of Rep- resentatives in Congress from Virginia. Nicholas Oilman was a Senator from New Hampshire. Colonel Pickering replied to Mr. Lewis's inquiry, April 26th, 1810, thus:— " I have delayed an answer to your note, enclosing General Lee's questions, in the hope to obtain full and correct infor- mation ; fur I was not with the army on its march from the Hudson to York in Virginia. Having made the necessary arrangements for the movement of the troops and the trans- portation of the stores requisite for the siege, pursuant to the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, and the troops having commenced their march, I went myself to my family, then above the Highlands, at New^burgh, and thence proceeded to Philadelphia, where I was occupied some time about the requisite pecuniary arrangements with the Superintendent of Finance ; so that I did not join the army until a short time before we marched from the neighborhood of Williams- burg to York to commence the siege. " Colonel Scammel resigned the office of Adjutant-General some time in 1780. This fact I have from Mr. Gilman, who was his assistant, and joined his successor. General Hand, in the same capacity. Hand was the Adjutant-General w^ith the army at York. '* Scammel commanded a detachment at York. He was officer of the day when he received his mortal wound, and in the act of reconnoitrino; to ascertain whether the enemv had (^according to appearances) really evacuated some out- posts. " When General Washington informed me of the destination of the French fleet for the Chesapeake, instead of New York, and gave me orders to provide for the march of the troops to York, he strongly expressed his disappointment. ' There is now,' he said, ' no enterprise remaining for the campaign, but to attempt the capture of the aimy of Cornwallis in Virginia ; and in tliat I am not sanguine of success.' " 02 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. In a maririiuil note to this letter, Colonel Pickering savs : — * " There were about thirty largo batteaux transported from the Hudson to the Mead of Elk, in which as many troops embarked as they would carry. Mr. Oilman tells me that these were Colonel Olney's regiment from Rliode Island ; and he coniirms what was on my mind, that in the mouth of the Potomac the wind was high and the batteaux in extreme danjjer of founderinG^." Ivichard Taylor was a Captain in the naval service of the United States during the Revolutionary war. He had rendered valuable service, and was commonly known as Commodore Taylor. He was present at the siege of Yorktown, and thirty-five years afterwards wrote to Colonel Pickering from Frankfort, Kentucky, November, 17th, 1816. An extract from his letter gives informa- tion of interest as to that siege and its result in the surrender of Cornwallis, and as to the details of a part he bore in it under the directions of Colonel Pickering. " I had the pleasure of a short acquaintance with you at the siege of York, 1781, which I always shall remember with heartfelt gratitude ; and the friendly treatment and respect I received from you at that time induces me to inform you in part what I have suffered since, by an obstinate old wound I received in our Revolutionary war. As you. Sir, was Quar- termaster-General at the siege of York, I had the honor to be introduced to you by General Nelson, then Governor of Vir- ginia. He asked me how my wound was. He lived in Y^ork when I was landed there, and well knew in what manner I got my wound, for I lay in York six months. I mentioned that my wound was not then closed up, but I could go about a little with my crutches. Being anxious in seeing the siege going on, I, with a few others, hired a pilot-boat, and got, the night before, to the landing on James River. Sir, you asked me if I would venture to take charge of eight Bay craft, lay- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 63 ing off the landing, in James River, wliich were pressed into the service, and go round with them up the Rappahannock, for stores that were deposited at different places in the river. I well remember, Sir, that you,' in an expressive manner, men- tioned that, should timely supplies not be got there, there was danger of being obliged to raise the siege. That ex- pression roused me. I immediately agreed to take charge of the vessels, as you had so much confidence in me ; and, as soon as mv instructions, &c., were made out and received, I lost no time in getting on board, for my baggage was in the boat I came there in. I soon made the necessary arrange- ments, and got all under way. Every thing favored us until we got off the mouth of Rappahannock River. There it fell calm. It being ebb-tide, we anchored. During the calm, I was boarded by a large barge of sixteen or eighteen oars, armed with small arms, besides carrying a small cannon in her bow. I was asked if we had seen, as we came up the Bay that morning, any row-boat or barge ; that they had, the night before, a very severe action with one about her build and size. They had several of their men killed and wounded, but expected the enemy met with greater loss. They had put their wounded ashore, got more men, and were then in search of their antagonist. I thought we were very fortunate that we did not meet, or fall in with, any of the enemy's boats. It was said they Avere doing a great deal of mischief in the Bay at that time ; which I expect you recollect was the case, as it was currently spoken of. And, no doubt, the object was to cut off supphes getting to our army. Soon after the gunboat left us, a favorable breeze sprung up. We all got under way. One of our fleet was slow in crowding sail. I did not suspect any ill design ; but as soon as the rest of us got in the chops of the Rappahannock River, she bore away, and crowded all sail up the Bay. I did not deem it prudent to leave the other vessels to pursue her, but was more cautious, and kept them ahead of me. At the different deposits on the river I went ashore, made the necessary arrangements, and pushed up to Fredericksburg, delivered your letter to Colonel Richard Young, your deputy there. As soon as the vessels could be loaded, they were pushed down to the rendezvous at Hobbs's 64 UVE OF TIMOTHY PICKKRIXG. Hole. No time was lost ; for, in less than ten days, we all met, and started from Ilobbs's Hole. The next morning after, we got near the mouth of the Rappahannock River. There we came to, and inquired whether any barges had been seen about the mouth of the river the day before. Hear- iner of none, on the vouncr ebb, and the wind favorable, we got under way, and pushed down the Bay, wishing to get as low down as where the French fleet lay by night". We did more ; for, before ten at night, we all got safe up to Hamp- ton Road, as far as Newport's News ; and the next day we all got up James River, to the place we first departed from. Tt was three days before Cornw^allis surrendered, and it gave me the greatest satisfaction that you and General Nelson were well pleased with the despatch I had made. To con- vince me of it, you indulged me with a stand, in ten steps of General Washington, where I saw General O'Hara at the head of his troops, marching out to surrender. He halted first on the left, and was about making his apology to the French. The French General pointed him over to General Washington, on the right ; there O'Hara apologized for Cornwallis not coming out ; that he was sick (heart-sick, no doubt)." The fact that there was no detention on the march from the Hudson to the Head of Elk, but that, on the contrary, the forces reached that point in a day short of that fixed in the programme, demonstrates the foresight, vigilance, and ability, as well as the consummate organ- ization that administered the Quartermaster's depart- ment. The requisite supplies met the dififerent columns at every point. Means of transportation were provided, and found in readiness everywhere ; and the batteaux from the Hudson were waiting at the Head of Elk to be launched. The credit of this is undoubtedly chiefly due to Colonel Pickering, who, in fulfilling so perfectly this important part in the conduct of armies, and the manage- lifl: of timotfiy picketing. 65 ment of war, justified entirely the high reputation for military talents with which he entered the armv. Volume Ivi. of Colonel Pickering's manuscripts, now to be put in possession of the ^lassachusetts Historical Society, consists of original papers, connected with bis whole military seryice, from raisim^ and disci- plining his own and other militia companie's, in Salem and the vicinity, prior to the Reyolutionary war, to its close ; and the final settlenient of the accounts and affairs of the Quartermaster-Generars department. This volume is of the highest value and interest, containing receipts, orders, original commissions, returns of companies, regi- ments, brigades, and the whole Continental army, at different periods ; plans of encampment, at West Point and in winter-quarters ; orders of battle ; procuring of forage and supplies ; and, in fact, covering all the de- tails of business in maintaining the army and conducting the war. Xo where else, probably, can such an inside view be obtained of the processes in operation, from the beginning to the end, to sustain and carry on the con- flict. The unwearied cares of the Adjutant, and Quar- termaster-General, and his vast labor, are ilhistrated, and the richest materials presented to the minute explorer and historical student. Personal courage is, of course, an essential element of a soldier's character, whether in the ranks or in com- mand. As to Colonel Pickering, on this point there never was a question in any one's mind. It was proved by the bold counsels he gave on the field of battle and > under the deadliest fire. It was shown in all his actions j and utterances. That he was a man of nerve was written on every movement and every expression. His Vol. II. 5 CC) LIFK OF TIMOTHY I'lCKKKlNG. conntonancc, friime, and boaring were stamped with the Iruo heroic aspect. The opinion to this effect, univer- sally entertained, stood tlie sternest and most sensitive test to which tlie reputation of a military man can be subjected. He refused to fight a duel. In the previous volume (chap, xxiii. p. 341), an affair of this kind is related. An officer, feeling himself wronired, sent him a challenj]re. The Colonel stated to the gentlemen who bore it. that in no event whatever would he fight a duel. If he had in any way wronged their friend, he was wholly unconscious of it; and if it were made to appear that he had done so, he would be ready to repair the wrong. He invited an examina- tion of the whole matter, which was had. The result was that he became satisfied that the difficulty had arisen from a misapprehension on his part, which had led to certain expressions of which the gentleman complained. Immediately upon discovering this, he made all the ex- planatory statements which truth and justice required. Here we see a high military officer, at the head of a department of an army, in a time of war, not only abso- lutely refusing to fight a duel, but actually making repa- ration to the aggrieved party, in the form of a retractation. He took this course, and no breath of detraction or insinuation as to his courage arose from any quarter. There co.uld be no greater proof than this, that his character for personal bravery was immovably estab- lished through the army and country. This was not the first instance in which Colonel Pick- ering refused to fight a duel. Before the Revolution, at a time when his reputation as an officer was as dear to him as ever afterwards, and as important to be pre- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 67 served above suspicion, while taking the lead in raising a military spirit among his fellow-citizens and coun- trymen generally, organizing companies, drilling that under his own command, and preparing for the publi- cation of a work on the art of war, he became involved in a bitter newspaper controversy with a surgeon of the British army, arising out of the establishment of a small-pox hospital. It is noticed in chapter iii. of the preceding volume. The Doctor, stung to the quick by the pungency of Pickering's pieces, took initiatory steps to call him out ; and a challenge, it was given to be understood, was forthcoming. Pickering caused it to be known that he should not accept a challenge. The friends of the Doctor at once began to bring his courage in question ; whereupon he published an article in the ''Essex Gazette," March 29th, 1774, giving his senti- ments on the subject of duelling, in which he denounced it as the product of " Gothic ignorance and brutality." He says of his exasperated antagonist that he " thought it not only possible but very probable that he would demand c?is-honorable amends." He intimates that he had for some time expected such a step to be taken. " This apprehension," he proceeds to say, " did not restrain my pen, nor cause me to dash a single letter. This barbarous custom," he continues, " still remains the disgrace of the army, and of a few others, alike actuated with a false sense of honor, who dare spurn at Heaven's best gift. If cowardice is mv crime, whv did my pen move on, with such apprehensions as then took place? Why do I yet continue to write? Do I hide myself from the face of men ? Am I not daily to be seen ? I value life, and should be loth to lose it by the 68 LIFE OF TrMOTIIT PICKERING. hand of an assassin ; but more I value truth. I appeal to those who know me best, and they alone can judge whether my conduct in this, or any other affairs of my life, has been the effect of timidity, of a pliant prudence which accommodates itself to times and circumstances, or of that virtue which knows no fear? Hie ccestus armaque reponoT Upon this the Doctor notified him that he should attack him at sight, and wherever met. Pickering sent back word, that " he would find him as ready to protect his person against an assassin as the community against a quack and impostor." Here the matter ended. The aspect of Pickering was altogether too formidable to render it expedient for any ordinary man to grapple with him. These incidents have been mentioned because they demonstrate real courage of the highest order. Colonel Pickering, w^hile in military command and in the heat of war, dared to rise above what has been called " the code of honor," and denounce it in terms it deserves, as an outrage upon common sense, the spirit of civili- zation, and the very name of religion. His course, in this particular, is most memorable. The example is glorious, and for ever to be held up, especially in view of his position and reputation as a soldier. Ijb entitles his name to be inscribed in unfading and the brightest colors on the roll of the world's heroes. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 69 CHAPTEH III. Pickering and Washington. 1775-1783. There is one point which must be noticed in the biography of Colonel Pickering, and may as well be considered and despatched in this review of his connec- tion with the Revolutionary Army. I At times, especially in the prevalence of violent party animosities, it was brought as a charge against ' him, that he did not appreciate the character of Wash- ington, but cherished towards him a prejudice, if it did not amount to actual hostility. In the form in which this allegation was usually put, it was wholly unjust and directly opposite to the truth ; but, to a certain extent and in one sense, th^re was some apparent ground for it. He was sometimes noticed to abstain from join- ing in unqualified and extravagant eulogiums upon ' Washington. This circumstance was liable to be mis- interpreted. It is, however, entirely explicable by con- siderations honorable to both parties. Colonel Pickering, either constitutionally in the orig- inal frame of his mind, or by his whole training and all his habits of thought, or by both, was an abhorrer of man-worship. This marked his character in every stage and every sphere of his life, and was apparent in his language, actions, and manners. Perhaps in the Revolutionary crisis this repugnance to idolize any 70 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. person was entertained with peculiar sensitiveness. It has always been a fatality, attending popular struggles for liberty, that they have eYided in the establishment of absolute authority. Successful champions of the cause, particularly if surrounded with the halo of mili- tary glory, have become objects of blind admiration, gratitude, and confidence ; and enthroned as such. It is quite likely that Colonel Pickering seriously appre- hended the possibility of such a termination of the War of Independence. How much ground there was for such an apprehension is not, perhaps, fully under- stood ; and, for that reason, may with propriety be briefly stated. Washington, more than any other popular chieftain in history, had the qualities that might have led men to confer upon him supreme and unrestrained power. There was a sovereignty in his aspect, stature, and countenance. He was every inch a king. His dignity of carriage, and reserve of manner, inspired reverence ; while the great office he filled, the executive power with which he filled it, and the confidence which his country felt in his fidelity and patriotism, inspired admiration. His well-known personal bravery, and the charmed life he had borne in his early campaigns against French and Indians, invested him with the dazzle of an heroic character, and gave occasion to expressions of the most extravagant nature. The sort of influence he had, from these causes was perhaps regarded with some uneasiness by considerate persons, as liable to become dangerous. Colonel Pickering took care not to increase this dan- ger, and that no boundless personal adulation towards LIFE OF TIMOTHY^ PICKERING. 71 any man should be laid at his door. Hence his avoid- ance of the language of unqualified eulogium when speaking even of Washington, and his disrelish for every thing, in word or deed, that looked like fawning or flattery. It may be that his feelings became morbid on this point ; but they were sincere, genuine, and deep. In a letter to his brother-in-law, Paine Wingate, dated March 12th, 1782, he says : — " Since I had the pleasure of seeing you and my sister, you have had a son born, whom you have named Geoege, as I understand ; but that it was problematical whether you meant thereby to honor that name on this or the other side of the Atlantic. I presume, however, that you value your own dignity, and that of human nature, too highly to idolize either." It may appear strange, if not almost ridiculous, that Colonel Pickering's mind should have been so seriously exercised as to have led him to such an expression of repugnance to giving that name to a child, w^hether in reference to George on the throne of England, or George at the head of the Americaa army. On the subject of names given to children. Colonel Pickering seems to have had certain decided opinions. Perhaps he inherited them. His father had two sons and seven daughters, all with plain single names, such as were common in those days. The Colonel had eight sons and two daughters. He, like his father, avoided giving any of them the names of persons outside of the family, whether private friends or favorite public characters. Probably they both regarded it as a species of adulation. No man cherished warmer or stronger particular friend- ships than Colonel Pickering, in the Revolutionary 72 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. period and afterwards. He loved Hichard Peters with an affection like that of a brother. He was bound to Alexander Hamilton by all military and political sympa- thies and intimacies, and regarded his public services witli admiration. But he did not name a child after either. Nothing could have brought him to what he probably would have felt to be an expression of personal sycophancy. He gave to his first two sons the long-estab- lished family names ; to the next five, such good, cur- rent, accepted English names as he fancied. When the eighth child was born, having exhausted the common names that suited him, he called him Octavius. So with the two daughters, his last born. He gave them what he considered the most accredited and best Eng- lish single names. These facts are mentioned because they illustrate what may be regarded as a singular if not over-sen- sitive peculiarity of his character, — a repugnance to whatever might look like flattering others or a want of self-respect. They may explain, m part, the language in his letter to his brother-in-law, but not wholly. It has a force and pungency of meaning that demands further explanation. The date of that letter leads to a fuller appreciation of the sentiments covered by the expres- sion. Facts were, at that time, occurring around him which led him to be particularly annoyed by any thing like man-worship, especially in his own family. A movement was actually then in agitation to induce Wash- ington to assume absolute power : how far it extended, and who were concerned in it, will never be fully known. If he had not sternly rebuked it, — in other words, if Washington had not been of a grander nature LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIisG. 73 than other triumphant commanders, — there is no saying what would have been the result. There is reason to believe that the project had a considerable currency in the army. The suggestion was at length made directly to the General, and urged upon his consent, in a letter from an officer of respectable character and rank, who represented himself as conveying the sentiments of many other officers. Washington's answer, dated May 22d, 1782, effectually suppressed the design by the fol- lowing stern denunciation : — " Be assured, Sir, no occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army as you have expressed, and I must view with abhorrence and reprehend with severity. I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address which to me seems big with the greatest mischiefs that can befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom ^^our schemes are more disagreeable. Let me conjure you, then, if you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never communicate, as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of the hke nature." The language of Washington, and all the circum- stances known to us relating to this extraordinary affair, indicate that considerable numbers were implicated in it. While this project was actually brewing in the army, it is no wonder that Colonel Pickering's feelings were highly excited against idolizing any man, in any form or shape, and that he wrote as he did to Judge M'ingate. That his nervous dislike of naming a child George was owing to the circumstances now described, 74 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. is quite evident from the fact that when the war had long been over, the army disbanded, the Constitution of the United States in full operation, and all apprehen- sion of a monarchy had passed away, he named a son of his own, born August 7th, 1789, George, not, of course, in reference to Washington or any other man, but because it was agreeable to his taste and fancy, as in itself a good English name. Colonel Pickering, during the Revolutionary war, was so apprehensive that mischief might arise from the prevalence of unbounded expressions of blind adula- tion towards Washington, that every indication of such a tendency attracted his attention, and made an impres- sion on his mind. In a letter to Richard Peters, of Jan- uary 17th, 1811, he says: — " When, in the autumn of 1780, the army was preparing to hut in the wood back of Newburgh, the General being a httle advanced of me (in going over the ground selected for the hutment), a countryman fell along-side, and looking for- ward to the General, said to me, ' Now, I suppose he is the greatest man in the world ! ' Excessive admiration is the off- spring of ignorance. In reading the history of the Israelites, in my early life, I used to wonder at their proneness to idol- atry ; but I have since had occasion to remark, that it is the disposition of the mass of mankind at this day ; the differ- ence is that the former worshipped dead idols, the latter hving ones. 5) This circumstance, with the sentiments it suggested, had remained on his memory for more than thirty years. It must be conceded, however, that Colonel Pickering gave other grounds than have now been mentioned for the imputation that he was not an unqualified admirer LIFE or TIMOTHY PICKERING. 75 of Washington. He frequently used modified language in speaking of him. It is a matter of justice to both parties to know what such qualified expressions meant and amounted to. An intrigue or cabal, as it was called, had, in the year 1777, been secretly going on in the army, for the purpose of breaking down Washington and putting General Gates in his place. The brilliant success of the latter, in the campaign against Burgoyne, gave it great encouragement, and it continued into the next year, when, like every other attempt against the Com- mander-in-Chief, it fell to the ground. While it lasted, all sorts of means were resorted to, to give it force and bring it to a head. Slanderous insinuations were every- where circulated against Washington, and Gates was extolled without measure. He was an officer of great merit and ability, of uncommon accomplishments, and fine personal bearing and aspect. A strong attachment seems to have existed between him and Colonel Picker- ing, as appears by many interesting letters that passed between them during a long period, extending to the close of Gates's life. But Pickering could never be brought to countenance the attempt to place him above Washing- ton. In a letter to William Pickman of Salem, who had married one of his nieces and was among his most valued correspondents, dated March 24:th, 1778, there are the following passages : — '' With regard to General Gates, I live upon the most friendly terms with and respect him ; but I am not disposed to elevate anv mortal into a God, nor on the other hand to detract from real merit. General Gates possesses many mili- tary virtues. He is a man of sense, and has had great expe- 76 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. rieiice ; and much credit is doubtless due to him for the successes of the last campaign." " '' The slanders propagated of General Washington are opposed by the general current of the people and army ; and by whatever persons, or for whatever purposes, they were at first raised and spread, the actors must have been disap- pointed. But to exalt General Gates at General Washing- ton's expense was still more injurious." '' If there be a disinterested patriot in America, 'tis Gen- eral Washington, and his bravery none can dispute. In point of solid judgment I do not, among all the general offi- cers I have met with, know his superior ; and for attention to business, perhaps he has no equal ; but, hke other men, he has his imperfections." The modifying clause, appended to this substantial and very strong eulogium, if it stood alone might pos- sibly be regarded as a mere truism, applicable to all human beings, from the universal fallibility and limita- tion of their natures, or added solely from a repugnance to unqualified panegyric of any one whomsoever. But the use of similar expressions elsewhere, relating to Washington, in writing and in conversation, from the connection and tenor of them, seems to require a more specific sense. All the evidence belonging to the history of Wash- ington, and especially the general reverence for him entertained by Pickering and others, preclude the idea that any defects of personal character, having a shadow of vice, in his habits or life, are referred to. It may, in part, have related to his deportment. His aspect was uniformly grave, and his manners reserved to an extra- ordinary degree. He was seldom, if ever, known to unbend into familiarity, much less levity of conversation or conduct. It was not hauteur or pride, but still a LIFE or TIMOTHY, PICKEKING. 77 peculiarity of mien that separated him from others. It did not give offence, but it may have been regretted by those about him. In all likelihood, it was much owing to a serious and ever-present feeling of obligation in the discharge of duty. He realized constantly, and most solemnly, the vast responsibility of his position. /Xo man ever had such a momentous task to perform : to lead the people of a great country to liberty and inde- pendence through the vicissitudes of a long war ; to preside over its organization into a free republic ; to conduct its government in its first stages ; and to place it upon a track it has prosperously travelled for a cen- tury, and bids fair to travel for ever, regenerating by its example the political life of all nations, — this we see to have been the mission of Washington. He could not adequately have foreseen it. But every thing that pro- ceeded from his pen, all his actions and expressions, show that he was daily and hourly conscious of the incalculable importance of the cause committed and entrusted to his keeping. With this feeling ever in his breast, it is not to be wondered at that, from the moment when he drew his sword at the head of the armv of the Revolution until he laid it down, no smile was seen on his countenance. Then, besides, he knew the perils and difficulties of his position better than his subordi- nates did, and more than it would have been well for them to have known. That restrained communicative- ness. The reserve in which, for these and other reasons, he held himself, must have been sometimes annovino^ to persons immediately connected with him, particularly to officers of his staff, who were members of his mill- v. 78 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. tary family, — to none, perhaps, more than to Picker- ing, who was an out-spoken man, not accustomed to suppress his emotions or conceal his thoughts. It is possible that he regarded the trait of Washington's man- ners that has now been described as an imperfection. It cannot be denied, however, and the truthfulness of biography requires it to be stated, that Colonel Picker- ing took exception to the character usually ascribed to Washington beyond what can be covered by the forego- ing considerations. But it was on one point only. He entertained through life the opinion that Washington's caution was carried to an extreme, on certain occasions in his military command, and, perhaps, in one or two cases, in his civil administration. An over-anxious desire not to take a false step led, in such instances, to an unfor- tunate delay of action ; and a w^ant of decision was, in consequence, at such times, imputed to him. Colonel Pickering regarded . this a defect in the character of Washington as a General, and it is but fair to allow him to give the grounds for this opinion. In 1811 Richard Peters prepared for publication in the " Memoirs of the Philadelphia Society of Agricult- ure," " Sketches " of President Washington. He sent the paper, prior to its publication, to Colonel Picker- ing, with a request that he would revise it, making suggestions for its improvement with a free criticism ; so far as it related to the character of Washins^ton, it being perfectly understood between them that, in some respects, their views were different. In reply Colonel Pickering made such suggestions as occurred to him as to the structure of sentences, and the illustration of sentiments, of which the following are specimens : — LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 79 " Page 2, line 10 : You have a ' strong evidence of the strength of his mind ; ' perhaps you would substitute clear or striking for strong. " Same page, lines 3 and 4 from the bottom, ''gloomy nor- rnine ; ' the words do not appear so different in their meaning as to admit of a contrast by a disjunctive. " Pag^e 3, line 7 : You mark with inverted commas this }:assage, in 'whose hands are the corners of the earth,' as a Scripture quotation. I thought I had never met with it. A (ruden's Concordance being within my reach, I have sear( bed and cannot find it. Daniel (chap. v. 23) says to BaLshazzar, ' and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified ; ' and Isaiah (chap. xi. 12) says, the Lord ' shall gather together the dis- persed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.' But, if the words were to be found, I confess I do not see their perti- cy on the occasion ; and probably the most of your readers, as WQ-nting in discernment as I, may be of the same opinion. Is xVhecau^e the corners of the earth are in the hands of God, k^jhat we leceive from him favors and blessings? and in adver- sity do we submit to the will of the Omnipotent because ' the st rength of the hills is his ? ' It would be natural to acknowl- tdige, iu prosperity, the favors and blessings of the omnipo- ent and benevolent Being, 'who covereth us with loving- kindness and tender mercies' (Psalms ciii. 4) ; and to be submissive to his will ' whose judgments are a great deep * (Psalms xxxvi. 6), but 'true and righteous altogether* (Psalms xix. 9)." Aft€?r despatching, in this way, amendments verbal or otherwise, to the composition of the " Sketches," with the " Preface "attached to them, he thus addresses himself l:o their main subject, — the character of General Washington : — " The lc>ftj eulogy on ' Our Admired and Lamented Hero and Patriot ' proceeds from your heart, and the full convic- tions of yomr mind ; it must therefore stand. Yet I never I 80 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. did, I never can, consider him under the exalted character of a II?:ro. Ilis fortitude no danger or adverse fortune could shake ; but, according to my understanding of the •"word, eminent military talents must unite with bravery jto ;. form the hero. To the pure and inflexible Patriot let ntri- versal praise be given. To his disinterested patriotism and unequalled circumspection our country will for ever be in- debted. But, in my view, it has ever appeared too much to call him the 'founder of our empire,' and to ascrile to him its prosperity, its happiness, its freedom and independence. To the excellency of his virtues I am not disposed to set any limits. All his views were upright, all his actions just. These, guided by a sound understanding, produced great good. I have often considered, as applicable to General Washington, in his public character, the words of our Saviour to the Jews, ' If any man will do his will^ he shall know, of the doctrine, whether it be of God.' That the affairs of tlie United States are now in so untoward, so disastrous a situa- tion, is owing, not to the want of abilities in our rulerfe^;but / simply to the want of honesty. Had Washington been at th^ helm wdien Bonaparte resorted to the atrocious system of thfe Directory in respect to our commerce (for, if their measures be compared, they will be found substantially the same), 'we should have armed an adequate naval force for its protection. Then, like the Directory, the imperial corsair would havfc re- lented, and abandoned his piracies ; or an open war would'have produced the needful guards and precautions against ^ them ; and the millions which rushed into the tiger's mouth, "ffl" went within the reach of his paws, would have been save/i ; and those millions would have been equal to the building and equipping of a powerful navy. " In former times, I have dropped, incidentally, intimations which manifested to you that my estimate of Gr^etal Wash- ington's military talents fell vastly below yours ; but I never told yon facts on which my estimate was founded, 'because I perceived that I should speak to unwilling ears. I should not now have even glanced at it but for the conspicuous * notices' of the ' General ' in your Sketches and Preface. ' Those facts have remained engraven on my memory, and, sViould I find rj'V ;. ' .. . LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEEING. 81 time, during the session, perhaps I may place the whole on paper. I know how highly, and justly, you valued Baron Steuben for his distinguished talents, solid as well as polished and amiable. In the last year of the war, in conversing with him on the present subject, I found a perfect coincidence of opinion." Having said thus much to Judge Peters, Colonel Pickering concluded that it was best to place the " facts on paper " in a subsequent letter to him, from which the following are extracts : — " I joined the main army in the middle of June, 1777. In less than three months happened the battle of Brandy wine. The British army marched to Chad's Ford, and began a can- nonade with field-pieces. This was on the 11th of September. The American army was drawn up on the opposite side in order of battle, and from a few small field-pieces returned an ineffectual fire. By nine in the morning, on a hill near the ford, sitting on my horse beside the General, I said to him, ' If the enemy meant to cross at this place, they would not waste their time in this sort of firing : it is intended merely to amuse us ; their main body must have marched to cross else- where.' I think it was about eleven or twelve o'clock when General Greene was prepared with a division to cross over and attack the enemy at the ford. But (after recei^dng a variety of imperfect and, I think, contradictory intelligence) it was now ascertained that the main body of the British army had marched up the Brandywine, to cross a number of miles above us. So Greene did not cross, but troops were marched to the right of the river, where, in the afternoon, the action began. The General, when starting from head-quarters, sent me to deliver a verbal order to General Nash, commanding the North Carolina Brigade, which remained at the ford. After deliver- ing it, I fell in with Fitzgerald (one of General Washington's aids), and we rode to the right together. The firing was heavy ; and before our arrival Sullivan's division had been defeated and broken. The British, at a distance, were ad- vancing in line. Knox, having with him a number of pieces Vol. II. 6 82 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. of artillery, said to the General, ' Will your Excellency have the artillery drawn up on this rising ground ? ' — a small swell near by. The question was an idle one, for there was not any, or not a sufficient, body of troops at hand to support them ; and I think no answer was given. We retreated a little way, the British continuing to advance, and, with their field-pieces, killing a small number of our men. It was now near sunset. While we halted behind a rail fence, with such of our troops as were in my view, an attack was made by another corps of the enemy on our left, which, it seemed to me, had advanced unseen. Walter Stewart's regiment was there, and briskly engaged. A little before this time. Colonel Mead (another of the General's aids) rode up, and asked the Gen- eral if he should order up Weedon or Muhlenburg's brigade (I forget Avhich), that, he said, was not engaged. The ansAver, I believe, was ' Yes.' But soon our retreat became general. I retired by the General's side. We had not gone a mile when he said to me, ' Why, it is a perfect rout.' Daylight was departing, and, according to orders, the troops retreated to Chester. The General and suite arrived there about eleven at night : taking quarters in Withy's tavern. Three or four years ago, I had the curiosity to go upstairs to see the cham- ber (of which I had a perfect recollection) in which we were sitting when I was called upon by Colonel Harrison, the General's Secretary, to write a letter to Congress, to be sent by express, to inform them of the issue of the battle. I urged Harrison to write it ; but he appeared extremely distressed, and put it upon me. I wrote and gave it to the General. AYith perfect composure, he directed me to add a consolatory hope that another day would give a more fortunate result. You will find this short letter, embracing that additional idea, in one of the volumes of the General's printed letters. " You will remember that, after the troops were reassembled, east of the Schuylkill, refreshed, and supplied with ammuni- tion, we recrossed that river, and advanced to meet Sir Wil- liam Howe. On the 16th of September, in the morning, our pickets were attacked. Some troops were detached to support them, and to retard the advance of the enemy. General Washington ordered me to the right of the army, to LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 83 assist in forming the order of battle. On my return to the centre, I found the General surrounded by officers, and every thing in suspense. The skirmishing of our advanced troops continued ; the firing was brisk, and, by the sound, was approaching. Extremely uneasy, I pressed my horse up to hear what was the subject of the consultation : wdiich I found to be, whether we should fight the enemy on the pres- ent ground, or retire to the next range of hills ; because, in case of a defeat, it was said we could not carry off our artillery, across the deep and moist valley in our rear. " Having been with the army but just three months, and, in that time, not having found it possible to accost the General with ease (although I could converse without difficulty and freely with every other general officer), and being naturally diffident, you ^t.11 imagine how urgent was the occasion, when I could address him in this language, ' Sir, the advancing of the British is manifest by the reports of the musketry. The order of battle is not completed. If we are to fight the enemy on this ground, the troops T)ught to be immediately arranged. If we are to take the high grounds on the other side of the valley, we ought to march immediately, or the enemy may fall upon us in the midst of our movement. Pray^ Sir^ decide.'' ' Let us move,' was the General's instant answer. You mav see this passage in the 27th page of my letter of April 22d, 1808, to Governor Sullivan (excepting the three emphatical words, which concluded my short but earnest address), of which I sent you a copy ; for, after I had written the words ' pray. Sir, decide,' I struck them out, as they so strongly marked the General's want of decision ; hence the j)riuted letter appears without them. " It had now begun to rain. We marched to the other side of the valley, and remained under arms all day, soaked with rain. The British army halted. We retired to the Yellow Springs ; and our ammunition being all wet in the cartridge boxes, we were for some time obliged to keep aloof from thu enemy, which occasioned some night marches. One night, as the army marched upwards, on the eastern side of the Schuyl- kill, in its rear I fell in with General Greene. We descended the bank of Perkiomy Creek together ; and, while our horses 84 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. were drinking, T said to him, ' I had once conceived an exalted opinion of General Washington's military talents; but, since I have been with the army, I have seen nothing to increase that opinion.' Greene answered, ' Why, the General does want decision : for my part, I decide in a moment.' I used the the word ' increase,' though I meant ' support,' but did not dare to speak it. The fact was, my opinion was exceedingly lowered. For, on the 11th of September, in the time of action, the General appeared, for the most part, rather like a passive spectator than the Commanding General ; and on the 16th was manifested the dangerous indecision above stated. " The next occasion for a display of the talents of a Gen- eral was at the battle of Germantown. The main body of our army marched down the Great Road. Sullivan's division had been engaged ; and, as from that quarter we heard a tre- mendous fire of musketry, I was apprehensive of a lavish ex- j)enditure of ammunition. Just then the same thought struck General Washington ; for he directed me to ride to Sullivan, and desire him to save his ammusiition. I did so, falling in with him in the road a little below Chew's house. On mv return to the General, I found him listening to a discussion of General Knox and some other officers, on the question of summoning the party of the enemy in Chew's house to sur- render. For what passed at this time, I will refer you to the twenty-eighth page of the same letter to Governor Sullivan. I opposed the summons, but Knox's opinion prevailed, and a flag was sent ; the officer was fired at (as I had predicted), and mortally wounded. The impression on my mind is, that General Washington did not positively decide that the flag should be sent ; but it was suffered to go. '' In November, having received the re-enforcements of some brigades of Gates's victorious troops, the army took post on the hills at White Marsh. In the beginning of December, General Howe made his ' forward movement ' (as he called it) with his army to Chesnut Hill ; and, on the third day afterwards (I think it was), some of his troops attacked our advanced guards, which were supported by Morgan's rifle regiment. Our army was drawn up in order of battle, in three lines, on a very commanding hill, the brow of which LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEEING. 85 was, at first, strengthened by a formidable abatis. But we had continued so long on the ground, and the weather had grown so cold, the soldiers had burnt up all the large wood, so that brush only remained. This was gathered into a row, which, however, would have given very little embarrassment to an enemy. The army being thus formed, and a general battle expected on that ground. General Washington rode along, in the rear of the front line, which was posted on the brow of the hill. It happened that I alone was with him. The firing with the advanced guards and Morgan's corps, in our front, had begun. Some woods concealed them from our view. As we rode along, the General ordered me to speak (which I did) to each officer commanding a regi- ment, to caution his men not to fire too high, when the enemy should be advancing up the hill. As we proceeded, the firing continuing, the General addressed me in these words precisely, ' I wonder now whether it will be best to re-enforce Morgan or not ? ' Instantly I answered, ' If a small re-enforcement be sent, they must soon give way ; if a large force be detached, a great breach will be made in the line of defence ; and. this body also will not be able long to main- tain their ground ; and if they should retreat in disorder, the whole line may be thrown into confusion.' ' That is true,' was the General's reply. After skirmishing with Morgan's corps and the advanced guards, the enemy retired ; and Sir William Howe marched back to Philadelphia. Soon after- wards, the American army marched, and hutted at Valley Forge." The foregoing incidents, narrated in the letters to Judge Peters, written in January, 1811, in explanation of the opinion that Washington had not always the promptness in discerning what the exigency required, or the decision in action, necessary to the character of a great military commander, all occurred while Colonel Pickering was Adjutant-General. He left active ser- vice in the field when appointed to the Board of War, 86 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. and did not return to it again until as Quarter-Master- General, he accompanied and co-operatod with the Commander-in-Chief in the summer of 1781, transfer- ring the army from the Hudson to James River. In one of his letters to Peters is the following : — '' The army being arrived before Yorktown, the General sent for me to accompany him in reconnoitring the enemy's positions, and the ground suitable for our encampment. At that moment I was engaged in some necessary business of my department, which having soon despatched, I mounted my horse and rode to meet the General. The reconnoitring respected only the American troops ; and the space they were to occupy being small, the General, attended by General Knox, with some other officers (perhaps only their aids), had nearly gone over the ground when I joined them. The gen- eral positions of the enemy were apparent from the ground to which our troops had marched. As soon as I came up they stopped, and General Knox thus accosted me : ' The General thinks we ought to move, and encamp nearer to the enemy's works. What is your opinion ? ' I answered instantly, expressing precisely all the following ideas, and, as nearly as it is possible to recollect, in these words : ' The duties of troops at a siege are severe. Those off duty ought to be so situated as to take their rest in security. We must look for repeated sallies from the enemy, and if any of these are made in great force they will beat the guards of the trenches, and compel them to retreat. If the camp be near, the soldiers will not have time to rouse from sleep and to recollect them- selves, before the enemy will be upon them. Shot, from the enemy's outworks, reach us where we now are. For these reasons I think we are near enough.' ' Well, but we must invest the place,' said General Washington. I presume my countenance must have expressed, in some degree, what I felt ; although I endeavored to suppress the signs of aston- ishment at the simplicity of this remark : while in a moment I rejoined : ' The object of an investment is to prevent the besieged from receiving succors or making their escape. The LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 87 m American army now extends so as to command the ground from York River, below the town, round to the morass on our left. Above the town the French army commands the ground from the morass to the river. Duke Lauzun's legion and General Weedon's brigade of Virginia militia are at Gloucester Point, opposite to Yorktown ; and Count de Grasse, with his fleet, commands the mouth of the river. No passage is open except through the river ; and Lord Corn- wallis will not attempt an escape by marching into the heart of the country. So I think, Sir, that the place is completely invested already.' The General made no reply ; and the troops encamped on the ground which they then occupied. This was the seventh year of the war ; and yet it is certain that the General had not then formed any distinct idea of the investment of a fortified place. " The capture of Yorktown, together with the army which defended it, closed the General's military operations, and, in effect, terminated the war. '^ I am ready to admit, with Mr. Reed, that General Wash- ington sometimes adopted draughts of writings when his own would have been better , and I have repeatedly said that, from an extreme diffidence in himself, he was likewise led, in some easels, to adopt the opinions of others, in whom he placed a confidence, when his own would have been more correct. If this remark should apply to any of mine, now recited, I shall not be mortified. I have stated them pre- cisely as they were uttered, at the instant the occasions called for them. " Retired in his tent, a commanding officer, contemplating the nature of the duties entrusted to him, may form the plan of a military enterprise ; but, to execute it with a prospect of success, he must be able to see, as with a glance of the eye, in every change of circumstances, from the beginning to the end of an action, the movements, and attacks, and defences best adapted to them. He who does not possess this instant discernment — Avhich must, of necessity, be followed by an instantaneous decision — wants the essential characteristic of a General. My opinion of General Wash- ington, in his military character, was formed on what I saw. 88 LIFE or TIMOTHY PICKERING. The facts I could not mistake, and the inference was unavoid- able. " Upon the whole, I have no hesitation in saying that Gen- eral Washington's talents were much better adapted to the Presidency of the United States than to the command of their armies. To the President very difficult questions could not often occur, and then there was time to deliberate, and opportunity to obtain the best advice. For it was not neces- sary to confine himself to his cabinet. " I do not know that you will thank me for this letter. You long since formed your opinion, and on your own observation (but not in the field) : of course you will retain it. In the first newspaper controversy in which I was engaged (near forty years ago), my signature Avas * A Lover of Truth,' and I have always desired to make my title to it just. ' De mortuis nil nisi bonum ' is a maxim to which I never sub- scribed ; examples to deter, as well as to allure, being useful to mankind. In the present case, it is true, nothing BUT GOOD can be said of the deceased. The error lies in ascrib- ing to him every thing that was great. ' Suum cuique tribuito ' is the sacred demand of justice and of truth. *' Would to God that Washington were still alive ; or that HIS MANTLE had fallen on some Elisha, whom Providence (controlling the perverseness of the people) had seated in the chair of government : then we should not have fallen from our high estate ; then we should have escaped the reproach, so provoking and yet so just, that we are a nation ' without just political views, without energy, without honor.' In this vow to Heaven I am sure we shall agree." The foregoing passages from Colonel Pickering's correspondence, besides being required to present a full and truthful view of the point now under consideration, give inner glimpses of the interesting scenes of the war to which they relate, and of the persons mentioned. They comprehend all the exceptions Colonel Pickering ever took to the character of General Washington, and relate exclusively to him as a military commander. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 89 In determining their weight, it must be borne in mind that the experience of Washington, or of any of his officers, in conflicts with French and Indians, long years before, could have been of little benefit to them in the campaigns of the Revolution, where the field of opera- tions embraced a continent, and the forces and their movements were on so large a scale. Washington had led small detachments of Provincial backwoodsmen in frontier expeditions, and others had seen service, in the ranks or under subordinate commissions in the line, at Lake George, Louisburg, or Quebec, but never in posi- tions that would have at all prepared them for compre- hensive strategic operations, or imparted to them the military science necessary to the conduct of campaigns, or the handling of separated, wide-spread, masses of men, in the multiplex evolutions and manoeuvres of extended battle-fields. Probably very few among them, besides Pickering, had made the military art a special and elaborate study, in books relating to the subject, describing the movements of large armies in marches, battles, and sieges, and illustrating the elements of tactics, in distmguished instances of modern European warfare. The wonder is that such an army of raw materials, whose officers had so little experience, prac- tice, or previously acquired skill, should have so suc- cessfully encountered trained and veteran troops, led by men who had followed war as their profession in life ; and that its Commander-in-Chief, a Virginia planter, made so few mistakes. What Colonel Pickering usually calls a want of " decision," is perhaps described in one instance, with more strict correctness, as "an extreme diffidence of 90 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. himself." This trait was manifested in marked expres- sions of imafFected doubt of his ability to execute the great trust, when he accepted the command of the army ; and throughout his whole administration, military and civil, it led him to seek counsel of all competent to give it, in every important emergency. Even when his own judgment was quite clear, he desired to be re-assured by the judgment of others. In the novel, difficult, and momentous combinations of circumstances, often sur- rounding him, on the field and in the cabinet, he wel- comed light and information from other minds. While occasional slowness of action may have led to mischiev- ous results, as in some of the instances mentioned by Colonel Pickering, who can tell Avhat advantages often resulted from his caution ? as many fatal disasters have followed sudden decisions by the commanders of armies, as from careful deliberation before acting. If Wash- ington's caution did, once or twice, lose the day, in the long run, and in the end, it saved the cause. Such is already the verdict of history, and it will not be reversed. It is quite evident that Washington's extreme caution in conducting the War of the Revolution, and which brought much censure upon him from some of his sub- ordinates, and among members of Congress, was a con- stant restraint upon his own nature, which was truly heroic and daring. Occasionally, when his judgment was convinced that the public exigency and the existing opportunity justified it, he made perilous movements, even against the advice and remonstrances of his prin- cipal officers. Colonel Pickering mentions his course at the battle of Monmouth as an instance. " His great LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 91 caution," says Pickering, " in respect to the enemy, acquired him the name of the American Fabius. From this governing policy he is said to have departed, when — following Sir Henry Clinton, on his retreat with the British army from Philadelphia to Xew York — he " indulged the most anxious desire to close with his antagonist in general action. Opposed to his wishes was the advice of his general officers. To this he for a time yielded ; but, as soon as he discovered that the enemy had reached Monmouth Court House, not more than twelve miles from the heights of Middletown, he determined that he should not escape without a blow."* Colonel Pickering considered this a " departure" from Washington's '* usual practice and policy," and cites the opinion of Colonel Jeremiah Wadsw^orth, who, as a commissary and contractor, was acquainted with all the occurrences of the war, and an intelligent person. In conversation with Colonel Pickering, after the war, on the subject of Washington's military character, in which they were found to entertain similar opinions, Wads- worth said, in reference to the battle of Monmouth, that the General appeared, on that occasion, " to act from the impulses of his own mind." Colonel Pickering seeuis to have had perhaps an exaggerated estimate of what are called " talents," in speaking of Washington's military character. Such intellectual faculties and habits as lead to rapid and brilliant manifestations, are often thought the necessary elements of greatness ; but history and experience prove * The language here quoted by Pickering, is from Lee's " Memoirs of the "War, in the Southern Department." Vol. i., p. 58. 92 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. that calm, cautious, conscientious circumspection, a moral power to lay restraint upon the sudden impulses of passion and enthusiasm, — the very qualities he always ascribed pre-eminently to Washington, — are the sources of real wisdom, and, more than genius or learn- ing, constitute true greatness in war or in peace. Whatever may be thought of the plainness, and even severity, in some passages of Colonel Pickering's strict- ures, there runs through them, as in all he ever said or wrote about Washington, a full appreciation of his emi- nent virtues. His language sometimes, in spite of his abhorrence of man- worship, amounts almost to vener- ation. In a letter to Judge Peters, of January 5, 1811, he says : — " There is one distinguishing trait in General Washington's character, which you have omitted, th& uiiequalled dignity of his PRESENCE, which inspired every one who approached him, with a degree of reverential respect that was not felt in the presence of any other man. This idea was never pub- Hcly presented, to my recollection, until after the General's death, and then by one from whom I should least have expected it, Gouverneur Morris, in his funeral oration. Some English poet — I believe Milton — has an expression of this sort, ' and felt how awful goodness is.' " In " memoranda " of incidents and characters in the course of his experience, found among his papers, Colonel Pickering repeats this sentiment : — "Those who came into Washington's presence approached him with reverence. All such looked at him with profound respect. The dignity of his person, large and manly, in- creased by a steady, firm, and grave countenance, and an unusual share of reserve, forbidding absolutely all familiarity, LIFE or TIMOTHY PICKERING. 93 excited no little reverence in his presence, even in the few whose opportunities and frequent official intercourse enabled them to form a correct judgment." It is one of the innumerable proofs of Washington's real greatness of mind, that he bore no ill-will to those of his officers who occasionally chafed under what they considered his slowness in coming to a decision. Where he was sure of their fidelity to the cause, and to him as its representative, he was not offended by their impa- tience of delay, but rather pleased with a display of their eagerness to advance even w^hen his prudence and judgment led him to restrain it. At the battle of Brandy- wine, it has been seen that Colonel Pickering remon- strated against Greene's division being ordered to cross at Chad's Ford to meet the enemy, declaring his conviction that the British cannonade, at that point, was merely a feint to cover a passage of the river at some other ford. The event proved that he was right. The time lost in preparing Greene's troops for the contemplated move- ment gave the enemy an opportunity to cross in force, a few miles above, without resistance, driving Sullivan's division. In the confusion thus occasioned, another portion crossed at Chad's Ford ; thus compelling a general retreat of the American army. At the close of that hard and disastrous day, when the General, with his retiring forces, had reached Chester, about iliidnight, he gave the most decisive proof of his confidence in and good feeling towards Pickering, in asking him to prepare the official despatch, to be sent to Congress on the occasion. Five davs afterwards occurred the scene in which Pickering expressed himself in such unreserved terms, calling upon the General to " decide," on the eve of 94 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. another expected general battle. Then, at Germantown, he opposed the measure that Washington had been led to adopt at the Chew house. What he said at York- town as to the " investment " of the enemy would have wounded the pride of an ordinary Commander-in-Chief. But the mind of Washington was above resentment towards those who meant well, and frankly uttered what were soon found to be just and wise counsels. The friendship between him and Pickering was never impaired in the least, or for a moment, by the free utterances and unconcealed criticisms of the latter. As Colonel Pickering held this opinion, as to one par- ticular point in Washington's character as a military commander, he never denied it when brought as an ac- cusation against him. It was his honest sentiment, and he was always ready to stand by it. Whenever the subject was introduced under circumstances that seemed to require his notice, he reaffirmed it ; but never with- out availing himself, at the time, of the opportunity to express, in connection with it, his profound sense of Washington's eminent superiority in all other respects, as a soldier, a patriot, and a man. The reader of what has now been presented will probably discern beneath Colonel Pickering's statements and strictures, pervading and connecting them, as warm and strong an eulogium upon his illustrious chief as can anywhere be found. While, however, he took the exception, which has been fully stated, to Washington's qualities as a General, and was too honest to disavow it, he chose to exercise his own judgment as to the times and places of express- ing it. If an attempt was made, as he thought unsea- sonably and unnecessarily, to draw him out on the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 95 subject, it failed. On a certain occasion, for instance, at a private circle, but in a mixed company, where the conversation had been running in the direction of Kevo- lutionary reminiscences, and he had been asked his opinion of several prominent characters, and had de- scribed some occurrences and scenes of especial interest, a lady put this affirmative question to him : " Colonel Pickering, please give us your views of Washington. Was he not, in all respects, the greatest of Generals '? ' The Colonel did not feel inclined, under the circum- stances, to go into particulars. " Madam," said he, " General W^ashington was a man of superlative fame." In this answer, at once terse and comprehensive to the utmost extent of which language is capable, while he avoided the point and aim, if not the purpose, of the question, he brought to view in a phrase truly emphatic a thought which the most glowing panegyrist could hardly surpass, — Washington's unapproached renown among men, the world over, and through all time. In giving this explanation of the modified terms in which Colonel Pickering sometimes spoke of Washing- ton, there is one observation that cannot fail to be sug- gested in connection with it. As his abhorrence on the ground of truthfulness, as well as taste, of all exaggera- tion is demonstrated bv the facts and citations that have now been presented ; and it is shown, to use his own words, that he could never be brought " to elevate any mortal into a god ;" his testimony to the real virtues and greatness of his ''Commander-in-Chief" is of especial weight and the highest value. There is one other subject upon which, on a superfi- cial view, some expressions of his might be regarded as 96 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. derogatory to the reputation of Washington. They re- hite to the authorship of documents proceeding from him, under his own name. But here, too, it is found that the facts, as stated by Pickering himself in letters to Peters, of which the following extracts are the substance, greatly heighten interest in the character of Washington : — "January 5th, 181.1. — All you say in your last letter of General Washington is correct. He did not take credit to himself when he was assisted by others ; but the credit was bestoiced upon him by his fellow-citizens and the world ; and v this credit he could not disclaim without defeating the national object he had in view, in what appeared under his name. The secret was kept solely from th.Q purest patriotism ; for, of all the men I ever knew, no one was more perfectly free from ostentation. " When I first saw the pamphlet of forged letters to Lund, Washington, &c., published in New York during the war (and republished by Bache when the General was President of the United States), I knew by the style that the General did not write them : it was the style of a literary man. " When I first became acquainted with the General (in 1777), his waiting was defective in grammar, and even in spelling, owing to the insufficiency of his early education ; of which, however, he gradually got the better in the subsequent years of his life, by the official perusal of some excellent models, particularly those of Hamilton ; by writing with care and patient attention ; and reading numerous, indeed multi- tudes of, letters to and from his fiiends and correspondents. This obvious improvement was begun during the war ; but was not equal to the production, in point of style, of the Fare- well Circular to the Governors of the States at its close. And yet I supposed his Farewell Address, on quitting the Presi- dency, was his own composition. Examine the piece, and you will find it remarkable for its simplicity and clearness of expression ; and that the ideas are such as a man of sound understanding and observation, who, during many years, had LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 97 « been officially connected with, and often heard discussed by the ablest men, the great interests and policy of a nation, would naturally entertain^ collect^ and digest ; and such, T imagined at the time, was the source and origin of that ad- dress, when I first saw it, in the General's own handwriting. For to you I may say that he communicated to his Secretaries his intention to make the address, and put into the hands of Wolcott, McHenry, and myself the manuscript, with a request that we would examine it, and note any alterations and cor- rections which we should think best. We did so ; but our notes, as well as I recollect, were few, and regarded chiefly the grammar and composition. " Our friend, Lewis, was the first to inform me, two or three years ago, that since General Hamilton's death the rough- draught of the address had been found among his papers, in Hamilton's own handwriting. Subsequently to this informa- tion, in looking over some of my papers for another purpose, I met with one (marked ' French Bribery ') which had entirely escaped my memory. It was a memorandum in my own handwriting, and formally signed by me (by way of certifi- cate), of the information given me in the autumn of 1797, and repeated to me, at its date, May 14th, 1798 (by a very respectable man), of the statement made to him by Mr. Letourbe, the French Consul-General, in a tone of complaint, ' that Mr. Adet had foolishly thrown awa}^ a great deal of money in bribing Members of Congress,' giving (but without names) some particulars. ^ Since then, Letourbe told him that he had paid a sum of money to a person who had pro- cured for him the address of General Washington to the citizens of the United States (on the General's declining to be again a candidate for the Presidency), as originally drawn up by Colonel Hamilton.' " It may be asked, ' For what end would Adet make this purchase?' Perhaps with a view to publish the fact to the world, in order to diminish or destroy the General's reputa- tion for greatness of character, and, consequently, his political influence among his fellow-citizens. But you will make your own reflections : I give you the stated facts. " January 21, 1811. — As to the public letters bearing his Vol. II. 7 98 ^ LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. [Washington's] signature, it is certain that he could not have maintained so extensive a correspondence with his own pen, even if he had possessed the ability and promptness of Hamil- ton. That he would, sometimes with propriety, observe upon, correct, and add to any draught submitted for his ex- amination and signature, I have no doubt. And yet I do doubt whether many, if any, of the letters in the two printed volumes are his own draught. I judge from extraneous cir- cumstances. I have read very few of them. I have long since determined to read the whole. I hope yet to do it ; and I think I am so well acquainted with the General's man- ner of writing, as to be able to decide which, if any, were his own. I have even reason to believe that not only the com- position^ the clothing of the ideas, but the ideas themselves, originated generally with the writers ; that Hamilton and Harrison, in particular, w^ere scarcely in any degree his amanuenses. I remember, when at head-quarters one day, at Valley Forge, Colonel Harrison came down from the General's chamber, with his brows knit, and thus accosted me, ' I wish to the Lord the General would give me the heads, or some idea, of what he would have me write.' '' When President of the United States, the General would condescend to make a fair copy of his speeches to Congress, to deliver to one or both Houses, and yet, I presume, he never draughted one, — though occasionally he might write some of the shorter paragraphs of a general nature. Even Mr. Adams (entirely contrary to my expectation) did not write his own speeches to Congress, though he usually furnished some paragraphs. The General must have had some pride in exhibiting things in his own handwriting. I, this moment, recollect that James Milligan told me that the General's accounts of his expenses during the war were presented to the Treasury department in his own handwriting. The United States, you know, were to defray them. If you were to examine the General's answers to the numerous addresses presented to him at different periods, you would find them of varied composition ; each conforming to the character of the writer who happened to be with him. Although the Gener- al's private correspondence was doubtless, for the most part, LIFE OF TBIOTHY PICKERING. 99 his own, and extremely acceptable to tlie persons addressed ; yet, in regard to whatev.er was destined to meet the public eye, he seems to have been fearful to exhibit his own compo- sitions, relying too much on the judgment of his friends, and sometimes adopted draughts that were exceptionable. Some parts of his private corresj)ondence must have essentially differed from other parts in the style of composition. You mention your own aids to the General in this line. • Now, if I had your draughts before me, mingled with the General's to the same persons, nothing would be more easy than to assign to each his own proper offspring. You could neither restrain your courser^ nor conceal your imagery, nor express your ideas otherwise than in the language of a scholar. The General's compositions would be perfectly plain and didactic, and not always correct. '' One word more concerning the Farewell Address, on which [ have before written to you. I think it was last May, when I was going home from this city, that Mr. King told me that he was then, or had been, in possession of Hamilton's draught of it. Hamilton's good sense would lead him, at that epoch, with peculiar attention, to adapt the style to the character and the occasion ; at the same time, it is to be presumed that the General took unusual pains with that last signal public act of his life. No man had more patient industry ; and I have no doubt that he made a variety of alterations to render it entirely conformable to his own views and feelings ; and hence arose the expediency of the ultimate revision and cor- rections mentioned in my former letter." In the part of Virginia where Washington was born and passed his earliest years, there must have been at that time almost a destitution of established and regular means of education. The planters were too far apart to pro- vide schools for their children, and instruction was left to such persons, more or less fitted for the work, as might be in the family, either members of it or hired for the purpose. In his youth, Washington was much do- 100 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. mesticated at Belvoir, on the banks of the Potomac, a few miles below Mount Vernon, the seat of Colonel William Fairfax, who had charge of the wide American domains of his family. He had received his education in England, under the care of an uncle, who was a nobleman ; entered the British army quite young ; served in Spain, the East and West Indies ; was in the expedi- tion against the Island of Providence, of which place he was made Governor ; and was Chief- Justice of the Bahama Islands. That clim^ate not suiting him, he came to Salem, in Massachusetts Bay, and was Collector of that port prior to his removal to Virginia. The conver- sation, and influence upon the mind of Washington, of a man of such a training and experience, must have been of great value. His wife having died in Salem, Fairfax married Deborah Clark, an intelligent lady, belonging to a leading family there. She presided over the household at Belvoir, and Washington ever regarded her with grateful affection. To her aid he may have been much indebted for the rudiments of knowledge ; and it is probable that from her, who had been brought up in the thrift of a New England seaport whose people from the first have had a pervading turn towards com- merce and trade, he acquired that exactness in accounts for which he was so remarkable. But no general literary interest surrounded his bringing up ; and most of his life, before the devolution, had been spent in out-door occupations. He eminently deserves a place among self-educated men. Colonel Pickering — whose testimony to the point, as a member of his military family and in subsequent official stations of the closest intimacy, and as a constant corre- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 101 spondent, is perfectly decisive — shows, in the foregoing extracts, with what perseverance and patient industry, in the midst of crowded cares, through the war and his administration of the Government, Washington studied to rectify his style, until it became in perfect harmony with his character, correct, clear, unaffected, dignified, and worthy of his great position. It further appears from Pickering's statements that, in preparing documents to be issued under his signature, Washington had no other thought than of the public good. He had no ambition to gain credit to himself as a writer. He had no attachment to his own forms of expression or mode of presenting a subject. He had, in short, no pride of authorship. He composed the writing, in hand, according to his own best judgment ; but, diffi- dent of his ability and skill in such matters, if the paper was of sufficient importance, he submitted his draught to others for examination, revision, and improvement ; and, after it had received the benefit of their suggestions and criticisms, he carefully rewrote it. His habitual love of exactness, and desire to do every thing with pro- priet}', led him to adopt this course, even in much of his personal and private correspondence. When, at any juncture, time was not allowed to write himself, he called upon his Secretaries, or officers of his staff, to compose the paper, in the first instance ; and if upon a careful perusal it was found suitable, he adopted it, copying it, if possible, into his own handwriting, and gave it his signature. He thus assumed and identified himself with it, as an act of propriety or courtesy to the party addressed, and to give it autliority, without the least idea of there being any literary pretensions whatever about it. 102 LITE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. When the subject and purpose of the paper were of great moment, and could be leisurely prepared, he often asked the members of the cabinet and others, each to make a full original draught. Collecting and comparing them, and making such additions, omissions, or varia- tions of any kind as he might deem desirable, he would frame out of them, in his own handwriting, the final document. He took all this pains from that conscien- tious gense of duty, which governed him in all things. In preparing General Orders for the Army, or Speeches to Congress, or public xlddresses, there was no vanity or conceit of his own to be gratified, but a sole desire to have it done, in the best attainable manner, whoever did it, or aided in doing it. It is entirely an error that has grown up among the people, not entertained at all by Washington or John Adams, to attach importance to the mere authorship of public papers. The only legitimate merit they can have, is clearness, simplicity, and accuracy, in conveying . the designed facts and sentiments. If public men should all, and always, act upon this view, and — instead of seeking to gain a sort of literary credit to their speeches and reports, by making them the occasions of mere fine writing, and of a personal display of learn- ing, ornamentation, or flourishes of rhetoric — use language, as Washington did, solely as the means of conveying truth and knowledge, the afi'airs of state would feel the benefit. The statements in Colonel Pickering's letters to Richard Peters written in 1811, taken in connection with what is found in the " Writings " of Washington, and the " Works " of Hamilton, published many years LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 103 afterwards, afford, at last, the means required for the solution of the question of the authorship of the Fare- well Address of Washington to the people of the United States, in the last year of his Presidency, published, September 17th, 1796 It appears that Colonel Pickering, who had uncom- mon critical acumen, and was particularly qualified to give an opinion on the point, was strongly convinced that Washington was its author almost wholly ; and after it became known that it had been found in Hamilton's handwriting, among the papers of that distinguished person, Pickering still maintained that Washington had incorporated his own labors in the document, to a large extent, making a " variety of alterations to render it conformable to his ow^n views and feelings." The facts, as now known, are as follows, Washington designed to withdraw from public life at the close of his first Presidential term, and, as the period approached, he formed the purpose of making a " Valedictory Ad- dress." He conferred with Madison on the subject, and in a long letter to him, dated May 20th, 1792, enumer- ated and enlarged upon the topics which, he thought, ought to enter into such an address. In compliance with a wish expressed in the letter, Madison prepared a draught suitable, in his view, to the purpose, and com- municated it on the 20th of June, 1792. The state of affairs, and the will of the people, compelled Washing- ton to serve another term ; as the expiration of which drew on, he again turned his thoughts to the subject of a Farewell Address. The correspondence with Madi- son, and the draught then prepared, were before him. 104 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. By referring to them, and using the materials supplied by the experience and reflections of the four intermediate years, he put his views into shape. The following letter is from Hamilton to "Washington, May lOth, 1796. " When last in Philadelphia, you mentioned to me your wish that I should re-dress a certain paper which you had prepared. As it is important that a thing of this kind should he done with great care, and much at leisure, touched and retouched, I submit a wish that, as soon as you have given it the bodi/ you mean it to have, it may be sent to me." Washington writing on the loth of May, says : " I have been favored with your letter of the 10th instant ; and enclose (in its rough state) the paper mentioned therein." He gives Hamilton full power, and expresses his wish that he would exercise it freely, to amend or alter the paper. " Even if you would think it best to throw the whole into a different form, let me request, notwithstanding, that my draught may be returned to me (along with yours), with such amendments and cor- rections, as to render it as perfect as the formation is susceptible of; curtailed, if too verbose ; and relieved of all tautology not necessary to enforce the ideas in the original." '' My wish is that the whole may appear in a plain style ; and be handed to the public in an honest, unafl"ected, simple garb." Hamilton upon receiving the paper, and examining it, concluded that it was best to leave the draught " un- touched and in its fair state,'' and to write the whole over with such amendments, alterations, and correc- tions as he thought were advisable. Having done LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. 105 this, he arranged a meethig with John Jay, whom Washington had requested him to consult on the occa- sion, read over to him the draught he had made, and urged him to offer such suggestions as occurred to him. Mr. Jay gave the subject careful attention, and some slight amendments were made, during the inter- view. On the 30th of July, Hamilton wrote to Wash- ington, enclosing the papers. On the 25th of August, Washington acknowledged their receipt, and expressed his strong approval of Hamilton's draught ; but, wishing some further change to be made, he sent it back ; " knowing," he says, that " after a writing has been out of sight for some time," it may be better amended " than while it is in hand, I send it in conformity thereto, with a request, however, that you would return it as soon as you have carefully re-examined it." There was considerable correspondence, first and last, between them, as to details ; and at its conclusion, Washington drew out the whole document, in his own handwriting, and submitted it to his cabinet, as is stated by Picker- ing. They made some few suggestions and corrections, and the '^ Address " received its final form. Hamilton's draught w^as undoubtedly returned to him, and placed among his papers. A comparison of it with the docu- ment as published by Washington, shows that it under- went considerable change after leaving Hamilton's hands. Such is the history of this celebrated and ever-mem- orable public paper. Light was reflected upon it, in all the stages of its preparation, from the minds of Madison, Hamilton, Jay, and of the heads of the sev- eral departments of the government. When it is considered that it was Washington's own original 106 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. conception, that he wrote its heads to Madison, in the first instance, threw it again into form before sending it to Hamilton, added to and altered Hamilton's draught, copied it, over and over again, with his own hand, keep- ing it under his controlling judgment all along, and revising it with his ow^n pen to the last, it cannot be a question that he is fully entitled to the character of its author. All writers are indebted to others. The value of a w^ork, generally, arises from the extent to which the wisdom and knowledge of previous authori- ties have contributed to its production. Other authors draw upon the works of the dead. Washington invoked the aid of the living. As has been stated, from w^hatever sources aid was * ft contributed in framing them, or however much they may have been revised, it was Washington's custom to have the final draught of any public document, signed by him, in his own handwriting. The inquiry was put to Colonel Pickering, how this fact was ascertained as to the Farewell Address. He replied that " it was incontestably General Washington's handwriting," which " was familiarly known " to him, as he says, " from the year 1777, when I joined the army under his immediate command, to the last year of his life, espe- cially in my official intercourse and correspondence with him for above fifteen years. During different portions of that period, I had also many original letters from the General, arising from my correspondence with him, chiefly in relation to public affairs, yet not official, and which therefore remain with me. The uniformity of General Washington's handwriting is so remarkable, that anv one, accustomed to notice various hand writ- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 107 ings, would, after attentively viewing one specimen, be able, without hesitation, to certify the identity of every other." As to the subject of this chapter generally, the writer may be permitted to say, that from no sources whatever has he derived so much to heighten his opinion of the character of Washins^ton as from the conversations of Colonel Pickering. All who enjoyed his intimacy, and listened to the stories and anecdotes with which his memorv was full, and which he related with inimitable accuracy and force of expression, will concur in this statement. Among the revolutionary reminiscences, often heard from his own lips, was the following, which may properly close this inquisition into his real estimate of the Father of our Countrv. In one of his letters to Judge Peters, Colonel Picker- ing says : — * ** You mention the General's equanimity under the severest embarrassments and disasters. In this I entirely concur. But I once saw him overcome by great good news.'" He goes on to describe the occasion to Peters ; but I prefer to give it as he related it to me, with much more detail. I The cabal in the army against Washington, which has been mentioned in this chapter, embraced many officers, and is understood to have had a considerable ' support among members of Congress. It never will be known how far it had spread ; but, for some time, it i had been extending its influence, and had become quite seriously formidable. After the unfortunate battles of Brandywine and Germantown, it acquired much strength, and those engaged in^ it began to speak out freely, and ]08 T^IFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. were confident of success. The officer who had been generally thought of to supplant Washington, was, as has been stated, Horatio Gates, then in command of the Northern Army. He had seen much service, and was possessed of many attractive qualities. At the very moment when this intrigue had reached its head, and was about to break out — when, in fact, its managers had begun to speak and act openly — a rumor was found circulating in camp and at head-quar- ters, that Gates had won a brilliant and decisive victory. It could not be traced to any source, and how it got into currency was never explained. Perhaps it orig- inated among the cabal, the wish alone being father to the thought. Days passed without any intelligence whatever to sustain or contradict it. Of course, a state of intense excitement was created. All were anxiously awaiting information. In the mean time, the sentiment was freely and widely expressed, that, if con- firmed, it would be fatal to Washington, his days as Commander in-Chief be numbered, and Gates carried by an irresistible enthusiasm to the head of the army. The recently and repeatedly defeated General would have to give way to the triumphant one. Washington was fully acquainted with this state of things, and with what it was thought would be the consequence to him- self, if the rumor should be found to be true. At this very crisis, one afternoon. Colonel Pickering was with him for the transaction of business. Colonel William Palfrey, the Paymaster-General of the army, grandfather of John Gorham Palfrey, was also present. The General's quarters were in a house on the Ship- pack road, eighteen or twenty miles from Philadelphia. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 109 After business was despatched, the General inqmred as to the rumor, and some conversation was had in refer- ence to it. The road led southwardly, to York in Pennsylvania, where Congress was then in session ; and was open to view from the General's windows, for a considerable distance towards the north. A horseman was seen coming from that direction. They watched his approach with eager interest. Soon it was noticed that he had the appearance of an express-rider. Pal- frey was requested to go out and accost him. He did so, and found him bearing a despatch to Congress. Knowing the superscription to be in the handwriting of one of his deputies, Jonathan Trumbull, then at Albany or its neighborhood, he took the document from the express-man to show it to the General. The rider told him the news. Meeting Pickering on his way, he communicated to him the information. They went into the General's room together. Colonel Palfrey drew out the end of an envelope, and then the letter, handing it to the General. Not a word was spoken. Washington unfolded the document, and proceeded to read it aloud, Pickering and Palfrey watching his expression. As he read, his voice began to falter, his articulation became slow, and broke under the intensity of his feel- ings ; as it became apparent that the letter was announc- ing the surrender of Burgoyne and his entire army, he could read no more, but passed it to Colonel Palfrey, signifying that he wished him to finish it, which he did, aloud. As he concluded, Washington lifted his coun- tenance and his hands towards Heaven, and was lost in a rapture of adoring gratitude. He demonstrated a mind incapable of envy or self- 110 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. ishness ; transported with joy at a victory the honor of which would be another's, and its effect perhaps fatal to his own personal ascendancy and fame, but which gave earnest of the success of the great cause. Colonel Pickering used to say, in relating this scene, that the spectacle was truly sublime. He beheld humanity in its noblest grandeur, — a man to whom self was nothing, his country every thing. The image and personification of a Patriot was transfigured before him. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEKING. HI I CHAPTER IV. Colonel Pickering and the Tories of the Revolution. 1775-1783. Public controversies, if long continued, especially if they assume the form of a contest of physical force and open war, engender hatred, revenge, and all evil ani- mosities. Such effects were particularly likely to flow from the strifes that resulted in the separation from Great Britain of her American Colonies, embittered as they were through a series of years, first in the realm of argument, and then on fields of battle. Before closing the review of Colonel Pickering's Revolutionary career, the question deserves to be considered, How he was affected by these influences ? It is quite certain, as has been shown, that for years before the war broke out he was under a deep conviction that such an issue was impending. Hence his extraor- dinary activity and constant efforts to prepare for it, by turning the attention of the people, by all means in his power, to the necessity of putting themselves into a state of readiness for the maintenance of their rights in arms. Hence his laborious drilling of his townsmen and their neighbors, in organized companies, and the preparation, at a great cost of time, patience, and ex- pense, of a thoroughly digested and fully illustrated text-book on the military art, for general use in his own and the other colonies. While he thus foresaw and 112 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. was endeavoring to promote a general readiness to meet the conflict, he lamented its necessity, and regarded all the provocations leading to it with profound regret. The sentiments in which he had been educated, his most cherished associations, professional and personal prospects, all family ties, affections, and interests, led him to be averse to revolutionary convulsions. His young wife was an Englishwoman. His venerated father, although in most traits of his character a Puritan of the sternest stamp, was penetrated to his inmost soul with a loyalty to the throne which could not be eradi- cated ; while feeling that the people of the Colonies had much to complain of, he abhorred the thought of rebellion, and was regarded as a Tory to the last. Some of his sisters lamented the course he took in resisting the power of Great Britain. Many of his dearest friends espoused the royal cause. Through life he had a natural repugance to agitations of all sorts. It may be said with literal truth, that every private consideration, every personal taste and predilection, every domestic and social influence, conspired in holding him back from insurgent measures. But he had studied the subject carefully and thoroughly ; and his judgment had become Avholly convinced that opposition to the policy of the mother country, and to the measures of its administra- tion, was a duty to which America was then called, and if not resolutely and persistently made, all would be lost. He knew that such opposition, sooner or later, would have to assume the form of forcible resistance ; and his purpose was early fixed, at every sacrifice of feeling and interest, to bear his part in it when the day of trial should come. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. llo While he fastened with his regiment to the field, when the conflict in arms had commenced at Lexington and Concord, and was ready to follow up the work of that day by further bold and decisive measures, he resfretted that hostilities had occurred and the Rubicon been passed so soon. Giving himself forthwith with such entire devotion to the cause ; abandoning every thing else ; raising a new regiment, and marching it in the dead of winter, at the darkest hour of the war, to the support of almost a forlorn hope in the Jerseys : standing by the side of Washington in council and in combat at the highest post of his personal stafl*; and conducting the most arduous, complicated, and moment- ous department of the army ; providing and directing the whole machinery for the maintenance, subsistence, and movements of the troops, — -his heart still and ever longed for peace, and he indulged throughout, at every stage of the protracted conflict, an illusive confidence that its end was at hand. His prayer was continually ofl'ered up that the horrors and hatreds of the desperate and unnatural strife might speedily cease. W^hile cherishing these sentiments, it was natural and easy for him to preserve throughout a generous and liberal spirit towards his opponents. He sought to temper belligerent passions by all expressions and offices of charity, kindness, and good-will ; and to divest the war, as far as possible, of violence, harshness, and intol- erance. His correspondence with Andrew Oliver when the controversy was approaching the point at which the sword was to be drawn, and with friends and acquaint- ances who had espoused the royal cause, at every stage of the war, show that his feelings remained kindly and Vol. II. 8 114 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. charitable towards them all. He condemned and abhorred mob outrages, and rough usages practised upon the persons of Tories. This spirit towards those opposed to him on the great issue put to the arbitrament of arms between the Colonies and the mother country is especially illustrated by fhe course he took in reference to one point of public policy in that crisis. He condemned the legislation adopted in several of the States, resulting in the forcible exile of Tories and the confiscation of their estates, and the indis- criminate and sweeping manner in which these measures were generally carried out. This severity of procedure, while it was deemed, in the judgment of those who con- trolled the movements of the patriots, to be indispensable, was regretted at the time by others, friends of the Kevolutionary cause ; and its wisdom and necessity have been open questions ever since. Considerations that noAV force themselves upon the attention of thinking men are preparing the public mind to come to a decisive judgment on the point. Looking back, after the lapse of a century, when all the passions of that period have passed away, and in the light of subsequent events, by which the consequences of such a policy have become visible, — with a view fully comprehending the lessons taught in that Revolution, and in convulsions that have occurred in other nations, — it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that it was as contrary to wise statesman- ship as to humanity. Besides having caused much suf- fering to individuals, and subjected whole families to ruin, and a considerable portion of the community to severe distress, at the time and ever afterwards, it operated most unfavorably upon the general welfare, and became LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 115 the source of evils and mischiefs which still embarrass public affairs, retarding the union, and threatening to prevent permanently the harmony, of the great English race on the North American Continent. Sequestration of the estates of particular prominent individuals who were known to have encouraged the British ministry in its obnoxious measures, or who early, and w^ithout personal provocation, had drawn their swords in the Koyal cause, would have left little room for com- plaint, and been what all might have expected ; but beyond this it was not necessary to have gone. In public distractions vengeful penalties should not be inflicted upon great multitudes of persons. Especially ought they not to be imposed upon whole classes w^ho, from an honest difl'erence of opinion or theory, fail to parti- cipate in particular demonstrations. Every one was treated as a public enemy who did not instantly and earnestly take an active part on the popu- lar side. None were suffered to suo:2:est a doubt as to the right and duty of resistance to the mother country, or to hint a misgiving as to the successful results of that resistance. Large numbers in all conditions of life, averse from constitutional temperament to civil tu- mult, begged to be allowed to stand aloof from the con- test in silent inaction. Of this class there Vvas pro- bably an equal number of sympathizers with both sides, who would thus have balanced and neutral- ized each other. But not being suffered to remain passive and quiet, nearly the whole of them were finally turned against the country. They either left it or were driven out. With as deep interest in their native land as their neighbors, and hearts attached to it by the 116 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. strongest ties, merely because they had honest doubts of the wisdom or success of the movement, they were exiled from it for ever. There w^as another description of persons who claimed the right, as British born men, of freedom of thought and of speech, and, in the exercise of that right, to express to their neighbors, acquaintances, and fellows-citizens their opinions w^ithout molestation. If overruled, and while overruled, by a majority of their countrymen, they claimed the right, usually conceded to a political opposition, to still argue and discuss public measures, without forfeiting their positions as members of the community. Adverse as were their judgment and feelings, at that time, to a war with Great Britain, and continuing freely, but temperately, to utter their sentiments to that effect, they not only remonstrated against being cut off' from the body-politic, but insisted, on the contrary, that they should be numbered with their fellow-citizens, and allowed to share their lot ; and, if in spite of their dissent, and persistence in dissuad- ing and trying to prevent a rupture with the mother country, such an event should take place, they claimed to be reckoned as participants in the common fate, and bear the burdens and liabilities incident to it, to be in- cluded and reckoned, equally with others, in all assess- ments and contributions, imposed or called for by the local authorities, — in a word, to be taxed, counted in levies, pecuniary or personal, and, in all respects, subject to the same treatment as the rest of their countrymen. No heed was given to such claims, petitions, and re- monstrances. An inexorable ostracism took effect upon almost every one who did not openly and actively par- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 117 ticipate in the popular movement. Dissenters and doubters were indiscriminately held up to odium, and in great numbers stripped of their estates, and conse- quently driven from the country. This procedure against what were called Tories was, it is probable, wholly unnecessary. Their relative pro- portion to the patriotic party was so small that they could have been kept under restraint. The inevitable influence of local enthusiasm, and of the laws which affect the social condition of men, w^ould have thinned their ranks from day to day. The surrender of Burgoyne, with his army, would have taken away the ground upon w^hich most of them stood, which was an honest appre- hension that resistance to Great Britain was impracti- cable, rash, and sure in its failure to entail upon the Colonies a more abject and hopeless subjugation than ever before to the mother country. From that hour unanimity would have pervaded the entire people. x\ll would have been drawn to the support of the Revolu- tionary cause, or, if here and there opposition had con- tinued to be shown, it would have been of no account. The harsh treatment of citizens opposed to, or not prepared for, the Revolution was not only unnecessary, but produced evil effects upon the progress of the con- test. The country lost much, at the time, in population, wealth, talent, energy, and enterprise. Families of the highest respectability, men of education, intelligence, and worth, many of them engaged in branches of in- dustry and trade, most promotive of the general pros- perity, were either forcibly exiled, or led by actual or threatened violence to fly to other lands. Some went to the Canadas or the West Indies ; some to Holland, 118 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. France, or other parts of Europe ; and many to the mother country. Large numbers — exasperated by what they regarded as personal wrongs, rendered reckless by the confiscation of their property, and feeling them- selves wholly absolved from allegiance to a country which, by its own act, had rendered them aliens, and compelled them, as the only possible means of recover- ing their estates and rights, into the attitude of belliger- ents — took up arms as British subjects under the royal banner. The question of disputed allegiance — whether to their native Colonies or their native Sovereign — was forcibly settled against the former, and all that was left was to render it to the latter. It must be conceded not only as a right, but as a necessity, of every man, to have a country ; and not being suffered to remain Americans, their only alternative was to be Britons. Regiments, composed entirely of expatriated Tories, called Royal Refugees or Loyal Americans, constituted an efficient portion of the British army. Consisting, for the most part, of superior materials, actuated by a per- vading resentment of deeply felt individual ill-usage, and fighting under circumstances that made them desperate, they inflicted more damage, in battles and raids, than all the German mercenaries employed on that side. The highest element of statesmanship is a forecast of the remote and ultimate consequences of public measures. The expulsion of the Tories has been found to be the greatest and m.ost mischievous political blunder in Ameri- can history. Permanent, perhaps interminable, injury to the American Republic has resulted. Families and indi- viduals — embracing large numbers, not only of eminent persons of the highest culture and social position, but LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 119 every variety of useful industrial pursuits belonging to the middling classes, particularly mechanics and agri- culturists — were driven to the Canadian and Eastern British Provinces, raising them at once into formidable, and infusing into them a spirit that has rendered them, to a great extent, unfriendly, neighbors. A considerable portion went to Canada, some of whom filled, for the rest of their days, high stations there, and all imparting naturally a hostile feeling, more or less bitter and endur- ing, against the United States. The chief evil, in this point of view, resulting from the expatriating policy of the American Kevolutionary governments, is that it maybe said to have brought into existence the present Eastern British Provinces. There was already, it is true, within their limits, a scattered and thin population, — consisting, besides descendants of the original French settlers, of Xew-Englanders drawn there to occupy the fine alluvial lands from which the Acadians had been forcibly transported ; of some small Colonies that had emigrated before the Revolution, mostly from Massachusetts and Xew Hampshire, and settled at Woodstock, and a few places lower down on the banks and at the mouth of the Piver St. John, at Truro, Yarmouth, and near several other of the fine harbors on the Nova Scotia shore, with here and there an emigrant from England, Scotland, or Ireland. If left to themselves, the sympathies of most of these people would have been with the United States. The flood of exiles poured into that country at the time of the Pevolution changed its political character at once. Its people became intensely imbued with loyalty to Great Britain and with the most unfriendly 120 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. feelings towards the United States ; and the stamp, then and thus given them, appears to this day. A thorn was phmted in our side, which has been felt in every crisis of our country. In the Revolutionary war, the elements of strength and the provocations to hatred im- parted by the great mass of refugee Tories, made all attempts to induce them to take the American side, or to subjugate them, fruitless and inglorious. In the war of 1812, the whole power of the United States was thrown upon. Canada in vain; and, at its close, the British flag was floating at many points within the boundaries of the Eastern States. In the recent struggle for the preservation of the American Union and the life of the Kepublic, all know what was suffered from the sympathy, in various effective expressions, of those Provinces in behalf of the insurgent States, partly, no doubt, from the ancient grudge, as well as from interested motives. It may always be expected that a sinister influence upon the affairs of the United States will be felt from that quarter whenever engaged in an intestine or foreign war. In a war with Great Britain, the United States will be put to an incalculable disadvantage. If it had not been for the peopling of the British Provinces by the exile of the Tories to them, consequent upon the sweeping confiscation of their estates, the acknowledgment of American Independence would prob- ably have been made much earlier, and the northern boundaries of the United States much more favorably adjusted. They might have followed the River and Gulf of St. Law^rence to the Northern Ocean. If the Eastern Provinces had not been so largely LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEEING. l2l peopled by American exiles, and by that means rendered so considerable ; if they had merely possessed the popu- lation prior to the advent of the Tory Eefugees, — they would probably have been surrendered as willingly as the Western posts with the vast territories beyond and around them, and have becoaie part and parcel of the United States by the Treaty of Independence. But the English government felt constrained by humanity and honor to provide for the security of those who had sacri- ficed every thing in their allegiance to it, and to keep extended over them the protecting folds of the flag to which they had proved so true. If the expulsion of the Tories, with its attendant feat- ures and circumstances, thus to any considerable degree strengthened the foundations on which the present Brit- ish North American Provinces stand, as a permanent nation, with prejudices and traditional sentiments, by the power of which they are and will be prevented from coming into the American Union, it must be lamented and condemned by every wise and patriotic mind on both sides of the border, and by the friends of civilization, human welfare, and peace everywhere. The entire continent north of the American Republic is, at length, under the name of the Dominion of Canada, consolidated into a distinct, compact nationality. To all intents and purposes, it is to the United States a foreign and rival power. Embracing the coast from Eastport around the Bay of Fundy to Cape Sable, and the whole North Atlantic shore, with adjacent islands, to the Pole ; crossing the continent on a line extending from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, including the navigable part of the great river of that name, and then running through its 122 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. centre to the Gieat Lakes and bisecting them ; termi- nating at the Pacific, — it comprehends half of North America, and has many of the elements of an empire : impregnable citadels at Halifax and Quebec ; vast and, in many respects, unparalleled resources of internal and agricultural wealth, — peltry, lumber, and mines ; large regions of most productive soil ; and the best fishing grounds of the globe. Its climate, indeed, is for the most part severe, but adapted to produce a hardy and energetic race of men, physically and intellectually. It is to be regarded, notwithstanding the wonderful growth and greatness of the United States, as a formida- ble power, and arms the Imperial Government of Great Britain, in case of a collision between the two countries, with a fearful advantage. Too large a part of the English-speaking branch of the human family is thus placed in dangerous antagonism to that portion of it within the United States. The burdens imposed upon the governments on both sides, with a dividing boundary of many thousands of miles, spanning the greatest width of the continent, to be guarded at every point, by sea and land, with navies and armies ; the waste of uncounted millions in main- taining a double floating or stationary revenue service, on all the immeasurable shores of rivers and lakes, and along invisible lines in thinly settled regions, or through vast wildernesses ; the loss incurred by both sides, in consequence of ingenious, daring, organized, and, to a great extent, uncontrollable smuggling, everywhere in operation, — these are among the items that help us to estimate the mischiefs arising from two nationalities where there ought to be, and need be, but one. To LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 123 them are to be added annoyances to travellers from espionage and search, from currencies of different values and the thousand ways in which the channels of business and intercourses of life are embarrassed and obstructed ; the incubus everywhere pressing upon enterprise, checking the outlay of capital, clogging the transfer and handling of property, personal and real ; and liability to retaliatory and overreaching legis- lation, to misunderstandings, and to war. The con- clusion, upon a view of the whole subject, cannot be avoided, that this is a state of things to be deprecated, in the highest degree, and ought not ahvays to be suf- fered. It is for wase, patriotic, philanthropic, and cou- rageous statesmen at London, Ottawa, and Washington, to bring it to an end. I The hope is cherished, and the vision indulged by thoughtful and benevolent minds, that the problem of an Utopia will at length be solved on this continent ; that local government by States, and a union of them all, will make one people over its entire surface ; that, under representative institutions, liberty and right will everywhere be secured ; and the idea of an undivided, harmonious, and prosperous Republic fully and per- manently realized throughout the length and breadth of North America ; to be copied, ultimately, in all the other quarters of the world ; and the whole human race be rescued from oppressions, and established in peaceful freedom./ From the landing of the first European colonists, at Plymouth and elsewhere, the process towards this grand result seems to have been steadily going on, — sub- ject, of course, to obstructions from ordinary causes. 124 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. often thrown for a time from the track, and turned back by the errors, foUies, and passions which mislead, more or less, all persons and all societies of men. There has, however, in addition, been one impediment which, in a special manner, has embarrassed the expansion of that political system, — in its great element of self-govern- ment suggested in the cabin of the " Mayflower," — and which the independence on foreign or outside inter- ference, secured to the old thirteen States bv the result of the American E.e volution, practically established on a large scale. An adverse power has been in constant contact with it, along its confines, checking its growth, — a frequent assailant and a perpetual menace. The Colonies, in their infancy, were overshadowed by a dark cloud gathering above the wilderness behind them along the whole line of their settlements on the sea-shore. It was constantly bursting upon them, in Indian massacres, the devastation of their fields, and con- flagration of their habitations. The power of France, leagued with and inciting aboriginal hostilities, was gradually drawn around them from the Kennebec to the Mississippi. For more than a hundred years the English Colonies were thus threatened with destruction. Defence against this danger consum-ed their resources, drained their population, burdened them with exhaust- ing taxation, and paralyzed their progressive energies. The conquest of Canada by Great Britain, at last re- moved this obstacle to their growth, and the continent was open to their occupancy and expansion, without a foreign possessor, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Florida to the Pole. But in a few short years the evil was strangely renewed, LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 125 continues to this day, and threatens to embarrass the relations of government, and impede the free and full development of civilization, prosperity, and harmony, over North America, for indefinite years to come. A foreign power is intrenched, stronger than ever before, along the entire northern boundary of the United States. No more remarkable results have ever occurred, in the game of nations, than have followed from the cession of Canada to Great Britain, in 1760, and the American Revolution, breaking out fifteen years afterwards. The first event secured to England her American Colonies. The second event, growing out of the first, snatched all those Colonies for ever out of her hands. The people of those Colonies, in 1760, rejoiced with wdld enthusiasm that no foreign power w^as left to interrupt their devel- opment or harass their borders ; that the continent w^as all their own. They came out triumphant from their War of Independence, in 1783, but again to find a foreign power occupying the former possessions of Frartce, ex- tending along the same line from ocean to ocean, ruling over the greatest breadth of the continent ; and this power they had themselves, to a great extent, called into being. They had infused into it a new and stronger life, by driv- ing multitudes of their own citizens into it, thereby giving an impulse that has continued for a century to control and advance it, until it has become almost a sovereignty in itself ; and no man can tell what inconveniences and evils may arise in the future from collisions between two portions of the same race, thus unnecessarily divided against itself. If this partition of the continent could be obliterated, and all North America come under the folds of one flag, 126 LIFE OF TIMOTHY nCKERIXG. the glory and beneficence of the Great Republic of the New World would be complete. With no boundary line to guard, and all interior revenue expenses on both sides extinguished ; with no armaments on lake or river, no citadels, fortresses, garrisons, or custom-houses to be maintained ; every impediment of intercourse, traffic, and combined enterprise removed ; one uniform cur- rency and postal system, — what a spectacle of social prosperity would be presented to mankind ! The bur- dens of o^overnment would be almost whollv thrown^ off; and perpetual peace, among ourselves and with other nations, the crowning result. Domestic admin- istration and foreign relations would at once be reduced to simplicity, without any permanent obstruction or liability to be disturbed. This consummation must at last be reached ; and whatever has tended to prevent and delay it will, more and more, as the happy era approaches, be regarded as a great public and national calamity, and condemned as such by all statesmen and philanthropists. The policy of the Revolutionary governments, in the wholesale and violent expatriation of their own people, during the War of Independence, thus imparting life and strength to a foreign power, extending all along the northern and eastern borders of the United States, and infusing into it a spirit of alienation and resentment, will be regarded in its just light, as most unwise, shortsighted, and pernicious. Colonel Pickering condemned, from the beginning to the end, the extent to which this policy was carried ; the sw^eeping confiscation of estates, the violent treat- ment of persons called Tories, and all the angry and LIEE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 127 bitter passions that led to such measures and proceed- ings. As his service during the war was wholly outside of legislative halls, his views on the subject can only be found in looking over his private correspondence, from which it appears that he did all in his power to allay the animosities of the contest, and took constant pains to preserve the relations of personal friendship with those taking opposite sides. One document, however, has been preserved among his papers which presents his sentiments so fully, and in a style so characteristic, that it will be here given in full. During his whole life an earnest and anxious solici- tude for the welfare and honor of the country prompted him to take up his pen, not only in correspondence with prominent persons, but in communications to the public press. Many of his ablest and most elaborate productions of the latter description were anonymous, and their authorship at the time unknown, but are iden- tified by the handwriting and otherwise. In the vast mass of his manuscripts is one signed " Spectator," dated August 8th, 1784, and directed "to the Printer of the New York Packet." The circumstances that led him to compose and pub- lish this article were as follows. At the close of the war, the head-quarters of his department — which, as has been stated, continued in operation for some years — were at Xewburgh. They were removed for a while, after the evacuation of New York, to that city ; and, at its final winding up, were at Philadelphia. An association had been formed in New York, called the " Whig Society," of which, during his temporary residence in that city. Colonel Pickering was elected a member. Its 128 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEKING. meetings were held every Monday evening. The term " Whig " had then no such import as in subsequent party poHtics. It embraced the whole people of the country who had espoused the cause of the Revolution, and was used in contradistinction to " Tory," applied to all who had sympathized with the mother country. The design of the society, probably, was to keep alive the patriotic enthusiasm, in a civic form, after the mil- itary conflict was over, and to discuss, in that spirit, all public measures and questions, as they might rise from time to time. It was based upon a written agreement, signed by the members who formed it, in which they set forth their object to be " the advancement of liter- ature, agriculture, manufactures, and commerce.'' It was laid dow^n, how^ever, as a fundamental rule that " no person shall be admitted a member who had not supported a decided and unequivocal character, as a steady patriot, throughout the controversy between these United States and Great Britain." The existence of such a society was a natural effect of the conflict by w^hich the country had just been con- vulsed, and of a sense of the new and momentous career upon which the American Republic had entered, when clothed with sovereign power and entire national inde- pendence. A profound, even morbid, interest pervaded the popular mind, on all yjublic, especially political, questions. It w^as everywhere felt that the country had embarked on an untraversed and unknow^n sea. Hence arose earnest discussions of all topics relating to the gen- eral weal ; and every conceivable theory and scheme of administration was freely broached and vehemently urged. In the mean while, a nervous apprehension LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 129 prevailed — as shown in the "fundamental rule" of the Whig Society, and appearing in others of its regula- tions — of a danger since found to be entirely fanciful. Public enemies, or foreign powers, getting possession of the government was one of the bugbears of the day. This feeling was wide-spread, shaped the policy of parties, and was not without so far controlling the gen- eral mind as to leave its impression on some features of the Constitution of the United States. It was par- ticularly prevalent in New York. From an early period of the war that city had been in the undisturbed possession of the British, the Royal head- quarters in America, and the great point of com- munication between all the dominions of that crown on this side of the Atlantic. Large armies and fleets had been constantly stationed there. Great activity and pros- perity accrued to its commerce and industry in every form. It followed, as a matter of course, indeed neces- sarily, that its business interests were to a great extent brought into attachment to that side in the prolonged con- test. Those Whigs whose patriotic sensibilities could not brook acquiescence in E,oyal rule left the place, as they could get away, from time to time. But there were manv, undoubtedly, whose hearts were with the Revolutionary cause, to whom removal would have been ruinous, or attended wdth extreme difficulties, or abso- lutely impossible, and who remained in reluctant silence. The bulk of active inhabitants became, or had to appear to be, friends of the mother country. When the war terminated, great numbers of those who had prominently espoused the Loyal cause, em- barked with the evacuating British forces, many of them, Vol II. 9 130 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. like the De Lanceys, Bayards, and Eobinsons, going to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and contributing to build up those Provinces. A large portion of the pop- ulation, however, remained. Those Whigs, who had for long years suffered in silence under, to them, an odious military rule in the city and its neighborhood, at once avowed themselves and rejoiced in their deliv- erance. Such as had found refuse elsewhere came back, and others flocked in from various quarters. Those classes who had sufl'ered exile from their homes during: the war, on account of their adherence to the popular cause, particularly such as had been fighting for liberty and independence, on their return felt more or less irri- tation and resentment towards persons who had remained in the city, many of whom had been enjoying profitable and intimate relations with the defeated enemies of the country. This feeling went so far, that it was proposed to expel by law from the country all who were obnoxious to the charge of not having espoused or sympathized with the Patriotic party, during the war. The execution of such a policy, after peace had been fully established, would have been truly barbarous, most injurious to the interests, and fatal to the honor, of the country throughout the civilized world in all future time. But the passions of the people ran so strong in that direction, that it re- quired all the exertions of wise and enlightened leading men to stem the tide and avert the measure. At this crisis Alexander Hamilton came out, with all the power of eloquence and remonstrance, in his celebrated Public Letters signed " Phocion," among the ablest of the writings of that great lawyer and statesman. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 131 The meditated outrage shocked the judgment and sentiments of Timothy Pickering. Residing at the time in New York he witnessed the fanatical violence of the popular passions, and having been a member of the " Whig Society," probably felt particularly called upon to utter his protest ; and the following paper was the result. It would be difficult to find, in the whole range of political controversy, a more forcible argument or a nobler outburst of patriotic feiTor. It bears through- out the impress of his style, in diction and thought, — plain, condensed, energetic, and bold. It is an honor- able monument of his abilitv, liberalitv. and wisdom. It is given entire, as an important item in the public his- tory of the country, and in the biography of its author. The passage printed in Italics, in the first paragraph, shows how deeply he disapproved the course some of the States had pursued during the war, in exiling alleged Tories, and how clearly he foresaw the perma- nent evils resulting from it. " To the man who, during our eight years' distressing war, had suffered in the common calamities of his country, the day of peace restored was a day of jubilee. And in him who had' no personal resentments to gratify, all the angry passions, which are roused in such tempestuous seasons, at once subsided. To offer an insult to a vanquished enemy appeared dishonorable. To trample on their disappointed and mortified adherents evidenced, not the magnanimity of free- men, but the fierce, unquiet spirit of revenge'. To a man of such sentiments the hasty and intemperate measures of the too-zealous Whigs were sources of extreme regret. He felt for their honor, for his own, and for the honor of the na- tion. IriBtances of such intemperance at first appeared in most of the States ; and^ unfortunately^ continued too long 132 UFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. for our interest and reputation. We ^^w5?/s7i^f? our oivn shame ; and it has been repid)Ushed in Eurojoe ; and impartial History Av ill hand it doivn to posterity. The false steps we have taken we cannot tread back again. The vestiges will re- main to the most distant age. But though we cannot wipe out the stain from our national character, yet it is in our power to prevent its receiving a deeper dye, by a repetition or increase of violence and outrage. " I am led to make these remarks by the conduct of some of the Whig citizens of your State. They avow themselves to be the only supporters of liberty, — the only men of politi- cal integrity among you ; and yet, in their measures with the Tories, they would violate every principle of liberty and national faith. For this inconsistency of Whigs ; for this renunciation of the fundamental principles of the Revolu- tion ; for this disregard to national engagements, — there must exist some powerful motives ; but, in the nature of things, they must be motives which mark the subjects of them with dishonor. They are motives which the Whigs would be ashamed explicitly to acknowledge ; and yet such alone appear to their dispassionate neighbors to regulate their con- duct. These motives are but too evidently those of inter- est, ambition, or revenge ; for the suggestion that the few Tories remaining in the State will endanger its liberties, by their corrupting the body of the people and assuming the reins of government, is manifestly but a pretext to cover the operation of the dangerous passions now mentioned. '^ But whose interest will be promoted by the expulsion of the Tories? Will the interest of the numerous farmers of the State, who compose the great body of the people, be advanced ? Will the produce of their lands rise in value by a reduction of the numbers and wealth of purchasers ? And can they buy foreign goods cheaper, when the number of im- porters shall be lessened ? Do your farmers and mechanics think their great market, the city of New York, was formerly too much crowded with inhabitants ? After such multitudes have left it, are the citizens still too numerous ? Will the mechanics and farmers get more for their labor and produce, when the demands for them are still further lessened? LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEEING. 133 Whose interests, then, will be advanced, if the violent meas- ures in agitation succeed ? I answer, the interest of the few Whigs who can exclusively hold the few lucrative offices in government ; and the interest of that small portion of the whole people who are merchants or traders in the city, and who, by obtaining exclusive privileges in trade, will naturally enhance the prices of imported goods, and lower the prices of country produce. And thus, the interests of the com- munity at large are to be sacrificed to the emoluments of a few. The men whom the legislature are urged to expel are confessedly those who can import foreign goods to most advantage, and consequently afford to sell them cheapest, and, at the same time, their extensive demands must raise the price of country produce. That competition in sales and purchases, which alone can render foreign goods cheap, and raise the value of the native commodities, the warm Whigs are imprudently striving to remove. '' From ambition none of the sons of Adam are exempt. That it influences the measures in question cannot be doubted. The history of all the revolutions in the world are, for the most part, but records of the turbulent ambition of the leaders of parties. On one side, they assume the name of Patriots ; but, haA^ing succeeded, their first acts of government have been stained by an insulting exertion of power, and by every mark of vengeful oppression. The Revo- lution in America, it was hoped, would exhibit a different example to mankind. The justice of our cause, and the magnanimity with which we maintained it, placed us in the foremost rank of fame. Our conduct excited the admiration, and procured us the esteem, of Europe. But our glory is faded, our credit is sunk, and there needs but the addition of perfidy, the breach of national faith, to complete our career of infamy. ••' Who A-isits your city and hears the speeches, who reads the publications of the warm Whigs, without seeing and lamenting how much they are agitated and inflamed by the unsocial passions of envy and revenge ? Many good men are unhappily subject to this fatal influence. That generosity which, in the late contest, was the pecuhar boast of Wliigs 134 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. is now discarded. After viewing, with just abhorrence and indignation, the proud disdain, the insulting triumphs, of Britons over their unfortunate American captives, — now that our enemies are vanquished ; when Britain is humhled ; when her most numerous bigoted adherents are exiled ; and when the residue are submissive to our power, — we disdainfully and insultingly triumph in our turn ! " But, Sir, the violent Whigs in your city are not to cast the die for United America. The national interest and honor are not committed to their hands. If their fatal influence in your public councils should disgrace your State, and cause the memory of the present legislature to be handed down to posterity with reproach, yet the great interests of the other States in the Union will prevent their acquiescing in such destructive measures. " The breach on one side of a single article of the Treaty of Peace gives a right to the other party to annul the whole. Britain stipulated for the protection of a certain class of men, some of Avhom were their adherents, and others merely resided within those parts of the United States which were under the power of the British arms. The United States have solemnly promised that protection. In entering into the Treaty, they have pledged the faith of the nation that no persoji should suffer any future loss or damage^ either in his person^ liberty^ or i^roferty^ on account of the fart he may have taken in the war. By the same treaty, the fisheries, — those great nurs- eries of seamen and sources of wealth, — and an amazing addition of territory, are secured to the United States. Now, is it imagined that the States of New England in particu- lar, to whom the fisheries are essential ; Avithout which they cannot pay for the foreign goods which their necessities demand, nor even for the bread which some of them must receive from the Middle States, — is it imagined, I ask, that the States of New England will sit still, regardless of the vio- lence of a sister State, whose palpable infraction of the Treaty shall provoke Great Britain to drive their fishing vessels from the banks ? Will they tamely acquiesce in outrages which shall thus rob them of that rich inheritance ? Will such a breach of the public faith be submitted to by those other LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 135 States who derive particular accessions of land from the Treaty ? Will the United States, who acquire such immense additions of territory, the rich fur trade, the navigation of the great river Mississippi and of the lakes, — will they suffer these unbounded prospects of wealth and population to be defeated by a single State ? and, with these great interests, yield up their faith and honor as a nation ? Will they suffer a breach of the Treaty, and hazard another Indian war, — a war so easy to be excited by our British neighbors, by which the settlement of the new countries will be prevented and the former settlements laid waste ? And for what must these sacrifices be made ? To advance the interest of a sinorle State ? • No ; a breach of the Treaty will peculiarly injure Kew York. The British are still in possession of the frontier posts and of the fur trade ; and certainly will not yield them up after the State shall have oj^enly violated the Treaty of Peace. For what then do we run such hazards ? To please a handful of intemperate Whigs ; to advance the interests and ambitious views of some, and to gratify the resentments of all, against a handful of Tories. A noble cause, truly, for setting an empire in a flame I '' But there are men among the warmest Whigs whom once I knew, whom once I honored, and whom I yet esteem : I regret their mistaken zeal. They have done much. They have suffered much. They have received provocations. They have sustained injuries. They have acted and borne these things with fortitude and perseverance ; and their country and the world have given them the due tribute of applause. And shall these men, in one desperate moment of revenge, blast their own laurels ? Forbid it, Virtue ! Forbid it. Heaven ! The}' pride themselves (and the pride is just) in the name of WJiigs. But is it a leading principle of Whiggism never to forgive ? Is generosity a virtue ; and shall Whigs spurn it from them ? They profess a reverence for religion ; but if they never /or^iVe, do they hope to he forgiven? In which of these characters would they Avish their memories to be transmitted to posterity ? As merciless and revengeful^ or 3iS generous and humane ? Surely in the latter. For God's sake, then, let them show some reverence for an exalted pre- 136 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. cept of religion and the noblest rule of morality ; let them not dishonor tlie cause of patriotism ; let them not, by a sin- gle action, stain a life of glory ; rather let them voluntarily renounce those measures which must ultimately be unsuccess- ful ; which the neighboring States will never suffer to be exe- cuted with impunity ; which the faith of the United States is pledged to prevent ; and which, if not prevented, would despoil us of our dearest interests, — of our fame, of our credit, of our fisheries, of the fur trade, and of our immense acquired territory. '' I will not trouble you. Sir, with a single observation on the construction of the Treaty. It is intelligible to all men who, instead of hunting for evasions, search for its true mean- ing. But if it were obscure (and the advocates for expelling the Tories have attempted to find or throw mists about it), the reasonings and illustrations of ' Phocion ' have placed it in so conspicuous a point of light, that he must be blinded by interest or passion, who does not see that the perfect security of the unprosecuted Tories was intended. If ' Phocion's ' rea- soning be fallacious, why have not his opponents detected his sophistry ? If their cause be the cause of truth and justice, why has it not been supported ? Have truth and justice not one advocate who can write ? The supporters of truth have infinitely the advantage over error and deceit. And yet, while ' Phocion's ' letters please and convince, the writings of his opponents scarcely offer the semblance of argument. The performances of the latter will never be reviewed. Like insects in summer, they scarcely live out the day ; but ' Phocion's ' letters will be read by posterity. " Spectator." The arguments of " Phocion," " Spectator," and others made it so clear that the expulsion of persons from the country by law, after the war^ on the imputation of their having been Tories, would be an infraction of the Treaty of Peace, that it had to be abandoned ; but the infatuated advocates of the measure shifted their position to one equally indefensible, substituting a proposal which. LIFE OF TIJIOTHY PICKERING. 137 if carried out, would have been, if possible, more bar- barous, disgraceful, and dangerous. It was thus effect- ually exposed by " Phocion " in the conclusion of his last " Letter." " Since writing the foregoing, I have learned that a bill is depending before the House of Assembly for putting various descriptions of persons out of the protection of government. I have too much respect for the wisdom and virtue of that body to suppose a measure of this nature can obtain the sanc- tion of the majority. What is the plain language of the pro- posal? There are certain persons who are obnoxious to public resentment. The Treaty forbids us to proceed against them in a legal way. Let us, therefore, by an unconstitu- tional exertion of power, evade the Treaty, however danger- ous the precedent to the liberty of the subject, and however derogatory to the honor of the nation. By the Treaty we stipulate that no person or persojis shall suffer^ on account of the part they may have taken in the war, any damage to person, liberty, or property ; and yet, by taking away the pro- tection of government, which they would enjoy under the subsisting laws, we leave them to suffer whatever injury to either, the rashness of individuals who are the subjects of the State may think proper to mflict. f "J?he scheme of putting men out of the protection of the law is calculated to transfer the sceptre from the hands of government to those of individuals ; it is to arm one part of the community against another ; it is to enact a civil war. If, unhappily for the State, this plan could succeed, no man can foresee the end of it. But the guardians of the rights of the community will certainly, on mature deliberation, reject it. " Feeling for the honor of the State, if expulsions must take place, if the Constitution and the faith of the United States must be sacrificed to a supposed political expedience, I had much rather see an open avowal of the principles upon which we acted, than that we should clothe the design \\ ith a veil of artifice and disguise, too thin not to be penetrated by the most ordinary eye. 138 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. " If we set out with justice, moderation, liberality, and a scrupulous regard to the Constitution, the government will acquire a spirit and tone productive of permanent blessings to the community. If, on the contrary, the public councils are guided by Inimor, passion, and prejudice ; if, from resentment to individuals, or a dread of partial inconveniences, the Con- stitution is slighted or explained away upon every frivolous pretext, the future spirit of government will be feeble, dis- tracted, and arbitrar3^ The rights of the subject will be the sport of every party vicissitude. There will be no settled rule of conduct, but every thing will fluctuate with the alter- nate pre valency of contending factions. " The world has its eye upon America. The noble struggle we have made in the cause of liberty has occasioned a kind of revolution in human sentiment. The influence of our example has penetrated the gloomy regions of despotism, and has pointed the way to inquiries which may shake it to its deepest foundations. / '' To ripen intfuiry into action, it remains for ns to justify the Revolution by its fruits. " Let those in whose hands it is placed pause for a moment, and contemplate, with an eye of reverence, the vast trust committed to them. Let them retire into their own bosoms, and examine the motives which there prevail. Let them ask themselves this solemn question : Is the sacrifice of a few mistaken or criminal individuals an object worthy of the shifts to which we are reduced to evade the Constitution and the national enoaoements ? " •&"&' Before Hamilton's essays, signed " Phocion," had ap- peared, or Pickering had written " Spectator," — before the British had evacuated New York, — the latter was in the habit of maintaining the same views in warm dis- cussions with his brother-officers. A passage, in a letter to his brother of vSeptember 9th, 1783, quoted in the previous volume (chap, xxxiii. p. 478), denouncing " the madness of the violent Whigs LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 139 in driving Tories from the country, to its great injury, and the no small emolument of the British, who will get Nova Scotia well-peopled," shows how he talked with his friends on the suhject, and proves that he appreciated the ultimate effects it w^ould have, enlarging the power and invigorating the growth of the British colonial empire, on the eastern and northern border of the United States. It is well known that Patrick Henry advocated a similar benignant policy towards Tories, with all the power of his wonderful eloquence, in the Virginia House of Delegates. In the course of his speech, he said that " the personal feelings of a politician ought not to be permitted to enter these walls. The question is a national one. If you would act wisely, nothing should be regarded but the interest of the nation." In reference to fears of any mischiefs from Tories, if permitted to re- turn, he said, " Afraid of them f What, Sir, shall we^ who have laid the proud British Lion at our feet, now be afraid of his whelps f " Hamilton and Pickering were bound together through life by the strongest ties of personal and political friend- ship. They stood side by side in the camp and in the Cabinet of Washington. They share with Henry the glory of having, by their united efforts, endeavored to save the country from the prevalence of a policy fraught with injury to its best and permanent interests, and dis- honor to its name. 1 10 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. CHAPTER V. Colonel Pickering a Merchant in Philadelphia. — Prize Agent. — Private-armed Navy of the Revolution. — Society in Phila- delphia. — Colonel Pickering's Enjoyment of it. — His Wife; her Character. — His Views on Education. — Family Corre- spondence. 1785, 1786. In the course of the Revolutionary War, and espe- cially as, from time to time, it seemed to be approach- ing its close, the thoughts of Colonel Pickering were much exercised as to the pursuits in which it would be best for him to engage when restored to civil life. The preponderance of considerations seemed to be in favor of some form of commercial business. Although with- out personal experience in mercantile operations and accounts, the general tendencies in that direction of his relatives and connections in his native place, his habits of accuracy and thoroughness in practical affairs and transactions, and the extent to which his duties as Quartermaster-General had given him experience in purchases of all sorts, on a large scale, for army sup- plies, combined in determining his choice. During the war, particularly in its latter years, he had been led to provide for the residence of his family in Philadelphia or its vicinity, wbere they had found their principal home, and were living, at the restoration of peace, in circumstances and social relations to which they had become accustomed and attached. Having concluded to enter upon a mercantile occupation, the question arose as to the place in which to establish himself. To remain in Philadelphia was more convenient and t LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 141 agreeable to himself and family, than to move to any other mart. Although, in the judgment of some, BaUi- more was considered preferable, his repugnance to the institution of slavery, and his settled determination never to employ slave labor, were an insurmountable obstacle. It was concluded that his connections in the Eastern States would give him an advantage in estab- lishing an extensive trade operating from Philadelphia, and his mind was accordingly made up in favor of that locality. He formed a partnership in business with Major Samuel Hodgdon, long a confidential friend, who for some years had served as one of his deputies, and as Commissary-General, under his authority, and in his department. The firm was regularly organized under the name of " Pickering and Hodgdon." He entered this field with his accustomed energy and activity. A large correspondence was instituted with business men in other parts of the country, in Southern ports, and especially in the Xew England States, and his pros- pects, as a commission-merchant, were favorable. This sphere of action, and the routine of his labors, afford no particular materials for the biographer. Besides the usual occupations of ordinary mercantile life, there were two special engagements that called for his attention, and occasioned considerable draughts upon his time. Although the office of Quartermaster-General had been abolished, his own accounts in connection with it closed, and its business for the most part adjusted, some transactions growing out of it remained unsettled. To these he was in no sense a responsible party. They were between individuals who preferred claims, and the 142 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. government. But he was naturally applied to for in- formation in reference to them hy all concerned. His manuscripts show to what an extent of correspondence, in affording explanation and information, he was sub- jected, with persons in all parts of the country, in mat- ters of this sprt. His letters, in answer to inquiries by the accounting officers of the Treasury, State officials, and private claimants, show that no slight amount of labor was, in this way, continued to be brought upon him, and for which he had no compensation, while en- gaged in his own mercantile affairs in Philadelphia, and long afterwards. There was another branch of business which, during the war and for some time subsequent, he had to trans- act. Although it grew out of a most important and efficient department of the operations of the war, as his connection with it was purely and exclusively a business one, and in the same line as his occupations as a merchant, it may most properly be considered in this chapter of his biography. At such intervals as his official duties, during the wai% required his residence at Philadelphia or its neighborhood, and as leisure offered, at the solicitation of friends in the Eastern States, he gave as much attention as he could to the care of their interests there. Much general business was thus, from time to time, thrown into his hands. In this way he was particularly led to act, in many instances, as agent for prize property. His universally appreciated integrity of character, conscientious fidelity to trusts, and prompt attention to correspondence, naturally in- duced parties to consign such business to him ; and he was particularly well qualified to conduct it, from his LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 143 experience and knowledge, as to the law and methods of procedure in matters of this kind, acquired while Judge of Admiralty in Massachusetts in the opening years of the Revolution. Vessels captured on the Southern coast would seek, if possible, near ports. New York was constantly in possession of the British. Philadelphia was for much of the time held by the Americans ; and prizes were sent in there, as in all respects the most favorable and accessible place for the disposal of them and their cargoes. As the owners had no established system of agencies, and communica- tion was difficult, and as Colonel Pickering was much there, he was expected to take care of such property. In this way he was brought into the business, which continued to occupy him much, in the final disposal of prize vessels and goods, and the settlement of accounts re- lating to them, while he was a merchant in Philadelphia. A brief account of the extent and importance of the privateer service of the Eevolution may with propriety be given in this connection. The manuscripts of Colonel Pickering shed more light upon it, perhaps, than can be gathered from any other quarter. It is a chapter, in the public history of the country, not yet adequately written, and, to a very considerable extent, constitutes the naval war of the Revolution. The United States were necessarily without any mari- time force at first, and for some time after the contest began. The government of the Confederation was, from its nature, destitute of the unity and energy required in organizing and managing a navy. The territories of the States of which it was composed bordered, more or less, on the ocean, and their inhabitants in the seaports 144 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. and along the extended coast had great commercial mterests. Their property was hirgely embarked in ves- sels engaged in foreign voyages, in trade between the Colonies dependent upon transportation over the sea from point to point, and in the fisheries. They found themselves suddenly exposed to destruction in a war with tlie most powerful naval empire of the world, and there was but one means of protection left them. The defence of all their maritime interests, and of their harbors and homes, required the people, by indepen- dent, spontaneous, and self-organized operations, to set afloat, as quickly as possible, a volunteer navy. What- ever may be said of privateering, under ordinary cir- cumstances, in wars between civilized nations, it was an absolute necessity, on the part of Americans, at that time. It was their only alternative. The Provincial Congresses, or other contemporaneous colonial and local authorities, commissioned cruisers, thus provided by the exertions and maintained at the cost of private parties. The result was an aggregate naval force of great magnitude and efficiency. The property captured from the enemy not only remuner- ated the owners of the vessels and paid the officers and seamen for their gallantry and services, bat provided for the wants of the people, bringing into port articles of necessity for general consumption, thereby averting from time to time an actual famine that would have quickly brought the contest to a close, and, what was of equally vital importance, supplying the Revolutionary army, often in its extremest straits, with munitions of war of all sorts. The necessities of the times, and the great cause at stake, surely raise this volunteer fleet LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 145 far above the reproach cast upoQ privateeriDg ; and the efl'ects it produced in deciding the conflict place it on the highest level of naval heroism and renown. It did, indeed, do more than any thing else to break the power of the enemy, by compelling the people of the mother country to demand of their government to come to terms with the rebellious Colonies. The commerce of Em;- land reeled under the blows given in all seas, and even along her own shores, by the daring, ever-active, every- where-present American cruisers. Their prizes were adjudicated upon, in accordance with established forms, bv Courts of Admiraltv. and thev are fully entitled to be considered a regular and legitimate navy. Their achievements ought, if possible, to be recovered from oblivion and embodied in an historical form, summing up their work, illustrating its im- portance and extent, and giving, in detail, some of the most remarkable incidents of stratagem, battle, and victory. Some of these private armed ships were taken into the Continental service as soon as a res^ular navy was organized under the authority of the General Congress, and their exploits and career are embraced in our naval histories ; but the far greater number re- mained under the character of privateers, with no higher commissions than letters of marque, or their equivalent. Their story, which, if brought to light, would be found full of romantic enterprise and bravery and extraordi- nary prowess and success, is not yet written ; and can only, at present, be gleaned from the files of newspapers of the period, and old letters and accounts. Colonel Picker- ing's private correspondence with friends in Salem in- " cidentally sheds light on the subject ; and documents Vol. II. 10 146 LIFE OP TIMOTHY PICKERING. connected with his transactions as prize agent, afford val- uable materials to any one who may engage in such a work, as instances and extracts now to be cited w'ill show. William Pickman, in a letter to Colonel Pickering, dated May 17th, 1779, after mentioning the birth of a son on the second of that month, who became one of the most distinguished merchants and influential public men of ^lassachusetts (the late Dudley L. Pickman), and touching on other private matters, says : " Our markets remain nearly as when I wrote you last, except bread, which is scarce and high. In March we thought it impossible to reach the next crops without a famine. But the danger of that vanishes. Though we are short, we are not destitute ; and I doubt not shall easily save our distance." He then goes on to state that " the brig ' Pallas,' of fourteen four and three pounders and fifty- seven men, had taken a letter-of-marque ship of sixteen six and four pounders and sixty-five men, loaded»vvith flour and dry goods. The brig had one man killed and one wounded, the ship five killed and seventeen wounded." In this letter of Mr. Pickman, and one of the same date from George Williams, a brother-in-law of Colonel Pickering, are the names and armament of private armed vessels, then belonging to Salem and Beverly, from w^hich a list, now to be given, is made out, without counting the brig '' Pallas," whose gallant and timely exploit is mentioned by Mr. Pickman. Mr. Williams states that all the vessels mentioned, many of which were full-rigged ships, had been built expressly for the service, in 1778 and 1779. They were constructed with a light draught and a special view to fast sailing. A considerable number of others, then just built, were LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 147 waiting to be fitted out and provisioned. He says that he is part owner of three of them, the "Black Prince," " Pickering," and " Lion." With such a fleet as this, well manned, with brave and skilful officers, supplied by a single port, the aggre- gate efficiency of the privateer navy of all the States, may to some degree be estimated. It swept the neigh- boring and even distant seas, dealt destruction upon the mercantile marine of Great Britain evervwhere. and drove all the lighter ships of war of the enemy from the Atlantic shores, bidding defiance to their deep, slow- sailing, higher rates ; so that the coasting trade of the Colonies was comparatively secure. Mr. Pickman says that only " one out of thirty sail of West India- men,'' belonging to Xewburyport, failed to reach home in safetv in the winter of 1778 and 1779. In one of the letters to be presented in this connec- tion, it appears that the enemy prepared a sloop-of-war expressly for the purpose of coping with the larger class of these privateers. One of them went out to meet her, and, after a gallant fight, captured and brought her into port. PRIVATEERS OF SALEM AND BEVERLY, MOSTLY OW^NED IN SALEM, MAY, 1779. Pilgrim, 16 guns, nine pounders. H. Hill, Captain. Black Prikce. 18 guns, six pounders. N. West, „ Pickering. 16 guns, six pounders. J. Haraden, „ Oliver Cromwell. 16 guns, six pounders. Simmons, „ Harlequin. 18 guns, four pounders. Dennis, „ Hl'nter. 18 guns, four pounders. N. Browne, „ Franklin. 18 guns, six pounders. Robinson, „ Fame. 14 guns, four pounders. Hobbs, „ Monmouth. 12 guns, three & four pounders. J. Ingersoll, Roebuck. 12 guns, three pounders. Gray, SwETT, 12 guns, three & four pounders. Leach, Greyhound. 8 guns, three pounders. Hammond, Centipede. 6 guns, three pounders. Pratt, » 148 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Dolphin. 10 swivels. Carwick, Captain. Ttgkr. 8 guns, three pounders. N. Brookhouse, „ Wild Cat. 12 guns, four pounders. D. Ropes, „ Macaroni. 14 guns, four pounders. Patterson, „ Lion. 20 guns, six & four pounders. , „ Hector. 26 guns, six & three pounders. Jon. Carnes, „ The following letter from Jonathan Haraden, Com- mander of one of the vessels above named, the Massa- chusetts Provmcial ship " Pickering," illustrates the character of that famous naval hero, unsurpassed for courage, skill, and success, in the bold warfare of the devolution on the seas. It also shows the kind of business thrown upon Colonel Pickering, in the care and management of prize property placed by friends in his hands. " Cape Henlopen, October 1st., 1779. " Dear Sir, " 'Tis with pleasure I tell you that I left the Capes at sun- down on Tuesday last, and at sunrising on Wednesday morn- ing, I discovered two sails to the windward. The winds being light, I hove out two drags to keep my ship from going ahead, and made all the sail I could, as though I was running from them. They both gave chase, and^, at five P.M., they got nigh enough to discover that I was a cruising vessel. They both hove about, and hauled their wind. I immediately hove about, after them. They crowded all the sail they could, and rowed at the same time. At sundown the wind breezed up a little, and, as night came on, I kept sight of them with my night-glass. At eight p.m., they parted. One stood to the northward, and the other to the southward. I kept in chase of the largest, and, at nine P.M., she hove about (being to the windward). As she passed me, I hailed her, but had no answer. Then I gave her a broadside, but without any effect that I could perceive. Then I tacked ship, and gave her another broadside and hailed her. She answered, from New York. I ordered her to haul down the colors, wdiich they obeyed instantly (very peaceable people, like the ' Hope '), though they had fourteen six and four pounders and thirty- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 149 eight men. She proves to be the ' Rojal George ' cutter, a let- ter of marque, out of New York last Tuesday morning, bound to the West Indies, and was in company with a sloop of eight carriage guns from the same place. She being clean, and a fast sailer, got off clear while I was in chase of the cutter. The cutter bears a great name for sailing, but now is very foul. My being so near the Capes, thought best to see her in safe, and put the prisoners on shore. I propose to sail again to-day, if possible. The cutter I have directed to your care, and beg that you would dispose of her to the best ad- vantage, — have sent three negroes in her, which you will please to sell. There is a negro man on board the ' Confeder- acy,' which was taken out of the jail without my knowledge. He's a servant of the Lieutenant of the ' Pomona.' If you think you can get him again without much trouble and ex- pense, as he's my property, should be glad that you would, and sell him with the others. By a paper on board my ship I find that there are five or six cannon in the brigantine ' Hope's ' hold as ballast. I would beg that you'd get Mr. Cotton to search for them, and, if found, would have you sell them also. The Captain of the cutter says that there were twenty-five sail of ships and transports at the Hook, bound upon some secret expedition, supposed to the northward ; and, last Sun- day morning, the}' were all ordered in again. *' Sir, I have drawn an order on you for five hundred dol- lars, for the men that have come up in the cutter, and the pilot 3 ou Avill pay also. I thought it more advantageous to hire them here than to send my own men in her, by reason of their expenses in going home. My compliments to your lady. " I am. Sir, your humble servant, " Jonathan Haeaden. " To Colonel Timothy Pickering, Philadelphia." This letter is particularly worthy of remark, as it gives evidence of the chivalrous courage and ingenious sagacity of Haraden, which indeed characterized the peculiar naval service of that time. It is evident that the enemy was of much superior force, his two vessels 150 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. carrying six more guns. Yet the American cruiser took infinite pains to get into a fight with them, resorting to ehiborate stratagem, and pursuing them in a night chase of four hours. By spreading all possible canvas, at the same time throwing out his drags astern, Hara- den made them think that his vessel was a slow-sailing merchantman endeavoring to escape. They were thus entirely thrown off their guard, and confident of an unresisting capture. They steadily overhauled, nearly reaching, him before they discovered their mistake. Thus surprised, they fell into a panic, and put about. Shipping his drags, he, also, instantly put about. His superior sailing qualities were then revealed. As he gained upon them, instead of coming to action with him, as they ought, they ran as for life, separated, and left him to choose his prize. The contempt and scarcely con- cealed disappointment he felt at not having had a harder fight on the occasion is an amusing instance of the high tone to which the spirit of the contest had wrought up the heroism of the volunteer navy of the Hevolution. In this single cruise Haraden captured more than a hundred cannon. It appears by a valuable article in the " New-England Historical and Genealogical Regis- ter," vol. xxvi., page 24, by Captain George Henry Preble, of the United States Navy, that in this same cruise the "Pickering" had at least nine engage- ments with ships of war, — among them the " Po- mona " and " Hope," referred to in the foregoing let- ter, — some of them of superior force, and that she was victorious in each instance. One of these achievements was quite extraordinary, — the " Golden Eagle," of much heavier armament, having struck to her, was re- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 151 captured by an English ship of war, the "Achilles," which put a crew into her, under command of a Lieutenant. Not long afterwards, Haraden fell in with them in com- pany. He attacked them both, and, after a fight of several hours, drove off the "Achilles," and retook the " Golden Eagle," with her British prize crew. The letter also sheds light upon the manner in which slaves were treated at that time, even by those engaged in a war for liberty. When taken from the enemy, they were regarded no otherwise than prize property, and sold back into slavery as such. Haraden evidently had not turned his thoughts to the subject. Not so with Pickering, It was a subject he had always had deep at heart. His views prevented him from settling, as he often had inducements to do, in States where the institu- tion existed. He never would own a slave, and refused to avail himself of that species of service at all times, except on conditions looking to and securing the eman- cipation of the persqn employed. He often put himself and family to great inconvenience on this account. As Prize Agent, he was undoubtedly much embarrassed in dealing with this kind of property ; but acting merely as a fiictor, in connection with admiralty cases, and under the then law and usage, he had sometimes to discharge what must have been a very painful duty. The following letter, given entire, besides other mat- ters, some of private and others of general interest, shows the value of the privateer service, and mentions a par- ticular exploit that ought to be rescued from oblivion : — " Salem, July 4th, 1778. '' Dear Brother, " I wrote you a letter, a few days before the death of our father, by ^lillet, in which I informed you of his being very ill. I did not imagine, at that time, he was so near his end. 152 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. I have not wrote you before, since that event, at which you may perhaps wonder ; but brother Williams told me he had written to you, informins^ 3^ou of the loss of our father. Mil- let was also dela^^ed by some means or other, so that I knew you would have knowledge of it as soon as I could inform you by my Avriting. I have been confined at home ever since by taking care of the business of his estate. He has left a will in which, after giving our sisters certain legacies, to the amount of between three and four hundred pounds sterling, he gives to you one-third of his real estate. The remainder of his estate he has given to me, out of which I am to pay debts, &c., and to allow my mother such a sum annually for her support, as we may agree on. He has made me sole executor. His death I think was very easy. He had been growing feeble for so long a time, that the struggle with death was short. However, I am not a judge in that matter, for, through the kindness of Heaven, few deaths have called on our family to mourn as near relations, and this is the only death which has been in the house, except sister Clark's little girl, since the marriage of our father and mother. " I have received your letter of the 12th of June, in which you draw a consequence from my accepting the Speaker's chair, that our father was • better. I believe I have in a former letter told you the reason, which was, that I had been chosen to several important trusts Avhich I had declined, and though I thought I had reason enough still to refuse any place which would keep me much from home, yet others would not be made to believe but that I could attend after the death of my father as well as members in common. They willingly gave leave for me to be with him in his last moments. At the time of election our friends all expected that our father's days could be but few more. Isaac Perkins was hiied. by my father for the season, and is as trusty as any man who could be hired. Perhaps, while he lives Avith us, I may be able to attend the General Court, except in hay time. "I thank you for the enclosed papers, and for the intelli- gence you give me in your letter. As I have engaged Powers and Willis to send you their paper, you will see all the news worth mentioning, that is, all of a public nature, and brother Williams, I believe, can and does g-ive all in the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING^ 153 privateering way. Several valuable prizes have been brought in here lately ; many articles suitable for the army, which have chiefly been bought up by the proper agents for that purpose, as I am informed. " Captain Thompson has behaved nobly, in taking the ship of twenty guns sent out to take him, of which the Bos- ton papers will inform you as soon as this letter. '' Your son, I was going to write little son, but he is too big for that epithet, is brave and hearty. And our friends are all, I think, very well, except mother, who is severely at- tacked with the rheumatism, and has been indeed suffering with it many months past. '' The season hitherto has promised fair for plentiful har- vests ; very good crops of hay are already fixed, as there has been no want of rain, except for a short time a few weeks ago. At this time the earth is well watered, at least about us. The last and present weeks have been very hot, and, as there were frequent showers, the Indian-corn has grown amazino'lv. " Many insects make their appearance at this time, chiefly of the worm kind ; such brown worms as, about six years ago, made their appearance, are now plenty in some spots. I have made inquiries, and have not yet heard of any except in this town. I think, as their time of life, at least before they undergo some mutation of form, is short, they will not do much damage. The}' were first discovered last Sabbath, which is earlier than they appeared in 1772. Their course is from North to South, or nearly so, as has I believe been their course at every appearance of them in times past. " Brother Dodge has called a son, born a few months since, bv the name of Pickering^. Brother Wino-ate has a son lately born, whom he calls George. Dr. Orne's son is named Joseph. I think of nothing else worth writing, and the same may be said of half I have written. " I never had correspondence with the members of Con- gress. Some of them I highly esteem, and they have my sincere regard. Farewell. " John Pickerikg. "T. Pickering." 154 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. *' As your last letter to me was directed, it would have been considered hy the House as a puljlic letter to them, but addressed to me because I am Speaker, and would have been opened by them it' it had been delivered to any member, or fell in their way. So, direct to me, not as Speaker, unless it is intended for the House. — J. P." Among the items of domestic interest in the foregoing letter, one is particularly observable. Colonel Picker- ing's fatlier was married to Mary, daughter of Colonel Joshua Wingate of Hampton, i\. H., November 21st, 1728, and died June 7th, 1778. His married life covered forty-nine years, six months, and ten days. He had two sons and seven daughters, all born in the same house, all of wdiom survived him, and not a single death, except pf a little grandchild, had 'occurred, dur- ing all that period, within a few months of half a cen- tury, in that household or beneath that roof. Colonel Pickering occupied, while residing at this epoch of his life in Philadelphia, an unconspicuous tenement, exemplifying in its aspect, conditions, and usages, the frugality, industry, regard to neatness and substantial comfort, and the easy hospitality, which ever controlled his domestic arrangements. Every thing in his personal habits and family order was in harmony with the plain simplicity that marked his methods of transacting business, his public accounts, and his official demeanor; and which in fact constituted the peculiar element of his eminence in life, the distinguishing value of his services in the high stations he occupied, and the aim and charm of his style as a writer, a public speaker, and in conversation. All the while he was maintainino- the most deli^^ht- ful and elevated social connections. Philadelphia has LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 155 ever been pre-eminent for the culture in science, litera- ture, and the arts, of its leading circles ; and their influence has pervaded the whole community, and given tone to the manners and spirit of the people. Colonel Pick- ering was fully appreciated there. Besides the reputa- tion he brought with him, and the prominent part he had acted in the Revolutionary crisis, his com))any was found to be a great acquisition in all associations, public or private. His conversational powers were of a high order. As a narrator of events, or a delineator of per- sons, he had no superior. Careful and close observation^ and a copious memory of details, qualified him to relate with great distinctness whatever had occurred in the varied scenes of his interesting experience. The habits of simplicity of diction and expression, to which he had trained himself in the use of language, produced their legitimate results in his familiar speech and ordinary intercourse with friends and acquaintances. He had studied verv thorousfhlv and minutelv the meaningr and force of words. In lexicography and grammar he had few equals even among scholars. Exactness in the use of language was combined with great freedom, ease, and fluency ; without redundance, exaggeration, or extrava- gance, his sentences were full of energy and animation. The stronor views he took of men and things verv often led to emphatic and forcible expressions, which remained vivid in the memories of those who heard them, and some have become traditional and historical. While his taste and his truthfulness restrained him, upon principle, from overstatement, the earnestness and boldness of his nature occasionally oave the character of vehemence to his utterances. This tendencv he endeavored to resist. 156 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. « The waniitli of his temperament often occasioned an amusing: conflict with his rules of s^ood taste. Dis- coursing, in a company of friends, on the suhject of rhetorical delivery, and denouncing too much action, while uttering the words, " I abhor gesticulation," his long and muscular arm incontinently and unconsciously swept a semicircle around him ! Colonel Pickering always avoided one fault to which good talkers are much exposed. He never engrossed conversation, but sought that it should be shared in by all. He drew others out, and left room for each one to bear his part. But, as a general thing, so natural, clear, distinct, and dramatic was his manner. — his finelv tuned voice and expressive countenance giving such a pleasing and lively effect to his instructive conversation, — that all present, with one consent, were disposed to leave as much of the field to him as he could be induced to occupy. During Colonel Pickering's residence, as a merchant, in Philadelphia, many of the first men of the day were his personal intimates. Kichard Peters and Benjamin Rush were dear friends as well as neighbors. Duvid Rit- tenliouse and Tench Coxe were his constant associates. All the leading persons and families of that city, and distinguished visitors from other parts of the country r and foreign lands sought his acquaintance. He par- / ticularly enjoyed the society of estimable and enlightened Quakers who dwelt in the city of Brotherly Love. There w^ere many points of attraction between them, in plain- ness of attire and speech, and sympathy on most phil- anthropic subjects, particularly that of slavery. Upon the whole, this was one of the happiest periods of his LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 157 life ; and if his business had satisfied his desires, or, in other words — for his \iews in reference to property were always most moderate, — if it had met the needs of his family, he would have passed there an honored and beneficent life. As he became relieved from attention to matters grow- ing out of public office and the care of property en- trusted to his management, he spent the leisure allowed by the intervals of business in an active interest in the general advancement of society. Although he had wholly withdrawn to private life, his usefulness was felt in various extended spheres. As an early member and Secretary of the Philadelphia Society for the Improvement of Agriculture, his correspondence was large, reaching to other States. The efficiency of that Society was aug- mented by his labors, and its membership increased, in- cluding prominent persons engaged in agriculture, in /all parts of the country. The leading statesmen of the day sought his counsels in great public measures. The founders of academies, cultivators of farms, and writers of books, solicited and obtained his advice. Tn this way his services to the general welfare, as well as to the par- ticular friends who sought them, were constant and invaluable. His literary correspondence was chiefly with persons interested in education. He sought to bring into notice improved text-books for schools, such as Noah Webster's rudimental and elementarv w^orks on spelling, grammar, and reading, the marvellous and uni- versal circulation of w^hicli did much to give such re- markable uniformity to the use of language throughout this countrv. He also brou2:ht into favorable notice, in the Middle and Southern States, Pike's and Walsh's fjviflir»ietic. 158 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICIvERINQ. During the period of his residence in Philadelphia, as a partner in husiness with Major Hodgdon, he enjoyed more fully, perhaps, than at any other time of his life the comforts and pleasures of a settled home, of which he had been bereft since the opening of the Kevolutionary war. Soon after this, his family w^as temporarily broken up, and when gathered again, his boys were more or less away, eitlier at school, — during their attendance at which they resided with relatives and friends, — or at college, or in the employments of mature life. But now all that he had w^ere with him, and the circle was complete. The company of his " charming " niece, Lydia Williams, shed light upon his household. On her return to Salem, the void Avas supplied by the arrival of his wife's sister, whose presence contributed, for years afterwards, to the welfare and happiness of his family. In a letter to Judge Wingate, dated at Phila- delphia, May 3d, 1785, he says : — " We have an addition to our famil}^ of my wife's sister. She arrived here from London on the 22d ultimo. They had not seen each other since 1765. All remembrance of each other Avas lost. My wife recognizes in her sister the features of their mother, and by that alone could fix the relation. I esteem her as a very worthy character, and am persuaded we shall find her company as agreeable as, I see, it will be use- ful ; for she is extreme!}^ industrious, and so neat that she would please even the most exact of my sisters. My wife and her sister resemble each other more in their dispositions than in their faces and persons. Miss White's countenance is agreeable, and her air is vivacious ; but her face has been injured by the small-pox, being much more strongly^ marked than my wife. She is shorter than Mrs. Pickering by two and a half or three inches, but not diminutively small. N. B. — This description of person is particularly for the information of my sister Wingate." LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 159 The historian, describing the elder Cato, says " Family life always formed with him the central object of exist- ence ; it was better, he thought, to be a good husband than a great Senator." Colonel Pickering was often called the American Cato ; and in no point did he more resemble his noble Roman prototype than in this. His correspondence and other manuscripts show that he never allowed any other engagements whatever to pre- vent a constant and devoted care for his own familv. While with them, he spared no vigilance and labor in providing for their daily and ordinary convenience, en- joyment, and improvement. While absent, and involved in the duties of camp, cabinet, or senate, his letters of direction and instruction reached them constantly and frequently. His faithful and considerate guardianship descended to the minutest particulars, as well as to the highest lessons of morality and religion. He was singularly happy in the most important vol- untary relation that man or woman can form. His mar- ried life equalled in its felicity all that the imagination can depict or the heart desire. His wife was one of the most amiable and lovely^ of women, — of the sweetest disposition and most excellent judgment. They were often separated by unavoidable circumstances, particu- larly during his military service, and subsequently while he was discharging high trusts in the several branches of the national government ; but the letters that passed between them have been preserved in singular fulness. Many volumes containing them are in the sacred custody of their descendants. Some are mixed with his miscellaneous manuscripts. Those used in this biography have been drawn from both sources. They 160 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. show the entire confidence he always felt in her good sense and fidelity to every duty. He communicated to her, as to an enlightened friend, all his plans, purposes, and engagements, and, in his suggestions as to the over- sight of affairs and of the family in his absence, is seen a constant and careful consideration of circumstances in detail that prove his heart and thoughts to have been ever with her at home. During the war of the Revolution, this delicate young woman, with her infant children, in compliance with his wishes and arrangements, cheerfully encountered the fatigues and perils of long journeys, the inconveniences of a camp, and frequent removals of her residence, as head-quarters were changed ; and, after the subsequent brief domestic repose while living at Philadelphia, he was led, as will shortly be seen, into a wilderness, she heroically shared with him its privations, sufferings, and terrors ; acquiescing, without a murmur or a question, in all the hardships thus brought upon her, and develop- ing a firmness and energy of character equal to the most trying occasions. She wholly subordinated her will and judgment to his, thus acquiring a controlling influence over him which it was the happiness and pride of his life to recognize. In this, the legitimate way, she wielded the high power her sex can and ought to exer- cise. Her gentle, and his strong and resolute, spirit ; her mildness of demeanor and manners, and his bold, decisive, and emphatic expressions and deportment, not only constituted a singularly remarkable contrast, but wrought a most beautiful harmony. They lived together, as man and wife, more than fifty- two years. Their early was a constant love. He LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 161 treated her to the last with the same tender courtesy and lively affection as when she was a bride. His letters to her are ever warm and endearing, replete with expressions of fondness, and glowing with senti- ments of the deepest attachment and devotion. The following will serve as specimens. Similar passages are found, in all his letters to her, in every stasre of their lives. Writing from Philadelphia, March 7th, 1782, he says : — " I received, my dearest, your letter by the return of Black, the express. This is the fourth from you. I will no more charge you with inattention, nor begin an account (which I threatened) that will surely be overbalanced by your goodness. ]My wishes grow daily more impatient for the time to arrive when we shall meet, no more to part ; when distance of place and the slow communications of letters shall not for a moment retard our endearing corre- spondence. This happy period, I hoj^e, is not far off. God forbid that more than one campaign should intervene." In another letter, dated Philadelphia, April 2d, 1782, he savs : — "I beg you, my dearest, not to anticipate any difficulties in vour own iournev hither. I trust there will be none. Surely I will not leave you to go alone. I will not hazard another night of watching to you, among dreary woods and mountains: I will be your companion and safeguard. I will make the journey easy, and not only easy but agreeable. I will bring you on only as fast as you and our httle ones can bear it. The season then will be delightful. 'Twill then be Nature's prime. The whole creation, animate and inanimate, will then conspire to please you." In the preceding volume, page 393, a prayer is given, composed by Colonel Pickering for the joint use of himself and wife, communicated to her by him in a Vol. II. 11 162 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. letter dated Sunday evening, January 12th, 1783. Be- sides extracts from the letter, there printed, the following are the introductory paragraphs : — " By Avhat names of endearment, my dear Beckey, shall I address thee ? IMy faithful friend ! My soft and sweet companion ! ^I}^ pride ! My present joy ! My future con- solation ! My fond, my affectionate wife ! How shall I love thee sufficiently? How shall I find words to express that love ? Dear art thou to me as my own life. More tenderly than ever do I love thee. Faultless as I have found thee, how can I choose hut love thee ? Judge, then, how j^ainful is ni}' separation from thee ! Business, indeed, all day ex- cludes thee ; but night, still night, all kind and tranquil as thy gentle spirit, restores thee to my memory ; and, indulg- ing reflection, I am overwhelmed with tenderness. But why should I disturb thy tranquilHty ? Why rouse all thy sensibilities ? Yet the tender disquietudes of love are not unpleasing ; you will therefore excuse me. '' I have read over what I have written. What would a stranger call it ? Would he pronounce it weakness ? or the extravagant doting of a young lover ? But what has a stranger to do with it ? You alone are to read it ; and you will receive it with all the grateful warmth of strong, invi- olable love. If, indulging the feelings of my own fond heart, I fail not to excite the like tenderness in yours, I shall be doubly pleased. Our happiness, to be complete, must be mutual. Live, then, my dear Beckey ! Heaven guard thy health ! and, ah, do thou thyself respect it ! Let exercise mingle with thy industry. Thy tender frame will not endure fatigue. Heaven preserve me also I for thy sake, and for the sweet pledges of our mutual love ! " The forty-five years which subsequently passed over their happy and sacred union, proved that what he wrote was not " the extravagant doting of a young lover^ The ardor of his affection, and his respect for her vir- tues, never abated. LIEE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 163 She continued to the close of life, which occurred in her seventy-fifth year, most lovely in her bearing and aspect, her fair complexion still adorned with a beauti- ful bloom. Her husband recorded, in a family note- book, an account of her illness and death, concluding wnth this testimony to her worth : — " A spirit more gentle, more innocent, more pure, never perhaps appeared in the female form." Their last separation was brief. She died on the 14th of August, 1828 ; he on the 29th of January, 1829. While residing in Philadelphia, at this period of his life, his children were under his own eye. Almost always afterwards they were more or less separated. He had, therefore, the opportunity of making the earli- est and deepest impressions on their minds and char- acters ; and no father ever improved it more faithfully or effectually. He was the educator of his family, and either by direct instruction and influence, or, as they grew older and passed from under his immediate over- sight, by letters to them, or those having them in charge, he watched over their culture and training, with con- stant vigilance and enlightened care. He sent his son John, then a little over nine years of age, to Salem, with a letter dated, "• Philadelphia, May 27th, 1786, as follows : — "Dear Brother, " I am happy to learn by my last letters from Salem, that you are so far recovered as to go below. I pray God that your health may be perfectly restored. '' Believing it would be a gratification to you to see my eldest son, — your namesake, — and a pleasure to all the fam- 164 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. ily ; thinkinc^ also that it would be a service to John, by weaning liini of tliat bashfulness and timidity which are really a disadvantage to him, and that his health wonld be benefited by the voyage and short relaxation from study, I was induced to part with him for a season. On the same grounds his mother also readily consented to the measure. I am under no solicitude about any thing but his education, which your indisposition will prevent your attending to. I have only to request that he may be sent to the best school in Salem ; but have no wish that he should learn a word of Greek or Latin. I am confirmed in my opinion, formed years ago, that it is of no advantage to a boy, though intended for a college education, to learn any dead language, till he is eleven or twelve years old. But he may learn to read well ; to write a. fair hand ; read and remember so much of geog- raphy as will enable him to understand the form of the globe, and the relative situations of oceans, continents, kingdoms, cities, &c. ; acquire a considerable stock of historical knowl- edge, so far as facts are the object ; and learn a just pro- nunciation of any living language. The first rules in arithmetic may also be taught him. All these things a boy of common understanding may learn by the time he is twelve years old. I am greatly mistaken in John Pickering if, under proper masters, he could not acquire an accurate knowledge of all the branches of learning above stated, by twelve years of age. I think you will find him uncommonly docile and attentive. . . . " Timothy Pickering." The foregoing letter is of intrinsic value, having an important bearing upon questions, much discussed, as to the proper stage, for the acquisition of knowledge of languages, in the course of education. John Pickering became, particularly in that department, ®ne of the most accomplished scholars this country has produced. In the classic, Oriental, European, and American aboriginal tongues, he has had but few equals. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 165 In the previous volume of this biography (page 531), a letter of Colonel Pickering is referred to, which gives his views of school instruction at considerable length. From its carefully digested contents, and the complete- ness of the scheme it proposes, it is worthy of being presented entire, in connection with that just cited to his brother, written a month afterwards. It was elicited by a movement, in which the Colonel and some others w^ere engaged, to establish a school in Philadel- phia on an improved plan ; and its suggestions were designed to be considered by those interested in the project, and especially by a gentleman who, on the recommendation of Noah Webster, was expected to take charge of the institution. After speaking of the proposed school, and signifying his readiness to place some of his own boys in it, he develops his views as follows : — " The common mode of education appears to me, in some instances, absurd, in every instance tedious, and not half as useful as another mode, which seems so obvious that I wonder it has not been generall}' introduced. But we are wedded to old habits, and loath to part with them, however unj^rofitable. " To what purpose is it to compel boys designed for the counting-house, the sea, or mechanics, whose education ceases when they leave school, to learn Greek and Latin ? And yet few parents who can afford it, have thought their sons properly educated, unless they have wasted three, four, or half a dozen years about those languages, Avhich in one year afterwards they will he sure to forget. And what a sad misappropriation of half a dozen years (from eight to fourteen), in which boys intended for the university acquire a smattering of Greek and Latin, to the neglect of almost every other branch of learning ! Perliaps I may have formerly thrown out to you my opinion on this sul)ject. I will now 166 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. be more particular ; and beg the favor of your thoughts on the phm, with the necessary corrections and amendments of it. *' At four years of age a boy may begin to learn to read ; till then, or even till five, I would choose he should be run- ning about and playing in the open air, to acquire a degree of hardiness and firmness of constitution. Between six and seven he may begin to write. At eight or nine he may learn so much of geography as to understand, by means of an artificial globe, the form and motion of the earth, and the magnitude and relative situations of oceans, seas, continents, islands, kingdoms, &c., on its surface ; the numbers of the inhabitants of different states, whether governed by kings or assemblies ; the most striking features in the character of any people, their singular customs, dress, a few general ideas of their religion, the most remarkable events in their history, curiosities, general education (and on this article the master will naturally lead his scholars to observe the consequences of neglect or attention, the immense advantages of learning, and miseries of ignorance), and any other matter which may be likely to engage the minds of children. By this time he will have learned to read with a degree of propriety, observ- ing the stops, and varying the voice. At the same age he may begin the English grammar. At nine or ten let him be- gin to read French, to acquire a just pronunciation^ while the organs of speech are yet capable of forming any sound ; learning no more of the grammar than just to distinguish the parts of speech, in order to determine the different pronunci- ation of similar combinations of letters. When he has acquired such a knowledge of the English Grammar as will enable him to parse any word, and resolve any common sentence he meets with, let him learn the French Grammar, for the same purpose. The general principles of both being alike, the diversities of the French from the English Gram- mar will be readily noticed and remembered. At eleven, his perceptions will be so clear he may learn arithmetic, without being confounded with the combination of numbeis. These may be his studies till he is twelve 3^ears old. During the last three years (from nine to twelve) he will be set to read LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 167 entertaining stories, fables, and select passages from the best English classics, in prose and verse, together with so much of history as may be found in Guthrie's Geographical Gram- mar. This reading, while it increases his knowledge, ought to perfect him in a just delivery. " Having laid up this store of various knowledge, with what amazing advantage would a boy, at twelve, commence learning the Latin language ? After pursuing that one year, he might begin with the Greek. And b}' fourteen, I would hazard any thing that he should, together with that general knowledge before described, be more a master of Latin and Greek, than a boy of equal genius, who, in the ordinary way, has been delving at almost nothing else, from eight to four- teen. But, that the boy may better understand the Latin and Greek authors, he should, during the last three months of his first course, be taught the Ancient Geography. Oti- casional application, in that short time, will enable him to understand enough of it for the purpose here mentioned, and he will readily le^rn the ancient names of those countries and places with whose names in modern geography he is already acquainted. I should wish a boy to continue at school till fifteen ; which will enable him to enter a college with great advantage, and a better prospect of becoming a learned man. In his last year at school he should be taught book-keeping. If any other living language, besides French, is to be learned, the pronunciation of it should be acquired, as soon as that of the French is fixed. " Thus much for the education of boys intended for the uni- versity. There is a much more numerous class, whose formal instruction will cease, when thev leave school, at fourteen or fifteen vears old. These are to be merchants, masters of vessels, mechanics of the first class, and substantial farmers. These ought never to be harassed with Greek and Latin. To the future merchant and mariner the French language will be peculiarly useful, and it should accordingly be taught. To them, and to the mechanic and husbandman, a correct knowledge of their own tongue is important, and it should be learned grammatically. In one word, the same course of studies may be prescribed to this whole class, as to the 158 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. former, until they reach twelve years ; bating the French, or other forei^^n language, to the husbandman and mechanic. At twelve, instead of Greek and Latin, this class will be employed in perfecting themselves in the English language, in writing every hand necessary for the man of business, in geography, in arithmetic ; and from the latter they will advance to the most useful branches of the mathematics, — as navigation, surveying, mensuration, gauging, — and in the last year learn book-keeping. To all of them, too, a knowledge of the principles of mechanics would be highly useful. Dur- ing the same period (from twelve to fourteen or fifteen), they Avill be improving in reading ; and, in doing this, get acquainted Avith history, and a few of the best English classics in prose and verse. If the school were kept in the country, or where land enough for the purpose could be obtained, these boys, as well as the class intended for the uni- versity, might be taught the principles and practice of hus- bandry and gardening. This would be a useful acquisition, and serve as an amusement and proper exercise Avithout interrupting their other studies. " Now is it not very possible for bo3^s of common under- standing to acquire, under good masters, all the branches of useful knowledge before enumerated, by the time they arrive at fourteen or fifteen years of age ? And if it is, Avhy not attempt it ? Nay, will it not be very practicable, for the second class (as they will be excluded from the benefits of the university), to learn the general principles of government, in its various forms, and the history and theory of commerce ? And, if to complete this course of education, the lads did not commence their apprenticeships till fifteen, would not their superior knowledge render their six years' services, till twenty-one, more valuable to their masters than seven in the ordinary Avay? '^ This is the plan of education I wish to see universally adopted ; but, especially in every great town, the vast utility of an English school, in the extent here described, must be apparent to every one ; and 'tis such a school, to be opened immediately in this city, which I had in contemplation in my conversation Avith Mr. Webster," LITE OF TBIOTHY PICKERING. 169 I The ideas on education, expressed in detail in the foregoing letters, are worthy of preservation in them- selves, as showing how deeply he had studied the sub- ject ; but they assume a value greater than mere ideas, ' as such, can have, from their connection with the very interesting practical experiment to which they were in the process of application at the time. It may be t^ken for granted that young John Pickering when, at nine years of age, he was sent to his uncle, had not been put at all to the study of Latin or Greek. But, under his father's care over his training, which had been very particular, not interrupted even by absence, he had become remarkably proficient in the other ordi- nary juvenile studies, particularly that of his own lan- guage. After reaching Salem, considerable time was spent in visiting his relations ; and, when placed at school, it is not to be doubted that due regard was paid to his father's wishes, and that it was not until a con- siderable time later than was then, or is now, usual, that he entered, in earnest, upon the study of any dead or foreign language. In the mean while, as a reader, speaker, and writer of his own tongue, he had mastered all its elements of spelling, construction, accentuation, empha- sis, and cadence. His young mind had comprehended the philosophy of its grammar ; and his ear and taste appreciated its elegance, capacities, and force. The art of penmanship (the neglect of which as a part of school traming is quite too common) was also fully acquired. When thus furnished, with faculties vigorously matur- ing, he entered, at the school in Salem, upon the rudi- ments of Latin and Greek, his progress became quite observable. Xotwithstandins: manv earlv interruptions 170 LIFE OF TIMOTHY nCKERING. and disadvantages, from the irregular and broken course of life of his family in his early boyhood, — changing its residence as head-quarters changed, the children almost always separated from the father, and not unfrequently scattered among strangers, — John entered Harvard Col- lege, and took his degree with high honor before he was nineteen years of age, having already established that pre-eminence which he retained through life as a classical scholar. His attainments in Latin and Greek literature, his labors as a lexicographer, and his extensive conversance, as has been stated, with European and Oriental languages, and those of the American abo- riginal tribes and nations, have placed him in the very first rank of linguists in his age and country. His case must be considered in its connection with his father's views, and adds, in a just measure, to their weight. The correspondence of Colonel Pickering with the founder of Phillips Academy at Andover, described in the foregoing volume, and with various other parties, on different occasions, in this and the subsequent vol- umes of his biography, will entitle him, in the judg- ment of every reader, to be reckoned among the best thinkers on the subject of education. There are different opinions at this day as to the best period of school education for instruction in dead or foreign Umguages. It may be maintained, for instance, in opposition to, or modification of, the views of Colonel Pickering, that if any departments of learning are to be pursued before the faculties are matured to a full under- standing of their import, it had better be dead or foreign lan^uaires, than other more practical and useful branches. It mav be said that in some of the earliest years of child- mi •' LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 171 hood, which it is important to bring and keep under the restraints and disciphne of the school-room, but few things can be thoroughly and accurately comprehended ; that the only or chief faculty that can then be safely and elaborately wrought upon is the memory, which, after all, throughout life, is an imperial faculty in its efficiency and value ; that language, whether Latin, Greek, or any other, is to be got by memory ; and that, in fact, in the universal primal school of nature, every child ac- quires, before all and beyond all, its own vernacular by memory and imitation, when calculation and ratioci- nation have hardly begun to be experienced. Arguments like these, and others referring to the incalculably valu- able effects of accustoming the young and dawning mind to the contemplation of the perfect models pre- sented by classic sentences and forms of words, may still be insisted on ; but that there is, notwithstanding, great force in such views as Colonel Pickering urged, will probably be more and more generally acknowledged as the advancing phases of modern society give an ever- increasing preponderance in the estimation of mankind to what is useful, practical, and adequate to the multi- form emergencies of life. Colonel Pickering's sister Mary was married to the E,ev. Dudley Leavitt, of Salem, who died, February 7th, 1762. Some vears afterwards, she became the second wife of Nathaniel Peaselee Sargeant, Chief-Justice of the Court of Massachusetts, and member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Elizabeth, her dausi^hter by her first husband, was married to William Pickman. A let- ter relating to her death is given Vol. i., page 385. Judge Sargeant, in a letter to Colonel Pickering, dated 172 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. at Springfield, September 29th, 1783, expresses himself as follows, alluding, in the course of it, to the death of Mrs. Pic km an : — " It is with inexpressible pleasure that I can inform you that your sister has, this summer, enjoyed more health than at any time since my acquaintance with her. I trust now- she bids fair to be my companion for my life as well as her own. I really feel that life without her would not be worth my ask- ing for. However pleasing the prospect, it always strikes a damp on my spnits, when I think how suddenly the pros- pects of Doctor Orne and Mr. Pickman have been blasted. Salem, that your sister once thought a kind of paradise on earth, has now almost lost its charms. We have not visited there since November last. I expect it will affect her when we go to Salem Court, but not so much as it would have done sooner. She feels trouble for a long time, but this last " [the death of her daughter, Mrs. Pickman] '' was peculiarly dis- tressing. She certainly lost one of the most amiable children I ever knew. I loved her as one of my own children, and feel her loss as severely. It gives me a melancholy pleasure to speak, to think, to write of her." Paine Wingate is often mentioned in this Biography. His wife, Eunice, was a sister of Colonel Pickering. He was son of the Rev. Paine Wingate, of Amesbury, in Massachusetts, was born May 14th, 1739, graduated at Harvard College in 1759, and became a minister of the gospel. He subsequently bore a large share in public affairs, was a Judge of the Superior Court of New- Hampshire, a delegate from that State in the Old Congress, one of its Senators in the first Congress of the United States, and afterwards a member of the National House of Pepresentatives. He died. May 7th, 1838. For fifteen years, he was the only one living of his college class, and for several years headed the list of the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 173 « surviviiio: members of that institution. His wife lived beyond a century, having been born, April 19th, 1742, and dying January 7th, 1813. Between Judge Wingate and Colonel Pickering, the closest intimacy and most affectionate friendship always existed. The following is one of the letters that passed between tliem : — " Stratham, January 1st, 1784. " Dear Sir, " By a letter I received from you, dated last April, I find that mine by Colonel Dearborn to you has miscarried. When, or by what conveyance, this will reach you, I am uncertain, as my situation is such that I know of no opportunity of sending. You will perceive by this that I still live at Strat- ham. I principally employ myself in the concerns of hus- bandr}', and, I believe, enjoy as much contentment and happiness as is common to humanity. I have five children : two of them 3^ou once knew ; my two next are sons, named George and John, which names I think I gave them purely because they were agreeable, and convenient to pronounce while they were young, and w^ould be short for them to use when grown up. Mv vounof;est child is adauo-hter, near nine months old, called Elizabeth. You know enouo-h of our familv not to doubt of my fondness for my children, nor to think it strange that I take singular pleasure in my two boys, one of which is three and the other almost five years old. We have a good share of health in general, and particularly at this time. My farm affords me something more than a bare subsistence. I have an agreeable neighborhood and extensive acquaintance. 1 have leisure to look upon the affairs of public life ; and if I would practise the low arts of some, I suppose I might have a share in them : perhaps I may some time or other without. It is likely you will think it trifling to give you thus so long a detail of my domestic concerns, but I have nothing at present more interesting to inform you of. " In your last letter but one, you made some inquiries respecting Siberia wheat. It is probable that, since that time, you have heard the fate of it. That grain (as is common to most if not all exotics) has become natundized to the climate, 174 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. and subject to the disasters of other wheat. I suppose that a new importation of that kind of seed might answer the pur- pose again as it did heretofore. I have nothing new in hus- bandry to communicate. I go on pretty much in the old track of culture. B}^ attention, neatness, and labor, the products of a farm may be greatly increased ; but I do not expect, by any kind of magic, to cause the earth to bring forth plentifully and durably. " I join with you in welcoming the happy event of peace, and hope the Independency of the United States will conduce to an increased freedom and happiness. It would have been an addition to my satisfaction to have had the return of peace returned you and family to your native town and connections again. You are not insensible that you have a large share in the esteem and affections of your relations and friends ; and I cannot think but that you might have gratified them, and, at the same time, have provided for yourself in your return. But I do not pretend to be judge of your prospects in busi- ness at Philadelphia. I would not attempt to dissuade you from your interest, so far as is consistent with your own ease and enjoyment of life, and that extensive usefulness which you owe to society. You may depend upon every cheerful aid in my power in whatever situation you are, and my most ardent wishes will ever attend you of prosperity and happiness. I rejoice in your domestic welfare, the restored health of your wife, and increase of children. I hope that you Avill find leisure to visit us, with your family, before long, although you should think it best to fix your stated residence at the southward. In the mean time, any opportunity of writing to me of your w^elfare, if you will embrace it, it will afford me the greatest pleasure. '' I desire that my affectionate regard to your wife and children may be mentioned, and be assured that with partic- ular esteem and friendship, I am yours, &c., " Paine Wingate. " Mr. Timothy Pickering." The correspondence between Colonel Pickering and his relatives and particular friends in Massachusetts will be further drawn upon in subsequent chapters. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 175 I His tastes and characteristics did not, perhaps, wholly adapt him to a life of trade. It was soon found to be ' an unfortunate time to institute a commercial enterprise. The expenses of living were great in a large city, the profits of his business did not afford encouragement, and he was compelled to look about for some other sphere of industry. His life as a merchant compre- hended a very short period. Agriculture, from his earliest to his latest day, was the object of his predominant attachment ; and nothing but a sense of duty to his country, and the prospective necessities of his family, had been able to reconcile him to a postponement of it to other employments. As his prospects of success in the mercantile line became less promising, his heart and imagination turned back, more and more, to the life of a farmer. In 17^6 the circum- stances of his situation compelled him to take decisive steps in some direction. He was then over forty years of age, and a large young family was growing up en- tirely dependent upon his exertions. He had brought no property out of the responsible and laborious public positions he had occupied ; and his compensation, as Quartermaster-General, had ceased with the abolition of that office the year before. It has been stated that, about the close of the Revo- lutionary war, he entered into correspondence with Ethan Allen and others, in reference to the purchase of lands in Vermont. But the serious conflict of juris- diction prevailing then between the State of New York and claimants — Green Mountain boys, as they were called — under New Hampshire grants, prevented the further prosecution of this purpose. Still harboring 176 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. the thon2:ht, to which his f\incv became continnallv drawn, of spending the remainder of his days in subdu- ing the wilderness and becoming the proprietor of new and fertile fields, he bought, in company with others, large tracts of wild western lands, situated in that part I of Virginia now Kentucky, and also some on the then outskirts of settlement in Pennsylvania. He was prevented, however, from entering upon them by the state of his family, and the remaining business, pub- lic and private, that held him to Philadelphia ; but especially by the earnest entreaties of his relatives and friends in Massachusetts, to come back and lix his abode there. They remonstrated against his abandon- ing them, and carrying his young family into the depths of a wilderness. Indeed, at one time he so far yielded as to conclude it to be his duty to give up all his cher- ished visions of opening a settlement in the AVest for himself and children, and return to his former occupa- tions in his native town and State. The trying fluctuations of purpose to which his mind was thus subjected, and the incidents and considerations that finally determined his choice and fixed his resolu- tion to look elsewhere than in Massachusetts fo-r scenes of enterprise and industry in which to exercise his energies, find a congenial field for the labors of his life, and secure the means of supporting his family, will appear in the next chapter. In the mean while circumstances were shaping his des- tiny to an experience that constitutes the most remark- able episode of his life, distinguishing it from that of any of his eminent contemporaries, and imparting to it an element of romance, not elsewhere to be found in modern biographies. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 177 CHAPTER Vl^fi'*^ ^' r^^^^ He resolves to become a Pennsylvania Farmer. — Alanning Sick- ness, and remarkable Recovery, of his Brother. — The Rebel- lion in Massachusetts. — Appointed to civil Offices in the County of Luzerne. 1785-1786. On the conclusion of his military service, the family and friends of Colonel Pickering in Massachusetts were earnest in soliciting him to return and make his resi- dence with them, and continued to urge him to that effect, as stated at the close of the preceding chapter, while engaged in his mercantile enterprise at Philadel- phia. His only brother was apparently in failing health. His aged mother longed to have him come back to her; so did all his seven sisters, with their husbands and chil- dren. They mourned his absence, and had confidently indulged the hope of having him restored to them on the termination of his duties connected with the army of the Revolution. The whole family were remarkably bound together by the ties of affection, and all took pride in his character and cherished the deepest love and respect towards him. He reciprocated these senti- ments fullv and ardentlv. He was a faithful and devoted son and brother. His judgment, however, prevailed over his feelings at this crisis, and he could not but con- tinue in the conviction that his duty to his children required him to seek some other field in which to labor foL their establishment in life than was opened in Mas- sachusetts. Vol. II. 12 178 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. At the same time, the calls for his return were so strong that he could not wholly disregard them, and sometimes they almost shook his purpose. At one conjuncture they prevailed, and he made up his mind to return to his native place. But circumstances, now to be related, again changed his purpose. In fulfilment of the understanding, when at the call of Washington he relinquished every thing and joined the army, the people of the county stood ever ready to reinstate him by their votes in the office of Register of Deeds ; but he could not reconcile himself to the thought of returning to that situation while his brother lived. Then, again, he was assured that a seat on the bench of the Supreme Court awaited his return to the State. But his conscientious scruples presented an insurmount- able obstacle in the way of yielding to this otherwise tempting offer. He always frankly expressed his readi- ness to take any public position for which he felt himself fit, that would help him to maintain his family ; but he refused, over and over again, desirable offices, for which there was a doubt in his own mind of his having the requisite qualifications. This was one instance. He told his friends who were engaged in the arrangement, that he could not think for a moment of accepting an appoint- ment as Judge of the Supreme Court. He had, it was true, before and at the opening of the war, been a Judge of the County Court and of Admiralty. But long years had passed since his thoughts had been directed to such matters ; circumstances had prevented his ever making any considerable legal attainments ; his professional practice had been brief and limited, and he never had enjoyed any leisure to pursue or preserve what learning LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 179 he might have had in the law. These considerations led him positively to decline the proposal of making him a Judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. The result was that, when his mercantile operations were brought to a close, his mind became fixed in the determination of opening a settlement in the wilderness for a permanent home. The intelligence that he had come to this conclusion was received with the deepest regret by his friends in Massachusetts. The following is one of many letters addressed to him on this occasion and subject. It is a pleasing specimen of the lively humor and warm affection that characterized Judge Sargeant's epistolary style. The Colonel's reply, besides interesting domestic details, shows the enthusiasm with which he contemplated the line of life on which he was proposing to enter. Agricultural enterprises and pur- suits always presented rose-colored visions to his ardent imagination. •' Haverhill, May 10th, 1785. "Dear Brotheb, " Mr. Payson has kindly offered to procure a conveyance for this letter. I therefore embrace this opportunity to let vou know that vou have a brother and sister in the world, which we supposed you had forgot. She cordially joins with me in love to vou, sister, and our unknown cousin. She enjoys a good state of health. I have, for three weeks, been hacking out a troublesome cold, and find old age has nearly got hold of me. How he and I shall suit together I can't certainly tell yet. Some future paper may inform you more of it. Your coz, Sally White, is safely married to Mr. Payson, and I hope happily too. He and Mr. Johnston are in trade here, and in partnership. Their business is very large for this place, and they support a very good character ; and I hope they will make their business turn to good account. I suppose you might know them both when they lived in Salem, about ten years ago. 180 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. '' We had flying reports that you thought of going to Karen- happuchiana, or some such plaguy hard-named place, christ- ened hy Congress^ to set up farming. Your sister, whose judgment I know is good^ and, be sure, I don't think mine is lessso^ both agree tliat you ought not to go to farming. We think neither you or sister can be happy in that way of living. We hope nothing but dire necessity — which Heaven avert — will determine you to that emploj^ment. We ardently wish that you may, sooner or later, get back to your old friends, which will make them happy if you are so. If you can see any views I have in writing this long scrawl, I am very glad, for I can find none, but to let you know that we are your most affectionate brother and sister, '' Nathaniel Peaslee and Mary Sargeant." " Philadelphia, June lltli, 1785. "Dear Sir, " I received your favor enclosed in the letter of Johnston and Payson, and am happy to learn that my sister enjoys so good health, and that Sally is married with so fair prospects. I wish that both may continue. Now and then, when I have occasion to recur to some past event, and say ' about thirty years ago,' I feel a sudden surprise at my advanced age ; but you will say, perhaps, that I am fortunate enough if I meet with no other mementos of it. Truly I feel none. Perhaps I never enjoyed better health, though my bones are as prom- inent as ever. Some ten or twelve years hence, perchance, I may speak of old age as you do now. Yet, as I have a less burthen to carry on my journey, I hope I shall not so soon complain of fatigue ; certainly this would be against me if I go to ' Karenhappuchiana,' ' Mughilbucktum,' or other part of the American wilderness. In this case I should hope to enjoy yet twenty years of health and vigor. And, in that period, with ten thousand acres about me, completely improved, I should have reason to be satisfied with my choice. A right to such a tract of land, within one hundred and fifty miles of Philadelphia, and requiring only twent}^ or thirty miles of land-carriage for produce I have j^urchased. When the sur- veys are completed, and the patents in my. pocket, it will LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 181 stand me a pistareen an acre, or rather less. 'Tis chiefly good, strong beech land, interspersed with sugar-maple, some excellent ash, and some white oaks. In some parts there is large white pine. I am concerned in a company who have a hundred and twenty thousand acres together, answering the above description. By the close of summer, or in the fall, I shall have this business completed, and then I intend to visit the county of Essex, with a view to obtain settlers. Will you spare me any for myself and company ? Settlers we must get, whether I go myself or not. I am not absolutely deter- mined ; possibly something may intervene to prevent me. I did please myself with the idea of taking Mrs. P. with me ; but I suspect it may not to her be convenient. '' You know we have four boys. Charles, the youngest, perhaps, will excel his brothers. He was twelve months old the 25th ult. He goes alone, and yesterday was Avhipping a top ; having a perfect idea of the sport, though not being able, like his brothers, to keep it up. He has by far the finest eye ; and the brightness of the eye is often emblematic of the mind. We think none of them defective in understanding. John is the most docile child I have been acquainted with. He was but eight years old last February. Of upwards of one hundred boys at the Episcopal Academy, not one reads better than he. He spells remarkably well, and writes a good hand. In reading he marks the accent, emphasis, cadences, and stops with more propriety than I have known done by so young a boy. Tim has equal sagacity, but is of a dispo- sition somewhat truant : he loves fim. Henry is a sturdy boy, who has not yet been shown a letter, but discovers no want of capacity. Do I prate ? and, in defiance of my pre- tensions to the contrary, have I betrayed the old man, by my garrulity ? Nevertheless, my sister will not be displeased with my story. To her, to you and Sally, accept the tender of sincere affection from " T. and R. Pickering. " P. S. — My sister will have heard of the arrival of Betsey White, the only sister of my wife. We are much pleased with her ; and by her dexterity with her needle and uncom- mon industry, my wife receives the most usefid aid." 182 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Colonel Pickering did not, however, visit Essex County to procure settlers, or send for them. A change came over his plan, shortly after the date of the foregoing let- ter, which diverted him from settling on wild lands, and, for a time, he was led to consider it expedient and neces- sary to return to his native State. Near the conclusion of the previous volume, the ex- treme sickness and unexpected recovery of his brother are mentioned. The circumstances of that case were so peculiar, and the consequent effects upon the course of life of the subject of this memoir so serious and mo- mentous, that they may be more particularly related. John Pickering was a man of marked characteristics. He was a graduate of Harvard College, of the class of 1759. Being the elder son, he inherited the larger part of the family property. He was never married. His tastes and acquired habits led him to seek to adhere to a private and quiet course of life, from which, however, he was forced, by the importunities of his fellow-citizens, occasionally and to some extent to depart. For twelve years he was a Representative from Salem in the legislat- ure, and for three years Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives of Massachusetts. He was an original member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The public confidence in his integrity, patriotism, and wis- dom, was deep and enduring. He occupied himself mainly in agricultural pursuits, declining the office of Notary Public and other employments that would have constantly interfered with the care of his farm, or an* noyed him by breaking in too considerably upon his chosen retirement from public affairs. But when his brother was summoned to permanent LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICItERING. 183 service in the army of the Revolution, his fraternal affec- tion induced him so far to forego his inclinations as to consent to take his place as Register of Deeds for the County of Essex, with the understanding that, upon the termination of his brother's military service, he was to be relieved from the situation. This was the view of the arrangement taken by the pubUc also. All the people appreciated the sacrifice Timothy made in abandoning the means of supporting 'his family, at the call of Wash- ington and in devotion to the cause of the country ; and there was a universal concurrence of feeling and pur- pose that, if he lived to return, his civil offices should be restored to him. John, as Timothy had been, was re-elected unanimously Register of Deeds. Its duties were found not inconsistent with the preference for un- conspicuous positions and a retired line of life, which so strikingly distinguished him from his younger brother. John was a still man, of few words, shrinking from the conflicts of life. Timothy was demonstrative, and prompt to engage in whatever discussions, controversies, or ac- tivities awakened his sensibilities or attracted his atten- tion. Unlike as they were in these respects, the brothers had equal strength of character, purity of purpose, integrity of principles, and conscientiousness in the discharge of all duties and trusts. They loved each other with a singular affection, most beautifully mani- fested in a life-long correspondence on all matters of private family business and public affairs. During the Colonel's unexpectedly protracted military service, John had become accustomed to the details of the office of Register of Deeds ; his daily life ran easily along its routine, and he had acquired familiarity with the per- 184 LIFE OF TIMOTHr PICKERING. sons and interests of the whole people of the county. His brother was unwilling to disturb what had become an established state of things. John was not only ready, but would have been delighted at any time to welcome Timothy back, and at once, in fulfilment of the original arrangement, made way for the transference of the office back to him ; but Timothy was impressed with the con- viction that the discontinuance of the employment to which his old-bachelor brother had become habituated would be accompanied by some discomfort, at least for a time. For these reasons he would not hearken to the proposition to take his place ; and it may be considered certain that, if he had returned to Salem, he would, dur- ing his brother's life, have absolutely refused to allow^ the original arrangement to be carried out, so far as related to the office of Kegister of Deeds. When, at the conclu- sion of the war, his mother, brother, sisters, and all his relatives and connections, as well as the people of the county and commonwealth generally, besought him to come back and be reinstated among them, he was un- doubtedly led by the feelings now described, positively and persistently, to decline. He consequently resolved to provide for his family by entering into arrangements in other directions ; but his plans to this end were for a time suspended. In the latter part of 1785, John Pickering, who for some time had been unwell, gave indications of rapidly failing health, which continually increased until his case became alarming, and, as the year 1786 opened, he had sunk so low that all hopes of his recovery were aban- doned. The following passages from letters of the Rev. John Clarke to Colonel Pickering show the nature and progress of his disease : — LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERmG. 185 " Boston, December 1st, 1785. " The occasion of this letter (which I write in very great haste) is the alarming situation of your brother. He thinks himself better, but I am fully persuaded he is worse. His cough increases upon him. His pain in the side does not abate. A person who has carefully observed his countenance says it has changed ; and, to tell you the plain truth, I have every reason to think he is going into a consumption. His friends are not all of them aware of this, but you will find it is not an imagination of my own. I thought it proper to communi- cate my sentiments respecting this matter, that, if they should eventually be true, you might not be wholly unprepared." "Boston, January lltli, 1786. '' My Uncle John grows continually weaker. He is not only in a confirmed consumption, but in the last stages of it. Several ulcers have collected and broken. He has no expec- tation of his own life, but wishes for the relief which death only can afford. His spirits, however, are as high as usual, and he is rather more sociable. " Dr. Orne is now confined to his bed. I expect every day will be his last. My uncle cannot long survive him. Salem will meet with a great loss, and the people in general seem to be sensible of it." Letters to the same effect were written by other mem- bers of the family. John, not expecting to live many days, caused the features of his will to be communicated to Timothy, that he might at once be apprised of the circumstances that would require his immediate pres- ence after the looked-for event, and demand his personal attention in the distribution of the property that would thus fall to him and his numerous sisters. Upon the receipt of intelligence of this sort, the Colonel absolutelv abandoned all his other enj^ao^ements and plans, and signified his determination to return forthwith to Salem as his permanent residence. The feeling of delicacy, as to the ofi^ice of Register of Deeds, 186 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. being removed, he made known his purpose, and prepared to communicate to his friends in the county his readi- ness, on the death of his brother, to accept the situation, if conferred upon him by the votes of the people. It seemed at the time a settled thing that the residue of his life would pursue, in the daily discharge of the duties of a clerical and local office, the course in which it was running when the war of the Hevolution broke out. He could not immediately leave Philadelphia, and it was not necessary ; as his brother, although slowly declining, did not appear to be so near his end as had been apprehended. The malady inexorahilis phthisis^ generally thought, as by his nephew Clarke, to be in- curable, is subject to great fluctuations. Hopes are often excited in the minds of friends, and especially of the patient, by favorable symptoms ; but the result is found inevitably the same. So it was thought it would prove in this case. John Pickering, at times, appeared to be slightly better ; but, on the whole, the disease seemed to be steadily triumphing over all remedies and all checks. For a long period he was hovering over the brink of the grave. When, however, he was supposed to be dropping into it, a marvellous change took place. In the early part of March, Judge Sargeant met in Boston one of the Selectmen of his town (Haverhill), w^ho showed him a secret circular letter, addressed to the Selectmen of the several towns in the county of Essex, by a person soliciting votes for the office of Register of Deeds, on the ground of John Pickering's disability and supposed nearly impending death. George Williams, happening to be there at the time, obtained permission to take the circular letter, and drove back with it, post- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 187 haste, to Salem. It was Friday, and the election was to take place on the following Monday. Upon reaching Salem, Mr. Williams made the matter known to John Pickering, handing him the document. He was filled with surprise and indignation ; started from his bed ; called for pen, ink, and paper, and wrote a letter on the spot, with his own hand, to the Selectmen of the towns, announcing himself a candidate for re-election to the . office. The letter was forthwith despatched, and reached the Selectmen of every town by Saturday night. On Monday he was re-elected, receiving nearly the whole vote of the county. The indignation of John Pickering on this occasion was partly owing to the feeling that it was an outrage upon the proprieties of the moment to start this move- ment without his knowledge, while he was so near his end, but chiefly because it was a violation of the under- standing, not only among friends of the family, but the people of the county generally, that, upon his failing to hold the office, it should be restored to his brother. The angry excitement into which the sick man was thus so suddenly thrown renewed his expiring strength, started into action his whole system, and poured a warmer circulation through every vein. His passions and his will, as they were thus roused, brought up with them his sinking frame, and restored its wonted energies. It was like a shock of electricity, exploding and dispers- ing the fatal elements of his disease. It stopped the ebbing tide of life, and turned it into a flood of reviving health. From that moment he was better, and the con- sumptive symptoms began to disappear. Mr. Williams, in giving an account of it, in a letter to Colonel Picker- 188 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. ing, said that "his resentment gave a spring to his spirits, and has done him more good than all the doc- tors." The belief among his friends had become so fixed that his disease was incnrable, and he had been brought so near to death's door, that it was long before they could be convinced that he was really recovering health. In a . letter of Mr. Clarke to Colonel Pickering, of April 29th, 1786, he says, " He is able to quit his chamber, and join the circle below. I am astonished when I reflect on his situation. That he cannot live long is, however, the settled opinion of yours," &c. Writing again, on the 9th of June, he says, " I have lately paid a visit to Salem, and 1 must say I have no expectation my uncle John Pickering can live. For a number of weeks he may, indeed, endure life ; but it is impossible he should ever be a well man. His disorder is a consumption. And was a consumption ever radically cured ? You had better turn your thoughts toward your native place, and avoid every connection which may fix you in that part of the country where you now reside." While his relatives were thus incredulous as to his recovery, John Pickering himself felt that, although the process was slow, he was steadily getting better. In the first letter lie wrote to his brother, dated June 6th, 1786, a few days before that of Mr. Clarke, from w^hich the last extract has been made, he says, •' A long time has passed since you have received any letter from me. A very severe indisposition of body prevented my writing. I am now weak and infirm, and still troubled with a cough, but that is much less than it has been, and my pains of body are now very small. 1 walk and LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. 189 ride abroad when the weather is good." Again ^vriting, October 27th, 1786, he says, " I have, my dear brother, for the last few weeks enjoyed myself free from pain of body, and have coughed but little, and in all respects been better than I have been for ten or twelve months before. I can walk from my house to brother Wil- liams's and back again, without difficulty ; but I am still weak and an invalid." John Pickering's health w^as, at last, fully restored, and he continued to record the deeds of the county, and conduct the operations on his farms, for a quarter of a century afterwards. The details of his disease, wdth the opinion Mr. AYilliams expressed as to the efficient agency towards its cure, have been given, because the case is of singular interest, and possibly of importance. Whether it may be expedient, judicious, or practicable, to arrest the progress of maladies of the kind by giving such a start to the feelinofs, and throusrh them to the vital circula- tions, of a patient, is the question. At any rate the precedent is worthy of preservation, and of taking its place in the history and science of therapeutics. The amendment of his brother's health again changed Colonel Pickering's plans. As the necessity of his re- turn to his native State w^as removed, the vision he had indulged of reclaiming, by the labors of twenty years, ten thousand acres of the wilderness, bringing it under cultivation, and thus providing valuable and permanent estates for his children, revived in his mind. Another consideration combined to turn his thoughts decisively against making his residence in Massachusetts. That State was then convulsed by agitations that threatened 190 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. to overthrow the whole fabric of law and government, and which actually soon ripened into a formidable re- bellion. A letter from his brother informed him that move- ments were making to abolish the Court of Common Pleas, and to revolutionize the established order of things, dispensing with the registration of deeds by a county officer, and lodging it with the clerks of the several towns. He says, "The unhappy insurrections in several parts of the Massachusetts, and obstructions to the courts of law, have filled the minds of the think- ing members with anxious concern. Our General Court met in consequence of these troubles, and are now sitting. A very small part of the inhabitants of Essex appear to countenance the conduct of their Western brethren." His brother-in-law. Judge Sargeant, wrote to him from Boston to the same effect. He says, " The aspect of our public affairs is truly alarming. I could write you a volume on the subject, but suppose the newspapers will carry you bad news fast enough. Northampton and Worcester Common Pleas are stopped. This week I suppose Concord, Taunton, and Berkshire courts will stop. The next week I expect our court at Worcester, and so in succession, at Springfield, Great Barrington, and Taunton, will share the same f\\te. The flagitious Tories, taking advantage of the pressure of honest debts, high taxes, and scarcity of money, have stirred up a true Catalinarian conspiracy against the government. God only knows if they will not go nigh to succeed." With such a state of things in Massachusetts, it is not to be wondered at that Colonel Pickering preferred LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 191 Pennsylvania for a home. It will appear, in the issue, that he did not thereby avoid the terrors of lawlessness, but in escaping Scylla fell into Charybdis. Upon hearing of his determination, his friends ex- pressed their deep regret, still continuing their remon- strances and solicitations to him to return to them. His brother says: "It has always been my wish, and the wdsh of all your sisters, that you might be settled in this State, or near to us, and my state of health has made me often wish vou had all the offices I hold in this county." His nephew Clarke used stronger and more uncontrolled language : " I cannot but totally disapprove your removal to the uncultivated parts of your State. You must return to Salem, — your friends all expect it. They all ardently desire it. My Uncle John continuallv wishes to see you in vour native place ; and we promise ourselves we shall once more be happy in your society. Do not disappoint our expectations. The Register's office can be yours immediately. You can be an acting justice. You can be a farmer. You can be a mer- chant. And you can be a blessing to all your friends, par- ticularly to your very affectionate, " J. Clarke." The following letter, in reply to that just quoted, gives the conclusion of the whole matter. The subject of what move he should next make in life — which had exercised the anxious thoughts of Colonel Pickering for more than a year, kept his plans in painful suspense, and in reference to which there had been such fluctua- tions of purpose — w^as now^ settled and disposed of. "Philadelphia, October Uth, 1786. "My Dear Sir, " Your favor by S. Gardner, he delivered me on the 9th in the evening. Your affectionate solicitations excited all my 192 LIFE or TIMOTHY PICKERING. feelings. ^NI}- heart was ever with you ; and I was grieved at the idea of a permanent separation. But my apparent interest checked my wishes ; and now the die is cast. Last Monday tlie Supreme Executive Council appointed me Pro- thonotary [Clerk] of the Court of Common Pleas, Clerk of the Court of Sessions, and Clerk of the Orj:)hans Court for the new county of Luzerne, and a Judge of the same Court of Common Pleas. As soon as the Assembly meets (which will be on the 23d instant), I shall apply for the office of Register of Wills and Recor^ler of Deeds for the same county. The Register of Wills is the Judge of Probate, as Avell as the Register of the proceedings in that court. '' You will wonder to see so many offices vested in one person , but it is here the practice, in new counties, because, where there are few inhabitants, the fees are consequently few. The two last offices are in the gift of the Assembly, and I am told that I shall doul)tless obtain them. " My inducements to accept of these offices are various. 1. My lands nearest to Philadelphia lie in the county of Luzerne, and I can promote the settlement of them, while I hold these offices. 2. Sundry gentlemen of my acquaintance, who are large landholders in the same county, will commit the disposition of their lands to me on commission. 3. The offices are not at present lucrative, yet, as the county will populate rapidly, the gentlemen of the law assure me that, in a few years, they will become greatly so. 4. While the profits are small, the business will be small, and admit of my frequent absence to direct the settlement and improvement of my lands. 5. By the time that my sons come of age, the business of the several offices Avill be so increased as to re- quire a separation ; when, if I should live, I can successively resign one and another into the hands of my sons. These, I hope, you will deem weighty reasons for my determination. " There is another consideration which your philanthropy will pronounce an important one. This new county is chiefly settled by New England people, and multitudes more are read}^ to emigrate from that country to this, provided the dispute with the Wyoming people [as to the title to their lands] were settled. As one probable means of settling the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 193 dispute, these appointments are conferred upon me. On one hand, I possess the confidence of government ; on the other, it is presumed I shall be acceptable to my countrymen. I have it much in my power to effect a reconciliation. This I shall attempt. Further, these people, during the late war, have been destitute of instruction, both civil and religious. I shall have it in inclination, as it will be not a little in my power, to introduce such means of education as will prevent their degenerating to a savage state, to which they have been verging. " I shall write you again after the meeting of the Assem- bly. At present I have only time to add, that I am most affectionately yours. *'T. PiCKEEIXG. "Ret. John Clarke." In a letter to his brother dated " Philadelphia, November 15th, 1786," he says : — "Dear Brother, " With heartfelt gratitude I read your letter of the 2Tth idt., by Captain Very. I hope your attention to business will be so moderate, and your exercise so constant and recju- lar, as to confirm your recovery to health. Your friends and the public will rejoice in the event." [After giving a list of the offices conferred upon him by the Council and the Assem- bly, the same as mentioned in his letter to Mr. Clarke, he goes on, as follows.] " The office of Judge of the Common Pleas is given to enable the Prothonotary (according to the usage here) to sign all writs, and it is only in particular cases that he takes a seat on the bench. " The Register of Wills not only records the proceedings in the Probate Court, but takes the probate of wills, and grants letters of administration. In deciding on certain judicial matters, in the Probate Court, he calls in to his assistance two justices of the peace. ''The Orphan; Court, composed of the justices of thu county, takes cognizance of the estates of orphans. " Luzerne is a new county, and comprehends a large tract of country, full one hundred miles in length and forty or Vol. II. 13 194 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. fifty in breadth; but 'tis tliinly peopled. Indeed tbe bulk of it is yet a wilderness, though there are some settlers, along the river Susquehanna, at both extremes of it. It comprehends the Wyoming District, which was a long time in dispute between Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The latter State was excluded by the decision of the Continental Court at Trenton ; and the dispute with the occupants of the land is in a train for settlement. This ended, the county will raj^idly populate, and then the afore-mentioned offices will become very valuable. In the mean time, they will give me leisure to attend to the settlement and improvement of my lands, which fall within the county. Some gentlemen of the law, and others acquainted with those offices in other of the quondam frontier counties of this State, say my prospects are very great ; and, with this account of them, I hope my determination will be approved by you. " The total separation from m}^ friends was painful to me ; but I thought the interest of. my family demanded the sacrifice. " I remain, my dear brother, most affectionately yours, "- T. Pickering." The other offices seem, by the policy of the State in organizing new counties, to have been attached to that of Prothonotary, for which alone, therefore, it was necessary to make formal application. The follow- ing document fully shows the views with which the appointments were sought and conferred : — " To PIis Excellency the President, and the Hon- orable THE Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. " The Subscriber begs leave to present himself as a can- didate for the office of Prothonotary for the County of Luzerne. •' I have been informed that the bill for erecting the Wyoming District into a separate county is passed into a law, and that the civil officers for the county are now to be ap- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 195 pointed. The office of Prothonotary has been proposed for my consideration, on these grounds : that the forming that district into a separate county was intended as a conciliatory measure ; that, with the same view, it must be the desire of government to appoint such persons to the civil offices in the county as may be most likely to allay the jealousies subsisting among the Xew England settlers, and at the same time pos- sess the confidence of the rest of the State ; that, being a native of New England (though not of Connecticut), the settlers will be gratified by my appointment ; and that having, for several years, been conversant in, and an inhabi- tant of Pennsylvania, I am here sufficiently known ; and the gentlemen who have proposed the office to me have been pleased to say that I should doubtless enjoy the confidence of the State. If these opinions are well founded, there will be no impropriety in my requesting of your Excellency, and the Honorable the Council, to be appointed Prothonotary for the County of Luzerne, which office will be gratefully ac- cepted and, I trust, duly executed. *' I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your Excel- lency's and Honors' obedient servant, " Timothy Pickerixg. " Philadelphia, September 25th, 1786." Such were the purposes, motives, and expectations with which Colonel Pickering was now to make, as he then designed and believed it to be, his last move. Turn- ing away from all conspicuous public positions, he withdrew to a retired scene of humble' industry, and services of limited local usefulness. He was to become a settler in a wilderness, — a backwoodsman, — and it was his whole ambition, bv his influence and exertions, to restore peace and quiet among rude men who had been wrangling and fighting for more than thirty years ; to establish order, law, education, and religion in a secluded rural district ; and to transform, by conducting 196 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. and co-operating in the hardest kind of toil, a pathless forest into fertile fields and valuable farms. The per- sonal endurances to be undergone had no terrors for him. Labor, bodily or mental, was the luxury of his life. His physical energies were equal to all the demands of axe, hoe, or plough ; to the utmost exposures and the rough- est conditions. The prospects of ultimate success in- spired him with confidence and gladness, and he felt safe and sure in indulging his long-cherished visions of agri- cultural independence and pastoral tranquillity. Little did he foresee that hardships and perils awaited him, which give to this stage of his biography an interest wholly singular, and, as has been stated, without a paral- lel in the experience of any other eminent men of his day. The foregoing documents refer to what he called the Wyoming " dispute," one of the most remarkable pas- sages in the interior annals of this country, which it will be the purpose of the next chapter to narrate and explain. LIFE OF TmOTHY PICKERING. 197 CHAPTER VII. Wyoming Lands Controversy. 1753-1778. Before proceeding to relate Colonel Pickering's ex- perience and adventures in the interior of Pennsylvania, it is expedient to explain, with some particularity, the state of things in the territory where he was about to fix his abode. To do this it becomes necessary to go back to a period long antecedent to the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, and to discuss a topic belong- ing to colonial history, and to a region invested with the interest of romance from the extraordinary sufferings and horrors of which it was the scene ; and for ever made attractive to the imaginations and sensibilities of all men the world over by the charms of poetry in strains of immortal beauty. r The subject is entangled in controversies, at that and at the present time hard to settle, and embracing acts of violence and outrage upon which it is equally diffi- cult to pass judgment or offer explanation. The trans- actions occurred in the depths of a then remote and almost inaccessible wilderness. Those who took a leading share in them were instigated by parties at a distance. It is impossible to measure responsibility where every thing conspired to aggravate the sense of wrong, and mislead the judgment of all concerned. But 198 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. few records or documents exist to throw adequate light on the events or the actors. Darkness envelopes the whole subject, and conflicting statements, interests, and passions perplex attempts to present the case in its true merits. I shall describe it with reference to the main historical facts and general considerations relating to it, without indorsing the violent excitements on either side, or participating in the prejudices in which all were involved. It is quite necessary to present the topic somewhat at length, in order to explain a state of things with which the subject of this biography became singularly and critically connected ; and to show the origin of a social demoralization and turbulence, a spirit of insub- ordination and general distrust, a proneness to violent civil convulsions, — the result of extraordinary and long- continued contentions, wrongs, distresses, and desola- tions to which that region had been subjected, producing a condition of the public passions which had, for a gen- eration, defied all the repressive and remedial efforts of government ; and whose last outbreaks he was called to encounter, control, and subdue. The narrative Avill be given in as condensed a form as possible, presenting succinctly the leading points of a protracted train of events, in as regular an order as can be educed from available records and the most reliable traditions. The ignorance universally prevailing as to the dimen- sions, outlines, and geographical features of the North American Continent, and as to the relative positions of its several portions, when the English Colonies were planted upon it, led to a use of language — in defining the boundaries and extent of the territories designed to LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 199 be embraced in the respective original charters granted by the Crown of England — that occasioned serious and lasting difficulties. They were based upon a certain specified width, extending in parallel lines •' from sea to sea," as the expression was ; that is, from the At- lantic shore to that of the supposed western ocean, wherever that shore, then undiscovered, might be found to be. The irregular slants of the eastern front of the Continent, not then understood or surveyed, caused these grants to run into, overlie, and cross each other, so that large areas of country were ultimately found to fall within the charter limits of two or more Colonies ; conflicting claims consequently arose as to jurisdiction and proprietary rights, particularly between Xew Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Xew York, and Pennsylvania. These conflicts became sharp, bitter, ear- nest, and pertinacious. An idea prevailed that the interior and unexplored regions were rich in various mineral ores ; in all likelihood in precious metals ; and, beyond question, were of much greater natural fertility than any then-settled portions of the country. The imagina- tions of men were everywhere wrought upon by accounts of casual explorers and others who had listened to tales that had currency among wandering aborigines. The fancied riches of these parts of the newly discovered world also excited the credulity of European nations ; and adventurous expeditions were made by the French on the north, and Spaniards on the south, up the mighty rivers St. Lawrence and Mississippi, across and around the Great Lakes ; of many of which, doubtless, no record remains. This feeling gave energy and ear- nestness to the contests for jurisdiction and dominion 200 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. between the people of the great maritime and military powers over the western forests of America. It, of course, spread through the British American Colonies, whose inhabitants, from their proximity to the coveted regfions and more direct and natural connection with them, could not but have their thoughts drawn with livelv interest in that direction. As the resolute determination of England to assert and recover her claims to the North American Continent be- came known and appreciated, her colonists turned their attention, with particular scrutiny, to the language of the charters, giving them indefinite extension, even from sea to sea. Individuals and parties, acting under the auspices of companies formed for the purpose, went forth from the older settlements deeper and deeper into the wilderness ; keeping between the lines specified, and, however far they went, claiming to be within the limits, and shielded by the sovereignty of the respective Colonies to which they belonged. When, having been thus careful to observe the proper boundaries, they found themselves confronted by persons of other Prov- inces, making similar pretensions, and claiming, under other charters emanating from the same royal authority, the rightful possession of the country, serious conse- quences were inevitable. Controversies and conflicts en- sued. The final conquest of Canada by Great Britain gave a new impulse to this tendency to emigrate to the western wilderness, which had indeed been for some time in process. The consummation of that event made every English colonist feel that the whole Continent was now his own. The settlement by adventurers, actuated by this spirit, LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 201 on a tract of land which was afterwards declared by Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut to be within their respective charter limits, became the occasion of one of the most memorable conflicts arising from this cause in our ^history. As in this conflict Colonel Picker- ing was destined to be most responsibly and perilously involved, it becomes an element in his biography requir- ing to be explained with some particularity. The settlers pitched upon the locality, because it was within the charter lines of Connecticut, the Colony to which they belonged, and they had been led into the enterprise by prominent parties in that Colony, clothed with corporate powers conferred by its legislative authorities. The territory they occupied and claimed embraced the country around the Great Bend of the Susquehanna and both its main forks or branches, and stretching up to the ' present southern line of Xew York and above it. The present counties in Pennsylvania of Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Luzerne, Wyoming, Bradford, and Tioga, are comprehended in what was claimed by these Connecticut settlers. Wilkesbarre and its neighborhood were the scenes of the principal transactions between and among the conflicting parties. The entire region had been established as a county by the then govern- ment of Pennsylvania, un^er the name of Northumber- land ; and in the course of the controversy the same area was made first a town, and then a county, of Con- necticut, under the name of Westmoreland, by an act of the legislature of that Colony. Indeed, at one time the parties in Connecticut, under whose auspices the emi- grants had been sent out, and who instigated and backed their proceedings, had in view to establish a 202 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. new separate State there, under the same name, West- morehmd. Before going further into the details of this affair, and to give a just view of the character of this remarkable land controversy, the following passage from the " His- tory of the United States of North America," by James Graham, LL.D. (vol. iv., p. 128), may properly be quoted : " A passion for occupjdng new territories and forming new settlements rose to an amazing height in New Hampshire and in every other quarter of New England ; and the gratification of this taste fostered a stubborn resolution and habits of dar- ing and hardy enterprise congenial to the prevalent sentiments of independence, and propitious to the efforts which these sentiments portended. The continual migrations of this pro- vincial race from their own proper territory to every other quarter of America exerted also (as it still continues to exert) a highly beneficial effect in improving and assimilating all the American communities, by spreading through their people the knowledge and virtue, the spirit, character, and habits so dih- gently cultivated in New England, and so honorably distinc- tive of her peculiar population. Among other ne^^ settlements created by the exuberant vigor of New England, at this period, was one whose primitive manners and happiness, as well as the miserable desolation which it subsequently under- went in the Revolutionary war, have been rescued from neglect and oblivion by the genius of a poet of Scotland, — the settlement of Wyoming on the banks of the river Susque- hanna. The territory of this settlement had been purchased several years before by an association of Connecticut planters from the Indian Confederacv of the Six Nations ; but first the war with France, and afterwards the war with the Indians, deterred the resort of inhabitants to the soil till the year 1763, when it was first colonized by emigrants from Connecticut. The social union of various races of men, and the conversion of gallant warriors into patriarchs and husbandmen, so beauti- fully described by Campbell in his ' Gertrude of Wyoming,' LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 203 is rendered probable by the increased resort which now took place of emigrants to America from every quarter of Europe, including a considerable number of British officers, who, de- prived of their occupation by the peace, and smitten with the charms of rural life in America, transferred their residence to a land to which their victorious heroism had imparted addi- tional value and security. This settlement, like the occupa- tion of the Vermont territory, gave rise to a controversy on which poetry has no colors to bestow. A keen litigation for the dominion of it arose between the government of Connecti- cut, to which it properly belonged, and the proprietaries of Pennsylvania, who derived a plausible claim from the vague- ness of their charter, and who, like the Royal Governors of New York and New Hampshire, were eager to augment their emoluments by multiplying the occasions of exacting fees for grants of lands, to wliich the grantees had already, by previous purchase from the natural owners, a much more equitable title than those pretenders to sovereignty were able to confer." Graham refers, as his authority for the views here given, to Trumbull, the historian of Connecticut, and his sympathies were, as a consequence, naturally in favor of the settlers from that Colony, in the prolonged experi- ences of suffering, accompanied by loss of property and life, to which they were subjected. There are some points in his statement that require comment. Emi- grants from Connecticut had taken up their abode in the disputed territory at an earlier date than is assigned by Graham, — earlier than supposed by Colonel Pick- ering when treating the subject in a letter which will be given in full in a subsequent chapter. The precise time when Connecticut emigrants first appeared there is in- volved in oblivion, and was prior to any known record. The following citations show that they were there, and apparently had been for some time, in 1760 : — 204 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. In the '^ Aspinwall Papers,'' recently published by the Massachusetts Historical Society in its " Collections," there are documents that prove this.* Richard Peters (uncle of the celebrated Revolutionary patriot of that name), whose services for nearly a quarter of a century in the administration of the affairs of Pennsvlvania, as Sec- retary to the Governor, member of the Council, and in charge of the Land Office, make him the highest author- ity as to the details in the history of that Province, writing from Philadelphia to General Monckton, August 14th, 1760, says: "I am told that the people of Connecticut are attem^pting to get footing in the Indian country above and west of Cashictan, in latitude 41.40 minutes, and from thence to latitude 41, under a pretence that their Royal grant gives them to the south towns. This, if true, may do infinite mischief at this time." In another letter from Peters to Monckton, dated at Philadelphia, August loth, 1761, after giving a brief account of a " grand meeting," at which the Governor and authorities of Pennsylvania had been " amusing themselves " with an assemblage of Indians belonging to the " Six Nations," and five other subordinate tribes, at Easton in that Province, he states that the " Connecticut Settlement" w^as spoken of. The Pennsylvania dignitaries gave to the Indians their views in reference to that settlement. As Peters says : " This was related to them in its naked truth ; and they were, moreover, told that these vagrants settled those lands under color of Indian purchases, and they were asked if they had sold the lands to the New- England people. They denied it, and mentioned that * Vol. ix., Fourth Series, pp. 300-440. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 205 some private Indians had taken upon them to sell it." Peters goes on to state that " a string " was given them " to carry to the Onondaga Council, and to request that, in full council, they would reprove their young men, and declare those sales void. In short, presents were made as usual, and a large number of Quakers attended and were as busy as ever." The foregoing passages shed light upon a point on which the subsequent controversies, to a great degree, hinged. The Connecticut Company claimed to have purchased the lands from the Indian proprietors. The government of Pennsylvania insisted that the purchase had been made of a few Indians, unauthorized to convey the lands, and affirmed that the transaction had been dis- owned by a full council of the " Six Nations " and their allied tribes. The letters of Peters bring to view the means used by the government of Pennsylvania to pro- cure this disavowal, and show some ground for the con- viction entertained by the Connecticut settlers that they had not been fairly dealt with. They felt that they had obtained the lands, in an open and regular way, from chiefs and sachems authorized to sell them ; that they had paid in good faith the stipulated price ; and that the " Six Nations" had been led, by undue influence, to disavow the bargain. Hence the pertinacity and ani- mosity with which they persevered in the subsequent contests for the territory. In point of fact, both parties, at one time or another, secured a purchase of the lands from the " Six Nations," ostensibly in " full council." This has, indeed, been the difficulty experienced at all times, to the present day, in reference to regions of country purchased of Indians. The government of tribes 206 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. is SO iindeiined and uncertain, that questions as to the authority of particular chiefs to negotiate business of this sort can easily be raised, which it is impossible to settle in the absence of formal records and written credentials duly authenticated. The Connecticut " Susquehanna Company " was rec- ognized, and established by the legislature of that Colony in 1754. It made, soon after, the alleged pur- chase, and settlers sent on by it had undoubtedly taken possession, begun to cut down the forests, break the ground, and build log-houses and barns, some time, it is impossible to say how long, prior to 1761. The govern- ment of Connecticut forthwith, and continually, treated the territory as* within its jurisdiction. It was incor- porated, as has just been stated, by acts of the As- sembly of that Colony, first as a town, and then as a county, duly organized as such, and brought by these formal acts under its laws and jurisdiction. Commissions, conferring the functions of justice of peace, were issued. Members elected by the votes of the settlers took and held seats in the Connecticut House of Assembly. The govern- ment of that Colony, it thus appears, officially, publicly, and steadily sustained the cause of its settlers, vindicated their rights, and legalized their proceedings. The set- tlers were, therefore, justified in insisting upon their allegiance to Connecticut for twenty-eight years, from 1754 to 1782, when, as will appear, a competent judicial tribunal remanded them to the jurisdiction of Pennsyl- vania, and the controversy ought to have ceased, but unhappily did not. But besides the question of the validity of the Indian purchases, and beneath it, was the question of charter LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 207 limits. Pennsylvania was a proprietary government, owned by the heirs and representatives of William Penn, holding under the charter granted to him by the King of England. Pennsylvania claimed that, by the language of that charter, she was entitled to the territory occupied by the Connecticut settlers. The administration of affairs in Pennsylvania was subject to particular difficul- ties and impediments. It was under a complex sover- eignty, that of the Crown and Parliament of England, and of a private proprietor, both essentially extraneous ; for the representative of the Penn family, for the time being, holding the title and the position of its Governor by inheritance, often resided in the mother country. These two sovereignties were actuated by different controlling motives. The Crown and Parliament aimed to secure and promote the power of the empire by looking after the peaceful subjection and welfare of the Province. The Penns regarded it as a piece of property out of which to make as much money as possible. The conse- quences of this state of things were injurious, and led to a feebleness and unsteadiness of administration of the affairs of the Province, which aggravated the controversy going on in its remote woods, and, in fact, crippled the energies of the people generally. It was not until years after the Penn proprietary had been swept away, and the Revolution been in progress, that the inherent forces of that State were developed and compacted. For this reason the British found it expedient to make it one of the chief theatres of the war. The government of Connecticut took all possible means to induce the Penn proprietors to make an ar- rangement with them. A deputation from its House of 208 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Assembly visited Governor Penn, — then in Philadelphia, and vested with the proprietary power, — and laid pro- posals before him. But he refused to treat with them. An agent was then sent by Connecticut to England to lay the case before the home government ; and a judg- ment was obtained from the Lords of Council, to whom the matter had been referred, which seemed to be decisive in favor of Connecticut, and amply apologizes for, if it does not fully justify, her claims, and the methods subsequently adopted by the settlers prior to 1782. In the mean while, the Colony of Pennsylvania, for a large consideration in money, bought out the Penn pro- prietors. They purchased all the lands belonging to that family within the Colony. No reservation was made, and no attention given, in this purchase, as to the rights of the Connecticut settlers. The controversy thenceforth was between Pennsylvania and Connecticut, much, as was found, to the disadvantage of the settlers. For a long period there had been growing and spreading amon^ the people of Pennsylvania a prejudice against the Penn proprietors, and an aversion to their govern- ment, pretensions, and persons. So long as the conflict for those lands was between the " Yankees" and " Penn- ymites," as the contending parties were popularly denom- inated at the time, the people of the older settlements of Pennsylvania, not being immediately connected with the affair, and having no fondness for either side, were not disposed to interfere, but quite willing to stand by, and let the fight go on. To a great extent, indeed, there was a sympathy between the people of the frontier counties and the Wyoming settlers. This accounts for the weak- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 209 ness of the resistance made by that Province, and its inaction, for much of the time, in the earlier years of the controversy. But when the Penn proprietors disap- peared wholly from the scene, and it became an unmixed question between Pennsylvania and Connecticut, all the people of the former State became more and more united in maintaining its pretensions. From that moment the government of Pennsylvania grew stronger in its position, and capable of more efficient action. Soon almost the entire people of the other parts of that State were aroused in their feelings against the Connecticut men, and were ultimately, as will be seen, wrought up to a violence of passion against them, resulting in unwise and unjusti- fiable harshness in measures of administration and legis- lation. A brief recapitulation of the principal occurrences in the history of this settlement may here be given. It presents a series of disasters and endurances, such as no other people ever experienced. It shows that its heroic and indomitable inhabitants fairly won, by their courage, resolution, and sacrifices, a title to the acres they tilled and the country they had thus made their own. In 1763 the population of several hundreds was driven by a sudden Indian assault from the territory, and every house burned to the ground ; such of their oc- cupants, as survived the murderous onslaught, escaping to the woods and mountains, and finding their way back as they could to Connecticut. This was the first de- struction that fell upon the settlement. It was utter, and supposed to be final. Pennsylvania thought so. For some time the terri- VoL. II. 14 210 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. tory was vacant. The government of the Province, having completed the negotiations by which the Penn proprietors had been bought out, — the form having previously been gone through of purchasing the lands of the " Six Nations " at an Indian council, some chiefs siiifuins: the deed of sale, — executed a lease of them in 1768, to three leading citizens of Pennsyl- vania, for seven years, who proceeded to occupy and manao^e the territorv. Thev built a trading house and fort. All this while the Susquehanna Company and the expelled settlers had not been idle, but were making their preparations and awaiting a favorable moment for action. In February, 1769, an advance party of forty men started from Connecticut and entered '' the Valley," as the disputed territory began to be called. They invested the fort, which was in charge and under the command of John Jennings, one of the three lessees, and com- missioned as Sheriff by the Governor of Pennsvlvania. Jennings sent for troops to relieve him ; continual acces- sions were made to the Connecticut force by parties sent on from that Colony ; and " Fort Forty," as they called it, from the number of men in the advanced detachment, was built by them, and became the point around which many conflicts took place. Jennings, having been re-enforced, broke into the fort, and made prisoners of most of the garrison. But another party of two hundred men, under Captain Durkee, reaching the Valley from Connecticut, erected another fort, called " Durkee," with a large number of block-houses around it, from which approaches to it might be repelled by musketry. In the mean while the Connecticut forces LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 211 had increased to three hundred fighting men, and Jen- nings gave up the contest, leaving the territory in their possession. Before the close of the year, however, the Connecti- cut men were again driven from the Valley by a supe- rior force of Pennsvlvanians. In Februarv, 1770, Lazarus Stewart, — who, although a Pennsylvanian, seems to have early joined the settlers. — uniting followers of his own with a party from Connecticut, recovered the ' country, after some hard fighting, for the Yankees, driving out Captain Ogden, one of the three lessees. In a later part of the same year, Ogden, — a strong force beins: rallied bv the Governor of Pennsvlvania to aid him. — bv a sudden assault, drove out the Yankees again. On the night of the 18th of December, Captain Lazarus Stewart, with a small party, attacked the fort, took the garrison Ogden had left there by surprise, and the Valley was again in the possession of the Connecticut men. In the next month, January, 1771, the Sheriff of Northampton county, with a large body of men, entered the territory, and after some fighting, in which a brother of Ogden was killed, by his superior numbers compelled Stewart to take refuge in the fort ; wdio find- ing, however, that he could not hold it, withdrew in the night, leaving 'the Pennymites once more in possession of the Valley, who held it for six months. On the 6th of July, Captain Zebulon Butler, who had a few years before united his fortunes with the settlers, coming from Connecticut with seventy men, and joined by a party under Lazarus Stewart, suddenly descended from the mountains. He compelled Ogden to retreat into his fort, and commenced a vigorous siege of it, in the course 212 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. of which many were killed. Ogden -^himself escaped from it. making: his way to the Governor of Pennsylvania, to obtain re-enforcement. On the 11th of August Butler summoned the garrison to surrender, which it felt compelled to do. On the 14th a force, sent from Philadelphia to relieve the fort, had arrived within two miles of it ; but it was too late. The Connecticut people held the valley ever after. Seldom, if ever, was a country so fought for or suf- fered for as this. Without taking into account the assault by Indians in 1763, when, after a frightful car- nage, the whole residue of the inhabitants were com- pelled to abandon it entirely, and without anticipating the mention of a far more awful ruin inflicted upon it in 1778, but confining the view to the conflicts between the Connecticut settlers and the government of Pennsyl- vania, in the brief period of two and a half years, from February, 1769, to August, 1771, four times the Con- necticut men were expelled, and four times they returned, the last to a final triumph. Each time they traversed a distance of two hundred and fifty miles, through woods and over mountains. The indestructible energy, unconquerable resolution, and heroic bravery they evinced, were characteristic of, and do honor to, their race. These fluctuating events, in the warfare for dominion over the Valley, illustrated indeed the bravery and prowess of both contending parties. They were accompanied, all along, by much loss of life, alternate destruction of property, and untold personal hardships and sufl*erings. After this the Connecticut settlers held the country without serious molestation from Pennsylvania, with the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 213 exception of an attack made from the county contigu- ous to them, lower down the river, the Sheriff of which, at the head of a large body of men, endeavored to reach Wyoming, but was easily repulsed. Once more, too, the Governor of Pennsylvania attempted to dislodge them, but in vain. He raised a more powerful force than ever before ; but the brave settlers ambuscaded it on its approach, defeated, and effectually repulsed it. The government of that Province came to the conclusion that there was no use in trying to subjugate the Wyom- ing people. A then pathless forest lay between the seat of government and more peopled districts and that settlement. Its inhabitants, too, had become so formidable in numbers and spirit as to make it inex- pedient to attempt to subdue them by any organ- ized movement in arms against their forts, hamlets, or farms. Neither could Pennsvlvania extend her civil jurisdiction over them. Any one appearing to execute legal processes, by her authority, was met by prompt and defiant resistance. Xo sheriff or tax-gatherer of hers was suffered to enter the territorv. It held itself free from Pennsylvania, and practically was equally free from Connecticut, the great distance of which prevented the settlers being reached by an arm of power, or, as was sadly acknowledged at a future crisis, of protection. The two contesting governments could do little more than pass declaratory resolutions and inoperative legis- lative acts. Some local skirmishes and small affrays may have taken place here and there, occasionally, but no considerable move was made or incident oc- curred to disturb the quiet or independence of the people. 214 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. The period between 1771 and 1778 were the hal- cyon days of Wyoming. Its fields were clothed with beauty, and gave forth their abundance. The commu- nity combined and exhibited all the elements of a repub- lic and a democracy. Without the artificial and costly machinery of other governments, the people themselves exercised all the healthy and desirable functions of a legislature, executive, and judiciary. The all-absorbing discussions and agitations that were for some years drawing the Colonies into the vortex of a fearful, fast-approaching, and desperate conflict in arms with the mother country, diverted attention from these distant backwoodsmen ; and they were left for the time in neglect, contentment, and prosperity. During this interval they increased and multiplied wonderfully. The beautiful features of the region they occupied, the fertility of its soil, and the excellent state of morals and manners among them, attracted many to join them. It is understood that the story of the Arca- dian pastoral simplicity and happy tranquillity of their lives, enjoying an independence in their condition be- yond the power of any exterior government, and real- izing the fondest dreams of agricultural felicity and liberty, was borne to distant lands, and drew emigrants from foreis^n nations to share their favored lot. The Transatlantic poet, while meditating upon the tragic horrors that subsequently burst upon this devoted peo- ple, gave utterance to the traditions that had reached his ears of their previous happiness. " On Susquehanna's side, fair Wyoming! Although the wild-flower, on thy ruined wall, And roofless homes, a sad remembrance bring Of what thy gentle people did befall; LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 215 Yet thou wert once the loveliest land of all That see the Atlantic wave thy morn restore, Sweet land ! may I thy lost deUghts recall, And paint thy Gertrude in her bowers of yore, Whose beauty was the love of Pennsylvania's shore." " That Pennsylvanian home, With all its picturesque and balmy grace, And fields that were a luxury to roam." *' Delightful Wyoming ! beneath thy skies, The happy shepherd swains had nought to do But feed their flocks on green declivities." The poet goes on to specify the diiFerent nationali- ties, gathered harmoniously on this then favored spot. *' For here the exile met from every clime, And spoke in friendship every distant tongue Men from the blood of warring Europe sprung Were but divided by the running brook." " The blue-eyed German changed his sword to pruning-hook. Not far, some Andalusian saraband Would sound to many a native roundelay." ** Alas ! poor Caledonia's mountaineer That want's stern edict e'er, and feudal grief, Had forced him from a home he loved so dear ! Yet found he here a home and glad relief." " And England sent her men, of men the chief, Who taught those sires of Empire, yet to be, To plant the tree of life, — to plant fair Freedom's tree." However much allowance is to be made for the enthu- siasm or the fancy of the poet, it is not to be doubted that the Wyoming settlement was, at this particular period, a favorite point to which immigration turned. The names of its inhabitants, which have happened to be mentioned, have a considerable admixture, indicating a foreign and various origin. Xeither is it to be doubted that the settlement experienced a rapid and marvel- lously happy and vigorous growth. The facts and fig- ures of history prove this. At the opening of the 216 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Revolutionary war it was divided into several town- ships, and some estimate may be formed of its population from the statement made at the time, that it sent a thousand men to serve in the Continental army * But so far as its condition had become desirable from the circumstance that it had no government to sustain, except for mere neighborhood regulations, paid no taxes to either State that claimed it, and kept itself free from the control of both of them, it was soon called to pay dearly for the privilege. While it repelled their power, it lost their protection. When the hour of danger came no help could be expected from either ; and when Con- gress was appealed to, the reply was that, until it was agreed to which State they belonged, it was difficult for the United States, as such, to know how to act in the premises. Congress made the most earnest appeals to all concerned to settle their disagreements, but without effect, as neither party was willing to recede from its * This estimate of tlie population in round numbers Avas made by writers of the Revolutionary period. It is not by any means certain that it was an over- estimate. An aggregate enumeration of the people, about the time that war broke out, not including, however, the entire territory, gave 2,500. But owing to tlie peculiar circumstances in the history' of tlie VaUey, the proportion of males was very much greater than in ordinary communities. Many of the females, driven at different times out of the settlements, had not returned. Ad- venturous young men constituted a large part of the population. From the numbers enrolled in the several companies raised there, the frequent mention of considerable parties of recruits in the place, the fact that men had gone thence and joined companies enlisted elsewhere, and that there were about three hundred old men and youth brought into array, at the fatal day of the 3d of July, 1778, it is not improbable, all things considered, that Wyoming afforded to tlie country, in the period of tlie Revolution, not far from 1,000 men. They were in many of the hardest fought battles of the war. The number known to have been slain gives countenance to that figure, so also does the fact that on the 4th of September, 1832, more tlian fifty years after the armies of the Revolution were raised, thirty-one soldiers who had served in those armies, be- longmg to Luzerne County, met in the Court-house at Wilkesbarre. There were other Revolutionary soldiers, not at the meeting, then living in the county. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 217 pretensions, and the Valley remained independent but exposed. Suffering no outside jurisdiction, it could not expect outside defence. This made it helpless to resist the storm of war then raging over the Continent, and in fact attracted the bolt that fell upon it. The undefended and indefensible condition of the Wvomino^ settlement was seen by the common enemy, and may be considered as the occasion of a ruin more terrible than any other part of the country experienced. The destruction of the Wyoming settlement in 1778 may therefore be regarded as part and parcel of the land controversy, which it is the purpose of this chapter to sketch. Lieutenant-Colonel John Butler, living, at the open- ing of the Revolution, on the Mohawk, a Loyalist and Refugee, in command of British troops, was stationed in the West, with his head-quarters at Niagara. He was an active officer ; and devoted himself to acquiring an ascendencv over surroundins: Indian tribes, with the view of rendering them hostile to the United States, and consolidatino: their strens^th on the side of the mother country. He held counsel with their great chieftain. Brant, and other heads of tribes. The ques- tion where, when, and how, to strike the American Col- onies and settlements, was the subject of consideration among them, and led to frequent expeditions and assaults. In 1778, a powerful blow was concerted and effected. The point of attack was the Wyoming villages, at which they directly aimed, and by rapid movements reached, taking them almost entirely by surprise. The force led by Butler, all told, was sup- posed to be 1,600 men, consisting of British regulars, armed Tories, and Indian warriors starting with it or 218 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. joining on the way. They seem to have traversed the intervening country, then a wilderness, in a straight direction to their mark, and had nearly reached it before intelligence of their approach was received. The suspicions and alarm of the settlers were first roused by noticing the disappearance of certain violent Tories, of \\hom there had been a number among them, — a very few belonging to their original company, most of them miscellaneous immigrants from vari- ous quarters. They had, in fact, gone to meet and co-operate with the invaders. The arrival of Butler and his hordes of allies, at Tioga, was soon announced, and the settlers prepared for defence. Most of their able- bodied men were absent in the Continental army. But the elderly men and invalids, and boys old enough to serve, flew to arms. Organization was necessary, but the time was short. Lieutenant-Colonel Zebulon Butler, whose regiment was connected with the main body of the Continental army, happened, at this time, to be at home on a visit of a few days. The whole body of the people, with such military persons as were among them, unanimously beo:2:ed him to assume command, which he did. So that the sinsjular coincidence occurred that the two armies were led by men of the same name, title, and rank. They were gallant and able officers, and, as was believed by some, both natives of Connecticut, but always of opposite politics. Zebulon Butler was born at Lyme in Connecticut, in 1731. In the Colonial war against the French and Indians, he entered the army as an Ensign, and rose to the rank of Captain, when he resigned his com- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 219 mission. He had seen much service, and was an ex- perienced soldier, having been at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and in the expedition to Havana. He had fixed his home at Wvomins^ in 1769, and led back from Con- necticut the force that in 1771 finally recovered it. Colonel John Butler, having prior to the Revolution lived for some time in the Mohawk Valley, where he had a large estate, must have known all about the Wyoming land controversy, and in this is seen the reason why that point w^as selected for his attack. He knew that the settlements were unprotected, that neither Pennsylvania nor Connecticut could come to their aid, and that Congress had not taken them under its wing. Further, it may be supposed that he w^as actuated by that violence of hatred and resentment, which the rough usage they had met with had aroused in the breasts of some of the Tories. As he could not reach Connecticut, against which, if he had been driven from it, he may have been aggravated, possibly he took par- ticular satisfaction in striking at this off-shoot of that Colony. This may explain why he was willing to lead such a barbarous onslaught upon a people of his ow^n lineage. Upon assuming command Colonel Zebulon Butler im- mediately made all possible preparations to resist the approaching foe. lie was aided in his arrangements by Colonel Denison of the Wyoming militia, Lieutenant- Colonel Dorrance, and some officers of the Continental army who happened to arrive at the moment. He gath- ered as many of the women and children, as could be collected, into a fort. On the 2d of July the enemy entered the Valley and slaughtered some of the out-set- 220 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. tiers. On the morning of the 3d a messenger was despatched to Colonel Pickering of the Board of War, informing him of the impending danger and calling for aid. Dividing his force of about three hundred men, in- cluding the aged and the young, into six companies, But- ler marched out, about noon, and the battle commenced. It was a hotly contested fight, and might, as has been thought, have resulted in a victory of the settlers, not- withstanding tlie disparity of force, had not an order, given by the Captain of one of the companies, been mis- understood. Seeing the necessity of altering the position of his men to protect them, at a particular crisis of the battle, from a cross-fire, and to make their own tire more effective, he directed them to fall back. The order and the movement were misinterpreted into a retreat, which at once took effect : confusion, disorder, and panic prevailed. The mischief was irretrievable, and a general rout the result. The slaughter that en- sued was dreadful. Denison and a remnant of his com- mand succeeded in regaining the fort, which, however, he was compelled to surrender the next day. Carnage and conflagration reigned throughout the Valley. The houses of all except the Tories were burned. It was said that, during the fight and afterwards, nearly two hundred of the women of Wyoming were made widows. Such as survived, including those surrendered with the fort, fled to the woods, and made their wav to Connect- icut or elsewhere. The sufferings of the fugitives, mostlv women and children, on their wav. were extreme. With but few men to guide and guard them, without shelter or provisions, of all ages and conditions of health or strength, the tales that were told of their en- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 221 durances, among the mountains and in the wilderness, make their story one of tlie saddest and most trao^ical in the annals of history. As such it has ever been regarded. Colonel Zebulon Butler effected his escape from the Valley, and despatched an account of the catastrophe to Colonel Pickering, whose letters in reply to those of Butler are here given. They illustrate what has been said, as to the fact that both Pennsylvania and Connect- icut were incapable of rendering aid to prevent the mis- chief, in consequence of the controversy, to which they were the parties, about the jurisdiction over that territory. Connecticut men in Congress were, as Pickering says, " at a loss" lo know what they could do in the crisis, and Pennsylvania was powerless at that point of her frontier. Colonel John Butler well knew that the circumstances of that territory were '• singular " in this respect; and, for this reason, he selected it as the point of attack. " War Office, July 10th, 1778. "SlK, " I received your letter of the 3d instant, relative to the invasion of the Indians, and have since heard the engage- ment you expected, actually took place, and greatly to the advantajie of the enemv. The letter, with the additional information, was laid before Congress, and I hoped they would have given some order for relieving you ; but, as yet, nothing has been done. Congress have been engaged in busi- ness of very great consequence. I have conversed with the delegates from Connecticut, but they, as well as others, are at a loss to determine what measures are best to be pursued. A small force of Continental troops, unless joined by the militia of this State, would be unequal to the enemy invading you ; and to detach a large force from the army may be inconvenient ; and either would probably arrive too late ; for the enemy will not stay long in your borders, especially when they are informed 222 LIFK OF TIMOTHY I'lCKERING. that the Britisli have evacuated Pliihidelphia, and that, in their retreat throiigli the Jerseys, we gained a victory over them, ill which, and by desertions since they left the city, and fatigues and skirmishes on their march, they have lost full three thousand men. I am anxious to hear of your present situation, which I hope is not so dangerous as the last reports represented it. If the enemy have invested your fort, and you can hold it long enough, surely Congress will order up a force, sufficient to relieve you. The savages, I trust, will ere long find sufficient employment in their own countries, and repent of their union with the falling power of Britain ; for, if the Indians persist in tlieir hostilities, the resentment of the United States will not cool till those bar- barians are exterminated from the earth. I hope soon to receive further information of the state of your settlement. This afternoon there wdll be a board, for the express pur- pose of devising some measures for your assistance. "I am, Sir, j^ours, ''T. Pickering." ^^ ^ "War Office, Philadelphia, July 15th, 1778. " Your melancholy account of the fate of Wyoming, I received by Mr. Williams. I regret that measures were not earlier taken for tlie relief of that and the other settlements on the frontiers. Something effectual would have been done, in any other State than this, by the people themselves or their executive powder. But the circumstances of this State are singular on many accounts. At length orders are issued for assembling immediately considerable bodies of militia at Standing Stone, Sunbury, and Easton. The latter I hope will be strengthened by the Jersey militia, which, I hear, have been ordered out against the Indians. The Commissary has been directed to appoint proper persons to supply these troops with provisions. To encourage the militia, and to give some certain and immediate relief to the frontiers, Colo- nel Hartley's regiment is ordered to march to Sunbury (for 'tis apprehended the enemy from AYyoming will take that course), except a detachment of about eighty, who escorted some prisoners of war to Brunswick, and will march from LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 223 thence to Easton, as soon as the express, who set off this morning, can reach them. At Easton they will receive further orders, either to join their regiment at Sunbiny, or the troops on Delaware, as the movements of the enemy shall render expedient. " We are informed that Colonel Kowatz, with part of General Pulaski's corps is at Fort Penn. Captain Spauld- ing's company, you hear, is on Delaware : I should think it advisable for you, with such troops as are with you, to join it. You will co-operate with the Continental troops and militia which shall be collected, and concert with the commanding oiBficers the most effectual measures for stopping the further ravages of the enemy. You can best judge on the spot to what quarter you should march ; the numbers and move- ments of tlie enemy must direct you. I am convinced that motives of honor, as well as duty, will prompt you to exert your utmost ability to promote the common good, and save the distressed frontier. Ammunition and some arms will be sent to the different frontier counties, as soon as the Council of this State have informed the Board what quantities they shall want for the militia, 1,900 of whom they have ordered out in the whole. " I have the satisfaction to inform you that Monsieur Girard, Minister from the Court of France, is arrived here. He came in a fleet of men-of-war, commanded bv the Count D'Estaing, of which eleven are capital ships. This fleet is, before this time, arrived at Sandy Hook, and we hope soon to hear of the capture of the British fleet, Avhich is greatl}'' inferior to that of the French. General Washington, with the main army, is probably now crossing the North River. There is the highest reason to believe that he, by land, and the French Admiral by sea, will coop up the enemy at New York, and make prisoners of the whole. We shall then be at leisure to chastise the savages, and the barbarous villains who have led and joined them in laying waste our frontiers. *' I am. Sir, your most humble servant, " T. Pickering. "Lieutenant-Colonel Zebulox Butler." 224 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Incidental expressions, and the general tenor of these letters, show the bearing of the controversy for the Wyoming territory upon the military operations of the time, and its effect in rendering that frontier de- fenceless. Congress was prevented from exercising such powers as it had. It was composed of delegates from the States severally, and had no pretence of juris- diction outside of them. It was a question, then un- decided, to which of two of its equal component States the territory belonged. It was felt to be inexpedient for Congress to incur the dissatisfaction of either of them. It withheld from attempting to adjudge, much more from taking action against, one or the other. The Commander-in-Chief had to pursue the same line of action. Pennsylvania could not shelter the territory, because its inhabitants did not suifer her to extend her authority, civil or military, over them. It is not to be charged to her discredit, therefore, that, as Pickering says, the Wyoming massacre could not have occurred in anv other State. She was not to blame for it. The singular circumstance in her position, to which he chieflv alluded, was that she was not allowed to make any effectual resistance to the invaders. Neither the militia of her other counties, nor any force organized by her Executive, could hold, or pass the bounds of, the disputed region. They had tried it, over and over again, and been repulsed. The delegates from Connect- icut would have objected to the occupation of the settlement by an armed force from Pennsylvania on any pretext ; and, when the crisis came, they did not call upon that State to go to the rescue, but were " at a loss " what to advise or devise. It appears, further, that LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 225 when Congress was compelled, by the horrible atroci- ties committed at Wyoming, to repel the British with their sa'v^age allies, from the country, and organized a large force to do it, they did not send it into the Valley, but appointed the several rendezvous of the troops at points quite distant from Wyoming, — at Easton, in the county of Northampton ; Sunbury, in the county of Northumberland, just within the southern line of the district claimed by the settlers ; and at Standing Stone, in the county of Bradford and not far within its north- ern line, — each some sixty miles from the centre and heart of the settlement. So unwilling was the govern- ment of the United States, even then, to do any thing that would compromise the policy of neutral inaction and non-interference. It will be seen that General Washington, some years afterwards, felt it necessary, in conformity with instructions from Congress to this effect, to follow the same course in his military orders and proceedings. These facts and considerations are presented as re- quired by justice to Congress, and to the administration and people of Pennsylvania, in explanation of their inac- tion on the emergency. The invasion of the country by the British and Indians, at that particular point, and their dreadful outrages in the Valley; their being permitted to accomplish the fell design, and to escape unpunished at the time, — are wholly owing to the con- troversy between Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The responsibility and the blame are due to the parties to that controversy as such, and to them alone. The main body of the enemy's force left the country after completing its devastation. A few of the surviving Vol. II. 15 226 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. settlers came back, but it was found to be unsafe. They were shot down in the fields by savages, who remained in small parties prowling stealthily through the woods. The Valley continued substantially depopulated during the year. Captain Spaulding, mentioned by Colonel Picker- ing, immediately marched to the deserted territory, and strengthened the fort. He was a Wyoming man. Colonel Hartley, according to orders given him, as stated bv Pickering, marched his regiment, which was of the Pennsylvania line, to Sunbury. The strong language in which Pickering urged Colonel Zebulon Butler, with such of the Wyoming men as had escaped and could be collected, to " co-operate " with Hartley " for the com- mon good, and save the distressed froTitier," is noticeable. Butler felt the appeal to his " motives of honor as well as duty," and all questions of jurisdiction were forgot- ten. At the head of his Wyoming men, he joined Hartley, and, with their united forces, they scoured the Valley. In Bradford county, they fought and defeated a part of the Indian army that had been left there, dis- persed them, and recovered some of the plunder that had been brought from Wyoming. By the close of September they had driven the Indians out of the Valley, and Hartley left the territory. The government of the United States now concluded that strong measures had become necessary to give security to the frontiers, and prevent such attacks for the future. Congress, the Board of War, and the Com- mander-in-Chief, upon full consideration and consul- tation, matured their plans. The expedition, under General John Sullivan, was organized so as to take the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 227 field the next year. It moved in two divisions, — one through New York, under General Clinton : the main body under Sullivan's immediate command. A part of his force ascended the Susquehanna in boats ; and part crossed the country on a road which it built as it ad- vanced from Easton, through Stoddardsville, passing the Blue Mountains at Wind-gap, a remarkable depression on their summit, and reaching Wyoming, June 23d, 1779, its place of rendezvous. x\fter encamping there for some time, preparations were completed, and Sullivan started on the work assigned him. The troops marched by the banks, and the boats ascended the river. They came out of their encampment on the '31st of July, with a salvo of artillery, and proceeded under the inspiring strains of lively martial music, which, however, was changed to dirge and dead-march, as they reached and slowly moved over the battle-field and slaughter-ground of the year before. On the 22d of xVugust, Chnton joined the column at Tioga ; and the entire army of SuUivan, amounting to four thousand men, advanced to administer effectual chastisement to the Indians. The savages, under Brant, aided bv the British under Sir John John- son, John Butler, and other Tory leaders, made resolute resistance. Much hard and long fighting took place, but Sullivan finally conquered and scattered them. He then swept through the country to the Genessee River, destroying on his path, and far and wide, the camps, crops, stores, and houses of the Indians. The punish- ment was complete. It struck terror through all the tribes, and impressed them with a salutary sense of the power of the United States. Indian forays, under British guidance, took place afterwards on different frontier 228 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. ♦ settlements, but none so formidable or destructive as that against Wyoming, in 1778. The Valley itself was thenceforth secure from any considerable assault, al- though occasional irregular and murderous inroads were made by small parties of savages. The expedition under Sullivan accomplished its pur- pose. Some complained of the slowness of its prep- aration. Few realize the extent of the arrangements necessary to move a large army, with its provisions, equip- ments, and appendages through a wide wilderness. Sullivan was wise in not starting until he was ready. Others complained that he did not carry havoc farther, and extend his march to Niagara. But there were good and sufficient reasons for his stopping and return- ing w^hen he did. The longer absence of so large a portion of the Continental army from the chief fields of its operations was not expedient. Upon the whole, this Indian campaign was most useful, and its entire conduct reflects the highest credit upon its commander and all under his orders. No part of the military history of the Revolution is less appreciated or more misunderstood than this. It is regarded as an eccentric diversion from the regular course of the war. It is looked upon as an unwarranted and needless devastation of Indian settlements. Some persons are horrified by the utter destruction Sullivan dealt upon the cornfields and habitations of the tribes, forofettinof that in this he pursued literally the instructions of Washing- ton. No conqueror in the annals of history took fewer lives of an enemy, except on the battle-field ; although he had the greatest possible provocation. A valuable officer and a private soldier fell, after a gallant resistance, ♦ LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 229 into the hands of the savages. From the condition of their bodies, found shortly, it appeared that they had been put to death, after tortures and mutilations such as have never been surpassed, if ever paralleled, by even Indian cruelty. The forbearance and humanitv of Sullivan's course deserves to be held in honorable remembrance ; and there is no occasion whatever for the regret that has been expressed that " the veil of forget- fulness cannot be drawn over it." All these criticisms upon the expedition under Sulli- van are in consequence of not understanding its con- nection with the Wyoming massacre. That was its occasion and its origin, and led Congress, the Board of War, and General Washington to feel it necessary to strike just such a blow as Sullivan did, upon the five tribes, usually designated as the '• Six Nations," — who, led by British officers, and in concert with British regulars and Tories, had perpetrated the outrage upon Wyom- ing. — and thus render them incapable of repeating it there or elsewhere. The march of Sullivan's armv was not the expression of revenge, but an act of self-preservation. No government is worthy of the name, which does not secure the safety and protection of its people. The alternative was whether the savage tribes in Central and Western New York, in alliance with the public enemy, should be disabled for further mischief, or families of civilized men, women, and children, on the frontiers and within the limits of the American Confederation, be indis- criminately and brutally destroyed. The Congress of the United States did no more than its duty in choos- ing: the first course. The Commander-in-Chief was responsible for the expe- 230 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. ♦ dition. He probably designed it, and certainly superin- tended the preparations for it, with great care and interest. He saw that it was needed. It was one of those blows which Washington occasionally dealt, and it was not dealt in vain. The strong arm of the country, thus wielded by him, was felt through all the Indian tribes, and the name they thenceforth gave to him, — " The Town Destroyer," — was expressive, not of resent- ment or reproach, but of wondering and admiring awe. General Sullivan, on his return march, again pitched his tents at Wyoming on the 7th of October, 1779, just sixty-eight days from his departure ; and the sound of public war never more crossed the borders of the Valley, whether from savage or civilized foe. Fugitives could now return in safety ; but long years passed before Wyoming recovered its prosperity. The controversy between the settlers and Pennsylvania, however, was immediately renewed, in which the dele- gates in Congress of the contesting States earnestly en- gaged. Colonel Zebulon Butler, as has been seen, Avas a Connecticut settler, and led from that State the force which had last recovered the possession of the Valley. He served Avith great distinction in Sullivan's expedition, was in the Continental army, and the military com- mander of the Wyoming district. The following letter from Washington, removing him from that post, shows the influence, to which the government had to yield, of the parties to the controversy at the end of the year 1780. Captain Ramson's company, although belonging to the Continental army, was wholly composed of Wyoming men : — LIEE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 231 To Colonel Zebulon Butler. " New- Windsor, 29 December, 1780. " Sir, "Congress having, in order to remove all cause of jealousy and discontent between the States of Pennsylvania and Con- necticut, directed me to withdraw the present garrison of "Wyoming, and to replace them with troops from the Conti- nental army, not belonging to the line of Pennsylvania or Connecticut, or citizens of either of the said States, I have for that purj^ose ordered Captain Mitchell, of the Jersey line, to re- lieve you. You will, therefore, upon his arrival, deliver up the post to him, and march with all the men at present under your command, and join the army in the neighborhood of this place. I am w^ell aware of the difficulty which there will be of bringing away the men of Ransom's company ; but I trust, and shall expect, that you will exert yourself to do it effect- ually ; because, if they remain behind in any numbers, it would seem like an intention to evade the resolve above cited. You will, before you march, give Captain Mitchell every necessary information respecting the situation of the country, and make him acquainted w^ith those characters upon whom he can depend for advice and intelligence, in case of an incur- sion of the enemy. I am, &c., " George Washington, &c." The Ninth Article of Agreement upon which the Confederation of the United States was formed, con- tained a provision, most carefully and wisely framed, for the adjustment of differences between particular States, by a tribunal to be raised, as cases occurred, with power to decide upon them. This was the only form of a national judiciary, prior to the establishment of the present Constitution. On the application of Pennsyl- vania to Congress, such a tribunal was erected to settle the controversy to which State the Wyoming territory belonged. It convened at Trenton, in New Jersey, in 232 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. the latter part of the year 1782. Connecticut recog- nized its authority and appeared before it. This special court was of final jurisdiction. There could be no reversal of its judgment, and from its decision there was no appeal. There appears to have been a thorough hearing of the case; and, after a session of five weeks, judgment was rendered in favor of Pennsylvania. This ended the Wyoming controversy between the two States. It ought to have ended strife, and given peace at once and for ever to the unhappy valley ; but it did not. The government of Pennsylvania ought instantly to have quieted the Connecticut settlers in the possession of their farms with their improvements. The affections and allegiance of such a people would have been w^orth more than all their lands. But other counsels pre- vailed, and a new chapter of disorders and troubles was opened, with which, at their height and in their conclusion, the subject of this biography will be found most remarkably connected. The controversy, as between Pennsylvania and Con- necticut, having thus reached its termination, a final retrospective glance over it may here be taken, and some general remarks, as to the course of the contend- ing parties during its progress, with propriety be offered. They both, undoubtedly, felt all along equally confi- dent of being in the right. This accounts for their per- tinacity and determination not to recede or concede at any moment, in any crisis, or to the slightest extent. This was not an unreasonable obstinacy. Although a High Court gave, as it had to do, a decision, the case had such inherent difficulties and perplexities that dif- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 233 fering judgments will always exist as to its merits. It will be looked upon in opposite lights. No blame can, therefore, attach to the parties at the time for each having most decided opinions relating to it. It cannot be questioned that they proved the sincerity and depth of their respective convictions by the constancy with which thev cluno^ to them and suffered for them, durinor the period of an entire generation. The greatest heroism and prowess were exhibited on both sides. Much blood was shed, and the contests were often close and severe; but no inhumanity was exhibited. The struggle was strenuous, often repeated, long protracted, and its fluctu- ating tides swept the whole population over and over again from their homes, involving them alternately in exile and ruin ; but no barbaritv seems to have been practised, and no fiendish passions engendered. Pris- oners were alwavs kindlv cared for. Pennsylvania has been sometimes blamed for not hav- ing used more decisive and violent measures to demolish and exterminate the intruders upon her soil. It is said that she ouo^ht to have sent a force at the besrinninof to crush them out, and by stern and exemplary punishment have intimidated them from ever a^^ain cominoj within her boundaries. But takins: into view the state of the countrv. the difficulty of reaching Wyoming with a large force, and the then existing embarrassments in the political organ- ization of Pennsvlvania, it must be concluded that she did as much as could have been expected of her ; and, considering the character of the people against whom she was acting, it is to be doubted whether tliey could have been awed by any vindictiveness practised upon 234 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. those of them falling into her hands. What might have friglitened some men Avould only have exasperated them. No bloody revenge would have answered the purpose. The infliction of extreme penalties would have led to fearful retaliation, on the next turn of fortune, aggra- vated the horrors of the strife, planted ineradicably the seeds of hatred, and led to mischiefs that would have been felt to the latest time. The lenient course of Pennsylvania, during the several stages of the contro- versy with Connecticut, reflects honor upon her wisdom as well as humanitv. At different times she took many of the settlers in battle or skirmish, and held them as prisoners in her jails at Easton or elsewhere, among them several of their leaders. She did not execute upon them any military or judicial penalties. She treated them not as wicked, but as misguided, men, allowing them to be discharged. Such a course may have been called " imbecility" by some, but is entitled, in the judg- ment of enlightened statesmen and philanthropists, — and will be more and more so as the world advances, — to commendation and honor, reflecting the truest glory on the character of Pennsylvania. Upon the whole, no con- flict in arms, protracted through such a period of years, and accompanied by so much provocation, is so little stained by cruelty and vindictiveness, or has a better record of the bravery, resolution, or endurance of the combatants, than the long fight for jurisdiction over the Wyoming lands. As for the settlers, no censure of their character or general conduct is associated necessarily with the judg- ment of the court. They felt that they had been wronged in the matter of the purchase of the lands from LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 235 the Indians ; they knew that they had acted in good faith in the transaction, and nothing could remove their conviction that the " Six Nations," in a subsequent council, had been tampered with, and unfairly induced to disavow the sale. As for the dispute between their State and Pennsylvania for jurisdiction over the territory, they knew that the charter of the former was prior in date, and in other respects of superior validity. The claimants under the grant to William Penn were his descendants and heirs, a private person, so to speak, living for the most part out of the country. A prejudice became deeplv fixed in the minds of these hardv backwoodsmen against the pretensions of a non-resident foreign aristoc- racy of the closest kind, consisting, indeed, of but a single family, to govern them and a territory belonging to the:r State by chartered right, which had been honestly purchased of the aboriginal proprietors, and further made their own by the sweat of their brows; which, by the endurance of every hardship, had been reclaimed from a wild forest, and converted, bv the labors of a generation, into fertile fields and beautiful farms. In all the earlv stao^es of the controversv, this feeling against the pretensions of the Penns had been shared with them by a large portion of the people of Pennsylvania, who, with all settlers everywhere, in all parts of that State, from whatever colonies or countries they had come, were hi the habit of speaking in deri- sion of those countenancino: the claims of the Penn family as " Pennamites," or " Pennymites," which latter had become the prevalent popular term. To account for the strength of the sensibilities and passions with which the settlers were imbued, it is 236 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. necessary to realize their circumstances and conditions. Persons living in a wilderness, far remote from organized communities, without means of communication with the rest of the world, are apt to acquire a spirit of inde- pendence, making them disregarded of the artificial restraints that have to be recognized in more crowded states of society. They know nothing of the tribunals, and care nothing: for the technicalities of law. He who, by his own axe and plough, has transformed the acres, within which his daily and yearly life is bounded, from a pathless, worthless forest into a cultivated and produc- tive enclosure, feels that he owns it by a title better than all written documents or recorded deeds. His farm, his house, his barns ; all that he has, thinks of, or cares about, — is literally the work of his own hands, his sole creation. No other man has contributed to it ; and it is hard to make him understand that any other man, be he called w^hat he may, — governor, proprietor, legislator, judge, or sheriff, — has a right to take his land from under his feet. He will hold to it as his life, and fight for it against the world. If any sense of wrong done or threatened gets a lodgement in his breast, it rankles there, under the gloomy shadows of his lone wilderness abode ; and if neighbors, who may sometimes seek his clearing through forest paths, have similar feelings, they are deepened and exasperated by occasional communings. Men scattered here and there over a tract of territory which no organized force, civil or military, can easily penetrate, actuated by similar interests and passions, become resolute, earnest, daring, and unconquerable. Such were the Connecticut settlers. For a quarter of a century they had bid defiance to the Penn proprietors and to Pennsylvania. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 237 In the mean time those lands had become more and more endeared to them by every principle of association, every habit of homely life, every trial, and every peril. By their toil and energy they had been reclaimed from the rutjged wilderness of nature and converted into smooth lawns and verdant meadows of marvellous beautv and loveliness. Adventurers from other colonies and other lands had, one by one, been drawn into their company, attracted by tales of w^orld-wdde currency, portraying the charming aspect of the country, the excellence of its soil for the culture of grains and fruit, and every attribute that can adorn a landscape, and give reward to industry. It w^as not only endeared to its occupants by the attach- ments now mentioned, but consecrated by special experi- ences of blood and woe, that have riveted on them the sympathies of mankind, perpetuated in the hearts of all coming generations by verses of foreign and native bards that will never die. The devastations of their fields, the conflagrations of their dwellings and barns, and the re- peated massacre of their people, men, women, and chil- dren, by savage hordes, — all these combined could not destroy or weaken the tenacity with which they clung to their lands. Those who escaped the tomahawk and scalping-knife, had come back, over and over again, from their places of refuge. The invhicible, indestruc- tible community persevered in its contest against all odds ; and no power, civilized or barbarian, could root it out. Finallv, in this brief review of the Wvomins^ contro- versv between two States, — of w^hich an account is necessary in a biography of Timothy Pickering, from his agency, as shown in the letters he wrote to Zebulon 238 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Butler, and his participation as a member of the Board of War in Siilhvan's expedition, but especially, as will be seen, from his connection with the convulsions that followed it, — upon balancing the facts and evidence, we are brought, not to the conclusion usually the result of a fair consideration of the whole subject in like cases, that both parties were in the wrong, but that both were substantially in the right. So far as the original charters were to decide the question, each party felt its title to be good. The purchases made of Indians, and the disa- vowals of them by Indians, left no solid ground for either party to stand on. There was nothing in their general conduct, during the progress of the controversy, to leave special reproach upon either. The court decided it legally and practically, but neither their decision nor the verdict of the historian can precisely strike the bal- ance of right and wrong, in a moral estimate, between them. While such apologies may be suggested for the course of the contending parties, and as to their conduct gener- ally, so long as the question of jurisdiction remained un- decided ; after the decision, they took measures, and were led into positions, that cannot be justified. ' Pennsylvania, instead of conceding to the settlers their right to the lands they had reclaimed, and the houses they had built and occupied for such a length of years, gave notice of her purpose to take possession of them all. The utmost that she proposed to do, for their re- lief or redress, was to procure for them some territory, such as she might judge equivalent, in some far-off wilderness. She proceeded to garrison the forts, station- ing a menacing force in them, and to put into operation LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 239 the machinery, military and civil, by which to eject them from their homes, and carry out her harsh and cruel policy. It cannot be defended, and was as unwise as it was inhuman. The common sense and moral rectitude of her own people finally repudiated it, and would have done so at once, had not the reaction in favor of the settlers been checked by their rash conduct, or rather that of their principal leaders. The course of the government of Pennsylvania, in confiscating the lands of the Connecticut settlers, has no justification in the decree of the court at Trenton. On the contrary, the question of the tenure of the lands by those then in the occupancy of them did not come before that tribunal, as was expressly declared in the proceed- ings at the time, and in the judgment rendered. The members of the court severally affirmed this afterwards. The question submitted to them, and on which alone they decided, w^as not of property or ownership, but merely of jurisdiction. The rights of the settlers to their particular farms or lots were in no degree intended to be affected by the Trenton decree, but remained to be determined and adjusted, in the ordinary way, by the proper tribunals, and the regular procedures of the established courts of law and equity. At first, indeed, the settlers used only legitimate and proper measures of protection. They sent petitions to the legislature of Pennsylvania, praying to be allowed to continue to hold their estates. They also laid their case before Congress by petition, and on the 23d of January, 1784, that body took the initiatory steps re- quired in such cases by the Ninth Article of Confedera- tion. In the mean while altercations were constantly 240 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. going on between the people and the soldiery placed among them, and some rash and fiery spirits were inflam- ing the settlers against the Pennsylvania government. In the spring of 1784:, another awful calamity befell Wvominsj. It has been seen that six times, in its troub- lous and tragical history, it had been depopulated ; once by Indians, four times by Pennsylvania, and once by Indians and British. Six vials of destruction had thus been poured out upon it by the wrath of man. The seventh vial, now to be poured out, was as of the wrath of God. A winter of unusual severity, with great and frequent falls of snow, was followed in March bv a freshet, such as was never known before or since, on the Susquehanna. At successive points, along the entire length of that river, immense ice-jams were formed, submerging the country immediately above them, and converting the bed of the stream into a series of surging lakes. The people saw their danger ; fled, with all they could carry, to neighboring eminences ; and watched with horror the terrible spectacle. The "breaking up" of rivers at spring floods, in these latitudes, is one of the grandest phenomena of nature. Its forewarning is a deep low sound, as of far-off thunder, slowly but steadily increasing ; soon there are sharp intonations, like explosions of artillery, by crackings of the ice across and along the river, caused bv the swollen current beneath. The water begins to gush or spout up through the crevices, and at the banks. The process taking place, simultaneously, over great distances, makes itself discernible to the ear and eye. The whole frozen covering of the river is seen to move downward, chafing, breaking, and resounding LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 241 as it goes. Jams are formed by obstacles in tbe bed, and at angles or gorges in the course of the stream. The current, thus intercepted, rises into floods, the ice- cakes crash together, slide under or over each other, heap up in piles, and tumble back in the seething waters. The ice-jams far up the river first break, and let loose the dams they had formed, which pour like cataracts upon the dams below ; and the mighty volume, inundating the country far and wide, increases as it bursts its way, bearing on its surface, besides the broken ice, uprooted trees from forests and orchards, and fragments of fences, barns, and houses. The accumulated but released floods rush bv in an irresistible torrent, smashinsf and whirling on every thing in their path. The scene is ti'uly terrible to behold. It is quickly over, but, while it lasts, shakes the air with a roar equal to that of Niagara. The people of Wyoming, from the hill-tops and moun- tains, witnessed the destructive spectacle, and saw their dwellings, barns, cattle, and stores swept away. On the subsidence of the inundation they made their way bavn lot in Wilkesbarre, and that you would prob- ably be willing to sell ii ; if so, and you will inform me of the terms, or authorize any friend of yours here to sell it, and we agree as to the price, I will purchase it. I observed a clump of young apple-trees on the plain, which, it was said, were in your lot. As they are exposed to the cattle, and may not probably be wanted for the lot on which they stand, I shall be greatly obliged if you will give me leave to remove them : what they are worth I shall be willing to pay. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 271 " You may perhaps recollect me. I think I saw you at Salem (^lassachusetts), where I then lived. I believe it was at your relation's, Mrs. Higginson. On the ground of that connection, I will ask your friendship to assist me in bargain- ing for one half the right, in Wilkesbarre, which belonged to Colonel Durkee, and which was sold by his son John to Cap- tain Spalding and (as I am informed) Mr. Jedidiah Hide, of Norwich. When at Wyoming I bought Spalding's half (viz. half the meadow lot, half a five-acre lot, and half the back lot), for sixty-five pounds Pennsylvania currency. Captain Spalding told me that Mr. Hide desired him to let him know when he sold, because the Avhole lot together, he supposed, w^ould sell better than in halves. When I purchased of Spal- ding, it was in expectation that I could purchase Mr. Hide's half. I now beg the favor of you to see Mr. Hide, and, in my behalf, to treat with him for his interest afore-mentioned. I shall write to Mr. Hide (but I am not certain whether I am right in his Christian name), and as I am a stranger to him, beg leave to refer him to you for further information. I am to pay Captain Spalding one half his money the loth Septem- ber next, and the other half on the 1st of May, 1788. If Mr. Hide does not apply to you, I beg you will see him as soon as you can with convenience. Please to direct to me at Philadelphia. If I should be gone, Mr. Samuel Hodgdon, my friend, will act on my behalf. I expect shortly to go to Wyoming, to bring forward an election of justices of the peace. " I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, " ToioTHY Pickering." " Philadelphia, March 27th, 1787. "Dear Brother, " I have so far accomplished a business of great moment, as to bring the Wyoming people to consent to receive the laws of Pennsylvania, provided their old possessions could be confirmed to them, and this day the General Assembly have agreed to a law for quieting them, on the principles I held out to the people ; so peace and good government will be in- troduced into a settlement with which Pennsylvania has been 272 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. contending these seventeen or eighteen years. The result of the measure will oblige me to go to Wyoming (now called the County of Luzerne) in a few days, with the law con- firming their titles, acquired prior to the decree of the federal court at Trenton, in December, 1782, by which the claim of Connecticut to the lands in question (and other lands within the charter bounds of Pennsylvania) was rejected. I thus con- sider myself as fixed for the remainder of my life in this State, and here I should wish to concentre my interest. " I would sell not only my lot in Brown's (or Fitch's) farm, but the residue of my lands, provided it should be agreeable to you to take them, and this the happy recovery of your health I hope will enable you to do. I am the more induced to make this proposal now, because I have bargained for sev- eral parcels of land at Wyoming, containing in the whole about seven hundred acres, for which I shall have to pay about five hundred dollars, in the course of five months, and nearly five hundred more in a year. This will make it convenient to me to receive part of the money, for my lands in Salem, as early as may be ; for some of my first pay- ments will be due by the last of June next. For this reason I should wish the lot in Fitch's farm were sold to him im- mediately, and the money sent to me (or, in my absence, to my partner, Mr. Samuel Hodgdon), at Philadelphia. I owe sister GooU, by a note for the house furniture I purchased of her. If it should be agreeable to you to take my lands, then I should desire vou to assume the debt to sister Gooll, at the amount of the principal and interest at the time you assume it. I request your answer on this subject as early as may be. " Some of my law books will be useful to me. Such as you do not want yourself I should be glad to have shipped to me bv the first vessel from Salem. Such as I shall not wish to retain I can readily sell here. Blackstone and Burn, in partic- ular, will be useful to you ; and I shall not want them, as I have a late edition of Blackstone, and intend to get the latest of Burn. Coke's ' Institutes,' three volumes, and Bacon's * Abridgment,' five volumes, I should wish to receive, if you have not sold them. LIFE OF TDIOTHr PICKERING. 273 " I am a little at a loss what to say about my son John. I wish to have him with me, and his mother is very desirous of his coming home. However, I will let the matter rest until I return from Wyoming, which will be the beginning of May. " Present my love to all under your roof, and believe me, dear brother, most affectionately yours, " TmoTHY Pickering. "John Pickering." Middletown, on the wagon road from Philadelphia, was, as has been stated, not far below Harrisburg, on the eastern bank of the Susquehanna. The person to whom the following letters were addressed resided there. "Philadelphia, March 9:li, 1787. " I^Ir. Abner Wickersham. " Sir, " Enclosed is the receipt of James Hay, for nine barrels of salt and one barrel of barley, put into his wagon, and which he is to deliver to you. The whole are to go to Wyoming. As I am a stranger to you, I have requested your brother Amos to write to you, and his letter is enclosed. I have now to beg you will receive the above articles of the wagoner, and pay him the balance due for the transportation, as I did not choose to pay him the whole until the goods should be delivered. The balance due him is five pounds ten shillings, which I request you to pay him in cash, and I will repay the same sum to your order on demand, with your usual charges. " If a good conveyance presents to Wyoming, you ^^-ill oblige me greatly by forwarding the whole or a part of the barrels to that place ; but if only a part should be sent, then I wish the barrel of barley to go first. Next week I shall set out for Wyoming, by the way of the Wind-gap ; and if, on my arrival, none of the barrels should have arrived, I shall send down to you for them, as early as I possibly can. Should Vol. II. 18 274 LIFE OF TIMOTIir PICKERING. you forward the goods, please to address them to me, or, in my absence, to Mr. John Hollenback at Wilkesbarre. In the course of the spring and summer I shall have several loads to send to Wyoming, and wish to know whether it will be agreeable to you to take charge of them. Should I be absent when your order arrives at Philadelphia, be pleased to direct an application to Samuel Hodgdon, Esq., at my house, who will pay it. " I am, Sir, &c., "T. Pickering." "Philadelphia, April 2d, 1787. " Mk. Abner Wickeesham. " Sir, " I wrote to you on the 29th ult., and enclosed a letter of credit from your brother in town, that you might pay such sums, to the wagoners whom I should employ to transport some goods to Middletown, as I should desire. In that letter I requested to be informed whether it would be agreeable to you to take charge of some other goods, which I might for- ward in the course of the spring and summer ; but convey- ances presenting, I have embraced them without waiting for your answer. This I hope you will excuse, as I am solici- tous to have the salt forwarded without delay. I have therefore to request you to pay to Peter Barsg the sum of «£3 14s. 8c?. in specie, and to Michael Spidel X3 13s. lit?., in specie ; and those sums shall be paid your order at sight. If I am absent, my partner, Samuel Hodgdon, Esq., will pay your drafts. I have further to request that if Mr. Hodgdon should forward some more salt, or other articles, on my account, that you would have the goodness to receive them, and pay the sums he requests for their transportation, which will in like manner be repaid to your order. " Indorsed is an invoice of the two loads now forwarded and the receipt of the wagoners therefor, on the safe deliv- ery of which you will be pleased to pay them the foremen- tioned sums. Among the loading is a keg (iron-hooped), marked T. P., No. 24, containing clover seed, which I shall LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 275 be anxious to get up to Wyoming as soon as possible, though I should not wish you to forward it unless you meet a very safe conveyance. " I am, &c., " T. Pickering. "P. S. With my own goods I have sent one case of gin, one barrel of salt, and a small keg of sugar, for Colonel Nathan Denison. They are all marked N. D., which he requests you to forward by the first good boat to Wyoming, addressed to Captain John Paul Schott." "PuiLADELPHiA, April 5th, 1787. " General Muhlexburgh. " Dear Sir, " The Assembly having granted £150 for the purpose of opening a road from the mouth of Nescopeck Creek to the Lehigh (a distance of about three and twenty miles), two persons will undertake to perform the work, if that sum can be forthwith appropriated to that use. They proposed getting an additional sum by subscription, to be called for if the public grant proved inadequate. But this seemed a beginning at the wrong end. And, after a full consideration of the matter, I proposed the following mode of procedure : — *'' That application should be made to Council to appoint Evan Owen Commissioner to explore, survey, and mark the best route for the road, and that Jacob Wei^s should contract to open it, so as to render it fit for the passing of wagons carrying a ton weight. " This proposal I made on this principle : that persons deeply interested in having the shortest and best road cut, would be the fittest to be employed to execute the work. " Mr. Owen is an intelligent man, and I find, on inquiry, deserving public trust. He owns a tract of land opposite the mouth of Nescopeck, which he has laid out into lots for a town, and has no intermediate interest. He therefore will seek the shortest and best route, and is so solicitous to have the work done that he has consented to undertake the trust ; and, as the public grant will probably be insuflScient for open- 276 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. ill"- a good road, he will perform the duty of commisjiioner and surveyor gratis ; the public only, out of the £150 granted. furnishing provisions and paying the hands necessary to be employed as chain-carriers and markers ; this service of his to come in the place of the sum he would otherwise subscribe to the work. *' Mr. Weiss has an interest near the hither end of the pro- jDosed road, and is equally anxious to have it opened. He will contract to do it for the remainder of the <£150, trusting to obtain by subscription what shall be requisite to complete the road, if that remainder should be insufficient. " Mr. Owen will explore and survey the road, and return a plan of it to Council, by the last of this month ; and, if the Council approve of it, Mr. Weiss will open it without delay, and he thinks he can complete it by midsummer, provided he can begin to work early in May, and is furnished with a part of the money to lay in provisions, &c. '' I confess that I cannot conceive of a more eligible mode of executing this business, and I hope it may be agreeable to the Council. It is an object of great importance. At present the only way in w^hich any necessary goods can be transported to the county of Luzerne, is by land from Philadelphia to Middle town, ninety-eight miles, or to Harrisburg, upwards of a hundred miles, and then by boats up the Susquehanna, about one hundred and twenty miles, to Wyoming. This circuitous route is so expensive as to forbid the attempt to bring any produce from Wyoming to this city. The want of a wagon road to Wyoming will impede the settlement of the county of Luzerne, and of the northern part of the county of !N^orthuml)erland ; for families cannot go thither unless they can travel on foot or on horseback, or will venture to undertake the tedious passage, before mentioned, from Middletown or Harrisburg by water. The passage by water from the mouth of Nescopeck to Wyoming, being only about thirty miles, would easily be accomplished. " I trust this matter will appear to you deserving of the immediate consideration of Council, and that the necessity of the measure and the ease and certainty with which, in the way above proposed, it may be executed, will be motives LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 277 sufficient to induce Council to adopt it, if it be possible to furnish the money. '' I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, '' Timothy Pickering." These letters afford a specimen of Colonel Picker- ing's style, as a business man, in conducting transac- tions and dealing with other men. He was careful, considerate, and candid, showing his hand openly, giv- ing attention to the minutest details, and communicating his views distinctly and fully. They also shed light upon the general state of things at that time, particu- larly upon the experien(5es of life in a new frontier settlement. It is quite evident that this interval of time, while he was in Philadelphia, including the greater part of March and the first week of April, 1787, was crowded with business and cares that would have been exhausting to most persons. But his active and powerful nature seems to have been insensible to fatigue, either bodily or men- tal. Watchful attendance upon the proceedings of the Council and Assembly of the State, in looking out for the interests of his county, and urging such measures as he judged essential to give it peace and promote its wel- fare ; bargaining for lands, as the scene of future agri- cultural labors, and a new homestead ; collecting the innumerable articles necessary in building and furnish- ing a house ; preparations for the removal of his family into it ; providing whatever mechanics would need, and implements for house accommodation or farm work, loading several large wagons ; arrangements for break- ing up his family in Philadelphia, selecting what could be transported by a long, rough route over mountains and rivers, and through woods, and would be desirable 278 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. and suitiiblc in its new abode, — forwarding what of the residue was of special domestic and family interest to his relatives in Massachusetts, and setting apart what it was best to dispose of in Philadelphia; the final winding up of business connected with his commercial enterprises and operations ; conducting a correspondence with his brother in Salem, to raise the means to meet the expenses of the crisis by selling his patrimonial lands in that place ; all the while, as for years afterwards, answering letters addressed to him by the War Department and by individuals, seeking such information and advice as his recollection, papers, and experience as Quartermaster- General of the Revolutionary army would enable him to give, — an inspection of his manuscripts shows, indeed, an amount and variety of claims upon his time and thoughts that cannot be measured. He returned to Wyoming shortly after the date of his letter to General Muhlenberg, but was not able to take his family with him, as the preparations to receive them were not sufficiently advanced. He instantly resumed his public duties, as appears by the following letter to his wife : — " WiLKESBARRE, April 28th, 1787. " I am happy that I can inform you that we have held an election here in perfect tranquillity, and that I have reason to think all danger at an end. Franklin has got to the end of bis tether ; and I believe it will not be in his power to do more mischief. " I expect to leave this for home this day week (say May 5th), when I hope to find you and Betsey and the boys in perfect health. " I am busy in making a garden, and in farming ; but we have such cold and dry weather that nothing grows, — hardly a night without frost. LIFE OF TBIOTHY PICKERING. 279 " Mr. Hollenback will deliver ^is ; and I wish him to breakfast or dine with you ; for he has been very obliging to me ; and I expect we shall live in his house, which is a very good one. His brother does not quit the log-hut I told you of. Mr. Hollenback can give you an account of the election. " I am, my dear, wholly yours, '' T. Pickering." He made a hurried visit to Philadelphia, probably starting at the time stated in this letter. One pur- pose in making it was to provide supplies necessary to the commencement of housekeeping at Wyoming, and articles requisite in building. The folio wing, was written on the eve of his return. Mr. Fry was a business man at Middletown. " Philadelphia, May 23d, 1787. " Mr. George Fry. '' Sir, " The bearer, Michael Tyce, will deli\^er you a load of goods belonging to me, of which I beg 3'our care to receive and store them until Mr. Matthew Hollenback or I shall send for them. The load consists of the following articles, viz. : — 1 hhd. molasses, 104 gallons. 1 pine chest of sundries. 1 barrel of Muscovado sugar. 1 box of candles. 1 barrel of vinegar. 1 box of soap. 2 kegs of nails. 1 ditto chocolate. 1 tierce of bacon. " I have paid the driver, Mr. Tyce, for the transportation hence to Middletown. " P. S. I believe all the casks and boxes are marked ' T. Pickering.' " He must have made the journey this time in about five days, as appears from the date of the following let- ter to his wife : — " Wilkesbarre, May 29th, 1787. " I have the pleasure to inform you that we, this day, opened the Courts of Common Pleas and Sessions of the 280 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Peace for the County of Luzerne, when every thing was con- ducted in perfect quiet and good order. Mr. ElHcott, of Bal- timore (the Commissioner for running the boundary hne between Pennsylvania and New York), happening to be here, on his way up the river, delayed his journey a few hours, that he might be present at the opening of the first courts, and, I am told, expressed much satisfaction at the event. Four gentlemen were admitted by the court to practise as attorneys in this county. These were Mr. Bowman, and Mr. William Nichols, whom you know, and two young gentlemen from Connecticut, who have been here a few months. " One of the men, with whom I talked on my way down to Philadelphia, had undertaken the repairs of the road through the swamp, and made it passable for a wagon lightly loaded to within seven miles of Wilkesbarre ; and the people here have made some slight repairs through those seven miles. The re- pairs, however, are not so effectual as I could wish, and I shall endeavor to do something more to the road before you come up. " The frosts here have been severe. We observed in the woods that the leaves of some trees just opened had been killed ; and last night and the night before all the beans that had come up were destroyed, mine among the rest ; and, un- fortunately, I forgot to put the bag of seeds among the articles to be sent up in my wagon. Some seeds I have, and shall endeavor to replant what the frosts have destroyed. " I forgot to mention to Mr. Rea that when here in April and the beginning of this month, I gave a Mr. Erwin an order on Major Hodgdon for twenty pounds. If he should present it before my return, let Mr. Rea 2:)ay it with any mone3'S he may have ; as I assured Mr. Erwin he should not be disap- pointed. It is for bringing the salt up the river. '' I «hall return as soon as possible, perhaps sooner than I expected when I left home. I was diverted to-day by the congratulations of several people, who said they were glad to see me at home again, meaning at Wyoming. *' I remain, my dear, ever yours, " T. Pickering." LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 281 After having completed the organization of the county, caused the necessary elections to be held, put the courts in operation, and given the requisite direc- tions to those charged with the construction of his build- ings and the laborers employed upon his grounds, he went back again to Philadelphia, in the earlier part of June, to procure further supplies, and bring his family to Wvominsr. A few letters written while he was there on this occasion, with some brief accompanying remarks, will be better than a more formal narrative. " Philadelphia, June 20, 1787. "Mr. George Fry. u Sir, " By the two wagons of Adam Spake and Jacob Rheim, I send to your care, the articles under-mentioned, viz. : — Two hhds. rum marked M. H. for Matthias Hollenback, Esq. One hhd. rum marked T. P. One hhd. bacon marked ditto. One barrel of Muscovado sugar marked ditto. One keg of nails. One small keg of nails. Six bundles containing six dozen of New England grass scythes. Five bundles of New England red sole leather, containing 20 sides. Eight bundles of nail rods. All which (the two first-mentioned hogsheads of rum excepted) belong to me. " I expect Mr. Hollenback's boat will be down from Wyom- ing about the time these wagons will arrive at Middle town. He will probably send orders about the loading of her. If he should not, I must request you to put on board her all the articles above enumerated, and my hogshead of molasses which you. now have in store, and as many of my barrels of salt (now I suppose at the store of the late Abner Wickers- ham), as will make up a proper loading for the boat. The waters will probably be pretty low, and therefore it may be best to put on board her a moderate load. I enclose an order on the administrator or agent for Mr. Wickersham's estate, for the salt. " I have left with Weidman and Xeilson twelve bundles of 282 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. nail rods, ^vhicli they will forward to you by the first convey- ance, and if they arrive before Mr. HoUenback's boat is set ,off for Wyoming, be pleased to put them on board her. "I am, &c., " T. Pickering. £ s. d. Adam Spake, 17 cwt., at 5s . 4 5 Jacob Rheim, 24 cwt., at 5s 6 Scythes 86 Abraliara Rheim, 3 cwt. 5s 15 £11 8 6" This, with letters given before, will perhaps serve to afford some estimate of the difficulties in transportation, at that time, to Wyoming. It was slow and expensive. The pay to the wagoners for conveying two loads of his furniture, a few weeks after Colonel Pickering re- moved his family, was £15. This was only to Middle- town ; the freight charges by boat, up the rivers against the stream, were to be added to the account. The wagons, on the roads of Pennsylvania penetrating the interior, were large and clumsy vehicles, capable of car- rying very heavy loads, and constructed with a view to strength alone. They were usually drawn by five horses. The wheels were of a broad rim, and by their great diameter lifted the body of the wagon high above the ground. On this same road, from Philadelphia to Mid- dletown and Harrisburg, the stage-coaches, as late as 1826, were of a similar construction, — very capacious, strong, and heavy, with broad-rimmed large wheels, rais- ing the body of the coach to such a height that passen- gers entered the doors at the sides, on ladders prepared and carried for the purpose. The constant agitations, and alternating convulsions to which the Wyoming settlements had, from the first. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 283 been subjected, prevented the establishment of perma- nent institutions of worship and education. Colonel Pickering had received a strict religious training, and through life retained a profound reverence for Christi- anity and its ordinances. He was, in early life, a pro- fessor and communicant successively in the Tabernacle, South and First Churches in Salem. During the Revolu- tionary war he had no fixed home for his family. While living in Philadelphia, as a merchant, he was, undoubt- edly, always an attendant on worship ; but his views on some doctrinal points prevented his forming a particular connection with any church there, at that time ; and his children had remained unbaptized. His mind was much exercised on the subject now that he w^as about to remove his family perma^ently where there was not then, and might not for some time be, any provision for the Christian ministry and ordinances. The following letter is found in a first draught, among his papers : — " Sunday, July 1, 1787. "Sm, *' Having reflected on our conversation when you were last at my house, I have concluded to state the following propo- sitions, as expressive of my belief : — " 1. That there is ' one God,' and Governor of the world, and ' one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all.' " 2. That the Holy Scriptures, of the Old and New Testa- ment, were ' given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.' " 3. That every professor of religion ought to do those things which he believes to be enjoined by the Author of it. " Hence, baptism appearing to me to be instituted by Jesus Christ, the Author of the Christian religion, I desire my chil- 284 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. • dren may be baptized, in the form of the institution ' in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,' as an evidence of my faith, and desire that they may bear the name of Christ, whose instructions I wish them to obey. *' For the reason above mentioned, I consider it to be the duty of every Christian to celebrate the Lord's supper, to * show forth his death till he come ; ' but that all professors of Christianity, seriously desirous of obeying this comm.and- ment, should be invited to partake of it, without the deterring formalities observed in the Presbyterian chui-ches, and with too much rigror in most others. While these formalities are retained, I will venture to say that the numl)er of communi- cants will be inconsiderable. I believe no attentive observer can doubt that, in every congregation, there are many good Christians who abstain from that ordinance ; but who would attend it, if those formalities were done away. But unhap- pily for the world, this simple institution has long been wrapped up in my^tery^ to the great detriment of the Chris- tian religion and its professors. I hope the liberality of the present age may produce an alteration ; and that every Chris- tian, feeling at the time a disposition to obey this command- ment of our Lord, may be invited freely to sit at the table, or rather in his own seat, to partake of the supper. Passing by other exceptionable things, I will just observe that the practice of getting a ticket of admission is to me a very dis- gusting one. Of what are the ministers of religion afraid ? Is it to be presumed that any other than professing Christians will partake of the supper ? What can induce a pagan, or a Jew, or any other unbeliever in Christianity, or one who is regardless of the commands of Christ, to observe this ordi- nance of the supper ? They will not do it. It is usual to preach a sermon, relative to the ordinance, when administered. In that the people may be seriously addressed, and informed of the absurdity, impropriety, and uselessness of attending this institution, unless they believe in Christ, and obey his moral commands ; that, without the latter, they will be sub- jects of reproof, like his to the Scribes and Pharisees, of ob- serving this merely positive institution, while they omit the weightier matters of the law, 'judgment, mercy, and faith,' LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERIXG. 285 which will lead them to 'walk humbly before God.' With such serious cautions, the invitation should doubtless be uni- versal. ' Whosoever will, let him come.' " " These remarks on the Lord's supper I have, Sir, thrown out for your consideration. If some such alteration as I have suggested were to be introduced, I believe the cause of Christianity would thereby be promoted. If a church should be formed where I am going, I shall feel it my duty to at- tempt it. " I am, dear Sir, affectionately and respectfully yours, '' Timothy Pickekixg. "Rev. De. Sproat." A marginal note to the three articles of faith, at the beginning of this letter, is as follows : " If these defini- tions are satisfactory, I would request to have my chil- dren baptized, this afternoon at my own house, at five or six o'clock, or at any other hour more convenient to you." Dr. Sproat administered the ordinance at the time and place designated. The following letter fixes the date of Colonel Pick- ering's departure from Philadelphia to his new home at Wyoming. His eldest son, John, then in his eleventh year, was with his uncle at Salem. The party consisted of the Colonel, his wife, with their four other boys, Timothy, Henry, Charles, and William ; his wife's sister, Miss Elizabeth White, generally spoken of as Betsey in these letters ; and some persons in domestic service, or hired to work on the farm. " Philadelphia, July 10th, 1787. " Dear Brother, " I received your letter of April 28th, about the middle of June, on my retui-n from Wyoming, and was sincerely re- joiced to find your health so established, and hope you will at no time be unmindful of the care necessary to preserve it. 286 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. "I am content to sell you my share in the pastures given us by our father, and m}^ third of the lower pasture, for the thousand dollars you propose. If Mr. P'itch declines pur- chasing Osgood's lot, I wish you to take it at the price you mention, of tln-ee hundred dollars. I should be sorry to have my Middlefield lot separated from the farm : it is valuable in itself, and so convenient to you for hay. I would not choose, therefore, that you should sell it to a stranger ; let it rest, therefore, until you find it convenient to purchase it ; if any accident should render it necessary to have it otherwise sold, I will advise you of it. " I shall draw for the six hundred dollars you have by you, before I leave tow^n, which will be this day ; in the afternoon my whole family sets out for Wyoming, and I must conclude this letter to prepare for our march. We are all in health and spirits. My wife and I are sensibly affected by your cordial professions of affection ; we shall bear you in the kindest remembrance. We also desire our very affectionate love may be presented to all the family at Salem and else- where. " My son, John, I must leave under your care until I get settled at Wyoming, and a school established. I hope he will not prove a burden to you. '' Most affectionately I bid you adieu, " T. Pickering. "John Pickering, Esq." " P. S. The list you sent of the law books was not exact. Though I have put up the memorandum, by which I could tell what arrived. I recollect, however, Lillie's ' Entries ' came to hand, but is not in your list. You mention Coke's ' Insti- tutes ' as sent ; but the first part only (or Coke upon Little- ton), came to hand ; the other parts, I suppose, are with you. What remain may be forwarded when a convenient oppor- tunity presents. "P. M. Since the morning I have concluded to desire you to forward only two hundred dollars, and reserve the rest for my order. Be so kind as to get Mr. Williams to send the two hundred dollars to my partner, Samuel Hodg- don, Esq., in Philadelphia. — T. Pickering." LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 287 After a journey attended with much hardship and en- durance the party reached Wyoming. The object of his labors was accompUshed, and he was happy in the confidence that a home was provided for his family dur- ing the remainder of life. But in less than three months an entire reverse came over their condition. The wife, with an infant scarcely three weeks old, was suddenly left among strangers in a strange place, far in the woods, and surrounded by insurgents breathing vengeance against her husband, while he was in exile at Philadel- phia. She could not go to him, and he was prevented by threats of \iolence from coming to her. In their preceding separation he had been in Wyoming, and she in Philadelphia. Their positions were now transposed ; and the separation, for many months, Avas rendered ab- solute and complete by extraordinary occurrences to be related in the next chapter. 288 LITE OF TIMOTHY PICKERII^G. CHAPTER IX. Disturbances in Wyoming. — John Franklin's Arrest and Im- prisonment. — The Pennsylvania Commissioners driven out of the Country. — Colonel Pickering's Escape into the Woods. 1787. Colonel Pickering's family were temporarily in a hired tenement, while his house was in process of erec- tion. He at once busily employed himself in hastening it on, bringing his land into good condition, and at- tending to his public duties, in the administration of law, and attempts to establish peace and order. The difficulties experienced in procuring the innumerable articles required for his buildings and farm, which had to be brought from Philadelphia, in the near approach of the season when transportation would be impossible, — the roads being impassable for teams in every fall and spring, — will be best appreciated by giving some extracts from his correspondence. His partner in business at Philadelphia, Major Hodg- don, having conceived a plan of establishing a store at Wilkesbarre, requested information as to the kind of goods with which to stock it. The following extracts from Colonel Pickering's letters in reply, give an in- sight into his labors and cares at that time, and shed light upon the state of things generally in an outskirt settlement. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 289 " "WiLKESBARRE, September loth, 1787. " You repeat the subject of a store at this place, and desire an estimate of the cost of a proper building for the purpose. As to such a building, I should not think it expedient to erect one at present, even if there were time. 1 shall doubtless get my house into such forwardness that I can safely lodge liquors and most other goods in the cellar, which will be, I ex- pect, a very dry one. All the difficulty I have to apprehend, respects the means of remittance. I think we could not ex- pect five per cent in money. Flax seed I suppose may be got for five shillings per bushel, but this bears a high price in Philadelphia, only in the fall, when the transportation is im- practicable. Indian-corn will probably be at two shillings and sixpence. Rye is at three shillings and sixpence, and wheat at five shillings. Oats at one shilling and tenpence halfpenny. Good swingled flax at ninepence. In the spring, wheat, corn, and rye have always fetched good prices. Last spring, wheat was at seven shillings and sixpence, corn at five shillings, rye at from five shillings and sixpence to six shillings ; but the flood of last fall occasioned a scarcity. Next spring, however, if peace be firmly established here, will bring in many new settlers, who must be supplied with bread, and this will make grain in demand. We may reckon the •different sorts to rise from twenty-five to fifty per cent, in their prices, especially corn and wheat. '^ Agreeably to your request, I shall enclose an invoice of the articles, which I think will be in the greatest demand, in my next, which will go by John Scott, who will set out on Tuesday the 18th instant. " I have given Mr. Hollenback an open letter to you, in which I request the payment of £53 2s. 6d. due to him on securities I gave last winter for the lands I purchased here. He is going to Philadelphia for his winter stock of goods, and his end will be answered, if the merchants with whom he deals accept your notes at such payments as can be agreed on. " I remain with much affection yours, &c.'* Vol. II. 19 290 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. " WiLKESBARRE, September 17th, 1787. *' I forgot again to enclose Esquire Marcy's description of new land, about which I wrote you the 15th, by Mr. Hollenback. I will try not to forget to put it into this letter. " I now enclose an invoice of such goods as I think would be proper for a store at this place. I am so little acquainted with the cost of most of them, that I can form no estimate of their amount ; perhaps this will be much higher than you find convenient, or think expedient, to adventure ; if so, you will curtail it. In the invoice are sundry articles, which I should wish to receive on my own account, but have not inserted them in my list, because you seemed determined to engage in the store, and in that way I could be supplied. " The transportation of the whole must be by the way of Middletown, addressed to Mr. George Fry, merchant there. To him Mr. Hollenback sends his goods, and takes them thence to this place in his own boat. Before he set off I asked him whether there would be room in his boat for any goods for me. He doubted it, but said she might go down again. However, it will be immaterial ; as there are boats plying from Middletown which are always glad of loading. Hollenback formerly offered to transport for me from Middle- town, at £5 per ton. I suppose it cannot be got for less, ex-» cepting such a heavy article as my salt, which Robert Erwin brought up for fifteen shillings per barrel (the usual price for a barrel as heavy as a barrel of liquor), and each weighed upwards of three hundred-weight ; and I suppose the land transportation from Philadelphia to Middletown may cost as much more. For the last load I sent that way I gave five shillings for a hundred-weight, — before that, four shillings and sixpence. Heretofore the boatmen have demanded cash for their transportation ; and possibly I could pay this partly in produce ; but, for whatever must be paid in cash, I must de- pend on you. I am so poor^ I scarcely know how I shall pro- cure beef for my family, for there is no getting it without cash. The price, at present, threepence per pound, beef, hide, and tallow. I might, however, purchase a bullock this week, and promise payment on the return of John Scott, by LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 291 whom I am under the necessity of requesting you to send me fifty dollars. " Hollenback told me that he thought iron could be pur- chased at Middletown at <£ 25 per ton ; and, therefore, I omitted that article in the invoice. About half a ton, I think, will be enough for the winter. I intended to write to Mr. Fry on the subject, and request him to forward that quantity; but I recollect Mr. Hollenback said he should go to the fur- nace nearest Mid diet own and engage his ; and this will be the most certain way of getting some for our store ; and perhaps you can agree with him to procure some for us. I have some nail-rods by me, and yet have noted five hundred- weight in the invoice. ^ly reason is, that I think T can get the whole worked up this winter into twenty-penny, tenpenny, and eight- penny nails, at a cheaper rate than at any other time ; and next spring I think there will be so much building, as to make a demand for them. The tenpenny sell now at fifteen pence a pound. What I have had made I agreed to allow the smith fivepence a pound for, he engaging to return me one hundred pounds nails for one hundred and twelve pounds rods ; but he returned only at the rate of ninety-six pounds. I wish you to inquire in Philadelphia what is the usual waste. A bundle of spike rods (middling size) would be convenient for many purposes. A glazier's diamond, with some instructions how to apply it, would be extremely useful to me ; and with that AVilliam George could fit up many tin lanterns with small panes cut out of broken glass. " I originally concluded to put 6 by 8 glass into the win- dows of my dwelling-house; but since the office windows have been glazed, I find the effect of them in a building so large as the dwelling-house would be disagreeable, and have, therefore, concluded to have 7 by 9 glass. Four hundred panes would glaze the house ; and if packed as they ought to be, not two in a hundred need be broken. The two half- boxes of 6 by 8, which I bought of Bache and Shay, cost iJS, which I offered to pay Colonel Shay ; but, as I proposed get- ting more for my house, he desired the payment might rest till then. The glass is very true, but the panes (wdiich were made of their broken panes of larger glass) not truly cut, one 292 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. parcel bein^ considerably larger than the other, and many wanting a j)iece at their corners, which will require patching, to complete the i:)anes in setting. The two hundred feet of 7 by 9, I suppose, will cost £9, unless fresh arrivals should have cheapened them. One hundred and seventy-five feet will glaze my house ; but a box cannot be divided ; and any surplus will sell to the inhabitants. If Bache and Shay's glass were to be well packed, in strong boxes made for the purpose, I should prefer it, because I could depend on all the panes being whole at Philadelphia. *' In choosing the goods of all kinds for this place, you will recorect the sort of people who are to buy. The articles should be strong and cheap, and a good proportion (especially what is for the females) have a smart appearance. " I remain yours, &c." " Friday, September 21st, 1787. " Dear Sir, " John Scott left this last Tuesday morning for Philadelphia. David Mead, Esq., just tells me that he intends to set out for Philadelphia this day. I therefore seize a few moments to inform you that Mrs. P. is unusually well, and may in a few days come below stairs. The infant is also strong and healthy. The rest of the family are well. " The remainder of mv house-frame is arrived, and the car- penters are framing it. One of them desires me to procure him a pair of strong carpenter's compasses, which John Scott can bring up in his saddle-bags. We shall be ready to raise next week, but the lime-burner having disappointed me about lime at Nescopeck, I may postpone the raising until I can get lime-mortar to lay the underpinning of the cellar ; except that, the walls being finished, and I expect the lime the week after next. In the mean time, the carpenters will be preparing the stuff for covering and finishing the house. So, upon the whole, I have no doubt of moving into it this fall, say by the last of November. If you get an Irish car- penter and mason (or either of them), they can come up with John Scott. " I wish you to send me a tarred rope,- about seven-eighths of an inch diameter and thirty feet long, for a well-rope for LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 293 a windlass for a common draw-bucket ; another white rope suitable and long enough for a clothes-line : one tanned sheep- skin, and two sheepskins dressed by the leather-dressers. " Mrs. P. informs me that inquiry has been made for Hol- land for women's caps. She says long lawn for the caps and clear lawn for the borders are most suitable, and tliat both should be of middling quality, and should have been inserted in the invoice for the store. Enough of each for a dozen, or a dozen and a half of caps may suffice. She adds that Hanover lace is cheap, and would do well here for cap- borders, &c. " I will thank you to inform me of the price of the Tortola rum you sent me. " If I recollect right, I have seen Anderson's essays on agriculture lately advertised by some of the Lish booksellers. I wish to own it, and to receive by John Scott that volume of the two which treats at large of lime and lime-mortar. The Agricultural Society have the book (lent, perhaps, to Mr. Peters), but this place is too remote for borrowing. '' You was deceived in the lapis calaminaris sent by Mr. Nichols : 'tis good for nothing, being as coarse as sand ; so that no part of it is sustained in the water half a minute, and consequently none of it is fit to enter the eye. Pray send us some that is of the right sort, as we all need it. Dr. Bass formerly gave me what was good. '' My wife observes that no mention is made of her large brass kettle coming on. She proposed that it should be put into one of the large washing-tubs to keep it from bruising on the way. We shall not know how to do without it. She wishes the large hair trunk, which is behind, may be opened, and the woollen articles (including the linings of silk gowns) examined on account of the moths. Be pleased also to inquire if my best suit of cloth and beaver hat are safe at Mrs. Hastings' ; they were put into a round bandbox. *' I remain, &c." John Scott and William George were hired men, in the service of Colonel Pickering. These letters present 294 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. a picture of his situation at the time more life-like than any general description by another person could be, and for tliis reason have been given in detail, although they relate to domestic and ordinary concerns, and such as may, at iirst thought, be regarded as too trivial to enter into a biography. They have, however, it is deemed, an interest and value quite rare. They give an idea of what it was to prepare for an abode in a new country, far removed from sources of necessary supplies. The matters to which he had to devote his thoughts and his time were infinite in extent and variety, and such as per- sons who have always lived in old settlements, and in easy reach of whatever is needful, comfortable, and con- venient, can hardly realize. He expected, it is seen, to enter the house he was build- ing, and establish his family in a permanent and happy home, before the snow should fall. To what disappoint- ment he was doomed will shortly appear. His friend, Major Hodgdon, who had formed the scheme of opening a store in Wyoming, was his constant correspondent and agent at Philadelphia. Some passages in his letters to Colonel Pickering may here be added to show the diffi- culties of transportation at that end of the line. Philadelphia, July 27th, 1787. *' I am sorry to inform you that nothing of yours from hence is yet on the way to meet you. I have, however, a prospect that they will be coming on in two or three days, and you may rest assured no attention shall be wanting to getting them off, as I know you want some of them exceedingly." Not being able to procure transportation by the way of Middletown, Major Hodgdon attempted to get them on by the Wind-gap route, as appears by the following LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 295 directions he gave to a person employed for the pur- pose : — " Mr. Clark will inquire for two wagons that are willing to go on with the loads as far as Haller's tavern, which is two miles this side the Wind-gap, on the road to Wyoming, and about seventy-five miles from Philadelphia. If they are not to be obtained on this side Schools's tavern, he will deliver the letter to Mr. Schools, who will assist him in getting them ; but, should he not be able to obtain them through him, Mr. Clark will go on inquiring until he does engage them, if it is not until he arrives at Bethlehem. The tavern-keeper there can undoubtedly provide them ; but if, contrary to all expec- tation, he cannot engage them at Bethlehem, he will desire Mr. Haller to send down wagons for the purpose, provided they can be here speedily, for, at all events, they must soon go on. " Samuel Hodgdon. " July 30th, 1787." This plan failed. Xo adequate means of transporta- tion could be obtained by Mr. Clarke by the Wind-gap route. On the 3d of August, Hodgdon, in a letter to Colonel Pickering, after mentioning some other matters, says : " But it is time that I let you know that nothing is yet forwarded of yours. I have done every thing in my power to procure wagons, but hitherto in vain. I shall be obliged at last to send them on in wagons belonging here. I would avoid this, if possible, for the expense will be double to what would be demanded by returning teams." " Having waited," as he says in a let- ter of the 4th of August, " for returning wagons until my whole stock of patience was exhausted," he agreed upon a price for wagons to carry on the goods, much greater than he had hoped to procure them for. " If I have erred, it is as a zealous man, and, as such, will readily be pardoned." 296 LIFE OF TLMOTHY PICKERING. About this time, Congress passed the Ordinance rela- tive to the North-Western Territory. Major Hodgdon, hearing that the appointment of a Governor- General over it was considered as likely to fall upon either Gen- eral St. Clair or Colonel Pickering, sounded the Colonel on the subject, as follows : " Were it possible you could accede to the appointment, w^ould you go ? Would Mrs. Pickering undertake another journey of perhaps fifteen hundred miles f The transportation, she should be told, will be principally by water. But I suspect she has had enough of travelling, at least for the present." Indeed, as the form of Major Hodgdon's questions intimates, anotlier removal of the family could not, at that time, be thought of. It was alike forbidden by Colonel Pickering's private engagements, in erecting his buildings and opening his farm, and his public obli- gations to devote himself to the establishment of peace and order in the countv of Luzerne. If he had at that time been placed in command of the Western army, it might have given a different turn to the ciuTent of events. The effects upon his own fortunes, and those of the country, must for ever remain matters of curious speculation. But it was not so ordered. A very different experience was allotted him. The actual state of things at Wyoming was not so favorable as his sanguine nature had led him to expect. The strange fortunes to which, from the beginning of their history and for the period of a generation, that people had been subject, and the frequent alternations of jurisdiction over them, had given rise to a pervading and habitual feeling of insecurity and suspiciousness. The severe policy announced by Pennsylvania, upon the LITE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 297 final establishment of its authority by an irreversible judicial decree, occasioned the bitterest feelings, which the partial protection promised in the quieting act of its legislature did not essentially allav. Whether that act would be carried into effect was doubted by many. Its repeal was apprehended, and, as was soon seen, with just grounds of distrust. The rule laid down by the com- missioners appointed to determine the questions in con- troversy, by which all lands resting upon Connecticut titles, given subsequently to the Trenton decree of 1782, were laid open to forfeiture, exasperated and rendered desperate a large portion of the population, including the most active and formidable young men who had come into the territory "• armed " to " man their rights." These things all combined to spread uneasiness, dis- content, and animosity, which agitators of all sorts stood ready to aggravate. This dangerous state of sentiment in the territory was fostered moreover by outside par- ties. The land companies in Connecticut continued to keep their eyes upon what was going on at Wyoming, and imagined that they had an interest that would be promoted by disturbances there. In co-operation with them, many persons of influence in Xew York and else- where were busy in concerting schemes, based upon the success of efforts to resist the authority of Pennsylvania, looking to the separation of the territory into a distinct State, and to land speculations there, from which they were confident of deriving great advantages. These outside parties regarded with pleasure all insurrectionary movements, and did what they could to embroil affairs between Pennsylvania and the people of Wyoming. 298 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. With these views, they secretly encouraged another interest, entirely distinct from theirs, in demanding a repeal of the quieting act. There was a considerable number of persons in Pennsylvania who had purchased Wyoming lands of that government in previous years, when held by tlie Penn proprietors, or during those in- tervals when the Connecticut settlers had been driven off and dispossessed. The quieting act had stripped them of their titles, and they were determined never to relax their exertions to have it repealed. Owing to these causes, a combined pressure, which it became constantly more and more evident would succeed, was kept up on the legislature of Pennsylvania to pass a repealing act. The prospect of this roused a just indignation among the whole people of the territory. To heighten the mischief, and in aid of whatever led to disorder and confusion, there was then a general weakness of authority and a spirit of reckless turbu- lence pervading some portions of the country, leading in the end to a conviction, throughout the States, that a more efficient government had become necessarv ; and at this very time the people were everywhere convulsed by the processes of excited discussions and vehement dissensions, incident to the struggles that resulted in the adoption of the present Federal Constitution. The influence of all these commotions was felt in the Wyoming , district, and fomented passions that soon broke out in scenes of violence. Some x^^ssages of Major Hodgdon's letters to Colonel Pickering will illus- trate this state of things, and shed light upon the general history of that time. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 299 " Philadelphia, August 31st, 1787. " I am happy to hear the commissioners are present, and proceeding in the business assigned them. The greatest firmness is become necessary to stop the current that has and will prevail from delay. Some of the gentlemen have much to answer for on this score. If they think so, they will now exert themselves. Colonel Zebulon Butler is this day appointed County Lieutenant, and the militia is to be im- mediately arranged. The spirit of the people is up, and gov- ernment, at all hazards, will now be supported. The Assembly comes together next week. Stuart says they will repeal the confirming law. He is laughed at by all men of sense, but pei-sists. The event will be speedily known. Livingston's scheme is well understood here. He is not alone in it. Many considerable characters in York State, and in his Brit- ish Majesty's Province of Canada, are in the secret and joined in the business ; but here it is thought to be harmless from the coloring given. You can best judge of their designs by the movements they make. That country, at all events, will be settled, and the present commotions will facilitate what all wish." " Philadelphia, September 29th, 1787. " Yesterday the question for calling a convention to deter- mine on the adoption of the Constitution, lately recommended, was put. Findley and Whitehill, at the head of seventeen others, opposed it, but, finding the previous question carried, they did not return in the afternoon to the adjournment. The Seroeant-at-Arms was sent to command their attendance. Hearing that they were at Boyd's, he went there, found them, and delivered his message. Whitehill answered that, as there was no house, his orders were impertinent and would not be complied with. This answer being communicated, the Speaker and members, forty -five in number, adjourned until nine o'clock, this morning. At seven o'clock an ex- press arrived from New York, with the agreeable news that Congress — eleven and a half States being present — had unanimouslv agrreed to recommend the new Constitution to 300 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. the United States. This, I suppose, will bring the members to the House, at the adjournment to-da}^ and finish the reso- lution of yesterday, for calling the convention." *' To-day again the nineteen refused giving their attend- ance. An order was signed for taking them into custody by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Clerk of the House was directed to attend him. A number of volunteer gentlemen also attended him. The whole proceeded to Boyd's, where two only were found. These w^ere apprehended, and brought by force of arms and seated. One of them rose and plead duress, and tendered his fine of five shillings, and demanded liberty to depart. But he was immediately silenced, and the business was introduced and passed, as you will perceive by the enclosed paper. This conduct has put an end to the constitutional interest in this city. The principals in the business are universally despised, and their abettors hide their heads. The House, having finished this and some other busi- ness, dissolved themselves ; and writs are out for holding an election on the ninth of next month, at which time Franklin may try what interest he has got in your county." " Philadelphia, October 4th, 1787. " Enclosed you have the papers, and the minutes of the House, to the close of the session ; and the curious defence made by the abandoned nineteen for their secession from the Assembly, on Friday and Saturday last. State warrants were talked of to apprehend certain obnoxious characters for aiding the Sergeant-at-Arms in bringing them to their duty. But the Chief Justice, being consulted, put an end to the measure. He declared that the mass of the people were so incensed at their conduct that tumult and further outrage would be the inevitable consequence. So the matter rests for the present. You will see Whitehill, the Jesuit, con- spicuous in the debate on the last Wyoming bill. Distrac- tion and confusion are essential to the existence of such consummate villains. The terms are harsh, but I confess I am exceeding angry with them. I will leave them and politics at this time." LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 301 The state of things in Luzerne county gave uneasi- ness to Colonel Pickering's friends at Philadelphia. They felt that he might need encouragement, and they gave it, as in the following characteristic letter from his family physician, intimate associate, and earnest compatriot : — " Philadelphia, August 30th, 1787. " Dear Sir, " I have only time to assure you that you will meet with the steady support of your friends in executing the late law of the State of which you are appointed a commissioner. Perhaps a short visit to Philadelphia during the approaching session of the Assembly might be useful. Keep a good heart and 23ut a hold face upon things. All will end well. The new Federal government, like a new Continental wagon, will overset our State dung-cart, with all its dirty contents (reverend and irreverend), and thereby restore order and happiness to Pennsylvania. From the conversation of the members of the Convention, there is reason to believe the Federal Constitution will be wise, vigorous, safe, free, and full of dignity. General Washington, it is said, will be placed at the head of the new government, or, in the style of my simile, will drive the new wagon. " With compliments to Mrs. Pickering, I am, dear Sir, yours sincerely, " BENJA]\nN Rush." The first explosion of the combustible elements that had so long been gathering among the people of Wyom- ing, took place under circumstances thus described by Colonel Pickering in his letter to his son, already largely cited, written in 1818 • — " In Ma}^ 1787, a quorum of the commissioners * met at Wyoming, now Wilkesbarre, and gave notice of the mode in * The board of commissioners consisted of Colonels Timothy Pickering, William Montgomery, and Stephen Balliott. 302 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. which they meant to proceed in examining claims, and called on the people to prepare the requisite evidence to support them, to be presented to the commissioners at their next meeting, to take place at Wilkesbarre, in August or Septem- ber following. Many claims were then presented and ex- amined ; and the commissioners were proceeding regularly, with a fair prospect of completing their work in a reasonable time: when tliey were interrupted, and, for their personal safet}^ obliged to retire from the county. John Franklin, a shrewd and resolute man, the prime agent of the Susque- hanna Company, and the chosen commander of the militia, with the title of Colonel, had been for some time visiting all the settlements, to stir up the people to an open and forcible opposition to the government of Pennsylvania. Evidence of these practices having been communicated (I know not by whom) to Chief Justice M'Kean, he issued his warrant for the arrest of Franklin, on a charge of treason against the State. The sheriff of the county (for it had been completely organized, under the authority committed to me, as before mentioned), chosen by the people (according to law and the usage of Pennsylvania) and living among them, was not deemed the proper person to execute the warrant, though a very worthy man ; but who either would not have been able to arrest Franklin, or, by doing it, rendering himself obnox- ious to the mass of turbulent men, might be in too great danger of their vengeance. The Chief Justice therefore directed his warrant to four gentlemen of known fortitude, two or three of whom had been officers in the Revolutionary war. On their arrival they showed me the Chief Justice's warrant. Franklin was at that time about twenty or twenty- five miles lower down the river, preparing his adherents for the explosion. In three or four days he came up to Wilkes- barre. The four gentlemen seized him. Two of their horses were in my stable, which were sent to them ; but soon my servant returned on one of them, with a message from the gentlemen, that people were assembling in numbers, and requesting me to come with what men were near me, to pre- vent a rescue. I took loaded pistols in my hands, and went with another servant to their aid. Just as I met them, Frank- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 303 lin tlirew himself off from his horse and renewed his struggle with them. His hair was dishevelled and face bloody from preceding efforts. I told the gentlemen they would never carry him off unless his feet were tied under his horse's belly. I sent for a cord. Tlie gentlemen remounted him, and my servant tied his feet. Then one, taking his bridle, another following behind, and the others riding one on each side, they whipped up his horse, and were soon beyond the reach of his friends. " But this open aid given by me and my servants, in secur- ing Franklin, exposed me to the vengeful resentment of his adherents. I would have avoided this step if I had not believed the welfare of the good people of the county and the public peace depended on securing the person of that daring man. My particular friends, discreet men, who knew infi- nitely better than I the character of his adherents, assured me they would assemble and retaliate on me the treatment of their leader, and probably do me serious bodily harm ; and advised me to go out of the wgy and secrete myself until the fury of the storm should pass over. This was in the after- noon of the 2d of October. I retired to a close wood not far from the house I occupied. In the evening I returned to my family. Some of the well-disposed neighbors assembled with their arms. The rising of Franklin's men was expected from the opposite side of the river. I desired my friends to place sentinels along the bank, where they might discover the first movements for crossing the river ; and then sat down to sup with my family. Before I had finished that meal a sen- tinel came in haste from the river, and informed me that Franklin's adherents were crossing in boats. My house was within a furlong of the river. I took up a loaded pistol and three or four small biscuits, and retired to a neighboring field. Soon the yell of the insurgents apprised me of their arrival at my house. I listened to their noises a full half- hour, when, the clamor ceasing, I judged that the few armed neighbors, who had previously entered and fastened the doors, had surrendered. This was the fact. The rioters (as I afterwards learnt from your mother) searched the house for me, and for concealed arms, if any there were. 304 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICFEIIING. " Whi^e I was listening, Griffith Evans, secretary to the board of commissioners, and a lodger at m}" house, retiring from it, fortunately taking the same course, joined me. Be- lieving that when they should have searched the house in vain, the}^ would proceed to the near fields to find me, I told Mr. Evans it would be well to retire still farther. When we had gained the side of Wilkesbarre mountain, we laid our- selves down, and got some sleep. In the morning I descried, at the distance of a mile or more, a log-house, which was on a lot of land I had purchased, and near a mile from the vil- lage, and occupied bv an honest German, whose daughter lived with your mother, as a maid. I proposed to Mr. Evans, as he had no personal injury to apprehend from the rioters, to go to the log-house, and ask the German, in my behalf, to go down to my house (which, as his daughter was there, would be perfectly natural), and if he could see your mother, in- quire what was the state of things, and whether I could re- turn with safety. Mr. Evans waited his return ; and then brought me word from your ipother that I must remain con- cealed ; for they were still searching for me. It was now about eleven o'clock. I told Mr. Evans that, as I could not return to Wilkesbarre, we had better proceed for Philadel- phia, and inform the executive of the state of things at Wyom- ing. He readily assented ; and we immediately commenced our march. It was through pathless woods ; and we had no provisions except the three or four biscuits I had put into my pocket the preceding evening. That we might not get lost, I proposed turning short to our left, to strike the road leading from Wyoming ; and thence take our departure with more safety. We did so ; and then again darting into the woods, proceeded, as nearly as we could judge, in a line parallel to the road, but not in sight of it. A little before sun-setting, we came to a small run of water which I supposed to be the ' nine-mile run,^ being at that distance from Wilkesbarre. I therefore desired Mr. Evans to go cautiously down the run, till he should strike the road which crossed it. He did so ; it was not far off. On his return, we concluded to lie down, to get some sleep; intending to rise, when the moon should be up, at about two the next morning, and prosecute our jour- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 305 nev. About two miles from the nine-mile run, was Bear Creek, a stream perhaps forty or fifty feet wide, and without a bridge. Having several times travelled that road, I knew when we approached it. There I thought it probable the in- surgents had posted a small guard to intercept me, leaving their main guard at a deserted cabin four miles back. Mr. Evans proposed to advance alone to reconnoitre ; and, if he discovered there anv armed men, to halloo, that I might escape into the woods. I told him that was impracticable ; fatigued, and destitute of provisions, I could not fly ; that each of us had a loaded pistol, that I presumed the guard at the Creek would not exceed three men ; that if they attempted to take us, we must each kill his man, when the third would be glad to escape. AVith this determination, we proceeded. The Creek was not guarded ; we forded it, and then marched at our ease. In the morning we reached the first inhabited house, about twenty-five miles from Wilkesbarre. Here we were refreshed with a comfortable breakfast, and then went on our way. Having travelled some miles farther, we came to some farmers' houses, where we hired horses ; and then continued our journey to Philadelphia. " On my return to AVilkesbarre, I was informed that the arrangement of the guards, to intercept me, was precisely as I had conjectured. A subaltern's command marched to the deserted cabin, whence three men were detached to Bear Creek, where they waited till night, when they returned to the cabin ; concluding that I had reached the Creek before them . '* The insurgents, soon brought to reflection, and deprived of the counsel and direction of their leader, Franklin, began to relent, and sent a petition to the executive council, ac- knowledging their offence, and praj-ing for a pardon. This was readily granted ; and Colonel Denison, the Luzerne Councillor, went up with the pardon. It was natural to in- fer from this, that I might return in safety to my family. I proceeded accordingly ; but, when within twenty-five miles, I sent by my servant who was with me a letter to your mother, desiring her to consult some of the discreet neighbors, who were my friends, relative to my return. She did so. They Vol. II. 20 306 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. were of opinion, tliat T could not return with safety at pres- ent. So I went back to Philadelphia. ** In September, 1787, the convention of delegates from the several States, to form a Constitution for the United States, which had been sitting several months in Philadelphia, con- cluded their labors. They recommended that the Constitu- tion should be submitted to a convention of delegates, to be chosen in each State by the peoi)le thereof under the recom- mendation of its legislature, for their assent and ratification. Such a convention being called by the legislature of Pennsyl- vania, the people of Luzerne county chose ME their delegate^ to represent them in it! This convention assembled in Phila- delphia (where I still remained), I think early in December. After a great deal of discussion, the convention assented to and ratified the Constitution. It was engrossed on parch- ment, and received the signatures of nearly all the delegates, including the opposers while under discussion, with the ex- ception of some three or four obstinate men, and, to the best of my recollection of their characters, as ignorant as obstinate. The opposers of its adoption were the extra-republicans, or democrats — the same sort of men who afterwards were called antifederalists, and who uniformly opposed all the lead- ing measures of the general government. " I could now no longer doubt that I might return to Wyoming. I arrived there the beginning of January, 1788." The above narrative was written by Colonel Picker- ing from memory thirty years afterwards, and evidently without recurring to his papers. It is, however, re- markably in accordance with them, as appears from some here added, which will, moreover, enable the reader more fully to bring the occurrences into view. The fol- lowing letter to his wife was written on the third day after his escape from the mob at Wyoming, probably at the place where he and Evans obtained horses. They had made some thirty miles' progress through the for- LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 307 est, having spent much time in reconnoitring, and slept three nights in the woods on bare ground. " Savages, October 5th, 1787. " Mr Dear Beckey, " I am here in heahh and safety, and shall presently set out for Philadelphia. My only concern is for you, Betsey, and our dear babes. But I think the men in arms are not capable of hurting or insulting any of you. I am sure none but savages would do it. Now that I have escaped them, I hope they will leave you in peace. I have not seen John Scott, nor know his business in Philadelphia. But if the party leave you, I think you and the family had best remain where you are at present, for I persuade myself all opposition will soon cease. I am morally sure that government will take decided measures to support its authority, and I may soon return to you in safety. I have conversed with Esquire Gore, who is to deliver this ; and begged him to advise and assist you in every thing. He is a judicious man, well knows the people, and can and will give you the best advice, by which I think it best your measures should be governed. My heart has bled for your distresses. If God spares my life, my future increased attentions will, I hope, in some de- gree, counterbalance your extraordinary sufferings. Kiss for me all the dear boys, and give Betsey my very kind affection. With a heart devoted to your safety and happiness, I remain yours while life shall last. "T. Pickering." Upon reaching Philadelphia, he wrote again to his wife. The letter is given entire, because it shows the extreme inconveniences to which he was put in being suddenly driven from home, at that season, when his presence was so much needed to secure the crops, just ready to be harvested ; to get his buildings ht for occu- pation ; and to make a general preparation for the ap- proaching winter : and, also, because it may serve as a specimen of the letters he was constantly writing to his 308 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. wife, when separated from her and the family, as he was, for long intervals of time, during the greater part of his life. They are found without number scattered through the mass of his manuscripts, and would fill volumes. As has been stated, he ever considered the care of his household a duty of the very first moment. In previous years, when bearing the burden of the office of Quarter- master-General of the Hevolutionary army, and subse- quently while at the head of great departments of the general government in the Cabinet at Washington, and in both Houses of Congress, the oversight of his family was never interrupted. He thought of and provided for the minutest details that related to the comfort and welfare of his distant home, and to the condition of his fields, stock, and produce. His wife was faithful and competent to the trust he reposed in her, followed his counsels, and conducted his affairs with the utmost care- fulness and good judgment. No woman ever better merited the most honorable title a woman can bear, a help-meet for her husband. "Philadelphia, October 10th, 1787. "My Dearest Beckey, " You will easily conceive the joy I felt when Mr. Bowman announced that you, Betsey, and the children were all safe and in tranquillity. God be praised ! I trust we shall remain uninjured, and that I may soon return to you in peace. The government will eventually do what is requisite to ensure the quiet of the county. It is probable, forgiveness will be extended to all who took up arms after Franklin was taken, provided they continue, what they now have professed they will be, peaceable subjects. I am charmed with the account of your fortitude. *' Agreeably to my advice by Esquire Gore, I suppose the car- penters are at work. I wish the house to go forward as fast as may be, excepting the chimney, which let rest till I come LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 309 up. If Dean remains, he may be employed in digging the potatoes as soon as they are ripe, which must be, I imagine, by the close of this week. I would have the bulk of them laid in heaps, on a high spot in the field, and properly covered, to secure them through the winter. As soon as some of the corn is hard enough, he may begin to gather and dry enough to grind for mush. There are several sorts of potatoes. You can try them all, and choose what you like best for family use. Let them be put in distinct heaps in the held. William George and George can assist Dean in these things. Doctor Sprague may go on with the stable, according to my orders, taking George Geary's directions in the execution. Dean can assist the Doctor in all the work ; and this I would have him to do, in preference to digging potatoes, &c., which William and George can do when Dean'is engaged with the Doctor. I would have the horses well taken care of, and get some grain every day. Some of the people who owe me grain can perhaps furnish oats. There are some winter squashes as well as pumpkins among the corn, which should be brought home, and j)tit where tliey will be dry and safe from frost till used. " I shall detain John Scott a few days, that, if government or myself should have occasion to send to Wyoming, a con- veyance may be ready. I shall send a few necessaries by John, particularly some tea. *^ The family will want meat. Mr. Bowman can employ Wm. Ross or Xathan Gary to purchase another steer, heifer, or cow for beef, and William George can put it up. You know where to get money. Save as much of the bacon as you can, and keep enough of the molasses to use for beer and with mush, instead of milk. Direct a plenty of vegetables to be always boiled, to save the meat ; and sometimes perhaps roasted potatoes may serve the men for supper. " Our friends here are generally well. I am myself in perfect health, and the pain in my shoulder has nearly left me. With my love to Betsey and the boys, I bid you a cor- dial adieu. '^T. Pickering." 310 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Two days after, he wrote to her again, as follows : — " Mr. Horton proposes to set out to-morrow morning for Wyoming. I write this just to inform you of my health and impatience to return to you. But I cannot fix the day, be- cause I am not informed of the progress made in detaching the troops destined for Wilkesbarre. That troops are raising for the purpose will be known amongst you ; yet you need not speak of it. I felt disposed to go up before them, but Mr. Hollenback and Mr. Bowman advised to the contrary. I shall endeavor to hasten the measure as much as possible. Kiss the dear boys for me. My kind love to Betsey, most affectionately adieu!" It will be remembered by the reader that Colonel Pickering, upon hearing of the near approach of the rioters, left his home in the evening. The situation of his wife may be imagined. He had gone alone into the wilderness, without any provisions but a few biscuits snatched from the table : what course he would take, or what would be his fate, none could tell. Evans, the secretary of the commissioners, and a boarder in the family, had also disappeared. The remarkable circum- stance that they happened to meet and recognize each other in the fields bordering on the woods, after the night had set in, was then unknown. The rioters gath- ered around the house witk wild yells of rage, over- powered and disarmed the men-servants and a few neighbors, who, apprehending the outrage, had collected to defend it, forced an entrance, and ransacked it from garret to cellar, breathing wrath and uttering threats of violence. Failing in the object of their search, they withdrew with sullen imprecations ; and Mrs. Picker- ing, with her sister and children, were left with none to protect them. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 311 It must have been a night of horror. In her delicate situation, with an infant not three weeks old, her con- dition, as she was wont to relate it, was one of ex- treme distress. She had been but a few months in the place, was a stranger among a strange people, most of whom were infuriated against her husband. The shock was frightful, and for a time broke her down. But she soon rose above the terrors and sufferings of the occa- sion. Although the gentlest and meekest of her sex, this woman possessed a latent energy of character, always equal to the emergency. In a few days her self- composure was recovered, her spirit and strength re- vived, and she took decisive measures. Her sagacity enabled her to appreciate, better than her husband had done or afterwards did, the dangerous elements that were fermenting in the minds of the people of that region, and she resolved to place at once beyond their reach as many of her family as she could. She herself, hav- ing an infant in her arms, could not escape from the scene. She felt, too, that some one must remain to look after the house, the farm, and the stock, and supervise the operations of the carpenters and other mechanics already engaged on the place. Her sister would not leave her. A faithful female domestic was put in charge of the four little boys, the youngest of them a year and eight months, the eldest just eight years, of age. Two trusty male servants were directed forthwith to prepare the wagon, — all the horses were to be tackled to it, — and, within a week, the two men, the women, and the chil- dren, with such articles as they might need in their long and rough journey, w^ere on their way to Phila- delphia. 312 LIFE OF TIMOTHY riCKERING. Some p«issages of letters will here be read with in- terest. " WiLKESBARRE, October 16th, 1787. '• My Dear Mr. Pickering, *■' Mr. Bowman arrived last Saturday evening, and gave me your favor of the 10th inst. I was made happy by the ac- count it contained of your welfare. Since you left me, till within these two or three daj's, my mind has been so agi- tated, that I have been quite unfit for any business. I was, at first, determined to leave the place. So strong was my intention, that I thought myself able to travel through the swamp on foot, and carrying my infant, if no ready conveyance presented. On thinking more of the matter, I altered my resolution, and concluded to send the children, though con- trary to everybodj^'s opinion that I talked with on the sub- ject. I was repeatedly told my family was in no danger. I could not believe people that had used the family as some of them had without any reason. I thought any circumstance occurring which did not agree with their ideas,! and the familv mio^ht be treated in a manner not more favorable. It is possible you may disapprove of my sending the children, but my anxiety for their safety was so great I could not keep them with me. I had much rather suffer mj^self than have them suffer, should it be the case. I am exceedingly distressed that you think of returning. I fear you will not be able to live in safety. You have strong enemies, and they are of the worst kind, secret ones many of them. There have been many reports of the threats that have been thrown out, not against persons only, but their property and their cattle : how true they are, I cannot say, but am inclined to think not without some foundation. '' I remain yours affectionately, '' Rebecca Pickering." "WiLKESBARRE, Octobct 22d, 1787; Sunday evening. " My Dear Mr. Pickering, " John Scott arrived here last evening. I am distressed at the idea of your returning under the present circumstances, LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 313 without sufficient force to secure your person ; for, whatever may be the general opinion, your friends, few in number, are convinced you will be taken prisoner, if not ill-used. Mr. Bowman will write to you. I think you will pay attention to what he says. You may attribute what I say to the weakness of my sex. All is at j)resent peaceable, but time will show if from right principles. Your enemies wish to get you. Then they think they can make their own terms with government about Franklin. They will use you as he is used, and, finally, they think, compel the State to release him, or you must suffer. I beg you to think seriously of these circumstances. I think the State would not want vou to fall a sacrifice to their resentments. Your family, too, has a claim upon your life, when it can be preserved with honor to yourself and justice to your country. I look upon most people here with a suspicious eye. " I remain, with affection, sincerely yours, " Rebecca Pickering." These earnest remonstrances against his return prob- ably produced on his mind the opposite effect from that designed. Her heroic preference to remain unprotected rather than have him exposed to danger, so wrought upon his affection, gallantry, and manly courage, that he felt, as he read her words, inspired with a determination to fly to her rescue and defence whatever the hazard to himself. He could not, moreover, be persuaded that her fears were fully authorized. The rioters had appar- ently repented of their violence, — had sued for pardon, which, after consultation with him, had been granted by the government on their promise of good behavior. He was inclined to think that their demonstration of rage against him was the effect of sudden excitement on the seizure of Franklin and his agency in it, and that the regret they had expressed in their petition was sincere. At any rate, he resolved to return forthwith to Wyoming. On 314 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. his way, he wrote back to Major Hodgdon, under date of October 19th, 1787, from Easton. The letter relates mostly to business matters, as the following passage in particular ; — " As I go forward with an intention of getting up my house, and hastening its completion, so far as to render it habitable, I must beg you to procure for me a few more articles, and send the whole as quick as possible to George Fry at Middleto wn. Two boxes of glass, 7 by 9. I saw some at Towers's, in Mar- ket Street, for Avhich he asked £5, single box, but offered me two at <£4 15s. each. This was Bristol glass. One fault of the Trieste glass is, that 'tis wavy, and shows a thousand surfaces in one pane. If you have opportunity, pray ask the advice of a sensible glazier about the proper choice. One box of chocolate at Captain Donnel's. One barrel of brown sugar ; twenty-five or thirty pounds of tea. Please to call at Mr. Doz's for a bundle of mine. In it you will find a number of papers, and among them the invoice I sent you, and another made out on a half-sheet of paper on the two sides, in which latter are the articles I should Avish to have, if there were means to procure them ; but I will urge nothing at present that will embarrass you in respect to money, farther than the three articles before mentioned, of glass, sugar, and tea. The chocolate is already paid for. If, however, in looking over the invoice aforementioned, you see any other articles which you deem necessary (for I forget most of them), I shall be much obliged by your sending them. Please to forward duplicate accounts of the whole. The papers left at Mr. Doz's may come by any good conveyance. " I feel myself very sensibly obliged by the readiness mani- fested by my friends to receive and take care of the children. I shall write you about them after I have consulted my wife." A postscript to this letter has the request : — " Please to write a hue to Mr. Williams on my situation, but not in the dismals.'^ LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 315 He had sent John Scott forward to apprise his wife of his coming, and then to return and meet him. The following letter gives some of the incidents of his progress: ■ — "Zawitz (that is Savage's), Sunday evening, October 21st, 1787. " My Dear Beckey, " I presume John Scott arrived at Wilkesbarre to-day by noon. By him you will have learnt that I met Mr. Horton, five miles on this side Bethlehem, and that he informed me that Captain Schott had letters for me, but was gone to Easton. So I rode on, and turned off for Easton, where I found him on Thursday evening. Those letters, and Schott's information, induced me to determine to go to you, instead of sending for you and Betsey to come out, for which I had made prep- arations. For, by your letter, my dear, I found you had no thought of leaving Wilkesbarre. The repairs of the wagon were not made at Bethlehem, as I expected. So this detained George. However, I reached Xazareth in time to enable us to proceed to Haller's last night. This morning I found many things to be done to the wagon, which, with stowing some loading, took us till half-past eleven o'clock. The horses do very well. Nevertheless, I intend to go no farther than Luce's, at Tobyhanna, to-morrow, and feed the horses well, to enable us to start very early on Tuesday morning, so as to reach Kelly's before dark. If John Scott sets out on Tuesday by noon to meet me, it will do. I am in health and spirits, and impatient to embrace jon. With my love to Bet- sey, for a short time I bid you tenderly adieu ! " It seems that Colonel Pickering started for home un- accompanied by a military force. It ^vas concluded by the authorities, and was undoubtedly his judgment, that it was best to show confidence in the promises of good behavior that had been made. Considering, however, how deeply his wife's mind was impressed with the ap- prehension of danger at Wyoming, he felt it his duty to 316 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. place her beyond it, and for that reason had made ar- rangements in Phihidelphia for her return thither with her sister. His idea was that one of the hired men should accompany them, bearing the infant in his arms. He expected to meet them on the way, and then himself pass on to Wilkesbarre. Thus his family would be re- united, and placed in safety and tranquillity, while he attended to his affairs and public duties at Wyoming. He did not believe that any violence would be offered him ; but, if it should, he preferred to meet it alone, and without any embarrassment from, or exposure of, his wife and family. The letters brought by Captain Schott informed him of his wife's determination not to leave Wilkesbarre. She probably thought it impracticable, or at least unsafe, to transport the infant in the manner he proposed, and that the journey was more than could prudently be encountered. But her prevailing feeling, no doubt, was a determination, if he would come back, to share his lot. She justly thought that he was over confident and confiding, and that her vigilance and cau- tion would be useful and needful. Hence her refusal to carry out his plan in this particular. On being ap- prised of her determination, he hastened on to meet her at Wyoming. Soon after the foregoing letter was written, John Scott made his appearance. The import and result of the communications he brought will be seen in the follow- ing letter. The disappointment to which Colonel Pick- ering: found himself doomed was one of the bitterest he had ever experienced. The constant aim of his exertions, the cherished vision of his life, was to realize the happi- ness of a home. His public employments had separated LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 317 bim much from his family ; but when be resolved upon spending his days as a farmer, the chief attraction to that mode of life had been that it would give him a quiet and lasting home. But now his children were scattered, and he could not bring them together : be was separated from bis wife, forbidden to return to bis bouse and lands, and left, as he expressed it, an exile. As he turned back alone to Philadelphia, his heart was heavy within him. But the energies of his nature could not be broken, nor the elastic activity of his faculties long impaired. As be could neither relieve bis wife of the burdens and trials of her situation, nor share them with her in personal presence, he did w^bat be could to help her to sustain and meet them by advice and directions embracing the minutest details : — "Luce's, at Tobthanna, at break of day, October 23(1, 1787. " My Dear Beckey, " This day T should have proceeded to Wilkesbarre, but that you advise me not to come. I am mortified. But Mr. Bow- man has given me sufficient reasons to justify your opinion that it would be unsafe. I shall, therefore, return to Phila- delphia, and wait the measures of govei^nment. John Scott, doubtless, has told you of the preparations I had made at Bethlehem to bring out you and Betsey. The infant I in- tended William George should have brought in his arms till I should meet you. The new side-saddle I have retained, because it will be useful to you and Betsey, whether you remain at Wilkesbarre or remove. And, my dear, as I have followed your advice in not going in at present, I trust you will attend to mine, — that you lose no time in learning to ride on horseback. I entreat you to have the pacing horse sad- dled every fair day, and ride a mile or two, if no more. A little daily practice will make it easy to you. After you can sit steady in your seat, try Mr. Hollenback's sorrel mare, as she trots easy ; for, otherwise, should you be obliged to mount 318 LIFE OF TIMOTHY riCK^RING. a trotting horse, you may find it hard to sit steady. Pray let no business prevent your riding every fair day. Betsey will ride, of course, whenever it will be convenient to lier. On my return, I hope I shall be at a loss to determine which rides best. " You may imagine I was surprised at the sight of the chil- dren in Philadelphia! But, my dear, I do not disapprove of your sending them thither. I thought, indeed, that it might not have been necessary. But you consulted your feelings^ — the feelings of a mother^ — and I was satisfied. On the same principle, I set out to bring you down to them, determined not to consult your judgment or my own, but merely your feelings ; for, if these were constantly agitated and alarmed, I feared you might lose your health. Sally told me your dis- tresses had much lessened your ability to suckle the child. I am pleased to find you restored. " The children are distributed among our friends. Tim at Mr. Doz's, and is to go to Master Todd's school ; Henry at Captain Faulkener's, and is to go to his old Master's, Yerkes ; Charles's bright eyes please Nancy Cunningham, and William, with Sally, is at her mother's. Captain Faulkener went to Mr. Doz's of his own accord, and pressed to take home with him tivo of the children. Mrs. Hastings desired you might go to her house. I told Sally to wash for all the children, and to be sure to let William have his portion of milk. One day 1 met Master Yerkes. He asked kindly after the family, par- ticularly the children, adding, ' I love the children.' " I send three pairs of woollen gloves, which I bought for you, Betsey, and Dolly, expecting you to ride with them. Perhaps they ma}^ still be useful. I send, also, six pounds of Bohea tea, for which I ran in debt at Nazareth, at three shillings and sixpence per pound. The tea you can barter for necessaries. " At Haller's I put into the wagon the box of sugar (I believe the key of the brass lock is with a large bunch of keys that used to lie in the beaufet), the barrels Nos. 1 and 2 (as I suppose), the two baskets of crockery, &c., in one of which I saw the spout of a coffee-pot, a hair-powder box, containing, as I suppose, ironmongery, and among it, perhaps, LIFE OF TIMOTHY riCKERING. 319 some of the bed-screws. The large brass kettle, in the tub, I put into the Bethlehem stage at Philadelphia, intending to forward it from Bethlehem to Haller's in my own wagon, whenever it should return, and it is now in the wagon. At Learn's I got a pailful of apples for you and Betsey. " The books, I find, were buried under the office floor. I hinted this measure to Esquire Gore ; but it won't do. Let them be taken up, or they will all be ruined. Let them be taken out, and wiped, and set singly on the office tables and benches till they are perfectly dry. Then they may be again packed ; and, if you think proper, they may be put in handy packages, with newspapers, and, well tied with twine, be dis- tributed among the honest neighbors. Probably the widow Stewart would receive some of them, and of our other effects. I mentioned handy packages, because in small parcels our effects may be concealed by the neighbors. Each package may be numbered and invoiced. " Let Betsey look over all the papers and books that were in the small sea-chest and medicine box ; and let all the books of accounts, and the papers of accounts, receipts, &c., be selected, and some means determined on for their certain preservation. Among these also preserve the book, marked on one cover, Invoice of Books, in which also are lists of our goods. The red-covered pocket-books contain almost all the accounts with the people for what I have trusted them. But there is Mr. Ochmigh's account, among my papers, of salt, &c., delivered by him. All these valuable papers had best be sent out, if danger should be apprehended. My portmanteau would hold them all, and John Scott, or other trusty hand (and perhaps another might be best, as he is so well known), might be sent out on purpose, whenever you should think best. Perhaps it may be advisable to pack in paper, and send up these valuable account-books and papers, and lodge them with Mr. Mann, or other honest, unsuspecting person, to be locked up in the bottom of some of their chests. " As the Indian-corn is ripe, let enough be ground, from time to time, to make mush everv nio^ht, or with, once or twice a week, rye mush, or roasted or boiled potatoes, by way of change. Spare meat and fish as much as possible. If one or 320 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. two of the best of the shotes were put up in a pen, they could be fattened with corn and slops, to be fit to kill. Part with no more molasses. I believe it will be best to give tea oftener to the workmen ; and, to make it more palatable, get half a dozeil cheap cups and saucers of Hollenback. I send you a dozen small pewter table-spoons, for which also I ran in debt at Nazareth. Will not tea also take less sugar than chocolate, if the tea is not made too strong ? As the children are gone, more milk may be spared to the workmen ; but do not deny yourself cream. The skimmed milk may be mixed with the new milk for the men ; 'tis done generally in this State. When the cows go on the flats they will give a flush of milk. " I would have oats got of people who owe me, or purchased, to keep the horses in order, or rather to get them so. For what you find it necessary to buy, I will take care to make satis- factory payment ; only engage as little cash as possible. " I think of nothing more at present, — unless you were to have an invoice taken of such goods as remain in the corn barn and store-room, that, in case of plunder, I may know what is lost. '^ I am sorry that my watch has disappeared. I took it out to seal the letter in which I enclosed the intercepted letters, which, you remember, I meant to send off to council just before I left you, and I must have laid it down, and left it on the trunk. I soon missed it after I left the house, and con- stantly called on Evans to know the hour, as he had his watch with him. There is a possibility that it might be pulled out of my fob by the bushes, but it is improbable. The great-coat I hope you will find. *' I hoped to have seen and kissed Betsey to-night, as well as you : I embrace her in my heart. I wish I could pay up all arrears as easy and with as much pleasure as I shall pay hers when we meet, and again dwell together. " Adieu ! my dear Beckey, and kiss for me your infant. Adieu, my dear sister Betsey. Heaven guard your lives and health, and grant us soon a joyful meeting ! "T. PiCKERTKG. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 321 " P. S. jNIy respects to ^Ir. Bowman. I thank him for his letter, but have no time or means to answer it." " At IIaller's Ta^erx, Tuesday evening, October 23d, 1787. " My Dear Beckey, " Thus far I am on my return to Philadelphia. John Scott with Geori^e left me at Luce's this morning, and by to- morrow noon I expect they will reach Wilkesbarre with the wagon. Besides the articles mentioned in mine, of this morning, I put into the wagon five kitchen chairs, and a pair of kitchen andirons, that were not packed with any thing else at Haller's. Besides the new side-saddle, there are in the wagon two new l)ridles, one for you and one for Betsey : keep them for your use alone, and let them be carried into the store-room, ever}^ time after using them, and he careful not to let the bits grow rusty. I observed a flour barrel at Haller's with the head knocked in, which exposed to view two small pewter dishes ; these I took out and have sent on. I put them in the large brass kettle. I recollect no other article except two taps and faucets, wrapped in brown paper, and which are in the wagon box. " I have enclosed a few additional directions which, when you here read, hand to John Scott. '' I had intended to have sent in the wagon the small bed- stead for Betsey, that she might no longer sleep on the floor ; but when I fixed the wagon here on Sunday morning, it took up so much time, that I loaded in a hurry, and forgot the bedstead, it not coming in sight ; and now Haller tells me there is no bedstead here, and that both were formerly sent on ; if so, the small bedstead is lost. '' With constant affection I remain, my dear Beckey, ever yours, "T. Pickering." These letters illustrate what has been particularly mentioned, and it is designed to keep in view in this biography, a trait in Colonel Pickering's character, most marked in all the periods of his life, a faithful, constant, and earnest care for the welfare and comfort of his Vol. II. 21 322 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICZiERING. family, providing for their daily wants, directing the manafromont of the household, and extending? advice to the minutest and most ordinary matters., No distance, no elevation of official position, no weight of public affairs, was ever allowed to prevent or interrupt the dis- charge of this, felt by him to be his highest duty, most sacred and most honorable trust. The circumstances in which he was placed required the utmost diligence, fru- gality, and anxious labor on his part in all the stages of his Wyoming experience. It is thought that this could not, in any way, be so effectually or satisfactorily presented as in the documents that have been adduced. The memoirs of no one anions: the eminent men of our country lead through such scenes as occurred during Colonel Pickering's residence on the then frontiers of. Pennsylvania. His toils, adventures, trials, and sufferings were without a parallel, as will still more strikingly appear in a subsequent chapter. The present one may be brought to a close by the following letter, written a week or two after his return to Philadelphia, and dated from that place. It gives a summary of the events just related, and discloses his views and feelings in reference to the caTises and influences that led to them. " November 17th, 1787. "Dear Brother, " You will have heard of the disturbances at Wyoming, whither I had moved my family. I have forborne to write particular!}-, because I could write nothing favorably. How- ever, the prospect is now changed ; and I expect peace will be shortly fully established in that country. The govern- ment of Pennsylvania appears disposed to do every thing req- uisite for that end. The troubles originated with a few villains of some ability, but chiefly of desperate fortunes, who had formed a plan to erect a new State in that and the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 323 adjacent country of New York ; and taking advantage of the disaffection of a nnmber of the Connecticut settlers at Wyom- ing, whose prejudices and resentments against Pennsylvania had been coeval with their settlement in this State, had really drawn into the plot a considerable number of men. But the capture of John Franklin, who was their leader to execute the plot, has disconcerted all their measures. The State have ordered in some militia for the present, and a bill has had two readings to authorize the Council to raise and post there a permanent military force. This will overawe the insurgents (who are all dispersed), and effectually establish the authority of the State and peace of the county, I trust, without blood- shed. The principal conspirators lived in the States of Con- necticat and Xew York. Their plot was so far advanced that a Connecticut lawyer had actually drawn up a Constitution for their intended new State, which was to be called Westmore- land^ the name of the Wyoming district when a county under the Connecticut jurisdiction. The pretence of the conspirators, who were members of the Susquehanna Com- pany, by which they deluded the people, was, that this com- pany, having made a fair purchase of the Indians of the soil, they had still a right to hold it, and that no act of Pennsylva- nia and Connecticut could divest them of it. The fact is that the whole country in dispute lies within the bounds of the Pennsylvania charter. Connecticut claimed a right to it, as falling within her charter, extending it, according to the words of it, to the South Sea. This dispute was referred by the two States (agreeably to the Articles of Confederation) to a Continental Court, the members of which were mutually agfreed on bv the two States. This court sat at Trenton in December, 1782 ; and, after a hearing of counsel on both sides during many days, they decreed, unanimously, that both the soil and jurisdiction belong to Pennsylvania. This gave a terrible shock to the Susquehanna Company, and their settlers at Wyoming ; and, if Pennsylvania had then mani- fested any degree of generosity or magnanimity, — if she had, indeed, consulted merely her own interest, — she would have quieted the settlers in their old possessions, which they had 324 LIFE OF TIMOTHY nCFsERING. derived l)y titles, wliieli they supposed to be good, from the Susquehanna Company. Rut, instead of this, the conduct of the State has consisted of a series of impolitic measures, some- times lenient, sometimes severe, and, through the abuse of ])ower by the persons appointed to execute the orders of the State, sometimes cruel and oppressive. These circumstances, together with the discontents generally prevailing throughout the United States, the rebellion in Massachusetts, and the pros- pect of an entire dissolution of the Federal Union, have en- couraged the villains, before referred to, to form and prepare to execute their wicked plot before mentioned. '' I have just heard from my wife at Wyoming. She is very well. She expresses much solicitude to hear from her son John. Tim, Henry, Charles, and William, are with our friends in this city. The infant, Edward (born the 12th of September), is with my wife at W^^oming. Her sister, also, is with her. A Mr. Bowman, a lawyer and a very clever man, is in my family, and has remained at Wyoming during all the disturbances. He was educated at Cambridge, and is known, I believe, to Samuel and Timothy Williams. He attends the business of my office during my absence. " The sheriff of Luzerne has brought down the return of the election of a member to sit in the Convention of this State, for considering of the Federal Constitution. I am chosen. The Convention is to meet the 20th instant. This will keep me here a few weeks. I wish to hear from you and my friends before I go up to Wyoming ; or, if you address a letter to Mr. Hodgdon's care, he will forward it, if I should be gone. Should it be perfectly convenient to you, I shall be obliged by a remittance of any sum of money, more or less, as you can spare it. This also may be directed to Mr. Hodg- don's care. After I return to Wyoming, I shall embrace an early opportunity to make, and forward to you, a deed of the land vou proposed to take of me. Your letters on the subject are there, the particulars of which I do not fully recollect. " Give my love to my son, and persuade him to write a short letter to his mamma or me. " I will write Mr. Williams, if I have time. This I expect LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 325 to send by John Blanchard, biother to our cousin ; and I must go to him immediately, lest he should be gone. '* I bid you, dear brother, a most affectionate adieu, and pray you to present my kind love to all my sisters and their children, whom I remember with tenderness ; and Mr. Wil- liams, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Dodge are not forgotten. " T. PiCKEBING. "John Pickeeixg, Esq." 326 LIFE OF TIMOTHY riCKERINQ. CHAPTER X. Colonel Pickering in Pliilaclelphia. — An Exile from Wyoming. — Member of the Convention of Pennsylvania, to act upon the proposed Constitution of the United States. 1787. Colonel Pickering reached Philadelphia on the 25th of October, as appears by the following letter to his wife : — " Philadelphia, October 27th, 1787. " My Dear Beckey, " Besides the letter I wrote from Luce's, by John Scott, I again addressed you from Haller's. I am now happy in the opportunity which presents of writing you by Doctor Smith. Making easy journeys, I did not arrive here till Thursday evening, just before dusk. The same evening I went to see all the children, and found them very well. I wrote you that William was with Sally, at her mother's, and I find he pleases everybody that sees him. Mr. Doz's family. Captain Faulkener's, and Mr. Donnel's, are contending ' which has the best boy.' Tim, you will remember, is at Mr. Doz's, Henry at Captain Faulkener's, Charles at Captain Donnel's. These good families are severally delighted with their charge. Yes- terday afternoon Nancy Cunningham and Charles came to Mr. Doz's; and I led down Henry, and Sally brought Wil- liam, that they might all see one another. It Avas the first general interview since their arrival, and they were much uleased with it. Tim had before been to see Charles, and (says Donnel) ' it was a pleasure to see them, at meeting, embrace and kiss each other.' I have given you this detail, because I know it will give at least as much pleasure to the mother as it does to the father ; and their aunt will not be unaffected with so pleasing an account. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 327 '' Colonel Denison has made his report to Council, and to-day I was sent for, with Doctor Smith. The Doctor gave a particular history of the transactions in the settlement, from the time that Franklin was taken. I read Mr. Bow- man's letters, Esquire Gore's, and some jyaragraphs of yours. Upon the whole, I gave my opinion of the measures absolutely necessary for government to take to ensure the execution of the laws. I trust such measures will Vje pursued ; and I hope icithiii a reasonable time ; for, on every account, public and private, I am impatient to return. '^ I have the pleasure to inform you that Dr. Hamilton has been taken with a budget of letters and papers, showing his own and Franklin's treasonable practices. Hamilton, you perhaps know, wrote three of the letters which were taken with Starkweather, and has ])een Franklin's principal corre- spondent in York State. '' Quiet having been restored to the county of Luzerne by the voluntary dispersion of Franklin's adherents, the Council have ordered his irons to be knocked off, but he is kept closely confined. "T am informed that there is a decided maioritv in the Council and Assembly of Republicans and Federal men, which promises good to the Continent, to the State, and to the county of Luzerne ; for the best good that can happen to all is a vigorous, effective, yet safe Republican government. I earnestly hope that a good man, of Federal principles, may be sent to the State Convention from Luzerne. I wish this mav be Mr. Bowman. '•• I feel sano^uine that I shall soon return to vou, and that we shall enjoy a quiet winter ; which I trust will be less dismal than Betsey predicts. I shall use my endeavors to render it as pleasing as possible to both of you. " Do not forget the injunctions, in my two last letters, of riding on liorseback every good day. It will better or con- firm your healtli, and teach you to ride, which will be indis- pensably necessary in the country. But remember always that the saddle-giiths are buckled tight and your stirrups secure. '' The package, containing coarse cloths and trimmings, was sent off" last week for Middletown, to Mr. Fry, and he was o 28 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. desired to forward it in a boat to Wyoming. I suppose it may come np with ^Ir. Hollenback's. William George and George can have the necessary clothes made when the pack- age arrives. If they want before that time, perhaps you can make shift with some of my old clothes. " Mrs. Doz and Mrs. Flowers desire their warmest love to you and Betsey, — mine you have constantly. God bless you both. ''T. Pickering. "P. S. Captain Hodgdon has received a present of or- anges from the West Indies, and sent three dozen to Mrs. Flowers, for herself and our children. He has given me a dozen to send to you and Betsey, which I shall give to Doc- tor Smith, if he can carry them." The folio wiiii^ letters from Colonel Pickerinof to his wife continue the narrative of his personal experience, family affairs, operations on his buildings and farm, and public labors, while remaining in enforced sepa- ration from his home. "Philadelphia, November 15th, 1787. " The few weeks I have been from you seem like an age. Soon, however, I expect to see you. Some troops are ready to march, and will arrive with, or immediately after. Colonel Denison, who is the bearer of this. The Assembly also are likely, in a few days, to agree in a law to enable the com- missioners to proceed in the examination of the Connecticut claims, as w^ell as to enable the Council to raise and establish a permanent military force, to ensure the future peace of the county of Luzerne. I was sadly disapj^ointed that I could not proceed to Wilkesbarre when I was last at Luce's. Prob- ably, however, it was fortunate that I could not ; for the Assembly was so irritated with the conduct of the people in that county that they were disposed to repeal or suspend the law for confirming the Connecticut titles. Six in seven of a committee agreed to report to the House a resolution for suspending the law ; and it has been wdth no small difficulty LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 329 that they have been mduced to adopt different sentiments. At length, however, the committee appear unanimous in favor of a law to prolong the time for examining the claims, and I expect the House will concur. I wish to see the event of the measure before I leave town. '' With the utmost impatience I have been expecting a letter from you ; but I know not of any body's arrival since George came to town. As he brought no letter, I suppose he came away without leave. I have told him to find a master, but he has not yet succeeded. '' The children are all very well. On the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Peters, Tim is gone to Belmont, to remain there, and go to school with their boys. I went over with Tim. The boys and he were mutually rejoiced at meeting, and the idea of Tim's remaining there. Captain Faulkener desires me to be perfectly easy about Henry during the winter. He and his wife and Mrs. Lyon are fond .of him ; and their new maid is extravagantly so, and Harry of her. Charles, being now well acquainted at Captain Donnel's, begins to be troublesome, and, when crossed in his wishes, thi-eatens them that he will go back to Wyoming. I never knew Charles so fat and hearty. William has had sore eyes, but they are nearly well. He is yet with Sally, at her mother's. I have thought of putting him and Charles to board with our old milk-woman. She con- sents to take them. I went to the house. 'Tis Toomy and clever, and her own children looked clean. I am not deter- mined whether to place Sally there with them, or to let her seek a service, as she has expressed a disinclination to return to Wyoming ; though when I last spoke to her she seemed rather willino^ to o-o back. '' To-day it begins to rain for the first time (save a small sprinkling) since I left you. I think the springs must now be very low, and if so it will be best for Doctor Sprague to finish digging the well and stone it up. I wish you could get Mr. Hullenback's and Mr. Carey's advice on the subject ; and if they approve let the Doctor proceed forthwith to complete it. Enjoin it upon him to dig as low as possible, and stone it well. I suppose there can be nothing for Dean to do, and therefore it will be best to discharge him, if he is not already discharged. 330 I^It'K OF TIMOTHY PICKEKING. I am Mad to find William Georg-e so faithful. I wish him not to come down until I return. I shall bring or send up his tools. His wife I have provided for ; she is now comfortably furnished with clothes, with every article she requested, and j\Ir. Forbes has agreed to board her at five shillings a week. So William may be easy on that score." " Philadelphia, November 17th, 1787. " I have received your welcome favor by William George. I am hajipy to hear that you and Betsey are in health and spirits. Enclosed is a paper of directions about the chimney of the house. If the masons are not gone up the river, let it be carried up without delay. Perhaps what I have said about the arch may not be very clear. My meaning is that, when it is built, one open end of it will be towards the street, and the other towards the well. I wish John Scott to attend to the carrying up the chimney ; and perhaps he and Veal can do the whole of it ; but I leave it to be determined on the spot. Let John particularly see that the mortar is faithfully made, the bricks laid true, and let the joints be all well filled with mortar. Let the inside of every flue be plastered with the clay mortar as smooth as possible. I hope the lime can be got up in time, at least before the chimney gets through the roof. Let the carpenters cover over the hole in the roof, left for the chimney, that the rain may not come through, while the chimney is carrying up. If the weather should be so cold, any night, as to freeze the mortar in the chimney, let the Avork of the preceding day be covered with boards or somethinf^ else. '' I will supply all your wants as quick as possible. William talks of returning on Monday or Tuesday next. By him I shall write you again. When the Convention is over, I hope I may return to you in safety. The boys are all well, I have not heard from John. With my tender love to Betsey, I re- main, my dear Beckey, ever yours. "P. S. The plastering inside the chimney should not be laid on too thick. The thicker the more likely to fall off." These and other letters contain drawings or diagrams, roughly but plainly made by the pen, representing the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 331 positions of the bouse, the office, the well and oven, in relation to the street or road in front of the house, and to each other, giving the plan of the rooms on each floor of the house, the chimney and its flues, and stating the dimensions of them, severallv, in feet and inches. As has been before remarked. Colonel Pickering pos- sessed an extraordinary capacity for labor, physical and mental. It was not, at any stage of his life, more put to the test than durinsr these few months of his enforced residence in Philadelphia. His engagements and oc- cupations, in reference to personal and private matters were multifarious, — purchasing innumerable articles, for the house and farm, and arranging for their trans- portation ; visiting his dispersed children ; communicat- ins: with those who had kindly assumed the care of some of them, and looking out for the fidelity of persons hired to provide for the comfort of the others ; giving direc- tions to servants going and coming between Philadelphia and Wyoming ; writiu": frequent and long letters to his wife, parts of which have now been presented, embrac- ing: such exact and minute details of advice and sujj'i'es- tion, as were evidently the result of much thought and deliberation ; negotiating with his brother in Salem for the sale of what remained of his patrimony ; settling outstand- ing accounts connected with his mercantile operations ; raising the means of meeting the unexpected expenses into which his Wyoming affairs and experiences had drawn him ; giving information in all directions, in answer to correspondents, as to matters growing out of the business of the Quartermaster's department in the Revolutionary war ; executing commissions for neigh- bors at Wyoming ; and, in compliance with solicita- 332 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PirKERING. tions of personal friends, conimiuiicuting in writing and iit length his views on agricultural, educational, and po- litical subjects. His public cares and duties, at this time, were of the gravest and most important kind. For many weeks he was constantly in his seat, as a member of the Pennsylvania Convention, to consider and determine for that State on the Constitution of the United States. He bore his part in the momentous discussions. All who knew him are sure that, in private debates, his great con- versational powers were effectually exerted in promotion of the grand result. But the object for which his labors were most un- wearied, was to prevail upon the government of Penn- sylvania to adopt a decisive, wise, and steady policy, as to the condition and welfare of his own immediate con- stituency, the people of Luzerne county. For this end he argued before committees of the Assembly and Coun- cil, and used all possible and legitimate efforts in con- ferences with leading men. The government of the State was much embarrassed in dealing with the affairs of Wyoming. Its proceed- ings were strangely inconstant and dilatory. The ele- ments that operated to paralyze its deliberations, and baffle its measures, mentioned in the preceding chapter, although quite inexplicable at the time, may now be brought to light, and may be more specifically stated. On the promulgation of the decree at Trenton, at the close of 1782, it seems to have been the sentiment of considerate and uninterested persons that a lenient course was proper ; and a law was finally enacted, quieting and confirming the land titles of the inhabitants given by Connecticut prior to the decree. But intrigues and LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 333 movements were immediately commenced to procure its repeal. An active and earnest party, — consisting of those capitalists and speculators, who, in one of tl\e intervals of the long contest when the Connecticut settlers had heen driven off by Pennsylvania, had purchased the lands from that State ; or who had bought, long before, of the Penns. — of course would never rest until the Con- necticut titles, originally conveying them to others, were wholly repudiated. Although small in number, this party was indefatigable in its efforts to have the law confirming the Connecticut titles repealed. Penns-Nl- vania, through the original proprietary family, or subse- quently, had sold to them the lands ; and they demanded that the government should restore them, and make its own act good. They stood upon the plighted faith of their own State. It was the apprehension that these men would succeed in their efforts, that raised and kept alive the insurrectionary spirit in Wyoming ; and it was not to be que stioned that, rather than relinquish their estates, the Connecticut settlers would rush into rebellion. This state of things brought and kept in operation, from another quarter, a powerful influence in aid of those urging the repeal of the confirming law ; proceed- ing from persons in Connecticut, Xew York, and else- where, whose schemes of speculation and ambitious aspirations led them to long for the separation of the Wyoming territory into an independent State, which could only be accomplished by a successful rebellion against Pennsylvania. These two parties, the one inside, the other outside, of the State ; the one open and bold, the other concealed and cunning, — had combined in trying to prevent the pas- 334 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. sage, in any form, of a confirming law, and were now doing their utmost to have it repealed. They each eagerly sought to inflame the resentment of the people and government of Pennsylvania against the old settlers of Wvomin": for their insubordinate and insurrectionarv proceedings, particularly the mob violence that had compelled the commissioners to seek safety in flight from the territory. They so far succeeded as to prevent either conciliatory or effective measures. That part of the State was left under uncertain fortunes, without security for property, and a prey to internal convulsions. Allowing things thus to remain, the government of Pennsylvania incurred just reproach, and inflicted great injury upon the State. The beautiful country on the upper branches of the Susquehanna was the point to which emigration from the eastern and other States had tended; but the tide was turned elsewhere, to securer although more distant regions, beyond the mountains and above the Ohio. The following letters from Colonel Pickering to his wife show the course of things in the Assembly^ and bring us back again, for a while, from his public to his private life, — to domestic interests, and the cares with which he was occupied for the welfare of his home and family. " Philadelphia, November 29th, 1787. " My Dear Beckey, " The Assembly have adjourned to the third Tuesday in February next, and postponed till then the consideration of the affairs of Wyoming. I am very sorry, because it keeps us all in suspense. However, they were in such ill humor, that I think the postponement better than a present deter- mination. I think, when they meet again, they will do what is right. In the mean time, it will behove the people to con- duct themselves with perfect good order. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 335 " I detained William George, until. I should know the fate of the Lill before the House about Wyoming ; and now Wil- liam desires to stay till Sunday next. Captain Schott I ex- pect will set off to-moiTow. Mr. Hodgdon, at my request, has forwarded a barrel of sugar, a barrel of rum, a box of chocolate, and two boxes of glass to Nazareth, with sundry other articles, which I would have my wagon come out for immediately. If George Crum can put one or two of his horses, with two or three of mine, to the wagon, and come for the goods, I should be glad. He will meet William George, who shall tui'n back (if he should be beyond Xaza- reth), and assist him. The articles at Xazareth will not make a load ; so the wagon can take in more at Haller's ; but it will be best to take (in the whole) but a moderate load. I was going to propose John Scott's going with the wagon ; but you cannot spare him. The goods at Nazareth are lodged at William Henry's, to whom I shall write by William to deliver them. " Tim is at Mr. Peters's and very happy. I have got him a new suit of clothes. Henry is at Captain Faulkener's, where he is much beloved. Captain Faulkener desired me to make myself easy about Harry for the winter. He also has a new suit. I have sent Sally, with Charles and William, to our milk-woman's at three dollars a week for all three. William's eyes are sore ; otherwise he is very well. , Charles is fatter and apparently healthier than I ever knew him to be. Mrs. Donnell thinks him the handsomest of all the boys. " Mrs. HastiniTs desires to Vje remembered to vou and Betsey ; so do all your friends. " Captain Schott will give you the particulars of the pro- ceedings of the Assembly. I cannot tell when the Conven- tion will rise, but not under ten days or a fortnight, as I should guess. I am impatient for Colonel Denison's return, to know the state of Wyoming. Tender my kind love to Betsey and mr compliments to Mr. Bowman. With heart- felt affecfion 1 remain, my dear Beckey, ever yours. P. S. I have desired Mr. Burkett to purchase a wig for Esquire Gore: but he has not yet found one ready made; and the peruke-makers ask eight dollars to make one.'' V ) 336 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. "Philadelphia, November 30th, 1787. " Captain Schott not setting out this morning, I have time to write again, and the means of sending you some money. I enclose three bank-notes of five dollars each, for which I pre- sume Mr. Hollenback will give you the cash. This, with what else I send by William George, will enable you to pro- cure beef and pork for the family. I hope some of the people, who owe me grain, will bring it in. Doctor Smith's son, James, owes me twelve bushels of good merchantable wheat, and three-fifths of a bushel, being sixty-three shillings, — the price of three and a half bushels of salt, at eighteen shillings ; he also had the salt barrel, which he is to return with the wheat. If he has not delivered it, mention it to the Doctor, and beg him to send a message to his son to bring it. If you or Betsey look over my small-account l)Ooks, and the papers in Mr. Ochmigh's hand-writing, containing the names of the persons who have had goods of me, you will find what is due. Mr. Hollenback can tell wliere they live, and John Scott can go to all that are within ten miles. Some of them should be called on without delay, lest they slip away. '' I believe I forgot to write about my rails. John Scott knows where they are. I think thej^ had better be j)iled one above another so high as that we may discover them above the snow ; and then they can be hauled, daring the winter, wherever I choose to carry them. Wickheyser and his son can pile them, if my own help cannot be spared. It should be done before they get covered with snow. "■ If my plough is not already housed, let it be done imme- diately. '' If Crum comes out for the glass, &c., direct him to shake the boxes before he loads them, to see if the glass has got loose. If it rattles, it ought to be opened and repacked. John Scott can glaze the sashes ; but I wish him to do it as v»^ell as he can, so that the putty may be smooth, and not pro- ject over the glass beyond the wood of the sash. " I hope the partitions of the rooms are up, — rough boards lapped, as it is to be lathed and plastered upon. If Mr. Hol- lenback is pressing for his house to himself, will it be possible for you to live in the office till our own house is habitable ? LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 337 Mr. Bowman, in that case, can probably have a bed in Mat. Hollenback's house. I do not expect the wash-house will be built till the spring ; therefore, it will be necessary to have an oven built in the yard, thirty or forty feet from the house, with the mouth of it to the southward. " A Mr. Drake, of Kingston, told me last summer that he should have a thousand weight of pork to sell this fall. You can send to him to know his price. As you will have the cash, you will be able to get meat at the lowest rate. Lord Butler told me that he should have a fat ox for sale. But the beef for salting should be the fattest that is to be had. If you have a good chance of buying beef or pork cheap, and have not cash enough, I will bring or send you enough to ful- fil your engagements. '' My eyes have been somewhat sore ; otherwise I never en- joyed better health. Mr. Doz remains very infirm. His wife and Mrs. Flowers are well. I lodge at Mr. Doz's. '' What bricks remain should be housed. I think they had best be put in the cellar of the new house. If those which are slack-burnt remain in the weather, the frost will moulder them to pieces. All the boards and pieces of boards should be collected and piled up to prevent waste. All the shingles should also be regularly piled. " It gives me pain, my dear, to trouble you with business of this kind ; but, if it has not your attention, I am afraid it will be neglected. I hope you Avill, ere long, be relieved from such burthens, and never have occasion to encounter so many difficulties again. God grant that hereafter we may live in tranquillity, and that our only solicitude will be, not to throw burthens on each other, but how. we may best enjoy the boun- ties of Providence. " Charles has had a great deal to say about ' Little Edward.' I have even forgot his countenance. Betsey ever has a place in my affectionate remembrance. I long to greet you both. God preserve you ! P. S. December 5th. — Captain Schott went off about fifteen minutes before I reached his lodging, which I much regret. The bank-notes mentioned in this letter are in the enclosed letter. I shall, besides, give William George two half joes Vol. II. 22 338 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. for 3'our use, and money for his expenses and those of the wagon, whicli I hope will meet him at Nazareth. " Captain Fanlkener and wife and Mrs. Lyon (i-ome of the best and kindest folks in the world) send their love to you and Betsey. They are all much pleased with Harry, who also sends his love to his mamma and aunt." The next day, December 6th, his man, William George, not having started, he wrote again to his wife, directing her to draw upon Mr. Hollenba.ck for such money as she might need. He says : — " The Convention is still sitting, but, I think, will rise next week. I have not yet determined about my returning. I hope to hear from you by Colonel Denison. *' Cajitain Henry Williams (George's brother) is here from St. Eustatia. He has given me a fine pine-apple for you, which William George is to carry with him. I have also given Wil- liam money to buy three pounds of tea for you. I intend to get coffee and some other articles, and forward to Nazareth, to go up with the other articles now there." On the 20th of December he wrote as follows : — "My Dear Beckey, " I have waited, with the greatest impatience, to hear from you. Not a syllable have I received since the arrival of Lord Butler, now five weeks ago. This morning, Mr. Avery called at Mr. Doz's, but without a letter from anybody. 'Tis a satisfaction, however, to learn by him that you and Betsey and the child were well last week. By him also I find that Crum, with the wagon, and William George, were as near Wyoming as the top of the mountain when Avery passed them. I am sorry the chimney of the house was not finished ; I fear the frost may injure it. I hope the house will be habitable as soon as the sashes are glazed. Those of the lower room and kitchen had best be done first. " The roots in the cellar of our house should be looked after, and covered with shavings to keep them from the frost, until the chimney shall be done, and fires made in it daily to LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 339 warm the house. But let all possible care be taken of fire and candles, lest the house should be set on fire. I pre- sume the cellar windows have been stopped up to keep out the frost, and that the outer cellar door has been made and put up. " The children are all well, except as to the eyes of Charles and William. AYilliam's, indeed, are nearly well, and Charles's not bad. Tim is just now in town. I brought him over last Tuesday to see his brothers, and I expect to go back with him to-day to Mr. Peters's. He is kindly treated there, and well liked. He appeared perfectly at home. Harry is as happy as a child could be at Captain Faulkener's. "I hoped to have had letters from you, and to have seen Colonel Denison, that I might have known better how to have conducted myself. , May I go to you ? Or must I yet remain here ? I am extremely anxious to have these questions re- solved. However, according to William George's informa- tion, I may expect the arrival of George Geary and Dolly by Christmas, when I shall learn my fate. Adieu, my dear Beckey." A few extracts from his letters to other correspondents will show his feelings, from time to time, in reference to proceedings of the Convention for considering and acting upon the Constitution of the United States. Writing to his brother, November 29111, 1787, he says: "The Con- vention of this State is now sitting. I am the member for Luzerne County. The Federal Constitution will be adopted by a great majority. The Antifederalists have got only about twenty-two votes out of sixty-nine, on some subordinate questions ; and some of these, I have no doubt, will join the Federalists on the great question of ratification." In a letter to his nephew, John Gardner, of December 11th, he says : " The question will prob- ably be taken to-morrow, and by a very great majority the Constitution will be adopted. Delaware State made 340 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. short work. Their Convention assembled on a ^londay, and on the following Thursday (last week) unanimously adopted it. We have a number of opposers, but they evidently oppose from interested and from party views." The vote, as he expected, was taken the next day, on the 12th of December. A letter to his brother, dated at Philadelphia, Decem- ber 29th, 1787, gives his views as to the state of parties as developed in Pennsylvania, on the question of ratifica- tion, and of the interests that entered into the question in New York : — " You will have seen by the newspapers that the Delaware and Jersey States have unanimously adopted the new Federal Constitution. Pennsylvania, by a majority of forty-six to twenty-three. The Convention consisted of sixty-nine mem- bers. The minority were of that party in this State who are called Constitutionalists ; from which party alone all the opposition has proceeded ; but many of the wisest and best Constitutionalists have, on this occasion, joined the Repub- licans in this State, who, to a man, are Federalists. " Much opposition is expected in New York. That State has long been acting a disingenuous part. They refused the impost to Congress, because half of New Jersey, a great part of Connecticut, the western part of Massachusetts and Ver- mont, received their imported goods through New York, who put into her oivn treasury all the duties arising on the goods consumed in the States above enumerated ; and the same selfish spirit seems still to actuate too many in that State. But the Federalists in it appear pretty confident that the new Constitution will be adopted, though not without a severe struggle. We here entertain no doubt of Connecticut, Mas- sachusetts, and New Hampshire. One thing I will say, be- cause, so far as my knowledge and information reach, it is true, that the most enlightened and the worthiest characters are patrons of the new Constitution." LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 341 A postscript to this letter is as follows : — *' January 1. 1788. — At the request of the Council I have delayed my journey till now, to take some orders for Wyom- ing. Yesterday I received by Mr. Hodgdon your bills on Joseph Shoemaker and Manly and Gallagher. I hope my draught in favor of Mrs. Hastings will not be inconvenient to 3'ou. I will draw no more. I sincerely wish you a happy new year. I am just going to set off. Adieu. — T. Pickering." He went by the Wind-gap route. Mr. Hodgdon, WTit- ing from Philadelphia, January 12th, says : — " B}' Mr. Haller, who is to be the bearer of this letter, I am informed of the time j'ou left his house to proceed to Wyom- ing ; by which I with pleasure observe that no accounts on the road had operated to prevent your design of going imme- diately in. I hope all yet remains quiet, and that, with pleasing prospects, you are enjoying domestic happiness. The children hei'e are all in perfect health, and are entirely freed from the complaint they labored under before you left them." He crossed the mountains and reached Wyoming # in safety. From the expression in the letter, above quoted, it is evident that Hodgdon had apprehensions that the Colonel might possibly meet with threats of molestation on the way. Indeed, great fears were entertained by his friends in Philadelphia that he would experience a renewal of the outrages that had driven him from the country the fall before. It is a singular fact that his wife continued to the last to dissuade him from returning to Wyoming with- out being accompanied by an armed force to protect him. Great as was the burden of care thrown on her by his absence, and much as her heart yearned for his presence, with a strange foresight, a sort of intuitive dis- 342 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. cernment of the state of things, she warned him of the dangers that awaited him. It will be remembered that he interpreted his election to the Convention, subsequent to his escape from Wyoming in October, as proof that there was a change in the feelings of the people, and that it was safe to return. She saw it in a different light. They suffered, perhaps promoted, his election, with a view to ulterior plans. It was getting him out of the county while the Convention was in session, and, so far as it increased his importance and influence, would aid their purpose, which was, if Franklin was not released, to seize his person, hold him as a hostage, subject him to the same treatment Franklin was receiv- ing, or might receive, and thus compel the government of Pennsylvania to come to their terms. This design Mrs. Pickering penetrated. In a letter, dated November 8th, she begged her husband not to be deceived by his election to the Convention, and expressed her conviction that Franklin's supporters were resolved upon getting him into their possession, and thus saving their leader from punishment and securing his release. Events proved her wisdom. But, before pursuing the story of Colonel Pickering's Wyoming experience, it is proper to put on record two documents written by him during his compulsory separa- tion from his family and residence in Philadelphia, from the middle of October to the end of the year 1787. When the cares, labors, and anxieties with which that period was crowded are considered, it is wonderful that he could have found time or opportunity to compose them. One was a public letter to the Pennsylvania House of Assembly, through their Speaker, relating to LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 343 ^Yyommg affairs ; the other a letter, urging the adop- j tion of the Federal Constitution, addressed to a personal friend and military associate. Major Charles Tillinghast. They are each worthy of being permanently associated with the memory of Colonel Pickering, and of the chapter in his biography now to be assigned them. The latter particularly is of permanent and general value. It alludes in several passages to the want of time to do full justice to the great and momentous sub- ject, and was written with a running pen. But perhaps, i nowhere can a better picture be found of the assaults made at the time upon the proposed Constitution of the United States. It is enlivened, as his writings often were, bv a free conversational stvle, and has £?reat force and directness of statement. Both these papers bear that impress of sound common sense, clearness of ex- pression, simplicity of diction, and manly courage, which made their author one of the most effective political public writers of his day. 344 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. CHAPTER XI. Letter to the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania. — Argument in Favor of Adopting the Constitution of the United States. 1787. CoLoiSEL Pickering felt sure that it was required by every sentiment of humanity and every principle of jus- tice, — absolutely necessary to give peace to the district of Wyoming and the State of Pennsylvania, — that the confirming act should be restored, and rendered sure and perpetual. To this he was pledged. For this he labored ; and, at a moment when the counter interests seemed to be prevailing, he addressed the following public letter to the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania : — " Thursday evening, November 22d, 1787. " Sir, '^ Deeply impressed with a sense of the mischievous conse- quences of the material alteration of the law relating to the Wyoming lands, which will be effected by the clause just adopted by your Honorable House, I beg leave to state some facts which appear to me important, and which, perhaps, may induce a reconsideration of it. The part I have taken in this business, the safety of myself and family which depends on the issue of it, and weighty public considerations, compel me to enter on the subject, and I pray for the indulgent attention of the House. " After the law had been enacted for creating the northern part of Northumberland into a separate county, by the name of Luzerne (a measure of which, till then, I was wholly igno- rant), it was proposed to me to apply for the office of Prothon- otary for the new county. I objected ; but it was urged upon me, chiefly on this ground, — that the views of government LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 345 being conciliatory, my particular situation would enable me, more than any other probable candidate for that office, to promote them. I yielded to these solicitations, and applied for that office and the others usually joined with it in new and thinly peopled counties. '' Afterwards, the Assembly having passed a law to enable the electors of Luzerne to choose a Councillor, Representa- tive, Sheriff, and other county officers, and therein authorized me singly, or in conjunction with the other persons therein named, to conduct those elections, I went thither with the law, and during the space of three weeks was unremitting in my endeavors to persuade the people to make their elections, and peaceably submit to the government of this State. With ex- treme difficulty I prevailed. The Councillor took his seat ; but the Representative. John Franklin, having other views, remained at home ; and, by his artifices and misrepresenta- tions, seduced a considerable number of the people from their duty ; so that, on my return to that county, in April, I had to repeat my labors ; but again I succeeded, and the elections of the justices were ultimately held, with the very general appro- bation of the inhabitants. " Immediately after the first elections, in February, I consulted some of the principal persons who had attended the elections, and who had been old settlers, and, as I sup- posed, were best acquainted with the claims and expecta- tions of the people. Those claims and expectations the petition which has been read this evening was intended to describe ; and the law for confirming the lands so claimed, was grounded on this petition ; and such words or passages as were inserted into the law, to extend the confirming clause beyond the limits of the Committee's report, I trust I may be permitted to say, were not " insidiously " introduced. I did not conceal a single fact or motive from the Committee. The principle of public policy which led to the adoption of the bill, was that of securing the submission and future attachment of that great majority of the Connecticut settlers within the county of Luzerne who had equitable pretensions to lands granted them prior to the Trenton decree ; and, to effect that, it appeared expedient to extend the confirmation beyond the 346 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. occupied rights ; but, so far was T from wishing or attempting to conceal tluit extension, I well remember to have told one honorable member, who supported the bill, and who is also in the present house, that it might perhaps comprehend one hundred such unoccupied rights. The case of the claimants of such rights, as originally stated to me, struck me very for- cibly. In all my communications with that people before the first election I held up no ideas of confirmation beyond the rights they had occupied before the Trenton decree ; but the gentlemen there, whom I afterwards consulted, represented that, besides such occupants, there was a considerable num- ber of persons who, or those whom they represented, were actual settlers there prior to the said decree, but who had not taken actual possession of their rights before the passing of the said decree. These persons, they said, were obliged, dur- ing the late war, to live with their friends in the compact part of the settlement, for their safety and protection against the Indians ; that they had suffered and bled, in common with the other settlers, in the defence of that frontier ; and that it would be singularly distressing to reduce them or their orphan children to beggary, merely because their lots had fallen to them in places remote from the heart of the settlement. I need not be ashamed to own that humanity, as well as con- siderations of equity and public policy, prompted me to wish such sufferers might be provided for ; and to such the petition specially referred. These sufferers, Sir, I yet hope may experience the commiseration and favorable regard of your Honorable Horse. " There are, Sir, other circumstances respecting the Con- necticut claimants which seem necessar}^ to be made known before the bill now pending is passed into a law. '' The first township granted by the Susquehanna Company, called Kingston, was to be divided into forty-three parts, each of which, as the township was five miles square, would con- tain about three hundred and seventy-two acres, without any allowance for roads. " Another township, called Hanover, was to be divided, agreeably to the latest resolution of the Susquehanna Com- pany that I have seen, into thirty-six parts ; and I think LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 347 there is one other township which was also granted to about six and thirty settlers. The other townships, as well as I recollect, were to be divided into fifty-three parts, which gives about three hundred acres to each right. In each of them, three rights were to be reserved ; one for the first set- tled minister in office, one for a parsonage, and one for the sup23ort of a town-school. The manner of dividing the townships has been various. In some, they made as many as four several divisions. In Wilkesbarre, for instance, each settler had a meadow lot (being part of the flats) of about tliirty acres. A town lot of three acres and a half, or three acres and three-quarters, a back lot of aljout two hundred and fifty acres, and a fourth lot containing five acres, and the land reserved for the three public uses aforementioned was left in one entire body. In some townships those three public rights were drawn in several lots ; and in other town- shij^s, some parcels of land have been reserved to accom- modate a mill, or for other uses of common benefit to the inhabitants. Now whatever lands shall be confirmed, it seems necessary to advert to these circumstances to prevent the confusion and mischief which a departure from the usages of the people might produce. The surveys of townships, which have been made by order of the Commissioners, have been conformed to those usages. " I w^ould here beg leave to mention the alteration lately made in the lower line of the county of Luzerne. In the first law, it was declared that it should run west from the mouth of Nescopeck Creek. In the supplement to that law, it was declared that it should run ' northwestwardly ' from the mouth of Xescopeck ; and in the law passed on the day of September last, the word ' northwestwardly ' was in- terpreted to mean ' north, one degree west.' Sir, I am well informed that this last line will never strike the ridoe dividini^ the waters of the east and west branches of the Susquehanna. I am also informed that it will cut off one-half, and perhaps the whole, of the township of Huntington, which is one of the sev- enteen townships mentioned in the petition, and in which there are sundry Connecticut settlers, who occupied and improved 348 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. their lots lono- Lefore the Trenton decree. A number of them have already presented, and regularly supported, their claims. " I would here cease. Sir, to trouble the House with any further observations, had I not reason to believe that pains have been taken to lessen the weight of any applications I should make in this business, by false suggestions of their I)roceeding solely from interested motives. Permit me. Sir, to declare that I claim no lands under a Connecticut title, except those mentioned in the enclosed paper; that I cannot acquire a single acre by extending the confirmation beyond the rights actually occupied prior to the decree of Trenton ; all the lands I purchased being parts of very old settlers' rights ; and that I can lose nothing from the lessening of the original grant by the clause just adopted, unless by that re- striction numbers of the inhabitants who will lose their ex- pected rights should murmur, and a general jealousy and discontent be excited from an apprehension that this step is only a prelude to the total repeal of the law, — which, indeed, to stir up the people to rebellion, Franklin has been continu- ally predicting. Such general discontent, should it arise, would oblige me to remove my family, and abandon the country for ever. " I am. Sir, very respectfullj^, your most obedient servant, '* Timothy Pickering. " The Honorable the Speaker of the General Assembly." The following accompanied the letter to the Speaker : '' Lands purchased by Timothy Pickering, within the county of Luzerne, under Connecticut titles, the whole ly- ing within the town of Wilkesbarre : — £ s. 2 town lots of Colonel Butler, fenced, containing 17^ acres .... 37 10 1 town lot of M. Hollenback, Esq., agent of Benjamin Clarke, not fenced, 3f and 15 1 meadow lot of 30 acres, and 8 acres adjoining, of Asa Bennet ... 90 ■J of a meadow lot, of 15 acres, ^ of a back lot of about 135 acres, and 1 five-acre lot 65 1 back lot of Jabez Fish and John Corkin 250 acres 78 15 1 back lot of Capt. Schott, 250 acres 80 £366 5 Total acres, 704^." LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 349 The foregoing letter, besides being a specimen of Colonel Pickering's plain, clear, and forcible style, is particularly interesting from its date and the circum- stances in which it was written. While in bold and earnest language he was thus pleading for the people of Wyoming, he was suffering exile at their hands. An infuriated mob had surrounded and sacked his dwelling:, and he had barely escaped from their blind wrath. But he knew that humanity and equity demanded that the government of Pennsylvania should be actuated by a more considerate policy towards them ; and no senti- ments of resentment for personal wrongs and hardships were suffered to abate his efforts in their behalf. The impression made by Colonel Pickering upon his associates led them to seek his counsel and avail them- selves of his views on important subjects. This has been spoken of in reference to some matters already related. The statement may be extended, with a more general application, throughout his long life. His cor- respondence shows that he was thus constantly called upon. The extraordinary clearness, accuracy, and force of his faculties, exhibited in all that fell from his lips or flowed from his pen, naturally turned men to him ; while the integrity of his sentiments and thoughts in- spired them with confidence in his statements and reason- ings, and a full appreciation of their value. Among his papers are found careful and elaborate discussions, thus elicited, of almost all the questions that commanded special interest in his day. The innumerable letters that passed between him and Washington, during the entire military and civil administration of the latter, illustrate this estimation of his intelligence and upright .judgment. His reply to Washington's request for his 350 LIFE OF TIMOTHY TICKERING. views as to a peace military establishment, such as might be required and be consistent with our other institutions referred to in the previous volume, is a most thoroughly considered document. In it he suggested and advocated the establishment of a military academy at West Point. The experience of the past has justified, as that of the future probably will,'the views there presented.* So also, in reference to the public policy pursued in the formation / of governments in the north-western territory, his letters to Rufus King, Elbridge Gerry, and others, in response to questions propounded by them, are elaborate dis- quisitions exhausting the subject. They discuss at length the organizing into civilized States the vast regions then covered by a wilderness, the best methods for securing to them a solid foundation in universal education and universal freedom, and the wise construction of institu- tions of law, for the preservation of popular rights, social order, and permanent prosperity. He did not shrink from the sacrifice of time and the labor involved in studying, and presenting in a carefully digested form, all questions presented in this way to his attention. The results are not so much in printed works, laid be- fore the public eye, as in private letters to individuals in answer to inquiries, but often rising to the character and dimensions of treatises. His voluminous corre- spondence on political, agricultural, theological, and edu- cational topics, comprises a vast amount of instructive considerations, perspicuous arguments, and useful prac- tical observations. Few men have had occasion to write so much, and few have written better. The following letter, addressed to him by a gentle- * Appendix A. J LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 351 man who bad been one of bis Deputy Quartermasters, sbows how men sought and valued his advice : — " New York, November 24th, 1787. "Sir, " Presuming on the many proofs of friendship and confi- dence with which you have been pleased to honor me, I have taken the bberty to enclose a pamphlet, lately published here, on the Constitution proposed by the late Convention ; from an attentive reading of which, and a serious examination of the Constitution itself, I cannot but consider it as very dan- gerous to the liberties of the people of this Continent. I do not consider myself competent to a perfect knowledge of the more intricate parts of government, but as I conceive the one in question to be deficient in the grand essentials requisite to the security of those rights for wdiich we have so ably and successfully contended with Great Britain, I have concluded, and I hope not impertinently, to ask your sentiments on this momentous business. '* If I am wrong in making this request, permit me to plead the indulgence you have always generously given me, in per- mitting me freely to write and speak my sentiments on every subject ; and, as I have the utmost confidence in your disin- terestedness in matters of a public as well as of a private nat- ure, and that you never had, nor do I believe you ever will have, any views inconsistent with what you consider to be the true interest of the States, your opinion, if you are so obliging as to give it, I shall receive with the greatest pleas- ure ; and, as I have the greatest confidence in your judgment, it will enable me to view the government proposal in its true bght. *' I have the honor to be, Sir, with sentiments of the .great- est respect and esteem, your most obedient servant, " Charles Tillinghast." Among the manuscripts of Colonel Pickering is a rough-draft of his reply to the foregoing letter. It dis- poses, in concise language, of the arguments adduced by the " Federal Farmer," the title assumed by the author 352 LIFE OF TIMOTHY TICKERING. of the publication submitted to his examination, and vin- dicates the proposed Constitution at all points. It is given entire, as follows : — "Philadelphia, December 24th, 1787. " Dear Sir, " I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of November 24th, and, in compliance with your request, promised to write particularly my sentiments on the proposed Constitution for the United States ; but I expected my letter might be abridged or superseded by a publication of the debates in the Conven- tion of Pennsylvania, in which Mr. Wilson gave a satisfactory explanation of the plan, and convincing reasons for its adop- tion. This publication, however, I find will be delayed, by reason of the great length of the debates. I will, therefore, consider the subject, so far as m}^ leisure will permit ; and as I know you possess great candor, and seek for truth above all things, I shall write with pleasure. And if reasons can be offered which prove that the Constitution will not endanger, but, on the contrary, be the means of preserving the liberties of our country, I am sure you will give it your zealous support. '' As your fears have been excited, principally by the pamphlet you sent me, I will examine the chief parts of it ; and if I can show that the writer is chargeable with sophistry, with a want of candor, and with designed misrepresentations, you will give him up, as one who, under pretence of securing the freedom of the people, has very different objects in view; and, though these may not be very obvious, yet we may be sure they exist, for honest intentions will put on no disguise. " I may first notice the art of the writer in assuming the title of the ' Federal Farmer,' and professing his ' Federal ' attachments, to prepossess his Federal readers with an opinion that he really wishes to have established a good Federal government for the States; but, Sir, I think it will appear that he is a woJf in sheep's clothing. " His next attempt is to prejudice his readers against the Constitution, by exciting suspicions of the eminent charac- ters by whom it was framed ; suggesting that the leading LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 353 men in tlie Convention were of aristocratic principles, and seized the opportunity of laying the foundation of one gen- eral aristocratic government of the United States, and, at the same time, affecting deeply to lament the non-attendance of a few members, whose presence and influence would have prevented it. Who those non-attending members were I know not : prolmbly some were necessarily absent ; others perhaps, from too great an indifference about the important interests of their country, and whose absence, therefore, is not a subject for lamentation. At all events, it must be ad- mitted that the attending members were fully competent to the task of forming a plan of government for the United States ; and if we examine the characters of those who con- curred in its adoption, we shall be satisfied that they aimed at forming a good one, the best indeed that could be agreed on. \ " Before I proceed to the plan itself, let me mark another amSjce of the ' Federal Farmer,' and other opponents of the new Constitution, in raising a cry about aristocracy^ as being (what it really is) the most oppressive kind of government, and per- petually suggesting that the General Convention and the ad- vocates of the Constitution designed and wish to introduce and establish that very government. But, my dear Sir, be not alarmed with empty sounds. In the proposed Constitu- tion there is no foundation for an aristocracy ; for its officers (including in this term as well the legislative as the executive branches) do not hold their places by hereditary right, nor for Iffe^ nor by electing one another ; neither is any portion of wealth or property a necessary qualification. If a man has virtue and abilities, though not worth a shilling, he may be the President of the United States. Does this savor of aris- tocracy P On the contrary, does it not manifest the marked regard of the Convention to the equal rights of the people, without suffering mere wealth to hold the smallest pre-emin- ence over poverty attended with virtue and abilities ? It de- serves indeed particular notice that, while several of the State Constitutions prescribe certain degrees of property, as indis- pensable qualifications for office, this, which is proposed for the United States, throws the door wide open for the entrance Vol. II. 23 354 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. of every ^laii wlio enjoys the confidence of his fellow-citizens. We should also observe that titles of nobility, a great stimu- lus to ambition, and the most odious, as well as most dan- gerous, distinction between the members of a community, are pointedly excluded from this system. If great hereditary es- tates^ the foundation of nobility, are suffered to continue, or to be created by entails, it Avill be the fault of the individual States, and not of the general government of the Union. The laws of most, if not all of the States, admit the distribution of the property of a deceased citizen among all his children ; and no entails ought to be permitted. And, when all exist- ing entails shall be broken, and future ones forbidden, we may make ourselves easy about aristocratic ambition. Great accumulations of wealth will then be rare, of short con- tinuance, and consequently never dangerousT/ " The ' Federal Farmer' describes three different forms of free government, under either of which he says the United States may exist as a nation. The first is that which is at pres- ent established by the Articles of Confederation. The second is a government which might be grounded on the annihilation of the State governments, and a perfect union and consolida- tion of all the States under one entire government. The third will consolidate the States for certain national objects, and leave them severally distinct, independent republics as to in- ternal policy generally. This last is the form of government he would choose ; and 'tis the last which has been chosen and recommended to the people by the General Convention. " The only difference, then, between them should arise about the distribution of powers, to be vested in the general government and the governments of the several States. On this point we may expect men will differ. The General Convention acknowledged the difficulty of drawing, with pre- cision, the line between those rights which must be surren- dered, and those which may be reserved. " Let us now view their plan, and, after a dispassionate consideration of it, seriously ask ourselves, whether a better distribution of powers could be made? whether any are assigned to the national government which do not embrace national objects ? and whether, with less power, the general LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 3 00 government can preserve the Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity ? " I shall not spend time in descanting on one entire govern- ment for the United States, which would abolish all the State governments ; for, as such a government is not in contempla- tion, we have nothing to do with it. I will only remark that, as 'tis admitted by all to be a form of government unsafe for a country as extensive as ours, the ' Federal Farmer' and other opposers of the Constitution endeavor, by their bold but unwarrantable assertions to persuade their readers, not only that it will issue in such an entire government, but that its framers 'proposed the partial consolidation, with a view to collect all powers in the United States, ultimately, into one entire government.' This, indeed, is an extraordinary con- clusion. The ' Federal Farmer ' admits the necessity of the * partial consolidation,' as the only plan of government which can secure the freedom and haj^piness of this peojjle ; and yet, when the Convention have proposed a partial consolida- tion, he says they evidently designed thereby to effect ulti- matelv an eiitire consolidation ! " In respect to the organization of the general government, the ' Federal Farmer,' as well as other opposers, object to the smallness of the representation of the people in the House of Representatives ; and uniformly reason upon the supposi- tion that it will never consist of more than sixtv-five members, which is the number it is to be composed of, onl}' until the actual enumeration of the people shall have been made. As soon as that shall be effected, the House of Representatives, reckoning one member for every thirty thousand of the people, will consist, probabl}', of at least one hundred members, and, in twenty-five years more, of two hundred members, and, iu half a century, it would consist of four hundred members. It is true, the Congress will possess a power of limiting the number of Representatives, so that they shall never exceed one for every thirty thousand, and they may be less. This power of regulating and limiting tlie number of Representatives is properly vested in Congress. Otherwise, that House woidd, 356 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. in a century, become a most unwieldy body, and as very a mob as the British House of Commons. Such a power of regulating the number of the Representatives in the legislat- ure is not a novelty. In Pennsylvania, Avhere the proposed Constitution has been so violently opposed, there is vested in the legislature a similar power. " The capital error of all these objectors, and which reduces all their reasoning to mere sophistry, is their assuming for granted that our Federal rulers will necessarily have iv.terests separate from those of the people, and exercise the powers of government not only arhitrarily but wantonly. But, Sir, on what do they ground such wild surmises ? Why, they tell you that Congress will have power to regulate the elections of Senators and Representatives, and that, possessing this power, they will exercise it to deprive the people of the free- dom of election. The ' Federal Farmer' says, 'The general legislature may so regulate elections, as to secure the choice of any particular description of men ; it may make the whole State one district ; make the capital, or any places in the State, the place or places of election,' and so forth, in the same chimerical strain. But does he, does any man of com- mon sense, really believe that the Congress will ever be guilty of so wanton an exercise of power ? Will the immediate Rep- resentatives of the people, in Congress, ever consent to so oppressive a regulation ? For whose benefit would they do it? Would not the first attempt certainly exclude them- selves ? And would not the State legislatures, at their next election of Senators, as certainly reject every one who should give his assent to such a law ? and if the President did not firmly give his qualified negative to it, would he ever again be placed in the chair of government ? What other oppres- sive regulation can they make, which will not immediately, or in a short time, affect them in common with their fellow- citizens ? What, then, have we to fear on this head ? But will no, advantage arise from the controlling power of Con- gress ? Yes, certainly. I say a controlling^ because a candid interpretation of that section in the Constitution will show that it is intended and expected, that the times, places, and modes of electing Senators and Representatives should be LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 357 regulated by the State legislatures ; but that, if any particu- lar State government should be refractory, and, in the pride of sovereignty, or influenced by any other motive, should either make no such regulations or improper ones, then the Congress will have power to make such regulations as will en- sure to the people their rights of election and establish a uni- formity in the mode of constituting the members of the Senate and House of Representatives. If we give a loose to our imagina- tions, we may suppose that tlie State governments may abuse their power, and regulate these elections in such manner as would be highly inconvenient to the people, and injurious to the common interests of the States. And, if such abuses should be attempted, will not the pieople rejoice that Congress have a constitutional power of correcting them? " The next objection is made to the Constitution of the Senate, where the smallest State, as ' Delaware, will have as much constitutional influence as the largest in the Union.' This objection is made with an ill grace by those who pretend to be advocates for a Federal, in opposition to a consolidated^ government. ' The Federal Farmer ' confesses that ' the Senate is entirely on the Federal plan.' And tell me. Sir, without this equality of voice in the Senate, what constitutional means have the small States of preserving that portion of indepen- dency which by this Constitution they will retain. This reser- vation to each State of equal power in the Senate is one striking proof that an entire consolidation or union of all the powers of government, in the general legislature, was never intended. For, in such a union of powers, the representation of each State in the Senate should, like that in the House of Representatives, be proportioned to the numbers of the people. But whether this equal power of each State in the Senate be proper or not, what other provision could be made ? The States represented in the General Convention were each sovereign and indejoen- dent ; and, if the small States refused to yield that point, what was to be done ? Was the Union to be dissolved ? Notwith- standing this equality of power in the Senators of each State, have not the larger States made a great acquisition, b}^ obtain- ing in the other branch of the legislature a representation proportioned to their strength and importance ? How much 358 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. more just will be tlieir representation in the general govern- ment liy the })roposed Constitution than it is now, under the old articles of Confederation ? In the choice of the President and Vice-President, the large States have also a voice propor- tioned to their numbers ; unless, in the case of the President, no one candidate has a majority of the votes ; for then the Federal principle is again to operate, and the President is to be selected by the votes of the States^ the Representatives of each having one vote. On this branch of the government, the ' Federal Farmer ' makes this observation, ' I suppose it was impracticable for the three large States, as they were called, to get the Senate formed on any other principles ; but this only proves that we cannot form one general government on equal and just principles, and that we ought not to lodge in it such extensive powers, before we are convinced of the practicability of organizing it on just and equal principles.' Here we see the issue of all the objections of the ' Federal Farmer ' and other opposers of the Constitution. They go to the rejection of every form of an efficient government for the United States ; and if these gentlemen could prevail, no such government wQuld obtain, and the Union would soon be dis- solved. The fatal mischiefs that would result from such a dissolution need not be pointed out. I am happy, however, to find their opinions have so little influence. Two States have already unanimously adopted the Constitution. The opposition to it in Pennsylvania is evidently the opposition of a State party. This part}^ is distinguished by the term Con- stitutionalists^ Avhich title they assumed as the warm advocates of the ill-arranged Constitution of this State. Their oppo- nents called themselves Republicans ; and the politics of the State have been constantly vibrating, as the one or the other party gained an ascendancy in the government. On the present question, however, the scene is greatly changed. Many, and those of the most sensible and worthy among the Constitutionalists, have decidedly declared themselves in favor of the proposed Constitution for the United States, and the Republicans, to a man, I believe, are its determined advo- cates. If it meets any opposition in the New England States, it will be chiefly from the Shaysites and paper-money men. But their numbers and character are alike contemptible. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEIIING. 359 " But to return to the ' Federal Farmer.' He mentions as an objection the eligibility of members of Congress to offices, civil and military, but without subjoining that, the moment they accept any such offices, they lose their seats in Congress. He objects, also, to the powers of the Senate as too extensive, and thinks they will too much control the President, and he even affects to tremble for the House of Representatives itself, as in danger of being oppressed by this mighty Senate ; which is trulv ridiculous. Can the Senate make war, raise armies, build navies, or raUe a shilling of money ^ without the House of Representatives ? No ! Where, then, is the danger that this House will be oppressed? But the Senate have^ in effect, the power of conferring offices. No such thing. They can only approve those whom the President shall name to office ; and the President is to be chosen, mediately, by the people. The President will have no dependence on the State govern- ments, and therefore will feel no inducements to submit him- self to their Representatives. Even the ' Federal Farmer ' admit's ' that the election of the President and Vice-President seems to be properly secured.' " He objects to the powers of the judicial department, say- ing: 'In the Judges of the Supreme Court are lodged the laiv, the equity, and the fact.' These powers, he says, in well-balanced governments, are ever kept distinct. Why, Sir, there are no such governments in the world, save the British, and those which have been formed on the British model ; that is, the governments of the United States. Ex- cept in those governments, a court of equity, distinct from a court of law, is unknown. And among the United States, two or three only, I believe, have such distinct courts of equity. In the rest, the courts of law possess also the powers of courts of equity, for the most common and useful purposes. ' It is,' says the ' Federal Farmer,' ' very dangerous to vest, in the same Judge, power to decide on the law and also general powers in equity ; for, if the law restrain him, he is only to step into his shoes of equity, and give what judg- ment his reason or opinion may dictate.' Sir, this is all stuff. Read a few passages in * Blackstoue's Commentaries,' and you will be convinced of it. ' Equity ' (says he, Book III., chap- o 60 LIFE OF tlMOTHY PICKERING. ter xxvii.), ' is the soul and spirit of all law. Positive (or statute) law is construed, and rational law is made, b3'it. In this, equity is synonymous to justice ; in that, to the true sense and sound interpretation of the rule. But the very terms of a court of equity and a court of law, as contrasted to each other, are apt to confound and mislead us ; as if the one judged without equity, and the other was not bound by any law. Whereas, every definition or illustration to be met with, which now draws a line between the two jurisdictions, by setting law and equity in opposition to each other, will be found either totally erroneous or erroneous to a certain de- gree.' ' Thus, it is said that it is the business of a court of equity in England to abate the rigor of the common law. But no such power is contended for.' ' It is also said that a court of equity determines, according to the spirit of the rule, and not according to the strictness of the letter. But so also does a court of law. Both, for instance, are equally bound, and equally profess to interpret statutes according to the true intent of the legislature.' ' There is not a single rule of inter- preting laws, whether equitably or strictly, that is not equally used b}' the Judges in the courts both of law and equity.' * Each endeavors to fix and adopt the true sense of the law in question, and neither can enlarge, diminish, or alter that sense in a single tittle.' Where then, you will ask, consists the es- sential difference between the two courts ? Take Blackstone's answer : ' It principally consists in the different modes of ad- ministering justice in each ; in the mode of proof ^ the mode of trials and the mode of relief.'' From him, also, you Avill learn that an act of Parliament was passed, in the reign of EdAvard I. (see ' Commentaries,' Book III., chapter iv.), making provisions which, by a little liberality in the Judges of the courts of law, ' might have effectually answered all the pur- . poses of a court of equity.' As our ideas of a court of equity are derived from the English jurisprudence, so, doubtless, the Convention, in declaring that the judicial power shall extend to all cases in equity as well as law^ under the Federal juris- diction, had, principall}^ a reference to the mode of adminis- tering justice in cases of equity, agreeably to the practice of the Court of Chancery in England. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 361 " I intended, my dear Sir, to have examined all the princi- pal objections of the ' Federal Farmer ; ' but to do it particu- larly, I find, would oblige me to write a volume ; and I see in every page of his pamphlet so much disingenuity, I confess that I lose my patience ; neither have I time to treat the subject much farther in detail. Let me observe generally that the ' Federal Farmer,' and other writers of the same stamp, in re- citing the powers of the Congress, throw in expressions un- duly to alarm their readers with ideas that those powers will be arbitrarily exercised, such as ' will and pleasure,' ' at dis- cretion,' 'absolute power,' &c., &c. He says, 'a power to levy and collect taxes, at discretion^ is in itself of very great importance.' This is very true, but what then ? Does not the legislature of New York, and of every other State, possess the power of taxing the people at discretion^ at will and pleasure ? and, in this as well as many other things, is not their power absolute ? But the presumption is that this discretion^ ivill and pleasure^ and absolute power will be under the direc- tion of reason; and the presumption is so well founded, that the people are, in fact, under no apprehension of oppression from the exercise of such powers. " I mentioned the disingenuity of the ' Federal Farmer.' In addition to the instances already noticed, take the following. Referring to the proposed Constitution, he says, ' I wish the system adopted, with a few alterations ; but those in my mind are essential ones.' Attend then to his remarks on the system, and you will find he objects to every essential part, — to the smallness of the House of Representatives ; to the Federal and small representation of the States in the Senate ; to the President, as ' a new species of executive,' and possess- ing too little power ; to the judiciary, as vested with various powers which ought to be separated, and exercised by different courts and bodies of men; and to Congress generally, as vested with too many powers. In a word, he objects to the whole system in the following passage : ' I am fully con- vinced that we must organize the national government on different principles^ and make the parts of it more efficient, and secure in it more effectually the different interests of the community, or else leave in the State governments some 362 LIFE or TIMOTHY PICKERING. powers propoi^cd to be lodged in it; at least, till such an. organization shall be found practicable.' He admits the for- mation of the Senate, and the smallness of the House of Rep- resentatives to be the result of our situation and the actual state of things, such, consequently, if we have any general Cfovernment at all, we must be contented with. Yet, imme- diately after, he endeavors to alarm us with the apprehensions of corruption in those assemblies, because so feiv may consti- tute a majority in each, and therefore easily 'be influenced by bribes, ofiices, and civilities.' He admits that the power of regulating commerce, imposts, coin, &c., ought clearly to be vested in Congress ; yet, in the next page, joining the pow- ers respecting coin and commerce Avith others, he says, they ' will probably defeat the operations of the State laws and governments.' Thus he, like the other Antifederal writers, is perpetually conceding and retracting. They all know that the people of these States feel the necessity of an efficient Federal government, and therefore they affect to desire the same thing ; but, in order to defeat the measure, not only object to every material part of the system, but artfully start vain objects of fear, and throw in here and there a sentence, importing that such an efficient general government, con- sistent with the liberties of the people, is in the nature of things impracticable, " I will now, as concisely as possible, take notice of the powers of Congi-ess, and inquire whether any which are im- proper or dangerous are proposed to be granted to them. But let me previously remark that the people of the United States form one nation : that it is evidently their interest and desire to continue one nation; although, for the more easy and advantageous management of the affairs of particular districts, the people have formed themselves into thirteen separate communities or States ; that the people of these dis- tinct States having certain common and general interests, it is obviously necessary that one common and general govern- ment should be erected to manage those interests for the best good of the whole : that, as all power resides originally in the people^ they have a right to make such a distribution of it as they judge their true interests require ; consequently they LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 363 may constitute such officers as they thmk best, and with such powers as they think proper to confer for the management of the affairs of their respective communities ; and, at the same time, appoint another set of officers with general powers to conduct the common concerns of all the communities or States united. " Let us now see whether a single power is proposed to be vested in the general government, which does not concern more than a siiigle State. " The general government will have power to declare war, to provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States, to borrow money on their credit, to raise armies and build navies, and to make treaties with foreign nations. Now, when powers are given to accomplish any particular thing, it is the dictate of common sense that such other subordinate powers as are indispensably necessary to that end should also be given, either expressly or by fair im- plication. But without the power of direct taxation, how can the general government with certainty provide for the common defence ? raise armies, build navies, or repay moneys which it shall have borrowed ? The imposts may be insuffi- cient. Other sources of revenue, therefore, must be opened. It will be said, it has been said, ' the Congress may make re- quisitions on the several States.' True, and be denied ! ' But if any State refuses to furnish its quota, let the Congress have the power of compelling payment to be made by such delin- quent State.' And do you think. Sir, this compulsive mode more eligible than in the first instance to vest Congress with a constitutional power of levying taxes for necessary national purposes ? When a person has once refused what he ought to grant, do we not often see that, from mere pride and obsti- nacy, he persists in the refusal ? States are composed of men, and are influenced b}^ similar passions. What if the thirteen States were quite removed from the sea-coast, and revenues from imposts were consequently out of the question, and at the same time their situation and circumstances should, as at present, require an intimate union for their common good and security, how should the common treasury be sup- plied? We have had too melancholy proofs, that requisitions 364 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. on the thirteen ' sovereign and independent States,' would be fruitless. The Congress must, then, in such case, have the power of direct taxation. And what would then be necessary for the entire supplies to the public treasury may, in our present situation, be equally necessary to make good the defieiencies of the revenues arising from commerce. I there- fore am Avilling to submit to such direct taxation, Avhenever it shall be necessary to support the general government, and maintain the faith of the United States. And I am satisfied that, as every such tax Avill equally affect the persons and estates of all the members of the general legislature, the power of levying it will be exercised with that prudence and propriety which we have a right to expect from wise and honest Representatives. For, if the}^ are not wise and honest, it will be our own fault in choosing them, and we shall have no right to complain. '' On a like principle it is proper that Congress should have power to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for calling it forth to execute the laws of the Union, sujopress insurrections, and repel invasions. As the militia of different States may serve together, the great advantages of uniformity in their organization, arms, and dis- cipline, must be obvious to every man who is possessed of any degree of military knowledge. But this uniformity can be introduced and maintained only by the power of the general government. It is also equally necessary that Congress should have power to call forth the militia for the purposes expressed in the Constitution. In the late war, pressing as was the common danger, we have been witnesses of the delays of States to furnish their contingents, and of their unequal exertions. If this power is vested in Congress, the calls will ever be proportioned in time as well as extent to the exigency of the service. Yet this power, useful and necessary as it is, has been objected to as dangerous, and .in its nature oppres- sive ; and, therefore, it is concluded that it ought to remain with the State legislatures. But who are they? The ser- vants of the people, chosen by them to superintend the local concerns of their particular States. And who are thC' Con-' gress ? Can you give a different answer ? are not they also the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 365 servants of the people, chosen by them to superintend their general concerns in the United States. Only bear always in your mind, Sir, that the inhabitants of the United States are but one people, one nation ; and all fears and jealousies, about the annihilation of State governments will vanish. Some men pride themselves in their particular State sovereignties, and are extremely jealous that the general government of the United States will swallow them up. Ridiculous ! Do not the people constitute the States ? are not the people the foun- tain of all power '^ and, whether this flow in thirteen dis- tinct streams, or in one larger stream with thirteen branches, is not the fountain still the same ? and the Majesty of the People undiminished? *' These objectors make a loud outcry about standing armies, as though a large and oppressive one, like the armies of the European nations, must be the necessary consequence of the adoption of this system. But this proceeds from either a want of discernment or a desire to excite a false alarm. We have a standing army at this time, — a small one indeed, and probably not adequate to the security of our frontiers (though Congress have not the means of enlarging it, how- ever necessary it may become) ; and, whilst we have frontiers to defend and arsenals to secure, we must continue to have a standing army. The fallacy lies here. In Europe large stand- ing armies are kept up to maintain the power of their heredi- tary monarchs, who generally are absolute. In these cases the standing armies are instruments to keep the people in slavery. But remember that, in the United States, a standing army caimot be raised or kept up without the consent of the people, by their Representatives in Congress ; Representatives whose powers will have very limited durations, and who cannot lay a single burthen on the people of which they and their chil- dren will not bear their proportion. The English (and no people have been more jealous of their liberty) have never gone farther than to declare that a standing army ought not to be kept up ivithout the consent of Parliament. It is very possible, indeed, that this consent may sometimes be improp- erly obtained through the undue and corrupt influence of an hereditary monarch. But as we have not, nor in the ordinary 366 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. course of our aifairs have reason to expect, any such creature in the United Slates, we may make ourselves easy on this head. On tliis subject I will add one remark, — that vesting Congress with power to call out the militia, as the exigencies of the Union may require, instead of being complained of as a grievance, demands the warmest approbation of those who are in dread of a standing army ; for that efficient command of the militia will for ever render it unnecessary to raise a permanent body of troops, excepting only the necessary guards required for the frontiers and arsenals. '' There is but one other objection which I have time to notice. That respects the judicial power. The ' Federal Farmer ' and other objectors say, the causes between a State and citizens of another State, between citizens of different States, and between a State, or the citizens thereof, and the citizens or subjects of foreign States, should be left, as they now are, to the decision of the particular State courts. The other cases enumerated in the Constitution seem to be ad- mitted as properly cognizable in the Federal courts. With respect to all the former, it may be said, generally, that as the local laws of the several States may differ from each other, as particular States may pass laws unjust in their nat- ure, or partially unjust, as they regard foreigners and the citizens of other States, it seems to be a wise provision which puts it in the power of such foreigners and citizens to resort to a court where they may reasonably expect to obtain impar- tial justice. But as the courts of particular States will, in these cases, have a concurrent jurisdiction, so whilst they proceed with reasonable despatch, and support their char- acters by upright decisions, they will probably be almost exclusively resorted to. But there is a particular and very cogent reason for securing to foreigners a trial, either in the first instance or by appeal in a Federal court. With respect to foreigners^ all the States form but one nation. This nation is responsible for the conduct of all its members towards for- eign nations, their citizens, and subjects, and therefore ought to possess the power of doing justice to the latter. Without this power a single State, or one of its citizens, might embroil the whole Union in a foreign war. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 367 " The trial by jury, in civil cases, I grant, is not explicitly secured by the Constitution ; but we have been told the reason of the omission : and to me it is satisfactory. In many of the civil causes subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal courts, trial by jury would evidently be improper ; in others, it was found impracticable in the Convention to fix on the mode of constituting juries. But Ave may assure ourselves that the first Congress will make provision for introducing it in every case in which it shall be proper and practicable. Recollect that the Congress of 1775 directed jury trials in the cases of captures at sea, and that the incon- veniences soon discovered in that mode of trial obliged them to recommend an alteration, and to commit all admiralty causes to the decision of the Judge alone. So if the Conven- tion had positively fixed a trial by jury in all the civil cases in which it is contended that it ought to have been estab- lished, it might have been found highly inconvenient in practice, as in the case above stated ; but, if fixed by the Constitution, the inconvenience would have had to be en- dured (whatever mischief might arise from it) until the Con- stitution itself should be altered. ^' I have passed over unnoticed the other powers proposed to be vested hi the Congress, because it seems to be generally admitted that they can properly be lodged nowhere else. " I now hope. Sir, that I have presented you with such a view of the Federal Constitution as will make it appear to you not that engine of tyranny which its enemies woukl fain persuade us it will prove. On the contrary, I hope you will be convinced that 'tis the best Constitution we, at present, have any right to expect; and, therefore, that we ought read- ily to adopt it. Future experience may suggest improvements which may be engrafted into it. But, Sir, for a clear and satisfactory explanation of it, I must refer you to jNIr. Wilson's speeches in the Convention of this State. I am just informed that they Avill be published by themselves, and therefore appear sooner than I before expected. Kead them with attention ; and you may read them with confidence^ for he is a great and a good man. " To satisfy you of my hearty approbation of it, I seriously i 368 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. assure you that, if I were now on my dying bed and my sons were of mature age, my last words to them would be. Adopt this Constitution. " With sincere esteem, I remain, dear Sir, your friend and servant, " TUSIOTKY PlCKERIl^G. " Mr. Charles Tillinghast. " P. S. If this letter serves in any measure to remove 3^our doul)ts and fears, perhaps it may produce the like effect on the minds of some other candid inquirers ; and therefore you may use it as you think proper : but only as from a friend^ not suffering my name to appear, as it is of too little consequence to add weight to my sentiments, except with an intimate friend J'^ LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 369 CHAPTER XII. Colonel Pickering returned to Wyoming. — Ineffectual Attempts to procure proper Measures of Legislation for the People of that Territory. — The whole Country much excited on the Question of ratifying the Federal Constitution. — Colonel Pickerinoc's Abduction. — The Failure of the Desiorn of his Captors. — Their Dispersion. — The final Establishment of Law, Order, and Peace in Wyoming. 1788. Wyoming remained in apparent quiet for some time after Colonel Pickering's return ; and he resumed the charge of his affairs, as appears from his correspondence. Writing to Major Hodgdon, from Wilkesbarre, January 16th, 178b', Wednesday morning, he says: — " I have this moment received your favor of the 12th, for which I am much obliged. It will be impossible for me to leave this place so soon as I proposed ; but, if I am well, nothing shall prevent my being in Philadelphia, so as to ren- der such a statement of accounts as you mention before the first of March. In the mean time, I beg you to do what you can in the arrangement for that purpose. '* We moved into the new house last Saturday, and though 'tis unfinished, yet we have much more comfort than in that of Mr. Hollenback. '' The people are all quiet ; and from present appearances, we have nothing to apprehend ; so that my wife anxiously wishes for Charles and William to be brought up. The other two she knows are not in any danger of suffering. I expect George Geary, John Scott, and Dolly will go to the city next week, perhaps to set out on Monday ; and we have thought of getting John Scott to return with Sally and the two boys immediately, before the snow fails. Tim and Vol. II. 2i 370 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. . Harry can come on horse back at any other time. But a sleigh is the only tolerable carriage for Charles and William." lie wrote again to Mr. Hodgdon, January 22d, as follows : — *' George Geary, John Scott and Dolly will set off this morning for Philadelphia, the sleighing being excellent. John Scott only is to return, but with him, his sister Sally and the children. You and my other friends may disapprove of this ; but my wife is very desirous of having them with her, es- pecially Charles and William ; and we think it best that Tim and Harry should also return. Mr. Bowman (who formerly kept the school at Cambridge) undertakes to be their school- master. The truth of the matter is, I must lessen my ex- penses as much as possible. Charles and William must therefore come back, as we apprehend no hazard in the measure ; and Tim and Harry have long enough trespassed upon the obliging hospitality of our friends. I expect they must be brought up in the spring, if not now, and conse- quently at much greater expense, and I have a confidence that the Assembly will revive the confirming law. Other reasons I may give when I see you. I have, therefore, to pray you to do whatever shall be necessary to expedite their return. I shall be sorry should John Scott stay above two days in the city, lest the snow should fail. If it be gone near the city, perhaps it will be best to get Mr. Thompson to carry them till they meet the snow. The horses may take the empty sleigh on bare ground. If, indeed, they find too little snow below, in going, John is to leave the sleigh where this happens, and there doubtless it can take them up again. My wife asks if Sally will be willing to return ? She ought to be, and must le compelled, if she shows any reluctance ; for she has lately got additional clothing (even to a degree of extravagance I now find), which will last her the year she has to serve. Besides, when I proposed to discharge her, she consented to return. I wish it to be remembered that the children bring with them all their clothes and books. En- closed are letters to Mr. Peters and Captain Faulkener, which, if convenient, I will thank you to deliver. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 371 " I have delivered to John Scott one bushel and a half of clean mustard-seed for sale, and sixteen pounds of good flax, which perhaps the milk- woman may take ; if not, it must be sold. I just mention these two articles that you may ask John about them ; for he can dispose of them Avithout troub- ling you. The price of mustard-seed, I take it, is fixed at thirty- two shilUngs a bushel, and one shilling a quart ; but I recollect old Mr. Hall once told me a bushel would hold about forty beer quarts. The mustard-seed cost me sixteen shillings and eightpence a bushel. Perhaps it may be worth raising here, as an article of remittance. I propose to raise an acre of hemp next summer ; but I can get no seed in the settlement. The few trials of that article have turned out extremelv well. I have directed John Scott to inquire whether any seed is to be got at Bethlehem, and at what price. I will thank you to inquire in the city. At Northumberland it was sold last year, I am told, at thirty shillings a bushel, wliich is monstrous. But Mr. Hollenback thinks it may be got down the river at ten shillings. The seed must be of the last summer's growth. I am told it takes four bushels for an acre. If to be had in the city to most advantage, pray procure it, and forward it to Haller's, if possible, while the sleighing lasts. My own sleigh, I suppose, will not be able to bring it. I very much wish to receive tivo sides of good neat's leather, and two or three sides of stout New Eno^land sole-leather, to answer some eng^acre- ments and supply my own family, and one wax-leather calf- skin. The sole-leather may lie in the bottom of the sleigh. I wish to receive by my sleigh four pounds of black pepper, one pound of allspice, one pound of mustard, which John Scott will get where he sells the seed, one and a half yards of strong cheap linsey, two or three of the roots of scarcity of Mr. Peters, wrapped up well to preserve them from the frost, a pint of best Lima beans (Mr. Francis, I guess, can inform where to get them), one pound of indigo. " Sally's bed should be covered with a case made of tow cloth, of which vou will find enouEjh of mine in the chamber closet at Mr. Doz's. The bed may be placed in the bottom of the sleigh over the sole-leather, and behind the chair. The children (except perhaps Tim, as he can get out and run) o 72 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. had best put on two or three pairs of stockings (the smallest first), without shoes; and if each could have, besides, a pair of socks, like half-boots, made of thick warm shaggy cloth, I think there would be no danger from the cold ; or perhaps a pair of the thickest coarse stockings of the cheapest kind, for each of them, may do better than socks. Tim can have a pair to haul over his shoes. They all had mittens when I left them. These precautions, and the blankets Sally has, will render them perfectly secure. They all have great-coats, and all very good, except William's, and his will do, if a thick handkerchief be put over his neck and shoulders. '' Be so good as to look among the articles remaining in the store, and, if there be any things which can easily be carried in the sleigh, and which will be of much convenience to us, to put them in. The large tin painted kettle will be very convenient to us for taking up ashes. The large iron pot, which belonged to the brig, would be very useful, if we could get it here to boil potatoes, &c., for hogs. '^ Addition. — Two pounds of ginger, five pounds of good hops, fourteen pounds of water biscuit, two small scissor sheaths, one dozen nail gimblets, one dozen hand-saw files, half-a-dozen files for finer saws, one fine tenon saw, one car- penter's adze, one piece or about twenty yards of calimanco for women's skirts, brown or other dark color. " John Scott is ready to start, so I bid you affectionately adieu ! " Colonel Picliering's friends in Philadelphia did not all feel so confident as he did, that quiet and safety were fully restored. John Scott delivered the letter, with which he was charged, to Mr. Peters immediately upon reaching Philadelphia, and carried back the following answer : — " Belmont, January 27th, 1788. "My Dear Sib, " I received your letter and was very happy to hear you are well and unmolested. I have not the same opinion of your security you seem to have, and beseech you not to trust LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 373 too far to it. You are, I confess, a better judge of circum- stances than I am, but consider von have been deceived. ''It is natural for you to wish your children about you ; but I am sure Tim is better here, under my ideas of matters there, than he would be at AVyoming. I don't know, how- ever, whether I should have taken the libertv of actins: against your desires had the winter been more favorable, and Tim been perfectly well. But he is now mending fast, having had a bad cold, which would be increased by such a journey. I have thought it best to detain him here, where he is very hap23y, and really wishes to stay. He goes constantly to school, and, I think, improves. I have done, under all cir- cumstances, what, in the same situation, I should have wished to be done by me ; and this is a rule I hope you will not blame me for, though it may not meet entirely your wishes. " Mrs. Peters begs her affectionate and sincere good wishes to be presented to Mrs. Pickering and yourself. I hope to see you at the meeting of the Assembly, and that you will have a better opinion of our majority than theu' late proceed- ings have entitled them to. Many of them, I am sure, mean well, but are either bewildered or misled. 1 hope some plan of compromise will be fallen upon ; and it will accelerate it much to bring with you the means of clearing up many prej- udices, which seem strangely to operate with them. There is no man less interested than I am, and I believe I think dis- passionately about it. I have turned the subject over since I have had leisure, and really I am more confirmed in the opin- ions I had, on the sudden, adopted when the matter was agi- tated in the House. I wish you every happiness, and am very affectionately yours, " Richard Peters. " CoLOXEL Pickering." V The following letter from Dr. Rush will be read with interest : — " Philadelphia, January 29th, 1788. "Dear Sir, " I rejoice with your numerous friends in your agreeable prospects of peace and order in Luzerne county. "The papers will give you an account of the progress of 374 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Federal principles and events. Massachusetts is much divided, owing to the Province of Maine uniting with the insurgent counties. The opposition, it is said, is conducted by S. Adams. King and Gorham write desponding letters to their friends in the Middle States. But all will, I have no doubt, yet end well. A vessel, lately arrived at Cape Ann, brings the agreeable account of Georgia having ratified the Constitu- tion. " Our invaluable friend, Mr. Wilson, has concluded to em- bark for Europe in the spring to try to extricate himself from his present difficulties by disposing of some of his lands. His success cannot fail of adding to the value of all the lands in Pennsylvania. " Mr. Coxe is full of a scheme of rendering the Susque- hanna navigable by means of a lock upon one of the lakes or springs, near the head-waters of the river. He proposes to defray the expense of it, by means of an incorporated com- pany, in imitation of the one formed under the direction of ? General Washington. Mr. Francis has adopted the plan, and will push it with all his zeal and influence. " Mrs. Rush (who has lately been much afflicted, from the loss of our youngest boy) joins in best compliments to Mrs. Pickering, with, dear Sir, yours Sincerely and affectionately, '* Benjamin Rush. "P. S. General St. Clair informs me that he left the western countries in peace, disposed, he thinks, not to oppose by force the new government." Agreeably to the urgent advices of his friends, and others desirous of bringing the Assembly to some decisive action in reference to the Wyoming lands, he went down to Philadelphia in February ; but all efforts failed. The open opposition of certain interested parties, and the secret intrigues of others who had views of their own prompting them to keep up the insurrectionary spirit in Luzerne county, prevented all legislation. He returned LITE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 375 to Wyoming, addressing on his way a letter to Mr. Hodgdon, as follows : — " At Zawits, fifteen miles beyond Haller's, Friday, February 29th, 1788. " We arrived here about noon to-day ; but the arbitration with Learn will oblige us to stay here to-night. " At Echart's, at White Marsh, I left a small box which I received of Captain Faulkener's. Echart put the things in his bar closet, and handed them out again, and must have over- looked the box. I shall write a line to Echart, and request him to send it to Captain Faulkener again. I am sorry it was left, as it was a present to Harry. " There was no sleighing as far as Shull's. But two hun- dred yards beyond his house it was very good, and continued so to this place, excepting only the south side of a hill, between Shull's and Bethlehem. Pocono, or Jones's Creek, was open, bat we forded it with ease. We have Pocono to cross again, just beyond Learn's, where, I am told, the entrance is bad- The other creeks, Tobyhanna, Lelii, and Bear's Creek, are yet all fast. " The arbitrators have just agreed, and award £2 12s. 6} }f >> >■ Without manure. " Mr. Bordley, of Maryland (in a pamphlet, published in 1784), remarks that Mr. Young, the English travelling far- mer, has ascertained that two hundred and eighty-nine acres are the avcrj ge size of farms in England ; of which one hundred and forty are in grass, and the remaining one hundred and forty-nine are called arable ; although only one hundred and twelve give crops, the residue, thirty-seven acres, con- tains the building, orchard, &c. Mr. Bordley estimates the average size of Marjdand farms at from two hundred and forty to two hundred and fifty acres, exclusive of woods, and their average produce at six bushels of wheat and twelve of Indian- corn per acre. • " An intelligent Jersey farmer (in a communication to the Agricultural Societ}^) rated the average produce of wheat in that State to be under six bushels. " Doctor Tilton thus states the produce of lands in the Del- aware State : ' An acre of ground will produce of Timothy from one to two tons of dry forage ; of red clover, from two LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 493 to three tons ; of Indian-corn, from fifteen to fifty bushels ; of wheat, from six to twenty bushels ; of barley and rye, from ten to thirty-five bushels ; of oats and buckwheat, from fifteen to thirty bushels ; of Irish potatoes, from one hundred to three hundred bushels.' '' If the Doctor meant that the mean quantities should be coijsidered as the average produce, the lands in the Delaware State must be more fertile or better cultivated than the lands of any of the old States in the Union. " I have made a few inquiries relative to the sizes of farms ; and their divisions into meadow, pasture, arable, and wood-land in this State and Connecticut ; but the answers were not sat- isfactory, and as your application to me respected only lands in ' my quarter,' it may be useless to state them. *' As it is thus in my power to give you only such very imperfect information, relative to the subject of your investi- gation, I hope you may have taken measures to obtain from others what will answer your design. I think, however, it will be impossible to ascertain the requisite facts with pre- cision ; for I doubt whether one American farmer in a thou- sand has determined, by actual measurement, the sizes of his fields and their produce. " I am, Sir, &c., " TuMOTHY Pickering. " A. Hamilton, Esq., Secretary of the Treasury." Early in June, Colonel Pickering left home to meet the Indians. He will relate his experience in passages of letters to his wife. " Tioga Point, Tuesday morning, June 14th, 1791. " I arrived here this morning in perfect health. The waters of the Tioga River ai>e so low that the provisions and stores can be got up no farther than Newtown Point, about twenty miles from this place ; where, of course, the treaty will be held. There are many inhabitants in that neighborhood, so that living will be more agreeable than at the Painted Post. I purpose, however, to visit the latter place, and shall prob- ably go as far as Colonel Lindley's, setting out this afternoon 494 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. in company with Mr. Ford. From what I have heard, there will be a numerous assemblage of Indians. "I wrote you from Solomon Avery's at Tunkhannock." " On the Tioga River, five miles below the Painted Post, " June 15th, 1791. " T am now at Major jMcCormick's, where I have just dined, and presently shall proceed to the Painted Post. " I wrote you yesterday a long letter about farming affairs, which I hope will get safe to hand. I mentioned my expecta- tion that the treaty would be held at Newtown Point, sup- posing the waters too low to get boats up to the Painted Post. But before I absolutel}' decide on this, I mean to see some of the Indian Chiefs, and, if I can make them satisfied to go to New- town Point, I will hold the treaty there ; otherwise, we must drag up the provisions and stores to the Painted Post, draw- ing the loaded canoes with oxen, where the water is too shal- low. " Reports indicate a large assembly of Indians, but reports are uncertain. I expect much more trouble to manage them, than I experienced last autumn ; but the present objects are of much greater moment. " I hear that General Chapin and Mr. Phelps will be at the treaty. There appears a prospect of many white specta- tors. I am pleased with this prospect, and hope to conduct the business with success." " Newtown, June 17th, 1791, at Colonel Miller's. " I have heard that the Indians will be at the Painted Post in about two days ; but I doubt it, as no runners have yet arrived. I mean to hold the treaty at Newtown Point (twenty miles above Tioga), if I can satisfy the Indians to come so far.*' " Newtown Point, June 27th, 1791. " The treaty will, as before, be of tedious continuance. The Indians from the north-east are come in ; but the Senecas and others in their country are yet behind, at the distance, probably, of fifty or sixty miles. I think they will not arrive, and be ready to begin business, till the latter end of this week ; and the treaty may then last ten days. " P. S. Tim arrived last Tuesday. He is well, and often diverted with Indian manners." LITE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 495 "Newtown Point, July 1st, 1791. " As this will be carried by Mr. Bowman, I need not be particular in my account of things at this place. The main body of the Indians are arrived ; but they will choose to wait for some behind. The numbers present from all the Six'Na- tions now amount to about nine hundred. I expect they will, in the end, make up one thousand. From present appear- ances, we shall not enter on the real business of the treaty till next Monday ; and if the treaty breaks up in twelve clays, it will be as soon as I expect. " I remain in perfect health, and Tim is hearty. He went last evenings to see the Indians dance. " The Indians all appear to be well disposed, and were it not for their inordinate love of rum, they would be very easy to deal with ; at present they are troublesome by their per- petual importunities for rum," " Newtown, July 5th, 1791. " Yesterday we began the real business of the treaty ; and, from what at present appears, I suspect it will not be finished under ten days. We have now about nine hundred Indians on the ground, about a hundred and thirty more will be here to-day or to-morrow. They are all in good temper, and I expect the treaty will close in a very satisfactory manner. The bearer is Mr. Rutherford, a member of Congress, who is on his way home to New Jersey ; should he call with the letter himself, you will ask him to breakfast or to tea, if it happens to be convenient." " Newtown Point, Sunday, July 10, 1791. " I have the pleasure to inform you that the Indians dis- cover a very good disposition, and to place much confidence in me. The treaty, I expect, will conclude agreeably, in the course of the present week. '* There are upwards of a thousand Indians on the ground, of all ages, which, far exceeding the number I looked for, renders the feeding of them a little difficult ; because it is not easy to get grain ground for them. Of beef there is enough. Tim is desirous of buying some things for his brothers. He will prooably bring home a silver brooch, and a pair of moccasins for each of them." 496 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. Having accomplished the object of his mission, in con- chiding a treaty of vital importance at that crisis, by which the friendship to the United States of the Six Nations was confirmed and secured, Colonel Pickering returned to his family, and, after a few days, repaired to the seat of government to make report of his doings. On the r2th of August, 1791, he wrote to his wife, from Philadelphia, as follows: — " As I left you, these words dropped from your lips, ' I do not think we shall live here always,' — nor will you. This day the President appointed me Postmaster-General. Mr. Osgood has resigned. Next Monday or Tuesday I go to New York to see him, on the business of the department. " I pray God to preserve you and my dear family, that you may see good after so many evil days ; for, if the office should not add to my little fortune, at least I trust we shall live more comfortably; and get our children well educated. " Give my love to Betsey and the boys ; ask her if she is willing to trudge through the swamp with moccasins. " P. S. Salary of Postmaster-General, as fixed nine years ago, only fifteen hundred dollars. Expected to be materially raised." On the same day he wrote to his brother : — " Last Tuesday I arrived here to make a report to the Pres- ident of the United States of my proceedings Avith the Indians of the Six Nations, at the treaty I lately held with them, having renewed and confirmed the peace between them and the United States. " This day the President sent me a note, desiring to see me. I waited on him ; and he made me a tender of the office of Postmaster-General, which I have accepted, and to-morrow expect to receive my commission." His commission was thus communicated to him by the Secretary of State : — LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKEKING. 497 " Philadelphia, August 14th, 1791. " To Timothy Pickering, Esq., ''Sir, " The President of the United States, desiring to avail the public of your services, as Postmaster-General of the United States, I have now the honor of enclosing you the commission, and of expressing to you the sentiments of perfect esteem, with which I am, Sir, &c. " Thomas Jeffersox." The troubles, cares, and trials to Avhich his family had been exposed at Wyoming, undoubtedly made the pros- pect of a removal an inexpressible relief to tliem. The gentle but feeling words so prophetically uttered by Mrs. Pickering at their previous parting, and lier sister's declaring that she Avould be willing to trudge through swamps in moccasins, show how they yearned to re- turn from that solitude to a life more in accordance with all their former habits and associations. There w^as, indeed, a general gratification in Colonel Pickering's being brought back to a more conspicuous sphere of action. Andrew Dunscomb of Richmond, at the head of the land office of Virginia, w^ith Avhom Colonel Pickering had long been connected by public business, especially growing out of transactions as Quartermaster- General of the Revolutionary army, addressed him a letter of con- gratulation, which may serve as a specimen of communi- cations of the kind from all quarters. "RiCHMOXD, Virginia, August 2oth, 1791. "My Dear Sir, " I have ever felt much pleasing satisfaction to result from an intelHgence of any thing that contributed to your views, or the peace and wishes of your amiable family, and confess my- self to have been alive to all the tender feelings of a friend, Vol. II. 32 498 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. whenever T read of your exposed situation. At the treaty I foreboded evil ; but was happ}^ when informed of your safe arrival in Philadelphia, and pleased that your conduct had received the marked approbation of the President of the United States, in an appointment to an ofi&ce of dignity and consequence. I take the liberty of congratulating you on the occasion, and hope the appointment may be agreeable to you, and that it may accord with the wishes of your amiable lady and worthy family to return again to the city. It would give me much pleasure to see you all." The reply to this letter breathes a like spirit of per- sonal friendship : — " I beg you to accept my thanks for your warm expressions of affection for me and my family. I left them in the coun- try this day week. My wife was pretty well recovered, after bringing me an Octavius, our eighth son, now five weeks old. We have had no daughter. The boys are all alive, hearty and promising. By the first conveyance I shall communicate to her 3'our very obliging letter. With real regard and esteem, I am, dear Sir, yours, &c. " TniOTHY Pickering." There had been, indeed, a painful disappointment among Colonel Pickering's friends, and surprise was generally felt, that he Avas not recalled to the public service at the opening of the new national government. His intimate connection with Washington during the Kevolutionary war ; the high posts he had held ; the great service he had rendered ; his capacity for busi- ness, laborious fidelity, unsurpassed energy and execu- tive ability in administering a most difficult department in the army, — w^ere "well known throughout the country. His incorruptible integrity was universally recognized. Great sympathy was felt in the hardships he had en- dured, and was enduring, at Wyoming. It could not fail to be noticed that, in the numerous appointments LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 499 announced from day to day, his name did not appear. No heed, moreover, was taken of strenuous applications made in his behalf, but without his knowledge, by men of the highest character and position, or of those which he presented himself. The place now assigned him, viewed in connection with preceding and attending circumstances, explains it all. It is proper, however, to state that he himself never uttered any sentiment of complaint or dissatisfac- tion. Not a shade of such a feeling is traceable in his manuscripts, or was ever represented to have been indi- cated in his conversation. If the circumstance was ever noticed by him, he undoubtedly attributed it to the remoteness and obscurity in which, for the preceding years, his life had passed, — working on a farm, holding local offices in a frontier county, and hidden as it were in the woods. But he had not been forgotten by his old Commander- in-Chief, or his associates of former years. The objection that had been made, some time before, to his appointment to a State office, held against him in reference to an appointment in the general govern- ment. It was a question whether he was to be consid- ered as belonging to Pennsylvania or Massachusetts. Paine Wingate, in a letter to him, of September 28th, 1787, speaks thus : — " I am much mortified that it has not been in the power of your friends to bring you from your retirement into public life. I had flattered myself with tlie hope, that, in the long list of the late nominations, I should have found vour name. I did not think it proper, in my connection with you person- ally, to solicit the President ; but I know that, in convei'sa- tion, you was mentioned by many, and most earnestly wished 500 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. for, to be placed in some department of the Treasury ; and the President could not be unacquainted with the idea. I know that it will be no great disappointment to you, nor do I sup- pose that your private interest will be affected, but your friends (and such you have many at Philadelphia, as well as at the eastward), have failed being gratified." At the end of this letter is the following : — " P. S. Since I wrote this letter I was told by one, who had it directly from Mr. Clymer, * that he and Mr. Fitzsimons, both mentioned you to the President, as a very suitable per- son for Comptroller. The President discovered an approba- tion of the opinion ; but observed that he thought it ex^jedient to disperse the officers among the several States, and he did not know whether the Pennsylvanians would consider you as one of them. Mr. Clymer rep)lied that he was confident the most respectable citizens of that State would not only be satisfied with your aj)pointment, but heartily wished it." The President ^vas in the right. It was of the high- est importance, in the state of the country at that crisis, that, in organizing the Federal administration, all sec- tions should be duly and fairly noticed. If Pickering had at that time been brought forward, a ground of cavil would have been aflforded, as to whether he was to be regarded as a representative man of the Middle or of the New England States. This objection was, in itself, of real practical weight ; but, when connected with the fact that Knox, also a Massachusetts man, w^as made Secretary of War, it became decisive ; and no one could complain of that appointment. Knox had been an officer of the highest rank in the Continental army, through the whole Revolutionary war, and had always done good and gallant service. But one * George Clj'mer and Thomas Fitzsimons, both of Pennsylvania, were mem- bers of Congress. LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 501 service in particular had given him a hold upon Wash- ington's mind and memory that could never be effaced. Historv has not sufficientlv recorded it ; but it is neces- sary to be related as in part explaining the attachment of these two patriots to each other. Before the Revolution began, Knox had been engaged in enterprising business as a bookseller in Boston, where he was born in 1750. lie was earlv interested in militarv matters, and, in the ranks and as an officer, had been an active member of two volunteer companies, one of which was the " Boston Grenadier Corps." He had married the daughter of the Secretary of the Province, one of the staunchest Tories of the dav. Her familv had «:reat social, as well as political, position. He, nevertheless, was devoted to the Revolutionary movement, and his heart so deeply engaged that he could not remain inac- tive. He got out of Boston and made his way to the Colonial forces. He was put in charge of procuring a supply of cannon, for the army at Cambridge, from the Canadian frontier posts, and he executed the service ; reappearing at head-quarters in Cambridge, followed by a long train of vehicles on runners, drawn by oxen, and delivered over more than fifty cannons, mortars, and howitzers, with their requisite appendages. No one can calculate the value of this acquisition. If it had not been for this, it is difficult to say how the siege of Boston could have proceeded, and the British been com- pelled to evacuate it. Washington fully appreciated the importance of the achievement, and the resolution, prowess, and courage with which it had been conducted, and it laid deep the foundations of the friendship he ever afterwards cherished. 502 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. This was the basis of the artillery department of the Revolutionary army, and Knox remained at the head of it to the end of the war. His post was always with the main body of the army, and near head-quarters. A close friendship grew up between him and the Commander- in-Chief, of which their families partook. Washington loved him for his large-heartedness, manly frankness, heroism, and all his personal and military qualities. It was natural, and all felt it to be so, to call him to the war department. For Pickering Washington had another object in view, which, however, he seems never to have disclosed until he could put it into effect. The first Congress met in the city of New York, and soon entered upon earnest, sometimes heated, and long- protracted debates, as to the proper place for, as they expressed it, " a Federal Seat." There w^as a general impression that it ought to be more central to the Union ; and it was understood that it would, for this and other reasons, soon be removed from New York. Washing- ton was known to be in favor of fixing it on the banks of the Potomac, where it now is. Some favored its being established on the Delaware, some on the Susquehanna, some at Germantown. it was concluded to have it removed to Philadelphia. Samuel Ossfood. a man of hi^h character and abili- ties, was Postmaster-General, appointed by the old Congress, and in office when the new government was inaugurated. Althouo:h a native of Andover, and long a leading citizen of Massachusetts, he had removed his residence to New York city. Washington continued him in office. But it was understood that, upon the LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 503 removal of the seat of government from Xew York, his business would require him to resign it. In that event, which was quite sure soon to occur, all the circumstances show that Washington was. from the first, determined to appoint Colonel Pickering to the place. It was one for which he knew him to be especially adapted, and in which the country would experience, in the highest degree, the benefit of his ability, industry, and energy. For this reason he waived all propositions to have him appointed to other offices. There could be no objection on the ground that New England had already a member of the Cabinet in the Secretary of War, for the Post- master-General was not then the head of a department, but of what was considered a branch of the Treasurv. Sectional jealousy, which w^ould perhaps have been ex- cited if, in the original programme of the administration, two leading positions had been assigned to Massa- chusetts men, was not so much to be feared in filling a vacancy subsequently occurring. It will be remembered with what an affectionate cor- diality, so uncommon with him, Washington greeted and conferred with Colonel Pickerinsr at their meetino; on the 3d of September, 1790, when he requested him to under- take the first mission to the Six Nations. In August, 1791, when he returned from his second mission to those tribes, Mr. Osgood having resigned, Washington sent Pickering the note requesting an interview, and ten- dered him the office of Postmaster-General. It can hardly be questioned that this had been his design all alono;. From the time w^hen Colonel Picker- ing brought to him, in the Jerseys, his Essex Regiment, to the close of his Presidency, whenever Washington 504 LITE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. needed an able, reliable, upright coadjutor, he knew Avliere to find him. However annoying, occasionally, their extreme difference of habitual temperament might have been, their absolute confidence in each other's purity and patriotism was steadfast from the beginning to the end. Upon receiving his commission, Colonel Pickering ad- dressed the following letter to the Governor of Pennsyl- vania. In the earlier part of the Revolutionary war, relations of great friendship existed between him and General Mifflin, which, however, were interrupted by the connection of the latter with the party, among the offi- cers of the army, not deemed friendly to Washington, particularly with what was known as the Conway Cabal. Out of these causes grew the alienation referred to in the letter. It is given at length, as it affords a summary of the value and operations of the offices Colonel Pickering had held in Luzerne, presents items of personal interest, is a contribution to the history of that county, and is an instance of Colonel Pickering's regard for its welfare, and of disinterested courtesy to one from whom, although once his friend, circumstances had somewhat severed him : — " Philadelphia, August 16th, 1791. "Sm, " It is proper for me to inform' you that the President of the United States has been pleased to appoint me to the office of Postmaster-General. This, of course, vacates the offices which I held under Pennsylvania ; and, thouG^h I do not feel myself under any obligations to the county of Luzerne, yet I shall be pleased to see its welfare promoted. I shall be pleased to see that part of Pennsylvania prosper ; and I shall also be pleased. Sir, to see your administration approved and ap- plauded. '' I am at all times indisposed to adulation. I hope, Sir, I am incapable of it. My present situation has removed all LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 505 possible inducement to it. I may, therefore, now say what, a week ago, would have been suppressed, lest it should have been suspected to arise from interested views, which I was willing to promote by dishonorable means. " Qnce we were friends^ and once^ I persuade myself, you placed a confidence in me. iVbt^, I am not your enem?/. The asperities which sprung up from certain circumstances time has worn away. It will now give me pleasure to contribute, if I can, to the success of your administration. At present, I cannot do it so effectually in any way, as by giving you information respecting the county of Luzerne, especially respecting the offices I there held. "With regard to these^ in giving informa- tion, I comply with your own wishes, expressed in your circular letter of (I think) last December, inviting to a correspondence concerning them. " In the first place, give me leave to assure you that the business in all these offices together is of but small extent^ and consec[uently of small emolument^ too small to admit of a division. In the Register's office, during a space of more than four years, but about half a dozen wills have been presented. Letters of administration have been more numerous. I think between eighty and ninety have been issued ; but these have been chiefly on the estates of persons who were dead before the change of jurisdiction in 1782 ; and of these the greater part fell victims to the Indians in 1778. The run of these is over, and scarcely half a dozen letters are now issued in a year. '* In the Orphans' Court, all the proceedings do not fill a quire of paper. " In the Court of General Quarter-Sessions of the Peace, as little business has occurred as in the Orphans' Court. '' In the Recorder's office, the deeds and mortgages are recorded in separate books ; and, if united, would fill about three-fourths of one folio volume of demi^ or about five quires of paper. '' The Prothonotary's office furnished most business ; but this arose from the Uke cause with the letters of administration ; 506 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKKItlXG. the business had been dammed up during several years ; the law, introdncrd, opened the gates ; and, during three years, there was a run of from twenty to forty actions at a term. But the sources have failed, and the stream is greatly reduced. At the last term, the number of actions was about eighteen ; and when I left home, ten days ago, there stood on the docket but a solitary action for the ensuing term, commencing this day two weeks. "' These facts I state from my memory (which, however, I believe is pretty correct), not expecting such occasion to use them ; for, till I reached Bethlehem, I knew not that any office under the United States was vacant. " Permit me now. Sir, to mention a gentleman there who can well execute, and who Avell deserves all those offices. I mean Abraham Bradley, Esquire, whose prudence, steadiness, and sobriety are exemplary, — whose integrity is unblemished, whose industry has no rival, and whose judgment and law knowledge have there no superior ; I should speak more accurately if I should say no equal. In pleadings and the necessary forms, he is decidedly superior to all. But he came later into the practice than the other attorneys, was younger, somewhat diffident, and has not formed a habit of speaking. He has therefore had few cases to manage, and his fees have been triffing. He studied law, and wrote in the office of Tapping Reeve, Esquire, an eminent lawyer at Litchfield, in Connecti- cut. He writes a fair, strong, legible hand, perfectly adapted to records. During my frequent absences in the last two years, he has done the business in the court and in my office with great propriety. 'Tis a business in which he takes pleasure. His law knowledge renders him peculiarly fit to hold all the offices before-mentioned, and will give great facility in the execution. And his law knowledge will not be stationary ; it will ad- vance. For he has an inquisitive mind, and a taste for lit- erature in general. *' This, Sir, is not the language of hyperbole. ' I speak the words of truth and soberness,' from an intimate personal ac- quaintance with iSlr. Bradley. I think he was, last spring, LITE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 507 admitted an attorney in the Supreme Court ; but Mr. Burd can inform you.* " With great satisfaction, Sir, I have seen the respectable law appointments which you have made ; and I have heard them spoken of in terms of high approbation. The same principle will lead you to select other officers for the depart- ment of law who have the best law knowledge. I need not mention that the Register's and Prothonotary's offices more especially require much law knowledge ; and the more the incumbent possesses, with the more propriety and facility he will execute them. More than ever, law knowledge in the Prothonotary will now be useful and important, on account of the increased importance of the court under the new Con- stitution. " Give me leave. Sir, to close this long letter with a few words relative to the county Judges. Mr. Joseph Kinney was pretty early appointed a Judge of the Common Pleas ; but, fully expecting to remove to the State of New York, he sent to the court a letter of resignation ; but I do not know whether his resignation was ever declared to the late Execu- * The Washington " National Intelligencer," of Thursday, May 10th, 1838, has the following : — " Death. In this city, on Monday night, Abraham Bradley, Esquire, one of our most venerable and respected fellow-citizens, and formerly, for a long series of years, honorably known as filling, with distinguished ability, the arduous trust of Assistant Postmaster-General. " Abraham Bradley was born on the 22d of February, 1767. He read law in the office, and under the immediate direction, of the late Judge Reeve, of Litch- field, and settled at Wilkesbarre, in the Valley of Wyoming. He was soon appointed a Judge, and retained the office until just before he removed to Phila- delphia. He entered the Post-office department when under the direction of Mr. Pickering, and was shortly afterwards, upon its first organization, appointed Assistant Postmaster-General, whicli office he retained till the month of Septem- ber, 1829, wlien he was removed, without cause, by the executive, from an office in which he had rendered, and was rendering, invaluable services to his country. Since then he has lived in privacy, holding, for the last two years, the office of Secretary of the Franklin Insurance Company, in this citj'. " The fidelity, ability, and unwearied industry with which he discharged his public duties were known to all. To his surviving children and friends it must be gratifying indeed to be able to look to the whole of his life as full of bright examples, and illustrated by the strictest integrity." 508 LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. tive Council. I believe it was not. He lived near Tioga, where Esquire Hollenback was sometimes present, and to which neighborhood Esquire Murray moved up from Shawnee. Mr. Kinney was disappointed in respect to the lands in York State to which he meant to go, and has remained in Luzerne. Christopher Hurlbut, Esquire, is now a Justice of the Peace, and of the Court of Common Pleas for that county. These two gentlemen I name before all others who can have any pre- tensions to the office of Judge of the Common Pleas under the new Constitution ; because they are decidedly men of superior discernment, of minds more improved and still im- proving ; because they are inquisitive, have a taste for reading, and a thirst for knowledge. I do not know that the other Judges can be better chosen than from among the gentlemen who have held seats in the legislature and Executive Council, whom you personally know. The characters of the gentle- men I have described, I think, are drawn with truth. If I were never to see you again, if I were going to quit this coun- try or world, I should freely write what I have here written. " Should you honor me with any questions relative to the county of Luzerne, I shall answer them with pleasure, and with the same candor that I should have given you informa- tion at any period of my life. '' I have the honor to be respectfully. Sir, your most obe- dient and humble servant, " T. Pickering. " Thomas Mifflin, Esq., Governor of Pennsylvania." Colonel Pickering delivered this letter to Governor Mifflin on the morning of August 17th, 1791. This terminated his service under the government of Pennsylvania, in the county of Luzerne. It was his lot to be identified, as an actor and sufferer, with the last scenes of violence and contention, that, for thirty years, had crowded the troublous and tragic history of Wyom- ing. He was sent there to give rest and peace to that LIFE OF TIMOTHY PICKERING. 509 long-distracted valley, and the work was now accom- plished. He encountered the lawless elements reigning there in his own person. Once driven by a maddened and yelling mob, a fugitive, into mountain forests ; afterwards torn from his bed at midnight by ruffians, pinioned, hur- ried to the unknown depths of a wilderness, and kept there fettered for weeks at the mercy of his captors. But his indomitable firmness and courage subdued them. The passions that convulsed that people finally exploded in these outrages upon his person ; all traces of them disappeared for ever ; and law and order were per- manently established. The debt of gratitude due to his memory by that State, especially by the inhabitants of the region on both sides of the eastern branch of the Susquehanna, will be more deeply felt as history fulfils its office. If Colonel Pickering's efi"orts to open roads had been duly seconded by the government, and if his appeals and remonstrances to the General Assembly had been heeded, and the titles to land seasonably and unalterably con- firmed, his correspondence with William Bingham shows that an earlier generation would have witnessed and enjoyed the marvellous development of the mineral wealth of Pennsvlvania.* * Vols. Ivii. and Iviii. of Colonel Pickering's Manuscripts contain all the original papers connected with his labors in organizing the county of Luzerne, with his various and extraordinary experiences there, and his final success in securing the permanent peace and tranquillity of that region ; and also many sources of valuable information as to the remarkable history of the Wyoming Valley, and the controversies and conflicts for its possession, summarily described in a pre- vious chapter of this work. 1^.^ TV -^P n DATE DUE r "} Orr^^. OC"'' ^ ^ ?ftn^ GAYLORD PRNTEDINU^A