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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre repi'oduit ')n un seul clichd, il est filmd d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'imeges ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. errata to I pelure. }n A D 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MM // ///> '-/,/>/// r % M E M () I K S OF AN AMERICAN LADY: WITK SKETriU> OK MANNl^KS AM) ^^CEXES IX AMEKKJA, TiiKY i;ki-tfd I'UEVioi s to the RKVOLUrrOX. l',v MKS. ANNE GllANT, AVTHOH 'IF I l'-n't:ns FROM TUF MOUNTAIXi^, .Sr. wini .\ ]\ii<:m<>ii'. or m us. (Ji; a>; r. r.Y .lAMKS (mJAN T-WILSON. t tsjv,'\; ALBANY: JOEL MUNSELL 1876. I ma: i^ M E IM O I K S i ! -^ or AN AMERICAN LADY: WITH SKETfllKS OK MANNP]RS AND SCENES IN A]\[ERICA, AS THEY EXISTED PREVIOUS TO THE REVOLUTIOX. By MRS. ANNE GRANT, AUTHOR OF LETTERS FROM THE MOUNTAINS, .C-c MEMOIR OF MRS. GRANT, r>Y JAIMES GRANT WILSON. 5^^s^, ALBANY: JOEL MUNSELL 1816. L _./ / rj ./ /;/ r T •u THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED To MK. AND MRS. J. V. u PHUYN OF ALBANY, IN Memo„.o.,u,...vD„sat™kH«™ w SEPTEMUEK, 1875. i C.I ' T v^ ■\ I I P R E F A C E . Mrs. Grant's ]\[emuirs of tin Amcrieaii Lmhi has loiiy; hocn out of print, and it is tliou_ost was our old friend Major Duncan of Linidie,' whose portrait is given in Cooper's Pathjinder, and also by I\Iis. Gi'ant, wiio describes him as an e.\i)evienced, humane, judicious yet obstinate officer, and some- viiat of a lurnorist withal. In her sixtli year Anne \\a8 familiar with the Old Testament, and read Avilh eagerness and pleasure IMilton's Pttrudise ImhI, a poem which has daunted so many youthful leaders, at the outset. Her talen's, in the summer of 1702, attracted the attention of iVIadaine Schuyh^r with whom she resided at Albany for several years, iccjuiring uuring her sojourn among her hospitable friends an additional knowledge of the Dutch language at that day much spoken by many of the best ancient families. A few years alter the conquest of Canada, MacVicar resigned his position in tlie army and became u settler in Veriiumt, where he re- ceived a grant of land from tiie Britisli govern'nent, to whi(;h he made large additions by jiurchase from his brother officers. While heic his worth and agreeable manners wim for him am' his family the esteem of all the neighboring settlers. His career of prosperity was, however, interrupted by ill-health and low spirits, and in 17(58 he decided to return to his native land. Anne acx'ompaiiied her parents, and at the age of thirteen siie left America never to see it again. Unfortunately for MacVicar, he to.ik his departure from the country without disposing of his property, wliicli, upcm the breaking out of the levoiulionary war soon after, was confiscated by the new repub- lican government. He was therefore comiielled to depend chiefly upon his limited pay as a barrack master of Fort Augustus, in Inver- ' Atterwo.'ds Colonel Duiicun, elder brother of I.ord Canipurdowu. -»tp»r 4- Memoir of Mrs. (jrant. XI. ■(f»f » r«.. ness-sliiro, to which position lie liad been appointed in 1773, anil his daugliter was no longer looked npon as an heiress. With her journey from (Jlasgow to tliat place, commences tlie portion of I\Irs. Grant's correspondence which was puhlisiied under the title of Letters from the Mountdiitn. On the first evening after her arrival at tiie fort, she met the Rev. James (trant, tiie military ciiap- lain, an aeeomiilisiied scholar, connected willi some of the lirsl fanuliesof the ilislrict. Her residence at Fort Aui^nistus was termin- ated by iier marriage to this gentleman in the year 1779, when they removed to t lie parish of Laggan, in Inverness shire, to winch ]\Ir, Grant had been appointed. On her becoming the wife (^f a Highland clergyman, Mrs. Grant desired to aid lier husband, but a ditlicidty opposed her progress at tiie out set. Altliough a Mac she was not a Highlander, and slie did not possess tiie most essential passjxirt to a Higiiland heart, a know- ledge of their language. Undeterred, iiowever, by an obsi'ide which few Jjowlanders have ever surmounted, slie. by great application, soon acquired a sufticient knowledge of Gaelic to converse freely with the people in their own tongue. With the ijeltic language sin; studied the manners and feelings of the Higlila.iders, and was soon able to identify herself with the people among whom her lot was cast ; and they on their part a})preciated these kind labors of a stranger with true Highland enthusiasm, and felt that she was their own country- woman in heart and soul as well as in tongue and lineage. Her lines had fallen in pleasant places. In the simple life of a secluded Highland parish, many happy "'nl tranquil years passed in Laggan, and ^Irs. Grant, the mother of twelve children, seemed des- tined to be one of those " of whom Fame speaks not " but " Gentle hciiils rejoice Around tlicir Bteps — till Biluiitly tliey die." "The circles of our felicities," writes Sir Thomas Bniwne, " make short arches." Who shall (piestion the wise axiom of the good old knight of Norwich ? After four successive deaths in her family, Mr. Grant, who was constitutionally delicat;',passed away in,theyear*l 801,' and his widow was left with eight children dependent upon her ex- ertions, while the manse, for more than a score of j'ears her happy home, must be given up to his successor. On cxaniir.ii g their affairs Mrs. Grant found that she had been left in debt to a considerable •The writer recently visited the parish of Laggan where the Rev. James Grant is l)iiried,and he found the good man's memory iiiid ttmt of his gifted wife were still cherished among the descendants of the warmhearted Highlanders, who were 80 deeply attached to them during their tweuty-one years' residence there. xn. Memoir of Mrs. Grant. nmonnt, tlic scale of clericiil and IliijlihiiKl liospifality on which the l)oiisoh()ld had heen conducted, having greatly exceeded the amount of lier husband's moderate stipend. Among her many friends Mrs. Grant liad long heen known as a rvriler of verses, having in her nin'.l'. yar essayed imitation.! of Milton, and composed several songs and poems while rcsiillng on the banks of the CI} de, before the fandly proc-eeded to Fort Angiislus. " I had early,'' sIk; writes, " discovered a faculty for rhyming, scarcity worthy to be digiutied with the name of poeiry. but easy and lluenl." .Mrs. Grant was urged to collect and publish these productions witli a view to aiding in the support of her family, and as an inducenu'nt three thousand subscribers were speedily obtained under the patronage of the celebrated Duciiess of Gordon, one of whose summer seats was at Klnrara near Liiggaii. Tn \H0'.], The If''ihliiiul('r aial other hnms ai>peared in a well printed volume, tlu' profits of which enabler ^[rs. Grant to discharge the debts whici had hung most heavily oi; her mind. Perceiving from the success of her poems a i)rospect of bi'tter maintaining her family by her literary elforts, ]Mrs. Grant sorrow! nlly abandoned the small farm near Laggan, which siie had leased after licr husband's death, and removed to a sequestered spot in the neighborhood of Stirling. Besides her owi) family, including hei mother, she had with her three girls from the West Indi(s,wh() were placed under her care. Her ])ecuniary resources Avere increased by the coi.ii)ensation which she received for this charge, and they con- tinued to be so from a similar source for thirty years. Many young ladies were successively inmates of her family. The number was usually restricted to three or four, ami the dee)) interest she fell in them and the allection which they retained for her contributed greatly to \\(y ha{)piness. The benefit which Mrs. Grant was expected to atl'ord the innuites of her household was chieHy in forming their mind and manners, and at a later period an introduction into the Edinburgh society in which she moved. Among her man}' pupils was the mother of the present Duke of Argyll, and the late Mrs. Douglas Cruger' of New York, with Vihom she maip.tained for nmny years a correspondence terminated only by her death. On on(! oc- casion fne latter came down laie to breakfast arty. The good old lady had, for this joyous occasion, put olf her habitual black dress and robed herself in a salmon-colored satin, and with the rest of the party waved her handkerchief as the king appeared. They all had a good laufjh at my expense, who somewhat notorious for being no lover of kings, was actually detected shedding tears and waving my hand- kerchief, ' like the lave,' as the pageant passed." In 1810 Mrs. Grant removed to Edinburgh, and her residence there was frequented by Lord Jeffrey, Sir Walter Scott, Henry Mackenzie, and other nuignates of the Scottish literary world. The year follow- ing she published her Enn(ii/s on the Snperntition>i of the Highlanders, a work full of enthusiasm for the character of the people among whom she so long resided. So conspicuous was her preeminence in Gaelic literatui'.' by her beautiful translations,'' and by her knowledge of the people, that IIk; earliei volumes of the Waveily Hovels were frequently attributed to her pen. Eightren Hundred and Thirteen, a metrical work, appeared in iiixM ' Mrs. Fletchers Autobiography. * Vide The Poets and Poetry of Scotland, Harpers, 1876. ..■^iWliiiinifitriWiaHtr' Memoir of Mrs. Grant. XV. i»sb*> I 1814, followed bj her last literary production, ontitled Popular Models and Imprcsm-c Warningsfor the S()ti8n?id Davyhtem of Tnduftt)-y, which was published in 1815. During the interval of twenty-three years betweeen the publication of the last volume and her death, Mrs. Grant's literary labors were no longer necessary for her support, but were taken up as recreation. They were confined chieily to the com- position of occasional verses, and to translations from the Gaelic. For one of tiiese, a production of singular elegance and pathos, she in 1824, received the gold medal of the Highland society. Her last poetical lines were written on her eighty-third birthday; " When all my cnrthly treasures fled, And tjriel' bowed down my droopinj^ head, Mor faith, nor hope, nor comfort lied. From bright abodes of peaee and love New strength descended from above. To cheer me like the patriarch's dove. Now, though bereft of motion's powera, I pass no more through groves and flowers. But moveless waste the languid hours, While still iho ethereal spark divine. And inianory's ample store are mine, I :n!ither suffer nor repine. But wait serene the final hour, Appointed by that Gracious Power, Who while those vials seemed of wrath. Shed countless hlessings on my path." No important events varied the even tenor of jMrs. Grant's life or circumstances till the year 1820, when she met with an unforttmate fall which produced permanent lameness, so that ever afterwards she was unable to move about without crutches. Five years later she received from the British government a pension of £100, in considera- tion of her literary talents, which, with the profits of her writings, the emolument from her pupils, and several legacies from friends, rendercid her life free from j)ecuniary cares. In 1827, her long series of domestic sorrows terminated in the loss of her only surviving daughter Mary, a pure and lovely character. A friend who visited her at this period wrote: "It was delightful lo find you in old age, after such severe trials, so supjiorted and strengthened by the power of God — not resigned merely, possessing not the calm benevolence of age alone; but all the kinder feelings in their freshness and fiower, which, beautiful as they are in youth, become so much more deei)ly interesting when we know that care and sorrow have had no power to with-'r them, and that they will soon form part of that crown of glory which fadeth not. If wc could have forgotten the blessings which God has for a time takeu XVI. Memoir of Mrs. Grant. to himself and is rcsorviiii? for j'ou in liis keeping, wc might have thought of j-ou only as one, '• Whose clii'erl'ul day benevolence CDtlearH, Whose nifjht congratulatiiiij conHcience eheerw, The ^'cnenil fiivoiite, as the j,'enerul fiiend." ^Irs. (tranl survived her daughter nearly eleven years, and to the last iier sympathies remained unehilled, and she continned to find pleasure in her converir-ational jiarlies, as well as in receiving visitors, those from Ameriea heing always most warmly welcomed. When my liitiier saw her lor the last time she was little ciiangcd in apj.ear- ance from what her i)orlrait painted eight years i)revious, and from which our engraving is taken represent her, and was iiusily knitting Willi two volumes lying open before her in such a manner that she could turn to either and read, without interrui>ting her accustomed work — when she remarked, " Willie, 1 should not feel any sorrow if I \veredc|irived of all other hooks. 'I'hese will sutlicc for my few remain- ing day.s." aMrs. (Jranl's comi)anions were her Bible and Shake- si)eare. She died at her residence in ."Manor Place, Edinburgh, iSoveml)er 7, 1H;]S, retaining her faculties imimjiaircd to the last, antl so gradually did her life de])art tiiat it may truthfully be said of her in the words of the poet : "or no disieiniX'T. of no blast she died. Hut fell like .Auliinui I'niil, Ihut mellowed Umg, Kven wondered ar because she I'ell no sooner. Fate seenuid to wind her up I'or fourscore years. Yet Ireslily ran she on lour summers more. Till, like a clock worn out in rating time. The wheels of weary life at last stood still." In a letter announcing Mrs. Grant's death to my father, her son says: " .My mother was entirely exempted from pain or suffering of any kind, luidily or mental, and she at last apj)ea"ed to expire in a gentle sluinb(a', leaving her features in the sweetest composure and confirming the assurance she gave us almost to the last that she suffered no pain. ll<'r calmness and tranquility in the prospect of death were what might have Ix'en expected from h(!r firm and blame- less life, and above all from her humble confidence in the i)ardoning mercy of God through the merits of our great Intercessor." Mrs. Grant was buried beneath the shadows of the stately castle of Edinburgh, in what is known as the Auld West^Kirk, and near her last resting [liace is the grave of Thomas Detjuincey. Fnmi her tombstone we recently copietl the following inscription : «< ■ ».mi ' ..Li(li! ' JJig!iJli i a![ > AIemoik of Mrs. Grant. xvii. ■*»-^ I'l Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Anne Graat, Widow of the Rev. Jiimes Grant of Laggan In the County of Inverness, "Who died at Edinburgh, 7th November, 18;58, aged 83. Endowed with the extraordinary energy of mind Her writings Illustrate the associations and scenes Of her eventful lite. Her eminent virtues adorned its relations. Her Ciuistian faith and fortitude sustained Its many severe afflictions In humble submission to The Will of God. m^ Her numerous family of children, for whom she made Most meritorious and successful exertions, was by the will of a mysterious providence All cut off before herself except him who has made This Memorial Of his love and veneration. " Mrs. Grant," remarks Lord Cockburn,' one of her Scottish con- temporaries, " was a tall dark woman of very considerable intellect, great spirit, and the warmest ben(!Volence. Her love of individual whigs, particularly of JoH'rcy, in spite of her amusing iiorror of their principles, was honorable to the heart. She was always under the inllue ice of an atl'ectionatc and delightful enthusiasm, which un- quenched by time or sorrow, survived the wreck of many domestic attachments and shed a glow over the close of a very protracted life. Both she and Mrs. Hamilton- were remarkable for the success of their literary conver.sational gatherings. Their evening parties had the greater merit from the smallness of their houses and of their means." At the age of three score and ten Mrs. Grant began a sketch of 1 Memorials of Ills Time, by Henry Cockburn, London, 1856. ^Author of Cottagers of Olenburnie. 3 I I / XVlll. Memoir of Mrs. Grant. lier life, wliioh contains a rapid view of the principal incidents of her career from her birth down to 1806, leaving the story of the last thirty years of her long and uneventful life to be told by another. This was lovingly done by her only surviving (thild, .John P. Grant, W. S.,' who in 1844 issued a collection of her letters with a memoir, in three volumes. Revised editions of this delightful work appeared in "1845 and 185.'}, also from the press of the Longmans of London. A writer who was well acquainted with Mrs. Grant, remarks in a notice of the work, that " she was a woman of extraordinary ^ood sense, and of uncommon powers of mind ; whose letters, embracing a wide variety of subjects, are as truly vuhiable as those of any other writer, and likely to be of as i)ermanent interest, and to afford as lasting gratification ; but especially of a woman of great strength of character, formed by religious principle and penetrated by religious sentiment, the vital principle of whose moral being was faith in God and immor- tality, whose symi)athiey were warm and dilFusive, and who was full of disinterested kindness." We would gladly quote several passages from unpublished letters in our possession addressed to the late William Wilson and his wife, by Mrs. Grant, who gave her husband's name to their eldest son, and also some marked extracts from the jiublished correspondence ; but as the chorus to Henry the Fifth remarks — " time, numbers and due course of things cannot be here presented." Two good stories how- ever Ave must quote, one of a very handsome and fashionable young gentleman whom Mrs. Grant did not know, who crossed a crowded drawing room, seized her hand and kissed it, " thirty years and up- wards," she says, " alter anybody had thought of kissing my hand," and expressed to her the feeling which her poem, The Highlanders, had awakened in him. The young stranger proved to be Col. D'Este, son of the Duke of Sussex by his nuirriage with Lady ivugusta Murray. ^Irs. Grunt continues, "I must not omit an anecdote better than my own about kissing. A young lady from England, very ambitious of distinction and thinking the outrageous admiration of genius was neaily as good as the possession of it, was presented to Sir Walter Scott, and had very nearly gone through ihe regular form of swooning sensibility on the occasion. Being afterwards introduced to Mr. Henry Mackenzie, she bore it better and kissed his hand in admiring veneration. It is worth telling for the sake of ]Mr. Scott's conmient. He said, ' did you ever hear the like of that English lass, to faint at ' Mr. Grant died Dec. 15, 1870, leaving a widow and four children, two of whom are sous in the service of the British government. t 1' na ■rj i iin'rin 'm mmmmmm Memoir of Mrs. Grant. XIX. the si/^ht of a cripple clerk of session and kiss the dry withered hand of an old tux t,'atlierer' " ' We cannot better conclude this brief memorial of Mrs. Gront than witii the words of 8ir Walter Scott, who thus characterizes her pro- ductions : " Her literary works, although coin])osed amidst misfortune and privation, are written at once witlisinii)licity and force, and uni- formly bear the stamp of a virtuous and courageous mind, recom- mending to the reader tiiat patience and fortitude wliidi the writer herself practiced in such an eminent degree. Her writings, deservedly popular in her own country, derive tiicir success from the happy manner in wbicli, addressing themselves to the national pride of tlie Scottish i"-ople, they breathe a spirit at once of iiatriotism and of tliat candor wiiich renders patriotism unselfish and liberal. We have no hesitation in attesting our belief that ]\Irs. Grant's writings liave pro- duced a strong and salutary effect upon iier countrymen, who not only found recorded in them much of national history and antiquities which would otherwise have been forgotten ; but found them com- bined with the soundest and best lessons of virtue and morality." Jab. GiiANT Wilson. JVeto York, July, 1876. Mackenzie held tlie office of comptroller of taxes for Scotland. £l I TO THE RKJllT HONORABLE SIR WILLIAM GRANT, KNT., MASTER OF THE ROLLS. I Sir; It is very probable tliut tbu fViciuls, by wbosc solicit- ations I was induced to arran_t::e in tbe i'ollowing pages my early recollections, studied more the amuse- ment I should derive from executing this task, than any pleasure they could expect from its completion. The principal object of this work is to record the few incidents, and the numy virtues, which diversified and distinguished the life of a most valued friend. Though no manners could be more simple, no notions more primitive than those which prevailed among her associates, the stamp of originality with wdiich they were marked, and the peculiar circumstances in which they stood, both w4th regard to my friend, and the infant society to which they belonged, will, I flatter myself, give an interest with reflecting minds, even to this desultory narrative ; and the miscellany of description, observation, and detail, which it involves. If truth both of feeling and narration, which are its only merits, prove a sufticient counterbalance to care- lessness, laxity, and incoherence of style, its promi- 'T X X 1 1 . TNSt'UIPTlON. nciit limltrt, I may v«!iit,iir»' to iiivilo you, wlicii you iiiiliciid from tlic UH<'ful iiiid lioiioi'iildc laltopH to wliicli your valuiiMc tinu! in (hivotod, to tnicc tliis t'l'd)!*- dc- rmcation of ill! rxcc'll«'i)t, tliouu'li iiiu'iiilx'HislM'd cliu- ractcr; and of tlic rajiid paci' with wliidi an infant. Kooii'ty luiH urged on its progiH'HS from virtuous sim- plicity to \hv. dangerous " knowledge of good and evil," from tremulous imboeility to Holf-HulHciunt indo- peiuleuoe. To 1)0 faitliful, a Dear Sru, vJTIIKliS as well as you liavu cxjirosst'd a wisli to hcc a mciiioii- of my earliest and inoHt Viiliiahle friend. To gratify you and tliem I feel many indueements, and see many objections. To e(»m]»ly with any wisli of your's is one strong induce- ment. To |)lease niy.self witli the recollection of ]»ast haiipiness and departed Avorth is anothi-r ; and to benefit those into wliose liands this imj)erfect sketch may fall, is a third. For the authentic record of an exemplary life, thougli de- livered in the most unadorned numner, or even degraded by poverty of style, or uncoutlmess of narration, lias an attraction for tlie uncorrupted mind. Tt is the rare lot of sonu' exalted diaracters, l)y the united power of virtue and of talents, to soar above their fellow- mortals, and leave a luminous track behind, on which suc- cessive ages ga/e A'ith wonder and delight. But the sweet influence of these benign stars, that now and then enlighten the page of history, is partial and un- frequent. They to whom the most important parts on the stage of 24 Memoirs of an American Lady. life are allotted, if possessed of abilities undirected by virtue, are too often " Wise to no purpose, artful to no end," that is really good and desirable. They, again, where virtue is not sujtported by wisdom, are often, with tiie best intentions, made subservient to the short-sighted craft of the artful and designing. Hence, though we may be at times da/./ied with the blaze of heroic achievement, or contemplate Avith a [)urer satisfaction those "awful fathers of mankind," by whom nations weie civil- ized, e(|uital)le donunion established, or liberty restored : yet, r^'ter all, the crimes and miseries ot mankind form such prominent features of the history of every country, that humanity sickens at the retrospect, and misanthropy tinds an excuse amid t the laurels of the hero, and the deep-laid schemes of the politician : " And yet this partial view of thinpfs Is surely not the best." — Bu^'iis. Where shall we seek the antidote to this chilling gloom left on the miml by these bustling intricate scenes, where the best characters, goaded on by furious factions or dire necessity, become involved in crimes that their souls abhor? It is the contemplation of the peaceful virtues in the genial atmosphere of i)rivate life, that can best reconcile us to our nature, and (piiet the turbulent emotions excited by " The madness of the crowd." But vice, tolly and vanity are so noisy, so restless, so ready to rush into ])ublic view, and so adapted to afford food for malevolent curiosity, that the small still voice of virtue, active in its own sjdiere, but unwilling to quit it, is drowned in their tumult. This is a remedy, however, " Not obvious, not obtrusive." If WO would counteract the baleful influence of public vice by the contemplation of private worth, we must pene- trate into its retreats, and not be det'jrred from attending '( ^4" Jh If i \ ^ '^k Memoiks of an American Lady. 25 to its simple details by the want of t!iat glare and bustle with which a tietitious or artiticial charaeter is generally surrounded. But in this wide field of s})e('ulati()n one might wander out of sigh.t of the original subj-'ct. Let me then resume it, and i-eturn to my ol>jections. Of these the first and greatest is tlie dread of being inaeeunite. End)ellished facts, a mixture of truth and fiction, or what we sometinu's meet with, a fictitious superstructure biult on a foundation of reality, would be detestabl(> on the score of bad taste, though no nu)ral sense were concerned or consulted. 'Tis walking on a river half frozen that bi'trays your footing every moment. By these repulsive artifices no peison of real discernment is for a moment imj)osed u])on. You do not know "xae\ly Avhich ]»art of the narrative is false ; but you are sure it is not all true, and tlu'refore distrust what is genuine, where it occurs. For this reason a fictit)n, happily told, takes a greaier liold of the mind than a nar- rative of facts, evidently end)ellished and interwoven with inventions. I do not mean to discredit my own ver;H'ity. I certainly have no intention to relate anytlung that is not true. Yet in the dim distance of near forty years,' unassisted by written memorials, shall I not nnstake dates, misjilace facts, .and onnt circumstances that form essential links in the chain of narration ; Thirty years since, when 1 expressed a wish to do what I am now about to attempt, how ditl'er- ently should I have executed it. A warm heart, a vivid imagination, and a tenacious memory, M'ere then all tilled with a thenu! Avhich I could not touch without kindling into an enthusiasm, sacred at once to virtue and to friendshij). Venerated friend of my youth, my guide, and my instruct- ' It will have been st-on by the Memoir that Mrs. Grant was born in 175"), camn to America in IToT, and retnrned to Scotland in 17(»H, at the age of ISJ ; and t'lat slie wrote this worlc in 1808, at the age of 53. 4 26 Memoirs of an American Lady. ress, are tlicn tlio droys of an oiifeoblcd mind, tho worn affections of a wounded lieart, the iniperfeet efforts (»f a decaying memory, all tliat remain to eonseci'ate thy remem- brance, to make known thy wortli, and to lay on tliy tomb the otiering of gratitude ? ]V[y friend's life, besides being mostly ])assiMl in unriiffted peace and prosperity, affords few of those vicissitmles whicli astonish and amuse. Ft is from her rehitions, to those with whom her active benevolence connected lier, that the chief interest of her story (if story it may be called) arises. This includes tliat of many ])ersons, obscure indeed biit for the light which her regard and beneficence reflected upon them. Yet without those subordinate persons in the drama, the action of human life, especially sucrh a life as her's, cannot be carried on. Those can neither a])pear with grace, nor be omitted with ]»roi)riety. Then, remote and retired as her situation was, the variety of nations and characters, of tongues and of complexions, with which her ]tublic spirit and ])rivate benevolenj-e coimected her, might appear wonderful to those unacquaiuted witli the country and the times in which she lived ; witliout a pjvtty < opie resjd'ctalde hoth from theii family and character. Of these tlu' princijial "were the C'uylers, the Scjniylers, the Kenselaers, the DeLaneeys, the C'orthuidts, the Tind)rooks,- aiul the l>eekmans, wh(» have all of tliem heon since distinguished in the late civil wars, either as persecuted loyalists or triumjdiant patriots. I do not precisely recollect the motives assigned for the voluntary exile of jiei'sons who were evidently in circumstances that might aly. Vet thev too l)ore about them the tttkens of foi'nuT alHuence and respectability, such as family |ilate, porti'aits (if llu'ir ancestors e\ecute(l in a superioi' style, and great numbtTs of oi-io'inal paint inys, some (»f which Avere much admired by acknowledged judges. Of these the subji'cls were generally taken from sacred history. I do not recolU'ct the exact tinu', but think it was during the last years of C^harles the Second, th:.t a si'ttlemi'ut W(> tlien ])ossesse(l at Surinam was exchanged for the extensive (indeed at that time boundless) ])roAince of ]Munliatloes,' which, in ("impliment to the then heir ap])arent, was called New-Y(;rk, Of the jtait of that country then exploi-ed, the most fertile and bt'autiful was situated f.ir iidnnd, on the banks of the llutlson's I'iver. This couious and majestic; stream is navigable one hundred and seventy nules from its mouth for Aessels of sixty oi- seventy tons bui'den.- Near ' Siiriiiiiiu was awaidcd to tlic Dutch at the ])('ace oi' ■\Vcstniiiistpr, altur vurious reverses, wliile New York, Ibr wliicli it was excliaiiired, remained quietly in the hands of the Eufrlish. 'J'lie two nations however continued for more than a century to make Uuiana a i)oint of attack in time of war. — M. " Tlve tonnafje of the ancient p1ooi)s liaa been somewliat incn-ased. Tlie sloop in whicli ('apt. Stewart Dean sailed from Albany to China in 1785, was 80 tons. The government made imimnemeuts in the ^' V Meajuirs o]' an Amkrtcan Lady. 29 T tlic licad of it, MS ii kind of barrier ;it!;;iiiis( tlic ii!ili\('s, smd a any. .After the neeessai'v ]ireeantion of erectinu' a small stock- aded fort foi' security, a church was i)uilt in the centre of till' intended town, which served in dill'ei-i'Ut respects as ;i kind of laud-mark. A <4entleman of the name of IJeiiselaer ^\■a^; considi'i-e(l as in a niamier lord paramount of this city, a preeminence w iiicli his successoi' still enjoys, both with rci^'ard to tlu' town and the lands adjacent. The oi-iu,'inal pi'oprietor lia\ inn' oi)tained from the hiu'h and minhty states a urant of lauds, which, bet;'iiniinu' at the church, extended 1wel\c miles in e\ i-ry direction, forminu' !> manor of twenty- four Dutch miles in length, the sanii' in breadth, iuclmline', lands not only of tlu- best (piality of any in the ])ro\iiiee, but tile most happily situatt'il liotli for the purpose of c()m- merce and aurienltuic. This yreat prf>prietor was hxtked up to as nuu'h as republicans in a new country coidd be supposed to look up to any one. lie was called the ])atroou, a designation tantamount to lord of the manor. \v{ in the distribution of these lands, the sturdy l)el_uian spirit of iiidc])en(lence set limits to tin- |)ower and profits of this lord navifration of the river ni'tor Alhiiny bccanu) a jiort of entry, so that sclioonersof 200 tons were enaliled to reach tht; city, and tlie Rochester steam l)oat, the larjrest vessel licensed at tliis port in lf>3G, of nearly 500 tons, made trijjs at low water. At a later day the Isaac Newton of 1400 tons was put on the river, and renewed efforts to increase the ui)ward flow of the tide, in 1800, added nearly two feet to the snrface. The altitude of Albany beinj? but six or eifrht feet above that of New York, there are at all times three tides in the river, so great is the distanc(! they have to ascend before leachinff their utmost limit. — JA 'It does not a])i)ear what name the Dutch may have (riven the locality. It was often alluded to as the Fuyck. Oraiije is Dutch, but Fort Orange is English. I liave not seen it elsewhere called Oranien- huvfr, although that would be a proper name — the city or fortress of Orange. — M. 80 Mkmoiks of an American Lady. :r of tlio forests, as he micfht tlicii hv called. None of these lanl.lins aloiiL;; the risci', with hdundless liberty of woods and ]»asturaf;e, to the westward. The terms were, that the lease should hold while water runs and o'i'ass ij^rows, .'ind the landlord to receive the tenth sheaf of evi-ry kind ol" urain the <;r(»!!'id pnxluces. Thus ever ac- commud.'itini'the rent to the 1'ertilit v of the soil, and chantjes of the seasons, yt)U may sujtpose the teii;ints did not greatly fear a landlord, who couhl neither remove them, nor lieighten their rents. Thus, without the |>ride of property, they had .all the independence of ])roprietors. They were like (Jerm.'in princes, who, after fui'nishing their contiugvnt to the emperor, might make war on him when they chose. in'sidcs the profits (yearly augmenting) which the patroon drew from his ample possessions, he held in his own hands an e\tensi\(' and fruitful demesne. Vet preserving in ,i great measure the simple and fi'ug.al hahits of his aiu-estors, his Avealth was not an object of envy, nor a source of cor- ru])tion to his fellow-citizens. To the northward of these bounds, and at the southern extremity also, the 8chuyler.s and C'uylers held lands of their own. liut the oidy other great landholders T remend)er, holding their land by those original tenures, were I*hili])s and Cortlandt ; their lands lay also on the Hudson's river, h;df Avay down to New-York, and were denomi-iated Phili])s' and Cortlandi's manors.' ' Pliilipsc, (ir Pliilipson, a distintjuishwl and wealthy Dutch I'aniily. In 1074 a valuation of the estates of the principal inliahitanta of New York was nuirle, wlien that of Fi jderick Philipisen, the hiffliest, was valued at 80,000 florins. A portion of this manor was sequestered by reason of the defection of the owner in the revolution, who fled to En^rland, and was allowed hy that government about three hundred thousand dollars as compensation for his loss. The whole of the ori- ginal property was at a later day estimated at over three millions of dollars. The Cortlandt manor is still in a measure intact, and known as such. — M. & Memoirs of an American Lady. 81 At the time of the first settlinej <»f the ("^Mititrv the Indians were numerous and powerlul all alont; tlie river ; hut they consisted oi wandering families, wlio, thougli they affixed sonu' sort of local boundaries for distinguishing tlie hunting grounds of each triho, could not l»o said to inhabit any )»lace. The cool and crafty Dutcli governors, being unable t«) co])e with tlu'in in ai'uis, |)urchased from them tlie most valuable tracts for sojue ]»etty c(»nsideration. "^riiey aifecte*! great friemlshi]) for them ; and, while conscious of their own weakness, were careful not to provoke hostilities ; and they, silently and insensibly, established themselves to the west. CIIAPTEK II. TiiK Five Nations — John and Phii.ii' Schvyj-kr. \J^ the ]\[ohawk river, about forty miles distant from Albany, there subsisted a confederacy of Indian tribes, of a very different character from those mentioned in the ))re- ceding chapter ; too sagacious to be deceived, and too [tow- crful to be eradicated. These were the once i-enowncil Five Nations, wliom any one, who remembers them while they were a peoj)le, will hesitate to call savages. Were f/tii/ savages wlio had fixed liabitations ; who cultivated rich fields ; Avho built castles (for so they called their not in- commodious wooden liouses, surrounded Avith palisadoes) ; who planted maize and ])eans, and showed considerable ingenuity in constructing and adorning tlieir canoes, arms, and clothing? They who had Avise though unwritten laws, and coiulucted their wars, treaties, and alliances with dee]) and souml imlicy ; they whose eloquence was bold, nervous, and aninuited ; whose language was sonorous, musical, and II 82 Memoirs uk an Amkrican Lady. (.'\|>i'('ssiv(' ; wild |)()ss('ss('< seem to he aware of. This littU.' trihnte ti> the memory id' a ]ieo]iI(' who have hccn, wliik' it sootlies tlie jtensivt' reeoUections of the wi'iter, is not so foi'eiuii to the snhjt-ct as it may at iiist ajuiear. So nnieii of tile ]teaee and safety of this infant eommnnity (h']»i'nde' the •oufid ence M friendshijt of tliose \ ainahle allies. From the time of the ureat reiiellion, so ninny English refugees fretineiited Holland, that tlie langnnge and manners of oni- country hecame i'amili.ar at thi- Hague, i»artienlarly among tlie s ta(hl, older's }»arty, >\' leii th irovmce o 1" iS'ew York fell under Xhv Uritisli dominion, it liecame in'ces- sary that i'veryl»orinci|>le, carricil them far beyond the petty and narrow \ iews of the rest. Ilahituated at home to centre all wisdom and all happiness in commercial advantaijes, they would lia\i' heen very ill calculateil to lay the fonnda- tiiii of an infant state in a (rounti'v that afTorded plenty and content, as the ri'ward of iiwhistry, hut where the very nature of the tei'ritory, as well as the state of society, pre- cluded orcat pecuniary ac<|uisitions. Their ohject here wa^ tamiiiif savaj^e nature, and makiny- the lioundless wild sub- servient to aijricultural pui'|>osi's. ("omnu'icial pursuits were a distant prospect ; and befoic they became of con- 8e(|uence, I'ural habits had n'l'eatly chiiiifed the character of these repidtlicans. Rut the commercial spirit, inherent in all true IJatavians, <»nly sle])t to w:diiiiiiiinil \ , llial ;i (r;|i|('MH:iii niit'lu in I lir-c (|;i\ s ;|sk ;in\ \\:i;m lir . ll To It'luni lo lIlC' si'l I li'llli'lll , wlllill rVhlnilU <>v\ri| ils M'cunI \ lo I In \\ imIoiii 1 >r 11^^ icihi ll '■. \\ Im> :iI W :i\ s :n In! on (ln' siiii|i|(' iii.i\in\ li'Ml lioiH'siN IS (lif Im'sI |io||(\ ; scvciiil iMllcs iiorlli lioiii All>;i!i\ :i i oiisnlri ;il ' ijr iMissrsMoll, <';illrt| tin' l''l;il--. \\;is iiili.'ilnlt'il li\ ( oloinl I 'liili|i Scliii \ It r, one ol the ino^l i'nli!>.lilt'ii*'|)|a\ t'l I inlc.l willioiil cocrt ion or Icnai lii^lit. Ilcpos M"^soil (his vi>('(ii's ol |io\vrr in no t'oiiinion dearer ; liis intlnrihc. uilli thai ol his hrol hrr ,1 ohii ScIiiin Icr, ■ vasiA- i'lh'tl to roiuiliaU' the \> ainli'iiiii; trilu'sol' linliaiis ; ami hv ' It in:i_v l>i< worth uiitiny- that ("nptuiii Musmi'V, who coiimmiiilrd iIiIm ni>iii't1".'i(i\(' cDiiipaiiy tor niaiiy vnuH, was the lather of Mrs. I.enox, an iin>s(inialile eliarai'ler, well Uiiownlor lier literary |iri)iliietiieenir .lohnson — Mrs. (iriiiil. '•' This allusion is Id Tol, I'liilip I'ieterseii van Selmvler. the pm- j>eni(er of those lieariii^ the name here, ili' sellietl llie linuwery ealled tlie l'"la!s. einlMacin;^ a part o\' W Cst 'Iroy, ami eMeiulinji- to the l>atr.>on's tarm below. .\ lar;.;e port ion of this ancient plat still reinaiiiH in the oeenpaney ot' his ileseeinlants. lie dieii March !•. HiS I, ami was buried under the elinivh which stood in Stale street at its inlersectii)ii with Broadway, a privilege that was accordeil to siieli as were ipiali- tied by their standing, and who were willin;i- to pay the lee presi ribt>d tlieret'or. -- M. '■' .loliannes Schuyler was not the brollu-r but the son ot I'hilip, and thi' father of Mmiaine Schuyler the American Lailv.-- M. X M IMHlliS Ml. \N ,\ MIIIM \N |(M»V. »r> l.'iir liMllit', |iii III' liMi \\;i'. ;i limlir, :iiii| liy f:iii IiImciI ihul ill!', IIk'N :ill;iiiii':i||| I I I in I ( IK milH, I III' < (||ii||i|;m'im"; >i| I III' IllKf . ' || ip| l.iUlh llic I'l ill I 1 1 i |i I l| ;irlii;iliil In islihui' ilniiiitiiniis ; .lll'l lllf riM rii;ir|ill|M .|i|||| i>| | |i|' |,.,m||,.^s iiiiIium I»i;';iii tii ili'<<'\ n il I'M ill liii'i ilii i(- III I In iiii'.'iiil »<(|(iii\ . ,\ mul i\ »• III! w liii'li I iiiilil iiiiirr III' til' n i\ I'l I'll, |ii (KKCKHinir ;i> l|ii'\ i|ii| .'iID'.'kIn IIIIK II IIKili' ll'||i|ii|\ lli:ill lllt'\ will' :ili|l' |ii\ llii' ,Mii|i;i\\k llilics-, llir [iiilii \ i ,{ cnmliiiL!, I lii'ii- ;illi;iin'i', ;iin| iiii|ii r' 'imr lln'ir iniinh willi ;im (•\;illril idr.i of t\\c |Miwrr :iinl 'j i;iiii|riii mI' llir I'.iili h im- [lirc, Itrriimc (ili\iiiiis. I cjiiilinl ici'i i| IitI llir n;iim''ir ihc X ' 'I'lir I l'(ii|l|(iiH, nr \'"l\r Nlll inilH, I'OliHiHl I'll ut llli' M'llill VvKh, ' )li'|i|liM, OlHIIIlJMJillH, ('liyiliMlN, aillj Sl'lll'CllH. It, WIIH | iT' ll ill I ll V ^Uf lllllMIIH lliiit Mt'H. Ui'iitit IiimI ill iiiiiiij iiH t III' iiiilii^oiiiHlH lit till' Ni'vv V'lik In- iliaiiH. 1/. ' 'I'lm l>miinlni'irH mI' I'iii'iiim iiiuI triictH Wft'i^ (|iiitc iiiili-linlti', (infj hm IJii'V lirraini' rnltivnli'd nil I iucch of tin' (li'Mcriiii'ii IioiiikIh iitti'ily ri-MHrrl In ill- (liHtiii^riiiHlinlilr. l''or' iiiHtiinci', ii larm imw in lln; liiart, fiC till' rity nl Alliaiiy, IcaHriJ liy tin- |i(il rnnii tn iHaac, ('aH|iarH<: filial, was Inaar llic Hon of ('an|iar llahnlx'ck} in tliiiH cicwrilmd in flic JcaHc : ImniKlfil on llin iiortli l>y lln- plain iiiid tin' liill , on tlic cant, livtlic HW'aiii|), on till' Hoiilli hy llic Kcvcr kil, and on tlic wcHt, liv lii.- woodw. Nolliin^ now iTniaiiiH l>iit. llic rrcck lo murk tlic l»oiindaricH of tliiH friicl, and lliat in iir<'lici| over and lined as a hcwit. 'I'Iic liill wuh lonj; hIiicc leveled, the HWiinip filled in iind liuilt. upon, and llic wo(k1h cleared up, nnd tlic area occii|)ie(l hy HtrcetH and ii deiiHf! population. — M. 1^ 86 Mi;.MnlltS OF A.N A M Kit KAN liAMY LTiiN t'limr Ml tills I line lull \\linc\('i' lit' \v;is, lit', MS well MS tilt' Sllffl'Ct lint; r oiif \ISllt(| lilt' '«t II It'llll'lll Ml AJltMIIV, It) tthscrvc its wise it'^iilMtitms, mikI i,'rti\N ini; |ir<>s|it'ril\ , miuI til N'MTii iKMviiiis 111' siniiiil |n>lify iVnin tlmsc wlmst' inlt'i't'sts Mini IiM|>|'iiii'ss wt'it' iImiI) |iiiiiiiiili'il liy lilt' |irM('lii'(' nl' it. ii. ClIAlTKi; III. CniuNKI, Srill VIKi; AMI i'i\ i: SaiiiivMs visn Ivm.i.wh — 'riii:ii! lki;ri;i'iiiiN ami |{i:iri!N. XT wmh IIkiIIhIiI .•|ilvis;ilili' 111 liiiiiij; n\ry soiiu' nf llit' lic.'iils i>r llit'trilit's ti) MiiucImiiiI In Mll.ifli llu'iii IoiIimI foiiiil i_v : lull 111 ]i('rsiiai|(' tlic iliicrs ul' m iVcc mihI li!i|'|iy |it'ii|ili', wlm wcri' iiilcllin'ciit, s;iii;icitiu.s, .-mil ;i\\;ii(' ul' mII |iniliMlili' ilMiiLCt'i's ; wilt) wtTc st r;iiiLr*'rs Id ;iI1 tlic iii:iiiliiiu' ciniccnis, ;iiiil liMil iicNcr lit'lu'lil till' iici'.'iii ; tu iktsiimiIc such iiidc- ]ii'iiiU'iit Mini liiu'li-niimU'il WMrrims to rtu-sMkc tlif s.it'i'ty :iiiil I'lijiiynit'iits df their uwii enuiitry, \n fiifiiiiiilcr the jicrils III" M iniiu- \oyM!j:t', Miiil fnist iIh'imsi'Im's :iiiii)iin- fiitirc strangers, ;iiiil this iiicii-Iy tu liiiiil closer an Mlliaiicc with tlu^ soviTcij^u of a ilist.'int coiint ry — a I'oinalc so\ fn-ion too ; a motU' of <;d\ iTiinu'iit that imisl Iim\i' M]i|K'Mrt'(l to tlu'in very inconyriioiis ; this was no coiiiinoii uinicrtakiiis;, imr was it easy to induce these ch.. is to accede to the jiro|iosal. The iirincijial motive for inuiiit; it was to coiiiiteract the maehiiiMtions of the French, whose emissai'ies in these wild reji'ioiis hatl even then heijnn to style us, in elVect, a nation of shop-keeiiers ; and to ini|iress the trihes dwelling in their boundaries with vast itleas of the power ;iiid s|ilentlor of ihc'w !/)'(( /id riioi(((rqii('^ while our sovereign, they saitl, ruletl over a petty island, and was himself a trader. To coun- terwork those suggestions, it was tliouglit requisite to give the leaders of the nation an adequate idea of our power, X 'W\i Mli.MOlHS OK AN AmKUKAN LaKV. 37 m i Mild lilt" iiiriLrniflct'iicc nl" uiir cnuit. Tlii' rliirl's nf IniLjtli < oiiscfiti'il, *>ii lliis only ciiiKlitinii, tliMi tlifir hrnilicr l'liili|i,' \nIiii tit'vt'i- t<>|<| a lie, or s|Mikc witliuiit tliiiikiiii;;, hIhmiM afcuiii|tMiiy tliciii. Ilnwcvcr this Lfciitlciuairs wis- \' life, at oncf |iastnial ami |>al liai'i-hal, to I ia\ cl (iNcr seas, sisii cuiifts, ami iiiiiiiric in the liii>lh' ul' a wnrlij, the ciistniiisor w hi el I were iM'tMnnc I'nrcinii ti» I hose |iriiiiitiv(' iiihahit.'iiits (if new ami itiiiutc rcnioiis. 'rin- a\V('\ cr, siict'ccdcil l»ry<»ml his ('\|M'ctal inn ; t he cliicrs were pleased with the attention |»ai(| llieni, an 1710, fonducted thtse natives to Knjrhind, nrrivinjr'here in the time of C^ueen Anne and tint Spectator. On tins occasion Ids full leiijrtli portrait w^is ]>uiiited, and is still preserved umonj; his descendants at the Flats, an en}j;ravinjf of which is here f^riven, and some i)iea8ant allu- sions ans made to the event in Portrait of Col. I'ieter Schuyler, painted the Sl)ectator of that time. — M. in England, 1710. »ia i »iii l MUi ii:aaMi'iiic('ss ; she ofVcfcil to kniii'hl him, which he respect fully, hut |M)sitively refused: ami heiut;" |iresse(l to assiijii his reasons, he sailendid, and to them incomprehensihle si^'hts, the (piick shiftiuii' of which i-ather tends to harass minds which ha\(' enoun'h of n.ative sti'enu'th to reflect on what they see, without kiiowletlg-e sutHcient to comprehend it. It is to this childish auil in- judicious mode of ti'eatinu,' those uncivilized l)eings, this mode of r.ather e\t(»rt inj;' from them :i tribute to our vanity, than taking the neei'ssary p.ains t(t infoi'in ;ind improve tlu'm, tliat the ill success of .all such expi'rinu'nts since ha\e heen owinu". Instead of endeav(U'in -f* i. M KM OIKS OF AN AmKKICAN LAiiV. 30 to liis hojj^s aiitl liis cocoas. Except sucli as liii\ c I'c'.'ii piv- vioiisly inoculated (a i»rccaiitioii wliich voya^iTs liavc r,ir(>lv had the prudence or liunianity to taki'), there is scarcely an instance of savages ]»rouo-|i1 to Kuropethat have not died uf the small pox ; indiu-ed either l»y the int'cction to whicli they are exposed from the indiscrimiiiale crowds ditiwn about them or the alteration in their hlood, wliich unusual liet, li- , and trimmed with broad silver laci' ; which was probably an heirloom, in the faiiiilv, presented to his father by his n-ood ally, and sister, the female kino- of England.' • King Hnuliick, born KISO, killed IT.").") at the l)iUt]c ot' Lakcticorsjc as is well known, was not sovcrcijrii ol' the Fivo Nations, l)ut was a chief ol'tlio Mohawk nation, who had liccn invested with tlic title of kinj;, an nnusual term for a leader aiuon^ the Indians. Possibly ;i; it was anotlier warrior sinii- "\ larly accoiitered that Mrs. ,i , (o'aiit saw at a later day; tor ^x altliouyh Kino- Ilendrick re- - turned witli hucIi a costume, and liis iiortrait was jiainted in it in Kn^laiul durintr his Kingllondrick. visit, he hud lieen a short tiino dead when Mrs. Grant arrived in the country. — M. e'fl .Ml s(:.>mii.'aewmsKimsSKatj 40 Memoirs of an American Lady, T cannot exactly s.-iy liow long Colonel Scluiyler :uh1 his companions staid in England, bnt think they were neai'ly a year ahseiit,' In those ]»riiMeval days of the settlement, when onr ]>i-escnt rapid modes of transmitting intelligence were unknown, in a eountiy so detached and inland as that at Albany, the return of these interesting travelers was like the tii'st ligliting of lamps in a city. CTFAl^TEH TV. Cor.ONEL SciIUYLEU AND THE SaCIIEMS LiTERARY AcQia- SITIOXS ]\rA.\NEKS (»K THE Se'ITLERS, X ins sagacious and intelligent [tatriot thus brought to the foot of the British throne, the high spirited rulei's of the boundless wild, who, alike heedless of the jtower anressed tiu'in : and the mighty people whose kindness had gratified, and whose })0wer had astonished theui, whose populous cities swarmed M'ith arts and commerce, and in whose floating castli's they had rode safely over the ocean. I ha e seen a volume of the speeches of these Mohawks presei'ved by Colonel Hchnvler ; thev weiv literally trauslaled, so th.at the native idiom was pri'served ; which insteail of a]>peariug uncouth, seemed to add to their sti'cngth and sublinuty. When Colonel tScluiyler returnt'd fi-om lOnglaud, alxnit H 1 II « I K I H 4^ Memoirs of an American Lady. tlie year 170!), his nii'ce Catulinn. ' the subject of this nar- rative, was about seven years old ; he hail»le and a few Calvinist ti'acts of the devotional kind. l>ut in the infancy of the settlement fi'W girls read P^nglish ; when they did, they were thought accom])lisluMl ; they generally spoke it, how- ever, imperfi'ctly, and fi'W weiv taught writing. This con- fined education ])reclude(l elegaiu'e ; yet, though there was no polish, there was no vulgai'ity. The dregs of the people, \vho subside to the 1)ottom of the mass, are not only degraded by aV)ject i)overty, but so utterly shut out from intercourse with the Munv enlightened, and so i'aid;le(l with eiivv at feeling themselves so, that a sense of their condition gradu- ally (lel)ases their minds ; and this degradation comnunii- cati's to their maimers, the vulgarity of which we complain. ' Ciitalina was tlie yoiiny no lucniis call vulgarity. At the same time tliesi' imem- l)eUishe(l females had nioi'e comjtreheiision of mind, more variety of ideas, more in short ol' what may ItecalU-d origin- al thinking, than couhl I'asily l»e iniauinefl. Tlieir thoughts wei-e not like those of other illiterate wonu-n, occupied by the ordinary details of the day, and the gossiping tattle of the neighlM)i'hood. The life of new settlers, in a situation like thi><, where the very foundations of society were to be laiil, w;.. a life of exigencies. Kverv individual took an interest in the general welfare, and contributed their respect- ive shares of intelligence and sagacity to aid plans that embraced important objects relative to the comnu)n good. Every (hiy called foi'th some new (>xi)edient, in which the comfort or advantage of the whole was implicated ; for there were no deurees but those assi<;ned to worth and in- tc llect. This singular community seemed to have a common ■; • "k, not only of sufferings and enjoyments, but of inform- ation and ideas ; souu' ])re-eminence, in j»oint of knowh'lain, and not subject to the caprice of fashion. The wolves, the l)ears, and the enraged or intoxicated savages, that always hung threatening on their lK»undai'ies, made tliem more and more endeared to each other. In this calm infancy of society, the rigors of law sle])t, because the fury of turbulent passions, had not awakenetl it. Fashion, that cai)ricious tyrant over adult communities, had not erected her standard ; that standard, to which the lot)ks, the language, the very opinions of her subjects must be adjusted. Yet no person ajtpeared uncouth, or ill bred, I 44 Mi;.;i(iiits OF AN Amhiucan' Lady 1>CH'iiusi' there was no accomplislicd staiKlai'd of coiuiiarison. Tliey viewed no superioi' witli leai' or envy; and treated no inreriof witli eonteinpt oi- cr'ielt y ; siTvility and insolence wei'e t litis eini.'dly unknown ; ))erlia|is lliey were less solici- tous either !o please or to shine than the iiit iii'wi'rs of more polisheil societies ; Iccaiise, in the lirsl place they liad no nioti\c' eitlier to da/zle or e accounted a happy one. 1 may be toid that the virtues 1 describe wi're chiefly those of situation. I ackiiowleiln'c it. It is no more to be expected that this ecpiality, simpru-ity, and mod- eration, should continue i a more advance(l state of society, than that the sublime t raiuiuillity, and dewy freshness, Aviru'h adds a nameless charm to the face of iiaturi', in the dawn of a sumiiu'r's morninii', should continue all day. Ind'cre increased wealth and extended ti'rritory these " w assel days ' (piickly receded ; yet it is pleasintj!; to in(luli;-e the remembrance of a spot, where peace and felicity, the result of a moral I'xcellence, dwelt nudist urbed, for, alas ! hardlv t<>i" "'i eenturv. F I r, AfKMOlRS r,V AN AmKRK'AX LaDY. 18 I / C'lIAlTKi; V. Si AIM <>i' Ki:i,i(;ioN amonc rin: Si;rii,i:i;s — Sivin* ii oi' iiir, SiA I !•: oi' S()( iiriv AT Ni;\\ ^'(tI!K. J. .Ml ST liiiisli lliis ui'iicriil out line, l)y sayiiiii" ^<>iiu'tliiii<; oi that religion wliioli i^avi' slaWility and clVcct to tlic virtues (»r this iiil'aiit society. Tlu'ir I'eliuioii, tlu-ii, like their orii^inal national eharacler, had in it litth' of t\'i'\(ti- or en- thusiasm : tiieir manner of pert'onniiiLt religious duties was re<;uhir and decent, luil cahii, and to more ardent imagina- tions miLrht appear mechanical. None ever douhled of the li'reat trutlis of revelation, yet few seenu'il to dwi'll on thi' result witli that lively deliuht which devotion produces in minds of ki'cner sensibility. If their piety, however, was without enthusiasm, it was also without lii^'otry; they wishecl others to thiid< as tlu'y did, without showiiit; raiicoi- or contempt towards those who did not. In many individ- uals, whose lives see!iied y'ovenied l»y the priii(^ij)les of reliii'ioii, tlu' spii-il of devotion seemed to he (piiescent in the heart, and t<> break forth in exigencies ; yet that mon- ster in iiatuie, an impious woman, was never heard of among them. Indi'c'd it was on the females tliat tlie task of religious instruction generally devolved ; and in all cases wlu-re 'lie heart is interested, Avhoever teaclu's, at the same time learns. Hefore I (piit this sultject, I must observe a singula)' coincidenci' ; not only tlie training of children but of plants, such as needed pecidiar care or skill to rear then'^ Avas the female ju-ovince. Kveiy one in town or country had a garden ; but all tlu' more hardy plants grew in the tield, in rows, anii:il:iils Mini sweet lifilis, cuciimhefs, etc., were only Milinittcil iiiti) tlic u:Mry any iiu'ans calcniatcil for walkinu" in. I think I vet see what !ha\cs<» often heheld l)oth in town and country, a ies|iectal»K' mis- tress of a family yoin;;- out to lu'r yardeii, in an April nioniiiiu-, with her uicat calash, lu'r little |iaintcd haskct of si'cds, and her rake over her shoulder, to hi'r iiartU'ii laliors. These were l»y no rieans tiy-urative, " l^'rom iiior^i till noon, from noon till ilcwv ('V(\" A woman in very easy circumstances, and ahiiiidaiitly <;-entle in form and manners, would sow, ami iilant, and rake incessantly. These fair uanleiiers tot) were i^rcat Horists : tlu-ir emulation and solicitude in this iileasinu; em- ployment, did indeed |noduce "• Howers worthy of I'aradise." These, tliouuh not set in "curious knots," were ranifed in beds, the varieties of each kind h\ tliemsehcs ; this, if not varied and elegant, was at least rich and u,-ay. T<> the Scluiylers this descrijttion did not apjtly ; they had gar- deners, and their gardens were laid t)Ut in the European manner. Perhaps I should reserve my description of the manner of living in that country for that period, when, by the exertions of a \'v\v humane and vulightened individuals, it assumed a more regular and determinate form. Vet as the same oiitline was j)reserved through all the stages of its progression, I know not hut that it may be the best to sketch it entirely, before I go further; that the few and simple facts which luy nan•ati^•': aifords may not be clogged i it 11 MkMoIUS (»F an A.MKIUCAN La1»V 47 -ft- ^f ^y t'XplMn.'ilioiis I't'hifixc to tlu' citstoms, or miy other |i('cii- li;iriti('s wliicli c'lii only l»i' uiulcrstood l)v ;i |)r('\ious ;ic- (|ii;iinf:iii('(' witli tlic ii;itiii-i' of the coiiiilry, its |iolitic;il rt'I.'itioiis, ;iii(l tlic iiiMiiiU'i's of the |ico|)lc : my rccolU'i-tioii all lliis wliilc lias hi-cii merely conliiuMl to Albjiiiy Mini its pfecincts. At New York tlieri' was always a ujoveiiioi', a few t i'oo]is, and a kind of ;i litttle court kept; there too was a mixed, and in some decree, jtoi'shed society. 'I't)tliis the accession of many i'amilies of I''rench huifonots, ' rather ahove the mi-Idlini;' rank, contrilmted not a little : those conscientious exiles had more knowledi;'e and piety than any otlicr class of the iidiahitants ; their reliuioii si'cmed iiidce*] endeaivd to them what they had siifVere<| for adhcrinu' to it. Their number ami wealth w is such, as enabled them to build not only a strei't, but a very respect- able church in the new city, hi this place of worship ser\ ice continued to be cclel)ratcd in the I"'rciich lanijuai^e within my I'ccolh'ction, though the oriu,iual couii'i-eii-ation was by that time much blended in the mass of general society. It was the custom of the inhabitants of the upper si'ttlemeiit, M'ho had any pretensions to sujterioi- ctilture or polish, among which numbt'r Col. Schuyler st<»od foremost, to yo once in a yeai" to New York, wlu're all tlu' law-court, wei-e held, and all the im[)ortant business of the pi'ovince trausacteach side, the middle beiuL;; oi-cupied by juiblie. I'diliees. These consisted of a mai'ket ]»lace, a liMiard house, !i town hall, and the KnoTish and Dutch churclu's. The Kniilish church, iK'lonyinu- to the episcopal persuasion, and in the diocese of the bishop (tf London, stood at the foot of the hill, at tin' upper end of the street. The Duti-h church was situated at the bottom of the descent where the slri'ct tei'ininated ; two irregular streets, not so broad, but ecpially Ion*;, ran parallel to those, and a few e\ en ones openeil between them. The town, in ))ropoi'tion to its population, occupied a ijreat space of rrround. This city, in short, was a kind of semi-rural establishment ; evei-y house had its garden, well, and n little green behind ; before every door a tree was planted, rendered interesting by being coeval r » y as >ls or •ul MllMOIItS (U' AN A.MKKKA.N Ii\l»Y 49 It *-* with soiiu' Ix'Idvcd incmUcr nf tlic ramlly ; iniiny ol' their tri'i's were of a |ir(>iliuiotis si/.e and extraordinary Ueaiity, hut without reyiilarily, every one jihintinix the kind tliat hest |tleased him, or whicli he thoULjiit wouhl alToid tlu! most ale sliade to the open portico at his (hior which was surrounded l»y seats, and ascende(l by a lew steps. It was in t hi'se t hat each mesiic yi-oup was seated in summer oveninijs to enjoy the l»aiiny twiiii^ht, or serenely (dear mooidiylit. Mach family had a cow, I'eil in a common l)astiire at the end of the town. In the evenintj they re- turned all tou'ether, of their own accord, with their tinkling hells huiii;' at their nin-ks, aloni4' the wide and grassy street, to their wonted shelteriuij trees, to he milke(l at their master's doors. Xothiii!^ could he moi'e pleasintj to a simple and heiievolent mind than to see thus, at out,' view, all the inhabitants of a town, which contained not one vi'ry rich or very |)oor, veiy knowing' or very itfuoi'aut, very rude or vi'ry polislu'd individual ; to see all these children of natui'e I'ujoyint^ in easy indolence, oi- social intercourse, " Tlic cool, tht! t'rajrnint, luul the dns/.y liour,"' ch)theil in the plainest liahits, and with minds as undisguised and artless. These pi'imitive beings wcvv dispei'setl in j)()rches gi'ouped according to similarity of years and inclin- ations. At oiu' door young mat rons, at another the eldi'i'S of the people, at a third the youths and miiideiis, gaily chatting or singing togetlu-r, while the children playeil round the trees, or waite(l by tlie eows, for the chief ingre- dient of their frugal supper, which they generally ate sitting on the steps in thi' o|)en air. This picture, so familiar to my imagination, has led nu' away from my pui'pose, which was to ilescribe tlu' rural economy, and modes of living in tliis patriarchal city. At one end of the town, as 1 observed before, was ;i common ])astnre wlu-re all the cattle belong- ing to the iidiabitants grazed together. A never-failing instinct guidetl each home to her master's door in tlie even- 50 Mi;miiii;s ok an Amkisican Ti\i>v. 'i I i iiii,', wliciT Im inn- ln'Mlt';ilily ii<'C('>is;ii y I'T r.ittic in this country, llu-v piilicntly wiiilfl lln' iii;^lit ; ;in;isliirc. At tlif .it lwi- cml of llntown was a rcitilc jilain aloni;- tlic lixt'i', tlircr niili's in Icn^tli, ami iH'af a mile hroad. This was :ill iliviilcij into lots, wht'i-c fvci'v inhahitant raised linlian coni snllii'lcnt I'oi' the foot! of two or thiTf slaves (t he greatest niiniher t hat each I'ainilv e\»'r |>ossesse(l), ant! lor his h(»fses, pii^s, ami jionltfy : their llonr ami ..tln-r yrain they |nirchase.| I'loni iarnuTs in the vieinitv. Al>o\e the town, a lonn' slceteh to the west- ward was oeiiipied liist hy sandy hills, on whieh u'few l»ill>erri«'s of nneonimon si/.e and llavor in |>rodiL;ions (|min- tities ; heyond rise hein'Iils of a |>oor hnni;ry soil, thinly covered with stunted |>ines, or dwarf oak. ^'el in this coni|tai-alively barren tract, there wi'i'c scvi ral wild and |»ictures(|ue spots, whefc small hrooks, lunnim: in dee|» and I'icli bottoms, nourished on their hanks e\fry \ ciictahh' Iteauty ; there some of the most industrious early settlefs had cleare.l the luxuriant wood from these charmint;' little li-Iens, ami huilt neat cotta«j,-es fcU" their slaves, surroumled with little gardens ami orchards, sheltered fi'oni every hlast, wil(''y i.ictures(|ue, and richly itro.luctivc. Thosi' snndl se(im'stered vales harsc for s(une fatal duel in which lu" hatl been enuajictl ; ami considered him as an idolator bi'causi' he had an ima.er being ready to worshiit him for the sanctity with whii'h my im- ^> ■ >• t \ T Mkmuihs oi an Amkkhw I,\iiv. r.l MLCiiiiitioii iiivolcil liiiii, mikI iM-ititr cniclly \ri|| Ijlit'l'tv to lllr I'liililiTIl (il llic r.-llllilv ••ll h(>|i)|;iVH ' • • _ • • » :iiiK. XN (ln' sitcicly I mmi (Icscrihiiij;, cNrii llic i|;irk asjx'cf df sl.'iNci-y \\;is sDrtciicil iiitii:i smile. Ami 1 nnisl, in jnslicf to the Ix I |iu.s>^il»lc m;is(«'rs, s;iy, tlmt :i m'c;it ilc'il <>\' tliiil lr:im(iiillily ami cnmrorl, tncall it Ity nu liij^'licr name, wliicli (listinijMisliecl \]\\s society iVnm ;ill otlicrs, \v;is owiiiLj to the re! a I inn l>et ween master ami ser\ ant l»ein^ l)et ter iinle so lia|i|»y in scrvilmie as the (Inmcslicsnr the Albanians. ()ne reason was (for I do not now speak of tlie virtues of tlic'r masters), that e.ich family hail few of them, and that there were no field negroes. They would remind one of .\l»ralianrs servants, who were all horn in the house, wliich was csact ly their case. They were l»a|»ti/ed too, and shared the same reliifious instruction with the children of the family ; and, for the first years, there was little or no iliU'ercnci^ with regard to j'ood or clothing bctwc'cn their children and those of their masters. When a negro-womairs child attained the age of three years, the tirst new year's day after, it was solemnly pre- sented to a son or daughter, or other young relative oi" the .;, :J I ! Q'^ Memoirs of an American Lady family, who was of the same sex witli tlie chiM so proscnted. The child to whom the yoniijr noufro was <;i\ni immcdiatt'ly invscntcd il witli some piece of money and a paii' of shoes ; and from that (h-iy the strongest attacliment subsisted Ix'- tween tlie (h)mestic and the destined owner. I ha\(' no where met with instances of friendship more ti'n(U'r and generous than that whicli here subsisted between tlie slavi's and their masters and mistresses. Extraordinary proofs (»f them have been often given in the coui'se of hunting or Indian trading, when a voung man and liis slave have gone to tlie trackless wooti/-e(l M'ith the same baptism, nurtured under the same roof, anlU'iit servants, w(dl knowing servitude to be their lot foi" life, and that it ct>uld only be sweetened by making themselves particularly useful, ami excelling in their depai'tment. If they did their work well, it is astonishing, Avhen I ri'collect it, what liberty of speich was allowed to those active and prudent mothers. They would chide, rei)rove, and expos- ! .«a^ T I wasvisrxm^:j: -Tj .-^'.i j^r-f*.- I .tOv Memoirs of an Amkhk'an Lady, 63 tul.'ito in a inainuT that wc would not endure from our liiro(l servants ; and sometimes i-xert fully as much author- ity over the children of the I'amily as the jiarents, eonseious that tlu'V wei'e entirolv in their power. Thevdid not crush freedom of speech iind opinion in those l»y whom thevknew they wei-e Iteloved, and who watched witli incessant caro ovi'r their ini"i'est and cond'ort. Affectionate and faithful as these home-l»re(l servants were in ii'eneral, there were some instances (l)ut very few) ()f those who, throuL!:h levity of mind, or a love of Tuptor or finery, hetrayetl their trust, or hahituallv neii!:leut the terrihle sentence, wliich they dreaded worse than death, was jiassed — they were sohl to Jamaica. The necessity of doinu: this was bewaiU'd l)y tlu' whole family as a most dreadful calamity, and the culpi-it was carefully watchei' sensible that servitude, hojx'less, landless ser- vitude', could exist with so little servility and fear on the one side, and so little harshness or even sternness of authority in the other. Tn Kurope, the footing on which service is ]»laceuti'd io the example of their su|»eviors. But how se- verely are those sui»eriors iitniished? Why this general indill'erence al»out honu' ; why are the household gods, why is the sacred hearth so wantonly abandone(l ? Alas! the charm of home is jlit iiotliinij reinaincd for tlu-ni but to liylilcn tlic cliains of their fellow C'liristians, after liaviiiLj made tlieiii such. I'his I neitlier ''extenuate/'' nor "set down in inaliee," but merely reconl the fact. At the same time it is but justice to record also a sinuuiar instance of moral deliea^'V tlistiuyuisiiinn' this settlenu'nt from every other in the like circumstances : ti)ou<>h from their simple and kindly modes of life, tlu'y were from infani-y in habits of familiarity with these hund)le friends, yet bein^ eaily taught that nature had placed between them a l)arrier, which it was in a high di'gree criminal and disgi-aceful to pass, they considered a mixture of such distinct I'aces with abhorrence, as a violation of her laws. This greatly con- duced to the preservation of family happiness and concord. An ambiguous race, which the law does not acknowledge ; and who (if they have any moral sense, must be as much ashamed of their part'uts as these last are of thi'm), are '\i- tainly a dangerous, because degraya spurious and ambiguous race of this kind. l>ut of a mulatto born before their ai-rival I oidy remend)er a sinirle instance : and from the regret and wonder it occa- sioiied, considered it as singular. Colonel Schuyler, of whom I am to si)eak, had a relation so weak and defective in capacity, that he never was intrusted with anything of liis own, and lived an idle bachelor about the family, in process of time a favt)rite negro-woman, to the great olfence and scandid of the family, bore a child to him, whosi' color gave testimony to the relation. The boy was carefully educated ; and when he grew uj*, a farm was allotted to him well stocked and fertile, but in "depth of woods em- braced," aljout two miles back from the family seat. .\ destitute white woman, w ho had somehow wandered from 56 Memoirs of an American Lady, the older colonies, wiis induced to ninny liini ; and all the branches of the family thought it iiicund)ent on them now and then to |»ay a ((niet visit to Chalk (for so, for some nnknown reason, they always calleil him). 1 have heen 'n Chalk's houwe myself, and a most comfortahle ahode it was ; but considered him as a mysterious and anomalous bcin<^. I have dwelt the longer on this singular instance of sla- very existing (h'void of its attendant hoi'rors, hi'cause the tidelity and alfection resulting from a bond of union so early fonned between master and servant, eontrihuted so very much to the safety of individuals, as well as the gen- eral comfort of society, as will hereafter ai)i)ear. 1 CIIAPTKR VIII. KniCATION AM) KAIM.V HaIUTS OK THE AlHANIANS. XlIK foundations both of friendship and still tenderer attachnu'uts were here lait ly it- ill Ine Ibe ler • ^ tlioy were vott'il in, or altaiiUMl tlicir invi'iniiu'iicc by a tacit ackiiowkMlyiiu'iit ol" tlicir siipi-riority, I know not, but bow- ever it was attained it was never disputetb 'Die eoinpany of iittk' ebibb-en bad also tbeir beads. All tbe cliiblren of tlie same a,!i;e were not in one company ; tbere weri! at least tbree or four of e(|iial agi's, wbo bad a strong rivalry witb eacli otber ; and cbildren of dilferciit ages in tbe same family, belonged to ditfcrent companies. Wlicri'xcr tbere is bunian nature tbere will be a (U'gree of emulation, strife, and a desire to lessi'ii otiiers, tbat we may exalt ourselves. Dispassionate as my friends comparatively were, and bred uj) in tbe bigbest attainable i-andor and innocence, tliey I'cganled tlie company most in comi)etitioii witb tbeir owi. witb a degree of jealous animosity. Kaidi company, at a certain time of tbe year, went in a body to gatber a jtarticu- lar kind of berries, to tbe bills. It was a sort of annual festival, atti'iidi'd witb religious punctuality. Kvi'ry coni- ])any bad an unifoini for tbis |)urpose ; tbat is to say, very pretty liglit baskets made l»y tbe Indians, witb Inls and bandies, wbicb bung over tbe arm, and were adorned witb varicms colors. One com|)any would never allow tbe least degree of taste to tbe otber in tbis iustanci' ; and was sure to vent its wbole stock of spleen in decrying tbe rival bas- kets. Nor would tbey ever admit tbat tbe rival company gatbered near so miicb fruit on tbese excursions as tbey did. Tbe parents of tlu'se cliiblren seemed very inucli to encourage tliis manner of marsballiiig and dividing tbem- selves. Every cliild was permitted to entertain tbe wbolo company on its birtb-day, and once besides, during wintir and spring. Tbe master and mistress of tbe family always were bound to go fi'om bome on tbese occasions, wbile some old domestic was left to attend and watcb over tliem, witb an ample ju-ovision of tea, cbocolate, preserved and dried fruits, iiiits, and cakes of various kinds, to wbicb was added cider or a syllabub, for tbese young friends met at four, and did not i)art till nine or ten, and amused tbemselves witb i| lf \t 1 ( L 1 AS Mkmoiks oI' an Amkhk'an I-ahv I lie ulnntsl oMit'ly MihI rrrcildiii in :iiiy w.iy llicir r:iii«v ;uiv is vwv n ilicsc iiK'cliiij^s : oilier cliildrcii or vomii:; |>('nl lliere, where amhilion, \anity, and the more Inrlmlenl |tas- sioic were scarce aw akened ; where pride, foiinded on '»irtli, oiany exii'rnal |»rei'minence, was hardly known; and where llu' alVeclions llourished lair and vii^'orous, unchecked Iiv tlie thorns and thistli's with which our niimls are cursed in a more advanced stale ol" I'elineinenI, alVection restrained |iarents I'rom keeiiiiiu" thcii' children at a distance, and in- tliclin<; harsh imnishments. IJiit then tlu'y did not treat them like apes oi- jiarrots ; hy teachinj^' them lo talk with l)oiroweany, t»r rejicatinu their sayings. They weic tendt-rly I'herished, and early ta\iuhl thai they owed all their enjoy- nu'uts to the di\ine source of henelicenci', to wht>m they Wen- liually accountahle (ov their actions ; lor the I'csl they wei'c vi'ry muih lel'l to naturi', ami |u'rmilted to range about at full liberty in their I'arliest yi'ars, covered in suninier lA'^ ■aa3*t.coc«tr- MmMmIKS HI' AN A Mill! I< AN LaI»V. nit \\ i( It soiiir sli^lil :iiiil s of llirir |i;ii-»'iits witli Midi lender .'ilTeeliun, tlinl lliey I'e.ired ii,i\iiii:; llniii imiii ;i> iniicji Jis oiirs wereolten williil :iiid u'idfly ;il ;i certain anc, llic ;^iils l»ein<^ ^ooner t;iiiied and domcsticaled. Tlicse youths vere a|il, whenever tliey could carry a ^iin (\vlii<'li they did at a very early |»erio(|), to I'oMovv soin.- fa\ oritc iieLfi<» to the Woods, and, while he was employed ill Iclliiiu,' trees, raii^e the whole day in search ol lvalue, to the neglect of all intellectual ini|irov cineiil, and cimlract a love minutes, from the keen north winds which hhtw constantly for four or live montlis over vast frozen lakes and snowy traets, in the? direction of Canada. "^I'lie snow too lies very deep ; but Avheii once they .are visited hy the south wind in ,Marcli, its litenilly vvanii approach diss(;lvt'.s the snow like magic ; CO Mk.moiks ok an A.MKiiic \r' Lahv. i .'111(1 one never sees :iiit)tlier wiiilry "liiy till tlie season of cold returns. Tliest- soiilliern winds seem t<> flow in ii rapid em rent, uninlerni|>(ed l»y nionnlains orotlui i'ltstaeles, IVoni llie Itiiininuc santls of llie l"'I(tridas, ( iedr.da, ;nid llieCaro- lin.MS, and hi'int,^ willi tlien: .a dei^ree of \\aiiMt!i, tlial aiiiieai's nt» more llie nalur.al result ( I" the situation, tli.ni tlie intense cold ot" winliT does in that season. .Mont; (lie se;i h.anks, in .all tlies«' southern provinces, .are low sandy Lands, th.at never were or will lie inh.al>itetl, co- vered with the lieia-ydx'.ai'ini; myrtle, iVoiu which w.ax is e\tr;u'ted lit lor candles. IJehiml these h.anks .are wot)ds and nnwholesouu' sw.anips (if i;re.at extent. The myrtle proves fornu-rly mentioue(| alVord shelter and food to count- less multitudes of pii^eous in winter, when their IVuit is in season ; while wild ifeese .and ducks, in muuhers nearly as yrt'at, pass the winter "u tin- impcaiet r.ahle sw.anips behind. Some lime in the month of April, a <;ener;d eniii'iation t.akes pl.aee to the northw.ird, lirst of the L!:eese and ducks, and then of llu' pigeons ; they keep tl ' dii'ectioii of tlu' se;i eo;'st till they come to the nmutlis of ihe ureat rivers, .and then follow their course till they reach the i^reat hakes in llu' interior, wlu-re nature has |»ro\ided for them with the same lihi'rality as in their winter h.aunts. On tlu' hanks of these lakes tluae ari' laiiic tracts of uroiind covered with .a pl.aiit talh-r and more luxuriant than the wild c.aiM'ol, l»nt sometliinii' resembling' it, on tlii' seeds of which the pigeons feed all tlu' summi'r, while they .are bree\al falls nut at the times nl' the \e;ir that tiie wcatiier (even in liiis serene climate) is !j,-enerally clnndy. This nii;j;ralin!i, as it passed i»y, neeasinned, as I said lieinif, a total relaxation from all ein|ilnyments, and a kind of drunken ,U,"aiety, tlionnh it was rather slan<;'hler than sport ; and, lor aliovc a fort nin'ht, |iin<'nns in pies an" lishers tracetl the couise of the stnr- H'eon up the river, followed them l>y toi'cli li^ht, and oft<'n continue(l (wo niu;lits upon the water, never retnrnini; till they had loaded their canoes with this valuahle tish, and many other very excellent in their kinds, that come up the river at the same time. The stnru'eon not only furnislied them with n'ood part of their food in the sunnner months, but was pickle(l or drie(l foi- future use or exportation. darken tlie iitTiiospherc like a ]iassui{j cloud, have lonj; Hince rcnscd to be witnessed in the valleys of tlie lhidf«)n and the Conncctieiit. (leese. and ducks alsoappear in diminislied numbers, and are more freciuently heanl nudvi:si t i!i:s ok 'mi; Inkian Ti; adkijs. I 1 I 1 O I't'liini to llic l»i>ys, MS all yomin" men were callccj linu^ till tlicy inairicij. Tliiis cai'ly trained In a Ihnc of sylvan s|i(trts, tlieir characters were nni'oldeil hy contingencies. In tliis infant society penal laws lay dormant, and evei'V s|>»'cies ol' coercion was nnknown. .Morals. I'ounded on C liristianily, were fostered l»y tlie SW( ft inllnence of the charities of life. 'IMie revei'cnce wiiich cliildren in |iarticnlar had foi- ijicir parents, and the vouny in n'eneral for the old, was the chief bond that held society toirether. This veneration heinjj: founded on esteem, ceiMainl\ could only lia\i' existed thus |)owerfully in an un- corru|)le(| community. It had, howe\cr, an auxiliary no less ^towerfid. Here, indeed, it miji^ht with truth he said, " L'n-t! lircath'il hi.s iiifiuit sijriis from aiiiruisli freo." Tn cons.'(|U"nce of this sinn'ular mode of associatiujx to- getlu'r little e^clusixc parties of cluidren of both se.xcs, wiiich has been already nu'Utioiied, endearing intimacies, formed in the a^e of ])layful innocence, were the precur- sors of more tender attachnu'iits. Tlu'so were not wrouuht up to romantic enthusiasm, or pxtravaijant passion, l)y an iuMained imaiiilMli:issi(iii. Of love nut fed l»y liojic tlicy liiul not :in iilca. Tlicir ;it- tiiclmu'iits oriotli jiarties nut, and with y'reat e:ilmness consulted on what was to he done. 'I'he father of the youth or the damsel, which ever it was who had most wealth, or fewest children, hnmj^lit homo the yoiino-coiipl" : and the new mariaed man imnu'diately set :il»oiit a tradiiiii' adventure, which was re- newe(| every season, till he had the means of providiny* ii home of his own. .Meantime tlu' increase of the youiigor family did md seem an inconvcnieiice, hut rathei- a source of delight to the old people ; and an arraiie-emeiit l)e(»r. When one of tlie hoi/s was deejdy smitten, Ids f(»wliiiu;-|>iece ami tishiiii; rod were at <»iice relin((nislii'd. lie demanded of his father forty or at most fifty dollars, a iiejjjro hoy and a canoe ; all of !i sudden he assumed the Irow of care and solicitude, and lu'i^an to smoke, a |irc<' ution ;il)solutely lu'cessary to repel au;uisli d:iiii|ts, and Iroiil lesoine insci-.ts. He arrayed himself in a hahit very little ditl'erins^f from that of the aho- i'ii;ines, into whose hounds he was about to |>eiietrate, ;ind in short commenced Indian trader ; that strange ;iini»hibious animal, who uniting' the acute senses, stronj^ instincts, and uncoiKjUcr.able |iatience and f(»rtitude of the savatije, with the art, policy, and inventions of the European, encountt-red, in the pursuit of jj;ain, dangers and ditHculties etjual to those described in the romantic legends of chivalry. The small bark canoe in which this hardy adventurer embarked himself, his fortune, and his faithful sf/ta'ir (who was generally born in the same house, and predestined to his service), was launched amidst the tears and prayers of his female relations, amongst whom was generally included his destined bride, who well knew herself to be the motive of this j)erilous adventure. The canoe was entirely filled with coarse strouds and blankets, guns, powdei, beads, etc., suited to the various wants and fancies of tlie natives ; one ]»eriiicious article was never wanting, and often made a great part of the cargo. This was ardent s|)irits, for which the natives too early acquired a relish, and the possession of which always .. «? \ ■saSHiMWtlpiOWH* mmmmmmm. MllMOIKS OF AN \mi;11I<'AN liUiV, 65 \ \ ;ri)\«'.l (l.intjorous, runl snnicliiiu- f;it.il t<> tlw tnulors. Tlie Mohawks biiiiLrini' tlnii- tins iiinl dtlitr peltry l):il)itii;illv to '. he sfnrcs of ilu'ir w onii',! jriiMids ;ui< aho\e AH'ativ, \v hei'e thiH-e ! M . Ts, ' unit ini; their stre;iiii^ into one, ihc'h o\ era I'ockv sliel I", •tnd t'aliinij into a null' helnw with i;'ri at \ ioKiK-e, raise '•Mid* of niist hedecked wit h >| ilcndi' I laiuhows. This WaS tn»' liiiliieon which tlie\ h.id to pn^s iieldrc 1 hev |ilnnifed .pf«i paihli'--- W'Mid-, innuliiliiiiii' ;-wani]is, and l.^kes, the oj»- |.io^it|iort in the >aiiu' Mianiter. I'his u:e; l>nt i |Mc;inle to Jahor- and daie^ci-, incredihie to Intse who dw ■ II at ea^c. I'lirthei on, much h'un'er can\ iny; . ' id -N lie(|uently le'uri-cd • wdicrc ilu-s had the vessel and L. lo. dra^ ihrouuh thickets impcrx ioie> to the dny, ■ icdiniT with snakes and wild leasts, whicli aie always '•«■ i'lMind on till.; side of the rivers.' ' ti IK 'iuiilcr illy iilxi'ii iiii-l foiiiiiiig iimiicriniH islaiKJH, anioti^ whirl' tin' Aiiicriran arinv ci)ii>inicti'tl fnrtiticatinnH ot Qurtli, to further iiii|.ei|i' the |ir'ijri,.HH f)f the Hritiuli army, if it slumld force the Aiihriruii iiuesnt Si:I!\>aier. I'races (»t these eariliwiuks arc Htili diHtiii;^ui"ihai>le eii Vua ScUaick's nc! Haver IslaiiiiH — M. ranee aiK' porso irape, Ir- »»i>ri i.iii"<«l ill those \<)vaatroiis, it was not in tliat easy and safe direction that tliese tra-dint^ adven- tures extenchMh The canoe generally steered nortliward towai'ds the Canadian frontier. Thev i)assed hv the Hats and stoneliook in the outset of tlteir journey. Then com- menced their toils and dangers at the famous watei'-fall calleil the Colioes, ten miles a1)ov>> Albany, where three rivers, ' uniting tl.eir streams into one, dash over a rocky shelf, and falling into a gulf helow with great vit>lence, raise clouds of mist hcilecked with splendid I'ainhows. This was the Ivuhicou which they had to pass before they plunged into }>athless woods, ingulphing swamps, and laki's, the op- posite shores of which the eye i-ould not reach. At the Cohoes, on account of the obstruction formed by the torrent, they unloadetl tlu'ir canoe, and cai'ried it above a mile further upon theii' shoulders, returning again for the cai'go, ■\vhich they were obliged to transport in the same manner. This was but a prelude to labors and ilangei's, incredible to those who dwell at ease. Further on, nnich longer carrying places fre<|uently recurred : wlu-re they liad the vi'sscl and cargo to drag through thickets impervious to the dav, abounding with snakes and wild beasts, which are always to be fonml on the side of the rivers.' ' It is lii'/mr th(! Colioes I'tills that the Mohawk brcomcs several strcnins, and (ichouchcs into the Hudson at four points, after nieander- injjf about and forniing numerous islands, nnionfr which tiu' American army constructed fortifications of earth, to further impede tiie pro^rress of tin; Uritifih army, if it should force tlie American lines at Stillwater. 'I'races of these earthworks are still distiinruishablu on Van ScUaick's and Ibiver islands — M. ' Theae ancient mj'uheers, witli wonih'rful perseverance and courage, were forced in tliost; voyii<;es to breast the (h)wnward and devious current of the Mohawk, with its rifts, falls and portages, descend into Uneida lake, and follow its outlet to Oswego ; course along the wind- ing shores of Ontario and Krie to Detroit ; up that river to St. ("lair ; T 66 MEMOIRS OF AN AmKRICAN LaDY. Tlicir provision of food was noccssanly small, for fear of overloadiiiLj tlic slender and unstable convevance already crowded with goods. \ little dried l»eef and Indian corn meal was their whole stock, thonyh they formerly enjoyed both plenty and variety. They were in a givat measure obliged to de])end u]ton their own skill in huntinu,- and fish- ing, and tlie hospitality of the Indians ; for hunting, indeed, they had small leisure, their time l»eiiig sedulously i'niploye7 a. lis U' of ic ■J^S ((uontly IomiUmI with tlio luiinid cvajMn-atioii of swiiinps, ponds, ;uiil i'i'»liiii(liilit vi'i^t't.'ltioii. llriv tlie axe iiiiist he iii:;Miii ciiiploycil to procure tlio materials of a larj^c fire even in the wannest weatlier. This |irecantion was neces- sary that tlie tlies and musqiiitoes inis Mi;m(»ihs (»k an Amkimcan Lamy. UTfi'ii, met tlu' cyt' svliicli ever \v;iy it liinu'iil iiii|ii'ii('i nililc ; at Icnsl tliis was I lie iiii|»r('ssi(»ii it was r.ki'Iy to iiiakf on an lMifo|ican mind ; Ii;"! a natixc American, I'amiiiai" from cliildliood with llic |ii-odiiclions and inlial)itaiits of the \> oods, sonnlit tlir nnts and wild I'rnits with wliicli tlicy al»oiunli'd, the nimlilc s(|nin('I in all its varird forms, tlu' aicliitcct hcavcf, tlic savauc racoon, and tlu' stately' ii\, wlicrc we should sec nothini:," hut awful solitudes untrod hy human foot. It is iiicoucei\ alile how Mi'll tlu'se younii,' travelers, taught hy their Indian friends, and the e.\ I teri mental knowleilp' of their fathers, understood evei'y soil and its |troductions. A l»oy of twelve years old would astonish yon with his accurati' InUowKmIoi of plants, tlu'ir pro|>erties, ami their relation to the soil and to each other. " Here (said he), is a wood of red oak, when it is " uruhhed up this will Ite loam and sand, and make i;-ood "Indian corn ground. This chestnut wood ahounds with "■ st rawhei'ries, and is the very hest soil for wlii-at. The " poplar wood yonder is uot worth clearinu" ; the soil is "always wet and cold. Tlu'ri' is a hickoiy w<»od, where " the soil is always rich and deep, and does not run out ; " sut'h and such plants that dy»' hliu', or oranyc, gr(tw under "it." This is merely a sliijlit epitome of tlio wide views of nature that are laid ojien to these ]>eople from tlu'ii' very infancy, the a('(|nisition of this kind of knowled<;'e being one of tlieir lirst anuisenients, yet those who were capahh' of astonishintj you by the extent and variety of this local skill, in objects so varied and so i-omplicated, never heard of a petal, I'orolla, or stinina in their li\es, noi* even of tlie strata of that soil with the pi-oductions and pioperties of wliicli thoy were so intimately acquainted. Without compass, or guide of any kind, tlie traders T 7 '^ ,. ^. ...... ^^-,.y,... Mkmoiks or AN Ami;iu(.\n L.Ahv (i!> is re I re .r (I lie of rs steeled tlifiiiit;li these |t;itlilcss lun'sts. In tlmse t^lndiiiy (lays when tin' snn is not \isilth', nr in winter, when the l;iilinn" snows ol)xenreil liis lie;inis, ihev ni;i(h' :in incision on tile Imrk on tlie dilTei'ent si(h's of ;i tree; th;it on the north \\;is in\ ;iri;ili|y thicker thnii tli<' other, ;iiiil coxcred witli moss in iniicli !;,re:iter (|ii:intity. And tiiis ne\('i- t':iil- ine; indicMlion of the |>ol:ir inllneiice, w.i- to those Mi<;;;icious travelers a siillicieni li'iiidc. Tliey liad indeed several sul»- ordinate monitors. Knowintr so well as thev iil the Kiiropeans, l>y the force of had example, and strong' li(|iiors, seilnceil them from t heir wonted prolnty. ^ et from the first their notion i>f jnstice Mid revenee was of that va"j,'iie and n'ener.-il nature, that H" the\ considered themselves injured, or if on< i>f their Irihe had iieeii killeil liy an inhaltitaiit of anv one of our set I leineiits, thev con- siilered any individual of oiir nation as a |irope|- siihject for retribution. Tiiis seldom happened amonv. (tiir tradiTs to (K-mI with Imli.iiis, mmioiil'' wlittiii llic l-'ifiicli |inss('ss(Ml a (It'i^i't'c 111' i II 111 It '1 let', wli it'll |)rt)tliif('i| a snititlicri'il aniiiiositv to Kiirnalitiii. NN'lit'ii at Iciiiilli, after ftiiii|ii('i-iii;' iiiiiiihfflt'ss iil)>tafl('s, tlif\ arri\t'(l at tlif idafc of tlifir ilcs- tiiiatidii, tlifsf (lariiiu' ath fiit iirtTs ruiiinl tn-fasiini I'dt ih) little atjtlress, patieiife, aiitl iinleeil t■()||^a^•e, hefore tliey fdiiid (lis|it>se 1(1' llieir eart^ti, ami reliini safely with the |irt>lits. '['he Ml' r'es>riil tratler hail iitiw laiil tiie rt>iintlalit>ii of his I, i II. tinl a|i|ii-ovetl hiiiisell' wtuthy of her {'t>r Avliose sai . Miiiteretl all these tlall^■e|•s. ll is utterly iiiettji- eeiv, , lifA even a silicic seasmi, spent in this manner, ri|teiiei| the imiii '. and ehanu'eil the winkle a|>|iearanfe, nay the very eliaraeter of the et)iiiiteiiaiiee i>f these ileini-savat;es, for siifh they seem mi retiirninii' fi'Diii ainonti' their friemls in the forests. Ltifty, setlate, ami etdleeted, they seem masters of themselves, ami inde|iemlent tif tilliei-s ; thoiinh siin-l)nrnt and anslei-e, t)ne searee knows them till they unheml. Uy this Indian likeness, I ilo m)t think them by any means tleo-railetl. One must ha\i' seen these |H't)j)lo (the Imlians I mean), to liaxc any itlea what a mtlik' animal mar. is, whih' iinst»|iliistifated. I ha\i' lieeii t)fti'n amnsetl with the tleseri|itit)ns that |»liilt(so|)liers, in tlu'ir elt>sets, wli<» never in llieir lives saw man but in his improved or (let>ratletl state, i"ive t»f iiiieivili/.etl people ; md recolleeting that they are at the same time niieorrnptetl. \'t)yagers, who have iitd their lann-uasiV, and mendy see them traii- sientlv, to wtunlei ami lii' wtmtlered at, ai'c etpially strangers It) the real eharaeter t(f man in a st)eial, thoii<,di iinpt)lisheil state. It is lit) erilerion It) jmlue of this state of society by the I'tiaminu- savages (truly smdi) who are nu t with t)n these iniiosjiitable coasts where iiahiri' is niiry'arti'v of lu-r <;'ilts, and where the skies frt)wn continually on 'ler Inird-fiitod chihlreii. Ft>r st>me n'ood reason tt) us mikmiwn, it is retpiisite that human beiiii^s slit)ultlbe scattered through all NrilMoIItS i)V AN A.Mi:i!I('.\N LaI)Y 71 ■rs, kiM- «rs icn '>y 'SI' ts. l(Ml IS ill I h;iltilal)l(' spMci', "till L;r:i('iX'(|itioiis. Ot' (lie class ol" social liciiiys (i'or such iiiilccd they were) of whom I speak, let us j IK life from the t I'aileis who know tlieir lani^Miane and customs, and tVom the ailo|i|ed prisoners who have s|>eiit yi'ars amoni:,' tliem. How une(|uivocal, how consistent is the testimony tliey hear to their humanity, frien(lshi|t, for- titude, fidelity, and ixeiierosity ; hut the indul^'nce of the recollections thus sunL|,('sted have already led me too I'ar from my sul»jeet. The joy that the return of these you'' ■ occasional was projtortioiied to the anxiety their |ieriloi. jf. uev had |iro- diU'cil. In some instances tlie union > the I'rs imnietli- ately took |ilace heforethe next care- ■ o| •••linful hardshi|is coinnu'nced. Uiit the more cautious -w . t > New \'ork in winter, dis|iosed of their peltry, pi -liasiMl n lai'Lfer earyo, and another slave and camx'. 'i'he < year they laid out the ]»idtits of their fornu'r ail ventures in tlour and pro\ isions, tiu' stapii' of the province ; this they disposed of ;it the Hermuda islands, where they <;eni'i-ally pur<'hased one of those liii'ht sailing", cedar schooners, for huildini;' of which those islanders are famous, and pritceediui;' to the leeward islands, loaded it with a carijo of rum, suyar and molasses. Tl ley were now ripenei 1 int o men, and consn lere.l IS act i\ t' and useful memhers of societv, iiossessinu' a stake in the common wea The youne; adventurer had sjjenerally tlnishe(l this pi'ocess hv tlu' time hi' was one, (U' at most, two ami tweiitv 11( now married, or if married hefore, which pretty often was the case, hroiioht home his wife to a house of his own. l^^ither he kept his schooner, ami loailiiiii; her with protliice, sailed up and down the river all summer, and all Avinter taiiH'd in exchange to more distant settlers ; or he so •h d I ii'i", purcnased i^^iiropean t;'(>'»ieil by their |)ossessions at homo f 1^ mnim immmmm» Mi;mihus (if an Amkiucan L.M)Y. I A m1 . ^ Hi't uiit ill tlu' saiiU' iiiiimur ; :iii|o|ri/t'il Inr ;mv Mclificncv iii vnin- ('iiltTt.'Uiinu'iit. DiiiiuT, wliirli was wry ciiilv, was scrvcil cxactlv in the same maimer as if llicic wen- only llw lamily. TIm' Iioiiso iinh'i'il was so cxniiisiti-iv iical ami well rtifiilafcil, tlial voii coiiiil not surprise them ; aixl they saw eaeh other so I'l'teii iml so easily. thai intimates maMe no dilVerenct or straiiLjers thev were shv ; not hv anv meaii> I'loiii want ot' lios|iilality, Iml from a eonseioiisness that |teo|ile who had little to value tlu'Miseht'S on hut llieir knowleduc of the .h .1 modi's ami eeremomi's ot |iolisliei| lile, ilis|ik»'i| their sin- ct'rity, and des|tised their sim|tlielty. If you showed no in- solent wondi'f, hut easily an<] (|uielly adopted their manners, you would reeei\ (' from them not only very Lfreat eix ility, hut much I'ssential kindness. \\ hoe ver has not common sense and eomimtn i;ratitude enou plain and unceremonious dimier, which mii;ht, l>y the l>ye,ehanceto he a very anie<| hy various si»rts of cakes unknown to us, cold pastiy, and LTi'cat (|uantities of sweet- nu'ats and ]tresei\ imI fruits of v.irious kinds, .and jilati's of hickory and other nuts ri-ady cracke(| In .all mamu'r of confeclioiM'i'y and pastry these peopU' excelleil ; and havinir fruit in threat almnd.anci', which cost them nofhini;, and Ufettiiig su<;ar luune ;it an easy rate, in reliirn for their exports to the West Indies, the (piantity of these articles used in families, otherwise plain and fruLjal, was astonishing. Tea was never unaccompanied with sonu' of these petty articles ; l>ut for strangers a yri'.at displ.ay was made. If yoti staid supper, you were sure of a most substantial though I iiniiirTi n|iTiMWiMiifc Mkmoius t,K \N Amkkkan Lady 7.-i III 1)1' lir ■•I Is «1 n plain on<'. [ii this incal tlicy )l<-|i:irt(>lirit y. Ilaviiii; diiifil Itt'twct'ii twelve ami nnc y<»ii were t|Mit(' |irf|iarcil I'm' it. Villi liail fit Imt ;^aiiM' *>i |n>iiliiy mMvicd, mnl a!\vays slicll- tisli ill t he season : yoii Iia. All tills with nuicli m-atnt'ss, lint no foini. 'I'lie s('»'miii«x foM- iK'ss with which you w«'if lirsl iiccis td, w oic olV liy • one of the initiated. 'i'ln-ir amusi'inents were marked hy a sini|ilicity which, to strangers, a|i|ieared riule and childish (I mean those of the yoiiiiLfer class). In sprini^, eit^ht or ten of the yoiini; |ieo|»le of one coinpany, or related to each other, yoiiniif men ami maidens, would set out toLTcther in a canoi' on a kind of rural excursion, of which aniusemeiit was the ol)je<'t. \'et so fixed were tlu'ir hahits of industry, that they never failed to carry their work-haskets with them, not as a form, hut as an injjjredient necessarily mixecl with their pleasures. They InnI no attendants ; and stet-rcMl a di'vious course of four, live, or perhaps more miles, till they arrived at some of the lieaiitiful islands with whii'h this tine river ahounded, or at some siM|uestei'ed spot on its hanks, where delicious wild fruits, or ]»articular <'onveniences for lishins;, afforded some attraction. There tlii'V Ljeiierallv arrived hy nine or ten o'clock, ha\in<^ set out in the cool and early hour of sun- rise. Often they met another party jJJoing, perliaps, to a dilVerent place, and joined them, or induced them to take t'leir route. A basket with tea, su Mk.nkuks of an Amkkican Laky. I a littli' nmi uiid fruit for iniikiiiii: <>1 weak |»uii('li, tlu' usual li('v«'ram' in tlic iniddlf of tlic day, an'>//>•, in |»rocurintj fish, wild ducks, etc., for tlicir ilinncr. Tlicy wcic all. like Indians, ready and di'Xlcrous with the a.\»', u:un, ; ic. \\'''"n- ever they ai-rived at their destination they soujiht out a dry and heaiitifnl spot opposite to tiu' river, and in an instant with their axes ch-arcd so much superfluous ^liaile <»r shrul»- l»ei-y as left ;: semicircular opening;, above which tlu'y hi'Ut and twined the houohs, so as to form a pleasant hower, while the ••iris gathered drieil lu-anclu's, to which oni' of the youths soon set lire with t^iin powder, and the breakfast, a very regular and cht'ci'ful one, occupied an hour or two ; the youni; men then set out to fish, or perhaps shoot l»irds, and the maidens sat busily down to their work, siuixint; and convorsintj; with all the easi- and gaiety the bright serenity of the atmosphere ;ind beauty of the surrounding scene were calcidatcMl to inspire. .Vfterthc sultry hours had been thus employeij, tlu' hoifK bi-oumht their tril.r.te from the rivt r or the wood, and found a rural meal prepared by their fair companions, amonuf whom were i;enerally their sisters .".nd the chosen of their hearts. After dinner they all set out toirether to uather wild strawberries, or whatever otlur fruit was in season ; for it was accounted a reflection to cojue homi' empty handed. When wearied of this amuse- ment, they either drank tea in their bower, or, returninir. Iandeeri(>i- <|uality, a lliii-h nine), privation and liardship, compared to the ph-nty and comfort enjoyeil l»v the rest. 'I'hey pei'haps couhl onlyafl'onl toliave one nen? no luxnries. His wife and (langhter milked tlie cows and wronght at the liay, ami hi-^ Inmse was on a smaller scale than the older settk-rs had theirs, yet he had always one neatly furnished room, a \ery clean house, with a pleasant portico hefori' it, generally a tine stream beside his dwelling, and some Imlian wigwams near it. Jle was wootl-surrounded, and seemed al>^olutely to live in tlu' bosom of naturi', scrt'ened fron\ all the ai'tilicial ills of life ; and those spots clearetl of incundnances, yet rich in native luxuriance, had a wild oiiginalily :il»out them not easily descril»e(l. The young parties, or sometime>< elder ones, who set out on this woodland excursion, had nt) lixed destination, they \M'nt generally in the forenoon, and when they wt're tire^l of going on the ordinary road, (iirnc'/.s7/, and whenever they saw an inhabited spot, with the appear.ince of which they weic ple.i^ed, went in with all the ease of intimacy, and told them they were come to spend the afternoon there. The good people, not in the least surprisecl ;it this incursion, \ery calniiy opened the reserve«l a|tart nu'nts, o;- if it were very hot, icceived them in the portico. The guests [iroduced their stores, and they "1 u 11 7H M|;M(»IKS UK AN AmKHU'AN I.AMY l>oil«'(l tln'ir tca-kclllc, ami lunviiU'd cii-ain, nuts, or any |i('culiar ilaiiily ol tlic \\ liaxc ; ami llicy always I'liniislu'il l>rca'l ami liiiltff, which they had t'Xccllcnl <•!' their kinds. Thfy \\»'r»' insitcd («> share till' (•( illation, w hicli they did w ilh <;i-eal ease and frankness ; then daneinn, or any utlier aninseinenl that strnek their laiiey, succeeded. They sauntered ahont thehonmls in thi' e\ eiiinLT, Jind retni'ned liy inonnliiiht. 'I'liese j^odd |ie()]ile felt not the least end»ari-assed at theinstic iilainnessof every thini;- al»«iiit them ; they cunsideixil thenist'h «'S as on the way, alter a little longer exert inn ol' iialieiil industry, ti> lia\«' every thini;' thai I he others had ; and I heir niiests tlioutj,hl ii an aureeaMe \ariety in tliisalnu|il manner to \isil their «e(|ueslered ahodi-s. ciiArrKi; xi. \Vi\ri;i: .'vMi si;mi;\ rs, kit. In winlei. the river, lio/en to a ureal lli, rornied the |>rinci|ial road lhi-oui;'h the country, :ind was the scene of all tlio»e amuscnieiil -. of skalinn' and sledi^e races, common to the Hoi'th ol' i'!uro|>e. They used in ii'rcat parties to visit their liitiids at a distance, and liavin^ an excellent and liardv hrccd ol' horses, llevv tVom place to place over the '-now or ice i'l these sled^'cs with iiicretlilile rapidity, slopping a lilllc while at every house they came to, and aluavs well received whether aopiainled with the owners or not. The nin'ht never impe(|cd these t r.avelers, I'or t he atmosphere was -.o pure and serc:ie, and the snow so rc- llected the moon and stardij^ht, that the nij^hls exceeded t he days in heanty. In lown .all the hnifs were exl ra .aidant ly fond of;! diver- sion that to Us would appear a v i ry odd and childish one. gmgTjg^^jiaBg/gisejigjBB^csat: ^Jmf- -!• Mi;.M(»ius OF AN Amkiucan Lai>v. 79 Tlio ^rv\{ street til" the ttnv.i, ill tlie midst ut' wliieli, :is has IxH'ii t"(irmer!y iiieiilioiKMl, sttxxl ail the ehiirelies and i)iil)]ie biiihliiiiis, sloped down Innii the liill on wliich the I'ort stood, towanls the ri\cr; hetweeii iiie Imildiiiys was an unpaved eairiaije load, tlie foot-patli liesidi' tlie houses heinLf tlie only |iait oi' the st rei't \\hieh was paved. In winter this sloping descent, eontiiiiied lor more than a (piarter of a mile, ae(|nired lirmiiess I'ldm the I'lo^i, :ind hecame exlreinelv slippery. 'riieii the amiiseiiielit coiii- lui'iieed. Kvery lH)y and youth in town, I'loni eiulil to eiti^hteeii, had a litt le low sledn'e, made with a rope liUe a hiidle to the front, l»y which it conid he drau«^e a lookini; u'lass, liv sliders" sledLfcs, etc., perhaps a hiiiidreil at once set i>ut in siiccessioii i'rom the lop of this street, each seated ill his little sleiliiC with the rope in his liaml, which, draw n to the lioht or left, scrveil to oiiide him. lie pii>hed it oil" wilh a little stick, as one would launch a hoat ; and then, w itii the most ;i>ton- ishiiii:' xclocity, precipitated Ity the weight of thr owner, the little machine n'liileil past, and was at i.ie lower end of the street ill an in taut. What could he so delinht fill in this rapid and smooth uiiu; .\lhaiiiaii, slei'^hiiii;' ;is he called it, was one of ihc lir^t joys of life, tliouLi'li attended hy the drawback of walking- to the lop of the declivity drai^iiiiiLJ his sledge ev erv time he renewed his lliLrhl, lor sik li it iniuht wi'll Itei'alled. In t he manaujinij t hi^ lilt le iii.ichiiie some dexteiltv was iiecessaiN an nil dvillfl IkcIoii was sure to f;.ll 'I'll •onvevaiice was so low, that a I' ill w a? attemleti with little danii'er, vet with much disn-r ice, loi' an universal laiinh from all sides ass.ailed the fallen charioteer. This laiin'h was fidin aveiv lull choiiis, for the con>r<>ii!^ht :ill tlic y«»uiitj ]mm)]i1(' in lowii to llic |torticos, wlicit' they use! to sit \vr;i|>t in I'ms till ten or »'l('\('ii at iiinlit, ciiLjrossctl liy this U' s|icct;ult'. \N lial inaLjical attraction it coiiM possibly liavc, I n('\ cn'oiiid lind out ; Iml I liavc known an All»aiiian, alter residing" some years in llritain, anfll»eeoiiiiiii;- a |iolislie;|ice mis( hief ), they never failed ti steal either a roasting- »<•.. <• a fat turkey for this fcstiv occasion The 'own v'' n- Uii •cue > f t Iwsc dcp. rdat ions, which iie\er extended iu \ .uv SI Iced the liorsc or cow, or iii;ikiii^' ;i cluiiilcstiiic ciif raiicc .il some window or :i|M'rlui-<' : hrciikiiin' ii|M|oors was ijiiilcoiil of rule, Mini rart'l\ ever rcsortfil |o. TIh'sc ('\|t|oils were always iicrrormcil in I In- ilarkcsl ni<;lits ; il' I lie owner heard a nluiiderers wonhl traverse the town, and -arry o(V snch a prey as would all'ord provision for many jovi.al iii^'ht<. Nothing was more common than to lind one's Itrothers oi- neplii'ws amoni^sl tlcse pil'i^-ers. M.Mrriane was followed l>y two drcadfnl privations; a mai'rieil man could U'lt tlv down the street in a little sledge, or join a |iartv of pi'_j- stealers, vvitln lit ouira- they frei|nenlly did, \«'rv voun^', and were in circumstance^ to lie^in hoiise- keepiiiLT, they n'ere Mire of an early visit of this nature from their old coiifeclerates. It was ihounht a ^real aci of ii'allaiitrv to overtake and chastise the idlihers. I reco'lf t an iu'^tance of one voiiiil;' married man, who hail not Ioult attained to thai di^Miitv, whose t urke\ s scrcaminy" \lo|er>tly one nin'hf, he ran down to chastise the a'_ru"ressoi's ; he overtook them in the i'act : luit liiidinL;' they were his (U'i associates, could not resist the force of ' hit, jollieij the rest in another exploit of the same natui' nl then shared his own t iirkey at the tavern. There u^ two inns in the town, the masters of which were " hoi . uahle nu'U f \et these pin's and turkeys were always re »eil and dressed without <|Uestioninij,' whence they cam In one instance, a younu,- party h.-id in this manner iiled a piu', and ordered it to lie roa>^leil at the Kini:"- Arms; aiiolher party attacked, the same place vvlien(e t hi- 1 ty was taken, I I I I S2 Mkvioirs of av Amimucan Lady. H Imt fouiul It aliciuiy riHctl. 'I'liis i»:irty w:is licadc"! 1)y an itllo iiiisclii('V(Mi« yoiiiii^ masi, wlio was tin- Nctl I'oiiis of his fraternity ; woll jxiii'ssiiiLj ln>\v llic stolen roastini; \>\ii was »lis|M)setl of, he ordere^l his friends to adjonrn to the rival tavern, and went himself to the Kind's Ai-nis. ' lnt|uir- int; in the kitchen (nhere a piu; was roastinu:) win) su)»|tel' that soher city, carried it safely to the other tavern : w... re, after linishintf the roastint;, he .and his coinp.mions prepared to reualo themselves.. .Meanliiiu the piu; w:is missed .at tlu' Kind's .\rms ; and it was inime(liately coiiclndeil, from tlie«le\terity and address with which this trick was ))i'rformed, t hat no other hut the i'oins afores.aid could he th«' .author of it. .V new st r.ata^eni was now di'\ise(lto outwit this stcali-r of (he stolen. .\n aihiiiluroiis youth of the despoiletl party laii' means of pusiiing ' Tliiri tiiviTii was on tlie noi-tli-wt'st orinr of Orccii iiiid IJciivcr Htrt'fts, till' siyn of wliidi bor.' tl fH>:y of Kin^r (Jcorfrc Oiif of tho early outbur.sis of iiairioiisiii in tic- rt'voliition spent its fury m wrest injf this obnoxious einblfiii of royalty troin its liaii^injfs, uik! it was burnt in State Htrect. — M. ■WMi mat Mi:M(»ihs uk A.N Aj(! Kill CAN Lai>y H3 tliem forwnnl by flic licl|> of ihcir own iii delineate the members of which this conunnniu w is com|>osed, I iniist inention a class of aged persons, who, nniied l>v the same recollections, |iiirsiiiis. Mild topics, associateil very much with each other, and xcry little with a world which they seeme(l to have renounce(|. 'I'liey might be sIvIimI lay-brothers, and were usually widowers, or persons, who, in conse(|ueiice of some early disappoint ineiit, had remaineil nnmari'ied. These were not devotees who had, as was fcrinerly often the case in ("atholic countries, run fi-om the extreme of licenti<»iHness to that of bigotry. They were generally persons who were iievei- marked as being irreligious or immoral ; and jusi as little distinguished for peculiar strictness, or devotional fervor. These good men lived in the house of sonic rehition, where they had their own apartineiits to themselves; and only occasi.iiially mixi'd with the f.amily. The peojde of the town lived to a great age ; ninety was frcnpiently I * I i 84 Mi:M(»ihs (IF AN Amkuk AX Lai»y :itl:iiii('e<>|i|e. Their ha|i|iiness, for h:i|>|iy I :iin convinced they were, was of a nature ]iecnliar to t heinseh es, not ol>\ious to others. < ) tilers there were not deticieiit in their attention to religious duties, who li\iii!:,' in the hosom of their ramilies, to(rk an active and cheeiriil concern to the last in all that amused or interesteeu!^:ir was unheard of. I'eopli', such as I have desciilteil in the /*//.s'A, or n'oiim' there, were iio more considered as ohjecf s ol' pity, than w c <'oiisi(|er an ap|»reiitice as siK h for having' to sei-vc his time hel'ore he sets up I'or hi I II sell. III such cases, I he vvi-alt hier, hecaiise older sett lers, i'ri'ijiieni ly i^ave a heit'er or coll each to a ih'W ltei;'iiiiier, who set ahoiit clearinLj land in I heir vicinity. ()rpliaiis were never iie;.^Ie('t('d ; and from their early mairiayes, and the casualties their inamier of life siiltjecteil them to, these were not iinrrecjiieiit. Von never entered a house without iiieetint,' children. Maiileiis, hachelors, and childless married |>ei)pU', iill adojited orphans, and all treated them as il'lliey Avt'iv their own. Memoirs of an Amkhkvw Lahv 8') II,i\iiit; u'ixfiiM skclcli, tli;if M|i|ic;irs In m\ it'cuHccliun (jii>(M|iiciil ciiiiv cisMlidiis willi my fflltiw t i;i\ cli is) ;i t':iit lit'iil iiiic. 111' the (•(Hinlry mihI ils iiili.iliil.iiils, il is lime to iiliini Id llif liisldi-y (if tlic iiiiiiil <>[ .Miss ScIhin Icr, fur liy III) ntlicr cii-ciiiiisluiifcs I liMii |>n'iii;il iiril \ of inlcllt'cl, ;iimI sii|icii(ii(iilliii(', wvw licr ciiilitsl years ilisruiLTiiislnil. Her r.'itlicr, ilyiiiix f.iily, h'Tt licr xt-cy miicli In tlic liiiliun i>\' his lu-dlliii'. Ilcr niiclc's iVnui icr >ilua)iiiii iiia'lc liini a kiiul of barrier In llie seltleiiu'iil ; wliile llie ]m>\\ ci I'lil iiilliieliee, tliat liis kimw IfiloT ul' iialiire and of diaracler. liis sihiikI jiidi;- iiieiil and nii'-lained inleu'rily, liad ul it, 'lined over lint li parties, made liim t lie lioiid liy uliieli llie ;ilinriMii|,.s were iinilid willi the euloiiisls. TliMs, little iciMire \\,in icji liim I'ur domestic enjuynieiits, iir literary |iiirsuils, rnrliutli nf wliicli Ills mind was |ieeiiliai-|y ada|>led. ( M" I lie lei-iire time lie eoiild eominaml, however, lie made llie l»esl use ; and soon disliiiy'iiisliiiiLf ('atalina' as the one anioiiLisi his family to whom nature had heeii most lilteial, he was :it the |iaiiis to eiiltixate hei' taste for i-eadiiiLT. which soon discovered itsell', Ity |ii'ociiriii!j; for her the lioi aiithois in history, dixinity, and Itellesdet t res ; in this latter liraiich her reading was not very e.vteiisive ; hill then the few I ks of this kind th.it she |»ossessi'(| were very well chosen ; and she was earl\ and inlimately familiar with them. What I reineinlier of her, assisted hy comjiiirisons since made with others, has led me to think that extensive reading, sii|ieilici;il .mil indiscrimi- nate, such as the very easv access to honks .iniont; ns eiicoiirayes, is not :il an e.irly |n'riod of life lavor.-ihle to soliil thinkiiii;, true taste, or lixed |irinei|>le. Wh.atever she knew, she knew to the hottom ; and the reth'ctioiis, which were thus snix.li'ested I <• her si foil i^ disci 'mini;- mind, were dinesleil hy ine.aiis of easy and instructive coiiv ei-sat ion. Colonel Sehuyli'i' had many ndations in New ^'ol■k ; .ind I he m»v crnoi- and other niliiiui: characters i here carefiillv cultivated the 'Murgurctia. m m , < mfpmmmmmf^wm^^ 5 I 80 Mkmoi us OF AN Amkiucan Laky. !U'<|ii:iiiil;iiic(' <>r !i ]i('rs(tii so well (|ii:iliru><| t<> iiistiiict mikI inform flicm on ccrtMin poinfs .is Ik- \v;is. Il;ivinj;' considcr- .'ililc y Iier |»eisonal graces, as well as hy tlie <'liai'ni.s of her conversation. I have l»een toM, aniiIence havintj then overloadi'd lier majestic iieiM ii, and entirely chaiiLied the as|ie(t of a coiinteiiaiice once eminently lji acefiil. In no placi' did female excellence of any kintl more amply receive its due tril)Uti' of api'lause and admiration than h re, for various reasons; l"'irst, eiiltixatioii and reliiieiiient werw rare, 'riieii, as it was not the conimtm routine that women should iiecess:irily have such and such acconi|»lishnK'iits, ]>alns were only taken on minds strong; enouijh to ln'ar improvements without UecomiiiL;- conct'ited or pedantic. And Lastly, as tlu' spur of emulation was not iinidiously applied, those w ho ac<|uired a superior ut men, who possessed the advantam's of earlv (Milture and usaue of the world, daily arrived on the continent from different parts of Euroi>e. t I 1 Mi;.M|ily was imt »'<|iial ti> till- ilfiiiaml. It may Ik- rasily sii|i|i(»s»'il ili.it Miss Scliiiylcr iiict willi due attciit imi ; wliu, cvi'ii at tliis cMily aiji", was i-cs|t('ctctl rurtlic st I'l'iiirtli ol' licr cli.-'ractfi', ami llic (liijiiity ami r<>iii|i(isiifi' <»!' Iicr maniicfs. I Icr imitlu r, wlioiii she WcliiflittMl to ifcullcct, w as mild, pii'iis mikI amialdr ; licr ackiiowli'dLfcd wiirtli was cliastciicd l>y the iitm<»st diiridcmc. \ i'\ at'custniiicil to I'Xci'cist' a rcrtaiii i.owcr o\ ( r tlic minds <»r tln' iiati\t's, slic had nitat inlliiciicc in it>t laiiiiii-j; tlicir irrt'nulai'ilics, and swayint; tlicir opinions, l-'iom Iicr know- I('dt'autii'ul niamit'acl ni'c of dcrr skin, s(i It (MM 'd to t lie consist cnci' ol" tin- iincst clianiois Icatlicr, and cndn'oidcrcd w itli l.cails of \\anii>nni, loiancd like l»u<4l<'s ; tlicsc, wit li urcat ai't and iiidnst ry, tlicy fornKMl out of shells, which had the a|ijiearance ol' line white ]iorce- lain, veined with ]>Uf]ile. This eMd)roi(h'ry showecl Ixitii skill and taste, and was anionn' themselves hiare it to. While the women and children were thus employeil, the men sometimes assisted them in the moi'o laborious part of their business, I)ut oflener occupicMl them- stdves in fishinii,' on the rivi'rs, and diwinsj,' or |ireser\ inn', by means of smoke, in sheds ei-ecled for the |)ur]iose, sturii'eon and larti'e eels, which they cauyTit in n'reat ([uantities, and of an extraordinary size, i'or winter ]iro\ision. Hoys on the ver^e of manhood, and ambitious to be admitted into the huntinu; ])arties of the ensuinuj winter, exercised thenis(d\es in tryini;' to improve theii' skill in arcliery, Ity shoot in i; l»ii'ds, s(|uii'rels, and i-ai-oons. Tliesc petty huntiiiii's helped to support the little colony in the iieiL!,hl)oi-hoo(l, which howe\ cr derivele wluise ideas and s|ihere of action we slii»ukl consider as so very contiued. CITArTEII XIII. Pkogkkss ok KNowi.KixiK — Imha.n ^Iannkus. V,;()X\'KIJSIX(t with those interesting and deeply rellect- ing natives, was to thiidving' minds no mean source; of enti'rtaiument. ("oinmunication soon grew i-asier ; for the Indians had a singular facility in acipiiring othei- languages ; the children I well renu'inber, from experimental know ledge, for I deliglited to lio\c'r about the wigwam, and con\-ers(,' with tliose of the Indians, and wi' very frcMpiently mingled languages. IJut to return : whatever comfort oi- advantage a good and benevolent mind jjossesses, it is willing to exti'ud to others. The mothei' tif my friend, and otlier matrons, 12 ■~— =*»• 90 Memoirs of an American Lady, i I who like hvv cxjicnciici'd the consolations, tlic liojics, and tlie iovs of C'liristianitv, wislu-d tliosu incstiniabk' natives to share in their pnre enjoynients. Of all others these mild and praetieal Christians were the hest fitted tor making proselytes. I'nliki' jirol'essed mis- sionaries, whose zeal is not always see(»nde(l by jndgment, tliey did not hegiii hy alarming the jealonsy with wliieh all miinner of people watch over theii" hereditary ])rejndices. Engaged in active life, they liad daily oj)portunities of demonstrating the truth of their ri'ligion by its influence upon their t-onduct. K(|ually unable and unwilling to enter into (h'ep disquisitions or poh'mical arguments, their calm and unstudied explanations of the essential doctrines of Christianity, were the natural results which arose out of theii- ordinary conversation. To make this better under- stoijd, I must endeavoi' to explain what 1 haM' obsei'ved in the unpolished society, that occupies tlu' wild and remote regions t)f different countries. Their conversation is not onlv more original, but, however od(' tlie expression may appear, more philosophical than that of persons ecpially destitute of mental culture in more populous districts. They derive tlieir subjects of reflection and conversation more from natural objects, which had minds, possessing a certain degree of intelligence, moi'e foi-wani to trace effects to their causes. Nature there, too, is seen ai'i'ayed in vii'gin beauty and simple majesty. Its various asjjccts are more grand and impressive. Its voice is more distinctly heard, antl sinks deejter into the heait. These peo])le, nu)re dejtendent on the simjdes of the fields aiul the wild fruits of the woods ; better acquainted with the forms and instiiu'ts of the birds and beasts, their fellow denizens in the wild ; and more observant of everv constellation ami every change in the sky, from living so much in the open air, have a wider range of ideas than we are aware of. With us, art every where combats nature, ojjposeslier plainest dictates, and too often h ii mHlat ^ Mkmoirs of an American Lady. 91 conquers lior. Tiic ))oor are so confinod to the s])()t wliciv flu'ir occuicitioiis lie, so ciiu'rosscMl by their striiuu'U's for daily bread, ami so siirroiiudi'd by llic woi'ks of man, that those of their eivator are almost I'.xelmh'd from their view, at least form a very small part of the subjects tluit eiiui'oss their thoun'hts. What knowledu'e they have is ofti'U merely the husks and orts that fall fr(»iii the table of their superiors, which they swallow without chewiuix. ^fany of those who are one dei;'i'ee above the lowest class, see nature in poetry, novels, and otlu'i- books, and never thiidc of looking; for her any where else ; like a jjcrsou amused by seeing;' the reflection of the starry lieavens or shiftiuii; clouds in a calm lake, lu-ver lifting; his eves to those objects of which he sees the imperfect tlu)Ugh resem- bling pictures. Those who live in the undisgaiised bosom of tranciuil nature, and whose cliief em])loynient it is, by disencumber- ing her of waste luxuriance, to discover and imj)rove lier lati'ut beauties, need no boi-rowed enthusiasm {o relish the sid)lime and graceful features. The venerable sim))licity of tlu- sacred scriptures, has sometliing extremely attractive for a mind in this state. The soul, v/hich is the most familiar with its '"reator, in his works, will be always the nH)st ready t(> recognize him in liis word. C'oJiversations, winch had for their subject the nature and virtues of plants, the exteiu and boundaries of woods and lakes, and the various <)])erations of instinct in animals, under those cir- cumstances where they are solely directed by it, and the distinct customs and manners of various untutoivd nations, ti'uded to expand the mind, and teach it to aspire to more |)erfect intelligeiu-e. The untauglit reasoners of the woods could not but observe that the Europeans knew much tliat was concealed from them, aiul derived many l)enefits and mucli i)ower from tliat knowledge. "Wluu-e they saw active virtue keep pace with superior knowledge, it was natural IJi 'i ! I i I :)' !i^ 02 Mi:.M(»iRs OF AN Amkritax Lady. t<» coiicludi' tliMl iici'soiis tlms li('iK'tic*i:illv ciili^Iitiiicfl, liad • •Ic'ircr ami ampler views of lliat I'lit iiril v, wliieli to tliem oiilv jections (of which 1 liave heard many striking- instances) was astonishing ; yet the humble and successful instruments of enlightening those sincei'e and candid people, aptized them. I am sorry tliat I have not a clear and distinct recollection of the exact manner, or the numbcis, etc., of these first converts, of wlnmi I shall say more here- after ; but T know that this was the usual ]>i"ocess. They were, liowever, both zealous and persevering, and ])r()ved the means of bringing many others under the law of love, to Avhicli it is reasonable to suppose the safety of this unprotected frontier was greatly owing at that crisis, that of the first attacks of the French. The Indian wonu'U, who, from motives of attachment to particular families, or for the j)urpose of carrying on the small traffic already men- tioned, were wont to pass their summers near the settlers, were of detached and wandering families, who preferred this mode of living to the labor of tilling the ground, which entirely devolved \\\K)n the women among the five nations. "iirr mnriBHiiMMMiaiM t I ^fEMOIRS OF AN AmHRTPAN LaKY. m l>y tilliiin- llir sj^nmiid I would nut In- iiiuli'rsti'od to iiicaii Miiy scttlcil mode of ai^ricidt urc, i'('i|niriiin; cattle, ciiclosiircs, or iiii|)k'iiu'iits of hiisliandry. (Jraiii made l»iil a nci'v miIi- ordiiiatc part oi" tlu'ir siil>si>tt'iicc, wliicli was cliicll y dcrix ctj iVoiii tisliiiig and liiiiitiiit;". The little tliey liad was iiiai/e ; this with kidiK-y l»eaiis and lohacco, the only |)lants thv^y cidtivated, was sowed in some very pleasant li(dds aloni;' the Mohawk ri\('r, hy the women, who had no imidenienls of tilhii^e hut the hoe, and a kind of wooden spade. These fii)osed that every country hail its own mode of honoi'inf 11 *, « O the great spirits, to -whom all were e(|ually acceptable. This f I Hi i; u ■■ (1 !>4 MiiMoiKs or AN Amhkicax Lady. li;ii|, 1)11 (tiic Imml, the Iciil clVcct ol' iiiakiiiu' ilicm satisfied witli t licii" nwii \ an'iic ami uii(lcliii('(l iKdions; ami on tlic (ttlicr, flic u'ood (tiir of makiiii;' lliciii very lolcranl (if those of otIuTs. ir you do not insult tlu'ir hclici" (for mode of worsliip tlicy liavc scarci' any), tlicy will hear you talk of youi's with the threat est [)atit'U(H' and attention. Their j^ood InviMlin^' in this ri'speet, was really supei-lative. No Indian ever interrupted any, the most idle talkei' : hut when they concluded, he would deliherately, niethixru'ally, and not iin" lilial veneration to excess, it was done heri' ; foi' all other charities Avore al»sorl)ed in it. 1 Avonder this system of dcjtressing the sex in their eai'ly years to exalt tlu-m wiien all their juvenlk' attractions were tiown, and wlieii mind aloiu> i-an distiuiiuish them, lias not occurred to (»ur modern refoi i.-i-rs. The >Mc)hawks took good care not to admit their women to share their prerogatives, till tliey aj^troved themselves good wives and luotliers. Tliis digression, long as it is, has a very intimate connection "with the character of my fiiend ; who eai'ly adopted the views of her family, in regard to those friendly Indians, Avhich greatly enlarged her mind, and ever after influenced her conduct. She was, even in childhood, well accjuainted with their language, opinions, and customs ; and, like evi-ry other pei'son, jtossessed of a liherality or benevolence of mind, w horn chance Inid hrought acquainted with them, was exceedingly i)artial to those high-souled and generous natives. 'I'he iMohawk language was early familiar to her ; she spoke Dutch and English with e(jual ease and m r-'\ I M !)G iVlKMOIItS (IF AN AmKRICAN T.ADV purity ; was ii tlic l"'rcii<*li toiiifiic ; ami coiilil (I tliiiik) icail (icniian. I liavc lirard licr speak it. I''r(tiii ilic coiix cisatioiis wliicli licr atti\i' ciiiiosiiy Icil licr (ii lidlil \\\\\i iialixc Africans l»r«>ii<:,Iit iiitn Iicr fallicr's laiiiily, slit' was more iiiliiiialcly ac(niaintt'(l w itii t lie cu si (tins, maiiiU'rs, aiul ifovci'iinu'iit <»!' tlicir native eoinitry, tiian she (•(iiild have l»een, l»v readiim- all that was e\cr written on the snlijeet. Books aix', no <|oul)t, the ;^ranaries of know- UmIkc ; l»nl a ililiu'eiil, impiiriny' mind, in t lie act i\ c niorniny" oi' life, will Iiild ii strewed like manna ortions from any jtolislied surface, does from a shadow on a wall, or fi'om a picture drawn from recollection. The enhirgcd mind of my fi'iend, aiul her simple yet easy and digniHed manners, made her readily adopt herself to those with whom she conversed, and evei-y where command respect and kindness : and, on a nearer ac(|naintance, affection followed ; but she had too nnu'ii sedateness and independence to adopt those earessintj and insinuatiuL"; manners, by which the vain and the artful so soon find their way into shallow minds. Iler character did not captivati' at once, but gi'adually unfolded itself ; and you had alwaj^s something new to discover. Iler style was grave and masculine, without the least end>eUishment ; and at tl le same time so jmi'e that everything she said might l)e printed without correction, and so plain, that the most ignorant and most inferi(M- })e 'sons were never at a loss to comprehend it. It possessed, too, a wonderful flexibility ; it seemed to rise and fall with the subject. I haye not met I • \9 \\ u Mi; MO I Its (ti' AN' Am I :i! KAN Lai>y, 97 V( witli a style wliicli, to a iinlilc and imifKriii siniiilicit y, iiiiitcil sucli variety <•! I'Xprt'ssioii. W'lioever drinks kiinwlcdm' |iure at its sources, solely from a ddiii'lit in liiiin<,Mlic' capa- citics of a lai;4'(' mind, uitliont tlie desi.c of da/./.linn' oi' oiit- sliininu" otllers ; whoever sju-aks loi- tlie sole |ilir|Mtse of (•oiiveyinii; to otiici' minds those idi'as, from which he himself has received pleasure and advantai^e, may po- -ess tiiis cliaste and natural style : hut it isiKtt to l»e ac(|uired hy urt or stndv. I CIFAITKR XIV. ]\[AIUlIA(iK Ol" Miss ScMlVMOli — I )i;s< IM I'lIO V OF TIIK I''l,AlS. Ml ISSS. liadthe lia|)|iiness to ca|»tivati' hei- cousin rhili|»,l eldest son of her un(de, who was ten years older than her- self, and was in till rixpii-ts to l»e accounteil a suitalde, and ' 'I'liis ("i)l. I'liilip was the eldest son of Col. Pieter and Maria Van Hensselacr.boin Jan. 1."), UllXJ, and but five years older than hisconsin, whom he married. He died Feb. \i\, IToH, and liis inonuinent is the oldest and most consi)icu()us one in the family burial jrronnd at tlio Flats, restinfy liorizontally njion ])illars, and bearing; tlu; followiiiff in-scription. In Memory of COI/'. PHILIP SCHrYLKK, A dentleman wlio was Improved In Several i)ublick employments in which he Acted with inteffrity, h(! was sini,nilarly hospitable, a Sincere triend, kind Master, a most tender Husband ; he Liv'd Respected and died {r'-eatly Lamented. Feb. Hkh, 1758, Apfed 63 years. Madame Schuyler is said to have Ixmmi buried by his side, but there is no monument to mark the place of her sepulture. — M. 13 k\ I i' i li 98 Mi:.M(tlKS <»F AN AmIMUCAN IiAI»V ill tilt' worldly sense, mm ;i"lv;int:ifjei to the sylvan scene, ])ut was the l)est barometer im- acyinable, foiTtelling by its varied and intelli- gible sonnds every ap- I»roachiug change, not oidy of the weather, but of the Avind. Opposite to the grounds lay an island, above a mile in length, and about a quarter in breadth, which also belonged to ' In the last century, the road passed down in I'ront oi tlie imtroon's mansion, to the river, and followed its banks 'northward to Still- water, where the troops took bateaux. This ancient road was known as the kinjj's hiine-covere(l hills opposite ; and the pliant sliadi'sthat I»enut whether he ha- knowledge in the ])ublic seminaries there, or had been instructeur))oses, I do not exat'tly know ; but am led rather to su]>pose the latter, from the connection which always subsisted l)etween that class of people and the Schuyler family. When the intimacy between this gentleman and the sub- ject of these memoirs took place she was a mere child ; for the colonel, as he was soon after called, was ten yeai's older than she. This Avas singular there, where most men rinu-ried ' Steenlioek waa in fmnt of th(3 pint now occupied by the Arsenal, and tlie Steenlioek kil is still seen issuinof from the government prrounds, draining the swamp in tlie rear. — M ni 104 Memoirs of an American Lady, under twenty. Hut liis earlv years Ayere occuiiied l»v nionu'ntons coneei-ns ; (or, l»y this time, tlie |Mil»iie safety bej^an to l>e en(laniiii(l ol' hostility ; ami this, not for the vahu' of thi' few Wt'cr or hilars which miiilit ln' kilh'd, hut tliat they tliouLcht thi'ir national h(»nor violatcil hv such an auiircssion. That system of ri-vcnuc, wliich suhsisti'd with ('(|Ual lorce among them all, admittcMl of no sinca'fi" ('(Miciliat ion till the agurievi'd party had ohtained at least an e»|ual nnnd)i'r of st-aljis and prisoners for those that they hatl lost, 'i'liis hhtody reekoning was not easily ad- justed. After a short and hollow truce, thi' remaining halanci' on either side ail'oi'deil a pretext foi- new hostility, and tin to solicit new alliance's ; for which last pur|»ose much art and nuich ]iei'suasive power of ehxpience were enijiloyed. I>ut the grand mystery of Indian politics was the flattery, tile stratagem, and address employed in detaching otliei* trihes from the alliance of their eni'mies. 'i'heiv c()uld not. he a stronger proof of the restli'ss and turhulent natuiv of and»ition than these artful negotiations, the conscMpience of perpetual hostility, where one woidd think there was so little gr(tund for (pnirri'l ; and that amongst a peo})lo who indi- vidually, were hy no means (|uari'elsome oi" covetous, and seemed in their jtrivate transactions with each other, im- j)ressed with adeej) siMiseof moral rectitude ; who reasonecl soundly, leilected deeply, and acted in most cases conse- quentially. Pro]»erty there was none, to afford a pretext for war, exce]>ting a little possessed by the Mohawks, which they knew so well how to defend, that their bounaeitied by concessions and presents, and means adopted to put the settlement in a state of de- fence against future aggressions. On all such occasions, when previously satisfied with regard to the justice of the grounds of quarrel, the Mohawks promised their hearty cooperation. This they were the 4' % .fn M KM 01 us OK AN AmKHK'AN LaI»Y. 107 readier lo iln, as (licir ynmiif l»r<»llief IMiili|i (lor so tliey styled C'(doiiel Sclmylei') olTered not only ti> licad micIi t loops as miiflit he I'aised for this iMirposc, hut to eiiija;::*' liis t\vt» l>ro(hers, wlio were well a(i|iiaiiited with tin- whoh- frontier teiritory, to serve on the same terms. This was a sin<;nlar instance <»!" |»uhlie s|tirit in a yonnu: patriot, who was an entire stranger to the |»rol'ession of arms ; and whose sedate (M|uaniniity of eharaetei* was advei'si- to every sjx'cies of rashness or enthusiasm. Meantime the provisions of the ahoveiiientioiKMl treaty eould not he carried into eireet, till tliey were ratiiied hy the assemhiy at Xew \'(»rk, and ap- proveil hy the ujovernor. Of this there was little douht ; the dillieulty was to raise an\ I'll lor :i i|iN|H)silioii, I'l-Miik, rlini fiil mill j;»'iu'n:iis III CMOS, liMil |'i(\ iiHisIy iii.inif'l ;i Imly rii>m New ^ i>il\ ; \\\\\\ wlii'iii lie itli|;iiii(il snim. IkiI iiiit' : ;illiinu tlicii >iiiuiil.-ir ill llial i'iiiiiilr\. 'I'liis l.niy, wlmiii, in licr ili'iliiiiiin' yr;irs, I Uiicw NtTV well, w ;is lln' il.iiinlilcr ul ;i wcmIiIiv .iiiil ilisliimuislicil I'Miiiily I'f I'lcinli |iiii(c,s|iiiils. Slic wMs li\rlv, st'iisil»l«', ;iiiil Will inrnniiril. I'llir, llir Miniid, w MS m;init'il li> :i ii;ili\t' nl AHmiiiv. Silt' ilii'ii ciirly ; ImiI IcI'I Itcliiiiil I w u cliililiin ; :iiiil llir ir|iii iMliiiiitil' miii'li Wdilli :iniis»M|m'iiiH' ii|p(in llicm all, llicy never ilreami ol' »'ii\yiiiLj eillier liis sii|trrii)r manners, nr liis wife's allaiiimeiils, wliieli llu'_\ Idnkt'il ii|iiin as a Iteiielil ami ornamenl In llie wlmle. Sunn after llieir marriau'e they \isile(l New ^ nrk, xvliirli (hey i'liiilinncil In iln mice a year in the earlier |(erinil nf (heir inafriaLT*', nii aci'mml i>\' their cnmicclinii in thai city, ami the |>leasiny" ami inlelli\' jjnvenimeiit, ami the resilience i^\' the cmnmamler-iii-chief (111 the «'mitiiieiil, whn was then m-ccssaiily iini'sled with cmisiilerahle power ami |iri\ ilcu'cs, ami had, as well as the jjo\i'rnnr for the time lieinii', a ju'tty cmirl assemhled rniiml liim. At a \i'ry early |>erind a heller style i)\' manners, greater ease, frankni'ss, and jinlish |)re\ ailed at New N'nrk, than in any iA' the m'i«::hl»nrini; ]»rn\ inci's. There was, in |>artii'iilar, a HriLjadiei-jj^iMieral llnnter, ' of whom I have licanl Mrs. Schuyler talk a ureal deal, as coincitliiii; with ' Robert Hunter succcodi'd Lovelace ns jfoveriior of New York in 1709, and was jjovernor of Janiaica, in 1728. — M. r NfiiMiiius or AN .\mi;ui(AN Ii\nv. 10!) V I. lief liiisli;iii(| siir('('ssi\ civ, in tlM'ir |\ I'liniil, llr, I lliiiik, \N ;i> tlini t(i>v<'i ii<>r ; ;iii iis ii<'('f|i|;ili|i' III llir Sflmylcrs I'lir |ii> ('ii||iii|ni:il t:ilt'iits aiitl IihimHv ili««|)n>iiiun, an cslitiialtlf I'ltr his |iiililir s|iiiil iiikI :i|i|»licarniii in liusiinss, in wliifli i'cs|»t'rl.s lie was n.ii ri|iiallt'i| liy .'iii\ of his siicccssors. In lii> rinlc I lie \ uiimlj cuiiiilf w nr iniirli ilisi iiiu'iiislicd. 'riicif wnr luo aimiiiir lliusi' Itailiiin lainilics, llic l/i\ illusions ami IJciisflacrs, Iricinls (•(nincctril will) llictii Ixiili hy liliMiil ami at lacliim'iil . 'riMic was alsn aiini Imt ilistiii^iiislicil t'ainily Inwlioiii tiny wrrr alliril, ainl w illi w I II III I 1 1 icy li\ cil iiM'iinlial intiiiiai'y ; I licsc w cic I lir I )c l.aiircys, n\' I'lTiicli ilt'sciiil, liiil, liy siili>iilcli iiihal>ilaiils. 4)1' t hot' iImii' Wfic Vfiy many ihfii in Niw ^'llr•I\, as will lif hcnarttr ex- pliiihctj ; I tilt as t ht'.s(> ciinsiitnl imis cxilt's wt'i't' imi'mmis allit'il in rcliyiiin t<> tin- |n'iiniti\ f sttt It is, ami rc^fiilar ami imhistii Diis in their ha hits, they stiDii niin^h'fl with ami I mm -aim' a part of that stificty, whifh was (■iilivt'iictl liy tln-ir sjninhtlv manners, ami heiiernieil l»y the use fn I arts they hritn^ht ahniif with them. In this inixeil soeiety, wliieli must have hatj at- Irax'fion iKr yuniiif |ieii|ilc i)\' Mi|ifri(ir, ami, in snnie dt i^ree, eiilti\alei| inlelleet, this wejl-inaleheil pair Innk ^reat |»le;ism-e ; ami here, nt» iltiiiht, was ini|iriivei| t hat liherality ol' inimi ami manners which so inm-li ilistiiiL^iiishetl them iVum the less enliLjhtenetl inhabit ants nf their native eity. They were st» inneh caresseil in New ^ tirk, ami t'luiml sn manv charms in the intellii;"en( ami comparativ fly ptdisheil sncietv t»i' which they inaile a pMi't there, that they liaroilnctive of all that i'elicity ' He stM'ins to have been buried 23 Sept., 1721. See Peiirson's Karli/ Settlern of Albany, — M. til till m Mi it 110 NLkmoirs of an American Lady. wliicii miuflit l>e ox|)0('to(l lo rcsiiU from t'litirc ooiitji'ninlity not ol" st'iitiiiu'iit only l>nt ot" oriu'mal efore T i-esume my narrative, I shall indulge myself in a still moi-i' minute account of the juvmises, the mode of liv- ing, (■;•., whii-h will all'ord a more disti'iet, idea of the country ; all tlu' wealthy and informed j)eoi>lo of the settle- ment living on a smaller scale, pivtty nnieh in the same manner. !>(■ it known, however, that the house I had so much delight in recollecting, had no pivlension to grandeur, and verv little to elegance. It was a large brick lionse of two or ratluM- three stories (for there were excellent attics), besides a sunk story, linished with tlu- exactest neatness, TIu' lower tloor had two spa;'ious rooms, with large liglit closets; on the lirst tlu're were three I'oonis, and in the upper one four. Through the middle of the house was a very wide passage, with o])posite front and back (h)ors, which in summer admitted a stream of air ])eciUiarly grate- ful to the languid senses. It was furnished with chairs and pictures like a summer parlor. Here the family usually sat IT* vr i I! i: hflw.grinrrwTTir' Ui m tk - m -fi ll TW'l l •1* v^t Mkmoihs of an Amkru'an Lai>y. Ill in hot wcnthiT, wlu'ii tliciv v cri- no "I'lcnKiiiious straiiiicrs. \ iilu;il»li' t'liniituiv (thougli jtcrluqis not \ciy well clioscn or Mssorti'tl) was the tavofili' hi.xuiy of tlu'si- iPcopK' ; and in all llu' honsi's I riMiii'inlxT, I'xccjit those of the hrotlu'i's, who wc'ie cvi'iy way more liheial, tlie minois, tlie ]»aintinus, the ehina, hnt ahovi' all, the state hed, wi-re coi sidered as tlie t'ainily /era])]ii>n, seei-e'.ly w(Hslii|ied, and onl}' exldbited on very rare oeeasions. Ihit in Col. Sehny- h'f's family the rooms were nu-rely sluit n|> to keeji tlie tlies, which in tliat country are an absolute nuisance, I'roiii spoiling the furnitnre.' Anotlier motive was, that tliey might he jiloasantly cool wlu'ii opened l"oi- com])any. This house liad also two appendages common to all those lu'loiig- ing to persons in easy circumstances there. One was a large poi'Mco at the door, with a few ste]>s leading nji to it, and Hoored like a room ; it was ojteii at the sides, and liad seats a^l rounil by the frost, liad a beautiful apjiear- ance. Wliat gave an air of lil)ertv and safetv to tliese rustic porticoes, which always produced in my mind a sensa- tion of pleasure tliat I know not liow to deiiiie, was the nund)er of little bii'ds domesticated tliere. For tlicir ac- commodation theu' was a small shelf built round, tliere tliey nestled, sacred from the t(»uch of slaves and childri'n, who were tauglit to regard them as the gooii^ Iv iihIm prciil i;ir II* IlK III inlr\ ; lull llii' Kill' iiikmI ll('i|ii('nl mihI l:iiiiiii;ir w ;ri ;i t ;i liiH'lil cllinilllli'll I'cili'l , r;illri| ;| |ir('(l \ iill Ir I ii'Ml lilt'. i>t ;i W leu. lliiMM'li lillli' ir .t'liiltluir. I ln' iHH' )i> wliiili \\i' i\\\r lliMl ii.inii'. li'T It !•• inoii' ^|>i ir.lil l\ . Mini llirs liij'.lK'r. lri ( loii iiioiiu'l llir- liii .|iil mIiIi' ilw clliii!',. Tin' |ii nln I H'li tl \^'\ liii'Mi'il iMIIM'.li'il inrli'lv III llir |ill\l I •! i ii'in;' Id Miolli' riiMl w liii'li I ln'\ lti".( II W I'll \\ M^ III iimi (• iin|iii| I .iiiri' ih.in MUX IIiIimIuI Mill nl loilMIII iMIl IIIIMf'.mi', III llll"-i' iirw ruiinl I ii's, w lii'ii' iiiMii MM'- '-I Mill' M^^.i'll I'll lll'-l ilitimilliHI. Illl' s\\ Miiir- MluiinlMiil nil I'Vi'iN s-nji' ; (ln' iir-ri I |iii|iiiImI lull I '■! iiiiiini lur- lir\ uinl 1 M'lirl. Mill 1. I I In' liinls I iiMl li'i'il i>ii I Ik'III II iri'ss I II I inn Mir 111 |irii|iiii I i«i|i In llirii Mi'iiiiilMin r. Ill |i| whrll linn slnllrllli". wnml'. Mil' I'lrMiril. mII lln-.i' li'i'Cili' lii'lnii' llirii iiiM'Iri, l>iil iml lulmi' hi'- ('iii|iir<' is I'lilly i'-Im l.lisln'.l, Tl ii'M' iniiiii ((' Mi'IImI tiU'SMir ninli' llMII'M'^sill!^ lIlMII thi' Iciiilili' iiiIimImI Mills KJ llii' liui'sl. Mini iiinri' ii|Mil!nil v wnw Mi'iimiMlx iliiiiiiiisliril. Iiow ever, when il \m»s iiisv the siiiyli' IiiuhIi Mini lunniiliMiiiiis r'lirp nl tticir suri'i'SSdis ()n1 ol llii' I'lM I'n'i'iiirlH M ttilVi'irlil irrr|>lliili iiwiiilril Ilii'iu Ttirii' ihi' liusivuiiiiii.'in. ji'iiliMiH III liis jiriiiii I'ii'IiIm. f'uliilnl ili:- sii;\iriiv\ Willi llicslint .o.iiii '|'ln>ir iin'siMii'c Kiinii lii-jvini In ln' rrj-jjiiriii'il in llu' I'llN MS Mil iinri|iiMl i'M'Iimii!!'' '<'I' iIh' iinpiiliir hhhjihIi'Ih tluil liiul bi'cn iiii\ I'll MX\M\ , Mini (lu'ii lialiils In In- Ml li'iiili'ii willi iiiiiili'MSMiil lui lliUMIll'l' .)/. i , ^.^^..^ . . -rftfirriilirrifiitiltirftliu imu: -"i*^tii^'»Jtia \r^ - • M l;Miiilt;i 'i|. ^^J A Ml lih' \\ I ,A1>V Mil ' X wild Wi'ir r|||i|i||l!^ ;iliii\i'. TIh"."' I.'linili.'ll iimi;i(r'; l>lll^ll<'y wiliiiMil ci'i rmiw, 'In- IIIMlllll, .'linl ollli'l llll llll|i1ll:il lull, ulillr I lir lii'lij'-l ri'uniindi i| Willi till' fiimcic':': r|iii|iiiiK cil' iii.'iiiy !';i\ insrct^ iliilvimwii |i> mil iimir I cmi ir i ;il p cimiiiiii'. I In ;c u ii< III I llic ihiik imrsls Mini v l'':""iiii;/ ImLi-i nl A iiiri HM ; iin inrlliiW llllll'll 111' ilrrji I iilinl I iImi' 1< In I 1 1 WMiMi'M llilniiirli (lirsr Mwliil si-iil inlrs, m snll' iisllir liMiiiiy Inmr nl IwiliKJil, with " Till' rn|iiiil liinjninjM' "I I III' ///■in/i/ii/ Innniii, siii'li MS rnli\ riis t lir iiMiinw vmIi'SoI' ScnllMliil uilli L^'Hnly Mnnlll, nnr llnUrlillL^ l'lll/,r willl its ^nlilrli lilnssnlil', ilrl'y- iiiL;- tlir rnlil Ii1ms!s nl' rMily s|iiiiii^, MiiiiiiMtr tlirir sMinly ' k< 114 Memoirs of an American Lady, wilds. Tlu'R- llio whitt'-blossoiiiod sloe docs not I'orcniii llie orchai-d's bloom, nor tlu' pale jtriinrosc slu-lttT its modest head beneath the tangled shrubs. Nature, bounti- ful yet not profuse, has assigned her various gifts to vai'ious elinies, in sueh a manner that none can claim a \' which, under shades ot" elm and sycamore, ran the gi'eat road towards Saratoga, Stillwater, ami the northei'n lakes; a little simple a\('ime of niorella cherry trees, enclosed witli a white rail, led to the roail and rivi'r, not three hundred yards distant. Adjoining" to this, on the south side, was an enclosure, sl'd)di\ided into three parts, of which the first was a small hay field, opposite the south end of the house ; the next, not so long, a garden ; and the third, by far the largest, an oi-chard. These were surroundetl by simple deal fences. Now let not the genius that ])resides over pleasure-grounds, nor any of his elegant votaries, revcl;^ with disgust while I mention the unseenUy ornaments which were (xhibited on the stakes to whicli the deals of these same ft'uces were bound. Ti'uly tliey consisted of the skeleton heads of horses and cattle in as great nnnd)ers as (rould be procure(l, stuck upon the above said poles. This was not mere oi'uament either, but a most hospitable arrangement for the accommodation of the small familiar birds befoi'e described. The jaws are fixed on the pole, and the skull uppermost. The wren, on seeing a skull thus placed, never fails to enter by the orifice, which is too small to arovisi(>ns for the domestic eomfort of the binls, thei'e was, in clearini^ the way for their first cstahlishuu'iit, a trie always h'ft in the inileasin .t» 7 Memoirs of an Amkhkan Lady, 117 tho door Wiis a larojo sill, sl»>|»iiit; dowiiwai'ds, of llic s:\uw iiiatori.'ils. About twelve feet in lu'eailtli on each side of tliis caitaeious lMiildiii«f were ilivided oil" for cattle ; on one side ran a manijer, at tlii' above nu-ntionecl distance fr(tni tile wall, the wliole lenj^tli of the bnildinij, with a rack above it ; on the otliers were stalls fui- the other cattle, nnmiii!^ also the wliole lenutli of the buildinij. The c;iltli' and horses stood with tlu'ir hinder )tartst((the wall, and their heads project iny" towai"|K'Mcd in a very few days, a wa^oii w l(ia of the wau:on, lliis was immcdiaU-ly forked u]) into the h>ft of the barn, in the midst of whieli was an o|ten space k'fl for the i>nr|»ose and then the uidoaded way'on di'ove, in rustic state, ont of tlie ^n-eat door at the oilier end. In the meantime every member of tliu family witnesse(l, or assisted in this summary iii'ocess ; 1)y which the liuildini«- and thatching of stacks was at once saved ; and the whole ci-o)> and cattle wi're thus compendi- ously lodeed umler one roof. The cheerfulness of this animated scene was much heightened by tlu' (|uick appearance, and vanishing of the swalh»ws ; who twitlei'ed among their high-built dwellings in the roof. Here, as in every other instance, the safety of these domestic friends was attendei'eseiited tlu'iiiselves arranged in seemly ordei* ; ontlie oilier, your kine displayed their meeker visaucs, wiiile the |»ers|iei'tive <»n t'ither, was tei'iiiiiiatecl l»y lu-it'eis and lillii's no less interest in <;•. In the midst, yoiir servants exercised the tlail ; and even, while they tlireshed ont the straw, dist lihuted it .0 the i'.\i»ectants on lioth sides ; while the " liberal handful" was oeeasionallv thrown to the nianv eo|ore(l ])oulti'v on the hill. Winter itsell" iiext-r made this al»(»de of life and ]ilenty cold or cheerless. Here von miyht walk and vii'W all vour sul)je('ts, and their means of su|t}iort, at one glance ; except, indeed, tlie sheep, for whom a larufci and commodious building was erected very near the barn : the roof of which was furnished with a loft large enough t" contain hay sutlicient for their winter's food. Col. Schuyler's i»arn was by far tlie largest I have ever seen : but all of them, in tliat country, were constructed on the same plan, furnished with the sanu' accommodation, and presented the same cheering aspect. The orcliard, as I formerly mentioned, was on the south side of the barn ; on the north, a little fartln'r back towards tlie wood, which formed a dark screen behind this smiling scene, there was an enclosure, in which the remains of the deceased members of tlu^ family were deposited. A field of pretty large extent, adjoining to the house on that side, remained uncultivated, and unenclosed ; over it were scattered a few large apple trees of a peculiar kiiul ; the fruit of Avhich was never approi)riate(l. This piece of level and productive land, so near tlie family nnmsion, and so adapted to various and useful purjioses, was never nuule use of : but left o\)vu as a public benefit. From the known liberality of this munificent family, all Indians, or new settlers, on their journey, whether they came by land or water, rested here. The military, in I ^ 120 MK.MUlltS OF AN AmKKK'AN LaDY. j);issiniaiite(l ; here all manner of l^arden stnlf, frnit, and milk, were plentifnily distribnted to wanderers of all descriptions. Kvery snmniei-, for ntany years, there was an encanipnient, either of re^ndar <»r pro- vincial troops, on this common : and often \y\\vn the troops proceeded nortliward, a little colony of helpless women and childri-n, l»elonifin<^ to them, was h'ft in a great measure dependi'nt on the compassion of these worthy pati'iarchs ; fi)r 8iU'h the brothers might he jnstly called. i^« I I CIIAITKR XIX. INfir.rrAKv I'liKrAUAiioNs — Fidki.itv ok tiik .Mohawks. J. IIK first year of tlie colonel's marriage was chielly spent in New Vork, and in visits to the friends of his bride and other relations. The following yeai's they spent at home ; surronnded daily by his bi-others, and their families, and other relatives, with whom they maintained the most ail'ec- tionate interconrse. The colonel, however (as I have called him by anticipation), had, at this time, his nund engaged by jjublic dnties of the most nrgeiit nature. He was a nunnber of the colonial assembly ; and, by a kind of hereditary right, was obliged to snpport that character of patiiotism, eonrage, and public wisdom, which had so eminently distinginshed his father. The father of INIrs. Schuyler, too, had been long mayor of Albany ;' at that time an office of great impoil- ance : as including, within itself, the entire civil power exercised over tlu^ whole settlement as well as the town, and liaving attached to it a sort of })atriarchal authority ; foj- the peoi)le, little ac(piainted w^ith coercion, and by no means ' He was mayor from 1703 to 170G. His son Joliannis Jr., held the office 1742-3. Mk.MOIKS ()!•• AN A.MKKICAN LaKV 121 inclined to su1»init Id il, li.id, however, a i»i'oronii(l reverenei', !is is ''eiuTiiliv the ease in the iiil'anev of soeietv, tor the r.nniliesof their tirst leadiTs ; whom they had jookeil up to merely as knowiii!^ them t<» possess superior wortii, talent and enterprise. In a soeiefy, as yet uneorrupted, the value of this rich iidieritaiiee can <»nly 1)e diniinislK'd hy deLjra]iantom jtopnlarity, this is it ; it would he \ erv honorahlc to human nature, if this couhl he attrihutcil to the pure love ()f virtue ; hut alas ! multitinles are not made u]» of the wise or the virtuous. Vet the very unselHshm'ss of our nature inclines us to love and trust thosi' Avlio are not likely t(» desire any benetit from us in return for those they confer. Other vices may l>e, if not social, in some degree gregarious : hut even the avaricious liate ava- rice in all l)ut themselves. Thus, inheriting unstainetl integrity, nid)oinided popu- larity, a cool, deteiMuinetl spirit, and ample possessions, no man had fairer ju'etensions to unlimiti'd sway, in the sphere in whicli he moved, than the colonel ; 1»ut of this, no man could he less desirous. lie was too wise and too happy to solicit authority ; anvil resisted ; from which no private benefit resulted to liimself. 16 fi '% m ■ i 1-2 MiiMdiiis OK /\N A.MKincAN Laky Yoimi; as his wife was, and iiiucli as she vahirii, niid the |iU'asiiri' of liis society, slic slmwctl a spirit worthy of a IJiUMan iiiatron ; in williniily risixini,' all her happini'ss, even in that early jieriod ol' her niairia^e, l>y eoiisentiiiij to his assuininLf a military eoniniand ; and leadin;;; forth the |trovin('i;d tniojis against the eoimnoii enemy ; Avho had now bi'come more boldly ilanycrous than ever. Not content with secretly stimnlatinj^ the Indian trihes, who were their allies, :ind enemies to the Mohawks, to acts of violence, the l-'rench Canadians, in violation of cxistinj; t reat- ties, lM'nt (leeasioiieij him a consideralile expi'iisi', t lionyh the regiment was pail! by the province, the province also fiirnishin;; arms anil military stores ; tlu'ir si-rvice Ix'inL,', like that of all pro\incials, limited to the summer half year. The t;'i>vernor aiul chief commander came up to All»any to view and appr(»ve the preparations inakinn' f(n' this inte- rior war, and to meet the congress of Indian sachems ; who on that occasioi r m > -ed their solenni league with their brother the yreat 1."'. "oloiu'l Schuyler, being then tlu' ])ers()n they most looked .ip to ami conlidod in, was tlu'ir proxy (ui this occasion in ratifying an engagement to which they ever adhered with singular fidelity. And mutual )»resents biiglnene*! the chain of amity, to use their own figurativi' language. The common and the barn, at tho Flats, were fully occu- pied, and the hospitable mansion, as was usual on all public occasions, ovi'rt1owe»l. There the general, his aid-de-camps, the sachcjiis, and tlu' princi|»a' otHci-rs of the (tolonePs regi- ment, were recei\('(l ; and those who could not find room there of the next class, were accomim»dated by Peter and Jeremiah, On the (common was an Indian encampnient ; and the barn and orchard were full of the [)rovincials. All these last brouglit as usual their (»wn food ; but were sup- ]>liod by this liberal family with every production of the ganlen, dairy, ami orchanl. While the colonel's judgment was exercised in the necessaiy regulations for this untried ■warfare, ^Vlrs. Scliuyler, by the calm fortitude she displayed in this trying exigence, by the good sense and good breed- 124 MeMOIKS (JF an AMKRIfAX LaDY. iiiromised assistance, to come forward with their allotted ((uotas. On the other side of the river, not vei-y far from tlio Flats, lived a ]ierson whom I shall not name ; though his conduct was so peculiar ami charactei'istic of the times, tha.t his anti-heroism is on that sole account worth mention- in«r. This i»<>rson lived in ixwM securitv and abundance, in a place like an earthly ])aradise, and scai'cely knew what it was to liave an ungratilie(l wish, having had considerahle wealth lefttoliim ; and from the simple ami domestic hahits of his lit"e, liad formeil no desii'cs beyond it, unless indeed it were the desire of being thought a brave man, which seeine(l his greatest ambition : he was strong, rol)Ust, and an excellent marksman ; talked loud, looked tierce, and always ' The coiini al)i":i(i!intly recorded in the volumes of tlie documentary history of that colony, lie lias found an ardent vindicator in Mr. S. (J. Drake, in t\w, Ptirticiil/ir Ilint'irt/ of the French and Indian War (1^70), in which his civil and military services are set forth advantajreously, and he is characterized as one of t!ie ablest of the colonial jrovernors. — M. r. 1> ? AfKMoins OF AX AMFRir.w Lady 12') ■4% ^ I'X I tressed tlic utmost scorn anil dctcsta'.ion ul" cowaiMlicc. 'I'lic coloni'l :i)tiiruMl to liini, tlial liis iianic, and tlic naiiics ot" such adlu'i'cuts as he couhl Itriuii', uiiulit l»i' set down in tlielist of those who wei'e to hrinii" tlieir ipiota, against a U'ivi'n time, I'oi- the n'eiuTal (h'I'ence ; with tlie re(|uest he C()in|tlied. When the rench'/vous came on, this talking warrior liail ehann'cd his mind, and ahsohitely refused to a|"|)i'ar ; the ^'eiiei'al si-nt I'oi' him, and warmly ex|iost uLate*! on his bi'each of promise ; the had i'\am|iie, r.nd tlie disar- rangement of plan which it occasionecl : the culprit spoke in a liiu'h tone, sayini;, very truly "that the ^-eneral was ])ossessed of no legal means of coercion ; that evei'v one went or staid as they chose ; and that his change of opinion on that snhject remlereil him liable to no penalty what- ever."" TiriMl of tins sophistry, the enragecl general had reiMiurse to cluh law ; and si'i/.ing a cmlgel, helalmred this rt'creant knight most, manfully ; while several Indian sachems, and many of his own count ryuu'u and fi'iends, coollv stood l)v ; for the coloiU'Ts noted connnon was the scene of his assault. Our jtoor neighbor (as lie long after became) suffered tliis dri'adful bastinado, unaidecl and un- pitied ; and this example, and the subsecpient conteni])! under which he labored (for he was ever after styled captain, and he did not I'cfuse the title), was said to haxc an excellent elTect in preventing such iH'trogr.ade nu)tittns in subseipient campaigns.' 'I'he pro\inc,ial troops, aided ' Al)ov'(^ thirty yoars after, wh(M\ the writer of these ]iiif;es lived witli her fiiniily at the Flats, tlu; hero of this little tale used very frecitieiitly to visit her fatlier, a veteran ofHcer; and beiiiy a j^n-eat talker, war and ])i)liti('s wer(^ his ineessant tftpics. Tliere was no ('aini)aienalty then attixed to dis- obedienei', and enjoying tlie ]>ay and ])rovisions allotted to them l»y the province or the mother coiinti'y, I cannot ex- actly say wliicli. After\\ai*(ls, wlien the refuse of mankind were sclecli'd, likt' l'\alstatrs soldiers, and raised much in till' sanu' way, the New Voi-k troops still maintainecl their respectability. This snpi'riority might, \\ithout repi'oach- ing othei's, be in somi' measure accountetl for from inci- dental causes. 'I'lie four New Kngland provinci'S were mudi earlier settled, assumed sooner the forms of a ci\il commu- nity, and lived within naia-ower bounds ; they were more laborious ; their fanaticism, which the}' bi-onght from Kngland in its utmost fervor, long continued its efTervi's- cence, where thei'e were no ])leasuri's, oi- indeed lucrative l)ursuits, to detacli their mind from it, and long after tliat genuine spirit of pii'ty, which, howevi-r narrowed and dis- ligui'cd, was still sincere, had in a great measui'o evapo- rated ; enough of the pride and rigor of bigotry remained to maki' llu'ui detest and desjdse the Fudian tribes, as ignorant luatlu'U savagi's. Tlu' tribes, indeed, wiio inhabited their district, had l»een so wi'akened by an unsuccessful warfare with the ^Sloliawks, and were so every way iufeiioi- to them, that after the lirst establishment of the colony, and a few feeble attacks succefssully repulsed, they were no longer eiu'inies to be dreadi'd, or friends to be courted. '^Phis had an uidiappy ell'ect with regard to those ]»rovinces ; and to diacovercd that h(i still loved to talk arrojrantly of war and j-ublic atfairs, and pitched upon him for a lisfeiuT, as tlu; only juTson lie could suppose iiinornnt of his disjjrace. Such is human nature! and 80 incurabh^ is human vanity ! ! — Mrti. Grant. 'J -\S % Mfmoius of an American Lady 127 ^ the different relations in wliieli they stood Avitli respect to the Indians, some i)art of tlie strikinn' diiVei'ciice in the moral and military eharaeter of these various estahlishments must 1)0 attributed. The pe( ]»le of New Knoland left the mother country, as banished from it by what they considered o|>))ression : came over foamini"; with relitrious and ixtlitical furv, and nari'owlv missed haviuLi; the most artful and able of demaL><)uues, Cromwell himself, foi- their leader and u'uide. Tliey mi^dit be eompareil to lava, discharged by the fury of inti-rnal combustion, from the Itosom of the commonwealth, while inflamed by contending elements. This lava, every one acquainted with the convulsions of nature nnist know, takes a long time to cool ; and when at length it is cooled, turns to a substance hard and l)ai'i'en, that longivsists the kindly influence of the elements, before its sui'face ri'sumes the a|t})earance of beauty anravated bv a fiei'v and intoleraiit zeal for theii' own mode of worshij), on these .self-rightef)us colonists. These ])reli.ninary remai'ks on the divei-sity of character in those TU'ighboring pi-ovinces lealace owing to a well-regulated l)iety, less concerned about forms than essentials. Next, to an influx of other than the original ; If I if i i 128 Memoirs of an AxMekican Lady, mi. i settlers, -whieh tended to render the h>vments and 'P fash ;ib]( JK d of til at isnionaoic soeiery. jn-piMved ot so many n-sourees wei'e open to tlieir fellow snbjeets, and foi'ced to seek com- I'ort ill jiiety and eoneord formally ]iri\ations, self-conimaml and fruiiiility had \k'vi\ in a manner forced u]ton them ; eonse(|Ueiitly they were not so vaiii or so volatile as to dis- LTiist tlii'ir new associates ; while their cheerful tem])ers, accommodatiny; manners, and jiatieiiee under adversity, were very prepossessing. Tlu'se additional inhabitants, being such as had suifered real and extreme hardships for conscience sake, from abso- liiti' tyranny anpy country by Louis the Fourteenth. The subdued and conteiiti'd spirit, tho simple and primitive manners, and frugal, industrious habits o\' thes(! genuine sufferers for conscience sake, made them an acipusitiou to any society which ri'ceived tlu'in, ami a most suitable infusion among the inhal)itants of this province ; who, devoti'd, to the pnisuits of agriculture and till' Indian ti'ade, which encouraged a wild romantie spirit of arowess, from the stolen irru|>tittns of detached ]>arties of tliose usually called the French Indians, liail also given their mimls a warlike bi'nt ; and as a boy was not uncommonly trusted at nine or ten years of age with a light fowlingj)iece, whicli he soon learned to use with great dexterity, few countries could produce such dexterous marksmen, or jiersons so well qualitied for coiupiering those natural obstacles of thi(dv woods and swamps, which would at once battie the most determined European. It was not only that they were strong of limb, swift of foot, and exi-ellent marksmen — the hatdu't was as familiar to them as the musket ; and an amateur, who lia«l never cut wood but for his diversion, could hew down a tree with a celerity that would astonish 17 -mimmBam 130 Mkmuirs of an American Lady. aiitl abftsli !i |»r(>foss(' much as they did Col. Schuyler, a well armed body of New York provincials had nothing to dread but an ague or an ambuscadi', to both of which they were much ex]»osed on the banks of the lakes, and amidst the swampy forests, through which they h:;'l to penetrate in pursuit of an enemy of whom thcymiyht say with the (Jrecian hero, that "they wanted but vdaylight to concjuer him." This first essay in arms of those provincials, under the auspices of tlieir brave and generous leader, succeeded bi'yond tlieir hopes. This is all I can recollect of it. Of its destination I only know that it was directed against some of those establishments which the French began to make within the IJritish bound- aries. The ex])edition only terminated with the season. The provincials brought home Canailian i)risoners, who were kejtt on their jtarolein the houses of the three brothers, and became afterward^! their friends ; and the Five N.-itions brought home Indian prisoners, most of whom they adojtted, and scalps enough to strike awe into the adverse nations, who were for a year or two afterwards pretty (piiet. ;. ! ClIAPTEll XXI r. Adoption of Childkkn commox in tiik Pkovinm k — JNFaoamk's Visit to Xkw Yokk. iVXRS. Schuyler had contributed all in her power to forward this exj)cdition : but was |)rol)al)ly hurt, either by the fatigue of receiving so many friends, or the anxiety produced hy j^arting with them under such circumstnuccs! ^ fv* soon after the colonel's departure she was delivered of a dead Mkmoiks ok ax a mi: hi can Lai»y, 131 child, which event w.is foMowcd l»y an alai'iiiiii!^ ilhioss ; 1>\it slic wished the eohmel to l)e kept in ignomnce of it, that lie nuLjht s^ive his nndivided attention to the duties in which he was enroof of a disposition either callous, or led by extreme vanity to pretend insensibility to the best feelings of miture. To a tie so v'X(piisitely tender, the jiledge and bond of connubial union ; to that bud of promised felicity, whicli .always clieers Avitli tlie fragrance of lu)pe the noon-day of toil or care, aTid often supports witli tlie rich corilial of filial love and watchful duty the evening of our decline, what mind can be indifferent. Xo wonder the joys of paternity should be highly relished where they were so richly flavored ; where jtarents knew not what it was to find a rebel or ii rival in a child ; first, beciuse they set the example of simplicity, of moderation, aiul of seeking their highest joys in domestic life ; next, because they quietly expected and calmly wcIcohumI the evening of life ; and did not, by an absurd desire of being yonn - too long, inspire their offs))ring with a premature ambition to occu])y their place. What sacrifices have I not seen made to filial Jiiety ! U i'« 132 ArKMOlRS OF AN AmKRK'AX LaDY. How many rcspt'ctaldc ((lioiiuli not yomiir) inaidcns, wlio widiout iirclcniliiitj; a dislike to man-ianc, liaxc rejected int'ii wlioiii their hearts approx (■(!, heeaiise I hey wmild not forsake, during her lifetime, a \vi(h>\ved mother, whose sole comfort- tliey were V For such ehildi'en wlio, that liopes to y-row ohl, would not wisli ? A consideration which the most ]M>lished man- ners of Europe teach us to hanish as far as possible from our minds. We liave leaiiied to clieck this natural senti- nu'Ul, l>y finding other ohjects for those fat-ulties of our min(is, which nature intendeil to hless ami benefit creatures born to love us, and to i-idarge our alVectiiuis by exciting them. If this slri'iiMi, which so naturally in(dines to flow downwards, l;appene(l to be checkecl in its course for wai l of the usual channel, tliesi' adepts in the science of happiin ss immediati'ly foiMued a new one, and liked their canal as wt'll as a river, because it was of their own making. To spe: k without a metaphor, whoexcr wanteil a i-liild adopted one ; love produ('eartieularly as it was tlu' iuvaiiable custom to select tlii' child of a friend who hail a uumerous family. The very animals are iu)t devoid of that mixture of affection and sagacity, which suggests a mode of supi»ly- ing his great desideratum. Next to that ]>riiice of eats, the famous eat of Whittington, I would place the cat re- corded by Dr. White in his curious natural history, who when deprived of her young, sought a parcel of deserted leverets to suckle and to fondle. What an exanij)le ! The following year j)ri>.lu('ed a suspension of hostilities between the provinces and the Canadians. The colonel went to New York to attend his duty, being again chosen a member of the colonial assembly. ^Irs. Schuyler accom- t «L. ■■im. Lv- lO T 'ii ^■. Memoirs of an Amkutcan Lai»y. l.']8 |);uii('!iu'ans inelv'u'ant dp unint"i)nneil ; lor socii'ly was there more \arious ami more |iolislie(l tliaii in any other ]»art ol' the conlim-nt, Itoth iVom liie mixtnre ol' settlers, t'ormerly (lescril»e(l, ami from its l»eini^ sitiialeil in a)»rovinci' most li>'(|iii'nlly tlieseat of war, ami conse(|nently t'ormiiiLj the hi'atl (piai'ters oi' the army, which, in point of the hirth ami eihication of the can .leinferior ranks, there was hardly an instanc*' of a pei-son ijjettinj;' cNcn a subaltern's commission whose bii'th was not at least n'enteel, and who had not interest and alliances. There was not so many IncratiNc ])laces nnder n'overnment. The wide field of adxcnt ni'c since opi'ned in the Kast was scarcely known ; a ^!!b;d(ei'ii''s pav was more adeipiate to the maintenance of a gentleman ; and the noblest and most I'cspected families had no other way of providing foi' snch younn'cr brothers, as were not bi-eil to any leai'ne(l i)rofession l»ut by throwinLC them into the army. As to morals, this did not perhaps nun ii mend the matli'r. l^hese otHcei's might in some instances be thoiiendent and self- righted settlers, and instructing; them in many thiiiursuits in which they were about (o eiiirau'e. It was one of aunt Scliuyler's many singular merits, that, after acting for a time a distinguished part in thiscomi>arativ(dy refined society, where few were so much admired and esteemeil, she could return to the homely good sense and pi'imitive manners of her fellow citi/.eiis at Albany, free from fastidiousness and disgust. Few indeed, without study or design, ever betti'r understood tlie art of being lia|»i)y, and making others so. Ueiiiir tr-'iv is anotiier sort of thing ; tiaii'tv, as tlic word is understood in society, is too often assuinecl, artificial, and produced by such an elfort, that in the midst of laugliter, "the heart is indeed sad." \'ery different are the smiles that occasionally illume the )>lacid countenance of clieerful tran(iuility. They are the em mations of a heart at rest : in the t'lijoyment of that sunsliine of the breast, whicli is set forever to tlu' restless votaries of mere atniisement. According t<»tlu' laudable custom of tlie country they took liome a child, whose mother had died in giving her birth, and wliosc father was a relation of tlie colonel's. This child's name was either Schuyler or Cnyler, I do not exactly n Y Nri'MulltS Ol" AN Amkkk'an Lady V]h vv o. is id !•> 'S ul is lis '^i n'tiU'inlxT wliicli ; l»iit I i(iiiciiil»i'r Iicr inaiiy y«':irs at'lcr as Mrs. N'ainU'f INioIcii ; when, as a ciniicly cinitfiitcil luxkiiiLC matron, she usimI to |>ay hcrannnal visit to jut iK'nd'actit'ss, antl scml licr ample |ii'esents of siicli rural dainties as lier a1»o(le all'ordeil. I have otten heanl her wai'in in hei- piaises ; sayint; how useful, how mol|e^t, ami how allectionate she hail been ; and exnltini; in her eonifoitalde settlement, and tht* plain worth, which made her a l>lessinif to her family. From this time to her aunt's death, aliove tifty years aftei-- wards, her house was ne\-er without one, hut mindi oftener two children, whom this exemplary pair educateil with j)iirental I'are and kindness. And whenever one of their |)rotetres marrii'd out of the house, which was oi.iicially at a very earlv aije, she carried w ith her a femali' slave, horn and hapti/ed in the house, and l»rout;ht up with a tliorounh knowledge of her duty, and an hahitual attachment to her mistress ; hesides the usual pi'esent of the furniture of a chiunher, and a piece of plate, such as a tea-pot, tankard, or some sucli useful matter, which was more or less valuable as the prut('f2[e was more or less In-loved : for though aunt Sehuy!er had threat satisfaction from the characters and comluct of all her adoptecl, th're weiv, no doubt, dcLjrees of merit amonij; them, of which she was better able to judi^e than if she had been their actual mother. There was now an interval of ]»eace, which ;:>ave tlu'sc^ jdiilanthi'opists more U-isnre to do good in their own way. They held a three-fold band of kinilness in their hands, by wliich they led to tlie desirable purpose of mutual advantage, three very disroi-dant elenu'uts, which were daily becoming nH)re ditlicult to mingle and to rule ; and which yet were the more dependent on each other formutual eond"oi-t, fi"om the very causes which tended to disunite them. In the tirst i)hi'e, the Indians Ix'gan to assnnu' that unfavor- able and uncei'tain aspect, wliich it is the fate of man to wear 'n tlie tirst steps of his jirogress from that state where II ^ !/ i i i \:M] AfiiMoiHs OF AN Amkiiu'a.v Lady. lie is ;i hciiiLj at once warlike ami social, liavini^ lew wants, and l)(>iii^' al)l(', witlioiit constant lalioroi- division of ranks, to sn|iply llicni; where there is no distinction, save that attained I, y superior stren^'lh ol' mind and hody ; and where there are no laws, Init those dictate(| hy jrood sense, aided liy experience, and enl'orcetl l»y all'i'ction, this state of Tde niav he trnlvealle(' a<|ilc(|, ere tlicy can he all rcifniarly ;^r!it ilicil. N'cry ai't'uc ami industrions, in fact, tlic Imlians were in their (»rii;iiial stale ; and when we laki' it into cunsiileratidn, that heside all these necnpat inns, tnujelher with tlieii' h>iit t»» ui\e them ci-edit. < >!• ii' a ehiei" occasionally alter I'atin'ue, ol" which we can I'orni no aile iiimst If, 1 le would lia\ (; )es ; little k'isuiv for study o'" repose. .And all this and moi'e the Indian did, under other names and f(tl■m^ that idl eiiess. with its ii'looinv followers CH/it//' n\u\ suicide, were unknown anuuig this truly active |)e<»ple ; yet that there is a higher state of society cannot he denied ; nor can it he denii'd that the intei'mediate state is a painful and enfeehlinif one. ."Man, in a stati' of nature, is tauu'ht hy his mort! civili/ed bretliren a thousand new wants Ixl'ore he learns to supjdy ^vhicli in the fii'sl static one T] lenee arter tak es |)lac( 18 U 1 1 ilii ! l;{s MllMUlHS OF AN AmKHICAN LaI»Y of ))n>tj;r('ssi()ii is miivt'rsally fatal to tlic lilxTty, tlic spiiit, and till' comforts of an nncivilizrd |n.'o|tli'. In tlu' cast, wliiTc the cradli' of onr infant nature was a|>|»'int(Ml, till' rlinu' was Lji'nial, its productions altundant, and its winters only sutlicicnt to consume tlic surjilus, and trivc a W( mc vain tv to tl ic seasons. Tl lei'c man was either a slieplierd or a liunti'r, as his dis|>osition led ; and that perhaps in the same family. The meek spirit of .lacoh diTiLfhted in tendinis; his father's flocks ; while the more darinu" and a^iventnions I']sau traced the wilds of Mount Seir, in pursuit holh of tlu' tiercer animals who waycd war upon the fold, and the more timorous who administen-d to the luxury of the tal»K'. The progress of civilization was heri' yradnal and ycntle ; a'ld tlu' elcLTant arts seem to have >>-one hand in hand with the useful ones. l*\)r we reail of bracelets ami I'ar-rinys sent as tokens of love, and images hinhly valued am! -oveted ; while even a<;riculturi' seemed in its infancv. ( lIAPTKIi XXIV. T*i;o(;ijKss oi' Civil. i/Aiiov in K.ri;(»PK. 1 OrrLATlON extending- lo tin- milder re«>i<.ns of Europe, brouoht civilization along with it ; so that it is oidv amouLT the savages (as we call our anci'stors of tlie noi'th) that we can ti'ace the internu'diate stati' I have spoken of. Amongst them, one reg'ular gradation set'ins to have taken place ; they wi'ie tirst hunters and tlu'n warriors. As thev aastoral pJirsuits as their rigt>rous climate wtndd allow, without the aid of re- gular agriculturi', mingled with tlu'ir wandeiing habits. Hut, except in a few partial instances, from iiui>ters they ^» i Mkmoiks ok ax Amkhk'an Laky 1.'}') ft^ I i bcciimc (•(»ii(|ii('ritrs : (he \v;uTik(- liahits ,'ic(|iiir('(l from tliat mode (>r lifV riiisinijf tlicir ininds ;iln)vt' piiticnt. indiisfiy, Jind ti'Mcliiiiij tlicni lo despise the softer ;irts fliMf einl»ellisli society. In tine, tlieir iismmI process \v;is to pass |ociviliz;i- tion tliroiiu'li the medium of compiesl. The poet says, " With iioliie scorn tlir first tiun'y far tlie most vahial»K' aci|uisitioMs resultinii' fnim t Iieir conul when the savai:;(} hunters er and lish, and loo warlike t,o dread the contlict with troops more reL![nlarly arme(I, they rushed (h>wn, like a :i1m('«'s, si'cm to l>t' most I:iiiu'ii1cil. I'^roiii Mii'c to aoc tin- vii'luosi of I'vcry country liavc rct'clKK-d to I'licii otluT tlioir tcrltlc |>l:iiiits nvci- the lost works of jirt ; :is if tliat li:iartev taste and liheralitv, may he much lietti'r emitjoved in calliu!'' forth, hy due encouraf fratj;ments. " Mind, mind iilono, bcur witncsH ciirtli and licav'ii ! Tlu" liviiifT t'ountiiins in itself contains Of bcaiitcons and siddinic." And wliat has mind achit'ved, that, in a fav(tral»le eon- junclure, it n\iuht not ai;ain as|>iri' to V The lost arts are ever tlu' theme of classical lanu'iitalion ; hut the ifreat. and real i'\ il was the loss of the viitues which jirotecti'd them ; of couraiiji', ''*'"' ''""'^S honor, ami ]»atriotism ; in short, of the whoK' manly i-hai'acter. M'his must be allowed, after the dreailful lem|»est of suhversion was over, to have been in some dt'i;ree restored in the days of chivalry : and it is equally certain that the victors learnt from the van(|uished many of the ai'ts that support life, and all those which em- hellish it. \Vhen their manni'rs were softeiu'd hy the aid of il mild and charitable ridiyion, this blended people assumed that nndetined power, dei'ived from superior valor and superior wisdom, which has so far exalted Kui'ope over all the regions of the earth. Thus, where a bold ami wai'likc V ••" . " ■ vm u m w i 'w n .' i. 'w M a ■K -If Memoirs of an AiVKKicxN Laj»v. 141 people siilxliie ;i vi)lii|»t iioiis aiwl efTeiiiiiiMle one, tlie icsiilt. is, ill due time, an iiii|troveiiieiil of iiation:il eliaractiT. In siiiiliar clinies and cirenmslaiKH's to those of tlie piiiiieval nations in the other lieniisphei*', tlie ease lias Iteeii \( ly lemeuts necessary for the |)urpose of aj^rieulture. In other countries, when a poor man has not wherewithal to bei^in farinitin-, he serves another ; and the reward of liis toil eiiahles him to set up for himself. No such resource was open to the Indians, had they even in;tli it rerisc, " should any man di'sirc lo possess niort' tlian lie uses ":'"' Alorc a|>|i('art'(l lo his unluloiH'd sens*' an incnndn'aiu'c. I have alicady oliscix cd Iiow innch ha|i|iit'r they consid- ered I lieir manner o(" li\ iiiL;- llian onrs ; yet t h«'ir intereourse w i( li us daily dimiiiishe]>iness, and e\en their numheis. In the new world this fatality has never failed to follow I he int iodu«'t ion of lMiro|iean settlers ; who, insteati of civ ili/,in<;" and improving", slowly consume and w aste ; w here they do not, I iUe I he Spaniards, al»soIuleIy destroy and exit'rminale the natixcs. 'I'lu- very nature of cMii oui' most friendly mode of dealinn' w ith them was per- niiioiis to theii' moral welfare ; which, llionnh too lale, lln-y well understood, and could as well explain. I'nlutore*! man, m lie^inninn' to depart from t hat life of exiu'encies, in w hich the superior acutenes^ of his senses, his lleetiu'ss and de\- ti'rity in the clias**, are his ciru'f dependence, loses so nuivli of all this hefore hi' can heconie accustomed to, or tpialitied for our mode of procuiiiiL!," food Ity patient lahor, that notliini;' can l)e conceixeil more eufecided and f(M'lorn tliaii the stale iA' the few detached families remainini;' of vanished triln's, who iia\ iuLj- lost 'heir enerey, and e\en the wish lo live in their own mamu'r, were slow ly and nductantly heeimiint^ lo adopt ours. It was like that suspi'usion of life which takes place in tlu' chrysalis of insi'cts, while in their proi^ress towards a ni'W st.ite of heinif. .Mas ! the in(h)kMU"e witli which we re|>roach thi'in, was merely the (•onsecpu'iice of tlieir conunercial intercourse wi»Ii us ; and the fatal passion for slri>nii' liipiors which resulted from it. As the fabled enchanter, Ity w a\ in^ his maijic" wand, chains up at once tlio faculties of his op|»oin'nts, and renders streneth and courage usi'less ; the most w ri'tcheil and sordid trader, j)o.ssossod of •?> Ml'.MdlKS ((K AN AMKltK'AN LaDV. II;'. this iiiastcr-kcy (<• llit' ;i|i|i('lilfs ;iiiassi<»iis of tlicsc lianl- r.'itcd ]tc<)|»l(', foiiM disiiriii tlmsc lie iIcmII willi nl" nil tlicir rcsdiircrs, mill rciHlcr tliciii (>ii(l('iit mmv (l('|>ciiii tliosc llicy s((inu'v iiiiinic tliiiiil llic use of tire anus, tliat llicv soon liccaiiir less cx- |i('n ill iisiiiLj tlicir own inissilc \v('a|M>iis. 'Ilicy coiiM still throw the tomahawk with such an niicniii!^ aim, that, thoiinh it w<'iil circlini;' through the air towaitis its oltjccl, it ncxcr failed to reach it. ISiit the arrows, on which they had rorinerlv so much de|teiideil, were now consieo|ile was centred. In former days this lialll ( lie |il i\ lltMH' Miiil ii'\\;iir '-npi'iiii r.nii.H'c mill niclii'jtiv , iiiiil Ixtiiiiic :iu kIijc.I w .>i I )• \ i>t ii>iii|>('l i( imi riiir- I'liiplov rd, iiinl ( liiM ii.l.Mncii, ill' i.Ihmii iM 111 : liiiMiil'^ lunml lillii' liiii<> In in • IiiUm' tix' '-in|M.I 111(1. 'It'iitc \\t' li;i\<> liocii MccnsI tininl In inn»nlt' (<> 1 1nni. Vn.MlltM Mlillixils \:[^\y H'ni:iniN llll< ;llriil:i( cl Ki'l nii' I lli'\ l>i'<:inii' il('|>('n.lrnl mi ii'- I>m lln' inciiir- ol <|.'^l i in 1 inn. iiiinli Iinic w :is (Mii^iinicil in l.niniiK', llicn w i';i|ii li'^'J |>:i1 iiMiic Mini iiHM'niiit\ were o\iM'.isi'.l ili.in III lli.ll >>l llicir .nininn'iils : Mini lln>'^i' t.xi w t'li" liK'lih iMiil'cllisln'.l. Mini iinnln \\i(li mh'mI hil'or .ml nl W inl s, pi'liMi's Mil .li.'ll- >n1 mII IIii^ ^ \ s( cm i>l ('iii| Mt>\ ni.Mil w IS s.icn i>\ I'll 111 nc.l 1>\ lln'ii ImIi' Mi'i|iiMinl Mini- willi tl,.' in^nli.Mis Mils .>l l'"iii.>|n' ; l.i llic use ..|' \\ln<>(' niMiinrMi' tui»"'« lln'\ w.Tt' insi'ii'^iMv .Iimwii in. liisi 1»\ ilmir |>M^s:iim i.M lilt' Mini>>. Mii.l liiiMlh 1>\ ihcir ImImI M|i|>(>lili' tHr li.nn>r. r.' iiimK.' tills nn>ri> .'IcMr. I ^IimII iii'-.Ml m i1imI.><'.ii<\ micIi M'j, il ii.>l IhimmUn. mi IcmsI in snlisiMint'. nii.'lil jims'^ l>i>!\\i\l mu lll.l IMll \\ Mil I.M Mini M I 1 M.ltM a 1mm. rVNPKN. V \\ IIIJM PlMIMslllP. hlU. W K(^rin".K. 1 Mill ciMin' to (iM.lo ^illi \o\\ n.nvMru \.Mi !.< hi' iinn-c iin>.l(MMlt' in \ our di'iiiMinls Iml 1 tliMU I.mhumIv. 7)'!' ('(piMl \ mIiio willl 1ln^^^' \.M1 llM.l ImsI XCMl? I/,iiiii>i. l\i liMps llir\ iUM\ ; bill niino Mio nnirt> vmIiim bU' biH Muso nn>ri siMV.c. Tin" uvt'Mt s|uiil who Iims \vitlilu>l itr.nidc \'oiH\ ;iinl clolliinn; Ml' l'\ I'll Ii' 'It M IMMI II,; III' \ N ,\ Mill ir \ N I . \ Ii \ 111 I III \ Mill 'ti'l \ i"i, I III 'I I'i \ I'M \ nil I'll II III III' : I ll> I 'III 1 1) liril< r I' illi'i I Ii iLilHf Ml Ml ml It \\ii|i|'-l III IIHJ |iliivii|i' 'H!ii|l'l . illnl li\ '.'lii'llK III! 4illl|i|i' null, \\ Inn lIli'V ll!l\i' ':\V:ll|i • il lll:|i|lM '>!, yiill li l\ • V ill I I*' Mill .1. Il lllll I' jillli IdI'IiI lliiii liiinl Mil' I'I'iIIImI': IIII'I in:ii|i' I lii'in nil n l.in linl ili'i lln-j I Ml I lii'i li:i< I : 'I'liii'i llii' I ir,'l \ I'l '; iri I >W im i| r Mm III' K . v'l )ili< I I I iil\r lr'i('l\ii| mKiiim l< i II 1 1 II III V liiJiliI II', ;iii'l I III' ill il III III' "I in \ will', I w ill I' M li.ilii'i' ( III" I'I'Wl 7'riii/i r. I il' il MM, III 111 III I : I HI l;ik(> \iiiii liiiM .'Ii'miiimI \i.iii w i : 1 1 n I 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 \S I I 1 1 1 1 f V 1 1 1 1 , II II I'.: Inn llii I l';l\'l'IM !IH' (I'W, Mini \iiii I'll liiillii I I'll llii III ( iiini', liinlliii, lil. IH I li'iil 1)111 lii'Jl. Mini Mii!iil,i' III! inllv m(Ii iwmhI'I \ 'III I Imm( inill i'iimI liri\ lii'M\i'l mIvMIM ; \iin 'li'ill liM\r lIlIM |ii| Ml V i| \ Mil sIimII 'i\i- iiiMili'ii ;iiii| iMi'iiMii III I III' HMIIII' |il ii|iii| I iMl) lii| |iii\\i|r| Mini kIiiiI. ///'//'///. Will, Iniillii'i, IIimI im cijiimI. N'mw Iiii I wo Hllvrr III Mrcli'iM. Willi lull!' |irlnl:illl I'MII'ilMfM iil llic MMIIlc, HiM'li MM yoii Kiilil III (mhImimiii ill lln' Mlniinnii ' Mimilli ImmI. ynnr, Imw iiiinli will ymi iliiiiMinl ? 7'rii(/i r. Tlin nKiii'^iir Iwiiiliri Inr llm In m'tIiIh, Mini llniMi' III t\\i> rMWii"- Im ill"' I'Mi linifM. ///./ lllll . Ml IH M ini'M I ill mI ; lllll WMIIIjill' I jMOWK si'MiTc, Mini HihiT iicvrr ins Im. II I'll' Mil' I III' sk IIIM. 'rrmli r. I >i yiiii iniy Miiy nnni y II I'll' MIC knives. Ii.'iIi'Iu'Im, Mini Im'miIs oI mII cnliiis. Iiidiiiii. I will liM\i' M Kiiili' Mini M IimIi'Iii'I ; Init imiimI, in>|, l,',l 140 Mkmoiks of an a Mini KAN Lauy. I Ti'ude.r. — irtTc nil' maiiv thint^s Lood i';)r von, wlilch v<>u li.'ivo not skins to l»iiy ; licrc is ii l<><»ki!!iirchase them. TnuJer. — Yonr will determines, brt>(hef ; bnt next year yon will want ns wliich were lu'ver offered to them. Indian. — For this year, brotlier, 1 will exchange my skins ; in the next I shall |trovide ii>parel nu)re befitting a warrior. One pack alone I will reserve to dress for a future occasion. Tlie sunnnei* must not find a warrior idle. The terms being adjusted and the bargain concluded, the li'ader thus shows his gi'atitnde foi" liberal dealing. Trade)'. — "Coi-laer has forbid bringing scaura to steal away the wisdom of the w;in-iors ; but we white men are weak and cold ; we bring kegs for ourselves, lest death arise from the swamps. We will not sell scaui'a ; but you shall taste some of ours in return for the venison with which you liave feaste(l us. Indian. — lirother, we will drink moderately. cannot by their exertions win any better. They estimate them com- pared witli their own wampum, as we do pearls compared with paste. — Mrs. Grant. iA--'jyi;!'fts:.%%.iii&x-»jmLmm i us!Ks Memoirs of an Amkhicam Lady. 147 tl le y way of prcsi'iit, which lu' was adviscMl to ivccplonij ; but found it irri'sistibk'. Ho soon rc'turncil with the reserved pack of skins, earnestly iirt^iuL' the trader tn i<;\\v liini beads, silver l)roaclu>s, and abdve all scaura, to their full amount. This, with niiieh atVecti'd reluctance at [lacting with the private stock, was at last yielded. The wai'riors now, after i^'iviuij^ loose for a while to frantic mirth, bcijfan the war-whoop, made the wo(mIs resound with infuriate howlin_ generally succeeded ; from which they awoke in a state of dejt'ction and chagrin, sueli as no Indian had ever experienced under any other eireum- stanee. They felt as ]\Iilton describes Adam and Eve to have done after their transgression. Exhausted and foi'lorn, and stung with the consciousness of error and dependence, they had neither the means nor the desire of exercising their wonted summer occupations with spirit. V.acancy produced languor, and languor made them again wish for tlie potion which gave tem|»orary cheerfulness.' They carriey I'xcrtioii, sunk into sn|tin(' indok'ncc, till tlu' :i|i|'r(».'icli of uinttT ciiU'd tln'Ui to hunt tlu' ])r:ir ; and thenrrival of tliat (tlicirl usy season), uri^cdon flicir distant excursions in pursuit of deer. 'I'licn they rcsunii'tl tlicir wonted I'liaraeter, and became wliat tliey used to be ; but consi'ious llial a( <|uired taste.' and wants, which tht-y liad htst the habit of siipplyini; thi-niselves, would thi'ow them a^ain on tlie trader,' for clothing, etc., tlu'y were themselves out-strainin_i( evi-ry sinew to procure enouyh of peltry to answer their purpose, and t(» j:^i'atify their newly ac(juired appetites. Thus the ( nerify, Itolh of their chariicters and constitutions, was gradually undi-rmini'd ; and their num- bers as efl'i'ctually diminished, as if they had lu-eu wasted by war. The small-]>ox was also so fatal to them, that whole tribes on tlie ujtper laki'S have been entirely extinguished by it. Tl)ose people bein;4 in the habit of usi.ii; all possible means of closing; the jiores of the skin, by painting and anointinjjf themselves witii bi'ars' <;'iease, to defend thi-m ayainst tlie extremity of cold, to which t'\eir manner of life exposed them ; an>l not beinn' habit'i.illy subject to any i'Utaneous disease, tlu' small-pox rarely rises upon them ; from which it maybe understood how littlechance they had of recover- ing. All tills I heai'd aunt Schuyler relate, whose observa- tions and retiections I merely detail. (MiAPTioi; xxvr. ArrKAcrioNs of I'mio Indian m<»I)K ok Likio — Account uk A SK'rn.KK AMONMJ TllKM. J-N this wild liberty, habits of jn-obity, mutual confidence, and constant variety, there was nu undutinul)le charm, that, 4r K AT f^ 'Oils lic'li )VC'r- 'VVil- t>F 'lice, liat, Mkmoiks or a:; Amkimcan I m»y. ll'.i wliilc llu'v |»i'i's»'rv('»l tlifir |»ritniti\ (' iiiiimicis, w loiinlit, in I'vcrv otic wlio (hvt'lt lor any liint' amonLrst llicin. I liavi' ot'tcii lii'ai'il my I'liciid -iiuMk of ;in old i>i;iii, wlio, ln'iiii; caiTictl away in liis inrancy liy sonic lioslilc ltil»c who had slain his parents, w ;is rescued \ciy soon allerlc a liilie of friendly Indians, who, IVoin mot i\ cs of luiniiinity, resolved to hrint^ him up amoni^ tlii'msehcs, that he miL;ht, in their phrase, " leiirn to hcml the l»ow, and speak Initli/' When it was discovered, some ye.irs after, th.it he was still li\iii<;, his relations claimed him ; and the coinmiinity wished him to retiiinand inlieril his father's lands, now hcconu' more iit«'iii|»t and hatred of sellishiii'ss, meanness, and dn|ilifity, wei'e e\|>resse(| in laiiLCuaije worthy <»!' tho dean. Insoiimch, that years alter I had lii'ard of this sin- ynlar eharaeler, I thi>iii;ht, on reading ( Inlliver's as|teritie.s al'tei- retnrnin<4 from llonyhnhninlantl, that I had met my old friend al,^■lin. One really does meet with charaeterH that liftion woidy i^radnally ami i^ently nnfoldingto them tlie views of a happy fnfnrity, and the means by which depraved iinmanity was restori'd to a participation of that blessing ; pridi', revenge, r.nd the indulgence of every excess of passion or appetite l)eing restrained by the precepts of a religion ever powerful where it is sincere ; their sj»irits would bebrouglit down from the tierc" j)i'i(l(^ which (U'spises im|)rovenient to adopt such of our modes, as wV, l.-)! nitc in tiiiic with our society, Mrul |H()ciirt" for tlinnsi'lvcs :i (M»tiif«>rt!il>l(' sii))sistcii('(', ill :i (•(Hiiitry no lonucr :i(l;iii|c(l to Hii|»|ily the \v:ints of flic houseless niiiiXfrs ol' the forest. Tlie milTow poiiev of iniiiiv h»<)keli' whether a Christian Indian would hunt or ti<^ht as well as formerly. This, however, had no |t<»wcr with tlmse in whom Christian- ity was any thiui; more than a name. There were already many Christian Indians ; and it was very encouratiin^j:, that not one, once converted, had evei- forsaken the strict profes- HJon of their reliyion, or ever, in a simple instance, ahamloned themselves to the excesses so |iernicious to their unconverted iM'ethreii. Never was the true spirit of Chi'istianity more exemplilicd than in the lives of those comparatively few (Converts, who ahoiit this time amountcfl to more than two hundred. I>ut the tender t'are and example of the Schuylers coiipe rati 111^ with thi' incessant lahorsof a judicious and truly apostolic missionary, some years after jj^reatly auifunicnted their mimhers in dilTerent |)arts of the continent : and to this anotlu'i', is ijjivi'ii both to Cor- lacrand Oiiiionthio, ' docs it not direct them both in (he same way? Why does ()nn<«n)hio worship, and Corlaer nenliH't, the mother of the blessed one? .\nd why do (he mission- aries blame (hose for worshipint;' (hinys made wi(h hands, while (he pries(s (ell (he prayini; na(ion,' tha( Corlaer and his people have forsaken (he worship of his forefadiers : be- sides, how can people, who believe (hat (lod and <>;ood spiri(s view and (ake an in(eres( in all (heir ae(ions, cheat and c'ncy, flow from (he affectionate pei suasions of (hose >vhom they visil)ly beheld t'ariu's( for (heir e(ernal wclfai'c ; and when a few had thus yielded, ' (he peace and purity of their lives, and the sublime^ ' CorlaiT WHS the title jfiven by them to the {rovernor of New York ; and was fiijuratively vised for the governed, and Onnonthio for those of Canada, in the same manner. — ^frti. (Irm t. ^ Prayiiii^natioi> was a nanief^iven to a v'ilair(M)f bidians near Mont- real, who professed the Koman catholic faith. — Mrs. (Irant. ••Some of them liave made such a proficiency in practical relijrion as ought to sliaiiKi many of us, who boast the illuininating aids of our native Christianity. Not on(M)f these hidians has been concerned in thost! barbarous eruptions wliich deluged i-he frontiers of our south. ! I MkMO I us 01' AN AMKHirAN LaDY. 158 oiijoynu-nt tlicy scciiu'd In drrivc iVoin tlic pntspci-ts llicir faith opciKMl into riitufity, was an indnct'nu'nt to others t»» f(»Uo\v the sanu' palli. Tliis, ahst ractcdly IVoni rcIij,Mous consiiU'ralioiis of cniUcss futurity, is the true and only way to cix ilization ; ami to the Idcndini; to.u'ctht'r the ol|ies, and new molixcs for action. ' CIIAITKIJ XXVII. Indians ArrAniKD nv ('i>nvki;sion — Iv\n;i>i rioN <»i' Mt»Ns. I).\i;i;k — luoNn'Ai. SKKrni ok an Indian. LJl*<>N the attachment the Iiulians Inul to our reliiiion was ii;rafte(l the stroiiu'est rei;ard to nur i;dvt'rnineiit, and the greatest (idelityto the treaties may any nu'ans so rich, impressive, or suh- lime as many others that I could (piote, hut as containing a figure of speech rarely to he met with among savage ]>eople, and supposed hy us incom))at ihle with the state of inti'llectual advancement to which they have attained. I n\ean a line and well suppoited irony. Ahout the year lt)!»0,' Mons. I>arre, the c(unmander of the l"'rench forces in \v('st»!rii ])rovinc»'s witli the blood of so iniiiiy iiiiiocciits, of every njjfi- and sex. At tlie coiiniiciiceinent of these nivnjreH, they Hew into tlie settlements, and pnt tliemselves into the jirotretion of government. The Indians no sooner became Cln'istians, tlian they openly ])rofeMse(l their h)ynlty to Kinij (ieorjfe; and therefore, to <-(tntril)Mte to their conversion was as truly politic as nobly Christian. — i}frs. (I rant. ' f'lons. De hi Ham? sueeeeih'd Krontenar, as jfovernorof Canada in tr»H2, l>nt was rei-alleii in l()Sr> for havinfif, l)y his irresolution, cansed the failure of tlie expedition inbi the territory of the lro«inoiH. — M. 20 iM -J. liii f ' i I 154 MlwMOIKS OF AN AmEHICAN LaDY. CaD.'ula, made a kind <»f inroad, witli a warlike dcsiLjn, into tlie ]»ivf'iiict.s claiini'd by our .Aloliawk allio ; ; tlio inanrh was tedious, the Frcncli tVU sick, and many of tiu'ir Trdians dcscrtcMl them. The wily commander, finding' liimseif une- qual to the meditated attack, and that it would he unsafe to return tln'ouijli the lakes and woods, while in hourly dauLferof meeting I'nemies so justly provokiMl, sent ti> invite the sadu'ms to a friendly confcrj'nce : and, wlien they mit, asserted, in an artful s|)eech, that he and Ids ti"oo]ts had come with tlu' sole intention of settling old grii'vances, and smoking the calumet of peace with them. The Indians, not imj»osed on by such |tretenc('s, listent'd patiently to his sjieech, and then made the answer which the reader will find in the n<»tes. ' It is to he ohservecl, that whocvei- they (tonsidered as the ruling pi'rson for the tinu- iieing in ('ana'. He says that he only canu! to the lake to smoke out of the jjreat calumt;t with the Five Naticms ; but Connaratetfo says that In; sees the contrary ; that it was to knock them on the head, if sickness had not weakened the arms ot f I'ft Slip ma ■V NfKMDriis OF AN Amkhtcan Lady. 155 <* Twice ill tlic year llic lU'W converts came 1o All)any to ]»artake nf the saerameiit, before a jjlace »»f rt'orsiiip was erei-teil for tliemselves. Tliey always sjx'iit the iiiglit, or oFteiU'r two iii<»n tlicin. Ilnar, Onnoiitliio, uiir wdiikmi liaii taken tlicir cliihs; our cliildrcn and old men liad carried their hows and arrows into the lieart of your canij), if our warriors liad not disarnuid them, and kept th<'in hack, when your nies.-i.MiffvT eanie to our castiea. It is done, and I liave said it. Hear, Yonnondio, we phuiih-red nont^ of the French, V)ut those wiio carried iiil. Thev wcic I'eeeixed with .•ill'eet ioiiiile eordi.Mlitx, :ind iicoimmudMled in :i ncnuuT <|iiile ennlnrni.'i- l)h' to their h.'diils, in tlie |i;iss;ioc. |Mirch, :ind olliees ; :ind so (h't'plv impressed were they with .1 sense of the Mwlid dut\ ih.Mt lifonehi them tln'i-e. ;ind the riL^hls of iViendship ;ind hospital it V, :ind , 'It this period Iteeome so inni'h .'itMinMinted with our eiistoms, that thonuh two hundred eonimnnieants, followed itv many ol" their children, wen- used to assendth' on these occasions, the smallest instance ol' riot or inipro- if VDU should stop its ^rowlli, iukI jircviMit its covering yoin* coinitrv Mid ours with its lirniiclics. I Mssurc you, in tlw nanit' ol' the l<'ive Niilious, tliMl our warriors sluvll daucc to tlio caluiuct of ix-acc under its leaves, anil shall remain i|uii>4 on their mats; and thai thev shall never diji' up the liati'hel till Corhieror Ounonthio. either Jointly or se)mralely, attaek the country which the y;reat sjiirit had jxiven to our nncestors. 'This belt preserves in v words, and this other tlietiuthorily which the I'^ive Nations luive eivcu iiie," 'rheii.CJnraiiyiila, aildressiiifj hiinself te >.'ous. lie Main, who understood his hin^juaye, and inter ]>reted. s|>oke thus ; " Tiike iMuiaee, friend, you have spirits; speak, exjdain my words, omit nolliiii;!;- 'I'ell all that your lirethren and friends say to Ounonthio. your y:overnor. l>y themouth of (iaraiiixula, — who loves you, and desires you to acceitt of this present of heaver, and take p.art with me in my feast, to which I invite you. 'I'his pn^seiit of heaver is scut to ^'onnondio on the part of the I'lve .Nations."' Mens H.'irre returned to his fort much i'nrai;cil at what he liad heard ; (laranjjulu feasted the l>'rcni'h otiicers, and then went lioine ; and Mens. Harre set out on his way towards Montreal ; and as soon as the fvencral. with the few, soldiers that remained in health, had embarked, the militia made their way to tlicii own hahitations without order or discipline. Thus a char^rcahle and fatijiuiiifj: expedition meant to strike the terror of the French mnne into the stuhhorn hearts of the Five Nations, ended in a scold between u French jreiieral and an old Indian.— (\>hii r's ilixt'irt/ of tin Ft \ Xdtions, pa^»' (58. k Il m Mi;,Mo||!S (»K AN , . MKIIM'AN TjAKY ir,7 pricly \v;"'i iiol k.Hiwii iiiiioiinst llicin. 'I'licy lnoii^lit lidlr |irrs<'iils of L^'MHic, *iv of (heir ciirKnis liMinlicral'l s, :imi| utic lilM'i;illy :iiiil kiiidly cii cihiiiicil liy tlicii' ^(mxI IukI Iici- IMiili|>, ;is llicy r;imili;irly ciillcfl liiin. In tlic cviiiini^ liny .-ill went ;i|);ii( In sccrrl |ii;i\ci'; ;iinl in tlir iimrnini^, liv (liiwii ol" (|;iy, tli('v MsscrnMrd ixl'mc tlic iMUliiu ; .iinl llitii- (MilcrlMincrs, wIki iosc ciiiiy lu <'iij"'y, im"lisri\ ctl, ;i \iru i>r llicii' socini ;i rl ieiihiily sweel :iiid iMiweilul. I liave orien lie.ird Miv trieiid dwell willi sini^ii- lar |ile;isiire mi the recollect inn n\' te.ose scenes, :ind uf the ci»n\ crs.'it inns she ;iiid ihe cnlniiel iise(| tn Imld with the Iinli;ins, wlmm she descrilicd ;is |»nsscssed nj" \crv siijieiinr |>nwers nl' iindcrslaiidinu," ; :iiid in their reliLciniis views and mnversal inns, niiiliiii;' ilie ard(n- nl" |irnselyles with the linn di'cisinii and inllexihie sleadiiiess nl" t heir rial inn a I (r ha racier. II was nn the retiirn nl" llinse new Christians tn the l''lals, alter they had thus snleiimly seale<| I heir prnlcssion, that, these wise rei;nlaliniis Inr |ii'eservin^ |ieace anr (lidsc must. vi'iicrMtcl for wisdom :imiiii<^ tiicii- country- iM('!i, \v;is iIk' iiu'iliiiiii tlii-oiiiili wliifli lliis |»:i(ri()( family, ill sdiiu- decree, cdiil inllrd tlic ojrmioiis of (liat commuiiily at larnc, and lij-t tlicm t'ailhriil to tlu' Uritisli iiitorcsts. Im t'i\ two oitlirci' years tlicrc was a roii!j;ross ludd, l>y ih'|Milifs lidm New ^'o|•l<, wlio ui'iuTally spoke to tlic In- dians l»\- an iiiter|»ret«'r ; went tliroiii:;li the fonii of deliver- iii'>' iireseiits rri>m their In'otlier tlie i^real kini'", veilri-ssini; |»eltv lories ances, sinokinn" tin <'alnmel of peace and deliver- iiiH' lu'jts, the |dedi;es of amity. I»nl tlu-se were mure |)ul»ii(' forms : t hi' real terms of this often renewed amity haviiin" liet'ii previously dii^ested l>y those wlio far hi'tter understood the relations subsist inn; iiet ween the eontraeting parties, and the eaiisi's most likely to interrupt their union. Colonel Sehuyler, thon<.;li always ready tosi'rve his eountry in exineiieies, did not like to take upon himself any perma- nent res|>onsiltility, as a superintendi'ut of Indian affairs, as it niiuht have diminished that pri\ate inthieiiee which arose from the u'eiu'ral veiiei'ation lor his character, and from a conviction that tlii' concern he took was voluntary and impartial ; neither did he choose to sacrilice that doiiu'stic peace ami leisure, wliii-h hi' so well knew how to turn to the lu'st account, heini;" convince(l that by his example and inllueiice, as a private fjjentleman, he liatl it in his power to do much good of a peculiar kind, which was incompatilile with the weight and bustle of |»ublic all"airs, or with that hospitality which, as they managed it, was prochictive of so many benetiiaal effects, I have already shown how, l)y pru»U'nt address and kind coneiliatiun, this T i ;■. Mkmoihs ok an A.mkkican Lady. 1;-)!! 5 (IS is ^r * 0t |»iitri()fi(' pair sdotluMl ami attaduMl llic Indians to tlic Bri- tish iiitcri'st. As tlic coiiinrv i^rcw more |»oj)iii()iis, aii«l jiropcrty more alniiHlant and ni(tiT sccwri', llic \''.u'i' of society in this inland rcj^ion l)c<^aii to clianicc Tlicy wliosc (piict and nidcily di'incaiior, ilcs otinn, and intcurity did not nincli r('(|nir(' tlic cnrorccincnt nf laws, Ik^mii nnw (o tliink tln'in- sclvt'S al>o\ (• tiicni. 'I'u a d('|iut(Ml mtliority, the sduicc nl' wliicli I.iy Ixy 1 llic Atlantic, tlicy paid little delVrciK-e ; and rr(»ni t licit- iK'iyhhors of New Ilanipshirc ;ind Cnnnccti- ciit, \v1h» bordered on tlieir tVontiers, and seised will) tliciii in tile colonial wars, tliey liad little to learn of loyally of sid)inission. Tliese pcopli- tlicy held in ni-eat contempt, l)ofli as soldiers and statesmen ; and yet, I'rom tlieir rre(|uent intercourse witli those who talkcil of law and politics in their peculiar uncouth dialed i>icessant ly, they iiiseiisilily adopted many of their notions. Thei-c is a certain point of stal)le happiness at which oiir imperlV'ct iial ure merely seems to ai'rivc ; for the verv materials of which it is formed contain the seeds of its destruction. This was the case here : thai peaceful and desirahic eipiality of conditions, from which so many comforts resulted, in process of lime occasione(l an aversion to sujieriiu's, t() whom (hey were not ac(',ustome(|, and an exaii^t-rated jealousy of tlu' power which was exercised for their own safety and comfort. 'I'lieii' manners uns(tphisti<'atet], and their morals in a LCreat mea- sure uucorru|»te(|, led them to rci;;trd with unjiistiliahle scorn and aversion those st ranu'ers who hronifht with them the manners of more polished, though less pure, communities. I'roud of their haui^hty hluntuess, which daily increasevver I'xercised over tl lemselves, any SM|»|iIyiii.i^ tlu'ir wiiiits. At the IIIktmI (uldc of Aiml Scluiylrr, where there was always iiilellii^eiice, just iintions, mid ijfnod Itreetlinu; to bo met with, hoth aiiioiiij the owners and their truest s, many had their prejudices softened down, their minds enlari^etl, and tliei- maimers improvetl. TIkmc lliey met ISritish otVieers of rank and merit, and jiersons in authority ; and h'arnt tiiat the former were not artitieial eoxeomhs, nor the latter pett\- ' rams, as they would otht-rwise he very apt to imaLjine. JK'.- !;iey were aeeiistomed to find authority respected on iUr ■'■■.■ and, and on the other to see the natural rights of m;;; simh • mI, and the utmost ahhorn nee expressi-ii of all the sopliisliy hy which the credulous were misled hy the crafty, to liavca code of morality for their treatment of heathens, flilVereiit from that which directed them in tlii'ir dealiiiu' with Christians. Here a st'leclion of tlu' best and worthiest, of the did'erent <-liai'acters ami classes wi' have heeii descrihiiiif, met ; and wi-rc^ taught, not only to tolerate, hut to estet'iii eai'h other ; and it re(piired the calm, ti'iii- perate wisdom, and I'asy versatile maimei's of my friend to hriiiu- this about. It is, when they are called to act in a new scene, and amoiio- pi'ople different from any they had known or imagined, that the folly of the wise and the weakness of the strong become discernable. iNIany otlicers justly esti-emetl, possessed of capacity, learning, and much knowledge, both of the usages of tlie world, and the art of war, from the want of certain habit- udes, which nothing but e\)>erience can teach, wi're dis- (pialitieij for the warfare of tlu' woods ; and from a seer t c(»ntempt with which they regarded tlu' )>iiint simplicity and plain appearance of the settli-rs, wt'ii' !iot amenable to theii r atlvice on tl lesc iiointt Tl H'V wi-re not aware how much they wcri- to ir8i'a>iii*v»Mii"ii rihiirinrtiisBWMMMBBi Mi;.M(ill!S (tF AN A.MKKKAN LaDY. 161 r- JJt' SO (lisiiiislcd tlu'in, lliMt tlicy witlilu'ltl tlic horses, oxen, w.'iy'oiis, etc., wliicli were to lie pniil lor, iiici'cly to show thfir iinl('|iciMUiicc ; well kiiowinti' tlic dicidcil mi id detested militMry power, e\t'ii if eoercixc measures were resorted to, Would liMNc no ehniice for redress in theireoiirts ; and eve?' tlie civil autliorilies were cautious of doinii" any tliinij so un- popular as to decide in favor ol' the military. Tlius, till |»rop<'rIy inslructetl, those i»ewildered stranycrs were apt to neithei' sutlicient Iv feared as eui'inies, nor \ :dued as fru ,i.ls : till taught to do sohy maturer judi^inents. Of < ""raddock's defeat was an instance ; he was l)rave, e.\pi'rience(l, and versed in all military science : his eonlidence in which, occasioned tlie (lustnietlon of himself and his army. He considered those counsels tliat warned him, how little mameuvres or nunihors would avail in the close |irison of innunu'rahle boujj^hs, as the result of fei'hle caution ; and rmirclied lus army to certain ruin, in the most Itrave and scientific manner ima<^in- al)k'. l'|ton certain occasions there is no knowledge so valuahle as that of our own ignorance. At the Flats, the self-riujhted boor leanu'd civilization and subordination : the hii^h bi-ed and hiyh spirited field officergentleness, accommodation, and respect for unpolished worth and untaught \ alor. There, too, the shrewd and deeply reflecting Indian learnt to respect the liritish cha- racter, and to confide in that of the settlers ; by seeing the M \i 1(12 M|;M()I us OF AN AmKUKAN FiAItY, best spt'ciiiu'iis of bolli actiiiiX ciUididly towai^ls cacli otluT, and ^('lu'roiisly to iiiiiisclf. IMv friend was iiutst particiilarlv calculated to be tlie coadjutor of her excellent consort, in thus sultduiuif tlie spirits of different classes of people, stronj^ly disposed to entertain a repulsive dislike of ea«'li other; and by leadinir them to the chasteneoii it ought to he a person whose exampk' is looked up to by others. A person too great to follow, ought to be great enough to lead, lint though her convi'rsation was reserved for those she }U'eferred, her advice, ctunpassion, and good offices were always given where most neecled. if i i 4 CIIArTKll XXIX. MaKA.MK's AduI'TKI) CllILDHEN SiSTER SuSAN. J KAIJS passed away in this manner, varied only by the extension of that ])roteetion and education which they gave to a succession of nepliews and nieces of the colonel or Mrs. Schuyler. These they did not take from mere com- j)assion, as all their relations were in easy circumstances ; but influenced by various considerations, such as, in some cases, tlie death of the mother of the children, or perhaps the father ; in others, where their nieces or nephews married very early, and lived in the houses of their respective parents, I* ■I ji i 1 1 i M'A MllMnlllS (tK AN A M lilt HA N liAMY. wliili' llii'ir yiiiiii^' I'Miiiily iiieri'Mst'il iM'I'on' llicy luul :i nt't- llcij lininc ; ur in iiistiiiici's wlicrc, fruiii ilic rciiioti' sitiuiliniis ill wliicli tlic i»:in'Uts lived, tlicy foiiM nut so ciisily cilucato tlu'in. Iinl('ceo|ile Inive cliildren l»oni to tlicm, tlicy must siilimit totlie ordinary l<>t ol" liumanity ; and il' lliey liaxc not ilie liaiipi- ness of mcctinii,' with many tr I i|nalities to cnltivate and rejoice over, there is not him; left for tliem Imt to c\crt llieinsehi's to the ntmost to refonn and ameliorate what will admit of im|iro\ cnu-nl. They nnist carelnlly weed and |»ro|» ; if the soil jncMlncc aci-op hotli feeltic and rent x-. lien people have the privilege, as in this ease, eared, Ity the event, to jiave heen generally a happy one. I'Mfteen, either nephews or nieces, or the children of sncli, who liaw np and v inf) l*\ f iiii;, fu llic Im'sI (if my rcci>ll('flit»ii, Inst his wife, entirely LTMNC (ivelllle liny teeiise. What their ineoine was I caiiiiot say ; Imt am sure it eonid not h.'ive lieeii w h:it we should think adcfpi.-ite to the ijood they did, and the hosiiitality :ind heiielieence which tiiey praeti ('(■(! : for the rent sol' lam Is wt-re then of so little v.aliie, that tlioiiloasin;jj in a vt'iy liii^li c' looktMl u]) to like his brotluT. \vt he also liatl a vci'y tjoorought up at adist.ance from her. With her, too, I was a grt'at favorite, heciuise I listene:ithy .and interest to bestow on a t.ale of wo, will hear! and li<»w all'ecting is the I'espect and comp.assion even of an .artless child, to a t i: MO IKS (tF AN A.Ml'MtlCAN Ii.\l>V. lu'iirt that has felt tlic liiltcnicss i)f iiciiltct, and known what it was to pine in soliiary sadness ! .Man\ a hlcak day liavc I walkcfl a niih- to \ isii this hhistcd ticc, which the >ioiin of cahiniity had stri|»|icd of e\i'ry h-af ! and snrcly in the house oi" sorrow the heart is niach- hetter. From this chronicle oi" past limes, I deriveij much informa- tion respect in!4' onr j^ood annt ; such as slie woidy iiKU'tal." What a lesson was this ! This om-e much lo\('<| and much respected W(Uiian, have I seen silling" in her Iteij, where she had heeii loiiii" conliiied, iienlecled l»y all those whom she had known in lu'r lielter days, excepiiiin' Aunt Schuyler, who, iinw ieldy and unlit lor visitint^as she was, came out two or three times in the year to see liei, and constantly sent her kindly tokens of reniein- hraiice. Had she l)een more careful to preserve liei" independence, and had she accommodated iierself more to the plain maimers of the people she lived aiuoiin', slu' mit satisfaction, re- cei\('i| the yoiuiL;- coii|i|e into the house. There they were thedeliuht and o!-name;it of the family, an" ed aniony'st them as acomnii n Idessin^-. 'riieliist y aroi j'^.-ir inarriam' a flaULfhler was horn to them, wlnim they n;:ju I Cornelia ; ami the next, a son whom tlicy call.'d IN !' • 'I'he followin<; year, which was the same tli..( de]ei>.i' jliein of their Itrothcr .leremiah, |iro\('i! f.iial to ;s, op. ;i nanv children and younij [leople, in c(iiise(j!ieiic( ' an eiiiiemial diseas*', which e\("; \uw and then iistil !o a|i|ie,(i in th«' country, and made ui.a'i Ir; ■ -. It was called the |»uritle o" spotted fever, and was pd'haiM" (»f t'lr putrid ki' d : lie tuat as it may, il proved t.i;ai (o (his interevlino- yoimir <-onple. I'clci', will' had lost his wife Itiit a short tini'' l>cfi>n', was entirely ul hearini;, which l)aociety, lie encouraued his second son to marry ; shut himself up for the most part in his own apartment ; and liccame, in ell'ect, one of those lay hrolhers I liasc formerly descrihed, ^ et, when time had lilnnled the vi\jj;c of this keen allliction, niaiiy yi-ars after, wIicm \ve lisei) a( I he I'Mats, he used to ■^J Mkmoihs di' AN A.MKincAN Lai>y. 171 tlu'ir Idit'ii sense, llitrv, utte(l • IS it iilple. , \\ MS I I'll I. IT, i liiiii ictv. |. r.»r led, Vet, I i«>ii, eil to i I visit us : Mini tli<>Ui:;li lie diil in»t lieMr well, lie eoiiverseil witli lii'eMt spiiit, Mini WMsfiiH ul' Miieeilute aiier- l'oi-inin!4 the iliities of m iiiotlnT to the iiifMiit who was now '(eeoiiie tlu- re|iri'seiitMt i ve of tli«' laiiiily. I/ittle I'eter was aeeoidiimly ltroiii;lit home, mikI siieeeetletl to all that eari! Mini MtVeetion ol' which his JMther had formerly heeii the ohjeet, while ConieliM Was taken home to Jersey, to tlu' family of Inr niMteniMl iiiainlfather, wlm was a 'list inj^iiishiMl |teison ill lliMl ilistrict. 'I'liere she was exeeeliiinly well etineati'il, Itecaiiie an elenMiit ."dl vt'ry pleMsiiin- yoiinu' wo- niMii, Mml WMs lia)i|ii!y ami most res|»eetaltly ma'iiei, before I left, the (oiiiitry, as was her hrother very so "ii after. Tlii'y are still liviiii,'; ami I'eter, adlieiinn- to what mifh' he calleil, e\ I'lil iially t he safer side, diirinii' tin- war with me im»tlier eouiilry, siieei'edi'd iimlist iirhed t(» his uiede's in- herit Miiee. All llioe new cares Mild sorrows did imt iiMln h-asi ahate the lios|iit ality. the |Mij(nlMrity, or the |iul)lic sjnrj of these t ruly yi'eat minds. Their dncllinu, though in some r-. ,;Siire liecoiiie a house of liioliriiini;, WMS still the rende".\( ms <.'.'' the wise and worthy, the refni;t' <>f the stranger. Mhd ai» academy for dee|) and sound thinkini;", taste, in.i i'iujenee, and iinnal heaiity. There the )il ms for the piihli ■ j^uod were diuested liy the riiU'is of e jtrovince, who came, under the |>rete\t of m suinniei ursioii for mere miiiu.si- nieiit. There the ojiei'Mt ions ol ' lie army, and the treaties of jieace or alliMiice with \Miii - nations, were arraiiu'ed ; for there the le^■i^lMlarrier ai:;aiiist license, and a focus, in which the ■ii 17:^ Mi;.MnIl{S (»F AN AmKKK'AN LaHY rays of intfllfct and iiilcllii^ciicc were coiici'iitralcil (such as ill this family), were to unite the janinjj; eh-nieiits of which the eoininiinity was coinitosetl, ami to siiixu'est to thosi' v.ho had power without e.\)»erieiu'e, the means of iiiinnTmLj in due proportions its \arions materials for the piildie utility. Still, thou<;h the details of family hap]iiness wi'i-e ahrid^ed, tlie sjiirit that )>roduced it eontiiuKMl to ex- ist, and to tind new oliji-ets of interest. A iniml elevate«l Itv the ('onsciousness of its own jtowers, and enl.'iru'ed l>y the hahitnal i'\er<*ise of them, for the ureat purpose of ju'oinotiiiLf the jj^ood of others, vields to the pressurt' of calamity, hut sinks not under it «articularly when haliitu- atcil, like these exalted characters to look thr(tui,di the loni^ vista of ftitiii'ity towards the tiiial accomplishment of the designs of I'roviilence. Like a dilij^eiit i^ardeiicr, who, when his jiidinisiii!^ vt»uiii^ plants are hlaslecl in full sl!\ iij^iii ami 'oeaiitv, thouuli he feels extreinelv for their loss, does not sit down ill ic womh ri'd how slu' found time for solid ami imprul her strong and indefuligahlc mind never loosenecl its grasp; ever intent on the useful and the nolde, she found littli' leisure for what arc indei'd tin- greatest ohjects of feehle characters. After the middle of life she went little out ; her household, long since arranged hy certain general rules, 1 40 M A.MKitn'AN Ladv 17:^ inii- •Diir- iiids, • lU'I's solid is sn i:iVc licr is|. ; idle •cl.l,. (lilt ; % iilcs went rcLriil.iilv till, l»('c;iiis(' cvrrv (liiiiifslic knew cxncllv llic ii, "whowMs uiilu hti' ;is ;i diuiLxhtiT ;" who WMs her Irifiid and (•iiiiiiiaiiiun ; :iiid Iircd ii|i in siich a iiiamicr as t( (••iiivcrsMt inii wliicli is |iiu|it'il\ slylcil <^itssi|»|iiiii;, slic liad f lie iitiiiust ('(1111(111111. I'i.^lit, sii|icilici,il rc.idiiii;, sucli :is liicrcK' tills ;i l>|;iiil\ in liiric, mimI yTnlcs (ivcr the niiiid willi- r('ssi(Hi, w ;is litllc IsIkiwii |Iici-c ; for few InKiks ci-dsscd tlic All.iiitic liiit siicli ;is were woimIi (•;ifi'\ iiii; sii I'.ir I'dillicii' ill! liiisic \ mIiic. SIic \v;is Idininicli mcciisIoiikmI 111 li.i\ (' licr iniiid (»ccii|(ic(l wit h dltjccts of ic.il wciLcItt .•ind iin- |Mirl!iiic(', to i,d\ (' it up to fiiv oldiis |iiiisnits of any l well as st raiiii'ei's tVoni New \ Ork, who were daily enteilained at her lilieial lalde. This aiTan^e- nienl ua\ e her t lie ad\ ant aye of a lon<;;er forenoon to dispose oi". After hreakfast she !^a\e orders for the family r ; and who had lieen so trained up from infancy, each to t heir se\ cral (jut ies, that excellence in each depail iiieiit was the result hnihof h.iliit and eimi- iatimi; wliih her yoiinu' proti''ii(''s were early tau'jht the value and importance of i^ood hoiisew ilery, and W'er«' s< (liiloiis III little matters of decoration and eleifance, wliieli her mind w,is loo much eii^i'dssed to attend to ; so t.hat her househiild all'aiis, ever well re^nlaled, went on in a mechanical kind of proii^ress, that seeine(l to eiin'a,U<' little of liei- at tent ion, t houu'h her \iin-il:int and o\ crniliiiy' mind set every siirinu' of action in motion. IIavin>f thus easily and spe( dily arraiiy'cd the det.ails of the assiil soiiic nl" llin liol tiT lidiiis aiiiniio- t liusc cmlniw fi-iii!^- >liail»s nt her '4a II It'll, ill wliicli slic tl«aMirf. Ilcic was tlicir Isciiiin ; licrc (iiicslioiis ill rdiHidii ami in nalil \ , !<><• \vtiLilil\ tnr taltU' talk, were leisurely ami ((Hdly ilisciisseil ; ami plans (»r |Htlic\ ami \aiiuiis iililily ananii-eil. l-'imn 1 liis retreat tliey ailjuiiriieil to tlie purtieo ; ami while the enloiiel eillici' retifed tit write, «tr went to u'ive diicetioiis tn liis sei\aiits, she sal in this little t rilnina I, ui\ inii' ainlieiice In iii'W sett lers, fdllowers nj" I he army lell in hapless depemleiice, ami ot liefs wint wanleil assistance or a\• is the uiia\ nidahle portion of humanity. ^ Ct of this t riiism, to which every one will reaililv sul»scril)c, I can rec Ilect no proof in my frieiuPs conduct, unless the luxury of her taMe ini^ht he pr(»diu'(' £ T ¥■' il ^ ill I 17G Mkmoius or AN Amkhfcan Lakv, liirt lie time Itcini; ; mul strangers sitmclimcs iiivilcil, merely .•IS tVielidless f r:i\ eleis, r wiirili i,r laleiils, that ^ave value ti» tlieir soeiely ; ami, lastly, military i;;iiesls, selecteil uitli >omc ii on at( i>unt of tlie yoiinu' iViemls, nvIkmii tliey wislnil nut only to protect, Imt cultivate liy an im|irovin«j; association. Conversation here w ;is always r.ational, u,'enerally inst rii'liv e, ;intl often cheerriil, 'I'he artenioon iVeiim-nt ly liroiiuht witli it a new set ol' iiiiesls. 'I'ea w;is alw.ays drank early here ; ami as I lia\ <• lornierly oliserv cd, w as attended with so nniiiy petty liiMiries ol |iaslry, c. irectioiiery, etc., tli.at it miirhl well lie accounted a meal li\ those whose earl\ and rrn^r.-d iliniiers had so lony; ji'oiie hy. In Alhany it w .is ciistoin.'iiN , .'liter the heat of the day was |iasl, lor the \ iinn' |>eo|ilc to H'o ill iiariiesol' threi'or lour, in o|ieii carriay-es, lo drink lea at .-III hour or two's drive iVoni town, 'i'lie receiviny' .'iiid eiitertainim>' this soil of comiianv ''enerallv vva> the liroviiice ol' the yoiiniier |iart of the t'amily ; and of iFiese |>;irties iii.iny came in snininer eveiiini^s t" the !• lats, when tea, which w.is very early, was over. The yoiinL"" |ieo]il', and llio>e who were older, took their dillereiil walks, while .Madame s.at in her portico, eiiiiaiicd in what miulit com- paratively l»ecalle (' Hi- It I I dl"" MkMOIHS iiF an .\Mi;i;l('AN liAliV. » 177 Mild >li(' |Miss(.sv((l Mifli ;i |i((iili:ir iMlfiit r«>r discuv criiii; tlio |Miiiit I.I utility ill :ill tliiiiixs, tli.ii t'loiii cxcry niu-'s «listMmi>i' slic t\t iMctcil sniiic inruniintinii, on wliiili tlic li^lit i>t Iut iiiiinl w.is tliinuii ill Midi :i iliicrt ii>ii, ;i«i iiimlc it tiiiii tn ac- count. N\ lifiifNcr >lu' laid down licf Ixiuk she took u|i licr knitliiiii-, wliifli iicii lie locciii tied lim yc^ nor attention, w Idle it kept lit')- linncrs ciinaiitd ; tliu> MttiiiLj an t'\ain|il(' ol' liiinililc diliiiciMM' to lit'f yoiiiincr lu'ott'-urs. In this ciiiitloy- nitiit she had a kind of tender satislaclion, as iitt h' «'liihlreii, reared in t lie lainily, \\ ere tlie oiil\ olijects of jier < are in litis ri's|)eet. l'"or those, >he eoiistaiitly |ilo\ided a su|i|dy of hosiery till they were se\ en years old ; and, alter that, lraii>i'erre(| lur alteiilion to some yoimner favorite. In her i-arlier days, when her I leloved colonel could share the yayet ies of society, I ha\e lieeii told they liotli hail a hiyh relish for iniioeeiit inirth, and every s|(ecies of huinorous |»leasantiy ; hut in my time there vv.is a chastened ijravity in her dis- course, which, ho ucver, did not re| 111 I >e innocent ch«'erfiiliiess, thoiiuli it dashed all manner of levity, and that fli|>|iaiiey which i^reat familiarity sometimes encoiiran'cs amonir^it yoiiiiLf iieo|ile, who live much tou-ether. Had .Madame, with tile same nood sense, the same hi^li |iriiici|ile, and i;<'iieral hi'iiev oleiice towards yoiiiii;" |ico|>le, lived in societv such as is to he met with in i»ritiaii, the |uiiici|ile n|ion which slu- acted Would have led her to have ('•.coura^fd in such society more uaety and freedom of maiiiiers. As the re<;'n- l.iteil forms of life in ilritain set hounds to ihe ease that accom|>aiiies Hood lireediiiLi', and reliiiemeiit, u'eiicrallv dif- fused, sii]i|ilies the place of native ildica<'y, where that is waiitiiiu". a certain decent freeilom is hoth sale and ;illowa- hle. I>iit amid the simplicity of primitive manners, those hounds are not so wi'll defined. I inler t liese ciicunistances, iiiirth is a romp, and humor a luilVooii ; and hoth must he kept within strict limits. 2;i II I'r % IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 !f I.I " "'2.8 1112 5 tUUi. Ill 1.8 1.25 1.4 1^ .« 6" — ► V] vj # ^ 'W °^i Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 \ 'O. V KS, XlIK hosDitalities of this family were so far Ijeyoiid tlieir appai'eiit iiieoine, that all strangers were astonished at them. To account for this, it must he observed that, in the first ])lace, there was perhaps scarce an instance of a family possessing such uncommonly well trained, active, and dili- gent slaves as that I describe. The set that were staid servants, wlien they mai'ritd, had some of them died off by the time I knew the family ; but the ])rinci))al roots from wlu'iice the numy branches, then iiourishing, sprung, yet remained. These were two women, who had co.ne originally f'-om Africa Vi'dle very young ; they were nu)st excellent servants, and the mothers or grantl-mothers o( the whole set, except one white-wooled negro man ; who, in my time, sat by the chii mey and made shoes for all the rest. The great pride and ha])piness of these sable matrons were, to bring u]) tlieir cliildren to dexterity, diligence, and obedience. Diana being determined that Maria's children should not excel her's in any quality, which was a recommendation to favor ; and Maria e(|ually resolved that her brood, in the race of excellence, should outstrip Diana's. Never was a nu)re fervent comi)etition. That t)f Phillis and lirunetta, in the S])ectator, was a trifle to it ; and it was extremely difficult to decide on their respective merits ; for tliough Maria's son I'rince, cut down wood with more dexterity and dispatch than any one in the pi-ovince, the mighty C'a'sar, son of Diana, cut d(»wn wheat and thicshed it, better than he. His sister Betty, who, to her nn'sfortune, was a beauty of her kind, and i)Ossessed wit equal to her beauty, was the best seamstress and laundress, by far, I have ever known ; and plain unpretending Rachel, sister to Prince, wife to Titus, alias Tyte, and head cook, dressed dinners that mi>dit Memoirs of ax Amkiucan Lady. 179 GROES. pyoiid tlicir ('(I at tlu'iii. in tlu" first t' a family 0, and (lili- wcrc staid died ott" by roots from ;i.rmio-, yet L' originally t t'xc'C'lk'nt the Avhole in my timo rest. IS were, to le obedience. H-idd not Hiation to )d, in the er was a Jrunetta, 'Xtreniely •r though ei-ity and ty C'ii'sar, ■tter than a beauty was the r known ; wife to lat niiojit have |)lcased Aiiicius. 1 record my old humble frienrevention of crimes was soinucli attended to in this well-regulated family, that there was very little punisjunent necessary ; none that lever heard of, but such as Diana and ^[aria inflicted on their progeny, with a view to prevent the dreaded sentence of expulsion ; notwithstanding tlie petty rivalry between the branches of the two original stocks, I'l-i ii iU 180 AfKMOIRS OF AX AMERIfAN LaDY iiilcrmiiriMMLjcs 1>i't wccii the Moiitauucs anil ('a]nil('ts of the kitclu'ii, wliich tV('(|iU'iitly look jilacc, and tlic hal)if ol" li\in()\('rnin('nt, |)r(>diu'('d a lifciicral cordiality and an\'clion atnong all tlic nicntlxTs wf tlic family, who wci'c ti'ulv rulcil bv the law of ove .1 tl and even those wlio occasionallv uilTtTcd aoou i\\ ha[>i'ession, it over- Hows to iidVrioi- beings ; ami im)troves their instincts, to a degree incredible to those who have not witnessed it. In all mountainous countries, where man is moi-e free, more genuine, and more divided into little societies much detached from othei's, and much attudied to each other, this cordiality of sentiment, this overllow of good will take place. The poet says, " Iluiiibio 1()V(% and not proud reason, Keeps the door of lieaven." This (piestiou must be left for diviiu's to determine ; but sure am I that liuml)lo love, and not jti'oud reason, keeps the door of earthly happiness, as far as it is attainable. 1 am not going, like the a.lmirable Crichton, to make an oration in ])raise of ignorance ; but a very high degree of refinement certainly ])i(»|ts .le. 1 ke an yree of nent, !«. at find d with Mkmoirs of an American Lat^y. 181 fhost' that excite our adiice alTeetion. Alas! that the tree should so literally impart the kiiowleilu'e of ^-ood and evil ; miieli e\il and little n'ood. It is time to return from this excursion, to the point from which I set out. The I'rinces and Ca'sars of the I^Mats had as much to tell of the sau'acity and attachments of the animals, as their mistress relatetl of their own. Numlierless aiiece saw th(^ boat approacli ; wlioneviT tliat liajipened he Mluno'cd into the thicket, and led his followers such a chase, that they were ghid to give up tlio ])ursuit. AVIieii lie saw from his retn-at that the work was over, and the fields bar*', lie very coolly returned. I>eiiig, by this time, I'ather old, and a favorite, tlic colonel allowed liim to bt' indulged in his dislike to drudgery. The mind Avliich is at ease, neither stung by rciiiorse, nor goaded by ambition or other turbulent jiassions, nor worn witli anxiety for tlie snp]»ly of daily wants, nor sunk into languor by stupid idleness, forms attachments and aninscmeiits, to wliicli those exalted by cult ure Avould not stooi>, and those criislied by want and care could not rise. Of tliis nature was the attacliment to the tame animals which • >■ lil^'ll 1S2 Memoirs of an Amkuican LAr»Y. tlu' (loiiu'stic's ;i|))ii'(»)»riiit('(l to tliciiisclvcs, mikI to the little faiicii'iil i^iirdciis wlicrc tlu'y raist'd licrhs or |>l:nits of dilliciilt culture, to sell auil yive to their iVieiids. Kaeli iiei^ro was iiKJulti'ed with his oreat s<|uirrel, or luusk I'al ; or perhaps his hi'aver, which he tainecl and atlaclie(l to liiMiself, l»y daily Fcediuo- aiid caressiusj; him in the I'ariu-yard. One was sure ahout all such houses, to iiiid ihi-se animals, in whom tlicii- mastei-s took the highest pleasui'c. All these small features of human nature must not he despised for their minute ..ess, To a L>-ood mind they aiT"orut so very few in ]»i'opoi'tioM to the whole can he eidiy, l^<:) with ri'^ard to the jdcnty, one iiiiolit almost call it luxury, of tlu'ir table, it was su|t|)li('(l iVoiii a variety of sources, that remlered it less expensive than coiiM l»e imagined. Trulians, i^ratel'ul for the numerous benefits they were daily reccivintr from them, were constantlv brinuiuLi' the smaller ganu', and, in wintei- and sjtring, loads of \enisoii. Little money passed from one hand to another in the country; but tlu're was constantly, as there always is in primitive abodes, before the age of calculation beojns, a kindly com- TiU'rce of presi'nts. 'V\w people of New York and Khode Island, several of whom were wont to jiass a part of the sunimi'r with the colonePs family, were loaded with all the productions of the farm and river, wlu'ii they went honu'. They again never failed, at the season, to send a large su|)i»ly of oysters, and all other shell-iish, which at Ni-w Voi'k abounded ; besides great (juautities of tropical fruit, which, fi'om the sht»rt run between .Jamaica ami New York, were there almost as plenty and cheap as in theii' native soil. 'I'iieir fai'm viehU'd them abundanth all that in general a musket can supply ; and the yoiing relatives who grew up about tlie house, were rarely a day without bi-inging some su])]»ly from the wood oi" the stream. The negroes, whose business lay frequently in the woods, never willingly went tlu're, or any where else, without a gun, and randy came back empty handed. Presents of wine, then a very usual thing to send to fi'ieiuls to wliom vou wished to show a mark of gratitude, canu' very often, ])ossibly from the frieiuls of the young people who were reared and instructed in tiuit house of benediction ; as there were no duties }taid for tlje entrance of any commodity there, wiiu', rum, and sugar, were cheaper tlum can easily be imagined ; ami in cider they abounded. 'J'he negroes of thetliii'e truly united brotliers, not having home eni))loynuMit in winter, after prej)anng fuel, used to 1i •ut d own trees, and cai'ry them to an a< djoi nnig saw-niil I I i \ 4 184 Mkmoirs of an American Lady wluTc in ;i \cry sliort time, tlicy iiiikIc ^rcat (|iianti(ii's of jtlaiiks, sl:i\('s, etc., wliicli is tisuaily sInNmI hinihcr, I'urllic NVcst-Iiidia market. And wlicn a sliip l..;i(l ol' llicir flour, liuiinci', and sa ItC'd (I'ovisKins were accnninlatt'd, sctinc rt'la- livc, I'oi- tlu'ii" hc'liool', iVcinhicd a vessel, and went out to tlie West-Indies willi it. In tins Stynian scliooner, the departure of M'liieli \v:is always looki'd forward to with unspeakable horror, all thi' st uhhorn (tr othei'wise uniuan- ai^eahle sl;ives were embarked, to be sold by way of punisli- nuMit. 'i'liis |»rodiu'(Ml such salut;iry terror, that prepariui^ tlu' lading of this fatal vessel m-nerally opei-;ite(l a tempoi'ary rei'orin at least. When its earn'o was discharo'ed in the West -Indies, it took in a earn'o of wine, iMim, sugar, eotl'ee, chocolate, and all other West-India productions, paying for whatever fell slioi-t (A' the value, an..--w.,.r^T -i.al..mninia. NfllMOIHS 01' AN AmKHH'AN TiAhY IS.-) lie (1 'V at in ts ro rv •J It li 1*^1 Till' saiiu' liltcial s|iiiil animated lier sister, a very e.\- celK'iit person, who was inarriecl to Corneliiis Cuyler, then mayor of All»any ; who had been a most sneeessfnl Indian trader in liis youth, and had ac<|nired hiru'e Indian posses- sions, mill earrie(I on an extensive comniereial iiitereourse with the tra .ers of that day, hrint^iiiL? from Europe (plant i- ties of those n' Is that hest snitefl them, and scndinu' hack their ]>eltry in e.\ehaiii>'i' ; he was not only wealthy, hut hospitable, intelliy-eiit, and lilieral-minded, as appeared l»y his attaehmeiit to the army ; which was, in those days, the distin^uisliiiiij;' feature of those who in knowledyc and eandor were beyond others. His wile liad the same con- siderate and prudent t>'enerosity, which e\cr directed the humanity oi" Ikm- sisti'i- ; thouj^h, having a large tamily, she eouhl not carry it to so great an extent. If tliis inuteriial friend of their mutual I'elatives could l»e said to have a preference .among her own, ;iiid herhusbaiurs relations, it was ccrt;iiiily to this family. The eldest son I'hilip, wlio bore her husbamrs name, was on that and other accounts, a {tarticular f.avorite ; and was, I think, as nuieli with tliem in chihihood, as his atti'iitioii to his education, which was certainly the best tlie jtrovince could afTord, would permit. Ilaving become distinguished through all the northern provinces, the common jx'ople, and the inferior class of the military, had learned from the Canadians who fre(pu'nted her house, to call aunt, >[ailanie Schuyler : but by one or other of these ap))ellatioiis she was universally known : and a kindly custom ]>revailed, for those who were received into any degree of intimacy in her family, to adI mily |>rovi'|i|c(l ; i\)V llic lirst seal of cordial intimacy ainont; the yonnn !"'"■ |ilc was to call each otlici- cousin ; and thus in an lioiir of playful or tender intimacy I lia\e known it more than once l)e_<;in : " 1 think you like nu' well enoui,di, and 1 am sure I like you very well ; come, why sliuuld not we l»c cousins';'" " I am sure I slioidd like very well to lie yoiii- cousin, for I have no cousins of my own where I can reach tlu'm/' '" Well, then you shall l»e my cousin, i'oi- ever and e\ci.'" In this uncouth lannMiau'i', and in this ai'tless mamu'r, were these leuufues of amity commiMU'e(l. Siu'Ii an inlimacy was never fonuod unh'ss the object of it were a kind of favorite with t he |tai'ents, who immediately c<»mmence(l uncle and aunl to the new cousin. This, however, was a hiLi'h |irivilcgc, only to he kept l)y tidelity and iiood conduct. If you e.\- })useil your new cousin's faults, or re|iealed her minutest secrets, or by any other l)reach of constancy lost favor, it was as bad as refusing- a challenm' ; you were coldly rect'ived every where, and couhl never rejjfaiii your footinij in society. Aunt's title, howi'ver, became current every where, and was most completely conlirme, when she gave with more than common solemnity a kind of annual feast, to which tlu' colonel's two brothel's, and his sisters, aunt's sistei', >[is. Coi-nelius Cuyler, and their families, with several other younjj; people related t<» them, assendtled. This was not given on a stati'*! day, but at a time when most of tliese kindivd I'ould l)e collectctl. This year F have often heard my good friend commemorate, as that on which the family stock of ha|)piness felt the first diminution. The feast was made, and attended i)y all the collateral branches, consisting of iiftv-two, who had a claim bv marriasje or kT^ > H 'St it (Ml y. 11(1 ic imI 5 or tC!i ^^^;M(tll«S OF AN A.MKIUi AN LaF>Y IH7 (Icscciit, to call (lie coluiicl and iiiv iVicinl iiiiclc ami aunt, Ik's'kIcs their |iafciits. Amoiitj tlicsc were rfclsoiicil tlircc or lour i^raiiilcliililrcii of their lirollicrs. At this };;raiiersons, hut nian\ of them were ilouMie(| .onieet no more ; rorlheiiext year t he small- pox, always |H'culiarly mortal here (where it was improperly freateij in the old manner), broke out with ^reat virulence, and ra^ed liUc a playue ; l)ut none of those relatives whom .Mrs. Schuyler had domesticated sulTercij l»y it ; and the skill which she had ac<|uired from the communications of the military surifcons who were wont to rre(pient her house, enahled her to administer advice and assistance, which essentially heneliteil many of the patients in whom she was particularly interested; though even her inlluence coid'<|uently e.\as|ierated into insdleiice, or resist- ance, and then iisimI that pretext to kee|i in their own hands the i»ayments to whicli these peoph' were eiitithMl. Wlieii their wagons and shives were pressed into the service, it was necessary to em|)h)y such )»ersoiis from tlie first. Tiie colonel and the mayor, and all whom they could iiitluciice, did all tlu'y could to alleviate an evil tli;it could not he |»re- vi'iited, and was daily aggravating disaffection. They found, as tlie iin|tort:mce of these ofhces increa.sed, it would comhu'e more to the piihlie go<)d, hy largei' salaries to induce jieoph' to accept them who weri' gentlemen, and had tlnit character to su|)p()rt ; and who, heing ac(piaintcd with the people and their language, knew hest how to V. IMII I J^ ftu'iiicrly n, ficil ; lMiili|t Sclniyli r ol' the |i;i>tiirc, :is lie was <'!illc(|, to lli.>lill!,nli^ll liiiii t'idiii iIm- oilici- iic|ili(\v ; \v1h», llild lie li\i''l, Wiiiild li;i\(' Ix'cii the culdiicrs ln'il'. He iippcarol iiirrcly a careless j^ood lniinoicil yoiiiiL!,- man. Never was any (»ne so little wliat lie seemed, witli reuafd to altility, activity, and amltilion, art, enterprise, and |ier- Hcverance, all of which lie |>(issessed in an nncoinmon deui'ee, tlionn'li no Mian had less the a|i|iearance of these (jiialities ; easy, coni|ilyin!i', and n'ood Immoicd, t he coiiver>ations, I'idl of wisdom and sound policy, o|' which he had lieen a seem- ingly inattentixt' witness, ;it the l'"l'its, oidy slept in his recollection, to wake in lull t'oi'ce when calleil forth hy occasion. A shrewd ;ind aide man, who was, I |hiid<, ;i hrii^adier 'n tlic ser\ice, was apjioinled (pi.-irter-niaster yeneral, with the entire superintendence of all the l»oats, huildinu's, etc., in New ^'ork, the .lerseys, iind ("aii.'idian I'rontier. lie had married, when very youn<;', a daus^htcr of Colonel Ucnselaer. Ilaviuij; at the time no settled |ilau for the supjiort of a younjj; family, he felt it incund»eiit on him to make some unusual exertion for them. Colonel Scliuylei- and his con- sort not only adviseil him to accept an inferior employment in this Itusiness, but recommended him to the Hrinadier IJradstreet, Avho had the [»ower of disposing of such ollic»'s, which were daily growinu; m importance. They well knew that he possi'ssed ((ualities which might not oidy renderhini an useful sei'vant to the puhlic, but cli-ar Ids way to fortune and distinction. His jterfect coinmimd of temper, acuteiiess, and dis|)atcli in business, and in the hour of social enjoy- nu'iit, easily relapsing into all that careless frank hilai'ity and indolent good humor, which seems the peculiar privi- lege of tlii' frei' and disencumbeiid mind, .active and com- panionabK', m.ade him a great ac<|uisition t(. ;iny j»erson under whom he might liappen to be eTn])loyed. This the penetration of Hradctreet soon discoveied ; and he became I) 100 Mkmoihs ov an Amkhican Lady, m .1 not only liis socrolaiy uikI deputy, but in asliort time afl.cr, his :unbass:i([ of tratU' and plantations. In tlii' mean- while some other vounij nu'n, natives of the v'oupti'v, accej»ted employments in the same department, by this time trreatlv e\ti'n(hMl. Aversi' as the ('(»untrv peo])le were to the armv, thev began to i-elish the advantage d; vived from the money which that body of pi-otectors, so mueh teared and detesti'il, expended among them, This was more con- siiU'rable than might at first be imagined, (iover-nnent allowed provisions to the troops sei'ving in Amerii-a ; with- out which tluy could not indeiMl have ))roceedely of siu'h provisions as are furnished to the tieet, chey hail no occasion to lay out their iiuuiey foi- such things ; and rather purchasi'd the pi'oduce of the country, li(pu)rs, eic, for whicli the iiatives took care to make them pay very liiuli ; an evil which the Schuvlers inoderate f«l ^s Memoirs of an American Lady 191 and all that avidity of jjain, wliidi a suddi'ii rise of circuiu- stances iTL'atos in low and uiiiti'in«-ij»U'd minds ; and tlu'V, from the natuiv of their employment, and the dillicnlty of getting })rt)visi()ns transi)orted from |»lace to i>Iaee, were very fre(jnently the nuMlinni of that intei'coiirse cari'ii'd on between the military and the natives : and dire- sence of war never fails to excite, burst like bubbles on the surface of tlie sidtsiding waves, and astonished the Albanians with the novel spectacle of bankrn])tcy and imprisonment. All this gradually wrought a change on the face of society ; ,1 1 1 ■' .? 1 n "i i\ 'j i f Wtw U i Vi i! .Hi f -I 192 MkMoIKS 01' Ax\ A.MKIUC'AN LaDY. yet such \v:is llu' (lis<.';us( wliicli tlii' ini])iit(Ml licciiliousiu'ss, r(>]i|»i'ry, nnd cxlfavagiuicc of tlu' olHccrs, mikI tlu' pi'i-tcii- sidiis iiiisu|>|t()rt(Ml l»y worth or kuowlcdoi' of tlicir apes aiitl followers, |>i'o(liic('(l, tliat thi' yoiiiiLT jtcrsoiis, who first iii;ir- ric'd those ambiguous new colliers, generally did so witliout, the consent of their pa'vnts ; wliost' alVcction for their child- ren, however, soon reconciled them. CIIAITKK XXXIV. Aim;I\ Al. OK A MOW l{K(;iMKNr J)o.MlNK KliKVI.I Ncih.v ISKN. ./v. !{l\(UM10\'rcanK' to town ahoiil thistinu, the superior otlici'i's of which were younyer, more u'ay, and less amen- al)L' to good counsel than those who used to command tlu troops, which hail formerly been ))laced on this station. They paid tlu'ir visits at the Flats, and were I'eceivcd ; but not as usual, cordially ; neither their manners nor morals heinu' calculated for that mei'idian. Pai't of the Koyal ^Vmericans, or independ 'Ut companies, had at lliis time j)os- session of the fort ; souu' of these had families : and they were in <;eneral persons of decent morals, and a moderati' and judicious way of thinkinu", wlio, though they did not court the socii't y of the natives, evpressed no contempt for their manners or ojiinions. The regiment I speak of, on the conti'ary turned those })lain burghei's into the highest ridicule, yi't use iiiori' iiiipdsiiit;' hy ;ui uir of coiiuiiaiiil and autliui-it y, occa- sionally softciu'd down into y'cnt Icncss and snhniissioii ; and l»y tliat noisy liaycty wliicli yontlit'nl in<'X|)('ri('nc«' mis- takes for lia|i|tiu('ss, and tlial Hi|i|ianl |>ct ulancc, wliicli tliosf who knew not nuicli ol' tlic lanyuau'c, ami nothing' at all of tlic world, mistook for wit, were very cnsiiarinijj. Tliosc dann'cronsly accinnplislicd heroes made their a|)[iear- ance at a tijne when the Knulish lanniiage ln'nan to he moi'e oi'nerally understood ; and when the pi'etensions of the merchants, commissaries, etc., ttt the stations they occupied were no lony-er dnhious. Those jolisheectal>le of the inhabitants, such as, not having large families, had room to accomnuxhite them. The colonel and ^Madame hapi)ened, al the time of these arrangements, to be at New York. In the meanwhile socictv beuan to assunu' a new asijuct ; of the satellites, which on various pretexts, official and commercial, had followed tlu- army, several had families, and those began to mingle uu)re fieipiently with the in- habitants : Avho were as yet too simple to detect the surrei)titious tone of lax nu>rals ;md second-handed inanners, wliich prevailed among many (,f those who had but very lately clind)ed uj) to the stations they lield, and in wliose liouses the Euro})ean nuxlcs and diversions were to be met with ; these Avere not in the best style, yet even in that stvle thev beu-an to be relished bv some vount; persons, Avith whom the power of novelty i)revailed over that of habit ; and in a few rare instances, tlu' influence of the young drew the old into a faint consent t(; these attempted innovations ; but with many the resistaiu-e was not to be overcome. In this state of matters, one guardian genius watched over the connnunitv with unremittin<>- \ ioilance. From the original settlement of the ]>lace there had been a siu-cession of good (juiet clergymen, who came from Holland to take the command of this expatriated colony. Tliese good men found an easy cl'arge, among a ])eople with whom the ex- ternal duties of i< 'igion were s'-ttled habits, which no one tliought of disjteusiMg with ; and where the primitive state of mannei's, ami the constant occujiation nl' the mind in .L my%, Kf a«!5=: I i Memoirs of an AMHiiirAX Lady. 105 4? planting and defending a territory wliere everything was, as it were, to be new ereate ; he ])ublished a catechism in the Dutch tonyue, the second edition of whicli was issued by Weyman in New York in 1748. His lot was cast in tlm midst of a violent con- troversy anion (r tlu; clerjjy on the subject of ordination, the older clerpfy insistinjj upon the rite beinj? ptirformed in Holland. A bitter dispute was carried on fifteen years, disturbiufj the peace of neighbor- hoods, dividing families, and rending tlie churclves into factions. Houses of worship wt^re locked up, ministers were assaulted in the discharge of their functions, and Sunday profaned by scenes of violence and mobs. The party which opjmsed se])aration were called conferen- tio, the other ca'tus. The dispute was not settled till 1772. Of course the domine was an actor in the scene. — M. H i \ 1 1 \ i !l i v i h \ %\ J 1 m Mi;m(» I us (IF AN American Laky. r by security, or droojiini!; in tlic iiicridiaii tif lu'ospority, like tender phmts in the Maze ol" sunsliine. Tliese lie en- • leavored to relVesli hy daily exhortation, as well as by the exereise of his jtublie duties. Thouyh i-it^id in some of liis notions, his life was s])otless, and his eoneern for liis people warm and afTet-tionate ; his endeavors to amend and ins]»ire them with happier desires and aims, were considered as the labor of 'ove, and rewarded by the warmest affection, and the most profound veneration ; and what tart with any portion of that most desirable s])ecies of powei-, which subjects to us, not human actions only, but the will which directs them. A vulgar ambition contents itself with power to command obedience, b.it the mor.' exalted and retined and)ition aims at a all the !j:;ood pastoi'V lahoi-s. The evil was daily growinn" ; and what, alas, could Doniine i^'reylinifhausen do hut |>i'each I This he did earnestly, and even annrily, hut in vain. -Many were e\as|)ei"ate(l hut none i-eclaime(l. The ujo(j(l domine, however, ha-er tlicsi' siiiipk' good |)o<)|)k', Nvas a]»|»r()iic'hin<;' ; lor now \\\v otlifiTs, ciicoui'Mgod by tlic success oi' all tlu'ir former |»i'(»- jccls for aimisciiiciit, I'csohcd lo new fashion ami cnligliteii those ainiahle novices whom thi'ir former schemes had attracted within the splu're of their intlnenco ; and, fortius |tMr)»ose, a |»ri\ate theatre was fitted u|», and preparations matle for acting a play ; except the Schiiylers and tlu'ir a(lo|tti'd family, there was not perha|)s one of the natives who understood what was nu-ant l»y a play. And l>y this tiiiU', the town, once so ch»sely united hy intermarriages atul nundu'rless other ties, whicli could not exist in any other state of society, weri' divided into two factions : one consisting almost entirely of such of the younger class, as, havln<>: a smatterlnt>' of New York t-ducation, and a little more of dress and vivacity, or jierhaps levity, than the rest, were eager to mingle in the society, and adopt the manner of those strangers, it is hut just, In-N^ever, t(^ add, that only a i'vw of tlu' more estimable Aver<' iiudnded in this number; these, howi'\'er thi-y might have been captivated with novelty and plausibility, were too mui-h attached to their older relations to give them pain, b\ in intimacy with peojile to whom an impious neglect of duties the most sacred was geni'i'ally imputed, an of tlic Ui'itisli tlicatrc ; anction of their lati' mas(piera'raded manhood, and broke thronnh an express |»rohil)ition in scripture, by assninint^ I'cinalc habits; that they had not only told lies, but cursed and s\\(M'i' the wli<»le niinht ; and assiinu'd the characters of kn.ives. Tools, ami robbers, which every oood and wise man held in detestation, and no one would |tnt on unless they [\>\l themselves I'asy in them. I'aintinu' their laces, of all other thintxs, seenu'd most to violate the Albanian idi'as of decorum, and was looked upon as the nu)st llau'rant abomination, (ireat and lond w.as the ontt-iy produced by it. Littlo skilled in sojihis: v\, and stranu'crs to all the arts '■'■ that make the wors(> appt'ar the better reason," the yonuij amlitors i-onld onlv sav " that indeed if was vei-y amnsinu' ; made (lu'iu humh lu'artilv, and did harm \o nobody." So harmless, indi'cd, and ;ie:ri'eabK' did this I'nterlainment appi'ar to the nt'w converts of f.ashion, that 77ic lit cvultiiKj Ojficif was Lii\t'n out for anotluM' niu'ht, to the ureat .annoyance of ^l. Freylinuhauscn, who invoked heaven ami earth to witness and ayen<:;e this contempt, not only of his antlu>rity, but, as .,). r«» 4. ll. Ic ll.l ■111 S U' MS 'SS MS r,-» ^^■.» Mi'iMdins OK AN Amkuican Laky •JOl lie r\|>i('SS('(| it, III' the somcc fiom \\ llciicc it WMs ilcriMil. Siicli liMil Ix'i'ii llic sMiK'tily t'l' 'liis nood mMiTs lit'i', mikI tlic hilMiridiiN ililint'iK'c Mini muI'iiI cMnicsliK'ss uilli wiiicli lie iii- cilIcMtcil tlir (lix't lilies he iMllu'lit, lliMt llicy liM(l |i|im luccil a (■(in't'S|M)iiil('ii( cIlVcl, lor the must |iMrt, dii llic lives of liis lit'Mrcrs, Mini led tliciii to rcyMnI liiiii ms tlic next lliiiiL:; I<>mii ('\ Miiiiclist ; MC('iist(i|is ul" I'lieiids," Mild mII tliMt ^iMlitiide Mild vcliefMlinii cMli (ilVer toils iiKtst distin- guished (>lije<-l, this rclx'Hinii Mi^Minst his Miithoiitv , mihI cun- tem|il nl' his (»|iiiiinn (once the slMiidMid l»\ which every one's jiidiiineiit WMs reyiilMted ), wounded him very ly. The alihoirence with which he iiis|iire(| the |tMreiits ol' the t PMiisoTessoi's, MiiioiiL!; whom were niMiiy yoiiiiy- men of s|iiril Mild intclliju'cnce, wms the occMsioii ol" some rMinily disMjiTee- iiienls, M thiiiLif fornierlv scMrci'lv known. Those voiinir |K'o|»le, Mcciislomed to reti'Mrd their |tMrciits with ini|ilicit reverence, were unwilling to ini|tiite to them iiiKjiiMlilied liMi'shiiess, Mild therelore removed the hlMiiie of m coiidiK-t so uiiiisiimI to their s|iirilUMl i^uide ; "mikI vvliih' he thoiiuhl, H'ood cMsy iiiMii, lull surely his jj^rcMtncss wms m ripeniiit::, nipt his root." h'.Mrly one .MoiidMy morning'. Miter the domiiie hMd, on the prececlino- (h-iy, heeii peculiMrly elociueiit on the suhji'ct of tlicMt ricMl Miiuiseinciits, mikI pei'iiicioiis iiiiiov Ml ions, some unknown person left within his door m club, m |>Mir of old shoes, M crust of hhick hrcMd, Miid m dolhir. 'I'lie worthy ])Mstor WMS [luz/.U'd to think vvliMt this could ineMii ; l)iit luid it too soon explMimxl to him. It wms mii emhleiiiMlic message, to sigiiily tlic desire ciiterlMiiKMl ol' his depMrtnre. Tlie stick W'Ms to ]»usli him mwmv, the shoes to vvcMr on the roMd, Miid the luH'Md Mild money m provision lor his joiiriicy. These syiidiols apjiear, in fornier days, to have heeii more commonl v used, and bet ter understood tliMii Ml present ; for instMiicc, wo Hinl tliMt vvhcMi Robert liruco, arttM'vvards king of Scotland, wns ill a kind of jioiiorablc capiicity in tlio court of Knglaiid ; 26 I 3 i i 1 i liOli MkMoIRS of an AmIvKK'AN TiADV, ?. I when liis tVicinl, till' carl of (lloiiccstcr, (liscnvcicd tliMl it Wiis the iiitciilidii (tf the kiiit; to iin|»risoii liiiii ii- the owcr, lest lu' slioiiM cscajic to Scotland and assert liis ri<;lits, iin- willini; liv word or writinj; to disco\tr w hat had jiasscil in council, ami at the satnc time desirous to save his friend, he sent him a )iairof ^ilt s)turs and twelve ci'owns, and ordereruce, any this mal :i))i(>[»os symhol of dislike. Too con- scious, and too f<»ml of |>o|»ulai'ity, the pastor lani^uished under a sense of imau^inary ri»|M>rtioiialt' |ti'u- ^H"*H ill fctiiu'iiiciit ainl iiilcMiLjt'iMU' ; lnil she hail a |iar- ticular tlisliki' tersons. In vain the colonel and Mailame soothe(l and clu'ered him with counsel and kindness ; night and dav he innse, liis congreg.'ition rennnned f(»i- a yrent while uiisii|>]ilied, >• liile his silence U'Hve room for the most anxious and ]»ainrul conjeetures ; these were not soon i-emoveo)iulai"it y had a|i|»eareul)tl"ul whether he had fallen oveihoai'd hy accident, oi' was prompti'd hv des]»air to plunge into eternity. If this latter was thei-ase, it tnusl ha\e heen the Cv.nse<|uence of a temporary til of insanity ; for no man had led a n )re spotless life, and no man was more beloved by all that were intimately known to him. Tie was, indei'd, before the fatal affront, which made such an un(bie impression on him, consi(!ered as a blessing to the l»lace ; and his memory was so belo.ed, and his fate so re- gretted, that this, in additi(»n to some otlu'r occui-rences falling out about the sanu" time, entirely turned the tiei-ience and faith. p]u i ««UL' ! -UL iii m u ii i i ' i i ■y.ini i nuJ 'i n u ' ljiiJiLr- luiaiNH i iiui] i Jii ' - 'i tuiMii.a«'tcMt'ir'-ii < !i»» 'tB mS^BI Memoirs of an American Lat)\'. 205 I rtMiKMiibiT some of my oarlicsl rcvcru's toliavc been orcii- ])it'(l l)y the mysterious (lisai>iH'ar;ui('o <»t' this i^anl-latiMl pastor. ' In the meanwhile new events were unroldinu' more rnlly to the All»anians the eharaetei's of theii- hitely ae(|nire(l friends. Sc-andal of lifty yeai's standinu', must l»y tlistime, Inive become abnost pointU'ss. Tlie hoiisi' where ihe younij; eolonel, formerly mentioned, was billeted, and m:;de his <|uarters o'ood by every art of sedueti\ i' eonrtesy, wa> oeeu- jtietl by a |tei'son wealthy, and sonu'what vain an I sliallow, who had an only (haught"r ; I am not ei'rtain, but I thiid< siie was his only child. Slic was youuij,', li\i'ly, bold, con- ceited and exceed! ni^'ly well-lookini;". Artless and fearless of conse(|uences, this thou<>-ht less creature saw every day a ])erson who was, no (h)ubt, as mui-h plcasi'd with ln'r as oiu' ' Thcro is an entry of a l)a])tisni by liini on tlie lUli Oct., 1759, in tlio cliurch Doip Bock, hwi »tran', the ship in which Doni Frielinj^hnysen had embarked was leaving the j)ort, and accordinyr to custom the {funs were firint; parting salutes. That on tin," pnivious Sunday ]n' ])reached in the new Dutch church, and when he sat down, after f^ivini; out the last i>salm, the bench cruve way and he fell to the floor, whicli was universally rej^arded as a bad omen. Ainonjj; otlier ). Ano'her Eva was baptized 10 Sept., 1758 {Pearmn'n Emiij Settlers). These ani the only children of Dom. Frielinghuysen, that are fomid recorded, and an! said to have been grand children of (Jeertruy Isabella Lydius, daughter of Domine John Lydius, pastor of the church, 1700-D. ^ i> ' f f' Si :■ Hi > V 'f t 1 I liOC. Mkmoius ok an A.mkkk'an Lahy. coiiM lie willi mere yoiitli, ItcMiity, Mini kimlncss, Mniiniitcd l>y vi\ :"'il \ , Mild dist iii^iiislu'd iVom licr cuiiipMnioiis l>v mII I lu' I'liilicli'sliinciils wliicli wcmIiIi cuiild in-ociirc in lIiMt iiii- rMsliioiicd (|iiMrlt'r ; liis IicmiM, Iiow ex cr, wms smIc, as will M|>|i('Mr IVom (lie spinel. MMdMinc lorcsMW tlic ('()|is»m|iu'I1('('S liUcIv (<> rcsiill rroiiiMii iiitiiiiMcv dMily n"rrsi coiise(|nence tliMl coiild ensue; Miid this ihey eoiihl not easily liMxe iieeii reconciled to, notwitli- slMiidiiiu' ihe iMiiiily Miid I'orl iiiie hiuhest rank in tiie army, heeaiise they thouu'lit a yoniiii' person, l»y such a inarriau'c, was not only forever alienateil i'rom her fMinily, hut from tlios*' pure inorMis and plain niMiiners, in which they considered the L;reMtest possi- h\v happiness to i'\isl. To n'turii : WhiU' tlu'se u'ayeties were u'oiiii:; on, and the uiiha|)py domiiie einharkinu' on the voyan'e which ti'rminali'd his career, an order came f(U" the colonel io inarch ; this was the onlv commander who had ever In'cn in town who liad not spc'iit any time, or Mski-d any counsel at the I'Mats. McMiiwhile iiis ("alistM (for such she was) tore her hair in frantic agonies at lii> di'partiire ; not (hat she in the least doulttcd iA' his retiirninn- soon (o o'ixt' a piihlic sanction to their union, hut lest he should prove a xictim to the war then existinu" ; and hecause, beiiiu; very impetuous, and un- accus(omed to control, the ohjeet of her wishes had been di'l:'_,ed to a futiiri' period, in a short time tliine;s began [o assume a more serious as}>i'ct ; aiul her father cauiu one tS is? 1 I . i MllMdIKS OF AN A.MKRK'AN LaHV 207 •V «4. 4 I *\:\y posliii!^ to tlic l''l;ils, un liis wmv (o tlic liikcs, scckiiiii; (•(tiinscl lt> comtiion I'di' it,y liad Ix'cii t^ruiilcil to {licir imituiil anVction, iiiid with wlial t raii<|iiilily lie was t'lialdcM to l<»<)k loi-ward to (liat even) wliicli is ('0111111(111 to all, and wliicli would he canicstly dcsiiVMl if witlilicid ; lie ('.\|)cct('(l of her that, wliatcN cr iniiflit liappcii, she would look hack willi y continniiiLJ to live in the mannei' they had hitherto done, that, he miujht have t he comrort ol' t hinkiiiii; that his house niiL;ht still lt(^ an asylum t.o the helpless and the slranii;er, and a desii'iihle place of meetiiiL!; to his most value(| IViends ; this was spoken with an unalterc(| countenance, and in a calm and civ'en tone. .Madame, however, was alarme(| ; I'riends from all (|uarters poure(| in, with the most anxious concern for tlni event. I»y this time there was ;in hospital hiiilt at, Albany for the troops; with a res^iilar me(lical estahlish- mcnl. No human aid was wanting, and the (M)niposiire of Madame astonishe(l every one. This, however, was founded on liope ; for she never could le, herself imat^inethe (lan» > ,..jju^Aij loin loss thy was c'iirs Xt'w [088; Memoius or AN Amhuican Lady. 211 York ; wlio ' ' point of jiolitical sut^acity, and tliorougli knowU'dgc of llio.s • Ik' y;ovc'nu'(l, was fully cajyablo to supply that place. This shrewd aii, or rather of the faithful though ill-shaped herald of Ulysses : " Erubutos in whoso larffo niintl alnni", Ulysses viewed the imatjo of his own." Thus -was it with Colden. Among the number of go- vernors who succeeded eadi other in his time, if by chance one happened to be a man of ability, lie estimated his merit at its just rate ; and whatever original measure lie might find it necessary to take for the public good, left the com- mon routine of business in the hands of that tried integrity and ex})erience, in Avhich he found them ; satisfied with the 212 Memoirs of an American Lady. stiito and tlic ])()])ul:irity of t^ovcrnor, on whicli tlic otlicr ]\H(\ not a wish fo cncroacli. CoMcn, liowi'vcr, cnriclicd liis own family, in a inainuT on tho wholo not oUjcctionaldc ; lie jirocured from tho sncccssive goviTnoi-s various grants of land, wliicli, tlioujjjli valuaMe in (|uality, AVi'rc not, from the remotoiu'sHof their situation, an ohjectof desire to settlers ; and purchased grants from many, who had obtained the property of them, anjong which were different governors and military commanders. Hi' allowed this mine of future wealth to lie (piietly ripening to its value, till the lands near it were, in |)roeessof time, settle ■( CIIAPTEU xxx\ iir. Mrs. Sciii'Yi-Eu's Aim{a.\(;i:.mk.\ts am^ Conduct after the Colonel's Death. X HE mind of our good aunt, wlTu^h had never before yielded to calamity, seemed altogether subdued by tlie painful separation from her husband. Xever liuving left her consort's bed-side, or known the refreshment of a quiet sleej), during his illness, she sunk at first into a kind of torpor, which her friends willingly mistook for the effects of resignation. This was soon succeeded by the most acute sorrow, and a dangerous illness, the consequence of her mental sufferings. In s}>ring she slowly recovered, and en- deavored to find consolation in returning to the regulation of her family, and tlie society of her friends, for both which she had been for some months disqualified. Her nieces, the ]Miss Cuylers, were a great comfort to lier, from their affectionate attention, and the i)leasure slie took in seeing them growing up to be all that her iuaternal affection could 1 ■rorc llie ; left ]uiet (1 of C'CtS elite her en- ti(»ii lieli ees, heir T (\ I I: J Memoirs of an American Lady. 213 1 wisli. Tn tlie socliil [jrief of Pedrom,' avIio ^ave all histiiiu^ to her (liiriiiLC the early l»art of her widowhood, she also found eoiisolatioii ; and whenever she was able to receive them, her frieneriodieal ajjfony, for such it mii^ht l)e called, with which she was regularly visited. She had a conlidante in this soeret suffering ; a decent and |»i«Mis wnnian, who, on the death of her husband, a sergeant in the* army, had been received into this family as a kind of upper domestic ; and found herself so liappy, and madt^ her- self so useful in teaching reading and needle-work to the children, that she still remained. This goou woman slej»t in aunt's room ; and when all the family were at rest, slie used to accompany her to a small distance from the tond) which contained those remains !5o dear to her. Madame, in the meantime, entei'cd alone into the hallowed enclosure, an, however, she was resolveil not to allow the belief of a super- natural ap))earance to fasten on their minds ; unwilling to mention the subject herself, she was forced to submit to the liumiliaticm of having it revealed by her couHdante, to (juiet the miiuls of the eluldren and domestics, and reconcile thenv to solitude and nu)onlight. Her mind was at this time roused fnun her own peculiar sorrows, by an alarming event, which disturbed the ]>ublio tran(|uility, and awakened tlie fears of the whole ])rovince, by laying open the westei'u frontier. This was the taking of Oswego by the French, which fortress was tlie only barrier, e\ce])t the valor and conduct of Sir William John- son and his iSIohawk friends, by which the town was pro- tected on that side. The poor people, who were driven by the terror of this event from the settlements in that (piarter, excited the sympathy of liberal-minded persons : and the interest which she took in their distresses, was one of the first things that roused the attention of our good aunt to herwonted beneficent exertions, (icneral Kradstreet, who liad a liigh respect for her understanding, and consult(Ml lier on all enu'rgencies, had a profound reverence for tlie colonel's memory, and contimied his intimacy in the family. The critical situation of things at this time, occasioned ii i- 21(1 MkMoIUS of an AmKHICAN Ti/«I>Y. Lord F^oudoii l(» he sent out as cotiiniaiKtci' <»!" the I'urccs in vViiU'ric.'i. Mjidamc rcccivcil this noMciiiaii \s ln'ii lie visitiMl All)aiiy, and j^avcliini most iisdul inroi-niatioii. He was introdin'fd to licf l»y (u'lU'ral Uradstfci't, whose power and c()nse iissisl I lie ;ii'm\, in its now rcLjiilar nprraiions to tlu' wt'stwanl, tliiil tiny caiiu' It-ss friMjiu'iitly to visit Allniny. A liiu- of foils li;i(l, ;it :i pio- iliiiioiiH cxitclisc, Im'cii ciccttd, Iciiiliiiii fidiii AlliiUiy to I'liptT ("iiiiiula, l»y llir .Moliiiwk rivi-r, ami llir lakes of Ontario, Niaj^ani, .tiiittiiiy tlicsc ; some ol' lliciii I ri'iiicinluT were SwciUs, jK-rsons of a graceful a|i|u'ai'aiicc, itolislicti inanncrs, aixl very concct coiKliict. 'riicsr straiin'crs coii- (liictcd inaltcrs Itcttcr tlian our own connt ryincii ; Itciii^ more acconiinodatiiiL; in llirir nianiu'is, and hclttT acfiis- toiiU'd to a srvcre cliinalc, and incoiivcnifnccs of i-vciv kind. 'I'licy were frc(|iiciit guests at the l'"la(s, were a i»leasinj^ Jiei'i'ssion to the society, and iierl'onned their duty to the |)iihli(' with a deLfree t>f honor and lidelity that eheekeil ahiises in others, and resciieil the service they were en<;aned in, fi'oin the re|troa<'h which it had incurred, in eoiise<|ueiU'e of those fniiLfi of society which had at first intrnded into it. liy the advice of the Sehiiylers, tliei'e was now on the Mohawk river a superintendent of Indian atlairs ; tlu- ini- j)()rtaiice of which lieyaii to 1)e fully nndi'istood. lie was resjfiilarly appointed, and paid hy government. This was the jnstly celel)rate'ht of his own interest, but on the contrary raised Iiimself to power and wealth, in an open and active Tuar.ner ; not disdainini;' any honoi'abU' nu'ans of Ix-netiting himself : but at the sanu' tinu' the bad jtolicy, as well as mear.ness of sacrificing respectability, to snatchin<^ at jietty present advantages, wei-e so obvious to him, that he laiy confiding en- tirely on the Indians, and treating them with unvarit'd truth anvere down at the hall. There they were all liberally entertained by their friend ; and five hundred of them have been known, for nights together, after drinking pretty freelv, to lie around him on the floor, while he was the only wtiite person in a house containing great (plant ities of everything that was to them valuable or desirable. While Sir William thus united in his mode of life, the calm urbanity of a liberal and ox- tensivi' ti'ader, with tlu; s|)lendid hospitality, the numerous attendance, and the plain though dignified manners of an ancient baron, the female [)art of his family were educated .1 ""^ri 220 Mkmoius of an Amrrican Lady. ill ;i inaiiiicr so entirely dissimilar frorii that of all other yoiiiii^ people of their sex and station, that as a matter of curiosity, it is worthy a recital. These two younL!; ladies inlierifed, in a Ljreat measure, the j)ersonal a<1vaiita^es and strenijjth of undi'i'standinj^", for which their fathei* was so dis- tinguishe(l. "^riieir mother dyiiii; when they were youni;, be- queathed the care of them to a I'riend. '^Fliis friend was the widow of an otHc'.'r who had fallen in hattle ; I am not sure whether she was devout, and its selfish hustling s]»irit ; l)ut so it was, that she seemed uttei'ly to forget it, and devoted herself to her fair pupils. "^Po these she taught needle-work of the nu)st elegant and ingenious kinds, reail- ing and writing ; thus (piietly j»assed theii- childhood ; their nionitress not taking tlie smallest coiu-ei-n in family iiianagement, nor indeed the least interest in any worldly thing l)ut themselves ; far less did she in(|uii'e ahout the f'i,.nions or di\-ersions which prevailed in a world she liad renounced ; and from wliicli she seemed to wish her pupils to remain foi' ever estranged. Never was anything so uni- form as their di-ess ; their occupations, and the general tenor of their lives. In the morning they rose early, reaieeing (U'scried at a distance, by the glittering of their arms, the barrels of their guns were all blackened ; and to save them from the ti'aring of bushes, the stings of insects, etc., he set tliem the example of v.earinc: leguans, a kind of buskin made of strong wooU'U cloth, formerly described as a i)art of the Indian di'ess. The greatest privation to the young and vain yet remained. Hair well dressed, and in great quantity, was then consipcd it. and ordered evei-y one else to do the same. Every morning he rose very eai'ly, and after giving his orders, rode out to the Flats, breakfasted, and spent some time in conversing with his friends there ; and whea in Albany, received all nuuuier of useful information from the worthy magistrate Cornelius Cuyler. Anothc! < )int Avhich this young Lycurgus of the camp wished to establish, was that (d" not carrying anything that was not absolutely necessary. An apparatus of tables, chairs, and such other luggage he thought highly absurd, where people had to force their way with unspeakable ditii- culty, to encounter an enemy free from all such incum- brances. The French had long learnt liow little convenience could be studied on such occasions as the present. When his lordship got nnitters arranged to his satisfac- tion, he invited his otttcers to dine with him in his tent. They gladly assembled at the hour appointed but were surprised to see no chairs or tables ; there were, however, bear-skins, sjiread like a cari)et. His lordshij) wlconu'd them, and sat down on a small log of wood ; they followed his example ; and presently the servants set down a large 1^ I ."•" 224 Memoirs of an American Lady. 1 1 r ,! dish of pork and poaso. His lordsliip, taking a slicatli from Ills pockt't, out of wliii'li he prodiu'('(l a knife and fork, began to cut and divide tlie meat. They sat in a irtahle implements of tliis kind ; Mid tinally relieved tliem fi.jm tlieir emharrassment, hv distril>iMing I'ach a ease the s!iin<' as his own, wliicli he had provided for that i)ur- ]M)se. The austere regulations, and constant self-denial which he imposed upon the troops he commanded, were patiently home, because he was not only gentle in his man- ners, but that he would .at some future period ri'dress all those evils that had formerly impeded tiie service , .uid per]iiii>s pl.ant the IJri tish standard on the walls of (Quebec. I bit this honor another young liero was destined to achieve ; whose virtues were to be illustrated by the s])len(h>r of victory, tlie only light by which the multitude can seethe merits of .a soldier. The Scliuvlei's i-eiiarded this e.viteditioii witli .a mixture of doubt and misery, knowing too well, from trie s.ad retro- spect of fornier failures, how little valor and discipline Mkmoiiis of an American Lady. /•oni fork, ||<1 of it •ase lial (,'re an- iii'l of raid for by the agents of govern- ment on showing the usual documents ; he, however, seized everything he wanted where he could most readily find it, as if he ■were in a concjuered country ; and not content with his violence, poured forth :i volly of execrations on those who })resumed to (piestion his right of approj)riating for his trooi)s everything that could be serviceable to them : even Madame, accustome(l to univei'sal respect, and to be considered as the fi'iend and benefactress of the army, was not sjtared ; and the aids which she never failed to bestow on those whom she saw about to expose their lives for the general defence, were rudely demanded, or violently seized. Never did the genuine Christianity of this exalted character shine moi'c brightly than in this exigency ; her countenance never altered, and she used every argument to restrain the rage of her domestics, and the (danior of her neighbors, who wei'c treated in the same mannci-. Lee marched on, after having done all the mischief in his ])ower, and was the next day succeeded bv Lord Howe, who was indiuiiant 29 If 226 Memoirs of an American Lady. on lit'iiriiig what had liappeiu'd, and iistuiiishc'»l at the calm- iioss with whk'h .Ma(hiiiu' bore the trcatiiu'iit she liad received. She soothed him by telliiit; liiiii, that she knew too well the value of protection from a h everv l»art of the house. Kven those who Mere too young or too old to enter into the public calamity, were affected l)y the violent grief of aunt, who, in general, lia*l much self-eomman(l to let others witness her sorro".. Lord Howe was slot from behiixl a tree, ))robably by some liulian : and :he whole army wei"e inconsolable for a loss they too well knew to be ii'rei)arable. This stroke, however, they soon found to be "portent and ))ain, a menace and a blow ;" but this dark jtrospeet was cheered for a moment by a deceitful gleam of hope, which only added to the bitterness of dis- appointment. ciiaptp:k xll Defeat at TicoNDEiiO(iA — Gexeijal Lee — Humanity of Mada:me. _L IIF] next day they heard tlie particulars of tlic skirmish, for it could scarce be called a regular engagement, which had proved fata' to the young warrior, whose loss Avas so deeply felt. Th' army had crossed Lake George, in safety, on tlie oth of July, and landed without opposition. They proceeded in four columns to Ticonderoga, and displayed a spectacle unprecedented in the New World. An army of 3 ' i I i. ( I t i Wml^~' 2-2S Mkmuius of an Amhrican Lady. sixteen iIkhisjiikI men, rei^ulars and provincials, w itli a train of artillery, and all the necessary |»ro\isions I'di- an acti\(' cain|iaiifn or I'ci^nlar sie<;e, t'olloweil hy a little fleet of bateanx, pontoons, etc. 'I'liey set out \vr(»nu', liowi-ver, l»y not liaviny" Indian guides, who an- alone to he depcndi'd on in such a place. In a short time the eolunnis l"cll in upon eacli other, and occasioneij much coufusion. \\'liile they niareheil on in this lte\vildere(| manner, the advanced trnard of the Froncn which ha t l-.-lill III net ivc Hcct ol" (■\('i-, l»y inli'il on ill ii|)i)ii lilc tlicy ■d s^u.'ird ('(|ii:illy fusion, ii rt'c liiin- iis it \v;is owe I'c'll. iH-tli ; it Hit' side, aniplaiii, c sidi'S ; <1 ; and k al)()vc led iin- li otlior, In line, lirtii-ult, y when, leisure )nt they eulty of enougli irrison, let ween reeon- witliout s taken judge. d ill the ! nature of tlie grouiKl, and )irolial>ilit ies of success. Tliey knew better, in sliort, what the spath-, hatchet, or musket coidd or coiilil not do, in such situations, tlian the most skillful Ncteraii from Murope, however re|)lete with military science. Iiideeil, when system usur|is the |iro\ince of |ilaiii sound sense in unknown e\in-eiicies, tlie result is seldom favo'-al)le; and this truth was never more fatally ileiiion- st rated than in I lie course of the .Vinericaii war, where an ohstinate adherence to ren'ular tactics, which do not Iteiid to time or place, occasioned, from first to last, an incalculahle waste of hlood, of treasure, and of ]iersonal courage. The resolution tlieii was to attack the enemy without loss of timi', and i-veii without waiting for artillery. Alas I " What have not lliitons dariMl ? " I cannot enter into the dreadful ted to lienti-naiit :24 Jane, 17to; served in Flanders and Fontenoy, 1745; obtained a company, 1747 ; was at tlie surrender of Fort William Henry, l'^r)7, and wounded at Ticondero^fa 8 July, 1758. On the death of Maj. Duncan Campbell, he succeeded to hiscommission and made the campaiy, lic;irression, (ieneral Ahercromliie saw the I'rnitless waste of Mood that was every hour increasing, and ordeied a retreat, which was very |»re- (•i|»itate, so nnich so, that they crossed the lake and ri'le linen for bandages, and she ani'e a comfort and assistaiu'c than a cai'e oi* charge to their aunt, at a very eai'ly period. They had fou" f)n)thers ; three of whom are still living, and have, through life, done honor by their virtues, their manners, and their conduct, in the most tiying exigencies, to the J ■... Memoirs of an American Lady. fill! memory and oxam])lo of tlioir excelk'iit parents, as well as to that eollatei'al school of jmre morality, and sound and genuine jtolicy, of which they shared the heiietit. The history of this family, in the after vicissitudes in which tlie ])olitical changes in their country involved them, would furnish a very interesting detail, were it allowable to offend the delicacy of modest worth, or eligible to ex})Ose the depravity and fury of enraged fac tions. Of the brothers I shall only mention, that the third, in his childhood, showed uncommon fire and vivacity ; not seeming to retain the smallest pnrtion of that hereditary jthlegm which could still be easily traced through many of the settlers of this peculiar colony. lie could ; ■•arce be called an unlucky boy, for lio never did harm designedly ; yet he was so volatile, eccentric and original in the frolicsome excursions of his fancy, that many ludicrous and some serious consequences resulted from them, lie showed, hov/ever, amidst all these gayeties, fro'.u a very early age, a steady and determined predilec-tiou towards a military life, which in due tinu^ was indulged, and has been since the means of leading him on to rank and distinction in the British service.' Of the eldest brother I shall iiave occasion to spv-ak hereafte)' ; the second and youngest wei'e /,eah)us p;irti/aris of governnu'ut at the time of the revoluti(jn. Their loyalty occasioned the loss of their fortunes and their homes ; l)ut their worth and bravery procurt'd them contidenci' and im[)ortant commands in that paiid'ul sei'vice which was carried on during the .Vmerican wai', at the end of which they were partially rewarded by grants of land in Vipper Canada. Loyalty and coui'age seem hereditary in this family, ^fany sons of those ex- patriated brothers are nov>' serving their country in different ' Til ' riii)tur(* of" Tolmiro was acliicvcd by (icncral ('uylcr, who liad for near forty yt'ars been cngajrid in tlie ..'osf active and hazardous dei)artnient8 of the service. — Mrs. (Jrant. P» 'u k-^ 'T M nk icr and ime oi' <-'!•}' hat i-an by age VI it hmd lous Memomis of an Amkrican Lady. 233 >* parts of tlie oiupirc, uiKlcteriHMl by the h>ssc's and suffcritiufs of tlu'ir parents in tlie royal cause. It was a marked dis- tinetion of charax^ter to be observeublic good, which could }>ro- duce no otlu-r effect but fruitU'ss anxiety, would be as un- availing as unnecessary, in our secure antl trantpiil state ; but with lu'r it was an exercisi'(l and useful virtue. Her .'ittaehment to the IJritish nation, which was to the very last a ruling })riuciple both of her actions and opinions, contributed to embitter this blow to her and her family. The taking of Frontenac on the western lakes, and the re- establishnuMit of our ])ower in that important (piartei-, were achieved by (ienei'al ]>i'ahew, Philip Schuyl(>r, though his was not exactly a warlike de- ])artment, had evinc^ed much spirit, i)i'udenci', and resolution (biringthat expedition ; in which, without publicly arrogat- ing command, he, under Uradstreet (who was indeed a very able man), directed most of the operations. In tlie mind i)f this extraordinary )>ei-son, (pialities, suitecl t(» all occasions, lay dormant and unsuspected, till called forth by the varying events of his busy though not bustling life ; for he seemed to carry on the plans, jiublic and private, which he executed with superior ability and sm-cess, by ;^o '"W^ M 234 Memoirs of an American Lady. iiuTO volition. No one ever s:iw liirn appear luirried, em- barrassed, or agitated. The sueeess of tliis expedition, and the rising distinction of her nephew I'liilip, was some con- sohition to Madame for tlie hite disaster. Still friendly anle in promoting a good under- standing lietween them and the natives ; but the army was now on a larger s(uile. It was in a maimer regularly orgari- ized, and niori' independent of such aid as individuals could bestow ; and the many childn-n educated by her, oi- left orphans to her care, became from their nund)er, tlu'ir n>ar- riages, and various pursuits, objects of more earnest soli- citude. At this )»eriod Aunt Schuyler, now everywhere spoken ( " by that affectionate designation, met with a severe atHict n ill tlie deatli of a sister, whom she had alwavs lovd widi more than common tenderness, and whose family she con- sidered in a manner as her own. This was Mrs. C'nvlcr, the wife of that able and upright magistrate, Coi-nelius Cnyler, of whose family I have just been giving some ac- count. jV[rs. Cuyler, with a character more gentle and retiring, possessed the good sense and benevoleiuie for which aunt was distinguished, though her sphere of ai^tion l>eing entirely within the limits of her own family, she could not be so well known, or so much celebrated. The colonel had always had a great attachnu'iit to this valuable person ; which still more endeared her to his widow. She liowever, always found new duties resulting from her .afllic- tions, so that she could not afford to sink under them. She now was at i)ainsto console her sister's husband, who really seemed borne down by this stroke ; and the exertions f>he made for the good of his singularly promising family, kept her mind occupied. r •.«^ > \^ K. Memoirs of an American Lady. 235 S I'' i CHAPTER XLIIT. FuirriiEK SirocESs okthk Uuitish Aiims — A IVIissioxauy — CoUTf-ANDT SciIUYLEU. X UK coiKiuc'st of ()s\\H'o|iularity ; lie was ir.deed a person of very singular merit, hut studious and secluded, and unwilling to mix Avitli strangers. To jNIadame, however, he was o]K'n and i-onipanionahle, and knew and valueos!()lic t"( rvor, and with the same disregard to the things of this world. J)r. Ogilvie' was highly respected, and in- spicuous ])art in sovcriiiff the church from its (It'ix'iulencti upon tlie mother country, and its rcorfjani/ation upon the present plan. Ilo look stroH}; ground in favor of the cause of the revolution, and at a most critical time when Hurffoyne was advancinif ui)on tlu! city, lie animated and inspired the ])(!ople by havinj; his church ojx'n daily for prayer and address. He left in manuscript a IIel)rew and (ireek lexicon in 2 vols., folio, which is preserved in the State Library at Albany. * Jolm Ojjilvie was a native of New York. lie was ostensibly an Indian missionary in the Mohawk valley, althoujfli lu^ preached mostly at St. Peti'r's Episcopal church in Albany, from h is fjrrad nation at Yale college in 1748 until 1705, haviufj been appointed t() this mission on account of his beintr a DiUch scholar. In 1 700 he joined the <'xpedi- tion afjjainst Niajrara, and continued attached to tlu^ army until the close of th»! French war. After leavin \A Memoirs of an American Lady. 237 t det'd iiuicli beloved l)y idl wlso were cinciblc of ai>i>r('ciatiiig liisiiU'rit. His a]»]»e!iruiu'e was sinyularly )»i't'|M)ss('ssiii<^ ; liis address ami inamiers entirely those of a ticiilleinan. His abilities were i'es|>ectal>le, liis doctrine was pure and scrip- tural, and his life exemplary, both as a clergyman and in his domestic cii'cle, wlu're he was peculiarly amiable ; add to all this a talent for con\ crsalion, e\tensi\t' i-eadin', that she found much entertainment in tracinjj,' the uid'oldinns of the human mind in its native state, and the gradual progress of intellect when enlightened by the gentle influence of pure religion ; and this good Juif/irr of the {lexai'ts grntitied her more by the details lie toiififuc, tli(^ work wascontiiuu'd l)y Dr. Ofjilvic, who was also fainiliar with the laIl(fllaJJ<^ Tlic work seems to have been finished l)y him in 17(!(). He (lied 20 Nov., 1774, ajrcd ~A, Icavinjr anion;>' other bcnefac tions £;J00 to a ciiarity school. — M. ' A pious missionary in the Mohawk country.— Mrn. Grant. [Jolni Stuart, I). D., styled tlic father of tlu! E])lsco)ial churcli in Upper Canada (See iV. }". J)(ic. IIiKt., in, lOGo); was tiie only Episcopal missionary amonjT the Indians throu^^liout the whole confederacy, wliich, we an; informed by Sir Guy Jolmson, " atlorded an ojiportunity for introduc injr New Enjfland missionaries who diffused their evil princiides with their re lijfiou" {Col. Doc, viii, GO?.)— i/.J f • ' f ! I ■ i : ' - i f K I iw M i':j|iiiiix IIP ,„ ,\ ■^'IKIllCAN I,,,UIV. I .'III I 'I "■■■""•n:.l.l,,| ,„ i, , ; ^ '''''<•'<''■ >><.. .s,i,.ii,i,, ^.iLTs ulii,.l, I, . . " • ^''•■l"'n||||;irv . •••'-'■7'l".l. h,. ,„,„,.„„,, . „'■'"■•'"'■"■> I—..I :i,,v,ii|. p';' -••.>.« I ,..,,"'''■;' ■■!*• I,,,.. ".'7"- "■■"-".. II. ',,;,'" '•■;■■'- „.,,.«,, ""'] i" ■■wn..,|.,.,,i||„ , I . ■' ''\l''"'''-l l.im :, niiii. '"•'^^''''■"".i..Mv..i,;l,,,;; ; "'7f'''-i.M,i , •■'^'-■- T,,: , .,."';•;:" '.■■"'"•"I-h.v , -"■'— h.i.,vi„M,i„, ^ ;:':;^ ;''".v." ,.,1111 .„„, I! 111! MllMOIKS (IK AN AmKRM AN liADV. 'IIW *N (lie tjrc.'ilfsl r;i\ orilc, iiimI Im'ciiiiic more cinlc'irc'l In licr, I iiiii brint; It'ss succcssrnl in lilV lli;in (lie rest ul' liis iMiiiily. In :i ciMiiicil licM iK'twccn tlicir rrliitiniiH ami M:ii| lliat IhiIIi ('nrllaiMJt and Cornilnis slionld ( I'V (licir roilnnt'in arms. Corllandl wasmadr an ensif^n in an oM rc^imcnl, anlins ( )ni;lilon. Tlir mayor was liii:;ldy rcs|»c(t('<| fur liis wisdom ; yet liis |>nric contrived to do \(ry well with wonderi'ully little of that article, astonisheil all his countrymen, ("onscions, how(.'V«'r, of his son's military genius, and well knowini^ that the vivacity that lilled his ijrave kinsmen with a|i|U('hension, was nu'rcly a laml»ent. flame of youthful Ljayety, wliiy this time, they were lutt, a few), do lioinu' to her instructions, and till up their dill'erent stations in a manner the most creditable and |>rosperous ; and she was (tfteii surrounded l>y the children of those who had en- y the I'Mats one d.-iy, :iiid in'o|)«isiiin' to call ied by Mr. Stephen Schuyler, a descendant of the family, is known to have beiMi built ujmn the foundation of th(M)ld one, and of tlu; sani(! ilimensions and style of architectur(^ That portion of the wall of the burnt house, forminjr the north-west corner, is still discernibh! in th(i i)resent structure, of which an enjiravinfjf is lien; presented. The house stands a few rods from the river l)ank, facinjr the (sast, and has the sanu) asi)ect as when built more than a century ajro. The front door, which is divide;! laterally, in the fashion of tlie day, into an upper and lower door, still retains its ipiaint old brass knocker ; and tlie same shutters, with tluiir curious fastenintrs and hinjrt's, remain as when it was built, in 177'3, l>y the fath(?r of the present Mr. John ('.Schuyler, who leased the premises after tlu! fire. The scents lookinjj south from this spot is one of yreat beauty, stretchinjf over a level plain reachinfj; to the Van Rensselaer mansion, about three or four miles below, skirtiul by the river on the cast and the Erie canal on its western bordtsr. — M. 31 rnTiinmimniiHi ■ »"I>lll '24-2 Memoirs ov an Amkhk'an Laky. iHit only t»t' the Mxc, l>ul all onliiiarv tools uscil in jtlaiiiiig and j(»iiiiii_uf tiinluT, tliat with the a'niol' a ri'^iilar farpi'iitiT ()'• two to I'urry on tlu' nicer parts ol" tlic work, a man could Itnild an ordinary liousc. ii" it wcic a wooden one, with vi'ry little more than his t)wn domestics, it. can scarce, bo credited that this house, l>v't;un in August, was ready for aunt's reception against winter, which lu'i'c hci^ins very e;irlv. l>ut (Jeneral ilrailstreet had sent sonic of the kintij's workmen, t'onsidcriuii; tlu-m as eniployetl lor the piddii! service, while carryinn" on this huildiui;'. 'I'he most uu- pleasant cir('umst!inci' ahoul this new dwelliuif, was tlio melanch(»ly hiatus which appeared in front, when- the foruuT laru;e house had stood, aiul where the di-ep and spacious cellars still vawnetl in i^looniy desolation. Madanu', who no loTti^er studie(l appearance, but uu'i't'ly tlioUi;ht of a temporarv accoiuuK nation, lor a life which neither she nor any one e\pecti'earance of some ancient ruin. ^Madanu- diil uo\ find tlu' winter pass comfortably. That road, now that matters wi're ri'gulai'ly settled, was no longer the constant ri'sort of her military fi'iends. Ili'r favorite nieces were too engaging, and too nuieh admired, to leave ' Jolui liriulsfri'(>t wiisqiiartcr-mnsttT-jjt'noral, wliose career lias been sketched by Dr. O'Callayflian in (\>h»iiitl Dot-iimi'iits of New Vork, viii, ;{T9. Ilia HtateTiient of Indian attairs in tlio war with i'ontiac ia to be found in tlie Diary of the tiuge of Detroit, puljiialiedin IV Mun- sell's 1 list. fSirii's. Mia jmpers are preserved in tlu^ New York State Library at Albany. The honse oci'upied by (len. Philip Schuyler in Albany, one of the historical nuinsions of that city, was built by the wife of (len. Hradstreet durin<; his absence at Oswego. He fill(;d with distinj>uished ability various important ofhces, civil and military, and died 25 Sept. 1774, aged <)3.— M. i^ I, t Mi;m(»ih,-( or an Amiihtan IiAi»v. ¥ room to cxitccl llit'v slioiiM ivinaiii witli lu-r. Slic rniiiir()tlu>r, was now, '>y incrcasiiiLj dcal'iK'ss, diMiiialilicd I'loni Ix'ini^ a cuniitaninn ; and sister Susan, inlirni and clieei'less, was now, loi- the most |>art, conlincMl |o her ehain'ter. I'nder these eireninstanees she was at h'li^th prevaih'd on to renio\e to Alhany. 'The I'lals she j^aNc in lease to I'l'droin's son Ste|»lien. The house and siii'idund- inu; nrounds were let to an Irish j^ent h'nian, who came ovei' to Aniei'iea to lienin anew course of life, al'fer spendin!^ his I'itrtuni' in I'asliionalde dissipation. On eoininoto i\ineriea, lie foiind tiiat there was an intermediate state o|' hardship and Hi'llnh-nial to he eneonnterecl, hel'ore he eoidd enter on that, fan* led Arcadia wliieh he thoiiijht was to he rounrovince. She was \ i": ' scriH's llicmosl (lislrrssinn. Mini ili;iliii«'S lliciiinsi |»;iiiiriil. Slic li:is I'xcr coiKliiclcd In rscir, so ;is In ilo Iioimh- in iIk' (>\<'<'ll('nl «>\:illl|)lrs nl' Inr llintlicl' iiikI miiiiI, .-llltl In Im> ;i piillmi of slrMtH'iisi 1 1 Mill mill iiciu-iniis rri('inlsln|i, in r\i- iifiicit's llir iiinsi lr\iiii:. Her \niiiiultlic s|>i il . lit' w M>, iiidtctl, "liMppily tciii|>»'r«'d, mild. Mild linn ;" mid wms liiiMlly llif \ id iin nl' slt'MiU'Mst ln\ mII \ . il iinw ri'iiiMins tn >.My Imw the wrilrr it\' llicsc |imi;«'S lu't'Miiic sn well M('i|iiMiiit('d u itii the suit jfcl til' I hese ineinniis. .My iMllier WMS Ml this liiiit' m siiltMlteni in the .">")|li rej^i- nuMit. TliMl Ittitlv ttl' iiieii wt'rellieii siMliniifil Ml (>swfi;ti ; Itiit tliiriiiij; the hiisy miiiI WMilike peritid I liMve lieeii tlescrUi- iiiLT, my innther Mini I were ItnMrileil, in llie fnimliy, helnw AlltMiiy, with the iimst wtntliy |»en|)le iniMniiiMlde ; with wht>m we e\ei- Miter ke|i| up m enrtliMi rrieinlshi|». My I'Mther, wishiiiLf In see his iMinily, wms intlnlLjetl with |M'r- iiiissittn, ami at the same time ttnlered tt) ImKc the ettiniiiMinl iii|»Mny, wlm wtTe tt» «'niiie n|», and ti> |)iireliase I'tir tlu' rejuinieiit all the stt>i('s they slniiijil ret|iiire I'tirthe winter; which |irti\('tl a nit)sl e\lensi\ c et)ininissit)ii. In the nitnith tA' ()ett)l»er he set tmt t)n this jtiiirney, or vtiyaii'e rather, in whieh it wassettletl that my inntheraml I sht)uld aee(>in|iMiiy him. Wi' Wfre, I hejiexc, the lirst females, ahttve th«' vt'iy Itiwest ranks, wlnt hail ever |iene- trateil so far in'.t) this remnte wiltlevness. Certainly lu-ver was jov Lrreater tl an that whieh liilktl mv i-hiltlish mint! on settint; out on this iournev. I h:i\|in'ss*>i| on Ills iimniMl , ilMil llir IrMI' nl' his iltMtli Ml'trr r\t'i V l):illli'. I v\:i>, IikIitiI, :i lilllf iisliiiiiitil nl' li;i>iiiLr II iiiililiiiy iMtlur, I>in ihr whoic il Wiis a \tr\ "immI i hin^ lo ha\ i a lalliriol any kiml. 'I'hr scailcl loal, wliii'h I hail Imiii lanulil lo mnsiilrr as ihc svinhol of w icLilrn'ss, tlisunslcij nif in soini' tlr^irr ; ImiI then, to iny ureal loinlorl, I Ion in I my lalln'r iliil not swrar ; ainl auiiiii, lo my nns|ifalN;ihl<' th-li^hl, Ihal he |iiaNt'-ht id' her as soinethint; holh Mwfnl :ind :idiniral)lc. We had the snrtfeon of the reirimeni, :ind another ollicer with IIS ; ihev l.'iikeil too, of .Maihime, of Indians, of hatlles, and of ancient liislorN'. Sitting from niornin;^ to niirht ). . I' 246 Memoirs of an American Lai>y, iniisiiii; in tlu' boat, contcmitlatiiig my fiitlirr, wlio apiu'iirod to iiic a lu'K) and a saint, ami thinking of Annt Schuyler, wlio tilled up my whole mind with the grandeur with which my fancy had investeartly supportcci by the Indian trade. The next day we embarked, procei'ded uj» the river with six bateaux, and came early in the evening to one of the most chai'ining scenes imaginable, where Fort Ilendrick was built ; so called, in comjtlinu'Ut to {lie principal sachem, or king of ■ !.- i- 1 my nin- llian rs,I iuid )■ we ;ipearance of a good b.-irn, and was divided across by a mat hung in the mitldle. King Ilen- drick, wlio had indeed a very princely figure, aiul a counte- nance tliat would not have dishonored royalty, was sitting on the floor beside a large heap of wheat, surrounded with baskets of dried berries of different kinds ; beside him, his son, a very pretty boy, somewhat older that myself, was carressing a foal, which was unceremoniously introduced into the royal resideiu'c. A laced hat, a tine saddle and j)istols, gifts of his good brother the great king, were hung round on tlie cross beams. He was splendidly arrayed in a coat of pale blue, trimmed witli silvi-r ; all the rest of his dress was of tlie fashion of his own nation, and highly em- bellished with beads and other ornaments. All this suited my taste exceedingly, and was level to my comprehension. I was })r(4)ared to admire King Hendrick by hearing him described as a generous warrior, terrible to his enemies and kind to his friends : the character of all others calculated to make the deepest impression on ignorant innocence, in a country where infants learned the horrors of war from its vicinity. Add to all this, that tlie monarch smiled, claj>ped my head, and ordered me a little basket, very pretty, and filled by the officious kiiubiess of his son with dried berries. Never tlid princeb gifts, or the smile of royalty, produce more ardent admiration and profound gratitude. 1 went out of the royal presenile overawed and delighted, and am i not sure but what I have liked kintrs all my life the better 248 Mkmoiks of an Amkrican Lady. for this li:i|t|»y s|u'<''niu'ii, (o wliifli I w;is so cnrly iiitroduci'd. ll:i»l I si'cii royalty, piopcrly sucli, iiivcstiMl witli all tlio |K)iM|» oi" European maLinilii'i'iicc, I slionM possibly have \tvvn coiirusi'd and ovcr-da/zU'd. I>ut this was (|uili' «'iioUi!;h, and not too inni'h lor nic ; and I wont away, lost ni a ri'vcnc, anv its vi'rv driavs and dinicnltios, was snch a sonr«'c of intert'st and novelty to inc, that ahovc all things I dreaded its eon- tdnsion, whieli 1 wt-U knew wonld he sneeee(led hy h»n!^ tasks and close conlint'nient. Happily lor nie we soon enteretl upon Wood creek, the most desirahle of all jtlaces for a traveler who loves to linu'er if snch aiioth«'r trav(der there he. This is a small river, which winds ii'reunlarly thi'(»nyh a deep and narrow \ alley of tlu' most lavish fei'tility. The depth ami richiu'ss of the soil here was evincey tho loftiness and the natni'e of the trees, which were, hickory, hntter-nut, chestnut, ami sycamores, of vast circund'erenco as well as heiinht. These became so top-heavy, and their roots were so often nntlei'minecl by this insidious stream, that in every t»'mpestuous ni^lit, some liiants of the strove It'll prostrate, and very friMpU'ntly across tlu' stream, whei'e they lay in all their |)om|> of foliaLje, like a leafy brid<:;e, unwithei'i'd, and foiined an obstach' almost invincible to all na\ iuation. The Indian lifted his slight canoe, and carried it |»ast the ti'ce ; but our deep-loaded bateaux could not be so m;ina:il rnctl .11 >C' I '.y till' was |irt»- oiir |l|)OII tiio k vcsistnncc was IouljIi, aiifl the jtroccss tedious ; so iiiucli so, that we were three days ]»roeeediiirinjjj of vanity. These delays were a new soui'ce of pleasure to me. it was ( )etol»er : the t rees \\v lind !•. ''it thr(»ui;h were often loade«l with nuts, and while I ran livi'itly alontf the hranehes, to 1111 my royal basket with llieir spoils, which I hail ureat j)leasui-e in distributing', I met with multitudes of fellow ])iunderers in the s(|uirrels of various colors and sizes, who were here numlu'rless. This made my excursions amusiui^ : hut, when I found my disappearance «'xeited alarm, they as- sunu'd more interest. It was so line to sit (piietly anionic the hranches, and hear concern and solicitude expressed ahout the child. I will spare tlu' reader the fatigue of accompanying our little lli'ct through " AiitrcR vast and dcsnrtH wild :" oidy ol»ser\iiig, that the munilicent solitude through which we traveletl was much relieved I»y the sight of .lohnson liall, heautifully situated in a jilain l»y the river ; while .lohnson castle, a few miles further up, nunli' a most re- spectahle appearance on a commanding eminence at some distance. We traveled from one fort t<» another; hut in three or four instaiu-es, to mv great joy, ihev were so ri'mole from I'ach other, that we found it necessary t(» encamp at night on the hank of the river. This, in a land of profouml soli- tude, where wolves, foxes, and hears ahounded, and wero very much inclined to considei' and treat us as intruiJers, might seem dismal to wiser folks. Hut I was so gratilied hy tlu' hustle and agitation produced hy our measures of defence, and actuated hy tlu- lo\c which all children have ;j2 \ 1 250 Memoirs of an American Lady. for niiscliicf that is not fatal, that I enjoyed our niglit's en- caiiipiiu'iit t'xcet'diiiffly. We sto|)|»e(l early wlierever we saw tlie hirge •♦^ and most eoiiibiistihle kind of trees. Cedars were great favorites, and the first work was to fell and |>ile ui)on eaeh other an incredible luunber, stretehed lengthways, while everyone wlio could was l>usied in gathering withered brauehes of pine, etc., to fill uj» the interstices of the j)ile, and make the green wood burn the faster. TIumi a train of gun-powder was laid along to give fire to the whole fabric at once, which blazed and crackled magnificently. Then the tents were erected close in a row before this grand con- flagration. This was not merely meant to kee)» us warm, tliough the nights did begin to grow cold, but to frighten wild beasts and wandering Indians. In case any such In- dians, belonging to hostile tribes, should see this pi-odigious blaze, t)>e size of it was meant to give them an idea of a greater force than we possessed. In one )>lace, wliere we were surroimded by hills, witli swamps lying between them, there seemed to be a general congress of wolves, who answered each other from opposit< i|H'nt at Fort Bruerton, then conunandcd by Captain Mungo Cami)bell,i 'Colonel Mungo Camiilu-ll whs killed Icadiufj: on the attack of Fort St. Auue, at the battle of White i'laius, Anno 1777. — Mrs. Grant, \^ J 1 10 l"S le ^> '(1 ^S ■ of Memoirs of an American Lady. 251 whoso warm and jfciuTous lioart, whoso oiiliro- mature fall of snow. Very much disposed to be happy any win re, I was here particularly so. Our last day's journey, which brou<;ht us to Lake Ontai'io and Fort Oswego, our destined abode, was a very hard one ; we had people going before, breaking the ice with paddles, all the way. All that I had foreboded of long tasks, continemont, etc., foil short of the realit v. The very doop snow <;onfined us all ; and at any rate the rami)art or the ])arade would have been no favorable scone of imjintvoment for me. One great sourci' of entertainment I discovered hero, was no other than the Old Testament, which during my confinement I learned to read ; till then having done so very imporfe(rtly. Tt was an unspeakable treasure as a story book, before I learnt to nnike any better use of it, and bocanie, by frequent perusal, indelibly imprinteV i i! t «>riuinMlIy sudi. Ixinu; v:\is<'< •■' >»''> '''^v m-mis Itcloi*-, in the ni'iiili'x'tliotxl of Siirliii^;. Tlu'ii' w cic ^in.ill . I'liliT liimluT o\' the l.ili' l-oiil l>imi;iii of (',im|i('r- ilown. lie w.is •.\^\ ('\|ii'ri('ii(<'(l olIictM'. jiosscs^cl ol consi- (l(M;iMo luilil .UN si iciicc. h'.ii'UNl. lium.iiH'. .'mil jinlicioiis, \ el ol>>-l iii.iti'. ;inil >.ouu'\\ li.il t^\ :in hmuorisi \\illi;il. Whoroxoi' lu' \\riit ;i ics|'<'i) ■.'.•!(• 'iil>r;ii\ went wilh liim. 'riii>ULih not old 111" \\.\s u'oiilv. Mini WAV worn. Mibl tlicrclon' m11o\\m1>1\ i.inird mI'oiii iumiix tomforls Mini com ciiiciici's (liMt ollit'is fonliiilt t'liliri'ly <^( cMitli mikI ui'omI loos; 1 nicMii (lie \vm11s Mild iMnn»;nts. tor llio l>MrrMiks wcit'ol wood. Miid cold Mild I'oiiifortloss. Tlu' cntt iiiLi' dow II tlic \ms| (|iiMiilily o[' wood iisid ill this hiiildiiit;' liMil. liowcvcr. clcMiod imicli of tlu> fertile Liroiiiid I>y wliirli tlio fort wms siinouiulod. Tlic ImKo Ml>ound('d with cvccllout lish Mini VMiiotics of WMtcrfowl, wliilo deer Miiil cxcrx kind of omiiic woronn- nuTons in the siirri>iiiitlin^ woods. .\11 these Md\ MiilMi;'es, Innvi'N er, were now shut iip l»y the rigors o I' winter. The oHit'ers w t're .ill \ ery xomiLi- men. Inoiiohl from school or eoUcLTe t<> the.innv. ,iiid Mflerthe dreadful spei'imeii of w;ir wliich the\ IiMd met with on their lirst onts«'t, Mt lii." lines of 'rit'ondcroLiM, tlie\ h.id u'one t hroiiLi'li mII |iossil>le liMrd- ships. .\fter m iiiMrdi up St. I.mw reiu'c. :ind then ihroiioh I'MiiMd.-i here. ;i niMich imleed. eonsidcriiiLi' the scMson, Miid the new road, worthy the hero of I'nlttiwM. they were stM- tioned in this new hiiilt liiirrison. f;ir from e\ery tiMceof civili/.Mtion. riiese yoimu' soldiers were, however, e\cellenl snl>je«"ts for tlu- ft>rininLi' h.nid of .Major niiiicMii.' As I ' .McxjiiuliT nmiciiii. Ill' the .-).')lli rryiiiii'iit, nhlaiiii'il liis comiiany '.2S Oct., IT"),"), was urmiioteil fo iiinjor I itiO. iiml In liciil. cnloncl 17(M. He WHS at Fort Onturin in Oct., ITOH, iiiid retired Irnm llieivnny in 1773.— .V. \i. Mkmoihs nr AN Amiuh'VN L\i«v. 'J.'t'l * \ 1 Ii:i\(' *«:iiil I'll ;i li'iiiici' nccMsion ot nllici^. il )lii'\ \\t if iml iin|tl«i\ cl, (|i,'\ wclr iml s|ii>il(i|, ;|||>\\^. i>r |iii|tils ; mih mik- miolil ('\i'rit\ \\;i- in'ii'-, ,,ii \ id lunii liis |iii|iilM t <• li;il)il mil \ I'nn.it inn. I'm I iiKiiil^ r\ ii \ (l:i\ nf iliciicon \i\i;ll I'll j«>\ llH'llts, ;|||i| show inn- ('\('r\ IhxII -.nine jtHxil III |>;il<'ni,il r.iii' :iiii| Kindin'^^ ; mII tliis wn-^ iirri'ss;ir\ \,< Ki>i'|i I Ik 'in w II hill ilin' liiiiiH. < )iil nj m''>:ii i| In I lirii nw II w I'ir.'iri' lie w.iiilcil III) iiiMrc III llicir li>\i' lli.in w .i^- i oii'-isii'iii wiili s;ilii(;ir\ Icir ; .ind \i'l iii.iilr liiiiisrll •,ir( iii« iil^ ; nin nl uliicli \\;is !1 Itcil rnnm. ill wllli'll m;lll\ slnl't'^ rnllinl |p|;i> 1. llir nllirr, ;| lM'r;ikr,'|s( ir'_^ |>;ir|ii| , ;illi|. ;il I lie SMlllt' liini'. ;i IiImmiv. Mire were !^|iiIh"<, i|ii;i inlniii'l's |iii|>ils, (li;il i^. I'm- ;ill iIm' Li'.iirisnii. (< 'niiicliii^ ('ii\l<'r, u Im liml imw jniiH'il llii' rc^iiiit'iil, ;i'^ \iiiiiimi's| nisiiri,^ wns nirliiiliil ill I lii^ nil III Iter.) 'I'lii'. Scvi lii,iii 1 1 w riling, Inr mhIi iI stTiiicd, \\;is ni;iil'' cnlirclv nl' wuml. ;iml livnl ii|miii w licch nl' llic SlIIIH' imih'lilll, Ki) lli;|| i( rnlllij Itc li'nin\('il I'lnin nlic jiMil of (lie |>;ii;ii|(' In ;iiin| lice, ;is il rr('i|iiiiil I v \v;is. Sn kUkIiI m h'licmt'iil, w licrc tlx' wiiilfi'^ wiii' inlfiisrlv ••n|i|. \\;i-< ill I'.llfllllllc'l Ini;! "nlll\ |i;ltirlll ; I nf ( ||is, In i\\ i'\ cr. In Inlinil :i rcinrilx ; I lie lin.'inis, wliirli rnrni.ut tliu major (lijects. His library was select and soldier-like. It consiste i.\re- vented them from risking the dauLfers that often occur in such places ; for, in general, idleness and contiiiement to the same circle of society produce such a fermentation in the mind, and such neglect of ceremonial observances, which are the barriers of civility, that <|uarrels and (biels more readily occur in such situations than in any cither. Hut when sjiring drew near, this )»ateriial commander found it extremely ditHcult to rein in the imi)atience of the youths r;-^ 250 Mkmoius of an Amkripan Lady, to plunge into flic woods to Iniiit. 'riicrc were sucli risks to cncoiintc r, of nnknown morasses, wolves, and hostile Indians, that it was (hmi;eroiis to indid_LCi' them. At last, when the tlays began to lengthen, in the end td" l''el»rnary, ji chosen party, on whose liarilihoo(l and endnranee the major eonld depi-nd, were |»ermitte<| to go on a regidar hunting excursion in tlu' Indian fashion. This was heconu' desirahle on difVerent accounts, the garrison having been for sometime hel'ore entirely subsisted on salt provisions, ere out of the (pu'stion, there not being Sh leep :mil cows w one of either within forty miles, A Captain Ilamilt(tn, wlio as apracticid wood ranger, comm.anded this party, who w were clad almost like Indians, and arme I in the s.ime niamier. They were acc(»mpanied by a detachnu'iit of ten men ; some of whom ha\ing lieen prisoners with the Indians, were more particidarly (|ualiliens we began to entei'tain. \ o- lunteers now presenti'ly was holli plentiful aixl .sciisonaMc. " S|»i'liias fs of A nuMica ar<' indeed coin|»arat ivel y poor, except merely on the haidis of i^reat rivers, though the universal veil of ever<,n'eens con- ceals nuu'h sterility from strangers, lint it is in the depth of those forests, and arouml thesi- si-a-like lakes, tliat nature IS been n rofu selv kind. am 1 discovers more charms the more her shady veil is willidi-awn from her noble featui'cs. If ever the fond illusions of poets auont to eomtnenee their Ai^rieola. When j^ivinjj; an account of the t^ai'rison I should have mentioned a company or two, I do not remember which, of euf^ineers, the otKcers of which, from their superi(»r intelli- gence, were a great ac<|uisition to the society. To these friendly coadjutors the nnijorcomminiicated his plans, which they readily adopted. Among his cojicealed stores were Indian corn, peas and beans in abundance, and all kinds of gardi'U seeds. Before the season opened he had arrangiMl with tliese engineers the jtlan of a largi' garden, bowling- gi'een, ami enclosed field, for the use of these and all suc- ceeding troops. Tliis was a bold attempt when one con- siders tljat you might as well look for a horse in \'enice as in Oswego. No such animal had ever penetrated so far. A single cow, belonging to the sutler, was the only tame creature, dogs and cats excepted, to be seen here. Hut there was a great stock of palisadoes, which had been cut for the garrison, lying ready ; and their pioneers and work- inen still remaining there, the new erection being scarce complete. The new project was re(!eived with "curses not loud but deep." Were they to go all out to ])lod and drudge for others, who would neither pay nor thank them ; *R' Mkmhihs of an Amkhk an Lady. 250 f(»r, at most, tlicy iiiixuftl tlicy slioiiM stay niily a year, arnl rt-ap very litllr imlcctl (»!' tlic fniii of their labors. Till' major's |»laiis, liuwcvcr, wcrtMlccn laiv a little store to eke out tlieir pittance when they returneil to more expensive placi'S ; in short, he wisheil to i;ive them hahitsof reifular economy, which should hi' useful to them ever after. He sliowt'd them his |»lans ; <;ave each of them a department in over- seeing the execution of them ; and, for that purpose, t-ach had so many men allotted to his command. He made it obvious to them, tli.it as the summer was merely to he oc- cupied in tiardening annscious yet unlimite«l sway, these young Cincinnuti set out, nothing loath, on their horticultural enterprise. All difficulties soon vanished before them ; and, in a very few days, they became enthusiastic in the jtursnit of this new object. That large and fertile portion of ground, wluch I'i t 200 Mkakurs of a\ AMKKirAN Lady. . ' liiid been ('Icarcd of the tiinlxT with \sliicli the garrison was l)uilt, was ifi\»'ii ill charm' to a sai^acioiis (»l»l scrtycant, who knew soinciliiiiir of Imsbandrv, ant! who very soon had it I'liciosed in a palisade, diiji; ii|», and i»Iantt'(l with lieans, peas, and Indian corn, the food of future \n'^s and poultry. To the oflicers more interi-stini^ tasks were allotted. There was more than one loy some hundred men. A summer house in a tree, a lish-poiitl, and a gravel-walk, were finished before the einl of May, l)i'sides having com- mitted to the earth great (piantities of e\('i-y vegetable i>ro- duction known in our ln-st gardens. Tlu'se vegetables throve beyoiul bi-lief or example. 'I'he size of the cabbages, the cucumbers, and melons, pnxbiced here was incredible. Tlu'V used, in the following veai's, to send them down to astonish us at Albany. On the continent they were not (Mpndled, except in anothei' military garden, which emula- tion had produced at Niagara. The major's economical views were fully answered. l*igs and poultry In abundance were procured, and siippoitctl by tlu'ir Indian corn crop ; they even procured cows and made hay in tlu' islands to fei'd them. The provisions allowed tlu'in by the public alforded a sutlicieiicy of flour, butler, and salt meat, as also rice. The lake alVorilcd (piantities of i-xccllciit fish, much uf which the soldier^; dried for winter c<»nsiimption ; and if> I Memoirs of an American Lady, 261 ii I fruit and vcifctablt's, tlu'V had in ]in»fiisit)ii, from tlu'ir nrtriili;(' ami six |>i<>tM)ns, by tho lioposof waiKlcriiitxtliroiiijli Wood ci'cck, ami sl('('])iiiix iti tlic wooils. In both tlioso |»arti('iilars I was (lisa|t|Miinti'(l. Our boats bciiii; liijlitcr, made better way, ami we were received in new sellleinents a little distant from tlm river. The most iin|)er-plates in an e(lition of Paradise I.ost, which, on that account, he had u;iven me to admire. \N'hen I was comimj: away lie said to me, " Keep that book, my dear child ; I fori'tel that the time will cou)e when you will take pleasure in it." Ne\i'r did a present produce such joy .'ind iXratilude. I thouM-ht I was dreamini;, and looked at it a hiindreil times, before I could lielieve anythiniT f<<> line w:is I'cally my own. I trie<| |o read it and almost cried with vexation when I foiin\' mv eves. I studied the dictionary with indefatigable diligence ; which I began now to consider as very entertaining. I was ex- trenu'ly sorry fur the fallen angels, di'eply interested in their speeidu's, and so well acnLi' tliere when aunt heard tluit my fatlu'r was ;i nood, ]ilain, ujiritiiit man, without jirctensions, liut \cry well principled. She sent a married lady, the wife of her fa>(irite nephew, who resid'il with her at the tinu", to ask w- to sjiend the evt-niu!'; '.vil'i her. I think I have not hcen on anv oi-casion moie astonished, than when, with no litth' awe and !!i;'il nn* '.. I canu' into the presence of Madame. She w ts sitting ; ;ii" r"^pect, than condiate alVeclou. Not jia\ iui; (he smallest ;-«oli. 'i u'e alxMit what people thought of hci', and '"aviuL"" her ni'i 1 li^eu'/rally occup'i'd with matters of weiiihty conc^ ■... li, iirst expression of hi'i kindness seeuu^l rather a lofty eourtcsy, than attracti\e afTahility ; hut shi' shone out hy deni-ees ; an^p ill il. licr expressions not from art and study, hut from the clear perceptions of her sound and strl(';is(', Tliis w;is one of the sccri'ts in wliicli lay the siiigiihir j)oNvt'i- .)i' Iut cKnvcrsalioii. NVIu-ii ordinary |»('o|»I(' s|)»'ak to you, your iitiiid waiidcis in scarcli ol" the motives that |»roni])t their discourse, or the views and |tre- jnt'.iccs which hi.-.s it ; wiieii those who excite (and perhaps solicit) adtniralion talk, nou ai'c secret Iv askinti; voui'sell' whether they mean to inl'orm, or da/./le you All this interior canvass vanished hei'ore the evident truth and im- studied ease of aunt s discourse. ( )n a nearer knowlednt', too, you found she was nun-h nn)re intent to serve, than please you, and too much engrossed l»v her eiidi'avors to do so, to stop :ind look round fo|- your jfratitude, which slu' lieeded just as little as your admiration. In ^hort, she in- fornu'd, eidiifhtene. de- lighte(| or mortilied, .as I found t hey ite nephew, the eldest son of her nnich lte!ov«'d si^ti , had, I>v his father's dc>i re, entered into partnership in reat connner- eial house in New Vork. Smillen with lie unconnnon l»e;vuty of a young lady of sexcnieeii, from Khoile Island, lie had married her without wailing for theiousi'Ul of his 34 I i I i i 200 ^fK-MOIUS OF AN AmI'.UTCAN LaDY. n'l.'itions. llii'l lie lived in Alhiiny, mimI (■(tTiiicclcMl liinisclf with one ver. I>ut an expens- ive and elcLTant style ol' livini^ heynn alreay a fond hiishand, wlio was Lfcnerii and eood- natnreil to excess, tliis yonny heauty became "the ylass of fashion, and the ttioidil of form.'" And the house of this amiable couple was the resort of all that was i^ay and elo- Lfant, anil the centre of attraction to stranjjers. The mayor, who was a jierson sinyularly judicious, and most imjtartial in the alVection which he distril)Ute(| among his large family, saw charly that the young people trusted too much to the wuillli he was known to possess, and had got into a very expi'usiv style of li\ ing ; which, -n examining their afVairs, he tlitl n I'U n fauiiiv : (his he pre\ cntcMl. Peace was di'.ily expecteil . and the ■. "ry existence ri:M(»iRS OF AX A.mvf. f^Ay L\DY. iit;7 i <»>k r !n siiiKTciirj^o, to tlis|)(»si' of tlic ladiiij^. As iKHisc-kt'cpiiiij; ^vas givt'ii ii|i ill Xi'W \'(trk, .-iikI not yet rcsiimcil in Alhaiiy, this vromise in tlu' yo iul;; Catalina ; a child whom, to this day, I cannot ri'collect without an emotion !' tenderness. She was then ahoiit thn-t' yea. old. Hesi.ies these interest iiiLf stranjrers, there was a ^rand-niece whom slu had In-oimht up. Such was her iumily when 1 first knew it. In the course of the c\ ciiin'j,', dreams lie^an to he talkeil of ; and everyone in turiijiave their opinion with rci^.-iril to that wonderful nxxle, in which the mind acts indepi-mlent of the senses, iissertiuLj its immateiial nature in a manner the most conclusive. 1 musi'd and listenetl, till at leiiiflh the spirit of (piotation (which very I'arly heujiiii lo haunt me) moved me lo repeat, from Paradise Lost, " VVlifii nut lire r ■Hts, Ot't in liiT iib-rncc mimic timcv wuiit's. to imitate lier, Hnt miHJiiiniiii:; Him|)cs, wilii woriv i»rt«lucc8 oft." T sat silei't when my holt was shot ; hut so did not Madame. Astonislied to hear her favoritt' author <|Uoted reailily, hy so mere a child, she attaclie '!.i 208 •NrKMOIIlS OV AN AmKIUCW LaDY. Jiftcr, sli(> used to i('|>('.'it it to slraiitrcrs in my iircscncc, l»y \v:iy of :iccniintiiiLr •"»r tlic txrciit r.-iiicy ^^lic li.nl tMkcii to inc. Tlicsc icirtial rcitctiiioiis of lu'is tixcil iliis lucky (|iiutati(iii indclilily in my mind. Any |icrs(iii wlm lias ever l»ccn in l<>\(', and li.as nni'X|iecU'dly heard tlial sweetest ol' all music tlic praise (if Iiis l»cl(»vc(l, may jinliic of my sciis:itioiis wlicn .M.'id.amc lici^.an l>* much inspircil as ever Isai.ah w as. This was ;i very hoperul opeiiinn" ; > i'' ' was much too siin|»le and too humhU" to e.\|»ect that I should excite the attention of .M.ad.ame. ."My .amhition aimed at nothins;' higher than win- niiiu the he.art of the sweet C.atalin.a ; and I tliouulit if heaven had i,dven me such .another little sister, :md eii.ahh'ij IMC to teach her, in due tinu-, to relish .Milton, I should li.avc iiothinu; left to .ask. Time wi'iit on ; we wei'c nciyhhoi-s, and hecaiiie intimato ill the family. I w.as Iteloved l»y ('.it.alina, caressed l»v her cli;.'- iiiiiLT mother, and frcfiiu'ntlv noticed l»v aunt, whom I \rvy much inclincil to lose, were it not tli.at it seemed to me ;is as if in so doin<^, I should .aspire too hiii'li. ^'et in my visits to her, where I li.ad now a panic ul.ar low cli.air in a corner assiiriied me, I li.id n[reat eiijoynu'iits of various kinds. First, I met therewith ,all those stiaiincrs or in- hahitaiits who were p.aiticiil.arly respectahle for their ch.a- ractcr or convers.ation. Then I w.as witness to ;i thousand .acts of heneficence that ch.armed me, I could lutt well sav why, not haviiii; learned t(» .analy/e my feelin<;s. Then I nu't with the Spectator .and a few < tlier suitaMe hooks, which I read o\ci' and oxer with unwearied diliLfence, not h.aviii^ the least idea of treating a book ;is a plaything, to fv Mkmoius of an Amkrtcan Lady. 2(;9 1>C' throw II :i\v;iy wlu'ii tlic cliiinii dl" novelty \v;is |i;ist. I was l)y disjoin esteem from gratitude. ,Ji I 270 Mkmoirs of an Amkrh'an Lady. "^T! ('llAI'TKIi M.IX. Sii: .Ii;i'Ki.'i;v A\iiii:i!sr — .Mi iinv — Im>ian W k. Jv'V lliis time (I7(l">) |K;ifc li:iitln'rn (•(ilmiifs, iiihI tlic iiiiiiiy rfi;iil:iti<>iis n .|iiisil(' t<» cstaldisli (|iiit't ;iiii| sfciiiilv ill I lie iifw :ici|iiir(M| Caiiadiaii tt-rritory, rc(|iiiic(| all the can- aiin\ Amlicrsi, caiiu' up tt» Alliaiiy. ' A iiiiitiiiy liaii Jan.. 1717, and early licvntcd liiiiisijf to tlic iirulcssioii ot arms, lie distin^niislicd himsclt (III ilie ciiiitiiiciit, and ill !7.")S, wuh apiiointed to llic Anicrinin Hcrvico with tlie rank of major jri'iH-ral, and captiiri'il Louislioiirf;. lie huc- cccdcd .Aiicrcroinliii', and in 17r)!( took 'ricondi'Mjrn and Crowiipoint. It is rdatfd o( iiiin as an instanf!r N[i:M(tI|{S (»F AN A.Mr.HK'AN ],. :>Y. •in ey t.'iiH'c frniii \\\i' scut (if ijfuN mmiciit, iiiiicli diM'n'lion.Miv power intnistcil to him. Never w.is it iiioic safelv Iodised tlian in the hainh of this jiitlieioiis veteran, wliose eoMi|»re- hension of mind, imjiart iaiity, steadiness, and (dose a|i|)li('a- tion to Inisiiiess, |ieeiiliarly fitted liim for his iinportant station. At his talde all strani^ers were entertained with the utmost lilterality ; while his own sinirular tem|ieraii('e, t'lirly hours, and strict morals, were peeidiarly ealcidate(| to I'l-iKh'r him |)o|)idar .-tinoMi; the old inhaliitants. Mere I witnessed an impressive spectacle : the Ljiiarddiouse was in the middle ot" the street, opposite to Madanie's ; there was ii ^iiard extra<»r(linai'y nioniite(| in honor of Sir .FelVrey ; at the hour of ehan^inix it all the soldiery in the tort assemltled tlu're, ami laid down their arms, rei"usin<; t(» take them up Mi;ain. 1 shall never i'ort^el the pale and aixitated coiinte- iianees ot" the oflicers ; tliev l»eini; too well assure(| that it was a thiui? preconcerted ; which was actually the case, lor at Crown Point and (^Ui'hec the sainethint; was done on tlu' same (lay. Sir .FelTrey came down, and made a calm dispassionate speech to them, promisinj.^ them a continuance of their privileLTcs till further orders from home, and olVer- iiiLf pardon to the wholi', with the exception of a few rini;- K'aders, whose lives, however, were spared. 'I'his LTcntle dealing had its due ell'ect ; hut at (.2"'''"'<" ^l'«' mutiny assuiiu'd a most alai'mini; aspect, and had ukuh' ser".ons con- siMpu'Uces, thouLih it was in the end (pu'lle(|. All this tinu' Sir .lelTrey's visits to .Madame had heen fre(pient, Itoth nut of re'pect t(» her character anut the comnience- ineiit of the v\ar at this verv crisis, detained him huij-er to IF 'I ^^M Q /\>..%^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 Ifii I.I 1.25 M IIIIIZ5 •^ 1^ .2 !^ B, a " lis ;;.,!2:0 1.8 1.4 II 1.6 v] <^# /a Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^ i 272 Memoirs of an American Lady. 'MH f . I t arraiigo widi (u'lici-al IJradstrcot and Sir William the operations of the ensuini^ canipaign. This war broke out vci'v o|»|>o)'tunelv in some respects. It atfor(le narrate ■ee Inive ipear, re- rever, do iniity in tagem in (I in the i\ ajtpear artificial onseions Pondiac :> hy the sagacity ges, and residted sequence m 4» •i which in the last century raised the able and j)olitic princes of the house of Savoy to the throne they have since enjoyed. Pondiac iield a petty balance between two great contending powers. Even the privilege of i»assing through his terri- tories was purcliased with ]»resents, promises and flatteries. While the court which was paid to this wily warrior, to secure his alliance, or at least his neutrality, made him too sensible of his own conse(pience, it gave him a near view of our policy and modes of life. He ofti-n passed some time, on various ])rete\'ts, by turns at Montreal and in the Knglish camp. The sultjection (jf Canada proved fatal to his power, and he could no longer play the skilful game between both nations which had been so long carried on. The general advantage of his tribe is always the upi)ermost thought with an Indian. The liberal presents which he had received from both parties, alforded him the means of confederating with distant nations, of whose alliance he thought to profit in his meditated hostilities. There were at that time many tribes, then unknown to Europeans, on the banks of Lake Superitjr, to whom fire- arms and other IJrilish goods were captivating novelties. When the French insidiously b\iilt the fort of J^etroit, and the still more detached one of Michillimackiuac, on bounds iiitherto undefined, they did it on the footing of having se- cure places of trade, not to overawe the iiatixcs, but to protect themselves from the English. T!u>y amply ivwarded them for permission toerect these fortresses, and pui'chased at any expense that friendship from them without which it would have been impossible to have nuiintained their gri)und in these remote regions. .VU this liberality and fiattery, though merely founded on self-interest, had its effect ; and the French, who are ever versatili' and acconimodatinof, who wore the Huron dri'ss, and spoke the Ilui'on language when they had any purpose to serve, were without (h)ubt the favored nation. We, too apt to despise all foreigtu'i's, .and 35 h< 274 Memoirs of an American Lady. not over complaisant cvoii wlicn we liave a purpose to serve, came with a liigh hand to occiijty tliose forts whicli we considered as our right after tlic coiKjuest of C'anachi, hut which had heeii always lu'ld by the more crafty Fiviich as an indidgence. These troops, without ceremony, a])[)r()pri» ated, and following Major Duncan's example, cultivated all the fertile lands around Detroit, as far as fancy or conven- ience led them. The lands round Ontario were in a different predicament, being regularly purchased by Sir William Johnson. In consequence of the peace which had taken place the year before, all the garrisons were considered as in a state of ]>erfect security. Pondiac, in the meantime, conducted hims<'lf Avith the utmost address, concealing the indignation whicli brooded in his mind uiuler the semblance of the greatest frankness and good humor. ^Master of vai'ious languages, and most completely :naster of his temper and countenance, he was at home everywhere, and paiil frequent friendly visits to Detroit, near which, in the finest country imaginable, was his abode. He fre(piently dined with the mess, and sent them fish and venison. Unlike other Indians, his maimer appeared frank and communicative, which o])ened tlie minds of others and favored his deep designs. He was soon nnister, through their careless conversation, of all he wished to know relative to the stores, resources, and intentions of the troops. ^Madame, who well knew the Indian character in general, and was no stranger to the genius and abilities of Pondiac, could not be satisfied with the manner in which he was neglected on one hand, nor his easy admission to the garrison on the other. She always said they should either make him their fi'iend, or know him to be their foe. In the meanwhile no one could be more busy than this ])olitic warrior. While the rndi;.ns were in strict alliance with the French, they had their wigwams and their Indian corn within sight of the fort, lived in a considerable kind "T* — iri-*'iii Vlr^bL* Memoirs of an American Lady. 275 to serve, which we iii.'ula, but I'^ri'iich as ij»pn))»ri- livated all )V couveii- i (lifTi'iviit William liad taken isidered as t" with tlie h brooded IVaukness and most fe, he was y visits to liable, was i, and sent lis maimer I tlie minds was soon he wislied ;entions of I chai'acter id abilities r in which sion to the )uld either oe. ' tlian this ct alliance leir Indian rablc kind of village on the border of the lake, and had a daily inter- course of tratHc and civility with the trooi>s. There was a large esplanade before the garrison, where the Indians and soldiers sometimes socially jilayed at l»all together. I'oiidiac hail a doul)le view in his intended hostility. The Canadian priests, with the wonted restless intriguing spirit of their nation, foiiK'nted the discontents ot" the Intlians. They })er- suaded them, and i)erhaps flattered themselves, that if they (the Indians) would seize the chain of forts, the grand mon- ar(|ue would send a Heet to recon<|Uer Canada, and guaranty all the forts he should take to Pondiac. Upon this he did not altogether depend : yet he thought if he ctiuld surj>rise Detroit, aiul seize a vessel Mhich was exj)ected up from Os- wego with annnunition and stores, he might easily take the other small vessels, and so comnuiiul the lake. This would be shut up by ice for the winter, and it would lake no little time to build on its banks another tleet, the only means by which an army couhl again approach the place. 1 will not atti'uipi to lead my reader through all the intricacies of an Indian war (entirely sucli), and therefore of all wars the most incompreheusil)Ie in its jjrogress, and most difficult iu its terms. The result of two master-strokes of stratagem, with Avhich it opened, are such as are curious enough, how- ever, to find a ])lace in this d.iail. CHAPTER L. PoNDiAC — Sir Robkrt Davers. All the distant tribes were to join on hearing Pondiac was ill possession of the fort. ^Nlany of those nearest, in the meanwhile, were to lie in the neighboring woods, armed and ready to rush (mt on the discharge of a cannon, on that day which was meant to be fatal to the garrison. Out of ill ill- i ;[ f! i-76 Memoirs of an American Lady. tlie iiitcmUHl niassiu'iv, Imwt'Vt'r, llic aitilUr}' wvvv to be spiiivd that [\\vy iiiijflit work the guns. Near tlie I'ort lived :i iiiueh aihnired Indian beauty, who was know ii in the gar- rison l)y the name of (he C^ueen of Hearts. She not only spoke French, but (hvssed not inelegantly in the Murojiean manner, ami being sprightly and captiN ating was (Mu-ouraged by Pondiae to go into the garrison (in Aarious pretexts. The advantage the Indian chief meant [o (h-rive from this stratagem was, that she might be a kind of spy in the fort, and tiiat by her influence over the commander, the wonted (' lution with regard to Indians might be relaxed, and the soldiers be perniitteil to go out unarnu'd and mingle in their diversions. This i)lan in some degree succeeded. There Avas at length a day fixed, on which a great match at foot- ball was to be decided between two parties of Indians, and all the garrisons were invited to be spectators. It was to be ]»layed on tlie esplanade opposite to the fort. ^Vt a given signal the bull was to be driven over the wall of the fort, which, as there was no likelihood of its ever being attacked by cannon, was merely a pallisade and earthen breast-Avork. The Indians Avere to run hastily in, on [tretence of recover- ing the b;dl, and shut the gate against the soldiers, whom Pondiae and his })eo})le were tm this he fort, AV<)iited and the ■ in their Til ere at I'oot- ans, and t Mas to t a given the fort, attacked ist-work, recover- •s, whom Ately. li orders, that she offended re^■olted i\t a \rdv- conntry- itriotisin. ly before medium reaeliery. i, eyed, to , indeed, f Mkmoirs of an Amkrican LaJ)Y. 277 doubtful of the faet. To kindle the flames of a\ ar a\ aiitonly, surinunded, as he was, by hostile nations, who would carry tlu'ir vengeance into the defenci'less new set tlenients, was a dreadful e.\|te(lient. Without betraying his infornui- lu' resolved to convince himself. 'I'he men were oi'dered to go out to see the ball played, but to keep under shelter of the fort ; and if they saw tin- ball drixcn in, imme(liately tore- turn and shut the gates, 1 cannot i-enuMubei- the exact mode in which this inanceuvre was managed, but the con- se([uenee I know was, iirst, the repulsing of the Indians from the gate, and then the commencing of open hostilities on tlieir side, while the garrison was for some time in a stat'.' of blockade. Meantime tlie Indians had concerted another stratagem, to seize a vessel loaded with stores, which was daily ex- pected from Niagiira. Commodore (irant, a youngei' brother of the (ilenmoi'iston family in Inverness-shire, was, and I believe still is, comnuxnder of the lakes ; an oHice whicli has now greatly risen in im])ortance. .Vt that time his own vessel and two or three smaller were employed in that navigation. This little scpiadron was veiy interesting on a double account. It carried stores, troops, etc., which could not otherwise be transported, there being no way of proceeding by land ; iind again the si/e of the vi'ssels and a few swivels or small cannon they cai'i-ied enabled them to command even a fleet of canoes, should the Indians be disposed to attack them. Of this thei'e was at the time not the least apjnvhension ; and here I must stop to gi\e some account of the first victim to this unlooke(l-for attack. !Sir Robert 1) ' was the rei)resentative of an ancient English family, of which he was oi-iginally the sixth ])rother. At a certain time of life, somewhere betwixt twenty-tive ' An account of the surprise and dcatli nf Sir Kolx-rt Diivcrs, whoso name Mrs. Grant hesitates to divulgo, is {vivon in MuttscU's IHittoricai Series, iv, 2, a, 128. — if. jta 278 Memoiks of an American Lai>y. •:: i I 1 i I k^T^^ — aii'l thii'ty, v.xvh was, in turn, attacked with a liy[)()cli()iKlriao (lisurdc'f, wiiicli linally j»r<»viMl fatal. Sir liohcrt, in turn, suc('('C'(lt'(l to the I'state and (ith-, and to tlie dreadl'ul a|)- jirehi'usiun of heiiij^ visiteerson of very <;(>od al)ilities, and an e.vcellent disi)ositi(-)n. The time now a|i|>i'oached when he was to arrive at that period of life at which the fatal malady attackeil his brothers, lie felt, or imagined he felt, sonu' symptoms of the approaddng gloom. NN'liat sliouhl he do? medicine hail not availed. Should he travel ; alas ! his brothers had traveled, but tlie blackest desjtair was their com})anion. Should he try a sea voyage, one of them conunaiMled a sliip, and fate overtook him in his own cabin. It occurred to liim that, by living among a iK'ople wlio were utter strangers to this most dreadful of all visitations, and adopting theii- manner of life, he miglit escape its infltu'nce. lie came over to ^Vnierica, where his younger bi-other servi'd in a regiment tlien in Canada. He felt his melancholy daily iucieasing, and resolved immedi- at(dv to put in execution his plan of entirely renouncing the Kuro)>ean modes of life, and incorporating himself in some Indian tribe, hoi)ing the novelty of the scene, and the hardships to which it would necessarily subject him, might give an entire new turn to Ins sj)irits. He communicated his intention to Sir William .lolmson, who entirely approved of it, and advised him to go up to the great lake among tlie Ilurons, who were an intelligent and sensible race, and inhabited a very tine country, and among whom he would not be liahle to meet his countrymen, or be tempted back to the mode of life he wished for a while entirely to forsake. This was no flight of caprice, but a project undertaken in the most deliberate manner, and with the most rational views. It com])lett'ly succeeded. The Ilurons were not a little flattered to think that an Kuropean of Sir Robert's rank was going to live with them, and be their brother. He Memoirs of an American Lady, 270 among did not fail to conciliate tlicni with presents, anr.- ■'-. s(mI by :v H' (•alloc, ivv (lirt'c- II »t been rolls, \]u\ r llobcrt iiiiic ol' a l('rc(l his Ictcnvd iH'ctly, to was acci- • tlie pro- Id Itc iin- i' had ex- \hv body iitcriiiont. the lakes, lavo c'oii- nstaiiced) • brotlic'i', iio visita- liL'rs, Mbaiiy of 'fore they tlie most Avho tied ■Security, 111, would y be but ^iie is let [idc to misery. Y Mk.MoIKS of an A.MKUK'AN \j\U\. '2Hi Many of the r('nltc(l liy all. l''oniicrly she hlaiiicil their false security and neylcct of tli;it |io\vci'ful chief, who, ha\ inn" been accustomed to llatti'ry and yifts iVoiii all sides, was all at oiicc made too sciisiMc that it was from war he (U'ri\t'd his importance. Now she e(|nally Idanicd the uni- versal t rcpidat ion, heiii!^ coiiiideiit in our ri'soiirces, and well kii(»wini;" what useful allies the Mohawks, ever hostile to the Canadian Indians, mi[K an ex])r(>ss arrived with the aiHicting news of the loss of a caj)tain and twenty men of the r),")th regiment. The name of this lamented officer was Dalzii'l,' of the Caruwath familv. Colonel lun-kwith had sent for a rein- ' Tiiis was Captain James Dalycll, of tlio 2(1 battalion ol'tlic Royals, who perished in a hrave but indiscreet attaidv on the hidians soon alter Ilia arrival at Detroit, Auff. ;J1, ITGo. 1I scud, till licttcr iiirorriiiMl as IkiIu" iikiiIc of convcyaiicc. ('a|>t;iiu Dal/.ic'l \ ()liiii(r('r«'(l jfuiiiLT. I caniiot exactly >a\ imw tlicv lirocccilcil ; Itiil, after h.'iviiiu; |iciict ratcil ilii'niiLjIi tlicwixMls till tiicy were ill si<^lit of Detroit, tlii-y were ijiscovcrcil ami attackcil l)v a |»art\' of Iinjiaiis, and made tlieir wav with tliC! utmost (m1, and nils, wliosu il»c's wlioso loiiiidarii's, 111 |(lTS('lltS 1 Iiis power a^c wliii-ii the tribe, t iiitimaey, liearty eo- ii" tribe to is present and there the leagno •rs and tlie t ai'nis and id of feast foi-t. The okiiit;" men, rs. Wlien for a glass of Algonquin H! distinctive Indians who nt country. — of wine to Innk his sit\ creiifii's heiillh ; this w;;s mt sooner done, lliau tlie saeheiirs Id'otlicr fell lifeh'ss oil tiie tloor. They thoni^dit it was a faintini; lit, and made nse of the usual a|tpliealioiis to rccoxcr Iiim, which to their extreme surprise proved iiielVectiiai. Ili-^ lirot tier h'oked ste;,dily on whih' alltliose means were Msintr ; l,,it when eonvinceilof their inellieaey, sat down, drew his mantle over his fa«'e, sol'bed aloud, and hurst into tears. This was an additional wonder. '['hi'ou!.ili the traces of Indian reeolleelion no per- son hail hi'eii known to fall suddenly dead without any visible cause, nor any warrior to shed tears. After a pause of deep silence, which no one felt inclined to break, the sachem rose with a eo||ecte(| ami diuiiilied air, and thus as With all th:;t wihl liberty and wide exeursit)n pecu- liar to savage hunters, was a hardship of which we can have no idea. Restrained from this unbounded license, tisliing became their next favorite pursuit, to which the hikes and rivers on which these forts were built, atforded <;reat facilitv. Temi)ted bv the abundance an-i excellence of tlic productions of these co|>ious waters, they were led to en(binger their health by their assiduity in this amusement. Agues, the disease of all new establislmu'iits, became fre- (pient among tliem, and were aggravated by tlie home-sick- ness. To this they were more peculiarly liable ; as the regiment, just newly raised before they embai'ked for America, liad (piitted the bosom of their families, without passing througli the gradation of boarding-schools and academies, as is usual in other countries. What an unsj)eakable blessing t(> the iidiabitants were the parish schools of the nortli, and how much humble Avorth and laborious diligence has been found anions their teachers. Tn those lowly seminaries boys not only attained the rudiments of learning, but the princiiiles of loyalty and genuine religion, with the abatement of a small tincture of idolatry ; of which their liousehold gods ' ill llioso sens;' aixl an cliarac- lu'c it was urn home, ears more, ■e\c'r, they r savage) who iiad, by her advice, gone into the army, was returned from Ireland, the com- ' Thcsi; were! the sons of Joliamu's Schuyler, jun ami Cornelia Van Cortlandt, uid the .i(']ihe\vs of Madame Schuyler, (iiui. Philip, horn 17;J3, died 18 Nov., 180-!, affcd 71, diatine them in that manner, and were, from the change of seasons, the shutting of the ice, and other circumstances, months unem- ployed. All these seasons, when i)ublic business was inter- ru])te(i, the workmen were employed in constructing scpiai'cs of buildings in the nature of barracks, for the purpose * '.' lodging artisans and laborers of all kinds. Having })re\ i- ously obtainecl a large tract of very fei'tile lands from the crown, on which he built a spacious and conveuieut house ; ho constructed those bari'acks at a distance, not only as a nursery for the arts which he meant to encourage, but as the materials of a future colony, which he nu'ant to }tlant out around him. i!e had here a number of negroes well acquainted with felling of trees and managing saw-mills ; of which he erected several. .\nd while these were employed ' This house, still standinjj at the head -f Schuyler street, is said to have been built by General Bradstreet. — . (. m Ml' i: IS 288 Memoirs of an American Lady. J ill ciirrviii^ on a very .'ulvautaLjc'oiis track' of deals and Inni- \)vv, wliicli wciv iloatcil down on rafts to Xcw York, tlicy were at the sainc tiiiie clearing the ground for the eolony the colonel was ]>re|)Mriiig to establish. This new settleiiuMit was an asylum for e\ery one wlio wanted bread and a home . from the variety of employments rei;ularlv distributi'd, everv artisan and laborer found hero lodging and occupation : some hundri'ds (»f peopK', indeed, were employt'd at once. Those who were in winter engaged at the saw-mills, were in summer ecpially busied at a large and i)roductive tisherv. The artisans got loduiiiu" and tiring lor two or three years, at iirst, besides being well paid for everything they did. J^'lax was raised, ami dressetl, and iinally s[)uii and inar (lie colony Tiy OIK' wlio •Mi|)Ioyin('iits loimd hero 'l»li', iiKk'cd, iittT engaged 'ving it take place at Albany, which was more central than any other i)lace, and where her in- fi'jence among the Mohawks could be of use in getting intelligence about the children, and senle day is en- )iy. Madame, lanf,^', brought Albany, which where lier in- use in getting ^ messages to his time, were place because again, because lia]ti)y in our h constrained irospect. For lid then, while ages upon the any instances their parents re killed. A had lost their n-e to come to y, all Indians them. Poor women, wlio had travelecl some hundred miles from the back settlements oi" I'ennsylvania and New Kngland, ap- ])eared liere, with anxious looks !ind aching hearts, not know- ing whether their cliihlrcn were alive, or how exartlv to ic'eiitify them if they should meet them. I ol)servi'd these apprehensive and tender motlu-rs wi'i'e, though [loor people, all (b'cssed with iieculiar neatness and attention, each wish- ing the iirst impression her child siiould receive of her might be a favoiable one. On a gentle slope near the foiM, sl((od a row of temporary huts, built by retainers to the troops ; the green before tlu'se buildings was the scene of these pathetic recognitions ; which I did not fail to iittend. The joy of even the happy mothers was ovei-powerlng, and found vent in tears ; but not like the bittei' tears of those who, after long travel, found not what they sought. It was affecting to see the deep and silent sorrow of the Indian women, and of the children, who knew no other mother, and climsjf foutUv to their bosoms, from wlu'nce thev were not torn without the most piercing shrieks ; while their own fond mothers were distresseil bevoiid measure at the shvness and aversion with which these long lost objects of their love rei-eived their caresses. I shall never I'oi-get the gro- tesque figures ami wild looks of these young savages ; nor the trembling luiste with which their motliers arraved them in the ni'W clothes they had brought for them, as hoping that, with the Indian dress, they would throw off their habits and attachments. It was in short a sci'iie impossible to de- scribe, but most affecting to behold. Never Avas my good friend's considerate liberality and useful sympathy more fully exerted than on this occasion, which brought so nuiiiy poor travelers from their distant homes on this pilgrimage to the shrine of nature. IIow" many traders did she per- suade to take them gratis in their boats ! How many did she feed and lodge ! and in what various ways did she serve or make others serve them all. No one indeed knew i i! ii ■ii I 1' i' II yi >i 202 Mkmoik.s 01' AN Amkkican Lady. how to refuse a r(M|uest of Aiiut Sdniylcr, wlio never made one for lierself. CIIArTEU LI IT. ]{i:rri:.\ ok iiik ■)r)rii Ki:(ii.MKNr ro KiKoei: — IMmvaiks SK.NT TO I'kNSACOI.A. X IIl^j /35tli now left tlicir calm ahodes amidst their lalht back with all the maidy and soldierly opemiess of nninner and character that could be wished, and with minds greatly improved. j\[ean while ^Nladame's counsels had so nuu-li intbu'iu'e on my father, that he began seriously to think of settling in America. To j)art with nis beloved 55th Avas very ti'ying ; yet his prospects of advantage in remaining among a ])eo})le bv whom he was esteemed, and to whom he had really be- come attached, were very flattering ; for by tlie aid of aunt and the old inliabitants, and friens U" 111* from tlieir allien to (|uiet, the world, into came down to harmed to find ||"''''lly charmed vhicli was with II, i'or sueli lie s pupils, whom baek witli all • and charaeter itly iin])roved. h iiitliienee on of settlinjT in s Aeiy tryino; ; "loiio- a people liad i-eally Inc- ite aid of aunt i, wlio Avere at dvaiitafjoonslv M- ofticers wlio inu: .1 I'io^lit to 'imd it vacant, 'orent patents, he country to ;^^E^InIRs OF AN Ami:rtcan Lady. 2!)n discover, had y'reat ly (he advantage of st ranti'ers ; because lu' could <;et iid'ormalion of those secluded spots hi' re and thei'c that were truly valuahle ; wheri'as other otiicers Itelomi'inLT to ren'iments disbandeil in the coiniti-y, eitiier did not tind it cou\('nient to ^-o to the expense of taking" "Ut a patent and sur\-eyin<4' the lands, and so sold their I'iuhts \\iil liis pal nil, ailil sla\ 111" IllU^t. lie wen! lli>\\('\('i lo New N tilv, lie liad meal pleasure in seeing t lieir eviilla- lion, ami llie piireliases llies were nial\inn'. \\ lien, all of ;i siiiMeii. a I linn• a dismal and detested tpiarter, and lliev wei'e Lioinu lo heeonie pari of a reiiimeiil of no repute ; whom lhe\ ihemst'hes harinerly served Ion-ether, 'rheojlieers were not a liltle alVeeled hy this cruel order, to part with the l>ra\e well disciplined men ; who, l>v their siii^ailar n'ood eomlucl, and hy the liahits ol' sharinn' with their ollicers in the chase, and in their auriciill iiral amuseiiH'iits, lisliiiiLj- jiarlics. etc.. had ;ic(piire(| ;i kindly iie;irness to them not. usually siihsisliiiL:- ln'twceii those who command and they who must implicit ly oliey. What ties wt-re hroke ! what hojx's w (M'e hlasti'd hy this fatal (U-der ! These sad exiles emharked for I'ensai'tila at the same time that their eoni- i-ades st't out t'or Ireland. My father returned, sunk in tlio deepesi sadness, which was increased hy our place of aliodi' ; for W(> had ri'inoxed to the fors.akeii fori, where there was no ciwature hut ourselves and lliriH' or four soldiers who chose to slay in the country, and foi- whom my father had procured their discharge. U. nv MkMuIIIS (»!•• AN AmI'.IIU'W ],\\>\ 'Jiir» •III \\\^ |>M(CI1(, \V ^ nil, \\ ill, •'1. M.lliy III' ■|"'^i(«'(l llinii \ 'iiic liis own lli'ii- cMilla- Vlii'ii, mII (»r ;i •r I el lows, ill • "I 1 Ih'Mi (o "II .'I l>;ir of u.iiii|> iit'liiinl HIS ('\is(('||C(', ii'f. Words i'i"i- lli.'il |M'r- l«'r w MS iiiosi . il \v;is w (irsc '"li.'ilc lic'illi ; '<'!•, ;iii(i (Ik'v no r('|iiil(> ; 's| coiilciiii)! • •Iliccis were III wilh (li(- iiixiil;!!- i^'ood 'il" olliccrs ill nl^^, lisliiiiir- '<• lliciii iio( kI ;I11\a!4<', ami tin \ k liicd to ;i lioie-r of their own, ineaiiilin t<> snceeed to l|i;il Inisine^s wlmh the mav'"!', MOW Wealthy and iiilinn, was <|iiittiii^. < oit|;indt Sehiiyler, the ^eiieial's hrother, aii<■,//, his lands ((hat was the phrase used lor such I raiisie lions), and at, leisure (as the |irice of lands was (laily ridnn), l<' ht I hem out. nil lease. lie was to reserve a ',^,,i,i\ \';iv\\\ lor liimseir, Init not to reside ii|Hin it till the lands aroiind it were eiilli- v.'ite*! ; and so many settlers n as wfiiihl mal; inchnh-d in no patent, woidd hi- a couinion yood, and olTered an inexhaiist ihie supply of tindn'r anil lirinij after the lands shoidd 1-e entirelv cleari'il. This sylvan scene appeareij, even in its wild state, to pos- sess singular advantages ; it was dry Kini'land without the least particle ol' swamp, n'reat pai't of it was co\'ere(l with chestnuts, tlu^ sure indication of uood wheat-land, and the rest with white oak, the ncNC'r-failini^ forerunner of <;ood Indian corn and pasture. The ground, at the time of the survey, was in a !:;reat nu'asure covereil with strawherries, the sure sii;..of fertility. And better and better still, there was, on a considerable stream which watered this resj^ion of benediction, a beaver-dam, that was visibly of at least fifty years standiu!.''. What particular addition our overfh)wiu!;f felicity was to dei'ive from the neighborhood of these sa- gacious buildings, may not be easily conjectured. It was not their society, for they were nuu'li too wisi' to remain in our vicinity, nor yet tlu'ir e\am|)le, which, though a veiy good one, we were scarce wise enough to follow. Why tlieii did we so nuu'h i-ejoice over the dwelling of these old settlers ? .Merely because tlieir industry had saved us much trouble; : for, in the course of their lal)ors, they had cleared above thirty acres of excellent hay-land ; Avork whicli we should take a long time to execute, and not perform near so well ; the truth was, this industrious colony, by wliose preyious labor we were thus to profit, were already extir- AUY. MllMOlKS OF AN AmKUICAN LaDY. 21)7 'I ;(ii im|M)rl;iiit •'l with iiii ap- i>i(iiis. It was Hi lliis va.s tliu "lily a(l('(|iialt', iliialtic, iioiilic i('«|ui.sitiateii(, would 'tilde Mi|»|)ly of III irely cleared, d slate, to j»os- iii'l without the s t'overed with tdaiid, and tho imiier of <>-ood die time of the h St ra wherries, 'tter still, there 1 this reufioi) of >!' .'It least fifty II r (nerfiowino" "1 '»f these sa- iii-c'l. It was !i' to i-emaiii in thoiiirh a veiy I'ollow. AVhy g of these old saved us iiuieh ■y liad cleared )rk which wo perform near ^"y, l>y wlioso already extir- pated, to tny iinspeakaltU' sorrow, who had been creatiiif^ a heiiiu'i' ITtopia ever since I heard of the cireiinistance. Tiiu p'"otectiou I was to alTord them, the ac<|Uaiutance I was to iiiake with them, after con<|iierinL,' the first shyness, and the deli^fht I was to have in seein;^them work, after conviiK-inj^ them of their safety, occupied my whole attention, and hel|ieil to console me for the drafting of the r)r)th, which I had been ever since lamentini^. How Inioyant is the fancy of childhood ! I was niortilieil to the utmost to liear there were no Iti-avers remainini^ ; yet the charming, thouf^h simple, description my father j^^ave us of this " vale of Idiss," which the heavers had partly cleare(l, and the whole Town- ship of Clarendon (so was the new laid out territory called), consolcil nu' for all |iast disappointments. It is to l)e ob- served that th(! |)olitical and economical re<^ulations of the heavers make their iieii^hhorhood very desirable to new settlers. They build houses and dams with unwearied industry, as every one that has lu'ard of them must needs know ; l)ut their unconrpierable attachment to a |»articular spot is not so well known ; the conse(pU'iice is, that they woi'k more, and of course clear more land in some situations than in others. When they hap]»en to pitch upon a stream that overflows often in spring, it is apt to carry away the dam, formed of lai'ge trees laid across the stream, which it lias cost them unspeakable pains to cut (h)wn and bring thert;. Whenever these are destroyed they cut down more trees and construct anotlier ; and, as they live all winter on the tender twigs from the underwood and baik which they strip from poplar and alder, they soon clear these also from the vicinity. In the (hiy-time they eitlier mend their houses, lay up stores in them, or fish, sitting ujton their dams made for that purpose. The night they employ in cutting down trees, which they always do so as to make them fall towards the stream, or in dragging them to the dam. Meanwhile they have always sentinels placed near to give the alarm, 38 1.:^,: •l!,' r ^ If :fli I ; iJ 2'^8 Memoirs of an American Lady. in case of any intrusion. It is liarrl to say when these inde- fatigable animals vefresli tlieniselves witli sleep. I have seen those that have heen taken young and made very tame, so lliat they followed their owner about ; even in these the instinct which prompts their nocturnal labors was a})parent. Whenever all was quiet they began to work. Being dis- contented and restless, if confined, it was usual to leave them in the yard. They seemed in their civilized, orratlier degraded state, to retain an idea that it was necessary to convey materials for building to their wonted liabitation. The conseciuence was, that a single one would carry such quanties of wood to the back door, that you would find your way blocked up in the morning to a degree almost incredi- ble. Being very much inclined to be hai)py, and abundant in resources, the simi>le felicity which was at some future ])eriod to prevail among the amiable and imiocent tenants we were to have at Clarenarent. k. Being dis- isiial to leave ized, or rather IS iieeessary to ted habitation. iihl cany sueh ouhl find your ahnost incredi- <1 abundant in t some future iioeent tenants ' wliole mind. o!!<'cti:)ns, and (led myself to lilt Hohuyjer's eh sometimes »» mortal hap- of addition ; bund that we 'he spot, ren- should trace liadow of her tw. We did effort for our ficently, and .'is so much part of the labitants, its value daily increased, which consideration induced my father to refuse several offers for it ; resolved either to jieople it witli highland emigrants, or retain it in nis own hands till he should get his })rice. Sir Henry Atoore, the last British governor of New York that I remember, came up this summer to sec^ Albany, and the ornament of Albany — iVunt Schuyler; he brought Lady INFoore and his daughter with him. They resiut ii was not new to her to pro))hesy in vain. I, for my j)art, was charme c'V('r\' one, lights of o-,,i„(r •'"", and many an e\-cnt took '^' 'l<'ath of the "inch fondness cc! to be made 1 -i^fadame had <'i'C'nture ; she |)arents of her withstandin^r. ^^e went, how- Jonsisted of a I'ly father's n-ouirji every 1 niei-ely the '"W«, a horse ertiuous. I hav(i heard that the family of the Cuylers was originally a (Jerman one of hijrh rank. Whether this can or cannot be ascertained, is of little conse(iuenc(\ The sterlinjr worth of their iniinediaie ancestor, and his long and faith- ful services tc the jtubiic, rullect more honor (m his descendants than any length of pedigree. — 3fra. Orant. [Cornelius Cuyler was an Albany merchant, some years alderman of the second ward, mayor of Albany, commissioner of Indian aflairs. and held the oHi «• of magis- trate 8(mie time, which long service in various capacities led Mrs. (J rant to attribute to him forty years of chief magistracy. — i/.J l^ I ^1' 302 Memoirs of an American Lady. y } It was 111 this poverty of society sucli as she was aceustomecl to enjoy, that slie took a faiu^y to converse nuich with me, to retifret my want of education, and to take a parti(!ular interest in my emphjyments and mental improvement. That T might more entirely profit by her attention, she recpiysted my jiarents to let me jtass the winter with her ; this invita- tion they gladly comj>lied witii. The wiiitei- at the Flats was sutticieiitly melancholy, and rendered less agreeable by some unj)leasant neighbors we had. These wei>' a family from New England, wlio had been preparing to occu)>y lands near those occii})ied by my father. They had been the summer before recommended to aunt's generous humanity, as honest people, who merely wanted a shelter in a room in her empty house, till they should build a tem[»orary hut on those new lands which they were about to inhabit. When we came, the time j)er- mitted to them had long elapsed, but my father, who was exceedingly Immaiie, indulged them with a fortnight more after our arrival, on the pretence of the sickness of a child ; and there they sat, and would not remove for the winter, unless coercion liad been used for that i)urpose. We lived on the road side ; there was at that time a i)er})etual emi- graiion going on fn>in the })rovinces of New England to our back settlements. Our ac(piaiiitance witli the family who kei>t possession beside us, and witli many of even the better sort, who came to bargain with my father about his lands, gave us more insight than we wished into the preva- lent character of those peo|>le, whom we found conceited, litigious, and selfish beyond Jueasure. My father was told that the only safe way to avoid being overreadied bj them in a l)argain, was to give them a k.nd of tacit i)ermission to sit down on his lands, and take his chance -jf settling witfi them when they were brought into some degree of cultiva- tion ; for if one did bargain with them, the custom was to have three years free for clearing, at the end of which, the L LDY. Memoirs of an American Lady. 303 'as accustomed I'l'ich with me, \^ a p.'irticular ■^'"K'lit. That I, she recjuysted !'■ ; this iiivita- lunclioly, and neiirhbors we i"«', who Jiad ciipied by my iveoiiimeiided ') who merely "'St', till they lands wJiieh the time ])er- Iht, who was "tni^rht more 's« of a child ; '»' the winter, e- ^Ve lived ''•p^'tual emi- Kiigland to '' the family of oven the L''' about his <> the preva- 1 conceited, or was told '^'^1 1)} them 'rmission to 'ttling with of cultiva- tom was to which, the ^ rents or purchase money was paid. By that time, any j)er- son who had expended much labor on land, would rather pay a reasonable price or rent for it, than be removed. In the i»rogress of his intercourse with tliese very vulgar, insolent, and truly disagreeable peoi»le, my father began to disrelish the thoughts of going u}» to live among them. They flocked indeed so fast, to every unoccupied spot, that their malignant and envious spii-it, their hatred of subordi- nation, and their indifferem'e to the mother country, begun to spread like a taint of infection. These illiberal opinioiis, which produced manners ecjually illil)eral, were ])articularly wounding to disbanded oHicers, ami to the real patriots, who had consulted in fornu'r times the happiness of the country, by giving their zealous coope- ration to the troops sent to jtrotect it. These two classes of people begun now to be branded as the slaves of arbitrary power, and all tendencies to elegance or refinement were despised as leading to aristocracy. The consecjuence of all this was, such an opi)osition of opinions, as led people of the former description to seek each other's society exclusively. Winter was the only time that distant friends met there, and to avoid the chagrin resulting from this distempered state of society, veterans settled in the country were too apt to devote themselves to shooting and fishing, taking refuge from languor in these solitary amusements. We had one brave and royal neighbor, however, who saw us often, and was "every inch a gentleman;" this was I'edrom,' aunt's brother-in-law, in whom lived the spirit of the Schuylers, and who was our next neighbor and cordial friend. lie was now old, detached from the world, and too ill 4 ' Pedrom's riisidence was on the Kromme kil, near the late residtnice of Robert Dunlop, opposite the cemetery. This crooked (kromme) stream, whicli had formerly a considerable flow, has, like all the cur- rents from tlie neighboring hills, shrank to a feeble brooklet, only noticeable in time of freshet. — Jf. I ' , |i? I'M HI ii w 304 Memoirs of an American Lady. lianl of licaring, to ho au easy companion : yet ho had much various information, and was endeared to us by simihirity of principle. ^Matters were Leginnini^ to be in tliis state tlie first winter I went to live with aunt. Her friends were mucli dispersed ; all conversation was tainted with politics, Cromwellian i)olilic.s too, which of all things, she disliked. Her nephew, (\)rtlandt Schuyler, who had been a great Nimrod ever since he could carry a gnn, and who was a man of strict lionor and nice feelings, took such a melancholy view of things, and so little relished that stamj) act, which was the exclusive subject of all conversation, that he devoted himself more and more to the chase, and seemed entirely to renounce a society which he had never greatly loved. i\s I shall not refer to him again I shall only mention liere, that this estimable ])erson was taken away from the evil to come two years after, by a i)re- malure death, being killed by a fall from his horse in hunt- ing. What sorrows wei"e hid from his eyes by this timely escai)e from scenes, which would have been to him pecu- liarly wounding ! If Madame's comforts in society were diminished, her donu>stic satisfactions were not less so. By the time I came to live with her, iNIariamat and Hianamat' were almost suiterannuated, and had lost, in a great measure, the restrain- ing power they used to exercise over their respective off- spring. Their woolly heads were snow white, and they were become st) feeble, tlu.t they sat each in her gi.at chair at the oi>posite side of tlie fire ; their wonted jealousy was now embittered to rancor, and their love of tobacco greater than ever. They were arrived at that happy j)eriod of ease and indolence, which left them at full liberty to smoke and scold the M'hole day long ; this they did with such un- wearied i)erseverance, and in a manner so ludicrous, that to us young people they were a })erpetual comedy. ' Mat, or mater, mother or superior of the negroes. — M. ADY. Memoirs of an American Lady. 305 ft lie had much '« ^y siniihirify H' first winti'i- 1 y this timely to him |)ecu- ininished, lier t' time I camo were almost ', the resti-ain- L'sj)ective off- lid they were fivat chair at iisy was now U'co greater i-'i-iod of ease smoke and th such nn- licrous, that <^y. Sorely no\\ did aunt lament the promise she had kept mo faithfully, never to sell any of the colonel's negroes. There was so little to do frvations upon them. I oi'Um got up and went out to the door to look at jtlaces where jtarticular things had hapjtened. She spent the winter's nights in re- trospections of her ]»ast life ; and I spent the summer days in retrospections of these svinter nig:;ts. liut these were not my only i)leasures The banks of the river and the oi)])osite scenery delighted me ; and, adopting all aunt's tastes and attachments, T made myself believe I was very fond of Pedrom and Susanna !!\[uet, as the widow of Jere- miah was called. jNFy attention to them excited their kind- ness ; and the borj-owed sentiment, on my part, soon became a real one. These old friends were very annising. l>ut then I had numberless young friends, who shared my atten- tion, and were in their own way very amusing too. These were the objects of my earliest cares in the morning, and my needless solicitude all day. I had marked down in a list, between thirty and forty nests of various kinds of birds. It was an extreme dry summer ; and I saw the parent birds, whom I diligently watched, often panting with heat, and, ; Si-L i»y. Mkmoius of an Amkhican Lady 307 I it, I (lioiight ISICMKNTS. l.ll, (o .MjldiUlK^ liniii, I rcjiicm- I Weill to the ■ iH'('(II('-\V(»rk ; (', su?iiMU'r slid occupied with eatest pleasuro (1 to her, and cii i^^ot up and lere particular s nitrhls in re- suiMiner days ut these were river and the linrofane hands had touched the ohjects of all their teiidi'riiess. Their plaintive cries we too well understood. 'I'hal whole eveuinif and all tlu^ next day tlu-y were l»u^ied in the orchard ; whiletheir loud lainentatious, constantly reiterate(l, pii-rced us with remorse. We soon saw the garden nest t'orsaki'U : and a little further examination soon convinced us, that the violated oj^jjfs had heen transported to another, where, how- ever, they were not hatched ; the delicate instincts, which directed these creatures to forin a new nest, and carry off their eggs, on finding they had been handled, did not, at the same time, inform them, that eggs carried away, and .shaken by that motion during the process of incub.ation, cannot jtroduce anything. The great barn, wliich I formerly describi'd, afVorded scope for our observations of this nature ; and liere we re- marked a phenomenon, tlu.t I am still at ;i loss to .account for, \\\ the highest part of th.'it sj)acious and lofty roof, multitudes of swallows, of the martin species, mjule their nests. These were constructed of mud or cl.'iy as usu.al, and, in the ordinary course of things, lasted, witli some repairs, from year to year. This summer, however, being unusually liot and dry, the nests, in great numbers, cracked and fell down on the tioor, with tlie young ones in them. Wo often found them in this situation, but always found the birds in them alive and unhurt ; and saw the old ones come to feed them on the floor, which they did M'ith such eager confidence, that they often bruslied so near as to touch us. Now we could no other way account for the nests always coming down with the birds unhurt in them, but by supposing th.at the swallows watclied the fracture of the nests, and when they saw them about to fall, came round the descending fabric, and kept it in a kind of equi- librium. Of these birds we stood in such profound awe, iUY. MUMOIKS OF AN AmKRICAN LaDV. 309 |isc<)V('r('*tincts, wliich , ■•md cany off ''!> «liled nianv of their notions. With .Madanu' I was (piile free frle reasons, I was tlie oidy one of the family that would sit still with lier. The younij people in the house were l)y no means coiiiijenial with hei- ; and each had a love affair in hand fast rijiening into matrimony, that took up all their tliout^hls. ]Mr. II. our cl»ai)lain, was plausible, but superficial, vain, and and>iti< '^' Jle too was busied in hatching a project of another ki id. On i)retenee of study, he soon ri'tiri'd to his room after meals, dreading no doubt that aunt might be in possession of Ithuriel's spear, or to speak without a tigui-e, might either fathom his shallowness or detect his ]»roject. One of these discoveries he knew would sink him in her opinion, and the other exclude him from her house. F(jr my own ]>art, I was always })uzzling myself to consider, why I did not more love and reverence IMr. II., who I took it for granted must needs be good, wise, and learned ; for 1 thought a clergyman was all but inspired. .\I»V, Mkmoihh of an Amkuican Lady. 311 liiial ly, l.c,.; one I ,'aii !i l<»l|()|- to rims thiiikiiiL;, I \voii'of Ins p.'uliii- h'^'li the pl.-iiii- M hiul Jl <'('l|(.,;il Mild I •><|llilcioilH !<• Wlllcll |»('0|»lo f■■ >*Ii(' valued I'lt' whom she ' sjK'ak now of " towns and at fliMt lilu'i-ality d an intci'courso It riot ic ffcIiiKrs li I'rcvailcd, her livinir chancre, j^ his winter ; for of tJie faniily |»<'0|)k' in tho ; and each had iiony, that took was plausible, ' was busied in I'lK-e of study, ding no doubt 's sjjear, or to is shallowness 'i-ies he knew I- exclude hinx ways ])uzzling iiid reverence Je good, wise, 1 but inspired. w hat I felt for aunt in some degree ; but unfortunately Mr. 11. was a true bred native of Conneetieut, which perhaps helped more than any intuitive penetration to prevent any excess of veneration. Aunt and I read Ibiniet's memoirs and some biog.-aphy this winter, and talkeil at least over nuieli geography and natural history. Here iiuleed, I was in some degree nakespeare have been trying but in vain to ree(»llect what iiiint said of this. Not much certainly, but she was much pleased with the lOssay on Man, etc. ^ Cl I somehow uiiderslooil that Shakespeare was an admire appreciate his merits. I sujipose my taste lia exertion of mind to check the current of thought i>roduced by the rapid and astonishing change of manners and sentiments around her. But in our i)rovince there were two classes of people who absolutely seemed let loose by the demon of discord, for the !! Lady. storm, and trying nhlo from earthly V of tlie deceased I of the name of ', enterprising dis- ulth than usually s induced to join ^ston, and settled uch behaved, and u with the friends !iis wife, wlio was St, and a stranger IS, who had been inections secured 111 the primitive was an unheard ing out-lived lier ood woman, who ved affluence and 3f all her rights, id or comforter. II foot a negotia- ted, so that slie ort in a country ; or tiiat failing. Perhaps in the •ienced so much iiquiry unfolded .'Hid busied her i-tion of mind to r the rapid and 'uts around her. I of pe()i)le who discord, for the Memoirs of an American Lady. 313 destruction of pul)lic peace and private confidence. One of these was com])osed of lawyers, who multii)lied so fast that one would think tliey rose like mushrooms from the earth. For many years one lawyer was sufficient for the whole set- tlement. But the swarm of these, which had made so sud- den and portentous an ap|)earance, had been encouraged to choose that i)rofession, because a wide field was open for future contention, merely from the candor and simplicity of the last generation. Xot in tlie least distrusting each other, nor aware of liie sudden rise of the value of laruls, these primitive colonists got large grants from government, to encourage their efforts in the early stages of cultivation ; these lands being first purchased, for some petty consideration, from the Indians, who alone knew the laud marks of that illimitable forest. The boundaries of such hirge grants, when afterwards confirmed by governinent, were distiuguished by the terms used by the Indians, who pointed them out ; and very ex- traordinary marks they were. For instance, one that I recollect. " We exchange Avitli our brother Cornelius Ken- " selaer, for so many strouds, guns, etc., the lands beginning " at the beaver creek, going on northward, to the great "fallen plane tree, where our tribe slei)tlast summer ; then " eastward, to the three great cedars on the hillock ; then " westward, strait to the wild duck swamp ; and strait on "from the swamp to the turn in the beaver creek where the " old dam was."' Such are the boundaries seriously described in this manner, in one of the earliest patents. The only mode, then exist- ing, of fixing those vague limits was to mark large trees which grew at tiie corners of the property, with the owner's ' The boundless wilderness was tlioufyht to afford sucli an inexhaust- ible region for townships, domains, settliments, farms, etc., that boundaries were loosely described, whether I'or large or small tracts. (See note, p. 35. — M. 40 Hi. I ! l1 i 1 j ' ' ii •1 314 Memoirs of an American Lady. name deeply cut, along with the dato of the patent, etc., after blazing, that is to say, cutting deeply into the tree, for a plain space to liold this inscription. In tliis primitive manner were all the estates in the pro- vince bounded. Towards the sea this did very well, as the patents, in a manner, bounded each other ; and every one took care to prevent the encroachments of his neighbor. But in the interior people took great stretches of land here and there, where there were not j»atented lands adjoining ; there being no continuity of fertile ground except on the banks of streams. The oidy security the jmblic bad against these trees being cut down, or others at a greater distance marked in their stead, was a law which made such attempts penal. This was a very nugatory threat ; it being iin})ossi- ble to prove such an offence. Crimes of this nature en- croaching on the property of individuals, I believe, rarely happened : but to enlarge one's boundary, by taking in a little of King George's ground, to use a provincial i)hrase, was considered as no great harm ; and, besides, many pos- sessed extensive tracts of land unquestioned, merely on the strength of Indian grants unsanctioned by govenmient. One in particular, the proudest man I ever knew, had a law- suit with the king, for more land than would form a Ger- man principality. Xow that the inundation of litigious new settlers, from Massachusetts' bounds, had awakened the spirit of inquiry, to call it no worse, every day produced a fresh law-suit, and all of the same nature, about ascertain- ing boundaries. In one instance, where a gentleman was supposed to be unfairly possessed of a vast tract of tine land, a confederacy of British officers, I nuist confess, questioned his right ; applying beforehand for a grant of sucli lands af they could prove the possessor entitled to ; and contributing among them a sum of money to carry on this great law-suit, wdiich having been given against theniin the province, they apftealed to the board of trade and plantations at home. Mi Lady. the patent, etc., into the tree, for tates in the pro- very well, as the ; and every one of liis iieigjihor. lies of land here ands adjoining ; id except on the iblic had against greater distance de snch attempts it being irnpossi- this nature en- I believe, rarely , by taking in a I'ovincial i)hrase, sides, many pos- 1, merely on the l>y government, inew, had a law- dd form a Ger- of litigious new awakened the day produced a bout ascertain- gentleman was •act of fine land, i'ess, questioned •f such lands a," lid coiitributincf ' great law-suit, ' province, they Lions at home. Memoirs of an American Lady. 315 \ Here the uncertainty of tlie law was very glorious indeed ; and lience, from the gainful [)rospect opening before them, swarms of j)etulant, half-educated young men, started one knew not whence. And as these great law-suits were matter of general concern, no one knowing whose turn might be next, all conversation begun to be infected with litigious cant ; and every thing seemed unstable and perplexed. CHAPTER LVII. SeITLERS of a new DESCRll'TION — MaDAME's CiIAPLAIN. .nLNOTlIEIi class of people contributed their share to destroy the (piiet and order of the country. While the great army, that had now returned to Britain, had been stationed in America, the money they spent there, had, in a great measure, centred in New York, where many ephemeral adveuturers begun to flourish as merchants, who lived in a gay and even profuse style, and affected the language and manners of the army on which they depended. Elated with sudden prosjterity, those people attempted every thing that could increase their gains ; and, finally, at the commence- ment of the Spanish war, fitted out several privateers, which, being sent to cruise near the mouth of the gulf of Florida, captured several valuable prizes. jVIoney so easily got was as lightly spent, and proved indeed ruinous to those who shared it ; they being thus led to indulge in expensive haV)its, which continued after the means that sup})lied them were exhausted. At the departure of the army, trade lan- guished among tliese new people ; their British creditors grew clamorous ; the primitive inhabitants looked cold upon them ; and nothing remained for them but that self-banish- ment, which, in that country, was the usual consequence of extravagance and folly, a retreat to the woods. Yet, even ih ill II 'III j flifli Memoirs or an American Lady. in tbese priineviil jsliiulcs, lliore was no repose for the vain and the turbulent. It was truly aniusiu!^ to see those ear- goes of rustieated line ladies and gentlemen going to their new ahodes, all lassitude and chagrin ; and very soon after, to hear of their attempts at finery, consecpience, and i)reeini- nence, in tlie late invaded residence of bears and htiivers. There, no pastoral tran(pulity, no sylvan delights awaited them. In this forced retreat to the woo'ls they failed not to c.irry Avith them those household gods whom they had worshiped in town ; the ])ious ^Eneas was not more careful of his Penates, nor nu)re desirous of establishing them in his new residence. These are the persons of desperate cir- cumstances, expensive habits, and ambitious views ; who, like the "tempest-loving raven," delight in clianges, and anticipate, with guilty joy, the overturn of states in which they have nothing to lose, and have hopes of rising on the ruins of others. The lawyers, too, foresaw that the harvest they were now reaping from the new mode of inquiry into disputed titles, could not be of long duration. They did not lay a regular plan for the subversion of the existing order of tilings ; but they infected the once plain and primi- tive conversation of the jieople with law jargon, which spread like a disease, and was the more fatal to elegance, simplicity, and candor, as tliere were no rival branches of science, the cultivation of which might have divided peo})le's attention with this dry contentious theme. The 'Spirit of litigation, which narrowed and heated every mind, "was a great nuisance to Madame, who took care not to be much troubled with it in conversation, because she discountenanced it at her table, where, imleed, no petulant upstarts were received. She was, howev':,-, persecuted with daily references to her recollections with regard to the tra- ditionary opinions relative to boundaries, etc. While she sought refuge in the peaceable precincts of the gospel, from the tumultuous contests of the law, which she always spoke mu MDY. ose for the vain to soe those cai'- II going to their vvvy soon after, lice, and i)reonii- irs and bwivers. elights awaited they failed not whom they had lot more careful )lishiiig tlieni in )f desperate cir- us views ; wlio, in cliangcs, and states in which of rising on the tliat the liarvest (»f inquiry into tion. They did of the existino- l)lain and primi- jargon, Avhich al to elegance, al branches of livided people's id heated every ) took care not n, because slie 'd, no petulant lersecuted with ard to the tra- ;c. While she G gospel, from ; always spoke Memoirs of an American Lady. 317 of with dislike, she was little aware tluit a deserter from her own t-ani)' was about to join the enemy. .Mr. II. our cliaphiin, be< ame, about this time, very reserved and absent ; law and ))olitics wert' no favorite to|iics in our lioust'liolil, and tiiese aloiU' si'emed nnu'Ii to interest our divine. .Many thought aunt was imposed on by this yt»ung man, :ind took him to be what he was not ; but this was by no nu'ans the case. She neither thought him a wit, a scholar, or a saint ; but merely a young man, Avho, to very good intentions and al)lameless life, added the advantages of a better e\diieh I regank'd her would have deterrecl me from such presum})iu)n ; hut as I really loved and honored her, as virtue personified, and found my chief lij'ppiness in her society and conversation, she could not but be aware of this silent adulation, and she became indeed more and more desirous of having me with lier. To my fatlu'r, however, I was now become, in some degree, ne- cessary, from causes somewhat similar. He, t(^o, was sick of the reigning conversation ; and being nervous, and rather inclined to melancholy, begun to sec things in tlie (hirkest light, and made th<^ most of a rheumatism, in itself bad enough, to have a pretext iv)r in\nv\t was cor- roded with the tricks and ciiicanery he was forced to ob- serve in his new associates, with whom his singular probity and simplicity of character rendered him very unfit to contend. ^\y mother, active, cheerful, and constantly occupied Avith lier domestic affairs, souglit pleasure no- Avliere, and found content everywhere. I had begun to taste tlie luxury of intellectual pleasures with a very keen relish. Winter, always severe, but this year armed with tenfold vigor, checked my researches among birds and plants, which constituted my summer delights ; and poetry ADY. •hoo] ; M'liilcMny ill Ikt with the Ullllsilln; l,y ^]^^, I I'CHii CMpahle ill iianiral deli- lis exalted cha- icr would have s I really loved found my chief e could not but became indeed li lier. To my me degree, iie- ?, too, was sick ous, and rather ill the darkest I in itself bad e chagrin that necticut ])erse- '•ed. A fit of liome-sickness, ;o enthusiasm ; :) give way to thus devout T irit was cor- forced to ob- igular probity very unfit to id constantly pleasure no- lad begun to 1 a veiy keen I- armed with ig birds and ; and poetry Memoirs of an American Lady. 319 I Avas all that remained to me. While T was, " in some di- viner mood," exulting in these scenes of inspiration, opened to mo by tlie "humanizing muse," the ten-ibU- di'cree went forth, that I was to read no more " idle books or i)lays." This decree was merely the momentar}- result of a lit of sickness and dejection, and never meant to be seriously en- forced. It i)roduced, however, the etYect of making me read so nnich divinity, that I fancied myself got quite " be- yond the flaming bounds of space and time ;" and thought I could never relish light reading more. In this solemn mood, my greatest relaxation was a visit now and then to aunt's sister-in-law, now entirely be(bidden, but still pos- sessing great powers of conversation, which wi're called forth by the flattering attention of a child to one whom the world had forsaken. T loved indeed phiy, strictly such, tlioughtless, childish play, and next to that, calm I'eflection and discussi(Mi, The world was too busy and too artful for me ; T found myself most at home with those who had not entered, or those who had left it. My father's illness was much aggravated by the con- flict which begun to arise in his mind regarding his pro- posed removal to his lands, which were already surrouiuled by a new population, consisting of these fashionable emi- grants from the gay world at New York, whom I have been describing, and a set of Herce republicans, if anything sneaking and drawling may be so called, whom litigious contention had banished from their native province, and who seemed let loose, like Samson's foxes, to carry mis- chief and conflagration wherever they went. Among this motley crew there was no regular ]»lace of worship, nor any likely prospect that there should, for their religions had as many shades ^f difference as the leaves of autumn ; ind every man of substance who arrived, was ])reacher and magistrate to his own little colony. To hear their peo})le talk, one would think time had run back to the days of the ! I . W ?s f" ' 320 Mkmoihs of an Amkhican Lady. ,:, ! |i J IJ I' i lnvc'lcrs. Tlic settlers from New York, however, st lut^t^led li.'inl for sMperiorif V, I>ii( lliey were not ei|iial in eliicane to their ailvei'saries, wlmse power hiy in th<'ir etmiiinij;. It was particularly hard I'or |ieu|ih' who aekiiowh-dj^ed no sii|»erior, wiio had a lhoroiii;h kiiowU'clt^e of hiw and scrip- ture, ready to wrest to every seilish purpose, it was |»'articn- hirly hard, I say, for such all-snllicieiit personat;('s to hold their land from such people as my lather and others, of " Kin<4' (Jeorge's re(l coats," as they elcLjantly style(l them, lint they were fertile in t-xpcdients. From the oriLjinal es- tablishnu'nt of these pro\inces, thi' Conneclicut I'iver had been accounted the boundary, to tlu' east, of tlii' ])rovince of New ^'t)rk, (lividini;' it from the ad jt-iniiit,^ one ; this division was specilied in old patents, and conlirmed by ana- loyy. All at once, howt'ver, our new tenants at will made Ji discovery, oi- rather had a I'cvelation, pni'itortin^", that there was a twenty mile line, as they called it, which in old times had been carried thus far beyond the Connecticut river, into the bounds of what had ever been esteemed the jirovince of New York. It had become extremely fashion- able to (piestion the limits of individual property, but for so bold a stroke at a whole province, )»eople w(fe not, pre- pared. The consecpience of establishiuij; this point was, that thus the grants made by the }»i-ovince of New York, of lands not their own, could not be valid ; and thus the propi'i'ty, which had cost the owners so much to establish and survey, reverted to the othei' pi'ovince, and was no longer tlu'irs. '^Fhis was so far beyond all imagination, that though there api)eared not the smallest likelihood (d" its succeeding, as the plea nmst m the end be carried to Britain, people stood aghast, and saw no safely in living among those who were capable of making such daring strides t)ver all established usage, and ready, on all occa- sions, to confederate v.here ;■ ly advantage was in view, though ever engaged in litigious contentions with each iADY. i;il ill cliicaiic to ir i'liiiniii'i;. It (•lrt'- ; this point was, •(' of New Vork, (1 ; and tlins tho iiiich to establish lice, and was no inian'ination, that likelihood (*!' its id he carried to safely in li\ing :ini;' such daring" 'ady, on all occa.- gc was in view, itions with each Mkmoius of an Amkhtcan Lady. 321 other in their original home. This astonishing plea, during its dependence, alVorded these daiigeroiis neighliors a pro- text to conliniie their iisiirpecl possession till it should be decided to which pro\iiicetlie lamis really iM'longed. 'I'hey even c;irrie(| their insolence so lar, that when a particular friend of my father's, a wort hy, upright man, named .Miinro,' Avho possesse(| a large tra('t of land adjoining to his ; when this good man, who had established a seltlemeiit, saw-mills, etc., came to lix some tenants of his on his lands, a body of these incendiaries came out, ariiie(|, to oppose them, trust- ing to their superior numbers and the |ieaceable disposition of our friend. Now, the fatal twenty mile line ran exactly through the middle of my father'' nroperty. Mad not tlu! revolution followecl so soon, t was no doubt of this claim being rejected in Ibitain ; but in the mean time it. served as a |)retext for daily encroaclinient and iiis(.lent ])ravadoes. Much of mv father's disorder was owing to the great conllict of his mind. To give up every prospect of oons('(pience and afHuence, and retui-ii to liritain, leaving liis pro})erty alloat aniong tlies(^ ungovernable ])eo)»le (to say no \vorse of them), was \('ry hard, ^'et to live among them, and by legal coer<-ion force his due out of their hands, was no 2>lt'asing prospect. His good angel, it would 'Jolin Munro, who for several years was very troublesome to tlie New llamimliire sett1(!rs, was a Senteliitiau, a Ntnv York juHticc! of the jjcace, and resided in Shal'tsbury, witliin a few rods of the New York line. Aft(!r the ycsar 1772, tlie threats of the (Jreen mountain boys apjM'ar to have kej)! liim (juiet ; but on tli(^ approach of Burgoyne in 1777 he joiiK'd the Hritish, and liis i»ersoiial property in Vermont waS confiscated. II(! had been the; ajient of Duane, and from a despondinjf letter which he w;ot(^ to the latter in 17H0, it appears tliat lie was on his return to Canada from England, wliere Ik; had been jjrosecutinjf his claims on thi; Hritish frovcM'ninent tor liis services and losses as a loy- alist, without much success, and was returiiinj; to his family, pennijt'ss, and friendless, and appealed to his former fri(Mid and employer, for sympathy and aid. See Ililand Hall's Early History of Vermont. — M. 41 ■('' Memoirs of an American Lady. seem in the setiuel, wliispeird to him to rctiini. Though, in human prudence, it appeured a fatal ineas\ire to leave so valuable a pr()j)erty in such hands, he thought, tliat lie would stay two or three years ; and then, when others had vancpiished his antagonists, and driven them ofT the lands, which they, in the mean time, were busily clearing, he should return with a host of friends and kinsmen and form a (diosen society of liis own. lie however waited to sec what change for the better another twelve month miglit produce. Madame, who was consulted on liis plans, did not greatly relish this ; he, at length, half promised to leave me with her, till he should return from this expedition. lieturning for a short time to town in spring I found aunt's house much enliveney a very agreeable visitor ; this was Miss W., daughter to the Honorable Mr. W., of the council. Her elder sister was afterwards Countess of Cassilis, and she herself was long afterwards married to the only native of the continent, I believe, who ever suc- ceeded to the title of baronet. She possessed much beauty, and understanding, and vivacity. Her playful humor ex- hilarated the whole household. I regarded her with admiration and delight ; and her fanciful excursions atforded great amusement to aunt, and were like a gleam of sunshine amidst the gloom occasioned by the spirit of contention which was let loose among all manner of people. The repeal of the stamp act having excited new hopes, my father found all his expectations of comfort aiul jn-os- perity renewed by this temporary c ilm, and the pro])osed return to Britain was deferred for another year. Aunt, to our great joy, as we scarce hoped she would again make so distant a visit, came out to the Flats with her fair visitor, who was about to return to New York. This lady, after going through many of the hardships to which persecuted loyalists were afterwards exposed, with her husband, who lost an immense property in the service of government, is Lady. rctuni. Though, .'isiirc to k'iivc so thoiiglit. that he when others l)!i(l em ofF the hinf government, is ^rKMOIUS OF AN AmKRICAN LaDY. 323 now with her family settled in Uiiper Canada, where Sir J. Johnson has (jbtained a large grant of lands as a partial retribution for his great losses and faithful service. Aunt again recjuested and again obtained permission for me to pass some time with her ; and golden dreams of felicity at Clarendon, again l)egan to possess my imagina- tion. I returned however soon to the Flats, where my presence became more important, as my father became less eager in pursuit of Held sj)orts. CHAPTER LVIII. Mode op oonveyixg Timbkk tv Rafts down the "River. X BROU(iirT out some volumes of Shakespeare with me, and, remembering the prohibition of reading plays pro- mulgated the former winter, "was much at a loss how to proceed. T thought rightly that it was owing to a tempo- rary lit of s})leen. J>ul tlu'U I knew my father was, like all military men, tenacious of his authority, and 'vould possibly continue it merely because he had once said so. I recollected that he said he would have no plays brought to the house ; and that I read them unchecked at Madame's, who was my model in all tilings. It so hai>i)ened that the river had been higher than usual that spring, and, in consequence, exhibited a succession of very amusins scenes. The settlers, whose increase above towards Stillwater had been for three years ])ast incredibly great, set up saw mills on every stream, for the purpose of turning to account the fine timber which tliey cleared in great quantities off the new lands. The planks they drew in sledges to the side of the great river ; and when the season arrived that swelled the stream to its greatest height, a 'vhole neighborhood assembled, and made their joint stock into a large raft, which was floated down l:i V'' ;{'ji MiiMoiits oi' AN Ami:ui('an Lai»v. i III i i tin' river willi :i mm <>i- (wo on it, wlio willi l<»ii!^ |hi|('s were :il\v;ivs i-»';iiIn (<> siccr il clciir of tlxtsc isl;iinls or hIikIIowh wliicli miiflil im|i(Mlr ils (■oiii'sc, 'I'lii-rc \h somr- lliinuj st'rcncly m.ijcslic in I lie ciisv proj^i'i'ss of tliosc Inrtjji' hotlics on ilic t'lill siicMMi ol' iliis i-o|iions river. SoindiiiH'M one sees ;i wliole r.iinily lr.iiis|iorl('v llie time (hey re.'ielied l he l<'l;ils, :ind it liee.'ime imjiossilde I o carry tln'm I'urlhei-; in lli:il ease they were de|M. sited in }j;reat trianijjrlar |»ih's o|i|Misite onr (htor. ( )ne of these, which was I.-iry-er th.-in ordinary, I seh'eted for a re;idiiiu closet. 'I'here I safely lodged my Shakespeiire ; :ind ihei'e in my play luuirs I went to read it iindisi nrhed, with the advantajjje of fresh :iir, a eool shade, ;ind a full view of the road on one si(h', and a heaulifnl river on the other. While 1 onjoyetl nn iir iiii|iossili|i' to •IC (|('|io,sil('(| ill One of llicsc, il lor ;i icidiiij^ •t'.iif ; ;iiii| I lien' iirlicd, will) llic rnll view ol' ilir ic oilier, \\liili' roliiltiiioii rnll in !)(• s|tiri(, of it, l»y ini,' myscir tlint cr with |»lc;isnn' I w.is iMMiiliarly , indeed, I he^an 'd !it my I'ornier i»r tlie ri\al roses ■ rest. " Win.i- vv tlian I, hnl at, atnd u) IJieliard, ■r liow any body md at leiiLjdi re- larer in my new ml not the least id'-a ; NO Car olheiwi'-i', th:il I was ronliniially ie\o|viiij^ Im'IH'v olfiil jilaiis III ilisj I iliiili' soiiM' III the |iiii'|iv I nio->l (h-li^hted in anionic the lie/aieels and I lahakkiiK-^, ol thi- Iweiilv mill' line. I thont^hl this would make them ha|i|iy as niVM'll, and that when they ome lilt tin' ihaiiii ol " mnsiiiil iji'lii^ht," the harsh lani^iiaye ol' eonletilioii would eease, and lei/al «(iiil>Min^ trive way lieloie the spiril of liaiinonv. Ilou ollin did I ie|ieal rhon;|isiiirs i|esrri|il ion ol' the golden a<^e, eoiielndini^ " {''or milHIc ill-Id llir wliulf in piTl'i'i'l lirnce." At liiiiiH", hiiwe\er, I was in some deirree siieeesslill. My falher did lie-in In take some interest in the roses, and I was lia|>|iv, yil kept Imt h my secret and my eloset, and made mole and mine ad\anies in the sliiil\ of these " wood notes wild." .1^' //"" ///.' '/, and the ,)/ii in motion. I was one day deeply en;^aned in coin|iassionatiiitf <>the||o, sidint^ on a plank, added on the outside of the pile lor st reiiiil lieniiiLJ it, when happenin;^' to lift my eyes, I saw a loii^ serpent on tiiesame hoard, at my elliow, in a threaten- ing^ alt it nde, with its head lilted n|i. Othello and I ran ofT tot^etlier with all ima^inahle speed ; and ;is that particular kimi ol' snake seldom approaches any person, unless the ahode of its yonn^ is invaded, 1 Ix'^^aii to I'ear I had heeii stuilyiiiLC Sliakes|»e;ire in a nest ol' serpents. Onr raithl'nl servant exainineil the place at my reipiest. I'nderthe very board on which I sat, when terrified by this unwished jis- Koeiaf<', was lound a nest with se\cn ejx^s. Alter bein^ most thankful for my escape, the next thiiiif was to admire tlie patience and ji;ood lintnor of the mother of this family, who jiermilted sneli a bein<^ as myself so loni.^ to share her haunt with inipnnity. Indeed, the rural pleasures of this country were always liable to tln^so di'awbai ks ; and this II' I Mkimoius or AN Amkuican Lady. |il;ici' WMs ]H'(MiIiarIy inft'slcd with llu' familiar uMrlcr-snnkc, l)ri';ms«' t 111' iMiiiis df (lie burnt lioiisc alVnidcd slicllcr aiitl sale! y to t licso rcpliU's, Pi i ri^ ciiArrKh' MX. TlIK SWAMI" r.\ I i;i( K ("OOMK. X HIS ;ul\('iinir(> madt' inc caiitioiis ol' sitliiiu: out <»f doors, y»'l I ietures(pie, and iutely varied with shruhs, and every grada- tii>n o\' iireiMi. The swamp sunk into a hollow, like !i larj^e basin, exactly circular ; rouiid half of it, was a border of inaph>, tlu> other half was cdo-ed with poplar. No creature e\ t'r enteri'd this place in summer, its extreme softness kept it sacred from I'vt'ry human fool, for no one could ujo, without tlu' risk of beinu' swallowt'cl up ; dilVerenl acpiatic plants orcw with uri'at luxuiiance in this (luayinire, particu- larly bulrushes, and sexcral beautiful species of the iris, and \ho alder and willow ; much of it, however, was open, and i'l dilTi'rent j)laces the watt'r si'emed to form stagnant pools ; in many places large trees had fallen of old, which wero now covered with moss, .'ud a!Torih>d a home to nund)erless wild animals. In thi' mid -ft of this acpiatic retreat, were \I>Y. MkMOIUS of an AmKUICAN liAMY. 327 ir li'.'irlcr-sii.'ikc, It'll slu'llcr :iii(l \}X o'lf (»f doors, re, in tiic woods <*' ll.'llllltS, Mild •vcr pnrsiu'd or iVoiii (lie lioiisc, mIIv iiniiki' any inso lliosi' who Ic. pine wood, and sonic of wliicli 1' silver lir, very lid fvcry grada- i)\v, like a lar^'c ras a border of No ereatnre le softness kejit, one conM i,'o, iTerenf a(|na(i(' i,nnire, parlicii- of tile iris, and was open, and ilajj^nant pools ; I<1, wliieli were ' lo nuniherless • retreat, wore two small isl.'inds of iiwoneeivaWIe l»eaii(y, llial rose lii^li aliove tile rest, like 1 lie oasis of t lie deserts, and were i]v\ ami safe tlioiiLjli iiiiappioaelialde. (Mi one of t liese, I reiiieinlier, tXrew three apple t ices, an oeciirreiiee not rare here ; for a stpiirri'l, for instane*', happens to dri>ptlie seeds of an apple in a spot at once sheltered and fertile ; at a liickv season, they <;row and l)car, thoiif^h with less vii^or and licaiitv than those which aic cu'tivatcd. That Iteantifii! fi'iit, the wihl plum, was also altiindant on these little saiict iiai ies, as they niit;ht he called, for, conscious of impiiiiit v, every creature thatllies the pursuit of man, Lcamhojcd in safety here, and would allow one to t^a/.e at them from the hriiik of this natural fortress. ( )ne would think a ctuiLCiess of birds ami animals had assembled here ; never was a spot more animatctl and cheerful Tlu'rc was nothiiif^ like it in the threat forests ; creatures here, aware of their general enemy, man, had chosen it as their last retreat. The bla martin, and racoons occasionally appeare})earance of a liglit, that glimmered and disa|)i)eared by turns. Loud laughter was again reiterated, and at length a voice cried, "IL)w pretty lie is !" while another answered in softer accents, "See liow the dear crea- ture runs ! " We crejtt on, cheered by these souiuls, aiui saw a handsome, good-natured looking man, in a ragged pro- vincial uniform, sitting on a stump of a tree. OjtpositC; on the ground, sat a pretty little brunette woman, neatly though nu'anly clad, with s})arkling black eyes, and a countenance all vivacity and delight. A very littli', very fair boy, with his mother's brilliant black eves contrasting Ids flaxen hair and soft infant ne complexion, went with tottering steps, iABY. iffor very much hirst for herbal- arches with tlie pation. I made natures of tliese iiatel y they were f knowk'flgi', in cause every one risedme somucli, oj)le so incurious 1 thinned to pro- ssihle tlian such mmei-'s evening, ^0 tlie Avood than i heard peals of f) issue from the lence succeeded, ture of fear and lade a whispered lies, and explore it, solemn every- was presently in- glimmered and again reiterated, ;y he is ! " while ^w the dear crea- liese souiuls, and in a ragged pro- e. Opjtosite, on n, neatlv thoutrh il a countenance •y fair hov, with [? his flaxen hair tottering steps, !!l Memoirs of an American Lady. 3-29 that showed this was his first essay, from one to the other, and loud laughter gratulated his safe arrival in the arms of either parent, AVe had now })retty clearly ascertained the family, the next thing was to discover the house ; this point was nu)re difficult to establish ; at last, we found it was barely a place to sleep in, partly excavated from the ground, and partly covered with a slight roof of bark and branches : never was ])()verty so complete or so cheerful. In that country, every whiti' person had inferiors, and therefore being merely white, claimed a degree of respect, and being vei'y rich, or very fine, entitled you to very little more. Simpli- city would be a charming thing, if one could strain it from grossness, but that, I believe is no easy o})eration. We now, with miu'h consideration and civility, jtrcsented ourselves ; I thought the cows would afl:V)rd a hapi)y o])ening for con- versation. " Don't be afraid of noise, we are driving our three cows home ; have you any cows ? " " Och no, my dare child, not one, young miss," said the soldier. " (), but then mamma will give milk to the child, for we have })lenty and no child." " O dear [)retty miss, don't mind that at all, at all." "Come," said the mistress of the hovel, " we have got fine butter-milk here, from Stephen's, come in and take a drink." I civilly declined this invitation, being wholly intent on the child, who ai)i»eared to me like a smiling love, and at once seized on my affection. Patrick Coonie, for such was the name of our new neighboi', gave us his history in a very few words ; he had married Kate in IVmisylvania, who, young as she looked, had three children, from ten to fourteen, or thereabouts ; he had some trade whicii had not thriven, he listed in the provincials, s|)ent what he had on his family ; hired again, served another campaign, came down }>ennyless, and here tliey had come for a temporary shelter, to get work anu)ng their neighl>ors ; the excavation existed before, Patrick happily discovered it, and added the 42 ' I I i •J ^[EMOrRS OF AN AmKKICAN LaDY. ingoiiions roof whicli now covered it.' I asked for their other cliihlreii ; they were in some mean service. I was all anxiety for Patrick : so was not he ; the lilies of the Held did not look gayer, or more th(»ughtless of to-morrow, and Kate seemed epy. To this was adiled, that of seeing my father recover his spirits, and renew h.is usual sports, and moreovei-, I was permitted to return to Aunt Sehuyler's. 1 did not fail to entertain her with the history of my discovery, and its consecpiences, and ' If it will {rratity niiy ono's curiosity to know where the site of the humble cot of Patrioli Cooney was located, it is pointed out as in the now populous village of West Troy, and in the immediate vicinity of the residence of the late wealthy manufacturer James Roy. — M. LADY, Memoirs of an Amkkican Lady. 331 iiskcd for thoir Tvicc, I was all [lilies of \hv tii-ld to-morrow, and |i.'if night, and to onininnicate my It en were for an ind liow Well wo on our jtrcmist's, It first, hut when , and Kate's ac- n info eonsidcra- •(' acconiniodatod lo known (o our K'SS. Kufc SJ>UI1 ttly with us, fori r>f him. ? to c'horish and v'ho irdierifi'd all <-:inu' in my way, i-ick was, of all could do every- ' t'xtromo ehoap- 'aturcs addicted ['i-vals, and I had y. To this was his s|.irits, and .'US permitted to to entertain her >nsequencos, and *'re th(! sitn of tlie int<'(i out as in the nu'dinte vicinity of it*8 Roy.— M. my tale was not told in vain. Aunt weighecl and balanced all things in her mind, and drew some good out of every- thing. White servants, wli(»m very few jx'ople had, were very exj)ensiv(! heri' ; hut there was a mode of meliorating things. Pool- people who came adventurers from other countries, and found a settlement a slower process than they were aware of, had got into a mode of apjjrent icing their child- ren. No risk attended this ill Albany ; custom is all-power- ful ; anil lenity to servants was so much the custom, that to ill-use a defenceless creature in your power was reckoned infamous, and was indeed unheard of. Aunt recommended the young C'oonies, who w»re fliu' well-looking children, for ap|»rentices to some of the best families in town, where they were well l»red and well-treated, and we all conti'ibuted de(^ent clothing foi- them to go home in. I deeply felt this obligation, and little thought how soon F was to be deprived of all the happiness I owed to the frieiKlship of my dear benefactress. This accession occupied and i)k'ased me ex- ceedingly ; my attachment to the little boy grew hourly, and I indulgiMl it to a degree I certainly would not have done, if I had not set him down for one of the future in- habitants of naren(b)n ; that region of fancied felicity, where I was building log-houses in the air porj)etually, and filling them with an imaginary population, innocent and intelligent beyond comparison. These visions, however, were soon destined to give way to sad realities. The greatest immediate tribulation I was liable to, was Patrick's coming home now and then gay beyond his wonted gayety ; which grieved me both on Kate's account and that of little Paddy : but in the fertile plains of Clareny my fatlicr's avowinitif liis fixed intention to return home. A very worthy Arcjylesliire friend of liis, in the meantime, eame and paid him a visit of a montli ; wliieh montli was occupied in the most endearint^ re(H)llections of l>ocha.wside, and the liills of ^Nlorven. When I returned, I heard of nothing but the Alpine scenes of Scotland, of whidi I had not the smallest recollection ; but which I loved with boi-- rowed enthusiasm : so well that they at times balanced with Clarendon. My next source of comfort was, that I was to return to the land of light and freedom, and mingle, as I flattered myself T sliould, with such as those whom I had admired in their immortal works. Detei'mined to be happy, with the sanguine eagerness of youth, the very opposite materials served for constructing another ideal fabric. CHAPTER LX. IMus. SciiUYLEu's View of the Continental Politics. ^\.UNT was extremely sorry when the final determina- tion was announced. She had now her good sister-in-law, IVIrs, Wendell, with lier, and seemed mudi to enjoy tlie society of that meek, ])i()us woman, who was as liappy as any thing earthly could make her. As to public affairs their aspect did not please lier ; and therefore she endeavored, as far as possible, to withdraw her attention from them. She was too well accpiaiiited with tlie complicated nature of luiman affairs, to give a rash judgment on tlie political dis- ]>utes then in agitation. She saw indeed reason for a|»pre- hension whatever way she turned. She knew the ])rejudices and self-opinion fast spreading througli the country too well, to expect quiet submission, and could see nothing on all hands but a choice of evils. Were the provinces to set up for iADY. l>y my fatlu-r's M (111' MicaiifiTno, lirli inoiitli w.'is s of L()('Ii;uvsi<1i', led, I lu'iird of <»f wliicli I had lov('j as I )sc' whom I had kmI tol)f happy, o very opposite loal fabric. «fTAL Politics. iiial dctcnnina- )d sister-in-law, 'Ji to enjoy the .'IS happy as any lie affairs their oiuleavored, as om them. She ated natnre of le political dis- ason for appre- r the prejudices uintry too well, nothing on all ces to set up for I , Memoirs of an American Lady. 333 themselves, she thought they had not cohesion nor siihordi- natioii enough among them to form, or to submit to any salutary plan of government. On the other hand she saw no good effi'ct likely to result from a reluctant depeiideiic(! on a distant people, whom they already began to hate, though hitherto nursed and protected by tliem. Slie clearly foresaw that no mode of taxation could be invented to which they wouhl easily submit ; ami that the defence of the con- tinent from enemies, and keeping the lu-cessary military force to ))rotect the weak and awe the turbulent, would be a )»er[)etual drain of men and money to (Jreat Ibitain, still increasing with the increased population. In short, she held all the specious plaiv that were talked over very chea]> ; while hei" affection for liritain ma«h' her shudilerat the most distant idea of a separation ; yet not as supposing such a step very hurtful to this country, which would be thus freed of a very costly incumbrance. I Jut the dread of future anarchy, the horrors of civil war, and the dereliction of prin- ciple which generally results from tumultuary conflicts, were the spectres with which she wa:^ haunted. Having now once for all given (to the best of my recol- lection) a faithful sketdi of aunt's opinions on this intricate subject, I shall not recur to them, nor by any means attempt to enter into any detail of the dark days that were aj)- ])roaching. First, because I feel unspeakable pain in looking back u])on oceuriences that I know tcjo well, though I was not there to witness ; in which the friends of my early youth were greatly involved, and luul much indeed to en- dure, on both sides. Next, because there is little satisfac- tion in narrating transactions where there is no room to praise either side. That waste of personal courage and Jiritish blood and treasure, which were s(|uaiidered to no purj)ose on one side in that ill-conducted war, and the in- solence and cruelty Avhich tarnished the triumph of the other, form no pleasing subject of retrospection : while the I I,. t 334 Memoirs of an American Lady. ■'1 1 1 i f: 1 1 imsuccssfiil and (iftcn iinri-wanliMl loyjilty of tin ^ufTorcrs for i^ovcniiiu'iM, caniKit he rccoIU'ctt'd witlumt tlu' most woiiiKliiiLi: I'cifrct. 'I'lic years of .MadaiiH", after I )»arle(l with her, were iiivohcd in a ehtwd raised hy the conlliets of eontendiiii; arms, which I vainly einh-avored to ])rHe(rate. My acH'oiint of lier must thei'ef(»re, in a great measure, terminate with this sad yeai". My father taking in sjtring decided measures for k'aving Anu'rica, intruste*! his hands to the care of liis friend .f(thn Munro, Ks(|., then resiortcrs of the twenty mile lino; and thought, when that i»oint was fully estahlished, there would l)e no further (dtstruction to their realizing their ])roi>erty to great advantage, or coloni/ing it fi"om Scotland, if such shotdd l)e their wish. Aunt leaned liard to the latter ex- pedient, Imt my father could not think of leaving me be- hind to await tlie cliance of his return ; and I had been talked into a wish for iwisiting the land t i' my nativity. 1 K'ft my (hitnestic favorites with great pain, but took care to introduce them to aunt, and implored her, with all tlie ])athos I was mistress of, to take an interest in them when T was gone ; which she very good naturedly promised to do. Another very kind thing she did. Once a year she spent a to more., never passed my lij)s. I had too buoyant a s]>irit to encounter a voluntary heart-aclie by looking on the dark side of any- thing, and always figured myself returning, and joyfully received by the friends with whom I was parting. ' w^..^^^ iADY. y of tin xiifTerors illioiit fill' most (', iiffcr I parttMl »y tlic ('onllicts of yr(\ i(> pcHcfrati'. I sj^rcji) iMcasiiri', takiiitr in s]>rinro|)ei-ty "^eotland, if such to the latter cx- f leaving me be- iind I had been '" my nativity, i pain, but took •ed lier, with all interest in them ui-edly promised Once a year she call him by his 1 tlie mimber of ition. She now veather) that T farewell of my )ring myself to )to ?/tori\ never it to encounter irk side of any- ;, and joyfully irting. I Memoirs of an Amkuican Lady. 335 C'lIAlTKK FA'I. DKSf'nirTrox of thk liincAKiNd ri'oKiiiK b i; on FIimson's UivKi;. S OON after this I wltnesse(|, for the last time, the sub- lime spectacle of the ice breaking u|» on the ilver ; an object that (ills and elevates the niind wlfb ideas of power, and grandeur, and, indeecl, niagnltici'Mce ; before which all the triumphs of human art sink into contemptuous inslgnili- cance. This noble object of animatcMl greatness, for such it seemed, I never missed : its approach being announced, like a loud and long peal of thunder, the whole population of Albany were tb)Wn at the river side in a moment ; and if it ha)>i)ened, as was often the case, in the morning, there could not be a moi'e grotes(]Ue asscmlfiage. Xo one who had a night-cap on waited to ]»ut it oil" ; as ior waiting for one's cloak, or gloves, It was a thing out of the (piestlon ; you caught the thing next you, that could wrap round you, and run. In the way you saw every door left open, and l)ails, baskets, etc., without luimber, set down in the street. It was a perfect saturnalia. People never dreamt of being obeyed by their slaves, till the ice was past. The houses were left quite emj>ty : the meanest slave, the youngest child, all were to be fomid on the shore. Such as could walk, ran ; and they that ccndd n(jt, were carried by those whose duty it would have been to stay and attend them. When arrived at the nhoicphice, nidike the audience collected to witness any spectacle of human inventioji, the multitude with their eyes all bent one way, stood lmmt)vablo, and silent as death, till the tumult ceased, and the mighty com- motion was passed by ; then every one tried to give vent to the vast conceptions with which his mind had been dis- tended. Every child, and every negro, was sure to say, " Is not this like the day of judgment ?" and what they r. ! I '>w Mkmoihs UK AN Amimuoan Lady. said every one else tlioiijjflit. Now to (leseril)e (his is im- jiossiltic ; luit I mean to aee<»niit, in some dei^ree, lor it. 'I'lu' ici', wliieli liad Iteen all wiiiler veiy lliiek, instead of dimiiiisliiiiL;-, as miojil he expeetecl in s|>rin;j^, still increased, as tlie sun : liine eauie, and llu' days lentftliened. .Much snow tell in Feltruary ; wlii( h, melted I»y the heat ot" lh(( sun, was staL!;nant, for a day, on the snrl'aee of the ice ; and then hy the iiiLjht frosts, which wi're still severe, was added, as a new accession to the thickness of it, ahove the former snrface. This was so often repeated, that in some }i'ars thi' ici' t^aineil two feet in thickness, after the heat of the snn became such, as oni- would have expected should have entirely disf;olv(Ml it. So »'onscious weic the mitives of the safely this accumulation of ici' alfoided, that the sledifes continued to drive on the ice, when the trees were budding", : id every thing looke<| like sjiring ; nay, when there was so much meltecl on (he surface' that the hoi'ses were knee deep in wati'r, while traveling on it ; and |)or- tentous i-rac ks, on every side, announced the approaching ru)»ture. This could scarce have been p?'oducey the nier. It was (ho eased hy rivulets, this catastrophe ; ippear. The jtre- <;hty mass, was a stream, produced low increased too '<1 hounds. Con- -'t thick, bursting I', produced by a tier, inexpressibly of this awful ox- thin reach of the 1)11 of nature, and et, might bo sup- posi'd to do. The stream in summer was conlincil l»y !i pebbly strand, overhung with high and sleep banks, crowiietl with l(»flv trees, which were coiisidere(l as a sacred barrier against the encroat'hments <»f this annual visitation. Never dryads dwelt in more security than those of the vine clad elms, that extendeil their am|>le Itiaiichos over this mighty stream. Their tangled nets laid bare by the iin|iet lions torrents, foi'iiied 'averiis ever fresh and fragrant ; wlu'iv the most delicate plants lloiirished, iinvisited by scorching siin>, or snipping blasts ; ami nothing could bo more singular than the variety of plants and biids that wero shi'ltered in thesi- intricate safe recesses. Hut when tiio bursting of thi' crystal surface set loose the m.aiiy waters that had rushed down, swollen with the annual tribiitt'of dissolving snow, the islands and low 'ands were all thtoded in an instant ; and the lofty b.anks, from which you were Wont to overlook the stream, were now entirely rille<| by an im|»etuous torrent, bearing down, with incredible and tuiviultuoiis rage, immense shoals of ice ; which, breaking every instant by the concussion of others, jamnie(l together in some places, in others erecting themselvi'S in gigantic heights for an instant in the air, and seemed to combat with their fellow giants crowding on in all dir(!ctioiis, and falling together with an iiiconceivablo crasii, formed a ter- rible moving picture, animated and various beyoiul concep- tion ; for it was not only the cerulean ice, wlioso broken edges ctuiibating with tiie stream, refracted liglit into a tiiousand rainbows, that charnu'd your attention, l(»fty pines, largo j)ieces of the bank torn oil" by the ice with all their early green ami teiidei' foliage, wore drove on like traveling islands, amid this battle of breakers, for such it seemed. I ani absurdly attempting to paint a scene, under which the powers of language sink. SiitKce it, that this year its soloninity was increased by an unusual quantity of snow, 43 338 Mkaioius of an Ami'.uican Lady. wliifli tlic l:ist lianl winlcr luul accumuliUccl, and tlu' «lis- Holiitioii (>r wliicli now tlnculcni'tl an inundation. Solctnii indeed it was to nic, as tlic nicnicnto of my ap- proac'hinu; journey, which was to taie against hope ; but Marian, who was older, and had more common sense, knew too well how little likelihood there was of my ever returning. Often with streaming eyes and bursting sol)s she begged to know if tlie soul of a person dying in Ame- rica could find its way over the vast ocean to join that of tliose who rose to the abodes of future bliss from Kurope : her hope of a reunion being now entirely referred to that in a better world. There was no truth 1 found it so ditti- cult to impress upon her mind as the possibility of spirits being instantaneously transporteil from one distant place to another ; a doctrine which seemed to her very comfortable. Her agony at the iinal parting I dt) not like to think of. When T used to obtain permission to pass a little time in town, I was transported with the thoughts of the enjoy- ments that awaited me in the society of my patroness, and the young friends I most loved. Lady. Mkmoiks of an Amkhk an Lady. 339 iili'tl, .'Uid file sed, was honester than jny imagination, for it refuse*! to take plea- sure in anything ; which was a state of mind so new to me that I could iu)t understand it. Kvcrvwhere \ was caressed, and none of these caresses gave me jdeasure ; at length the ' Duncaii MacVicar was astati'ollicerof thc55th Scotcli Higlilanders of tliu rank of licutcuaiit. As micli otliccr he was eiitillcd to 2000 acri'8 of land, and l)y tlu; purchases which Mrs. Grant speaks of, be- came the proprietor of 4000 more, all of which lie located in a body, partly in tlie town of Shattsbury and partly in wliat is now White Creek, N. Y,, the twenty mile line runnini; exactly throujrh the centre of it. This property he called a township, and gave it the name of Clarendon, and anticipated, as Mrs. Orant says, great enjoyment of a baronial estate. Becoming disgusted with the surroundings of his jnoperty, unable to obtain a (suitable tenantry, and alarmed at the B|)read of republicanism and disloyalty, ho enibark(Hl in the summer of 1770, with his daughter, then about fifttien years old, for his native Scotland. See Ililand Hall's Early Uistory of Vermont. — M. i . i! i n ■A I i i 340 Mkmoiks of an Amkuican Ladv. SM(1 (lay (•:iiiu' tliat I was to lake tlic last raicwcll of my first, best rricnd, who liad often in vain niiicd my parents to leave me till they shonhl n>f('rotr;uted to a whole wei'k, would have been very ple.as.ant, could anything h;ivi' pleased me. I was at least soothed bv the extreme beaut v of m.any scenes on the banks of this tine stream, which I was fated never more to behold. fiADV. Mkmoius of an Amkrican Ladv .^541 ri'Wcll of my first il my parcnls lo (> ,sl:iy or rcluni. Iioiitjli llicy liixl, (• now \v:il<(';ii-l- isli, MS if I li.'id not incMii now merely tlie ci'uel seenei-y :in(l its les Mntl Are;iVnd at midnight, bands of intoxicated electors, who were then choosing a member foi' the assem])Iy, came thundering to the doors, demanding a vote for their fuv<»reetray«'ldest sons, and kept them with her till her own de.ilh, which haitpened in iTT.'^or 1770. I know too, that liki' the Jioman Atticus, she kept free from the violeni'c and bigotry of pnrty, and like him tot), kindly and liberally assisted those (»f each side, who, as Mie tide ' t succi'ss ran difTiMi-nt ways, were considered as unfortunate. On this subject 1 do not wish to enlarge, but shall merely observe, that all the coloners relations wert' on the republi- can sidi', while every one of her own nephews adhered to the roval cause, to their verv great loss and detriment : though sonu' of tluMu have n(»w found a home in Upper C'anaeace, imux-eiu'c, and all the social virtues, that this very s|»ot should be singled out from all others, as a refuge for the vagabonds and banditti of the continent. They wei'c, however, distinguished by a kind of desperate bravei'y, and unconquerable obstinacy. They, at one time, set the states 'Since writiiiff the above, tlio aiitlior of tliis iinrrntivc, Iiaa heard many iiurticularB of ilw. later years of lier jrood friend, by wli'cb it appears, tliat to tbe bist her b)yalty and ])ubiic si)iril burned witli a clear and steady tlamt;. Slie was by that time too venerable as well a8 respectable to be insulted for lusr principles ; and heropinions were always delivered in a manner firm and calm, lik(; her own mind, which was too well regulated to admit the rancor of party, and too dignified to stoop to disjjuise of any kind. She died full of years, and honored by all who could or could not appreciate her worth ; for not to esteem Aunt Schuyler was to forfeit all i)retenBious to estimation. — Mrs. Orant. smi |i I Memoiks of an American Lady. iuul tlie motlicr coimtry ('(ju.'illy at (IcfiaiU'c, and set up for an iii(li'j)oii(lc'iu't' of tlu'ir own ; on this oc('asi(;n they wcru so trouMt'somc, and (lie otluTs so tame, that tlic last iiion- tionod wore fain to jturcliast' tlicir nominal suhniission l»y a 1. \s( disgraceful concession. There was a kind of ]>rovisi(Hi made for all tlie British subjects who possessed property in the alienated provinces, provided that they had not bore arms against the Americans ; tlu'se were permitted to sell their lands, though not foi' their full vahu', but at a limited pi'ice. My father came ])recisely under this description ; but the (ireeu mountain boys, as the irregular iidiabitants ill ihe disputed boundaries were then called, conscious that all the lands they had forcibly usuri)ed were liable to this kind of claim, set up the standard of indej)endence. They indeed positively refused to coidederate with the rest, or consent to the proposed peace, unless the robbery they had committed should be sanctioned l)y a law, giving them a full right to retain, uiupiessioned, this violent acquisition. It is doubtful, of three parties, who were most to blame on this occasion. The tiepredators, wlu), in deiiance of even natural ecpiity, >ei/A'd anetty state of Vermont, and thus ends the history of an heiress. II i - jADY. .', iiiid st't lip for Ciision they were lilt the last meii- siibiiiissioii by a kind (»f ]»r<)visi()u ■sst' the torch of discord, which many waters will not extinguish. Even when })eace succeeds to the breathless fury of such a contest, it comes too late to restore the virtues, the liopes, the affec- tions that have perished in it. The gangrene of the land is 44 D Hji i-lf, 346 Memoirs of an American Lady. pot healed, and tlie |)r()|)liets vainly cM'y peace ! i)eace i where there is no p^^r.', e. TTowever upright the intentions may he of the first leaders of poj)nlar insurreetion, it may he truly said of them, in the end, instruments of cruelty are in their habitations : nay, must be, for when they have jiroceeded a certain length, conciliation or lenity vrnlj l^p cruelty to their followei's, ■who are gone too far, to return to the place from which they set out. Rectitude, hitherto upheld hy laws, by custom, and by fear, now walks alone, in unaccustomed paths, and like a tottering infant, falls at the fii-st assault, or first ob- stacle it meets ; but falls to rise no more. Let any one who has mixed nmch with mankind, say, what would be tlie con- sequence if restraint were withdrawn, and impunity offered to all whose probity is not fixed on the basis of real l)iety, or supported by singular fortitude, and that sound sense which, discerning remote consercules slew the Ilvdra and cleansed the Auga'an stabU', all but poets and heroes must have regretted that any such mon- sters existed. Seriously beside the rancor, the treachery, and the dereliction of every generous sentinu'iit and upright motive, which are the rank production of the blood mamired field of civil discord, after the froth and feculence of its cauldron have boiled over, still the deleterious dregs remain. Truth is the first victim to fear and ])olicy ; when matters arrive at that crisis, every one finds a separate interest ; ADY. ' 1 iH'iK'i' ! where ' the first lenders I of theJii, in tlie ahitations : nay, eertain length, their followers, •laee from which laws, hy custoin, )Tiie(l i)aths, and *ault, or first ob- Let any one who ould be the eon- impunity offered isis of real piety, hat sound sense L'serves integrity m hajtpen. ns of the moral •ters that sweep ions night, which ;unshine of pros- t ocean that the rof nature are to •ailed out by e.\- rhouiih Hercules n stable, all but it any such mon- »r, the treachery, ment and upright le blood maiuired 1 feculence of its ous dregs remain. ; when matters eparate interest ; Memoirs of an American Lady. 347 mutual confidence, which caimot outlive sincerity, dies next, and all the kindred virtues di-op in succession. It becomes a ntan's interest that his brothei's and his father should join tlu' o{;j»osite party, that some may be applauded for steadi- ness ' ; enriched by confiscations ; to such temi)tations the mind, fermenting witli party hatred, yields with less re- sistance than couhl he ima and reducing to submission the many headed monster, whom they have been forced to let loose and gorge with the spoils of the van- quished. Then, too, comes on the difficulty of dividing j)ower where no one has a right, and every one a claim ; of ruling those whom they have taught to desjjise authority ; and of reviving that sentiment of patriotism, and that love of glory, which faction and self-interest have extinguished. Wiien the white and red roses were the symbols of faction in England, and when the contest between Baliol and Bruce made wav for invasion and tvrannvin Scotland, the de- struction of armies and of cities, public executions, plunder and confiscations, were tlu' least evils that they occasioned. The aimihilation of pul)!i<' virtue and private confidence ; the exasperation of hereditary hatred ; the corrupting the milk of human kindness, and breaking asunder every sacred .'U8 Mkmoirs of an Amkrican Lady, til tic by whicli ni.'in and man arc licid td evervthing retui-ns to its accustomed course. But a total subversion of a long established go- II! i! ADY. 'tlicr ; all these L'iins of visiting h fjfeiieratiHii of •tioii of cliaiity not to l)e coin- ' of an entire vernnient. At- /, aims only at 1(1 ti»lelity inis- ive, loosens the nd the rapaeious sever, tlu; laws, tand where they sueeessful eoiu- ;ses ability and 'diate sucei'ssor, ere the enemies, iiiLjhty image of jfold" for one of ;u]»))orted by all from its pedes- tlie wreck is far iir which tlip clear niiiul doth rnisi) To live laborious nitrhtH and painful days," has no votaries among the students of Poor IJichartl's almanac, the great Plmros of the states. The land of theii- ancestors, party hostility has taught the ni to regard with scorn and hatrecl. That in wliich they live calls up n<> images of past glory or excellence. Neitlu'r hopeful nor desirous of that after-existence, which has been most covet- ed by those who do things worth recording, they not only live, but thrive ; anil that is (piite enough. A man no longer says of himself with exultation, " I belong to the "land where Milton sung the song of sei-aphims, and N'ew- "ton traced the paths of light ; where Alfn-d established " his throne in wisdom, and where the palms and laurels of "renown shade thetond>sof the mighty anart of an attached, con- nected wlnde. To those eidarged minds, who have got far heyond the petty consideration of country and kindred, to end>i-ace the wholehuman race, a land, whose poitulation is like Joseph's coat, of many colors, must ln' a pcculiaily suitahle abode. For in the endless variety of the piitchwork, of which Hociety is composed, a liberal i)hilosophic mind might nu-i-t with the specimens of all those tongues and nati«)ns which lie comprehenils in the widi' circle of his enlarged philan- throi)y. CHAPTER LXIV. FunniicR Ivkflkctioxs — Gexeual Hamiltox. J. HAT some of the leaders of the hostile party in America acted upon liberal an*' is iilct' .loscjili's suitaliK' uIxmU'. kvork, of whii-li liiul IMil,'llt HU'C't 1(1 nations wliic-h L'lilargcMl piiilan- Mkmoihs ok an Amkuican Lai>y. 353 II.VMII.TOX. Larty in Anierica not be doubted. l>id)lic good was \ise was a noble [suit. Had they a dereru-tion of Ld wild unsettled se(iuences of this hey would have Itine minds who, mee, looked back i.ls of excellence, [,n of the British wrench from all we love, from all wo ar<'." They, too, might wish, when time had ripeneil their growing empire, to assert that :nphoric lightnings of her cold blooded ])hilosophor, the deist j<'al Franklin, the legitimate father of the American " aire of calculation. " So well have " the children of his us. souV profited by the frugal lessons of this apostle of Pint that wo see a new empire blest in its infancy with ali llie saving virtues which are the usual portion of cautious and feeble ago : and we behold it with the same complacent i II; Memoirs of an American Lady. surprise which fills our minds at the sight of a young miser. P\)rgive me, shade of tlie aecomplislKMl Hamilton,' while all that is lovelj- in virtue, all that is honorahle in valor, and all that is admirable in talent, conspire to lament the early setting of that western star ; aiul to decic the tomb of worth and genius with wreaths of immortal bloom : " Thoi! Columbia long siiall weep; Ne'er a^aiu thy kindness see ;" fain would I add, " Long h(^r strains in sorrows steep, Strains of inunortality." — Qray. but alas ! " They have no poet, and they die." — Pope. His character was !i l)right exception ; yet, after all, an exception that only confirms the rule. What must be thi^ state of that country where worth, talent, and the disin- terested exercise of every faculty of a vigorous and ex- alted mind, were in vain devotecl to the public good ? Where, indeed, they only marked out their possessor for a victim to the shrine of faction? Alas! that a compliance with the laws of false honor (the only blemisli of a stain- less life), should be so dearly expiated ! Yt-t the deep sense expressed by all ])arties of this general loss, seems to promise a happier day at some future pericxl, when this chaos of jarring elements shall be reducetl l)y sr)me pervad- ing and governing mind into a settled form. But nmch nuist be done, and suffered, before this change can take place. There never c;in be nnu-h improvement till there is union ami subordination ; till those strong local attachments are formed, which are the basis of patriotism, 'Ueneral Ilanulton, killed in a duel, into wiiich he was forced by Aaron Burr, vice presidcsnt of congress, at New York, in 1804. — Mrs. Grant. jADY. ^lit of jv young lliuuilton,' whWii M onible in valor, re to hunt'iit the 1(1 to deck tlie Lhs of inunortal I'; Memoirs of an American Lady. 355 Pope. yet, after all, an Vhat must hv the lit, aiul thc! (lisin- litxorous aiul ex- he public good ? ir possessor for a that a eomjdianee ileniish of a stain- ! Yet the deej) ral loss, seeujs to |>erioopular fury. On tlu' sea-side there is a perpetual importation of lawless ami restless per- sons, who have no other path to the notoriety they covet, but tliat which (cads through party violenci' ; and of want of that local attachnu'nt, I have been speaking of, there can be no stronger proof, than the passion for emigration so friMpu'iit in America. Among those who are neitlu-r beloved in the vicinity of their jilace of abodt', nor kept stationary hy any gainful l>ursuit, it is in(!redihle how light a matter will allord a pretext for removal ! Here is om; great motive, for good conduct and decor- ous manni-rs, ohiiterated. The good o|»inion of his neigh- bors is (»f little eonseciuence to him, who can scarce be said to have any. If a man keeps fre«' of those crimi-s which a regard to the public safety compels the magistrate to punish, he finds shelter in every forest from the scorn and dislike incurred by petty trespasses on society. There, all who are unwilling to submit to the restraints of law and religion, may live unchallenged, at a distance from the publie exer- cise of either. There all whom want has may the connnunity it rules. These removals are incredibly i're(|uent ; for the same family, Hying as it weri' before the face of legal au- thority and civilization, are often known to remove farther and farther back into the woods, every flftii or sixth year, ji« the j)(»|>(dation begins to draw nearer. I>y this secession from society, a partial reformation is in some cases ett'ected. A person incajt'ible of regular industry and compliance with its established customs will certaiidy do least hai'm, when forced t<» de|>en(l on his personal exertions. Wlien a man places liimself in the situation of Kobinsoii Crusoe, with the difference of a wife ant! children for tliat solitary hero's cats and parrots, he must of necessity make exertions like liis, or perisli. lie becomes not a regular husbandman, but a hunter, with whom agriculture is but a secondary consi- deration, liis Indian i-orn anecause litjuor is not attainable. Hut ho liecomes coarse, savage, and totally negligent of all flic forms and decencies of life. He grows wild and unsocial. To him iv neighbor is an encroacher. He has learnt to do without one ; and he knows not how to yield to him in any point of ;li tlu'inselves ; L 1)0 oci'Jixioiiod in.'iss. |K'cc!Uit liuinors iimlfr !i goviTii- tlie connimnity '(pu'iit ; I'oi' tlu' uco of U'«:;ill :iu- ) ri'iiiovr riirtlu-r M or sixth yi'iii", ,iy tliis secession i\e (Mscs I'rt'ectiMl. (•()mi>li;iiMH' with k'iist li:irin, wlicn s. Wht'ii :i man Crusoe, with the ,t solitiiry hero's ke exertions like linshiindnian, but secondary consi- wliich constitute hoed by his wife are the only u'-i- icty, and do not inniter, like the assing. lie does i|>rincii>led person ad of wild beasts, he does n(»t drink lint lie becomes all the forms and social. To him a •nt to do without ini in any point of Memoirs of an American Lady. 357 mutual aceommodati(»n. He cares neither to ji;ive or take assistaiure, and limls all the society he wants in his own family. Selfish, from the over-indulged love of ease and liberty, he sees in a new comer mcfrely an abridgement of his raiii^e, and an interloper in that sport on which he woiiM nuu'h rather depend for subsistence than on llu' habits of rejrulai- industry. What can more Halter an imaL,dnation warm with native bi'iievolence, aiist beautiful, they degrade nature instead of imjiro\ ing or enjoying her charms. Active diligence, a Keiise of our duty to the source of all good, and kindly affections towards our fellow-creatures, with a degree of self-command and mental improvement, ciin alone |»roduce the gentle manners that ensure rural peace, or enable us, with intelligence anut I cannot (juit tlie fond retVo- Kpect of wliat once was in one favored spot, witliout indulging a distant hope of what may emerge from this dark, dis- ordered state. The melancholy (.'owley, the ingenius bishop of Cloyne, and many others, alike eminent for virtue and for genius, looked forward to this region of liberty as a soil, where peact^, science, and religion could have room lo take rix'.t and flourish unmolested. In those primeval solitudes, en- riched by the choicest bounlies of nature, they might (as these benevolent s}>eculators thought) extend their slh^ltor to tribes no longer savage, rcji-icing in the light of evan:>j ."' truth, and exalting science. JJttle did ther^e amiaLJe ]'i >• jectors know how nuuth is to be done before ll'o hur iai. mind, debased l)y liabitual vice, and cramped by .'ir^ ficial manners in the old world, can wash out its e-tains and r ; lume its simplicity in a new ; nor did they know rVrouj„ii ]>ow many gradual stages of culture the untntoreu inteihiCi of savage tribes must pat- before they beconje capable ul com- prehending those truths Viliuh ■ > us habit has rendered obvious, or which r any rate wi- h; etaPed of sofjuniliarly, that we think we comprehend tliem. These })rojectors o? felicity were not so ignorant of human nature, as to exp(?ct change of j)laee could produce an instantaneous ciiange of character ; but they hoj)ed to realize an irto))ia, where justice should be ailministered on the j)urest j)riuciples ; from which venality shoidd be bjinished, and where mankind should, through the paths of truth and ui)rightnes8, arrive at the highest attainable hajtpiness in a state not meant for perfection. They " talked the .-(yie of gods," making very bttle account of " chance and sufferance." 'J'heir specula- ^■«. DY. Memoirs of an American Lady, 351) ,ns of the poets •ward to a new [ove." :he foiul rt'tvo- tlioutindulgiiig , this dark, dis- aiop of Cloyne, and for genius, as a soil, where am to take r<»« t al solitudes, en- ^ they might (as L'lid their sh^'lter ightof evan:f ■" er>o amitil'Je pi;.- efove ll'c hui iau iped by in^ ficial -tains and r - nime ov tVrou-.i* i'OW toreu nitelleci, of e capable ut com- i>it has rendered d of so fiuniliarly, ese projectors oF tare, as to expect aneous change of 11 irtopia, where principles ; troni I where mankind ipiightness, arrive ate not meant for „1h," making very Tlicir specula- tions of the result remind me of what is recorded in some ancient writer, of a project for building a magnificent tem- ple to Diana in some one of the (irecian states. A reward was oifere'i to him who should erect, at the public- cost, wit'; most taste and ingenuity, a structure which sliould do honor both to the goddess and her worshijiers. Several candidates appeared. The first that spoke was a self-satisfied young man, who, in a long florid harangue, described the pillars, the porticoes, and the proportions of this intended building, seeming all the while more intent on the display of his elocution, than on the subject of his discourse. When lie had finished, a plain, elderly man came from behind him, and leaning forwards, said in a deep hoUov v»)ice, "^VU that he has said I will do," William Pemi was the man, born to give " a local habi- tation and a name," to all that had hitherto only floated in the day dreams of poets and j)hilosophers. To (jualify him for the legislator of a new born sect, with all the innocence ami all the hel])lessness of inf;iiicy, many circumstances c(»ncurred, that could scarce ever besuj>posed to ha)»pen at once to the same ]>erson ; born to fortune and distinction, with a mi?id })owerful and cultivated, he knew, experimentally, all the advantages to be derived from wealth or knowledge, and could not be said ignorantly to despise them. He had, in his early days, walked far enough into the paths of folly and dissipation, to know human liuracter in all its varieties, ami to say exi)erimeiitally — .1 ' ^ vanity. With a vigorous mind, an ardent imagination. i a heart glowing with the warmest benevolence, he aj»p<;irs to have been driven, by a rei)ulsive abhorrence of t . abuse of knowledge, of pleasure, and jtrecininence, \< 'lich he had witnessed, into the op))osite extreme ; into ; m .-t, the very first principles of which, clip the wings of fancy, extiiiiniish ambition, and bring every struggle for superiority, the re- sult of uncommon powers of mind, down to the dead level -a* SB iM\0 MllMolKS (H" AN AmKIUCAN ImI>Y. of iHiiH' ('<|ti;ilil y ; u lacl, tli:i( rctniiHls one of tiir cxcliisiMii of |)0(>ts from IMato's fancied rcpiihlir, hy sli-i|)|)in^ oiT all the iiiaiiy <->lort'<| sorl>, siK h a mind as I have Iteen desi-rihinj^. -t. so it was : e\en in the midst of all this eohl humility, dominion was to he fonnd. 'I'ha! rule, whieh of all others, is nn»st j^ratifyinjf to a mind conseioiis of its own power, and direetiiiL^ it to the |>tir|»oses «»f henevolenee, the voluntary sidtjeelioii of mind, the homa<;e whieh a seet pays to its leailei', is justly ;»ci'oiinted the most j^ralifyinj^ species of power; and to this Inrkin^C and»ilion everything; '^^ rendered subservient. Iiy tlu>se, who havt' once kimwn this native and iidiereiit sn- lUM'lorily. This man, who l,,,d wasted his inheritance, alienated his r'-Iations, and esti'anj;ed his friends, who had forsaken the relis^ion of his aneest(M"s, ami in a ^reat mea- sun' tin- customs .i'ncvolent mind (from l'lati>, downwards), 'vhicli has nnlulijed speculations of the kind. The j^lory of realizing;, in some det^ree, all these fair visions, was, how- ever, resi'rved for William I*enn alone. Imagination delights to dwell on the trancpiil abodes of plenty, conti-nt, and eipianimity, that so «piickly ''rose like an exhalation," in the domains of this pacitie legislator. That he should expt'ct to pn»ti'ct the (piiet abodes of his M)Y. ,r ihc exclusion in}4 oH ull mill iniu.!4in!iHorl>, .(, so it w:iH : (loiniiiioii \v:is to oiiosl. f^nitilyiiiK (1 (linM'lin.!^ it t«» ii-y siiltjrctioii of I It'll. ItT, is justly r j.i.wcr ; :»ut| subst'ivirnt l»y iiul illlMMfllt s\i- his inherit iincr, lii'iuls, who hiitl in ii j^n-iit nu'ii- nv clnirm-tl with ihi'lcss, destine*! eentr with innee adhesive and exclusive, and who were too calm and self-snl«lned, too henij^nant and just to create « nemies to t hem selves anionic t heir neiLjhhors. There could he no motive hut the thiist of I'apine, for disi urhinLj a com- munity so inolTensive ; ai'd the foundci, no iis that must hi encountered, durinj^ the early staijes of the progression of society, which, necessarily excluded fnun the pleasures of retineuient, should be guarded fnun its jtains. Where nations, in the course of time hecome ciyili/.eil, the process is so gradual from one race to another, that no yiolent elTtuI is re.piired to break through st!ttled habits, and ac<|uire new tastes and inclinations, tilted to what might 46 r 302 Mkmoius of an American Lady. bi' iilinost styl('iit when colo- nios arc first sctlli'd, in a (Country so oiitiiH'ly primitivt! as that to which William IN'iiii led his roUowcrs, thtTu is a kind of ivtroj^rado move'iiirnt of ihc mind, r('(|nisito tore- coucilc |ic'0|)k' to the now duties anil new views thai open to them, and to make the total privation of wonted ohjeets, modes, and amusements, tolerable. Perfect simplicity of taste and manners, and entire indif- ference to much »»f what the world calls jdeasure, wen; necessary to make life tolerable to the first settlers in a trackless wilderness. These hal»its of thinkin;^ and livinj^, so difficidt to actpiire, and s<» painful when foreed upon tlu; mind by inevitable necessity, the (Quakers brouj^dit with them, and left, without ri'i^ret, a world from which they were already excluded by that austere simplicity which pecidiarly fitted them for their new situation. A kindred simplicity, and a similar ignorance of artificial refinements and high seasoned pk'asures, jiroduced the same effect in (pialifying the first settlers at .\lbany to support the jiri vat ions, and endure the inconvenienci's of their noviciate in the forests f tl oi tne new world. Ibit to ri'tui-n to ^Villiam I'enn ; the f.dv fabric he iiad erected, though it speiMlily fulfilled the utmost promise »»f hope, contained within itself the princi|»l(^ of dissolution, and, from the verv nature of (lie l)ein(rs which composed it, must have decayed, though the rcv(>Iuti(»nary ty and shock had not so soonsliaken its foundati( »ns. Sol )ru prudence lean tlu! oujrlit with them, ^vhich tliey wiTO wiiicli itoruliarly ndivtl siini»ru'ily, MuentH :in»l l>ii?i» ct in (lUiilifyint^ privations, and \{v in tlu' I'tiri'sta li:un Tcnn ; the ally fnltilU'.l the self the i>rin('il»U^ the beings whii'U 1h- revohitionary ,s. Sohriety and ivltli to anthority, lived |>rinc'i|)le of IV and tliere, l>nt iitrary to her hias itv shoidd a('<|nire ■ (jrivinu; it away ? icourapMl, no cle- 'iniitv is not to bo d, wiiat is wealth doe]»er and deeper Mkmotrs of an Ammrican Lai»y. 3«;3 into j^rossiie.'S and dnUness, having no Incitcnicnl to cxcrcist^ the only racnlties pcrmitlcd him to nsc, and I't-w oltji'cts to relieve in a eoiiunnnily from which \ ifc and jMivcrty are eeak of them now in their collective capacity. They two are the otdy ])eople that, in a temperate, judicious (and, I trust, successful), maniuM', have endeavored, an(] still endeavor to convert the Indians to ("hi-istianity ; for them too was re- served tlie honorable distinct ion of being the only body who 364 Memoirs of an American Lady. If I Kacrifieod intorcst to luiiniuiity, l>y voluntarily j^iviiicf fi'oo- (loiii to thos(! hIuvcs whom tlii-y held in easy Ixtiidago. That a ^ovorniiu'iit so eoiistitutctl could not, in tiie nature of things, long exist, is to he regretted ; that it produced so much good to otiiers and so much comfort and j)i tsperity to its subjects while it did exist, is an honorable testimony of tho worth and wisdom of its benevolent founder. ^ i CIIAPTKdi LXVr PUOSI'KI IS BlJI(iHTliMN(i IN AmKUK A, XIOVV^KVKK discouraging the prospect of society on this great continent may at present apjtear, there is every n-a- 8on to hope time, and the ordinary course of e\cnts, may bring about a desirable change ; but in the present state of things, no government seems less calculated to ]»romote tlio liappiness of its subjects, or to ensure jtennanence to itself, than that feeble and unstable system wliicli is onlj calcMdated for a community comprising more virtue, and more union than such a heterogeneous mixture can be sup- posed to have attained. States, like individuals, ])urchase wisdom by suflfering, and they have probaldy much to en- dure before they assume a fixed, determinate form. Without partiality it may be safely averred, that notwith- standing the severity of the climate, and other unfavorable circumstan(;es, the provinces of Hritisli America are the abode of more i)rcs»'nt safety and happiness, and contain situations more favorable to futuri' establishments, than any Avithin the limits of the United States. To state all the grounds upon which this opinion is founded, might lead me into discussions, narratives, and de- scription wliich might swell into a volume, more interest- ing than tlie preceding one. liut being at j)resent neither able or inclined to do justice to the subject, I shall only Y. idiige. Tlitvt he nature oi ; produced so „a i>i .sperity hie testinu»uy under. ICA. socioty on this •0 is every 'ea- of events, may e present state I ted to promote permanence to I whicl) is only ore virtue, aiul uve can be sup- ithuils, purchase )ly much to en- .te form. >d, that n«)twith- tlier unfavorahle Vnierica are the less, and contain nnents, than any h tliis opinion is arratives, and de- e. more interest- t ])resent neither ject, I sliall only Memohus op an Amkkican L m>y 805 briefly observe first, with rej^anl to tlie {^ovenunt-nt, it is one to which tlii' ifoviiiud are fondly atlac-hed, and wliirli like relji^ion l)econies endeared to its votaries, bv the sutTer- ings they have endured for tlieir iidlierer -e to it. It is consonant to their earliest jirejudici's, and s;iiutioned by hereditary attachment. The climate is indeed severe, Itnt it is sleah the plants and < 1 the air, during their short but ardent summer. The c(MUitry, harreu, at the sea-side, does not aflord an inducenu'Ut for those extensive sett leUM'iits which have a ti'n <^ ''^. ^^ /a / y* % v> '/ ^^ /a Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. MSSO (716) 872-4503 ^^ C\ iV \ "% V <^\ ». 6^ o- .*. <^J5^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 3UG Memoirs of an American Lady. i' iSi in i h . ji ^!! I' fiigo, iU'tcr devoting their property to the support of their lionor .'111(1 loyalty ; who adluie together and form a soeiety graced by that knowledge, and t]i(»se manners, whieli renderetl them respeetahle iii their original state, with all the e.\[»erieiice gained from adversity ; and that elevation of sentiment which ix'snlts from the consciousness of having sutfcriMl in a good cause. Here, too, are clusters of emigrants, who have fled, unac(|uaiiite(l with the refine- ments, and uncoiitaminated hy the old world, to seek for that hread and peace, which the prcjgress of luxury aii consciousness oo, are ehisters ^ith tlie retine- ,•1,1, to seek for luxury and the [k've they oonu^ h in those kin- il sorrow their ,s, the language comfort in that )port and their connected with mtry is most ad- is superiority in nc-uishes British tly owing. Our ions either of the moderate trade, suhsistence, and hettled habits, are the chief induce- 1 attached society svell together, and s, with similar as- ■ adventurers, the in these regulated ch Lord Selkirk has )ut a little experience 3Uiraents on his own Memoirs of an American Lai>y. 307 «^ al)odes of quiet industry, for scenes more adajited to their genius. I siiall now conclude my recollections, which circum- stances have often renderi'd very painful ; hut will not take u})()nmetoenlai-geou th<»sehoi)esthat stretch a dubious wing into temporal futurity, in search of a brightci- dav, and a better order of things. Content if 1 have jticsci-N (mI some records of a valuable life : thrown some iilinunei'liiLr liu'ht upon the progress of society in that peculiar state, which it was my fate to witness and to share, and ail'orded sonu' hours of harmless anmsenu'ut to those lovers of nature and of truth, who can patiently trace their progress through a tale devoid alike of regular arrangement, surprising variety, and artificial embellishment. The reader, who has j)atiently gone on t<^ the conclusion of these desultory memoirs, will i>erhaps i-egret [larting with that singular association of peojile, the ^loiiawk tribes, with- out knowing where the few that renndn have taken uj) their al)ode. It is but doing justice to this distinguished race to say, that, though diminished, they were not subdued ; though voluntary exiles, not degraded. Their courage and fidelity were to the last exerted in the nu)st trying exigen- cies. True to their alliance with that nation with whom they luul ever lived in friendship, and fiiithfid to that re- spectable family, who had fornu'd at once the cement and the medium by which that alliance was confirnu'd, ami through which assurances of attachnu'nt and assistaiu'e ha of his residence. One old man alone, having no living tie remaining, would not forsake thetond)s of his ancestors, and remains like " a watchman on the lonely hill ;" or rather like a sad memento of an extin- guished nation. N O T E I.; ■ "I i ! **•.. The op])ortunity is wolcomcd of apjK'ndinnf to tluR volume an un- published letter of Mrs. Uraut, the orijrinal of which is in the posses- sion of the Hon. John V. L. Pruyn, to whom this edition is dedicated by the editor. Tlie especial object of Lady Charlotte Bury's appeal to her kindness docs not appear from the letter itself nor in the Dinry ascribed to Lady Bury, published in London in 18;5H, and which con- tains other hitters of Mrs. (irant not in her ])ubli8hed correspondence. It illustrates, however, the characteristic traits of the author. — M. Brae House, July 9th, 188L My Dkaii Madam : I lose no tinu' in answering your Ladyship's letters, and only jjrieve that I have nothing very satisfactory to communicate. Tho' the noble and affecting candour of your ccmimunication ha,s deeply interested me, I think there are very few to whom you are known who would not willingly ])ay this slender tribute to difiiculties with which every person cai)abl(! of estimating your many claims to consideration niusi sympalhizt!. I have been casting about in my own mind the great number of persons who I think would Iuum! jileasure in giving this testimonv of resjiect and esteem. For instance, there is the Family of Miller of Earnock, very wealthy, liberal in tlu^ use of that wealth, and childless. They value themselves not a little in being pretty nearly con- nected with your family. I think both he and his sister would give their nauKss readily, if proi)erly applied to. I would send one of the ])roi)osals you inclose were it not like taking too great a liberty both with tliem and you. But, if you sent me a few lines addressed to these kindred of yours, expressing your wish that an object of some importance to you should receive their assistance, or something to that purpose, I would inclose one of the projxisals and send it to them. I shall mention certain Highland C'hiettains who I should su])pose would feel honored in adding to your list. Lochiel, Chime, Macintosh, (Jrant of (llenmoriston. I should have said first the Honorable Col. Grant, Charles Grant, M. P., John Grant of Kilgraston, Lord Macdonald, Madeod, etc., etc. Now I think if you inclosed to each of these (Jentlemen a j)roposal accompanied with a few lines expressive of a ])eculiar urgency which induces you to put the good will of your friends to this proof, 1 think there could be no disappointment. " Often shall we find the sharded beetle in a safer hold, than is the full wing'd Eagle." Thus after long and severe struggles with I find myself in a kind of safe tranquility as to circumstances which your rank, and the sphere you have to fill in society, besides I could mention many others but as yet writing is not indulged to as I am slowly recovering from a severe illness. I should indeed be glad had I the power to i)roraote that or any other object desireable to you, being with much respect and regard. Your Ladyship's obedient Scjrvant, Anne Okant. iliis volnmo an un- ch ia in the possea- -dition ia dedicated tte Bury'a appenl to f nor in tlx^ THnry i^aS, and wliicli con- hed corre8i)ondence. he author.— M. ;o, Jxily 9th, 1831. ters, and only frrieve ■ate. Tho' the noide laa deeply interested ! known who would es with which every ) consideration niusi, own mind the «rreat ■asiire in jj;iving this here is the Family of se of that wealth, and •injr pretty nearly con- hia sister would give ould send one of the ) great a liberty both w lines addressed to hat an object of some ,(>r something to that and send it to them, ■ho I should suppose iel, Chime, Macintosh, rst the Honorable Col. iston, Lord Macdonald, ised to each of these • linos expressive of a ,od will of your friends appointment. " Often than is the full wing'd with I find myself in a ich your rank, and the d mention many others slowly recov(!ring from I the power to promote nil- with much respect s obedient Servant, Annb Guant. INDEX. AbcTcrombie, General, 221, 225; defeat of, 228 ; succeeded, 270. African servants, 178. Agriculture at Oswego, 2.')8. Albany,descrii)tioiiof, 48 ; records, 27 ; origin of settlement, 27 ; growing in ]>rosperity, 10 ; nail works, !)i) ; fort at, 2(il, 202; i)rosii(!rity of, ;J4') ; first settlers. ;<()2. Albanians extending trade to tin; lakes, 122 ; ciiHtoins of, 18.j. Almanac, Poor Richard's, 351. Amherst, Sir Jeffrey, notice (jf. 270, 281. America, prospects brightening, 304. Amusements, 73, 75. Anbury, ('apt., 87. Anglomania, spread of, lf)7. Animals of the forest, 08, Oi) ; saga- city of, 181. Anne, Qu(!en, 35, 40 ; Indians visit, 30. 37. Argyll, Duke of, 12. Armies, their route, 99. Armv, aversion to, 190 ; fnllowers of, 188, 191. Aurat ia, see Oranienburg, 29. Barc.ay, Rev. Dr., 230. Bern, description of, 110; great, 308. Barre, Mons., his expedition, 153, 154. Baskets, Indian, 57. Batavians, commercial spirit of, 33. Bat(;aux, where taken, 99. Beads, Indian contempt for, 145. Bear month, 145. Bears, prevalence of, 43, 07, 249 ; danger of metiting, 12!) ; fires to jirotect against, 250 ; grease, ])ro()f against insects, 187. Beaux Stratagem enactcnl, 198. Beaver month, 145. 47 Beavers, their habits, 297, 298. Beekmans, 27. Beggars unknown, 84. Berrying, 57. Hetty, a beauty, 178. Bil)l(! tlu! code of morality, 54. Bilberries, 50. Birds, great lunnber of, 59, 101, 110, 112 ; cherished, 307, 308; nests, iieciiliar, 115. Ulack \Vat(-h, 229. Hiii/.ing, 314. Blind Harry the Scottish Homer, 9. Book of Common Prayer, 230. Boundaries of far ms indefinite, etc., 35, ;{i;j, 314. Boys indulged with guns, 129. Braddock's defeat. 222. Bradstreet, General, 215,272, 281, 280, 287 ; (luarter-master gene- ral, 18!) ; takes Frontennc, 233 ; takes Oswego, 235 ; dis- covers fire at Flats, 240 ; aids in rebuilding house at Flats, 242 ; sketch of, 242. Brainerd, David, 151. Brass knocker, (juaint, 241. Brticker's island, 99 ; described, 100. British army introduced a spuri- ous race, 55 ; oflicers ul the Flats, 100 ; confeileracy of, 314. British provinces, advantages of, 304 ; climate severe, 305. Broom, unknown, 113. Bruce, Rol)ert , his escape, 201 , 202. Bullfrogs, 07. Burgoyiu', apjiroach of, 331. Burr, .Xaron, 354. C;esar, his dexterity, 178. Cakes, variety of, 74. Caledonians honored tho fair, 95. Campbell, Duncan, 22!) ; ('apt. Mungo, 250, 202. 370 Index. Canada cxpoclition, 1690, 42; fatlier ot Ep. church in, 237 ; governors of, 15:3 ; marcli throufifh, 252; Mohawks re- moved to, !J07 ; suhjection of, fatal to Pontiac, 273. Canadian priests, intrijxn<'Sf>fi 275 ; ])riHoner8, 130. Canadians, frequented the Fiats, 185; remnant of old, 305 ; im- migrants, 3<)0. Canoe, l)ark, (j4 ; family, 01. Canoes, slifjlitly laden, GO ; oh- structions to, 00. Captive, reluctance to return, l-li). Carnival, rural, 5!). Carryinj; places*, 05. Cassilis, Countess, 322. Castles of the Indians, 93. Catalina, lb5, 180, 193 ; her family, 231 ; death of, 300. Catecliism, Dutch. 193. Cats, alfectiou fast, 225 ; resorc of best society, 238 ; house at burnt, 240; rebuilt, 241; view from. 241 ; leased, 243; a considerable ])ossession, 34, 37; allusion to, 298. 302, 322, 323, 337, 338. Flax raised, 288. Fletcher, Mrs., Autobiography of, 14. Florida reprisals, 315. Forest, interminable, 102. Forests jienetrated without com- |)ass, ()9 ; guide in, 69. Fort, Augustus, 10, 11 ; Brewerton. 250,262; IIendrick.246 ; On- tario, 252 ; Orange, site of Al- bany, 29 ; Oswego, arrival at, 251 ; described, 252 ; palisa- doed, 34 ; St. Anne, 250 ; Wm. Henry, surrender of, 229. Fortifications, weakness of, 33 ; of earth at Haver island, 65. Fortresses erected in Indian couu- trv,273. Forts built, 217. Fowling pi('(;es for boys, 129. Foxes, 249, 256 ; fires to protect against, 250. France, its loss by the Ilugonots, 353. 1-s ■ ! Index. Franklin, fatlicrdf A'ncrican age of calculation, 'A')'itality at Flats, 183. Hostilities, susptMision of, 132. Houses, description of, 48, H.iwt\ Lord, a diHcii)linarian, 222, 223,224.220; killed. 227. Huguenots, 47 ; driven to emigra- tion, 128 ; loss of to com- merce, 353. Hunter. Robert. 108. Huntingexcursion, Indian fashion, 250. Hurons, 35. Ice breaking up, 7, 335, 330 ; ceru- lean, 337. Idleness, natives falsely accused of. 137. Immigration from New England, 303, 319. Indians, numerous and powerful, 31 ; visit England, 36 ; i)re- sents to. 39 ; costume of, 39 ; date of return from England, 40; met in Dutch cluirch, 41 ; speeches of, preserved , 41 ; baskets imide by, 57 ; goods for, 04 ; demoralized, 09 ; influ- ence of the French over, 70 ; un8(,phisticated, 70 ; wig- wams, 87 ; manufactures. 87 ; moccasins, etc., 87; occupa- tions of, 88, 93 ; boys, occu- ])ation8 of, 88 ; treated ne- groes with contempt, 89 ; proselytes, 90 ; manners cf converts, 91 ; traffic of the Index. 373 TliHtory of Vermont, .•x., killf(l,;5r)4; cap- ; Mrs., 17. carlliworkH, (ir). ri'iiHoiioiiibsciici', 107. ill"-, ;!!• ; poriniit of, I'lHi'.* ; Hiiclu'iu of Mo- i4(5, 247. iiiV2. mumiiitfil, 181. ilt, 2(»i». at Flats. 182. rtiisiKMisioii of, 133. icriptioii of, 4H. i,adis('ipliiiari!ui,222, 4,22(1; killed. 227. , 47 ; driven to eniigrn- 128 ; lo88 of to coni- .)ert, 108. cursion, Indian laslHon, (rup,7,335, 3!30; ce.ru- mtives falsely accused )n from New England, 9. unierous and powerful, isit Enjrland, 36 ; vjo.. f.n, 39 ; costume oi, 39; i return from Enjxhind, net in Dutch church, )eeches of, preserved , 41 ; s made by, 57 ; goods -; demoralized, 09; infiu- -('f the French over, 70 ; usticated, 70 ; wig- 87 ; manufactures. 87 ; sins, etc., 87; occupa- of, 88, 93 ; boys, occu- lts of, 88; treated ne- with contempt, 89 ; ytes, 90; manners cf rts, 91; traffic of the Indians, women, 92 ; women i)lanters, 93; castles, 93; men, tlieir pursuits, 93 ; yirls, iiow occu- pied, 9;{ ; never atl'ected witli cutaiieoii.s diseases, i)l! ; reli frious bejiet', 94 ; wives, tlieir servants, 94; causes of lios tilily amonji', 10.1; wars, how accounted tor, lOd ; rested at the Flats, 1 19; stimulated to acts of violence, 122 ; con- <,'ress at .Mliany, 123, 127; {gratitude ol, l.S! ; danger ol meetinif, 129; prisontM's, i;!() ; falsely cluirtri'd with idleness, 134 ; disairection of, UJ.l ; vanity of oniaiuents, l::i. Island, HrecUers and llillhoiise's, 99. 10(1; in swamp, ;i'J7. Jamaica, commerce with, Is;!. •hflVey, l''riuicis, 7, 14. .lolinson, l)r., proteye of ;!4 ; (iiiv, 237; Hall. 219; Sir .lolin, 323, ;!0S ; .Sir \\ni., his jmr- chases an(! houses. 218; his style of liviny,219 ; his wives and (lauj^diters, "J'JO ; j^ovi'm- in'ss, 221 ; Ills lands on On- tario, 210. 215,210, 217, 271, 274. Jonker straat, coasting parties, 79, SO. King (leorge, Indian loyalty to, 1.1:> ; William, 27. Iving (ieorge's ground, ;514. King's arms tavern, 81 : si^jii burnt, 82 ; highway, 99. Kiiowledjre, jirogress of, 89. Kromine kil, ;{03. L— , Isanc, 244. La^r^ran parish, 1 1. Lake (hitario, 251 ; return from, 201 ; Superior Indians, 273. Lakes, commander of the, 277. Languages ac(iuired by settlers, ;52. Lajilanders, Thomson's, ISOO. Law suits for land claims, 314, 315. Lawyers, incursion of, 313, 316. Lay brothers, 83, 84. Leases to settlers, 30. Lee, Captain, 225 ; bad conduct of, 220 ; penitent, 230. Legacy of Historical Gleanings, 270. II ; 1 i>iim)\ 374 Index. liCjririns, 87. lifiiox, MiH., .'{4. JiftttTs fnnii tlic Mountiviiis, 11, l:i. liCxicDii, WiHtrrlo'H, 2ii(!. liivinjf, cxiii'iisivc styli'ot', iJOd. IiiviMj,'st(iii t'ainilii's, lO'J. lidcluiusidc, ',i'A'2. I,nliir|llllllr<, \'.t, \H. Ijoiidnii, liDi'il, (■oiiiniiiiidcr of toiccs, 2H). Louis xiv, '.')'). I/oiiisbiniri; ruptured, 270. ]>'ivf, iiiiiiiircslHlioMs of peculiar, (11, 7','. Lovelace, OoviTiior. lOH. Lowell, .Miss, i;! ; John, Hi. Luinher tor West Indies, 1S4. Luudic;, Col. Duncan, '2-)'2. Lvdiiis, (leertruy isabellu, 205; John, 'JO.'). Mackenzie, Henry, 14, IS, 1!). Maiiicuns, -'(). Manhattan, settled, 27, 2S. Manners, 7;{; it t\u', Flats, 44; (leranlc ridiculed, 1<»2. Manor, dimensions of, 2!). Maria, her proireny, 178, 17!). Marianiat, :>04. Marian, ;!0(), ;!0(!, ;527, ^38. ^[arkets, absiuice of, 1!)0 Marriage, a hartoainiisenient, 81 ; reasons for rejectinrlins, 308 ; disappouranco of, 118. Massacliusotts settlers, 314. Mass»!y, ('apt., 34. May foliafie, 341. Mavor of Albany, first, 37 ; J. ' Schuyler, 120. McVickar, Duncan, 9,10; settlod in Vermont, 10 ; Ida family, 300, 30!); rheumatic, 318; 20 milt! line int,>rferes \vith, 321 ; resolves to r 'turn to Scotland, !i32, 334; notice of, 339; em- ployment of, 286 ; subaltern rtrn'h refit., 244. Memoirs of American Lady begun, 13 ; editions of, 14. 240; Michillimnrkinnc fort built, 273. .Military camped at the Flats, 119, 123 ; preparations, 120 .Missiotniry, Indian, 230, 237. .Moccasins, 87. Mockini;l)ir(ls, 307. Mohawk river, 31 ; scenery, sprouts of, 05 ; carrying; places, O.") ; Indians, ciuiracter of, 32. Mohawks, 3."), 3!l,l^'(i ; furs broufrht by, 05; protection sought, 104 ; boundaries never vio- lated, 105 ; their regard for Justice, 100 ; fidelity of, 120 ; inlluenceot Christianity upon, 158; a defence, 215', 2Ui ; anointed with bear's jrrease, 187 ; removed to Canada, 307, 308. Money, scarcity of, 183. Montague, Lady Rlary, !>f. Moore, Sir Henry. 2!»!». 300. Morals founded on Chiistianity, 02. Mus(|uitf)es, 07. Muel, Susanna, 107,300. Mulatto, sinj^le instance of, farm allotted to, 55. Munro, John, 321,334, 343. Munsell's Historical Series, 270, 277, 281. Mutiny of tlu! army, 271. Myrtle, berrybearinjJT, 00. Nantz, edict of, 353. Ne Indian. 'i'M, 2557. 7. •c1h,:K)7. .,,r, :n ; Hccncry, 24b , .,f,'(jr);nirryiMKl'liiw8, liiuis, chuvuctfrol, .5-. , •' prott'ction fioiiU'/t, .mnularicH ncv.T vio- 10.-,; tli.-ir r.'U«rtl |or IU(); luli'lity ot, UU ; 'nM.tChristiaiuty upon, a (l.-f.-nco, 215. 21(. ; ,,,1 with bi-av's Krt-asij. .•muvi'd to Canada, .507, iri'ity of, 1H3. Lady Mary.'.'t. Henry, 2!ti», 'M). ndcdiinChiii^tianity.GS. ^, 07. anna, 107. 306. ^^ LintjU' inHtance ot, o.), Ln.Tttt'd to, sr). hn,;331.334,34;3. Historical Series, ^42 Niagara, jrnnieiiing ut, 200. North America reduced by (freat Hritain, 270. O'Calhiglmn.Dr. K. H,,242. OfHce, insulenre of, ii)(). OHicers entertained, l;{4. Otl'spring, love of, 131. Oj-ilvie, John. 23(1, 237, 301. Oneida lake, {')') ; outh't,2()2. ()nei(his, IJ.j. Onoiidagoes, JiiT. Onontliio, definition of, l.-)2, l.-)4. Outarii) lake, (1.") ; lands owned hy Sir Wni. Johnson, 274. Orplnins adoi)t(;d, 84. Oswi'gd, 0."< ; ij.^tli Kejrt . stationed at, 244; Britisli station at, 10; conipiest of, 235 ; ^ardeninjr at,2.-)S ; pursuits at, 2.50 ; rigor of winter at, 2.53, 25,5 ; return from, 201 ; taken by the French, 215. Otaheitans, low-minded, 38. Uughton, Adoljdius, 23'J. Oranieiiburg, 20. Paintings, family, 205. Palatines driven to emigration, 128. Paradise liost, 10 ; s of udviTH*! mitiiiriH, 1;I0. Sniiidiil, m"), '2m. yciiiira, Indian narun tor liquor, I »r). Scenery of tin; river, 47. Wflieneclady, arrival at, 2 10 ; ris in;; town, 'Mr). SchoonerH, cedar, 71, Seluiyler, Aunt, 1:5, 42. Hf), HO, 1'24 ; her nepliewH loyal, ;U2 ; a lin<^uist, {)') ; her acconijiiish- inentH, ilO ; her iTUirriaj;e, !)7, 1)8; , :il. Schuyler, JohnC ., 111,241. ScIiuvNt, Madame, ;54. Schuyler, Peter, 102, 107, JUO ; (lescnbed, 10r),170 ; visits En^ land, ;}0, ;57 ; his portniit ])ainted, ',]7 ; declines to be kniorhted, ;}8 ; return of, 40, 97 ; known as Quidder, 107 ; colonel, 122. Schuyh^r, Col. Philip, married, 107; his monument, 97, 109; his barn, 110-19; his charac- teristics and influence, 121 ; first to raise a corps in the in- Schuyler Col. Philip, terior, 12:5 ; as a leader, \'.]() ; member of colonial assembly, 1152 ; his military partiality, l:t:5 ; death of, 208 ; re^^ard for his slaves, 209 ; characteristicH of. 10;t ; allusion to, 7, 1:5, 109 ; his posterity republi- can, :142. Schuyler, Pliilip Petersen, :54. Schuvler, Stephen, 2i:i, 241. Schuylers. 27, 28, ;tO, ;J2, 100 ; visited Now York annually, 47. Science, a ^fod-liko «'nlar;(ement of human powers, 182. Scottish peasants, religious habits ot, 28."). Scotlaiul. benefit of parisli schools, 284, Scott, Walter, 7, 14, 18, 19. Selkirk, l,ord,;500. Si'uecas, ;5r). Serp.'uis, {)7, 5525, 830. S(;rvants, white, ex|)ensivc, I5.'51. Servitude, reflections on, ol ; in FiUrope contrasted, ry.',. Settlers tarried at the Flats, 119. Shaftsbury, ;5:59. Shak((speare, ;524. Shirley, (Jov., his activity, 124. Slavery, no .scruples aiirtiiUity. vtl((.f.'i»>8:n-Kiin\fnr ,a -M)'.! ■ chanK'ttriHticH ■ ulliiHion to. I, l'|. is poHtiTity rcpubh- J. ... hilii) l'.a.TS<-n. .54. 27 "28, :!(>, :5-i. 1')'' ; "n'iiw York luimmlly, r.uMikf .•nlaryfi"i-'"t ot [ noWlTH, 182. iiHftntfl, reriKiouH habitfl lenetitofliarirtliaclioolH, t(.r.7. 11,18, !•.). urd, ;515<>- (•,7 ir^.'), !V2r.. whitf. <.xiH-nsivP.j5.51. I rtitlcctioiifl oi^.^ '>i '- '" )(• contvftstfil. ")■.!. rri.-a at the Flats, 110. y, ;5;5U. I„v.,hi8 activity, 1:J4. ,„ ^cvuph'W a'c. 80, 81, 82. , tlu', '-^7. ■vi'V. 170. , varie'v of, ;?27. Icr. 27, 28, 32, '3r>. llaml, 341. luimber of in Rome, 14U. Slatn<'<, number of in l{o;uc, I 10. Si. ( 'lair rivi-r, (m. Sti'ulinjr, UH an aniuHfnii'nt,HO, 81, 82. Stt'cnlioi'k kil,l():l ; location of,(M. Stuwart family, !). Stillwater immi;,M'aiitH, '.Vi'.i. St. liawrence, marcli up the, 2*»2. Stockadi' erecli'il, 2!>. Stoiiehook, III:;. Streets of Alliauy, -18. Stuart, John, 2;!7. Sturyeoii, scasim of, (II. Suhalteru's pay, its aile 2.')2. Titus, 178, 181. Toha