IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

■ iM IIIII2.2

113

2.0

1.8

•*

1.25

1.4

1.6

.4 6" —

►

p>w

.%. w ^

'^1

%■

^^.

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

^^'

■i>^

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

Pi?

%> ■ Ip<

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductjons historiques

1980

Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques

The Institute has attempted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy which may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checked below.

□ Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

□ Covers damaged/
Couverture endommag6e

□ Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaur^e et/ou pellicul6e

I'lnstitut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la methods normale de filmage
sont indiqu^s ci-dessous.

□ Cover title missing/
Le titre de couverture manque

D
D

Coloured pages/
Pages de couleur

Pages damaged/
Pages endommag6es

Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul^es

Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
Pages d6color6es, tachet^es ou piqu6es

The
to t

The
pos
of 1
filnr

Ori(
beg
the
sioi
oth
firs
sioi
or i

□

D
D

Coloured maps/

Cartes gdographiques en couleur

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

Coloured plates and/or illustrations/
Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
Reli6 avec d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge intdiieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6t6 film^es.

D
D
D
D
D
D

Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppl6mentaires;

Irregular paging
a - i; 1 - 273.

Pages detached/
Pages ddtach^es

Showthroi gh/
Transparence

Quality of print varies/
Quality indgale de I'impression

Includes supplementary material/
Comprend du materiel supplementaire

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont 6t6 film6es d nouveau de fapon d
obtenir la meilleure image possible.

a - f; i - clxviii;

The
sha
TIK
wh

Ma
diff
ent
beg
rig!
req
me

10X

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous.

14X 18X 22X

26X

30X

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

ails

)difier

une

nage

The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks
to the generosity of:

Library of the Public
Archives of Canada

The images appearing here are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.

L'exemplaire fiimd fut reproduit grdce d la
g6n6rosit6 de:

La bibliothdque des Archives
publiques du Canada

Les images suivantcs ont dt6 reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et
de la nettet6 de l'exemplaire filmd, st en
conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.

Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the ba^sk cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprim6e sont filmds en commenpant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont film6s en commengant par la
premidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la dernidre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol — ♦- (meaning "CON-
TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la
dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbole V signifie "FIN".

Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diagrams illustrate the
method:

Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre
filmds d des taux de reduction diff6rents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre
reproduit en un seul cliche, il est filmd d partir
de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite,
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images n^cessaire. Los diagrammes suivants
illustrent la m^thode.

srrata
to

pelure,
>n it

32X

12 3

■E'BartolenLR*-

BRIG. -GEN. SIK JOHN JOHNSON, BART.

■"*3»-

MhUtiml ^mt&
Mo. U

(

ORDERLY BOOK

SIR JOHN JOHNSON

DURING THE

ORISKANY CAMPAIGN, 1776-1777

ANNOTATED BY

WILLIAM L. STONE

Author of the Life and Times of Sir William Johnson, Bart.; Burgoyne's
Campaign ; Life and Journals of General and Mrs. Riedesel, &c.

with an

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION

illustrating

The Life of Sir John Johnson, Bart. ;

J. WATTS DE PEYSTER, LL.D., M.A.

•^ ANCHOR if

Author of The Life of [Swedish Field-Marshal] Leonard Torstenson

[Generalissimo], 1855; Carausuis, 1858; Winter Campaigns, &c.,

1864; The Personal and Military History of Maj. Gen.

Phil. Kearny, 1869; La Royale, The Grand Hunt of the

Army OF the Potomac, 3D-7TH Apkil, 1872-4; Mary,

guEEN OF Scots, 1882; &c., &c. '

and

SOME TRACINGS FROM THE FOOTPRINTS OF THE

TORIES OR LOYALISTS IN AMERICA

CONTRIBUTED BY

Theodorus Bailey Myers.

ALBANY
JOEL MUNSELL'S SONS.

M UCCC l.XXXll.

sf^t******^******^^

TO THE

Won. Sofin ®. Statin,

WHOSE GRANDMOTHER, JANE STARIN, SUFFERED FOR HER
PATRIOTISM DURING THE ST. LEGER CAMPAIGN".

AND TO
A FRIEND FROM BOYHOOD,

THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED,

BY THE ANNOTATOR.

H i

f i

' W

'^''aS

*.. . . ..iL-a-i- B :!

CONTENTS.

-.4

Life and Misfortunes of Sir John Johnson,
including the Battles of Oriskany and of

Klock's Field ^

Introduction to Orderly Book - - - a

Orderly Book --------

Appendix -------"" VV

I. Rev. Marinus Willett.
II. Gen. Marinus Willett.

III. Oriskany from a British Standpoint.

IV. Sir Darby Monaghan.
V. Jane Wemple Starin.

VI. Addenda consisting of additional notes.
The Tories or Loyalists in the Revolution 1 37
Indexes -------"" 3/

PLATES.

To face.

Portrait of Sir John Johnson, - - - - Title.

Portrait of Frederic de Peyster - Dedication.

Map of Mohawk Valley illustrating the

Battle of Oriskany and Klock's Field clxii

Portrait of J. Watts de Peyster - - clxv

Portrait of Barry St. Leger > -, - - 44

Portrait of King Hendrick - - - - ^3

Picture of a Batteau ------ y^

Portrait of Joel Munsell ------ 129

View of Fort Johnson ----- 1^^

Portrait of Sir William Johnson - - 159
Facsimile of Paper signed by Johnson,

Herckmer, Schuyler, and others - - 161

Facsimile of Proclamation of George III 181

Portrait of Joseph Brant . _ _ - ig6

View of Johnson Hall - - - - - - 212*

Facsimile of Washington's Letter - - 215

Facsimile of Declaration of Independence 220

fi t

Cfte Cife antr JWisfottuned

Wit]

WITH

RESPECT AND AFFECTION

THIS LABOR 18

DEDICATED

MY LATE VENERABLE FATHER,

Ixthtxit bt |)cij0ter, €€. Do

PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, NEW YORK

SOCIETY LIBRARY, ST. NICHOLAS CLUB, AND FORMERLY OF

THE ST. NICHOLAS SOCIETY,

&c., &c.,' &c.

With a grateful remembrance of the assiduity -with -whioh, at an

early age, the father inspired the son vrith literary tastes

and introduced him to the study, of history, thus

furnishing to him an inestimable resource

in trouble and a sure solace amid

many sorrows.

■■^j>mM

•**■

cla;
Th^
otli
tlie
cir(
bee
liin
Ch

r^l

.'^JJI'

PREFACE.

" Fidelity, that neither bribe nor threat
Can move or warp, and gratitude for small
And trivial favours, lasting as the life."

CowpBR, ''Task."

There is perhaps no truer proverb than that which de-
clares that '"whoever excuses himself accuses himself."
There are excei)tions, however, to this as well as to every
other rule — although, even in the case of this little work,
there would have been no necessity of explanation had
circumstances — as conceited mortality vainly imagines —
been in reality under human control. Man, let him delude
himself as he will, is anything but a free agent. As Canon
Charles Kingsley makes one of his characters sing, in
"The Saint's Tragedy,"

" 'Tis Dame Circumstance licks Nature's cubs into shape :
Tlieu why puzzle and fret, plot and dream V

He that's wise will juwt follow his nose,

Contentedly tiah, while he swims with the stream ;

'Tib no business op his where he goes."

'^All armind is forethougJd sure,
FixKD wii-ii and stern decree.
Can the sailor move the main ?
Will the putter heed the clay ?
Mortal ! where the spirit drives.
Thither must the wheels obey.
\—a

iil?

1 ;

hfll

b Preface.

" Neither ask, nor fret, nor strive :
Where thy path is, thou sJialt go.
He who made the streams of time.
Wafts tJiee down to weal or woe f "

A variety of causes delayed the preparation of the his-
torical treatise assigned to the writer, as an Introduction
to Wm. L. Stone's " Orderly Book of Sir John Johnson,
1776-7." Among these impediments was the expectation
of receiving new facts from Europe. While thus delaying,
Nature stepped in and demonstrated that a long series of
violations of her laws — one of them excessive mental
labor — would terminate in the arrest of all work.

It was at first intended to furnish a complete and de-
tailed narrative of the whole career of Sir John Johnson,
Bart., without limitation as to the space required. Sub-
sequently a definite number of pages was assigned. To
condense without injury to clearness is not only a rare
gift, but also a question of severe labor, of time, and of
thought. One of the most celebrated of English writers,
when asked to epitomize one of his diffusive works, in
order to render it more accessible to general readers, re-
marked, "I have not time to condense." It was also in-
tended to present in this connection a reprint of a rare
little work, entitled "Adventures of a Lady [Mary (Watts)
Johnson, wife of Sir John Johnson, Bart.] in the War of
Independence in America." This little duodecimo work
of 57 pp. has a very curious history, and is very valuable
as a presentation of the traditions of the Johnson family
in regard to the wrongs inflicted upon Lady Mary (Watts)
Johnson, and the sufferings undergone by her in making her

the his-

fduction

ohnson,

ectatioTi

elayiug,

series of

i mental

I and de-
Johnson,
id. Sub-
ned. To
ly a rare
e, and of
h writers,
works, in
eaders, re-
^as also in-
t of a rare
try (Watts)
the War of
3cimo work
iry valuable
iison family
ary (Watts)
. making her

Preface. o

escape from the M-^higs, patriots, or rebels, in her successful
attempt to rejoin her husband, Sir John, within the royal
lines at New York. It is the tradition of the victim, as
opposed to the legends of the victimizers ; it is the me-
morial of the persecuted, as a set-off to the stories of the
persecutors; it is the production of a cultivated mind, in
contrast to the recollections of many received as authori-
ties, among M'hom are numbered the illiterate depending
entirely upon the fallible functions of memory.

This story of Lady Johnson's "Adventures" was
written by Miss Susan Griffiths Colpoys — daughter of
Admiral Griffith Colpoys, of the British Navy — who mar-
ried Colonel Christopher Johnson, B. A., sixth son of Sir
John Johnson, Bart. She was, consequently, sister-in-
law of Adam Gordon Johnson, third Baronet, son of Sir
John, and aunt of Sir William G. Johnson, the present
and fourth Baronet, the grandson of Sir John Johnson,
the second Baronet. The publication referred to was re-
ceived, and the main particulars in regard thereto were
derived from Sir William G. Consequently, also, Mrs.
Col. Johnson had every opportunity of hearing all the
incidents from those most interested in the occurrences
and cognizant of the sad facts of the case.

It was the youngest daughter of this Mrs. Col. Chris-
topher Johnson who married Mr. Henry Curwen, who
inherited the ancestral abode of the Curwens, the historic
estate of "Workington Hall," noted as having been the
temporary residence or place of detention of Mary, Queen
of Scots, in 1568, when she fled from Scotland after her

1 ■

d Preface.

defeat at Langside, 16th of June of tliat year. Ainoni,^
the heirlooms of this family, a portrait of Mary is pre-
served, M'hich is said to have been presented by the queen
herself to Sir (Knight, not Baronet) Henry Curwen, then
master or owner of Workington Hall.

In an address delivered by the writer before the New-
York Historical Society, on Tuesday evening, Hth Janu-
ary, 1880, the case of Sir John Johnson was treated with
great care, and to this was annexed two voluminous ap-
pendices, presenting at length quotations from original
authorities which explained and bore out the views ex-
pressed in the paper itself These supplements likewise
embraced accounts of the principal actions in which Sir
John was second or chief in command. Even to cite in
this introduction the full titles of all the works examined
would occupy more space than could possibly be conceded
to such a list, and the reader must be content with the
pertinent remark of a well-known writer (James J'reeman
Clarke) w^ho says, in his introduction to the "Legend of
Thomas Didymus," "I present no list of the authorities
from which my facts are derived, but will merely say that
the result of much study may be sometimes contained in
the form given to a single sentence." To friends who
have interested themselves no thanks are sufficient for
their assistance in thought, M^ord and deed. To Gen.
Horatio Kogers, of Providence, R. I., the diligent investi-
gator and digester of the facts and fancies, the narratives
and traditions of the past ; to Col. T. Bailey Myers, of
New York city, the true friend, the generous and genial

Preface. e

collector and collator ; to Mr. Wru. I^. Stone, the pains-
taking and indefatigable historian, to Wm. C. Bryant,
Esq., of Buffalo, N. Y., the disinterested champion of the
wronged and misrepresented ; to Mr. Henry A. Homes, of
the N. Y. State L'^ i'ary, for much trouble and courtesy, —
to these and to others in lesser degree, but with great kind-
ness, the warmest gratitude is felt and acknowledged.

„ „ J. WATPS i.K PEYSTKR.

"Rose Hili,,'

Tivoli P. O., Duchess Co., N. Y.

4th July, 1883.

!■■';■

{.-

;'\

■Ak

Note. — There are few individuals in the United States who have the
Itrero/ftitive of expressing an opinion on the causes and course of the
American Revolution superior to that of the writer. Lincoln, in his
speech of siieeches, at the consecration of the; Soldiers' Cemetery at
Gettysburg, — an uttei'ance declared by English critics to be second only
to Scriptural simplicity and sublimity — said that the brave men living
and dead who struggled here — that is on the battlelield — " have conse-
crated it far above our power to add or to detract ;" " that they gave the
last full measure of devotion" to the cause that they espoused. The
writer's ancestors and relatives " gave the last full measure of devotion"
to the cause that they deemed right, and that they espoused. They were
among the most wealthy and the most influential in the province of
New York. A great great-uncle, Stephen de Lancey, was one of the most
accomplished Executives who ever administer d public affairs. His
brother was a Brigadier-General, and common relatives held commis-
sions in the British service, from general down to cornet. A great uncle,
James de Lancey, was Colonel of Light Horsemen, comprising " the
Elite of the Colon3^" His daring enterprises won for him the title of
"the Outlaw of the Bronx," and "the terror of the region," "the debat-
able ground," of Westchester County. A near kinsman and namesake was
Major of the 8th or King's Regiment of Foot. He was among the ear-
liest officers to visit Lake George ; he built the first frame building at Nia-
gara Falls ; won the affections of whites and redskins on the far lakes ;
left a work, styled " Miscellanies," which is a mine of facts for histo-
rians; rose to be colonel of his regiment, and of another, the "Dum-
fries Gentlemen Volunteers," raised to lesist J>ench invasion ; is com
niemorated in the dedication of the "Poem on Life," by a famous pri-

Prefaoe.

vatc in his corps, the poet Burns ; died full of years and honors, and
was buried with rites only equalled on one other occasion, in the grave-
yard of St. Michael's Church, lamented and revered by all who knew him.
Both grandfathers held royal commissions, the first as the last royal
Recorder of the city of New York, and the other as a captain, from 17
to 25, and was severtly wounded, but recovered. Three great-uncles by
blood were shot on the battlefield : one killed ; another desperately
wounded, losing a leg ; a third by almost a miracle esca|)ing the effects
of a rifle-shot. Another gniat-uncle by mirriage, afterwards Earl of Cas-
silis, was a captain in the British navy ; a second was Sir John Johnson;
a third (James) was major, afterwards colonel of the British artillery,
threatened by the mob with burial alive, and, escaping their rage, lost
literary treasures, the accumulati(m of a lifuMme and the nst of
lus accessible projierty. The writer's great-grandfather. President of
the King's Council, who, if the crown had succeeded, was to have been
the Lieutenant-Governor and acting Governor of the Province— in
place of his father-in-law, the distinguished Colden — who had main-
tained the rights of the people against military assumption, narrowly
escaped death at the hands of the mob, left the country, was attainted,
had his wealth confiscated a year subsequently to his departure, died
an exile, straightened in means, and laid his bones in a foreign grave.
His noble wife died of a broken heart. This list of martyrs might be
greatly augmented.

• The same Loyalty which sent these men to the front during the Re-
volution, actuated their descendants during the war of lol2-l5. The
writer's father and four uncles, beside other relatives who were of suf-
ficient age, were all in arms for the United States. One cousin, after-
wards a major-general, the conqueror of New Mexico and of Califor-
nia, died in consequence of the aggravation of i)oUtIcal rancor, nay,
persecution.

A kindred loyalty to the government sent every available relative
info the field during the Slaveholders' Rebellion, and cost the lives of
five out of six of those nearest and dearest. Loyalty, when it pays
"the last full measure of devotion," has a right to make iti^elf heard ;
Loyalty which shuns no danger and fears no consequence, is a better in-
terpreter of Duty than mere passion incited by prospective advantages.
To risk the loss of all is a better proof of honesty than the chance of
winning something in a desperate game. And it is not only injustice, but
spite that would endeavor to attribute unworthy motives to devotion
such as was testified by those who threw life, property and all that men
hold dear into the scale, and lost all from motives of Loyalty to Autho-
rity and Fidelity to the Flag.

I 1

THE JOHNSON FAMILY

OF THE MOHAWK VALLP^Y*

(Original motto of Sir William Johnson, Bart.)

"I cannot see," observes a gentleman (of New York
Whig antecedents and ancestry), at once an historical
scholar, a practical soldier and an accomplished man of
business, "how a man so formed and trusted in himself
and his family [as Sir John Johnson] could have acted
differently than he did."

In many respects the two greatest men M'ho adminis-
tered the affairs of the colony or province, or, even since,
of the State of New York, were Lieutenant-Governor,

* The following genealogy of the Johnson family is compiled from
various sources : from memoranda furnished by the present Baronet,
Sir William George Johnson, from Burke's " Peerage and Baronetage of
Great Britain, from Sabine's "Loyalists of the American Revolution,"
from Wm. L. Stone's "Life of Sir William Johnson, Bart.," &c., &c.
i

The Johnson Fom.ih/,

acting Governor, »raninH de Luncey, und Sir Willium
.roluiHon, IWt., the "Indian Turner" — the Con([uer()r at

Lake (Teor<;e in 1756, and tlie Captiirer of Niagara in
I75J). If space permitted, it M^oukl he a very interesting
and agreeahle task or duty to dear up some liistoric
douhts in regard to the first Sir William and introduce
illustrations of his ability which liave never been presented
to the American public.

It is marvellous what ridiculous nonsense has been
published in regard to the antecedents and adventures of
this remarkable man. The following is the literal truth,
furnished from a most authentic source :

"The Hon. Sir William Johnson, Bart., in America,
was the son of Christopher Johnson, Esq., of Smith-
Town, County Meath (Ireland), a gentleman of great re-
pute and renown, descended from a distinguished Irish
family,* and of Anne Warren, daughter of Michael War-
ren, Esq., of the same county, and sister of Sir Peter

* It has been bruited tliat originally the family name was not John-
son, but Jansen, and that the lirst wlio bore it and settled in Ireland was
a Hollander, who, like many of his countrymen, went over afterwiirdu
with William III. in 1690, won lands and established themselves. If this
rejmrt had a grain of truth in it, that the name should become angli-
cised immediately would be nothing remarkable, since hundreds of
similar and of far greater transmutations and travesties, some amount-
ing to simple absolute translations, occurred in tliis State within a gene-
ration after its settlement : the Feuersteins becoming Flints, tlie Muh-
lers Miller.**, &c., &c. This Jansen story, however, is a myth, like
many of the stupidities wliich are engendered by ignorance or started
through envy or other like meannesses in illiterate neighborhoods. Col.
Guy Johnson, nephew of 8ir AVilliam, always retained a touch of the
brogue. " His tongue bore evidence of his Irish extraction" (Captain
Snyder, in Stone's " Brant," II. 07.

The Johnson Family,

iii

Wurreii, Kni<;lit of the iiiost Ilonoriible Order of tlio
Bath, Vice-A(hiiiral in tiie Britisli Niivy uiuUt George II.
(and well-known for his oxi)loit8 — anion^ these his co-
oi)eration with 8ir William Pe])porcll in the famous expe-
dition ugainst Louishurg, the French Gibraltar in Amer-
ica, in 1745), and niece of Admiral Lord Ajlmer, of lial-
rath. County Meath, Ireland.

"The above Christopher Johnson was son of William
Johnson, then called MacSean or MacShane, a j^eneral of
very great repute and credit in that part of Ireland (coun-
ty Meath, whose principal river is the Boyne, famous
for the victory of William III. over James II., let July,
IfiOO), and of Anne Fitxsinnuons, of Tally nally, coimty of
Westmeath. William MacSean M'^as the son of Thomas
MacSean and Frances Fay, of the very ancient family of
Derrinaganale, county Westmeath. This Thomas MacSean
was son of John (O'Neil), from whom the MacSeans of that
family were called, and was descended from the Royal
(Irish) family of Dungannon, County Tyrone, formerly
princes of Ulster and monarchs of Ireland, " antecedent to
Christianity" and "before the coming of St. Patricke."
The family of Warren (here referred to), of Warrentown, is
the head and stock of several illustrious families of that
name in Ireland, and the founder was one of the principal
followers of Earl Strongbow when he concjuered Ireland,
1109-70. This family of Warren is descended in a direct
legal line from the Marquises of Warrene, in Normandy,
France.

According to Sir William George Johnson, Bart., there

a- -

The Johnson Family.

is an exceptional lienor attaclied to the patent of nobility
conferred npon the lirst Sir William and his son, Sir John,
which is almost unprecedented in British histoiy. The
patent which perpetuates the baronetcy in this family con-
tains a clause which gives the title of "Knight" or "Sir"
to the eldest son on his attaining his majority, an extraor-
dinary clause, as knighthood as a rule is not hereditary,
but is conferred for special services and terminates with
the life of thf> recipient.

I. WILLIAM JOHNSON, Esq. (afterwards Knight and
Hnronet), was born at Sniitli Town, County Meath, Ireland,
and subsequently adopted by his maternal uncle. Admiral Sir
Peter Warren, K. B., capturer of Louisbuig, &c., and went
out with him to North America, where he rose to the rank of
Colonel in the British Army, Major-General of the Provincial
Forces and (or) of the Militia, 16th April, 1783, and distin-
guished himself as a military commander during the French
(American) War (1754-63), and as a negotiator with Indian
tribes. He was created a Baronet 27th Nov., 1755. In 1756
he received his commission as " Colonel, Agent and Sole Snperin-
tendent of all the affairs of the Six Nations and other Northern
fndians;' " with no subordination but to Loudon (London ?)."
He died 11 th July, 1774, of chronic malignant dysentery, aged
59, at his seat, Johnson Hall, Tryon County, New York, leaving
by Catherine Wisenberg [ Weissenberg ?], his wife :

I. JOHN, his heir.

II. AxNK, married to Col. Daniel Clauss, of North

America, and died about 1708.
in. Mauy, married to Col. Guy Johnson, and had two
daughters: 1. Mary, wife of Fieki Marshal Lord
Clyde, queller of the East India Mutiny, originally
Sir Colin Campbell, and mother of Gen. Sir Guy Camp-
bell ; 2. Julia.

The Johnson Famih/. v

The son and heir of Sir William Jolinson, Bart. :
II. Sir JOHN, of Johnson Hall,*Tryon (afterwards Fulton)
County, N. Y., finally of Mount Johnson, Montreal : Colonel of
Regiment of Horse in the Northern District of New York, in
1 778 ; Major-General of the Militia belonging to the same por-
tion of the Province after the decease of his father; Lieut.-Col.
commanding the Loyal or Provincial " King's Royal Regiment
of New York," otherwise "The Queen's Loyal New Yorkers;"
or "Johnson's or Queen's Royal Greens;" Colonel, B. A., rilst
October, 1782; Brigadier-General of the Provincial Troojis,
<fec., 14th March, 1782; Superintendent-General and Inspector-

* To lurnish some idea of tlu' condition of insecurity in whit^h
the Johnson family lived, and the state of preparation maintained at the
Hall — the family home — a semi-fortification, the following order, copied
from the original by Col. T. Bailey Myers, is inserted entire.

It was by a father v/ho was so careful in his instruction, who was
so capable in the handling of men, so conscientious in his labors, adminis-
trative, executive and military, and so fortunate in his enterprises, Sir
John Johnson was brought up and prepared for the arduous career
which, absorbed the best portion of his active life.

" 1st. You will keep your Party sober and in good order and pre-
vent their having any uunecessarj^ Intercourse with the Indians least
any difi'eronce might arise between them from too much familiarity.

3d. It' any ditl'erence should arise between them, if the Indians
use any of your party ill, I am to be inunediately acquainted with it.

4th. You will in the day time keep one Sentry on the Eminence;
to the Northward of the House, who upon seeing the enemy advance
is to tire his i)iece and retreat to the Fort. Another Sentry to be posted
at the Gate of the Fort on the outside, who is also to enter the Fort on
the advanced Sentry alarming him.

8d The Sergeant to tai^e care that the Men's Quarters be kept
very Clean and that they wash well and freshen their Salt Provisions,
the neglect of which makes them subject to manj' Disorders.

7th. In case of an attack the 3 Bastions to be i)roperly manned
and the 2 curtains also, there mixing some of my People with yours.
The remainder of my People to man the Dwelling House and tight from
thence, making Use of the Four Wall Pieces and Musquetoons and of
the windows fitted for them.

fsHI

The Johnson Family.

General of tlie Six Njitions of Indiiuis .-ind their Confederates,
of all the Indians inliabiting Our province of Quebec atid the
Frontier, 16th September, 1791 (a copy of Sir John's com-
mission is appended as a note) ; * Colonel-in-Chief of the six
Battalions of the Militia of the Eastein Townships of Lower
Canada. He was Knighted at St. James', London, r22(l Nov.,

6th. Whenever an alarm is given by the advanced Sentry, you will
order three Patteroes [or Peaeroes, a very small khid of cannon] im-
mediately to be fired, that being the signal I have given to the Mo-
hawks, and on tlieir approach near the Fort, when challenged, they are
to answer "George" as distinct as they can, then to be admitted if prac-
ticable.

5th. When there are no Indians here the Gates to be locked at
8 o'clock in ye Evening and opened at Six in the Morning, first looking
around about to see that all is safe and clear, the advanced Sentry then
to be posted Every Day.

The men's arms and ammunition to be kept in Good Order.
To FoKT Johnson, I am. Sir,

Lieut. August the 9tli, 1756. Yrs.,

Alexander Turn Bull. Wm. Johnson.

Note.— On the 10th of August the Marquis de Moutcalni, who had succeeded Baron
Dieskau In command of French army, invested O.-wego. On the 13th
Cause of this the garrison, Shirley and PepperellV regiments, KiOO men, evacuated
absence. and retreated to the old fort across the river, and surrendered on 13th,

iind both forts levelled. Johnson was at Albany on the ;JOth when the
news arrived, and was sent by Ld. Loudon with two battalions of militia to German Flats
to support Gen. Webb, who had started from Albany for the relief of the garrison two
days before the surrender, but, on receiving intelligence of it, retreated with precipi-
tancy to German Flats, which ended Loudoun's campaign and disappointed and In-
censed the Six Nations, who looked for his protection, and gave Sir William nuich
trouble ; the Mohawks only remaining reliable, the others for a time negotiating for
peace with the French.

* Gen'l J. W. DE Peyster, Buffalo. March 30, 1882.

Dear Sir :— I enclose copy of Sir Jolin Johns<.n's commission as
Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs. The original is bound up
in a collection of autographs and documents in my possession, and
could not be detached without mutilation.

Possibly this may be of some slight service to you.

Very respectfully yours, Wm. C. Bryant.

[To whom the Johnson family owe a heavy debt of grtititude for

«'

The Johnson Family.

1765. (On the death of his father, Sir William (L), Sir John
positively refused to accept the succession to the former's dig-
nities and oflices in connection Avith the Indians, and they were
conferred upon his cousin, Guy Johnson, who exercised them
throughout the Revolutionary War, and thus Sir John and
Col. Guy have often been confounded, to the disadvantage of
Sir John. Sabine says, "Col. Guy Johnson's intemperate zeal
for his royal master caused the first affray in that [Tryon]
county.'') Sir John married, 30th June, 1773, Maky, daughter
of Hon. John Watts, Senior, Esq., some time President of the
King's Council of New York, and by her (who died 7th Au-
gust, 1815) lie had issue:

I. William, Lieut-Col., born 1775; married in 1802, Susan —
an extraordinary beauty — daughter of Stephen de Laii-

his noble defence of Sir John Johnson, and the writer abundant thanks
for information, rendered doubly valuable by the courtesies attendinsi;
its transmission. J. W. de P.]

GEORGE R.
[Great Skal.]

George the Third, by the Grace of God King of Great Britain,
France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our trusty and
well-beloved Sir Jolm Johnson, Bart., Greeting : We reposing especial
Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Fidelity and Ability do by these
Presents constitute and appoint you to be Superintendent General and
Inspector General of our Faithful Subjects and Allies, the Six United
Nations of Indians and their Confederates, and of their Affairs, and
also of our fiiithful Allies the Indians inhabiting Our Provinces of
Upper Canada and Lower Canada, in America, and the frontiers of our
said Provinces, and of their affairs : And you are to observe and follow
sucli Orders and Directions as you shall receive from Our Commander
in Chief of Our Forces in Our said Provinces of Upper Canada and
Lower Canada, or. in case of his absence, from the Officer who may be
left in the Command of the said Forces for the Time being.

Given at Our Court at St. James's, the Sixteenth day of Septem-
ber, 1791, In the Thirty First Year of Our Reign.

By His Majesty's Command,

Henry Di:ndas.

n;t

;

Vlll

. The Johnson Family.

\ ¥

cey, Governor of Tobago, and sister of Sir William de
Lancey, K. C. B., " Quartermaster-General of Welling
ton's army," killed at Waterloo; and died 1812, leav-
ing by her (who married secondly, 1815, General Sir
Hudson Lowe, K.C.B., and died 1832) three daughters :

1. Charlotte, married in 1820, Alexander Count

Balmain, Russian Commissioner at St. Helena,
and died in 1824.

2. Mary, died unmarried in 1814.
n. Susan, died' unmarried in 1828.

II. Adam Gordon, Hid Baronet.

III. James Stephen, Captain 28th Regiment, killed at

Badajoz, born in 1785.

IV. Robert Thomas, drowned in Canada in 1812.
V. Warken, Major 68th Regiment, died 1813.

VI. John, of Point Oliver, Montreal, Col. Com'g Gth Bat-
talion of JNIilitia, born 8th August ; 1782, married lOtli
February, 1825, Maiy Diana, daughter of Richard
Dillon, Escj., of Montreal, and died 23d June, 1841,
leaving issue :

1. William George, successor to his uncle, and

present (in 1882) Baronet.

2. Charles, Captain Madras Artillery, born 4th

February, 1833.

3. James Stephen, Lieut. 14th Foot, born 5th
March, 183G; killed at Barbadoes. ,

Ahohihald Kennedy, born 2()th June, 1839.

Maria Diana.

Anne Margaret.

Elixa Theresa.

Mary Anne.

VII. Charles CnnisrorHEU, of Argenteuil, Canada East,
born 29th October, 1798: Lieut.-Col. in the Army;
Knight of the second class of the Persian Order of the
Lion and Sun; married 1818, Susan, eldest daughter

4.
1.
2.
3.
4.

The Johnson Family.

of Admiral Sir Edward Griffiths, of Northbrook
House, Hants (Hampshire) (who took the surname of
Colpoys), and died iJOth September, 1854, leaving:

1. William, an officer in 20th Regiment, born

28th May, 1821, deceased.

2. John Okmsby, Captain Royal Navy; born 11th

August, 1822.

.'J. Charles Turquand, born 17th June, 1825, de-
ceased.

4. Edward Colpoys, born 11th August, 1855, an
officer in the Army.

1. Maria Bowes, married, 18th June, 1867, Rev.

Wm. Bell Christian, of Ewanrigg Hall, Cum-
berland, and Milntown, Isle of Man.

2. Mary Anne Susan.

viii. Archibald Kennedy, born in 1792, married, 13th Sep-
tember, 1818, Maria Johnson, daughter of Patrick
Langan, Esq., of Montreal, died 8th October, 1866.

1. Anne, married to Col. Edward Macdonnell, De-

puty Quartermaster General to the Forces in
Canada, who died in 1812.

2. Catharine Maria, one of the lo v^eliest, wisest and

best of women, married in 1805 to Major-
Gcneral Barnard Foord Bowes, an officer of
unusual ability and intrepidity, who fell in the
attack upon the forts at Salamanca, 23d June,
1 812.( See Harper's "Alison," HI., 476 (2) and
note f, and other authorities on the War in
Spain). She died at Anglesey, neai* Gosport,
England, in 1850.

3. Marianne, died 1st January, 1868.

Sir John, died 4th January, 1830, and was succeeded by
his eldest surviving son,

HI. Sir Adam Gordon, Lieut.-Col. of the 6th Battalion of
Militia, born 6th May, 1781 ; who died unmarried 21 st May,

X The John sot) Family.

1843, and was succeeded by his nephew, William (^eorgk,
the present (1882) Baronet.

IV. Sir William Georok Johnson, of Twickenham, Coun-
ty of Middlesex, Enghuid, was graduated at Woolwich, and
for the best portion of his life held a comniission in the British
Army as Captain of Artillery, and acted, in the discharge of va-
rious staff duties, at different posts, and once upon the Island of
St. Helena; born 19th December, 1830; succeeded as IV. Baro-
net at the decease of his uncle, in May, 1843.

Arms. — Argent, two lions counter-rampant, supporting a
dexter hand gules; in chief, three estoilles of the last, and in
has, a salnioii naiant in water, proper.

Crkst.— An arm, gules, encircled with a ducal crown. Or, the
hand grasping a sword, proper, poinard and hilt, Or.

Motto.- -"ATec. aspera te'n-entr ''Difficulties do not stop
{or deter) or dismay.'' " Boldness Wins."

Sir John Johnson, might have exclaimed, in the words of
Dryden :

" Fortune Ciime smiling to my youtli, and woo'd it,
And purpl'd greatness met my ripen'd years,
Wlien first I came to empire, I was borne,
On tides of people crowding to my triurnj)!! :
The wish of nations, and the willing world
Receiv'd me as its pledge of future peace.
I was so great, so happy, so belov'd.
Fate could not ruin me, 'til I took pains.
And work'd against my fortune ; chid her from me,
And turn'd her loose, yet still she came again.
My careless days, and my luxurious nights.
At length have wearied her ; and now slie's gone.
***** It

Oh ! I am now so sunk from what I was.
Thou find'st me at my low-water mark :
The rivers that ran in, and rais'd my fortunes.
Are all dried up, or take another course.
What I have left is from my native spring ;
Pve still a heart that swells ill scorn of fate."

F;s;:j,'fi(iPj

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

'• Our knowledge of the fiitiiie | ,861—5], can only be a copy of the past [1775-83!."

Th. Ribot's "Diseases 0/ Mepnory."

Ciesar.—" You must obey what ali obey, the rule

Of fix'd necessity : against her edict

Rebellion prospers not."
Arnold. — "And wlien it prospers—"

Ca>s<ir. — " ■ Tis no rebellion."

* * * ♦

Phtlibi-rt.— '• How now, fellow !

Thou waxest insolent, beyond the privilege

Of a buffoon."
CeFsar.—" You mean, I speak the truth.

I'll lie— it is as easy ; then you'll praise me

For calling you a hero."

Bvron's '^De/oriiied Trnns/ortucii" .-Xct I., Scene II.

Posselt, in his " History of Gustavus III., of Sweden." after mentioning that he has
had a number of manuscripts communicated to him by a high and competent authority,
says, "the author, although he fully agrees in opinion with the writer (of these manu '-
scripts), will not communicate them to the public, because the world will neither hea>
nor believe tlie simple truths but wishes to be deceived."

ScHi.osSER, "History of the XIX. Century:' IV., 34a.

"A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy
falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means ; ai.J my people love to have it so • and
what will ye do in the end thereof." Jeremiah V., 30, 31

ilia; "W\
[I,

There was a greater and a finer display of Loyalty t

the Government, that is, to the Union and to the Flag,

in 1861, ten times over, than of patriotism or whatever it

may be said to i-epresent, to the cause of Liberty and

Independence, that is to the Confederated Colonics, in
3— xi

HHSMM

Xll

Historical Introduction.

1775-(j, In 1861 there was a universal popular fervor at
the North, totally disinterested — an uprising of the people.*
In 1775-6, as a national feeling, it was exactly the reverse.
There were more native Americans in the course of the
Avar in the British service than Washington ever had to-
gether, regulars and irregulars, under the highest })res-
sure of voluntary and compulsory service.

Lorenzo Sabine demonstrates this, and the follow^ing
letter is too pertinent and corroborative to be omitted. It
is from the pen of a very able Federal general, and one of
the most reflecting men of this generation, who is like-
wise a collateral relation of one of the most prominent
Continental generals. In it the writer says :

" The more I read and understand the American Revolu-
tion, the more I wonder at our success. I doubt if there were
more than two States decidedly whig — Massachusetts and Vir-
ginia. Massachusetts (morally) overlapped New Hampshire —
and the northern part of Rhode Island — and dragged them
after her. [These seemed to realize the dependence of the
Second .lager in Schiller's " Wallenstein'' s Lager^'' or camp —

" Freedom must ever with might entwine,
I live and will die by Wallenstein."]

The Massachusetts people were Aryan (by race), with a strong
injection of Jewish (instincts). The population of Southern
Rhode Island and Connecticut were divided — more loyal than

* There was more patriotism shown at the North, among all classes
and conditions of men, during the first two years of the " Slaveholders'
Hebellion" than has ever been exhibited, spontaneously, by any people
in the world— far more than during the American Revolution. The
Loyalists of 1861-2 took up arms for their colors and country and for
conscience— for principle ; so did the Loyalists of 1775-6.

Historical Introd/uction.

xni

Rebel. New Y^ork was Tory. New Jersey — eastern part fol-
lowed New York, western part Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania
was Tory, Maryland was divided ; Nortli Carolina partly fol-
lowed her, partly South Carolina. South Carolina had many
Tories. Georgia followed South Carolina. Two parties con-
stituted the strength of the Whigs — the Democratic Commun-
ists of Massachusetts and wherever their organization extended
and the (Provincial) aristocracy of Virginia, which was loyal
to the King but would not bend to the aristocratic Parliament.
The Scotch (Protestant not Papist) Irish in New York, Pennsyl-
vania and North Carolina were Rebels to the backbone. The
Dutch families in New York [not in authority], the Huguenots
in South Carolina, likewise. The Church j)arty, the Germans,
the Catholic Irish and the Quakers were Loyalists. The Dis-
senters everywhere were Rebels."

Without the active assistance of France and Spain, and
the silent influence of other powers, jealous or envious or
inimical to Great Britain, the achievement of American
Independence would have been an hnpossibility. When
the goal was reached how did the Confederated Colonies,
transnmted into the United States, show their gratitude
to France and Spain?

Again, there was more honesty, mercy, magnanimity,
more charity or philanthropy manifested to the liebels in
1865, than to their brethren, if they were so in fact, by tlie
Colonial authorities in 1782-8. The Duke of Alva was
scarcely more cruel for liis race, day, prejudices and
opportunities than the authorities of the State of New
York, for their blood and their era. Not one sentence of
this introduction is written to uphold Great Britain. Even
accepting Lecky's depreciatory estimate of George III.

I il

XIV

Jlistorlcal Introduction .

and his ministry, notliing can excuse the animus which
jiormeates the enactments of New York against the Loyal-
ists, stigmatized as Tories, who were certainly as honest
and self-sacrificing in their convictions as their opponents.

The uprising of 18H1 settled the interpretation or
(letinition of Loyality — Fealty to the Government and
Fidelity to the Flag! If there was any man in the
Cohmies who was a decided enemy to the Crown it was
.John Adams, and yet he it was who declared, or rather
wrote these remarkable words :

" For my own part there was not a moment during the
lievolution when I would not have given anything I
possessed for a restoration to the state of things before the
contest began, provided we could have a sufficient security
for its continuance."

The idea thus expressed by John Adams with the pen,
was nothing more than Sir John Johnson MTote in fiercer
colors with the sword, at the sacrifice of such a magnificent
property that John Adams would have regarded a portion
of it as an elegant competency.

What have Native Americans gained by all that has
been undergone? Would their leaders have taken the
stand that they did, if they could have looked foi'ward
and foreseen the present condition of things ? Is material
prosperity the highest good ? The wish has been attributed
to Jefferson, the "Apostle of Democracy?" that an ocean
of fire rolled between his country and the old world, to pre-
serve it from the evils of emigration. Foreigners in a
great measure engineered the American Revolution. How

Wixtorli'dJ Introiht'fhni.

iiiMTiy Hgured at tlie head of our Hrinics ^ How many
iiiHiicticod the resolutions of Congress? Of twenty-eight
active major-generals — there were thirty, but one re-
signed 28(1 April, 177t>, and one was retired in 1778 —
eleven were foreigners, and four had learned their trades
in tlie British service. Throwing out those who were
promoted, of the fifty-tive brigadiers, between 1775 and the
elose of tlie war in 1 7^2, twelve were foreigners.

The two chief agents of inde})endence were Benjamin
F'ranklin and Thomas Paine. The tirst was an accidental
American, just born in this country, and the latter an
Englishman.

Individual rights are more respected and regarded to-
day in Great Ibitain, and the law is held in more rever-
ence there than in the Uirited States. Here license dictates
the laws and a respectable minority has to sutler and suc-
cmnb. There is no law but public opinion, right or wrong,
and the atrocious influence of political greed and grasping
monopoly. Is that worse than a royal will, tempered by
a constitutional representation i

The atmosphere breathed by so many of the prominent
American families of Ncm'^ York was surcharged with Loy-
alty and Fidelity to a rightful Prince. Whether tlie idea was
wise or foolish, right or wrong, nothing was considered as
much a man's personal duty as the maintenance of his honor.
The young and charming Lord James Radcliffe, Earl of
Derwentwater, tlie idol of the Jacobites, was beheaded*

* "Lord Dkkwkni'watkk's Lights. — There have been several
wonderful and most unusual displays of aurora borcalis in England

■M

XVI

Jlistoi'ical Introd uctlon .

24th Fobnmry, 171fi ; tliat is, on tlic very day, it is
claimed by Col. T. Ruiley Myers, that Sir William John-
son was born, and the wild fervor of Jacobite Loyalty whs
still alive when Sir John mus a boy. The world was yet
ringing with the thrilling, tonching and trumpet-toned
ballads which celebrated the virtues and sacrifices of those
who dared and died for the Stuarts. With such examples
before them, men who had been elevated and rewarded by
the Crown would have been false to maidiood if they had
not stood by the source of honor whose streams had en-
nobled and enriched them.

Contrast Lord Dkrwkntwater's famous " Good Nieht"
with a similar poem, evoked by the exile and ruin of the
Westchester de Lanceys. The same spirit manifests itself
in both.

lately, .seriously aflectintf, as they have done here, the telegraphic
communication. In Norfhumberfand, the aurora borealis is icnown
among the peasantry by the name of Lord Derwentvvater 8 Lights. In
the attempt to place the Stuarts on the throne, the Earl of Derwent-
water, head of the great Roman Catholic north country family of
Radcliffe, took a conspicuous part, and paid the penalty on the scaffold.
On the night of his execution there was a brilliant display of the
aurora borealis, and the simple peasantry, by whom their lord, a man
of high and amiable character, was greatly beloved, associated the
phenomena with the death of the unfortunate young nobleman.

"There is also a legend, which yet lingers amidst the homesteads of
the property which once was his, that the water in the moat of Dilstone
Castle, the family seat, turned blood red on that same fatal night.
This notion is likely to have arisen from the reflection of the sky
[crimson with the aurora] in the water. Tlie vast estates of the Rad-
clifl'es were confiscated to the endowment of Greenwich Hospital, and
are now worth about £60,000 a year. A maniac, calling herself
Countess of Derwentwater, has lately been claiming them." Post
Nov. 29, 1870.

IHstorical Introduction.

XVII

" Farewell to i)lt'aH)int DilHton Hall,

My father' H ancient neat ;
A Mtranf/er imw iniigt call thee Ma,

Wliicli garH my heart to greet.
Farew<'ll each friendly well-known face,

My heart has held so dear;
My tenants now muni leave their lundii,

Or hold their lives in fear*

" No more along the banks of Tyne,

I'll rove in autumn grey ;
No more I'll hear at early dawn,

Tlu' lav" rocks wake the day.
Then fare thee well, brave Witherington,

And Forster ever true ;
Dear Shaftesbury and Errlngton.

Receive my last adieu.

"And fare thee well, George Collingwood,

Since fate has put ub down,
j^ If thou and I have lowt our lives.
Our King has lost his crown.
Farewell, farewell, my lady dear,

111, ill thou counsell'dst me ;

/ 7iever more may see the babe

That smiles upon thy knec.\

" And fare thee well, my bonny grey steed,:):

That carried me aye so free ;
I wish I had been asleep in ray bed,

The last time I mounted thee.
This warning bell now bids me cease.

My trouble's nearly o'er ;

* True to the letter as regards ihe tenants and dependents of Sir
John Johnson.

f Lady Johnson's child, born in captivity, died in consequence of
the exposure attending her escape from the Whigs or Rebels, and Sir
John only looked upon it to see it die.

X Sir John Johnson had a famous (white or whitey-grey V) charger,
which was captured during the invasion of 1780. (See Simm's "Scho
harie," 386.)

xviii Historical Introduction.

Yon Sun that rises from the sea,
Shall rise on nie no more.

"Albeit that here in London town,

It is my fate to die ;
O carry me to Nortlmmberland,

In my ftvther's grave to lie !
Then chant my solemn requienj,

In Hexham's holj'^ towers ;
And let six maids of fair Tynedale,

Scatter my grave with flowers.

"And when the head that wears the crown,

Shall be laid low like mine,
Some honest hearts may then lament.

For Radclitte's fallen line.
Farewell to pleasant Dilston Hall.

My father's ancient seat ;
A stranger now must call thee his,

Vv hich gars my heart to greet."

The toucliing lines, just quoted, are echoes of similar
heart-utterances of every nation wdiich has a literature,
and M^hich has been torn by civil war. Several poems of
exquisite pathos attest the deep feeling of the Huguenot
exiles driven by bigotry from France and from the sunny
homes they were never again to behold. Many years ago,
among old family records, the writer found some verses in
manuscript which embody the same sentiments as those
which characterize " Lord, Derwent water's Good Night."
They refer to the desolation which fell upon the domain in
Westchester County, N. Y., where his grandfather, Hon.
John Watts, Jr., married, 2d October, 1775, the lovely
Jane de Lancey— a couple so fitted for each other in
every respect, that the festival was suitably commemorated
in prose and |)oetry. The gentle Jane was the niece of

IRstori^^al Introduction .

XIX

Lady Johnson, wife of Sir John, and the sister of tlie
famous Colonel James de Lancey, who organized a Battalion
of Loyal Light Horse. "This Troop [the nucleus] is
truly 'Elite' of the country,'' is the record of the Royal
G( \ jrnor. Their commander, stigmatized by his oppo-
nents as the "Outlaw of the Bronx," became "the terror
of the region" between the Harlem river and the High-
lands. He was fearless and indefatigable, and, on one
occasion, came near "gobbling" Washington. So formid-
able did he prove, that Washington's "first offensive de-
sign" — after his junction with Lauzun's Legion and the ad-
vanced corps of Rochambeau — was an attempt to destroy
de Lancey' s Legion. This, like that of Lauzun, Pulaski,
Arniand and "Light Horse Harry" Lee, comprised botli
Horse and Foot. The enterprise was undertaken on the
night of 1st July, 1781. It failed completely.

When the success of the Americans was decided, Colo-
nel James de Lancey, the hero of so much sterling fact and
romantic fiction, went forth an exile — a sad fate for so brave
and conscientious a soldier, although he was rewarded by
the bounty and confidence of the King for whom he liad
lost all. He was a nephew of Sir John Johnson. When
about to leave forever his ancestral liome, the " "Outlaw
of the Bronx' mounted his horse, and, riding to the dwell-
ings of his neighbors [early associates and constant
friends through life] bid them each farewell. His paternal
fields and every object presented to his view were associ-
Jited with'the joyful recollections of early life. The con-
sciousness that he beheld them all for the last time, and

-am

Historical Introduction.

the uncertainties to be encountered in the strange country
to which banishment was consigning him, conspired to
awaken emotions sncli as the sternest bosom is sometimes
compelled to entertain. It was in vain that he struggled
to suppress feelings whicli shoo.k his iron heart. Nature
soon obtained the mastery, and he burst into tears. After
weeping with uncontrollable bitterness for a few moments,
lie shook his ancient friend b}' the hand, ejaculating with
difficulty the w^ords of benediction — 'God bless you,
Theophilus [Bailey] !' and spurring forward, turned his
back forever upon his native valley"— the home of the
writer's great-grandparents on the mother's side.

The following feeling lines M^ere written by a stranger,
an Englishman, who visited the old de Lancey manor, in
Westchester County, N. Y., expecting to find there, still
existing, some memorials of that gallant, courtly and emi-
nent race w^hich once directed the development of the
colony and province. But, alas, in the same manner that
war, exile, confiscation and death had smitten and scat-
tered the proud owners, even so had flood, fire and change
laid waste or altered their ornate possessions. A solitary
pine., towering aloft in natural majesty, alone survived to
mark the spot where once a flourishing loyal race ex-
tended its stately hospitalities, and enjoyed the sweets of
a home, the abode of prosperity and the shelter of extra-
ordinary hereditary capacity. A contrast so marked be-
tween the past and the present moved even the alien, and
in poetic numbers he testified his sympathy and recorded
the desolation :

Historical Introduction.

XXI

" Where gentle Bronx clear winding flows

His shadowing banlcs between ;
Where blossom'd bell and wilding rose

Adorn the brightest green ;
Memorials of the fallen great,

The rich and honor'd line,
Stands high in solitary state,

De Lancey's ancient jnne.

" There, once at early dawn array'd.

The rural sports to lead.
The gallant master of the glade

Bestrode his eager steed ;
And once the light-foot maiden came,

In loveliness divine,
To sculpture with the dearest name,

De Lancey'a ancient pine.

"And now the stranger's foot explores

De Lancey'a wide domain,
And scarce one kindred heart restores

His memory to the plain ;
And just like one in age alone,

The last of all his line
Bends sadly where the waters moan—

De Lancey^s ancient pine.

" Oh greatness ! o'er thy final fall,

The feeling heart should mourn.
Nor from de Lancey'a ancient Hall

With cold rejoicing turn :
No ! no ! the satiate stranger stays

When eve's calm glories shine,
To weep— as tells of other days

De Lancey'a ancient pine."

rF!%^ ■" i

THE AMERICAN LOYALISTS.

"At the conclusion of a long war, how are we recompensed for the death of multitudes
•md the expense of millions, but by contemplating the sudden glories of paymasters and
agents, contractors and commissaries, whose equipages shine like meteors, and whose
palaces rise like exhalations." * Dr. Johnson.

"Thus perished the party of the Gironde ; reckless in its measures, culpable for its
rashness, but illustrious from its talents, glorious in its fall. It embraced all the men who
were philanthropists from feeling, or Republicans from principle ; the brave, the humane,
the benevolent. But with them were also combined within its ranks numbers of a baser
kind ; many who employed their genius for the advancement of their ambition, and were
careless of their country provided tRey elevated their party. It was overthrown by a fac-
tion of coarser materials, but more determined character, * * ♦ Adorned by
the most splendid talents, supported by the most powerful eloquence, actuated at times
by the most generous intentions, it perished * * * Such ever has, and ever
will be, the result of revolutionary convulsions in society when not steadily opposed in
the outset by a firm union of the higher classes of the community ; in the collision of oppo-
site factions the virtuous and the moderate will too often be overcome by the reckless and
the during. Prudence clogs their enterprise; virtue checks their ambition; humanity
paralyzes their exertions. They fall because they recoil from the violence which becomes,
in disastrous times, essential to command success in revolutions."

Ai.i.son's ^''History of Europe y'' II., ix., 214, 2.

FfU'tmiately for the colonies, Carleton was not in favor
with the British authorities at home, and Burgoyne, sub-
stituted in 1777, had neither the wisdom nor the generosity
to develop an elehient of strength which Carleton had found
so efficacious and trustworthy. Clinton, in this regard,

* This sentence was adopted as the motto of a somewhat scarce
" History of the First Ten Years of George III.," London, 1788, written
by (Robert ?) Macfarlane, who kept an academy at Walthamstow, in
Essex County, England, seven miles N.N.E. of London.
xxii

The Aiiierican Loyalists.

xxiii

imitated Biirgoyne. The German, Kny})hau8en, strange
to say, was the first to perceive tlie truth and organize a
military organization of the Loyalists that could be relied
on upon every occasion. He raised, in 1779-80, six thou-
sand good troops among the citizens of New York, wdiicli
made this city — the grand base of the British forces — se-
cure. A course similar to that of Carleton, after the cap-
ture of Savannah by Campbell, in December, 1778, enabled
Provost to convert Georgia almost entirely from rebellion
to loyalty. Clinton, in 1777, w^as as unwise on the Lower
Hudson as Burgoyne had been on the Upper. Cornwallis
had all the sense of Carleton without his astuteness. His
advice to the Loyalists of the Carolinas was admirable. He
counselled them not to take up arms and embody until he
was near enough at hand to protect and support them ; until
they had gathered strength to stand and go alone. His
policy in this regard would have worked wonders, had it
not been for the intervention of a new element, which had
not entered into the calculations of any of the Royal com-
manders. This "w^as the appearance upon the scene of the
mountaineers of the AUeghanies, who were aroused to
action by the fugitives from the districts occupied by the
temporary victors. Cornwallis, although severe, was just ;
and it is somewhat remarkable that it was not until 1866
that a little book appeared, entitled "The Last Ninety
Days of the War in North Carolina," in which justice is
done to the previously misrepresented Marquis. Cornwal-
lis did hang a number; but American historians are very
careful not to state that those hanged were taken "red

XXIV

The Ai)ierican Loyalists.

hand," "with American arms in their hands and with
British protections in their pockets." It was only through
the generosity of Cornwallis that the Loyalists with him
in Yorktown were enabled to get off with safety when the
place was taken.

The whole of this matter is misunderstood, and has
never been clearly placed before the people.

Too many of the influential Loyalists acted in 1775-6
like the French nobility in 1790-2. Louis de Lomenie, in
his "Comtesse de Rochefort et ses Amis" (p. 297), has
some remarks on this subject which are pertinent.

"To explain so prompt a downfall of the French aristocracy
of the eighteenth century, writers have often urged the in-esist-
ible impetuosity of the Democratic movement. We do not deny
this impetuosity, but it is nevertheless necessary to recognize
that if this aristocracy, in place of being a mere shadow of what
it should have been, had retained tlie vigor of an eflfective patri-
ciate (higher or better class) and a living body, it would not with-
out utility, perhaps, for the cause of liberty, have tempered the
revolutionary movement, or, at least, have opposed to it a stronger
resistance than it did. It was broken at the first shock, because
this formerly flourishing branch of the great national tree"

was not true to itself. Lomenie goes on to give other rea-
sons which were peculiar to France, whereas in America,
although the causes were apparently different, they were
at bottom the same, viz.: the better classes had "given
hostages to fortune," and this, according to the proverbs
of all time, unnerves men until it is too late.

It is inconceivable how the Loyalist strength in the co-
lonies was misapplied, frittered away or wasted. The re-

The American Loyalists.

XXV

suit only shows that in all revolutions the Middle or
Neutral — generally styled the Conservative — party only
embarrass the Ultras on one side in support of the govern-
ment, and aid the Eadicals, on the other side, by attempt-
ing to arrest or mediate ; thus affording time for the organi-
zation of the latter, which converts rebellion into revolution.
In all political crises or cataclysms, a renaissance
through blood, the best, the conservative class, the cham-
pions of right, pure and simple, furnish the first and the
bulk of the victims. Thus it was in America. The daring
and reckless with comparatively little to lose, with grand
exceptions, it is true, fell upon the intellectual and wealthy,
who adhered to the government under which they had
thriven. The myrmidons of the Crown — selfish, indolent,
self-satisfied professionals — were as cruel in their inaction as
the leaders of faction were merciless in their exactions. The
persecution of the Tories was determined with cold-blooded
calculation, since the Saxon can not plead in excuse the
excitability of the Celtic or Latin races ; what he does he
does advisedly. Nor w^as the desertion of the Loyalists
at the Peace of Paris, 1783, less disgraceful on the part
of Great Britain. It was fiercely denounced in the House
of Commons; it was justly stigmatized in the House of
Lords. Even Lord St. Germain redeemed himself in a
measure by his eloquent advocacy of the brave party
who had abandoned everything for honor — principle, the
mother-country; its highest representative of these, the
Crown. Lorenzo Sabine has demonstrated all this, laid
open the iniquity, revealed the truth, vindicated the

''"' '' im

XXVI

The American Loyalists.

Loyalists or Tories ; for the term Tory, as used in re-
gard to a party adverse to Kebellion or Revolution, dur-
ing- 1775 to 1783, is a title of honor and not a term of
reproach.

When the difficulties between the Crown and the
Colonies first began to develop into positive ideas of ulti-
mate resistance on the side of the latter, the party for inde-
pendence was in a comparatively small minority and con-
finod to particular disaffected localities. If the whole popu-
lation had then resolved itself into two camps, the matter
might have been decided promptly and for many years to
come. As it happened, those who had much to lose were
too timid to act instantly and resolutely ; and those who had
little or nothing to lose became bolder and bolder in the pres-
ence of an irresolute antagonism, M'hich M'as not backed by
a military force sufficient absolutely to overaw^e. Massachu-
setts was muiuestionably in earnest from the first ; but an-
tagonism to the Crown was its normal condition. It had
always been the hot-bed of what might be harshly termed,
from a British point of view, sedition. Although the
first bloodshed occui-red in New York, on the 19tli-20th
January, 1770, it would not have led to any comparatively
general outbreak, had it not been for the terrible uproar
following the second bloodshed at Boston, 5th March,
1770, and the consequences which ensued from the latter.
The very assemblage which considered the Declaration of
Independence, in 1776, did not unanimously vote or agree
in the act to sever the connection between the colonies and
the mother country. The date accepted, 4th of July, is in-

The American Loyaliata.

XXVIl

correct; and tlje Declaration was juggled throiigli, and the
signatures were appended from time to time throughout the
year, if not a longer period. This accounts for the irre-
gular manner tliey ap[)ear on the document, since the latest
were inserted wherever a vacant space was found. It be-
came a sort of test oath.

The Judge published an admirable burlesque, or pa-
rody, or caricature of Trumbuirs famous picture of "The
Signing." It depicts the representatives in very dila})i-
dated conditions, with blackened eyes, bruised bodies, torn
clothes and general tokens of an aflfray, drawing near to affix
their signatures at the table where Hancock presides look-
ing like tlie genius of an Irish wake. There is as much
truth as poetry in the conception, for the Declaration was
not agreed to with anything like unanimity or the generally
conceived harmony.

There is eomething very curious about the respect as-
tached to this "4tli of July." The first Congress of the
Colonies signed a "Conqjact of Union" (li. W. (Jr.'sG.W.
and his Gens.," II., 15), on the 4th of July, 1754, at Al-
bany. This may account for the selection of this day in
177H. The fact that two of our ex-Presidents, who had
signed the Declaration, died on the same date, added ad-
ditional significance, which a series of victories, from East
to West along the whole line on the same day, in 1868,
confirmed in the minds of the people.

The Loyalists, confiding in the power of the CroMMi,

did not take up arms as soon as their adversaries ; and

thus, when they did begin to embody, they were at once
6

%■'

JjV;;

i ■

XXVlll

The American Loyalists.

crushed by stronger and better organized masses. The
British professional leaders — as a rule throughout all time,
and especially in this country— with the usual arrogance
of their caste, neither sought to utilize, support nor protect
their friends Avhen they did come together, and even
treated them with superciliousness and neglect, if they did
not absolutely sacrifice them when they appeared as auxil-
iaries. Carleton was the first who had the wisdom to
call this element into play, and through it he saved Canada,
just as the French had previously lost Xcm' France through
a contrary course to his, amounting to the same subse(|U(^nt
lack of judgment on the part of the royal British military

governors.

SIR JOHN JOHNSON,

KNIGHT AND BAllONET.

BoHN 5th Nov.. i7ii. Dibd 4th Jan., WiO.

"The Past appeals to the impartiality of the P'uture. History replies. But, often,
generations pass away ere that reply can be given in a determinate form. I'or not
until the voices of contemporaneous panegyric and censure are hushed ; not until passionate
pulses have ceased to beat ; not until flattery has lost its power to charm, and calumny to
vilify, can the verdict of history be pronounced. 'J'hen from the clouds of error and pre-
judice the sun of truth emerges, and light is diffused in bright rays, of ever increasing
refulgency and breadth. * * * Every age has its own heroes — men who seem to em-
body the prevailing characteristics of their relative epochs, anil to present to after ages
the idealized expression of their chief tendencies. Such men must be judged by no ordi-
nary standard. History must view their actions as a whole, not subject them to separate
tests, or examine them through the lenses of partial criticism and narrow-minded prejudice."
Oscar II., King of Sweden, in his "/.//<■ <•/ C/iar/es A'//."

" I would serve my king ;
Serve him with all my fortune here at home.
And serve him with my person in the wars ;
Watch for him, fight for him, bleed for him, and die for him,
As every true-born subject ought !"

Thomas Otwav's Tragedy, '^T/te Orphan" 1680.

Perhaps no man in "tlie Colonies" who adhered to

tlie Crown, lias been so cruelly misjudged and consistently

misrepresented as Sir John Johnson. Every possible

charge, derogatory to him, has been raked up and

brought out against him. Why? Because he did not

submit quietly to what he deemed injustice, but struck

back boldly and severely — made himself felt, made those
xxix

i\X

sir John Johnmn.

suffer who cuiisod him to Huft'er. Ho was the only Lt)jal-
ist who had tfie opportunity to force the bitter clialico
whicli lie had been eonipelled to drain, back u])on the lips
of those who filled it for hini, and in turn obliged them to
(luaff the same hateful (lrau«;ht. The de Lanceya and many
other Loyalists fought just as boldly and as bitterly, and
as persistently, but they never had the same opportunity
as Sir John to make every fibre of antagonism <piiver.

The father of Sir John Johnson —the subject of this me-
moir—was the famous Sir William Johnson, Bart., Colo-
nel in the Royal Army, Major-General in the Provincial
service and British Superintendent of Indian Affairs.
This gentleman was, perhaps, the most prominent man in
the province of New York during the decade wliich ])receded
the Declaration of Independence. Peter Van Schaack, a
very noted lawyer of the period, wrote, July, 1774, a few
days after the Baronet's decease: "I own, I consider him
as the GREATEST CHARACTER OF THE AOK." If ever there
was a leader who deserved the Corona Oleagina* of
the Romans, it was Sir AVilliam. Whether a Jansen— a
descendant of one of those indomitable Hollanders who
'assisted to subdue Ireland, and anglicised their names—
or of English race, proper. Sir William M^as a strong ex-
ample of those common-sense men who know how to
seize Fortune by the forelock and not clutch in vain the

* This Corona Oleagina, was a wrcatli of olive leaves and the re-
ward of a con mander through whose Instrumentality a triumph had
been obtained though not himself in the action by which it was
achieved. Aul. Gbi.l., V., 0. ; Rich. Dict., R. & G. A.

/Sf'r John John Hon.

XXXI

tresses M'liich flow down lior r<^cedin<j buck. Ho opened
to ennfifratioii two of the most productive valleys in
the world — the Moluiwk and Schoharie; and with the
development of their riches rose hini:ielf to a heiu^ht of
o])uk'nce aii<l influence unequalled in the "Thirteen
Colonies." Just in his dcalinjLTs with all men, he was
particularly so with the Indians, and accpiircd a })ower
over the latter such as no other individual ever ])osscssed.
Transferred from ci\ il jurisdiction to military connnand he
exhibited no less ability in the more dangerous exi<ijen-
cies of war, than in the laborious services of peace.
He, it was, wlio first stennned the tide of French
invasion, and turned it at Lake George, in 1755; le-
ceiving botli from his sovereign and from Pai-liament
a grateful recognition of his extraordimiry services.
Nor were the peopl- of the Province of New York less
demonstrative in tin applai se or appreciative of his
achievements. At "Johnson Hall" he lived in truly
baronial state, and no other jirovincial magnate ever ex-
hibited such affluence and grandeur as was displayed by
him in his castle and home (Fort Johnson) on the Mohawk.
His greatest achievement, in immediate as well as
ultimate results, was his victory at Lake George over the
veteran Dieskau, 8th August, 1755. New England,
always jealous of New York, has endeavored as usual
to transfer the laurels from Johnson to one of her own
people. As king, country and countrymen accorded the
honor and reward to Johnson, "success," in his case,
"proved the test of merit." That there were New Eng-

+ ftp*;

xxxn

Sir John Johnson.

landers w\\o could estimate Johiisoii at his true value, let
the following letter (Stone's "Sir W. J.," I., 521) attest. It
is from Surgeon Williams, of Massachusetts, to his wafe in
Deerfield in that colony. It bears the date of the very
day of the battle, M^hicli, by the way, M^as exactly a njonth
less a day subsequent to Braddock's defeat; the Provin-
cial by his ability redeeming in Xew York the incapacity
of the Professional and Eegular in Pennsylvania:"

"I must say," wrote Williams, "he [Johnson] is a complete
gentleman, and willing to please and oblige all men ; familiar
and free of access to the lowest sentinel ; a gentleman of un-
common smart sense and even temper; never saw him in a
ruffle, or use any bad language — in short, I never was so dis-
appointed in a person in the idea I had of him before I came
fiom home, in my life ; to sum up, he is almost universally be-
loved and esteemed by otKcers and soldiers as a second Marl-
borough for coohisss of head and loarmness of hearV

His next exploit, scarcely less notable and result! ve, was
the defeat of a superior French force seeking to relieve
Fort Niagara, and his capture of this noted stronghold,
24th July, 1759. The distinguished British general and
military historian, Sir Edward Oust, in his "Annals of
the Wars," refers in the following language to this not-
able exploit of Sir William: "This gentleman, like Clive,
was a self-taught general, who, by dint of innate courage
and natural sagacity, without the help of a military edu-
cation or military experience, rivalled, if not eclipsed the
greatest commanders. Sir William Johnson omitted no-
thing to continue the vigorous measures of the late gene-

Sh' John JohuHon.

XXXlll

ral [Prideuux, killed] and added to tlieni everything bis
own genius could suggest. The troops, who respected,
and the provincials, Mdio adored him," were not less de-
voted than the Six JSTations of Indians, w^ho gladly fol-
lowed his own ever fortunate banner and the less fortunate
guidon of his no less valiant and loyal son.

Thus, with a sway hard to comprehend at the present
day, beloved, respected and feared by law-breakers and
evil-doers, the mortal enemies of his semi-civilized wards —
the Six Nations — he lived a life of honor ; and died, not
by his own hand, as stated by prejudiced tradition, but a
victim to a chronic debilitating disease, and to that ener-
gy which, although it never bent in the service of king or
country, had to yield to years and nature. Sick, and
thereby une([ual to the demands of public business, he
presided at a council, 11th July, 1774, spoke and directed,
until his ebbing strength failed, and could not be restored
by the inadequate remedial measures at hand on the bor-
ders of the wilderness. To no one man does central
New York owe so much of her physical development as
to Sir William Johnson.

Wedded, in 1739, to a Tlollandish or German maiden,
amply endowed with the best gifts of nature, both physical
and mental, "good sound sense, and a mild and gentle
disposition," Sir William was by her the father of one
son, born in 1742, and two daughters. The latter are
sufficiently described in a charming, Mell-known book,
entitled "The Memoirs of an American Ladv" — Mrs.
Grant, of Laggan. The former was Sir John Johnson, a

XXXIV

Sir Jolin Joltnson.

more lieroic representative of tlie transition era of this
State, tlian those whom Success, and its />w^e— Hi tory,
have placed in the national '' Walhalla/' While yet a
youth this son accompanied his father to his fields of battle,
and, Mdien the generality of boys are at school or college,
witnessed two of the bloodiest conflicts on which the fate
of the colony depended. He had scarcely attained major-
ity Mdien he was entrusted wath an independent command,
and in it displayed an ability, a fortitude, and a judg-
ment worthy of riper years and wider experience.

Sent out to England by his father in 1765, "to try to
wear off the rusticity of a country education, '' immediately
upon his presentation at court he received from his
sovereign an acknowledgment— partly due to the reputa-
tion of his parent, and partly to his own tact and cai)acity
—such as stands alone in colonial history. Although his
fathei-. Sir William, \vas already a knight and baronet for
service to the crown, John was himself knighted, at the
age of twenty-three ; and thus the old-new baronial hall
at JohnstoAvn sheltered tvA'-o recipients, in the same family
and generation, of the accolade of chivalry. There is no
parallel to this double knighthood in American biography,
and but few in the family annals of older countries.

This M^as the era when "New York was in its happiest
state."

In the summer of 1773, and in his thirtieth year. Sir
John Johnson married the beautiful Mary — or, as she was
affectionately called, "Polly "—Watts, aged nineteen.

Sir John Johnmn.

XXXV

Mrri. Grant, of Laggan, has left is a cliariniiig pen-portrait
of this bright maiden.

Inheriting his father's dignities and responsibilities,
Sir John Johnson conld not have been otherwise than a
champion of his sovereign's rights. If he had turned his
coat to save his property, lik^ some of the prominent
patriots, he would have been a renegade, if not worse.
Some of the lights of patriotism had already cast longing
glances upon his rich possessions in the Mohawk Valley.
Its historian intimates (Simms, 120) that in a successful
rebellion the latter counted upon dividing his princely
domains into snug little farms for themselves. The germ
of anti-rentism was developing already ; although it took
over sixty to seventy years to thoroughly enlist legislative
assistance, and perfect spoliation in the guise of modern
agrarian law. Surrounded by a devoted tenantry, backed
by those "Romans of America," the "Six Nations,"
those "Indians of the Indians," the Iroquois, it was not
easy "to bell the cat" by force. It is neither politic nor
intended to revive hereditary animosities by the mention
of nanies. Sufficient to say, might prevailed over right,
and Sir John was placed imder what the Albany Com-
mittee choose to define a "parole." Modern courts of
inquiry, especially in the United States since 1860, have
decided that such a vaurue svstem of parolinii' is in itself
invalid, and that individuals subjected to such a ])rocedure
are absolved de facto from any pledges.

It is both persistent and po[)ular to charge Sir John with

having broken his parole. Before even entering into the
6

«5

'i.

XXXVl

Sir John Johnson.

([uestion, it is simple justice to rebut the charge by deuiah
riis superiors did not recognize it, and able men accpiainted
M^tli military law are not unanimous in holding tluit a
parole, imposed, as it was upon him, \^'as binding either in
law or honor. But, even if it were valid, he did not break
it, since the very self-constituted authority that imposed it,
abrogated it by its own action.

There are two i)artie8 to every contract, legal, equitable
or honorable, and if one party uses duplicity and manifests
the intention to alter an agreement by a jirocedure which
would completely change the relation of the parties, what-
ever, great oi- small, could come within or under the legal
signification of fraud, or even deception, or "a snare,"
abrogates every contract. If Sir John gave a i)ai-ole to
any parties having power to exact it, he was entitled to
every right and privilege conferred by a parole. If using
the i)arole as a blind, those by whom it was exacted, un-
dertook to withdraAv it simultaneously with the substitu-
tion of an order for his arrest and close and severe confine-
ment, and the latter could only be effected by treachery
to the obligations of the former, common justice must
concede that the discovery of' such an intention put
an end to the obligation of the parole. The treatment of
Lady Johnson subsequent to her husband's escape is the
very best proof of the animus which dictated the course
against Sir John. If a body in authority could hold the
utmost penalty over the head of a hcljJess woman, detained
as a hostage, it is only tair to believe that there woidd have
been no mercy shown to the defiant husband. The little

Sir John Johnson.

XXX VI 1

rare work already cited in tliese pages as an authority,
" The Adventures of a Lady in the War of Inde])endence
in America," sets forth tlie cruelty exliihited tow^ards Lady
Johnson, and, until that can be shown to be false, it must
be accepted as a trustworthy witness.

The treatment of Madame de Lavalette, by tlie French
government, for co-operating in the escape of her Inisband,'
condemned to death for his adherence to Napoleon in 1815,
has always been considered an indellible stigma upon it.
General Cust pronounces him innocent of '•''treachery.''^
Still, although this lady suffered a rigorous solitary con-
finement of twenty-six days, no one dreamed, even at this
period, of the intensest feeling and bitterest animosity, or
intimated, that she should, or would be, held as a hostage
for the conduct of her husband. "Now, Madam," is the
language addressed to Lady Johnson, as quoted by her
daughter-in-law, Mrs. Colonel Christopher Johnson, "My
connnand does not extend beyond this province; but, if
8ir John comes one foot within my district with his mur-
derous allies — your fate is sealed ! "How, sir; what do
you mean? What can I do!" gasped the lady, overcome
for the moment by the information and the manner in
Avhich it was conveyed. "1 mean, Madam, that if your
husband lets his Indians go on scalping our people, we canH
prevent then shooting you '^' * Your case. Madam, is
different from all others. Sir John [Col. Guy was Superin-
tendent of the Indians, not Sir John] has power over the
Indians, whom no one else can control. We have no wish
to injure you individually ; but we must save our people

XXXVllI

sir John Johnson.

tVoiii liis savages. We hold i/ou and yoxir children ax host-
(Kjes ; and wo consider that another such descent as the

Indians made yesterday on the village of , vnll justify

us in the eyes of the whole world in avenging the
slaughter of many w^omen and children, as helpless and
more innocent than yourself! "

A prominent major-general, a regular officer, dis-
tinguished in his profession as well as with his pen, to
whom the question of this parole -was submitted, decided
in favor of Sir John, and a lawyer of standing and an
historian of ahility has argued this question at length in
his Notes, XXX., xxxi., to the " History of New York, " by
Judge Thomas Jones, who, likewise, exonerates Sir ,lohn.
Mr. de Lancey after furnishing his proofs, sums up the
matter in these words : " The common charge of historical
writers, that Sir John broke his parole, is therefore ^''vnth-
o^ it foundation and untrue.'''"*'

In a conversation with Gen. B. B. C , had 5-3-80,

discusf'ing the question of paroles, this gentleman,
author of "Battles of the American Kevolution,'' who
had given the closest attention to original documents at
home and in England, furnished additional arguments as
to the impossibility of the right to impose a parole on
Sir John. Johnson was put upon parole, so called, by

* In the Appendices (" Proofs Considered") to the writer's Address
on Sir .John Johnson, Bart., delivered before the New York Historical
Society, at its annual meeting, 6th January, 1880, Mr. de Lancey has not
only been quoted at length, but additional evidence printed derived
from other and various sources.

Sf'r John Johnson.

XXXI X

tliosi' who were styliiii:; themselves at tlie time "faithful
subjects of his Majesty." If faithful subjects, how had
Sir John rendered himself liable when the orijLjinal charges
a<::ainst him were " subse<|uentl y j)rove(l false?"

There are some curious circumstances connected with
this consideration would recjuire a lawyer's brief to make
them ])lain to conmion observation. Sufficient to say,
everythinu; turns on the success of the devolution. Might
made right, and Sir .lohn, who if the Crown had won
would have been exulted to the seventh heaven of honor,
since the mother c(^untry failed, is thrust down into the
lowest nether depths by those who rose on his fall and
profited by the confiscation of his extensive estates. Such
is human jndgment. ft is to be hoped the same law does
not rule elsewhere. If, however, it was a simple exem-
jilification of "might makes right," there is no more
to be said. That is the supreme law of this country to-
day ; no other.

Here it is not only pertinent but just to remark, that
(^ount d'Estaing, the first French C/onnnander who
brought assistance to this country, had notoriously broken
his parole, and yet American writers have never alluded
to the fact as prejudicial to his honor, ft did not serve
their purpose. The French held that Washington once
violated his parole; and Michelet, a devoted friend to
liberty and this country, feelingly refers to the case of
.Fumonville, to demonstrate one of the heart-burnings
which France had to overcome in lending assistance to
the revolted colonies. Marshall, in his "Life of Wash-

Sir John Johnson.

ington, " enters into a detailed explanation of this event ; but
it only shows that if national antagonism is so difficult to
reconcile, how much more so is the intenser spite of civil
differences after blood has been shed. How many South-
ern officers, in spite of their paroles, met the Union troops
on battlefield after battlefield. Regiments and brigades,
if not divisions, paroled at Vicksburg, were encountered,
it is averred, within a few weeks in the conflicts around
Chattanooga. French generals, paroled by the Prussians,
it has also been charged, did not hesitate to accept active
commands in even the shortest space of time. Circum-
stances alter cases, and under those which govern in re-
spect to him, the charge against Sir John was a pretext ;
but, weak as it is, it is not true. Power in all ages has
not been delicate in its choice of means to destroy a dan-
gerous antagonist.

It would have been well for some of the noblest histor-
ical victims, such as Abner, Amasa, Sertorius, Viriathus,
Abd el-Kader, Osceola,— if they had comprehended the
spirit of these verses (Ecclesiasticus xii., 10, 16) as well as
the reply of van der Does, in Leyden, to the Spanish
general Valdez, besieging tlie place :

"The fowler plays sweet notes on his pipe M'hen he
spreads his net for the bird."

Sir John was to have been simultaneously released from
his parole and made a prisoner. The officer who carried
the communication discharging Sir John from his parole,
was the bearer also of directions to arrest him as soon as
he had read it, "and make him a close prisoner, and care-

Sir John Johnson,

xli

fully guard liitn that ho may not have the least opportunity
to escape." Sir John hud some friends amonij^ those who
M^ere now in power, and received intelligence of what was
going on. He exercised ordinary discretion, and escaped
before the trap — a "".snare," as Lossing styles it — could
be S})rung u])on him.

Sir John fled, but he did not fly unaccompanied; and
among his subsequent associates, oflficers and soldiers,
were men of as good standing as those who remained be-
hind to profit by the change of authority. Many of the
latter, however, expiated their sins or errors on the day
of reckoning at ( )ri8kany.

" Sir John, after nineteen days of inconceivable hardships,
reached Montreal with his companions in a state of fatigue and
destitution which they could not have survived many days
longer. The regular roads were so entirely occupied by the
rebels, that they had to take a circuitous route through the
thickets of the forests. The few provisions the Indians had
prepared were soon exhausted, and they had to subsist on roots ;
their boots and clothes were coiu])lete]y destroyed, and when
they reached the sliores of the St. Lawrence, it was difficult to
recognize or understand the gaunt spectres who emerged from
the ' bush,' to seek shelter and a passage across [the St. Law-
rence] from the wondering ' habitans' of the first settlement
they came to. But a few weeks sufficed to restore Sir John to
his usual vigor, both of mind and body ; and, before he was able
to assume an active command, he was at work organizing a
force of Loyalists, of which he is the colonel, and his frequent
irruptions into the territory held by the Continentals, as they
call themselves, were the causes of your [Lady .Tohnson's] being
removed from Albany. He is charged by them with having
broken his word of honor, pledged that he would remain pas-

: «J

xHi

Sir John JoJuisnn.

sive ; but we all know that his person wmdd have been seized^ had
he remained that nifjlu [wlieii Col. Dayton arrived] at the llalV
Stone, in his 'Life of Brant' (I., 14-t), corroV)oratcs this, 'After
nineteen days of severe hardship, the Baronet and liis partisans
arrived at Montreal in a pitiable condition — having encountered
all of suft'ering that it seemed possible for man to endure.'
Stone then adds {Ibid, 144), and he presents almost the identical
idea of tlie niagnanimoiis Sabine (I., 581): 'Sir Jolin was
immediatelv conunissioned a colonel in the British service, and
raised a command of two battalions, composed of those who
accompanied him in his flight, and other American loyalists who
subsequently followed their example. They were called tlie
'Royal Greens.' In the month of January following, he found
his way into Xew York, then in possession of the British
ibrces. From that period he became, not only one of the most
active, but one of the bitterest foes of his own countrymen
of any who were engaged in that contest — and repeatedly the
scoiirge of his own former neighbors. He was unquestionably
a loyalist from principle, else he would scarcely have ha/arded,
as he did, and ultimately lost, domains larger and fairer than
probably ever belonged to a single proprietor in America,
Willian Penn only excepted."

Sabine (I., 581) observes: "It is thought that he was a
conscientious loyalist; and this may be allowed. lie lived in
a style of luxury and splendor which few country gentlemen
in America possessed the means to support. His domains
were as large and as fair as those of any colonist of his time,
the estate of Lord Fairfax only excepted; and no American
hazarded more, probably, in the cause of the Crown. Faith-
fulness to duty is never a crime; and, if he sacrificed his home,
his fortune, and his country, for his principles, he deserves
admiration. * * * r^^iQ conduct of the Whigs
towards him may have been harsh, and, in the beginning, too
harsh for liis offences."

The majority of those who were most active in wrong-

Sir John Johnson.

xliii

ing the family of Sir William Johnson experienced severe
punishment, either in themselves or their surroundings,
and the consequences of their injustice tlircatened to undo
the work of a century and make Schenectady once more a
frontier town.

Not able to seize the man (Sir John), disii})pointment
determined to capture a wonuin. The victim was his wife.
Why? The answer is in the words of a letter preserved in
the series of the well-known Peter Force, which says: "It
is the general opinion of people in Tryon County, that
while Lady Johnson is kept as a kind of hostage, Sir
John will not carry matters to excess." Lady Johnson
must have been a bold woman ; for even when under con-
straint, and in the most delicate condition that a woman
can be, she exulted in the prospects of quickly hearing
that Sir John would speedily ravage the country on the
Mohawk river to redress his own and her wrongs and
suffering. To quote another letter from the highest
authority, ''It has been hinted that she is a good se-
curity to prevent the effects of her husband's virulence."

With a determination even superior to that exhibited
by her husband, because she was a woman and he a man.
Lady Johnson in midwinter, January, 1777, in disguise,
made her escape through hardships which would appal a
person in her position in the present day. Through the
deepest snows, through the extreme cold, through lines of
ingrates and enemies, she made her way into the loyal city
of New York. Her story reads like a romance. People
cite Flora MacDonald, Grace Darrell, Florence Nightin-
1

£3ii

xHv

Sir John Johnson.

gale. Wo had a heroine in onr midst who <ii8])layed u
courage as loi'ty as theirs ; but slie is forgotten, because
she M'as the wife of a man who had the courage to avenge
her wrongs even upon the victors, and chastise lier ene-
mies and persecutors /IS well as his own.

It was intended at first to embody the whole of Mrs.
Colonel Chri8toj)her Johnson's story of her step-mother's
wrongs ; but this sketch, as it is, will far outrun all pre-
vious calculation. For particulars, the reader is referred
to the "Appendices" to his Address before the Historical
Society, on file there; to pages 76-81, "History of New
York," by Judge Thomas Jones; and to Note XXXI.
thereto, by Edward Floyd de Lancey, Esq. The conclu-
sion of the story of her escape, after she had parted from
her sister, is too interesting and too touching to be
omitted.

"We must now follow the course of the poor dispirited,
agitated mother, who, thou<>;h relying much on the zeal and
fidelity of hor devoted servants, yet felt keenly the loss of her
active and affectionate sister [Anne Watts, afterwards Countess
of Cassilis], whose stronger health and spirits were such an
inestimable sup])ort. Poor Tony's [one of her Imsband's faithful
negro slaves, who risked so much from affection for the family]
chief ground of consolation arose from the conviction that, being
so very near the British lines, they could not fail of reaching
them — they were almost within sight, he said! Poor fellow,
strength and coinage could have insured the safety of his mis
tress and her children, he would have carried them or fought for
them till he had dropped ; but, as resistance to sentries was out
of the question, the present business of all was to be prepared
to exercise self command, and to reply with composure to the

Sir John JohnHon.

questions thnt would be asked. Fortunately, Grove Ilotise
was but a little out of the way of their real disiinntion, and as
it was probable inquiries iniLjht be made there, it would not
have been safe for them to take the slei<j;h on. Tlu-y, therefore,
Hto|)i)ed at the cattle-shed, a little distance from the mansion,,
and leaving the slrigh and horse there, with one of their
heaviest wrapjjings, as an indication that they intended to
return, pursued their wny with as much speed as possible in
the diiection of the British camp, liy means of tlu'ir pass, and
avoidance of the larger bodies posted at different stations, they
went on uninteruptedly to the end of that day; and when they
reached a resting pl.'ice for the night, it was a matter of deep
thankt'ulness to find that, as the Continental camp was ))rotected
on that side by a wide river just in a state of partial thaw, that
rendered the crossing it dangerous for iiulividuals and imprac-
ticable for a body of troops, it had been deemed unnecessary
to keep that point very strictly guarded. They cusily foimd,
as usual, a meal and a bed; but the anxiety of the Lady was
cruelly aggravated by the state of her infant, who depending
entirely on the nourishment derived from its unfortunate
mother, participated in her physical exhaustion and suffering.
The elder children, too, were both so fagged tliat Tony
and the imrse were oblitjed to carry them ahnost without in-
termission — so that tlie poor Lady could hardly be relieved
from the burden of the infiint. They rose, therefore, the next
morning, with trend)ling frames and spirits, their sole consola-
tion being that they were but two miles from the river; yet
how to cross it was a question that could only be solved on its
banks. While taking their breakfast, a soldier was seen
looking about in the few cottages that weie near their
refuge, and presently he catne in to them. Hapitily there was
no sign of travelling about them, and supposing them to be
the established inhabitants, he began explaining his business
by asking after some people who had arrived in a sleigh driven
by a black. Most fortunately, also, Tony had separated IVoui

xlvi

Sir Jolm Johnson.

them, and was taking his meal in another cottage. The soldier
did not seem to have been dispatched with any very exact or
ur<ijent directions; but his officer having received a message
from the camp near Grove House, to inquire after a party who
had been expected there, :uid had not arrived, sent his servant
to gain some information previous to the arrival of more ])ar-
ticuhir instructions. Taking the license v/hich yoang and in-
experienced soldiers are apt to exercise, of using their own
judgment, the man said, 'If the Britishers were sending
women and children over to us, we'd send them back pretty
smartly; but if any of the stupid fellows who are taking old
George's pay, instead of fighting foi- their country, have a
mind to have their wives with them, why, I say, let 'em have
the keep of 'em ; and I think my captain don't much ap-
prove of being sent woman-hunting, and not even a written
order. However, if you hear anything of 'em, you can let me
know. I'm going by the lane I'ound the corner out there, for
I believe there's a kind of an inn to be found ;' and, so saying,
he wished them good-bye, and marched oiF. No sooner was
he out of siglit than the terrified females summoned Tony, and
with steps quickened by fear set off towards the river. It was no
great distance, and on reaching it tiie state of the ice showed
clearly why its shores were not very carefully guarded. It
must here be remarked th:it the danger of crossing a river,
partially covered with ic3, is different from that incurred in a
milder climate. As long as the ice lasts, it is much too thick
to give way to the heaviest weights ; but when repeated thaws
have loosened its firm adherence to the shore, it breaks into
enormous masses, which, driving and struggling against each
other, and the force of the current, partially released from its
winter bondage, form at once one of the grandest exhibitions
of Nature, and tnreaten fearful peril to those who venturf to
attempt a passage. But, like most dangers to which the na-
tives of a country are habituated, they often risk their lives
even for an inconsiderable motive, and it is not uncommon to

Sir John Johnson.

xlvii

see a sleigh passing the well-marked road over the ice, which
in two hours afterwards is floating away like a vast field, un-
broken till it crnshes against another mass, when both pile
upon each other in awful grandeur, till further additions shove
them on to final destruction.

"By the side of a mighty stream in this state, stand the
fugitives, hopeless of escape, and supposing that the hour has
come when they must yield themselves back to captivity, — a
bitter anticipation after all their toils and dangers. Tony's
exi)srienced eye, however, described, and pointed out to the
Lady that the centre of the river was tolerably clear, and that
if they could take advantage of one of those moments when
the opposing masses were locked against each other, a boat
might land thetn on the opposite side. But could a boat be
found ? Yes. They see one, and a man in it, paddling about,
apparently seeking a safe nook wherein to bestow his little
vessel. Tony chose a point nearest the shore, and springing
over fissures and firm pieces of ice, succeeded in making the
man hear. He was one of those bold, careless characters, who
rather enjoyed the risk, as well as the acquirement of the
dollars often lavishly bestowed for a passage. It was now un-
necessary for the paity to feign poverty, therefore the gold
hitherto hidden in thi-ir garments was ])roduced, and each
carrying a child made their way with infinite labor and peril of
8li[)ping to the frail vessel, which was to be guided among
masses that might in an instant be in motion to crush or over-
whelm them. The poor Lady clasped her infant closer and
closer to her bosom, not venturing to speak lest she should
withdraw Tony's attention tVom the guidance of the boat; yet
trembling at the suspension of the feeble cries which till then
had wrunsr her heart with anguish. The little face was chilled,
and the eyes closed ; but though she feared the worst, she yet
hoped that it was but the sleep of exhaustion. Halfan-hour,
which seemed an interminable period, brought them to the
opposite shore. The British tents were within sight, gold

xlviii

/Sir John Johnson.

was tlirown to the boatnmii, and thoiigli tlie snoAV was deep
and soft, and the Lady staggered with weakness, she struggled
on through a mile which yet separated them from the first line
of sentries. Indians were the first who spied the party, and
though they received with their usual conijiosure the announce-
ment of the Lady's name,* a glance sent off two of their num-
ber towards the camp, while the others, wrapping some furs
around the Lady and her infant, lifted them with the utmost
care and tendei-ness in their powerful arms, till they were met
by the messengers returning with blankets and mattrasses,
hastily formed into litters. On these all were carefully de-
posited and carried on swiftly ; I'ony weeping with joy and
thankfulness over his mistress, and telling her Sir John was
coming! The poor mother cast one hopeful glance towards
tlie di><tance, and another of anxiety upon her infant, who just
opened its little eyes, and ere she could see that it was the
last convulsion of the sinking frame, she was clasped in the
arms of her husbatul and borne insensible to the quarters of
the Comtnander-in-Chief, where every care and comfort was
bestowed on her and her children that their exhausted state
required. The first delight of being restored to her husband
and seeing her children at rest ami in safety was marred by
the anguish of missing the little loved one, whom she had borne
through so much sorrow and suffering. 'But a few hours
sooner,' she thopght, 'and my pietty one had been saved.'
But the joy and thankfulness of those .iround her soon stilled her
repining. ]ioth her surviving ehildri'u appeared to be entirely
restored to health; but with the little girl the appearance was

* Such was the affection borne by the "£ix Nations" to the Johnson
family, thit, many years afier, when the wiiter'r. father visited them,
in Ounada, and when tlic survivors of this onre mfirhty (/onfederalion,
" the Remans of America," learned that lie liad married a niece of Lady
Johnton, Ihey adopted him with the v 'M( nate pseudonym (according
to Sir William George Johnson, Bart.): "Saitat-t^iINou-iakion," signi-
fying, in substance, " One of us."

sir John Johnson.

xlix

fallacious. After the first week her strength and appetite
declined, and her parents had the grjef of laying her in an
untimely grave, from the destructive eftects of cold and ex-
posure on a fi'anie pieviously debilitated by illness during her
mother's captivity, when she could not procure either advice
or proper medicines," (" Adventures of a Lady in the War of
Iiidependence in America," pages 53-7.)

It is not the intention of tliis work to reflect upon, or
refer to, Revolutionary officials further than is absolutely
necessary. The Johnson family, the loyalists, their friends
and advocates, present an entirely different statement of
facts from those which may be styled the popular account,
which is that of the victors, realizing the bitter force of
the proverb ^^vcb victis.''^ The judgments pronounced
by either of these are not more severe in their conclusions
and opprobrious in their language than the terms used in
the various accounts of the contests between the settlers
and their leaders of the New Hampshire Grants, now
Vermont, and the authorities of New York and their
agents ; or of the collisions between the Connecticut
settlers und their chief-men in the Wyoming Valley, and
the " Penjiamites " and their executives seeking to enforce
the rights of the Penn Patentees in the Susquehanna
Valley, or of the Union party or Loyalists and the South-
erners during the "Slaveholder's Rebellion " in 1861-5 and
since.

There is nothing so bitter and spiteful, so barbarous
and revengful and unforgiving as the rancor and re-
course of political struggles and those arising from
religious antagonisms, except family feuds. The conflict

1 1

Sir John Johnson.

of the American Eevolution necessarily partook of the
nature of all three.- Presbyterianism, in one form or
another, gave energy to the Eevolutionaj'y party, while
Episcopalianism M'as, as a rule, the creed of the Eoyalists or
Loyalists. The former fought to obtain what the others
enjoyed, and families and neighborhoods w^ere divided,
and blood poured forth like water, with spiteful savageness,
by hands whose vigor was derived from the same vei7is^
under the impulse of the same brains, of race, kinman-
ship and connection, family ties and associations. This
was especially exemplified in the two bloodiest and de-
cisive encounters of the war. King's Mountain at the
South, and Oriskany at the North. In the Carolinas and
in the Mohawk Valley, mortals on both sides sometimes
surpassed demons in their enmity, because in both, par-
ticularly in the latter, fathers, sons, brothers, cousins and
former friends exchanged shots, crossed steel and applied
the torch. Men of this day cannot conceive the feelings
of that, and to judge the Loyalists or Tories by the
stories of the Kebels or Patriots is just as fair as to credit
the charges of an ultra fire-eating Southerner against Loyal
men and the invading troops of the LTnion. Furthermore,
if the fury of the antagonism in the Carolinas equalled
that in New York, there was a vast contrast in the legis-
lation that followed the peace. The Carolinas excelled
in magnanimity and New York in ungenerous severity.
There the oftences of the Loyalists were condoned from
respect to their gallantry and convictions; in New York
the consfiscations and penalties were continued in force

Sir John Johnson.

and the Loyalists, true-men, were compelled to live and
die, as a rule, in poverty, pain, exile and proscription.

All this occurred prior to the spring of 1TT6.

Sir Guy Carleton, undoubtedly the grandest character
among the British military chieftains, at this time, acting
independently, in America, received Sir John with open
arms, and immediately gave him opportunities to raise a
regiment, which made itself know and felt along the
frontier, throughout the war. With a fatal parsimony of
judgment and its application, tlie Crown frittered away
its strength, in some cases in protecting private or vested
interests, and never accumulated sufficient troops at de-
cisive points and moments. The arrival of these was too
often delayed and even afterwards they were diverted from
objects of highest importance to points where success could
produce no lasting result. In 1777, when Burgoyne Avas
preparing for his invasion of New York down the Hudson,
St. Loger was entrusted M'itli a similar advance down the
Mohawk. Sir Henry Clinton, an able strategist and a
brave soldier, but an indolent, nervous mortal, and an
inefficient commander, recorded a sagacious opinion on
this occasion — endorsed by Continental Nathaniel Greene —
viz., that to St. Leger was assigned the most important
part in the programme with the most inadequate means
of carrying it out. To play this part successfully, re-
quired a much larger force; and yet — to take a fort garri-
soned by at least 750 (perhaps 950) not inefficient troops,
with sufficient artillery (14 pieces ?), and tight the whole
available population of Tryon County in arms beside,—
8

lii

Sir John Johnson.

St. Leger had not more than abont 410 whites and an
aggregation of 600 to 800 Indians from 22 different tribes,
gathered from the remotest points administered by British
officers— even from the extreme western shores of Lake
Supei-ior. To batter this fort he had a few small pieces
of ordnance, which were about as effective as pop-gnns;
and were simply adeqnate, as he says in his report, of
"teasing," without injuring the garrison. St. Leger's
second in command was Sir John Johnson.

For the relief of Fort Stanwix, Major (or only Brigadier)
General Ilarkheimer. Sir John's old antagonist, gathered
up all the valid men in Tryon county, variously stated at
from 800 and 900 to 1000, constituting four embodied regi-
ments of militia, besides numerous volunteers of all grades
and standing, a few mounted men (Hoffman), and some
Oneida Indians. These latter, traitors to a fraternal
bond of centuries, seemed about as useless to their wqw
associates as they were faithless to their old ties. To meet
Harkheimer, Brigadier-General St. Leger allowed Sir John
Johnson to proceed in person and carry out the able plan
conceived by the latter. It is now clearly established
beyond a doubt that his ability planned and his determin-
ation fought the battle of Oriskany. Had the Indians
shown anything like the pluck of white men, not a Pro-
vincial would have escaped. In spite of their inefficiency,
Sir John's whites alone would have accomplished the
business had it not been for "a shower of blessing"
sent by Providence, and a recall to the assistance of St.
Leger. As it was, this was the bloodiest battle of the

"" }

Sir John Johnson.

liii

Revolution at the North. Indecisive on the field of battle,
it was morally decisive in results. Harkheimer lost his life,
likewise several hundred of his followers, and Trjon
County sufi^ered such a terrific calamity, that, to use the
inference of its historian, if it smiled again during the
war it smiled tlirough tears. The iron will of Schuyler,
another old, almost life-long personal and political antago-
nist of Sir John, sent Arnold, the best soldier of the Revo-
lution, to save Fort Stanwix, the key to the Mohawk
valley. The rapid advance of this brilliant leadei', and the
dastardly conduct and defection of the Indians, preserved
the beleaguered work ; and St. Leger and St. John were
forced to retire. On this salvation of Fort Stanwix and
NOT on, properly speaking, Hoosic or Walloomscoik, mis-
called Bennington, nor on Saratoga, hinged the fate of the
Burgoyne invasion and the eventful certainty of independ-
ence. No part of the failure is chargeable to Sir John.

As before mentioned, the English war administration
seemed utterly inadeipiate to the occasion. They had not
been able to grapple with its exigencies while the colo-
nies were "doing for themselves," as Mazzini expressed
it. When France and Spain entered the list, and Bur-
goyne' s army had been eliminated from the war problem,
they seem to have lost their heads; and, in 1778, aban-
doned all the fruits of the misdirected efforts of their main
army. The nervous Clinton succeeded to the indolent
Howe in the field, and the uncertain Ilaldimand to the
determined Carleton in Canada. Ilaldimand, a Swiss bv
birth and a veteran by service, was entirely deficient in the

i,m

liv

Sir John Johnson.

I» ...
It !

priceless practical abilities in which his predecessor ex-
celled. Those who knew him considered him an excellent
professional soldier, but for administration and organiza-
tion his gifts were small, lie was so afraid that the
French and Provincials would invade and dismember the
I [remaining British possessions in North America, that he
i jnot only crippled Clinton in a measure, by constant de-
' mands for troops, but he was afraid to entrust such bril-
liant partisans as Sir John Johnson with forces sufficient
to accomplish anything of importance. He suifered raids
when he should have launched invasions, and he kept al-
most every available company and battalion for the defence
of a territory, which, except in its ports, was amply pro-
tected by nature and distance. Washington played on his
timidity just as he afterward fingered the nervousness of
Clinton. Thus the rest of 1777, the whole of 1778, and
the greater part of 1779 was passed by Sir John in com-
paratively compulsory inactivity. He was undoubtedly
busy. But like thousands of human efforts which cost
such an expenditure of thought and preparation, but are
fruitless in marked results, their records are " writ in
water. ' '

In 1779 occurred the famous invasion of the territory
of the Six Nations by Sullivan. In one sense it was
triumphant. It did the devil's work thoroughly. It con-
verted a series of blooming gardens, teeming orchards and
productive fields into wastes and ashes. It was a disgrace
to developing civilization, and, except to those writers who
worship nothing but temporary success, it called forth

Sir John Johnson.

some of the most, scathing condemnations ever penned by
historians. AVhen M'liite men scalp and flay Indians, and
convert the skins of the latter' s thighs into boot-tops, the
qnestion suggests itself, which were the savages, the
Continental troops or the Indians. It is scarcely an
exaggeration to say that, for evei'y Indian slain and
Indian hut consumed in this campaign, a thousand white
men, women and children paid the penalty ; and it is
almost imexceptionally admitted that the inextinguishable
hatred of the redskins to the United States dates from
this raid of Sullivan, worthy of the Scottish chief who smoked
liis enemies to death in a cavern, or of a Pellissier, a St.
Arnaud or a Pretorius. Simmes, in his "History of Sco-
harie County," N. Y., commenting on Sir John's devasta-
tions in 1880, remarks: "Thus was revenged the destruc-
tion of the Indian possessions in the Chemung and Gene-
see Valleys the year before by General Sullivan ; which^
had they a historian^ would he found a no less gloomy
picture.''''

Sullivan's idtimate military objective must have been
Fort Niagara, the basis, for about a century, of inroads,
French and British, upon Xew York. Why he did not
make the attempt requires a consideration would occupy
more space than can be assigned in this memoir. There
were adversaries in his front who did not fear pop-gun
artillerv like the Indians, and were not to be dismaved
by an "elegant" cannonade as at Newtown. Ilaldi-
mand had sent Sir John Johnson to organize a body of
500 (N. Y. Col. Doc, viii., 779) white troops, besides

lifi

Ivi

sir John Johvson.

the Indians, and those were rapidly concentrating (Stone's
" Brandt,'' TI., 10) npon Snllivan, when the latter counter-
marched. American historians n:ive their reasons for
this retreat; British writers explain it very differently.
In any event this Expedition was the last military com-
mand enjoyed by Sullivan. The Scripture here affords
an expression which may not be inapplicable. "He
departed without being desired."

Sir John's further aggressive movements Avere pre-
vented by the early setting in of winter, which rendered
the navigation of Lake Ontario too dangerous for the
certain dispatch of the necessary troops and adecjuate
supplies.

The diligent search for information in regard to the
details of the movements upon this frontier, as been
hitherto baffled. According to a reliable contemporary
record. Sir John Johnson, Col. Butler and Capt. Brandt
captured Fort Stanwix on the 2d of November, 1779.
This is the only aggressive operation of the year attributed
to him.

In 1780 Sir John was given head, or let loose, and he
made the most of his time. In this year he made two
incursions into the Mohawk Valley, the first in May and
the second in October.

There is a very curious circumstance connected with
the first of these raids. The burial of his valuable plate
and papers, and the guarding of the secret of this deposit
by a faithful slave, although sold into the hands of his
master's enemies; the recovery of the silver through this

Sir John JolknHon.

Ivii

faithful negro, and the transport of the treasures, in the
kiuipsacks of forty soldiers, through the wilderness to
Canada; has been related in so many books that there is
no need of a repetition of the details. One fact, however,
is not generally known. Through dampness the papers
had been wholly or i)artially destroyed ; and this may ac-
count for a great many gaps and involved questions in
narratives connected with the Johnson family. The
"treasure-trove" eventually was of no service to him.
God maketh the wrath of man to praise Him ; and al-
though Sir John was the rod of His anger, the staff of
His indignation and the weapon of His vengeance for the
injustice and barbarisms shown by the Americans to the
Six Nations, but es])ecially during the preceding year, the
instrument was not allowed to profit, personally, by the ser-
vice.* The silver and other articles, retrieved at such a cost
of peril, of life, of desolation and of suffering, was not des-
tined to beneiit anvone. What, amid fire and sword and
death and devastation, had been wrenched from the enemy
was placed on shipboard for conveyance to England, and,
by the "irony of fate," the vessel foundered in the Gulf
of St. Lawrence and its precious freight, like that described
in the "Nibelungen Lied," sank into the treasury of so
much of earth's richest spoils and possessions, the abyss
of the sea.

* Acco ■ ^g to another tradition — as little reliable, perhaps, as such
legends iisua..^ I'c — the vessel did not founder, but was captured by a
New England i)rivatecr out of Salem, Mass. Another legend attributes
Sir John's ill luck and loss to a French lettcr-of -marque.

Ill

]

It fl #
Vlll

Sir John Johnson.

There is a curious but coni])letc moral in the career of Sir
JoliM Johnson. Those who from purely selHsli motives i)er-
sei'Ute<l him for liis a<Uu'renee to tlie crown — loyal I'rom prin-
ciple antl sim|)ly strivinii; to save his own ; perislied or sulieretl
some other just punishment. Nevertheless, Sir Jolm, the in-
strument of their chastisement, did not profit by his success to
the extent of regaininuj his own, throujih his triumphant retalia-
tion ujton his enemies. The course and consecjuence of the
whole oriujinal wrong-doinjr and reprisals realized the prophecy
of Tsaiah, to the effect that when the Loi'd hail ]»erformed his
wiiole Avork ui)on Judah, throutjjh the Assyrian, "the rod of his
anger and the staf!" ol his iiulignation," he declared that in turn
he woidd punish the. instrument, because he had exceeded his
commission and made it, as it were, a jjorsonal matter. Judah,
the Whigs, were to be scourged to the bone for their sins, but
the flail, the Loyalists, were not to profit personally by it. This
is just about the view that the honest Sabine takes of the
whole matter and agrees with the expression of Zechariah,
that God was "sore displeased" with those whom he emj)loyed
to execute his pmiishment, because he " was but a little dis-
pleased, and they helped forward the affliction." So it is ever,
alas, in this world. As Ecclesiasticus impresses n])on its
readers, there is an existing and unerring law of compensation.
The pendulum of what "will be" sweeps far to the right, but
the law of " must be " gravitates and the momentum brings it
back as far to the left ; and thus it swhigs, to and fro, as long
as the impetus of cause and result continues to exert their
forces ; like a thousand agencies, great and small, scourging
the world : the west like Attila, the east like Tamerlane ; a
continent, Europe, like Napoleon, or a country apart, Italy,
like Hannibal; a province, as the Lowlands of Scotland, like
Montrose, or a district, the Mohawk and Schoharie Valleys,
like Johnson. When the mission is fulfilled and the victims
have suffered, the agent perishes or the instrument is laid aside ;
the former often dying peaceably, tranquilly, trustingly ; be-
cause, however man may judge the act, it is God, alone, who

K —

iSir John Johnmn.

lix

{•;m JMdge tlie motive, wliicli is oIUmi titlclity to principle, pure
jiiid simple, an<l an execution in rii^id obedience to a law that
humanity cannot coinprehend. Men in their wrath sow the
wind to reap the whirlwind of the passions they arouse. The
Whigs of the Mohawk Valley worked their will upon the
Tories in 177(5, and, if the day of evil had not been mercifully
shortened for them, the rich district they coveted would have
been lefl to them a desert.

It 18 said that Sir John's second invasion of this year
was co-ordinate with tlie plan of Sir Henry Clinton, of
which the basis was tlie siu'render of West Point by
Arn(^hl. If so, the former bore to the latter the same
relation that the advance of St. Leger did in respect to
Burgoyne. St. Leger' s failure burst the combined move-
ment of 1777 ; and the capture of the unfortunate Andre
exploded the conception of 1780. Thus Sh* John's move-
ment, which was to have been one of a grand military
series, unhappily for his reputation became an apparent
"mission of vengeance," executed, however, with a
thoroughness which was felt far beyond the district upon
which the visitation came — came in such a terrible guise,
that a hundred years have scarcely weakened the bitter-
ness of its memories. Whatever else may be debited to
him, it can be said of Johnson, as of certain, but few,
other honest, earnest, Loyal men, who have offended the
masses, that he did his work effectively.

Even in 1781 Sir John was still a menace to the frontier.
Affairs in New York and Vermont, along Lake Champlain,
were in a very unsatisfactory condition. All the assist-
ance that could be hoped for from France was directed to
9

8i7' John Johnmn.

anotLor mul a distant quarter. Tl.. very districts of Kew
Jork wJueli l.ad rallie.l to oj.pose ]^,urgoyne and Ids
li eutenants, were disaffected. - Tl.e poison 'was actively
at work even in All.any." At tl.is time an expedition
Nvas n.editated a^i^ainst Pittsburgli, to be led l,y 8ir Jolin
.Johnson and ( olonel Connelly, in connection "with oo,n-
">"'ations an.ong the lu.stile Indians n.ore extensive than
any previously set on foot. Why these all failed is an.on.^
the unsolved enii^n.as of the Tievohition. If they depended
on Gen. Ilaldin.and, the explanation is clear. He had
not sufficient activity, either of n.ind or body, to hokl the
w.res, much less to pull them with the requisite ener^^v.
AIthou,i,d. scarcely one hundred years have passed
away since the events considered in this sketch, there
are a^nost as conflicting accounts of the personal appear-
ance of Sir John as there are antagonistic judgments in
'•e8i.ect to his characte,-. By son.e h(> has been repre-
sonted as over six feet in height; by others as n.)t taller
than tl.e ordinary run of men in his <listrict. Doubtless
in nuiture years he was a stout or stalwart figure, and
this, always at least to some extent, detracts from height,
and deceives unless everything is in exact proportion. The
only likeness in existence, said to l)e of him, which is in
accordaiK-e with descriptions, is a red stij>ple engraving of
F. Bartolo/zi, R. A., that appeared in some contemporary
publication, representing i,im in imiform. it is not
inconsistent with the pictures of him at a more advanced
age, ordinnrilv produced in well-known recent works.

/Sir John Johnsoi}.

Ixi

Tlieso, however, from the costume and expression, seem
to have been taken at a much hiter date.*

By his inveterate liereditary enemies and historians,
so styled, who have adopted traditionary bias as fact,
Sir John has been 'described as cold, haughty, cruel and
implacable, of questionable " courag-e, and with a feeble
sense of ])ersonal honor,, Mr. Willian C. Bryant, in his
admirable biogra])hical sketch, disposes of this repulsive
pi(!ture with a single honest senteiice : "The detested
title of Tori/^ in fact, was a synonym for all these uii-
amiable qualities."

According to a recently found sketch of Charleston,
South Carolina, published in 1854, it w^ould ap[)ear that
every American opposed to French Jacobinism was stig-
matized as an aristocrat; and when Washington approved
of .lay's treaty of 17!>5, six prominent advocates of his
j)olicy were hung in <i^^y and [)olluted with every mark
of iiidijjnitv ; then burned. Even the likeness of Wash-
ington, at full length, on a sign, is re])orted to have been
much abused by tlu> rabble. These patriots experienced
the same treatment accorded to the character of Sir John.
The procession at Poughkeepsie, in this State, to ratify
the adoption of the Federal Constitution, came near enJ-

* Mr. (le Lfinccy. at paj?e 642 (Note Iv.), Vol. 2, iipi)eiul<'d to Jones'
"Hl&tory of New York," «fec., {'urnishea a description of Sir John,
whicli tal.ies rxactly witli the colored enirravin!; by Bartolo'^/i, in the
writer's possession, which lias been reprodiieed for th's work.

"lie was a handsonie, well-made man, a little short, with blue eyes,
liij^lit hair, a fresh complexion, and a lirm but pleasant expression.
1I(! was cpiick iiiid decided in disposition and manner, and possessed
offrreat endurance."

1x1 i

Sir John Johnson.

ing in bloodslied. Any one opposed to slavery, M'lien it
existed, risked his life, sontli of "Mason and Dixon's
line," if he nttered his sentiments in pnblic. No virtues
wonld have saved him from violence. On the other hand,
there were classes and comnmnities at the North who
M^ould not concede a redeeming quality to a slaveholder.
Passion intensifies public opinion. The masses never
reflect.

Here let a distinction l)e drawn which very few, even
thinking persons, duly ai)i)reciate. The rabble are not
the peoijle. Knox, in his "Races of Men," draws this
distinction most clearly. And yet in no country to such
an extent as in the United States is this mistake so often
made. Old Tiome was styled by its own best thinkers
and annalists "the cesspool of the world:" and if any
modern State vleserves this scathing im])utation, it is this
very State of New York. Count Tallyrand-Perigord said
that as long a there is sufiicient virtue in the thinking
cLisses to assimilate what is good, and reject what is
vicious in in)migration, there is true progress and real
prosperity. When the poison becomes superior to the
resistive and assimilative power, the descent begins. It
is to pander to the rabble, not the people, that men like
Sir John Johnson are misrepresented. S leh a course is
politic fur demagogues. To them the utterance of the
truth is suicidal, because they only could exi^t through
pervers- ins worthy of a Machiavelli. They thrive through
political Jesuitism. The Roman po])ulace were njahi-
tained and restrained by '' panem et eireences:' The

<S'/r John Johnston.

Ixiii

Imlk of inodeni voters feed like tliein — to use the Scripture
exi)re8si()n — on the wind of dehisi(»n ; and it is this method
of portraiture wdiicli eiuibled Local Committees to strike
down Sir John Johnson, coniiscate his property and drive
him forth, and "Rings" to carry out their purposes in
our very midst to-day.

People of the present poi jd can scarcely conceive the
virulence of vituperation wliicli characterized the political
literature of a centurv since. IIoui>;h, in his '"''l^ovthern
InvaaUm^'''' has a note on this subject which applies to
every similar case. The gist of it is this : The opinions
of local populations m regard to prominent men >vere en-
tirely biased, if not foimded upon their popularity or the
reverse. If modern times w^ere to judge of the character
of Hannibal by the pictures handed down by the gravest
of Roman historians, he would have to be regarded as a
man destitute of almost every redeeming trait except
cour.age and ability or astuteness; whereas, when the
truth is sifted out, it is positively certain that the very
vices attributed to the great Carthaginian should be trans-
ferred to his Latin adversaries.

Sir John was not cold. He was one of the n>ost affec-
tionate of men. Mr. Ih-yant tells us that he was not
"haughty."'' but, on the contrary, displayed (jualities
which are totally inconsistent with this defect. "His
numners were peculiarly mild, gentle and winning. He
was remarkably fond of the society of children, who,
with their marvellous insiiiht into character, bestowed
upon him the full measiire of their uiKpiestioning love

lii

Ixiv

Sir J aim Johnson.

and faith. Tie was als- greatly attaclied to all domestic
animals, and notably very humane and tender in his treat-
ment of them." Another writer, commenting upon these
traits, remarks: " Ills peculiar characteristic of tenderness
to children and animals, makes me think that the stories
of his inhumanity during the War of the Revolution can-
not be true."

He was not "cruel." A number of anecdotes are re-
lated to the contrary by those not peculiarlv favorable
to him. These in themselves, recorded as they are by
partisans of a different order of things to those repre-
sented by the Johnsons, are sufficient to raise strong doubts
of the truth of the charges brought against hinC esen if
they do not positively disprove such a sweeping judgment.
The honest Bryant penned a paragraph winch is perti-
nent in this connection.

"Sir John, certainly, inherited many of the virtues
Mdn-ch shed lustre upon his father's name. His devotion
to the interests of his government; his energetic and en-
lightened administration of important trusts T his eai-nest
championship of the barbarous race Mdiich looked uj) to
Inm as a father and a friend ; his cheerful sacrifice of a
princely fortune and estate on what he conceived to be
the altar of pati-iotism, connot be controverted by the
most virulent of his detractors. The atrocities which
■,vere perpetrated by the invading forces under his con.-
mand are precisely those which, in our annals, have
attached a stigma to the names of Montcalm ami Burgoyne.
To restrain an ill-disciplined rabble of exiled To.-ies and

Sir John Johnson.

Ixv

I'utliless savages was beyond tlie power of men whose
liunianity has never in other instances been (questioned. "

The majority of writers absolved Montcahn ; and
Burgoyne dischiimed, and ahnost conchisively proved,
that he was not responsible for the charges brought
against him by the grandiloquent Gates and others, wdio
did not hesitate to draw upon their imagination to make
a i)oint. Sir John, with his own lips, declared, in regard
to the cruelties suffered by the Whigs during his first in-
I'oad, that '"their Tory neighbors, and not himself, were
blamable for those acts." It is said that Sir John much
regretted the death of those who \vere esteemed by his
father, and censured the murdei'cr. But how was he to
punish! Can the United States at this day, with all its
l)ower, punish the individuul pt ipetrators of cruelties
along the Western frontier and among the Indians I It is
justly remarked tliai if the ''Six Nations" had an his-
torian, the Chemung and Genesee valleys, desolated by
Sullivan, would present no less glaring a picture than of
those of the Schoharie and Mohawk, which experienced
the visitations of Sir John. He, at all events, ordered
'•hurches and other buildings, certainly the houses of nomi-
nal friends, to be spared. Sullivan's vengeance was indis-
criminate, and left nothing standing in the shape of a
l)uilding which ids fires could reach. Sir John more than
once interposed his discii)lined troops between the savages
and their intended victims. He redeemed captives with
his own money; and while without contradiction he pun-
ished a guilty district with military execution, it was not

Ixvi

Sir John Jolmson.

directed by liis orders or countenance against individuals.
Hough, for liiniself, and quoting others, admits that "no
violence was offered to women and chiklren." There is
nothing on record or hinted to show tliat he refused
mercy to prisoners; no instance of wdiat M^as termed
" Tarleton's quarter " is cited ; nothing like the wholesale
slaughter of Tories by Whigs at the South whenever the
latter got the chance or up})erhand : no summary hanging
of prisoners as at King's Mountain ; and it is \qy^ ques-
tionable if cold-blooded peculation in the American ad-
ministrative corps did not kill off incalculably more in
the course of a single campaign, than fell at the hands of
all, white and red, directed by Johnson, during the war.

As to the epithet '"in. placable," it amounts to nothing.
To the masses, anyone who punishes a majority, even
tempering justico with mercy, provided he moves in a
sphere above the plane of those who are the subjects of
the discipline, is always considered not only unjust but
cruel. The ])atriots or rebels of Tryon county had worked
their will on the liberties of the family and the properties
of Sir John Johnson ; and he certainly gave them a good
deep draught from the goblet they had originally forced
upon his lips. He did not live up to the Christian code
which all men preach and no man }>ractices, and assuredly
did riot turn the other cheek to the smiter, or offer his cloak
to him M'ho had already stolen his coat. Will any unpreju-
diced pei'son deny that ther.e was great justilication for his
conduct. The masses a century since and previous could
understand nothing that was not brought homo to them in

'■ 1]

iSi?' John Johnson.

Ixvii

letters of fire and of suffering. Tlieir conipassioii unci their
fury were both tlie blaze of straw ; and tlieir cruelty was
as enduring as the heat of red hot steel, especially when
their passions were thoroughly excited in civil and reli-
gious cQnflicts.

There is only one more charge against Sir John to dis-
pose of, viz., that "his courage was questionable." The
accusation in regard to his having a "feeble sense of per-
sonal honor" rests upon the stereotyped fallacy in regard
to the violation of his parole. This has already been
treated of and declared, by experts, to be unsustained by
justice. In fact, Mr. Edward Floyd de Lancey has proved
that he did not do so. In this connection it is necessary
to cite a few more pertinent words from the impartial
William C. Bryant. This author says: "Sir John's
sympathies were well knoM'n, and he was constrained to
sign a pledge that he would remain neutral during the
struggle then impending. There is no warrant for sup-
posing that Sir John, when he submitted to this degrada-
tion, secretly determined to violate his promise on the
convenient plea of duress, or upon grounds more rational
and ([uieting to his conscience. The jealous espionage to
v/hich he was afterwards exposed — the plot to seize upon
his person and restrain his liberty — doubtless furnished
the coveted pretext for breaking faith with the 'rebels.' "

Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, whose "History of New York"

is one of the Inost renuirkable productions of the age, writ

ing witli the bias of an American, but nevertheless desirous

of doing justice to both sides, makes the following remarks
' 10

<:vi

Ixvii

/Sir John Johnson.

in rc'giird to Sir John .lolmsoii.* "lie was known to be a
l>owei'fnl loader of men ; lie possessed the niagnetisni which
ins])ired devotion." " Enougli has been said abont liis own

* In rcf^ard to tlic jJiTsonal appcaranceof Sir John, tlierearo as wide
discrt'|)anci('8 as in the opinions atlccting liis cliaracter. This, liow-
cvor, should not he siujirising to any close student of liistory. Greater
divergencies present tliemselves ia different accounts of tlie Earl of
Bothwell ; some i)icturin^ him as striliin^ly u<i;ly and boorisli, otl\ers
as eminently handsome and courtly; also of the Russian hero Suwarrow,
wlio api)ears in one portrait as tall and comnumdins', in another as di-
minutive and repulsive, in one an eccentric genius, but still a genius ; in
another a butl'oon devoid of even courage and ability. Where prejudice
mixes the colors and passion holds the brush notliuig like truth can be
hoped tor. " Homo soIuh aut deuft aut daemon" and party or facti(ui
elevate a friend or an ally to the former, or sink an enemy or oppo-
nent to the latter. This is particularly the case in civil wars. In them
there is no jnste tnilieu of feeling or opinion. Mr. Wm. C. Bryant, Sir
John's most generous American biographer, i)resents him as six feet
two, and large in projtortion. This would almost make him gigantic.
His kinsman, Edward F. de Lancey, Esq., historian, draws an entirely
different jjortrait. It would be hard to reconcile such contrasts, were
it not that some men, like the late General, our great George H.
Thomas, are so erect and imposing that thej impress beholders with
the idea that their physical proportions are as mighty as their intellect
and influence. A similar judgment — nbnf iitvidia — is apposite, as to
the moral characteristics of Sir John.

It has been remarked that failure is the greatest crime that mortal-
ity recognizes, and that some of the most cruel tyrants would be ac-
cepted as exem])lar8 if they had not failed. Such is the opinion of
Fronde, in regard to the Duke of Alva. He justly remarks : " Re-
ligious " — yes, more especially political history — " is partial in its ver-
dicts. The exterminators of the Canaanites are enshrined among the
saints, and had the Catholics come off victorious, the Duke of Alva
would have been a second Joshua." Tlie opinions of the peoi)le of
this colony or State could scarcely be otherwise than unjust and injuri-
ous in regard to a man who, to a most important jiortjon of it, resem-
bled a tornado or a phenomenal tropical stoim. Such cataclysms are
not instantaneous developments, but the result of a series of causes.
Their innnedi.ite effects are never beneficial. Their ultimate effects are
often eminently so. The idea that Sir Willisim Johnson conmiitted sui-"

■MHWiW

S'h' John Johnson.

Ixix

fearful losses and the unjustifiable sufi'erin^s to wliich his
wife was subjected. She had escaped, thanks to God and
herself (1776)." "Thus no restraint could now be imposed

cide to avoid tlic dilenmm of casting liis lot in with rebellion or against
the crown is utterly preposterous — one of those insane self-delusions
that the American i)eople indulged lii, blinded with tlie idea of their
own 8elf-consei(Ucuce. That a man who owed everything to tiie King,
who had pre-eminently distinguished and rewarded him, should go over
to the enemies of that monarch, would have stamped him at once as
unworthy of the very benelits he had received, t^enturies since, the
the people were not of the consequence in the eyes of the riding classes
that they have since become. In this remark there is no attempt to
presume that the peo]de do not deserve the consideration thej' are now
enabled to exact. But the fact is indisputable that they did not then en-
joy it. Washington and Jetl'erson, and all the great lights of the Revo-
lutitm, did not regard the masses as the politicians of this day are com-
pelled to do. If they could rise from their graves they woidd marvel
at the almost incredible i)rogress made by the mass of humanity, in
wringing, even from desjiots, a consideration for their oj)inions.

It is just as ridiculous to imagine that Sir John .Johnson would be
false to his allegiance as to imagine that Sir William killed himself
to avoid changing his uniform. None of the most ardent patriots,
so styled, desired in 1775 that complete severance of ties between the
mother country and the colonies which the success of the latter gradu-
ally more and more concreted into a fixed determination. The wisest
could not have foreseen the armed intervention of France and Spain,
and yet, without this, inde]H'ndence could not have been secured. The
event was still doubtful in 1781, and it was only a concurrence of cir-
cumstances beyond mortal control that decided the struggle. For Sir
John .Johnson to have turned his back on all those characteris-
tics which, by generous minds, are regarded as the finest qualities in
man — gratitude, loyalty, consistency — might have made him popular
wiia those who would have profited by his treason, but would have
damned him in greater degree with those whose oi)inions he valued. It
is just about as sensible to expect an impartial verdict upon Montrose
and Claverhouse from the Whigs and Covenanters of Scotland as from
the people of central New York upon Sir John Johnson. No man
who is connected by the ties of blood or interest, or who has made uj)
his mind, lias a right to sit upon a jury ; and no one imbued with the
prejudices of the Mohawk Valley, or its historians, has a moral right

Ixx

Sir John Johnson.

upon Sir John\s luoveiiientH, since his fkniily were siite
under British protection, and he plun<;'ed into the strife
with a bitterness scarcely to ho ecpudled. iVnd he was as

to sit in jiulgnu'nt ujjon the Jolinsons. Again, Sir Jolin Jolinson
did not desire to liave anytlilns to do witli the manipululion of the In-
dians. After Ills fatlior'H deatli he was offered the HucceHsion of Sir
William, as Indian Snperinteudent under the Crown, and he refused it,
and,' at his suggestion, it was given to his cousin (iuy. These two
have been often confounded : and, on one occasion, when a public de-
fense of Sir John was being made, a descendant of sufferers at the
hands of the Indians rose to objurgate Sir John, and had his whole
ground cut from under him by the simple demonstration that the party
inculpated by him was Colonel Guy, and not Sir John. Let no one
think that lliis is an excuse of the latter at the expense of Guy ; but
there is a [)roverb as old as language : " I^et each man claim his own
credit, or bear his own blame."

The Whigs, or Patriots, or Rebels, of 1774-6, made out a long list
of grievances against the Crown, on which they founded the Kavolu-
lution. Among these, none was so prominent as the hated Stamp Act.

It has been justly said that, in carping or connnending, the eyes
of most critics are like the tiirbot's, both cm (me side. This has never
been shown more clearly than the American consideration of the Stamp
Act. William Edward Hartpole Lecky, in his " History of England
in the Eighteenth (Century," 1883, Vol. III., Chap. 12, p. H40, has
summed up the whole matter conclusiv((ly against the Colonies, and
his verdict is irrefutable :

"I have no wish to deny that th(! Slump Act wiis a giicvuiice to the Amerifanc;
but it U due to the truth of history th.it the fjrosit e.mggeratioiix which luive l)ueu re-
peated on tiie 8ul)ject should be dispelled and that the nature of the allej,'ed tyninny
of l<!ngland should be clearly dcllned. It cannot be too distinctly stated, that there
is not a fraijment of evidence that any Knglish statesman, or any class of the Knjjli.sh
people, desired to raise anything by direct ta.xation from the colonies for purposes
that were purely English. TlK-y asked them to contribute nothing to the support of
the navy wliii'h i)roteeted their coasts, nothing to the interest of the English debt. At
the close of a war which had left Knglaiul ov<'rwhelmed with additional burdens, in
which the whole resources of the British Empire had been strained for the extension
and security of the liritisli territory in America, by which the American colonists had
gained incomparably more than any other of the subjects of the crown, the colonies
were asked to bear their share in the burden of the Empire by contributing a third
liiirt— lliey would no doubt ultimately have been asked to contribute the whole— of
what was retiuired for the maintenance of an army of 10,000 men, intended primarily
for tlieir own defence. .£100.000 was the highest estimate of what th<.' Stamp Act would

sir John Johnsot).

Ixxi

brave and t'lUMtri'tic as lie was vindictive, Joiies nays,
that lie did more iniseliief to the rebel settlenientH upon the

aiimmlly pnxiuic, mid it was inllicr Ifcg ilian a ihinl pari, of the expenseg of tin; new
army. 'I'll is was what Kiif;l«ii<i askt'd from the mnnt proHperniii* portion of her Kmplrc.
Bvpry farthinfr which it whs intoiuled to raise in America, it was iiiten(h'd also to
spend there."

Eiii^^Iaiul (Great Britain) was riglit imd juHt antl tlie Thirteen Colo-
nies were wronf^aiid uiiijenerous ; and yet tlie best men in tlie Colonies
suflered for their obedience to the orders of legally constitnted anthority.
They we.e niiule to sutler oillcially and personally, in every line and
every degree, in sueceeding generations.

Tlie Anierieans expend volumes, of sympathy upon the victims of
the British |)ris()n-ships. Are they aware that their own side had
prison-ships, and on one occasion a number of eaplives perished in
coiifieijuence, by a single accident V Are they aware that there was
a copper mine in Coiniecticut, to whicli respectable people were con-
signed as laborers, with a want of feeling akin to that with which the
Czar Nicholas and his jiredecessois sent otl' convoys of noble champions
of what they deemed the right, to iSiberia. LjMich law was as active
among the Patriots as on the so-styled borders of civilization, and the
term does not emanate from the semi-barbarous West, but from the anti-
revolutionary times and centre of Vermont. As an honest descendant
of on(! of the sufferers at Wyomingjiistly observed, ui)on the very spot
iind under the shadow of the commemorative monument : "The story
lias two sides, and I am not going to allow myself to be cjirried away
by the prcjiidice.s of tradition." To exonerate Sir John Johnson is to
condemn his op|)onents, and to him and tliem is applicable the sen-
tence of the Highest Authority: " It must needs be that ottenees come ;
but woe to that man by whom the offence conieth." Sir John did not
inaugurate the conflict. He was defendant, and not plaintiff, cither in
the courts of law or the ordeal of battle.

How many of tliose who stirred up the difliculty i)erished at Oris-
kany, where first the wager of battle occurred, and how many were
impoveri.^-hed in the course of the c(mHict ? Again, the Scri|)turc ob-
serves : " Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee." Good, undoubt-
edly, was evolved out of the evil that was done, but how many of those
who were its agents lived lO see the day V "The mills of the gods
grind slowly ;" and time with God is nothing. The grist can only be
valued when His time has come. Piedmont or Sardinia, Italy, ex-
pelled the Waldcn.ses, and was compelled to permit them to return.
Spain drove out the Moors, and accepted comparative ruin as the

S^J

%. ^ na.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

!.0

I.I

-IIM IIM

2.0

116

1.8

1.25

1.4

1.6

•

M 6" —

►

^...

"-l

Photographic

Sciences
Corpordtion

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY 14580

(716) 872-4503

%^^.. %^

■i>

}

Ixxii

*SV/' pJolm Johnson.

frontiers of New York than all the partisans in the British
service put together."

The charge of " (piestionahle eonrage " is utterly ridicu-
lous.

It originated M'ith his personal enemies, and, if such
evidence were admissible, it is disproved by facts.
There is scarcely any amount of eulogy which has not

price of bigoted oppression. France tlirust out the Hus;uenots,
and thereby enriched and fortified hereditary enemies. The Stuarts
])ersecnted the Puritans, and. lo, the American Revolution ! France
assisted a rebellion, and the retribution came within lifteen years. The
Americans drove out the Loyalists.* and they constituted the bone and
sinew, the industry and wealth of the Dominion of Canada.

The Seven United States, or Provinces of Holland, two hundred to
three hundre*^ years ago, were the "Asylum of Thought," the " Refuge"
of persecuted mankind, and the freest country in the world. They fell
before their time, from three causes, which are destined to wreck
this coimtry : centralization, the mistaking of national w^ealth for na
tional greatness, and the mistaking of the virulence of political parti-
sanship for the virtue of patriotism. These three disintegrated the
whole structure of the body politic, and, when the storm arose and
beat upon it, the condition of the fabric revealed itself in ruins.

The gods of Homer nod, and an a;on has passed away. God shuts
his eyes to the evil, and centuries pass away before the expiation
comes ; but it does come.

* "A number of Loyal Uerugees had pi'titioncd, and been permitted by Sir Henry
Ollntcm to cmb.idy under proper officers, and to retaliate and make reprisals upon tlie
Americans declared to be in actual rebellion ajraiiist tl'oir sovereiKn. A party of them,
who liad formerly belonged to the MassachusL-tts, made an atte/npt upon Falmouth,
in Barnstable county, but were repulsed by the militia. They rerewed it, but not suc-
ceeding, went off to Naniticket, and landed S-HX) men, entered the town, broke Qi)en
wnreliouses, and carried olf large quantities of oil, whalebone, molassen, siiirar, coffee,
and everything that fell in tlieir way. They also carried off two brigs, loaded for the
West Indies, two or three schooners, and a large number of boats. In a proclamation
!hey left belnnd they took notice of their hariiir/ been imprinoiied, compelled to abandon
their dwellini/n, friendu and coiinectionn, had their estates neqiiestered, and been them-
gelBesfortMUly banished, never to return, on pain of death. Thus ciramiKtanced, they
conceived themxelctx tvarranted, by the latvs or' God and man, to nw/e war against their
persecutors, and to use every means in their iwwer to obtain comi}enmtion for their st{f-
fetinffg." 5th April, 177H. Gord(m, ni., 230-7.

Sir John Johnson.

Ixxiii

been lavished upon Arnold's expedition from the Kenne-
bec, across the great divide between Maine and Canada,
doMai to the siege of Quebec, and the same praise has been
extended to Clarke for his famous march across the
droMmed lands of Indiana. Arnold deserves all that can
be said for him, and so does Clarke, and everyone who
has displayed equal energy and intrepidity. It is only
surprising that similar justice has not been extended to
Sir John. It is universally conceded that, when he made
his escape from his .persecutors, in 1776, and plunged
into the howling wilderness to preserve his liberty and
honor, he encountered all. the suffering that it seemed
possible for a man to endure. Even Napoleon admitted
that Courage is secondary to Fortitude. As one, well ac-
quainted with the Adirondack wilderness, remarked, "such
a traverse would be an astonishing feat, even under favor-
able circumstances and season, at this day." Sir John
was nineteen days in making the transit, ^md this, too,
at a time when snow and drifts still blocked the Indian
paths, the only recognized thoroughfares. Xo man de-
iicient in spirit and fortitude would ever have made such
an attempt Both of the invasions under his personal
leading were characterized by sin.ilar daring. In some
cases the want of intrepidity was assuredly on the part
of those who hurled the epithet at him. American writers
admit it by inference, if not in so many words.

One of the traditions of Tryon c'ountv, which nmst
have been well-known to be remembererl after the lapse
of a century, .seems to be to the effect that in the last battle

Ixxiv

Sir John Johnson.

knoM^n as the fight on Klock's Field, or near Fox's Mills,
both sides ran away from each other. In degree this
was the case at Bull Run Ist. Were it true of both sides,
it would not be an extraordinary occurrence. Panics,
more or less in proportion, have occurred in the best of
armies. There was a partial one after Wagrum, after
Guastalla, after Solferino, and at our first Bull Kun.
But these are only a few among scores of instances that
might be cited. What is still more curious, while a single
personal enemy of Sir John charged him with quitting
the field, his antagonist. Gen. van Eensselaer, was gene-
rally abused for not capturing Sir John and his troops,
although a conrt-martial decided that, while the General
did all he could, his troops were very "bashful," as
the Japanese term it, about getting under close fire', and
they had to be withdrawn from it to keep the majority
from going to the rear. The fact is that the Ameri-
can State Levies, quasi-regulars, under the gallant Col.
Brown, had experienced such a terrible defeat in the
morning, that it took away from the militia all their ap-
petite for another fight with the same adversaries in the
evening. Sir John's conduct would have been excusable
if he had quitted the field because he had been wounded,
and a wound at this time, in the thigh, in the midst of an
enemy's country, was a casualty which might have placed
a man "fighting," so to speak, "with a halter around his
neck," at the mercy of an administration which was not
slow, with or without law, at inflicting cruelties, and even
'.'hanging in haste and trying at leisure." But Sir John did

Sir John Johnson. jxxv

not quit the field prematurely. He was not there to fight
to oblige his adversaries ; his tactics were to avoid any
battle which was not absolutely necessary to secure his re-
treat. He repulsed his pursuers and he absolutely re-
tiirned to Canada, carrying with him as prisoners an
American detachment which sought to intercept and im-
pede his movements.

To qualify Sir John's evasion from Klock's Field as
evincing want of courage, is to stigmatize as such the re-
peated retreats of Washington, "the Father of his Coun-
try," before superior enemies, or the witlidrawals after
Antietam and Gettysburg, or from Petersburg, of Lee
the Idol of the South. A successful retreat or escape
in desperate circumstances is credited to a general as
equivalent to a victory. To bring such a chai^ge against
bir John on this occasion is as just as to censure Frede-
ric the Great for disappearing from the field of Liegnitz
when he had made Loudon "get out of that," as did
van Rensselaer's militia, and then did not wait to be
fallen upon with crushing force by Daun and Lascy re-
presented in this case by Colonels Duboise and Harper
who had more men than he could oppose to them Sir
John's capture of Yrouman's detachment, sent to intercept
him, will complete the parallel as a set off to Frederic's
tricking Soltikoff, advancing for a similar purpose to
complete the toils, in 1760.

"I know," said St. Paul (Phillipians iv., 12), "both
how to be abased, and I know how to abound." This
remark applies eminently to war. Alexander, Hannil)al,

Ixxvi

Sir John John no n.

■ 1-' !

Cresar, Giistuvus, Frederic and Napoleon knew when to
retreat and when to figlit— tlie hitter never at the voh'tlon
of an enemy. Some generals are known to fame by little
more than successful retreats : those of Baner from Toi--
gau, in 1637 ; Vandoniont before Villeroi, in 1695 ; Frede-
I'ic before Trann, in 1744 ; Moreau tlirongh the Black
Forest, in 1796, and a hundred others are cited as brilliant
efforts of generalship, better than victories, when a thou-
sand successful battles are forgotten as unworthy of ex-
emplary citation.

This little work, it is true, is treating of operations
which are mere pigmies in coniparison to the gigantic
parallels cited, in connection ; but the trite i -mark must
be remembered, that "the destinljs of the world were be-
ing decided in America (during the Revolution) by colli-
sions between mere detachments or squads of men."

While van Rensselaer, the sciou of a race M^hicli dis-
played uncommon courage in tlie Colonial service, was
being tried and it was sought to nuike him a scape-goat
for the shortcomings of his superiors and inferiors, Sir
John was receiving the compliments, in public orders, of
his own superior, Gen. Haldinumd, to whom the Gci.nan
officers in America have given in their published corre-
spondence and narratives, the highest praise as a profes-
sional soldier, and therefore, professionally, a judge of
military merit. What is more, as a farther demonstration
of the injustice of ordinary history, the severe Governor
Clinton was either with van Rensselaer or near at hand,
and consequently as much to blame as the latter for the

sir John Johnson.

Ixxvii

escape of Sir John. Stone, vvlio wrote at a time when as
yet there were plenty of living conten.poraries, distinctly
says that Gov. Clinton was with (Jen. van Rensselae",.
just before the battle, and renniined at Fort Plain wliile
the battle M^as taking place a i^^^r miles distant. Finally
the testimony taken before the court-martial indicate!
that the Americans were vastly superior in nund,ers to
Sir JohnVs Whites and Indians (if not treble or even quud-
niple his force), and it was the want, as usual, of true light-
ing pluck in the Indians, and their abandonment of their
.white associates, which nuide the result at all indecisive
for the Lo^'alists. Had the redskins stood their ground
some of the militia ought not to have stopped short of
Schenectady. All accounts agree that the invaders had
been over-worked and over-weighted, foot-sore and fatigued,
having performed extraordinary labors and marches'
whereas, except as to ordinary expeditiousness, the'
Americans, (piasi-regulars and militia, were fresh and in
light marching order, for they were just from home. So
much stress has been laid on this fight, because it has
been always untiiirly told, except before the court-mar-
tial which exonerated van Rensselaer. Ordinary human
.ludgment makes the philosopher weep and laugh : weep
"1 sorrow at the fallacy of history, and laugh in bitterness
at the tolhes and prejudices of the uneducated and unre-
fleeting.

Some of the greatest commanders who have ever lived
have not escaped the accusation of want of spirit at one
time or another. Even Napoleon has been blamed for

Sit

Ixxviii

Sir John Johnson.

not suifei'ing himself to be killed at Waterloo, thus ending
his career in a blaze of glory. Malice vented itself in such
a charge against the gallant leader wdio saved the "middle
zone" to the Union, and coir er ted the despondency of
retreat and defeat into victory. It is a remarkable fact
that the majority of people always select two vituperative
ch arges the most repugnant to a man of honor, to hurl at
the objects of their dislike, perhaps because they are those
to w^hicli they themselves are most open — falsehood and
poltroonery ; forgetting that it is not the business of a
conmiander to throw^ away a life which does not belong
to himself individually but to the general welfare of his
troops. Mere "physical courage," as has been well said
by a veteran soldier, "is largely a question of nerves."
Moral courage is the God-like quality, the lever which in
all ages has moved this w^orld. Moreover it is the corner-
stone of progress; and without it brute insensibility to
danger would have left the nineteenth century in the same
condition a? the " Stone Age." A man, bred as Sir John
had been, who had the courage to give up everything for
princij)le, and with less than a modern battalion of whites
plunge again and again into the territory of his enemies,
bristling with forts and stockaded posts, who could put in
the field forty-five regiments (?), of which seventeen w^ere in
Albany and five in Tryon counties — the actual scenes of
conflict — besides distinct corps of State levies raised for
the protection of the frontiers — in which every other man
was his deadly foe, and the majority capital marksmen,
that could shoot oflf a squirrel's head at a hundred yards —

Sir John Johnson.

Ixxix

8ucli a man must have had a very large amount of the
hero in his composition. Americans would have been
only too willing to crown him with this halo, if he iiad
fought on their side instead of %hting so desperately
against them.

In conclusion, readers, your attention is invited for a
short space to a few additional considerations. Sir William
Johnson was the son of his own deeds and the creature' of
the bounty of his sovereign. He owed nothing to the
people. They had not added either to his influence,
affluence, position or power. If this was true of thi
fatlier as a beneficiary of the Crown, how much more so of
the son. The people undertook to deprive the latter of
that which they had neither bestowed nor augmented
They in.iured him in almost every way that a man could
be injured ; and they made that which was tlie most com
niendable in hin.-his loyalty to a gracious benefactor,
his crime, and punished him for that which they sliould
have honored. They struck; and he had both the spirit,
the power, and the opportunity to strike back. His retail'
ation may not have been consistent with the literal admo
nition of the Gospel, but there was notliing in it inconsistent
with the ordinary temper of liumanity and manliness

Some disciples of '^ DuUfferentism^^ have argued that
Sir John sliould have remained neutral, like Lord Fairfax
and retained his popularity and saved his property by the
sacrifice of his principles. These forget the severe judg-
ment of the ancient Greek philosopher and laM^giver on
such as they.

Ixxx

Sir John Johnson.

.1 'i

"/iJ toas a remarkable law of So/ on, that any j><'rnon
whOy in the comniotiona of the Rcp^iblle.^ remained neuter^
or a/n indiffekknt apectator of the contending partien^
should he condemned to perpetual banis/utteut.''^

The people of this era have no eonceptioii of the fear-
ful significance of Loyalty, one hundred years since.
Loyalty, then, was almost paramount to religion ; next
after a man's duty to his God was his allegiance to his
prince. ''''Noblesse oblige'''' has heen blazoned as the high-
est commendation of the otherwise vicious aristocracy of
France. It is charged that when the perishing Bourbon
dynasty was in direst need of defenders it discovered them
"neither in its titled nobility nor in its native soldiers,"
but in mercenaries. Whereas, in iVmerica, George III.
found daring champions in the best citizens of the land, and
foremost in the trout rank of these stood Sir John Johnson.
Hume, who is anything but an imaginative or enthusiastic
writer, couples loyalty and patriotism together ; and
with his philosophical words this vindication of Sir John
Johnson is connnitted to the calm and unprejudiced judg-
ment of readers :

"77i6 most Inviolable attachment to the laws of our
country is everywhere acknowledged a capital virtue ,'
and where the people a/re not so happy as to have any
legislature hut a single person, the strictest loyalty

IS, IN that case, the truest patriotism,

" Hopes have precarious life ;
They are oft bliglited, withered, snapt sheer off:
Rut FAITHFULNESS Can feed on suffeuing,
'And knows no disajypoiniment."

<ii

Sir John Johuson.
CONSIDERATIONS

Ixxxi

BkAUINCJ UPOX TMK VlOr.ATION-SO-STY,,KD-OK a Pau,„.k (?)
SAin I„ HAVE HKKV GIVEN HY SiB JoHN JoHNSON, BaUT.

(See text, page xl, nupra.)

Tlie plan on wl.icli turns the wliole ri^r],t or wron^r of
tlio parole story, as detailed in a letter to General Snlli.
van, 14th March, 1776, frequently eited, eniphasizes the
directions to Dayton, that care must be taken to prevent
Sir John Johnson from being apprised of the real design
of his opponents. Fortunately the communication des-
patched, although cunningly conceived, M^as not sufficient-
ly ingenious to conceal the latent intention. As van der
Does, in Leyden, wrote to Valdez, the Spanish general be-
sieging, and trying to delude him, its governor, into sur-
rendering the town: -The fowler plays sweet notes on
his pipe when he spreads his net for the bird"-even so
the Loyalist leader was not deceived by the specious
wordri of his e!iemies, seeking to enmesh him.

Lossing, who had all the original papers in his hands,
admits (II., 69) a s^mre : "The wily baronet was not to
be caught in the snare laid for him by Schuyler."— J. W.
de P.'s "Sir John Johnson's Addres.^," Appendix I.'
page vi., col. 1, 2. '

Dr. F. H. Roof, of Rhind.cck. fonvarded, Iflth .Tune. 1880, to the
vnter. a eopy o a letter, wldch i.s pretty good proof that in th Jh

.iromsm, and tlie crcumstances oonheeted therewith, are not only mis-
understood, but have been eonsisten.ly misrepresented. To cTar this
up .s impossible, beeause the documentary testimony on the loyal side

.1'

Ixxxii

Sh' John '/(thnsnn.

has alinoHt cntirt'ly perishrd or disappcnrcd. Tliis letter was the pro-
I)erty of Henry Loiicks, abrother-h>-hiw of IMr. Koof's father (formerly
:i hiw partner of Abraham van Veeliten) botli now deeeased. Upon tlie
huek of the original was the followin lote by Mr. lioucks ; '' Sir John
Johnson's granddaughter, 1777, Hele. McDonald ; presented me by a
granddaughter of Jellis Fonda, Oet, 7, 1840. II. L." The dale must
refer to tlial of tiie letter, beeause Sir John eouhl not have had a grand-
daughter callable of writing any letter in 1777; but one of his grand
daughters did marry a Colonel McDonald, and the latter may have
, I»een a descendant, a relative, or a connection of the McDonell, or Mr-
i>w//«W, who was chief of the Highlanders dependent upon Sir John,
who surrendered their arms 20th January (?), 1770, and was one of the
six hostages for the rest, seized at that time.

Coi'v OF TiETTEU. — " Siu : Souic time ago I wrote you a letter,
much to this jiurpose, concerning the Inhabitants of this Bush being
made prisoners. There was no such thing then in agitation as you
was pleased to observe in your letter to me this morning. Mr. Billie
Laird came amongst tlie peoi)le to give them warning to go in to sign
and swear. To this they will never consent, being already prisoners of
General Schuyler. His Excellency was pleased by youi proclamation,
directing every one of them to return to their farmn, itnd that they
should be no more troubled nor molested dxiriug the war. To this they
agreed, and hme not done anything against the country, nor intend to,
if let alone. If not, tJiey tcill lose their lives before being taken prison-
ers AGAIN. They begged the favour of me to write to Major Fonda and
the gentlemen of the committee to this purpose. They blame neither
the one nor the other of you gentlemen, but tliose ill-natured fellows
amongst them that get up an excitement about nothing, in order to in-
gratiate themselves in your favour. They were of very great hurt to
your cause since May last, through violence and ignorance. I do not
know what the consequences would have been to them long ago, if not
prevented. Only think ichat daily provocation does.

"Jenny joins me in compliments to Mrs. Fonda.

" I am. Sir,

" Your humble servant,

" Callachie, 15th March, 1777. "Helen McDonell."

" Major Jellis Fonda, at Caughnawaga."

In this connection nothing can be more pertinent than the remarks
of " our greatest and our best," General Geokge H. Thomas, at the
breaking out of the " Slaveholders' Rebellion," in 1861-2: " In a dis-
cussion of the causes given for their action by some cffflcers who de-

Sir John Johnaon.

Ixxxiii

sorted the Government at the hej^inninij of tlie Rehellion, I (a friend of
Tlioniaa) ventured the aHsertion tliat, perhaps, .sonie of them at distant
posts had aeted ignorantly; that I liad been informed that some of tliem
liad been imposed upon by friends and relatives, and led to believe that
there was to be a peaeeable dissolution of the Union ; that there would
be no actual iijovernment for the whole country, and by resigning their
commissions tliey were only taking the necessary steps towards re-
turning to the allegiance of their respective States. He replied, 'That
this was but a poor excuse ; he could not believe officers of the army
were so ignorant of their own form of government as to sujjpose such
proceedings could occur ; and as they had sworn allegiance to the Go-
vernment, they were bound to adhere to it, and would have done so if they
had been so inclined.' He said, ' there was no excuse whatever in a
United States officer claiming the right of secession, and the only ex-
cuse for their deserting the Government was, what none of them ad-
mitted, having engaged in a rel)ellion against tj'ranny, because the
tyranny did not exist, and they well knew it.' I then asked him ; ' Sup-
posing such a state of affairs existed, that arrangements were being
made for a peaceable dissolution by the Government, the North from
the South, and that it was in progress, what would you have done ?'
lie promptly replied : ' That is not a supposable case ; the Government
cannot dissolve itself; it is tlie creature of the people, and until they
had agreed by their votes — tliat is, tlie votes of the whole country, not
a iiortion of it — to dissolve it, and it was accomplished in accr)rdance
therewith, the Government to which tliey had sworn allegiance re-
mained, and as long as it did exist I should have adhered to it.' "

There is in this extract a clear recognition of the obligation of his
oath to support the Government, and at this very point the better class of
Southern officers who joined the Rebellion, and who perhaps took this
step with reluctance, made direct issue with Thomas. They claimed that
their oath of office was obligatory only while they lield office, and that
all obligation ceased with resignation, especially when their resigna-
tions were accepted. Tliis assumption rests upon the supposed fact
that supreme allegiance is due to a single State rather than to the Union
of the States or nation represented by the General Government. The
subtle logic, by which the doctrine of State Rights was carried to the
complete negation of the national unity, or autonomy, had no force
with General Thomas, although he greatly regretted the necessity of
choosing between the General Government and his own State, in alle-
giance with other Southern States. And although he had not enter-
tained Northern views of the institution of Slavery, he did not hesitate
to maintain his allegiance to tlie National Government ; and, in contrast
12

111

Ixxxiv

Sir John Johnson.

with those who claimed their freedom from the obligation of their oath
of allecriance, when their resignations had been accepted, carrying this
freedom to the extreme sequence, that they could legitimately array
themselves in war against the Government that had jufet freed them.
Thomas believed that there was a moral and legal obligation that for-
bade resignation, with a view to take up arms against the Government.
And from this point of view he condemned the national authorities for
accepting the resignation of officers, when aware that it was their inten-
tion to join the Rebellion as oon as they were in this way freed from the
obligation of their oath of allegiance. In his view, resignation did not
give them freedom to take up arms against the General Government,
and, resting upon this ground, he did not wait till his own State had
seceded to make up his own decision, but made it in entire indepen-
dence of her probable action in the national crisis." — Chaplain Thomas
B. Van Home's " Life of Gen. George H. Thomas," pp. 26, 27.

" Against STUPioiTV the gods are powerless."— G(

" When through dense woods primeval bower'd
A perfect hail of bullets shower'd,
Where bold Thayendanega tower'd—
Good old Harkheimer prov'd no coward,
Commanding at Oriskany !

" True to his 'J'euton lineage,
Foremost amidst the battle's rage,
As bold in fight, in council sage,
Most glorious as he quit the stage
Of life, by the Oriskany !

"Although he felt the mortal wound.
Though fell in swathes his soldiers 'round,
Propp'd 'gainst his saddle, on the ground,
He calmly smok'd, gave counsel sound,
'Mid war-whirl at Oriskany !

" War never fiercer sight has seen

Than when Sir Johnson's cohort green
Charged on the Mohawk rangers keen ;
The sole such strife Almanza 'd been
As thai on the Oriskany !

" New York's bold yeomen. Watts, at head,
Breasted meet foes— New N'orkers l)red —
There, eye to eye, they fought, stabb'd, bled ;
Bosom to bosom strove, fell dead
In ambush of Oriskany !

Ixxxv

Ixxxvi

The Battle of Oriskany.

"Alone can Berwick's shudder tell
What fury rul'd that moment fell,
When Frenchman's steel hiss'd Frenchman's knell ;
Horrent made the sole parallel
To battle of Oriskany !

" Teeth with like frantic fury set,

There Frank died on Frank's bayonet —
Here neighbor death from neighbor met, —
With kindred blood both fields were wet,
Almanza* and Oriskany !

"And, ceas'd the storm whose rage had vied.
With ruthless shock of fratricide.
There lay the Mohawk Valley's pride
Just as they fought, stark, side by side.
Along the red Oriskany !

" Though neither force could triumph claim

In war's dread, dazzling, desp'rate game,

Enkindled there, the smould'ring flame

Of Freedom blazed, to make thy name

• All glorious, Oriskany!"

"Anchor" (J. W. de P.), in Chas. G. Jones' Military Gazette^ Nov., i860.

These verses were exquisitely translated into German, and printed in Kapp's"A"/«-
uHinderung'^ I., 389, by Miss Marie Blode.

* The battle of Almama, fought on the 25th April, 1707, was re-
in-irkable in two respects — first, for its result, in that it assured the
crown of Spain to Pliilip V. ; second for a bloody episode, which it is
said the Duke of Berwick, bigoted and pitiless as he always proved
himself to be, could never recall without a shudder of horror. In the
mic'st of that conflict, Jo/in Cavalier, the expatriated French Protestant
hero, with his battalion of fellow-exiles, the Camisards, or Huguenots
of Languedoc, found themselves opposed to a regiment of French
Roman Catholics, who it is supposed had been chiefly instrumental
in applying the atrocities of the Dragonnades against their native Pro-
testant brethren. No sooner had they recognized each other, than the
two corps, without exchanging a sliot, rushed to the attack with the
bayonet, and engaged in such a mutual, inveterate slaughter that, ac-
cording to the testimony of Marshal, the Duke of Berwick, not over
three hundred survived of both corps. As the Camisards constituted
a battalion of 700 men, and the Roman Catholics a full regiment of at
least 1000 effectives, only one out of every six combatants survived
tlie merciless conflict. Such a slaughter is almost un])aralleled in
history.

The Battle of Oriahany.

Ixxxvii

England lias never been prolific in great, nay in even
nioderately great generals, however exuberant in crops of
the bravest soldiers. Since Marlborough, who culminated
at Ilochstedt or Blenheim, 13th August, 1704 — 178 years
ago— tliere have been only three who stand forth as re-
markable leaders — AVolfe, Clive and Wellington. Clive
was destined to the command against the revolted colonies,
and if he had displayed in America the tremendous power,
influence and fortune he exerted in Hindostan, the history
of the American Eevolution would have had a diiferent
termination. The name of Sir William Johnson, "a
heaven-born general," has been associated with that of Lord
Clive by more than one English writer of distinction, and
particularly by one of Great Britain's best military an-
nalists, Sir Edward Gust. Lord Clive perished by suicide,
22d Nov., 1774, and Sir William Johnson, it is insinuated,
hut falsely, in the same manner on 11th July, 1774. He
died of chronic, malignant dysentery.

American affairs were desperate enough in 1776 and
1777, in 1780, and even in 1781, to need only a feather's
weight in the scale to sink it into ruin. A breath of
genius M'ould have done this, but there w^as no one to
l)reathe it. Cornwallis might have done so had he oc-
cupied an independent position like Marlborongh, Wolfe,
Clive or Wellington, and have added liis name to these
illustrious four.

Unfortunately for England, and luckily for the United
States, he was subordinate to successive superiors, who
M-ere his inferiors in everything but rank. Gage was

■■t?j

If.

Ixxxviii

The Battle of Oviskany.

weak and vacillating ; Howe indolent and self-inclnlgent ;
Burgoyne vain, self-seeking and over-confident; Clinton
nervous and afraid of responsibility. Oarleton and Corn-
wallis are the only two of liigli rank that relieve the picture.
There were able men in lower grades, but they exercised
only restricted influence. The American Revolution
was a political quarrel between parties in Enghmd. It
was fought out with so much bitterness that, to injure the
Tories, the Whigs were willing to sacrifice the worth,
wealth i, id welfare of the empire. Without this wordy fight
in Parliament, the bloody conflict in America would not
have lasted six months. It was the story of Hannibal
over again. The violence of faction in the senate house
of Carthage, at home, sacrificed the hero who was breaking
doM'n, abroad, the deadly enemy of his country, and the
oligarchs in Africa carried this spite so far that, with
the fall of the victimized hero, fell the commonwealth
which he sustained. No wonder he burst out into a
sardonic fit of laughter when he saw the oligarchs, ab-
ject, broken-hearted, hopeless, weeping the bitterest tears
on feeling the ruin they had caused when they beheld their
own riclies the prey of Roman flames. The Loyalists of
America were representatives of the spirit of the Barcidse —
faint imitations of the genius, but strong representatives
of the feeling which lay beneath it. Like Hannibal they
expiated their patriotism and loyalty — all in exile, some in
poverty, numy on foreign fields of battle, others in prison,
not for crime but debt, Mdien rel)el8 were revelling in their
sequestrated possessions — and «7/ martyrs; for there can

fci

"^1

'f^ht Battle of Oriahany.

Ixxxix

be no martjrdoiu without a full appreciation of tlse cause —
a complete perception of the result and a perfect willing-
ness to suffer for principle.

Tradition can scarcely be deemed worthy of satisfying
legitimate importance, or perhaps more properly speak-
ing of serious consideration, by a historian, unless sup-
ported or corroborated by other irrefutable testimony,
less susceptible of the influence of time and the weakness
of the human structure. Even physical proofs, if they
continue to subsist, are only trustworthy as to locality
or residts, but not as to the ''why" and the "when,"
wliich, after all, to the philosopher, are of the most; conse-
quence. This remark as to the little weight that can be
attached to hvnnan recollections, transmitted from genera-
tion to generation, is particularly applicable to the Johnson
family in the State of New York and especially respecting
Sir John Johnson, the last of them who figured in con-
nection with the affairs of the Mohawk Valley. If ever
a mortal has been the victim of bigotted prejudice and
continuous misrepresentation, he is the man. The English
translator of von Clausewitz's "Campaign in Russia," in
1812, remarks in regard to the action of the Prussian
General York, on which hinged the fate of Napoleon,
tliat, whether the Prussian general should be regarded as
a traitor or a hero, Avas not dependent on what he risked
or did, but npon subsecpient developments based there-
upon. The same doubt hangs over the memory of
Wallenstein. That, the last, never can be cleared up,
although with time York has received full justice. Sir

TJke Battle of Orishani/.

John Johnson helongs. to the category of Wallenstein, be-
cause he failed, justifying the maxim — "to appear abso-
lutely able a man must always be successful." Human
success, as a rule, is the counterfeit of merit in the ma-
jority of cases ; as regards the recipient of the reward, a
sham. It is often the greatest of impostors. It has cer-
tainly been so in American history. And, yet, it is the
fallacy which is always accepted by the masses — who
never reason — as the reality.

One of the closest students of American history, con-
siders that the two men greatest in themselves who exerted
an influence on the colonies were Sir William Pepperell,
Captor of Louisburg, and Sir William Johnson, "the In-
dian Tamer." In regard to the latter, public opinion has
been led astray. It believes that he was little better than
an adventurer, who oM^ed his start in life to the accidental
patronage of his uncle. Admiral Sir Peter Warren. For
Sir William Pepperell the best informed would substitute
Hon. James de Lancey, who for so many years was
Lieutenant and acting Governor of the Province of New
York. Of him the great Pitt remarked, "Had James
de Lancey lived in England, he would have been one of
the first men in the kingdom."

William, afterwards Sir William Johnson, Bart., was
more directly influential in tlie arrest which involved the
overthrow of the French power in America than any other
individual ; and that this does not appear in popular his-
tory is due to the local antagonisms, prejudices, and in-
terests, which have obscured all the narratives of the

The Battle of Oriakany.

xci

colonies or provinces that affected more or less closely
the arrogant claims of New England. This is owing to
tlie principlp which is most evident in war, that while the
purely defensive, or passive, is scarcely ever, if ever, suc-
cessfnl, the offensive or aggressive, with any proportional
power, is almost always so. Example, Alexander of
Maeedon. The off'ensive-defensive is likewise most ad-
visable — witness the triumph of "Frederic II. of Prussia,
the greatest man who Avas ever born a king."

When, nearly half a (entury ago, the writer first had
his attention directed to American history, he placed great
faith in standard works, accepted by older men, as un-
questionable authority. As he investigated more closely
this faith became gradually chilled and in many cases
killed. Then he came to appreciate the force of the Latin
--^iroverb, " Hear the other side." A sterner scrutiny and
harsher judgment was now applied to every book, nor
were apparent facts alone subjected to microscopic exam-
ination. Attention was directed to the motives which
hnperceptibly or visibly guided the pens or influenced the
periods of our most popular and polished writers. With
St. Paul he perceived that those ' ' who seemed to be pillars "
M^ere not stone or marble but deceptions, stucco or frailer
material. All this led to the conviction that no one can
prepare a satisfactory narrative, especially of a battle,
who does not go back to original documents on both sides,
or at least to the works in which they have been reproduced ;
who has not reflected upon the aninius which did or

inight actuate the authors of such papers ; who has not
18

XCll

The Battle of OrisJcany.

weiglied report against report ; and then, and only then,
after a careful study of tlie character of the actors and
consideration of time, phice, and circumstances, has formed
an opinion for liimself. His first story of Oriskany was
written in 1859; liis second in 1869; his third in 1878;
his fourth in 1880. In all these he continued to pin faith
to the American side of the story. Suhsequently he
determined to investigate with equal care the Loyal story
and British side, pure and sim])le ; this, with the discovery
of Sir John Johnson's "Orderly Book," has hrought with
it a feeling that, although the moral effect of the hattle,
particularly upon the Indians, was to a great extent de-
cisive, the physical circumstances were not so creditable.
It was a sacrifice rather than a conflict; an immolation,
a holocaust which Heaven accepted, as the Great liuler
ever accei)ts, not according to what is actually given, but
according as man purposeth in his heart to give. "For
if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to
that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."
As it was admirably put in his Centennial, by the Hon.
Ellis H. Roberts, ^ '- Herkimer^ s glory is that out of such a
slimghter he snatched the snhstance.'''' This is a sentence
will live, for it is the concrete truth in a very few admir-
able words.

In comparing Oriskany to Thermopylae, there is no
intention to contrast the physical circumstances. In both
case*, however, a heroic leader offered himself for the
defence of his country and lost his life in consequence.
In both cases a portion of the troops did their duty and

m ^

The Battle of (hisJcanf/.

XCllI

anotlici" ])ortioii failed, innjlorioualj, to do so. Eventually,
the Greeks, like the Mohawkers, were surrounded and
few escaped death, wounds or captivity. A pass, whether
across a marsh, or through a wood, or among mountains,
any similar locality, in fact, is in a military sense a " delile."
The moral similitudes between the ()th July, B. C. 480,
and 6th August, A. D. 1777, resemble each other in numy
resi)ects. Leonidas fell to save Attica and Athens;
Herkimer to relieve Fort Stanwix, and thus ])reserve his
native vallev.

A better pai-allel to certain phases of Oriskany is the
battle of Thrasimene, B. C. 217. In the latter case the
Gauls, like the Indians in 1777, rushed in too soon, and
thus by their precipitation enabled a small portion of the
Romans to escape. Another apposite example is the
battle of Crevant, 31st July, 1428. The French and their
Scotch auxiliaries were besieging Ci-evant, about one hun-
dred miles southeast of Paris on the right bank of the
Yonne, and the English and Bui j:,undian8 advanced to
relieve the place. In this case the result of Oriskany^ was
reversed under similar circumstances, and the besiegers
were almost all slain or captured. During the Austro-
Hungarian war Gen. Guyon nearly came to grief in a sim-
ilar trap during the winter of 1848-9. Dade's massacre

* The fight, disastrous for Bale or Basel city, striving, in 18;J3, to
niaintown its ancient privileges or influence over the whole State,
was a collision similar in many res])ect8 to Oriskany. It led to a rup-
ture between the Past and Present, and ended in a division of the
canton into two half- cantons. Bale Ville (city) and Bale Canipagne
(country) to the advantage of neither.

■

XCIV

The Battlt' of Oriskany.

by Seminole r?i(iian8, 28th December, 1S35, in Florida,
Avas a miniature of Braddock's overvvlielming on the
Monongahela, SHb Jnly, 1755. The glory of this snoeess
belongs to Langlade, the famous French leader of Indians,
who prepared a simihir trap for Wolfe on the Montmorenci,
in 1759. In the latter the great English leader was only
saved by the supercilious self-sufficiency of the French re-
gular superior officers, who rejected the proposition of
the partisan.

It is somewhat curious that in the same way that the
Provincials seemed to have better strategical as well as
grsmd-tactical views than professionals, George III. was
wiser in his views than his ministers and generals. He
suggested a route for Burgoyne which, had fo"tune favored
instead of thw-arting it, would have been far more advan-
tageous and would have enabled Burgoyne to reach his
objective, Albany, witlK)ut doubt. The movement on
this point, in 1777, w-as simply reversing the plan which
was triumphant against Canada in 1759. Alas for England,
there was no Pitt at the head of military and colonial
affairs in 1777, only a St. Germaine ; no Wolfe, but a
Burgoyne ; no Amherst, but a Howe and then a Clinton ;
no Prideaux or Sir William Johnson, but a St. Leger.
Sir William Johnson's son might have rivalled his father's
fortune bad opportunity favored or circumstances per-
mitted. Like that of 1759, the operations of 1777 were
not simple, but complex, triple. In 1759, Quebec was the
first objective. Against it Wolfe ascended the St. Law-
rence, Andierst ascended the Hudson and descended Lake

The Battle of OrUkanij.

xcv

Cliumplain, and Pridcuux, afterwards .lolinson, anctMidctl
the Mohawk and captured Niagara. In 1777, Burgoyne as-
cended Lake Chanii>hiin and dencended the Hudson ; St.
Leger ascendcHl the St. Lawrence and dcHcended tlie Mo-
hawk ; and Howe (afterwards Clinton) was to ascend the
Hudson. The Bm-goyne of 1777, would have reached liis
goal had he been the Burgoyne of 1702, and estimated,
as then, the value of time, and remembered the oi-ders of
his great master in the art of war. Count de la Lii)pe,
tlirouc,h which he avoided, in 1702, a catastrophe similar
to (hat of Saratoga. Everything contributed to insure
the Burgoyne fiasco. Where Carleton would have succeeded
Burgoyne must have failed. The most important function
was entrusted to St, Leger with the most inadequate
means. St. Leger was greatly to blame because he did
not listen to Sir John Johnson and Colonel Daniel Claus,
and because he underestimated the adversaries he had to
encounter and the obstacles he had to overcome. The
greatest culprit, however, was Sir William Howe, "the
most indolent of mortals," a})athy itself, who, with or-
dinary Judgment, energy, and even a spirit of lukewarm
camaraderie^ could have even remedied the shortcomings of
Burgoyne and the blunders of St. Leger. If Howe had
so nuuneuvred in the Jerseys as to occupy the attention
of Washington, simply demonstrating in his front with
half his army, which half was fully eipial to the whole
force under Washington at this time, iie could have dis-
patched at least 7000 men uj) the Hudson to co-operate
with Burgoyne. Tf Burgoyne had attended to his busi

ill

XCVI

Tlu- liattlf of fJrt'nk(()it/.

ness th()i()u<i:lily, and acted with interprlse an<l audacity,
and if St. Leger liad had from 1500 to 2000 whites, instead
of about 400, the history of tliis continent wouhl have
been totally different. All however hinged, first on
llowo's paralyzing Washington, second on St. Leger' s
cleaning out the Mohawk Valley. The camj)aign of 1777,
as regards the British, was a glaring ])art of a tissue of
blunders. The colonies M'ere at their mercy if they had
used the forces, moral and physical, u:ider their control
with any judgment — simple connnon sense. The Duke
de Lauzun and other competent military judges coidirm
these views.

It is ridiculous, however, in a mere military point of
view, to claim that all the advantages in this contest were
in favor of the British. They might have been, had
they utilized the Loyalists, respected them, shown energy
and activity, and forgotten professional conceit and iner-
tion in zeal for the crown and patriotic desire to maintain
and extend the glory of the imperial donunion. The
Jiritish, like Napoleon in Russia, M'ere conquered by
s])ace. Paradox as it may seem to be, discipline, rigid
martinet regidation, may actually, under some conditions,
become a disadvantage. Marksmen wdth some idea of
drill may be better than strictly line regulars in a new,
a wooded, and a rough or mountainous country. The
range of heights extending from northeast to southwest
across New Jersev, the broken elevations and extensive
marshes around Morristown, as a central citadel, and
the spnr shot out into the plain opposite the elbow of the

The llattU' of (h'lukatu/.

xcvii

liarituiu hctwccn Bound Brook tiiul MuUlIc Brook, with
its ^ai)s tor sally-ports, saved the American cause. Nuni-
hers and diin won the first tight at Iloosic {mU-uained
Bennington), and then, when indiscipline, dissolved in
plundering, needed the support of discipline, in the
second tight, Warner came in with his Continentals or
regidars. Man for man, tlie colonists were as good as
the hest British, and, being nulling^ better than the
(rcrmans <«;<.-willing combatants. Why not? They were
all the same race, and the M'orld has yet to see its ecpial
as enduring and courageous soldiers.

And here it is pertinent to the occasion to remark,
that the declanuition and shrieks of the Americans at the
omj)loyinent of the Indians by the British is the sheerest
hypocrisy. They would have enlisted the tonuihawk and
scalping-knife without the slightest repugnance if they
could have bid as high as the crown, or would have paid
cash down as honestly. If the assistance of the savages
was nefarious, the Americans would not have objected
to its utilization on that account, if they could have con-
ti'acted for, coerced, cajoled or controlled it. Lucky for
the Americans a factious opposition in England and Par-
liament used the American War as a weapon of otfence
against the crown, just as the Whigs in America professed
loyalty to the King, but opposition, nay bitter animosity,
to the Ministry and Parliament. As Gen. C. S. W.
wrote (from Innsbruck, l!>, 7, 1882), '^The English
government, like our own, is a government of party ; and
the consideration of gaining or losing jjarty-capital out-

xcvm

Hie Battle of OrlsJi'any.

veighti all others." "Of course tlie thing [Egjpt] was
badly managed in many respects." Englisli faction nearly
mined Wellington in Spain and colonial congressional
discordances and jealousies very nearly occasioned a worse
fate for Wasliington. Even the liberally praised Chatham,
in his hypocritical denunciation of setting the Indian
bloodhounds upon the colonists, was reproved or shewn
up by General, Lord Andierst, and rebuked by the \n'o-
duction of his orders, when Prime Minister, for letting
them loose upon the French. The Americans courted
the assistance of the Indians with assiduity, but the
latter foresaw the fate which would attend the success
of the colonists, as their chiefs in council foretold, and
remained faithful to the old country, which had always
protected and fostered them and treated them with jus-
tice and forbearance.

This fact — ;]ust referred to — in connection with the
employment of Indians, Avhich is too little known, is
apposite to the support of the American Revolution in
Parliament. The Earl of Chatham (Pitt) denounced in
the House of Lords the employment of the wild Indians
in conjunction with the British troops, although he himself,
nineteen years before, had used Indians in the same man-
ner against the French and the Canadians. In advocating
his views he waxed still more loud and indignant, -'pour-
ing out fresh volumes of words. " " Ministers then offered
to i)roduce, from the depository of papers in the Secre-
tary's office, documents written by himself to prove the
'•^'nrge. The dispute grew still hotter; and at length

The Battle of OriskoMy.

xcix

Lord Amherst, Chatham's general, who liad commanded
our [the British] troops in that Canadian war, was so
loudly appealed to on all sides, that he found himself
compelled to acknowledge that he had followed the ex-
ample of the French in e'.nploying savages, which he would
not have done without express orders from government at
home. He even offered to produce the orders, if his
majesty would permit him." * * * * *

Lord Denbigh rather happily called Chatham "The
great oracle with the short memory," and stated that
"Chatham, when in office under George 11. , had guided
and directed everything relating to the war ; had monopo-
lized functions wliicli did not belong to him, and had been
excessively jealons of any interference by others, whether
boards or ministers."

The Lords who supported Chatham now seemed in-
clined to lay the question by, as far as it concerned his
veracity or correctness of memory. According to Lord
Brougham, when Lord Bute heard what had passed on
this occasion in the House of Lords, and that Chatham
had denied his having employed the red men (or Indians),
he exclaimed with astonishment, "Did Pitt really deny
it? Why, I have his letter still by me, singing lo Pa-.ans
of the advantages we were to gain through our Indian
allies." As a political question, Whigs against Tories, the
cause of the Colonies was fought with as much virulence
with words, in Parliament, as,, with weapons, in America,
and in many cases with just as nmch principle.

Let the consideration, however, confine itself to Oris-
14

The Battle of Oriskany.

ij.

kany. It was the turning point of the Biirgoyne campaign
and of the American Revolution. Within the scope of
the considerations before dwelt upon, it was the Thermo-
pylae of the Colonies.

In regard to the numbers at Oriskany there are such
discrepancies in the various accounts that it is almost
impossible to reconcile them. The Americans exaggerate
the English numbers to excuse Harkheimer's coming short
of decided success, and to exalt the determination of the
garrison. How many the latter comprised is by no means
certain. Stedman (4to, I., 334} says 750 men, but Gen.
Carrington, IT. S. A., one of the most careful of investiga-
tors, uses language (323) that would justify the belief that
it consisted of 950 men. If only 750 "under cover " it ought
still to have been a full match for the whole heterogeneous
corps that St. Leger brought against it. The "Burgoyne
scare " was upon the whole country and the garrison of Fort
Stanwix felt the effects of it.

Prior to the discovery of Johnson's Orderly Book, it
has always been stated that St. Leger had 675 white
troops with him : the Orderly Book, hoM ever, distinctly
shows that only 500 rations were issued. This demon-
strates conclusively that the white troops, at most, could
not have exceeded that number. The Americans, to swell
the numbers of British and Loyal Provincials under Col.
Ferguson, encountered at King's Mountain, 7th October,
1780, based their calculations on the Bation Retm-ns
found in the captured camp.
The same rule of judgment in justice should apply to the

The Battle of Oriskany.

force under St. Leger. The diiference between 400 and 675
can be easily accounted for in various ways, even if exact
proof did not exist to establish the smaller number. Ex-
perts, including Napoleon, consider that an army of 100,000
on paper rarely can put 80,000 effectives in the field. In
a new country subject to local fevers, when men are
called upon to discharge the severest labors at the hottest
period of the year, this ratio would, most likely, be greatly
increased. Consequently, if St. Leger had 675 at Lachine,
near Montreal, it would not be extraordinary if he left a
number of invalids behind, besides those, especially indivi-
duals foreign to the country and service, who dropped out
on the road. There is no mention in this Orderly Book
of a list of sick or casualties, and yet it is impossible but
that there must have been both. A highly educated
l)edant argued that the Romans had no Medical Depart-
ment, because Csesar does not mention one in his Com-
mentaries. His reasonings were completely demolished
by the observation that, on the same plea, Csesar had no dis-
eases in his camp, because he does not allude to them in
any of the accounts of his campaigns, which is what the
scholars call an argumentum ad absurdtim.

The statement attributed to St. Leger, that he had 675
white troops, he never made. It is a deduction of their
OMHi by American Avriters, to make good their case. Any
reader desirous of investigating this can easily refer to the
reports made by St. Leger to Burgoyne and also to Carie-
ton. These figures ra-e not in either : Where then are
these numbers to be found ? In a letter from Lord

The Battle of Orlskany.

George Germain to General Carleton, 26th March, 1777,

he says :

"From the King's knowledge of the great preparations made
by you last year to secure the command of the lakes, and your atten-
tion to this part of the service during the winter, his Majesty is led
to expect that everytliing will be ready for General Burgoyne's pass-
ing the lakes by the time you and he shall have adjusted the plan of
the expedition.

'• It is the King's further pleasure that you put under the command
of Lieutenant-Colonel St. Leger,

*' Detachment from the 8th Regiment, . . . 100

Detachment from the 34th Regiment, . . . 100

Sir John Johnson's Regiment of New York, 133

Hanau Chasseurs, 342

675

" Together with a sufficient number of Canadians and Indians ; and
after having furnished him with proper artillery, stores, provisions,
and every other necessary article for his expedition, and secured to
him every assistance in your power to afford and procure, you are to
give him orders to proceed forthwith to and down the Mohawk River
to Albany, and put himself under the command of Sir William Howe."

Mark this : not Burgoyne, but Sir William Howe, who
was expected to co-operate, Liit did not, partly because
through the indolence of hi^ superior. Lord St. Germain,
lie did not receive his orders on time.

On the 28th February, one month previous, Burgoyne
considers that even a smaller force than the 675 assigned
by St. Lv^ger would be sufficient. He only mentions 233
white troops. These are his exact words :

" Not, to argue from probability, is so much force necessary for
this diversion this ycir, as w'as required for the last ; because we
then knew that General Schuyler, with a thousand men, was fortified
upon the ]\Iohawk. When the difi'erent situations of things are con-
sidered, viz., the progress of General Howe, the early invasion from

The Battle of Orlskany.

* • •

Canada, the tlircatening of the Connecticut from Rliode Island, &c.,
it is not to be imagined tjiat any detachment of such force as tliat of
Sclniyler can be supplied by tlie enemy for the Mohawk. I would not
therefore propose it of more (and I have great diffidence whether so
ranch can be prudently afforded) than Sir John Johnson's corps, an
hundrcHl British from the Second Brigade, and an himdred more from
the 8th Regiment, with four pieces of the lightest artillery, and a body
of savages ; Sir John Johnson to be with a detachment in person, and
an able field officer to command it. I should wish Lieutenant-Colonel
St. Leger for that employment."

How many men, then, did St. Leo;er have? Stedman
states he had " a body ofliglit troops and Indians, amount-
ing to between 700 and 800 men." Carrington calls it a
"composite army of regulars, Hessian-chasseurs. Royal-
greens, Canadians, axemen, and non-combatants, who, as
well as the Indians, proved an ultimate incumbrance and
curse to the expedition." St. Leger did not have 342
Hanau-chasseurs, nor anything like it. This is now known
to be an error ; he had only one company. Why ? Be-
cause only one company had arrived when he started. It
was connnanded by a 1st Lieutenant, Jacob Hilderbrand.
There could be no mistake here, because Germans are the
most methodical people, and the journals of many of their
officers exist, which were written with no idea of their ever
seeing the light in print, with no intent to deceive or to
influence public opinion. What is more, a company at
that time ranged from 50 to SO ; in the English Guards,
always kept full, SO is the figure (1T8S) ; 50 to 120, num-
ber never fixed (James, ISIO, Hoyt, 1811). Had more
than a company been sent, a higher officer than a 1st
Lieutenant woidd have been placed in command. Sir

CIV

The Battle of OrisJcany.

John's regiment, or battalion, only nuniLered 133. The
great mistake is the item generally (juotecl, 342, which
should be under 50. If people would read carefully they
would avoid many serious errors which serve to feed and
stimulate popular vanity. Col. Clans corroborates von
Eelking. "And here [at Buck's Island] the Brig'r had still
an opportunity and time for sending for a better train of
artillery, and wait for the junction of the [Hesse-IIanau]
Chasseurs, ivhich vmst have secured us success, as every one
will allow." Again below Claus expressly mentions "«
cojiPANY of Chasseurs lately arrived." Can language be
clearer and more unmistakable. The proper, or real,
not the intended, or ideal, enumeration would give St.
Leger about 380 organized troops, besides Rangers. Here
again i^eople are led into a serious error because they
desire so to be. Butler, and other officers belonging to
the Bangers, did not have regular white commands at
Oriskany, but, as officers, were distributed among the
Indians to steady them. This was according to French
military usage ; officers, in France, at this time, were often
multii)lied in certain regiments to insure solidity by
example and influence. Such a course was much more
a necessity among undisciplined savages. When Butler
got back to Quebec ho could only collect or muster fifty out
of all he had had or had. There was, it is true, quite a
numerous staif of Whites serving with the Indians. The
discovery of the " Orderly Book " should settle the mat-
ter. The number of rations issued would not have been
falsified. This establishes the fact that there must have

The Battle of (h'ishany.

been considerably less than 500 to receive tlieni, since,
before rations were conmnitecl, officers were entitled to
more than one, especially when they had servants to feed,
and in those days no commissioned officer took the field
without one or more servants. Colonel Clans, Deputy,
Acting Superintendent of the Indians, is very explicit in
his letter to Secretary Knox. He blames St. Leger for mis-
calculating the force and efficiency of the enemy and for
not taking with him more troops and more powerful artil-
lery when he could have had a full sufficiency of both.*
Undoubtedly there were detachments from the 8th
(Major, afterwards Colonel, A. S. de Peyster's llegiment)
and 34tli (St. Leger's own) Regiments, ]^. A. of 100 each ;
Sir John Johnson's Royal-greens, 133; and a company of
Chasseurs or Riflemen lately arrived in Canada, from Ger-
numy, which exactly tallies with von Eelking's published

* Col. Chuis, in his letter of the l()th October, 1777, to Secretary
Knox, sliows that St. Leuer liimself alone was to blame for not having
L snftlciency of artillery of the i>ro))er calibre in his expedition against
Fort Stanwix. Col. Claus demonstrates that the Americans expected
the siege which followed, and prisoners taken agreed in their story re-
vealing the precautions necessary to insure success. St. Leger con-
cedes that "if they [Americans] intended to defend themselves in that
fort [Stanwix], our [British] artillery was not sullicient to take it."
"The Brig'r." (St. Leger) had still an oi)portunity and time of sending
for a better train of artillery, and wait for the junction of the Chas-
seurs (German Jaegers) which must have secured us success, as every
one Avill allow." Here we have a repetition of the self-sufllciency of
Braddock and the rejection of the wise counsels of Provincial oltlcers
like Washington, in this case represented by Sir John Johii.son and
Col. Daniel Clans. Oh hackneyed but eternally ajjplicable truism of
Euripides : " But the dienum (directing spirit), when he devises any
mlochief against a man, lirst perverts (or stultifies) his friend."

CVl

The Battle of Oriskany.

account. These are all the wliite troops lie mentions.
The best Marriors of the Six Nations were with Burgoyne.
The sum total of the savages with 8t. Leger, according to
Col. Daniel Claus, their Superintendant in the absence of
Col. Guy Johnson, was 800. Among these were 150
Mississaugues, who were accepted as a Seventh by the
Six Nations, in 1746, but the alliance did not long continue.
In 1755 the Iroquois Confederation found their Seventh
member in the ranks of the enemy. The fact is there never
wore over Five Nations : even the Sixth, the Tuscaroras,
did not stand on an equal footing with the original Five ;
they were sim])ly tolerated. The Mississaugues were
afterwards expelled or dropped from the Confederation.
They were a miserable set, "drunk and riotous from the
start," unreliable throughout, robbers and murderers of
the associated Whites at the end. They came from the
neighborhood of Lake Nippissing, to the northward of
Georgian Bay. Gordon (American) puts St. Leger' s In-
dians "at 700 warriors, who, with their wives, children,
other men and women, made up 1400." Deduct the non-
combatants and Indians eftectives and this, again, demon-
strates the number of white soldiers, rank and iile, repre-
sented by 600 rations, less than 400. The Americans
estimated the King's troops at King's Mountain at 1125,
from the number of rations issued that morning according
to the returns captured ; whereas, it is well-known, accord-
ing to the Diary of Lieut. Allaire, recovered within two
years, that Ferguson had only 906 or 907, of whom over
800 were raw militia.

The Battle of Oriakany.

evil

Wliy St. Leger took with him so few men and sucli
inadequate cannon is due to the supercilions di8re<i;ard
manifested by ])rofessional British officials for the advice
of American provincial officers. All the ability he did
show was due to the advice of Sir John Johnson (Stone's
"Brant," I., 226). Wherever he did so, he was successful,
and where he did not, he failed. Had Braddock followed the
councils of Colonel Washington, he would have escaped
the catastrophe in M'hich he fell, in July, 1755. Had St.
Leger listened to the suggestions of Colonel Clans, *^ he
would have succeeded in August, 1777. Could Colonel
(acting Brigadier) Fergusonf have divested himself of his

* Col. Dauiol Clans, writing? to Secretary Knox, 6tli November, 1777,
shows how the jealousies afrectin<^ the supersedure of Sir Guy Carleton
by Bur j?oy lie were fatal to all tlie operations of this campaign. Col.
Claus, on ai)i)]ying to Sir Guy for orders, was told he had none to give,
and that he (Claus) nught do as he pleased. TJiis was a curious re-
mark for a chief to make to a subordinate. One fact of interest is dis-
closed by this letter, viz., that Sir John Johnson, after the failure at
Fort Stanwix, was to proceed to join Burgoyne. Why he did not is
explained by the concluding sentence of this paragraph of the commu-
nication of Col. Claus: "Such friques [freaks?) and jealousies I am
afraid have been rather hurtful to our Northern operations last can\-
paign." Verily ! (Col. Doc, VIII., 725.)

f Johnson and Claus told St. Leger what he wanted and what to do,
and he would not hearken, and did not succeed. De Peyster advised Fer-
guson as to the character of his opj)onents, and he was not listened to.
Americans knew^ Americans better than Britishers. The result was,
St. Leger failed and Ferguson fell, and with the failure of the one and
the fall of the other, it was not the interests of England that suffered
only, because the "mother country" came out of the war riclier, greater
and mightier than ever, but the Loyalists, dupes of their faith in the
Home Government, her ability to conquer, and her determination to
preserve the rights of all, to punish the guilty and to recompense the
faithful.

cvni

The Battle of OrisJcany.

contempt for the Mountain-men he would not have saeri-
ijced his detachment in October, 1780. Captain (acting Col-
onel) de Peyster, an American Provincial, his second in com-
mand, knew the value of the exquisite picked sharpshooters
who were about to assail his superior, in far preponderating
numbers. PTe indicated the course which would have
secured immediate relief and eventual success. Ferguson
was too fearless or perhaps reckless to listen to his sub-
ordinate and the result was a defeat from which the Eng-
lisli n ;ver recovered at the South. It was exactly the
same with the French regulars. They would never pay
the slightest heed to the warning of the Canadian provin-
cial leaders, experts in forest-craft and Indian fighting,
and thus the Bourbons lost New France. Arrogance in
epaulets will never liston to exoteric experience. Mem-
bers of a caste or liierarchy never pay due attention to
the sagacity of intuitive external practical observation
which does not exhibit the tonsure or the shoulder-strap.
West Point and the regular army pooh ! pooh ! silently
or audibly, everything that is not stamped with their
cabalistic emblems or has not joined in the chorus "Benny
Havens, Oh !" It has been so since the world began, and
brave men will be massacred through "red tape " until the
era of common-sense arrives, if it ever does come, to bless"
mortality — until the descent of the New Jerusalem.

How many men had Ilarkheimer ? Estimates vary from
800 to 1000. There were four regiments of militia, some
faithful Oneidas, numerous volunteers of all ranks, a bloom
of colonels and officials, and a few mounted men. By how

The Battle of OrUkany.

cix

many was irarkheinier ambuscaded at first!! Not near as
many as he liimself had. St. Leger says that, wlien Sir
John was aUowed to plan and traj) the Americans, he had
not 200 of tlie King's troops in camp, and he could only
spare to the Baronet 80 white men, Hangers and Troops,
Sir John's Light Company, the Ilanau liifiemen, and But-
ler with a few Ottieers and Rangers and the whole corps of
the Indians. Here again is incontrovertible circumstantial
proof that St. Leger's white troops, present and detached,
assembled and scattered between his camp and his depot,
or base, at Fort Bull on Wood Creek, did not exceed from
350 to 400 men. After the Indians had fiunked and be-
haved so badly the remainder of the " lioyal Greens " were
quickstepped into the fight, Mdiich would not have added
100 to the force besetting Ilarkheimer. Consequently the
latter could not have been engaged at any time with as
many as 200 whites.*

* Mr. Stone (pages e and/) emphasizes the fact that Steplien Watts
is only mentioned as Captain in the " Orderly Book," whereas he was
generally known as Major. If he had turned to his own note on the suh-
ject of English rank, the discrepancy would at once be exjilaincd. It is
very unlikely that a man's brother, at a i)eriod when the lines of titular
distinction were firmly drawn and closely observed, would not have
known the rank borne by a brother of whom he was proud, or the name
of the corps to which he belonged. Stephen AVatts, of Oriskany, was a
great favorite in his family, and designated by the most att'ectionate
epithets. What is more, there were a variety of titles of rank in the
British Army at tliat time, two or more of which were often borne l)y
the same individual. A man might be a "line" Captain, verj' likely
" brevet " Major or Lieutenant-Colonel, a " local," " temporary" or
"provincial" Colonel or Brigadier, and a militia Major-General. In
some cases he did not receive an actual commission, but was delegated
in Avriting to act as such or thus. Sir John Johnson, Bart, held com-

liii

\i%

lit

• The Battle of Ovhlann.

As to liow many tlic Aniericjins loHt is anoilior disputod
point. St. Lcger Hays in his ditteront rt'ijorts that not over
200 (ont of 800 or !>00) escaped. The smallest list of their
casualties comprises 100 killed and about 200 wounded
and prisoners.

In some' respects, Gordon, take him all in all, is the
best authority for the American Revolution when in ac-

missions as Major-Genera] of Militia, as Brigadier-General of the Pro-
vincial troops (2ist October, 1782), and the date of his conimisHion as
" Sui»crintendent-Gcneral and In8])eotor-General of the Six Nations
of Indians and their Confederates of all the Indian nations inhabiting
Our Province of Quebec and the Frontiers," is of March 14th, 1783.
In 1777, as Lieutenant-Colonel, he was commanding his regiment.

Here again Mr. Stone is emphatic. " He says that this regiment
is nowhere mentioned as the " Koyal .Greens." They must have been
known as such or else they would not have been thus designated in
the histories written nighest to their period. Any discrepancy here
again is susceptible of lucid solution. At first it was determinM to
uniform the Provincial corps in green, and some were originally
clothed in tliis color, but had it changed ; others, e.xceptions to the rule,
retained it to the end of the war. Doubtless for valid reasons, not now
known, it was found more advantageous or economical to issue to the
Provincials clothes of the same color as those worn by the Kegulars,
but with distinctive facings. The same process is now going on
tlirousrliout the whole British Army, and evoking a perfect wail of
indignation and grief from corps wliich had won renown in dresses
and facings of exceptional color and cut.

"We" [English], observes the author of "International Vanities"
(No. III., Titles), in BlnekwoocVs Magazine, " have carried this adoring
love of variety of names and titles even into our army, where we have
created five kinds of rank altogether irreapectite of military grades pro-
perly so called; our army rank maybe [1] Regimental (substantive),
[2] Brevet, [3] Local, [4| Temporary, or [5] Honorary, and we might
almost add [6] " Relative" to this absvrd list, which no other nation
can understand. In our navy, at all events, rank is rank ; there our
officers are in reality what they say they are." — LittelVs Living Age,
No. 1556, 4th April, 1874. p.' 14.)

The Ihittle of Orhhuny.

CXI

cord witli Stcdiuan ; but un<|ue8tu)iiiil»ly Afori-y Warren —
(laughter of JauieH Otis — political dissertationist, poetess
and liistorian, wlio wrote in the light and memories
of contemporaries, ju'esents facts not to be found elsewhere :
Paul Allen's ''American Revolution" isthemostphiloaoplii-
cal work on this subject. Hero let it be remarked, that
Mrs. Warren says: "Their danger" — that is the peril
of the garrison of Fort Stanwix — " was greatly enhanced by
the ntlsfortune of General Ifarkheimer, who liad marched
for the relief of Fort Stanwix, but with too little precau-
tion. At the head of eight or liine hundred nnlitia, ho
fell into an ambuscade consistlnrj in< <fl'i of Indians^ and
notwithstanding a manly defence, f<"' of them escaped.
They were surrounded, routed, and butchered, in all the
barbarous shapes of savage brutality, after many of them
had become tlieir i)risoners, and their scalps carried to
their British allies, to receive tlie stipidated pric3."

The Americans claimed a victorv because the survivors
were allowed to retire unmolested. This was due to the
fact that the Indians had long since "voted themselves out
of the tight," and because the white troops, misled by the
false reports of "a cowardly Indian," were recalled to the
defense of their camp. There is no intention in this little
work to detract from tlie glory of Harkheimer or of his
Mohawk men ; but the best regular troops have fallen
victims to ambuscades from the time of CfBsar, and, doubt-
less, long before, judging from analogy, do^\•n to the pre-
sent day. "Eternal fitness of things" is the pertinent phi-
losophical sneer of Sardou. Harkheimer against his better

cxii

The Battle of Oriskany.

judgment was plunged into a deadly trap and lie suflPered
awfully, as is the universal result under such circumstances.

Personal enemies, with the presumption of ignorance
and the bitterness of spite, have presumed to insinuate
that Sir John was wanting in courage. Want of physic a
bravery in a trained officer or soldier is extremely rai j.
Moral cowardice has very few and God-like exceptions.
As one among numerous proofs that Sir John was deficient
in neither quality, physical or moral, it is admitted by
friend and foe that "Sir John Johnson proposed to follow
the blow given to tli*" reinforcement (who were chiefly
Mohawk river people) to march down the country with
about 200 men, and I intended joining him with a suf-
ficient body of Indians ; but the Brigadier (St. Leger) said
he could not spare the men, and disapproved of it." It
was an admitted fact, however positively it may be denied
now, at this day, that the poi)uhition of this district were
stunned by the catastrophe at Oriskany. Is it any won-
der ? There was the ' ' Mourning of Egypt ' ' throughout the
Mohawk valley. Scarcely a house but wept its dead or
missing. It was not until the flaming sword of Arnold and
the flashing bayonets of his 2000 regulars, volunteers and
militia showed themselves that resolution lifted its head
and hearts once more pulsated with the throbbing of hope.

"False as a bulletin," has passed into a proverb.
Justice would seem to require that, since bulletins or re-
ports are with few excei)tions ' ' special pleas, ' ' the state-
ments of both parties concerned should be compared in
the light of common-sense, and the verdict given accord-

The Battle of OrisTcany.

CXlll

ing to niaiiifest probabilities. It is the popular notion
that Willett's sortie* was a magnificent feat of arms. Why
was it ? If he found no difficulty in spoiling the British
camp at his leisure without experiencing any loss either
in his sortie or return to the fort — during \vliich time his
wagons drove out, looted and carried bade into the fort
twenty-one loads of si)oil ; if, again, the garrison derided
the besiegers, why did Colonel Willett and Lieutenant
Stockwell volunteer, ]oave the fort to seek assistance from
Schuyler, more than a hundred miles away, against a foe
who, according to American accounts, had shown so little
vigor during the sortie and had effected so little subse-
quently? Such facts are hard to reconcile. Within the
fort were 750 (to 950?) white men, Americans, who nmst
be considered as good, man for man, as the four to five
liundred Englishmen and Americans opposing them ; and
no one will pretend that an armed white man behind

*■ That Willett's sortie was entirely destitute of peril and, throutrli-
out, luiinterruiited, is clearly shown by the thor()ugliness with which
lie ransaclted the Provincial and Indian cam])s, and the complete lei-
sure that was afforded for "looting " them, with only a remote chance
of reprisals by the absent enemy. All told, St. Leger had only (?) four
hundred and ten Whites. At first he sent out eighty of these, and.
perhaps, subsequently, one hundred went to the assistance of Sir
John, hurried to the scene of action by the report of a cowardly Indian.
This would leave St. Leger at most two hundred and tAventy-seven.
Deduct the men necess-irily on detached duty, and any one who is
willing to judge fairly will believe the British commander, that he
had only two hundred Whites and no savages with him when Willett
made the sortie with two hundred antl fifty whites, for the savages had
all gone to Oriskany with Brant ami Sir John Johnson. The wounded
men captured had been brought back from the field of fighting during
the earlier stages of the battle.

smsmmm

liliiii

CXIV

The Battle of Oriskany.

works is not worth ten times as nitmy savages, especially
demoralized Indians. Again, take the plan of the siege,
all the works and posts held l)y St. Leger's whites were on
the west of the Mohawk. At all events four to five hundred
men could not effect a perfect investment of the fort. For
this St. Leger had to depend in a great measure upon his In-
dians, and nothing shows the untrustworthiness of Indians,
either as fighters or scouts, than that Willett and Stockwell
could creep out without being observed and get ofl:* without
being molested. Tlie American story does not hang well
together. Common-sense nmst endorse St. Leger' s report,
ignoring its magniloquence, which is of no consequence. St.
Leger took little account of the troops to whom he was innne-
diately opposed ; but he was afraid of bis demoralized savage
contingent, whose insubordination had ruined his ambuscade
at Oriskany — whose anxiety for fighting, but not their thirst
for blood, had been allayed in the fight with Harkheimer ;
and thus when a force of whites, at least (piadruple his own
men of Saxon blood, were advancing under the best Ameri-
can executive, Arnold, to co-operate with the garrison,
really much superior to the besiegers of the same race, St.
Leger found himself wiih less than three hundred and
fifty valid soldiers opjiosed to at least iwo thousand, with
his worst and most dangerous enemy in his own camp,
the barbarians who had proved almost worthless as figli -
ing factors.

It ^liiliw^aife 011 file TOri^liaiiii

AND

SORTIE FROM FORT STANWIX.

Old Seventeen Hundred and Seventy-seven,

Of Liberty's throes, was the crown and the leaven.

Just a century since, August Sixth, was the day

When Great Britain's control was first stricken away.

Let us sing then the fieli'. where the Yeomen of York

Met the Lion and Wolf on their slaughterous stalk ;

When Oriskany's ripples were crimson'd with blood ;

.\nd when strife fratricidal polluted its flood.

Oh, glorious collision, forever renowned !

While America lives should its praises resound,

And stout Harkheimer's name be the theme of the song,

Who with Mohawk's brave sons broke the strength of the strong.

I'o relief of Fort Stan\vi.x the Yorkers drew nigh,

To succor stout Gansevoort, conquer or die ;

And if unwise the counsels that brought on the fight,

In the battle was shown that their hearts were all right.

If their Chief seemed so prudent that " subs" looked askance.

Still one shout proved their feeling, their courage— "Advance."

Most unfortunate counsel ! The ambush was set.
Leaving one pass.-jge /«, but none out of the net,—
Of outlets not one, unless 'twas made by the sword
Through encompassing ranks of the pitiless horde.
Sure never was column so terribly caught,
Nor ever has column more fearlessly fought : —
Thus Ifarkheimer's Mohawkcrs made victory theirs.
For St. Leger was foiled in spite of his snares.

16 — cxv

CXVl

The Amhuscade on the (Jriskany.

The loud braggarts who 'd taunted Harkheiiner so free,
Ere the fight had begun, were from fight first to flee ;
While the stalwart oUl Chief, who a father had proved.
And his life offer'd up for the cause that he loved,
'Mid the war-whirl of I leath still directed each move,
'Mid the rain from the clouds and from more fatal groove
Of the deadlier rifle, — and oViject assured,
To him Palm, both as vic4or and martyr, inured.

Search the annals of War and examine with care

If a parallel fight can discovered be, there.
When nine hundred green soldiers beset in a wood
'I'heir assailants, as numerous, boldly withstood ;
And while Death sleeted in from environing screens
Of the forest and underbrush, Indians and "Oreens" —
"Gainst the circle without, took to cover within,
Formed a circle as deadly— which as it grew thin
Into still smaller circles then broke, until each
Presented a round that no foeman could breach,
Neither boldest of savage nor disciplined troops: —
Thus they fought and they fell in heroical groups —
But though falling still fighting they wrench'd from the foe
The great object they marched to attain, and altho'
The whole vale of the Mohawk was shrouded in woe,
Fort Stanwix was saved by Oriskany's throe.

No New Birth, no advance in the Progress of Man,

Has occurred since the tale of his suflerings began.

Without anguish unspeakable, deluge of blood.

The Past's buried deep 'neath th' incarnadine flood.

So, when, at Oriskany, slaughter had done

Its fell work with the tomahawk, hunting knife, gun ;

From the.earth so.ik'd with 'i^lood, and the whirlwind of fire

Rose til'! living's reward and the fallen's desire.

Independence !

For there, on Oriskany's shore.
Was wrought out the death-wrestle deciding the war !

If our country is free and its flag, first displayed

On the ramparts of Stanwix, in glory's arrayed ;

If the old " Thirteen Colonies" won the renown

"5.'V setii/>er tyrannis : — beat Tyranny down ;

There, there, at Oriskany, the wedge first was driv'n.

By which British Invasion was splinter'd and riv'n :

Though 't Hoosic and " Sar'tog" the work was completed.

The end was made clear with St. I.eger defeated ;

Nor can boast he disproved, on Oriskany's shore

Was worked out the grim problem involved in the war.

A Poem, by Oen. J. Watts de Peyster, read at the Centennial Celebration of the
Battle of Oriskany, 6th .August, 1877. t)riginally published in the "Centennial Celebra-
tions of the State of New York." Albany, 1879.

i»

The Amhuscade on the Oriskany.

cxvu

Burgoyne commenced his march on the 80th of June,
ascended Champlain ; bridged, corduroyed and cleared
twenty-one miles between this" Lake and the Hudson, and
watered his horses in this river on the 28th of July. From
Montreal, St. Leger ascended the St. Lawrence, crossed
Lake Ontario to Fort Oswego, moved up the Onondaga
Kiver eastward, traversed Oneida Lake, and thence pro-
ceeded up, and "a cAdya/," Wood Creek, its feeder. Six-
ty picked marksmen, under Major Stephen Watts (of New
York city), an officer of Sir Johnson's Battalion of Refugees
from the Mohawk, known as the "Royal Greens," pre-
ceded his march and effectively cleared the way. About
this date, St. Leger' s advance appeared before Fort Stan-
wix — the site of the present Rome — on the "great port-
age " between the headwaters of the IVCohawk and the
feeders of the streams which unite with the ocean through
the Gulf of St. Lawrence. St. Leger was to sweep in and
gather supplies for Burgoyne as well as to operate mili-
tarily against Gansevoort, in Fort Stanwix.

About the same time the necessary repairs of this F>)rt
were completed, its magazines filled, its garrison aug-
mented under Colonel Gansevoort and Lieutenant-Colonels
Marinus Willett and Mellon, and simultaneously the invest-
ment was initiated' by the advance guard of the British,
under Lieutenant Bird, 8tli (King's Regiment of) Foot, a
famous organization, dating back to 1685. '

On the 3d August, 1777, St. Leger arrived before Fort
Stanwix and the siege began.

Amid the mistakes and blunders of this campaign, the

cxviii The A)nhuscade on the Oriskany.

greatest was sending "Local" Brigadier-General [Lt.
Col.] St. Leger with only 400 to 410 whites (Indians counted
as nothing in such an undertaking) to besiege a regular work,
lield hy 750 (or !)50 ?) comparatively good troops. Besides
this, St. Leger had only a few light pieces, barely sufficient
to harass and inefficient to breach or destroy. The carriages
of his two six-pounders were rotten, and had to be replaced
when actually in battery. Still the " Burgoyne scare " was
upon the colony, and nothing had been done as yet to dissi-
pate it, to restore confidence, or to demonstrate how base-
less was the terror. [" The Albanians were seized with
a panic, the people ran about as if distracted, and sent off
their goods and furniture."]

Seeing the importance of relieving Fort Stanwix, Nicho-
las Ilarkheimer,* Major-General New York State Militia, a
brave man although not much of a soldier, sunnnoned the
males of the Mohawk Valley, capable of bearing arms, to
meet on the German Flats at Fort Dayton, now bearing
his name, lie cast his lot in with the revolted colony, al-
though his own brother was a Local Colonel in the British
service, and many other relations and connections as well
as friends were in the opposite camp. The Militia of the
Mohawk rendezvoused at Fort Dayton on the very day i?>d
August) that St. Leger actually began, the siege of Fort
Stanwix. The evening of the 5th, Harkheimer was at

* Herckheimer or Herkimer, originally Erf^eraon or P^rfrenmr,
according to "Osgood's Middh; States," p. I(i5, -which is most likely to
have been tlie original name. Still, lath June, 1764, he signed Nicolas
Ilerckmer to an official paper.

The Amhuscade on the Ortskanij.

exix

" Tlie Mills'' at tlienioutli of Oriskany Creek, some seven to
nine miles from Fort Stanwix, and in communication with
the garrison, which was to make a sortie in combination
with liis attack. It is certain that TFarkheimer liad Indians
with him belonging co the " Oneida House," or tribe of the
" Six Nations," but how many is nowhere stated. They
were of little account. One of them, however, gave the
militia the best kind of advice, but as usual was not lis-
tened to. This tribe, or a large portion of it, had been de-
tached from the British interest by agents of the Albany
Committee. Their decision resulted unfortutiately for
them ; while they accomplished little for the Americans,
they brought ruin upon themselves by their defection from
the ties of centuries. After the impending battle, the
other Five Nations swooped down upon them and nearly
destroyed them.

Ilarkheimer moved on the morning of the 6th August,
and immediately fell into an altercation with his four Colo-
nels and other subordinates, and the.Tryon County Com-
mittee-men. He Avanted to display some soldierly caution
and send out scouts to reconnoitre and throw out Haidcers
to protect, and thus feel^ as it were, his way through the
woods. For this his officers, with the effrontery of igno-
rance and the audacity of militiamen, styled him a "Tory,"
or " a Traitor " and a "Coward," just as the saniic erms
of reproach, with as little Justice, were applied to Sir John
Johnson. Abuse is the weapon of little minds, and sneers
of those deficient in the very qualities which they deny to
others they dislike. "Who can defend himself against

if ,,iiT,

cxx

The Ainhuscade on the Oi'lshiny.

a sneer r' The bickeriiiu' lasted for liours, until Tlark-
lieinier, worn out with the persistency of the babhlers,
gave the order to "March on." His Oneida Indians should
have been most useful at this conjuncture. But tliese traitors
to a confederacy " of ages of glory," dreading to meet as
foes those whom they had deserted as friends, clung close to
the main body, and forgot their usual cunning and wood-
craft.

Meanwhile Gen. St. Leger was well aware that Hark-
heinier wt:s on tlie way to the assistance of Col. Ganse-
voort in Fort Stanwix, and listened to the councils of his
second in connnand, Sir John Johnson, and adopted his
plan to set a trap for the approaching column. According-
ly St. Leger detached Sir John with a company of Jaegers,
or Ilesse-IIanau liiHemen, Sir John's own Light Lifantry
Company, and some Provincials or Rangers with Butler,
the total only eighty whites, if St. Leger's I^eports are
trustworthy, and Brant (Thayendanega) and his Indians.
Sir John established'an ambush about two miles west of
Oriskany. Just sucli an ambuscade under the partisans,
de Beaugeu and Langlade, absolutely annihilated Brad-
dock in 1755 ; just such, again, under the same Langlade —
had he been listened to by Regular Superiors — -would have
ruined Pitt's grand conceptions, for the concpiest of the
Canadas by destroying the forces under Wolfe on the Mont-
morency, below Quebec, 31st July, 1759.

Harkheimer had to cross a deep, crooked, S-shaped
ravine, with a marshy bottom and dribble, spanned by a
causeway and bridge of logs. Sir John completely en-

The Amhuscade on the Orishiny.

cxxi

veloped tliis spot with marksmen, leaving an inlet for
the entrance of the Americans, hut no outlet for their
escape. Moreover he phiced his hest troops — whites —
on the road westward M'here real fighting, if any occurred,
had to be done, and to bar all access to the fort.

No plans were ever more judicious, either for a hattue
of game or an ambuscade for troops. Ilarkheimer's col-
umn, without scouts, eclaireurs or flankers, plunged into
the ravine and had partly climbed the opposite crest and
attained the plateau, when, with his wagon train huddled
together in the bottom, the surrounding forest and dense
underwood was alive with enemies and aliij:ht with the
blaze of muskets and rifles, succeeded by yells and war
whoops, just as the shattering lightning and the terrifying
thunder are almost simultaneous.

Fortunately for the Americans, the Indians antici])ated
the signal to close in upon them. The savages — violating
their promises to restrain their passions, and disregarding
the very plan they had agreed to, and which w^ould have
tilled full their thirst for slaughter — showed themselves a
few moments too soon, so that Ilarkheimer's rear-guard
was shut o}it of the trap instead of m, and thus had a chance
to fly. They ran, but in many cases they were outrun by
the Indians, and suffered almost as severely as their com-
rades whom they had abandoned. Then a butchery en-
sued such as had never occurred on this continent, and if
the entrapped Americans engaged had not shown the cour-
age of desperation they would all have been sacrificed. But
Heaven interposed at the crisis, and sent down a deluging

cxxu

77<e Ambuscade' on the Orhkany.

r. •■

sliower wliich stopped tlie slaughter, since, in tliut day of
Hint-locks, firing amid torrents of rain was an iniijossibii-
ity. Such "a shower of Messing" saved the English at
Montniorenci in 1759, Washington after Brandywine (Gor-
don ii., 575) in 1778, and i)erhai)s preserved the city of
Washington by terminating the fight at Cluuitilly in 1862.
A similar downpour on the 17th June, 1815, certainly had
a considerable influence on the Waterloo campaign. Ex-
amples may be added ad nauseam. This gave the Ameri-
cans time to recover their breath and senses. ITarkheimer,
very early in the action, was desperately wounded in the leg
by a shot which killed his horse, lie caused his saddle to
be placed at the foot of a beech tree, and, sitting u})on it
and pro])ped against the trunk, he lit his pipe, and, while
quietly smoking, continued to give orders and make dispo-
sitions which saved all who did escape. His orders on this
occasion were perhaps the germ of the best subsequent
rifle tactics. He behaved like a hero, and perished a mar-
tyr to his ideas of Liberty, dying in his own home at " Dan-
ube," two miles below Little Falls ("Little Portage"),
ten days after the engagement, in consequence of a bun-
gling amputation and subsequent ignorant treatment. The
monument he so richly deserved, which was voted both by
Congress and his State, to the eternal disgrace of both, has
never been erected, and this grand rei)resentative yeoman
I^ew Yorker has no public memorial of his qualities and
services.

When the shower was about over, Sir John Johnson,
seeing that the Indians were yielding, sent (?) back to canq)

The Amhf(8oade on the Orhhmy.

cxxiu

for a reinforceiueiit of liis " Roytil Greens," under his bro-
ther-in-law, Maj. Stephen Watts, or else they were sent
them to end the matter more speedily. These, although
they disguised themselves like Mohawk Valley Militia,
were recognized by the Americans as brotliers, relatives,
connections oi* neighbors whom TIarkheimer's followers
had assisted in driving into exile and poverty. These Loy-
alists were presumably coming back to regain what they had
lost and to punish if victorious. At once to the fury of
battle was added the bitterness of mutual hate, spite and
vengeance. If the previous figliting had been murderous,
the subsequent was horrible. Firearms, as a rule, were
thrown aside, the two forces mingled, they grasj^ed each
other by the clothes, beards and hair, slashed and stabbed
with their hunting knives, thrust with " spears"* and bayo-

* There is a great deal of talk about fighting with "spears" in this
battle. "Captain Gardenior slew three with his spear, one after the
other." Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell, "each armed with
a spear," crept out of the fort to seek relief, &c. That the Indians
used spears is very likely, because a weapon of this sort is primitive
and in ordinary use among savages. Storming parties, or iroops des-
tined to assault a breacli, it is true, were furnished with something
resembling "boarding pikes," peculiar to the Navy. That the English
and American troops or Militia employed such a weapon is ridiculous.
These " spears " were Espontons, which were the badges of military
rank. "To trail a half pike" was a term once recognised as equiva-
lent to holding a commission. As late as 1811 "the Militia Law
of the United States required that the cojnmissioned officers shall
severally be armed with a sword or hanger and esponton." The
latter was a short pike, about eight feet in length. Colonels carried
them, just as in the previous century sergeants bore halberts. " To
bring a man to the halberts" expressed the idea of the infliction
of corporal punishment. This explains how Colonel Willett and
Captain Gardenier and Lieutenant Stockwell came to be furnished,

cxxiv The AmhusGade on the Orhkany.

nets, and were fovind in j)airH locl<t'd in tlie embrace of
hatred and deatli.

There is now no longer the nliirhtest doubt that Sir John
Jolinson connnanded the Tiritisli Loyalists and Indians at
Oriskany. Oidy one oriji;! vriter ever ([iiestioned the
fact, whereas all other histi ans agree in establishing it.
The reports of St. Leger not only prove the presence of Sir
John Johnson in coniniand, but they praise his able diispo-
sitions for the ambuscade or battle. Family tradition — a
sure index to the trutli if not the very truth itself — and con-
temporary publications remove every doubt. Sir John's
brother-in-law, Major Stephen "Watts, of New York city,
dangerously wounded, appears to have been second in com-
mand, certainly of the white troops, and most gallantly
prominent in the bloodiest, o "est fighting. He, like ITark-
heimer, besides receiving r terrible wounds, lost his

leg* in this action ; but, unlike the latter, under equally dis-
advantageous circumstances, preserved his life.

NOT with spears, but with lialf-pikeR or espontons. The last were sym-
bols of authority and command, and in an old print St. Leger is repre-
sented with an esponton in his hand. Over a hundred years ago there
was a great question whether light double-barrel muskets — something
like those furnished to the French military police in Corsica— should
notconstitutu a part of the armament of offlcers in the French service.
The folly of espontons survived down to the beginning of this century
in some services, and the canes of Spanish offlcers today may be repre-
sentatives of the obsolete espontons.

* " Major (Stephen) Watts was wounded through the leg by a ball
(he eventually lost his limb), and in the neckby a thrust from a bayonet,
which passed through, back of the windpipe, and octasimiod such an
efiusion of blood as to induce not only him but his captors to suppose
(after leading him two or three miles) that he must die in consequence.
He begged his captors to kill him: they refused, and left him by the

The Ainhu8oade on the Orlskany.

GXXV

WitliiHit iittciiipting to (leveloj) the coinplutoiioss ofthis
t'ratricidul butchery, it may be statod as one curioub fact
that Harkhcinier's brotlier was not only, according to
some narratives, a titular British colonel, but certainly a sort
of quartermaster to St. Leger, and especially charged with
the supervision of the Indian auxiliaries who were the
cause of the General's death and the slaughter of so many
of their common kinsmen, connections, friends and neigh-
bors.

All the Revolutionary battles on New York soil were,
more or less, family collisions, and realized the boast which
Shakespeare, in the closing lines of his Tragedy of King
John, puts in the mouth of the valiant bastard, Falcon-
bridge :

side of a st renin under the shiide of a bridge (across Orislcany Creek),
where he was found two days subsequentiy covered with tly-blows, but
still alive. He was borne by some Indians to Schenectady (Oswego,
and then by boat to Montreal), where lie remained until sutHcieiitly re-
covered to endure a voyage to England, where lie was often after seen
limping about Chelsea Hospital. [Error, lie married a Miss Nugent,
and reared a family of distinguished sons in elegant ease.] The sash
taken from him is still in possession of the Sanders family." — "Legacy
of Historical Gleanings," Vol. I., pages 09-70.

" The soldier who carried the Major to the stream — and received
the (Major's) watch as a reward — was named Failing, a private in Gen-
eral Herkimer's (own, or original) regiment. He sold the watch for
$300, Continental money, to his Lieutenant, Martyn G. Van Alstyne,
who would never part with it, &c. M. G. Van Alstyne was First Lieu-
tenant, in the Seventh Company, General Herkimer's (own, or original)
regiment, and was a great-uncle of my (F. II. Hoof, of Hhinebeck, N.Y.)
father. He lived until IBiJO. My father, now aged 75, remembers
the watch well, and has often mentioned the incident to me, as related
to him by his uncle."

I;'

I III Hi nil l:

l:H:?n

cxxvi The Anihuscade on the Oriskany.

" This England [New York] never did (nor never shall)
Lie at the proud foot of a concpieror

But when it first did liclp to wound itself.

*****

Come the three corners of the world in arms

And we shall shock theui. Nought shall make us rue

If England [New York] to itself do rest hut true !"

This savage affair cVazed even tlie Indians. It out-
stripped their own ferocity They lost their heads — went
mad like wild animals at tlie sic^ht and smell of blood.
Tliev came to the conclusion that the white men had lured
them into this verv hell of tire and slau<»;hter to extermi-
nate them. The arena of battle became a maelstrom of
bloodshed, and the Indians tomahawked and stabbed friend
and foe alike, and in the wild whirl and cataclysm of pas-
sions, more powerful than their own, suffered a loss which
appalled even the fell instincts of the savage.

As an American, and especially as a Knickerbacker, the
historian cannot but rejoice in the determination exhibited
by the people of his State and Icindred blood, and of this op-
portimityof demonstrating it. Still, as a chronicler of events,
there is no evading the concurrent testimony of facts ; of
"Kapp's History of his People" {i. <?., the Dutch and Ger-
man settlers of the Mohawk Valley), and of St. Leger'sKe-
ports. All of these concur in the evidence, direct and cir-
cumstantial, that Ilarkheimer's little army suffered a tac-
tical disaster. That this did not remain a defeat and was
converted (as was Monmouth) eventually into a moral
triumph and political as well as a strategical success, was
due to the common-sense commandership of Harkheimer.

The Amhuscade on the Oriskany. cxxvii

According to liis plu.i, the advance and attack of .his col-
umn of MohaM'k Valley men was to be a combined move-
ment, based upon, or involving, a simultaneous sortie from
Fort Stanwix. llils sortie teas not made in time to save
Harkheimer's life or the loss of over two-thirds of his
connnand, killed and M'ounded or prisoners. Nothing pre-
served the survivors of Harkheimer's column but the del-
uging "shower of blessing." When the flood began to
abate, and not until then, did Willett take advantage of the
storm to make liis sortie and attack that portion of St.
Leger's lines which had been stripped to co-operate in the
ambush set for Ilarkheimer. The siege works, or lines of
investment — to apply a formal term to very trifling imita-
tions — were very incomplete. To style them "lines of in-
vestment" is a misnomer. St. Leger's three batteries —
the first, three light guns ; the second, four diminutive
mortars ; tlie third, three more small guns — were totally
inadequate for siege purposes, whereas there were fourteen
pieces of artillery mounted in the fort. St. Leger did
have two six-pounders, but the carriages were found lo be
so rotten that tliey had to be reconstructed on the spot,
and consequently could not have been of service when
most needed. lie refers to this fact by implication in his
report. The redoubts to cover the British batteries, St.
Leger's line of approaches and his encampment were
all u\\ the north side of the fort. Tliese were occupied by
250 to 850 regulars and Provincials. Sir John Johnson's
canq) or works, held by about 133 Loyalist troops, were to
the southward. It was against these last, entirely denuded

■■= i

cxxviii The Amlmscade on the Oriskamj.

of their defenders^ that Willett made his sortie. St.
Leger's M'orks and those of Sir Jolin Johnson were wide y
separated and independent of each other, and tlie intervals,
to make the circuit of tl»e investment apparently complete,
M'ere held, or rather patrolled, by the Indians, who, how-
ever, during the sortie, M'^ere all away ambuscading and
assaulting Harkheimer. Consequently, Willett' s sortie,
however successful in its results as to material captured,
and as a diversion, was utterly devoid of peril. That he
had time to plunder Sir John Johnson's camp, and three
times send out seven wagons, load them, and send them
back into the post, v.'ithout tlie loss of a man, is unanswer-
able proof that he met with no opposition. He surprised
and captured a small squad of prisoners (?) — five, an offi-
cer (commissioned or non-commissioned) and four privates
— and saw a few dead Indians and whites, but nowhere
does it appear whether they had been killed by the lire
from the fort or in the attack. All the merit that belongs
to his sortie, in a military point of view, is the tact that to
save whatever material AVillett did not have time to re-
move. Sir John Johnson had to extricate and hurry back
his "Royal Greens " from the battle-ground of Oriskany,
four to five and a half miles away ; leaving the stage of
collision with the expectation that the completion of the
bloody work would be effectually performed by the In-
dians. These, however, had already got their fill of fight-
ing, and to this alone was due the result, so fortunate for
the survivors of Ilarkheimer's column, that its remnant
was left in possession of the field, soaked with their blood

The Ambuscade on the Oriskany.

cxxix

i?i

and covered witli their dead and wounded. Tlie glory of
Oriskany belongs to the nien of the Mohawk Valley, only
in that, although they were "completely entrapped," they
defended themselves with such desperation for five or six
hours, and finally displayed so much restored courage, that
they were able to extricate even a few fragments from the
slaughter pit. That Willett captured " five British stand-
ards," or five British stand of colors, is not probable;
scarcely possible. They may have been camp colors or
markers. The regimental colors are not entrusted to drib-
let detachments from regiments. The " Boy al Greens "
may have had a color, a single flag, although this is very
doubtful, because, if only 133 constituted their whole
strength, they formed a very weak — a mere skeleton — ■
battalion. The colors of the Eighth or King's Begiment
of Foot were certainly left at headquarters, likewise those
of the British Thirty-fourth.^ The same remark applies
to the llesse-Hanau Chasseurs — a company of Jagers or

* In corroboration of this view of the subject, take tlie concludin>^
parai^raph of Washington's letter of July 20, 1779, to the President of
Congress, reporting the capture of Stoney Point, on the night of the
15-l(5tli July, 1770. In this paragra{)h he states that " two standards"
were taken, " one belonging to the garrison [this was not a standard
proper, but what is technically called a garrison flag] and one [a stand-
ard proper] to the Seventeenth Regiment." Stoney Point was held by
a British force only a few less than the white besieging force before
Port Stanwix. The garrison was composed of detachments from four
different regular organizations, and yet these had only one standard,
proper, which belonged to the Seventeenth. Of this regiment there
were six companies, the majority of it in the works, where also the
Lieut. -Colonel commanding had his permanent quarters.

cxxx

T/ie Ambuscade on the Orishanij.

1!*-

Riflemen would certainly not have with it the regimental
standard.

As still further proof of this view taken, the camp of
the British Regulars, prop< •, was not attacked. The tact is,
the American story of Winett's sortie has an atmosphere
of myth about it. St. Leger's report to Burgoyne, and
likewise to his immediate superior, Carleton — the latter
the most circumstantial — present the most convincing evi-
dence of truthfulness. St. Leger writes to Carleton:

" At the time [Avhon llarkheinier drew near] / had not '2")()
of the King''s troops in camp^ tiie various antl extensive opera-
tions I was under an absolute" necessity of entering into having
employed tlie rest ; and therefore [I] could not send [original-
ly] above SO ichite men, rangers and troops included, with the
wliole corps of Indians. Sir John Johnson put himself at the
head of this party. * * * * * *

"In relation to the victory [over Harkheimcr], it was equally
complete as if the whole [of the Americans] had fallen; nay,
more so, as the 200 [out of 800 or 900 or 1,000] who escaped
served only to spread the panic Avider; but it was not so with
the Indians, their loss was great. I nuist be understood In-
dian eomputatio7i, being only about iM) killed and wounded,
and in that number some of their favoiite chiefs and confiden-
tial warriors were slain. * * * As I suspected, the enemy
[Willett] made a sally with 250 men towards Lieut. Binn's
post to facilitate the entrance of the relieving corps or bring on

a general engagement with every advantage they could wish.
******

" Innnediately upon the departure of Captain Hoyks I learned

that Lieut. Bird, misled by the information of a cowardly In-

diantaat Sin John was prest, liad quitted his post to march to

his assistance. I commanded the detachment of the King's

regiment in support of Captain IIoyks by a road in sight of the

The Ambuscade on the Qriskany.

ex XXI

gari'ison, winrji., toith txeciitive fire from his party, huinPxUutehj
drove the ene)iiy into the fort without any furt/ier advuutaye
than frightening some squaws and pilfering the pac/cs of the
loaiTiors which they left behind thein^

Col, Cliius corroborates and explains this :

" During tlie action [with Ilarkheinier], wlien the garrison
f'ovuul the Indians' camp (who went out against their rcinforce-
nients) empty, they boldly sally'd out with three luindred men
and two field-pieces, and took away the Indians' packs, Avith
tlieir cloaths, wampum and silver work, ' they having gone in
their shirts, or naked, to action ;' [Western Indians strip to the
buit' for fighting to this day] and when they found a party
advancing from our camp, they returned with their spoil, tak-
ing with them Lieut. Singleton [wounded about the same time
with Major or Captain Watts at Oriskany], and a private of
Sir John's Regiment, who lay wounded in the Indian camp.
The disappointment was ratlier greater to the Indians than their
loss, for they had nothing to cover themselves at night, or
against the weather, and nothing in our camp to supply them
till I got to Oswego."

Nothing beneficial could have resulted from collusion in
the rc])orts of tlie British and Loyal officers. The fact that
Willett sent his seven wagons out and in, three times, shows
there could have been no enemy encountered, for riflemen
in the woods could at least liave shot down his horses if
they had not tlie courage to exchange flres with his men.

It was Harkheimer who knocked all the fight out of the
Indians, and it was the desertion of the Indians, and this
alone, that rendered St. Legor's expedition abortive.

In sunmiing up it should be borne in mind that St.

Leger had only 375 to 410 regulars and Provincials, inad-

; ;^i I

■ M; ; 1''

■t ■,

!l !l

cxxxii The Ambuscade on the OrisJcany.

dition to liis ten liglit guns and diminutive mortars, to be-
siege a fort, well supplied, mounting fourteen guns, garri-
soned with T50 at least, and according to the indefinite
language of other authorities, 950 troops of the New^ ork
Line, /. c\, to a certain degree, Regulars.

Nevertheless, St. Leger continued to press the siege,
with at most 410 whites against 750 to 950 whites, from
the 6th until the 22d August, and when he broke up and
retreated at the news of Arnold's approach with a force
magnified by rumor, it was almost altogether on account
of the infamous conduct of the Indians. All the evidence
when sifted justifies his remarks that the Indians "became
more formidable than the enemy we had to expect." By
enemy he meant Arnold's column, hastening his march
against him and the garrison in his immediate front, and
yet neither St. Leger nor Burgoyne underestimated the
American troops — not even the Militia, especially when
the latter were fighting under cover or behind works.

The gist of all this lies in one fact — it was not the de-
fense of Fcrt Stanwix, but the self-devotion and desperation
of Ilarkheimer's militia that saved the Mohawk Valley,
and constitutes Oriskany the Thermopylae of the American
Revolution ; tlie crisis and turning-point against the Bri-
tish,* of the Burgoyne campaign; and the ''''Decisive Con-
flict'''' of America's Seven Years' War for Independence.

* As everything in regard to these recurrences is interci^ting, Uie
following translation of von Eelking's " DeutcJien Hiilfdnippen " (I., 3-
23) is presented in regard to the Hesse-Hanau Jager or Rifle Coini)any
attached to St. Leger's command :

The Amhuscade 07i the Orlshany. cxxxiii

" Finally it is i)roper to commemorate iu detail an event in con-
nection witli this campaign which we have alluded to or treated al-
ready more at length : the Hanking expedition undertaken, as a side-
issue, against Fort Stanwix. The Jager or Ritle Comp.iny which was
assigned to him was the tirst that the Count ofllesse-IIanau sent over
to America. It left Hanau 7th May, 1777, and reached Canada Uth of
June. It was at once sent forward by the Governor (Carleton) to join
the troops which had already started up the St. Lawrence and assigned
to the column of St. Leger. It was commanded by Lieut, llildebraud.
The march through these distant and sparsely settled districts was long
and very laborious, accompanied Avith all kinds of dangers and obsta-
cles. In order to avoid the almost impenetrable wilderness, a greater
circuit was made across Lake Ontario. The corps of St. Leger, com-
prising detachments from so many different organizations, started in
the beginning of July from the neighborhood of Montreal as soon as the
expected Indian force had been assembled there. The transportation
in flat boats 150 miles up the river was very slow ; the more so because,
every now and then, the boats had to be taken ashore and carried by
hand around the rapids or cataracts. Having overcome the ditHculties
of the river, the route lay across the broad Ontario Lake to Fort Oswe-
go on the south shore. There a day was devoted to rest, in order that
the troops might recover to some extent from the exhaustion produced
by their previous exertions. Thence the route followed a stream (Os-
wego River] and a small lake [Oneida] inland in a southerly direction ;
[thence a cheval, and up. Wood Creek] the troops marched to the Mo-
hawk, on which stood Fort Stanwix, held by the enemy [Americans].
The march was extremely laborious, since not only natural ditliculties
had to be overcome, but also the artificial obstacles which the Ameri-
cans had placed in the way to hinder the advance of their opponents.

" On the ;kl August, the Fort — after the garrison had rejectod the
demand for a surrender — was assaulted without success. On the 5th, a
relieving column of nearly 1 ,000 men drew near. St. Leger was aware
of its ai)i)roach in time, and for its reception [Sir John Johnson] placed
an ambuscade in the woods. This for the greater part consisted of regu-
lar troops, and among Viiese were the Hesse-Hanau Jagers. [It was
the intention of the British authorities to send the whole Regiment or
Battalion of llesse-IIanau Chasseurs or Riflemen, but only one com-
pany arrived in time, and only one company-, not over 40 or 50 men,
was furnished to St. Leger.] The rest were Indians."

[This account differs from every one hitherto examined, and shows
even yet we are not acquainted with some of the most interesting facta

c'xxxiv The Ambuscade on the Orlsl'ant/.

!|i

of this luoiiR'iilouH conttic't. St. Lf/jfor, in his orticial report, cxpri'Msly
states tlmt he did not send over 80 wiiitc men. Hangers and troops in-
cluded, witli tiie wliole corjts of Indians, and tliat Sir John Johnson
was in conunand. The discrepancy, however, is easily reconcilable
with what lias lieen hitherto stated, and explains the late arrival of the
"Johnson" or " Royal (rreens." These latter must have remained in
camp to hold the garrison in check. When the Indians began to slink
out of the fight, the Royal Greens must have been hurried to the scene
of action, leaving their lines to the soutii of the Fort entirely destitute
of defenders. This established what the writer has always claimed,
that Wlllett encountered no opjjosition at all in his sortie, and that the
ordinary accounts of it are no better than a myth. Furthermore, every-
thing demonstrates irrefutably the total unreliability of the Indians as
fighters; and that the failure of St. Leger's e.\i)edition is entirely attri-
buted to the misconduct of these savages. Finally, since the IJurgoyne
exjiedition dejiended on St. Leger's success, und his utter military
bankruptcy is chargeable to the Indians, and to them alone, therefore —
as is clearly shown — the whole British ("ombined ()])erations of 1777
ended in a catastrophe, through a fatal overestimate of the viilue of In-
dians as a fighting power, or as auxiliaries wherever jiny hard fighting
had to be done, or for any useful purpose whatever involving i)er8e-
verancc.)

" The surprise was such a perfect success scarcely one-half the mi-
litia escaped. While St. Leger had thus scattered his troops, the be-
sieged made a sortie and j)lundcred his camji. This was a grievous
loss to him : because in these almost desert districts pretty uuich all
the necessaries of life had to be carried [along with a column] ; since
the British troops were wanting in artillery, and since a second relieving
column, 2,000 strong, was approaching under the audacious Gen. Ar-
nold, which threw tlie Indians into such extreme nervous terror that
they either scattered or l)esought that they might be led back again.
In consequence of |all| this, St. Leger had to break up the siege on the
2tld August, and, abandoning tents, guns and stores, retreat at once.

" So ended this operation which, if it had turned out more success-
fully, would, in any event, /lave j)r evented the tragic fate of Bur goyne's
army.'''

If the disinterested German soldier and historian, von Eelking,
does/tof demonstrate that the success of Burgoyne depended on that of
St. Leger, and that this was completely frustrated by Oriskany, thus
making Oriskany the turning jioint of the American Kevolution —
words are inadeciuate to express the truth.

* H H nil 'll rt f^

!];i(|e»i|i*iti near

^0h'§ g%\h

OFTEN STYI.KU

THE BATTLE OF KLOCK-S FIELD.

IOtii Octouki!, 17H0.

" f/isto>-_Y is Hot H(>u>-a-days iOHSiilitd as a faHh/nl oracle : it is rather treated
like tlie olJ lanii) as too rusty, too old and hoiiiely, to bear liglit amidst the blaze of
iiK.dern illumiiuitinii, but more valuable as an instrument of incantation, whicli, by
occasional friction upon its surface, may conjure up miglity spirits to do the liiddinj;
of a master. Such an iiisiiuinent in tlie iiamis of a good aiui faitli/ul magician
will not be employed upon baseless J'abrications, that new (inwer may dissolve, but
in building upon t/ie foundations of Truths that shall still hold all together, in
defiance of the agency of even the same enchantment to destroy the structures it has
raised." Soitiigatk's 'M/(i«j' Thoughts on Many 'J'/iings."

Of all the ongagenionts wliich liave occurred upon tlie
soil of Kew York, the "cock-i)it," or "the Flanders,"
of the Colonies, there is none which has been so much mis-
represented as this. There is very little basis for the nar-
rative generally accepted as history. Envy, hatred and
malice liave painted every picture, and even gone so tar as
to malign the State commandei', the scion of a family who
risked more than any other for theCoimnonwealth, to con-
ceal and excuse the had conduct of his trooi)s. As for the

* Somt'timcs oonfouniU'd Avith tliat of Stone Arabia (on or near de
Pcystcr Patent); East side of Caroga Creek, where it ein|)tieH into the
^lohawk Uiver, near St. Johnsville, Montgomery County, S. N. Y.,
sixty-three miles W. by N. of Albany.
cxxxv

cxxxvi Enyayement near Foie'a Mills.

loader of tlio Loyalists, it is no woiider that his reputation
fared badly at the hands of a coniniunity wlioiu he had
made to suffer so severely for their sins ai::ain8t justice, his
family connections, friends and himself. The State Bri<:;a-
dier-General was wrongfully accused and abused, although
acquitted of every charge by his peers,* and highly com-
mended for activity, iidelity, prudence, spirit and conduct.
The Royal leader, like the State commander, was also sub-
jected to the false accusation of want of courage, on the
statement of a personal enemy ; but, like his antagonist,
received the highest commendation of his superior, a vete-
ran and proficient.

Before attempting to describe M'hat actually occurred on
the date of the collision, a brief introduction is necessary
to its comprehension. The distinguished Peter Van
Schaack (Stone's " Sir William Johnson," II., 388) pro-
nounced Sir AVilliam Johnson " the gkeatest cuaracter
OF THE AGE," the ablest man who figured in our imme-
modiate Colonial history. He was certainly the benefactor
of Central New York, the protector of its menaced fron-
tier, the first Mdio by victories stayed the flood-tide of
French invasion. His son. Sir John, succeeded to the
bulk of his vast possessions in the most troublous times of
New York's history. He owed everything to the Crown
and nothing to the People, and yet the People, because he
would not betray his duty to the Crown, drove him forth

* " Frencli's Gazetteer," 432 ; Stone's " Brant," II., 124-5 ; Stone's
" Border Wars," ii., 126-7 ; Simni's " Schoharie County," 430-1 ; Camp-
bell's "Border Wars," 199-201.

Engagement near Fox's Mills. cxxxvii

and despoiled liiiu. More tliaii once lie returned in arms
to punish and retrieve, at a greater liazard than any to
whicli the mere professional soldier is suhjected. Jiy the
detestahle laws of this emhryo State, even a i)eaceahle re-
turn subjected him to the risk of a halter ; consequently,
in addition to the ordinary perils of battle, he fought, as it
were, witlx a rope around his neck. There was no honor-
able captivity for him. The same pitiless revenge which,
after King's Mountain (S. C), in the same month and year
(7th October, 1780), strung up a dozen Loyalist officers and
soldiers would have sent him speedily to execution. The
coldly cruel or unrelentingly severe — choose between the
terms — Governor Clinton \vould have shown no i)ity to
one who had stnu'k harder and oftener Vnan any other,
and left the record of his visitations in letters M' fire on vast
tablets of ashes coherent with blood.

In 1777, through the battle-plans of Sir John, a major-
ity of the effective manhood of the Mohawk — among these
some of his particular persecutors — perished at Oriskany.
Neither Sir John Johnson nor Brant had anything to do
with Wyoming. This is indisputable, despite the bitter
words and flowing verses of historians, so called, and poets,
drawing false fancy pictures of what never had any actual
existence. In 1779, his was the spirit which induced the
Indians to make an effort to arrest Sullivan, and it was Sir
John, at length, interposed I'Otween this General and
his great objective, Niagara, if it was not the very know-
ledge that Sir John was concentrating forces in his front
that caused Sullivan to turn back. In the following autumn

cxxxviii K))(j<t(ji'tni')it ih'ar /'o,r\s JZ/V/.v.

(177i>) ho iiuulo hiiiiselt' master of the kev of tlu> "^roftt
portage'' between Ontario and the ^[olla^vk, and his far-
ther visitation of the valk^v eastward was onlv frustrated
by tlie stormy season on the <:^reat lake by whieli ah)ne he
conhl receive reinforcements and supplies.

In May, 17<S(), starting from Ihdwagga IJay (near Crown
Point) on Lake Champlain, lie constructed a military road
thi'ough the wilderness — of which vestiges are still plainly
visible — ascended the Sacondaga, crossed the intervening
watershed, and fell (on Sunday night, :21st May) with the
suddenness of a waterspout upon his rebellious birthplace,
accomplished liis purpose, left behind him a dismal testi-
mony of his visitation, and despite tlie })ursuit of aggre-
gated enemies, escaped with his recovered plate, rich booty
and numerous prisoners.

It was dm'ing this expedition that Sir William's fishing
house and summer house on the Sacondai«;a were destroved,
and it is a wonder Sir John did not burn to the ground the
family hall at Johnstown. This m';is not a raid, but an in-
vasion, which depended for success upon, at least, demon-
strations by the British forces in New York. As in 1777
and 1779, and again in the fall of 1780, there was nothitig
done by the indolent professionals.

In August-September of the same year, he orgunizeil a
second expedition at Lac^ ' w- -iles above Montreal),
ascended the St. T wv .,.. .ako Ontario, followed

up the course of i Os\\\ Ri\ i, coasted the southern
shore of Oneida Lake, unM he reached the mouth of Cliit-
tenango Creek (western boundary of Mu'lison County

KntjtK/enunt near /^o.r^s M!Ih. cxxxix

mid oastorn of Onondui^a (\)uuty), wlicrc he loft liis
batteaux aiul canoos, struck off soutlieaHtward up tlu5
Chittenati^o, tlieu erossiiiii^ the Uuadilla and tlio Charlotte,
(soiuetiiiK's called the Kast branch of the Sus(iuehaMiia),
and deHcended in a tempest of tlaiiu' into the rich settle-
ments alonii' the Schoharie, which he struck at what was
known as the Upper Fort, now Fultonham, Scihoharie
Oounty.*

Thence lie wasted the whole of this ridi valley to the
mouth of this stream, and then turnin*.'; westward completed
the devastation of every thin<j: whi(!h precediujjj inroads had
spared. (Stone's "Brant," II., PJ4.) The })relimiuary
inarch throu<j:h natural obstacles, ai)i)arently insnrnu»unt-
able to an armed force, was one of certainly 200 miles.
The succeeding swoi']) and retreat embraced almost as
many. The result, if reported with any correctness, might
recall Sir ^y alter Scott's lines (" Vision of Don lloderick,"
Conclusion II.):

" Wliile downward on the land his k'gions press,
Before liini it was rich witli vine and llocli,

And sniii'd like Eden in her sunnner ilress, —
Beldnd llieir niarcli a iiowiiny; wilderness."

More than one contem])orary statement attests that the
invasion carried things back to the uncertainties of the old
Frencli inroads and reinvested Schenectady with the dan-

* If the old maps of this Mien savatre eonntry are reliable, he may
have crossed from the valley of the Charlotte into that of the Mohawk
Branch of the Delaware, or the Papontnck Branch further oast usjain.
From either there was a portujje of only a few miles to the Schoharie
Kill.

11»

cxl

Emjayeiiient near Fo\t 8 2[Uls.

geroiis honor of beirip:; considered again a frontier post.
(Uongh's ^'Northern Invasion," 181, 144.

The immediate local damage done by Sir John, within
the territory affected by his visitation, Avas nothing in
comparison to the consequences, militarily considered,
withont i\iQ^Q. The destruction of breadstuffs and forage
was enormous. Washington and the army felt it, since
the districts invaded and wasted were granaries on which
the American commissariat and quartermaster's depart-
ment depended in a great measure for the daily rations
which they had to provide. The number of bushels of
wheat and other grain rendered woi-thless "threatened
alarming consequences." Eighty thonsand bushels were
lost in the Schoharie settlement alone. Washington ad-
mits this in a letter to the President of Congress, dated 7th
November, 1780. Had the British militarv authorities in
New York and in Canada been alive to the advantages to be
derived from the condition of affairs in Central New York,
they might have enabled Sir John to strike a blow that
would have shaken the fabric of Eevolution, throughout the
Middle States, at least. Alas ! they seem to have been
possessed with the spirit of inertion and incapacity, and the
abandoned Loyalists might have exclaimed, witli Uhland :

"Foi'Avard! Onward! far and forth !
An eartliquake shout awakes the North.

Forward !
Forward ! Onward ! far and forth !
And prove what gallant hearts are worth.'*

Forward ! "

Vi ' i-

Engagement near Fon.'^s Mills.

cxli

The terrifying intelligence of the a})pearauce of this
little "arniy of vengeance " aroused the whole energy of
coterniinons districts ; the militia were assembled in haste,
and pushed forward to the point of danger, under Brigadier-
General Robert van Rensselaer, of Claverack (now Colum-
bia County), who were guided into the presence of their
enemy literally by " pillars of lire by night and columns
of smoke by day." Although he knew that he was pur-
sued by forces treble or quadruple if not ipiintuple his own,
Sir Jolm continued to burn and destroy up to the very hour
when his troops were obliged to lay aside the torch to • e-
sume their firelocks. In fact, if the two engagemeni/S of
the 19th of October, 1770, were contemplated })arts of a
combined plan to overwhelm Sir John, he actually fouglit
and burned simultaneously. To whomsoever a contempo-
raneous map of this country is accessible, it will be evident
how vast a district was subjected to this war cyclone. On
the very day (19th October) that van Rensselaer Avas at
Fort Plain, the flourishing settlements of Stone Arabia
(Palatine Township, Montgomery Comity), a few miles to
the westward, were destroyed. Findingthat he must fight,
either to arrest pursuit or to insure retreat, Sir John hastily
assembled some of his wearied troops, while others kept on
burning in every direction, to engage the garrison of Fort
Paris — constructed to protect the Stone Arabia settlement
(Sinnn's "Schoharie County," -ISO) — which marched out
to intercept him under Colonel Brown, an officer of un-
doubted ability and of tried courage. Brown's immediate
force consisted of IPO men of the Massachusetts Levies,

cxlii

Engaxjement near Foic's Mills.

ami a body of militia — 70 aiul upwards — wliose imiiibers
and co-operation seemed to have been studiously concealed
by almost every writer at the period ; that there were mi-
litia present is unquestionable. It is almost, if not abso-
lutely, certain that Brown marched out of Fort Paris in
pursuance of the orders and plan of van Rensselaer, in or-
der to cut Sir John otf from his line of retreat, and hold him
or "head him" imtil van Eensselaer could tall upon him
with overwhelming numbers. The same failure to co-
operate in executing a very sensible piece of strategy sac-
rificed Harkheimer to Sir John at Oriskany, some three
years previously, and resulted in a similar catastrophe. To
appreciate and to forestall was the immediate and only so-
lution. Sir John attacked Colonel Brown — like "now,
on the head," as Suwarrow phrased it — about 9 or 10 a. m.,
killed him and about 100 of his men, and captured several
(Hough's " Korthern Invasions " says 40 killed and two
prisoners), and sent the survivors fiying into van Rensse-
laer's lines, to infect them with the terror of the slaughter
from which they had just escaped. The Stone Arabia tight,
in which Colonel Brown fell, was only two miles distant
from the "Nose," where van Rensselaer's forces had al-
ready arrived. They heard the firing just as twilight was
melting into night, in a valley where the latter prenuiturely
reigned through the masses of smoke from burning build-
ings, which brooded like a black fog, sensible to the touch.
Van Rensselaer came upon the position where Sir John
had "settled" himself to resist. This "settled" is most
apposite. It recalls a spectacle often visible in our woods,

Engagement near Fore's Mills.

c'xliii

when a predatory hawk, wearied with his lii^ht, settles on
a limb to rest and resist a Hock of encompassing furious
crows, whose nests he has Just invaded.

To refer back to the darkness occasioned by smoke, it
may be necessary to state that the dwellers of cities or old
cultivated districts have no conception of the atmospheric
disturbance occasioned by extensive conHagrations in a
wooded country.*

It is only lately that forest fires, commingled with fog,
so obscured the atmosphere along the coast, to the east-
ward, that lamps and gas were necessary in the middle of
the afternoon.

AVhat is more, the evening air in October is often heavy
through a surcharge of dampness, especially along large
streams and in bottom lands. To such as can imagine this
condition of the atmosphere, it will at once become evi-
dent how much it was augmented innnediately after a few
volleys from about two thousand muskets, the smoke of the
conflagrations, and the explosions of the powder, render-
ing objects invisible almost at arms' length. This is estab-
lished by the testimony of a gallant American officer. Col.

* The dark day in Massachusetts, of IDth May. 1780, was due to
this cause (Ilcatli, '^80-7-8), when artificial night, culminating about
noon, sent the animal creation to roost and repose with less exceptions
than during the conii)letest eclipse, and tilled the minds of men with
ajjprehension and astonishment. This is not the only "dark day" so
recorded. On the 25th October, 1820, at New York, candlelight was
necessary at U \. m. The 16th May, 1780, Avas another "dark day"
in Canada, where similar jilienomena were observed on the Otli, 15th
and 10th October, 1785. On the last, " it is said to liave been as dark
as a dark night." Several other instances are chronicled.

cxliv

Engagonent near Eox's Mills.

Dubois (IIoii^-li, 183-5), wlio stated tliat shortly after tlie
firingLecaine warm, wlieu M'itliiii five paces of his general,
he coiikl only recognize him by his voice. Therefore for
anyone to pretend to relate what occurred witliin the lines
of Sh' John Johnson a fcM' (15?) minutes after volleys had
been exchanged along the whole fronts, is simply drawing
upon the "imagination for facts." Consequently, when
the American writers say that the enemy broke and ran, it
was simply attributing to them what M'^as occurring witliin
van Rensselaer's lines, where the oiticers could not restrain
the rear from firing over and into the front, and from
breaking beyond the power of being rallied. Doubtless,
as always, the regulars on both sides behaved as well as
circumstances permitted. Sir John's Indians, opjjosed to
the American Continentals and Levies for the defence of
the frontiers, it is very likely gave way almost at once.
Brant, their gallant and able leader, was wounded in the
heel, and therefore unable to move about, encourage them
and hold them up to their work. Thus crippled he had
enough to do to get of^', for if taken he knew well that his
shrift would be short and his "despatch" speedy, if not
"happy." Sir John was also struck in the thigh, and was
charged with quitting the field. The only evidence of this is
derived from one of his bitter personal enemies, surcharged
with spite and a desire for vengeance. How bitterly he
felt can be easily conceived, when he turned upon van
Rensselaer and emphasized: — (Stone's "Brant," II., 124-
5, ifec.) Colonel Stone remarks, " other accounts speak dif-
ferently." {Ihid, II., 122.)

Knijiujement near Fox's Mills.

cxlv

Gen. Sir Frederick Ilaldiinand wrote to the home go-
vernment that Sir John "had destroyed the settlements of
Schoharie and Stone Arabia, and laid waste a large extent
of country," which was most true. It was added :

"He had several engagements with the enemy, in which
he came off victorious. In one of them, near Stone Arabia,
he killed a Col. Brown, a notorious and active rebel, with
about one hundred officers and men." " I cannot finish
without expressing to your Lordship i\\e perfect satisfaction
which I have from the zeal^ spirit and actlvltij v^lthwhlch
Sir John Johnson has conducted this arduous enterprise^

Max von Eelking (II., 199-200), in his compilation of
contemj)oraneou8 observations, presents the following tes-
timony of the judgment and reliability of the superior. Gen.
Ilaldimand, who reported, officially, in such flattering
terms of the result of Sir John's expedition. He says of
Haldimand that "he passed, according to English ideas,
for one of the best and most trustworthy of British (jene-
rals I had fought with distinction during the Seven Years'
War in Germany. * * * lie teas a man strictly up-
rlffht, I'lndJiearted and honorable. * ''^' * Always of
a character (piite formal and punctilious as to etiquette, he
was very fastidious in his intercourse, and did not easily
make new acquaintances. '^ * * He required continual
activity from his subordinates. * * -^ A Brunswick
officer considers him one of the most worthy ojfcers En<j-
land has ever had. * * * This was about the charac-
ter of the man to whom now the fate of the Canadas was
intrusted by his Ihitannic Majesty."

t
I*

cxlvi

Enyayement iiem' Fox's Mills.

Tt now seems a fitting time to consider the number of
the opposing forces engaged. Tliere has been a studied
attempt to appreciate tliose present under Sir John and to
depreciate those at the disposal of Van Kensselaer. The
same hohls good with regard to tlie losses of the former ;
whereas the casualties suffered by the latter are studiously
concealed. No two works agree in regard to the column
led by Johnson. It has been estimated even as high as 1500,
whereas a critical examinatio.i of its component parts de-
monstrates that it could not have comprised much more
than a third of this number at the outset. As all Sir John's
papers were lost in the Egyptian darkness of the night of
the 19th October, it is necessary to fall back upon contem-
poraneous works for every detail.

The product of this calculation exactly agrees with the
statement embodied in the testimony of Colonel Harper :
"The enemy's force was about 400 white men and but
few Indians. The post from Albany, 18th October, reported
that Sir John's party M'ere "said to be about 500 men
come down the Mohawk River." (Hough's "Northern
Invasion," 122.)

When Sir John struck the Charlotte or Eastern Susque-
hanna he was joined by several hundred Indians. But a
quarrel founded on jealousy — similar to such as was the
curse of every aggregation of Scottish Highland tribes,
even under IMontrose, Claverhouse and the Pretender —
soon after occurred, and several hundreds abandoned him.'''
(Simm's " Schoharie County, 399.)

* The actual composition of Sir Jolin Johnson's expeditionary co-

Kn<ja<jement near Fo.v's 21 Ills.

cxlvii

nreat stress has also been laid on Sir Jolin's l)oiii(if pro-
vided with artillery. [The Aineriean general dul have
quite heavy guns for the i)eriod and locality, nine pounders.]

luinn is well known, howovcr Df'tcu willfully niisstatt'd. lie had three
conipanios of his own Hcginii'nt of "Royal Greens," or "Loyal New
Yorkers ;" one company of German Jajjers ; one com])any of British
Uejrulars belonsrinij to the Ei;j:hth (Major, afterwards Colonel A. S. de
Peyster's) Kins^'s Kegiment of Foot, which performed duty by detach-
ments all along the frontier from Montreal to the farthest west, and in
every raid and hostile movement — besides detachments — a company
or platoon from the Twentieth, and (?) also from the Thirty-fourth
Britisli Infantry, and a detachment — sometimes rated by the Americans
as high as two hundred men — from Butler's Loyalist or Tory Hangers.
Sir John in his reports of casualties mentions these all, except the Twen-
tieth Kegiment, and no others. Figure this up, and take sixty as a fair
allowance for the numerical force of a company, which is too large an
allowance, basing it on the average strength of British regiments which
liad seen active service for any length of time on this continent, and
six times sixty makes three hundred and sixty, plus two hundred, gives
five hundred and sixty. Deduct a fair percentage for Ihe footsore and
other casualties insejiarable from such service, and it reduces his whites
down to exactly what Colonel Harper states was repo'led to him by
an Indian as being at Klock's Field.

Colonel W. L. Stone (" Brant," II., 105) specifiesthree companies of
8ir John's own Regiment of Greens, one company of German Jagers, a
detachment of two hundred men (doubtful authority cited) from Butler's
Rangers, and one (only one) companj' of British Regulars. The In-
dian portion of this expedition was chietly collected under Brant at
Tioga Point, on the Susquehanna, which they ascended to Unadilla.
Stone's language, " besides Mohawks," is ambiguous. Sir John had
few Indians left — as was usually the case with these savages — when
thay had " to face the music."

Governor Clinton (Hough's " Northern Invasion," 154) estimates
Sir John's force at seven hundred and tifty picked troops and Indians.
Very few Indians were in the fight of the l!)th October, p. m. Other cor-
roborations have already been adduced. Simm's ("Schoharie County,"
399"' says that Sir John left Niagara witli ai>out five hundred British,
Royalist and German troops, and was joined by a large body of Indians
and Tories under Captain Brant, on the Susquehanna, making his effec-
20

cxlviii

KiKjcKjcment near Fo,i^» Mills.

Close study exploded tliis pliiintasy likewise. That lie
he liad several pieces of extremely liulit artillei'y, hardly
deserviiii^ the name, with him as far as Chitteiiango

tivc force, "as cstiinntcd Mt the scvcnil forts," one thousand men. If
this estimate is credited to the several forts wiio were " paniclvy," the
condition of their vision renders its correctness unworthy of accei)t-
ance. He then goes on to say that several liundred Indians deserted..

Tl)e strenytli of rciuiments varied from tliree hundred and under to
six hundred and lifty. It is well known that some American regiments
scarcely rose above one hundred rank and file. It is almost unani-
mously conceded that Ilarkheimer had at least four reginuMits — if not
five — the wliole com])risinu: only eiL'ht or nine hundred men, at Oris-
kany. This does not include volunteers, Indians, &c., &c.

General van Rensselaer, judiring from the testimony given before
the (7ourt of En((uiry, and his own letters (Sinims, 425, itc.), had seven
tonine luindred militia when he reached Schenectady. It is very hard
to calcidate his ultimate aggregate of unlit ia. He had at first his own
Claverack Brigade. The City of Albany Militia and . some other Regi-
ments had preceded hiin. (%)lonel Van Alstyne's Regiment Joined him
by another route. How did Colonel (Uiyler's Albany liegiment com(!
up ? Colonel Clyde reinforced him with theCanajoharie District Regi-
ment (Tryon County, for military purposes, was divided into Districts,
each of which furnished its (piota), likewise (Simm's, 4'25) "the Scho-
harie Militia" " near Fort Hunter." This dissection might be followed
out further to magnify the American force, and show against what
tremendous odds Sir .lohn presented an undaimted front, and what
numbers he shocked, repulsed and foiled. V^in Rensselaer was after-
wards joined by the Continental Infantry, under Colonel ^Morgan
Lewis; the New York (7?/«si-regulars or Levies, three or four hun-
dred, under Colonel Dubois ; McKean's Volunteers, sixty ; the Indians
under Colonel Louis, sixty ; .lohn Ostrom, a soldier present, adds
(Simm's " Schoharie County," 424) two hundred Indians under Colonel
Harper, the Artillery and the Horse. The Militia of Albany County
were organized into seventeen regiments ; of Charlotte County into one;
of Tryon County inte five ; besides these there were otln'r troops at
hand luider different names and peculiarities of service. It is certain
that all the ]\lilitia of Albany, Charlotte and Tryon Counties, and every
other organization that were accessible, were iuirried to meet Sir John,
and severe Clinton was not the man to brook shirking. Twenty-three

Knijagement near Fod-'s Mills.

cxiix

Creek is true (Uaininond's "Madison County," ()5(>).
Two of these lie sunk intentionidly in this stream, or else
they went to its hottoin accidentally. Thence he carried on
two little four and tliroe-(inartc>r })ounder mortars, prob-
ahly "Royals," and a <:;'rasshopi)er three-juninder. As our
armies were well ac(iuainted with the improved Cohorns
used at the sie^e of Petersburg, it is unnecessary to ex})lain
that thoy were utterly impotent against stone buildings, or
even those constructed of heavy loin's. The Cohorns of 1780
were just W'hat St. Leger re])orted of them in 1777 — that
they were good for "teazing, " and nothing more. Even
one of these Sir John submerged in a marsh after his at-
tempt upon the Middle Yo\% now Middleburg. C/linton
(157) M' rote that both were "concealed [abandoned] by
the Loyalists on their route from Schoharie."

Most likely it was an impediment. And nothing is af-
terwards mentioned of the use of the other. The "grass-
hopper " three-pounder derived its name from the fact that
it was not mounted upon wheels, but upon iron legs. It
was one of those almost useless little guns which were
trans})orted on bat-horses, just as twelve-i»ounder moun-
tain howitzers are still carried oi: pack animals. As Sir
John's horses, draught and beef cattle, appear to have
been stampeded in the confusion of the intense da''knes8 ;

rcfyimcnts of Militia vmitt have produced twenty-four hundred men — a
ridiculously small figure. Add the other troops known to be Avith van
Rensselaer, aiul he faced the Loyal leader with five or six times as many
as the latter had ; or else the Claverack Brijjfadier had with him only a
startling redundancy of field oiVicers and a disgraceful deficiency of
rank and file.

Entidijement near Fox's Mills.

almost everytliintj: wlii'ch was not upon liis soldier's per-
sons, or had not been sent forward Mdien lie "settled " at
Klock's Field to cheek pursuit, had to he left when he drew
off. The darkness of the night, as stated, was intensified
by the pow^ler smoke and smoke of hurniui; buildings, and
the bottom fog whidi filled the whole valley. Tinder such
circumstances small objects could not be recovered in the
hurry of a march.

The Americans made a great flourish over the capture
of Sir John's artillery. The original report was compara-
tively lengthy, but simply covered the little "grasshopper,"
fifty-three rounds of ammunition, and a few necessary im-
plements and ecpiipments for a piece, the whole suscep-
tible of transport on two pack-saddles. Most probably the
bat-horses were shot or disabled or " run off" in the melee.

It is even more difficult to arrive at van Rensselaer's
numbers The lowest figure when at Schenectady is seven
hundred. This perhaps indicated his own Claverack (now
Columbia County) Brigade. ITe received several acces-
sions of force, Tryon and Albany County militia ; the dif-
ferent colonels and their regiments are especially men-
tioned, besides the quasi-YQ^wXar command — three or fom*
hu7idred (irough, one hundred and fifty) — of Colonel Du-
bois' Levies raised and expressly maintained for the defence
of the N^ew York Northern Frontier; Captain M'Kean's
eighty Independent Volunteers ; sixty to one hundred In-
dians, Oneida warriors, under Colonel Louis : a detachment
of regular Infantry under Colonel Morgan Lewis, who led
the advance (Stone's "Brant," II., 120): a company or

Ent/agement near Fox* 8 M1U«,

detaclmieiit of artillt'i'v jiiid two nine-pouiulcrs, and si liody
of horsoiueu.

Colonel Stone, writing previous to 1838, says: " Tlie
command of General van Rennselaor numbered about tif-
teen hundred — a force in every way superior to that of the
enemy." It is very probable that he liad over two thou-
sand, if not many more than this. Stone adds ("Brant," 11.,
11!)) : " Sir John's troops, moreover, were exhausted by
forced marches, active service, and heavy knapsacks, wliile
those of Vari Rensselaer M'^ere fresh in the field. " Sir
John's troops had good reason to be exhausted. Besides
their march from Canaseraga, one hundred and fifty miles,
they had been moving, destroying and lighting constantly
for three or four days, covering in this exhaustive work a
distance of over seventy-live (twenty-six miles straight)
miles in the Mohawk Valley alone (Hough, 152), On the
very day of the main engagement they had wasted tlie
wdiole district of Stone Arabia, destroyed Brown's com-
mand in a spirited attempt to hold the invaders, and actu-
ally advanced to meet van Rensselaer by the light of the
conflagrations they kindled as they marched along. Each
British and Loyal soldier carried eighty rounds of amnni-
nition, which, together with his heavy arms, e(piii)ments,
rations and plunder, must have weighed one Imndred
pounds and upwards per man. Yan Rensselaer's Militia
complained of fatigue ; but when did this sort of troops
ever march even the shortest testing distance without grum-
bling?
- The Americans figured out Sir John's loss at 9 killed,

clii

h'rujKgement near Fo^k Mllh.

7 wounded, and r)8 iiiiHsiii<jj. IHh report to (Jenerul TTid-
diinuud states tliat tlirou^liout his whole ex[)edition he
lost in killed, whites and Indians, !> ; wounded, 7; and
missing, 48, M'hieh must iuive inchuU'd the wounded who
had to be ahandoned ; and (U'sertions, J5 ; the last item is
the most remarl<al)ie in its significanee and insignitieance.
(Hough's "Northern Invasion," VMS.)

TIow the troops on either side were drawn up for the
tiglit ai)pears to luivi' heen pretty well settled, for there
was still light enough to make this out, if no more. Sir
John's line extended from the river to the orchard near
Klock's house. His Rangers — Loyalists — were on the
right, with their right on the bank of the Mohawk. His
regular troops stood in column in the centre on the Flats.
Brant's Indians and the Hesse-Hanau RiHemen or Jagers
were on the left, in echelon, in advance of the rest about
one hundred and fifty yards, in the orchard. Van Rens-
selaer's forces were disposed : Colonel Dubois with the
Levies (</v«w/-regulars) on the right, AVhites and Indians |
constituting the central column, and the Albany Militia on
the left. [Sinnn's " Schoharie County," 430.) Not a single
witness shows where the Continentals, Artillervmen and
the Horsemen took ]X)sition. As for the two nine-pounder
fieldpieces, they were left behind, stuck in the mud. It
•wasatohu-ho/m. The regulars on both sides behaved -well,
as they almost always do. With the first shots the militia
began to fire — Cuyler's Regiment, four hundred yards
away from the enemy — the rear rank ran over and into
those in front, two hundred and fifty to three hundred

En(j(i(ieinent near Fir.c'a Mllh.

cliii

yards in advance (102), then broke ; all was confusion. It
does not appear that the American Indians accomplished
anything. Colonel Dubois' New York Levies ran t)ut
Brant's Indians, aiul got in the rear of Sir John's line, and
then there was an end of the nuitter. (Sinuu's ''Scho-
harie County," 429-30.) It had become so dark from va-
rious causes that, to use a conniion expression, " a man
could not see his hand before his face."

Van Rennselaer had now enough to do to keej) the
majority of his troops together, and retreated from one
and a half t<) three miles, to a cleared hill, where he was
enabled to restore some order. The stories of disorder
within Sir .lohn's lines, except as regarded the Indians, are
all founded on unreliable data; nothing is known. When
his antagonist fell back, he waited apparently until the
moon rose, and then, or previously, forded the river (just
above Nathan Christie's — (Sinnns, 430) — and commenced
his retreat, which he was permitted to continue unmolested.

It is amusing to read the remarks aiul reasoning of pa-
triotic inuigination on this event. "By this time," says
the Sexagenary, " hoM'ev^er, the alarnj had s[)read through
the neighboring settlements, and a body of militia, of
suiRcient force to become the 'assailants, orrlved., it is
said, within a nhort dhtanee of the enemy ^ near the river ^
and Sir John Johnson, in consequenoe^ had actually made
arrangements to surrender.'''' [Mark the logical military
conclusion, Sir John being ready to surrender!] The
Americans., hov^ever., at this moment fell hach a short dis-
tance [two or three miles] for the sake of occupying a bet-

cliv

Knf/agemcnt near Fo.i^s Mills.

ter 2>^sHion (hiring the night.'''' If Sir Jolin was seared
and willing to give ii]>, what need was there of the brave
Americans falling back at all, or seeking a better position?
All they had to do M^as to go forward, disarm the willing
prisoners, and gather in the trophies, lie had fought a
Cnniberland Church fight to check pursuit, and there was
no Humphreys present to renew it and press on to an Ap-
pomattox Court Honse. He had accomplished his task ;
he had completed the \vork of destruction in the Schoharie
and JVrohawk valh^ys. There was nothing more to be
wasted. Colonel Stone sums it up thus (" Brant," II.,
124): " By this third and most formidal)le irruption into
the Mohawk country during the season, Sir John had com-
pleted the entire destruction above Schenectady — the prin-
cipal settlement above the T.ittle Falls having been sacked
and burned two yeai's before. " French observed that these
incursions left "the remaining citizens stripped of abnost
everythiiig except the soih"'"

* The forces of Colonci [Sir Jolm] .Johnson, !i part of Avhich had
crossed tlie river near Caujj:lina\vu!i;a, destroyed all the Whi<? property,
not only on the south, but on the north side, from Fort Hunter to the
[Anthony's N. T. 60] Nose (some twenty-three to twenty-tive uiJles),
and in several instances where dwellings had been burned by the Tn-
dians under his command in May (1780), and temi)orary ones rv>built,
they were also consumed. * * * After Brown fell, the enemy, scat-
tered in small bodies, were to be seen in every direction plundering
and burning the settlements in Stone Arabia. In the afternoon Gene-
ral van liensselaer, after being warmly censured for his delay by Col.
Harper and several other officers, crossed the river at Fort Plain, and
began the pursuit in earnest. The enemy were overtaken | awaited
'lim I on the side of the river above St. Johnsville, near a stockade and
blockhouse at Klock's, just before night, and a smart brush took place
between the British troops and the Americans under Col. Dubois, in

Engayement near J^o./Z's Mills.

olv

Tlie most curious tiling in this connection is the part
played by the fiery Governor Clinton. Colonel Stone ex-
pressly stated, in 1888, that he was with General van Ilens-

which several on each side were killed or wounded. Johnson was
compelled to retreat to a peninsula in the river, where he encamped
with his men nmeh wearied. His situation was such that he could
have been taken with ease. Col. Dubois, with a body of Levies, took
a station above him to prevent his proceedintf up the river ; Gen. van
Rensselaer, with the main army, below ; while Col. Harper, with the
Oneida Indians, gained a position on the south side of the river nearly
opposite. I Why did they not j^uard the ford by which Sir.Tohr crossed ?
Tliey were afraid of liim, and triad to let him j^o if he only would go
away. \ The general gave express orders that the attack .should be
renewed by the troops under his own immediate command at the rising
of the [full (between 10 and 11 p. .m. V) (H. N. I. 55) | moon, some hour
in tiie night. Instead, however, of encamping on tlie ground from
which the eneni)' had been driven, as a brave officer would have done,
Jiefell back down the river and encamped thher miles distant. The
troops under Du'oois and Harjjer could hardly be restrained from coin-
mencing the attack long before the moon arose ; but when it did, they
waited with almost breathless anxiety to hear the rattle of van Rensse-
laer's musketry. The enemy, who encain])cd on lands owned by tlie
late Judge Jacob C5. Klock, spiked their cannon |the diminutive tbree-
l)ounder grasshopper was all they had], which was there abandoned:
aitd. soon after the moon appeared, began tomo-ve forward to a fording
place jusi above the rcndence of JSathan Christie., and not far from their
encampment. Many were tlie denunciations made liy tlie men under Du-
bois and Harper aguinst Van Rensselaer, when they found he did not
begin the attack, and had given strict orders that tlieir commanders
should not. They openly stigmatii'cd the general * * * but, when
several hours liad elapsed, and lie had not yet made his appearance, a
murmur of discontent p( rvaded all. Harper and Dubois were com-
pelled to see the troops under Johnson and Brant ford the river, and
pass o^ unmolested, or disobey the orders of tiieir commander, when
they could, unaided, have given them most advantageous battle. Had
those brave colonels, at the moment the enemy were in the river, taken
tlie responsibility of disobeying their commander, as Murphy had
done three days before, and commenced the attack in front and rear,
the consequences must have been very fatal to the retreating army,
21

clvi

Engagement near Fox's Mills.

selaer a few lioiirs before the fight, dined with him at Fort
Plain, and remained at the Fort wiien van Rensselaer
marclied out to the fight. In Col. Stone's, or his son and
namesake's, " Border Wars" (II., 122), this statement is
repeated. Clinton, in one of his letters, dated 80th Octoher,
does not make the matter clear. He says (Hough, 151) :
"On receiving this intelligence [the movements of the Brit-
ish] I immediately moved up the river, in hopes of being
able to gain their front, etc." In describing the engage-
ment he says, "the night came on too soon for ws/" and
then afterwards he mentions "the morning after the action

I arrived with the militia under my immediate conmiand."
This does not disprove Stone's account. Aid-Major Lan-
sing testified before the court-martial that the Governor
took command on the morning of the 21st. It is not likely
that Governor Clinton would have found it pleasant to fall
into the hands of Sir John, and Sir John would have been
in a decidedly disagreeable position if the Governor could
have laid hands upon him. There was this difference,
however ; Sir John was in the fight (Colonel Dubois wrote

II A. M., the day after the fight (Hough's "Northern In-
v'asion," 118). Prisoners say Sir John was wounded through
the thigh) which he might have avoided ; and the Gover-
nor might have been. Anyone who will consider the mat-
ter dispassionately will perceive that, now that the whole
country was arouf;od, and all the able-bodied males, regu-

and *hc dentil of Col. ikown and his men i)ronipt1y revenged. — Jacob
Becker, a Schoharie AAlitiaman. 428-430 Jephtha H. Simm's " History
of Schoharie County," 1845.

Engagement near Fox's 3[iUs.

clvii

lars and militia, concentrating upon him, Sir Jolm had
simply to look to the safety of his cominand. lie retreated
by a route parallel to the Mohawk River and to the south
of it, jDassed the Oneida Castle on the creek of the same
name, the present boundary between Madison and Oneida
Counties, and made for Canaseraga, where he had left his
hatteaux. Meanwhile van Rensselaer had dispatched an
express to Fort Schuyler or Stan^\ax, now Rome, ordering
Captain Vrooman, with a strong detachment from thegar-
i.son, to push on ahead as (|uickly as possible and destroy
Sir John's little liotilla. A deserter frustrated Burgoyne's
last and best chance to escape. Two Oneida Indians, al-
ways unreliable in this war, revealed the approach of Sir
John, and by alarming saved the forts in the Schoharie
valley. And now another such chance enabled Sir John
to save his boats and punish the attem])t made to destroy
them. One of Captain Vrooman's men fell sick, or pre-
tended to fall sick, at Oneida Castle (" Hist. Madison Co.,"
05(5, etc.), and was left behind. Soon after, Sir Jolm ar-
rived, and learned from the invalid the whole plan. There-
upon he sent forward Brant and his Indians, with a de-
tachment of Butler's Rangers, who came upon Vrooman's
detachment taking their midday meal, 28d Xovend)er, 1780,
and "'gobbled" the whole party. JS^ot a shot was tired, and
Captain Vrooman and his men were carried off prisoners
in the very boats they were dispatched to destroy.

If any reader supposes that this invasion of Sir John
Johnson's was a simple predatory expedition, he has been
kept in ignorance of the truth through the idiosyncrasies

olviii

Engmjement nea/r Eoic^s 311 Us.

of American writers. It was tlieir purpose to malign Sir
.lolin, and tliey have admirably succeeded in doing so. Sir
.lolm flolmson's expedition was a part of a grand strategic
plan, based ui)on the topography of the country, which
rendered certain lines of operation inevitable. Ever since,
the English built a fort at Oswego, as a menace to the
French then in possession of Canada, this port and Nia-
gara were bases for hostile movements against Canada.
Pitt's great plan, the concjuest of New France in 1759,
contemplated a triple attack ; down Lake Champlain,
across from Osv.-ego, and up the St. Lawrence. The Bur-
goyne cam])aign in 1777 was predicated on the same idea:
Burgoyne uj) Champlain, St. Leger from Oswego down
the Mohawk, and Howe up the Hudson. Clinton's plan
for the fall of 1780 was almost identical, although every-
thing hinged on the success of Arnold's treason and his
delivering up West Point. Clinton himself was to jday
the part Howe should have done and ascend the Hudson.
Colonel Carleton was to imitate Burgoyne on a smaller
scale, and move up Champlain to attract attention in that
direction ; and Sir John was to repeat the St. Leger move-
ment of 1777, and invade the Mohawk valley. Arnold's
failure frustrated Clinton's movement. Carleton at best
was to demonstrate, because the ambiguity (or consistent
self-seeking) of Vermont rendered a more numerous col-
umn unnecessary. As it was, he i)enetrated to the Hud-
son, and took Fort Anne. Haldimand's nervousness about
a French attack upon Caiuida made him timid about detach-
ing a sufficient force with Sir John. Moreover, the British

Engagement near Fox's 31 ills.

clix

regulars were very unwilling to accompany this bold parti-
san, whose energy insured enormous hardship, labor and
suft'ering to his followers, to whicli regulars, niore particu-
larly German mercenaries, were especially averse. Von
Eelking informs us of this, and furthermore that a terrible
mutiny came very near breaking out among the British
troops under Johnson in the succeeding June, when Ilal-
dimand proposed to send Sir John on another expedition
against Pittsburg. The plan of the mutineers (von Eel-
king, II., 197) was to fall upon the British officers in their
(piarters and nmrder tiiem all. The coniplot was disco-
vered, but it was politic to hush the whole matter up,
which was accordingly done. Doubtless there was hang-
ing or shooting and punishment enough, but it was in-
fliced quietly. These were the reasons that the invasion
which was to have been headed bv Sir John Johnson was
converted into a destructive raid, and this explains why
Sir John was so weak-handed that he could not dispose of
van liensselaer on Klock's Field as completely as he an-
nihilated Brown in Stone Arabia.

•

Finally, to divest Sir John Johnson's expedition of the
character of a mere raid, it is only necessary to compare
some dates. Arnold's negotiations Avitli Sir Henry Clin-
ton came to a head about the middle of September. It was
not settled until the 21st-22d of that month. It is not con-
sistent with probability that Haldimand in Canada was
ignorant that a combined movement was contemplated.
To justify this conclusion, von Eelking states (II., 195) that
three expeditions, with distant objectives, started from

clx

Engagement near Fox's Mills.

Qnehec about the "middle of September, " — the very time
wlieii Clinton and Arnold were concluding their bargain ; —
the first, under Sir John Johnson, into the Schoharie and
Mohawk vallies ; the second, under Major Carleton, which
took Forts Anne and George, towards Albany ; and the
third, under Colonel Carleton, reversing the direction of
the route follow^ed by Arnold in 1775.

The time necessary to bring Sir John into middle Xew
York, making due allowances for obstacles, was about co-
incident with the date calculated for the surrender ot West
Point, Arnold made his escai)e on the 25th of September.
Andre was arrested on the 23d of September, and was exe-
cuted on the 2(1 of October following. Major Carleton
came up Lake Champlain, and appeared before Fort Anne
on the 10th of October (Hough's "Northern Invasion,"
I., 48), Major Houghton [Ibld^ 146) simultaneously fell
upon the upper settlements of the Connecticut Valley ; and
Major Munro, a Loyalist, started witli the intention — it is
believed — of surprising Schenectady; but, for reasons now
unknown, stopped short at Ballston, attacked this settle
ment on midnight of the 16th of October, and then retired,
carrying off a number of prisoners. Such a coincidence of
concentrating attacks from four or iive different quarters
by as many different routes could not have been the result
of accident. Circumstances indicate that Sir Henry Clin-
ton was first to move in force upon West Point, and make
himself master of it through the treasonable dispositions of
Arnold. This would have riveted the attention of the
whole country. Troops would have been liurried from all

Engagement near Eox's Mills.

clxi

quarters towards the Iliglilaiuls, and the whole territory
around Albany denuded of defenders. Thus it was ex-
pected that Sir John would have solved the problem which
St. Leger failed to do in 1777. Meanwhile, the Carletons,
certain of the neutrality of Yerniont, whose hostilities had
been so eifective in 1777, would have cui)tured all the posts
on the upper Hudson. In this way the great plan, which
failed in 1777, was to be accomplished in 1780. Thou-
sands of timid Loyalists would have S[)rung to arms to sup-
port Sir John and Clinton, and the severance of the East-
ern from the Middle States completed, and perfect comm ii-
munication established between New York and Montreal.
It would have taken but very little time for Clinton to
double his force from Loyal elements along the whole
course of the Hudson, as can be demonstrated from re-
cords, admissions and letters of the times. The majority
of the people were tired of the war, and even Washington
despaired. On the 17th October, 1780, Governor Clinton
wrote to General Washington : ^^ This enterprise of the
enemy [Sir John Johnson] is jprohaMij the effect of Ar-
nohVs treason.'''' On the 21st of the same month General
Washington, addressing the President of the Continental
Congress, wrote: '•'• It is th( (ght, and perhaps not with-
mit foundation., that this incursion wasmade [by Sir John
Johnson] upon the supposition that ArnoUVs treachery
had succeeded. ' '

If Arnold's treason had not been discovered in time,
the name of Sir John Johnson might stand to-day in his-
tory in the same class beside that of Wolfe, instead of be-

clxii

h^iiycKjement near Fox's Mills.

i"g branded as it l.as l,oen bj virulence, and wcrse, in
many cases, by direct misrepresentation.

"Success is tbe test of merit," said the unfortunate
Kebel General Albert Sydney Johnson-" a hard rule "
he added, " but a just one." It is both hard and unjust,
and were courage, merit, self-devotion and exj3osure to suf-
fering and peril the test, and not success, there are few
Hien who would stand higher to-day in military annals
than Sir John Johnson.

IIP

3X., »

,f^

Wixnics

liavc occiirreil, not only among Militia and [rreyulars, but in Reoulau
Armies, subjected, in iipjx'ariinee, to tlio liiii;liest slate of diseiidine and
tlie most severe of mililary ecxies. These panics are not only ineom-
prcliensible, but infinitely more disgraceful than the worst which has
been attributed to Militia — even American Militia, such as the
Ki.ock's Field tohn-hohu in 1780; the Bladensburg liaees in 1814;
and the dissolution of the Union forces at Hull Hun 1., in 1861.
Nothing, however, can approach what took place in the Austrian
army under .loseph II., in 1788. It almost transcends belief, and it
miglit be deemed inciedible, if it was not recorded in the following
language by the veteran French Marshal Marmont, Duke of Ragusa, in
his "The Present State of the Turkish Empire," translated by Lt.-Col.
Sir Frederick Snntli, K. II., Royal bilt'^li Engineers, Lond(m, 1839,
pj). xx.-xxiv., "Introduction."

"At Karansebes (on the Temes, 50 miles S. E. of Temesvar, just S.
of the Iron Gates Pass) we are reminded of the lamentable catastrophe
[Cust's Annals of the Wars," I,, iv., 2i)-;}0l that befell the troops of
Austria, in September, 1788, near this place, in the latter wars [1788-'90]
between that power and Turkey.

" Josei)h the Second atlbrded on this occasion a remarkable instance
of the misfortunes Avhicli a monarch may bring upon his people by
overrating his qualifications as a military connnauder ; for, though
personally brave, he seemed, when the lives of others depended on his
decision, to be deficient in that moral courage and i)resence of nnnd
which are indispensable in a general ; yet he evinced great resolutiim,
as well as indefatigable indu.stry in conducting the civil affairs of the
state, and untjuestionably possessed sui)erior talent. His ])()litical acts
have been the subject of much discussion ; liow f\ir they may be
deserving of praise or censure this is not the i)lace to en(iuire ; but it
is impossible to deny that the views of this monarch were directed to
promoting the welfare of his country. By moving in advance of
public opinion, and by prom])tly effecting those changes in the national
institutions which the circumstances of the times seemed to demand,
he nipped in the bud, so far as his own donnnions were concerned, the
revolutions that threatened Austria as well as the rest of Europe.
22— clxiii

clxiv

J\l)) ic8.

" In 1780 1 1788 ?1, .Inspph, hiivin^' rollecti'd toijjL'lhor 80,000 men, for
tlie purpose of attuckin;; tlic Turks, cstabli.shtMl Imh camp near Karans-
bi's. The Tnrks were in a positicm opposite to the Austrian army, and
so i)laeed as to rover tiie jirovinee of Wallachia. All was prepared for
the attack; tlie ^'cnerala were assemhicvl in liie tent of (he Emperor to
rec(!ive their orders, and everything appeared to promise success to
tlie Austrian army ; l)Ut Joseph, feelihi; a deirree of discpiietude
respecting tlie result, asked Marslial Lasey if lie felt sure of Ixating
the enemy. Tlie IMarsh.il replied, as any sensible |V| man would have
done, under similar circumstances, that he hojicd for victory, but that
he could not absolutely guarantee it. Unhappily th.is answer so dis-
couraged Joseph (where were liis own resolution and brains v] that
he immediately abandoned the intention of attacking the Turks, and
resolved to retire behind the Temes.

"The plan of retreat was arranged, and the army was formed in
parallel columns, the infantry being iilaced in the centre, the cavalry
on the flanks, and the baggage in the intervals. The Austrians com-
menced their march at midnight, but shortly afterwards Marshal
Lascy, discovering that the order had not been issued for withdrawing
the piquets of the left wing, supplied the omission, and suddeiilj'
halted the main body to wait for these detacliments. [Sometliing
similar occurred on the night of ir)th December. 186'»;, Avhen the left
wing of th(( Union army withdrew from before the Hebels, alter the
disastrous failure of the attack of the tSth, preceding.] The word of
command, to 'halt,' w'us given and repeated in the usual manner ; but,
being mistaki'n for the word 'Allnli,' which the Turks are in the habit
of slioutingwhcn about to fall upon their enemies, many of the Austrian
troops believed that they were attacked. Tliis Avas the case with the dri-
vers of the tumbrils, who, seized with puuic, put their horses into a trot,
in the liope of escaping. Tlie infantry, sui)posing the noise made by
these carriages to be caused by the chargi of the enemy, commenced
tiring in all directions. The havoc they thus created in their own
ranks was so grent, that no less than 10,000 men are said to have been
killed or wounded during the darkness of the night. At daylight the
mistake was discovered, and the Austrian army then retreated to the
position the Emperor had intended to take up behind the Temes. If,
instead of giving way to his alarm, Joseph had attacked the enemy, it
is probable that he would liave obtained ])Osses8ion of Wallachia with-
out losing more than 3,000 or 4,000 men. As .it was, he not only lostt
10,000 ))y the disaster above mentioned, and 20,000 by sickness, which
was the consequence of a prolonged occupation of an unhealthy tract
of country, but he raised the courage of tlie Turks, and thereliy
deprived his own troops of the confidence they liad previously reposed
both in him and in themselves."

' 1

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

>'^ MP..

(/.

1.0

I.I

1.25

ilM |||||22
MO II 2.0

1.4

1.8

1.6

//,

e-A

'm oi

m' ■•>■'

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

4^~

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

^9)

L<P

fe' m.

cp-

%'%n^ox.

The preceding images are tlie result of a promise, made
in haste and repented at leisure ; but kept to the letter, as
man's word of honor should be, at whatever cost it may be
to him. Eeflection soon led to regret that the pledge had
ever been given ; because, as a friend wisely observed,
" the people of this country have sucked in fiction as fact
with their mothers' milk, and no amount of reason could
reverse the verdict of success, however obtained." No
philosopher believes in the judgment of the people, so
styled-the people, as usually understood, are the simple
dupes and pack and prey of the bold and the designing,
who possess the serpent guile of pandering to their lusts
and to their passions. There is a people, invisible but
influential, running through every portion of the body poli-
tic, like the mysterious sympathetic nerve on which vi'taliza-
tion depends. This people is that portion of the conmmnity
referred to when Elijah said, ' ' I, even I only, am left ; ' ' and
God answered that he had reserved to himself seven thou-
sand who had not bowed the knee to Baal nor worshipped
him. Unfortunately this minority entertain opinions which,
for their own preservation, discretion teaches them to keep
clxv

" II

c )|

clxvi

L'' Envoi.

) m

out of sight as much as possible. They are like the Jews
of the Middle Ages, who had to conceal their riches,
lest the people, so called, by violence then, by votes now,
should ' 'go for them, " make a raid upon their dwellings, and
" rabble " them. Once in a while a bold exponent of the
ideas of the minority comes forward, like an Arnold of
Brescia, a Savonarola, a Huss, a Zwingli or a Luther, and
inaugurates a moral revolution, generally with fatal and
terrible effect to himself: for instance, the first three were
burned at the stake, and Zwingli was murdered on the
battlefield. Luther, thanks to the segis of Providence,
died a natural death, but lived long enough to feel the
disgust that invades the bosom of every able and true man
who reaches the period when the decay of the bodily facul-
ties — that is, of the resistive and recuperative powers — be-
gins to quench the hopes and illusions which, w'\t\\ few
rarely continue to exist when the downward road becomes
rough and steep. The people, so styled, the masses, are
to-day what tliey were a thousand, yes thouisands of years
ago, the obtuse instruments of wicked minds. ^'•Panem
et Clrcenses'''' (Food and Pleasure) was and is and ever
will be their watchword : their bellies and their eyes ;
in our days, their ears. All great men see through the
utter emptiness of popular applause, although few, like
William III., have the cold, caustic cynicism to express
the conviction publicly. When the mob received him
with cheers, he simply remarked, the same class that
cries "Hosanna" to-day will shout "Crucify him" to-
morrow. Bold, bad men, with serpents' intellects and

I^NftaMB^

L"* Envoi.

clxvii

oily tongues or versatile pens, like our successful politi-
cians or j)opular favorites of the press, conduct or excite
the "many headed" at their pleasure. The verdict of
the people, " by a vast majority, " recalls the anecdote of
the lamented wit, Arthur Gilman, recently deceased, in
regard to Colonel Yell, of Yellville, a member of one of
the southwestern legislatures. The Yellville Bank had
gone up suddenly, and the funds had disappeared under*
the receivership of the said colonel. For this the Hon-
orable Kurnel Yell was called upon for an explanation.
In a speech, as involved as one of the calculated deceptive
utterances of Cromwell, the colonel furnished no clue to
the disappearance of the assets of the Bank, or the par-
ticular pockets into which they had eventually found their
winding way ; but he covered his tracks, and awakened
the enthusiasm of the Legislature and crowded galleries by
a hifalutin (high-for-newton) glorification of the Stars and
Stripes " that was kalkerlated to stir the heart of the most
fastidious." Pronounce an oration or write a book or ar-
ticle thunderous with citations of the "patriot sires ;" shout
out or italicize "Bunker Hill! Old Put! Yalley Forge !
Brutal Butchers! Washington, the Father of his Country!
Traitor Arnold!" and "the Captors of Andre," at judicious
intervals ; abuse " the mother country," multiply the vir-
tues which do not exist in tlie audience, and a triumph inevi-
tably must ensue. Endeavor honestly to tell the plain un-
varnished truth, and hold the mirror up to nature, and the
result is either the silence of contemptuous might or incon-
sequent stupidity, or a storm such as furnishes the speaker

■-!S

I \

■i\ II

It: <l

clxviii

L"* Envoi.

li -

or writer with a full realization of the vulgar but expressive
proverb of " having as good a chance as a specimen of the
feline genus without claws in the dominion of Abaddon."

The preceding pages were furnished solely to oblige a
diligent fellow-laborer and a .prospector in the historical
mining wilderness of the American Revolution. While the
writer holds himself responsible for his facts and opinions,
he wishes it to be perfectly understood that he has nothing
to do with the publication itself and the profits of the
conjoint work of W. L. Stonk and of himself. The pages
numbered with letters comprise his labors, and, having
turned them over to Mr. Stonk, subscribers must consider
that the writer's responsibility ends then and there and
their business relations are altogether with the Editor of
" Sir John Johnson's Orderlv Book."

i liinm'fi-rTi-»r-Ti-«-,,^. — ^ ^..^^

1778

M '•■'

[11

(

I
_ ' i

1,11

INTRODUCTION.

N December, 1776, Burgoyne,
dissatisfied with his subordinate
position under Carleton, con-
cocted with the British Min-
istry a plan for the Campaign
of 1777. An army, admirably
appointed and under his command, was to pro-
ceed to Albany, by way of Lakes Champlain and
George ; while another large force, under Sir
William Howe, was to advance up the Hudson
in order to cut off communication between the
Northern and Southern Colonies, in the expec-
tation that each section, being left to itself,
would be subdued with little difficulty. Con-
temporaneously with the descent of Burgoyne
upon Northern New York, Lieut. Col. Barry St»
Leger, with the Loyalists and Indians under Sir

'HHK':

H-ii

l^^^^l

l^^^H

^K4

^Iv"

'^.UT.ti

flHI

b Introduction,

John Johnson and Joseph Brant respectively,
was dispatched by that general from Montreal
by the way of the St. Lawrence and Lake
Ontario to Oswego. From that post, St. Leger,
availing himself of Oneida Lake and Wood
Creek, was to penetrate the country to the
Mohawk river, with a view of forming a junc-
tion from that direction with Burgoyne on the
latter's arrival at Albany. As is well known,
the progress of Colonel St. Leger was stopped
at Fort Stanwix ; the advance of Arnold, des-
patched by Schuyler, compelling him to raise
the seige of that Fort and retreat into Canada — a
circumstance which left Schuyler and, later.
Gates, free to concentrate the American forces in
opposition to the advancing army of Burgoyne.
Conversing in the fall of 1880, with the late
Rev. Marinus Willett' of Port Chester, N. Y., a
grandson of Colonel Marinus Willett, of Fort
Stanwix fame, he mentioned to me that he was
the possessor of a manuscript Orderly Book
kept by an officer of Sir John Johnson during
his campaign against Fort Stanwix in 1777
— one of the Orderly Books captured by his
grandfather in his memorable sortie from Fort

' For sketches of Rev. Marinus Willett, and Col. Marinus Willett, see ap-
pendices Nof. 1 and II.

Introduction.

Stanwix against the camp of Sir John Johnson.
The facts of this sortie (which, it will be remem-
bered, took place while the battle of Oriskany
was 1 progress), are told by Col. Willett in his
Narrative in these words — which, as the book
has now become exceedingly rare, we quote :

" Col. Willett lost not a moment in sallying forth
from the gate of the fort. As the enemy's sen-
tries were directly in sight of the fort, his move-
ments were necessarily very rapid. The enemy's
sentries were driven in, and their advanced
guard attacked, before they had time to form
the troops. Sir John Johnson, whose regiment
was not two hundred yards distant from the
advanced guard, and who, himself, it being, very
warm, was in his tent with his coat off, had not
time to put it on before his camp was forced.
So sudden and rapid was the attack, that the
enemy had not time to form so as to make any
opposition to the torrent that poured in upon
them. Flight, therefore, was their only resource.
Adjoining the camp of Sir John Johnson was
that of the Indians. This, also, was soon taken ;
so that a very few minutes put Col. Willett in
possession of both these encampments. Sir John

%\ h

I A

Introduction.

with his troops took to the river, and the Indian?:
fled into the woods. The trr-^ps under Col.
Willett had fair firing at the ehjmy while they
were crossing the river. The quantity of camp
equipage, clothing, blankets and stores, which
Col. Willett found in the two camps, rendered
it necessary to hasten a messenger to the fort and
have the wagons sent, seven of which were stored
in the fort with horses. These wagons were
each three times loaded, while Col. Willett and
his men remained in the camps of the enemy.
Among other articles, they found five British
flags ; the baggage of Sir John Johnson, with all
his papers ; the baggage of a number of other
officers, with memoranda, journals, and orderly
books, containing all the information which
could be desired.'"

Mr. Willett agreed with nie that the contents
of the Orderly Book should be put into perma-
nent form to provide against its loss by fire or
other casualties ; and he thereupon kindly loaned
it to me to copy and publish in the Magazine of
American History. The Orderly Book was ac-
cordingly printed in that valuable publication in
the March and April numbers for 1881, though

' For an account of this sortie from the Britisli stand-point, see Appendix
No. III.

Introduction.

with but very few annotations, as neither space
nor time permitted extended notes.

This Orderly Book is of great value in several
particulars. It shows, the intimate relation
which existed between the campaign of Gen.
Burgoyne and the expedition of Col. Barry St.
Leger — as, for example, the order given at
Lachine on the 20th of June, that the officers
under St. Leger and Johnson should send their
baggage to Albany in the train of Burgoyne ; it
establishes the exact number of men engaged in
the expedition by the quantity of rations issued
and the boats required, by which we find that
instead of St. Leger having (as has always been
believed) 1700 men, he had barely 950, Indians
included; it states the names of the detachments
from the different regiments which formed the
expedition, by which we learn, among other
items, that Sir John Johnson's regiment never,
in a single instance, in this Orderly Book, although
elsewhere invariably known as such, is called "The
Royal Greens;" it affords the means of knowing
the true rank held by different officers — as, for
example, " Major " Watts is never spoken of save
as " Captain ;" it elucidates a mooted question as to

-i--

1 ,;i

a I!

Introduction,

the rank of Lieut. Col. Barry St. Leger, who
was made an acting Brig. Gen. on this occasion ;
and it develops the fact that possibly a part, at
least, of St. Leger's troops joined the army of
General Burgoyne, after that officer and Sir John
had retreated into Canada, the laughing-stock of
their Indian allies. These, as well as maiiy
other instances, will make apparent the value of
the Orderlv Book to the student of our Revolu-
tionary annals.

There is another feature of this Orderly Book
which has, I think, a touching significance. I
allude to the character of the Paroles and
Countersigns. A glance at them shows that they
are, in many instances, the names of towns in
Ireland, Scotland and England — the homes, un-
doubtedly, of many of the troops composing this
Expedition ; and there can be no question that
those having in charge the selection of the
Paroles and Countersigns for each day, took
special pains to designate those towns which
would remind their men of the loved ones they

had left behind. Caelum non animum mutant qui
trans mare curruni. This action, on the part of
the officers, very likely arose from policy as well

.. -jav -K. ;ja.' g . - i>.vv:^.^--;'.'.

n'w.wggw 'i . g g i gnia ' jjfl ' mn.i i uuujii i i i j

Introduction,

as sentiment ; for one can well imagine that the
names of their homes would vividly bring to the
minds of the soldiers those who across the broad
Atlantic were watching for reports of their pro-
gress and valor — thus presenting them with a
constant as well as an additional incentive to do
well. Some of the Countersigns, moreover, such
as " Cork,"." Limerick" and " Kinsale" would
naturally bring to the minds of the men of the
8th or King's Regiment of Foot, the fact that
their own Regiment was present under William
the III, at the beseiging of those places — a cir-
cumstance which, in itself, would be an incen-
tive to great deeds.

The Orderly Book is written in many different
handwritings, some so bad as to be nearly unde-
cipherable — not froiii the lapse of time, for the
book is exceedingly well preserved in its parch-
ment cover — but from the fact that some of the
writers evidently spelled by sound, and were
obliged, amid the fatigues of camp life, to take
down hurriedly the words of the commanding
officer. Indeed, the wonder is that, under such
circumstances, anything was written that could
be at all deciphered. It should be further stated
that while the general spelling and the names of

r ^

w '.•

h Introduction,

towns and places have been corrected, the varia-
tions in spelling of the proper names of persons
have been in nearly all cases preserved. It w^ill
also be noticed that the last order is dated at
"Oswego Falls," the 31st of July, 1777, two
days previous to the advance of St. Leger's army
appearing before the walls of Fort Stanwix, and
six days before the battle of Oriskany.

Before closing, I desire to acknowledge the
kind assistance which has been given me, in the
way of suggestions, by my old College mates
and friends, Mr. Franklin Burdge of New
York city, the accomplished author of " Simon
Boerum ;" Mr. Edward F. de Lancey, the
scholarly editor of "Jones's History of New York
during the Revolutionary War ;" General John
Watts de Peyster, the brilliant military critic ; and
General Horatio Rogers of Providence, R. I.,
who is now engaged in annotating the Manuscript
Journal of Lieutenant Hadden of the Royal
Artillery, kept by him while an artillery officer
in Canada and under Burgoyne. General Rogers
brings to his task a comprehensive knowledge of
his subject, great conscientiousness, and powers

L'.'-'_.'i'.. ■■ - tS^— ^'f^'f .< V -jr..

Introduction, i

of thorough research — traits which cannot fail
to make his work, when published, an invalua-
ble contribution to our Revolutionary history.

WILLIAM L. STONE.

Jersey City Heights, N. J.,
May, 1882.

(

i I

KEY

TO THE ABBREVIATIONS IN THE

ORDERLY BOOK.

C. (before a proper name)

C. (in a guard detail) - -

D. .......

a o. -

K. R. R. N. Y. ...

P. (before a proper name) -
P. and Pt. (in a guard detail)
S.

Countersign.

Corporal.

Drum or drummer.

General order.

King's Royal Reg't
ofNew York, Sir
John Johnson's
Reg't.

Lieutenant.

Paroled.

Privates.

Sergeant.

ORDERLY r^OOK

lit

' '■ ■

FOR

LIEUT. COL. SIR JOHN JOHNSON'S COMPANY*

I 7 7 6-1 7 7 7

Col. Sir John Johnson's Command

'I AM'L Street, Sergt. ; Sam'l Moss,
Sergt. ; John Boice, Sergt. ; Mc-
Grigor, Sergt. CorpL Crowse,
Corpl. McGrigor, Corpl Russell,

Corpl. Cook, Sergt. Hillyer, Corpl. Smith, Corpl.

Campbell, Sergt. Andw. Young, I^ieut. Singleton,

Ens. Byrne, Ens. Crothers, Ens. Crofford, Ens.

Hysted.

" Although this title purports to be
only the " Orderly Book ot Sir John
Johnson's Company " (all right flank
companies were considered as commanded
by colonels as honorary captains but in
reality were commanded by a captain
lieutenant ranking after Full captains),
yet the Book, in the various orders
issued, is, of course, a reHex of the daily
history of the different regiments engaged
in the Expedition. These may be clas-
sified as follows :

\st. "The 34th Regiment." This
was St. Leger's own Regiment. It
was formed in 170a in Norfolk, Essex
and adjoining counties ; and the date of
the first colonel's commission was Feb.
1 2th, 1702. Its uniform was red, faced
with pale yellow.

id. ''The King's Royal Regiment of
New York " otherwise called " The
(Queen's Loyal New Yorkers," " Sir John
Johnson's Regiment," and unofficially by
contemporaneous writers, " Johnson's

\i If V

T '■
t

2 'Johnson's Orderly Book,

La Prairie.'

1776 4th Novemr. P^ro/?, London. Counter-
sigriy Cork. For Guard tomorrow Lt. Walker,

Royal Greens " from the color of" their
coats. All Provincial Regiments, how-
ever, were originally dressed in green, and
afterwards in red like regulars. This
Regiment was made up of the disaffected
Tories and Loyalists of the Mohawk
Valley, being recruited chiefly from Sir
John's friends and neighbors ; and when-
ever, in the Orderly Book, " The Regi-
ment" simply is mentioned, this one is
alone referred to.

31/. A portion of the 8th Regiment,
or " King's Regiment of Foot," which
was stationed in detachments along the
Western Lakes at what were called the
Upper Posts, i. e., those the most remote
from Quebec, such as Niagara, Detroit,
Michiliniackinac, etc. P'or a sketch of
this Regiment see note in advance.

^th. " Butler's Tory Rangers," under
the command of Lieut. Col. John Butler,
a brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson,
and who with liis men had lately arrived
at Oswego from Niagara to take part in
the Expedition.

5?//. One company of tlie " Hanau
Chasseurs," picked riflemen and trained
and skillful soldiers.

bth. One company of Canadians carry-
ing broad axes to cut roads through the
woods for the artillery.

•jth. The Indians composed of the
Missisagues (a clan of the Hurons) and
a few of the Six Nations under the im-
mediate command of Col. Daniel Claus
and Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea).

%th. The artillery which ronsisted of
such pieces as could easily be transported
in boats, and which was made up, accord-
ing to Col. Claus's letter to Secretary
Knox ot Oct. 16, 1777, of two six
pounders, two threes, and four cohorns
or small mortars, especially designated
from Whitehall.

' La Prairie de la Magdelaine (Seig-

niory) is situated on the south side of the
St. Liwrenccin the county of Huntingdon,
L. C. This tract was granted, on the
ist ' f April, 1647, to the Order of Jesuits
whose possessions were once so large and
valuable within that province. On the
death of the last of that order settled in
Canada, it devolved on the Crown, to
whom it now belongs. In front of the
Seigniory is the village of La Nativite de
Notre Dame, or La Prairie, formerly
called Fort La Prairie from having once
had a rude defence thrown up to protect
it from the surprises or open attacks of
the Iroquois or Six Nations wlio pos-
sessed the country in its vicinity. Such
posts were established in many places
in the early periods of the colony,
while the Indians remained sufficiently
powerful to resist the encroachments
of the settlers. At present, none of
them retain, either in Canada or the
United States, a vestige of their ancient
form, while but very few possess even the
name by which they were originally
known. The position of La Prairie was
at this time extremely favorable for mili-
, tary operations, from the numerous roads
that diverge from it in different directions,
and particularly on account of its being
the point where communication could be
made to Montreal and thence with the
main road leading to St. John's, and
thence again, by Lake Champlain to the
American colonies. This was the route
taken by Burgoyne. Indeed, from its
contiguity to the line of boundary sepa-
rating Canada from the United States,
this part of the district was fated to bear
the brunt of war against the Lower Pro-
vince; and in 1812, a British corps of
observation was encamped towards the
centre of La Prairie to watch the motions
of Gen. Dearborn, who had there assem-
bled a considerable force on the frontiers.

rll

yohnsons Orderly Book, 3

2 Sergts, 2 Corporals, 1 Drumr & 15 Privates.
The Kings' Royal Regt of New York to hold
themselves in Readiness to leave this Quarter
Immediately.

1776 7th Nov. P. Lachine. C. Point Clair.
Major Gray.' Capts Brown & Delly, with their
Compns to march* off Immediately to Point Clair
& to be Quartered as follows : The Major &
Capt Delly, with their Companies at Point Clair
& Capt Brown With a Detachment of a Sergt
and ten from the Cols Compy, a Corporal & 4
Men from Capt Watts and Capt McDonald's
Comps to be at St. Anns, the Cols Comps and
Capt Watts, together with the Staff to be Quar-
tered in the Parish of Lachine in the following
manner. The (lower) Capt Watt's in the Upper
parts of the Parish of Lachine. For Guard to-
morrow I S. I C. & 9 men. Compns duty i S.

I C. 5 p.

Lachine.^
1776 8th November. P. McLou. C. Phil-

;'»!

' At the time that Sir John Johnson,
in 1776, was forced to fly into Canada,
Major Gray, then lieutenant of" the 42d,
helped to raise the faithful body-guard of
one hundred and thirty Highlanders that
accompanied him. Indeed, throughout
this Orderly Book, one can see that the
name " Sir John Johnson's Regiment"
is well deserved ; for its colonel evidently
chose for its officers those of his friends
whom he knew by personal experience
were staunch and could be relied upon
in all emergencies.

" La Chine, one of the nine Parishes
into which the island of Montreal is
divided, is a post-village nine miles south-
west of the city of Montreal, and is
situated directly opposite to the Caugh-
nawaga village. It is built on a fine
gravelly beach, at the head of Lake St.
Louis, which is a broad part of the St.
Lawrence River. At the time of the
American Revolution, it contained very
extensive store-houses, belonging to the
King of Great Britain, in which were
deposited the presents for the Indians as

•"i

4 yobnsorCs 'Orderly Book,

ips. For Guard tomorrow, i Serg. i Corporal
and 9 privates.

1776 9th Novmr. P. Carick. C. Cork. For
Guard to Morrow, i Corp & 4 Privates.

1776 loth Novmr. P. Gray. C Week. For
Guard to Morrow 1 Corp, 6c 4 Privt. It is the
Commanding officer's ords, th-at Capt. Watts's
Comps hold themselves in readiness to March to
Point Clair to Morrow Morning at 9 o'clock
where they shall receive provisions — Capt Daly's
Comp are to Receive Provisions at Lachine,

1776 I 2th November, P. Drogheda. C. Clon-
mell.' For Guard to Morrow i Corpl. & 4
men. The Commanding officer desires that the
men assist the Inhabitants in whose houses rhey
are Quartered, in cutting fire-wood for their own
use this winter.

soon as they were received !rom England.
It is the centre of' commerce between
Upper and Lower Canada ; and boats for
the North-west Territory start from here.
A railroad now connects La Chine with
Montreal; also, a canal to avoid the rap-
ids of St. Louis. It is a place of con-
siderable importance, and consists, besides
•private dwellings, of a number of store
and ware-houses. There is, also, a large
dry-dock for the repairing of the bat-
teaux.

It further derives importance, in this
connection, from the fact that Sir John
Johnson's Regiment was concentrated at
La Chine, June ist, 1777, when St.
Leger joined it with the detail of his
own regiment, the 34th. In fact, La
Chine was the rallying, or rather, per-
haps, the starting point of St. Leger'S
Expedition, as the detachment of the 8ih
did not join St. Leger until it readied a

more western point, probably Oswego.
Capt. RouvilTs company of Canadians
joined at La Chine ; and on the 21st of
June (as appears by the Orderly Book) St.
Leger left La Chine. On that or the
next day, Jessup's Corps proceeded (prob-
ably by water) to join Burgoyne's force,
which rendezvoused at St. John's. The
Standard of England was hoisted on the
" Radeau" (a floating battery on a sort of
raft-like vessel), and saluted the forts and
fleet on June i 3 at St. John's ; and on
the 1 6th the fleet slowly started up the
Richelieu or St. John's river, being joined
on its slow progress the first few days by
the troops that were to take part in Bur-
goyne's Expedition. It will thus appear,
that St. Leger and Burgoyne got off prac-
tically at the same time from the neigh-
borhood of Montreal.

' One wonders whether, when the
names of '* Drogheda" and '' Clonmell"

il!

■J4|

'Johnsori's Orderly Book, 5

1776 31st December. P. Howe. C. Carleton.
For guard tomorrow, i Serg. and 6 men. Ens.
Crawford officer of the day. The two Com-
panys that are Cantoned here, to hold themselves
in Readiness to march towards Point Clair Thurs-
day next if the weather permit.

1777 4th January. P. London. C. Edinburgh.
For Guard tomorrow i Sergeant & 6 privates.
Ens. Crawford, officer of the day.

Orderly Provost M.

The Camp Equipage to be examined & kept
in good condition — The troops, likewise, will
hold themselves in readiness to march on the
Shortest Notice ; they are frequently to be as-
sembled on their Regimental Alarm-Posts, &
March to the Alarm-Post of the Brigade when

were announced to the troops, as the
pass-words of the day, the Irish soldiers
recalled tiie fact, that those two towns, a
little more than a century before, had
been the scenes of Cromwell's most bril-
liant victories and greatest atrocities — and,
also, whether from the stand-point ot
their nationality, they remembered that
it was a war waged by the " Great Pro-
tector" against their freedom ! and, if
so, did they, as they lay in their tents
that night, reflecting on the order, draw
a parallel between the fact that their em-
ployer (England) was now making them
the instruments for subordinating a peo-
ple, also struggling for their liberties ?
The town of Clonmell, especially,
should have recalled these things to their
minds. That town still bears the marks
of Cromwell's siege. The old castle in
the centre of the town, which for eight
days successfully resisted the cannon of

the Protector, can to-day easily be dis-
tinguished from the more modern por-
tion, by its masonr There is, also, the
" West Gate" wmch yet shows the
marks of Cromwell's bombardment.
The surrounding country is beautiful (as
I can testify from personal observation) ;
and on the river Lair, on which stands
the town, some of the finest butter in
Ireland is made. Clonmell, also, is the
capital of the county of Tipperary
which is remarkable for its political in-
dependence of thought and action ; many
instances having occurred where citizens,
imprisoned for political offences, were
elected to Parliament while in jail with-
out any expense to them, and against the
combined opposition of the Government,
landlords, and a majority of the priests.
O'Donovan Kossa, for instance, was an
example of this kind.

6 yohnsons Orderly Book,

the Weather will permit — They will practice
Marching on Snow-Shoes, as soon as they receive
them.' Reports are to be made by all the Brit-
ish to Major General Philips/ and by all the
Germans to Major General Riedesel where the
alarm Posts are, both of the Regiments and the
Brigades in order to be forwarded to the Com-
mander in Chief — A Statement likewise to be
given in of the Camp Equipage — Reports are also
to be made to the Quarter Master Genl at Montreal
from each Corps of the Number of Boats they

• This practicing on snow-shois un-
doubtedly originated with General Ried-
esel. Indeed, he alone of all the gen-
erals sent out by the mother country
seems to have put aside tactics fitted only
for a parade in Hyde Park or for maneu-
vering on the plains of Flanders, and
adopted such drilling as would best suit the
changed condition of affairs. Indeed,
during the time Riedesel was in Canada
with the *' Brunswick Contingent" he,
with the practical strategy and acuteness
of observation which always distinguished
him, had employed himself in drilling
his men to meet the style of fighting
adopted by the Americans. Thus, in
one of his letters, he writes, " I per-
ceived that the American riflemen al-
ways shot further than our forces — con-
sequently, I made my men practice at
long range, and from behind buslies and
trees, that they might be enough for
them." Stone's Life and yournah of
General Riedesel.

In the same way, as will be seen fur-
ther on, St. Leger insists upon his
troops employing their spare moments in
practicing at a mark. Both Riedesel
and St. Leger were thus only anticipating,
Creedmoor.

' Major General William Phillips was
appointed captain of artillery, May 12th,
17156; and brevet lieut. colonel in 1760.
In 1776, having already becjme distin-
guished as an artillery officer, and given
proof of exceptional strategical skill, he
was appointed major general in Bur-
goyne's Expedition. At the battle of
the 19th of September, 1777, he greatly
assisted General Riedesel in bringing up
his command, which — together with
Riedesel's efforts — was the sole means of
retrieving the fortunes of that day. In
the battle of the 7th of October, 1777,
(fought on the same ground) both his
aides were wounded ; and he, himself,
shortly after, shared the fate of Bur-
goyne's army, which surrendered to Gates,
Oct. 17th, 1777. He followed the
" Convention Troops" to Virginia; and
having, meanwhile, been ex'changed, he
was sent from New York in the Spring
of 1781, with 2,000 men, to join Ar-
nold, then at the Chesapeake. He did
not, however, long survive his misfor-
tunes, as he was'carried off by a fever at
Petersburg, Va., May 13, 178 1. Ma-
jor General Phillips, at his death, held
the office of lieutenant governor of
Windsor. Stone's Burgoyne, ^rmy Lists,
Auburey's Tra-vels.

yohnsons Orderly Book,

have in Charge, specifying their condition and
how furnished with Oars, Setting-Poles, 6cc.
Signedy E. Foy,' Depy. Adjt. General.

' Edward Foy received a commission
of first lieutenant in the Royal Artil-
lery on the 2d of April, 1757, and be-
came captain lieutenant un the ist of
January, 1759. In the month of July,
following, as a captain of cne of the
British artillery companies or batteries,
he acted with such bravery at the battle
of Minden as Cu be specially distinguished
on the day after th': battle by the com-
mander-in-chief in his address to the
army. He Wj promoted to a captaincy
in February, 1764, and accompanied
Lord Dunmore, as his private secretary,
to New York in 1770, and went thence
with his Lordship to Virginia, in 1772.
Burkfy in his History of yirgiiiia, jays
that Captain Foy '• resigned his office as
governor of New Hampshire for the pur-
pose of accepting the inferior post of
private secretary to Dunmore," and attri-
butes the circumstance to "some latent
purpose of the British Ministry to em-
ploy his talents in carrying out those
measures which had already been de-
vised." O'Callaghan, however, thinks
that this cannot be the case, as Foy was
gazetted lieutenant governor of New
Hampshire only in July, 1774, nearly
two years after his arrival in Virginia,
and four years after he had become
Lord Dunmore's secretary. During his
stay in that colony, Capt. Foy unfortu-
nately shared much of the odium that
attached to the governor, with whom he
retired on board the Foiuey on the 8th
of June, 1775. In the address of the
House of Burgesses on the 19th of June,
following, they accused the governor of
"giving too much credit to some persons
who, to the great injury of the com-
munity, possessed much too large a share
of his Lordship's confidence," alluding to
Capt. Foy, as " an Englishman of vio-
lent passions and hostile prejudices

against us," and who was considered
governor df facio. The Countess of
Dunmore sailed soon after and arrived
in England in August, 1775, Capt.
Foy returning home about the same
time, with despatches for the minis-
try. In the Spring of 1776, however,
he returned to America, in the ship
Pal/at as commissary of the troops in
Canada ; and in the same year was ap-
pointed Carelton's deputy adjutant general,
a position which he continued to rill
until his death in Canada, in 17S0.
Both his wife and himself were on terms
of friendship with General and Mrs.
Riedesel. He accompanied Riedesel to
America on board the ship Pii//iis, both
occupying the same state-room. The
companionship seems to have been mu-
tually agreeable. Speaking of their ex-
periences on the voyage, Riedesel, who
preceded his wife to America, writes to
her as follows ; << * * Near all were sea
sick. The cook could not cook. Muller
could not dress me. Valentine could
find nothing. To sum up, great lamen-
tation and great blundering arose on all
sides. Hungry, I had nothing to eat.
Finally, Captain Foy and myself cooked
a pea soup in the sailor's kitchen, and eat
cold roast beef, which made up our whole
dinner. Monday the weather was some-
what milder, and some of the people
became better, though most of them re-
mained sick. Captain Foy and I once
more cooked a portable bouillon soup, a
cod with anchovy sauce, a ragout from
roast beef, and a piece of roast veal with
potatoes. On Tuesday, the cook still
could do nothing, and Foy and myself
again did the cooking." Capt. Foy was
a man of large frame and of a powerful
physique. His wife was an American
lady, who seems, at times, to have caused
her husband a good deal ol' annoyance by

■W

^Johnson's Orderly Bock,

General Orders by Major General

Philips

Montreal 5th December 1776
Officers coming to Montreal upon Leave for a
longer Time than two days, are to give in their
Names to the Adjt of the week, Marking to what
time their leave of absence extends, & by whom
given.

SigndPiYw Jas. Pomeroy'.

Montreal 12th December 1776
Orders received from his Excellency the Com-
mander in Chief, dated Quebec, 9th December,

The Commander in Chief [Carleton'J has been

,• •«!

her love of ease and unwillingness to
make those sacrifices which are insepara-
ble from the life of a soldier's wife. Life
of Gen. Riedesel, N. T. Col. Doc.

' Arthur James Pomeroy; at this
time captain in the ist Dragoons, com-
missioned captain, Oct. 5th, 1776.

* Sir Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester).
He was born at Strabane, Ireland, in
1722, and died Nov. 10, 1808. Enter-
ing the guards at an early age, he became
a lieutenant in 1748. He was with the
Duke of Cumberland, as an aide, in the
German campaign ; and served with
Amherst and Wolfe in America. He
was governor of Canada from 1772 to
1 78 1, though Burgoyne succeeded him
as military leader in 1777, when he re-
ceived the order of knighthood. In
1781, he succeeded Sir Henry Clinton as
commander-in-chief of the British army

in America. He was made governor of
Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Bruns-
wick, in I786,in which year, as a re-
ward for long and faithful service, he was
raised to the peerage, being created
Baron Dorchester ; and from that year
until 1796, he was governor of British
North America, his administration being
marked by mildness, and justice. He
was succeeded in his title and estate by
his eldest son Thomas. As Mr. Lossing
very justly remarks : " It is due to his
memory to say, that he doubtless was
opposed to the employment of savages
against the Americans." He was cer-
tainly a very humane man. as his great
kindness to all American prisoners proves.
His paroling and taking care of the
Americans captured by him when he
defeated' Montgomery and Arnold at
Quebec, is but one of r.any instances of
the same character. In fact. Gen.
Carleton was one of the best generals,

yoh?nons Orderly Book.

Pleased to appoint Ensign William Doyle' of the
2.4th Regt, To be Lieut, m the room of Lieut.
Robert Pennington deceased. No Adjutant, Quar-

as regards both kindneii and justice, th.it
the British Government ever liad in
America. He was truly a great and a
wise man. Gen. Carletun was on warm
terms of" friendship with Joseph Brant ;
and I have in my possession letters from
Carleton to Urant to prove thii state-
ment — a fact which in itself shows
that Brant could not have been the
" monster" that he has been painted.

' The copy of the British army list,
which is in the Astor Library and con
lists of ninety folio volumes (stilted), has
been carefully and extensively corrected by
the pen of some former owner, probably a
military man of high rank, as the book-
plate shows. By this it appears that
William Doyle became ensign, July 16,
1774, and lieutenant, in place of Pen-
nington deceased, Nov. 27th, 1776, Doyle
was wounded at Bemis Heights, Oct. 7,
1777 ; and being afterward captured with
Burgoyne, his signature appears attached
to the Cambridge Parole. He seems to
have lived to a good age, since we rind
that he became a lieutenant general, Aug.
1 2th, 18 19. It is quite possible that
Doyle was with St. Leger until the
latter's retreat into Canada, when he
left him to join Burgoyne. We
know that ic was the intention of
Sir John Johnson to rejoin the British
army at Saratoga after St. Leger's defeat
{Col. Claus to Minister Knox), though for
some reason which does not appear, he
failed to do so. It is a very common
thing, for an officer to be detached from
his regiment on staff' duty. Thus Captain
Edward Foy of the Royal Artillery (men-
tioned in the text), was at this time on
detached service as Sir Guy Carleton's
deputy adjutant general. Captain Arthur
James Pomeroy of the ist Dragoons
(also mentioned in the text) was on

detached service as an aide to Gen.
Phillips, though his regiment was
not in Canada, nor America during the
Revolutionary war. Other familiar illus-
trations of this with Burgoyne, were Major
Kingston, Burgoyne's adjutant general, a
brevet major and captain of invalids in
Ireland; Sir Francis Clerke, Burgoyne's
secretary, a lieutenant in the 3d Foot
Guards which gave him the army rank
of captain, owing to the double rank
which formerly obtained in the Guards;
.ind Richard Rich Wilford, one of Bur-
goyne's aides, was a lieutenant in the 2d
or Queen's Royal Regiment. A mili-
tary friend, however, does not take
this view; and under date of Jan. 22,
1882, writes to me as follows :

" I do not believe that William Doyle
was with St. Leger, at all, whether he
was or not, the 24.th was not, as that
was the only British regiment that Bur-
goyne had the whole of with him. For
this statement, see Lord George Ger-
maine's letter to Sir Guy Carleton of
March 26, 1777, printed in The State
of the Expedition, appendix viii. At
;he toot of the page one would suppose
that the 8th and 24th Regiments did
not accompany Burgoyne, and were ex-
pressly ordered out of or to be exempted
from Burgoyne's command. This is true
of the 8th but not ot the 24th and the
error is in the brackets including more
than the words ' (except of the 8th Regi-
ment).' The order or letter should have
been punctuated thus:

' It is likewise his Majesty's pleasure
that you put under the command of
Lieutenant General Burgoyne

The grenadiers and light infantry of
the army (except of the 8th regiment)
and the 24th regiment as the advanced
corps under the command of Brigadier
General Fraser.' Fraser had all the light

lO ^ohnsoii's Orderly Book,

ter Master, or Surgeons Mate doing duty as Such
in any Regt is to be returned a Volunteer. A
bounty having been granted by the London Mer-
chts to Such Soldiers, or Saylors as may have been
wounded, and to the Widows ot such of either
as have been kill'd in the Service In America,
the Pay Master of Regiments, & Captain Shanks

companies ;. c. tin- light intantiy and
grenadiers, of" all the British regioients in
Canada except of the 8th or King's Regi-
ment. Besides the light companies as
above, Fraser had in his brigade, his own
regiment, the 24th. he being its lieut.
colonel. The 300 men spoken of" higher
up on page viii, appendix ot the State ot
the Expedition, were drawn from the 6
regiments of the ist and 2d Brigades as
stated at the toot of' that page. Kraser's
Brigade was not numbered, but was known
as the Light Brigade, and always led.
Besides the above authority, page ix of
the appendix. State of the Expedition,
shows exactly what regular British troops
St. Leger had, we know that the 24th
was with Burgoyne and that no patt of
it was with St. Leger, except possibly a
single officer might have been on detached
seivice, as it is called, on St. Leger's,
stati", St. Leger then being an acting
brigadier. Of this, however, I see no
evidence whatever, and the reference to
William Doyle in Sir John's Orderly
Book, dees not t'urnish the least possible
authority for any belief that Doyle was
with St. Leger. That reference is an
order from Sir Guy Carleton, the British
commander-in-chief in Canada, issued
Dec. I 2th, 1776, more than two months
before Lord George Germaine issued in
London his order to form St. Leger's
expedition, as Loid George's letter of
March 26th, 1777, to Sir Guy contained
that order. The troops in Canada were
then lying in winter quaiters, the 34th,
St. Leger's Regiment, being at ^"•^'"^'^j

and Sir Joim Johnson's being at La
Chine, La Point Clair and St. Ann
\^Liimb\i ^'JmcriiUiii (t^ai\, p. 112I. The
order of Dec. 12th, in Sir [ohn'? O.derly
Book is, as you see, signed by Sir Guy's
dejiuty adjutant general and is transmitted
through the head-quarters of Major
General Phillips, ani being th- ordei of
a superior autiioriry and applying to all
the troops in Canada, Sir |ohn's Regi-
ment was as much amenable to it, as
any and all other regiments serving in
Canada under Sir Guy were; and hence
it appears in his Orderly Book. Sir
John Johnson's Regiment did not leave
its winter quarters at La Chine (that
being the regimental head-quarters) till
June 21, 1777, when it started on St.
Leger's Expedition with fourteen days
rations. | Sir John's Orderly Book].
The expression, with fourteen days rations,
means that so many rations liad been
issued to the regiment's possession by the
commissary, the rest of the stores and
provisions for the expedition remaining
in the hands of the commissary for
future issues.

I'rom all the above and many other
authorities, but the above will suffice, I
knciv that the 24th was not with St.
Leger at all, and belicT'c that Doyle was
not with him, though if he was detached
on stall' duty with St. Leger tliai would
afford no sort of ground for supposing
that any o( the rest of the 24th was with
St. Leger."

Pennington was commissioned lieu-
tenant, Vch. loth, 1770.

Johnson s Orderly Book,

are desired to transmit to Mr. Dunn Receiver
General of the Province a list of the Soldiers and
Saylors who have been kill'd or wounded in the
course of the Campaign." Ten Dollars will be
paid to the latter, not having already received it,
& Five Pounds to the Widows of the former,
Producing Certificates from the Officer Under
whose Command their Husbands Respectively
Served.

Signd E. FoY

Dept. Adt. General,

By order of Major Genl Philips
Signd Arr. Jams. Pomeroy,

Aid de Camp.

' \ have searched in vain among the
archives of the British museum and the
files of the newspaper* yet preserved in
London, to rind the precise date and the
exact »vords in which this "bounty" (or
more properly, pension) was given by
the "London merchants." Force's arch-
ives also are silent. The only items
which are at all germane to the subject
are the following extracts. The first,
from the Annual Register for July iSth,
1776, is as follows ;

"In a letter, lately received by the
committee at the London Tavern, ap-
pointed to conduct the voluntary contri-
butions in favor of the soldiers serving in
North America, their wives and children,
from the officers appointed by General
Howe to conduct it on the spot, is the
following paragraph : 'This Board, as
well as the officers and soldiers in general,
are sensible of the great attentiijn which
their countrymen hive shown them on
tills occasion; and we Hatter ourselves
that the future operations of the army,
in reducing the deluded inhabitants of

this country to a just sense of their duty,
will merit their approbation. The So-
ciety may be assured that the Board will
exert themselves to render their benevo-
lent designs as beneficial as possible, and
would suggest that there should be sent
to them soap, leather, combs, leggings,
etc' "

This, also, from the Gentleman's Mag-
azine, for December, 1776 :

" On Nov. 22d, the magistrates of
Whitehaven issued an order ottering two
guineas bounty for every able sailor that
should enter voluntarily, with the proper
officer, there to serve the Royal Navy,
in which they were followed by the
gentlemen of the town ; so that every
sailor, who enters there, will receive £9
4s, The corporation of Newcastle have
offered the same bounty with that of
Whitehaven."

.Vnd again, from the Middlesex 'Jour-
nal, London, Nov. 23, 1776:

^'■Canterhurf, Nov. 2o;h, a subscription
is set on foot at Tolpstone, by the mayor
and principal inhabitants of that town.

12 yohnsorCs Orderly Book,

'Is:

! i

Lachine

1777 Jan ist. P. Ireland. C. Scotland. For
Guard to Morrow, i Sergt & 6 Prvt. The tv/o
Companys of the Kings Royal Regt of New
York Cantoon'd at Lachine to parade tomorrow
morning opposite to Mr. Henis | i. e. his planta-
tion] at Seven o'clock, fully accouter'd — The
Guard to Mount at 7 o'Clock.

— 5th. P. Patrick. C. Daly. For Guard to
Morrow i Sergt, & 6 Privts. Ens Byrne, Officer
of the Day.

— 6th. P. Ireland. C. Cromarthy. For Guard
to Morrow i Sergt & 6 Prvts. Lieuc Singleton,
Officer of the Day.

— 7th. P. Gray. C. Evalick. For Guard to
Morrow 1 Sergt & 6 Prvts. Ens Crothers, Officer
of the Day.

— 8th. P. Berwick. C. Tweed. For Guard
to Morrow i S & 6 P. Ens Crawford Officer of
the Day.

— 9th. P. Tain. C. Dingwall. For Guard

whereby 'i reward of 40 sliillings is offered
to every able bod.ed seaman, and 20
shillings for every ordinary seaman over
and above his Majesty's bounty, to such
inhai;itants of the said town as shall
voluntarily enter themselves into his
Majesty's navy."

In Forcj's American Archives, 41 li
Series, vol. iv, p. 543, there is a Pro-
clamation by the King, "given at our

court of St. James, Jan. 3d, 1776, for
encouraging seamen to enter themselves
on board his Majesty's ships of war,"
and also (Force's American Archi-ves,
4th series, vol. iv, p. 1468) an "order in
council at the court of St. James, 28th
Feb., 1776," to the same effect; but
have little or no bearing on this partic-
ular enquiry.

yohnson's Orderly Book, 13

to Morrow i S & 6 P. Lieut. Singleton,' Officer
of the day.

— loth. P. London. C. Weymouth. For
Guard to Morrow i S & 6 Privates. Ens Byrns,
officer of the Day.

— nth. P. New York. C.Albany. For Guard
to Morrow i S & 6 men. Ens. Crothers, officer
of the Day.

— 1 2th P. Edinburgh. C Lieth, For Guard
to Morrow i S & 6 men. Ens Crawford,
officer of the Day.

— 13th. P. York. C. Boston. For Guard to
Morrow i S & 6 P men. Lieut Singleton, officer
of the day.

14th. P. Philadelphia. C. Charlestown. For
Guard to Morrow, i S & 6 P men. Ens. Byrns
officer of the Day.

— 15th. P. Dublin. C. Belfast. For Guard to
Morrow, i S & 6 P men. Ens Crothers, officer
of the Day.

' George Singleton of Montreal. This
otiicer was a lieutenant in Captain
Stephen Watt's company, and being
wounded in the battle of Oriskany, and
carried back into the Indian camp near
Fort Stanwix, was taken prisoner by
Col. Willett in his sortie from thit Fort,
while the action was still in progress.
Col. Clans to Secretary Knox, N. T. Col.
Doc. Speaking of this sally, Willett,
In his Narrative, says : "Several pris-
oners were brought into the Fort, among
whom was a Mr. Singleton, a lieutenant
of the light infantry company of Sir John
(ohnson's regiment. A few Indians and
some troops were found dead in their

camps, and, no doubt, several were killed
in crossing the river. Upon the whole,
the enterprise was successful beyond Col.
Willett's most sanguine hopes." We
are sorry, however, for the fair fame of
this orticer, that he should have been
guilty of an act of shameful cruelty.
Moses Younglove, a surgeon of Gen.
Herkimer's brigade of militia, who was
taken prisoner by St. Leger, and who,
moreover, until his decease at Hudson,
N. v., about 1825, was a gentleman of
high standing, is authority for the state-
ment that "Lieutenant Singleton, of Sir
John Johnson's regiment, being wounded,
entreated the savages to kill the prison-

I '

14 yohnson's Orderly Book,

>' ?i

— 1 6th. P. Tain. C. Dingwall. For Guard
to Morrow i S & 6 P men. Ens Crawford,
officer of the Day.

— 17th P. Armagh. C.Galloway. For Guard
to Morrow i S & 6 P men. Lieut. Singleton,
officer of the Day.

— 1 8th. P. Thurso. C. Week. For Guard
to Morrow, i S & 6 P men. Ens Byrns, officer
of the Day.

— 19th. P. Glasgow. C. Dumbarton. For
Guard to xMorrow i S & 6 P men. Ens Crothers,
officer of the Day.

— 20th. P. Tillibody. C. Sterling. For Guard
to Morrow i S & 6 men. Ens Crawford, officer
of the Day.

2 1 St. P. Perth. C. Lieth For Guard to
Morrow, i S & 6 P men. Lieut. Singleton,
officer of the Day.

— 22d. P. York, C. Cadrous. For Guard to
Morrow i S & 6 men. Ens Byrns, officer of
the Day.

ers, which they accordingly did, as nigh
as this deponent can judge, about six or
seven." The original of tiiis affidavit
by Ybunglove, is still in the office of the
Secretary of State, Albany, N. Y.

General de Feyster and Mr. Edward
F. de Lancey, have thought that Willett
was wrong in his statement (see quota-
tions from the Narrati-ve, in the "Intro-
duction " to the Orderly Book, and
Appendix No. iii) that Sir John Johnson
was in his camp when he made the
sortie, and in proof of this they, air'ong
other things, refer to St. Leger's account

of occurrences at Fort Stanwix," cited by
Burgoyne in his defence, in which the
writer asserts that Sir John was engaged
in the action at Oriskany. Willett's
authority, however, for his statement,
was this same Lieut. Singleton. In a
letter which Willett wrote a few days
after the sortie, to a Hartford newspaper,
dated at the German Flats, on iith
of August, he says : "One of the prison-
ers is a Mr. George Singleton, of Mon-
treal, a lieutenant in Captain Watt's
company. Mr. Singleton told me that
Sir John Johnson was with liim when

yohnsons Orderly Book,

»5

— 23d. P. Boston. C. Albany. For Guard to
Morrow 1 S & 6 P men. Ens Crothers officer
of the Day.

— 24th. P. Fraser. C. Gordon. For Guard to
Morrow i S & 6 men. Ens Crawford officer of
the Day. It is the Commanding officers orders.
That the Comps Lying at Upper Lachine Do
Duty in Conjunction with the Two Comps of
the King's Royal Regt. of New York of Lower
Lachine.

— 25th. P. Montreal. C. Quebec. For Guard
to Morrow i S & 6 men. Lieut Singleton,
officer of the Day.

— 26th. P. La Prairie. C. Lachine. For
Guard to Morrow i Sert & 6 Pmen. Ens Byrns,
officer of the Day.

— 27th. P. Point Clair.
Guard to Morrow i Sergt
Crothers, officer of the Day.

— 28th. P. London. C. Barnet. For Guard
to Morrow i Serg. & 6 P. Ens Crawford, officer
of the Day.

— 29th. P. Inverness. C. Nairn. For Guard
to Morrow, i Sergt & 7 men. Lieut. Singleton,
Officer of the Day.

C. Inverness.
& 6 P men.

For
Ens

n<.

we attacked their camp, ind that he the fight was still going on, so Sir John
thinks he ran to the river." But both may also have returned to the camp for
statements may be correct ; and as Sin- some purpose at the same time. Indeed,
gleton, who had most certainly been it is not impossible to reconcile both
in the engagement at Oriskany, was views, and have each one entirely con-
carried back to the camp wounded while sistent with the true facts of the case.

ill

;f4-

'■i

^Johnsons Orderly Book.

— 30th. P. Dunkeld. C. Perth. For Guard
to Morrow, i Sergt & 7 men. Ens Byrne, officer
of the dav.

— 31st. P. Burk. C. Patrick. For Guard to
Morrow i Sergt & 7 men. Ens Crothers officer
of the Day.

Lachine

1777 February ist P. New York. C. Albany.
For Guard to Morrow i S & 7 Men. Ens
Crawford, officer of the Day.

— 2d. P. Fort Hunter.' C. Johnstown. For
Guard to Morrow 1 Sergt & 7 men. Lieut.
Singleton, officer of the Day.

— 3d. P. Tower C. St. James. For Guard
to Morrow, i Sergt & 7 Men Ens Byrnes. Offi-
cer of the Day.

— 4th. P. Norwich. C. Norfolk. Ens Crothers,
Officer of the Day.

— 5th. P. Invenshire. C. Inveraw. Guard

' Fort Hunter (Indi.in name, Dyion-
darogaj now in Montgomery Co., N. Y.,
was built at the mouth of the Schoharie-
kill during the French and Indian war,
on the site of the Lower Castle of the
Mohawks, which was, at this time, the
most considerable town of that nation.
P was scarcely a place of defence being,
in fact, only a wooden building palisadoed,
within whirh, besides the barracks, were
some thirty cabins of the Mohawk In
dians. There was a house at each
curtain, and the cannon at each bas-
tion, were from seven to nine pounders.
It had no ditch, and only a large swing-
door at its entrance. The palisades en-

closed an ediliLC, called yueen Anne's
chapel, to which a parsonage, built of
stone, was attached. The old fort was
torn down at the beginning of the rev-
olution, but it was afteiward partially
restored and often garrisoned. " The
chapel," says Lossing, " was demolished
in 1820, to make room for the Erie
canal." After the confiscation of the prop-
erty of Sir John Johnson, the furniture
of Johnson Hall was sold at auction at
Fort Hunter. When Mr. Lossing visited
the place, the parsonage was still standing
in the town of Florida, half a mile below
the Schoharie creek, and a few rods
south of the canal.

'Johnson's Orderly Book. 17

To Morrow, i Sergt & 6 Men. For Ens Craw-
ford Officer of the Day.

. — 6th. P. Tryon. C. Dunmore. For Guard
to Morrow, i Sergt & 7 Men. Lieut. Singleton
officer of the Day. It is Majr Grays ord's that
Patr McDonell of Capt Dalys Corny & Dan'll
Campbell of the Colls Compy be appointed
Corp'ls in his Compy.

— 7th. P. Dalwhinnie. C. Dulnacardock. For
Guard to Morrow, i Sergt. & i Corp. & 6 Men.
Ens Byrns, officer of the Day.

—8th. P. Bristol. C. Barth. For Guard To
Morrow, 1 Sergt & 6 Men. Ens Crothers Offi-
cer of the Day.

— 9th. P. York. C. Albany. For Guard To
Morrow, i Sergt i Corpl & 7 Men.

— loth. P. Schanactdy. C Trypp's", hill. For
Guard To Morrow, 1 Sergt, 1 Corpl & 7 Men.
Lieut Singleton, Officer of the Day.

iith. P. Gilbart. C. Tice. For Guard to
Morrow i Sergt. i Corpl. & 7 Men. Ens
Byrnt., officer of the Day.

— 1 2th. P. Maytield C. Sachandaga.' For

'Tribe's Hill, situated 20 miles west
of Schenectady on the eastern extremity
of the Caughnawaga flats, opposite Fort
Hunter or the site of the " Lower
Mohawk castle." It was named after
one of the ditiijrent tribes or families of
the Mohawk nation which dwelt upon
it ; but whether it was the Bear, Turtle or
Wolf tribe is uncertain. It was first set-
tled by families from Albany in 1725.
Rev. John Taylor, who visited the Hill
while on a missionary toui in 1802,

mentions as worthy of note, that on its
top there was an apple tree which pro-
duced apples without core or seeds.
From its top a fine view is obtained of a
few hundred acres of excellent meadow
which was formerly the seat of •' King
Hendrick," the famous sachem of the
Mohawks. N. Y. Col. Doc, Jeptha R.
Simms to the author.

' The Sacandaga river one of the two
chief tributary streams that flow into the

nil.

Johnson's Orderly Book,

Guard To Morrow, i Sergt, i Corpl. & 7 Men.
Ens. Crothers, Officer of the Day.

— 13th. P. Fort Stanwix. C. Oswego. For
Guard to Morrow 1 Sergt. i Corpl, & 7 Men.
Ens Crawford Officer of the Day.

— 14th. P. Niagara. C. Fort Dimber [Dum-

Hudson. The Sacandaga, which enters
the Hudson at Luzerne, was the objec-
tive point with Sir John Johnson in his
raids from Canada into the Mohawk
valley. His course, on these occasions,
was down Lake Champlain to Bulwagga
bay on that lake ; and thence to Schroon
Lake, and " Crane Mountain," in War-
ren Co., N. Y., whence there was a direct
trail to the Sacandaga River. In this
connection, the following letter to Gen.
de Peyster is in point.

Jersey City Heights, Jan. 8, 1880.

Dear Sir — In reply to your letter
asking for some particulars in regard to
Crane Mountain in connection with Sir
John Johnson's route from Buliuagga
Bay in Lake Champlain to Cherry Valley^
I would say that my attention was first
called to it in the fall of 1852, while on
a deer-stalking expedition in the Adiron-
dacks, by an old hunter, who had often
been surprised at such evidences of
careful military work in places where
he supposed white feet had never trodden
until a comparatively recent date. A
careful examination was thereupon un-
dertaken by me, resulting in the con-
clusion that Johnson's raid either was by
no means so precipitate as has hitherto
been believed, or else that he had with
him a skilled engineer with men under
him who were accustomed to work with
great celerity.

Although the road is now overgrown
with bushes and scrub timber, yet a very
little observation reveals a well made
corduroy road underneath (still in excel-

lent preservation), with the gap in the
forest where the primeval trees were cut
down for tlu: road. This road, coming
down from the valley of the Bouquet
and Schroon rivers, meets the base of
Crane Mountain at its north-western side,
and following around the base of the
mountain leaves it on its south-eastern
point, and goes off" in a well defined trail
to the Sacandaga. Thence crossing that
stream it is lost in the forest in a bee line
to the Fish House, Johnstown, and the
Cherry Valley settlement.

It is, I may remark here, a great mis-
take to imagine that the whites were the
first to know this region — the truth being
that all this wilderness was as well known
to the Iroquois, not to speak ot previous
races, as one's own library is to its owner.
Crane Mountain at the present time (not
so much from its height, though it is a
high mountain, as from its peculiar posi-
tion in the Adirondack chain), can be
seen from any direction within a radius
of seventy miles. Crane Mountain was
of course, as prominent a landmark in
1780, as it is now; and in descending
from the valley of the Schroon, it was
undoubtedly seen and seized upon as a
point to make for, on Johnson's way to the
Sacandaga. Indeed, it has been made the
base of the trigonometrical survey of the
northern section of New York State. I
am sincerely rejoiced that Sir John John-
son has at length found so able a de-
fender as yourself, and I remain.
Yours cordially,

Wm. L. Stone.

'Johnson's Orderly Book.

•9

mer' ?] For Guard to Morrow i Sergt. i Corpl,
& 7 Men. Lieut. Singleton officer of the Da^.

— 15th. P. Fort Erie. C. Detroit. For
Guard to Morrow, i Sergt, i Corpl, and 7 Men.
Ens Byrns Officer of the Day.

— 1 6th. P. St. Anns\ C. Point Clair. For
Guard To Morrow, i Sergt, i Corpl, & 9 Men.
Ens Crothers Officer of the Day.

— 17th. P. La Chine. C. Montreal. For
Guard To Morrow i Sergt, 1 Corpl & 9 Men.
Lieut. Singleton, Officer ijf the Day.

— 18th. P. La Prairie. C. Long Ile^ For
Guard To Morrow, i Sergt i Corpl. & 9 Men.
Ens Byrns, Officer of The Day.

— 17th. [Sic] P. Eden. C. Adam. For
Guard to Morrow i Sergt & Eight men. Ens
Crawford Officer of the Day. It is the Com-
manding Officer's Orders that the Guard Shall
Consist of one Sergt, & Eight private Men for
the future, & be Removed from here to Lower

■This fort is frequently spoken of in
the early border wars. It was first built
in 1723, and was situated on the Con-
necticut river on the New Hampshire
side, forty miles below Charlestown, or
Number Four.

'Lower Canada was originally divided
into four districts, viz. : Montreal, Three
Rivers, Quebec and Gaspe, in the second
of which lay St. Anne. The Seigniory
of St. Anne, three quarters of a league
wide, by two and a half leagues in length,
and granted to M. Lanaudi' re, Oct. 29th,
1672, is situated on the south bank of
the St. Lawrence, a little nearer to Mon-

treal than to Quebec. On the east side
ot the river St. Anne, and near the St.
Lawrence, is the village of St. Anne, a
pretty little hamlet, but having no parti-
cular history or traditions.

j Longueil, a parish or town on the
right or south bank of the St. Lawrence,
three miles from Montreal, was granted
to the Sieur Charles Le Moine de Lon-
gueil (father of Iberville and Bienville,
and the successor of M. de Vaudreuil in
the government of Canada), Nov. 3d,
1672. Near the village, was the ancient
Fort of Longueil (built by Baron de Lon-
gueil), one of the many barriers against

Johnson's Orderly Book,

La chine Where the King's Stores Are, they. will
keep two Sentries by Day & two by Night, the
One over the Prisoners, & the Other at the
Kings Stores.

— 1 8th. [Sic] P. Howe. C. Fraser'. For
Guard to Morrow, i Sergt. & Eight Men. Lieut.
Singleton, Officer of the Day. It is the Com-
manding Officers Orders that the Officer of the
Day Visit the Guard twice Every Day & Make
a Report to him of What Ever happens Relative
to the Service.

— 19th. r. Johnson. C. Gray. For Guard
To Morrow i Sergt. & 8 Men. Ens Byrns,
Officer of the Day.

— 20th. P.Norwich. C London. For Guard
to Morrow i Sergt, and 8 Men. Ens Crothers,
Officer of the Day.

— 2 1 St. P. Phillips. C Fraser. For Guard
to Morrow 1 Sergt. 6c Men. Ens Crawford,
Officer of the Day.

It is The Commanding officer's Orders that

the Iroquois, and a military centre during
all of the French, English and American
wars. Its site is now cuvered by a well
built church. On landing in the village
from the ferry-boat on which he has
crossed the St. Lawrence from Montreal,
the tourist feels as if he had been sud-
denly transported into some ancient,
medievil town of France, to which,
moreover, had been added all the pecu-
liarities of an old Canadian town ; neat as
a pin j grass in the streets and in the
court-yards of the quaint adobe cottages;
and the people either going quietly about
their business, or, apparently in a " brown

study," standing behind the lower half
of their doors, the upper half thrown
open, staring into vacancy. Longueil,
formerly in the county of Kent, is now
the chief town of the county of Chambly,
and is the summer residence of many
Montrealers, some of whom have hand-
some dwellings on the outskirts of the
town. Its present population is 2,083.

' Gen. Simon Fraser. For a sketch of
this gallant officer the reader is referred
to Stone's Bargoyne's Campaign, and Gen,
Rogers's Haddeti's jfournal.

yohnson'^s Orderly Book,

the two Comp'ys Quartered here March to Point
Clair To Morrow Morning at 7 O'Clock. The
Non Commissiend Officers will be Very Careful!
That The Men Are Clean & their Armes in
Good Order.

— 22d. P. Whymendham. C Attleburrough.
For Guard to Morrow i Sergt. & 10 Men. Lieut.
Singleton, Officer of the Day.

— 23d P. Thotford. C. New Market. For
Guard to Morrow i Sergt. & 10 Men. Ensign
Byrns Officer of the Day.

— 24th. P. Strattford. C, Bow Bridge. For
Guard to Morrow i Sergt. & 10 Men. Ens
Crothers Officer of the Day.

—25th. P. Norfolk. C. Suffolk. For Guard
to Morrow i Sergt & 10 Men. Ens Crawford,
officer of the Day.

— 26th. P. Essex. C. Kent. For Guard to
Morrow i Sergt & 10 men. Lieut. Singleton,
Officer of the Day.

27th. P. Walker. C. Crothers. For Guard
to Morrow i Sergt. & 10 men. Ens. Byrns
officer of the day.

—28th. P. Daly. C Watts. For Guard to
Morrow i Sergt & 10 men. Ens Crothers Officer
of the Day.

1777 March ist. P. India. C. Britain.
For Guard to Morrow i Sergt & 10 Private Men.
Ens Crawford Officer of the Day.

— 2d. P. Tyron. C. Howe. For Guard to

f'i:

r fV'.atlW'-i '!

■ m

Man

(

i ■

!^.=

2 2 yohnsorCs Orderly Book.

Morrow i Sergt & lo Private Men. Lieut.
Singleton, Officer of the Day.

— 3d. P. Johnstown. C. Johnson.
Guard to Morrow 1 Sergt & 10 Pt. Men.
Byrns, Officer of the Day.

— 4th. P. Yorkshire. C. Hampshire.
Guard to Morrow i Sergt & Private Men.
Crothers, Officer of the Day.

— 5th. P. Exeter. C. York. For Guard to
Morrow I Sergt. & 10 Pt. Men. Ens Crawford,
Officer of the Day.

—6th. P. Halifax. C. Boston. For Guard
to Morrow i Sergt 6c 10 Private Men. Lieut
Singleton, Officer of the Day.

— 7th. P. Quebec. C. Three Rivers'. For

For
Ens

' Three Rivers is a town of" Canada
East at the confluence of the rivers St.
Maurice and St. Lawrence, ninety miles
from (Quebec. It contain , among other
churches, a large Roman Catholic parish
church, formerly served by the Recollets,
or Franciscan Friars; but the Order is now
extinct in Three Rivers. The convent
of St. Ursule, founded by M. de St.
Vallier, bishop of Quebec, in 1 677, is
also a spacious building. The sisters of
tlys convent particuLily excel in the
manufacture of very curious bark-work.
They use the bark of the birch tree ; and
with it they make pocket-books, work-
baskets, dressing-boxes, etc., which they
embroider with elk hair dyed of the most
brilliant colors. They also make models
of Indian canoes and the various war-
like implements used by the Indians, all
of which handiwork they sell, for the
benefit of their convent, to the stray
tourist who chances to sojourn in their
neighborhood. " Nearly all the birch-bark
canoes in use on the St. Lawrence and

Ottawa rivers and on the nearer lakes,"
says Weld, '* are manufactured at Three
Rivers, and in the vicinity by Indians.
The birch tree is found in great plenty
near the town ; but it is from the more
northern part of the country, where the
tree attains a very large size, that the
principal part of the bark is procured that
canoes are made with. The bark re-
sembles in some degree that of the oak
tree, but it is of a closer grain, and also
much more pliable, for it admits of being
rolled up the same as a piece of cloth.
The Indians of this part of the country
always carry large rolls of it in their
canoes when they go on a hunting party,
for the purpose of making temporary huts.
The bark is spread on small poles over
their heads, and fastened with strips of
elm-bark (which is remarkably tough)
to stakes, so as to form walls on the
sides." Three Rivers, though long sta-
tionary as regards growth, has recently
become one of the most thrifty places in
the province. The district of Three

yohnson's Orderly Book, 23

Guard to Morrow i S & 10 Pri Men. Ens
Byrns Officer of the Day.

—8th P, Sorel'. C. Chamblee\ Fo- Guard
to Morrow i Sergt & 10 Priv't Men. Ens
Crothers Officer of the Day.

— 9th. P. Montreal. C. Burgoyne. For
Guard to Morrow, i Sergt & 10 Privt Men. Ens
Crawford officer of the Day.

— loth. P. Carleton. C. Phillips. For Guard
to Morrow i Sergt. & 10 Privt Men. Lieut.
Singleton, Officer of the Day.

— iith. P. Johnson. C. Gray. For Guard
to Morrow i Sergt, & 10 Privt Men. Ens Byrns
Officer of the Day.

Rivers includes bo''h sides of the St.
Lawrence, and io sub- divided into four
counties. The village, itself, besides
beint one of ih'; olfii . towns in Canada,
is one of the most iiiteresting on account
of its historical associations ; it having
been for a long time the home of Nicolet
(the discoverer of the Northwest), while
acting as interpreter between the French
and the western tribes. For this latter
fact, See, Nico/et's Disco-very of the Nortb-
ivest, by C. ff^. Butterfield,

' Sorel is situated at the mouth of the
river of the same name (also called the
Richelieu), which runs from Lake Cham-
plain into the St. Lawrence. It was laid
out in 1787; and is the only town on
the St. Lawrence, between Montreal and
(Quebec, wherein English is the chief
language. The river of Sorel is deep
at its mouth, and affords good shelter for
ships from the ice, at the breaking up of
winter ; but it is not navigable far beyond
the town, even in flat-bottomed boats, on
account of the rapids. ^

" Chambly (tht .iory of) on the

River Richelieu or Sorel, and in the
counties of Kent and Bedford, L. C, is
three leagues if\ length by one in depth
on each side of that river; andwas granted,
on the 29th of Oct., 1672, to M. de
Chambly. At one time, this valuable
property was owned by five persons,
among whom were Sir John Johnson and
Col. de Rouville, the latter of whom is
mentioned in the text towards the end of
the Orderly Book. Sir John Johnson
must eventually have lost the benefit of
this property, since he was in very poor cir-
cumstances in the latter part of his life.
" When in Montreal shortly before Sir
John Johnson's H:ath," writes to me Mr.
Winslow C. Watson, under date of Feb.
26, 1879, " Hon. Dominick Mondelet,
then a leading advocate of the Canadian
bar and afterwards Judge of the j;2ueen's
Bench, assured me of Sir John's extreme
poverty, and that he was, at the time,
conducting some litigation in behalf oi
the baronet."

R.'q

iHi

' '!.•

24. Johnson* s Orderly Book»

1 2th. P. County Tyron. C. Albany. For
Guard to Morrow, i Sergt. & 10 Privt Men.
Ens Crothers Officer of the Day.

— 13th. P. Newcastle. C, Tweed. For
Guard to Morrow, i Sergt. & 10 Privet Men.
Ens Crawford, Officer of the Day. It is the
Commanding Officers Orders that the Sergts,
Corpls, Drummers, & Private Men of the Kings
Roy'l New York attend Exercise to Morrow
Morning At Eleven O'Clock — they are to Meet
at the post above Capt Chenies'.

— 14th. P. England C. America.
Guard to Morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. Men.
Singleton Officer of the Day.

— 15th. P. Ireland. C. Scotland.
Guard to Morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. Men.
Byrne Officer of the Dav.

— 1 6th. P Philadelphia. C. New York.
For Guard to Morrow 1 Sergt. & 10 Privt. Men.
Ens Crothers Officer of the Day. It is the Com-
manding Officers Orders that an Exact Account be
taken of the Clothing, Shirts, Shoes & Stockings
&c of the Men of Every Comp, & the Quantity of
them — an officer of each Comp to Attend at the
time — & that the Account be given in to the
Commanding Officer At Point Clair. That all

For
Lieut

For
Ens

'An old hunter, and a descendant of
this officer, is still (1882) living in a log
shanty in the Adirondacks, between the
Boreas River (a stream emptying into the
Hudson) and Blue Mountain Lake —
" Cheney Lake," in that vicinity, being

named after him. Lieut. Cheney owned,
at one time, a large tract of land in the
Adirondacks, but it has been all frittered
away except what is held by the hunter
above named.

Johnson's Ordefly Book, 25

the Officers for the future Attend Exercise ot
the Men from the hour of Eleven till One in
the Afternoon if the Weather Permit. A Court
Martial to Sit on Wednesday Next to try Such
Prisoners as may be brought before them.

— 17th. P. St. Patrick. C. Chiloy. For
Guard to Morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. Men. Ens.
Crawford, Officer of the Day.

— 1 8th. P. Lochaber. C Kintail. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 men. Lieut. Singleton
Officer of the Day. A Regimental Court Martial
to Sit to morrow at 12 o'Clock. Lieut Singleton,
President. Members, Ens Crothers, Ens Craw-
ford. To try Such Prisoners as may be brought
before them.

— 19th. P. Barford. C. Melton. For Guard
to morrow 1 Sergt, & 10 Privt men. Ens.
Byrne Officer of the Day.

— 20th. P. Hatthersett. C. Eaton. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt. & 10 Privt men. Ens Cro-
thers, Officer of the Day.

— 21st. P. Dareham. C Yarmouth. For
Guard to morrow 1 Sergt & 10 Privt men. Ens
Crawford Officer of the Day.

— 22d. P. Howe. C. Tryon.' For Guard to

' The words " Howe and Tryon " as were any British officers more blood-
paroles and countersigns were fittingly thirsty than St. Leger, Howe and Tryon
designated by St. Leger, a man who re save, perhaps, Tarleton, and Cunningham
sembled those generals in all their cruel the keeper of the Liberty St. Sugar House
propensities. Indeed, we much doubt if, prison, the prototype, by the way, of the
during our revolutionary struggle, there Richmond Tobacco House and Ander-

P;-'!

26 yohnsorCs Orderly Book,

morrow i Sergt & lo Pt. men. Lieut. Singleton
Officer of the Day.

— 23d. P. Johnstown. C. Johnson. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt, & 10 Pt. men. Ens
Byrne, Officer of the Day.

— 24th. P. Quebec. C. Orleans. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 Privt men. Ens Cro-
thers. Officer of the Day. A Regtl Court Martial
to Sit to morrow Morning At 10 O'Clockat the
Commanding Officers Quarters. Lieut. Walker,
President. Ens Crothers, Ens Crawford Mem-
bers, to try Such Prisoners as may be brought
before them.

— 25th. P. Albany. C. Boston. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. men. Ens Craw-
ford, Officer of the Day.

— 26th. P. Amboy. C. New York. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. men. Lieut.
Singleton, Officer of the Day.

— 27th. P. Philadelphia. C. Anapolis For

sonville. The query arises : Were these
names given out to incite the troops to
cruelty, as were other paroles and coun-
tersigns (see our Introduction) designated
as incentives to valor ? William Tryon
had figured as an oppressor in 17 68-1 771
in North Carolina, and, becoming gover-
nor of New York, which he held when
the war broke out, like the other royal gov-
ernors, was compelled to yield to popular
indignation which (being a cruel and
narrow-minded man) he retaliated as a
military leader. It was he who, later in
the war, laid Danbury, Fairfield and Nor-
walk in ashes, when there was positively
nothing to be gained in a strategic point

of view, by the destruction of those places.
At Fairfield, for example, the brutal Hes-
sians, to whom Tryon gave a carte hlanche
to rai age and destroy, excited by liquor,
shame'^ully and cruelly treated the women
who fell into their hands, whole families
being "• driven into the swamps for shelter
against their infernal lusts." It has also
been asserted, and not denied, that after
the battle of Long Island, Howe allowed
his troops and especially the Hessians, to
tie up American prisoners a;id use them
for marks to fire at ! the excuse being,
that "such treatment would keep the
people from vjoining the rebel army, and
thus the rebellion would be sooner ended!"

yohnsorCs Orderly Book, 27

Guard to morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. men. Ens
Byrns, Officer of the Day. It is Major Gray's
Orders that Officers Commanding Comp'nys
Give in a Regular Return of different Comp'nys
Weekly to the Quarter Master in order to draw
their Provisions According to said Return ; &
When a Man is Absent or does not chuse to
draw his Rations, the Officer of th. Comp'ny to
wich he belongs is to Give in his name, at the
foot of Said Return, Mentioning, if Absent, at
what Place, the Qr. Master is to Make a Monthly
Return to the Paymaster of the number of Ra-
tions for Said Month, &c in that Return Give in
a List of the Officers & Men who may be, or
does not chuse to Draw Provisions. It is Major
Gray's Orders that the Officers Commanding
Companys will Examine the Accounts Given in
to them by the Quarter Master, for making the
Mens Clothing & other Necessarys furnished
them, & if there are any errors in Said Account,
to furnish the Quarter Master with an Account
of them in Writing Immediately.

— 28th. P. Fort Erie. C. Detroit. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt, & 10 Pri. men. Ens
Crothers officer of the Day.

— 29th. P. Barnet. C Hatfield. For Guard to
morrow i Sergt. & 10 Pt. men. Ens Craw-
ford, Officer of the Day. the Commission'd
Non Commis'd officers & Private men of the
Kings Royal Regt'ment of New York to be

Johnson's Orderly Book,

under arms the 31st of March, Monday Next at
Capt Dalys Quarters.

— 30th. P.London. C.Middlesex. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. men. Lieut. Sin-
gleton officer of the Day.

— 31st. P. Limerick. C Clonmell. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & loPt. men. Ens Byrne
Officer of the Day.

LACHINE

1777 April ist. P. Gray. C. Johnson. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. men. Ens
Crothers Officer of the Day.

— 2d. P. Kinsbridge. C. Howe. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt. & 10 Pt men. Ens Wall
Officer of the Day.

— 3d. P. Honduras,
to morrow i Sergt. &
ford Officer of the Day.

— 4th. P. Eraser. C. Phillips. For Guard to
morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. men. Lieut. Single-
ton Officer of the Day.

— 5th. P. Montreal. C. Lachine. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. men. Ens. Byrne
Officer of the Day.

— 6th. P. Glasgow. C.Aberdeen. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt. & 10 Pt men. Ens Crothers
Officer of the Day.

— 7th. P. Bristol. C. York. For Guard to

C. Goree. For Guard
10 Pt. men. Ens Craw-

'Johnson's Orderly Book.

morrow i Sergt. & 10 Pt. men. Ens Wall,
Officer of the Day.

—8th. P. Wells. C. Lynn. For Guard to
morrow i Sergt. 10 Pt. men. Ens Crawford
officer of the Day. It is the Commanding Offi-
cers Orders that the two Companys Cantoon'd
at Lachine Shall be Under Arms to morrow
Morning At eleven o'clock at the Commanding
Officers Quarters.

—9th. P. Norfolk. C. SuffiDlk. For Guard
to morrow 1 Sergt. & 10 Pt men. Lieut. Mor-
rison Officer of the Day. A Review of Arms
Accourtrements and Necessaries on friday at Eleven
O'clock as the Major desires that the men from
St. Anns Under the Commr.nd of Capt. Brown
be sent to their Companys that they be Provided
in time with Necessaries to take the field when
ordered, 6c Capt. Brown to take the Light In-
fantry Comp'ny, which he is to Compleat Im-
mediately from the Battalion : the old men from
Capt. Watt's' Compy change their coats with

' Captain Stephen Watts, brother-in-
law of" Sir John Johnson and fourth son
of Hon. John Watts and Ann de Lancey,
was born in New York, Dec. 24th. 1754.
As an officer in Johnson's Royal Greens,
he was present at the battle of Oriskany, in
which action " he was severely wounded
and left on the field, as was supposed,
among the slain. His death was reported
by Col. Willett in his letter to Col.
Trumbull, and by other authorities.
Such, however, was not the fact. Re-
viving from faintness produced by loss of
blood, some time after the action, he

succeeded in crawling to a brook (Oris-
kany creek) where, by slaking his thirst,
he was preserved from speedy death ; and
in the course of two or three days was
found by some Indian scouts, and brought
into St. Leger's camp."

The above statement was taken down
from tlie lips of his brother, the Hon.
John Watts, of New York, by the
writer's father the late Col. William L.
Stone, and is undoubtedly the correct
version. Mrs. Bonney, however, in her
Legacy of Historical Gleanings^ vol. i
p. 69, gives a somewhat different account,

1 ',

9^,'.

[

t 1

■'-■ . I

30 yohnsorCs Orderly Book,

those from other Companys who shall come in
their places ; if their Coats do not Answer let the
wings be taken off & given to those that come
in' ; Capt. Brown to fix that as he thinks lit.
Lieut. Morrison to change off the Colonel's
Compy ; Lt. Singleton off the Majors & Lt.
McDonold off Capt. McDonolds Comp'y, that
they may be no farther Disputes in Regard
to the Officers Ranks; & Left by Sir John a
list of them to be seen, According to their Ranks
from the Adjutant in the Regimental Book.

— loth P. Perth Amboy. C Elizabeth Town.
For Guard to morrow i Sergt. and lo Private
men. Ens Burn Officer of the Day.

so far, at least, as relates to the manner
of Watt's escape, which is as follows :
" Major Watts [his rank, at this time, as
1 have observed in my Introduction, was
captain] was wounded through the leg
by a ball, and in the neck by a thrust
from a bayonet which passe.' through the
back of the windpipe, and occasioned
such an effusion of blood as to induce not
only him but his captors to suppose (after
leading him two or three miles) that he
must die in consequence. He begged his
captors to kih him ; they refused and left
him by the side of a stream (Oriskany
creek ) under the shade of a bridge, where
he was found two days subsequently,
covered with fly blows, but still alive
He was borne by some Indians to Schen-
ectady where he remained (after losing
his leg) until suflicier.tly recovered to bear a
voyage to England." Soon after his arrival
in England he married a Miss Nugent ;
and as Gen. de Peyster, his grandnephew,
informs the writer, died in elegant retire-
ment surrounded by a noble family of
equally brave sons. Of these sons, one,

Ross Watts, was dn admiral in the British
navy ; another, John Walts, was a captain
in the British army and was present at
the capture of Washington and the battle
of New Orleans, and subsequently, mayor
and deputy of Wellington, as governor of
Walma Castle; and still another, Robert
Nugent, was secretary in 2"^''^'^ ^"•^ *
member of assembly in the Canadian
parliament. See also, the Parliamentary
Register for Watts's conduct at Oriskany.

I «'< Wings,' as connected with uni-
forms, were once worn as a substitute for
epaulettes ; certainly, during the revolu-
tion in the English service. They were
of clotii ; in shape, similar to the strap
of the epaulette ; and terminated at the
eno with a gold or silver fringe for officers,
and of coarser materials for lower grades.
They are sometimes seen in old pictures;
and officers of long service have a dim
sort of recollection that they were for-
merly worn in the United States service."
Gen. de Feysler to the author.

yohnson^s Orderly Book. 31

— nth. P. Phillips. C. Fraser. For Guard
to morrow 10 Privates, i Sergt. Ens Crothers,
Officer of the Day.

— 1 2th. P. London. C. Edinburgh. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt. 10 Private men.
Officer of the Day, Ensign Wall. The Com-
misson'd, Non Commisson'd Officers and Men
of the King's Royal Regt. of New York to be
Under Arms to morrow morning at 7 o'Clock.

— 13th, P. Dornoch. C. Dunrobin. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt. & 10 P Ens Crawford
Officer of the Day. The Private men of the
King's Royal Regt. of New York to be under
Arms to morrow morning at 7 o'Clock.

— 14th. P. Dunmore. C. Howe. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 Private men. Lieut.
Morrison Officer of the Day.

— 15th. P. Johnson. C. Tryon. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt and 10 Private men. Ens
Burn, Officer of the Day. Its the Commanding
Officers Orders that the Compy's Cantoon'd at
Lachine Shall be Under Arms to morrow Morn-
ing at Nine O'Clock ; the Non Commission'd
Officers to See that the men Are Clean, and their
Arms in Good Order ; they are to Parade at the
Commanding Officers Quarters.

— 1 6th, P. Inverness. C. Nairn. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 Priv. men. Ens Cro-
thers Officer of the Day.

— 17th. P. York. C. Albany. For Guard to

i !B

■ i:

1: If

32 yohnsorCs Orderly Book.

morrow i Sergt & 10 Pt. men. Ens Wall,
Officer of the Day.

— 1 8th. P. Eaton. C. Hingham. For Guard
to morrow i sergt. & 10 Pt. men. Ens Craw-
ford officer of the Day.

— 19th. P. Dublin. C. Cork. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt and ten Private men. Lieut.
Morrison Officer of the Day.

— 20th P. Bristol. C. Barth. For Guard to
morrow i Sergt and 10 P men. Ens Burn,
Officer of the Day.

— 2 1 St. P. Lincolnshire. C. Cambridgeshire.
For Guard to morrow, i Sergt. and 10 Private
men. Ens Crothers Officer of the Day.

— 22d. P. Niagara C. Oswagoachey.' For
Guard to morrow i Sergt. 10 Private men. Ens
Wall, Officer of the Day.

— 23d. P. Derby. C. Clonmell. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 men. Ens Crawford,
Officer of the Day the Commis'd Non Com-
miss'd officers. Drums & Privits, men of the.
Kings Royal Regt. of New York, to Hold them-
selves In Readiness to March to Point Clair on
Saturday Morning 26th of April. They are to
Parade at the Commanding Officer's Quarters at

o'clock.

' Oswegatchie (now Ogdensburgh,
N. Y.), in 1740 known as Fort Presen-
tation and sometimes La Galktie. It
was garrisoned by the French during a
part ot the seven years war, but was taken

by the English in 1700, while they were
descending the St. Lawrence to attack
Montreal. Tradition locates one of Gen.
Putnam's most daring exploits at this fort.

Johnson's Orderly Book, 33

— 24th. P. London. C. York. For Guard
to .morrow i Sergt. & 10 P. men. Ens Byrne
Officer of the Day.

— 25th. P. Bristol. C. Barth. For Guard to
morrow i Sergt. & 10 P. men. Ens Byrne
Officer of the Day.

— 26th. P. Boston. C. Norwich. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt. & 10 P men. Ens. Crothers,
Officer of the Day.

— 27th. P. Hingham. C. Dearham. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt and 10 Private men.
Ens Wall, Officer of the Day.

—28th. P. Norfolk. C. Suffi)lk. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt. & 10 P men. Ens. Craw-
ford, Officer of the Day.

— 29th. P. Dover. C. Plymouth. For
Guard to morrow, i Sergt. & 10 Priv. men.
Leaut. Morrison, Officer of the Day.

— 30th. P. Ireland. C. Scotland. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 Pri. men. Ens. Byrne
Officer of the Day.

1777 May, 1ST. P. Quebec. C. Orleans. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt & 10 Priv. men. Ens.
Crothers, Officer of the Day. the Commiss'd
Non Commiss'd officers. Drummers, & private
men of the Kings Royal Regt. of New York to
hold themselves in Readiness to March to Point
Clair to morrow Morning at 7 o'clock; thay are
6

34- yohnsorCs Orderly Book,

to Parade at the Commanding Officers Quarters
at La Chine.

— 2d. P. Halifax. C Boston. For Guard
tomorrow i Sergt & lo men. Ens Wall officer
of the Day.

— 3d. P. Belfast. C Dublin. For Guard to
morrow i Sergt & 10 men. Ens Crawford,*
Officer of the Day. it is the Commanding officers
orders that all the officers for the future to Ex-
ercise their own Companys.

— 4th. P. Cork. C. Dublin. For Guard to
morrow, i Sergt & 10 P. men. Lieut. Morrison,
Officer of the Day.

It is the Commanding officers orders that two
men from each Company be ordered to attend
the ammunition tomorrow at 8 o'clock in the
morning, & also that the old men who are in-
capable to exercise attend for the same purpose.

— 5th. P. America. C. England. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt, & 10 P men. Lieut. Walker,
Officer of the Day.

— 6th. P. Montreal. C. Lachine. For Guard
•to morrow i Sergt. & 10 Priv. men. Ens Byrne,
Officer of the Day. It is the Commanding
officers orders that two men from each Company
attend constantly every fair day at 8 o'Clock in
the morning in order to air the ammunition ;
also that the old men, who are incapable of learn-
ing the exercise, attend for the same purpose with
a Non Commissioned officer.

Johnson's Orderly Book,

— 7th. P. New York. C. Amboy. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt & 10 Priv. men. Ens.
Crothers, officer of the Day.

— 8th. P. Guadaloupe. C Lewisburgh. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt & 10 Private men.
Ens Wall, officer of the Day.

— 9th. P. Hanover. C. Hamburg. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt, 10 Private men. Ens
Crawford, officer of the Day.

It is the commanding officer's orders that the
Commiss'd Non Commiss'd officers Drumers &
Privets March to Point Clair to morrow Morning
at 8 o'clock, if the Weather Permits ; thay are
to Parade at the Commanding officers Quarters.

— loth. P. Bristol. C. York. For Guard
to morrow 1 Sergt & 10 Private men. Lieut.
Morrison officer of the Day.

— iith. P. Eraser. C Phillips. For Guard
to morrow i & 10 Private men. Ens Byrne
officer of the Day.

— 1 2th. p. Edinburgh. C Lieth. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt & 8 Privt men. Ens.
Crothers officer of the Day.

— 1 3th. P. Crownpoint. C. Tyconderoga.
For Guard to morrow 1 Sergt & 8 Privt men.
Ens Wall, officer of the Day.

— 14th. P. Fort William. C. Fort George.
For Guard to morrow 1 Sergt & 8 Privts. Lieut.
Walker, officer of the Day.

ii «

U' <

wmk

1 m

1 ' 'K '

1 '^ ' ''

ii' '^■'

f^ j4_

' ^a

i .:l'

36 Johnson'' s Orderly Book,

The Commission'd Non Commiss'd officers,
Drum'rs, & Private men of the Kings Royal Regt.
of New York to March to Point Clair to morrow
Morning at 7 o'clock. They will Parade at the
Commanding officers Quarter

— 15th. P. Tyron. C F. we. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 10 Pr. men. Ens Byrne,
officer of the Day.

It being Reported to the Commanding Officer
[St. Leger] that Several of the Soldiers make a
practice of Gunning with their Regimental Fire
Locks, he Desires for the future to say any
Soldier who shall be guilty of Using their Arms
to that purpose, if they shall, they may Depend
they will be punished as the Martial Law
Directs.

— 1 6th. P. Quebec. C. 1^. /er. For Guard
to morrow, i Sergt & 10 Pr. men. Ens.
Crothers, Officer of the Day.

The Regt. are to keep themselves in Readi-
ness to March at a Days Warning ; the Trowsers
& Every thing else to be Ready on Saturday
Next : the whole of the Taylors of the Regt. to
be kept at Work & free from Duty till then for
that purpose — Jessup's Corps' to see that thay are

• JesBup's Corps, or Jessup's Battalion,
the names are used interchangeably, or the
officers that composed it, with the men
that went from New York with them in
the fall of 1776 to Canada, were ordered
to Sir John Johnson's regiment merely

for convenience in drawing rations,
clothing, etc., before the expeditions of
Burgoyne and St. Leger started " The
corps were regarded by Sir Guy Carleton,"
writes Gen. Rogers, "rather as refugees
than as soldiers, though they wished to

yohnsons Orderly Book, 37

Ready in Case of Orders for their Marching, &
to have their Clothing Ready according to the
Above Orders for the Regt. — Corp. Edward
Egnue of Capt. Brown's Compy having Recei'd
his Sentence of the General Court Martial is now
Reduced to Serve in the Ranks as a Private
Soldier.

be regarded as soldiers \ and finally, in
the spring of 1777, a corps was raised
known as ' Jessup's Corps'. Before that
Sir Guy called them '' Jessup's party,"
and very strongly criticised the use of the
term 'corps.'" As long as they were
with Sir John, receiving pay as soldiers,
he treated them as such, notwithstanding
Sir Guy's hair-splitting in regard to them.
The 34th entered at Quebec, Sir John's
regiment at La Chine, Pointe Claire, etc.,
and Jessup's corps or party was with the
latter. Thui. they continued until spring.
Sir John on May i6th, commanding that
" Jessup's corps to see that they are ready
in case of orders for their marching " —
until tinuHy, as mentioned in a previous
note, they left, June i6th, to join Bur-
goyne's army. After this expedition,
and indeed, until the close of the war,
the Jessup brothers were actively engaged
in the bitter partisan warfare which was
such a feature of those times j and accord-
ingly we find the younger brother. Major
iessup, in the spring of 1781, preparing to
ead a party from Point au Fez against Pal-
merstown near the present village of Sara-
toga Springs. David Jones, so famous
as the betrothed lover of the unfortunate
Jane McCrea, held a commission in this
corps, as did also his brother Daniel.
The " Big Fall," on the Hudson river
about ten miles above Glen's Falls, where
the entire volume of water pours over a
•heer descent of nearly seventy feet, is
named " Jessup's Big Falls," after the
commander of this corps. " Above the
fall is what is called • the race ' where.

for a distance of about three hundred
yards, the river runs down a sharp decline,
gathering itrength and impetus for the
final leap. Still higher up, is a gorge in
the rocks where the river finds passage
in a cleft about fourteen feet wide. Here
legend says that Jessup jumped across the
river and made his escape at the outbreak
of the revolution from the sheriff of
Albany county." There is also another
tradition connected with this romantic
river and St. Leger's expedition. Some
five miles above the scene of Jessup's
feat, near the mouth of the Sacandaga,
and where now is the pleasant hamlet of
Luzerne, the Hudson, rushing through a
narrow gorge between high and rocky
cliffs, forins what are called '• Jessup's
Little Falls." At this spot the river is
barely twelve feet wide ; and the story
goes that, in 1777, a British scout was
endeavoring to find his way down the
Sacandaga to communicate to Burgoyne
the fact of the defeat of St. Leger before
the walls of Fort Stanwix. As he ap-
proached this spot, he was waylaid by a
party of patriots who had followed up his
trail, when, to save his life, he rushed
down the rocky bank, leaped the river at
a bound, and clambering up the rocky
bank, escaped. His batfled pursuers sent
after him a few shots, but without effect.
" After the revolution," says Col. B. C.
Butler of Lucerne, N. Y., " Ebenezer and
Edward Jessup, who were large and suc-
cessful speculators in wild lands, and
who had previously bought this particular
tract from the Mohawks, settled at the

li[

Johnson's Orderly Book.

The Regt. & other Partys, Under the Com-
mand of Major Gray, are to be Under Arms
Saturday Next at the Usual Place of Exercise at
the Bay if the Weather Permits.

— 17th. P. Langford. C. Lunsbansborogh.
For Guard to morrow i Sergt & 8 Priv. men.
Ens Wall, Officer of the Day.

— 1 8th. P. Chester. C. Newport. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt & 10 Privet men.
Ens Crawford, Officer of the Day.

— 19th. P. Stirling. C. Perth, for guard
tomorrow one Sergt and 10 private men. Lieut.
Walker, officer of the Day.

— 20th. P. London. C Edinburgh. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt. & 8 Priv. men. Ens
Byrne, Officer of the Day.

It is the Commanding officers orders that the
Volunteers who have joined the Companies to
which they belonge are to Mount Guard In
their Proper Turn.

* Big Falls,' where, for several years, they
did a large and thriving business in lumber.
They also built a road from Fort Miller,
across the plain and around the foot of
Mt. McGregor (near Saratoga Springs),
to the present hamlet of Luzerne. The
' Big Falls ' was also called ' Jessup's
Landing,' from the fact that the lumber
rafts from the Sacandaga, Hudson and
Schroon rivers, on their way to market,
were landed here, drawn by teams around
the ' Big Falls,' and then re-shipped for
Glen's Falls." This statement of Col.
Butler, however, is hardly probable, as

both the Jessups were included in the
New York Act of Attainder and could
scarcely have lived in New York after the
revolution; besides which Gen. Rogers, a
very high authority, writes that he has posi-
tive proof that at least one of the brothers,
Edward, lived in Canada after the war until
his death. Edward Jessup was present
as one of the chief mourners at the funeral
of Sir William Johnson to whom he was
greatly attached. Ho/den's History of the
Toiun of ^eenshury / Stone's Life of
Brant ; N. B. Sylvester.

•

sSf,

'Johnson'' s Orderly Book, 39

— 21st. P. Dubli... C. London. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt & 8 men. Ens Ci others
officer of the Day.

— 22d. P. Templar. C. Preston. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt. & 8 Priv. men. Ens
Wall Officer of the Day.

It is the Commanding officer's orders that the
Commisson'd Non Commisson'd officers &
Soldiers of the King's Royal Regt. of New York
to be Under arms this Evening at the Usual
Place of Exercise at four o'clock ; the Non Com-
mission'd officers are to see that the mens arms
are in Duty order ; their Regtl's Clean ; their
Regt'l hats well Cocked, & their hair Properly
Dressed, So as to appear Decent Saturday Next
at the Review.

— 23d. P. Greenock. C. Paisley. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt & 8 Priv. men. Ens
Crawford, Officer of the Day.

It is the Commanding officers orders the Com-
misson'd Non Commissined officers, Drumers &
Privts of the King's Royal Regt of New York
to be Under arms for Exercise to morrow
Morning at 7 o'clock.

— 24th. P. Walker. C. Lipscomb. For
Guard to morrow, i Sergt. & 8 men. Ens
Crothers officer of the Day.

It is the Commanding officers orders that the
two Companys Cantoon'd at Lachine hold them-

'^ (•

'*^f^

40 yohnsons Orderly Book.

selves in Readiness to March to Point Clair on
monday Next at 6 o'Clock in the morning ; the
officers to be Careful that the mens arms, ammu-
nition, accoutrements and necessaries are in good
order on Tuesday Morning next at the genl
Review. The Commissioned Non Commis-
sioned officers. Drums, and private men to [meet
at] roll calling tomorrow morning at Nine
o'clock at the Commanding officers Quarters &
to Receive the Deiicency of the Cartridges.

— 25th. P. Inverness. C. Darnock. For
Guard to morrow i Sergt. & 6 private men.
Ens Wall, Officer of the Day.

The Commissioned, Non Commiss'ed officers.
Drummers & Private men to appear at 6 o'clock
to morrow Morning at the Commanding officers
Quarters in Uniforms with their Arms [and]
accoutremencs necessary.

Point Clair.'

1777, May 26th. Paroky Aberdeen. Coun-
tersigriy Inverness. For Guard to morrow Lt.

' Three leagues from La Chine (i6
miles from Montreal) is Pointe Claire,
now a post-village. It contains from 200
to 300 houses, built with regularity, and
forming small streets that cross the main
road at right angles. There is a neat
parish church, a parsonage house, and one
or two tolerably good houses to receive
strangers. The surrounding scenery is
attractive, and it is surrounded by gardens

and orchards. The houses in these
Canadian villages are all built of mud and
small boulders, or paving stones, generally
one story high, and with doors divided
in the middle transversely. The lower
part being shut to keep the children in,
and the upper being open, the women
lean out and talk to each other across the
street, in the most primitive style imagin-
able.

yohnsons Orderly Book, ^oa

McKenzie, i Sergt. i Corpl. i Drum and 12
Private men.

Its the Commanding officers orders that all the
Regt. get their Arms and Cloathing Clean and in
good order, and appear Under Arms to morrow
morning at Seven o'clock on the field as they are
to be Reviewed by the Genl — the officers com-
manding Comp's, to give in an Exact field Return
to the Adjt. to morrow at Seven o'clock. The
Officers Commanding Companys to give a Return
of what Camp Kettles they have in charge and
of what they want to Compleat at a Kettle to Six
Men — the Return to be given in to the Quarter-
master this Evening at 4 o'clock ; the officers will
give particular orders to their Men to do no
Damage to the Barns where they are Lodged,
and be very Carefull of fire, and Particularly not
to smoke in the Barns ; any of the Soldiers that
is found Guilty of Meddling with any of the In-
habitants Effects may Depend on Being Punished
According to the Martial Law.' The sick men
that are Quartered in the Country are to be Re-
moved to the Village that they may be Con-
venient to the Doctor. An Officer of Each
Compy to Attend this Evening at 4 o'Clock and
Receive what Arms they want to Compleat their
Comp'nys.

' It is evident that St. Leger, notwith- both of" conciliating the inhabitants, and

standing tlie superciliuusness witii which of doing nothing which would prejudice

he affected to treat tlie enemy, acknowl- them against the royal cause,
edged, in his own mind, the necessity

1. ■.

'W'

\oh Johfisons Orderly Book,

— 27th. P. St. Leger. C. Ireland. For Guard
to morrow i Sergt. i Corporal, i Drum, and 1 1
Private Men. Leut. McDonnel Officer of the
Day.

The Commission'd officers an Non Commis-
sion'd, Drums and Private Men of the Kings
Royal Regt. of New York to be Under arms to
morrow morning at 7 o'clock for Exercise ;
Jessup's Corps are to be at Point Clair to be
Exercised till Further orders.

— 28th. P. Carleton. C. Burgoyne. For
Guard to morrow Lieut. Walker i Sergt. i C. i
D. II Pr.

Its the commanding officers Orders that the
officers Commanding Coilipanys give in a Return
this Evening at 4 o'clock to the Qur Master of
what Cloathing they want to Compleat thair
Compys & that the Men Attend to morrow
morning at 8 o'clock at the Taylors Shop to have
their Measures taken. The Officers Command-
ing Compys to give in thair Monthly Return to
the Commanding officer to morrow morning at
9 o'clock. The Regt to be Under Arms to
morrow morning at 7 o'clock for Exercise. Its
the Commanding [officer's] orders that Thomas
Miller & John Palmer be Appointed Corpls in
Capt Brown's Compy, and James Plant Appointed
in Capt. paleys Compy. in the room of Corporal
McGrigar who is transferred to Capt Browns
Compy. Francis Albrant soldier in the Colls

* 'Johnson's Orderly Book, 4.1

Compy to attend the Qur Master and Do no
Other Duty for the future.

— 29th. P. Phillips. C. Frazer. For Guard to
morrow Ens Crothers i S. iC. i Drummer and
12 Privat men.

The Officers Commanding Companys to See
that the taylors keep steady at the Cloathing till
jfinished, no Excuse to be taken : the Regt to be
under Arms at 6 o'clock Every morning while
the weather is Good, and in the afternoon firing
Ball.

— 30th. P. Johnson. C. Watts. For Guard to
morrow Ens Crawford i Sergt i Corpl i Drum-
mer & 12 Private men.

The Commanding Officer Desires that officers
Would be more Particular in Giving the
Monthly Returns — Field Returns, Morning Re-
ports, Reports of the Sick, or any other Returns
that may be Wanted Relative to Military Duty-
& that they Would furnish themselves with a
Copy of the Diffisrent Returns that they may have
occasion for : the Regt to hold themselves in
Readiness to March to Lachine at an hours
Warning.

— 31st. P. Col. McLean. C. Majr. Small'. For

» Selected in honor of Major (afterwards
Colonel) Small, a British officer in the
Southern department, who, in marked
contrast to the cruelties enacted by the
English office^rs generally, showed great
kindness to thv. American prisoners.

Indeed, such was the known character
of Col. Small, that a billet presented by
him was regarded as a distinguished mark
of favor; security from insult and from
any species of imposition being inseparable
from his presence. " What," exclaims

4-2

Johnson s Orderly Booki

Guard to morrow Ens Phillips i Sergt i Corpl
1 Drum & 12 Private men

The Regt to March to La Chine to morrow
Morning at 6 o'clock — the Officers & Men to
carry no more Necessarys with them than what
they want for 9 or ten Days to Shift themselves
with, what Baggage the men Leave behind to
be put in the Store this Evening at 4 o'clock;
& every Compy's Baggage by itself — the Quarter
Master Sergt to see that there is Cloathing taken
for the use of the Recruits which the Taylors are
to make at Lachine; what Cloathing is finished
to be Given Out to the Recruits; & Sergt Hillyer
to pack up what is not finish'd to be Carri'd
along to Morrow, i S i C & 12 Old Men to be
left behind as Guard for the Stores & to Attend

Garden, " must have been the delightful
sensations of his heart, who, idolized by
his own troops, saw himself, at the same
time, coveted as a friend and reverenced
as a protector by the helpless families of
the enemy with whom he contended !
The sympathies of his benevolence
shielded them from harm, and was re-
paid with ten-fold gratitude. He assuaged
their sufferings and relieved their wants ;
and every prayer which they offered to
Heaven, was mingled with ardent solicita-
tions for blessings on his head." So
heartily was this humane conduct appre-
ciated by Gen. Green, that, towards the
close of the war, he visited, under a flag
of truce, that general by the latter's cordial
invitation, the visit being free from every
restriction. After the war. Col. Small
meeting Garden in London, told him the
following anecdote in these words "I have
been sitting this morning to Col. Trum-

bull for my portrait, he having done me
the honor to place me in a very con-
spicuous situation in his admirable repre-
sentation of the battle of Bunker hill.
He has exhibited me as turning aside the
bayonet aimed by a grenadier at the
breast of Gen. Warren. I would certainly
have saved his life if it had been in my
power to do so, but when I reached the
spot on which his body lay, the spark of
life was already extinguished. It would
have been a tribute due to his virtues and
to his gallantry, and to me a sacred duty,
since I am well apprised, that when, at
a particular period of the action, I was
left alone and exposed to the fire of the
whole American line, my old friend
Putnam saved my life by calling a'oud
' kill as many as you can, but spare Sm ill,'
and that he actually turned aside musl ets
that were aimed for my destruction."

Johnson'^ Orderly Book. 43

the Sick. Surgeons Mate to Remain in Point
Clair to take Care of the Sick untill further Or-
ders — the Regt not to fire Ball this After noon.
A Cart will attend Each Company to Carry the
Officers Baggage & the Men's Provisions. Compy
Duty for Gd. 2 Privates.

Lachine.
1777 June I St. P. [■

C. [ ] For

Guard to morrow i Sergt, i Corpl 12 P men.
Lieut McKenzie Officer of the day.

The Officers to Attend Roll call every Even-
ing and morning and make the Report to the
Commanding Officer. They are to take particular
Care that the men shall not be straying from
their Quarters: the Regt to be under arms at 6
o'clock to Morrow morning : the Taylors to begin
Directly to work at the men's Cloathing and to
keep Close at them till they are finished ; they
are to work in Mr. Pridones Garret.

— 2d. P. New York.

The guards to be mounted every morning at
7 o'clock — rolls to be call'd twice every Day; in
the morning after guard mounting and in the
evening after retreat beating at 7 o'clock — All
officers to attend at the head of their Company —
all beats to be taken from the 34th Regt — the
troops to be exercised 3 times a day for an hour
each time — the commanding officers will observe
the kind of Discipline laid down by Colonel St.

44- yohnsotCs Orderly Book,

|( m

itii

Leger'. The kings royal regiment of New York
to Fire balls by Divisions till Further orders —
the hours of exercise will be half after 4 in the
morning, at mid Day and at half past 5 in the
evening — it is understood that the mid Day exer-
cise is to be For the guard men only for whom
some shady place will be chosen by the Com-
manding officer — a weekly state of the Different
corps to be given in every monday morning to
lieutenant Crofts. For the future a subalterns
guard to be mounted consisting of one subaltern

' Barry St. Leger entered the regular

army on the 27th ot April, 1756, as
ensign ot the 28th regiment of Foot,
and coming to America the following
year, he served in the French war,
learning the habits of the Indians and
gaining much experience in border warfare.
That he profited by this early training is
evident from the fact that when he was
chosen by George III (at Burgoyne's
recommendation) to be the leader of the
expedition against Fort Stanwix, he justi-
fied their confidence in his advance from
Oswego by his precautions, as shown by
the orders given from day to day in this
Orderly Book, by his stratagem at Oris-
kany, and by his general conduct of the
siege of Fort Stanwix up to the panic
produced by the rumor of the approach
of Arnold which forced him to raise it.
Indeed, as Hon. Ellis H. Roberts says in
his admirable address at the Oriskany
Centennial, "that he was a wise com-
mander, fitted for border warfare, his
order of march bespeaks him."

After his unfortunate expedition against
Fort Stanwix, he was promoted in Nov.,
1780, to colonel in the army, the highest
rank he ever attained ; and commanding
scouts and rangers on the northern frontier,
under the immediate command of General

Haldimand, then lieutenant governor of
Canada, he occasionally carried on a
guerilla warfare, his head-quarters being
at Mo:itreal. It was he, who, in the
summer of 178 1, proposed the plan for
the capture of Gen. Schuyler which,
however, failed in its object. In the
autumn of the same year (1781) St.
Leger, in obedience to the orders of
Haidimand, who was anxious to persuade
Vermont to throw herself into the arms
of her legitimate sovereign, ascended
Lake Champlain, with a strong force to
Ticonderoga, when he rested in the ex-
pectation of meetiwg the Vermont com-
misioners Ira Allen and Joseph Fay,
meanwhile a rumor of the capture of
Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown
was wafted along upon the southern
breeze, the effect of which was such
upon the people, as to induce Allen
and Fay to write to the British commis-
sioners with St. Leger, that it would be
imprudent at that particular conjuncture
for him to promulgate the royal procla-
mation, and urging delay to a more aus-
picious moment. The messenger with
these despatches had not been longer
than an hour at the head-quarters of St.
Leger at Ticonderoga, before the rumor
respecting Cornwallis was confirmed by

Col. Harry St. Legek.

\.%MSnt,

yohnsori's Orderly Book.

one sergeant one Corporal i Drummer and i8
privates. The 34th regt to furnish to morrow
I subaltern i corporal i Drummer and 5 pri-
vates; the King's royal regt of New York and
Jessup's Corps to Furnish i sergeant and 13 pri-
vate men.

— 3d. P. Johnstown. A Strict and Punctual
Adherence to all orders Given, is the life and
soul of Military Operations; without it Troops
are but confus'd & ungovernable multitudes ever
liable to Destruction & sure never to acquire
honour to themselves or gain advantage to their
Country : therefore Col. St Leger Acquaints the
Troops he has the Honour to Command, that
the few Necessary Orders he means to give Must

an express. The effect was prodigious.
All ideas of farther operations in that
quarter were instantly abandoned ; and
before evening of the same day, St.
Leger's troops and stores were re-em-
barked, and with a fair wind he made
sail immediately, back to St. John's

St. Leger possessed decided literary and
scholastic talent, as is abundantly proved
both by liis letters lo Burgoyne and the
British Ministry and by his book which he
afterwards published entitled " St. Leger's
Journal of Occurrences in America."
We do not, however, quite agree with
Mr. Roberts when he says that St. Leger
was "prompt, tenacious, fertile in re-
sources, and attentive to detail." He
certainly made a most undignified retreat,
and has moreover, been accused by his
subaltern oiticers of a want of energy.
Campbell, also, who was an industrious
as well as a careful and painstaking his-
torian, and had many conversations with
those who knew St. Leger and in other

ways, had ample facilities for verifying
his facts, writes, that St. Leger was in a
state of intoxication during most of the
time his forces lay before the fort.
His lack of judgment is also clearly dem-
onstrated by Col. Glaus in his letter to
the Secretary (see note on Glaus in ad-
vance). O'Gallaghan, speaking of St.
Leger, says, that when he died, in 1789,
he had acquired no distinction in his pro-
fession, and rather intimates that this
was singular. It does not, however, appear
to us singular if the statement of his in-
temperate habits is correct. But although
he was evidently a polished gentleman
and an accomplished scholar, his en-
couragement of Tory and Indian atrocities
while on this expedition, such as offering
in gen( il orders .$20 for every American
scalp, A-iiich cannot he denied, fully iusti-
fies the phillipic of Arnold when he char-
acterized him as little better than a barbar-
ian. In this connection however, it is but
justice to state that many of the British

46 Johnson's Orderly Book,

Instantly and privately [be] attended to without
Discretionary Interpretations whatsoever. A De-
tail of the Guard for to Morrow. 34 Regt, i C.
I Drum. & 6 Privates: Kings Royal Regt N.
York, I Subaltern i Sergt & 12 Private.

Regt orders, for Guard to Morrow Ens Mc
Kenzie.

officers did not approve of the cold-blood
villainies ot'the Indians and Tories (Tories
should have been named first, fur they
often excelled the Indians in bloodthirsti-
ness and did things at which the latter,
even recoiled in horror). General Carle-
ton (Lord Dorchester), General Haldi-
mand and even Burgoyne were among this
number ; and Haldimand, indeed, went
80 far as to refuse to see Walter IJutler
when after the Cherry Valley massacre
he went to Quebec.

It will be observed that for the purposes
of the expedition against Fort Stanwix,
St. Leger received, as mentioned in the
text, thp local rank of brigadier. To
explain this, which hab given so much
trouble to all historians from Dr. Gordon
down to Col. Stone and Judge Campbell,
it is only necessary to state that the British
service recognized a number of military
commissions which are unknown in
others, among them " acting," " territor-
ial " and " local," For instance, in the
cases of Carleton and Clinton, they were
full generals in America, but only lieuten-
ant generals elsewhere. This explains how
Ferguson is variously known as line major,
bre-vet colonel and territ rial brigadier
general for the command of militia. This
also explains why so many officers of this
expedition have at different times such
various ranks, as for instance, McLean,
Rouville, Gray, etc. Gen. J. fVaits
dePefster; Knox; O'Callag/ian ; Ed. By
the courtesy of Gen. Horatio Rogers, of
Providence, R . I. , we append to the above
sketch, the following notice of St.

Leger, which will appear as a note
to Gen. Rogers's Hadden's jfolirnal, soon
to be published. Gen. Rogers says:
" Barry St. Leger, a nephew of the
fourth Viscount Doneraile, was of Hugue-
not descent, and was born in or about the
year 1737. He entered the British
military service as an ensign in the 28th
Foot, April 27, 1756, and the next year
accompanied his regiment to America
where it served under Gen. Abercrombie.
He seems to have been allowed to jump
the grade of lieutenant, and he was pro-
moted to a captaincy in the 48th Foot,
then likewise in Americ.i, March 24th,
1758. He participated in the siege and
capture of Louisburg in 1758, and accom-
panied Wolfe to Quebec in 1759, par-
ticipating in the battle on the Heights of
Abraham. The last order, given by the
dying Wolfe was, ' Go, one of you, my
lads to Colonel Burton, tell him to march
Webb's regiment' (the 4Sth) 'with all
speed to Charles's river to cut off the
retreat of the fugitives from the bridge.'
St. Leger. who was in Webb's regiment,
beha-ed gallantly near the bridge in
checking the flight of the French, and
was ;5lightly wounded. In July, 1760,
he was appointed KrigaHc ■ MJor preparu-

tory to marr

real, and he

becanie m

Foot, August

.^'h, I-''

iment's being

-ace

1763 he went

all-p..

le bi

aie a lieutenant

ci .1 in tl

army.

May 2Sth, 1772,

and the lie

tenant colonel of the 34th

Foot, May

■>>> '775

'Johnsott's Orderly Book.

— 4th. P. King George. Detailof the Guard
for to Morrow ; 34th Regt i Corpl i Drumr &
6 Pr. Kings Royal Regt of New York i Sergt
and 1 2 privates.

Regt Orders for Guard to Morrow Ens Craw-
ford.

— 5th. P. Burgoyne. Detail of the Guard for
to Morrow, 34th Regt i C. i D. 7 P. ; R. York-
ers I S. 1 2 P. ; Jessup's Corps i L. 1 C. 7 P. To-
tal I L. I S. 2 C. I D. 26 P.

— 6th June. P. Gray. C. Ancrum. Every

"The Annual Register for 1773, under
date of April 7th, contains a notice of
the marriage of " Lieutenant Colonel
Barry St. Leger, nephew of the late Lord
Viscount Doneraile, and fellow of St.
Peter's CoUcgc, Cambridge, to Lady
Mansel, widow of Sir Edward Mansel, of
Trinsaran, South Wales."

"In the spring of 1776 his regiment
formed a part of the re-inforcement sent
over to Sir Guy Carleton, and he accom-
panied it to Canada. He took part in
Sir Guy's operations in 1776, and the
next year, acting a.^ a brigadier, lie led the
force which was intended to move from
Oswego by the way of Oneida Lake and
Wood creek to the Mohawk, thence
down the river to Albany, where a junc-
tion was to be effected with Burgoyne.
The termination of the ati'air, so unfor-
tunate for its commander, is well known.
His report to Gen. Burgoyne of his ope-
rations before Fort Stanwix, or Schuyler,
dated Oswego, August 27th, 1777, is to
be found in the appendix of the State of
the Expedition.

"Sir Guy Carleton evidently thought St.
Leger lacking in vigor in disciplining his
troops, as shown by the former's letter to
Gen. McLean, which is as follows :

* Head Quartirs, \
yuEBtc, 24th July, 1777. /
* * Lieut. Col. St. Leger may be in-
formed that he ought to have seized and
sent down here in irons those Canadians
whom he mentions having held such
conver8:Uirns to, and occasioned the de-
sertion of, Capt. Rouville's company.
Two men for each deserter are to be de-
manded, upon pain of military execution,
from the parishes to which the deserters
belong; and the captains of militia are to
be enjoined to find the deserters them-
selves, and safely conduct them to where
you shall direct, in order to their being
sent prisoners to the companies from
which they deserted, there to be tried
and punished.'

" September 2 3d, 1777, St. Leger's force
WIS sent to Ticonderoga to be subject to
Gen. Burgoyne's orders, but, as commu-
nication with Burgoyne was interrupted,
St. Leger did not proceed south of Ticon-
deroga, and when that fortress was aban-
doned in November of that year, he
returned to Canada. He became a
colonel in the army November 17th,
1780, and a brigadier general in the army
in Canada, October 21st, 1782, his com-
mand consisting of the troops ' on the

Johnson s Orderly Book,

Soldier off Duty or Regt work must be under
Arms at the times appointed Except those noty-
fy'd by the Surgeon as too ill to appear — the
want of any part of their Necessarys will not be
admitted as an Excuse. Coll : St. Ledger thinks
proper to observe to the Kings Royal Regt of
New York, That the Surest Method of Making
the Noble 6c honorable zeal they have Lately
manifested to their King and Countrys interest

Island of Moirtieal, Isle of Jesus, Miller
isl.ind as far as. Couteau du Lac upon the
north, and from thence to La Prairie
exclusive on tiie soutii side of the river
St. Lawrence.' He was commandant of
his Majesty's forces in Canada in the
autumn of 1784, and his name appears
in the army li'f* for the last time in
1785. Wm. C. Bryant, in the American
Hhtorkal Record tor 1 874, p. 435, says
he died in 1789, when he was a little
past fifty years of age.

*' It is not easy from the data that have
':ome down to us to form a clear idea of
St. Leger's character. His letter to Gen.
Schuyler, dated November 7th, 178 I, in
refertnce to some of the latter's silver
that had been plundered by a British
scouting party, does not reflect upon St.
Leger discreditably, but iiis duplicity in
tying to induce the garrison of Fort
Scfiuyler to surrender, cannot legitimately
be included under the term, military
strategy, and his message holding out the
terrors of unrestrained savage allies was
so barbarous that Col. Willett character-
ized it as * a degrading one for a British
oriicer to send, and by no means reputable
for a British otiicer to carry.' The testi-
mony of Squire Ferris, likewise, who was
an American prisoner in Canada in the
spring of 1779, is of the most unflattering
description. Speaking of a party of fellow
prisoners who had attempted to es^ i,
Feriis says, • for four days before they

were retaken, thry had nothing for food
but tea, and were so weak they could
hardly walk. The forces at St. John's
were commanded by Col. St. Leger, a
brutal drunkard, who ordered the prisoners
to be ironed together, and put them in a
dungeon for fourteen days, at the end of
which time, and ironed hand in hand to
each other, they were sent to Chamblee,
and from there by the rivers Sorel and
St. Lawrence to Quebec'

•' Authorities : Army Lists; Stone's Bur-
goyne's Campaign and St. Leger's Expedi-
tion ; New Tori: Colonial Hist. Doc., viii,
714 ; Annual Register for I'J'Ji, p. I 60 5
Stui/t's History of Middlehury, Vt., p. 92 j
i^ebec Gazette, No-v. 25, 1784; Haldi-
mand's Papers, Register of Letters from Sir
G. Carleton, 1776-1778, Vol. 11, p. 24:
Idem, General Orders by Sir Guy Carletoi.
and Gen. Haldimand, I776-I783,p. 208;
Idem, Register of Letters from Sir Guy
Carleton to -various persons, 1776-1778,
Vol. I, p. 627 ; Maga'zine of American
History, vi, p. 289 ; Narrative of the
Military Actions of Colonel Alarinus
milett'."

Upon 8t. Leger's return home after the
war, he was stationed for a time in Dub-
lin, where he seems to have led a rolick-
ing kind of life with a few choice spirits
like himself. One of his adventures
during his stay in that city is given (as
illustrative of this period of his life) in
Appendix, No. III.

yohnson's Orderly Book.

take the Effect they ardently wish for, as well as
to Repossess themselves of the peace & property
which has been most illegaly wrested from them,
is to give a Constant & unwearied attention to
the learning of Military Discipline which will
give them Superiority over the Confused Rabble
they have to deal with.' All orders Relative to
the men to be read to them at the Evening Pa-
rade By an officer of each Compy. Detail of
the Gd. for to morw : 34th Regt i C. i D. 5 P. ;
K. R. Y. I L. I S. 8 P. ; Jessup's Corps 5 P.
Total 1 L. I S. I C. I D. 18 P. Ens Byrne for
Guard to Morrow.

— 7th. P. Oswegatchie. C. Fort Stanwix.
Details of the Guard for to Morrow. 34th Regt
I C. 8 P. ; Kings Royal Regt N. York i L. i S.
I C. I D. 12 P. ; Jessup's Corps i S. i C. 6 P.
Total I L. 2 S. 2 C. I D. 26 P. Ens Wall for
the Guard to Morrow.

— 8lh. P. St. Johns. C. Oneida. A Weekly

' St. Leger, like Clinton, and in fact,
every English officer at t^iis time except
Burgoyne (after his defeat) and the good
and wise Carleton, seems to have enter-
tained a supreme contempt for his Amer-
ican foes. Still, Sir John Johnson, from
his intercourse with his father, should
have known better, since Sir William, in
a letter to the Ministry, written shortly
before his death, particularly warns them
against entertaining the erroneous impres-
sion that the Americans ivere not braue
and iu:>uld not fij^^t. Stone's Life of Sir
fVm. yohnson.

The word "Rabble" however, appears

to have been a favorite one with Sir John,
notwithstanding his subsequent hard ex-
perience, since in a letter to foseph Brant,
under date of May i6th, 1787, he writes:
" I must own I give little credit to the re-
ports of the American's preparations to
attack the Posts; * * but even such an
attempt can only be made by the lawless
rabble on the southern frontiers". British
regulars, however, werr never just to
provincials or militia even of their own
side. They gave them invariably the
hardest work and no gratitude. See Sted-
man and de Peyster,

50 yohnson's Orderly Book,

State[ment] shall be given in to Morrow Morn-
ing to Lt. Crafts of the Strength of each Corps.
Detail of the Guard for to Morrcw. 34th Regt
1 C. 6 P. ; K. R. R. N. Y. i L. i S. i D. 7 P.
Jessup's Corps 5 P.

Genl Orders. — the Corps Under the Com-
mand of Coll St. Leger to be Paid Subsistence to
the 24th of August.

— 9th. P. Burgoyne. C. Phillips. General
Ordes — When any Calash' or Carts, horses or
Men are wanting for the service, Application
must be Made for an Order from Coll St Leger,
the officers and Non Commiss'd officers being in
every Sense Responsible for the behaviour of their
men must keep a Strict eye Upon their Conduct.
By which Means a stop will be put to the Frequent
Complaints Made that are not only Dishonour-
able to a Soldier but some Deserving the Cord.^

' The calash is a carriage very gene-
rally used in Lower Canada, and there
is scarcely a farmer, indeed, in the
country who does not possess one. It
is a sort of one horse chaise, capable
of holding two people besides the driver,
who sits on a kind of box placed over the
foot-board expressly for his accommoda-
tion. The body of the calash is hung
upon broad straps of leather, faster.ed to
iron rollers that are placed behind, by
means of which they are shortened or
lengthened. On each side of the carriage
is a little door about two feet high, where-
by one enters it ; and which is useful
when shut, in preventing anything from
slipping out. The harness for the horse
is, even to the present day, made in the
o' ""fench fashion, extremely heavy and

cumbersome. It is studded with brass
nails ; and to particular parts of it are
attached small bells, " of no use that I
could ever discover," naively says Weld,
" but to annoy the passenger." Those
tourists, who have visited Quebec and
have taken one of these unique con-
veyances (the only ones, in fact, to be
procured) to visit the Falls of the Mont-
morencey, will, on reading this, readily
reca'.l his own particular calash and
driver with his little red cap and pipe,
which he hired on that occasion !

" It is a great pity that when St. Leger
was so particular in enforcing discipline
among his regulars, he did not apply the
same principles of humanity to the con-
duct of his Indians. Indeed, it is a well

yohnson's Orderly Book, 51

A Patrol must go from the Main Guard at Tattoo
Beating, which is to make Prisoners of all sol-
diers or Non Commiss'd Officers they find in
them — They are likewise to order to their Can-
tonments all Stragglers.

known fact substantiated by the affidavits
of Moses Younglove and others, that St.
Leger not only offered a reward for each
scalp brought in by the Indians, but also
in various other ways, encoutaged cruelty
among his dusky allies. There are many
instances to prove this ; let one or two
suffice. Col. Gansevoort, writing to Gen.
Schuyler from Fort Stanwix, under date
o^Junc 26th, 1777, says: "Col. Madison
was killed and scalped. Capt. Gregg was
shot through his back, tomahawked and
scalped, and is still alive." "About
noon," also says the late Col. Stone in
his account of this expedition, '' on the
3d of July, Col. Willett was startled by
the report of musketry. Hastening to
the parapet of the glacis, he saw a little
girl running with a basket in her hand,
while the blood was trickling down her
bosom. On investigating the facts, it
appeared that the girl, with two others,
was picking berries, not two hundred
yards from the fort, when they were tired
upon by a party of Indians and two of the
number killed. One of the girls killed
was the daughter of an invalid, who had
served many years in the British Artillery.
He was entitled to a situation in the
Chelsea Hospital, but had preferred rather
to remain in the cultivation of a small
piece of ground at Fort Stanwix, than
again to cross the ocean."

The statement of Younglove, more-
)ver that St. Leger offered a reward for
icalps, bears the stamp of probability.
Certainly, in the war of 1812, when the
principles of humanity might be supposed
to be further advanced, the British govern-
iiiijnt, to put it mildly, approved, at least,
of the taking of scalps by the Indians,

In the manuscript history of the i6th
Pennsylvania Infantry in the service of
the United States during the war of I X 1 2,
commanded by Col. Cromwell Pearce,
occurs this passage : " In the reports of
brigade Major Charles D. Hunter and
Lieutenant Hayden of the fatigue party
who buried the dead at the battle of
York, Upper Canada, now Toronto,
made to Cromwell Pearce, colonel of the
1 6th U. S. Infantry, and upon whom
the command devolved after the death of
Gen. Zebulon M. Pike, they say : 'A
human scalp was found suspended in the
Legislative Hall near the speaker's chair,
an emblem of the manner and spirit in
which his Britannic Majesty carried on
the war.' Of this and some other trophies
Commodore Chauncey gave the following
account in a letter to the secretary of the
navy : ' Sir : I have the honor to present
to you, by the hands of Lieutenant
Dudley, the British standard taken at
York on the 27th of April last, accom-
panied by the mace, over which hung
a human scalp. These articles were
taken from the Parliament House by one
of my officers and presented to me. The
scalp I caused to be presented to General
Dearborn, who, I believe, still has it in
his possession.'" See Stewart Pearce, in
the American Historical Record, vol. in,
p. 420. Before, however, dismissing
this subject, the reader should, in justice
to St. Leger, be referred to that officer':
letter to Lieut, Bird printed in this
volume just after the Orderly Book. At
the same time, it may be remarked that
facti prove more than general declarations
on paper.

A-

52 Johnson^ s Orderly Book.

Detail of the Guard. 34th Regt i S. i D. 9
P.; K. R. Yorkers 2 S. i C. 15 P. ; Jessup's
Corps I L. I C. 4 P. Total i L. 3 S. 2 C. i D.
28 P.

Regt Orders — A Regtl Court Martial to sit
to Morrow Morning at 1 1 o'clock, Lt. Singleton
President. Members — Ens Burne, Ens McKen-
zie, Ens McDonell & Ens Phillips, to try such
Prisoners as may be brought before them.

— 10th. P. Castle Johnson.' C. Fort Hun-
ter. Detail of the Guard for to Morrow, 34th
to Give I S. 6 P.; K. R. R. N.Y. i L. i S. i C.
9 P. ; Jessup's Corps i S. 3 P. Total i L. i C.
18 P.

R. O. Its the Commanding Officers Positive

• Castle, or Fort Johnson, an old
massive stone mansion on the north bank
of the Mohawk, two and a-half miles
west of the village of Amsterdam, N. Y.,
and seen by the traveler on the right-
hand side of the west-bound train. It
was built by Sir William Johnson, in
1742 (where he resided some twenty
years previous to his erection of Johnson
Hall at Johnstown, N. Y.), and went by
the name of Fort Johnson, Castle John-
son and Mount Johnson. A writer, in
giving an itinerary of the Mohawk Valley
between Oswego and Albany, in 1757,
thus describes Fort Johnson : " Col. [Sir
William] Johnson's mansion is situate
on the border of the left bank of the
river Mohawk. It is three stories high;
built of stone, with port-holes (crenelee's)
and a 1 ipet and flanked with four bas-
tions on hich are some small guns. In
the same yard, on both sides of the
mansion, there are two [small houses ;
that on the right of the entrance is a

store, and that on the left is designed for
workmen, negroes and other domestics
The yard-gate is a heavy swing gate well
ironed ; it is on the Mohawk river side;
from this gate to the river there is about
200 paces of level ground. The high
road passes there [now the N. Y. Central
R. R.]. A small rivulet coming from
the north empties itself into the Mohawk
river, about 200 paces below the enclosure
of the yard. [This stream is now called
• Old Fort Creek.'] On this stream there
is a mill about fifty paces distance from
the house ; below the mill is the miller's
house where grain and flour are stored,
and on the other side of the creek 100
paces from the mill, is a barn in which
cattle and fodder are kejit. 150 paces
from Colonel Johnson's mansion at the
north side, on the left bank of the
creek, is a little hill on which is a small
house with port-holes, where is ordinarily
kept a guard of honor of some twenty
men, which serves also as an advanced

yohnsorCs Orderly Book, 53

orders that the Men do Not wear their shoes
when they go out a fishing.

G[eneral] After Orders. At the Evening
Exercise After the priming and loading Motions
are over, the 34th and K. R. R. N. Y. will be
Joined, the 34th making the Right Wing, while
the others form the left. This Body will be
Exercis'd by Lt Crofts of the 34th Regt.

— nth. P. [ J. C. [ J. Detail of

the Guard for to Morrow. 34th Regt to give i
S. I C. I D. 9 P. ; K. R R. N. Y. 1 L. 2 S. I C,
14 P.; Jessup's Corp S. 5 P. Total i L. 3 S. 2
C, I D. 28 P.

G. O A field Return of each Corps to be
given to Lieut Crofts whenever the Men are Un-

post." The mansion is still (1882)
standing, a substantial specimen of" the
domestic architecture ot'that period.

A mile and one-half east of Castle John

son is ''Guy Park," long the residence
of Col Guy Johnson, the nephew and
son-in-law of Sir William. Like Fort
Johnson and Johnson Hall, it was often
the bcene of Indian conferences, among
the most noted of which was a council
held between the Mohawk nation and
delegates from the Albany and Tryon
County Committees, in May, 1775, on
which occasion Little Abraham, the
principal sachem of the Lower Mohawk
Castle and the brother of King Hendrick,
killed at the battle of Lake George in
1751;, was the chief speaker. At the
beginning of the public excitement in
1775 the "Park" was abandoned by
fc-Col. Guy Johnson, who accompanied by
his family and a few faithful Indians, fled,
by way of Oswego, to Montreal. It is
yet (2882) standing (the first stone house
west of Amsterdam and greatly enlarged
from the original) on the banks of the
Mohawk, and on the left of trains going
west.

54-

Johnso?i'5 Orderly Book,

der arms for the Information of the Command-
ing officer — Its Lieut Coll Sir John Johnsons
orders that the Commissioned, Non Commiss-
ioned officers Drummers and Private Men of the
Kings Royal Regt of New York attend Exercise
Every Day for the future at the hour appointed.
Ens Phillips for Guard to Morrow.

— 1 2th. P. Sopees. [Esopus, N. Y.] C. Ken-
derwhoffe. Detail of the Guar ' for to Morrow
34th Regt to give 1 S. 5 P. ; K. R. R. N. Y. 2
S. I C. I D. 9 P. ; Jessup's Corps i L. 4 ?♦
Total I L. 2 S. 1 C. I D. 18 P.

— 13th. P. Howe. C. Cornwallis. Detail of
the Guard for to Morrow 34th Regt to give i S.
iC. iD. 9P. K. R. R.N. Y. I L. 1 S. I C. 14
P. ; Jessup's Corps i S. 5 P. Total i L. 3 S. 2
C. I D. 28 P.

G| eneral] 0[rders]. As Cleanliness and a
Strict Attention to Duty are Indespensable Ne-
cessaries in a Soldier, Colonel St Leger Desires the
troops Under his Command may be Immediately
furnished with Necessarys & Each a black Stock.
Officers must Inspect their Men Every morning,
when they will correct any Man that comes
Slovenly to the Parade ; they will Likewise Re-
member that for the future he will impute to
their Inattention the un-Soldier Like Parade he
Observed this Morning.

"Johnson's Orderly Book, 55

Head Quarters Montreal

— 17th June 1777. G. O, Those Regments
& other Departments who have not Rendered
Receipts for provisions & Rum are desired to
send forthwith the three Receipts of the same
tenor & Date According to a form Sent for that
purpose to Complete a Settlement with the Com-
missary Genii to the 24th of May ; the troops
intended to Remain in Canada & Stationed in
the District of Montreal to Report [to| Brigr
Genl MacLean.'

' Colonel Allan MacLean, ot'Torloish,
and a warm friend of Sir John Johnson
and Colonel Daniel Claus, with Loth of
whom he frequently consulted, was, in
1747, lieutenant in the Scotch Brigade,
which also went by the name of the
" Dutch Brigade," from the circumstance
of its being at the time in the pay of the
States General. In cutting his way
through the French lines at the famous
seige of Bergen op Zoom, Lieutenant
MacLean was taken prisoner and imme-
diately admitted to parole by General
Lowendahl, with this complimentary
address : " had all conducted themselves
at you and your brave corps, have done,
I should not now be master of Bergen op
Zoom." Having left the Dutch service
he obtained a company in the 62d or
First Highland Battalion on its organiza-
tion in 1757. With this regiment whose
number was afterwards changed to the
77th, he came to America and served
under Forbes at the taking of Fort Du
{^uesne, in 1758, and, in the following
year, was with Amherst in the expedition
up the northern lakes. He raised the 1 14th
Highland regiment in 1759, of which he
was appointed major commanding ; but

it was reduced, in 1763, and Major Mac
Lean went on half pay. On 25 May,
I 77 1 , he became lieutenant colonel in the
army, but was not again called into active
service until 1775, when the scheme
was concocted to raise men in America
to support the royal cause. With that
warrant and some followers. Col. Mac-
Lean came to New York in the spring
of 1775; next visited Bostcm, where his
scheme got wind j then hastened back to
New York ; repaired to Col. Guy Johnson
on the Mohawk river, and thence pro-
ceeded to Oswego and so to Canada,
where he collected in the course of the
summer, a body of men, chiefly Scotch
refugees and disbanded soldiers, formerly
belonging to the 4zd, 77th and 78tb
Highlanders, under the title of the Royal
Highland Emigrants." On the approach
of the American army by Lake Cham-
plain. Colonel MacLean was ordered to
St. Johns with a par-y of militia but got
only as far as St. Denis when he was
deserted by his ir.en. Quebec being next
threatened by the American army under
Arnold, Col. MacLean made the best of
his way to that city, which he entered
on the I2th November, 1775, just in time

56 yohnsorCs Orderly Book.

— 1 8th June 1777. Promotions. His Excel-
ency the Commander in Chief has been pleased
to make the following Promotions in the Army
Under his Command :

Royal R. N. Y. Alex. McDonald' to be Capt
in the Room of Lieut. Brown who returned to
the 31st Regt — 6th June, 1777.

to prevent the citizens surrendering the
place to the Americans. His conduct
during the seige is mentioned in the hand-
somest terms. But after all his zeal, his
corps was not yet recognized, though he
had at the outset been promised estab-
lishment and rank for it. He therefore
returned to England, where he arrived on
the 1st September, 1776, to seek justice
for himself and men. Returning to
America, he did good service ; and dur-
ing the Burgoyne campaign he was often
trusted by Sir Guy Carleton. This is
evident from the fact that, after the fail-
ure of St. Leger's expedition, Carleton
(according to the Haldimand papers)
ordered McLean to take command of
Lt. Col. St. Leger's corps and the 31st
Regiment, together with a detachment
oi artillery under Lieut. Glenny to go
to Brig. Gen. Powel's relief, who at
last accounts, had been attacked and
besieged at Ticonderoga by the American
Col. Brown." The 31st and the artil-
lery detachment were to return to Canada
after the object of the errand was accomp-
lished, but Lt. Col. St. Leger, and the
rest of the troops sent, were to be
subject to Gen. Burgoyne's orders.
His regiment, however, were not re-
ceived until the close of 1778, when
the regiment, which consisted of two
battalions, one in Canada and one in
Nova Scotia, became the 8th Foot. In
January, 1780, he was appointed colonel
in the army. The Royal Highland Emi-
grants were disbanded in 1783 and Col.
MacLean died in 1784, Callahan Army

Lists ; Broiun''s Highland Clans, iv, 242,
307, 368; Smith's Canada, 11, 83; Gar-
neau's Canada, zd Ed., 11, 436; Amer-
ican Annals f I.

' Alexander McDonald and the John
McDonald, mentioned a line or two in
advance, were Tory roman catholic
Scotchmen, who, until the beginning of
hostilities, had resided in the vicinity of
Johnstown in the Mohawk Valley.
Having been permitted by Gen. Schuyler
to revisit their families, they, in the
month of March, 1777, again ran off to
Canada, taking with them the residue of
the roman catholic Scotch settlers,
together with some of the loyalist Ger-
mans, their former Neighbors. In 1778,
Alexander McDonald, who appears to
have been a man of considerable enter-
prise and activity, collected a force of
three hundred Tories and Indians, and
fell with great fury upon the frontiers, the
Dutch settlements of Schoharie, especially,
feeling " all his barbarity and exter-
minating rage." One example of his
cruelty and bloodthirstiness is given by
Sims, in his Trappers cf New York, as
follows :

" On the morning of October 25, 1 78 I,
a large body of the enemy under Maj.
Ross, entered Johnstown with several
prisoners, and not a little plunder ^ among
which was a number of human scalps
taken the afternoon and night previous, in
settlements in and adjoining the Mohawk
valley ; to which was added the scalp of
Hugh McMonts, a constable, who was

yohnsori's Orderly Book.

John McDonald' to be Capt Lieut, in the
Room of Capt Lieut Hewetson — 19th June,

Ens William Byrne to be Lieut in the Room
of Lieut Grant — 6th June, 1777. Volunteer
Lipscomp to be Ens vice Byrne, Do.

surprises and killed as they entered Johns-
town. In the course of the day the
troops from the garrisons near and the
militia from the surrounding country,
rallied under the active and daring Willett,
and gave the enemy battle on the Hall
farm, in which the latter were finally
defeated with loss, and made good their
retreat into Canada, Young Scarsborough
was then in the nine months' service,
and while the action was going on, him
self and one Crosset left the Johnstown
fort, where they were on garrison duty,
to join in the right, less than two miles
distant. Between the Hall and woods
they soon found themselves engaged.
Crosset after shooting down one or two,
received a bullet through one hand, but
winding a handkerchief around it he
continued the fight under cover of a
hemlock stump. He was shot down and
killed there, and his companion sur-
rounded and made prisoner by a p.irty
of Scotch troops commanded by Capt.
McDonald. When Scarsborough was
captured, Capt. McDonald was not present,
but the moment he saw him he ordered
his men to shoot him down. Several
refused ; but three, shall I call them men ?
obeyed the dastardly order, and yet he
possibly would have survived his wounds,
had not the miscreant in authority cut
him down with his own broadsword.
The sword was caught in its first descent,
and the valiant captain drew it out, cut-
ting the hand nearly in two." This
was the same McDonald who, in 1779,
figured in the battle of the Chemung,
together with Sir John and Guy John-
son and Walter N. Butler.

' Tills oHicer, of Sir John Johnson's
regiment, was killed in the battle of
Oriskany by Capt. Jacob Gardenier, an
officer, who during that memorable day,
performed prodigies of valor. The cir-
cumstances of his death were as follows :
At the beginning of the action, John-
son's " Royal Greens " (so called, un-
officially, on account of their green coats),
disguised themselves as American troops
and by this ruse approached very near to
Herkimer's command before the trick
was discovered. •' Johnson's men con-
tinued to advance until hailed by Gar-
denier, at which moment one of his own
soldiers, observing an acquaintance, and
supposing him a friend, ran to meet him,
and presented his hand. It was grasped,
but with no friendly gripe, as the credu-
lous fellow was dragged into the opposing
line and informed that he was a prisoner.
He did not yield without a struggle ;
during which Gardenier, watching the
action and the result sprung forward, and
with a blow from his spear levelled the
captor to the dust and liberated his
man. Others of the foe instantly set
upor. him, of whom he slew the second
and wounded a third. Three of the dis-
guised Greens now sprang upon him, and
one of his spurs becoming entangled in
their clothing, he was thrown to the
ground. Still contending, however, with
almost superhuman strength, both of
his thighs were transfixed to the earth by
the bayonets of two of his assailants,
while the third presented a bayonet to his
breast, as if to thrust him through.
Seizing this bayonet with his left hand,
by a sudden wrench he brought its owner

58 Johnson's Orderly Book,

f '

To Sir John Johnson or officer commdng
the Royal Regt of New York.

Wm Dunbar, Majr of Brigade.'

Lachine
1777, June 14th. P. Connecticut. C. Phila-
delphia.

G. O. The party of Artillery Under Lieut
Glennie^ to be Reinforced Immediately by a
Corpl & 20 Men from the 8th, 34th, & Kings
Royal Regt of New York — 8th & 34th Regt
will give 5 each & the New York Regt 10 — the
8th Regt will give the Corpl.

Detail of the Guard for to Morrow 34 Regt

I S. 6 P.; K. R. R. N. Y. i S. 2 S. 1 D. 9 P. ;

Jessup's Corps i C. 3 P. Ensn Crothers for
guard to morrow.

— 15th. P: Trenton. C. Burlington. Details
of the Guard for to Morrow. 34th Regt 1 S. i C.
I D. 9 Privates ; K. R. R. N. Y. i L. 2 S. i C. i
D. 14 Privates; Jessup's Corps, 5 Privates.

G. O. A Corpl and 10 private Men with

down upon himself", where he held him
as a shield against the arms of the others,
until one of his own men, Adam Miller,
observing the struggle, flew to his rescue;
as the assailants turned upon their riev
adversary, Gardenier rose upon his seat,
and although liis hand was severely
lacerated by grasping the bayonet which
had been drawn through it, he seized his
spear ly>ng by his side, and quick as
lightning planted it to the barb in the
side of the assailant with whom he had

clinched. The man fell and expired,
proving to be Lieutenant McDonald, one
of the loyalist officers, from. Tryon
country." — Stone's St. Leger's Expedition.

' This officer was captured with Gen.
Prescott on the fleet while attempting to
escape from Montreal to Quebec, in
November, 1775.

= See note in advance, under Captain
Rouville.

yohn son's Orderly Book,

hand hatchets to go to Morrow to lower La-
chine at 5 o'clock to cut boughs to Cover the
Batteaux. As Coll. St. Leger wishes not to take
the K. Regt of New York from their Exercise
the Above Party is to be given by the Detach-
ment of the 34th Regt. Officer of the Guard
to Morrow Ens McDonell. Compy Duty Gd S.
I C. D. 4 P.

After orders. Its Lieut. Colonel Sir John
Johnson's orders that Capt. Lt. McDonell, Wm
Byrnes & Ens Richard Lipscom do Duty in this
Compy.

Lieut. Morrison. Lieut. Anderson & Ens Phil-
lips in Major Gray's Company. L^eut. James Mc
Donell and Ens Allan McDonell in Capt Angus
McDonell's' Compy, Lt. Kenneth McKenzie,
Lt George Singleton and Ens John McKenzie in
Capt. Watt's Compy, Lt. Richard Walker and
Ens. Crothers in Capt. Daily's Company. Lt.

' Angus McDonell was taken prisoner
at the battle of Oriskany, and afterwards
transferred, for greater safety, to the
southern portion of the state, The fol-
lowing is the parole which he gave to the
authorities :

"I, Angus McDonell, lieutenant in
the 60th or Royal American regiment,
now a prisoner to the United States of
America and enlarged on my parole, do
promise upon my word of honor that I will
continue within one mile of the house of
Jacobus Hjrdenburgh, and in the town
of Hurley, in the county of Ulster ; and
that I will not do any act, matter or
thing whatsoever against the interests of
America ; and further, th.U I will rem jve
hereafter to such place as the govern ir of

the state of New York or the president
of the Council of Safety of the said state
shall direct, and that I will observe this
my parole until released, exchanged or
otherwise ordered.

Angus McDonell.

Kingston, izth Oct., 1 777."

Whether Angus McDonell violated his
parole, if indeed, he was released, we are
not informed. It is, however, certain
that he, as well as Allen McDonell men-
tioned in the text as ensign in his company,
was the following year, transferred to
Reading, Pa., where both were kept as
hostages o( Sir John Johnson. See
yournals of Cmrresi for the year 1 778,
p. 1 19. 368.

■'1

i>>

60 JohnsorCs Orderly Book,

Grummerfolk and Ens Crafbrd in Capt Alexr
McDonells, Lt. Moure [Moore ?J, Lt Wilkeson
& Ens Walle in Capt Duncan's compy, till fur-
ther orders.

— 1 6th. P. Newark. C. Boston. Capt An-
crum' is appointed to Do the Duty of Adjt Genl
assisted by Lieut. Crofts, Lt. Lundy% Deputy
Qr. Mr Genl, Mr Piety conductor of aitillery,

' Major Ancrum was the utticer sent
by Brigadier St. Leger to Col. Willett
to summon the garrison to surrender.
Speaking ottiiis Col. Willett says: "Tlie
success with which the sortie from the
fort was attended, added to the loss the
enemy and especially the Indians had
sustained in the action with General
Herkimer, created consider.tble uneasiness
in the enemy's camp. The afternoon of
the next day the beating of the chamade
and the appearance of a white Hag was
followed by a request that Col. Butler
wlio commanded the Indians, with two
Other orticer-=, might enter the fort with a
message to the commanding orficer.
Permission having been granted, they
were conducted blindfolded into the fort
and received by Colonel Gansevoort in
his dining-room. The windows of the
room were shut and the candles lighted,
a table also was spread covered with
crackers, cheese and wine. Three chairs
placed at one end of the table were occu-
pied by Col. Butler and two other officers
who had come with Urn. At the other
end Colonel Gansevoort, Colon ' Mullen
and Colonel Willett were seated. Chairs
were also placed around the table for as
many officers as could be accommodated,
while the rest of the room was nearly
filled by the other officers of the garrison
indiscriminately, it being desirable that
the officers in general should be witnesses
to all that might take place. After
passing around the wine w th a few com-
monplace compliments, Major Ancrum,

one of the messengers, with a very grave
stiff air and a countenance full of import-
ance spoke in nearly the following words :
'I am directed by Colonel St. Leger, the
officer who commands the army now in-
vesting the garrison, to inform the com-
mandant, tliat the colonel has with much
difficulty prevailed on the Indians to agree
that if the garrison withoui further resist-
ance shall be delivered up with the public
stores belonging to it, to the investing
army, the officers and soldiersshall have all
their baggage and private property secured
to them. And in order that the garrison
may have a sufficient pledge to this effect,
Colonel Butler accompanies me to assure
them that not a hair of the head of any
one of them shall be hurt.' * * "■* Col.
St. Leger's deputation seeing no likelihood
of their terms being acceded to, asked per-
mission for the surgeon who accompanied
their flag to visit such of their wounded
prisoners as had oeen taken in the sortie.
This was granted ; and while the British
surgeon in company with Mr. Woodruff,
the surgeon of the garrison was visiting
the wounded. Major Ancrum proposed
a cessation of arms for three days. As
the garrison had more reason to fear the
want of ammunition than provisions this
proposition was agreed to ; soon after
which the flag returned to their camp and
the troops of the garrison enjoyed a brief
interval of tranquility and ease."

' See note in advance on Capt Rou-
ville.

yohnsons Orderly Book, 6i

vvho are to be obeyed, as such ; orders coming
thro Lt. Hamelton' and Ens Clergis* are to|beJ
Looked Upon as from the commanding officer
of the Expedition — the corps of the Batteau
Guard is to send a written Report Every morn-
ing to the officer of the Main Guard which will
Report it to the commanding officer.

Detail of the Guard. 34th Regt., L. i S. C.
D. 5 P. ; Kings R. R. N. Y. i L. i S. i C. i D. 9
P. ; Jessup's Corps, L. S. C. D. 4 P. Total 1 L.
2 S. I C. I D. 18 P.

— 17th. P. Fairfield. C. Newhaven.
G. O. The corps under the command of Col St..
Leger to hold themselves in Readiness to march
on the Shortest Notice.

Detail of the Guard. 34th Regt., 1 L. i S.

C. I D. 13 P.; Ks. R. R. N. Y., L. 2 S. 2 C.

D. 15 P. Total I L. 3 S. 2 C. I D. 28 P.

Regtl orders. The Commission'd NonCom-
mission'd Officers Drums & private men of the
Kings Royal Regt of New York to be under
Arms to Morrow Morning at 5 O'clock — the
officers will be very particular that their mens
Arms are in Good Order & their Regtls Clean
so as to appear Decent at the Genl. Review.
Company Duty 4 P.

'William Osborn Hamilton, St. Leger's as ensign in the 53d, July 10, 1776J
private and military secretary. exchanged into 34th, January i, 1777 j

became a lieutenant therein November

"Lieutenant George Clerges of the 34th 5th, 1782, and appears last in army lists
regiment. He entered the British army in 1783.

62 ^Johnson's Orderly Book,

— 1 8th. P. Edinburgh. C. Inverness.

G. O. 34th Regt takes the Guard to Morrow.
For Guard to morrow Ens Clergis.

Regtl orders — the Commiss'd Non Com-
miss'd Officers, Drums & Private men of 'the
Kiiigs Royal Regt of N. York; to be Under
arms this Evening at 5 o'clock.

— 19th. P. Swansey. C. Monmouth. Forty
eight Batteaux to be Delivered to the Royal
Regt of New York ; Forty Five Felling axes &
3 broad axes to be Delivered to that Regt. Sev-
enty Five Felling axes a:nd two broad axes [for]
the use of the 34th regt which are to be distrib-
uted amongst the boats at the discretion of the
respective commanding Officers. A number of
thole pins to be provided for each boat according
to the patterns given to the carpenter, "wooden
Punches to be made by the: boats crews — two
fishing lines 6r. hooks in proportion to be deliv-
ered to each boat. The K. R. R. N. Y. are to
take 440 barrels of provision allowing 10 barrels
each for 44 Batteaus — the rum or brandy deliv-
ered out is to be put into the officer's boats for
security — his excellency the commander in chief
■has pleased to appoint Roville [Rouville'] esqr to
be captain in a Comp. of Canadians in the room
of Capt McKay Resigned — he is to be obeyed as
sucii- — the royal Regt of New York to give the

' Lieutenant de Rouville, at one time, " a good officer, very vigilant and active,
in command of Chambly. Described as ever leady to do his duty exactly." _

Johnson s Orderly Book, 63

guards to morrow. Lieutenant Gummerfolk.
For guard to morrow, i L. 2 S. 2 C. i D. 28 P.

After orders. The K. R. R. V. York to be
compleated with 14 days provision commencing
Saturday the 21 June — their boats to be loaded
at the Kings stores on Friday, and from thence
brought up to their quarters the same day to be
ready to push off at point of day on Saturday —
their Division is to be supplied with three pilots,
LeCatargne the quarter master is to give a re-
ceipt for the number of barrels and the specie
the division carries to the commissary at Lachine
and is to be accountable for them. It is expected
that the several captains have laid in necessaries
for their men for the campaign.

— 20th. P. Hartford. C. Milford. The 34th
Regt to take the Guards to morrow. Ens Phillips
I Sergt. I Corl & 32 Privates to Be left at La-
chine in order to go with the baggage of the K.
R. R. N. Y. over Lake Champlain to Crown
Point & then proceed after the army under the
command of General Burgoyne with the bag-
gage as far as Albany if he should proceed to
that place — ten old men to Be left at Point
Clair,

— 2 1 St. Forty boats to contain 400 barrels of
provisions & 7 of rum — the remainder to be left
at Colonel St. Leger's Quarters — the barrels to
be distributed in such proportion as to make
room for the Officers 6c their baggage. Major

Johnson's Orderly Bool,

\ r ■

Gray must see that the companys provided accord-
ing to seniority. The Capt. or Officers com-
manding compys to be in the front — the oldest
Subhs in the rear and the youngest in the cen-
ter — 34 precedes; squads of boats abreast when
practicable. As Sir John has reason to appre-
hend from the many Companys that have been
made that there may be many [ir|regularities
committed by the men [he] recommends it in a
particular manner to all the officers.

Buck island'.
1777, July 8th. P. Burgoyne. C Phillips.

' Buck's or Carleton Island, called by
the French hlc aux Chei'ifuils^ from the
fac^t that tiie deer frequented it, as it had
good pasturage. In passing on the steam-
boat down the St. Lawrence river from
Cape Vincent, the tourist wi.l observe a
number of stacks of old brick chimneys
standing near the shore 011 the left side,
which are upon " Buck's Island." The
inhabitants near it have always atll.;ted
a great mystery in regard to the origin of
these fortifications, but, in truth, there
is no mystery abt)Ut them. Bouchette, in
his History cf Canaiia, published in 1815,
States, that Carleton Island was converted
into a large magazine or depot for military
supplies and general rendezvous in 1774 75
by the British government in anticipation
of trouble with her American colonies.
"We should infer, even if Rochefoucault
<le Liancourt, in his travels, did not say
so expressly, that the name of the island
was changed to Carleton in honor of that
general who was then in command of
Canada. The stac!:s of chimneys still to
be seen are probably the remains of these
"ovens" to which the Orderly Book
refers, in which the bread for the troops

was baked. The English government
reserved this island in its sale to Macomb;
and, in 1796, a corporal and three men
were in charge. The island, however,
had evidently been fortified by the French
many years before 1774, the time spoken of
by Bouchette; for Count Frontenac men-
tioi.j it as one ot his stopping places, in
I 696, in his expedition against the Onon-
dagas, at which time, Captain du Luth
was left on the island with a garrison of
forty men, masons, etc., with orders to
"complete the fort." Dr. Hough, in his
History oj jfejferson County , gives the
following interesting account of the present
appearance of the ruins. *' The ruins of
Fort Carleton, on ' Carleton ' or * Buck
Island,' are the most interesting relics of
tht; olden time within the county of
Jerterson. The island, when fi, . bserved
by our settlers, was partly cleared. It has
an undulating surface, is composed of
Trenton linie-stone, and is very fertile.
The surface near its head, where the fort
is located, rises by an easy grade to a
spacious plane fifty feet above the river
(St. Lawrence) which is precipitous in
front and overlooks a small palisade but

'Johnson'' s Orderly Book, 65

For Guard Ens Crawford, i S. i C. i D. & 16
P. the Batteaux to be taken up to the store to
morrow morning at 4 o'clock and Unloaded, 6c
such as wants repairing to be drawn up ; the
Taylors of the Regt begin to work to morrow
morning to compleat the mens cloathing.

— 9th. P. Frazer. C Powel. Lieut Burnet

of the Kings Regt to act as Adgt to the Division

till further orders. A return of the strength of

"ich corps to be given in at twelve o'clock. Capt

Potts will direct liquor to be given to the troops

Tittle elevated above the water, and utFords
on each side of the island, a safe and
ample cove for the ani borage of boats.
The area under the hill was completely
protected by the works on the heights
above ; and from its great fertility afforded
an abundance of culinary vegetables for
the garrison. Traces occur, showing that
cannon were planted on conspicuous
points ; and the trace of a submerged
wharf is still seen, as are also wrecks of
vessels in the bottom of the river adjacent.
In the rear of the works may be seen the
cemeteiy, but time has defaced the in-
scriptions upon the headstones except on
one grave, which has the following :
*' I. Farrar,
D. 23 Fy., 1792."
Forty years ago carved oaken planks
were standing at many of the graves.
Several chimneys are seen outside of the
entrenchments, and on the plain in front
of the fort, about a dozen still stand
within the works which are built of stone
in a permanent and massive manner, the
flags beiiig very small and the bases en-
larged and well founded. Near the brow
of the hill is a circular well about ten
feet in diameter, and supposed to be as
deep, at least, as the level of the river ;
but being partly filled with rubbish, this

cannot be determined. Here are also
excavations supposed to be for magazines.
The plan of the fort shows it to have
been after Vaub.in, and forms three-
eighths of a circle of about 800 feet
diameter, the abrupt face of the hill,
which was doubtless protected by a
stockade, not requiring these defences
which were furnished to the rear. The
ditch is excavated in rock, four feet deep
and twenty-two feet wide. The covert
way is twenty-four feet wide ; the counter-
scarp vertical ; the outer parapet four feet
high, and the glacis formed of materia!
taken from the ditch. The rampart
within the ditch was of earth, and is very
much dilapidated; ravelins were made
before each reentered angle; and at the
alternate salient angles, bastions were so
placed a= to commjtid the fort at its
various approaches very effectually. No
knowledge is derived from settlers 'jf the
character or the number of ihe enclosed
buildings, except that a range of wooden
block-houses, within the entrenchment,
was occupied by i corporal's guard and a
few invalids. The premises had fallen
into decay, and were entirely without
defen,?ive works. A few iron cannon
were lying on the beach, or under the
water near the shore ; and the gates had

yohnsori's Orderly Book.

when at work as he shall think proper according
to the service they perform.

Regl. Orders. Lt. McDonell, i S. i C. i D.
& i6 P.

— loth. Genl Orders, by Brigadier Genl
St. Leger. Lt. Colonel St. Leger is appointed to
act as Brigadier Genl ; Chevelier St. Oaris ap-
pointed Lt. in Capt. Buvilie's [Rouville's] Compy
of Canadians. Two Subakerns and 50 men to
attend the Deputy Qr Master General to Clear
Ground sufficient to exercise the army ; the party

been robbed of their hinges for the iron
which had been pawned by the soldiers.
The premises have at all times furnished
a great abundance of relics, among wiiich
were coins, buttons, etc., whose inscrip-
tions and devices, without exception in-
dicate an English origin, and a period not
earlier than the french war. The figures
' 34,' ' i2,' ' 29.' ' 84,' ' 21,' « 31,' etc.,
whicli occur on th'j buttons found, often
accompanied by the device of the thistle,
anchor, crown, etc., doubtless designate
the regiments to which their wearers
belonged. This station was used by tiie
iingli.,h during and after the Revolution
and garrisoned by invalid troops. Having
carefully examined every author we have
been unable to ascertain the precise time
of the erection of this fort. It certainly
did not exist before 1758 [Dr. Hough is
not speaking of the fort built by Frontenac
but of the more modern one j as it does :iot
occur in any of the list of stations previous
to that period ; but a MS. is preserved
among the Paris documents in the
archives of the State at Albany, that
throvs some light upon the subject.
From this it appears that, in November,
1758, the Marquis d^. Vaudreuil, at that
time, governor of Canada, had dr;\wn up

a paper on the defences of that country,
which was submitted to the Ma.quis de
Montcalm for his revision, and met with
jiis entire approval. He proposed to send
1,500 men to defend the approaches of
Canada, on the side of Lake Ontario, by
tlie erection of a post at the head of the
St. Lawrence and laid out after the plans
if M. de Fonteloy, who was to be sent
for that purpose. The station, thus
chosen and fortified, would, at, the same
time, become the head of the fiontier and
an entrepot for every military operation
in that quarter, instead of Frontenac,
' which can never be regarded as such, as
the English might enter the St. Lawrence
without exposing themselves, or giving
any knowledge of their passage.' The
place was to be made susceptible of defence
by an army and have magazines for stores
and barracks for the lodgment of troops
in tiie winter. It was intended that the
proposed work should be adequate with
those lower down for the defence of the
latter; and it was designed to put in
command an active, disinterested and
capable man to accelerate the work and
render the operation complete. Such a*
man the chevalier was considered to be,
and he was accordingly named as the per-

yohnsorCs Orderly Book,

to be furnished with proper Utensils for that
purpose. The Kings Regt. and the 34th form
one Corps [and] will encamp on the right. The
Hessian Chasseurs on the Left, and the R. R. of
New York in the center, Lt. Collerten will
choose out the proposed ground on the Right of
the Army for his party of Artillery and will be-
gin Immediately to prepare Bark Huts for His
Ammunition. The Irregulars will be arranged
by the Deputy Qr Master Genl. Colonel Close
[Col. Daniel Claus] will take ground for the In-
dian Allies.

Signed Wm Crofts, Lt 34th Regt.

son to have the chief direction and com-
mand of the work. Such are the outlines
of the plan ; and the means within our
reach liave not enabled us to learn whether
or not they were carried out to the extent
contemplated at that time. No one can
stai'd upon the spot occupied by this ruin
and survey its natural advantages for de-
fence, the ample bay for shipping which
it overlooks, and the complete command
of the channel which it affords without
being convinced that its site was admirably
chosen, and that, in its selection, the pro-
jectors were guided by much discretion.'"
Mr. L. B. Pike, of Saratoga Springs,
who takes great interest in such matters,
and who, having spent many summers on
the St. Lawrence, has made a study of this
island, writes to me as follows, under date
of Aug 9th, 1881 : "Carleton,or Buck's
Island is situated about five miles down
the St. Lawrence from Light House Point
and east of Cape Vincent, and is probably
three miles long by half a mile broad.
Fort Carleton ioa% at the extreme west
end of the island ; for, at the present time,
there is nothing left of the fort save
a few chimneys with their lire-places.

both of which are in a perfect state of
preservation, the latter being thirty feet
high. The well, which was dug for the
use of the garrison inside of the walls
through a sandstone rock and which is
one hundred and fifty feet deep, is 'till
.intact. The fortifications -ytended from
one side of the island to the other, making
access to the water easy on either side.
The island, which is quite precipitous, is
one solid piece of rock having a layer of
earth on the top two feet and one-half in
depth. This soil is quite fertile and sus-
tains several beautiful farms and orchards.
For three-quarters of a mile west of Carleton
Island the water is so shoal that, at times,
a row-boat can scarcely be taken over it.
Very deep water is then met with, and
finally another shoal which runs out from
the eastwardof Wolf Island. The distance
between these shoals is about forty rods.
The fishing along the shoals for bass ^nd
muscalonge [Mr. Pike is the champion
fisherman of that region] is the best in
this part of the river. • Wolf Island '
[originally called Wolf Island, then
Long Island and now again Wolf Island,
see B9ucheHe\ lies some two miles west

68 Johnson'' s Orderly Book.

For this Duty Ks Regt i L. i6 P. ; R. R. N.
Y. I L. I S. I C. 34 P. For Guard Ens Mc-
Kenzie.

It is the Commanding officer's Orders that Jos.
Locks & John Laurance be appointed Sergts in
Capt Duvan's Compy ; Jacob Shall, Wm. Taylor,
Phillip Coach, Corpls in said Compy and be
obeyed as such.

and up the river tVoni Carleton Island.
Button Bay on its east end, was un-
doubtedly the regular camp of' the Indians
employed in either the French or English
service, perhaps both, for, at the present
time, yuu may pick up stone arrow-heads
in the water. Three years ago, several
feet of the shore of Button Bay was
washed away by a strong east wind,
disclosing a large Indian burial ground.
Here my daughter and Mr. H. M,
Livingston of Saratoga Springs found
some large Indian spears and innumerable
arrow-heads, and also some skulls. These
skulls, which were incased in mica (the
work of the Indians before burial) were
even to the teeth as well preserved as if
they had been found in a peat bed. At
this point a mound was discovered. The
skeletons found in it showed that the
burials had taken place in a time of peace,
as the bodies had been laid in perfect
order instead of having been hurriedly
piled promiscuously on top of each other.
Another circumstance which leads me to
suppose this to have been an Indian camp
during our early colonial history, is that
people have often found here musket
barrels, very long, like the old fashioned
French fowling-pieces. I send you with
this Jetter a remarkably perfect arrow-
head, I found at this place a week since."
Carleton Island was also, during the
Revolution used as a rendezvous whence
General Haldimand was in the habit of
sending out scalping- parties to annoy our

frontiers. Thus, Col. Daniel Glaus in
writing from Montreal to Thayendanegea
(Brant) under date of March 3d, 1781,
says :

"The General [Haldimand] has for
some time intended sending a party of
about sixty chosen loyalists, under the
command of Major Jessup, toward Fort
Edward ; this party might join you against
Falmerstown [near the present village of
Saratoga Springs, N. Y.,] could you ascer-
tain the time and place, which might be
nearly done by calculating the time your
express would take to come from Carleton
Island, your march from thence, and
Major Jessup's from Point au Fez, alias
Nikadiyooni. * * ''' Should you upon
this adopt the general's otier and opinion,
and proceed from Carleton Island to Fal-
merstown, which place I am sure several
of Major Ross's men r.nd others at the
island are well acquainted with, I wish
you the aid of Providence with all the
success imaginable; in which case it will
be one of the most essential services you
have rendered your king this war, and
cannot but by him be noticed and re-
warded; your return by Canada will be
the shortest and most eligible, and we
sliall be very happy to see you Iiere."
And, again, as a postscript to the same
letter, he writes : " P. S. The great
advantage of setting out from Carleton
Island, is the route, which is so unexpected
a one, that there is hardly any doubt but
you will surprise them, which is a great

yohnsons Orderly Book,

— nth. P. Fort St. Ann.' C. Noadwilley.

G. O. Lt. Crofts of the 34th Regt is ap-
pointed Major of Brigade for this expedition.
Guards to Mount every morning at 8 o'clock, the
Retreat to be at 7 o'clock in the evening and
tattoo at 9 o'clock. An officer of each Corps to
attend for Genl Orders at the Major of Brigades's
tent every Day at 12 o'clock. One Sergt and 8
private men of Captain Buvelles Company of
Canadians to parade to Morrow morning to go
to Oswegatchie for Provisions and 4 privates will
parade at the same hour, who will receive further
orders from Lt. Rudyard Engineer.

Regtl O. For Guard to morrow, i S. i C.
D. 8 P. men. Ens McKenzie is to do [duty] in
Capt McDonell's Compy, Ens Crothers in Major
Grays, & Ens Crawford in Capt Daly's till fur-
ther orders.

The officers commanding compys to give in
their Monthly Return to morrow morning at 6
o'clock and be very carefull that they are not
false. Compy Duty Gd i D. 3 P.

— 1 2th. P. Gray. C. Mohock River. His
Majesty has been Pleased '.o appoint Coll. Claus*

point gained. Whereas, were you to set
out from Canada, there are so many
tViends, both whites and Indians, to the
rebel cause, that you could noi well get
to the place undiscovered, which would
not do so well. D. C."

I am also indebted to Mr. B. B. Burtj
uf Oswego, N. y., for valuable informa-
tion about this island.

' Not to be confounded with Fort
Anne in Washington Co., N. Y. The
Fort St. Anne here mentioned was situated
on the u|)per portion of the island of
Montreal, and was often the object of
Iroquois attacks. One of the wards of
the city of Montreal still retains the name.

■' Colonel Daniel Glaus or Clause, as

yo Johnson's Orderly Book.

to be superintendent of the Indian Department
on this expedition ; A Sub. of the Day is con-
stantly to remain in Camp who will see all pub-
lick orders executed and to whom all reports of
any thing extraordinary will be made for the in-
formation of the Brigadier. All orders relative
to the Soldiers shall be read to them at the Eve-
ning Parade by an officer of the Company. For
fatigue to morrow — K's Regt 22 P. ; K's R. N.
y., I S. 36 P.; Canadians, i S. 12 P. The Kings
Regt to Give the Sub. of the Day to morrcw.

the name is sometimes written, was ['loba
bly a native of the Mohawk valley,
where he acquired in early life a knowl-
edge of the Iroquois language, and was in
consequence attached as interpreter to the
department of General Sir William John-
son, whom he accompanied as lieutenant of
rangers in the expedition against Dieskau.
In 1756, he was appointed lieutenant in
the 60th or Royal -American regiment,
and continued at Johnstown, or there-
abouts, until 1759, when he accompanied
the expedition to Niagara, whence he
went with the army *.o Montreal, where
he was stationed as superintendent of the
Canadian Indians. On the 6th of July,
1 761, he was promoted to a captaincy in
the 60th but went on half pay in 1763,
on the reduction of his regiment. Having
returned to Fort Johnson, he continued
to act as one of Sir William's deputies,
and in 1766, assisted at the treaty con-
cluded with Pontiac at Lake Ontario.
In 1767, he went back to Canada, but
did not remain there, for having married
one of the daughters of Sir William John-
son, by whom he was greatly beloved, he
resided near Johnstown until the breaking
out of the Revolution, when he retired to
Canada. He visited England with Grant
in 1776, and arrived in Quebec, ist June,
1777, with a commission as deputy super-

intendent of, and with instructions to
bring the Indians to cooperate with the
British army in the campaign of that
year. He accordingly accompanied those
tribes in the expedition against Fort
Stanwix under Brigadier General St.
Leger, who commendej his exertions on
that occasion. Col. Claus, however, did
not, by any means reciprocate these sen-
timents of St Leger. In a letter, dated
at Montreal, Oct. i6th, 1777, he com-
plains bitterly of the obstacles which had
been thrown in his way in assembling and
equipping with arms and vermillion the
Indians under his command, and plainly
hints that the failure of the expedition
against Fort Stanwix w.'s due to the lack
of judgment on the part of its commanding
general. " The Missisagues and Six
Nations," he writes, " St. Leger intended
should accompany him in an alert [i. e.,
a scouting party] to Fort Stanwix by a
short cut through the woods, from a place
called Salmon creek on Lake Ontario,
about twenty miles from Oswego, in order
to surprise the garrison and take it with
small arms. Between sixty and seventy
leagues from Montreal my reconnoitering
party returned and met me with five
prisoners. I immediately forwarded the
prisoners to the Brigadier [St. Leger] who
was about fifteen leagues in our rear. * *

yohnsorCs Orderly Book,

— 13th. P. Carleton. C. McClain [McLean].
The state of provisions at this post to be given by
the D. Commissary general as soon as possible
this day [toj the Brigadier — no bisquet to be de-
livered but by his particular orders, or small bar-
rels of pork, to be broke open ; no arrears of
provisions to be reed at this post ; such persons
as may have any rations due to them to this day
and properly certified to the D. C. General may
receive the value of them in cash, the usual draw-
back being made at 6i pds. ration, or a certificate
from him that such Rations are due, which will

"','

■ -i' '

% '■

:.■>':

«'" ''

1 '

On St. Leger's arrival within a few
leagues of Buck Island, he sent for me,
and talking over the intelligence the rebel
prisoners gave, he owned that if they in-
tended to defend themselves in that fort,
our artillery w.is not rutHcient to take
it, * * * I told him that having exam-
ined them separately tliey agreed in their
story. And here the Brigadier [St. Leger]
had still an opportunity and time of send-
ing for a better train of artillery and waiting
for the junction of the Chasseurs, wliich
must have secured us success, as every one
will allow. However, he was still full
oi his alert [the scout] making but little
of the prisoners' intelligence. On his
arrival at Buck Island the 8th July, he
put me in orders as superintendent oi the
expedition and empowered me to act to
the best of my judgment for liis Majesty's
service in the management of the Indians
on the expediti(>n as well as what regarded
their equipments, presents, etc., he being
an entire stranger thereto. There was
then a vessel at the island which had
some Indian goods on board, which Col.
Butler had procured for the expedition
but upon examination I found that almost
every one of the above articles I demanded
at Montreal were deficient and a mere im-

possibility to procure them at Buck Island
had I not luckily provided some of those
articles ov.'"- e I left Montreal, at my own
risque, and with difficulty. Brigndicr
St. Leger found out thirty stands of arms
in the artillery store at Swegachy and I
added all my eloquence to satisfy the
Indians about the rest." Col. Claus
consequently found himself finally greatly
out of pocket for sums advanced by him-
self for the Indian expenses of the expe-
dition ; and Carleton putting otf payment
on various pretexts, he was obliged to go
to Montreal to arrange matters with the
people from whom he had obtained the
Indian goods. " Such like freques and
jealousies," he says, '' I am afraid have
been ratiier hurtful to our northern ope-
rations last campaign." After peace was
declared, he went to England to obtain
some remuneration for his losses, as his
name had been included in the outlawry
act, and his property confiscated. He
died at Cardiff, Wales, in the latter part
of 1787. His wife survived him thirteen
years and died in Canada in i8oi. His
son succeeded him as deputy superintend-
ent of Indian affairs in Canada. Col.
Claus's early and long connection with
the Indian departments as interpreter ren>

iii m-

J 2 Johnson's Orderly Book,

be delivered from the Kings Stores at a more
convenient time; no person to draw more than
one ration pr day viz : li lb of Hour, li of Beef
or 'o oz. of pork, & such troops as choose to
draw one pound of flour pr. day shall receive
from the D. Q. master General the value weekly
of the remainder at li lbs.; all public store[sJ
not immediately pertaining to any particular corps
to be put in charge of the Detachments under
the orders of Capt Potts of the King's Regt. at
this post ; the Detachment of the King under
the Command of Capt Ls.notts's will furnish a re-
lief of 1 Sergt I Corpral and 12 privates every
day to the above Detachment. The D. Quarter-
master General will direct a hut to be built im-
ediately within the lines of the incampment of
Capt Potts's Detachment to receive all publick
stores and is to be sufficent to protect them from
the weather ; each Corps shall receive under their

dered him thoroughly conversant with
the Iroquois tongue. His services were
therefore highly useful in superintending
the publication of a correct translation
into the Mohawk language of the Book of
Common Prayer, one thousand copies of
which were ordered by Gov. Haldiniand,
at the request of the Mohawk Indians to
be printed under the supervision of Col.
Claub, " who," the preface states, " read
and understood the Mohawk language so
as to undertake the correction of the book
for the press." This edition soon became
exhausted ; thereupon the Society for the
Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts
resolved to have a new edition printed,
especially as Col Glaus, who was in
England at the time, consented to super-

intend the impression, critically revise the
whole, and correct the sheets as they
came from the press. " His accurate
knowledge of the Mohawk language,"
continues ihe preface, " qualified him for
the undertaking ; and it is no more
than justice to say, that this is only one
out of many instances of this gentleman's
unremitting attention to the welfare of
the Indians." Col. Glaus lived for a
number of years in a large stone house
which stood a short distance west of
" Guy Park " the residence of Sir Guy
Johnson. (See preceding note under
Castle Johnson.) It was burned down
many years since. N. T. Col. Doc. ;
A'^. Y. Doc. Hist. ; Gentleman s Maga-
zine { Stances Li/e of Brant, Ed,

_<«f

'Johnson's Orderly Book.

charge a certain number of Boats; all the over-
plus boats for publick stores will come under the
charge of C. Potts's Detachment and Each Corps
will be answerable for the particular attention
for the safety of the boats given unto their charge,
and to re'^ort to the Superintendent any repairs
they may want. Each corps after Expending
what provisions they have reed, to draw weekly
their rations, and they will sign an order for all
provisions drawn for such persons on this Expe-
dition in his majestys service who do not belong
to any particular Corps. Colonel Claus will as-
certain the number of Indians absolutely neces-
sary to be fed at this post of which he will give
directions to the Brigades who will give direc-
tions that the S. rations be issued dayly to the
Indians, and Colonel Claus will appoint a person
from the Indian Department who speaks the
Missaga [Misissagua] language to attend the de-
livery of said provisions which by him is to be
Reed in bulk delivered in Camp to Indian De-
partment, and the D. Commissary General will
deliver no provisions to any person but under the
assignment of Commanding officers of Corps
and detachments and the Deputy Quartermaster
General. Lieut. Burnet of the King's Regt is
appointed Superintendent of the King's Batteaux.
For Fatigue to morrow. King's Regt, i6 P. ;
34th Regt, I S. 17 P.; R. Y., 2 L. I S. 27 P.;
K. R. R. N. Y. gives the Subaltern for the day

to morrow.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

(fi

# . ^?

1.0

■-II

Br-

M IIIII2.5

iM IIIII2.2

I.I

12.0

1.8

1.25

1.4 1.6

•• 6"

►

Photographic

Sdences
Corporation

-^\.%

^\^

l^^"^

^"^^x <^>

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14380

(716) 872-4503

r^^ ^^

74 "Johnson's Orderly Book.

Regtl Orders. For guard to morrow Ens
Lipscomb, i S. i C. and lo privates. S. Craw-
ford of M. Gray's Comp*y to do duty, [illegible]
McDonell's Compy.

C. Campbell is appointed Sergt in Major Gray's
Company in the Room of S. Crawford. John
Raley is appointed Corpl, in M. Gray's Company
in the Room of Corporal Campbell. The
officers commanding companys to be very partic-
ular that the mens arms and accutrements be in
good order as they are to be reviewed to morrow
at Guard mounting; all the Boats that want re-
pairing in the different compys their numbers to
be given in immediately to the Quartermaster.
Lieut Anderson officer for the day to morrow.

— 14th. Morning Orders. All leaky and
damaged batteaux' belonging to the different

• The batteaux of' the army (afterwards
known as " Duihani boats," or barges)
and the canoes of the Indians, formed so
important a part of the lixpedition, that
a description of them, gathered from
Bouchette and fVeld, will be ol interest.
Batteaux were flat-bottomed boats, having

a plank around them to walk on or to
pole, from thirty-five to forty feet long,
each extremity terminating in a point:
six feet of beam in the centre ; usual
weight, four and one-half tons ; worked
by oars ; a mast sail ; capable of carrying
1,500 lbs. of cargo ; drag ropes for turning,
and long poles for " setting " them through

the currents and rapids. The sides were
about four feet high, and for the conveni-
ence of the rowers, four or five benches were
laid across, sometimes more, according
to the length of the batteau. Four men
managed them in summer, but, in the fall,
another rower was always) added. " It is,"
says Weld, " a very
awkward sort of ves-
sel, either for lowing
or sailing, but it is
preferred to a boat
with a keel for two

very obvious reasons : first, because it
draws less water, at the same time that
it carries a larger burden ; and secondly,
because it is much safer on lakes or large
rivers, where storms are frequent. A
proof of this came under our observation
the day of our leaving Montreal [this was
in 1796]. We had reached a wide part

yohnsoti's Orderly Book.

corps to be immediately hauled on shore and
turned up on their own ground, ready for repair
under the directions of Lieut. Burnet, and any
boats that may have been drawn up before the
present directions of ground took place not with-
in the the present line of incampment and to be
Immediately Launched, and brought to the ground
of their Regiment to prevent confusion. Mr.
Charles Miller is appointed Batteau Master in the
room of Mr. Kuysak and is to be attended
[obeyed] as such.'

of the river, and were sailing along with
a favorable wind, when suddenly the
horizon grew very dark, and a dreadful
storm arose, accompanied witli loud peals
of thunder and torrents of rain. Before
the sail could be taken in, the ropes which
held it were snapped in pieces, and the
waves began to dash over tlie sides of the
batteaux, though the water had been quite
smooth five minutes before. It was im-
possible now to counteract the force of
the wind with oars, and the batteau was
consequently driven on shore, but the
bottom of it being quite flat, it was carried
smoothly upon the beach without sustain-
ing any injury, and the men leaping out
drew it up on dry land, where we remained
out of all danger till the storm was over.
A keel-boat, however, of the same size,
could not have approached nearer to the
shore than thirty feet, and there it would
have stuck fast in the sand, and probably
have been filled with water." For a
graphic description of the manner in
which these batteaux were handled and
propelled by the batteaux-men, and an
account of the habits of this class of boat-
men, see note in advance, under date of
the 17th of June.

From La Chine to the North-west, canoes
were and still are, employed by the fur-
traders. They seldom exceed thirty feet

in length, six feet in breadth, each end,
like the batteaux, terminating in a sharp
point. The frame is composed of small
pieces of light wood covered with birch-
bark, cut into convenient slips, sewed
tngether with threads from the twisted
fibres of roots of trees that grow in the
woods. These canoes are made water-
tight by being coveted with a sort of gum
that adheres firmly, and becomes perfectly
hard. No iron-work of any description,
not even a nail, is employed \ and when
complete the canoe weighs about 500 lbs.
In managing the canoes, the Indian uses
but his paddle and makes his way with
amazing expedition. "It was on one of
these Indian canoes," says Sergeant Lamb
in his Memoirs, " that General Sir Guy
Carleton, accompanied by an aide de camp,
passed undetected through the enemy's
fleet from Montreal to Quebec, to put
the city in a state of defence."

' Mr. Miller was succeeded by Captain
Mattin, whose tragical fate, revealing, by
the way, the treachery of St. Leger, is
thus referred to in the affidavit of Moses
Vounglove, a part of which is quoted in
a preceding note. *' Capt. Martin, of the
batteiux-men," says Younglove, " was
delivered to the Indians at Oswego on
pretence of his having kept back some

lit;- i •;
1*? ■ " -

i;;

76 yohnson^ Orderly Book.

Signed, W. Ancrum, D. Ajt. General.

A return of the number of caulkers and car-
penters belonging to the different corps to be
given in Immediately to the D. A. G. and they
will be ready to attend Mr. Burnet at one o'clock.

P. Brunswick. C. Kent. No person what-
soever to trade rum or any spirituous liquors for
any thing which the Indians may have to dispose
of; those people will be Informed by their officers
that it is necessary to have the C. S. to pass the
Gentries and guards of the Comp — and they will
strongly recommend to them not to leave their
incampment after dark lest they should be sub-
jected to Inconveniencies from the difficulty of
pronouncing or Remembering the pass- word ; no
Soldier or any of the Corps Canadians on any
account to fire their arms unless to discharge
them after bad weather and then in the presence
of an Officer — No trader on this Island to sell
any Rum or spirituous liquor without the assign-
ment of Capt Potts of the King's Regt' ; any

If'

useful intelligence." " Moses Young-
love," writes his grand-nephew, Moses
Younglove, a prominent and influential
citizen of Cleveland, Ohio, to the author,
under date of Aug. ad, 188 1, " was a
man of strong convictions and decided
character, not easily turned from any
settled purpose." As stated in a pre-
ceding note, Moses Younglove was a man
of great truthfulness and of sterling in-
tegrity.

I The history of this regiment is an
exceedingly interesting one, and is as
follows :

When James, Duke of Monmouth,
natural son of Charles II, engaged in
rebellion against his uncle, James II, in
1685, corps of cavalry and infantry were
quickly raised for the support of the crown,
and Robert, Lord Ferrars of Chartly,
whose father. Sir Robert Shirley, Bart.,
was one of the sufferers in the royal cause
in the time of Charles I, was appointed
to the command of one of these corps
raised on that occasion ; which, having
been continued in service to the present
time, now bears the distinguished title of
the " 8th or King's Regiment of Foot."
It was in the battle of the Boyne ; and, as

yohnson^s Orderly Book, 77

officer wanting such things will send their orders
to be countersigned by him to prevent forgeries
and Impositon ; the guard of the camp not to
turn out but once a day to the Brigadier nor are
they to take notice of him unless in his Uniform.
Sergt Killigrew of the 34th Regt is appointed
provost Martial at 2s-6d pr day for the Expedi-
tion and to be obeyed as such ; his guard to be
proportioned to the number of prisoners ; a Cor-
poral and 4 private men from the line to mount
at the usual time to morrow morning for this
duty ; all prisoners Except those styled officers

mentioned in the Incruductiun, at the
sieges of Limerick, Dublin and Kinsale.
It served with bravery From 1696-1701,
in the Netherlands, Ireland and Holland ;
and, in 1702, on the elevation of the
Princess Anne to the throne, was desig-
nated "The Queen's Regiment." It
was among the tirst to storm the citadt:!
at the siege of Liege in the same year
(1702). In the following year, it was at
the siege of Huy and Limburg ; and, in
1704, took part in the great battles of
Schellenbcrgand Blenheim. At Helixem,
it forced the French lines. After the
suppression of the rebellion headed by the
Pretender and the Earl of Mar in 17 1 6,
the regiment was stationed a short time
at Glasgow, at which time, George 1
showed his appreciation of its good
behavior on all these occasions by con-
ferring on it the distinguished title of
" The King's Regiment of Foot." On
obtaining this title, the facing of the
uniform was changed from yellow to blue,
and the regiment was authorized to bear
the White Horse as a regimental badge
with the motto Nic aspera terrent.
In 1777, at the time of Burgoyne
asouming the command of the expedition

from Canada, the protection of a portion
of the Canadian frontiers was confided to
it ; the regin. ;nt also furnishing a detach-
ment of one hundred men fur St. Leger's
command, in his campaign against Fort
Stanwix. In 1809, it assisted in the
capture of Martinique. Again, in the
war of 18 1 2, it greatly distinguished itself.
It participated in the actions at Fort
George and Sackett's Harbor, Chippawa
and Niagara; and was also at the siege oi
Fort Erie and at the battle of Plattsburg
where it captured the stand of American
colors, which Gsn. Sir George Prevost
sent to England to be laid at the feet of
his Royal Highness, the Prince Regent.
The Historical Record of the British army
(London, 1844) thus concludes a sketch
of this regiment. " Distinguished by a
long period of meritorious service, in-
cluding heroic conduct in numerous battles
and sieges which reflect lustre on the
British arms, and by excellent behavior
under all the circumstances of colonial
and home service, the 8th or the King's
Regiment possesses a high and an un-
tarnished reputation, and ranks among
the corps which deservedly possess the
confidence of the crown and kingdom."

f:.'^l

■MBH

mM 'i '

.fl^H '

■si ^

'- .'' 4^H

^ ^

:'|fl 1

'r ■

^-jB

Johnson'' s Orderly Book,

from the Pvcbel army to go on all fatigues daily,
a man of the Guard to attend them ; the Rations
pr. day for all Rebel prisoners of whatever dis-
tinction to be an oz. of pork and pound of flourV.
For duty to morrow — K's Regt, 17 P. ; 34th
Regt, I C. 16 P. ; R. R. Regt, 3 L. i S. i C.
32 P.

Regt Orders. For Guard to morrow Ens
Lipscomb. i. i. 2. and 20 private men. Its
Major Gray's orders that an officer of a Compy
shall Read to the men the Gen. Orders against
trafficking with the Indians with Rum% and that
the officers imployed in seeing the Batteaus car-
ried over the long Sault shall give in an Exact
list of the number of Boats brought up by each
squad.

— 15th. P. London. C. Edinburgh. The
duty of the Provost Marshal'. The care of all

' This order affords a glimpse of how
short the rations had already become even
at this early stage of the campaign.

' St. Leger, however, did not in his
practice carry out these excellent orders.
On the contrary, we find Col. Claus
complaining greatly that owing to the
miction of St. Leger in this particular, hi;
could with difficulty control those Indians
lunder his command. " On the 24th of
July," Claus writes, " Brig. St. Leger
mentioned my going was chiefly intended
to quiet the Indians with him, who were
very drunk and riotous; and Capt. Tice,
who was the messenger, informed me
that St. Leger ordered the Indians a quart
of rum apiece, which made them all
beastly drunk, and in which case, it is
not in the power of man to quiet them.

Soon after, finding the Indians were un-
willing to proceed, St. Leger came away
from Salmon creek and arrived the
next day at Oswego with the companies
of the 8th and 34th regiments and about
250 Indians." Col. Claus to Sec'y. Knox,
Oct. 16, 1777. This conduct of St.
Leger, however, may be partly solved by
the fact that the English, save in the
notable case of Sir William Johnson,
never acquired the knack of managing
the Indians. The French, on tne con-
trary, by assimilating, marrying and
affiliating with them, handled the red men
admirably.

3 The attention of the roder is directed
to St. Leger's admirable description of
what the duties of a provost marshal
should be.

Johnson's Orderly Book. 79

prisoners taken in battle, spies and deserters is
Intrusted to them forthwith ; he will have a
guard strong in proportion to their number ; all
disorders in the camp fall under his cognizance ;
he is to have the control of all settlers and traders
selling Liquor, and have authority for Impressing
such as he finds disobedient to General Orders ;
he is to regulate all markets that may be formed
in the Camp, and appoint proper places for them,
and likewise to protect with his authority and
guard all persons comming with provisions to
the troops ; he is from time to time to send out
patroles from his guard and when necessary at-
tend them himself to take prisoners all marauders
and stragglers ; all his reports are to be made to
the D Quartermaster General — only for the In-
formation of the Commander-in chief cases rel-
ative to the economy of the Comp, and to the
D. A. General all Extraordinary matters ; as spies,
deserters, &c. &c. In cases of Executions he is
to the Martial law what the Sheriff of a County
is to the Civil ; he is to be provided with an Ex-
ecutioner when this he Requests and when a
more honourable death by fire arms is granted
he will give the word of command ; his guard is
to be near headquarters.

G. O. Commanding officers of the diff'rent
Corps will derect that the mens tents are struck
a.id the rear turned up every fine day at 10 o'clock
and remain so four hours at least to air them

I ' ^i-

If ~ , 7M ' '

'^'' '''ffl

]^H

m -

8o JohnsorCs Orderly Book.

perfectly ; their streets must be swept every morn-
ing; no washing, cleaning of arms or accoutre-
ments or doing any thing in them that may ren-
der them filthy and Consequently unwholesome
must be suffered.

The K. R. R. of New York will Expend that
part of their ammunition which [is] fit for ser-
vice in firing at marks Every morning in presence
of their officers. For duty — K. R. Regt, i L. i
S. 17 P. ; 34th Regt, I L. 2 C. 15 P. ; K. R. R.
N. Y., I L. I S. 32 P. 34th Regiment to give
the subaltern of the Day to morrow, i man to
be sent |as] orderly over the adjt General.

Regt. Orders. For Guard to morrow Lieut.
Walker, i S. i C. i D. 16 private men — all the
men of the R, Regt of N. Y. to fire two Rounds
of Ball Cartridge each to morrow morning at 10
o'clock.

— i6th. Morning Orders. The Kings Royal
Regt of N. York to send one Sergt and i 2 care-
ful men to the artillery at 8 o'clock to examin
the Ammunition. Signed,

Wm Crofts, Major Brigade.

P. Bristol. C. Taunton. For duty to mor-
row K. Regt, 4 P. ; 34th Regt, i C. 6 P. ; K. R.
Regt N. Y., 1 L. I C. 5 P.

Its Sir John's orders that the officers Com-
manding Companys Settle with their men Before
to morrow night and pay them the Ballance of
their accts to the 24th of August Inclusive.

If f
ill

Johnson's Orderly Book, 8i

Its Major Gray's Orders that [the officers] see
that the men wash their cloathing and clean their
arms to Morrow as there are but few men for
duty ; they will likewise Examine their Neces-
saries of which they will give a report in writing
to Major Gray.

— 17th. P. Winchester. C. York. The
Brigadier has the satisfaction to inform the Corps
in this expedition that Fort Ticonderoga, a large
Quantity of provision & artillery & stores with
their whole stock of live cattle were abandoned
by the rebels to the grand army the 6th instant ;
that many prisoners were taken & many killed,
and that at the moment the advanced corps of
Indians were in hot pursuit ; the troops on this
expedition to hold themselves in readiness to em-
bark on an hours notice; 40 Days provision for
500 men to be immediately sorted to be ready
to be embarked on boats which the superintend-
ents will point out'. Lieutenant Collorton will

' As hinted in the Introduction, this
order for rations enables us forever to put
at rest the long mooted question in regard
to the number of men actually engaged
in this expedition against Fort Stanwix.
By contemporaneous writers (among them
Judge Thomas Jones in his Hhtory of
Neiv York during the Revolution) and also
by those of later date, such, for instance,
as Col. Wm, L. Stone in his Life of
Brant, Campbell in his History of Tryon
County, Lossing, de Peyster, Roberts and
others, it h^s invariably been stated that
St. Leger's force consisted of 1,700 men,
including Indians. General Riedesel,
moreover (see RiedesePs yournah, Vol.

1st) would make it thr; same by his detail
from the different regiments sent out;
and Dr. Dwight, who visited Fort Stan-
wix in 1799, gives, in his Tra-vels, the
number from 1,500 to 1,800; while in
his History of the American Revolution,
Dr. Gordon who, after all, has always
stood the test for accuracy, differs from
the above authorities, St. Leger's forces,
by his estimate, having been only 800.
Lord George Germaine, also, in a letter
to Sir Guy Carleton, dated " Whitehall,
26th March, 1777," says: "It is the
King's further pleasure that you put under
the command of Col. St. Leger : A
detachment from the 8th regiment, 100 ;

|:^

rV
t

82 JohnsorCs Orderly Book,

prepare ammunition For two 6 pounders' & 2
Cohorns and 50 rounds ball cartridges per man
for 500 men and make a demand of the number
of large boats that will be sufficent For their
transports ; all ovens to be set at work to bake 6
Days bread For 500 men; great care must be
taken that it will be well soakt to keep in that
time ; each corps to find what bakers they have
[and report] to the Deputy Commissary general
at 10 o'clock; the kings regt, the 34, Captain
Watts's Detachment, and Capt Reveil's [Rouville
corps to be compleated with 50 rounds of gooc
ammunition Immediatly. All those corps who
have it not in their own stores will make a de-
mand on the artillery and give a receipt agreable
to the forms they require ; it is absolutely neces-
sary that the officers commanding Corps should
provide their men with some sort of cases to

a detachment from the 34th regiment,
100 ; Sir John Johnson's regiment of
New York, 133; Hanau Chasseurs, 342;
total, 67 s ; together with a sufHcient
number of Indians and Canadians."

We are now, however, enabled to state
accurately the force employed ; and, as
usual, we find that Dr. Gordon is more
nearly correct than any other writer. If
we consider that the 500 rations, men-
tioned in the text, were, as is probably
the case, for the white troops solely, we
have 500 as the number. Now, in the
letter of Col. Claus to Secretary Knox, it
is expressly stated that the Indians in
this expedition were composed of 150
Misissagues (a tribe of the Hurons) under
Claus himself, and 300 of the Six Nations
under Brant. Therefore 500 >■ 150 1
300 gives the number of St. Leger's force

as 9joall told ; and this is without doubt
a correct statement. If, however, the
500 rations included the Indians, the total
number of white and Indian troops would
be 500, a very much smaller force than
1,700. Si. Leger left a portion of his
force at Oswego, and refused to take more
men, though strongly urged to do so by
Col. Claus (C/a«ifo ^Vc'j. Knox). Indeed,
it was undoubtedly owing to the smallness
of his force, caused by his foolish belittling
of the enemy's numbers and bravery, that
he failed to capture Fort Stanwix.

' These two 6 pounders and the two
cohorns (mortars) were left behind by St.
Leger in his undignified and hasty retreat
and fell into the hands of the Americans.
N. T. Calendar Ke-v. Papers, Vol. 11,

Johnsoris Orderly Book,

keep their locks dry through the woods in rainy
weather ; the master of the Ship Colwheel and
Mr. Miller, the Chief Ship Carpenter with any
other carpenters or seamen they think proper to
call For assist or advise with, and to take an
exact and particular Survey of the State and con-
dition of the Sloop Charity, and to make the re-
port to the brigadier in writing this Day, signi-
fying therein whether their works and timber will
admit of sucli repair as will enable her to sail the
lakes again with any probability of safety. Lieu-
tenant Barnet of the kings regt will preside on
this sur/ey.

For Duty to morrow K regt, 6 P.; and 34th,

I C. 7 P.; the kings royal yorkers, i L. i C. 10

P. A return to be given in immediately by each

-corps to lieutenant Barnet of the kings regt of

the number of batteaux', painters, oars, setting-

' The following extract from ff^e/J's
Tra-vels in Upper and Loiver Canada in
1795-97, a book now quite rare, will
give the reader an excellent idea both of
the manner in which the setting poles
were used in propelling the batteaux, and
of the characteristics of the batteaux-men
themselves,

" It was on the 28th of August,"
[1796] he writes, " that we reached La
Chine, the next day the ' brigade,' as it
was called, of batteaux was ready, and in
the afternoon we set out on our voyage.
Three men are found sufficient to conduct
an empty batteau oi about two tons burden
up the St. Lawrence, but if the batteaux
be laden, more are generally allowed.
They ascend the stream by means of
poles, oars and sails. Where the current
ii very strong, they make use of the

former, keeping as close as possible to the
shore, in order to avoid the current, and
to have the advantage of shallow water
to pole in. The men set their poles
together at the same moment, and all
work at the same side of the batteaux }
the steersman, however, shifts his pole
occasionally from side to side in order to
keep the vessel in an even direction. The
poles commonly used are about eight feet
in length, extremely light and headed
with iron. On coming to a deep bay or
inlet, the men abandon the poles, take to
their oars, and strike, if possible, directly
across the mouth of the bay ; but in many
places the current proves so strong that it
is absolutely impossible to stem it by
means of oars, and they are obliged to
pole entirely round the bay. Whenever
the wind is favorable they set their sail ;

'Johnson'' s Orderly Book.

poles and paddles, specifying the size of the bat-
teaux.

— 1 8th. P. Onandaga. C. Fort jjuH'. The
advance Guards consisting of all the officers &

but it is only at the upper end of the
river, beyond the rapids, or on the laiies
or broad parts of it where the current is
not swift, that the sail by itself is sufficient
to impel them forward.

" The exertion it requires to counteract
the force of the stream by means of poles
and oars is so great, that the men are
obliged to stop very frequently to take
breath. The places at which they stop
are regularly ascertained \ some of them,
where the current is very rapid, are not
more than half a mile distant one from
the other ; others one or two, but none
of them more than four miles apart.
Each of these places, the boatmen, who
are almost all French Canadians, denomi-
nate ' une p'lpty because rhey are allowed
to stop at it and fill their pipes. A French
Canadian is scarcely ev«r without a pipe
in his mouth, whether working at the
oar or plow ; whether on foot, or on
horseback; indeed, so much addicted are
the people to smoking, that by the burn-
ing of tobacco in their pipes, they com-
monly ascertain the distance from one
place to another. Such a place, they say,
it three pipes off, that is, it is so far off
that you may smoke three pipes full of
tobacco whilst you go thither. A pipe as
in the most general acceptation of the
word, seemed to be about three-quarters
of an English mile.

'•The men, who arc engaged in conduct-
ing batteaux in Canada, are, as I have
before observed, a very hardy race. When
the weather is fair, they sleep on the
grass at night, without any other covering
than a short blanket, scarcely reaching
down to their knees ; during wet weather
a sail or blanket to the weather side
spread on poles stuck into the ground in
an inclined direction, is all the shelter

they deem necessary. On setting out,
each man is furnished with a certain
allowance of lalted pork, biscuit, pease
and brandy; the pease and biscuit they
boil with some of the pork into porridge,
and a large vessel full of it is generally
kept at the head of the batteaux, for the
use of the crew when they stop in the
course of the day. This porridge, or else
cold fat salted pork, with cucumbers,
constitutes the principal part of their food.
The cucumber is a fruit that the lower
classes of French Canadians are extremely
fond of; they use it however in a very in-
different state, as they never pull it until
it has attained a large size, and is become
yellow and seedy. Cucumbers thus
mellow, chopped into small pieces without
being peeled, and afterwards mixed with
sour cream, is one of their favorite dishes."
From the above extract, it may be seen
that a person reaaing at the time it was
written, the text a few sentences in advance
under date of the 1 8th, where the ex-
pression " to be ready to fu^h in the
morning " is used, would not have needed
the explanatory word "ahead " which we
have inserted in brackets At that time,
the phrase " to be ready to push at a
moment's warning " was used, and under-
stood in reference to the poling operation,
as if, now, one should say, " to be ready
to sail in the morning," or " to be ready
to row in the morning," the verb "to
push " being at that time used in a strictly
conventional or technical sense, and not
as we at the present day employ the term
" to push forward," i. e., " to start."

* Fort Bull, situated about half-way on
the Oneida portage, played a prominent
part in the early border warfare of New
York. It had always given the French

'Johnson s Orderly Book, 85

80 rank & file of the Kings h, 34th Regts, the
Tribe of Misisagey Indians, with what is on the
Island of the Six Nations, & the officers and
rangers will move to morrow Morning at 4
o'clock.

The Kings & 34th Regts will Receive 10
Boats Each for their men & twenty days pro-
vision. The officers will be allowed a proper
portion of Boats for their Baggage on their way
to Oswego, those boats will be man'd by the Su-
pernumeraries of each corps. Capt. Ruvielle's
corps of Canadians will remove the same time &
carry 20 Days provisions for 500 men. The Corps
will be assisted by a proper number of men [from]
the Ks and 34th to mount the Rapids from Os-
wego to Fort Stanwix'. The provision boats as

(

trouble j and on the 17th of" March, 1756,
DeLevy with three hundred men, suddenly
appeared before it and summoned it to
surrender. This summons. Sir Wm.
Johnson having meanwhile supplied the
commander with abundance of ammuni-
tion, was answered by a shower of bullets.
This so exasperated Dc Levy that he forth
with ordered a charge, and breaking down
the gate, put all bt: thirty of the garrison
to the sword. The French ofHcer then
burned the fort, and having destroyed
forty thousand pounds of powder, returned
with his prisoners into Canada with the
loss of only three men. Stone's Sir Wtti.
Johnson, Vol. 11, p. I.

' This fort has quite a history. In
1758, General John Stanwix, who came
to America in 1756, as colonel of the 1st
Battalion of the 60th Royal Americans,
was sent by General Abercrombie after
his defeat at Ticonderoga to build a fort

on the ruins of old Fort Williams (named
after Capt. William Williams of Sir
William Pepperell's regiment, who was
in command of the fort for a short time)
near the rise of the Mohawk river on the
Oneida Carrying Place at the head of
boat navigation, the site of the present
city of Rome, N. Y. '' It was a strong
square fortification, having bomb-proof
bastions, a glacis, covert way, and a well
picketed ditch around the ramparts." Its
position was important in a military point
of view, for it commanded the portage
between the Mohawk and Wood creek,
and was a key to communication between
the Mohawk valley and Lake Champlain.
The works cost the British and Colonial
government two hundred and sixty-six
thousand four hundred dollars, yet when
the Revolution broke out the fort and its
outposts were in ruins. Accordingly, in
1776, it was repaired by Colonel Dayton,
who, to please his patron, Gen. Philip

'Johnson's Orderly Book,

4'^

well as those of the officers baggage are to be
Loaded this Evening ready to push [ahead] at a
moment's warning in the morning. The advance
Corps to carry 6 Days provision in bread & pork
to shut out any possibility of want of provision
from Delays or Disappointments of the Ks ves-

Schuyler, changed its name to Fort
Schuyler. In a manuscript letter, now
in my possession and before me as I write,
under date of " German Flats, Aug. 8th,
1776," General Schuyler writes to Col.
Dayton as follows : " * * * I thank you
for the honor you have done me in calling
the fort by my name. As I cannot, con-
sistent with delicacy, announce this to
Congre s, would it not be right for you
to ■' it, and to General Washington ?"

Although known by the Americans
during tlie war as Fort Schuyler, yet the
name did not •' take ; " and it has always
been known in histoiy by its original one,
"Fort Stanwix." Fort Schuyler (Fort
Stanwix) must not be confounded with
the one built on the present site of Utica,
N. Y., which latter has been known as
••Old Fort Schuyler" to distinguish it
from Fort Schuyler of Fort Stanwix fame.
Fort Stanwix was dcotroyed by fire and a
a fr'shet in 1781, and was never rebuilt.
At the time of St. Leger's siege, the fort
was garrisoned by the 3d New York Con-
tinental regiment, a company of artillery,
and a small body of infantry, consisting
in all of six hundred men (de Lancey
gays 700) and commanded by that staunch
patriot. Colonel Peter Gansevoort.

We cannct, however, dismiss Fort
Stanwix without noticing one incident in
particular, which, if for no other reason,
must always make this fort memorable
in our Revolutionary annals. We alude
to the fact that it was on her ramparts
during St. Leger's siege, that the stars and
stripes were unfurled for the fir%t time !
In writing of this siege and of the cir-
cumstances of the Hag, Colonel Stone, in

his Life of Brant, says : •' A besieging
army was before the fort, and its garrison
was without a fljg ! Cat as necessity it
the mother of invention, they were not
long thus destitufc. Stripes of white were
cut from ammunition shirts, blue from a
camlet cloak captured from the enemy}
while the red was supplied from the petti-
coat of a soldier's wife; and thus fur-
nished, commenced the celebrated siege
of Fort Schuyler" [Stanwix]. In the
late Oriskany centennial, Ex-Governor
Horatio Seymour, speaking of this flag
in his address of welcome, at its close
eloquently said : " It is a just source of
patriotic pride to those who live in this
valley [i. e., the Mohawk valley] that
the flag of our country ^with the stars
and stripes) was first displayed in the face
of our enemies on the b.-nks of the
Mohawk. Here it was baptized in the
blood of battle. Here it first waved in
triumph over a retreating foe. When
the heroic defenders of Fort Stanwix
learned in that remote fortress the emblem
adopted by the Continental Congress for
the standards to be borne by its armies,
they hastened to make one in accordance
with the mandate, and to hang it out
from the walls of their fortress. It was
rudely niade of such materials cut from
the clothing of the soldiers as were fitted
to show its colors and its designs. But
no other standard however skillfully
wrought upon silken folds could equal in
interest the first flag of our country
worked out by the unskillful hands of
brave men amid the strife of war and
under the fire of beleaguering foes. It
was to rescue it from its perils that the

J.. "l\

Johnson'' s Orderly Book,

sels ; the officer command'gin chief finds himself
under the painfull necessity of putting a short
stop to the currency of Trade by ordering that
the crews of the boats that come to unload on the
Island may go one trip with provision to Oswego
for which they will be paid. Every Brigade of
provision boats, which arrived before the return
of the vessals from Niagara, Capt Potts will push
forward to Oswego with all Expedition.

Regtl Orders. For Guard to morrow En-
sign Wall, 1 S. I C. I D. 15 P. Each officer
Commanding Companys is to pay 3 Dollars, Each
subaltern i Dollar to the Quartermaster in order
to pay the men that carry'd the batteaux over the
Long Sault, & the officers of the Colonels Com-
pany to pay Three Dollars extraordinary [for]
the batteau that was lost at Point Abaw' in place

men of tliis valley left their homes and
marched through the deep forest to this
spot.

♦' It was to uphold the cause of which it
was the emblem that they battled here.
Time has destroyed that standard, but I
hold in my hand another banner hardly less
sacred in its associations with our history.
It is the riag of our State which was borne
by the regiment commanded by Colonel
Gansevoort, not only here at the beginning
of the Revolutionary war, but also when it
ended by the surrender of the British
army at Yorktown. The brave soldier
who carried it valued it beyond all earthly
possessions. He left it as a precious heir-
loom to his family. They have kept it,
with such faithful care that now after a
century has rolled away its folds can be
displayed in this valley to another genera-
tion who will look upon it with a devotion
equal to that felt by those who followed

it on the battle fields of the Revolution.
When it is now unfurled let it receive the
military honors accorded to it a hundred
yeari ■ oj and let us reverently uncover
our heads in memory of the dead who
watched and guarded it through the perils
of ancient war."

''John F. Seymour then displayed the
riag upon which the vast audience gave
three rousing cheers and lifted their hats.

" All the military presented arms and the
band played the * Star Spangled Banner.' "

This riag was the standard of the Third
New York regiment commanded by Col.
Peter Gansevoort, who at the disbandment
of the army retained it in his own posses-
sion and handed it down to his son, the
late Peter Gansevoort, from whom it
descended to his daughter Mrs. Abraham
Lansing, of Albany, in whose hands it is
now reverently preserved.

' Point au Baudet, situated in Lake St.

8i % ■ >!'

\ ■■

Johnson's Orderly Book.

'W^ji

of Five paid to the Indians for finding the 5th
Batteau, and for the future whatever Companys
shall lose Batteaux or provisions by negligence
shall pay the whole value & be liable to censure
besides; as men seem to be careless about their
arms & Accoutrements it is the Commanding
officers orders that at Roll Call evening 6c morn-
ing the men appear with their arms, and who-
ever loses any of them shall be obliged to pay
for the same.

— 19th. P. Hesse Hanau. C. Cassel. The
troop [i. e. Bugle-callJ will assemble the advan-
ced corps, & upon the beating the second troop,
they will embark. Each corps will be allowed
1 boat to carry such things as will be immediately
wanted, which will move with the Artillery and
provisions destined for Fort Stanwix. The re-
mainder will stay at Oswego' till a general clear-
ance of that post. The whole Brigade of Cana-
dians that brought up the Hessians to be employed
in carrying provisions to Oswego after giving
Eight hands to strengthen Capt Rouvilles Com-
pany. The Artillery under the conduct of Lt

Francis in the St. Lawrence, and the
place where the boundary line begins that
separates Upptr from Lower Canada. It
was, too, just the spot where a batteau
might very easily be lost, since when the
wind comes from the south-west, the
immense body of water in the lake is
impelled directly towards this point, and
a surf breaks in upon the beach, as
tremendous as is seen on the sea shore.
When Weld visited the place in 1796,
•• there was," he says, " one solitary house

here which proved to be a tavern, and
afforded us a well-drest supper of venison,
and decent accommodation for the night."
Weld had been obliged, on account of
the surf and the strong south-west wind
then prevailing, to tarry over at the Point
until the next morning. To what cir-
cumstance Point au Baudet (Point of the
Donkey) owes its name, is not stated.

' For the following admirable sketch
of Oswego, 1 am indebted to Mr. B. B.

"Johnson's Orderly Book.

Collerton to carry 20 days Provision for their
own Detachment. Three of the Rebel Prisoners
now in the Provo Guard who have taken the
oaths of allegiance to the King are to be em-
ployed as Batteau men to Lt. Glennie's Detach-
ment to which will be added 10 Men of the
Royal Yorkers which takes two boats from their
proper line of transports.

Burt, of that city, who, though heavily
burdened with professional duties, kindly
found time to prepare it. Mr. Burt is
well known, together with Mr. O. H.
Marshall, and Mr. Wm. C. Bryant, of
Buffalo, N. Y., as one who has made the
early history of Lake Ontario a profound
study; and this sketch from his pen,
will, I believe, be highly appreciated by
all historical students. Mr. Burt writes :
" The Onondaga Indians have a tradi-
tion that Ta-oun-ya-ivat-hay the deity that
presides over fisheries and hunting grounds
came down from above in his white canoe,
and selected a couple of warriors from
among the Onondagas, who met him at
Oswego. They together passed up the
Oswego river and removed all obstructions
to navigation so that canoes could pass in
safety.
" The first European that discovered Lake
Ontario was Champlain, in 1615. In the
month of October of that year he left
Canada to go to a fortified village of the
Iroquois, in the Onondaga county. He
crossed the outlet of Lake Ontario with
an armed party of ten Frenchmen and
some Indian allies ; and after passing many
islands followed the eastern shore of the
lake to a point where they landed. After
leaving their canoes, they proceeded about
four leagues over a sandy tract, and came
to a very beautiful country. This was the
town of Sandy cieek and Richland in
this county. Leaving the shores of the
lake they went southward and crossed the
outlet of Oneida lake.

" In October, 1 65 3, Father Joseph Poncet,
a Jesuit missionary, on a return from a
visit to the Mohawk country went through
Oswego on his way down the St. Law-
rence river.

" In July, or early in August, 1654, the
Jesuit Father, Simon Le Moyne, visited
Oswego on his way to Onondaga, and on
the 1 6th of August of that year discovered
the salt springs at Salina.

"On the 29th day of October, 1655,
Father Chanmonot and the Jesuit Dabion
arrived at Ontiahantaque (Oswego), and
encamped there for a day or two, on their
way to Onondaga. They describe it as a
large river discharging into Lake Ontario.
Dabion gave a description of the place.

'' In 1656, the expedition that founded
the colony Genentaha, on Onondaga lake,
was at Oswego. The historian of the
party said : * On the 7th July we arrived,
about ten o'clock in the evening at the
mouth of the river [Oswego] which flows
from the Lake Genentaha [Onondaga],
on the bank of which we proceeded to
erect a dwelling for the night. The next
day we found the currents of water so
rapid that it required all our force to sur-
mount them.'

" On a French map made by Franquelin,
in 1679, Oswego is called OnontJguero.
In June or July, 1679, Father Hennepin
and associates cume to Oswego in a brig-
antine, and erected a bark cabin half a
league in the woods for divine service and
to avoid the intrusion of the savages, who
came to trade for powder, etc., and par-

\ I

^SBB8S9

90 yohnsori's Orderly Book,

— 19th. After Orders. The several corps
to proceed in 2 lines dressing. The leading boats,
the officer commanding in chief & the staff to
Lead ; the lines to be followed by the Artillery,
Kings Regt, Capt Ruvill's Company, & 2 Merchts
boats & 34th Regt.

ticularly brandy. M. De Chesnau wrote
a letter to Count Frontenac, dated July
28, i68z, and called Oswego ' Techo-
naguen ' ; and on July 28, 1696, Count
Frontenac arrived at Oswego ■ 1 his ex-
pedition against the Onondaga

'' The English regarded Oswego as a
place of importance, and in 1722 estab-
lished a trading house there, and in 1727,
under colonial Govornor Burnet, it was
strengthened and FortiHed and named
' Fort Oswego'; and on some maps it was
called ' Fort Pepperell,' and was the first
fort constructed there.

"John Bartram on a trip from Philadel-
phia to Canada arrived in Oswego on
the 25th day of July, 1743, and described
the place as follows : ' On the point
formed by the entrance of the river [into
Lake Ontario] stands a fort or trading
castle ; it is a strong stone house encom-
passed with a stone wall near twenty feet
high, and 120 paces round, built of large
square stones curious for their softness.
I cut my name in it with my knife. The
town consists of about seventy log houses,
of which one-half are in a row near the
river, the other half opposite them.
On the other side of a fair were two
Streets, divided by a row of posts in the
midst where each Indian has his house
to lay his goods, and where any of the
traders may traffic with him.'

" In 1753 Gen. Shirley cameto Oswego
with the intention of attacking Fort Niag-
ara, then in the possession of the French,
but there being a delay in getting supplies
and a difficulty in obtaining transports, the
expedition was abandoned for that year.
Lieut. Col. Mercer wai left with about

700 men and during that fall and ensuing
winter and spring constructed two new
forts : ' Fort Ontario ' on the east and
' Oswego new fort ' or • Fort George ' on
the west side of the river.

"All of these forts were captured by Mont-
calm, August 14, 1756 and destroyed,
and Oswego abandoned by the French.
Soon thereafter the English again occupied
the place and rebuilt Fort Ontario on
nearly the site of the fort which still bears
that name, and was the only one rebuilt.
"The first vessel constructed by the
English on Lake Ontario, was at Oswego
in 1755 At that time the French
called Oswego ' Chouaguen.'

"Gen. Bradst.eet accompanied by 3,000
men remained in Oswego for a short time,
in August, 1758, on his way to capture
Fort Frontenac.

"On the 27th day of June, 1759, Oen.
Prideaux and Sir William Johnson with
an army, arrived at Oswego, on the way
to capture Fort Niagara ; were engaged
in procuring provisions on the 28th, 29th
and 30th, and in making preparations
for the m.irch j left Oswego, July ist;
arrived before Niagara on the 8th, and
August 8th invested and took the fort ;
after which the army in two vessels and
accompanied by Sir William Johnson
(Prideaux having, meanwhile, been killed
at Niagara), returned to Oswego on Tues-
day the 7th of August. Sir William
remained here several days engaged in
rebuilding Fort Ontario in a pentagon
form, and passing his leisure moments in
shooting and fishing. In your own Life
of Sir fVilliam yohnson^ you give in the
appendix to Vol. 11, the journal of the

1 •)'

Johnson's Orderly Book, 91

Signals to be observ'd by the Detach'mt ; the
Ensign hoisted a mid ships and one musket a
Signal for all boats to put off. The Ensign
hoisted in the bow and one musket a signal for
all boats to put ashore. A Signal to be made by
any boat in Distress, three successive muskets ;
a signal for \ii/egible\ any thing white in the bow'.

Baronet kept by him during his stay at this
time at Oswego, which is full ot' interest.
Mrs. Grant, also, in her Memoirs of
an American LaiJy, speaks very pleasantly
of the winter of 1759-60, which she
spent at Fort Ontario.

"July or August, 1760, General (after-
wards Lord) Amherst loft Oswego, with
10,000 men for Canada, to destroy the
French dominion there ; and on the 9th
of July of the same year, Col. Woodhull,
with a collection of troops from Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire,
Connecticut and New Jersey and the 44th
Highlanders, arrived at Oswego and en-
camped near Fort Ontario on the i6th of
July. His journal closes with the army
at Oswego, July 20th.

'* On Tuesday, the 21st of July, 176 1
(Sunday), Sir William John>on arrived
on his way to Detroit, at Oswego, and on
the 2ist held a conference with the
Onondaga natives, at which Ma) Duncan,
Capt. Gray and several officers of the S^th
and Gen. Gage's regiments, Lieut. Guy
Johnson acting as secretary, with inter-
preters and upwards of forty sachems and
warriori were present. Sir William
opened the meeting by welcoming them
to Oswego. For the particulars of this
conference see your Life of Hir IVilliam
Johnson, Vol. 11, p. 435-438.

'* July 23 to 31, 1766, there was an
Indian council at Oswego, at which
Pontiac and other chiefs and Sir William
Johnson were present.

"July 27th and 28 th, 1777, the expedi-
tion under Gen. St. Lei;er left Oswego

and in August fought at the battle of
Oriskany.

" Oswego although not a battle ground
during the Revolution, was garrisoned by a
strong British force, and was a place of
general rendezvous for the English and
their allies. Brant, Johnson and others.
The p'ace continued in the possession of
the English until it wag surrendered to
the United States, under Jay's treaty, July
I 5, 1796, and on that day the first Amer-
ican (lag was displayed at the fort. Soon
thereafter settlers arrived ; the first, Neil
McMullen, a merchant from Kingston,
who had furnished supplies to the fort
prior to its surrender. He brought a
frame and put up a house, which is sup-
posed to have been the first frame house
built,

" Oswego was captured by the English
May 6, 1814.

The name Oswego is derived from
* Swa-geh ' of the Onondaga didlect,
signif)inB 'Flowing out' or the 'dis-
charging place ' of the numerous lakes of
Central New York.

" At the present time, Oswego it a thriving
city of about 23,000 inhabitants, possess-
ing excellent advantages for commerce on
the lake and canal, also railroad facilities ;
has a fine water power, large manufac-
tories ; beautifully situated, healthy and
, in other respects a desirable place for busi-
ness as well as residence."

' Not being able fully to make out this
word in the MS., I have said, in the text,
" illegible." Still, it looks to me like

! I;

••■Mhw

92 Johnson's Orderly Book,

All signals to be Repeat'd by commanding offi-
cers of corps.

The Detachment of Royal Artillery under the
command of Lieut. Glennie, the R. R. N. York-
ers, the Companies of Chasseurs' & officers &
Rangers^ of the Indian Department & Canadians
Destined for the transport of provisions are to
hold themselves in Readiness to embark tc mor-
row Morning at 4 o'clock, for which purpose the
officers commandn'g the different Corps are to see
that their Boats are loaded this evening; all the
ovens to be Imploy'd this evening in Bakeing for
the Hessians. Three Canadians out of each of
the 7 boats to be Imploy'd as Steersmen to the
Royal Yorkers & Hessians, for which in equal
Number agreeable to the proportion |of] each
Corps, Receipts must be given for the Provision
boats. The whole to proceed in the Following
order. First, The Command'g officer with such
of the staff & Indian Department as are on the
Ground.

"the charity," i. e., the sloop Charity.
Hence (as we know that this sloop with
some guns accompanied the boats for pro-
tection) it probably meant that when a
great danger arose, the " Charity " would
be signaled to advance, as quickly as
possible, and aid the convoy.

' Col. Glaus, however, in his letter to
Secretary Knox, above referred to, speaks
of only one company of Chasseurs, and
that arrived a day or two before the 19th
of July.

" " The origin of Rangers, since the
lute Sir Wm. Johnson's time, was to in-
termix them with the Indians, when on
service, and be commanded by the Indian
officers. Formerly none but those ac-
quainted with the Indians and their lan-
guage were admitted, and received half a
crown pay ; now that distinction, though
essentially necessary, is no more made,
which makes his commission become an
additional useless expense, though very
beneficial to him." Col. Clans to Secretary
Knoxy i(}th Oct., 1777.

yohn son's Orderly Book, 93

Oswego Falls'

— 1777 July 31st. P. York. The Detach-
ment of the Royal artillery under the command
of Lieut. Glenne, the R. R. of N. Y. of Capt.
Buvills I Rouville]^ company of Canadians to take
in their loading immediat'ly ; each captains boat
in the royal Yorkers to carry 4 barrels, 10 lieut
boats 5 each, lieutenant Anderson J. Wilkerson
to carry 4 Barrels each, the privates' boats to
carry 6 each, and to hold themselves in readiness

' Oswego Falls are about twelve miles
south-east from Oswego on the Oswego
river. In early times, the river was called
" Onondaga," and the falls after the
name of the river. Tiie fall proper is
about twelve feet vsith rapids for about a
mile below, which rendered it necessary
to have a carrying place on the east side
of the river of about a mile, the termini
being called the upper and lower landings.
There is a fall of about seventy feet from
the head of Oswego Falk to Oswego, and
it took five days to go *rom Oswego to
Fort Bull fat the carrying place at Fort
Stanwix) and only three and a-half days
to come from Fort Bull to Oswego. This
arose from having to contend with the
currents in the river. In 1759, a fort
was constructed near the eastern end of
the falls ; thus, between Oswego and Fort
Stanwix, there were three forts, viz. : the
fort at Oswego Falls, Fort Brewerton at
the outlet of Oneida Lake, and Fort
Bull at the carrying place between the
Mohawk river and Wood creek. About
1792, settlements were made at the
upper and lower landings of the carrying
place and also at the westerly end of the
falls. It has always been a good place
for catching eels in weirs. B. B. Burt.

The reader should be informed that

the hiatus which here occurs in the
Orderly Book between the 19th and the
3 1st of July is due to the fact that at that
time the troops of St. Leger and Sir John
Johnson were passing from Buck's (Carle-
ton) Island to Oswego Falls in boats.

- Captain Rouville, together with
Lieutenants Lundy and Glenie mentioned
previously in the text, did erticient service
in the events which subsequently took
place. Col. St. Leger, in his " Account
of Occurrences at FortStanwix," published
in the Appendix to Burgoyne's State of
the Expeiiition^ writes of these otticers as
follows; "The 4th and 5th of August
were employed in making arrangements for
opening Wood creek (which the enemy,
with the indefatigable labor of one hun-
dred and tifty men, for fourteen days, had
most effectually choked up) and the making
a temporary road from Fine Ridges upon
Fish creek, sixteen miles from the fort,
for a present supply of provision and the
transport of our artillery. The first was
effected by the diligence and zeal of Capt.
Bouville [Rouville] * * while Lieutenant
Lundy, acting as assistant quartermaster,
had rendered the road in the worst of
weather, sufficiently practicable to pass
the whole artillery and stores, with seven

\\\ ;i

94 yohnson's Orderly Book.

to embark at 2 o'clock this afternoon to proceed
in the Following order.'

Royal artillery. Six Companys of the Kings
R. R. of N. Y. Capt Rouvill's Company of
Canadians, Lieut Col's Company. The officers
commanding companys not to allow their boats
to fall back or put ashore without orders or a sig-
nal for that purpose*.

days provision, in two days. * * * It was
found that our cannon had not the least
effect upon the sod-work of the Fort
[Stanwix], and that our royals [cohorns]
had only the power of teazing, as a six-
inch plank was a sufficient security for
their powder magazine, as we learned
from deserters. At this time. Lieutenant
Olenie of the artillery, whom I appointed
to act as assistant engineer, proposed a
conversion of the royals (if I may use
the expression) into howitzers. The in-
genuity and feasibility of this measure
striking me very strongly, the business
was set about immediately and soon exe-
cuted, when it was found that nothing
prevented their operating with the desired
efliect but the distance, their chambers

being too small to hold a sufficiency of
powder."

' There is a rapid in Oswego and
within one mile of the lake, and several
others between that city and Oswego
Falls; while, as mentioned in the last note
but one, there was a carrying place
around the rails of at least a mile. It
will thus readily be seen how three days
could have been spent by St. Leger in
getting around the falls and ready for a
start for Fort Stanwix on the 3 ist of July,
at 2 o'clock, p. M.

' On the inside of the cover of the
Ordeily Book is the following entry ;
" Nicholas Hillyer Sergt enters the Col's
Company loth of April, 1777, then can-
toned at Lachine."

End of the Orderly Book.

"Johnson's Orderly Book,

In order that this interesting document may
'be brought down to the latest date attainable, I
append here, in the text, as a fitting ending, the
last official paper of this expedition on the English
side, as far as known. It was, as will be seen,
written by St. Leger but a few hours previous to
his appearance before the walls of Fort Stanwix ;
his advance, meanwhile, having arrived under the
walls of that fort on the evening of the day on
which the letter was written. The letter is ad-
dressed to Lieutenant Bird of the 8th Regiment,
who had, on the 31st of July, been sent by St.
Leger in advance with some sixty of his men and
a few Indians.

General St. Leger to Lieutenant Bird.

**Nwe Mile Pointy August 2d, IJJJ.
Sir: I this instant received your letter, contain-
ing the account of your operations since you were
detached, which I with great pleasure tell you
have been sensible and spirited ; your resolution
of investing Fort Stanwix is perfectly right ; and
to enable you to do it with greater effect, I have
detached Joseph [Thayendanegea] and his corps
of Indians to re-inforce you. You will observe
that I will have nothing but an investiture made;

96 Johnson'' s Orderly Book.

,-?.

and in case the enemy, observing the discretion
and judgment with which it is made, should offer
to capitulate, you are to tell them that you are*
sure I am well disposed to listen to them ; this is
not to take any honor out of a young soldier's
hands, but by the presence of the troops to pre-
vent the barbarity and carnage which will ever
obtain where Indians make so superior a part of
a detachment ; I shall move from hence at eleven
o'clock, and be early in the afternoon at the en-
trance of the creek [Wood creek].

I am. Sir, your most obt. and humble Ser't

Barry St. Leger.

Lieut. Bird, ^th Reg't:''

' Before closing this subject, it may be
well, especially as fVillett^s Narrati-ve, as
stated in the Introduction, has become
very rare and difficult to procure, to give
the result of the expedition of St. Leger
against Fort Stanwix in Col. Willett's
own words. "Shortly after this [i. e.,
the capture of Capt. Butler,] the news of
the approach of General Arnold, to relicTC
the fort, having reached the enemy, the
Indiansbeingalready extremely disaffected,
in consequence of the ill success of the
siege, and Colonel St. Leger, finding that
the mulish obstinacy, as he termed it in
a letter written to General Burgoyne, of
the garrison, could not readily be over-
come, on the 22d of August, the siege
was suddenly abandoned after it had
been carried on twenty days. Throughout
the whole of the siege. Colonel St. Leger,
certainly, made every effort in his power
to render it successful. Having sent after
Colonel Willett's departure, to Colonel
Gansevoort a written summons to sur-
render, which he found as unavailing as
his message to Major Ancrum, he com-
menced approaching by sap, and had

formed two parallels, the second of which
brought him near the edge of the glacis,
but the fire of the musketry from the
covert way, rendered his further progress
very difficult; besides, his ordinance was
not sufficiently heavy to make any im-
pression from the battery which he had
erected. The only way in which he
could annoy the garrison, was with his
shells, and this was so trifling, as to afford
him but a poor prospect of success. It
appears, that he made large calculations
upon intimidating the garrison with
threats ; and, perhaps, his expectations
were the more sanguine, as Ticonderoga
had been but a little time before aban-
doned, upon the approach of Gen. Bur-
goyne.

The unexpected and hasty retreat of
Col. St. Leger, and his host of In-
dians, accompanied by Sir John John-
son, whose influence among the settlers
along the Mohawk river, it was sup-
posed, would procure considerable rein-
forcements, defeated all the calculations
that had been made in the event of the
success of St. Leger, which was hardly

'Johnson's Orderly Book.

doubted. Great indeed was the disappoint-
ment and mortification, when, instead
of Colonel St. Leger taking the fort, and,
by this means obtaining possession of the
Mohawk country, as well as ejecting a
juncture with General Burgoyne, he w.is
obliged to retreat, wholly batticd in all his
designs." Indeed, so great was the panic
of the besiegers and such the precipit.incy
of their Hight, that St. Leger left his
bombardier asleep in the bomb-battery.
They also left their tents standing, their
provisions, artillery ammunition, their
entire camp-equipage and large quantities
of other articles enhancing the value of
the booty. In very truth, r!ie king's
troops had themselves becoMc that very
" Rabble" by which ter.i St. Leger in
his orders, had so pompously designated
the Americans !

Upon the raising of the siege of Fort
Schuyler, or Fort Stanwix, as the public
always preferred calling it, St. Leger
hastened with his scattered forces back to
Oswego, and thence to Montreal. From
that post he proceeded to Lake Champlain,
passing up the same to Ticonderoga for
the purpose of joining the army of Bur-
goyne. While neither himself, nor Sir
John carried this intention out, some of
their officers did, as has been seen in a
preceding note. It is, however, very
certain that St. Leger fully intended to
join Burgoyne. Thus Gen. Burgoyne, in
a secret and confidential letter to Gen.
Riedesel under date of Sept. lo, 1777,
writes as follows : " * * 1 have, my dear
general, to intrust a little matter to your
care during your stay at F'ort Edward.
I desire to have two batteaux, with their
oars, buried as qu'etly as possible. It
would also, be well to shovel earth upon
them j and to give them still more the
appearance of graves, a cross might be
placed Upon each hillock. All this must
be done in the night, and only by trust-
worthy soldiers. The teamsters cannot
be relied on. The use for which these
batteaux are intended, is to help Lieut.
Col. St. Leger in crossing the river, in
case of circumstances forcing him to

march without hii ships. This officer
has been forced by the bad conduct of
the Indians, to retreat on the road to
Oswego. He has however, accom-
plished this without loss, and it now
on his march to the army. I have sent
him orders as to the necessary measures
of precaution he is to take upon arriving
on the island at the lower end of Lake
George. If he finds that the enemy
are not in the vicinity of the road
leading to the army, and he can keep
the march of twenty- four men a secret,
he is to cross the river near Fort Edward,
at the same time notifying me in advance
of his movement, that I may be able to
facilitate it from my side. I have told
him where he will find the batteaux, viz.
insiJe of Fori F.divard. I had given
orders to Brigadier General Powell to
have your reserve cross at the same time
with Colonel St. Leger, and to leave
those only behind that belong to the
regiment of Prince Frederick."

The sequel to this burying of the
batteaux is thus told by Dr. Gordon. In
writing in regard to the cutting off of Bur-
goyne by Gen. Stark's capture of Fort
Edward, he says: "The Americans who
had been ordered there [Fort Edward]
made a discovery, which they greatiy im-
proved. Below the fort, close in with
the river, they found the appearance of a
grave, with an inscripti )n on a board ;

• Here lies the body of Lieutenant ."

They were at a loss what it should
mean. On searching, they discovered
three batteaux [Riedesel with his usual
prudence, had, it seemed, buried three in-
stead of two] instead of a body. These
the enemy had concealed. Having none
of their own, they, by the help of them
sent scouting parties across the river [the
Hudson] which by falling into a track a
mile and a-half beyond, discouraged the
enemy's parties from attempting an escape
that way." Thus, Burgoyne's and Rie-
desel's efforts only redounded to the aid of
their enemies ! It was undoubtedly to
this action of Riedesel in burying the
batteaux that Burgoyne refers to in his

"Johnson's Orderly Book.

. • ^

•' State (f the Expedition" when, in speak-
ing i)f' tlic reason why. after tin- action of
the 19th of Sept., at Frrenian'e farm, he
did not immediately ictreat, he says :
•'The tJnie also entitled me to expect Lieut.
Col. St. Lcger'g corps would be arrived at
Ticonderoga ; and ietrei means had been
long concerted to enable him to make an
ertort to join me with probability of
luccess."

The miscarriage of St. Leger's expedi-
tion, as it has been well epitomised by S.
N. Dexter North, was due to the miscal-
culation of the home government which
planned it. The force under his com-
mand was a picked one, but altogether
too small. See Letter from Col. Claus to
Secy Knox, N. 7'. Co/. Doc, Vol. viii,
p. 719. "There were three good
reasons," continues Mr. North, "to ex-
cuse and explain this blunder. First, St.
Leger's advance was through an unpro-
tected country and against undisciplined
forces; second, it was expected, upon the

positive assertion of Sir John Johnson,
that at every step of his piiigrcfs his army
would be swelled by a rising tide of
Mohawk valley loyalists, until it should
reach Albany an irresistible force, sweep-
ing all before it and cutting oft the last
retreat of the army which held the sources
of the Hudson against Burguyne ; third,
the alliance of the warlike tribes of the
Six Natiotis was relied upon as insuting a
suflicient augmentation of forces and a
terribly effective cooperation." Each of
these three expectations failed in turn,
and the brilliant plan miserably miscarried.
In short, as Sir Henry Clinton pithily
remarks of the expediti>in of St. Leger :
" If Burgoyne meant to have established
himself in Albany, and was sure he could
be subsisted there, perhaps he had better
have made this [i. e., St. Leger's Expedi-
tion] his principal attack ; this failed from
inadequacy of numbers and want of
common calibre."'

• Sir Henry Clinton's MS. notes to Stcdman's " History of the American War," in the Library
of the late John Carter Brown, ot Providence, R, I.

End.

APPENDIX.

NO. I.

Rev. Marinus Willett.

The Rev. Marinus Willett was born in October^ 1826,
and died on the 23d of February, 1881. His father was a
physician in New York city. In his younger days, Mr.
Willett shipped before the mast for a trip to China, and be-
came a great favorite with all on board. Returning to New
York, he was made fourth officer of the ill-fated steamship
Jrctic, commanded by Capt. Luce, and only left her as she
started on her last voyage in which she was lost. Shortly
after, he received the appointment of third officer in the packet -
ship Ashburton \ but his mother dying about this time, he gave
up the sea as a vocation, choosing in its place the profession of
the ministry. He studied first at Columbia College j then at
the University of Pennsylvania ; and finally graduated at
Williams, He prepared for the ministry at the Union Theologi-
cal Seminary in New York city ; and after his ordination be-
came pastor in succession of several Presbyterian churches,
among .'.lem the one at Black Rock, Conn., and another at
Washington Heights, N. Y. About ten years before his
death, he was appointed chaplain of Ward's, Hart's and Ran-
dall's Islands, by Commissioner Bowen. He was devoted to
his work and found particular happiness in administering spirit-

! 'I

II 'I

■« I ■

iii

•m

■m k .:■:;.

lOO

Appendix,

ual comfort to poor patiento. He left, as a rich heritage to
his children, an official record not often equalled for success
and devotion to the suffering. Indeed, it was this very self-
sacrificing spirit, which was the prirnary cause of his death.
Notwithstanding he had been in ill health for some nine months
previous to his decease, and had been urged not to attempt to
perform his hbors as chaplain, at least until the weather be-
came milder and more settled, he persisted, in the face of wind
and storm, in crossing the East River in an open boat nearly
every day in the week, to visit the Islands, and always on Sun-
days to hold service. Indeed, the officials and physicians of the
different institutions on the three Islands, speak of Mr, Willett
in terms of unqualified praise, as a Christian minister who
seemed to live only to better his fellow-men. Mr. Willett was,
for many years, a member, and later, the secretary, of the
society of the Cincinnati, of which his grandfather (after whom
he was named) was one of the original members. He was
also a member of the St. Nicholas society. He left a wic^--w,
a daughter, and two sons, one of whom, at the time of his
father's death, was a purser of a ship then cruising in the
Indian Ocean. He was buried on the 26th of February, from
the South Dutch church, corner of Fifth Avenue and Twenty-
First street, New York, Dr. Howard Crosby conducting the
services which were unusually impressive.

i' iv

Appendix,

lOI

NO. II.
Gen. Marinus Willett.
Marinus Willett, the author of Willetfs Narrative, was
born at Jamaica, Long Island, July 31st, (G. S.), 1740. He
was the youngest of six sons of Edward Willett, a Queen's
county farmer, and of excellent family — a younger branch,
indeed, of that of Judge Thomas Jones, so well known as the
author of the History of New York during the Revolutionary
IVar, recently edited by Edward F. de Lancey, and published
under the auspices of the N. Y. His. Soc. Owing to his family
becoming much reduced in its circumstances, young Willett
came to New York city and served for a time as a constable,
which, in those days, was a position fully as dignified as that
of sheriff is now. He early became imbued with a military
spirit, and joined the army under Abercrombie as a lieutenant
in Col. de Lancey's regiment in 1758. He was in the disas-
trous battle at Ticonderoga, and accompanied Bradstreet against
Fort Frontenac. Exposure in the wilderness injured his health,
and he was laid up by sickness at Fort Stanwix until the end of
the campaign. Willett espoused the cause of the colonies
when the troubles with the mother country first began.
When the British troops in the New York garrison were
ordered to Boston after the fight at Lexington, they attempted,
in addition to their own, to carry ofi^ a large quantity of spare
arms. Willett, learning of this, resolved to prevent it ; and,
though opposed by the mayor and other Tories, he captuted
the baggage-wagons containing them and brought them back
to the city. These arms were afterward used by the first
regiment raised by the state of New York. For this success-

•('■;

• /

I 02

Appendix,

ful attempt to baffle the British, he drew down on him the
bitter hatred of all who were opposed to colonial independence ;
and hence it is a matter of no surprise when, in speaking of him
in his Tory History of New Tork, Judge Jones says '' he
became a principal leader in all mobs in New York prior to
the actual commencement of the rebellion." He was appointed
second captain of a company in Col, Mc Dougall's regiment
and accompanied Montgomery in his Northern expedition
against Quebec. He was placed in command of St. John's, and
held that post until January, 1776. In the same year, he was
appointed lieutenant colonel; and, at the openingof the campaign
of 1777, was placed in command of Fort Constitution on the
Hudson. In May of this year, he was ordered to Fort
Stanwix, where he performed signal service, as mentioned in
the Introduction ; and for which he was voted a sword by
congress. This vote of congress, unlike the playful amusement
in which that body has, until lately, seemed inclined to indulge,
viz: of voting monuments to Herkimer, Steuben, Pulaski, and
others, and allowing its action to end in a vote merely, was.
we are glad to state, carried out ; and the sword was sent direct
to Col. VVillett by John Hancock. This sword, which is
owned by the widow of the late Rev. Mr. Willett, has for
several months past been in the careful keeping of a jeweller
on William street near th z New York Custom House. After the
retreat of St. Leger and Johnson, Willett was left in command
of Fort Stanwix, and remained there until the summer of 1778,
when he joined the army under Washington, arriving in time
to participate in the battle of Monmouth. He accompanied
Sullivan in his campaign against the Senecas in 1779, and was
actively engaged in the Mohawk valley in 1780, 1781 and

Appendix,

103

1782. ]n 1783, he was for a little time in command of the
northern portion of New York state, having his head-quarters
at Albany. A MS. letter, now before me, from Willett to
Washington, dated "Albany, 30th Jan., 1783," and signed
" M. Willett, Col. Commanding," bears on its back the follow-
ing endorsement also in his handwriting.

" Permit the bearer Thomas Clump (express rider) to pass to
head-quarters at New Burgh. Should any accident happen to
his horse or himself, all magistrates and other friends are humbly
requested to afford him such assistance as he may stand in need
of, in order that his dispatches may not be delayed. And any
necessary expenses which may accrue on this account, I promise

to settle.

M. WILLETT,

Col. Commanding."

In 1792, he was sent by Washington to treat with the Creek
Indians at the south ; and the same year he was appointed a
brigadier general in the army intended to act against the north-
western tribes. This appointment, however, he declined, as
he was conscientiously opposed to the expedition. He was for
some time sheriff' of New York city, and was elected its mayor
in 1807. He was also chosen one of the electors of president
and vice-president in 1824, and was made president of the
Electoral College. He died in New York city at *' Cedar
Grove " (as his residence in Broome street was called), full of
years and honors, Sunday evening, Aug. 23d, 1830, the an-
niversary of his battle with Major Ross and Walter Butler, in
the 91st year of his age. The funeral of Col. Willett took
place on Tuesday, the 24th of August. The coffin was con-
veyed into the garden in the rear of his dwelling, under an

1?.

if ''i

i|ii;

Wi:

104.

Appendix,

arbor, which in life had been his favorite resort ; a gate was
thrown open in the rear, so that the number of visitors who
were anxious to view his remains might pass through without
confusion. It was estimated that not less than ten thousand
persons availed themselves of the opportunity. The procession
formed at his residence, the pall-bearers being Col, Troup,
Col. Fish, Col. Trumbull, Col. A. Ogden, Major General
Morton, Major Fairlie, J. Pintard, Esq., and Mr. Dominick.
The bier was attended by the members of the Cincinnati
society, the members of the court of errors, the members of the
common council, the judges of the different courts, together
with an immense concourse of citizens in carriages and on foot,
accompanied by a troop of horse and a corps of New York state
artillery. The procession moved to Trinity church ; and the
remains, after services conducted by Rev. Dr. De Witt, were
deposited in Trinity church-yard. During the afternoon ninety
minute-guns were fired on the battery, and volleys of musquetery
over the grave. I am informed by an old and highly esteemed
resident of New York, who at that time lived near Col.
Willett in Broome street, that the funeral procession, car-
riages included, extended nearly the entire distance from
Broome street to Trinity church. Indeed, in view of these
public and private manifestations of grief which, on his decease,
so spontaneously gushed forth, it is a little surprising that the
accomplished and genial editor of Jones's History of New Tork^
in alluding to Willett's death, could find nothing more to say
about him than that " his latter life, after the war was a very
respectable one." The following notice appeared in the A^^it; Tork
Commercial Advertiser, at that time edited by my father, Col.
William L. Stone, who was Col. Willett's warm friend. " The

Appendix,

105

coffin of Col. Willett was made of pieces of wood, collected by
himself, many of them from different revolutionary battle fields.
The corpse, in compliance with the written request of the de-
ceased, was habited in a complete suit of citizen's apparel, in-
cluding an old fashioned three-cornered hat, which had been
presented for that purpose." In the personal character of Col.
Willett, as has been justly remarked, " there were traits of
chivalry and daring, so fearless and ardent, that in another age,
he would have commanded the deepest and greatest admiration."
Virtue, philanthropy and patriotism guided every step, and
adorned every act of his eventful and public life ; while in his
private life he was distinguished for ir tegrity, frankness and
decision of character. Perhaps, however, the highest compli-
ment that can be paid Col. Willett is, that in Judge Jones's
Historv of New Tork^ in which that gentleman assails with
violence nearly all the actors in the events he describes, the
worst he can say of him, after admitting that he was possessed
of courage, is the remark quoted above regarding his being a
principal leader of revolutionary mobs !

A son of Col. Willett is yet (1882) living near me on Jersey
City Heights, N. J. He is still remarkably hale and hearty and in
the full enjoyment of his physical and mental powers. He, it
was, who, as a labor of filial piety, edited and published his
father's Narrative. In a recent conversation with him he said
that the engraving which forms the frontispiece of that work is
a most miserable likeness of his father, in proof of which he
showed me an exquisite sketch (in crayon) of the colonel, which
certainly differs greatly from the engraving in the Narrative.
Mr. Willett also informed me that until lately (when they were
stolen from him) he had in his possession some six original
14

io6

iii

Apptadix,

autograph letters from Washington to his father, two of whicn
were couched in terms of warm commendation to Col. Willett
for his successful sortie from Fort Stanwix. Mr. Willett has
long been favorably known as the author of works of a religious
cast, he having written, among other books, The Life of Summer-
field^ The Life of the Messiah, The Restitution of all Things,^ etc.
To see and converse, in the year of our Lord, 1882, with the
son of an Indian fighter of the old French war, and a distinguished
soldier of the Revolution, not only is a very great privilege, but
brings the early colonial days vividly before the mind, making
them indeed seem as of yesterday.'

' In this connection one cannot but recall another similar instance of a man who
died but recently (1880). His name was Ransom Cook, of Saratoga Springs, whose
father-in-law was Robert Ayers, the person who conveyed to Jane McCrea the message
of her lover David Jones. Mr. Cook, who had become greatly distinguished by hit
many mechanical and scientific inventions, was, in many respects, a remarkable man,
fully alive not only to the present, but to the past ; and when in the year of our
Lord, 1880, we talked with him whose wife was the daughter of one who knew
Jane McCrea intimately, past events no longer seemed dim and shadowy but actual
realities !

Appendix.

107

NO. III.

Oriskany from a British Standpoint.
Before going to press, I submitted my manuscript to a friend
for whose judgment I have a profound respect, with the request
that he would make any suggestions which might occur to him.
He promptly responded by giving me several valuable hints,
and among others the following : ''In your Introduction you
should give the other side of the story, as well as Willett's ac-
count of how he came by the Orderly Book. Johnson was
with his regiment fighting when the sortie was made. Willett's
story was not true. However, print it as you propose, but
also prmt a part of the note of the editor of Jones's
History of New York during the Revolution, which is No.
LXIII. p. 701, Vol. I. Jones's text shows that Sir John
suggested or rather proposed the plan to St. Leger, the result
of which was the defeat of Oriskany. This fact you might
also mention. "

Before asking my friend's opinion, I had already endeavored
(and I think successfully, see note on page 13) to reconcile
the apparent discrepancy between Willett's and Jones's accounts,
hy showing how it might easily have happened that Sir John
was not only in the attack on Herkimer, but also in the camp
at the time of Willett's sortie. Nevertheless, in justice to the
other side, I herewith give the note of the editor in Jones's
History, above referred to, first preceding it with Jones's account
of the action at Oriskany in his text.

Extract from Jones's History, p. 216, Fol. I.
"Hercheimer got intelligence of the situation of the garrison

iili:

Jill

1 08

Appendix,

[at Fort Stanwix] and determined to raise the siege if possible,
if not, at least to throw in reinforcements, with large supplies
of every kind of provisions and stores. To effect this, he
collected a body of about 1,000 militia, in which every person
of note in the country, who were in the interest of congress,
served either as officers or volunteers. When everything was
in readiness, Hercheimer marched for the relief of the fort,
having under his escort about 400 wagons loaded with stores
and provisions of every kind. St. Leger had soon information
of these proceedings ; Sir John Johnson proposed meeting
them in the woods, lying in ambush and taking them by sur-
prise. This being agreed to by St. Leger, Sir John proceeded
with a part of his own corps, a few Canadians, and the Indians,
the distance of a few miles, and waited the coming of the
enemy. Spies were sent out, who soon returned with an ac-
count of their approach, their distance, and their route. An
ambush was laid, and so artfully concealed, that the first inti-
mation the rebels had of an enemy being at hand, was a heavy
fire in their rear, in their front, and upon both flanks. Numbers
fell. A battle ensued in the Indian method of fighting. The
rebels behaved with resolution, but were totally defeated.
Several of the Indians were killed, and among them some of
their Sachems. The other part of the detachment suffered
little. In the action General Hercheimer and almost every
leading man in the rebel interest in the county of Tryon, were
killed. Not a man got into the fort, and the wagons, pro-
visions, and stores were all either taken or destroyed. "

Extract from the editor's note to the above note^ LXIII, Vol i.
" St. Leger's corps passed through the Oneida Lake on the

Appendix,

109

31st of July, 1777 ; his van appeared before Fore Stanwix on
the 2d of August, and the siege began on the 3d. * * *

" Nicholas Herkimer, or Herckheimer, as the name was ori-
ginally spelled, was appointed brigadier of the Tryon county
militia, when it was separated from that of Albany county, and
formed into a brigade by itself, by the provincial convention,
Sept. 5th, 1776, John Frey at same time being appointed his
brigade major. An official letter of the provincial convention
to the New York delegates in congress, dated Aug. 14th, 1777,
written by Robert R. Livingston, says : ' We have 700 militia
out in Tryon county, and the governor has also ordered 200
men to Scoary [Schoharie] where the Whigs are besieged by
Tories and Indians.' The committee of Tryon county, on the
17th of July, unto the committee of safety, at Kingston. ' Fort
Schuyler' fortifications are noi: yet finished, and the garrison
consists of but 300 able men. General Schuyler ordered 200
men of our militia for a reinforcement, but with all trouble
possible, and repeated orders, no more but about 80 men could
be brought there.' In the same letter they say that the militia
were in such a discouraged state that, the weak hearted (which
by this time being the greatest number) are fully resolved and
declare openly, upon actual invasion of the enemy, to render
themselves up to their protection, if the county be not in time
succored with troops, and that from neglect of such succors
more than half of our inhabitants are resolved not to lift up
arms in defence of this country.'

"Col. Peter Gansevoort, with the 3d New York Continentals,
took command in April, 1777, and began the erection of the

' Fort Stanwix just after it was erected was called " Fort Schuyler " for a short
time. The real Fort Scliuyler (old Fort Schuyler) was on the site of the present
city of Utica, See preceding note to Fort Stanwix.

■«

i:l

X iir

^1 IP-

'il ii^

!!i !

Ihi

I ('

?•■

'I'M,

I lO

!i I

Appendix.

fort. On the ist of August, he received a reinforcement of
about 200 men, with several batteaux loaded with provisions
and ammunition, the tardy result of Schuyler's orders, which
increased his force to about 700 men.

" Herkimer on the 17th of July, had issued a proclamation
calling out all the Tryon county militia from the ages of 16 to
60, but only succeeded in getting about 700 by the 5th of
August, when he encamped at the confluence of the Oriskany
creek with the Mohawk. He sent that night a messenger to
Gansevoort asking him to nake a sortie when he should appear,
and to notify the arrival of his messenger by three guns in
succession.

" His officers and men taunting him with cowardice for delay-
ing to move, the next day he ordered them to march before the
signal was heard ; the result was the defeat described by the
author Helmer, the messenger arrived at the fort at i p. m., at
2 Gansevoort sent out a sortie of 206 men under Marinus
Willett, who ransacked and plundered the slightly guarded camp
of Johnson, who was engaged in the battle about a mile from
the fort, and there learning the defeat of Herkimer, retreated
back to the fort with their plunder, which, in the words of
Helmer, 'at a reasonable computation amounted at least to one
thousand pounds,' ' not one man being killed or wounded.'

" Herkimer, desperately wounded in the leg, bore himself nobly

in the action, was afterward removed to his own home in the
town of Danube on the Mohawk, and died thereafter an ampu-
tation, on the i6th of August, 1777, and is buried in the family
graveyard near the house.
^ "The remains of Herkimer's command retreated to old Fort
Schuvler (now Utica), carrying their wounded, but without

appendix, j ^ j

burning , he, dead, and .ade „„ ru„h„ a„e„,p, a. relieving .h.

p n ":„':/::■ r^ ""'^'" "--^ ' we „,„ „o,i :

/ us to tell of the behaviour of the rear «^m a

and':::,.: r::""™'"« "^ ^'^^-^ -"--« - -h?:::

us l'c?o7:''^B7;i;;t,h"f r"?'"'"' : *= ^^^ ^™ -" ^-f

bers, the field officer, ".eLrTh '^'" °' """. ""^-"i"" ■"=■«
o". of order, the^eiplfr^ e ;'d^°?et''- ""^ """6 '•'
Esopus unrepresented ; that we cannof h ' "1"'"^ «

longer without your ad • we will ? ^' '° "^"'' " ^ny
aspect our fields'do show.' Fairh 1|7„ '"""'™ ""= ^'"'^''^"8
.our sorrowful Brethren, .b^^^teXsTS cT.S

"Peter J. Daggart, '
^^ Chairman."''

\ I

i !

I 12

Appendix,

NO IV.

Sir Darby Monaghan.

The Duke of Rutland' when lord lieutenant of Ireland
frequently indulged himself in incognito rambles, with a few
boon companions, through the meaner parts of Dublin, in the
course of which he occasionally met with strange adventures.

One evening, his Grace, Col. St. Leger, and one or two
others, having entered into a public house in the Liberty,
they found the landlord (who had served under St. Leger in
America) to be so comical a blade, that they invited him to sit
down to supper with them. Darby Monaghan, who knew his
Grace by sight, took good care that the entertainment should
be such as to give every satisfaction to his guests, and he con-
trived so to season it with an abundant flow of native wit and
drollery, that they were quite delighted with him. His wine
and whiskey punch were so good that by two in the morning
they were all quite jolly, and ready to sally out into the street, in
quest of adventures. This however, was prevented by the
politic Darby, who contrived, by the humor of his songs, and
the waggery of his jests, to^fascinate them to the spot, until one
after another, they fell drunk under the table.

During their libations, and after Darby had said several
good things in succession, the Duke in a fit of good humor,
and by way of a joke, turned round to him, and said, " by
Jove ! landlord, you are a glorious fellow, and an honor to your
country. What can I do for you my boy ? [Hiccup.] I'll

' Charles Manners, fourth Duke of Rutland, was the eldest son of the General,
Marquis of Granby. He succeeded his grandfather, the third Duke, in 1779. He
was very popular, and was celebrated for his kind heart and his interest in literary
men He was appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland, P'ebruary 17, 1784, and
continued in office until his death in 1787. — Ed.

j^ppendix.

113

knight you my lad ? so — [hiccup again] — down upon your
marrow bones this instant!" — "Your Grace's high commands
shall be obeyed," said Darby kneeling. The Duke drew his
sword, and although Colonel St. Leger endeavored to prevent
his carrying the joke too far, he struck him over the shoulder,
and uttered the ominous words, " Rise up Sir Darby Mo-
naghan !" Darby, having humbly thanked his Grace, and
sworn fealty to the King of England in a bumper, an immense
bowl of punch was ordered in ; this was filled and refilled, until
at length the whole party became blind drunk, as before
stated.

The weatner being warm, and the great quantity of ( jnch
which they had drunk, prevented the topers from feeL ^ Any
inconvenience from the hardness of their couch, and they
slept as soundly as they would have done on a down bed, either
at the Castie or the lodge. Darby, who, from long seasoning,
was soon enabled to overcome the effects of the whiskey, rose
betimes, and, having bustled about, soon prepared a com-
fortable breakfast of tea, coffee and chocolate, for the sleeping
partners of his debauch.

When all was ready, not liking to rouse them by shaking or
otherwise, he stepped into the room upon tiptoe and gently
opened the window shutters. The sun shining in full upon
them, they soon awoke from their slumbers, wondering where
they were. The landlord, who was listening at the door,
speedily put an end to their suspense, by thrusting in his black
head, and nodding to his Grace, assuring him, "that they were
safe and sound, and not a bone broke, in Darby Monaghan's
own comfortable and fashionable hotel ; also, that if his Honor's
Grace and the other gentlemen would just shake themselves a
15

, I

114-

Appendix,

I ;

\i/

bit, and sluish their faces wit'u a little nice cold spring water,
they might fall to without any more delay, for there was a
breakfast fit for a laird laid out for them in the next room."

This intelligence was received with much pleasure by the
party, who, having put themselves in decent trim, adjourned to
the breakfast room, where they found everything of the best
laid out in homely style ; but what pleased them the most, was
Darby's attention in bringing in a bottle of whisky under one
arm, and one of brandy under the other. Pouring out several
glasses, he presented them to each, according to their choice ;
taking the blessed Vargin to witness that a glass of good spirits
was the best maidicine iver envinted for weakness of the stomach,
after straitching it with punch the overnight.

Darby's courtesy vvas taken in good part ; and after he had
retired, the conversation turned upon his extraordinary humor.
At length Col. St. Leger, seeming to recollect himself, said,
'' I am af.aid, my Lord Duke, your Excellency made a bit of
a blunder last night ; you conferred the honor of knighthood
on this same landlord." — " Did I, by heaven ! " exclaimed his
Grace. ^' That you did," replied the colonel. " Bless me, how
unfortunate ! why didn't you prevent me ? " " 1 endeavored
to do so with all my might, but vour Excellency's arm was too
potent ; and I preferred seeing your weapon fall upon his shoulder,
rather than have it thrust into me." " What an unfortunate
affair ! " exclaimed the Duke, rising ; " but I suppose the fellow
doesn't recollect the circumstance more than myself ; let us call
him in. I wouldn't have such a thing reported at St. James's
for the world ; I should be recalled, and be the laughing stock
of every one at the Court. Zounds ! to knight the landlord of
a comm*. t punch house ! the thing is surely impossible."

Appendix.

" Both possible and true," replied the Colonel; "but let us
ring for him, and see what he himself says about the matter."
Darby, who was in attendance on the outside of the 'ioor, heard
all that passed, and resolved to resist every attempt to deprive
him of his newly acquired honors. On entering the room the
following dialogue took place.

Duke — I say, landlord, we were all quite jolly last night ?

Darby — Your honor's noble Grace may say that same ;
we drank thirteen whacking bowls of punch among five of us.

Duke — Ah ! so we did, I believe — thirteen to the dozen —
and you supped with us ?

Darby — Many thanks to your Grace's Excellency, Darby
Monaghan did himself that same honor.

Duke — No honor at all, my good fellow. But I sav. Darby,
do you recollect any thing particular that I did in the way of
joke, you know ; some foolish thing, when we were all as
drunk as fiddlers ?

Darby — Certainly, your Dukeship may say that, any how.
I dare say the colonel well remimbers you filling up the last
bowl from the whisky jug, instade of from that containing the
hot water. By the powers ! I could not stand that ; it set me
off whizzing like a top, and does not remember one single thing
after we emptied it.

Duke — [Laughing] — Oh, then you don't remember my
drawing my sword and threatening to run you through the body }

Darby — The Lord above foriver presarve yer Dukeship's
Highness from cru'l murder and sudden death all the days of
yer life ! I don't remlmber any such thing ; but I remimber
well the whack yer Excellency's Rpyal Highness gave me with
that same sword over my shoulder, when ye bid me "rise up,
Sir Darby Monaghan."

f r. '

ii6

Appendix.

Duke — You do ? eh! But that was all in jest, you know
Darby -, and so we must think no more about it.

Darby — Long life to your Highness ! but I took it in right
arnest ; more by token that my shoulder aches at this moment
with the blow ; but I mustn't mind that, for it was given upon
an honorable occasion, and resaived with good will — so thanks
to yer Excellency for all the favors now and hereafter.

Duke — But you don't presume to suppose, my good fellow,
that I actually conferred upon you the honor of knighthood }

Darby — By the powers ! your Highness, but I do. Sure I
wouldn't be after doing your Highness such discredit as to think
ye meant to break yer royl word to man or mortal.

Duke — Oh the devil ! — [whispering] — I say Colonel
what is to be done ?

Colonel — [Whispering) — (jive him some berth, and make
him promise to say nothing about the frolic.

Duke — Well, Darby, I don't mean to act scurvily towards
you. I can give you a tidewaiter's place, or something in the
excise, that will bring you in about one hundred and fifty
pounds a year, and make you independent for life.

Darby — [Kneeling, and kissing the Duke's hand] — Let
me go on my merry bones once again, to thank yet Royl High-
ness for being so good and merciful to poor Darby Monaghan !
He'll niver forget to remimber to pray for yer excellency to the
blessed saints, on Sunday or holiday.

Duke — Well, then. Darby, it is settled that you give up
the title, and that nothing shall ever be said about last night's
adventure ?

Darby — Give up the title ! yer Grace ? and not bt* called
Sur ! after all? I thought the hundred and fifty pounds a -year
was to keep up my style as a true and loyal knight.

Appendix, nj

Duke -No, faith! you sha'n't have place and title too, so
choose without delay.

Darby _ [Pausing] _ Well, yer Grace, if yer Excellency
plaises' I'd rather keep the title ; for, d'ye see, it 'ill be such a
wonderment for a punch house to be kept by Sir Darby
Monaghan, that I'll soon have all the custom of Dublin city ;
and that 'ill be better than a tidewaither's place, any how.

Duke -[Laughing.]- Well, then, what more argument
about that matter, you shall have a place of about two hundred
and fifty pounds a-year, and you must give up your knighthood
this instant.

Darby — [Going out] — Plase your Excellency, then, I'll
just step up stairs, and ax hir Ladyshifs advice ; and, I'dare
say she'd rather have the money. So I'll inform your Honor's
Grace in a twinkling.

Her Ladyship was accordingly consulted on this important
question ; and she wisely, and without hesitation, voted for the
income of two hundred and fifty pounds, which thc-y enjoyed
for many years. 7'he title, too, stuck by them till the last ; for
after ;he Duke's departure from his vice-royalty, the afl^air was
bruited abroad, to the great amusement of the middle and lower
orders in Dublin, who never failed to address the fortunate
couple by the appellations of *« Sir Darby and Lady Monaghan.'^

London Clubs.

! if:

ff i!

ii8 ^ppenaix.

NO. V.

Jane Wemple Starin'.

One of the sufferers by St. Leger's raid, was Jane Wemple
Starin, the grandmother of Hon. John H. Starin, ex M. C,
from the state of New York'. The trials of this heroic and
patriotic woman, if given in detail, would fill many pages.
Hon. John H. Starin, writing to the author in regard to his
(Mr. Starin's) grandmother, says : " My grandmother, jane
Wemple Starin, was of Dutch descent, her maiden name
being Jane Wemple. She lived in the present village of
Fultonville, Montgomery Co., N. Y., before there was any
village there, her house, indeed, being the only one. It was
on the south bank of the Mohawk river opposite Caughnawiga,
and was kept as an inn. It was the headquarters of the
mail route to the north and west, which crossed the river at this
point by a ford. My grandfather was an Indian interpreter,
and his brother, my great uncle, was the first judge in that
part of the State. ^ The inn also was a kind of halting-place

' Her maiden name was Jane Wemple; one of the VVemple family who, together
with the Fondas, Vroomans and Veeders, founded, in 1762, the Dutch church at
Caughnawaga, the present village of Fonda, Montgomery Co., N. Y, The original
ciiurch edifice is, I believe, still standii'g.

» It is probably due to this fact that Mr. Starin has always shown such interest in
the Saratoga Monument Association of which he is the president. Indeed, it is
solely to his etforts that the trustees have been able to begin the erection of the
monument now completing at Schuylerville, N. Y.

3 Hon. Wm. f. Bacon gives the following account of Mr. Starin's great uncle in
his exceedingly able and instructive address on " The Early Bar of Oneida," de-
livered in 1875 in Utica, N. Y. We quote :

"The first incumbents of the Herkimer Common Pleas, ivhich then (1798) in-
cluded Oneida county, were three fair-minded, intelligent and uprig'it laymen, viz.
Henry Starin, judge, and Ji-dediah Sanger and Amos Wetmore, justices. Of the
first of these men a very graphic, and, I am inclined to tiiink, a very just sketch, is
given by our former highly esteemed townsman, William Tracy, Esq., of New York,

Appendix.

119

for bands of western Indians who were on their way east
to visit their Great Father at Washington ; and often at night
the halls of the inn would be so thickly filled with sleeping
red men that my grandfather could hardly pick his way among

them. Th(

)f Mohawks

lere was also a permanent encampment 01 iviohawi
just beyond the inn ; while directly in its front, there were
several eel-wiers that the Indians had built in the river, one of
which still (1882) is plainly to be seen.

"My grandmother, who died at Syracuse, N. Y., in 1841,
at the age of nearly 85 years, was a very neat old lady ; and
I well recall the short gown (spun and woven by herself) that
she wore, and the pocket fastened by a string around her
waist, and worn underneath the gown, which had to be
pulled up whenever she wanted to reach her pocket. She
always carried in it some tidbit for the boys." Mrs. Starin's
memory to the day of her death was remarkably retentive ; and
on a wintei's night, while the flames went roaring up the

in the two most valuable and entertaining lectures delivered by him in this city, more
than thirty years ago. Starin was a plain, honest Dutch farmer, living at German
Jlats, of limited education, but with a large stock of common sense and sound judg-
ment, and, above all, an incorruptible integrity. His sense of the inviolability of
contracts and the duty of fulrilling them, is well illustrated in the amusing but well
authenticated incident of his refusing a discharge to an applicant for the benefit of
the insolvent act until he had paid all his debts, to be relieved from which, it need
hardly be said, was the very object and purpose of tlie application.

'•The first record we have of any court held within the territory of what is now
the County of Oneida, is in October, 1793, when a Court of Common Pleas was
held in a barn belonging to Judge Sanger, in the town of New Hartford, and over
this court Judge Starin presided, assisted by Justices Sanger and Wetmore. An
incident occurred at this session of the court, which is so amusing and illustrative,
that I venture to reproduce it substantially as it is related by Tracy, in the lectures
already alluded to. The day was cold and chilly, and the barn of course had no
appliances for creating artificial warmth. In the absence of these, and with a view
to keeping their faculties awake, some of the attending lawyers had induced the
sherifi'(an impulsive and obliging Irishman, named Colbraith), to procure a jug of
ardent spirits, which was quietly circulated around the bar, and from which each one
decanted (taking it like oysters raw from the shell) the quantity that would suffice
to keep them up to concert pitch. While this was going on, the judges, who were

. ili r.

' i

I20

Appendix,

hugh chimney, and the fire-light merrily played among the
flitches of bacon hanging from the smoked rafters overhead, she
would recount to her grandchildren gathered around, her
many adventures in a newly settled country, and the suffer-
ings endured by herself and kindred when forced to fly on the
approach of the savage hordes of St. Leger.

Mr. Starin comes, indeed, of good old revolutionary stock.
His grandfather, the Indian interpreter mentioned above, fought
throughout the war for American Independence, and was one
of ten of the Starin family who served in the Continental army
directly under Washington. To Sampson Sammons, the great-
great-uncle of Mr. Starin, belongs the honor of having had fired
at him x.\\q first shot in the luar of the Revolution west of the
Hudson ; while his son, Jacob Sammons, in attempting to erect

suffering from the cold without any such adventitious relief, consulted together, and
concluded that rather than freeze in their seats they would adjourn the court until
the ensuing day. Just as they were about to announce this conclusion, and to call
on the sheriff to make the usual proclamation, the latter sprang up with the jug in
his hand, and handing it up to the Bench, exclaimed, ' Oh, no, no. Judge, don't
adjourn yet. Take a little gin; that will keep you warm. 'Taint time to adjourn
yet.* Tradition says the court yielded to the soft persuasion, and in the language
now common and tamiliar to our ears, ' smiled,' and proceeded with the business
of the court. What sort of justice prevailed duiing the remainder of that day, the*
historian of the incident does not tell us, and cotemporary tradition is silent on the
subject." Judge Bacon, (who is the best living authority on the subject) also kindly
writes me the following additional particulars of Judge Starin. " Judge Starin was
born about eleven miles below the city of Utica, in the county of Herkimer, which
then included within its limits what are now the counties of Oneida, Madison,
Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence. He was a militia officer at the be-
ginning of the Revolution, and is reputed as having been present at the battle of
Oriskany ; and from that time held the position of colonel of the Tryon County
Militia during the remainder of the war. He had not only good common sense and
great integrity (as I state in mv lecture on the Oneida Barj but untiinching courage
and loyalty and many attempts were made to capture him by the enemy, which, by
his great shrewdness and presence of mind, he escaped j but finally, on one occasion,
he was surprised by the Indians and shut up in a wigwam overnight, his captors pro-
posing to burn him alive the next morning. But in the dead of night he escaped
through an opening, and fleeing swiftly he eluded pursuit by taking to the water and
following the bed, until fortunately, finding a canoe among the willows on the bank
he unloosed it, and moving down the stream, reached his home safely by noon of
that day."

Appendix.

12 I

a liberty-pole at Caughnawaga in 1775, was struck down by a
loaded whip in the hands of Col. Guy Johnson, and returned
to his father's house bearing upon his body the first scars of the
Revolutionary contest in the county cf Tryon. See Stone^s Brantj
Vol. I, pp. 52, 107. Jacob Sammon's grandson, the late Col.
Simeon Samnions, of Fonda, N. Y., during our late civil war,
equipped, put in marching order, and conducted to Harper's
Ferry, eleven hundred men in twenty-nine days. When Sam-
mons reached Washington and was asked the usual question
what he had come for, instead of expressing, as manv did, a desire
for easy quarters near the capitol, he answered " to fight by

"; and as evidence of the sincerity of his purpose he brought

home two bullets in his body. Again, at the springing of a
mine in front of Petersbuigh, he leaped over the parapet and,
though his foot was shattered by a bullet, caught the standard
and planted it in triumph on the works of the enemy. He was
also, we believe, engaged at Fredericksburgh, and was near
the late Col. Welcome B. Sayles of the 7th R. I. Vols, when
that gallant and meritorious officer fell (mortally wounded by a
shell) while waving his hand to encourage his men who were
crossing the river on pontoon bridges in the face of a galling fire
from the enemy stationed u the high bark in their front'.

' Judge Hienrich Stirin was the author of the celebrated "Yankee Pass," the
story regarding which runs as follows: The early Dutch of the Moluwk Valley were
very strict in keeping the Sabbath ; and the legal penalties for such infringment
were rigorously enforced. Now it chanced that one Sunday morning as [udiie
Starin was going to church, he met a Yankee peddler on horseback quietly jogging
along on his way east. Straightway the judge arrested him, and having received
from the offender the customary fine of four sliilling , was asked by the latter if —
now that the penalty had been paid — he would not give him a pass to travel the
remainder of" the day, especially as he was in a liurry to finish his journey, and did
not wish to be delayed ? To this seemingly reasonable request the judge consented,
and requested the Yankee (as he had not his glasses by him) to write it out himself
and he would sign it. This having been done, the judge affixed his signature to the
document and the peddler went on his way. Some weeks afterwards, the judge

122

Addenda,

ADDENDA.

Notes that should have appeared in their proper
places, but were accidentally omitted.

Page 3, note 2, add : La Chine also derives an additional
and melancholy interest from the fact that it was the scene of
a most shocking massacre in the summer of 1689, in conse-
quence of the incapacity of Gov. Dcnonville. During the
night of the 5th of August, of that year, amid a wild hail and
rain storm, 1,400 Iroquois warriors crossed Lake St. Louis,
and before daybreak had surrounded every house at La Chine
within a radius of several miles. At a given signal the in-
vaders raising the dreadful warhoop fell upon the sleeping
inmates of the little hamlet, and dragged the sleepers from
their beds. Those houses that could not be forced were fired
and the terrified settlers rushed forth to "scape the flames, only
to be stricken down by the tomahawks of the savage incendiaries
stationed at the doors. Unborn infants were torn from their
mother's wombs, and fathers were compelled to throw their
children into the flames. Two hundred persons were literally

happening to be in Kane's store in Canajoharie, was presented with a sight note
of hand for 825, which the storekeeper, know/ng it to be first class paper, had pur-
chased. Judge Starin at first was utterly astounded, yet confessed thai the signature
was his and no mistake. Finally, after puzzling his brains for several minutes and
having had described to him the person who sold the note, he suddenly exclaimed,

*' Confound it ! It's that d Yankee Pass ! " However, the judge, enjoying the

joke, although at his expense, cheerfully took up the note, but ever more steered clear
of Yankees — particularly those seeking passes on the Sabbath day !

In 1795, that amiable and philosophical traveler, the Duke de la Rochefoucault
Liancourt on his way east from Niagara', tarried over night at the inn kept by Judge
Starin's brother, the Indian interpreter. " The inn," says the Dujce, " was full of
people indisposed with the ague. The whole neighborhood was crowded witJi others
in the same condition ; and by his [Starin's] account, numbers of travelers are daily
arriving, who have not escaped the influence of the tainted air, and of the contagion
which prevails in the district of the Genesee."

Addenda,

123

roasted alive ; others died under prolonged tortures \ while
many more were carried away prisoners to be reserved for a
lingering and horrible death at a future time. " The fair island
upon which the sun shone brightly erewhile," says the historian
M. Garneau, " was lighted up by fires of woe ; houses, planta-
tions and crops were reduced to ashes, while the ground reeked
with blood up to a line a short league apart from Montreal
city. The savages crossed to the opposite shore, the desola-
tion behind them being complete ; and forthwith the entire
parish of La Chine was wasted by fire, and many of its people
massacred." The year that this tragical incident took place,
has ever since been known in Canadian annals as " The year
of the Massacre." The massacre at Schenectady, six months
later, was done in reprisal for that of La Chine, which was at-
tributed to English instigations.

Page II, note I. The following letter is to be read in connec-
tion with the above note :

((

British Museum, London, Eng., "I
ifih September^ 1882. /
Dear Sir : Mr. Bond [the librarian-in-chief ] is on vacation,
but I have lost no time in having a search made, both in the
department of MSS., and that of Printed Books for the infor-
mation you desire.

Mr. Scott, of the department of MSS., reports that the in-
formation has been already sought for in vain ; and that fresh
researches prove equally fruitless. Mr. Bullen, keeper of the
department of Printed Books, has caused the " London
Gazette " and the "Gentleman's Magazine " to be consulted
for the particulars, but without satisfactory result.

1 am.

Dear Sir,

Yours faithfully,

T. Nichols,
Mr. William L Stone. Assistant Secretary"

Ill-'

124

Addenda,

P^g^ I3» '^^^ to the note on Lieut. George Singleton, the
following : Lieut. Singleton was sent by Col. Willett to
Schenectady, where he remained many months upon parole,
but when sufficiently recovered, he broke that and ran off" with
some Tories. — Bonney's Historical Gleanings.

Page 20, note i, add : Although I give in my Burgoyne's
Campaign^ a sketch of Gen. Fraser, I omitted a well authenti-
cated anecdote of him, which should be preserved, as showing
one of that officer's many noble and admirable qualities. The
anecdote is thus told by Jonathan Eastman ii; his memoir of
Gen. Stark, published at Concord, N. H., in 183 1. Mr.
Eastman says : " Two of the American officers taken at Hub-
bardstown relate the following anecdote by him [Eraser]. He
saw that they were in distress, as their continental paper would
not pass* with the English ; and offered to loan them as much
as they wished for their present convenience. They took three
guineas. He remarked to them, 'Gentlemen, take what you
wish — give me your due bills, and when we reach Albany I
trust to your honor to take them up ; for we shall doubtless
overrun the country, and I shall probably have an opportunity
of seeing you again.' Gen. Fraser fell in the battle of the 7th
of Oct. ; the notes were consequently never paid ; but the
signers of them could not refrain from shedding tears at the
fate of this gallant and generous enemy."

Page 64, add to note on Buck (Carleton) Island : " The
celebrated Jemima Wilkinson," says Rochefoucault," in 1794,
thought of removing her family and establishment from Bluff"
Point on Crooked Lake, N. Y., and of settling in Carleton
Island on the Lake of Ontario, where she would enjoy the

Addenda.

125

satisfaction of living under the English Government, which,
by her account, had proffered her a grant of land."

Page 84, note i, add : Fort Bull was a block-house sur-
rounded by palisades and furnished with loop-holes ; " but formed
in such a strange manner," says Garneau, "that the latter served
as a protection to assailants, who could fire under cover at the
defenders within, and whose persons were completely exposed."
The palisades having been cleared away wiih hatchets, the
fort, as stated in note on page 84, was taken by assault, and the
entire garrison, except thirty, put to the sword.

Page 85, as a note to " Missisagues," read : ^' The Mis-
sisagues," writes the Hon. Wm. C. Bryant to the author,
*' were Algonquins. They composed the Eagle Tribe of the
Ojibawa nation, and resided on the western shore of Lake
Ontario near the site of the present city of Toronto. Their
descendants occupy a Reserve on the Grand River, given them
by the British Iroquois." Speaking of this tribe, the Duke
Rochefoucault Liancourt, who visited it in 1795, says : "• About
forty miles from Kingston are some villages of the Missasogas
[Missisagues] ; and wandering tribes of the same nation are
constantly rambling about the banks of the Lake [Ontario],
pass a few nights in one place and a few in another, cross the
river on the confines of the United States, and stop in the
islands ; hunting and fishing are their only employments. They
are the filthiest of all the Indians, I have hitherto seen, and have
the most stupid appearance. They are said to live poorly, to
be wicked and thievish, and men, women and children all given
to drinking. The uncommon severity of the winter in this
country, occasions not the least -alteration in their mode of

126

Addenda,

living. In their small canoes they carry with them some rolls
of the bark of soft birch, which serve to cover the huts built in
the form of a cone, wherein they sleep, and which are supported
merely by some slight props, on which rest these portable walls,
that at the top leave a passage for the smoke." / contrast

the above description of this tribe as given by ti. .£ kindly and
faithful chronicler, Liancourt, with its present condition.

On the 13th of September of this year (1882), a large body
of Red-men met to dedicate the council-house which the Mis-
sisagues have erected on their reservation. The Missisagues,
who now number only 220 persons, own 2,000 acres of land
divided into fifty-acre farms, and all under cultivation ; they
maintain a church and a school, and have ^200,000 in the
government funds. Thinking that their prosperity entitled
them to the convenience of a council-house in which to
transact their business, they erected a neat 7 :omfortable
building, and asked their friends to help thti. ledicale it.
About 1,500 members of the Six Nations and Indian delegates
from remote points were present. Songs, speeches, dances,
the music of brass bands and an abundant dinner made up the
regular programme, and the afternoon closed with the formal
adoption of the wife of Dr. P. E. Jones, chief of the Missisa-
gues. Mrs. Jones is a white lady, and her husband a regularly
educated physician, is a gentleman of many accomplishments.
She was received into the tribe under the name of Wabunooqua,
"Lady of the Morning." This incident illustrates in a striking
manner the good fruits of Canada's Indian policy compared with
the shameful and rascally one pursued by the United States.

Page 9 1, in a note to " a signal for [illegible] anything white
in the bow." I have said I thought that in the MS., the word

Addenda.

127

that seems illegible looks like the Charity^ /'. /., the sloop Charity.
My friend, General de Peyster, however, thinks otherwise ;
and I confess his explanation is the most plausible. He writes
me as follows : " 1 think I have discovered the meaning of the
illegible word on page 91. You thought it was "Charity."
I think it was a signal to Charier^ which was the old French
maritime term (according to a French dictionary published in
1799), signifying 'to carry all sail that the masts will bear.'
In this case, therefore, it meant a signal to hurry up or to make
all possible speed ; and the sentence would then read ' a signal
for Charter [i. e., a hurrying up], anything white in the bow.' "

Page 96, as a note to St. Leger's letter to Lieut. Bird, read :
St. Leger's fears of a " carnage " was not unfounded, though
he probably did not foresee that this " carnage " would be —
as the event proved — perpetrated upon his own troops. " I
learned from General Simcoe," says Rochefoucault Liancourt,
v'riting in 1795, "that on St. Leger's retreat, the English
tr. ips lost more men from the Indians firing on them, than
fron» the pursuit of the Americans." Neither is this testimony
that of one friendly to the Americans. On the contrary, Gen.
Simcoe was most bitterly hostile to the colonies, cherishing his
animosity long after they had gained their independence. " The
hatred of the governor [Gen. Simcoe] against the United States,"
writes in 1796, Rochefoucault Liancourt, occasions him, on
the slightest occasion, to overleap all the bounds of prudence
and decency, which he carefully observes in all other matters.
He was a zealous promoter of the American war, in which he
took a very active, yet very unfortunate part. The calamitous
issue of the war has still more exasperated his hostility ; and
it was with the sincerest grief I listened to his boasting of

128

Addenda.

the numerous houses he had fired during that unfortunate con-
flict, and of his intention to burn a still greater number in case
of a rupture. In short, the whole of his intentions on this
subject was such as the most violent party rage alone can
inspire * * * His hatred against fhe rebels is so violent :
and his displeasure, occasioned by the surrender of the forts is
so strong ; that the ch-^rge preferred against him by the United
States, of his having last year assisted the Indians as much as
he could, without making himself openly a party in the dispute,
seems not devoid of foundation."

Page 52, The note, containing a description of Fort (Castle)
Johnson, should be read in connection with ^he engraving of
Fort Johnson, one of the illustrations of Col. Myers' article
on the Tories or Loyalists in America.

;•

tri'^t^

///6-

®o ll)c ftcabcr.

I desir« to express my acknowledgements to Colonel Myers,
for hib kindness in furnishing at my solicitation the accompany-
ing paper. In using some material, which, he had purposed to
devote to a privately printed volume, he has laid myself and the
subscribers under additional obligations. Indeed, my thanks can-
not be too warmly expressed to General de Peyster and himself —
as well known historical amateurs — in this "tripartite " publi-
cation ; and more particularly, since by a coincidence, both of
those gentlemen (together with Mr. Burt who kindly furnished
the sketch of Oswego, page 88), have aided me at an unusual
period for mental labor, when they themselves were far from
well.

In the case of the former gentleman, in addition to his own
physical weakness, he has recently suffered from a severe afflic-
tion in which those interested in American History have deeply
sympathized, viz : the loss of his honored father, the late
President of the New York Historical Society.

I wish also to thank Mr. Frank Munsell for the typo-
graphical excellence of the " Orderly Book," and likewise, for
his kindness in contributing to it at my request and at his own
expense, the beautiful engraving of his father, the late Joel
Munsell. Mr. Frank Munsell inherits all the great love for the
preservation of the historical and antiquarian lore of our country
which made his late lamented father so pre^^ ninently known as

iBm

one of the most enthusiastic, faithful and reliable delvers in this
particular mine. In fact, it is not too much to say that but for
the late Joel Munsell, many choice nuggets of history would
have been utterly lost to the historical scholarship c' our land.

William L. Stone.

®l)e STmics or Coyaltsta

IN AMERICA;

BEING SOME TRACINGS FROM THE

FOOTPRINTS OF

SIR JOHN JOHNSON and HIS COTEMPORAPIES

IN THE REVOLUTION.

CONTRIBUTED BY

THEODORUS BAILEY MYERS.

" Abfas out ah nefas."

■tr . 1

ILLUSTRATIONS

ALSO CONTRIBUTED,

View of Fort Johnson ....
Portrait of- Sir Willmm Johnson - .
Facsimile of Paper signed by the John-
sons, Herckmer, Schuyler, and others
Facsimile of Proclamation of George III
Portrait of Joseph Brant from plate used
in " Life of Brant " - . . .

View of Johnson Hall from plate used in

"Life of Johnson " - . . . .
Facsimile of Washington's Letter - -
Facsimile of Declaration of Independence

face.

'39
'59

i6i

i8i

196

212"
215

220

'.^S^Bi

I: i"

' i;

ill

^yHi^:

, 1. 1,' 1

Miii'l'li'l

r,i

II* iv

1:.'

!ifl:i:

•'I!!:,

,•'11111:11

ill

'IV ' P'l

;

■1^1

I I li

il'^;!li:l:i;.'

ii'lHl'li'l!

:il!i if'

rrV4'''i:l.ij ■

:: II i ;!'.

ii'iil
ii HI''

[ iiliLi.
'iii

iii'i

i|l:!;;Miiit:,:r

|lli:;i:'.:,:iiii:

«•;:;■'

THE Tories or loyalists,

HE accompanying waifs, possessing in
themselves as little intrinsic interest as
continuity, are a few random footprints
of Sir John Johnson's life of exile, spared
by the tides of a century which have
effaced many of his once deeper im-
pressions on American affairs. They
casually fell into the writer's histr rical
collection, mingled with other imported manuscripts, provi: ^i
at least, that some antiquarian in the old world had considered
them worthy of preservation.

The knowledge that amongst such fragments have been
found the key to valuable facts, and the elucidation of past
events obscured by time, has, as we know, caused a growing
interest in the preservation in public or private collections or
in print, of anything of a public character, produced by the
brain and hands of men who made some mark on their time
before passing away.

What seems of little value to one, may become of interest
to another, and we know that there are few rhings existing
which have not a place when the problem of supply and demand
is solved. Even a rock which has long cumbered the ground
becomes valuable when broken up and concreted into a wall.
18

140

Tories or Loyalists

Although these papers referred to throw very little, and that a
later light ufion the unfortunate career of Sir John Johnson,
which will be found more fully considered by experienced hands
in the preceding pages, they have a value as a means of pre-
senting incidentally, such letters of his cotemporaries as space
permits, connected with events in which he participated. In
themselves they contain little of historical interest and treat
more of counting of the cost of war than of its more interesting
details.

Some investigator o\ facts may find in them a suggestion,
or possibly a warning, against the repetition of such unremunera-
tive outlay, attending the more valuable loss of blood. To
another, they may seem no more instructive, than the brick
which the fool in the fable carried with him in his travels, as
an illustration of the house in which he lived.

The knowledge that Mr. Stone, who has already supplemented
his father's valuable service in furnishing interesting details of
struggles between the colonists of France and England, and
those of the Revolution on that debatable ground, the northern
frontier, in which the romantic Valley of the Mohawk was
often a base of British operations,' was occupied in connection
with General de Peyster ( an enthusiastic student and commen-
tator on many of the military events of both continents), in
preparing a brochure intended to illustrate the military career
of Sir John Johnson, and aiming in a biographical sketch, to
remove some of the unanswered obloquy whi ' ,^ led
upon him as the exiled adherent of a losr nnd 1

' The Life of Sir William Johnson and The Cam, o of Ot

se,«

Bur^.yne.

of Worcester,

■As an illustration of the then widely prevailing sentiii.ent, thei <;ens c
Mass., voted May 19, 1783, " That in the opinion of this to 1, it would be truly
dangerous to the peace, happiness, liberty and safety of these Suites, to suffer those

in the Revolution.

141

with an Orderly Book as a basis, has induced the contribution
of these fragments as an annex to their work.

These prefatory notes are added at Mr. Stone's suggestion.

The task of Gen. de Peyster would seem to any unbiased
reader to be a natural one to a collateral descendant thus qualified,
and infinitely more practicable since our own experiences in the
great Civil War.

In the division of section, family and friends which it
induced, in the bitterness of the feeling and vehement denun-
ciation of motive and action it called forth, were reproduced
those of the Revolution of 1776, only upon a grander scale. Then
men weighed their duties and responsibilities, and the relative
claims of the fiati under which they were born, or those of the
states in which they were located, and compared the grievances
which had caused the separation from Great Britain with
those claimed to have succeeded under that subsequent Union
of the States, In recalling the teims of ridicule and reproach
engendered by hatred, exchanged between the defenders of that
Union and the Confederates, and the little credit given by either

who, the moment the bloody bmners were displayed, abandoned their native land,
turned parricides, and consjiired to involve their country in tumult, ruin and blood,
to become the subjects ot' and reside in this government; that it would be not only
dangerous, but inconsistent with justice, policy, our past laws, the public taith, and
the principles of a tree and independent state, to admit them ourselves, or to have
them forced upon us without our consent," - ■ -* * " That until the furthei order
of the government, they (tiie committees of Correspondence. Inspection and Safety),
will, with decision, spirit, .ind tirmness, endeavor to enforce and carry into execution
the se-. eral laws of this Commonwealth, respecting these enemies of our rights, and
the rights of mankind ; give information, should they know of any obtruding them-
selves into any part of this State, sutfer none to remain in this town, but cause to be
confined immediately, for the purpose of transportation according to law, any that
may presume to tMiter it." These were the general terms meted out to the Tories,
recorded in the "Journal and Letters of Samuel Curwen, Judge of Admiralty," a
" Harvard Man " of 1735, '""'' '" ^'^ '""'^ ^ valued citizen. Although not an
active partisan he passed into exile through his scruples in 1775, '"'' *^ *" ^''"
ceptlonal case was allowed to return, in the ensuing year, to live and die at his old
home in Salem, in 1802.

142

Tories or Loyalists

to the sense of duty which actuated their opponents, we can
understand, now that temporary feeling is rapidly passing away,
that in the earlier struggle there clearly frequently existed as
honest and as opposite convictions of right.

Surely the time has arrived when we can discuss without
temper, the motives, and appreciate the loyalty to their gov-
ernment, the sacrifice of life and property, and the sufferings
by confiscation and exile of that valuable material for continued
citizenship --numbering at least twenty thousand of the inhabi-
tants of a sparsely settled and devastated country — then trans-
ferred as Refugees into Nova Scotia and Canada^ to form

3 The following paper endorsed "160, Proposals for a General Naturalization
Bill," from the contents and the appearance of the carefully written manuscript, and
of the observations which follow it, was evidently submitted to Parliament soon after
the Peace — it is considered worthy of a place, as showing the value attached by the
British Government to her exiled adherents, and her desire to retain them in
her remaining Colonies, as to her a tried element of population. It will be observed
that while providing for all classes of Tories, it ingeniously invites the ''Rebels,"
whom it assumes lO be already dissatisfied with their new ;xperiment, to join them.

"The Inhabitants of the United States who took part with the British Gov-
ernment by remaining or by continuing within the Lines during the Wr.r in America,
and who have since removed into any part of the British Dominions having never done
anything to forfeit their original rights and privileges as British Subjects, are in that
respect, in the same situation as at first, and have no want of any act of Parliament
on that account. Some of the Americans who did not remove within the Lliies, have
continued obstinately Non-jurors to the United States to this day. These men
during the Wir suffered much in their property by the pavment of double Taxes,
and underwent many personal inconveniences, and even insults, and though their
situation may be rendered somewhat more Tolerable by the Peace, yet it must be
sufficiently disagreeable to induce them to change it, and to remove within the
British Dominions, as soon as they conveniently can do it. In what light are they
to be regarded, on their arrival in Nova Scotia, or Canada, or elsewhere in the
British Dominion? Are they still British Subjects, or mu-t they be at the expense
of soliciting Acts of Naturalization ? They were originally Natural Born Subjects,
they took the Oath of Allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain, and they have
never taken any other Oath of Allegiance, how then can they consistently with
common reason and equity be regarded as Aliens, and on their arrival in the British
Dominions, to claim privileges which are their birthright, and which they have
never forfeited by any Act of Theirs, be put to the expense of being naturalized .-'
Are they not rather to be treated as subjects re, ning from a foreign country, in
which adverse Circumstances have detained them, contrary to their Inclinations and

1 *

in the Revolution,

143

■<■

the best elements of population in a country in which they
declared on their sad departure, they expected to endure " nine
months of winter and three of cold weather in each year."
When the subsequent war of 18 12 was carried to, and across
the Canadian frontier, our soldiers found in this rejected material
their most determined opponents. They naturally had little in
common with those, once their countrymen, but then only geo-
graphically their neighbors, still politically their foes, and the

Wishes ? There are in the United States, men of a different description, who
collectively form a numerous Body, men who from the first uniformly refused to
take any active part igainst the British Government, who for some time refused to
take the Oath of Ah.giance to the United Stares, but were by the force of Vexations,
personal insult, and menances, finally brought to submit to preserve their estates
from confiscation, and themselves and families from suffering the last extremities of
Want and Misery. Those men, from their coming in so late, and by compulsion,
to acknowledge the Siipremacy of the United States, Jiii not regain either the Friend-
ship or Confidence of their Countrymen, they simply brought their persons and property
within the protection of the Law, and eveii that was in some instances at least, but
nominally such. These men, whose political principles have not been changed,
wish to remove, it it could be done on any Valuable Terms. But they must think
it a hard cjse to be considered as Aliens, and be obliged to sue for Acts of Na-
turalization, at a great and ruinous expense and Loss of Time, and to pray and pay
dearly to be declared, what they are conscious in their Hearts, that they have ever
been, British Subjects. The last and most numerous Class, and who have neither
Law or Equity to urge, but good policy only, are Merchants, the middle and lower
Orders of Farmers,' Shipwrights, Fishermen and Sailors. That is, those of them
who voluntarily, and without any Force or compulsion, took an early and active part
in favor of the Revolution, who at the Time judging from appearances and repre-
sentations made to them, of Absolute Subjection and Slavery on the one hand, and
the prospect of Liberty, an exemption from Taxes, and unbounded and unrestrained
Commerce on the other, were naturally led, and as it were necessarily impelled, by
the Motives and Object'; before them, to take the part which they then took, but
who on reflection and experience perceive tlieir Error, find all those favorable
prospects vanished, and in their place Factions and Licentiousness predominant,
their persons or Estates loaded with intolerable Taxes, and their Commerce, more
circumscribed and burthened than ever, they are solicitous to regain their former
political situation, by removing within the British Dominions, and returning to their
Ancient and hereditary Allegiance, if they can be received and admitted to the same
privileges, as others of their rank and orders in Life, are entitled to. With regard
to the first, that is, the Loyalists already removed, there can be no question. For
the two next, the actual non-jurors who are as such to this day, and those who by
Violence and Menances, were forced to take Oath; of Allegiance to the New Govern-
ment, much may be u/ged in their favor, both in Law and Equity. As to the
re-admission of the latter, by much the most numerous Body, and rapidly increasing,
political considerations and motives alone can be urged, and those if all the circum-

^"^•1.

144-

Tories or Loyalists

occupants of their forfeited homes. Compare this adjustment in
1783 with the more wise policy of our government in the late
struggle, where, after the suppression of armed resistance, the
citizens were soon restored to civil rights, and their property —
not lost by military results, and the attendant reduction of
values — and were reunited in a common administration of
public affairs.

History written in the progress or at the termination of
a war, is usually formed like the government by the victorious

stances are understood, and the consequences tuUy examined into, will prove as
forcible as anything that can be urged for the former. It is therefore proposed tl it
a General Declaratory Act should be passed, putting the situation of all those who
have alreaii. removed from the United States, and Settled in any part of the British
Dominions, beyond any future question or doubt, declaring that all who were formerly
British Subjects in any part of the United States or born of Parents wjio were
British Subjects in those States, previous to the late Treaty of" Peace, shall on their
removal into any part of the British Dominions in America, either on the Continent,
or in the West India Islands, and on taking and subscribing the Oath and declara-
tion which shall be acquired by them, shall be admitted to all the rights and pri-
vileges of' free and natural born subjects of Great Britain, provided that their removal,
and taking the Oath be within four years from the passing such Act, provided al?o
that they bring certificates of their having been formerly British Subjects, in the
United States when Colonies, or the Children of such Subjects. The oaths to be
admmistered by Magistrates named for that purpose, and recorded in the public
Records of" the province or Colony where the same shall be taken.

1st Observation. There will be no objection to that part of such an Act, as refers
to the Declared, and actually removed Loyalist.

2d Observation. In regard to the two second, no material exception can be taken
to persons continuing. Non-jurors are Loyalists, not yet removed within the British
Dominion, their not rfino'ving on the evdatatlan of New York is no Ohjectlon, ai too
many luere then under an ahiolttte and pressing necessity to remo've, so that their re-
maining, became a fa-vor to those luho did remove, and those forced to submit to the
Oath imposed upon them, arc to be considered as being nearif in the same predicament.

But 3dly, if these are admitted, it is hardly possible to prevent the last description from
coming in under their Character, not inconsistent with that of a Merchant, a
Farmer, a Shipwright, a Fisherman, or a Sailor, these orders of men are immediately
ivar.ted, and in Great Numbers, in No-va ^cotia and Canada, and as those orders of
men find themselves pressed by taxes in the United States and their Commerce restricted
as ./Aliens and Foreigners by this and other Nations, and hurtbered with duties and
imports by their oivn Go-vernment they will naturally incline to remove and such an
encouragement may probably render Nova Scotia and Canada populous, and rich in a
very fen' yetrs.

in the Revolution.

sentiment. Vae viciis ! It is left to posterity in most cases to
do justice to the unfortunate.

In Painting and Cartography, truth to nature, and accuracy,
are indispensible to value. We continue our appreciation of
Old Masters, and admire and even yet sail by the carefully
based and grandly executed Charts of the earlier centuries ;
while we also accept the new school of Art, as well as the
improved Maps which several nations, notably including our own
vie in perfecting."* Why should not History, which records,
the action of what is held as nature's noblest work, be
ranked as a kindred art ? While it would be the act of a
vandal to alter an old masterpiece, it may be the duty of
an humble painter to restore it, and the right of all Artists to
seek to improve upon it.

No careful cross reader has failed to detect palpable errors in
history, possibly injected in hasty compilation, from ill founded
rumor, misconception, or partisan zeal, perhaps allowed to
remain until too late for available cotemporaneous correction,
by the indifference, or individuality, of even a worthy actor.
It would seem as though in all ages, men, while naturally
desiring to be recorded as famous in public affairs, or
in the field, have permitted the notable achievements of their
assistants to be condensed in their own. Often the resort
to Official Records has corrected hasty narrative and changed

* An examination of the progress of this science in essential details, although
artistic embellishment is less used than formerly, would appear interesting to every
one connected with some portion of the surface delineated.

The American " Geographical Society," only a few years since still a problematical
undertaking, now grown into a widely appreciated and amply sustained fact ; has largely
througl- the unremitting attention of its President, Chief Justice Daly, collected in its
Map-ro im one of the most complete series ever formed by a technical institution,
affording .:n opportunity to those who would appreciate Cartography to examine its
claim to be recognized as high Art,

146

Tories or Loyalists

the complexion of what has long been accepted as facts.
Such investigations even centuries after, when applied to the his-
tory of our late war, or that we are now making, will doubtless
prove the shears of Nemesis and continue to clip off a
surplus fringe of long seated error.

To aid in such researches and to make its illustration more
complete. Old letters, Documents and Diaries ^ of public interest
have each a use. Letters we oftenest rely upon for cotem-
porary testimony. Diaries kept for personal reference or
amusement, even when meagre in detail, but written without
the intention of publication, or of influencing the views of
others, and so possessing the value of disinteres«"f'H testimony
at the period as to events, persons and dates, have furnished
valuable acquisitions to printed history for the reason that they
were records of personal impression only and reserved until
excitement had passed away. The Orderly Books or Diaries
of regiments, have also afforded interesting details of service,
against accepted error or conflicting testimony, fixing dates,
positions, the number and description of a force, and the com-
pass of its movements, and when annotated by a skillful hand

5 The " History of New York, in the Revolutionary War," by the able but cynical
Judge Thomas Jones — published through the liberality of" one of his relatives, Mr.
John D. Jones, and ably edited by another, Mr. Edward Floyd de Lancey, under the
auspices of the New York Historical Society in 1879, with copious notes and re-
ferences, is a rich mine to which any person interested in this subject, may pro-
fitably turn from this merely suggestive commentary. The fierce impartiality with
which he criticises Whig and Tory, soldier and civilian, induces additional credence
to the many curious facts he recorded in exile, of men and events with wliich he
was familiar. A letter from General Huntington to his son, while occupying his
fine town house, east of the City Hall, — in that collection — expresses gratitude to
him for planting the fruit he was enjoying at his quarters, and its tine view of the
harbor. His country estate at Fort Neck, is preserved in the family by an entail that
prevented ccr. scation. This, even with the letter books of Governor Cad wallader
Golden, pubiK ed by that Society, cross read with Judge William Smith's "His-
tory of the Province of New York," would in themselves afford an opening for
a research similar to that of Carlyle, for the truthful inwardness of affairs at that
period, in the city.

tn the Revolution.

147

oThtwtfl''1V'"\'"""'^'' "^ clew ,0 much info^aHon
otherwise lost from the woof of history.

Those who have found entertainment In delving into the
controversial folios of partisan writers, full of wha't appea re

peoole^'f t,'" T" r''^ '''""^" '" "'^ """-o' of » divided
peo , by Charles I, or hy ehe Parliament, the Common-

wealth or the Restoration, those of each i„ ,urn had

te opportunity of disseminating such convictions, to approving

readu , and tor posterity to consider and compare As an

example ot their utilit,, ,, was amon.st such discordant narra-

.ons much ot which he stvled "Shot Rubbish "-ihatC

yle, and others, have searched analogically for facts, and it was"

f om such neglected authorities that he derived many of the co

i^cminiscences of his own career, which have
recently disappointed his appreciators. The pecu arities o h
averted expression, and though, provoking'style, one com
rehen e . the result of .hose researches a^,ears .L prese: To
the leader, even ,1, a concentrated form, the man, his impulses
and surroundings, often overlooked before in the con side' t „'
ot the narrative of his remarkable career.

From the mass of such conflicting .es.imonv, has also been
■n part exhun.ed a. different periods, ,he materia from wh ch

Macauley, Alison, Mahon, and many o.hers less broadly known
have ereced with the increasing impartiality attending later^n!
vestigation. Monuments to their country, creditable to'.he wol

14-8

Tories or Loyalists

men. Each, in his way has apparently sought to form safe
resting places tor conviction, by substituting what, after careful
inspection, appeared to possess the solidity of fact, for what the
impulse of the hour had concreted, but time, and closer in-
vestigation, pronounced unreliable.

Some of such investigators, have been impressed with certain
coincidences between that Great English Revolution, and our
own of I 776.

Arising, in each case amongst the same 1 ice, firm in con-
viction and resolute in assertion, inspired by similar complaints
of oppression and sense of right, resulting alike in divided
sentiment as to the proper extent of Prerogative, and the
remedy against its encroachments, involving at first, heated
discussion in public assemblies, filling the minds of many
well meaning citizens with doubt as to a course rendered
difficult to fix upon by conflicting ties or interests, and finally
precipitating in one case the Mother Country and in the other
her Colonies, into the horrors of Civil War, seeming in many
particulars to be but the renewal of a suspended conflict.

By the result of both of these domestic struggles many who
had in former peaceful times been held as valuable citizens, were
impoverished and driven into exile* — in the former from the

*The following is a letter from John Cruger, Esq., Mayor of New York from
1739 to 1744, and from 1757 to 1766. and Speaker of the Assembly of 1775. He
was then a prisoner on parole at the residence of his brother-in law Peter Van
Schaack, the celebrated lawyer, whose wife soon after died from want of proper med-
ical treatment in New York, access to which the regulations of war precluded.

KiNDERHooK, ^pril 12, 1778.

Sir

I have Rec'd your favor & am Extremely Sorry that any Impediment has arisen
in the Way of my going to New York. When I Reed GenI Gates' permission
Upon Condition of my Engaging to fulfil the Exchange he proposed, I wrote him
I did not chuse to go Upon a condition which it might be out of my

in the Revolution,

varied successes, drawn from both of the contending factions —
affording opportunity to each in turn, to develope the smaller
characteristics of nature, in the uses of success as an opportunity
for the harsh assertion of authority, in resorting to confiscation,
exile and individual suffering, in the changes of property as well
?.s of place.

Now, if we can judge from history and observation, both
Cavalier and Roundhead are looked back upon by their descend-
ants and their successors with equal respect, and their actions
as the result of conviction, with a common pride. The
impressions of the past have been more readily forgotten, in the
activity of the present by a large portion of a people, attached
like our own to a government which has developed, in the ex-
perience of past strife the elasticity of its institutions, and of a
progressive energy in rebounding after a strain, to even a
stronger tension.

One element of its population, manv of the people of
Ireland, from circumstances yet adhere to their old prej-
udices, and still recall Cromwell's severity in his invasion, and

power to pertorm. Upon which he wrote me as your Excellency Will Recollect
from his Letter, that he looked to Sir Henry Clinton for the performance of Any
Engagement 1 should make, and I have reason to think from What I then and have
since heard that this matter was settled between theae two Generals. Could I have
foreseen that it was Possible that this wd have been prevented taking place, 1 Should
1 am sure have had no diHiculty in Getting the Gcnis passport Upon which several
have gone d<jwn, Even after he quitted Albany, Altho 1 cannot it Seems be so
fortunate. Pet iiaps upon Consideiinj; this matter, Your Excellency will be of
opinion tliat Sir Henry Clinton will perform what Geiil Gates Relied Upon him for,
however ditHdent your Excellency may beof GenI Jones Who is 1 believe an Inferior
Officer to Sir. Henry Clinton. Especially as I shall then go down Upon the Confi-
dence between him and Genl Gates & not upon any promise of Genl Jones. If
your Excellency still entertain doubts, 1 will be content to go down with one Servant
only (Leaving my family and Effects,) upon Faiule to return if an Exchange cannot
be Effected. 1 sincerely Request of Your Excellency, so far as you consistently can, to
take my situation, into Consideration, and I hope when you Reflect on ye age and
Infirmity of my sister and Self, & the great Inconveniency which we Labour Under
here. You Will Readily fall upon some Means to Extricate Us Out of our Difficultys

I50

Tories or Loyalists

King William's success at jlie Battle of the Boyne, with equal
bitterness. They had never cheerfully transferred their adhesion
from the house of Stewart to either the Prince of Orange or that
of Hanover. Many of them, including those of the best ele-
ment had been driven by that war and its results, into France and
other countries, often to become from choice soldiers, in many
cases still represented by their descendants, with the same
courage which turned the current of the fight at Fontenoy,
and made the command of the regiment Dillon, long hereditary.
Others came to America, replacing the departed loyalists, soon
exceeding them in numbers, and rapidly increasing as we know,
until in many sections they form a very large element of popula-
tion. Their hereditary prejudices and their natural tendency to
politics, perhaps inspired by the consideration of their grievances,
the apparent error of the government in not fostering their
manutacturies, industries and universal education, have perhaps
united to produce for generations political agitations and

Which I shall be happy to Retaliate by Every means in my power, to procure the
Enlargement of any family, which may be desirous of moving out of New York.
I have the honour to be With great Esteem

Yr Ex. Most Obed &

Very humb. Servt
His Ex. Gov. Clinton. John Cruger.

Sir:

Governor Clinton's Answer.

PoUGHKEEFSIE, April 19, 1778.

I h.-jve received your letter of the 12th Instant & in Answer thereto, am reduced
to the necessity of Informing you that I cannot consent to your going to New York
in any other way than that of exchange. The conduct of Messrs. Wallace, Sher-
brooke & several others who were indulged to go in on Parole & to return, or send out
some citizens, in exchange, has rendered the like indulgence to others altogether
improper. At any rate the intercourse between the Country & City will be totally
prohibited for some Weeks to come as the Commanding Officer, were I ever so
willing, will not suffer any Persons to pass the Posts below. I shall be always ready
Sir to grant you every Indulgence consistent with the Duty of my Office.

I am Sir Your Most Obedt. Servt,

John Cruger, Esq. (George Clinton.)

in the Revolution.

151

misunderstandings at home, and probably induced an immense
emigration, who by becoming citizens, necessarily separate
themselves politically from their country and have in the sea-
board cities especially, largely acquired that control of which
they were deprived in their old home, centuries ago.

It is a singular paradox, attending the gigantic prosperity of
the country, that while one large class of citizens neglect, in
the excitement of business occupations, even the ordinary duty
of electors, another often abandon the opportunities for solid
prosperity and wealth, attracted by the glitter of authority and
perhaps ephemeral salary, and in seeking office devote their
lives to '' politics," and their advancement to the control of its
dispensers.

While the majority of the people of Great Britain accepted
the House of Hanover cheerfully, if coldly, they took no
interest in the complications of the first two sovereigns, in
protecting their birthplace and Principality on the continent.
Its position involved them in the '' Seven Years' War" — without
eventual advantage, and imposed upon them a heavy indebted-
ness, partially to meet which, in the reign of George III, the
attetnpted taxation of his American colonies, also its seat, was
resorted to, which afforded them their opportunity.

The history prepared by a conquered enemy is generally
little accepted by the victor, beyond its use a\ illustrating some
strategic detail. Its statements of any motives, or of rights
invaded, or injustice done, would be as indifferently received as
the argument of a case after the jury had retired — ^ barren
effort which is believed to have at times affected intellects.
That of the English writers, as to the Revolutionary war has
rarely been generally accepted or studied, in search for even minor
particulars, by those satisfied with results. In our own histories,

152

Tories or Loyalists

while doing justice to the general details of" the origin and pro-
gress of the conflict, little attention was naturally given to per
sonal conviction, or to apparent necessity, as influencing the
action of any ally of the enemy, while resisting the success of
a struggle for Independence. Tory and Hessian, hive been
rated with the Indian, and all considered the worst elements of
a bad cause, best remembered as the perpetrators of those
ravages of war, impressed more strongly, bv tradition and early
history, upon the communities where they occur, than any nobler
action, and therefore more likely to survive. That they soon
departed, leaving neither apologist nor vindicator, seems to afl^brd
a sufficient reason for some just consideration of their then
position, a century later.

We have realized some "modern instances " since, where
prejudice has unduly obscured, or partialicy unreasonably
brightened, the records of the wrestlers in a world of action.
The annexation of Texas — a Republic then recently
carved out of the territoi_ of a friendly power, while it slum-
bered — may be recalled by some as having presented a ques-
tion of such then apparently vast importance, as to have seemed
for a time to shake the foundation of our own government. Strict
constructionists of law, and those watchful of the integrity of our
avowed national policy, entered into vehement protest against an
act for which they could discover no authority, and its inevitable
result, in a war with a weaker power, to acquire by force a terri-
tory, then looked upon without coveting it, by a large portion of
the people. The debates in Congress on the subject, will sur-
vive as long as the government they aflected by their results, as
characterized by marked ability and vehemence, for there were
surely many statesmen in Congress at that period. When the
war was precipitated, all differences were speedily buried and the

in the Revolution,

153

Is
je
le
|e

Maxim " Our Country Right or Wrong," silenced dissent or
opposition and carried brave men of both factions in concert to
the field.' Many Americans residing in Mexican Territory,
under such protection as it could afford to their property,
naturally placed themselves under their national colors.
We can conceive that if the Mexican forces had then been able
to Invade the United States, the action of her citizens residing
within their borders and enjoying their protection would have
been a subject for jealous scrutiny ! Their duty to the flag
under which they were born, unless abandoned by a new alle-
giance, could not be questioned, while its exercise against the
government that had protected them would have been considered
as an act of aggravated hostility.

In our Civil War the manhood of the country of an avail-
able age largely buried political dissensions, and when the
question was narrowed to ihat of the supremacy of the flag,
hastened to the front. Wlien such voluntary material for
its maintenance seemed exhausted, the additional inducement
of large bounties was added to the customary pay to stimulate
patriotism, or compensate for the time diverted from personal
enterprise. It was then noticed that the representation of

7 The anxiety to obtain service in this war, and the enthusiasm which attended
its progress, when once precipitated must be recalled by many. More troops were
offered than could be used, and the Southern and Southwestern States, more
sectionaliy interested in the acquisition of new territory, continujlly pressed the offer
of additional regiments. Those of' New York, which succeeded in obtaining orders,
did good service in Mexico and California, while others offered could find no
place. The contributor recalls how, although opposed to the annexation from
surrounding association, and scarcely qualified by age as an elector, happening to be,
for the second time, aid de camp to a notable Governor of the old school, and thus a
Colonel on the Peace Establishment, inspired by the sentiment of the moment, he
committed that operation so painful to all soldiers, actual or implied, waived his
rank and raised a company, in a regiment which was so denied the privilege of fame or
the possibility of failure. The effort was an effect of the electricity with which all
were charged, impressing even a titular soldier with the value of his sword, rather
than of his tank.

154-

Tories or Loyalists

other nationalities in our ranks was largely increased. In
the rising of a government in its force i j preserve its existence,
the way was necessarily subordinated to the means, and all
were acceptable. Even the Chinese, valueless as an elector,
would have been welcome in the hour of danger, to fight for
a nationality open to all others, as the home of liberty. It was
noticeable also, that when hostilities finally ensued, many who
had long excited by their persistent eloquence the people of
both sections to seek for. to cherish, if not to magnify differences,
until a perhaps inevitable conflict was precipitated, did not
crowd into the ranks, or if in Congress, all toUow the example
of that gallant Senator, Edward D. Baker, a proto-martyr of that
body in the conflict, who falling at the head of his regiment
at Balls Bluff, while practically advancing his plea for the
Union, made a more lasting impression than words a*.ldressed
to applauding galleries, by men of either section fired by zeal,
who failed \o afterwards emphasize the depth of their convic-
tions, bv service in the field.

Those who did this followed an old precedent, established
by members of both houses of Parliament in the English Civil
War, where, as an example, Lucius Cary, Viscount Falkland^

8 Clarendon «i his " History of the Great Rebellion " thus records the virtues of
one who might have been an agreeable and instructive associate, *' he was a person of
such prodigious parts of learning and knowledge, and of that inimitable sweetness
and delight in conversation, and of so flowing and obliging a humanity and goodness
to mankind, and of that primitive simplicity and integrity of life, that if tiitre were
no other brand upon the odious and accursed Civil War than that single loss, it
must be most infamous to ail posterity." He was deeply depressed by the compass
which he foresaw in the conriict, frequently cried to himself " Peace. Peace," and
doubting its speedy coming ; having accompanied the King at Edgehill, Oxford and
Gloucester, being hia Secretary of State, he threw himself as a volunteer into the
front rank of Lord Byron's regiment, at the battle of Newberry, and was killed by
a musket ball.

" Thus Falkland died the generous and the just," at least another martyr to
honest convictions.

in the Revolution.

155

a conscientious patriot, and one of the first to rise in Parliament
in opposition to grievances, was also one of the earliest to vol-
untarily die in defence of his sovereign, when he considered
that the claims for redress were pressed too far. Many members
of our Continental Congress also displayed by their service in
the Held, their conviction that a statesman whether involuntary,
heredirarv or professional, does not lessen his official dignity',
by contact in the ranks even with those who had not svmpa'
thized in the discussion, until forced into the conflict by results.

Gallant service in both the council and the Held would appear
to be unanswerable evidences of at least honest convictions.'^

The Trumpeter, in another fable, would appear to have been
properly denied immunity, as a non-combatant, for the reason
that he incited bloodshed by his noisy brass. It had already

I .L;'^m"''""''''c-' "''' Ji»i"terc-sted appreciation of a double duty, may be cited in
Lewis Morns, a S.gner of the Declaration of Independence, a member of Co™,
g^ndson Of a Colonial Gov.-rnor of New Jersey, in his tur^ the son ot an EnS
orticer ot Cromweirs army, who had made America his refuge at the Restoruion!-
the proprietor of a Manor of some thousands of acres called Morri.^ania. h W^sZ
Chester, New York, and an honored citizen, who. although like the lohnson ' with
much to lose personally, for the prospect of a gair! by a change of government 'threw
h.s fortunes into an opposite scale. His love to i.eedom probably here'ditary"rrly carried
him into public life, and with his beautiful home desolated, hi, family^sca t '^ed Ws
thousand of acres of woodland felled and the British ships lying within c nn .n .ho
of h.s mansion he was, at the time this letter was written, sitting in ConKre..Vnd
command.ng a disaffected Brigade, in the southern part of Westchester 3 tv he
most disloyal portion of a Tory State. It is taken from the original •

SiK

Phii.adki.i-hia, Septemhfr 14, 1776.

uL^""^ ''*'' ^"""'' '° '■"""'"-■ >""•■ ^'^"'-■'' -'^'^""'P-'nying the Resolve of Congress re-
Scte^o;L,^,TV" '""""■ I'^r—-'^ of my Brigade, at a time when the
command !/ '"^ " '"1'''^''*' '"'* particularly as I am honored with a military
PhTl /? ;• T^ " ""y ''"'y '" ^^^^"""^ ^"^ -^y ''^'^^''^- since my arrival at
Ph.ladelphia the State of New York has had „o more than a representat ve in

rrown' Jh "it" t"^'""" "'■'*'^ Committee of Indian Affairs remVu"
of Town, the whole of that necess.iry business has been devolved upon me AU
tam.ly ha.rhr.u ohU^a to dncn their homr, and ...t,n, .,ith thll 7u f^/ace

i«

156

Tof^ies or Loyalists

been discovered, that it was easier to excite than to allay a
conflict, and that only the peacemaker was blessed.

There is a middle course, which caution has often suggested
to personal interest, in the consideration ot all untried enter-
prises ; that of uniting with neither party, while coquetting with,
and appearing to 'entertain, the views of both. Yxoxu any im-
putation oi such littleness, at least. Johnson and his Tory
associates would appear to have been free, as the evidence of
their offence was in their undisguised cooperation.

When the French fleet, with Rochambeau's army, was
groping its way in search of Newport and towards Yorktown,
on the loth of July, 1780, through Martha's Vineyard, and the
fogs which vatchsmen so often deplore, an islander boarded the
Conquerani, 74 — conveying Generals the Baron de Viomenel,
Count de Custine, \vho soon atter led the advanced troops to

altijgrthtr uvprtii'idid, I hni'e been under the necessily oj de!a\in^ the time of my stay
until I could /ix them in some situation ivhere they cou/d he accommodated. This distress
of my Family nn this occis-ion made it my partiiular duty to attend to them, and
which I Hatter myself will be justih-^ble upon every principle of justice. The situation
of my Brigade 1 was convinced was well known to the Convention, 1 apprehended
that not more than a Colonel's comrrand was left in it, and .'s such did n(;t think my
presence was so absolutely necessary. 1 iiave tliought that the existence of such a
Brigade, in wh'ch were so many disaffected persons, was dangerous to the cause ao
well as to my own life. But being desirous to participate in the virtuous opposition
to the British Tyrant, I had determined ns soon as possible to join Gen. Washington
and contribute my assistance to him, prompted in the first instance by a Love of my
Country, and in the next place the preservation of my property, being thoroughly
convinced chat unless we coni]uer I am ruined. However in obedience to the
command of Convention I shall prepare with all possible expedition to set out for
Westchester, and will endeavor to execute any orders they may be pleased to give to
the utmost of my ability.

1 have the honor to subscribe myself, Sir, Your obliged and Obed't Humble
Servant, Lewis Mcrris.

(To the President of the Frovincial Congress of New York).

lie afterwards returned to service, was a Major General and had, as his fellow
ofBcers, ihree of his sons. Of his own brothers, Staats Long continued in the
British service, be-'^me a Lieutenant General. Richard was a )udge of Admiralty,
and Gouverncnr the, well esteemed Diplomatist and Congressman.

in the Revolution,

1.57

the Peninsula and performed valuable service there, and many
officers and men of those auxilliaries -and who was useful as
a pilot bringing valuable information, as lo the Americans
still holding Rhode Island,- "he was a good man " - says the
Chief Commissary who was daily bottling up facts for our later
refreshment- "and displayed intelligence. He was neither a
Royal, St, or Insurgent, but a friend of everybody, as he told us with
much smplicityr As the arrival of this expected assistance
was an occaston for the expression of pleasure, and as the struggle
it was coming to aid in terminating had long given opportunity
for the formation of an opinion, it seems clear that he was a
Loyalist, and yet in a conditio., to avail himself of the rapidly
approaching success, with all the privileges of a patriot.

But courage based upon even erroneous conviction may claim
respect. A generous opponent after success in defeating an
object which from principle he has opposed, is often the earliest
reconciled, and a heart conscious of the duty of loyalty, most
open to forgive an honest but mistaken conception.

Thus, in later years, after time for comparison of events and
reflection, such appreciation has even extended over the seas to
the adherents of the Pretender, who lost their lives and estates
.n a hopeless effort to restore the unfortunate house of Stuart
to whom their fathers owed allegiance ; when realizing how that
history has also in a way repeated itself in our own land, largely
colonized by the exiles of both parties in England's civil wars
and how a similar sentiment in>pired many good men, mis-

^^■■'^un.a. of C.au.ie Blanch...., edit., by Wn,, Duane and Thos. Balch, Albany,

resounded with the .usi/of ^e fo, hot::^;:^.^;;;^;^^^^:;::;^'; --

158

Tories or Loyalists

takenly as the result proved, to endeavor to sustain the exist-
ing government ; and some incidentally to follow or imitate such
a leader as Sir John Johnson, in his effort to reclaim his inherit-
ance by the same force that had been used in his eviction. His
Scotch, Irish and German tenantry and his Indian allies, whose
memory has come down to us as terrible as that of the " Black
Douglas " with which babies of the Border were once hushed to
sleep, were the same appliances long turned by his predecessor
with general approval against the French. The barbarities
attending his expedition, if greater than those recorded in all
that partisan warfare, may, at this distance of time, be attributed
to the bitter sentiment of divided neighborhood and broken
friendship, the retaliation of the exile against him who retained
or had acquired his home.

In our recent struggle we learned again that many foreign
soldiers voluntarily came as has been stated, and accepted service
on either side, for glory or for pay, indifferent to the cause; and
also that old neighbois were often the fiercest opponents when
meerng in strife.

U^ in the light of that experience, there was one whose
adhesion to the British Government in 1776 appears most
readily accounted for, it would seem to be that of Sir John
Johnson. His position as an officer in his King's service
made it natural to a soldier ; the personal honor of knight-
hood from the King's hand while in London, must have
infl*. -need liis sympathy, aside from the hereditary sense *^
gratitude for the great bounties and trust conferred on his
father.

That father dying in 1774 escaped the responsibility which
fell upon his son. It is unnecessary to fully recall the career

/y*

in the Revolution,

159

o.- Sir William Johnson who was probably the most remarkable,
if not the most distinguished, character in American colonial
history.

His coming as a youth from Ireland into the then wild
M.,hawk valley as the agent of his uncle, Admiral Sir Peter
Warren, whose "great and veteran service" to this State, was
rewarded in part with the means to secure an estate of 15 000
acres named - Warren's Bush " and afterwards by the gift from
the City of New York of a suburban estate-called Chelsea and
now embedded in its limits-especially for his service in the
capture of Louisburg ;" his succession from a pioneer planter
and country store keeper to the control of the Six Nations of
Indians, once the most powerful race on the Northern Amer-
ican Continent, who were likened to the Romans from the
extent of their invasions from their northern home, west to the
Falls of the Ohio, and south to the waters of Carolina.

"The capture of Louisburg, the key to Canada, skillfully /brtified b- , n„nii t
Vauban, j;arnsoned by regular Fienrh troon= inH .1 fortined by a pupil of

IHE hoi-LowiNG CoMMrssroN L'iven bv Governoi SMrl^,, ,.,K
the Forces in North Arror,, , .nS ; !i , "f'""' ^''"•l^y, when commanding all
young gentleman o -1^3 ^ ■ ^^ ^"'^ ^^""''"tS then Mr. Alexander, a

service, showV the form Jitv with whh n '' "^ ^'^""^ '"^ '" '''^^'

educated in the -.rfare t ' w 1^ a^a n t h^K ""t 'T''^' ^o-mi.sioned, and

the coion^sts whom the t::; :%:!: „f w"-i'e' t'Tr^rri ''■'"''

^.plained of by ci.li.d opponent/in Both^as:'ti;t:;iyl::;^ l!:^'-—
To Taw^woif, Greeting :

cspe^ J?:::t"::; conh;;ri;;orK/7 ^t^ ? "'^ ^^^-^^ -^-^-'"^

most sacred Majesty, KinrSelrJ the wl / H ""'' ""'. '^"''''' ^" "'"

J y, nt v^eorge tneJjecond. I do appoint you, the said Tawenoe,

i6o

Tories or Loyalists

They might then become the balance of power between the
English and French colonies, and are now, from the loss of such
civilizing authority mainly extinct, enjoying in happier hunt-
ing grounds, freedom from the inevitable progress of the white
man, before which they steadily pass away, making room for
advancing cultivation.

Soon, his acquisition i.f military and civil power, of influence
and estate, until he had become a viceroy in authority, with a
princely personal domain, showed a rapid appreciation of his new
surroundings. His intimate knowledge of the character of the
Indians, his justice and wisdom in their control, their devotion
to him, and his adaptation to their customs and language ; his
defence of the French border and his expeditions into their
dominions, until dying a Baronet, a Major General, and Super-
intendent of Indian affairs, are matters that should be familiar to
every reader.

His home, "Johnson Hall," was the theatre of much
romantic incident connected with colonial history, and visited
at intervals by most of the distinguished men on the

to be Lieutenant of Indians employed in •■he present Expedition for removing the
French Encroachments at Niagara, and elsewhere on Lake Ontario, and you are
faithfully to discharge the Duty of a Lieutenant of the Indians aforesaid.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at the Camp at Oswego, on Lake
Ontario, the first day of September, 1755. W. Shirlf.v.

By His Excellency's Command,

Wm. Alexander, Scc'y, '

Sir William Pepperel died a baronet, and his successor living to be deprived, his
estate also passed into exile. It may be proper to mention, as one of the historical
doubts which confuse the reader, that Dr. Dwight has claimed for General Lyman,
the second in command, the principal credit for the defeat of Baron Dieskau near
Lake George, by Sir William Johnson (Appendix) with the New England, New York
and New Jersey Provincials, which aided to relieve the alarm created by Gen. Brad-
dock's disaster, with another division of the army. There was great jealousy at this time
between the New England and New York Provincial Troops. It was on such
evidences of their skill in arms, that the self reliance of the Colonists in the com-
ing struggle was founded.

'lZ€/-t

-to i^C^fL^^iy/^^

,^^'^^^/^;

QdJf^^'^

&Mr}-m^^

'Mf

tB-ClMt 0AA7Wr

FHOM 1 Ht OKIGINAL IN IHt COlLEr.TION Or T.a.w

in the Revolution,

i6i

4^-?

'JVf

continent. Their letters addressed to him on various affairs ai
state, with replies showing condensation of varied intelligence,
conveyed in the graceful penmanship of a ready writer, are still
preserved — some in the collection referred to — attesting a life
of labor in the public service.

In this however, he found opportunity to attend to many
personal duties, incident to his position and capacity. Isolated,
and only restricted by the orders of the Governineni, which
from better local apprec iation of necessities, he alone, as its
agent, had ventured to disregard; with an increasing neighbor-
hood of many nationalities, English, Scotch, Irish, German
and Hollander, as compatriots or tenantry, appealing lo him
for counsel in every relation' of life, from the cradle to* the
grave, he advised and protected the living, and was burthened
with trusts by the dead,'^ cheerfully fulfilling his duties to the
lowly as a bountiful benefactor, and hospitably entertaining them
with the great, who resorted to the hall, when amusing their
leisure time with hardy sports and athletic games. He appears
to have afforded an example to those charged with the control
of the destinies of aggregates of men.

** The accompanying document appears worthy of reproduction, as a pen sketch
affording a glimpse ot this early backwoods lite. As rough in autographic execution
as its surroundings, it chances to place on one paper the na nes, and to show the meet-
ing, of some historical celebrities of border life, friends soon to be divided in strife.
The two Johnsons, General Nicholas "Herckmcr," as he boldly but roughly writes
himself, — in the year in which he was erecting^ the spacious brick mansion called his
'"Castle", which survives him near Little Falls, — destined afterwards to sit on the
saddle of his dead horse, reclining against a tree, smoking his pipe, and issuing his
orders, when mortally wounded in the battle nf Oriskany, by the Tories and Indians
of St. Leger and Sir John. Colonel Peter Schuyler, for a time acting as Colonial
Governor of New York, called " Quider" by the Mohav/ks, whom he had led
successfully against the French, and whom they trusted and loved, and Abraham
Yates, Jun., subsequently an early Senator, both of the last at times Mayors of the
important border city of Albany. With tht-se are others, not unknown in that
local history, although nuking as feeble impression on their times as on tiie paper,
yet as necessary as are the minor connecting links in Genealogy.

BL\j4!|t

I02

Tories or Loyalists

He devoted much attention also, to' the erection of
churches and schools — even selecting with his intimate knowl-
edge of the Mohawk dialect, the hymns to be sung — and to the
education '3 and spiritual welfare of his savage neighbors, in his
relations with whom there was much to recall the habits of the
Patriarchs, and to account for this special interest in their
progress which was probably remembered in the fidelity of four
of the tribes, the Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas and Mohawks,
to his son, while the Oneidas alone supported the Americans,
after vigorous efforts had been made to secure them all.

One of the latest objects of his attention was the publication
of a new edition of the '' Book of Common Prayer," to supply
the place of the '' Mohawk Prayer Book " printed in 1 7 15, on

■■J From Rev. Elea/.cr Wheelock, founder Jiid President of Dartmouth College,
and celebrated for his success and usefulness in his extended labors to educate and
civilize the Indians. Amongst his pupils was Josepli Brant.

Darimouih CoLM-.fiE, IN Ntw Hami'shike, Veh. 27, 1773,

Hon. Sik -.

The bearers, Ba^teen and Lewis. Indians of fhe Tribe of Lorett, h.ive been several
months at my school, and liave from the first appeared to have an uncommon thirst
for Le.uning, have been diligent ac their stud;r;s and have made good Proficiency for
the Time therein. They appear to be rational, manly, :j/:rited, courteous, graceful
and obligiiij,' far bey'>nd what I have found common to Indians, \nA I have observed
no undue appetite in tlieni for Stronj; Urink. They have often expressed a desire to
gee your Honor since they have lived with mi-, and now at their Desire 1 have con-
tented to their making you this Visit.

I esteem them the most promising young Indians I have ev(.r seen, and the most
likely to answer the great and good ends of an Education, ano I liope their going
among their brethren in your parts will have no bad influence to predjudice or
distemper their minds. 1 haveadvised'them to return as soon as they can after thgy have
luitably expressed their duty and respect to you, as 1 should be sorry they should lose
more time from their Studies than shall be needful aiid also as they will likely have
occasion to take several other Journeys soon after their return. I wish your Honor
the Divine Presence, Direction and Blessing in the important Business Providence has
assigned you in Life and beg leave to assure you that I am with much Esteem and
Respect,

Your Honor's most obedient and very humble servant,

£lf.az£r Wheki.ock.

Sir Wm. Johnson, Baronet.

tn the Revolution^

163

Hradford's celebrated Press, even then unobtainable and now of
great value as one of the rarest of American books.

Although his treaties with them showed the concession of
great grants of unoccupied territory to the King's domain, he
protected them in their occupancies and reserved rights with
a jealous care, which would afford a model for later " Indian
Agencies.'' He carried into effect the policy which Governor
Dongan had foreshadowed, of ket^ping the control of the Indians
on British soil and protecting them from the zealous Missionary
efforts of their French neighbors, to consolidate them with
their own tribes.

Like Lord Chatham, he died in harness, devoting his last
hours to duty. The progress of prospecting for locations on
Indian lands was already active in 1774. Capttin Michael
Cresap and Mr. Greathead, had by attei.dant ravages in the
valley of the Ohio, on l.inds protected bv Treaty obligations,
aroused Logan and other chiefs, friendly to the whites. It
was the old story, with which we have been familiar from youth,
being repeated. The entire Indian race on the continent
sympathized, the Six Nations were preparing to take arms,
even Johnson trembled at the prospect. He invited them
to a Great Council, and appealed to their old relations as a
guarantee for justice. Sick, when lie entered the council, he
vehemently addressed them, as was his custom, and died before
the session was completer' — on the elevCiith of July, 1774^
in his sixtieth year; but his parting words carried their wonted
influence, and peace was preserved.

He combined some of the characteristics of Nestor with
those of Ulysses, and surely presents in his administration of his
public trust and mainly in his private life, an exarr.ple to those

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

IIIM ii:ii^-5

If m

IM III 2.2

I "^ IIIIM

III 1.8

125

1.4

1.6

^ 6" —

Photographic

Sciences
CorpoFcition

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

^V"

W^ <i>^

L<P

i?<

i '■ ■ '■ '1

164

El *j

Tories or "Loyalists

charged with large duties and responsibilities. In the plentitude
of his evidences of his master's favor and the pressing variety
of his occupations, it is doubtful uhethcr in the growing disfavor
foi the taxes on stamps or tea, he found time even to consider
the reasons for a change of government, or felt that a seat in
Parliament would have increased his own importance or rep-
resentative control. '■♦

It is no reflection upon the purity of the motives, or the
wisdom of the action of the fathers of our country that such
cases of those thus personally impressed with other views, should
have existed, but it is merely another instance of the sometimes
honest diversity of opinion and policy which has made the
world a battle lield.

It may be assumed that then as now, men were governed
by individuality and subordinated all to the duty of loyalty,
combined in such cases with a sense of interest ; and one can
easily see how possessing all they could hope for, both father
and son struggled to retain it, as would now the holder of a
similar valuable estate, franchise, or monopoly, against legislative
absorbtion, opp : 'ig opinion, or even suggested amendment.

We see, even in the peaceful walks of life, one man of other-
wise noble character, loose self control in asserting a grievance
or supporting a right against another, v/here both are honest,
and one, inevitably wrong. Such material, when aggregated
even for social purposes, will at times divide in sentiment, and
struggle in a ballot, to decide what is humane or right or what
is regular, and by the vote of the majority, produce a result
in suppressing without altering a deeply seated conviction.

'4 It does not appear that he ever revisited Kngland, as was asserted, but it may be
recalled that he w.is the first white man — borne b\ the Indians on a litter — who
resorted to the " Saratoga Springs" for medicinal relief.

in the Revolution,

165

Such difFerences are apparently but miniature representations
of the elements aggregated in civil war: A reference to a disin-
terested party has often remedied the one as a mediation may
avoid the other.

John Bright, that life long advocate of peace, who has lived
through many wars, has recently presented a remedy against
their recurrence. "The policy and aspect of our countiy
and of the world will be changed, if the demon war is confined
to the cases in which there seems to Christian and rational
men no escape from the miseries it inflicts on mankind."
This seems a glittering generality only, until it can he dis-
covered hnv the passion and perhaps the ignorance by which it
is generally incited can be induced — best before any use of
violence— to submit to such proper arbitration, and then who
would be admitted to be " rational men " by any usual method
of selection.

At least the position of those who sustained the existing govern-
ment at the Revolution would not appear to have been open to
any such solution. A large body of the people had finally
settled upon a new form, to which all must submit, without
reference to former complication, interest, or tivjs. There was
no intermediate course, nor opportunity to temporize, espe-
cially for one prominent from position.

The " Tory " then fought for his sovereign and the existing
laws, often after years of resistance to their exactions in every
appeal but that of arms, as distasteful then as now. The con-
servative element had favored to the last, endurance to con-
test, of which property and business were to bear the cost.
Many, even of the leading patriots of the Revolution during its'
progress gave their testimony, that they did not at its outset con-
template separation, but only to urge concession by the threat

i66

Tories or Loyalists

Iff

supported by force ; some of them favored mutual conciliation
to the end, most prayed for peace.

We have been educated to consider the action of those who
were satisfied with the existing government in 1776, as well as
that of those who had realized and sought for peaceful redress
from grievances,and when they culminated in war adhered to their
old flag, indiscriminately, as absolutely indefensible; to apply
to all of them the epithet "Tory," as equivalent to "Traitor,"
and to forget that the even worse detested " Hessian " was only
an involuntary German soldier in jackboots and bearded, then
unusual in America, whose sword was again sold under treaty
obligations, by his Hereditary Prince to a kinsman. King George
HI, in that war. We have not cared to recognize his hostility
to us as compulsory, his presence that of the involuntary victim
of an obnoxious custom in the old World, and that he was of
the same race — and if an officer, of its educated and then
privileged class — famed from the period of Charlemagne in the
battle fields of the world, for their achievements, among the
more recent of which we can now recall their instrumentality —
including the death of two Princes of Brunswick — in the earlier
conflicts, in the overthrow of two Emperors of the Bonaparte
dynasty, and its suppression.

The Tory was not allowed to remain after the Revolution
had succeeded, to submit to the result of what he had from
habit and education rejected, when pressed upon him by arms.

It would seem to be improper, after the expiration of a cen-
tury, to question the action of the brave men — carefully selected
to represent the popular sentiment, and clearly influenced
by more than usual intelligence — as to their policy in the
smallest detail, in securing our national existence, or to believe
that they could have acted in this important particular, without

in the Revolution.

167

a better knowledge than we can even yet appreciate, of their
position and of their necessities.

We know that our country was exhausted in men and means
when the contest ended,'s that the British lion had retreated

'5 The following copied from a signed duplicate original, shows the necessity of the

By thk United States, in Congress assembl

ED.

^ , . September 4, 1782.

WW That one million two hundred thousand dollars has been quotaed on the
^Sc d\t h' I r'"='^-^^'y "««^^a'y f- payment of the interest on the

fo 1 V ih ; V n ' ^^^"'"•"-'^«'' '- 'he Legislatures of the respective States'

ai inAh.i \"" ti T""' '' '^'"^ '""" P^°P" *"<! «^ff"'"al for immediatei;
raising their quota of the above sum. '

th^lLlZt 7*"'' '^" ""-T"^ '° "'''!^'" "•^'^ ^'^'•=' ^f^^" ''^ ^PP'i^'l towards paying
n -T. ?^ J on certificates issued from the loan office of each State, and oLf
liquidated debts of the United States contracted therein, before any part thereof shall
be paid into the public treasury. ^ *^ tnereor snail

Ordered, That the foregoing Resolutions be referred to the Grand Committee to
assess and report the quota of each State. o"i""ccce, to

On the report of the Grand Committee :

Resof-ved, That $1,200,000 to be raised for the
domestic debt of the United States, be appropriated
to the following quotas, viz :

New Hampshire,
Massachusetts,
Rhode Island,
Connecticut,
New York,
New Jeisey,
Pennsylvania,
Delaware,
Maryland,
Virginia.
North Carolina,
South Carolina,
Georgia,

(Signed),

Sept. 10, 1782.

payment of the interest of the
to the several States, according

5,000
192,000

28,800
133,200

54,000

66,000
180,000

16,800
132,000
174,000

88,800
72,000

14,400

$1,200,000

Chas. Thompson,

Secretary.

If*

i68

Tories or Loyalists

grimly, still holding his Canadian territory as a lair, which could
be used after the repose he also needed, as a base for the concen-
tration of another effort, perhaps including the Loyalists and
exchanged Hessian prisoners. That the private contributions
made in England to aid the government, after the capture of
Burgoyne, might be renewed and concert increased, after the
surrender of Cornwallis, inspired by national chagrin. They
perhaps felt that a Preliminarv Peace wrung from a mortified
enemy, was really a truce, depending on England's adjustment
of her difficulties with France. That the forces of that ally,
had hurried the attack upon Yorktown, to seek new laurels in
the West Indies, and might never return, and that even Defin-
itive Treaties had often been broken.

Even after that Peace, they probably doubted its 'Continuance
— as was justified by the war of ibi2'^ — and from these
considerations, looked upon the continued presence of the Tory
element as likely to prove a lasting danger.

A reference to " Sabine's Loyalists" will readily show, in the
records of many of them in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars,
that they were largely men of military experience'^ and the ques-

"5 In his "Campaigns of the War of 1812 and 15," recently published, General
Cullum — who will be remembered by posterity for his life labor in recording the
military records of all of the graduates of the military academy — throws much light '
on a dark subject. Intending to do justice to the officers of his own — - the Engineer
corps, he has apparently afforded the best account of the strategic failure of a war
gallantly fought in the field, but so disgracefully managed in the Bureau, as to leave
an impression, in many competent minds, that it was intended to be a failure, to
avoid the annexation of Canada, then by reason of the scarcity of British Troops
and other circumstances apparently possible.

'7 The '* Letters from the Marquis de Montcalm, Governor General of Canada,
&c.," published by Almon, in London, in 1777, '" f^*-' ^^^^ '^^ t^he controversy —
and at once declared, even in Parliament, to contain predictions manufactured after
the results were verified — are still a subject of discussed authenticity, although
mainly settled by recent developments by Francis Parkmnn and others, to have been
simulated. At least they appear to contain a valuable cotemporary view of the
condition of the then Colonies, the material of their population, and the probability
of their speedily turning their arms against their mother country, when the danger
of the French as a hostile neighbor was removed.

in the Revolution,

169

tion for the victors to pass upon, was whether a cordial acceptance
of the result of their recent overthrow could be relied upon,
and a new allegiance could divest them of their old attachment
or entirely subordinate them to the impressions and duties,
necessary to reliable citizenship.

It has been claimed, that as they included in their number
many large holders of property, and that its forfeiture —on
which new fortunes were speedily founded -the release of
debts and arrears before the war, to, and the cancelling of
contracts with them, were also used as influences against an
amnesty on even severe conditions,'^ such as had usually then
been extended to the Indians, after their conquest, by most of
the colonies.

It was said by Addison, that "a man of merit in a different
prmciple, is like an object seen in two different mediums, that
appears crooked and broken, however straight and er.tire it' may
be m Itself. For this reason there is scarcelv a person of figure
>n England, who does not go by two contrary characters, as
opposite to one another as light and darkness."

'« The severity of an indiscriminate confiscation was early recognized Tn ^K
prelimina.y Treaty of Peace, foimulated at Versailles on the loth 7 r o

negotiated by Adams, Franklin lav and Hen v , u January, ,783,

States- all ^Uustriou's citizens ln:',r^:'Xl^Z^:Z^'' E "V^ ''"'"'
ativeot Great B.itain was Richard Oswald a n.e'dJnt t ~h ? '"'^f'""'-

to represent her, without the ceremony auen^ n. h '"' '"'""^ ''°""

probably with a view to his acceptabilit/ ^^th . t ^^lo "I^'""^'""^ ^""^
lately bailea Mr. Laurens from the Towe when cauturedT . ' '' ''"""^

Mission at the Hague Bv that T.earv c 7 "t^'"''''^.^' «^=>. «" his way to his

Article v.",t is a,Ld th!t^L'"^/„ '.St",;: '^e^Im 'l^ "'^"'f "^^' '"

latures of the respective States, to provide fo, the rSJtion oTTl t /" '^\^-%^^-
properties of persgns resident in di trius, in the p, si io' "f 1 M "•' ''^^'" '""^
who have not borne arms against the said U ted'LS " An th^t''"'' """' '"'
other description, shall have free libertv m ,r„ InV ^ persons, ot any

teen United'statJs, an t e.ei t , ma . w e I'th '"' " ^'^ f. ^^l^^ '^^ Thir-
to obtain the restit'ution of each of " rotates St and" "' '" '^''' ""'"''"''

becnconHscated^andthatCongressshallaisSeXe^ol^rrsevr/ls^::

i !

I ■ ¥

170

lories or Loyalists

It may be noticed that the persons here incidentally alluded to,
may be mostly classed as persons of figure at the period and
that Addison's impression was as applicable to the colonies as
to the mother country. The customs of the one had been
early introduced into the other, in the habits of life, and the
adoption of many of the ideas and principles which governed at
home.

The acquisition of land has been as we know, from the
earliest period one of the most marked instincts of man. None
knew better than the settlers the traditional influence attending
land secured by entail, as the basis of the perpetuation of families
at home, and many younger sons and connections of such
privileged owners were then amongst the first comers. Nor
were they slow after their arrival in seeking for similar endow-
ments. A vast area of readily productive land, forests, fisheries
and mines, lay open to new colonists ; and lacile governors, sent
generally by favor, to better their estates — at least before dis-
sensions demanded more efficient selections — were ready to
promote grants of crown lands, and even manors with some

a reconsideration and revision of the acts and laws regarding tlie premises, so as to
render the said laws or acts perfectly consistent, not only with justice and equity, but
with the spirit of conciliat'on, which on the return of the blessings of peace should
universally prevail. And that Congress shall also earnestly recommend to the
several States, that the estates, rights and properties of such last mentioned persons,
shall be restored to them, they refunding to any persons who may be now in posses-
sion, the bona fida price (where any iia^ been given) which such persons may have
paid on purchasing any of said lands or properties, since the confiscation. And it is
agreed, That all peisons who have any interest in confiscated lands, either by debts,
marriage settlements, or otherwise, shall meet with no legal impediment in the
prosecution of their just rights." It was also agreed by Article vi. "That there shall
be no future confiscations made, nor any prosecutions commenced against any person
or persons for, or by reason of the part which he or they may have taken in the
present war, and that no person shall, on that account, sutfer any future loss or
damage, either in his person, liberty or property, and that those who may be in
confinenicnt on such charge at the time of the ratification of the Treaty in America,
shall be immediately set at liberty, and the prosecution so commenced be discontinued."

tn the Revolution.

171

feudal privileges, induced by the eking out of a small salary by
.he considerable fees attending the entries, and often,- as
ex,st,ng written evidence proves- by a concealed interest with

es. ,es ,0 owed the,r divis.on and use by tenants, or distribu-
t'on by sale. There were many n.onopolies, snnilariy procured
-on also available as source, of weahh and as the crops and'
produc„ons of the land, the mines, tl,e t,n,ber, the naval Les.
and the fisherres rncreased, and their development and contro
by merchants and shippers accumulated wealth, there followed

and hab,t o! l„e, used by the privileged class in the nrother
country.

The military and civil service brought out manv cadets
of Enghsh fam.hes, to find . pe.manent home bv settlement
or marnage. As England was polnically an ' aristocracy,
the colon,es as a part of it, imitated its habits and fostered iL

.red t e convex.ty of affluence, and aspired to position, the
exclusron from the higher offices, and the precedence on a ^tate
occasron, accorded to some stripling subaltern in a crimson coat
was a gr.evance harder to be borne than taxation. With pro, '
penty and wealth came the desire for education, and that cu t -"
vat,on wh.ch should confer on their children some of the ad
vantages which they had seen accorded, to the scions of th t
pnvdegcd families at home.

The schools of Eton and Harrow, and the Universities of
Ox ord and Cambr.dge, were filled with young Americans, who
wh,le studymg the humanities, were naturaHy comparmg the'

E r I

mam

1 / ^

Tones or Loyalists

political privileges which surrounded them, with those of their
home.

Those in London, during the period of the dissensions referred
to, watched the progress of events in the galleries of Parliament
and studied statesmanship there, often with their profession in
the purlieus of the Temple and the Inns of Court, both indis-
pensible in the coming events in that distant home. Probably
in their social intercourse they felt the sense of inferiority as
colonists, impressed upon them by the home born young Britons,
ever conscious of national and often of personal superiority —
with whom they were associated, and already dreamed of political
and social equality. '9

Their home constituency, combining a large element of
veterans taught to wield arms in the border wars, conscious
of their power ; and of those devoted to the pursuits of
peace, conceded in the selection for such offices as were
left to their choice, the claims of superior education and larger
opportunity for the study of public affairs ; for in those days,
the place sought the man as generally as in the present, men seek
As an example, Edward R

?dg{

lay-

ward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., and Arthur Middleton, all early
movers for redress from grievances, members from South Car-
olin^i of the early Congresses, and its Signers of the Declaration,

'9 An amusing instance of the social line then drawn, is given by Col. Stone.
When William, an halt breed — suppo'ed to be Sii William's boy, and an associate
of young Brant at Dr. Wheelock's school, was directed by his instructor's son to
saddle a horse, he refused, saying he was not a Gentleman. When asked to define
what a gentleman was, he replied, " a person who keeps race horses and drinks
Madeira wine, and that is what neither you nor your father do." It is not probable
that this impression originated with the boy, but it suggests whether the keeping of
too many race horses, and the drinking ot too much Madeira, may not have been
one of the causes ot the distinction he describes finding its decadence in the progress
of events and the development of new elements of citizenship, rapidly dividing
property and power with these earlier comers.

in the Revolution.

^IZ

g^er

Stone,
ssociate
son to
define
drinks
)robable
cping of
vc been
progress
dividing

were, with Charles Coatesworth Pinckney, John Laurens and
many others early in the field from that, and a large number
who served in both from other Colonies — recently educated
in England.

The Congress that declared the country free, which was
probably as representative of the ability of the American people
as any that succeeded it, was, according to the custom ot the
day, composed of such "men of figure " in the colonies as the
people at the time, considered best suited to protect their common
interest. The Clergy, Lawvers', Doctors, Judges, Magistrates,
Planters and prosperous Merchants and Manufacturers were
mainly its material ; there was an entire absence of those who
devoted themselves to politics or agitation professionally.

Perhaps the dift'erence of sentiment, which soon divided the
people in arms, may be illustrated by hastily referring to the
career of one member of that celebrated body, who, while
occupying in many particulars the same position as the John-
sons, was overwhelmed and mainly forgotten in the ruin he
brought upon himself, in the honest assertion of antipodal con-
victions.

Richard Stockton, of New Jersey, would appear to have
been symmetrically, in every relation, such a " person of
figure." Born at Princeton, in 1730, on the extended estate of
his fathers, carefully educated as his position justified, and his
natural abilities made easy, he graduated at Nassau Hall, in
1748, under the tutelage of President Burr. When fitted by
professional training, he readily asserted his position, as one of
the ablest (if a distinguished bar. The cultivation of his mind,
is said to have kept pace with that of a graceful and attractive
person, physically fitted for endurance and superiority in all

17+

Tories or Loyalists

I ;!'

manly enterprises. While doing the honors of his stately home,
with a broad hospitality and benevolence, aided by a w'fe to
whom he was devoted, he had a ' rned it with many objects
of interest, including one of the finest libraries in the colonies.
He cotnbined an interest in all that afJ'ected the public, with
an appreciation of every social pleasure, uniting in the gayeties
of the little Viceregal Court of his Governor, Sir William
Franklin,"" while already considering the grievances charged
against his delegated action. He is claimed by his honorable
character, and sympathetic manners, to have earned the ap-
preciation of all. Devoting his leisure to the improvement of
his mind, body and estate, on the latter he bred the choicest
horses and cattle, he was celebrated for his mount as well
as for his seat, for his skill as a marksman, and in such

" Governor Franklin was .-» protege of Lord Bute, by whose influence and that of
his father — when courted by the administration — he was created Governor of New
Jersey without any marked service above that of a captain in the French War.
On his release he returned to Europe. His more memorable father who could con-
trol lightning failed in influencing the loyalt) of bis son.

In many particulars there was a .similarity between the position and treatment of
Governor Franklin and Sir John Johnson in this year. Tlie following letter is
copied from the original and shows the action of Congress.

Philadelphia, ^j^une 24, 1776.
Gentlemen : Your Favor respecting the proper measures to be taken with your
late Governor, William Franklyn, Esq., came to Hand on Saturday the zid inst.
But as the Congress did not sit on that Day 1 could not lay it before them till
Monday. 1 now do myself the Honour of enclosing to you the Resolve of Congress
which they have this day passed with Regard to the Treatment of him. You will
therefore perceive the Congress have directed him to be sent to Connecticut under a
guard. I shall write to Gov. Trumbull to treat him as a Prisoner should he refuse
to give his Parole in Writing.

I have the Honour to be Gentlemen your most

obed't and very humble serv't.

John Hancock,

FresiJ't.

The other resolves herewith transmitted, are of such a Nature that no arguments
are necessary to enforce them. You will be pleased to attend to them as soon as
possible.

Hon'hle Convention of New "Jtrsey.

tn the Revolution.

^11

a.hle„c spor., as are now supplemented by polo, lawn tennis,
boating and ball .natches, in which pleasure is realized
through exert,on. Such pursuits and pastimes of his lesser
existence, were with him only the oil applied to the machinery
ot an earnest life !

In .766, he -made his tour," as was customary then as
now, spending two years in Kngl,nd, cultivating the ac
qua,n.ance ot public men to whom his access was easy,
ob.a,nn,g an audience by the young King, who graciously
received h,m, and communing with some leaders, with
whom he was destined to hold early intercourse, and to whom
he, even then, probably imparted his growing apprehensions.
In an unpublished letter, written in London in that vear to his
wtfe-one of the few relics of his then impending ruin, which
survive ,n the hands of his family, „nd which Dr. Emmet
.houghtfully directed to be facsimiled - be says, '. I have had
a perfect state of health since I left you, blessed be God
Almighty, and let me tell you that all the Elegance and
Grandeur I have yet seen in these Kingdoms, in different
families where I have been received, serves but to increase the
pleasure I have for some years enjoyed in my Domestick con-
nections I see not a sensible, obliging, tender wife, but the
Image of my dear Emelia, is full in view. I see not a haughty
■gnorant imperious dame, but I rejoice that the partner of my
hte IS so much her opposite. But why need I talk so gallantly '
You knew me long ago, as well as you would should I write a
volume on this endearing topic."

The fitness of a man so constituted and prepared for
public usefulness, was not then long overlooked. Returning
m 1768, he was named for a seat in the Council of the colony-!

176

Tories or Loyalists

at the time an honored place, and, in 1774, elevated to the
Supreme Bench, acquitting himself with credit in each position.
When he saw the political clouds which he had carefully
watched, about to break, he had prepared himself by study of
precedents, and communion with wise men, for the result, and
made every effort to avert it. The annexed appeal, copied
from the original draft — written with a firm and graceful
chirography, but in ink as faded bv time as any general memory
of his service — expressing the result of such conclusion in
dignified and manly terms, and showing by its impersonal form,
the writer's appreciation of the etiquette, which prevented a
direct inteiference with public affairs beyond his control —
was submitted to the minister without concealment of author-
ship or the avoidance of responsibility, by the hand of a
friend."

" An Exi'KDiENT for thk Seiti.ement of the American Disputes humbly sub-
mitted (" offered" erased ) to the consideration ot" his Majesty's Ministers, by an
American.

The State of American Affairs is so l>a'il\< alarming at thii rinif, that any real friend
to the British Empire, ought to suggest every probable expedient that oicurs to him,
for the accommodation of the uniiappy disputes between Great Britain and tho
Colonies — to give the following suggestions their due weight, it must be premised —
I3t. Tliat the several North American Colonies, from New Hampshire to South
Carolina inclusive, a'v a/'/e to furnis/i 500,000 /i^Af/wi^ men ; who are in general as
fit for service as the Englisli Militia, and many of them much more so, having been
in active service in the last war. 2nd. That the great body of the people of these
several Colonic? are ni \v ( even to the astonishment of many Colonists themselves )
perfectly united in c determinate oppoiition to the authority of the Britiih Parliament as to
all internal Taxation. 3d. That there is not the least remaining doubt, if the
British Government should proceed to put the late Acts of Parliament, respecting
the Massachu'etts Bay (or any other Acts which involve the Idea of .\n absolute
uncontrollable power in the British Parliament over the Colonies) \ into execution, by
force, but that the saiij Colonies luouLl unite hy atlemptint^ 10 repel, fnrce hi force. To
which may be added, what Is as well or perhaps better known in Great Britain than in
America, to wit : 4th. That the certain consequences of this unnatural war will be
dreadful to both Great Britain and America, and the prohahle etiects thereof may be
fatal to the whole British Empire. Matters standing thus and the three first proposi-
tions above premised being founded upon the mort indubilable facts (of which the
writer of this from his general acquaintance with America, is perhaps as competent a

in the Revolution,

177

im,

the
A—
jouth
as
been
rhese
, es )

,15 iO

the
•cting
solute

m, by
To
han in
Ul be
nay be
roposi-
:h the
etent 1

Such remonstrances, oiade in and out of Parliameni by the
friends of America, desirous of preserving with honor its early
institutions, failed to attract attention, and the storm of oppo-
sition to them finall)> burst. Stockton had already selected his
course and indift'erent to office, personal exemption, or private

judge as any man wliatever), it is humbly proposed to his Majesty's Ministers whether
it would not be proper, ist. That a royal Instruction be immediately obtained and
sent over to the several Gove/nors of the North American Colonies requesting them
forthwith to .ecommend it to their several Assemblies to pass, and to give their own
assent to an Act which may be passed by tho Legisl itures of several Provinces,
comprising certain Commissioners therein to he named to repair to England, with
power to confer with his Majesty's Ministers, or with Commissioners to be appointed
by Parliament, respecting the grand points in dispute between Great Britain and
America, and finally to determine thereupon. 2nd. That to prevent all disputes in
future, the said American Commissiiners be also empowered to confer and agree with
the British Commissioners respecting the future Go-vemment and regulation of the
Colonies, either by framing one general system I't" Government for all the Cdiniei
on the Continent similar to the British, or by making some niaterial alteration in
the present mode of Provincial Government. In either of wliich systems, some
effectual provision may be madeycr the adequate support of the American Government
by the Americans themsel-ves, and also for the payment of all such sums of money as
may become due tVom America to Great Britain for tlie assistance of her Fleets and
Army. Thete deteiminations ot the said Commissioners to be subjected nevertheless,
to such alteration as the wisdom of his Majesty and his Parliament of Great Britain
may make tlierein, and as shall be agreed to by the several Provincial Legislatures.
3d. That upon such instructions being given to the several Governors, his Majesty to
be a<lvised in his royal clemency, to reconiinend it to his Parliament to suspend the
operation of the Boston Port Acts, while the determination of the said Commissioners
should be had. The author of the above hints oMers them with all humility, and
with great diffidence of his own ability on so great and national a question. But some
expedient must he immediately fallen u^^on, or ive shall he imjol-ved in a Ciii'l War, the
most ohstinate, aivful and tremendous that perhaps ei'er occurred since the Creation of the
fVorld. He will esteem it a signal blessing of Divine Providence conferred upon
him, if any one Idea he iiath suggested may be of any use at this dreadful crisis.
And if otherwise, he will at least be able to comfort himself with the uprightness of
his intentions in this feeble attempt, and with the assurance that he can do no harm,
either to himself or any other person
December 12, 1774.

Endorsed by the writer — on this the corrected draught — " Hints transmitted to
Lord Dartmouth, Secretary of State for America, through the hands of Samuel Smith,
Esq., of London, Merchant."

This Appeal, and many similar ones we know, were made in vain to a govern-
ment impressed by unwise counsels, and a King who declaied "'That the Americans
meant only to amuse by vague expressions of attachment and the strongest professions

ll^

ifi

if "-

■I.;

1 '..

178

Tories or Loyalists

interest, accepted a seat in the then rebel Congress. While
the Declaration of Independence was being considered, he
listened in silence, and with profound attention to the debate,
but with a grave face and a sad heart," when under later
usages, a member who had determined to risk his life for the
benefit of his " constituency," might have suggested some
trifling amendment, to remind them at once of his presence at
an important crisis, and the superior grasp of his intellect to
that of the illustrious committee who reported it. It has been
suggested that the Congress of 1776, was limited in its mem-
bership to men whose merit had been recognized in the ad-
ministration of their own private interests and duties, a valued
experience to those assuming a public trust. Many of them
had shown this also in the colonial assemblies, where the honor
had compensated for the expense, beyond the trifling allow-
ance. When the proper moment arrived he signed it, accepted
it as the chart by which he was fated to sail to his personal
shipwreck, overwhelmed while aiding to secure the privileges
we enjoy.

In devoting himself to the cause, he declined the honors ofl^ered
to him, to compensate for those he had sacrificed. On a tie
vote, between himself and William Livingston — another de-
voted and able patriot — on the first election for governor, he de-
clined further contest with so worthy a man, and also refused the
Chief Justiceship, probably won by his magnanimitv. With

of loyalty, while they were preparing for a general revolt, for the purpose of" establishing
an independent Empire." At least, the policy suggested by Mr. Stockton had somi:
influence at home, for on the first day of the following September, Richard Penii
and Arthur Lee delivered to Lord Dartmouth a petition from Congress to the King
. embodying the above views and probably borrowed from them, and were informed

that NO ANSWER WOULPl BE GIVEN.

"Sanderson's Signers.

lal

res

tie

le-

ith

filing
soms

ing
ned

in the Revolution,

179

his colleague Clymer, he visited the'camp of the Northern
army, and consulted with the gallant Schuyler, as to details
already tending th.ere to a great triumph. Soon, the ravages of
war reached and destroyed that happy home, his Family was
driven into exile, his lands were laid waste, and his favorite
horses appropriated by the raiders. Then, to complete his
misfortunes, when captured by them, he was carried into New
York, and from his prominent position as a recent King's officer,
" ignominiously thrown into a common jail," and confined with
such cruelty that when exchanged, upon the special remon-
strances of Congress, conveyed by Washington, his shattered
health unfitted him for further usefulness, and a lingering life of
suffering was the final fulfillment of his remarkable promise,
which terminated on the twenty-eighth of February, 178 1, too
soon to know or the efi^ect of the artillery at Yorktown, in
consummating the freedom for which, after exhorting his children
to remember that " the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,"
he had died a martyr. In many countries such service would
be recorded by monuments '• more lasting than brass," and his
'• fete day " remembered and celebrated ; in the engrossing
present of what he aided to create, is it not doubtful if his
name is known to all of those even in his native State, where
some evidently concentrate in themselves and in their surround-
ings, the beginning and end of all interest in the perpetuation of
their existence as freemen. Is it not equally so, if he were
living, whether those services would command a sufficient vote
of appreciation to return him to Congress, if vigorously op-
posed by some political organization or machine, supported by
the now common outlay.
23

r8o

Tories or Loyalists

But our national existence appears largely due to the folly of its
rulers, even more than to the resistance of the colonies. When
relieved of a hostile neighbor by the conquest of Canada, they
needed no longer the protecting assistance of the parent gov-
ernment. The continuous border warfare with the French then
ended, and also that with all of the Indians, surrounding the
upper lakes, in the successful defence of Detroit and the defeat of
Pontiac. During the continuance of these wars, they had been
compelled to keep an avera;2;e of 25,000 troops under arms,
and had made a valuable expenditure of thirty thousand lives.
They claimed a large balance, some ,£350,000 for outlays.
A vote of ^6200, 000 by Parliament on the recommendation of
George III at once on his accession, while admitting the
necessity for such assistance, seems inconsistent with a
claim soon after made for a revenue of <£ 100,000 by direct
taxation. In 1775 the debt of Great Bvitain was estimated
at three hundred millions and its interest charges in 1776,
£4,800,000 of which £19,000 was claimed as for the expenses
of the first year of the war.

There had been dissensions between the Governors and the
Assemblies, and a successful resistance to the foreign taxes on
sugar and molasses. Writs of assistance ordering the Collection,
had been reluctantly granted, and little used. An uncomfortable
relation had grown up between the colonies, now a prosperous
and warlike people, and their mother country. Sir Robert
Walpole^3 had years before divined that their direct taxation was

»3 Doubtless their clandestine trade with the Spanish Colonies, exporting British
manufartures in exchange tor specie, made stamps more objectionable, but far seeing
Walpole claimed, that ot every £500,000 so gained by them, one-halt would be
expended in England. Their friends throughout persistently sustaitied them in Parlia-
ment. Ctiatham, Rockingham, Newcastle, Camden and Conway amongst the earliest,
with such success, that when jiartially to aid the East India Company, three pence a
pound on tea was. on motion of Lord North alone persisted in, — on the 5th of
March, 1770 — Captain Preston had on that day, tired on the " Boston Mob," and
the concession came too late.

s
n

n
le
of
;n

IS,

:s.
/s.
of
:he
t a
ect
ted

76,
ises

the
; on
:ion,
:able
:rous
ibert
1 was

British
seeing
juld be
Farlia-
;arliest,
pence a
5th of
b," and

f/^^^*^^'^''^/

r^.

p'/»;v' f^^nffa //<y?7</

/^^zt^ A'/- ,W /f tUafuvir^ ^fe \^a>^r>e <//7Vj» ''i^i!^', #»•///> o/f-r^f.

/A <*^-7'<V/r fri»

>/4'e. —

^/.f^rv ^fh

/^^/^/WM^^^-''''^

^/€ ^^.^- .^ ^^//^-^^^

FROM THf. ORISINAL IN THt COLLCC I ION OF T B M,

in the Revolution.

i8i

to '*disturb a hornets' nest," and left it as he said — as many
political questions are bequeathed — "to those who should
come after him, who had more courage than himself;" and
the judicious Pitt, when it was suggested as a source of needed
revenue, expressed his unwillingness to " burn his fingers
with an American Tax." What the course of events would
have been, if Frederick, Prince of Wales, had lived to succeed
his father, is a subject for conjecture. He appears to !iave
been controlled by ger.trous impulses, and advanced ideas of
government, was frank and ingenuous in his carriage, while
doubtless a subject for " calculation" or at least observation as
to his future, as an heir apparent of mature years is apt to
be. It was asserted that he favored dividing the control of
his father's Whig advisors — representing the ruling party
since the Protestant succession — and admitting the long
neglected Torv element to share it, and to neutralize the in-
fluence of both, by subordinating every element to the develop-
ment, in his expected reign — of Bolingbroke's ideal government,
ruled by a *' Patriot King.'' Dying in his father's lifetime, at
the age of forty-four, his son succeeded directly on the decease
of his grandfather on the 26th of October, 1760, at the age of
twenty -two, having been the first of his familv born on
British soil.

The accession of George IIP"* to the throne when proclaimed
throughout his dominions and colonies^ was received cverv where

24 It was said of him at that time "thou(;h his ciiaracter was far from yet being
perfectly (ieveloped, a very strong and apparently just partiality predominated in his
favor. During the late reign he had uniformly abstained from all public interference
in the afj-'airs of government. His manners were in the highest degree decorous, his
words unblemished, and his personal accomplishments corresponded witii the eleva-
tion of his rank and station. All appearances seemed to augur a reign of unin-
terrupted glory and felicity, and the regret which the nation for a moment felt at the
sudden demise of tlie good old King, was immediately absorbed in the transports of
joy excited by the auspicious commencement of the reign of the young Monarch whj

''HP

.:jr

■n

Ms -is

I. ;.

182

Tories or Loyalists

with demonstrations of hope and joy. The people mainly
at last, attached to his family, augured from his character and
youth, a relief from every existing complication. Their griev-
ances and prayers for redress were early addressed to the new
monarch, and steadily pressed on his attention, with increasing
emphasis. The hand of his mother — a Princess who was known
hy the populace as "The Witch," and doubtless held herself to
he capable and executive — seems to have shaped his destiny as
woman has often influenced the destinies of mankind. His
father, apparently no mean judge of character, speaking of John
Stewart, Earl of Bute, whom he had first seen at the Duchess
of Queensbury's fete, acting as ''Lothario" in the "Fair
Penitent," apparently soon as an intimate at Leicester House,
epigrammatically described him as '■ a fine showy man who
would make an excellent ambassador in any court, where there
was no business " f Beeton's Universal Biography ), and all his-

had very lately attained the age of complete majority; being born June 4, 1738."
Belsham^s Alcmoirs of George III.

The late Dean Stanley, in his " Memorials of Wei-tminster Abbey, " recalls
gome details of the coronation of George III, that Archbishop Seeker who officiated,
had baptized, confirmed and married, the King. That the princely style in which
the young King seated himself after the ceremony, attracted general notice." " No
actor in the character of Fyrrhus, in the ' Distrest Mother,' " says Bishop Newton,
who was present, " not even Booth himself, ever ascended the throne with so much
grace and dignity." That the most interesting peculiarity of the coronation was the un-
noticed attend.ince of the rival to the throne, Frince Charles Edward" ( the Pretender,
then in London, under the name of Mr. Brown). " 1 asked my Lord Marshal,"
says David Hume, "'the reason for this strange fact." "Ay." says he, "a gentleman
told me so, who saw him there, and whispered in his ear, * Your Royal Highness is
the last of all mortals whom I should expect to see here." "It was curiosity that
led me," said the other, " but I assure you," added he, "that the person who is the
cause of all this pomp and magnificence, is the man 1 envy least," Could he have
realized what that rival would soon suffer from the losses here treated of, he would
not have envied him the more, on that day that he inherited those troubles, with
the pieferment.

The signature of Archbishop Seeker, who aided and endowed Episcopal churches
in America, and also officiated at the coronation of Lord Granville, Dunk, Earl of
Halifax, and others of the Lords of Council annexed to the order for his proclamation
in New Yo. I:, like that of Goldsboro Banyer, the then Deputy Secretary, may be
recalled in connection with our early history.

in the Revolution,

183

rches
»rl of
jtlon
ay be

torians appear to agree in failing to approve of the man. He
was, says Belsham — apparently an impartial writer — "a
nobleman haughty in his manners, contracted in his capacity,
despotic in his sentiments, and mysterious in his conduct, who
M'as successfully insinuating himself into the confidence of the
Princess of Wales, and of her son." Only Sunday intervened
between the old King's death, and his talcing his oath as a Privy
Counsellor, and he at once supplanted his daughter. Princess
Amelia, in the Rangership of Richmond Parleys ^s the Mentor
of the Prince he became a rapid meteor, shooting upward from
place to place, from that position to Secretary of State, then to
first Lord of the Treasury, and ruler of the Ministry of the
Nation, of the Princess Dowager, and of his Sovereign. The
latter had learned to thoroughly accept his infallibility and
to adopt his ideas, which culminated in his misfortunes, and
loss of colonies and intellect. Lord Bute drove from the
counsels of his well intending master, all other advisers, including
those apparently essential to his prosperity. Some refused to
serve as his colleagues, others were supplanted in securing place
and emolument for himself and his creatures. While in thus
depriving America of friends in the Counr I, familiar with their
rights and necessities, he concentrated power in himself It is
just to say, that he pressed the war agiinst the Allies on the con-
tinent, with vigorous success, on sea and land, bringing them
to their knees, and negotiating the Peace of Fontainbleau in
November, 1762, with France, Spain and Portugal, by which
Canada and all Louisiana east of Mississippi was finally ceded, by
France ; East and West Florida and all their territory east and
south-east of that river, bv Spain. In the haste with which he
availed himself of thesesuccesses,securingthe results wliich made

»5 Possibly to please her sister-in-law.

184.

Tories or Loyalists

the "Georgian Era" memorable, he immensely increased the area
of the colonies. He neglected to provide any indemnity for Prus-
sia as a faithful ally, from her position liable to future retaliation,
and won those caustic, but just criticisms with which that
Frederick, who was great with both pen and sword — after
having protected his then exposed condition by a treaty with
Russia and Sweden, has embalmed his memory in his (Euvres
du Roi de Prusse. This, and the forcing through with great
difficulty, even sustair.el bv the whole power of the Govern-
ment, of the " Cider Bill," involving a direct tax repugnant to
the whole people, especiallv to the " Country Party," and the
agricultural interests, and so establishing a precedent for those
which cost the recent acquisitions in America, and their base,
were the crowning results of a power which he suddenly
resigned, when — as he admitted '' single in a Cabinet of his own
creating, with no soul in the House of Lords to support him,
but two Peers." All of this unwise exercise of authority
appears to have originated in the Princess Dowager's rejection,
of what the world have since united in approving, as the
wise judgment of her husband, and allowing the needy schemer
he distrusted, the unrestricted control of that of his son, particu-
larly on this to him, fatal question of direct taxation,

William Henry Drayton — Chief [ustice of South Caro-
lina — who was in the habit of engrafting ardent precepts of
patriotism with those of law, in his charges to the grand jury
and also of contributing his salary to their promotion,^^ ex-
pressed the universal sense of the Colonies in one of these de-
livered on the 15th of October, 1776.

" Never were a people more wrapped up in a King than
the Americans were in George III in 1763. They revered

»* He also died in service, a member of Congress at Philadelphia, Feb. 3, 1779.

in the Revolution.

185

X-

and obeyed the British Government because it protected them,
they fondly called Great Britain home, but from that time her
counsels took a ruinous turn ; ceasing to protect they sought to
ruin America, the Stamp Act, Declaratory law and duties upon
Tea and other articles, at once proclaimed the injustice, and an-
nounced to Americans that they had but little room for hope,
infinite space for fear. In vain they petitioned for redress."

But England needed money ; and the means as proposed to
the King, by Bute, seemed to him adequate and proper. In an
effort to add to her revenue the 1 100,000, Mv. Grenville'^ his
successor as first Commissioner of the Treasury, proposed to
collect i^ by the Stamp Act in 1763, and so partially reimburse
her outlay in the Seven Years' War, which had in part originated
in the defence of her Colonies. In this she thoroughly aroused
them, already exasperated, to a forcible resistance, so sig-
nificant as to strengthen the hands of its opponents in Par-
liament sufficiently to effect the repeal of that already obsolete
act.

Even then there was a chance for reconciliation, for which
the Colonies still steadily petitioned and labored through their
agents and friends. But the fumes of the " Cider Bill " had
influenced the royal head, he persevered in his policy, and the
brilliant Charles Townshend, as Chancellor of the Exchequer,

»7 In the course of the debate on the Cider Bill, Mr. Grenville, annoyed by Mr.
Pitt's ridicule of its subject, replied, " The Right Honorable Gentleman complains
of the hardship of this Tax; why does he not tell us where we can lay another tax
instead of it ? " repeating two or three times emphatically, "Tell me ivhere you
can lay another tax." Mr. Pitt thus unseasonably appealed to, replied in a musical
tone, in the words of a favorite air, "Gentle Shepherd tell me where," which,
amused the House and hxed the soubrequet on Mr. Grenville. Mr. Bclsham,
who related it in 1795, did not view it even then as wholly a joke. "Little
certainly," says he, " did this minister imagine how fertile would be the invention of
his successors, or how thoroughly subdued by time and custom the spirits of the
people." This tax, however, was also soon obsolete from non usor.

79-

i' I

186

Tories or Loyalists

four years later essayed to increase the still insufficient revenue,
by the substitution of a more remunerative duty upon tea, glass,
paper and painters' colors, under the impression that the form
and not the substance of the taxation was unpalatable, but even
when limited to tea alone, its attempted enforcement was, as
we know, the immediate cause of the loss of her Colonies, at
least at that time.

It was a small beginning to a mighty result, the spark that
caused a great conflagration, in which, in spite of the efforts of
Lord North, into whose hands and those of Lord George
Germain, — whom Belsham emphasizes as "so famous, or
rather infamous, under his former appellation of Lord George
Sackville," — after several intermediate unsuccessful ministries
it fell, to make the final efforts to extinguish it by conciliation,
too long delayed, or by force ; and so to officiate, in the final
dismemberment of a portion of Great Britain's dominions,
now vastly larger and greater, than the whole at that period.
The Tory interests were then remorselessly burned.

The few details of public outlay referred to in these old
papers, only valuable here as connected with the subject, are,
it will be seen, trifling items of the then immense expendi-
ture of the British Government in that fruitless struggle for
a small additional Revenue, and additions to her indebtedness
always very great, but easily carried in ordinary times by the
appreciation of her Funded Debt, as a security by the world.
From these fragments, we can discern the continued confidence
of the Government in Sir John Johnson, after the military results
elsewhere referred to, and that he was entrusted with the care
and control of his former allies and neighbors, apparently as the
superior of Col. Guy Johnson, on whom t^e Superintendency

'.igi— g!

in the Revolution.

187

devolved at the decease of Sir William, probably so arranged
in order to allow him to devote his uninterrupted attention to the
care of an estate, then only second to that of Penn's in size, and
to enjoy it as a landed gentleman. Perhaps, as a clear judge of
character in ordinary cases, he distrusted the qualities of his son
to assume the Superintendency ; an impression which seems
oftener to prevail with an elderly man, than that cf a too high
appreciation ot the ability of any apparent successor. In the
event, fate did not free him from the cares from which his
father may have hoped to relieve him, after having himself
long borne their weight.

It may he noticed that the following order providing for the relief
of several corps of Loyalists belonging to General Burgoyne's
Army, and other Refugees, deducts the valueof provisions, issued
to " said Corps of Royalists and others, between 25th October
1777" — three months after the conclusion of the foregoing
Diary — '* and 24th April, 1778," and probably includes the
troops it treats of, as then still under command.

Guy Carleton^ Knight ot' the Bath^ General and Commander-
in-chief of his Majesty* s Forces in the Province of .Quebec and
frontiers thereof.

You are hereby directed and required to pay or cause to be
paid to Sir John Johnson, Bart., or to his assigns, the sum
of six thousand four hundred and sixty seven pounds, eleven
shillings and six pence, sterling dollars at four shillings and
eight pence each, being the allowance made for the present
relief of several corps of Royalists, belonging to General Bur-
goyne's army, and sundry other persons who have taken refuge
in this Province from the Rebellious Colonies, as per annexed
accounts. You will also deduct the sum of one thousand and
twenty- four pounds, six shillings and eight pence sterling, being
the amount of provisions issued to the said corps of Royalists
and others, between 25th October, 1777, and 24th April, 1778.

■'« 1^

IE:

I I

.11

188

Tories or Loyalists

And this, with the acquittances of the said Sir John Johnson,
Bt., or his assigns, shall be your sufficient Warrant and Dis-
charge.

Given under my hand, at Quebec, this 29th of
April, 1778.

Guy Carleton.'^
To John Powell, Esq.,

Dy. Paymaster General,

His Majesty's forces at Quebec.

This appointment — dated five months after the virtual

close of the war at Yorktown, although eight before the nego-

''^ The last English commander in-chief in her lost colonies. By escaping from
captivity at M(.ntreal in 1775, passing at night, with muttied oars, through his ad-
versaries' forces, thi owing himself into (Quebec, and rallying its feeble garrison, he
javed the city and deprived the adventurous Montgomery ot his victorv. The
jealoufy of Lord George Germaine is said to have confined his service to Canada,
and deprived him of the commanu of the expedition led by Burgoyne. His loyal
endurance of this slight, and his cordial assistance with the favorite of the hour,
won for him Burgoync's recorded appreciation. General Burgoyne was apparently a
man of ability, and hid been a successful soldier in Portugal. He was a social
celebrity also, and owed his progress to family influence. His devotion to pleasure is
charged to have Qelayed him — while in tact probably waiting for rhe promised
cooperation of General Howe — when celerity of movement appears to have offered
the only chance for either advance or escape

It has also been claimed, mainly by those not present, that his delay near Fort Edward,
to procure horses for a very heavy artillery and train, increased the net-; of provisions,
all of which the disasters of the detachments on' his flanks at Fort Stanwix and
Bennington, prevented his securing, while they crippled an originally small force,
to swing so far from its base. It was also asserted, that he should have held Fort
Edward, prepared to advance when he had satisfactory intelligence from below, or
even to retreat to Canada 5 an apparent answer would be, that he had out five days
provisions when he yielded ; inconsi.lerable for a siege and had no knowledge of
Clinton's small supplies, sent to Albany. That the wtiole country encouraged by
those disasters, was rising, and troops being hurried forward, while his i.'vn were
daily reduced; and that he was in effect captured before he surrendered. It was
only at the end of a century, that General Howe's failure to advance to his aid was
accounted for, by an explanation, written at the time by Lord Slielburne, and pub-
lished by his appreciative grandson, in his life in 1875, by which it appears that
Lord George Germaine, also a man of pleisure, being engaged to dine in the country,
signed the orders for Burgoyne, but those for Gen. Howe requiring to be rewritten,
were to be sent ro him, for his signatuie there. The packet unexpectedly sailed
with only the former, and so produced the complication, while the h'tter were found
pigeon holed in the otfiie of that valuable public servant, years afterwards, and so
America gained a battle only second in value from its results. This blunder, as many
other explanations just to that officer, and perhaps the best conception of the good and

in the Revolution,

189

lays
of
by

was
ub-
that

ten,
ailed
Dund

tiation of the Preliminary Peace — creating him Superin-
tendent General of all Indians at Quebec and the frontier
Provinces, including his old neighbors four of the Six Nations —
might imply that his hopes as a soldier had ended, with those
for the restoration of his inherited domain. The evidence
however exists of his continued interests in the differences with
the Indians, still occupying the te>-ritorv claimed bv the United
States, proving his later hostility.

Sir : White Hall, 18 March^ 1781.

Tlic King has been graciously pleased to appoint you
Superintendent General, and Inspector General of the Six
Nations of Indians and their Confederates and also of the

evil in his character, have also been .uForded to readers by the dau,'hters of" a more
fortunate General, his son Sir John Buryoyne, who are now residing in Hampton
Court, in the " Political and Military Sketches " publi>ii(,"d by their inspiration, by Mr.
Fonblanque in 1876. These, with the " Memoirs of the Marquis of Rockingham,"
edited by Lord Albemaile 101852, "The correspondence of the Duke of Bedford and
Lord Chatham,'" " Tiie Evelyn's in America, "contributed by |. D. Scu!!, Oxfoiu,
1881, Judge Jones' "History of New York in the Revolution," <md the Gates
papers, contributed by Dr. T A. Emmett to the •' Magazine oi American History,"
are all among the recent proofs of the mellowing influence of Time upon History.
There appear to be many coincidences in the career of Burgoync and that of
Gates, identilied as they were in service and in eventual destiny. Both types of the
conventional gentleman, brilliant and epigrammatic with the pen and audacious with
the sword. Equally open to a generous impulse, the error of self appreciation and
a desire for rapid glory, both based some impression of infallibility on the lules of
technical education and the prestige of former service. Botn appear in history tit
subjects to point the moral that while success is self recording, misforluiic commands
its equal right to a reliable record. With probably less natural ability than either,
Gen. Carleton combined with courage jnd decision the additional requisite of business
capacity. He appear,-, to have received in all history, that which these brilliant co-
temporaries sought for and failed to acliieve, as a reward for his unassuming useful-
ness ,ind admitted humanity. It has been considered whether there would have been a
Saratoga in our roll of victories, had that active cotnmander led the expedition.
It was his singul.11 fortune to serve in America through the war, to hold {^'^'^bec
at its outset, and surrender New York at its conclusion. After the peace he became
Lord Dorchester and remained in Canada as Commander-in-Chiet oi the British
forces. Th'! eccentric General Charles Lee, another soldier of the school of Bur-
goync and Gates, influenced by his too little faith in Washington as a soldier — after
the attempt to hold I'ort Washington — and too much in a sense of his own educated
luperiority, attempted to treat, for a hasty completion ot the w.ir, as Dr. George H,
Moore has shown, with an individuality too intense, to conceive its exercise treason-
able.

190

Tories or Loyalists

Indians in the Province of Quebec, and in the Provinces lying
on the Frontiers thereof.

lam happy to inform you of this Mark of His Majesty's Favor
and Confidence and as it conveys to you most authentically
His Royal Approbation of your former services, it will, I am sure,
impress you with the warmest Sentiments of Duty and Gratitude,
and excite you to exert your utmost endeavors to render your
present appointment beneficial to the Public, by establishing a
strict economy through all branches of your Department, which
will be the best means of rf.commending yourself to His
Majestys future Favor and Attention. You will see by the
terms of your warrant that you are to follow such Orders and
instructions as you shall receive from the Commander-in-Chief
of His Majestys Forces in the Provinces of Quebec, I have
signified to General Haldimand His Majestys Pleasure that
he should make you such Allowances for your Services and Ex-
penses as he shall judge adequate and proper. I have therefore
only to signify to you His Majestys Commands that you do
with all possible expedition return to Quebec and take upon
you the exercise of the very important office to which you are
appointed and immediately after vour arrival address yourself to
General Haldimand or the Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's
Forces who will give you orders for your further proceedings,
which you are in all cases to pay the most exact and punctual
obedience. Sir, Your Most Obedient

humble servant.

Sir John Johnson, Bar.3° W. Ellis.'?

But, when at this interval there arose a report, that the Amer-
icans were advancing to carry their successes wito Canada,
and some military movements towards the frontier — probably
merely demonstrations — had given it color, we find^' Sir Ferdi-

'9 He occupied many positions of honor and trust ; was a member of the Privy
Council, and of Parliament for Weymouth, and created Lord Mendip in 1794.

30 Sir John had already performel similar duties probably with local rank. He
was at this time in his thirty-sixth year.

3' Riedesel Memoirs.

in the Revolution.

191

nand Haldimand, commanding in Canada, alive to the danger,
communicating to Baron von Riedesel, in command at Sore!,
in a letter dated Quebec, February 13, 1783, that lie had
despatched a messenger to the " Chevalier Johnson," to send
"five or six of the mosrt active, and expert Mohawks, to watch
the road from Albany to West Point," and suggesting that he,
" with his savages and light batallion, fall back a hw miles, even
about Point au Fer," which shows him at that date again in
active service.

The one thousand pounds a year furnished him, liberal pay at
that time, no doubt, if poorly compensating for his own lost rev-
enue, attests that the outlavs of his government, had not yet
been checked by its reverses. We can gather from another
paper, that he had been engaged at that time on picket duty,
in the neighborhood of his old home, scouting, having
soldiers and scouts " piloted," secreting and procuring intelli-
gence, all incident to border expeditions, probably entrusted to
him from his knowledge of localities and perhaps involving some
of those inhumanities, which tradition have laid to his account.
For fourteen months of this service, General Haldimand appears
to have compensated him at the rate of ten shillings sterling a
day, a liberal allowance also, at existing values, but implying
that he was not then under regular militaiy pay.

Accounts of contingent expenses incurred by Sir John
hnson. Baronet, on account of the Government by orders

s be-

in sundry service

of His Excellency General Haldimand

tween the 25 Dec, 1780, and the 13 March, 1782.

1781.

Aug. 5. To cash to Michael Lett and party for
their Services and Expenses on a

Scout to Tryon County

Sept. 10. To do. to Sergean: Haines and party
for their services, etc., on a Scout
to the County of Tryon

£11 13 4

[5 10 o

*j —

III

192 Tories or Loyalists

1782.

Nov. 10. To Peter Prunner, late of the Albany
Bush, in the County of Tryon, for
Piloting soldiers and scouts em-
ployed in the service and supplying
them with Provisions between the
i6th June, 1779, and the 28th
September, 1782 36 80

Dec. 15. To do. to Wm. Parker, Sen., for Provi-
sions and Surveying, and procuring
Intelligence and assisting Scouts
Provisions between the 15th Sep-
tember, 1778, and the 25th Aug.,

1781 30

** 20. To do. to Wm. Kennedy, for sundry

services in secreting and procuring

intelligence and Assistini;; Scouts

with Provisions between the 15th

» Sept., 1778, and the 25th Aug.,

178' •••; 35 15 6

To cash paid to the late Samuel Mc-
Kay, Esq., for Provisions overpaid

for by him for his Corps 39 15 6

To an allowance from his Excellency
General Flaldimand for Extra Ser-
vice from the 28th Dec, 1780 to
the 13th March, 1782, inclusive at
\0s. sterling per day j6222 237 17 I

Currency =£406 19 5

John Johnson,

Other papers refer merely to routine duty ; in them " Molly
Brant " is recalled as a pensioner, and Colonels Guy Johnson,
Butler, and John Campbell, all familiar names in partisan war-
fare, as connected still with the government service.

Receipt of T-ieut. Col. John Campbell.

Received from Sir John Johnson, Baronet, Superintendent
General and Inspector General of Indian Affairs, Two Thou-

in the Revolution,

193

H f / r> ^"'^'? Pounds, Thirteen Shills and Eight pence
Halifax Currency being the amount of Disbursemenfs paid by

r.K 'f 'I'k u"^"" P'^P^'^'"^"^ under my direction from the
15th of March to the 24th Septen-ber, 1783, per acc't and
vouchers dehvered to him by ' / ^' P

X2057 13 8 Cy. J''"'' Campbell.

Subsistence wanted for the Officers of the Six Nations De-
partments from 25 March to 24 Sept., 1783, Inclusive.

Rank

One Col & Super-
intendents (Hay
rec'd from the
General to Dec.

24 next)

One Deputy in

Canada

Two Lieutenantb
(Clement &

Magin)

Qne Surgeon Mate

One Clerk . . . .

One Commissary

(Moses Ibbitt)

Invalided and

discharged , . ,

One Issued as a

Volunteer (John

Service) . . .

One Interpreter

(Le Coragine)

Invalided

Catharine Hare
widow of the
late Lieut Hare
Pension ... J

Commen
cing

is March
do

do
do
do

Ending

No. of
Days

24 Sept
do

do
do
do

184
184

184
184
184

184

Rate per day

^ew York

Sterling

£ t d

« « u
«< w (<

a dollar

6s. York Cy

doUa

184

6f. York Cy

a dollar

147 4
73 12
55 4

73 12

55 4

73 11

300

100

478 o 8

CoL. Guy Johnson.
Amt of Lieut Col Butlers Deputy Apents return hereto annexed paid
by his draft on the Superintendent General

10
279 I 4

689 I 4

»7i3 4 4

Two Thousand four hundred & 2 pounds S. c~ .„, , .

E. E. Quebec 25 October 17811. ^2,40258

r./:s„ , . 0? r u '^ G. JoHNgOH.

±-089 I 4 Col Johnson
171 3 4 4 Lt Col Butler

2402 5 8 Sterling

"^\--

fr"

194

Tories or Loyalists

Received from Sir John Johnson. Baronet, his Majestys
Super Intendent General & Inspector General for Indian Aft'airs
in North America the sum of £68q is ^d sterling for my own
and a Deputys Salary, the pay of officers and others employed in
his Majestys service -n the Indian Department under my Super-
intendency, from the 25 March to 24 Sept., 1783, andlcertifie
that the said Sir John Johnson also pay the sum of ,£1713 45
4<5^ for the pay of Lieut. Col. Butler, Deputy Agent, that of the
officers and others employed in his Majestys service in the
Indian Department in the district of Niagara as per the above
list &c. G. Johnson, 3*

Col. & Supt. of the Six Nations.

Montreal, 4 August^ 1784.
Sir : Please pay to Mr. Charles McCormick or Order Sixty
Eight Pounds twelve & sixpence currency being the amount of
his pay from 25 March to the 24 September 1784 as Clerk &
Commissary of Indian Stores for the District of Detroit.

John Johnson.
Mr. R. Dobie, Merchant.

X54 15^. N. Y. Currency. Cataragui, 20 August.^ '784.
Sir: At sight please pay Mr. Robert Hamilton or order the
sum of Fifty-tour pounds fifteen shillings New York (^urrency
being the amount of my half pay up to the 24 of last March
which pass to account as per advice from.

Sir. Your verv humble Servant,

Ebenezer Allen.
To Sir John Johnson Knt

& Baron Knight (sic) Montreal.
Mr. Dobie will please pay the above draft.

J. J0HN8ON.

For £50 Currency. Montreal, 20 August., 1784.

Sir : Please pay to Mrs. Mary Brant33 or order Fifty pounds
Halifax Currency in part of her pension from Government
from 23 Oct., 83 h 22 Sept. 1784.

John Johnson.

To Mr. Richard Dobie, Montreal.

3* Col. Guv Johnson, nephew, son-in-law, some time secretary and named as
successor to Sir William Johnson.

33 The widow of Joseph Brant [Thayendanegea] who survived her husband thirty
years.

tn the Revolution .

195

D , - „ , London, Dec. 24, 1784.

Kece.vtd from Sir John Johnson, Baronet, His Majestys
Superintendent General and Inspector General of Indian Affairs
in North America, Three Hundred Pounds Sterling for my
ba ary as Superintendent of the Six Indian Nations and their
Allies from 25 June to the 24 Dec, 1784, Inclusive

^300. ^ ^ ^ G. J0HNS0N,34

CfA. Cff Superintendent of the Six Nations.
A letter from Major General Hope, Commander-in-Chief
&c., to Sir John is apparently interesting, as throwing further
light on a"restless escapade, which is referred to in tlie life of
that early representative of the possibilities and effect of educa-
tion, even upon a savage mind. He had determined at this
time to seek in person, the indemnity for the 'osses of his people,
which Sir John — who wished to prevent his absence, at what
he considered an important moment, had failed to secure in his
own recent visit.

Dear Sir: Quebec, A^.. 9, 1785.

I had the honor to receive vour letter of the 6 bv express
last night at ten o'clock but too late I am sorry to tell you by
two days for producing the effect desired ; Joseph35 navir.g come
to the resolution suddenly of taking passage in the Packet
which sailed on Sunday at eleven o'clock in the forenoon •
having been made to believe as he said tbat the Madona was not
a safe conveyance from having so few hands, but rather, I am
apt to believe from some suspicion that he had entertained of
being disappointed in getting away at all if he deferred it till the
last 1 rip, or perhaps artfully wishing to avoid the knowledge
of your sentiments which he might expect that the arrival of
David at Montreal would produce. In short, my dear Sir John
he was bent upon going and is off notwithstanding my different*
attempts to dissuade him— offered in such a manner' at f^rst as

34 An interesting letter from Col. Guy Johnson to Sir William too hte for in,P.-
tion here, will be found a Appendix A. viniam, too late tor insei-

35 Captain Joseph Briat — Thayendanegea.

i .

iiij.

■!■■

196

Ivories or Loyalists

not to pive him surprize, and at last without disguise of his acting
contrary to yours and my wishes and inclinations — all however
to no purpose. I have therefore with much regret to returr
you the letter addressed to Joseph, your other Packet to the
Dep. Paymaster General was sent to him.

I congratulate you on the arrival of the Dallis with your
things — she got up vestciday but has brought me no Dis-
patches of any consequence. That

th th<

we must go on wi
Indian business as concerted — keeping them in good humour as
much as possible and preaching up patience — & firmness —
but bv no means encouraging thtir breakmg out. As to
anything you may think proper to do to retain those Chiefs &
others of influence, or to effect these purposes above mentioned,
I shall most readily acquiesce in. With respect to the tools
you speak of that were by mistake inserted in the Loyalists

)rd(

dl b

nvoice, orders st^au be given in consequence or your repre-
sentation to this effect to deliver up the remainder of them not
actually issued {ox the use of the Indians on your order; as
hkewise to comply with your requisition for the same purpose
10 deliver any other articles out of the stores reserved for the
use of the Loyalists, being perfectly convinced that from your
equal desire to supply and knowledge of the wants of both,
that no partial use will ever be made of such discretionary
latitude lodged with you.

I return you many thanks and am most flattered by your
obliging professions and wishes to myself — request you will
make my respects to Lady Johnson and Mrs. Claus, and
I am Dear Sir with unfeigned regard

Your very faithful and obedient humble servant

Sir John Johnson, Bart.,

Superintendent General, &c. &c.

Henry Hope. 3*

Joseph Brant here referred to, is generally recalled by the
striking incidents of bis life,

A pure blooded Onondaga, the son of a chief, but educated
by Sir William's care at Dr. Wheelock's celebrated Moor

36 General Hope was in America in 1775 as Major of the 44th Foot (Gen. Aber-
crombie's Regt.), and had seen much service there.

ber-

F-fH-:

in the Revolution,

197

school, he proved an apt scholar, soon fitted as an interpreter
to Dr. Charles Jeffry Smith, a self sustaining young missionary.

Gallantly protecting him when attacked by the Indians, and
performing all his duties satisfactorily he won at this period the
testimony of Rev. Samuel Kirlcland, " he conducted himself so
much like a Christian, and a soldier, that he gained great est ;ein."

Later, he interested himself in the work of the " Society for
the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts " and labored
with them for the civilization of his people.

When becoming the chief of the Six Nations he wielded a
great authority and cooperated with Sir William Johnson, to
whom he became allied, as well bv affinity as by gratitude. In
their close association he doubtless developed the appreciation
of the position of his people, and the capacity to vindicate it with
an able pen.^^ He visited England in 1775, and again as that let-
ter shows at the end of the war, attracting distinguished attention

i^ This Icttfr ad to tin- rights of' his people and his own appreciation ot' honorable
dealing is an example.
Sir : Nassau, 30 Dectmher, 1794.

Your letters ot" the 17th i 20th November, '94, from Konondaigua, 1 have now
before me and have to say, that at all of our meetings during the whole of last
summer, our thoughts were solely bent on fixing a boundary line between the con-
federate Indians and the United States, so as that peace might be established on a
lolid basis, Tor which reason we pointed out the line we did, well knowing the justness
of it and that it would be ratify 'd by the whole Indian confederacy.

As an indi'vidual I must regret to find that the Boundary so pointed nut hits nottt
been abandoned, the establishing of ivhich I am well con-vinccd -would have been the
means of bringing about a lasting and permanent peace. This object so earnestly to be
desired has e-ver made me exert every nerve, wishing for nothing more than mutual
justice. This line you'll recollect -was offered to Gotiernor St. Clair at Muskingum, and
nofwithstanding the two successful campaigns of the Indians after this, I still adhered to the
same and still do, this I hope will satisfy you that my wish ever was for Peace, the offer
made -was rejected by Mr. St Clair, and -what the consequences has been you -well knovj,
I should be sorry if your efforts were crowned -with no better success, as your exertions
I hope are not influenced by similar motives with his. Tou must also recollect that I
differed even with my friends respecting this Boundary, and to the two last messages you
then received my name luas to neither of them, because I thought them too unreasonable,
this made me take more pains and trouble to bring the Indians and you to an understand-
ing than I "was under any obligation to do — 'Otherwise than humanity dictated to me,
having nothing but our mutual interest in view, and as to Politics T study them not, my

r 4

198

Tories or Loyalists

partially from his reputation, but also as the chief of the best
known tribes of the American Savages, a lion worthy of ex-
hibition. He probably realized then, as he appears to have done,
in all the different duties he performed, as their ruler and protec-
tor, their inferiority to the white man from the want of that
education, which made him sensitive as to their ignorance.

His visit, however, was marked with much appreciation.
The King received him, with good humor, even when he refused
to kiss his hand, but offered that mark of homage to the pueen.
The Uuke of Northumberland, Lords Dorchester and Hastings
and General Stewart — the son of Bute — who had all served

frihcipk is Jnunded on jmritr, and jusiicf is all J wis/i Jor^ and ntncr shall I exert
m\ self on behalf of any nation or nations, let their opinion of me he iv/iat it tvill, unlets
I plainly see they are just and sincere in their pursuits, doing ivhaf in every respect to
justice may belong. Pt^hen I perceive such are the senlirncnts of a People no endeai'ors
shall be tuaniin^ on my part to bring neighbors to a good understanding.

I must ag.iin ici'L-at that I am extremely sorry this Boundary so long since pointed
out, should have been abandoneil. it being an (bjeet ot" such magnitude and which
much depends on the whole Indian confederacy being interested. I should therefore
have supposed it would have been more tor our mutual interest and would have had
a better etFect, to h.i\e dealt upon a larger scale, than witliin the small compass of
the F'ive Nations, lie meeting being intended solely to talk over the business
of the Boundary and then to have acquainted the wiiole confederacy with what
had passed, so that something final could have been determined on as all that
part of the country is common to the whole. You say on your part everything has
been openly and fairly explained and that you shall be disappointed if the Chiefs do
not acknowledge your candour, I can for my own part form no opinion, whether it
is so or not, biing perfectly ignorant of nvhal has passed, but ci'er look upon it that
business fairly transacted should be adhered to as sacred. And that you are still ready
to make peace with the Western Nations, this has made me say much about the
Boundary line, in order that peace and friendship might be established between you,
this obliges me to say they ought to have been included in this treaty and to have
been consulted with as well as those who were there, they being equally interested
with the Six Nations as to this line, ^s to the British they are an independent nation,
as ivell as the United States or the Indian Nations and of course act for themsel-ves as
all other White nations do. My mentioning in my letter to you that I was sorry Mr.
Johnson was looked upon as a Spy, was because I knew the Five Nations so often
erred in their transactions with the White People, it being myself in person from
the wish of the Indians that requested Mr. Johnson should go to the Treaty in con-
sequence of which request he was permitted. I was well aware at the same time of
the reception he would meet with, as we are an independent People I ever thought
our Council should be private, but must at the same time say, we have an un-

■Hi

khrii

in the Revolution.

199

in America, greeted hi'n as a brother veteran and Lords War-
wick and Percy, and Dr. Johnson's James Boswell, ordered his
portraits, the last, a high testimony that he was a '* lion. '

Yet doubtless he realized his own questionable position,
when seeking any trust, with his cultivated nature disguised by
the face of a savage. The accompanying letter of Washing-
ton displays the general want of confidence in them, by all
who were prejudiced against his race.

He adhered to the British Government throughout the war,
and after the Treaty of Peace, in which no provision was made
as to the territory of his people, struggled to retain what they
had formerly possessed. The indefinitenei;s of the Treaty line,

doubted rifiht to admit at our Councils vvlio we pieasr of course the United States
have it (iptional wlietlier tliey wiil treat or not with *»v Vation or Nations when
Foreign Agents are present.

You seem to tliiiilt in your letter of (he 20th that the rkas are the Nation most
concerned in tile Trusts in question agreeable to the lines )intout. At the dirf'er-

ent Treaties held since the year '83 I allow the Senekas from th»;ir proceedings seemed
to be the only Nation concerned in that country, although the whole I'ive Nationi
have an equal right, one with the other, the country having been obtained by the
joint exertions in war with a I'owerful Nation formerly living southward of Buffalo
Creek called Eries and another Nation then living at Tioga Point, so that by our
successes all the country between that and the Mississippi became the joint property
of the Five Nations, all other nations now inhabiting this great Tract of Country
was allowed to settle by the Five Nations.

This 1 hope will convince you that the Mohawks have an equal claim and right
to receive in proportion with the otliers of the Five Nations, but as I am ignorant of
the Transaction, knowing nothing of what has passed and what was the result of the
Treaty, must therefore defer saying anything further on the subject until I know the
particulars, whi:h I hope will be ere long. As to the others of the Five Nations
residing on the Grand River they must answer for themselves. I am not so par*
ticular in thi< as I might be, seeing no great necessity for it, as I hope to see General
Chapin ere long. In reading the Speech you have sent me I perceive that you say
we requested you might be sent to Kindle the Council Fire &c. This I know to be
a mistake, in our speech to General Chapin we wished the President of the United
Statet to send a Commissioner to our Fire Place at Buflaloe Creek (your name being
mentioned). Not that you was to come and kindle a Council Fire elsewhere — &
that you requested our assistance to bring about a Peace, &c. — You did and every-
thing has been done by us faithfully and sincerely by pointing out the Medicine that
would accomplish it, your relinquishin.i parts of your claims in the Indian Country.
You alio say I told Gjnl CJiipi'i at fVinnys that it was the British that prevented the
Treaty taking place. I said so then and still do. fVhat enabled me to say so ivas the
Gentlemen belonging to the Indian Department in that quarter interfering in the business.

' in'

' &

200

Tories or Loyalists

which long remained as flexible as a wire fence, moved back
and forth at will, even looking for the sources of the Mississippi
at the Lake of the Woods, instead of Itaska lake, far below, and
which required four subsequent treaties, an arbitration, and a
war, to settle ; seems a reasonable cause for discussions, attempts
at treaties, and long complications.

These letters to Colonels Pickering and Monroe are merely
suggestions of the many records existing of his capacity and
persistency, in seeking to protect and retain what his forefathers
had held by an undisputed title, before even the Johnsons had
come with the authority of conquest, to divide it.

When Gist, the companion of Washington, was exploring the
valley of the Ohio, in i 752, a Delaware chief demanded of him :

Had the line as pointed out by ui been accepted by the United States their interference
viou/d not have prevented Peace then taking place as the Five Nations had pledged
themselves to see it ratified. As to tht. business nf the White Nations I perceive it at
present to he a lottery ivhich luill be uppermost cannot be knoiun until drawn, the molt
poiuerful no doubt will succeed, but /,•' "who tuill he successful our situation is the same, as
•we still have tvhites to deal loith whose aims are generally similar. You mention the
People of France took the Indian method. All their "warriors turned out. The Indian
warriors are alivays ready to turn out to defend their just rights. But Indian ivarriors
would not he ready to Butcher in an inhuman shocking manner their King, ^een,
Nobles and others, this is acting worse than "what is called Savage. The Indians are
not entirely destitute of humanity, hut from every appearance it has fled from France. I
must therefore say the French have not acted as the Indians do. You likewise mention
that you told the Deputies from the Westward who met you at this place, that
though you was willing to run a new line yet it was impossible to make the Ohfo
the Boundary, this I believe is a mistake as the word Ohio was never mentioned at
that time. Tou may rest assured that I do not swerve from any rxpres.uons I havt
made use of. I know the necessity for being candid, especially at this critical juncture.
I still earnestly hope that Peace may be established -without further bloodshed 6f that
Friendship may reign between the People of the United States and the Indian Nations,
this be assured is the Sincere wish of

Sir, Your Most Obedient

Humble Servant
Timothy Pickering, Esqr. Jos. Brant.

Col. Pickering had been employed for some years in these negotiations as being a
member of the President's Cabinet as Post Master General and in this year made
Secretary of War. Another very interesting and able letter of Brant to Colonel
James Monroe in four neatly written pages is omitted, as partially printed in the id
Vol. of hit Life.

in the Revolution.

fiK

20I

" Where are the lands of the Indians ? the French claim all on
one side of the river, and the English all on the other."38
Such was the position of the heritage which Brant believing
that he was born to maintain and transmit, was then loosing.

Failing, as many have done before and since, he retired into
Canada and^spent his later years under the protection of those
with whom he had made common cause, but personally so
delicately accepting their bounty, as in one instance to question
his own right to a pension, as a retired military officer.

Thomas Campbell, liv.d to correct — in afoot note — his
record of Brant's cruelty, in his widely read " Gertrude of
Wyoming,-' but its subject who had grieved over it, had died
too soon for the comforting retraction; His absence on that
occasion, threw the weight of the massacre on a white savage,
Colonel John Butler, who doubtless had the same authority as
that conferred on his kinsman and subordinate by the commis-
sion annexed. 39

Brant was, however, present at the battle of Minisink, where
great cruelty was displayed, for which he has been censured.
If he was responsible for it, it detracts from many other evi-
dences of his humanity in warfare, and shows the trace of
the savage element in his character, when fired by war.

3* Griswold and Lossing's Washington.

39 This commission indicating care in its instructions, now unusual in such documents

killed at C.nada Creek, on the 29th of October, ,78,. bv a force unlr r 1
Mar.nus W.IIetr, while ret,ea,ing from a raid to Warren's Buhnd hi formt
home, in the year succeedmjj the expedition of Sir fohn.

Guy Carleton, Knight of the Bath, Captain General and Governor in Chief of the
province of (Quebec and Territories depending thereon, &c., &c . General and Com
.andeMn-Cinef of his lUajescy's For.es in said Provide, a^d the^^^rn^Lrth'rof

'^•» . T" VV ALTER Butler, EsQ_., Greeting-

1 d^rr? '''p"''' """'A '"'^- <-''^"«'"^"^-^> >""^ Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct.
I do by these Presents Constitute and appoint you to be Qaptu,nin a Corp. of Rang,r\

ifti'ii

202

Tories or Loyalists

i'i

He would appear to have been a man of large capacity ; and
his record a noticeable evidence of the result of its development
in time of peace, by the same wise appliances, now interesting
to examine in use, at the school at Hampton, Va., in charge of
General Armstrong, and probably at the two others, at Forest
Grove for the western, and Carlisle for the eastern section.
Such efforts, are in accordance with the dying suggestions of
Brant to his nephew, " Have pity on the poor Indians ; if you
can get any influence with the great, endeavor to do them all
the good you can."

His life by Colonel Stone, a work of singular interest, gives full
detail of his career, in part early collected in his old neighbor-
hood — a fine edition of it printed by the late Joel Munsell,
of Albany, largely with his own hand, assists to v;iuse the
latter to be recalled by some collectors, as the Albany
"Caxton."

It is just to record a dissenting opinion as to the proper treat-
ment of the remaining Aboriginees. It differs from those of
Colonel Brisbane, and other regular officers who have served
amongst them, and of some who have visited the border posts
and studied the effect of the contact of races. Captain Payne

to serve with the Indians during the RLbcllion. Whereof' 'John Butler^ Esy., is
Major Commandant. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty
of captain by exercising and well discipli'iing both the Inferior OHicers .iiid Soldiers of
that Corps, and 1 do hereby command them to obey you as their Captain, and you
are to observe and follow sucii Oidcrs and directions as you shall from Time to Time
receive from me, your Major Commandant, or any other Superior OHicer, according
to the rules and discipline of War. In pursuance of the trust hereby reposed in you.
Giiien under my hand and Seal at Arms, at iiijicbec, this twentietli day of Decer.'
ber, 1777, and in tlie Eighteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, George
the T/iird, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King,
Defender of the Faith, and so forth, Guy Carleton.

By His Excellency's Command. Francis Le Maistre.

Walter Butler, Esq., Captain of a Corps of Rangers, to serve with the Indians
during the Rebellion.

in the Revolution,

203

recently arrested by our troops when raidi„g in the Indian
remtory, and affecting to be a humane man in his way, says :

" Tell the Herald, that the policy of myself and fol-
lowers ,s not to resist the government, so we came along
with the troops when we were told to come. * * * *
"There is a class of people who are eternally howling that
they are afraid the white man may crowd the Indian. They
are the people who sit in their houses, cut their coupons and
read gush about the poor Indian. They don't want farms and
a hvmg, they have already got them and have no symoathy for
those who are poor and want homes. They would rather see
the poor .nan starve, than to have their picture of the noble
redman chasing the wild gazelle over an eternal meadow with
a babbhng brook, destroyed."

The writer must be aware that while the area of the Indian
1 erntory ,s less than 69,000 square miles, that of Texas is
274,356, large enough it would appear, for the accommodation
or the nghts of the settler, and the native. That there is a
vast area of land in the west and south-west, already open « to
those who want farms." \i any person desires to trace the
or.gm and progress of such methods as he proposes, for
securing the territory of the '' noble red man," without
consideration or equivalent, he can find them successively
detailed m this " Life of Brant," and many other works referring
to the same period. If such acquisitions are still indispensible
to the progress of civilization, might we not devise a way of
acquiring the territory consistent with its teachings, which would
be more creditable in future history than that of involving
constant collision and shedding of blood
26

i? "i

•■m

liti:

204

Tories or Loyalists

Lord Sydney simply recognizes Johnson's official position,
in fixing a temporary salary, which even with the difference
in the value of money, would be a moderate compensation now
for a subordinate civil officer.

Whitehall, 20 Jugust^ 17^5*
Sir:

I am sorry that it is not in my power before your departure
for Quebec, to acquaint you that some decision had taken place
with respect to your salary as Superintendent of Indian Affairs.
I hope that it will very shortly be fixed, in the meantime I am
authorized to inform you that you may draw upon the Com-
mander-in-chief in Canada, for the usual salary of One Thousand
pounds per annum, until you receive further direction from me.
I flatter myself that I shall be able to write to you fully upon
this subject by the next Packet that sails for Quebec, and you
may be assured that no endeavour of mine will be wanting to
obtain the augmentation of your salary which you desire, and
place it upon a permanent footing, I have the honor to be, with
regard,

Sir, Your Most Obedient

Humble Servant,

Sydney. '*°

Sir John Johnson, Bart.

No British officer in service in the Revolution, would appear
to have left America with more reciprocal hostile feeling than
General Gage, the earliest commander of the King's Troops
in that war. The certificate of his son has no interest, beyond
a reference to his father's habit of business.

*° Hon. Thomas Townshend who on the dissolution of Lord North's ministry had
become Lord Sydney.

in the Revolution, 205

General Gage's certificate to Sir John's Deputy.
I certify that Colonel Guy Johnson took an active part in
favour of the Br.t.sh Government from the first appearance of

S n ^A I '" ^u O^-P?,'-^"?^"^ "^" Superintendent of Indian
ltT\ ^^\^T '*'"'' -^''^^^ '" ^'' ^^^Uestys Interest and
defeated the Endeavors of the Rebels to alienate their affections
f om the K.ng, and to induce them to appear in Arms again
h.s Government. That he assembled a huge Bodv of Indian
and joined General Carlton in Canada. '

^. Thos Gage.

Oiven under my hand this list day of June 1785.

lii

Mr. Chew.' attorney for S.r John Johnson having applied to
me fo. cop,es of the accounts which Sir Wm. Jolv.s ii Super
Intendent for Ind.an Affairs transmitted to mv father Genera
Gage deceased dur.ng h,s Commanding His Maiestys Troops
.n Amer-ca and for copies of ri.e Vv'-arrants he^ .L o the
Payment thereo . I can only say that my fathers %pers have
not come immediately under my inspection or can I^sav posi-
tivelv whether the cop.es of those Accounts and Warrants are
w.th them, but am certain that it was a Rule with him to see
accounts made clear and plain and when he gave Warrants for
he Payment the Warrants were annexed to die Account and
transmuted bvh.m to the Pay Office in London where tev
now no doubt mav be found.

rMj A, ^- Gage.-*"

Uld Aboresford Nov. 16, 1787.

To Mr. Chew. Attorney to Sir John Johnson.

Also one of the executors. "'^ S'Ja son.

-t-^ Henry Viscount Gage, retired M.ijor of the q^ Rest of Fn ,f ^

Peter Kemble of the Kings Council of New fersey alsf "the ll \ ^T k°1 "'
well esteemed Gouverneur Kemble, of New York. ^' ""''°'" "^ '^^ ''^^

i,:-

206

Tories or Loyalists

Three of these jetsams of Time, suggest the continued ex-
pense which Great Britain was incurring in the charge of her
Indian population even in time of peace, and whether it was
in consideration of their former service in war.

Guy^ Lord Dorchester General and Commander-in-chief of his
Majesty' s Forces in North America,

To Thomas Boone, Deputy Paymaster General, etc.. War-
rant to pay Sir John Johnson, etc., etc.. Nine Thousand pounds
sterling in dollars at 4^. 8^., each, (or services of "persons em-
ployed and sundry disbinsements of the Department of Indian
AfFairs under his J)uperintendency between 25th Dec, 1786,
and 24th March, 1787."

Quebec, 9th November, 1786.

Dorchester.

To the Right Honorable Guy^ Lord Dorchester^ Capt General and
Governor-in- Chief of the Colonies of Quebec ^ Nova Scotia, Nev>
Brunswick y their Dependencies^ Vice Admiral of the same
General and Commander-in-Chief of all His Majesty s Forces in
Said Colonies is in the Island of Newfoundland isfc ^c.

The Memorial of Sir John Johnson Baronet Superintendent
General & Inspector General of Indian Affairs.

Humbly Sheweth. That your Memorialist is in want of
£4319 55. Sd. sterling to enable him to pay Persons employed in
the Department of Indian Affairs under his Superintendency
between the 25 December 1786 and 24 December 1787 as per
abstract annexed. We therefore pray your Excellencys Warrant
on the Deputy Paymaster General for the above sum.

John Johnson.

Quebec 16 Jpril, 1788.

Another order by Lord Dorchester, in favor of Sir John
as Superintendent and Inspector General of Indian Affairs,
for Two Thousand pounds, for incidental expenses, between
25th December, 1786, and 24th December, 1787.

in the Revolution. 207

Both signed by Dorchester and Captain Francis Le Maistre,
the Governor's A. D. C. and Secretary and endorsed by Sir
John Johnson.

This doubtless to be used in a claim for indemnity, refers
to a useful officer of the British Government in Canada during
the Revolution.
In the Exchequer

Stamp

In the matter of Sir John Johnson, Baronet,
the legal personal representative of Sir
William Johnson, Baronet, his late
feather, deceased, late Superintendent of
Indian Affairs in North America.
1 homas Wa hs, late Assistant in the office of the Secretary
to the Commander-in-Chief in North America, now of Hertford
street Mayfan- in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,
maketh oath and saith, that he has known General Sir Frederick
Haldimand for fourteen years and that the words and fijrures
London the 14th of August, 1787," and the name "Fred
Haldimand a} pearmg to be written and subscribed at the foot
of the account and certificate marked with the letter X now
produced are the proper handwriting of the said General Sir
l^^red Haidimand,« and were written and subscribed by him in
the presence of this deponent, and the said General Sir Fred
Haldimand after he had so subscribed the same, delivered the
said produced account and certificate to this deponent, and
^'!f^^^ h.m to deliver the same to Mr. Chew, attorney to the
said Sir Wilham Johnson. Thos. Wallis.

bworn at my house in St. John street 1
the nth April, 1788, before me. /

J. A. Eyre.
Sir John here appears in a civil office usually awarded in
British Colonies, as a mark of especial consideration.

lisrvvki; of r'"^ « Switzerland at first in Prussian service, but entered the £ng-

,7c-7 di . hT -^•""^'" ^'"'"" ■'^ ^'- '^"l- ^° ^"y-l American Regt. fn

1757; distinguished at Ticonderog. in ,7505 defended Oswego in ,7co -with

itt™ Cr"'"" '" '''^' f '^^"""^' " ^'^"^^^"'^ 1767; home informingTin
S o/c?n h"'"'" '775 5 b.ck as Lieut. General in 1776 J succeeded Carleton as
Ctov. of Canada in 1778 and until 1784; died in 1791.

ilii

208

Tories or Loyalists

Quebec, i May^ "^l^l-
Received from Henry Caldwell, Esq., Acting Receiver
General of the Province of Quebec the sum of Fifty Pounds
Sterling, being for my Salary as a Member of the Legislative
Council of the Province, from ist November, 1786, to 30
April, 1787, pursuant to his Excellency, Governor Lord
Dorchester's warrant dated ist May 1787, for which I have
signed Two Receipts of this Tenor and Date,
£50 Sterling. John Johnson.

Apparentlv a moderate compensation compared with that of
later law-makers, and especially well earned if the quality of
legislation was equivalent to its quantity. In this it would
markedly differ from much that has been condensed into portly
volumes as the brain food offered by the deliberative wisdom of
other bodies when sitting for a similar period. Perhaps he
divined how much easier it is to enact, than in all cases to
comprehend. How doubtful the intention of the law maker often
proves to others, and how much special legislation is rendered
unnecessary by general ^cts, if sought for. He doubtless dis-
covered, as many legislators have, that there were more debaters
than listeners, more movers than seconders, and that it is easier
to criticise than to originate.

The remaining letter borrowed from a friend's exhaustive
collection of Americana merely displays neighborly kindness
to one who sympathised in sentiment and destiny, by taking
refuge from imprisonment for political offences in Canada with
the writer.

Dr Sir Johnsons Hall 25 July 1775.

The bearer will deliver you some provisions & clothes and
Mr Clement will give you a paper containing a Ten pound note
which I received from Mrs White this morning. The Indians
having desired some cash from me to expend when they come

in the Revolution.

209

amongst the inhabitants in Canada, which I have not to give
them I must beg you will supply them & charge it to Colonel
Johnson. If you have forgot anything and I can be of service
to you I beg you'll mention it. God bless you.

To Alexander White Esq. Yrs J. Johnson.^

These random notes as to the Johnsons suggest reflections as
to the quality of loyalty, even in an adversary, to one whose
sympathies, studies and collections, have for years been de-
voted to appreciative illustration of the achievements of their
opponents and a jealous watchfulness to their use. Although
sketched from a different standpoint, he trusts that his conclu-
sions will accord with those which a friend is preparing under
different inspirations, at a point too remote tor comparison.
The absence of Memoirs, Diaries,''^ and even of comprehensive
letters on these details is to be regretted.

*4 Thh and one other letter belonging to Dr. Thomas Addis Emmett, all of the other
letters and papers in that of" the contributor. As to Sheriff White and the circum-
stances under which it was written, vide Stone's " Life of Brant," Vol. 1, pp.
101-6-7-12, 364.

''S There appears to be a resemblance — probably often noticed by others, between
the useful oyster fisher, who delves with his rake into the muddy bottom, for the
bivalve and the less widely appreciated labor of one who dives for costly pearls in
the turbid waters of' forgotten fact.

Many amateur Collectors of fragmentary history are scattered over the country
purchasing and articulating disjointed material, and quietly working with the devotion
voluntarily displayed by Old Mortality in bis specialty of restoring the dilapidated
tombstones of people he had never seen. No writer on American History has eluci-
dated more epitaphs of the humbler patriots, than Dr. Lossing, whose "Field Books"
are in effect. Biographical Lexicons.

Another instance of a renaissance of valuable historical waifs, germain to
the na'ne of Burgoyne, elsewhere referred to, as connected with one associated
with his career once as his fellow soldier, then his conqueror, and styled
by him his " Accoucheur ! " A large portion of the military papers, and order
books, of General Gates, after slumbering in his muniment box for over threescore
years, had recently a new birth, in falling into the remarkable Emmet Collection,

A part of them through the active enterprise of Mr. John Austin Stevens, were
used to add value of the word "Resurgam " by their publication in the October,
1880 — Gates — number of the "Magazine of American History." They
arise to dispel many errors, disseminated in American History. They show,
that after his probably ill-advised advance at Camden, when driven from a remote
part of the field by the precipitate flight of the North Carolina militia — con-

H'f ii!

2IO

Tories or Loyalists

Without these evidences, many, intending to leave an honor-
able record, will always go down to posterity as responsible
from their position, in political or military lite, for action of their
associates, which they personally abhorred, perhaps opposed, in
its progress, or at worst finally submitted to, from fear of
retaliation, on some proper object.

Samuel Pepys, who recorded in his Diary with the ex-
periences of an unmiportant life, much random fact, >ome of
whtch subsequently become of historical interest, is now being
recalled — two centuries later — by the erection of a Memorial
in London, in the place where he worshipped and rests. It would
have been interesting if Johnson himself, or some Pepysian an-
notator of events, sharing his confidence and his tent or home,
had jc^tted down the circumstances attending his arrest, parole,

fronted by well drilled regulars — ignorant by this separation, oi the stand de Kalb
was making, with the gallant Maryland and Delaware line and a few militia, having
the benefit ot their near example, that he, with General 'Caswell and other officers,
struggled tor many miles to rally them, so " flying " with them before the pursuing
enemy, in an effort to bring them back. That instead of his " hair growing grey as
he fled," in his letter to the President of" Congress, Hillsborough, 20th August, 1780,
he says, " By this time the militia had taken to the woods in all directions, and I
concluded with General Caswell, to retire towards Charlotte, I got there late in the
night — but reflecting that there was neither arms, ammunition, nor any prospect of
coUectmg any Force at that i'lace, adequate to the defence of the Country — I pro-
ceeded with all possible despatch hither ; to endeavour to fall upon some plan, in
conjunction with the Legislature of this State, for the defence of so much thereof
as it is yet possible, to save from the enemy." Whatever the en or in his strategy
may have been — and it is always easier to criticize than to plan, his course from his
arrival seems by many letters energetic, and that of one intent on developing
order out of chaos. While mortified with the condition into which he had fallen, he
does not appear to have lost heart or hope, and continueo his exertions apparently
conscious that his prestige as a soldier was lost, until he was superceded by General
Greene, who reaped a harvest of laurels on the ground on which his own crop had
been blighted.

A recently printed sketch of Colonel Anthony Walton White — who com-
manded, with Col. Lee, detachments of Continental Cavalry lying near, and only
waiting for their horses to have filled a special want at Camden, and whose equip-
ment appears to have been a cause of special anxiety to General Gates — published
with a fine military portrait by Sharpies, and prepared under the direction of his grand-
son, Mr. Evans, is another interesting renaissance.

in the Revolution, 211

and its claimed infringement or whether he considered it violated
and withdrawn by the attempted arrest ; and also if at Kloclcs
Farm he left the field unwounded, deserting a command with
wh.ch he evidently displayed marked courage, in the contest
of the day. As to the facts connected with the parole, careful
consideration even in the absence of such evidence, would
doubtless now convince any fair opponent, that the judgment
of some history has been biased, by the then obnoxious position
of the actor.

It was exacted, by a display of force, from one who although
hold.ng a Major General's co.nmission, had committed no
overt act of hostility against the ^. >,/. government, existing
when he was arrested by the order of the '• Provincial Con-
gress " of the State, and the - Albany Committee " bodies,

m/n"v wh*^'^'^ "' "'l^ """'"" '''■■'"■'y '"''''- '^ ^'"^'^^y "" amateur -amongst the
many whu are quietly mt.rested in similar labor _ who has more liber^nv
tnhu.ed valuable privately printed facts than Colonel Ch. des C onfi f
Augusta H,s "S.ege ot Savannah in 177c,," and another of th .tot Vil'
anumgst h.s valuable works. While the humane administratil of Gener^ftrr
thorpe, the remarkable character who founded Georgia, has been lar.X ^eJaleH^h
h.s pen ; h. '< Historical Sketches of Tomo-chi-chi, tt-Mi o the YaLc ! " '

rtqunc a special int.oduction even to many general re.ders - affords testimony ba..H
..n_ information, of the merit of another Aboriginal ruler. t^t.mony, based

The correspondence of General Daniel Morgan, the hero of Cowpens, including

cially his friend, having fallen into the writer's

much of Washington, and Lifayette esoe

11 ■ . o > •/ "r'^'-'""; '"o iiiuiiu, iiavinK rallen into the «/ri^Pl•'.

of orticers and citizens to be present at the centennial celebration of that b urL T. I

faTi':ftr'rt;^-''r^^''^'" '"--^-"''^ '-^^-^ -p-nted % t s tpti

of all of the ofhc ul papers connected with that event. They were recoLmi.ed . 1
articulate apparition or the many writers amidst the scenes'of the fSe let on

iii^

i »

212

^lories or Loyalists '

■Hi

created by an uprising of an indignant people, and six months
after that incident occurred, formed by the Declaration of In-
dependence into part of a nation de jure.

If it had been executed after that period, doubtless the sense
of obligation would have been stronger upon a soldier, but at
the time the authority of Great B' controlled a large por-

tion of the Colonies — restive ui . its restraint — and its
local authorities were in power at New York, as in Canada,
still recognized as the only lawful rulers by a large portion of
the people.

To a person representing large interests, and the head of a
family, this interregnum must have been a period for anxiety,
and adhering to the old government, made him a subject for
suspicion and dislike, to those who had so aggregated for the as-
sertion of grievances, still hoping for concessions to justify their
dissolution, but preparing if necessa . in the impending struggle
to establish their permanency. 1 s administration of public

affairs, not yet made permanent by ihe nction of Congress on
the 4th of the ensuing July, he had refused to give his ad-
hesion, to sign the articles of association, or to recognize its au-
thority, declaring that he would " rather that his head should
be cut off," than unite in a conflict with his native government,
the authoritv of which he doubtless hoped would be soon re-
asserted. In this, he became an obstacle to the popular
movement, and was from his influence and authority, a subject
for supression or control. His every movement was watched
and discussed, and it was claimed that he was fortifying his
house, organizing his retainers, and co-operating with the
Indians for resistance, yet there is no clear evidciicc that he

K.',

6'f

B
O

m the Revolution.

212

pursued any course unusual ,o his position as a citizen and a
magistrate, m trouh'ed times.

But his presence was esteemed a danger in itself and hi,
tnova, a necessity which knew ,„ W. Genera, Schuy
arrested h,m w,th a large, unresisted „,ili,ary force in
January, ,776; he was sent to Fishkil, and submitted 't,"

exacted ,t, or to leave the vicinity of his home. It is p-„bable
ha. eh, ,„ ,,, ^„ „p_,_,^,^^. ^ ^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^J^obab

either concession or suppression restored the authority ;f his
g vern^ent.. For son,e causes, probably the continued suspicion
of danger Irom his private communications, his capture and cTn
finement. which would have naturally terminated his protect on
and he mutuality of his parole was decided upon, an Col e
Dayton stopped at the Hall, on his way to Canada, to malt
h,s arrest, hut found that Johnson, advised of his coming had
escaped into Canada, the nearest accessible stronghold !f
utority he recognised. His endurance of nineLn davs of
terr ble suffering in this, his winter journev through the Adi-
rondacks attested his physical courage; and the leaving alf he
value behind him, subordinate to a sense of dutv hi
remarka le lovalty. The romantic incidents attending La
Johnson s share in her husband's downfall, will doubtless be
appropriately given by her kinsman. He cannot tail to show
^ . her married life justified the promise which Colonel
Guy Johnson discerned before that event, when meeting her
while in New York as He«rr;k«^ • u ^

( Appendix A. , ''"' '" ''^ ^^-P-vIng letter.

Such a parole enforced on a citizen by an as ,et temporarily
constituted and semi-representative body, and the knowledge

212

lories or Loyalists

that it was to be substituted by imprisonment, from precaution
and not for crime, would appear to differ materially from one
exacted after conquest in the field, and that its essence was
in the application of Major Dugald Dalgetty's maxim, ^'' fides
et fiducia relativa sunt."

Many expert military critics have considered the question of
the obligations of paroles, with varied latitude. Some have pro-
nounced this one no longer obligatory on a prisoner, who was
aware of its intended breach by the giver, and that the law of
nature overrode the dictates of a nice sense of honor — best
appreciated in another — and an escape after warning of the
intention of the withdrawal of protection was as justifiable
before, as after its execution.

But there is a precedent apparently applicable, which illus-
trates the- difference of sympathy from surroundings, and how
the same claimed offence is viewed by the friends or enemies
of the actor. Those who have remembered the blame which
has attached to Sir John, should examine the different sentiments
called forth for one who suffered for what he alone was censured.
This parallel case, was that of Colonel Isaac Hayne, * a promi-
nent patriot in South Carolina. He had served in the defence
of Charleston, with the cavalry operating outside of the city,
but not included in the capitulation. Afterwards he considered
that the protection of his family residing on the Edisto, required
that he should accept a parole from the captors, only obtained,
by signing with a protest as to service, the oath of allegiance,
prescribed by Sir Henry Clinton's proclamations.

This exposed him to the annoyance of frequent callsyor his
service as a soldier, due by that obligation to the King, and
when Gen. Greene advanced in 1781, considering the British

* See Ramsey's Revolution in S. C, Vol. ii, p. 277, etc.

z *

in the Revolution,

212

control ended, he again took the field, was captured, tried, and
executed, by Lord Rawdon, at the instigation of Col. Nesbit
Balfour, the commandant, recalled there still as a tyrant. The
whole country was filled with denunciation of this cruelty.
The Duke of Richmond censured it in Parliament and Balfour
was rendered notable for his unfeeling disregard to the appeal
of his family and friends for mercy, while fhe name of Hayne
is remembered, by collectors of American History, as a martyr
to a popular and successful cause. Had Sir John been cap-
tured in either of his bold invasions, made additionally perilous
by that impending charge, he might have sufl^ered, even by the
influence of his exasperated neighbors, from whom he had
parted with mutual antipathy. His daring on such other occa-
sions, discredits the tradition of his flight, unwounded, in
advance of his command, at Klocks Field, and makes it seem an
instance of misrepresentation unanswered, and accepted by
credulous History as the gift of irresponsible tradition.

It is notable that the " Annals of Tryon County," which
William W. Campbell, an estimable gentleman and painstaking
collector, residing at Cherry Valley, prepared many vears ago,*
in connection with a society formed at that place for the col-
lection of Local History, in describing the battle, and alluding
to the bravery of Johnson's troops, omits this sudden departure
which must have reached him there in rumor, rejected as fact.
The tradition of his flight from Klocks Field without refer-
ring to his disabled condition, perhaps arose with exasperated
neighbors while suffering from his undoubtedly vindictive
ravages, whose patriotism was naturally stimulated by the
possession of his abandoned property, and from whom any
sympathy would be as unnatural as that .^{ the huntsman for a

* Border Warfare of New York and Annals, etc., 1849.

212

Tories or Loyalists

wounded stag, which had ceased to stand at bay. That his
accepted government appreciated the audacity of his three
incursions, and subsequently repeatedly honored him with
commands and places of trust, proves at least their continued
confidence in his courage and honor. That any of these
questions should remain open for i cussion, more than a cen-
tury afterwards sustains the views elsewhere expressed, of the
untold value of impartial and carefully prepared cotemporary
history.

In any event he had opportunity to regret in a long life of
exile, the beautiful home which he had lost by the rigor with
which his native State adhered to its rule of confiscation. He
resided afterwards in Canada, and is still represented by many
distinguished descendants. When he died he aft'orded to pos-
terity an opportunity to consider that best test for judgment of
the action of another " put yourself in his place."

Although prompted by a sense of the justice of availing of
the opportunitv to say a word in defence of those whose records
have left their names unpopular, the writer is satisfied that
their vindication has been delayed too long to influence some
whose opinions are hereditary, and have never been modified
by the softening efl^ects of research.**

One who has given his attention to historical collections,
and has completed series of the letters of the Signers, the
Generals, and the prominent actors of the Colonial and Revo-
lutionary periods, has naturally sought for information as to
their inner, as well as their printed lives, and incidentally as to

♦* It appears proper to say that these sentiments, — not influenced by any personal
considerations, — are somewhat contrary to the writer's earlier and more crude
convictions, derived from antecedents, in that period, and from the early settlement
of New York, identified with the popular cause, and often then and since by succes-
sion, under the union of the States, aiding — sometimes effectively — in its civil
lervice, and in every war.

in the Revolution, 213

those of their cotemporaries, and of the circumstances which
governed all of them.

This naturally inspires a comparison with the more familiar
ones of their successors, and of their relative administration
of public trust. It may even induce a conjecture as to the
result — if it were possible to make the experiment — of placing
the members of the Congress of 1776, in the seats of a i^^ of
its recent representatives. The alternative, by a substitution of
many of our present for those past law-makers, would give occu-
pation for a stronger imagination, in realizing the uses of the
modern appliances of legislation in tho«^e time-honored chairs.

Were such transpositions of men of the present for those of
that important crisis possible, might it not be less difficult, even
after a century of brilliant national prosperitv, affording oppor-
tunities to individuals which {^^ then enjoyed, and a condensa-
tion of events which .10 other nation has probably ever witnessed
in a similar period, to select a substitute for Sir John Johnson,
were he all that vague tradition and prejudice has pictured him'
to be, using every appliance that he is said to have resorted to
in seeking to claim an inheritance of which he felt himself
unjustly deprived, than to discover a second Washington, de-
ferring compensation, neglecting, in his negation of self, his
own ample estate, to battle to secure the property of others,
subjecting himself to the jealousy of those who coveted his
honors, but not the cares and exposure^? which earned them,

To His Excellency, George Washington, Esq,, General, &c.,

Sir

Whereas David Matthews, Esq, stands charged with dangerous Designs and

rrra wT"- ''V'""' ''" '''^'^'^ ^"'^ ^"'•^-"^^ "^" ^^e united Colonie of
America. We do ,n Pursuance of a certain Resolve of Congress of this Colonv
of the twentieth day of June, instant, authorize and request ycu to cause the said
David Matthews to be with all his papers forthwith apprehended and secured and

'■i

lif^'

111

214

Tories or Loyalists

devoting his manhood to his country, and finally epitomising
his life, as an example to the temporarily refractory troops at
Newburg, by saying — when compelled to resort to his glasses
in deciphering his conclusive appeal to their patriotism and
endurance — " You see gentlemen, that I have not only grown
gray, but blind, in your service."

To write the name of Washington is a temptation to the
digression of an American pen, even when proposing to speak
more specially of those whom he conquered, and only incident-
ally of the victors.

Collectors of unprinied Historical Material — often classed
as Autographs — were long accustomed to attach some im-
portance, in discerning the character and surroundings of the
writer, both to his manner of expression, and his chirography.
This theory has been sustained by many able authorities, includ-
ing Dr. Joseph G. Cogswell, formerly of the Astor Library.

that returns be made to us of" the manner in which this Warrant shall be executed in
order that the same may be made known to the said Congress.
Given under our hands this twenty-first day of" June, 1776. Philip Livingston,

John Jay,
Gov. Morris.

General Greene is desired to have the within Warrant executed with precision
and exactness, by one o'clock the ensuing morning, by a careful officer.

Friday Afteknoon, "June 20, 1776. G. Washington.

Long Island, yiint 22d, 1776.

In obedience to the within Order and Warrant, I senta Detachment of" my Brigade
under the Command of" Col. "Vernon, to the liouseof the within named David Matthews,
Esq., at Flat Bush, who surrounded his house and seized his person precisely at the
hour of" one this morning. After having made him a Prisoner, diligent search was
made after his Papers but none could be found, notwitiistanding great care was
taken that none of" the Family should have the least opportunity to remove or
destroy them. Nathaniel (Jrekne.

This Paper, if earlier discovered, should have been appropriate additional
materia) for " Minutes of" the Trial and Examination of' Certain Persons in
the Province of New York, charged with being Engaged in a Conspiracy against
the Authority of" the Congress and the Liberties of" America." Printed in London, by
I. Bew, in 1786, and reprinted in an edition of one hundred copies, ""ntitled "Minutes
of Conspiracy against the Liberties of America," by |ohn Campbell, in Philadelphia,
1865, describing the details of " the Hickey Plot" for the poisoning of Washington,

:?it

\r m

i-.

^1:30^^'^^'^^^,

/^!aJ^aQ. — . C^^-&^(2aj^£2^uA'^t^ ^::^:^^y^^^L^ ^^2/^(2,^^^^ ^2:a.^t-^i-^js^

«^<

^c^^^^a^^K^ !^^s8<t^^EU£:<j^^ X^jZ^j -ol^^aJJ ^C^X iz<fcaL6L

;^ /^

^r^a^^::^

^/L^

/^^«-.

y'^T^S^I^JZ-Y

^yi

'i*-^^

te^ A ^^aSJ2f>-

^ a^-i^

^-i«^

KRCM THt OWGINAL IN TI{E COLLtCTION Or T9V

in the Revolution,

215

Any even fancied value in this belief, is becoming obsolete
as applicable to later correspondence, in an unprecedented
progress, crowding the events of life, and increasing the value
of the hour. Rapidity of thought and action, now conveyed
upon paper involves brevity, curtails compliment, and disregards
form.

In the day when magazines were scarcely known, news-
papers were small and rare, devoted principally to advertise-
ments, with current events condensed, and even discussion by
tracts occasional ; a letter, as a comprehensive means of com-
munication, was an important channel of intelligence. Its
dignified foolscap, or " letter size ; " emblazoned with water
line, and adorned by a gilt edge, was covered by a carefully
selected " quill," with at least three pages of public or private

by that man, one of his Life Guards, who was executed. Governor Tryon, who was
quartered on the Duchess of Gordon, a vessel lying in the harbor — and singularly
named after the lady whom Gen. Staats Long Morris, the loyalist member of a
patriot family, married — was su|)posed to be the instigator; the medium was David
Matthews, the Mayor, who admitted supplying money at least, for arms, and who
was sentenced to death, but reprieved and sent to Connecticut, from whence he
escaped ; the method to poison Washington with green peas which were provided,
and on being tested on some poultry, proved fatal ; and the result to be a rising in
arms, in case of success. It was detected by tlu- disclosure made through his house-
keeper, the daughter of Samuel Frances, the innkeeper at the corner of Broad and
Pearl, where Washington afterwards bid adieu to his officers. The seat of the
conspiracy, was Cortie tavern, between " Richmond Hill,"' "Bayard's Woods," and
" Lispenard's meadow," near the now intersection of Spring and Wooster streets.
This order of arrest was issued on the next day, only three days before Lord Howe's
arrival, soon followed by the Battle of Long Island, the retreat of Washington, and the
British occupation of the city, attended by the confusion in which, Matthews probably
escaped. A trifling circumstance, the careful erasing of a word with a penknife,
over which the word "within," is written in Washington's endorsement, displays the
coolness and method in writing referred to, even at a moment when his life was beset
by assassins. The other papers above alluded to as printed, were those of the Secretary
of the Committee of Congress signing this order for arrest. The accompanying letter is
from RichariJ Cumberland, the well knovvn essayist and author of many plays and
brochures, a retired Secretary of the Board of Trade, and apparently, from the
contents of a number of letters from which it is selected, an attache and purveyor
of Lord George Germain, State Secretary, is addressed to William Woodfall, before the
public at this period, and prosecuted by the Crown as the publisher of the " Letters

2l6

Tones or Loyalists

r .<

intelligence, conveyed in well formed characters, with dignified
assurances of consideration and respect. It was generally closed
with wax, and impressed with the seal, which then dangled
from the writer's "•• fob," all in such form as to make it pre-
sentable to a friend, or to a neighborhood, according to its
privacy or public import. Then conveyed in a ^' mastship "
or packet, in a lumbering "stage-wagon," or by a private ex-
press, its receipt was a sensation, and it was generally preserved
as an object of value, often to arise years afterwards, permanent
from its solid material, and perhaps to find new appreciation in
a historical collection, to solve a doubt, or suggest an inquiry.

Rare papers like rare paintings still command competition,
showing continued appreciation. ( Appendix E. )

Such was the ^'^golden age" of the collectors only recently
terminated by the Telegraph, where each won! has a cost as
well as a value ; the Postal Card, commanding condensation and

of Junius." He has an equally surviving recollection, as associated with the original
Mr. Walter, of the London Times, in experiments ii\ printing by steam.

Sir : Drayton, Tuesday Morning,

Since I wrote to you and enclosed ye Boston Gazette, a messenger is arrived with ye
news of ye reduction of forts Washington and Lee, and with despatches from ye Gen-
eral, which I mike do doubt occasioned the publishing of an Extra Gazette last
night. This intelligence would have been 'wrought us to town directly, if Lord
George had not been indisposed with a cold and swelled face, so that we shall not be
in town till Friday morning. Anything in my power to communicate to you shall
readily be done, and I am very sorry that my distance makes it not practicable by
this opportunity. Ye loyal Mayor of New York has made his escape from Litchfield
and returned to that City. He reports the situation of the people in Connecticut to
be that of men heartily weary of their cause and its conductors. That the hospitals
are miserably attended and served, where great numbers are lost for want of
common care. That there are small, or no hopes, of another Army being raised,
the eyes of the common people being generally open to their situation. That a
sovereign contempt for their officers prevails universally, that they say Lee (Gen.
Charles ) will not engage for fear of being taken and hanged and that ye fame and
popularity of Gen. Washington is greatly gone down.

Many particulars may occur worthy the public notice when I return to town and
get my letters, &c. I am. Sir,

Your Most Obedient Ser'vt,
Mr. William Woodfall. R. Cumberland.

in the Revolution,

217

disclaiming privacy, and the Monograph, with such Napoleonic
terseness and brief detail as is necessary to intelligibility with
little regard to form. These last appliances tended in our recent
war, to condense such full narratives of action as had been usual
in the past, leaving it to the comprehensive and indispensable
newspapers, published in keeping with the progress of the age,
and to their correspondents to form the public sentiment of its
course and results as they appeared to them. It remains for the
government to perf„-ct its history, by instituting a careful analysis
of such narrative, and by the use of the public records, the
last of which is believed to be now in progress, and if so
will correct many errors, known to have often unavoidably crept
into more hastily prepared impressions.

At the period now referred to, such notable persons in its
history as Washington, Sir Henry Clinton, Greene, Cornwallis,
and Gates — when dispensing with the -crvices of aid or
secretary— and. in fact, all educated persons fr m sovereign
to citizen, found time to convey their thoughts in letters
thus carefully expressed and gracefullv executed, as though to
combine in both contents and form, a courtesy to the person ad-
dressed, and to suggest if not to prove, that the writer was, as a
" gentleman of the old school," at least " toall polite." Perhaps,
letters of this period which are preserved, commend in their
ensemble this style, which is necessarily passing away from the
causes referred to.

At least it recalls its recollection with respect, to say that it
everywhere characterizes the manner of communicating the
plainest sentiments by Washington ! The large number of his
letters, still carefully preserved, sliow his industry ; while their
existence witnesses the cotemporary appreciation of one who

2l8

Tories or Loyalists

used " not dim enigmas doubtful to discern, " but expressed
himself in *' simple truths that every man may learn. "* How
so prominent a chiuacter, overwhelmed with active duties, often
in temporajy (juait -rs and with few conveniences but always
with assistants about him to perform the manual part of the
work — should largely from preference, with his own hand Hnd
opportunity to correspond with the Government, its members,
governors of States, his generals and officers of every grade, his
family and personal friends, the representatives of foreign govern-
ments and interests, even with citizens scarcely known to him —
but alive to the value ot their own wants or suggestions — all
with courtesy, uniformity, and neatness, is as remarkable as the
variety of the topics and the smallness of the material for sub-
sequent criticism.

These letters collected would seem manually the work of a
clerkly copyist rather than originals, the brain and hand work of
the founder of a great nation, simply recording, even while
creating, much of its history, amidst conflict and doubt. Many
of these have found their place in print, all might be condensed
with advantage, into a sort of complete letter writer for the use
of schools.

With a character naturally strong, developed by a capable and
devoted mother, an ordinary education and the adventurous
experience of his youth, Washington is marked, by a course of
life, ever leading upward ana onward. While largely controlling
the country he bad helped so materially to create, he was ready
to entertain and use what he r ' Japtable to present

circumstances, from the cxpCt men of all periods,

refined in the crucible cad mmon sense.

■* Applied from an early poen. jI Willia Allen Butler.

in the Revolution, 219

Even his conclusions, enforced l,y such admitted and suc-
cessful experience, were not always accepted. He had passed
to power through triumphal arches raised by a nation's g.ati-
tude, to hold it with a people, and even his cabinet, divided
as to h.s policy i and to resign it, and return like Cincinnatus
to h.s plough, with an expressed sense of relief. If so living
now, he would be rewarded by the universal thanks of tho:e
familiar with his name and service, which did not fully attend
him, when two factions disputed over his policy, and many
heset h.m from interest or for place. The highest popularity
not spasmodic, attending all great men burthened with power
and patronage in life, may he claimed to attach to their memory,
after they are dead.

W this be so, his parting words when surrendering his highest
and final authority —'and which probably combined with his
own judgment that of others-^ whom his confidence in itself
proved also worthy of lasting, attention - cannot, it would
seem, be too often recalled as embodying past experience, with
a far seeing warning for the future, increasing in value as it
addresses a larger auditory.

At least an annual public reading of that Farewell Address,
with that of the Declaration of Independence -to the fulfill- •
ment of the purposes of which it applies -and their study also
in our schools, would appear to be necessary instruction to all
who may aspire to public place. They show the birth and
early progress of the Freedom they are expected to preserve
bome have always referred to them as opening truths which are
already new to millions of unfamiliar ears. Those more accus-
tomed to such teachings -could console themselves, if present,
w.th the adage, " a good thing is worth repeating. " In them'

"» To Hamilton, Jay, Jefferson and Madison some of its inspirations were due.

ilif

220

Tories or Loyalists

every elector once familiar with their spirit would observe, that
in traveling too rapidly in an engrossing present, we may leave
behind such less recent but indispensible companions m our
country's progress, to follow newer and sometimes falser lights.

By such constant recurrence to the grievances the latter re-
counts against the British Government, each hearer could
discover what was renounced by the founders, and whether by
any subsequent legislation, we have voluntarily subjected our-
selves to any similar burthens.

With this conviction the accompanying, taken from a very
rare cotemporary certified copy of the Declaration, more
interesting since the damage to the original in its transfer, is
inserted.

The Declaration of Independence, appears in effect an ably
drawn and dignified recital of grievances imposed by Parliament,
and which had become intolerable to a people growing in in-
telligence and importance. Its incisive tone, and confident
assertion, were well calculated to reach an auditory of v uious
interests scattered in thirteen colonies, differing in population,
antecedents and interests, and to arouse them to concerted action.

It rejects the further control of the makers of existing laws,
while it suggests no substitution of better ones, evidently with
the intention oi leaving that duty, with the details of Con-
federate action, to the future representatives of a free people.
Its value wouid appear to be in the position it asserted at a
time when the hope of success appeared dark, and in recording
the opinion of its patriot founders as to what were then held to

In congress, July 4, 1776.
the unanimous
DECLARATION

O F T H E

Thirteen United States of AMERICA.

WH F. N, In the Courfe of human f->eDis, it becomri n«cf Hary for one
Propte to difTolve the raliiical Bandi which hive coniieficd thcin with
anoiher, fid to aaiims, imong tSe Poweri of the Earth, ihf lepaiate
and equal Station to which the l.awi of Nature and of NttufcS GOD
entitle them, a decent KtfpeCl to the Opiniont of Mankind requitci
that they (hould declare the Caufei which impel them to the Scpaiation.

\Vt hold (hefe Truths to be fclf-cvidem, that all Men are created equal, that ihry are
endowed, by their Cbbatoh, with certain unalienable Kigh:i, ih?t among thefe arc Life,
Liberty, and the I'urtuit ol Ilappinefi.— That to (ecure thei'e Uights, Go*errmeni* aie
inflituiedamonn Men, deriving their juft I'owera from the Confeni of ihe Governed, ihit
whenever any Form of Government become! deilruftive of ihcfe Ends, it is the Ri((ht of
the People to alter or to abolilh it, and to infliwtc new Gover;iment, laying its Foun-
ditioa on I'uch Principlei, and organizing its Powers in fuch Form, at to them Oiitl Teem
mofl likely to effeifl ihcir Salety and Happined. Prudence, indeed, will dirtate, thit
Governiiienti lorii cftablifticd, ihould not be chingcd for light and trsnfieni Cji.frs j and
accordingly all F.iperience hith (hewn, that Mankind air more difpofed to futfrr, wiiilc
Etftis are fuRcrable, thin to right themfclvei by abolifliing the Foims lo whith they are
accullomed. Hut when a lon^ Train ot Abufr* and UTurpationi, puifuing inumbl/
the l»me Objeft, evincci a Dcfi^n to reduce tl.cin undir abfulute llefpotifm. it ii their
Right, it ii tl-eit Duty, to ihiow vff fuch Governtnctif, and 10 provide new Guardi for
ihf'i fwhtre Secutity. .Such has been the patient Suff" nceof thrfe CoIO(iif«t anH furh
h now the Nfceiniy which totiiiraini them to aner tfjeu fortnet 0)rft«M -j fr-w^.-tmeot.
The HiUnry of rhc prcfent Kinn ot Great- Britain ii a [IiHory of repeated Injurici ana
Ulurpaiioni, all having in direct Object the Eftabtifbmeni ot an abfulute iyranny over
ihefe States. To prove thia, let Fadti be Tubmittcd to a candid World.

H^ hai refufcd his Aflcnt to Laws, the mofl wholcfomr and necerTary Tor the public

Good.

Ha hai forbiil'' his Governors to pafs Lawi of immediate and prtffing Importance,
unlets lufpendfd i.. ihtir Operation till his AfTent fliouid be cfiaincd t »n I when fo fu(-
nendcd, he hai utterly neglrfted to attend to them.

Ha has tefufed to pafs other Laws (or the Accommodation of large Jlflrifli of People,
unlrli thofe Peoph would rclinquiflt the Right of Keprclentatlun iti the Lcgilliture, 1
Kiulu inertimable to them, and lormidible to Tyranti only.

t'.r. hii called together Lcgitlitivc Bodies at Places unufjil, uncomfortable, and
dlflant from the Depofitory ol their public Jtecordi, for the fole Purpole ot (atigulng
them into Cmiplianct with hi* Meafuret.

Hi hudifTolved Keprerentiiive Houlcs repeatedly, loropporiag with manly Firmnefs
his Invarioiii on the Righti of the People.

Ha has refufed for a long Time, alter fuch Diflblutiom, to caufe others to be elefled 1
whereby the Lfgiftativc Powers, incapable ot Annihilation, have returned to (he Peuplt
at Urge (or ihcir excrcifc 1 the l>u(c rcrraining, in the mean Time, expofcd to all th: Dan.
gen ol Invafion Irom without, and Convulfiotis within.

lit has endeavoured to prevent the Population of thefe Statei i foi that Purpofe ob-
flrutting the Lpw* for Naturalizitioi ol Foreigners i tefufrngto pafs oihcrsto?ncoi;rige
their Mit//ationi hither, and taifina the Conditioni of new AppfOtiriationi of Lands.

Ha hasobftturted the Adm'nimaiionof JuHiic, by .efufing hii AfTtnt lo Laws for
tltablifhing Judicury lowers.

Ha has made Judcci dependent on his Will alone, lor the Tenure of their Offices,
and the Amour.t and Payment of thcT Salarii:s.

He has erefled a Multitude of new Offices, and fcnt hither Swanm cf Ofllceri co har-
rafl our People, and eat out their Subftance. ,

He has kept among uj, in ri.-iies o* Peace, Standing Armies, wiihoin th-^ CoDf^■nt 1
ol our Legidatuics. i

Ht hasalTfdedto.aarilfr the Mili.ary independent of and fuperlor to the Civil Power.
Ha h<u combined wittiMhcisiufubjeClui toa Jutiidi£liun loreignto ourConnituiiun, 1

t and unacknowledged Liy our Laws 1 giving hii Allent to their AAi of pKtended Legif-
( lation :

( For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among tis :

[ t'uA ptotrfling them, by a mock Tiial, from Punithmeni foi any Murders whKh ihejr
\ fhould commit on the Inhabitants nf tbrte States;
f Fur cutting olf our Trjde with all Parrs of the World :

I FoK iinpuling Taxes on us with tut our Ccnfent :

[ I'DR depriving ui, in many Caics, ol the BentBts of Trial by Jury :

[ For tianfpuriin^ us beyond Sca» tobe tried for pretended OHl-ncei ;
! /-'or atwlilhing the trci: Syllmi of Lnnliifi Laws in a neighbouring Province, eflaMifh-

l in^ ttierein an arbitrary tiovernmeni, and enlargioE; its Buundaiiei, To as to render it at
' onLC an Example and fit Inflrumcnt tor introducing the fame ablolute Rule into thefe
Colonics :

For taking away oiir Charters, abolifbing our moH valuable Laws, and altering fun-
damentally tite Forms o( our (jovcrnmcnis :

FuH. iuipendingouro^h Le^iiljturei, and declaring themfclvei inveftcd riifi Power to
Jegidate for us in ail Cafes wh^tluevcr.

He has abdicated Government here, by declirinj us out of his Proleftion, and waging
War agiinft us.

He has plundered our Sea^, ravaged our Coafli, burnt our Towns, and dedroyed the
Lives of our People.

Ht 11, at this Time, traii'iiorting hroP Armies of foreign Merceniries to romptete
nic Works of i)eath, OefoUtion, and I'yranny, already begun with Circumftjncra of
Cruelty and Petfidy, fcarcely pirallrled in (he moft ba-barous Ages, and totally unworthy
the Head of a civilized Nation.

Hi has conllrained our Fellow-Citiatnj, taken Captive on the hiah Sen, to bear Arms
agaiuU their Country, to Income the Lire Jiioners of their Friends and Brethren, or to
fall themrelves by their Hands.

k I't^'f* **'''' ^"^""**^'*^" *'"°"B'* "'' ""^ f>*' endeavoured to bring on
the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, th( r "cile'i Indian Savages, whcfe known Rule of
V*attare, u an uod iff ingui Died nefltufliun, ,* all Ages, 3e«i, and Conditions.

Im every Stage of tlnfc OpprcOions we hav , Petitioned for Redrefs in the mod humble

rernu; Our repeated I'ettiuns have been a- ,wc'ed only by repeated Injjry. A Priiue,
whole ChariCler a thui nuiUed by every .c\ which msy define a Tyram, is unlit to be
the Ruler oi a tree People.

Nor ha»e we been wanting in Attcrtmns to our Briiifh Brethren. We have warned
Ihctn, (rom lime to Time, oi Aitrmpli by ihfir LegiHiturc to exrcnd an ufiwarriniahle
Juritdiction ovvr bS. We have reminded them ui i.l.c C'n(.umft«ncef ol our Kmigntion
and Settler.ient here. We have appealed to their native Ju(\ice and Magnanimity, a^d
we have conjureit them by the 1 in of Otr common Kindred to difavow thefe Ufurpaii-
Oni, »*hii.h would inevitabjy imcrrupt our Connexions and Correfpandrnce. I'hey lo-j
have been dc.it toilic Voitc ut Jufticeand of Cuidangumi.y. We mult, therefore, a*-
qmelcc in the NereiFity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold
Kcft ot Mankind, J-.nemiet in War, m P'.ace Friendi.

Wf, theretore, the Kepfcfentativn ut the UNITLD STATES or AMERICA, u.
GENERAL CONGRFSS AtTrmbled, appealing to the Supreme Judgrof the World
fur the KeAitudc ul our Intcntiani, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good
People ot thcic C'ulontes, lolcmnly Puhiifh and Ueclare, That theli; United Colonici are,
andol Kight 0044(11 to be, FCLL and INDUPENOLNT STATL'J; that they are
ablolved tiomall Atiegiance to the Britilfi Crown, and that all political Connekion be-
tween them and the State 01 Grrai-llritain, is, and ought to be, loialty difTulvedi and
that as FREE and INDEPENDLNT SrAIKS, they have full Power to levy War,
LuncliiJe Peace, contract Alliances, eljabli!)! Comn'crce, and to do all other A(\% and
ihin^fs which INUEPhNUEM' STA TIiS .Tiay of Kight da And lor the Svyyoti
ol this Dcclatation,wnn a titni Reliance on the Pioredion oi PlViNE PRt)VIUI-:NCE,
we mutually pledge lo each tKher our Lrvr;, our fertunj, and Q)iTjatrtd IhnHr.

John Hancock,

- Bmun CMnrif,
1 LyiunlM,
' an. IfsUn.

GitTgi tiytbe.

QIOIOIA,

Riebtr/t Hinry Ut,

Ti'. 7^//r>».

htK}*- llar'i!f.n.

■ II - IlKttr,

ihc: mjtn, r-

No»TH C/Mi«tlii«, < 7ytph Umii,

Fraiiis iJgUftil Im

: JabnP.m.

Catitr Braxton.

SuVTH'CAanilKA, -

Edmrd Ruliiii.
1 7*.'- Hnn-trJ, iuv ■
1 Ihtmal l.)H:tt >.'■

r &marl Chdfi,

PiNHiyiVAUlA,

Rtpf Mmiu
BttijtniH Rtifh,

tt'.nja. Fra^lihn,
yj'H Mtrttn,
Cts. Cfymtr,

«"< ftta.

MAHrtAMD,

•Ill' ilm,

Ctt. 'Tjyivf,

Charlts CjrrtU, ./ Car.

Jamtjtr,i/7n,

ta'Unt.

[ &», Rtjt.

DaLAWARI,

Kaw-YoRKi

i Cto. Rtad.

S Phil. U'.tHlfi"

V Lrtarfj Mgrrii.

r RUhJ- SttthtH,

Nr%t'.jEiiuv, \ h-a-Hepkm/0»,
JUh liert,

AbrA. Clark.

Ntw HamphiirIi

■1^

irrrfpit,

MAlsACMyjlTTc
Sat.

tllM)C<IlLAt4n HD
P.OVIBINCt, tSt.

5 7>lm Mini,
P ««*'■ Irw; />«»,
*• tltri^i Cm}.

f Slip, i/cfkini,
[ mmtm ElUrj.

Htllr Shtrmtt,
) Sjm'.Hawli^M,
I H" WOum,
■ Qhvaiyikul.

Ik congress, jAM;A«ir 13, 1777.

ORDEKET),
H A T in lulhtr
gl the UNITED STATES, and that the; be Jclircd lu hive Cx Itme put on KECURU.

rry H a r m luihrnciciieii Copy of ihc DF.CLAH ATION of INDF.PENDENCy, whhtht Nimci ot tlit MEMCLRS of CONGRESS, fubfctibing tht fim«; b« rem 10 eirh

B/ 0M« of CONGRESS,

<>i''v..r C—yj'' John Hancock, Prejident.

BALriMow, in Ma^ylanp frtalc*! H; M^av Kathakini (ioi«dakp.

i-'rcv, trli CdUsCfiOl ff/"' ."/?.<.'

in the Revolution,

22 1

be wicked impositions by legislation, under color of law.49 Our
present legislation therefore, is subject to a comparison with that
of the obnoxious Parliament as there specially denounced, as
well as to discover the extent and value of the improvements
It is making under the present limit Congress attaches to
Its power. In this view it may be considered the chart by
which the ship of state was expected by them to be navigated.
Either to appreciate the history of the details in which that power
originated, or its use in the present and future it would appear
that education in oar past was indispensable to every citizen, and
that it was especially the duty of those who inherited their rights
from the founders, to qualify themselves not only to understand
and protect the enjoyment of the legacy bequeathed to them,
free from the effects of any alleged abuses of legislation, but to
interest themselves, to arouse a similar sentiment in those who
have rapidly joined them. Not to recall as an empty phrase,
but to illustrate, that Eternal Vigilance is the price of liberty, by
observing the proceedings of all bodies acting with delegated
power, and if practicable, by wisely influencing the discretion
with which that authority is conferred, by the individual
citizen.

of rhe'^Crnl"' -'""k T'' '"''"" '^^ ^'"'^ "^" f^-'^li^'^'^nt for " the better peopling
of the Colonies, .„ the Congress of 1774, show that England was then charged with
transporting a material she desired to be rid of, more dreaded than the " Hessiar-
so unammously denounced a few years later. The laws of the Colonies then de-
prived them of every privilege beyond that of residence.

"That It was too well known that in pursuance of divers Acts of Parliament ^reat
number, of Kdlonvs -who ha.c forfaud their /,.« to the Fuhlic, for the ,.ou lociZs
crtmes are annually transported from home to these Plantat.ons. Very surprising one
would think, that Thieve., Burglars, Pukpockets and Cutpurses, and a herd of ^h,
n^ost fl^ag.tK,u8 Band.tts upon earth should be sent as agreeable compan1j;,s to

And will rhU„ 5"' , ''*' T'' '"f'^"'l«'V«'- th'' letter peopling of the Colonies !

And Will thieves and murderers be conductive to that end ? What advantage can
we reap from a Colony of unrestrainable Renegadoes ? Will they exalt the gh.ry of
the crown * * "^ Can Agriculture be promoted when the wild Boa, of ^thc
Forest breaks down our Hedges and pulls up our Vines ? * * How injuriou!

wmmmmm

222

Tories or Loyalists

At the present time, with a population swollen by emigra-
tion in a single year beyond its great natural increase, by nearly
three-quarters of a million, the growing importance of the teach-
ing of history in all our schools would seem to impress itself on
all who desire to preserve our integrity. Many are coming to
us naturally ignorant of our past and present and its cost to our
forefathers and value to us and to them, and who cannot become
parts of a homogeneous population advantageously until they
have accepted intelligently our institutions in place of those
under which they were born, and to which they were possibly
hostile, rejecting as impracticable a dual nationality.

A knowledge of American history would appear as requisite
as those simple elements of education which enable the elector
— and perhaps future ruler — to read an amendment of a
constitution, on which by a steady extension of the privileges
won in that struggle, he is soon qualified to vote. All
details of the past — on a more liberal construction of some
of which it is hoped that this use of these papers may
possibly throw a ray of additional light, more useful than that of
their earlier cremation, which some weary reader may already
consider — shcjuld be constantly perfected and studied, even
amidst the engrossing activity of the present.

■i^^ ^ if

itii

does it seem to free one part of the Dominions of the Plagues of Mani^ind and cast
them upon another ? Should a law be proposed to take the poor of one Parish, and
billet them upon another, would not all the world but the parish to be relieved, ex-
claim against such a project as iniquit(/us and absurd ? Should the numberless
Villains of London and Westminister, be suffered to escape from their Prisiins, to
range at large and depredate any other parts of the Kingdom, would not eveiy man
join with the Sufferers and condemn the measures as hard and unreasonable '" * *
There are thousands of honest mcn^ laboring in Europe at four pence a day, startling in
ipite of all their efforts, a dead iveight to the respccti-ve parishes to ivhich they belong ;
v)ho ivithoul any other qualifications than Common Sense, Health and Strength, might
accumulate estates amongst us, as many ha'oe done already. These, and not the others^
are the men that should be sent oi<er, for the better peopling the Plantations.^''

in the Revolution,

2-^3

Such information is constantly becoming more valuable
to a country wholly unprecedented in history in its absolute re-
i'ance upon Ae patriotism, education, common sense, and mutual
concession of its citizens, as a ,uide for the future, the success
of which .s necessarilv based on such knowledge of the past, on
w.de spread intelligence, a mutual adaptation, and regard
for .ts founders and its early traditions. If anv return were
expected, for the labor of compiling and feebly annotating them
beyond an .mpression that perhaps " the deed in the doing it savors'
of worth ; » u would be most acceptable m the evidence that they
had been the means of impressing upon some earnest reader, the
tact, even .f controverting one of Mr. Herbert Spencer's theo-
ries, that educauon only can open the knowledge of the origin
of a nat.on, u^spire a proper pride in its progress and insure Its
permanency. (Appendix B.)

That intelligence and ignorance have rarely existed Ion.
together without one asserting the control. That while some
particles of this great aggregate _ content to float like the
smaller esculant, on the surface of a seething caldron, relvin.
on an exaggerated estimate of their weight, perpetuity and
value, by their temporary elevation _ above larger roots - ny.y
sneer at such researches, as to the truly great men, and the earlier
unsuccessful aspirants, long since buried underground ; as un-
necessary to uneducated citizenship, and disparaging to spontan-
eous statesmenship ; it has been the universal testimony of men
of broader development and experience, that nothing can give a
greater facility to. a person of natural capacity, in judgin. of
present events, than the appreciative study of those of the plu
He can then discover many old masks on the faces of new actors
on the public stage, and that they are often too large for the new
wearer. That the best critical analysis applicable to new theo-
29

224.

Tories or Loyalists

ries of government, is based upon a knowledge of their success

or failure in earlier times.

That few things are on investigation discovered to be
purely original, anu that many projects have always been sus-
tained by facts, some by fiction, and others by selfish interest.
To prepare himself by study, using the ample means supplied
for education or reading, would then appear to be the natural
means of availing of the privilege every American enjoys.
With these we readily discover the relative progress of
nations, that where intelligence is habitually developed, it results
asa necessity in the prosperity for the many ; or where neglected,
all others are subordinated to the advantage of the few.

By such research it is easy to discover that there have been
many political orators in the country, since the days of Patrick
Henry, and many financiers, since Robert Morris, but none who
more faithfully devoted available talents to the public. That
there have also been many manipulations and fluctuations in
finance since their time, in which fortunes changed in owner-
ship, and rulers of the Change rose and fell. That there have
been political questions and popular uprisings, involving bitter
feeling, and threatening violence, in which the sober, common
sense of the country — much of it grounded on the study of
the similar crises in the past — has arisen in its might, come to
the front, and with a strong hand torn the excited actors apart.
It can be seen by reflection that to continue to accomplish this,
the body politic must continue in vigorous health. That it
demands no less care than in its youth, that like the human sys-
tem, it requires the healthy circulation of the blood in every
organ, to insure vigorous manhood and well preserved longevity.

in the Revolution.

225

That knowledge, equally divided, is the only practicable and
Jast.ng communism, and that the crafty demagogue, as a cunning
alchemist, with ignorance as the metal to be fused and mingled
with rejected theories, proposes a panacea to satisfy the cravings
o\ alK and scatter weaith,5o without intelligence, industry, or
thnft, wh.le he knows that by the substitution of intelligence and
education he would in nme produce the results to which he
claims attention by pretending to seek, but in doing so feels
that he must expose the empty charlatanism of a distribution
of money without that of the elements thai would continue the
equality of its division; unless accompanied by that of education
and Its frequent companion, thrift, valuable qualities calcu-
lated to ensure its care and increase.

Those who voluntarily assume the labor and outlay, incurred
in the management of those princely private charities, which
make New York, even alone, an asylum for the world's unfor-
tunates, can give practical testimony, both as to the immense
increasing clientage which presses for relief, and the very lar.e
proportion it includes of those who have never profited by
those accessories to self protection from chrome destitution
(Appendix C.j

5" This anecdote of Herrmann t lie MaL'iri in :n,<f r
trates the relative value of „,anv new the."' Af er read,i;:r''^''f ''T'' '""^■
up to a huckster stand kept by a credulous u7 '"*^'^'"« ^'^^ '"^''kec he walked

do;t^h^;;:s.trr^;::^^^::;L:?^^-^ -- - ^^- -^^^ u,..

te:iia:T;:x^:tx;"^ortrr i^^iSrwhi'h r -''t'--^ ^'"-

gesticulated wildly and insisted th t l/e shtuld r trC' t „ 'f^ ""'"-'' "'^"^ '^'
cotnply,ng with her request, however, he tit an he egT 'ithich";- '"' "'
dollar gold pieces rolled out among the ve-erables Thl ^'""' ^'="-

Orf, who told him . W .....^ .. !/.: wt L.^^J/Lr .'""'^' '""" '^''-

226

Tories or Loyalists

Dr. Pollock, in a recent essay, has .told us that " The
ultimate object of natural science is to predict events — to say
with approximate accuracy what will liappen under given con-
ditions. Every sp.'cial department of science occupies itself
with predicting events of a particular kind ; note, also, that
each science occupies itself only with those conditions which
are material for its own purposes." The laws of science
naturally govern Doth men and nations. While all of their
details are too unlimited for the capacity of a single mind, it
would appear that each of those controlled by them may realize
in his own experience, some valuable developments without
assuming to devote himself to any specialty. In a like manner,
some study of the rise and progress of government, and of the
conditions which have influenced prosperity or decadence, may
cause the reader to feel that he is more capable of " predicting
events of a particular kind," such as those incident to the homo-
geneous association of men for the difficult task of govern-
ment. But, while the study of science may be properly di-
vided, does it not seem that in the constant observation of
every detail or the administration of a republican government,
where each citizen is equally interested in its safety and success,
if not in its control, all should devote their relative capacity,
in seeking to apply to it all those principles which have proved
to have been " conditions which are material '' to perpetuity in
former experience, and to reject such errors as have often re-
sulted in national disaster ? S'

5' A widely read Journal ot the day would appear to confirm the value of uniting
the progress of those material " conditions ' in enquiring as to those of the great
metropolis : " Are there no dangers to-day ? Is the tax levy a myth, with its ten
millions fur salaries? Are our officials models of purity, capacity, and fidelity r Are
public works conducted with economy ? Is the administration o'" municipal atiairs
prudent and business like ? If so, let us continue to think about reform, after the
politicians have arranged the division of the spoils ; let us hold meetings, appoint
committees, pass resolutions, after the succession to the lucrative municipal offices
has been decided upon."

«s^ii

in the Revolution,

227

It is repeating a possibly Forgotten truth, that Rome was in-
wardly the weakest in the zenith of her greatest outward
prosperity, - when the sun " it was said - in its whole meridian
course k.ssed her legionary eagles scattered over every clime."
1 hat us downfall occurred, when its people, palled by success,
became luxurious and enervated, with a growing fondness for
the appefble, but enfeebling confections, spread before them by
pol.t.cal pastry cooks, and neglected the wholesome diet of sub-
stant.al tacts, on which the Conscript fathers subsisted while
erectmg the edifice, and which they prescribed for the nour-
ishment of their posterity.

.. J*" 11°?'.' "^ ' """" "'■ •'" ^'•'^^"' "-h™ 'M how
Nero had '-fiddled when Rome wh,, burning." " ,hat he mu.se
have been very fond of music ,0 lose so grand a spectacle - might
apply to al! of us who in neglecting ,0 take an interest in pass-
■ng events are uninformed to what extent we are excelling Rome
m our progress and whether we are avoiding „// of the errors
which finally culminated in her downfall.

Another prosperous one, borne rapidly along by the present
luxurious appliances, may only glance upon the Obelisk
.mpressed with the obligation conferred by ,.s generous gift, and'
sk.lltul transportation ,0 a new world, and conjecture whether
the Egyptian or Roman chariots, it looked down upon for aaes
after „s erectton, compared in finish and comfort, with a modern
broughan, ; but not whether Western Union, Union Pacific or
any other Union, will stand as erect and last as long- through
<l.e succession of long dynasties of Ptolemies and C.sars to that
of 'C,ty Fathers," without similar care and scientific assistance
I he correspondent at Rome of the '-New York Evenin,; Post"
recently said •• Brescia is still excted by the great theme of

228

Tories or Loyalists

\ ¥

Arnaldo. But we are getting a little too much of this historical
archaeology. Manuta is preparing to observe the nineteenth
centennary r<\' Virgil ; Arezzo will soon keep that of Guido
Monaco, the inventor of musical notes ; Arpim that of Cicero,
and Urbino that of Raphael. Some one sagely observes " tha^
instead of studyinc so intently the historv of great Italians dead,
it were better to improve the present generation, and expect
great deeds from those who live,"

Although it is true tliat Italv has not in later generations
equalled those of thf past in prodiicinjj additions to her
long line of illustrious names; and that her progress in this has
been outstripped by many nations, unborn when she was already
grey, it is proper to remember her heavy fall in the race of
destiny, and how slow the recovery is.

If the traveler in that classic land still finds himself rather
dreaming of her former greatness than awakened to evidences
of a new progress, would it not appear that it was therefore
more especially needed to recall past triumphs, to inspire in a
later gener?f'on a spirit of pride, a desire to emulate, and a search
for the appluiices with which it was secured. At least it would
seem natural to us, livint: in a country unpeopled by civilization
at the time when they were wearing its laurels, to feel gateful
that we are able to profit by the results of their early labors, which
we enjoy in our schools, galleries and industries, and that each
remembrance of their name, recalling their example may perhaps
inspire imitation of their progress. That in their own land the
persistence in thus recording those memories, must with wider
educational preparation, in time incite many additional aspirants,
to the fame of those whose self erected monuments tower so
near them, and still inspire such efforts, in keeping their memory
green.

in the Revolution,

229

Have not such revivals of the past, often held to be senti-
mental, a practical use? What reflecting man can pause
near that ■ Obelisk without recalling its werd history, the
scenes ,t has witnessed, and the eyes that ha., looked
upon It in .ts forty centuries, the changes of faith, dynasties
and conditions of the human race which it records but of
which ,t cannot speak ? He may study its rugged silence, read
there the history, the progress, vicissitudes and relative per-
petuation of men and things, and gain a lesson of the littleness
of a single life, which passes away without some honored record
only adding another to the billions who have tread beneath its
shadow.

Nearly three-quarters of a century ago Joseph Dclaplaine, of
Philadelphia, an early appreciator of the association between
that ancient republic and our own, then young ; at least in ^»^-
coincidence of the early development of greatness, said-with
an uninterrupted flow of enthusiasm - in the prospectus of the
-Collection of the Portraits of Distinguished Americans," which
still usefully recalls his own name: " With a pride similar to
his who, in the mansion of his ancestors, loves to dwell upon the
venerable array of their portraits which surrounds him ; and by
the almost living glances which dart from the canvas, feels him
self unconsciously awed to virtue, will the unborn citizens of this
expanding hemisphere, day after day, delight to sojourn amidst
the forms of i\.^ fathers of their country^ and depart from the
exhibition with newer and stronger aspirations after virtuous
renown ! ' I have often,' to quote the language of the historian
of the Jugurthinian war, 'heard that Quintus Maximus and
Publius Sc.pio, and other illustrious men of our city were
accustomed to declare, when th.y looked upon the portr'aits of "
their ancestors, that they felt their minds most vehemently 'ex

■ i " t I

li «li'^

i lit

■ftrii^

230

Tories or Loyalists

cited to virtue. Not, indeed, that the impression or the figure
produced such powerful effects upon them, but by the recollec-
tions of the achievements of these great characters, that a flame
was created in their breasts not to be quelled until they should
have reached an equal elevation of fame and glory.' * The
history of such men,' says the learned translator of Plutarch,
* is a continuous lesson of practical morality,' and what could
be a more pleasing ami impressive history of this country than
that which would be exhibited in the well-ananged portraits of
those bv whom its moral and political grandeur was founded
and raised to perfection ? The countenance of a Washington
would nvAxk the epoch ut its military, and of a Frani<liii of its
philosophical glory ; and all the galaxy of genius around them,
while furnishing the materials for memory to work upon, would
create new heroes, and stimulate new sages^ new statesmen and new
orators.'^

" When time shall have swept awav the splendid train oi
our earliest philosophers, statesmen and warriors, to swell the
gathering of the grave ; when the tongue of genius shall
moulder in gloomy silence ; when the eye of the orator shall
be closed in darkness, and the spiritual fires of its glance no
longer kindle the dormant intellects around \ when the warrior's
arm shall be sinewless, and by the side of his decaying form the
sword of his triumphs shall lie rusting ; when the patrons of
the soil shall have become an ingredient in its physical amal-
gama ; a generous and grateful posterity will rank amont;st the
first of its public institutions^ that which will afford them, in
effects, the delights of a sweet and familiar intercourse with
beings endeared to them by the brilliance of their talents, and
their virtues, as well as by the benefits which thev conferred
upon the land of their birth."

Ifi

in the Revolution,

231

Since this enthusiastic patriot thus wrote, with many of his
subjects still alive, a large portion of a century has given us
better light than he possessed !

Many had then been born under the sway of a government
which they once loving, had lived to hate, and doubtless the
most modest of those who had aided in its downfall hoped
that their names would survive, often recalled in history and
the succession of their descendants. ** They witnessed, as
it were, the setting out of a small train, at moderate speed,
which we see vastly extended by increase and emigration,
wheeling at a terrific speed over a widely extended track. One
later accession, that of California, with nearly 189,000 square

's
he
of

the
in
ith
ino
red

5» Horatio Seymour a life long appreciator and collector, of' the records of the
achievements of' those who opened the way to the many honors that have been con-
ferred upon or offered to him, in reply to an invitation to unite in the Ui-Centennial
Celebration of the ancient town of Yonkers — a very interesting occasion with which
the contributor as an old resident of the neighborliood was gratified in being remem-
bered, in its management — has lately written to its Mayor some valuable truths
sustaining these impressions.

"I regret that the state of my health will not allow me to attend the Bi-Centen-
nial Celebration at Phillipse Hall at Yonkers. It is gratifying to learn that through-
out our State there is shown a desire to mark with monuments spots of historic
interest, and to collect and preserve all things which throw light upon the history
of the past.

These things not only show but they create a spirit of patriotism, they give value
and interest to the scenes which they mark or illustrate. By them the past speaks
to the presen They lell us much of the history of early events ; they teach us our
duties, and .:ate higher standards of patriotism and virtue.

Monuments, historical societies, and all arrangements to collect and preserve papers
and objects relating to the past, not only teach us of the acts and virtues of the
dead, but they also show the character of the living and mark the civilization of the
people. Monuments in enduring stone have f'or many centuries been silent but
potent teachers of duty and devotion to the public welfare. Even now, after the
lapse of many centuries, if their time-worn remains were swept away, the world
would feel the loss of objects which remind us of our duties to the public.

Heretofore we have reason to mourn the want of historical collections through-
out our State which would show its citizens had a just sense of the great and varied
events of its history. This dishonored not the dead but the living. Your celebra-
tion, and others of a like character, prove that our citizens are waking up to their
duties, and mean to make the public familiar with its events, the most varied and
far reaching of any portion of our country."

232

Tories or Loyalist:

miles of territcry, over 68,000 more than the whole of Great
Britain, best illustrates the development of her rebellious child.

By the suppression of the Tory or his departure, by the
absorption of those men of figure who then largely owned the
colonies or controlled their affairs, by the extension of a iimiteri
franchise to one unbounded and unprecedented in its beneficence,
by the want of much consideration for family service, in public
affairs, and by the omission to a great extent of any veneration for
official position, we are all now equals before the law ; coequal
sovereigns like the old Electors Palatine who chose by vote the
Emperor. Still those patriot fathers would seem to be the parents
by adoption of every citizen, particularlv of those who are coming
to wear the crown which tbey created, at least until by the
prosperity open to most who seek it, they in turn, create
positions, dating from their birth or arrival in the New World
in which each one, equalling the usefulness of those predeces-
sors may claim to be the " Rudolph of Hapsburg " of his
own family, by contributing as honored a portrait and name as
theirs to posterity.

The acquipition of property, gives an additional interest
in the na'icnality to each one who achieves an ownership,
however small, and its distrib'^tion amongst many in such
divisions is the greatest guarantee of perpetuity. A State will
be found, in all time, to have been most prosperous, where
property was most divided, and where the extremes of the very
rich, and the very poor, are exceptional, for the reason that the
hundreds of one man by the laws of nature are as valuable to
him as the millions of another. But there is a common security
under a thoroughly popular form of government, that even the
man who owns one dollar, is a stockholder. We watch our in-
vestment, in all other securities, and if in stocks study the daily

in the Revolution.

233

prices. Do we sufficiently realize that they are mere - con-
nections" with the honest administration and prosperity of the
government, and exist in its permanency alone ? Would it
not seem that any vigilance displayed, in the selection of trus-
tees of those lesser securities, with a view to their prosperity
and honor, must apply with greater force to that of the govern-
ment, which is the trunk line.

If a stockholder suspects that his property is controlled by
directors forced upon him by bargain and traffic, by primaries
to which he has no access, by organizations, machines or rings
ormed to control the a'^ents and property of any corporation,
in the interests of a self-selected few, would he not if he had
read of it, conceive that it was in danger of returning to a class
government, more dangerous than the one that was annihilated
by the Revolution of 1776 ?

If the air were tainted by the fumes of a conflagration would he
not seek for its location and flood it with water for the common
good ; and if it was filled with nauseous rumors of selfish, and
even dishonest combinations, for the control of his corporate
property, turn his attention to the necessity of vigilance and of
putting trusted parties in its charge ? All political history shows
that two parties are necessary to a State, each a safety valve to
the other, that a community is no sufl^erer by the parliamentary
discussion of questions of policy, where its people difter, b.,t
that when such issues are avoided, by the fear of either or both
parties, to assume a policy, then there is greater danger in com-
binations of the worst element in both, for impure and selfish leg-
islation. That all coalitions have been looked upon with doubt,
we gather from such history, that the most competent, are'
often the most modest, in claiming place, while all countries
have been supplied with varied voluntary material for office and

^fll f

234

Tories or Loyalists

povyer from the best, down to such as that which assassinated a
president, because a worthless life seemed to him unfitting for
reward, as a minister to Austria or consul to Paris !

Doubtless many cultivated readers, versed — as an example —
in the teachings of Spencer, Huxley and 'lyndall, perhaps from
the absence of an appreciative taste, disregard the lessons of that
history, of which most men, are unknowingly forming part, either
by action or its neglect. All concede the value of patriotism,
many are often critical as to its presence as an impulse ; possibly
few consider that merely as an accomplishment it can be
acquired by the study of its many results, or of the effects of its
absence. A less cultivated but patriotic arid shrewd observer
like Mrs. Grundy — whose views have often become the reflex ot
public opinion — is in many cases more useful, than a more learned
perfunctionary and statistical manipulator. (Appendix D.)

In complying with his promise to the editor, the contributor
has sought, in adding some material connected wirh his under-
taking, to incidentally consider our progress in the eradication
of the complaints against the government on which we were
founded, and the uses we we;e making of a wonderful legacy,
by following past history.

That gentlerrsan's thoughtful note, at the end of his own
contribution — as to the difficulties under which they have been
loosely thrown together, gives the opportunity to say that he
has neither seen the manuscript, nor is he responsible for its
contents, its contribution being purely voluntary.

Not happening to have met either himself ^; General de
Peyster since it was undertaken, and having no knowledge of
what the latter had contiibutetl to this accidentally triple asso-
ciation, he fears that in his friendly desire to aid in his natural

in the Revolution. 23 c

effort to vindicate the memory of his relative, he may have re-
peated or controverted some of the views, which he has doubtless,
with h.s usual independency, asserted. In either such event, it
has been his object to express the sympathy study teaches to
humanity, as to the unfortunate fate and hardships of the Loyal-
ists. In doing this he does not feel that he detracts from his own
fealty to the government formed on their ruin, in which it is
his pride to have been bred to feel the responsibility of
aidmg to hand it down, as a home of freedom wisely adminis-
tered, to future generations. This explanation appears proper
to account for any apparent want of cohesion, or accord, in the
expression of individual, and therefore possibly conflicting
opmion, m arriving at a common purpose, of recalling the
memory of historical characters.

On a final reading of this contribution, it suggests some resem-
blance to a trunk hastily packed for a journey, with an oppor-
tunity for selection from a sufficient wardrobe, which when
resorted to, is found to contain some articles better fitted for
the seclusion of a private apartment, than for public use, and to
lack, many others more adaptable, but improvidently left at
home.

Spring House, Richfield,
September, 1882.

«' K

APPENDIX A.

COL. GUY JOHNSON'S LETTER (page ziza).

£tn
both

The following letter from CoL Guy Johnson to his uncle, is also found in Dr
nmetts collection. It gives some ,urticubrs illustrative of the surroundings of

Mv DEAR S,R William, ^^ ^"'"'' ^'''■'- '°' '773-

I have just now had the pleasure of receiving your very kind letter n^ rl,„ .a
mat., with one from Dr. Dease*, another from Brother CI us! t w, ieh am muc^h
obhged to them. It has vexed me a gooa deal to hear that your vltes did nT.o
up early. They went by John Glen, and Gainef assures me he has fo wa^de/!
sett since.. As the titles of several bills are altered in the Comm t es t itt
necessary to acquamt you tha: the Road bill and money bill for buill" C ' Sst
&c., are passed through every term and the Tavern Bill, Swine Bill, Wolf BHl and
Ferry B.l , w,ll be m a very few days. You will tind me voting on a sL tha ome
people might not expect. It will all be accounted for in due dme but i hS!

^oT'saVdV"." '"^'"''" '"P""'^ ""^'^'^ ^"^^--' The othTr 'day they were
for saddling a 450 per annum Salary, on the Judges of Circuit, to be paid out of
our County, but afte, much difficulty, I got it hid general on th'e Province Maior

the'^S;ty'"t"w'n'"'T; ' p'"'" "*^ '" ^.'^ "'" ''' ^^' ^'^ P'^^ estauk^d'
cne i^ount) town. The Pacquet i~ arrived. All Peace at homp Th- n i

has got the King's leave to go to Lngland, and wiirsaiM June witi his^miW

Haldemand^, comes to take the command; and Governor Tryon /it is aidTwili

have ,he vacant Red Ribband. He has taken much pains aboutThe ndin matte

Bany^arjl advises to get an Act for Fairs and Markets in lieu of the Ordinare but'

the Governor choses the latter. In the Charter for the Church a desc inttnof th.

Glebe .s absolutely necessary and how the right presentation should gt^ropeyo:

+ m,'.h° r' """ T-*' an Executor and Trustee under Sir William's will
^^i^Hugh Game, editor 0, the iV«„ r.ri A7,.„.,, printed in Han^v^f'square ; established in

b/B^u^'goyneTn^VsTn^a^o"'"'" " Skenesborougn (now Whitehail), and wa, actively employed
§ Gen. Gage came in lieu ofHaldimand.
y Goldsboro Banyar.

11 m f

411111

1 1^:

238

Toreis or Loyalists

will ccntinuf )our Parental attention to Polly and the little ones, she is 1 believe
surprised 1 stay so long and I eagerly wish to return. The girls are well and much
esteemed. The like may be said with great truth of Sir John. He will return with
me and doubtless lay before you, the final determination of the Family here, resj^ect-
ing his union which I see nothing to prevent. The lady* is a fine Genteel Girl,
much esteemed as well on acco't of the goodness of her Temper, as of her uncommon
abilities, and she is ready to follow him anywhere.

The m-n calls for my Letter, so that I can only beg a continuance of your cor-
respondence, which yields me much real pleasure, and assure you once more of the
Cordial Wishes 1 offer for your Health and happiness, and the true Affection with
which I subscribe myself,

My dear Sir,

Your dutiful son and faithful servant,

G. Johnson. t
Sir Wm. Johnson, Bt.

APPENDIX B.

MR. HERBERT SPENCER'S FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA

(page 223).

The immense progress of America, attracting the attention of Europe, makes it the
field for that observing travel, long confined to the seats of departed greatness. The
Emperor of Brazil, Petermann, Nordenskjold and a Baker Pacha, all notable in exnlor-
ation, Hughes, Dean Stanley, Thackeray, Dickens, observers of character, the Prince
of Wales, and Alexis and the Duke of Argyle, have come to us in late years; others
are following, some of them less known but fully as competent, to view and
estimate its reputed greatness. Dr. Mackenzie, an eminent specialist of London,
has recently made a wide, rapid and irtelligent exploration, and is now succeeded
by Herbert Spencer, noted for the independence with which he has often asserted
advanced ideas on questions intended to affect humanity. He who looks at him-
self in' a glass, often derives a different impression from that of another, who
disinterestedly criticises a portrait satisfactory to the owner. An interview, given
to the public since the foregoing crude inferences were printed, J and arriving in some

• Miss Mary Watts, daughter of John Watts, Esq., of New York, to whoti Sir John wai
married on the 19th of June following,;

t Col. Guy Johnson was then a new Member of the Colonial Assembly. See Stone's " Sir
William Johnson," v&l. 2, page Jjg.

X Nfw Tork Timet, Oct. lOth.

in the Revolution,

239

replied' not th.s m.srepresentat.on have been avoided by admitting interrwcrsV'

" Possibly; but, in the first place, I have not been sufficiently v/ell • and in rh
lecond place, I am averse to rhe Qvsfpn, r 1 '"""-";""y v/eu , and, in the

« V ^ • ^ '""" ^^''" ^"^wered your expectations ? "
given m^;:^ ^deTu^e ;5eT;/,zf ^.^i^f ^^ ^--" -/ ''^^ 'ooked into had
which I haveever wter tun/ tL 1" wShtnT" '^f .r"'"' /-'^'■^"''o"
and especially the 'splendor of" New Yc / n^?; J^^^^^^^ ni.,n,ficence of your citie,,
I have not visited the wonder of h e We't CM ' " . ^"on'shed me. Though

wmmmmm

•• I suppose you Kcogm.e in tht.e ,„ul„ ,h. jreat benelir of free i„„i,„,i„„, y
All, now comes one ot the inconveniences of interviewin,. I h,.. k " ' c
conntc, less than two months, ha.e seen t„, a ,dS, sntll „at of ^ J L

;™;r.. "' "" '"'"■• '"' >" '"" ""^ f'»- -"tfin™ X on a' drfficu"
yo:Si;;»iol'' •""""• ='''^"* '°"" ■"'"'"•'"■■"' '""y" -'-Si-in,
f ;:;;.r?."ca.-,1™"f ttlTaL't't Sttte/'c-nie-'t™' T, '

enotmoos ptospetit^Th; ' th^ha! ° oS".; i'^LS a',"" e afr'""?' '""
seneta,,.,, a ,.„at amoont of Je'tetLnatior-^r'S o^r/^^^.i; "■ t "^n fa'n'J

240

Tories or Loyalists

this trait of character, joined with a power of' worlt exceeding that of any other
people, of course produces an unparalleled rapidity of progress. Once more, there ii
the inventiveness wliich stimulated by the need for economizing labor, has been so
wisely fostered. Among us in England there are many foolish people who while
thinking that a man who toils with his hands has an equitable claim to the product,
and if iie has special skill may rightly liave the advantage of it, also liold that if a
man toils with his brain, peihaps for years, and, uniting genius with perseverance,
evolves some valuable invention, the public may rightly claim the benefit The
Americans have been more far-seeing. The enormous museum of patents which I
saw .It Washington is significant of the attention paid to inventors' claims, and the
Nation profits immensely Irom having in this direction (though not in all others)
recognized property in mci.tal products. Beyond question, in respect of meciianical
appliances, the Americans are ahead of all nations. If along wltli your material
progress there went equal progress of a higher kind, there would remain nothing to
be wisiied."

" That is an ambiguous qualification. What do you mean by it ?'*
" You will understand when I tell you what I was tiiinking of the other day.
After pondering over what I have seen of your vast manufacturing and trading es-
tablishments, the rush of traffic in your street cars and elevated railways, your gigan-
tic hotels and Fifth-avenue palaces, I was suddenly reminded of the Italian republics
of the Middle Ages, and recalled the fact tlmt while there was growing up in them
great commercial activity, a development of the .irts which made tlieni the envy of
Europe, and a building of prince' y mansions which continue to be the admiration of
travelers, their people were gradually losing their treedom."

" Do you mean this as a suggestion that we are doing the like ?"
" It seems to me that you are. You retain the forms of freedom, but so far as I
can gather, there lias been a considerable loss of the substance. It is true tliat
those ivlw rule fou do not d(> it by means of retainers armed wit'] swords ; but they
do it through regiments of men armed with voting-papers, vA\q obey the word of
command as loyally as did the dependents of the old feudal nobles, and who thus
enable their leaders to override the general will and make the community submit
to their exactions as effectually as their pr(>totypes of old. It is doubtless true that
each of your citizens votes for the candidate he chooses for this or that office from
President downward, but his iiand is guided by a power behind, whicli leaves iiim
EC. rccly any ch(>ice. ' Use your political power as we tell yciu, or else throw it
away,' is the alternative offered to the citizen. The political machinery as it is now
worked has I'ttle resemblance to that contemplated at the outset of your political
life. Manifestly, those who framed your Constitution never dreamed that 20,000
citizens would go ro the poll led by a *' boss." America exemplifies, at the other
end of the social scale, a change analogous to that whic': has taken place under
lundry despotisms. You know that in Japan, before the recent revolution, the
divine ruler, the Mikado, nominally supreme, was practically a puppet in the hands
of his chief Minister the Shogun. Here it seems to me that the ' sovereign people '
is fast becoming a puppet which moves and speaks as wire-pullers determine."
" Then you think that republican institutions are a failure."

" By no means 1 1 imply no such conclusion. Thirty years ago, when often dis-
cussing politics with an English friend, and defending republican institutions, as I
always have done and do still; and when he urged against me the ill-working of
such institutions over here ; I habitually replied that tlie Americans got their form
of government by a happy accident, not by noimal progress, and that they would
have to go back before they could go forward. What has since happened seems to

in the Revolution,

24.1

of
m
Id
to

me to have justified that view ; and what I see now confirms me in i'. America ii
showing on a larj;er scale than ever before that ' paper constitutions ' will not work
as thi:y are intended to work. The truth, first recognized by Mackintosh, that
* constitutions are not made, but grow,' which is part of the larger truth that
societies tlirouj^hout their whole organizations are not made but grow at once, when
accepted, disposes of the notion that you can work, as you hope, any artificially de-
vised system of government. It becomes an inference that if your political structure
has lieeii manufactured, and not grown, it will forthwith begin to grow into some-
thing ditfercnt from that intended — something in harmony with the natures of
citizens and the conditions under which the society exists. And it evidently has
been so with you. Within the forms of your Constitution there has grown up this
organization of professional politicians, altogether uncontemplated at the outset,
which has become in large measure the ruling power."

" Hut will not education and the diffusion of political knowledge fit men for free
institutions?"

" No. It is essentially a qufstion of character, and only in a secondary degree a
question of knowledge. But for the universal delusion about education as a panacea
for political evils, this would have iieen made sufficiently clear by the evidence daily
disclosed in your papers. Arc not the men who officer and control your Federal,
State, and municipal organizations — v/ho manipulate y^ur caucusscs and conven-
tions, and run your partisan campaigns — all educated men ? And has their educa-
tion prevented them from engaging in or permitting, or condoning, the briberies,
lobbyings, and other corrupt metliods which vitiate the actions of your administra-
tions .' Perhap.s party newspapers exaggerate these things; bur what am I to make
of the testimony of your civil service reformers — men of all parties ? I' I under-
stand the matter aright, they are attacking, as vicious and dangerous, a system which
has grown up under the natural spontaneous v..,'':"ng of your free institutions — are
exposing vices which education has proved powerless to prevent."

" Of course, ambitious and unscrupulous men will secure the offices, and educa-
tion will aid them in their selfish purposes; but would not those purposes be thwarted,
and lietter govcr.iment secured, by raising the standard of knowledge among the
people at large ?"

"Very little. The current theory is that if the young are taught what is right,
and the reasons why it is ri^ht, they will do what is right when they grow up.
But, considering %vhat religious teachers have been doing these 2,000 years, it seems
to me that all history is against the conclusion, as much as is the conduct of these
well educated citizens I have referred to, and I do not see why you expect better
results among the masses. Personal interests will sway the men in the ranks as
they sway the men above them, and the educatii)n which fails to make the last
consult public good rather than private good will fail to make the first do it. The
benefits of political purity are so general and remote, and the profit to each indivi-
dual so inconspicuous, that the common citizen, educate him as you like, will
habitually occupy himself with his personal afTairs, and hold it not worth his while
to fight against each abuse as soon as it appears. Not lack of information, but lack
of certain moral sentiments, is the root of the evil."

" You mean that people have not a sufficient sense of public duty .'

" Well, that is one way of putting it; but there is a more specific way. Probably
it will suprise you if I say that the American has not, I think, a sufficiently quick
sense of his own claims, and, at the same time, as a necessary consequence, not a
sufficiently quick sense of the claims of others — for tlie two traits are organically
related. I observe that you tolerate various small interferences and dictations which

il^ii^

242

Tories or Loyalists

Englishmen are prone to resist. I am told that the English are remarked on for
their tendency to grumble in such cases ; and 1 have no doubt that it is true."

" Do you think it worth vvliilc tor people to make themselves disagreeable by re-
senting every trifling aggression ? We Americans think it involves too much loss
of time and temper and doesn't pay."

"Exactly. That is what I mean by character. It is this easygoing readiness to
permit small trespasses because it would be lioublesome or profitless or unpopular to
oppose, which leads to t.\w. habit ot acquiebcence in wrong and the decay of free in-
stitutions. Free institutii ns can be maintained only by citizens, each of whom is
instant to oppose every illegitimate act, every asiumption of supremacy, every oHicial
excess of power, however trivial it may seem. As Hamlet says, there is such a
thing as 'greatly to find quarrel in a straw' wh'.n the straw implies a principle.
If, as you say of tiie American, he pauses to consider whether he can atlord the time
and trouble — 'whether it will .pay' — corruption is sure to creep in. All these
lapses from higher to lower forms begin in trifling ways, and it is only by incessant
watchfulness that they can be prevented. As one of your early statesmen said :
" The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." But it is far less ayaina foreign ag-
gressions upon national liberty that this vigilance is required than against the insi-
dious growtii of domestic interferences with personal lil)eity. In some private
administrations which 1 hav* been conccined with, I have often insisted, much to
the disgust of oliicials, that instead of assuming, ns people usually do, that things are
going right until it is proved that they are going wrong, the proper course is to
issume that they are going wrong until it is proved that they are going right. You
will find, coniinually, that private corporations, such as joint stock banking com-
panies, come to grief from not acting upon this principle. And what holds of these
small and simple private administrations, holds still more of the great and comply
public administrations. People are taught, and, I suppose, believe, that 'the heart
of man is deceitful above all tilings and desperately wicked ; ' and yet, strangely
enough, believing this, tliey place implicit trust in tho^e they appoint to this or that
function. 1 do not think so ill of human nature ; but, on the other hand, I do not
think so well of human nature as to believe it will do without being watchtJ."

"You hinted that while Americans do not assert their own individualties suffi-
ciently in small matters, they, reciprocally, do not sufficiently respect the indivi-
dualities of others."

"Did 1? Here, then, comes another of the inconveniences of interviewing. I
should have kept this opmion to niycelf if you had asked me no questions, and now
I must cither say what 1 do not think, which I cannot, or 1 must refuse to answer,
which, perhaps, will be taken to mean more than 1 intend, or I must specify at the
risk of giving offense. As the least evil I suppose I must do the last. The trait I
refer to comes out in various ways, small and great. It is shown by the disrespectful
manner in whicli individuals are dealt with in \ our journals — the placarding of public
men in sensational headings, tlie dragging ot private people and their affairs into
print. There seems to be a notion that the public have a right to intrude on private
hfe as far as they like j and this 1 take to be a kind of moral trespassing. It is true
that during the last few years we have been discredited in London by certain weekly
papers which do the like (except in the typographical display); but in our daily press,
metropolitan and provincial, there is nothing oi the kind. Then, in a larger way,
the trait is seen in this damaging of private property by your elevated railways with-
out making compensation ; and it is again seen in the doings cf railway governments,
not only v/hen overriding the rights of shareholders, but in dominating over courts
of justice and State governments. The fact is that free institutions can be properly

in the Revolution,

2+3

worked only by men each of whom ia jealous of his own rights, and also sympatheti-
cally jealous of the rights of others — will neither himself aggress on his neighbori,
in small things or great, nor tolerate aggression on them by others. The Republi-
can form of Government is the highest form of Government, but because (jf this it
requires the highest type of human nature — a type nowhere at present existing.
We have not grown uj) to it, nr)r have you."

" But we thought, Mr. Spencer, you were in favor of free government in the
sense of relaxed restraints, and letting men and things very much alone — or what
is called laiiics faire f

" That is a persistent misunderstanding of my opponents. Everywhere, along with
the reprobation of government intrusion into various spheres where private activities
should be left to themselves, I have contended that in ils special sphere, the main-
tenan' of e(|uital)le relations among citizens, governmental action should be ex-
tendeu and elaborated."

" To return to your various criticisms, must I then understand that you think un-
favorably of our future ?"

" No one cin Unrn anything more than vague and general conclusions respecting
your future. The factors ard too numerous, too vast, too fjr beyond measure in
their quantities and intensities. The world has never before seen social phenomf-na
at all comparable with those presented in the United States. A society spreading
over enormous tracts while still preserving its political continuity, is a new thing.
This progressive incorporation of vast bodies of immigrants of various bloods has
never occurred on such a scale before. Large empires, composed of ditferent people,
have, in previous cases, been formed by conquest and annexation. Then your im-
mense plexus of railways and tclegr.'',plis tends to consolidate this vast aggregate of
States in a way that no such aggregate hus ever bjfo.x been consolidated. And there
are many minor co-operating causes unlike those hitherto known. No one can say
how it is all going to work out. That there will come hereafter troubles of various
kinds, and very grave ones, seems hijjhly probable; but all na'ions have had, and
will have, their troubles. Already you have tiiumplied over one great trouble, and
may reasonably hope to triumph over others. It may, I thinU, be reasonably held
that both because of its size and the heterogeneity of its components, the American
nation will be a long time in evolving its ultimate form, but that its ultimate form
will be high. One great result is, 1 think, tolerably clear. From biological truths
it is to be interred that the eventual mixture of the allied varieties of the Aryan race
forming the population, will produce a more powerful type of man than has hitherto
existed, and a type of man more plastic, more adaptable, more capable of undergoing
the modifications needful for complete social life. I think that whatever difficulties
they may have to surmount, and whatever tribulations they may have to pass through,
the Americans may reasonably look forward to a time when they will have pro-
duced a civilization grander than any the world has known." Could this be so,
were educated citizens largely in the majority, equally fitted to contend at the polls
for a number of places necessarily limited in proportion to those who would seek
them } Would the intense national individuality, when more widely educated
then readily aggregate — as is correctly stated — by thousands, and delegate their
power to any single man .' Would not the competition of increased intelligence lor
oriice, govern success more by fitness, and cause a net to be drawn, with closer
meshes over our political sea .'' On the solution of such questions the permanancy of
actual government of the people, by the people hinges.

.^a.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

/!/

1.0

I.I

12.2

14°

2.0

1.8

1.25

1.4 i.6

-1 6" ►

Of,

■el

r ^-.,>

'''*

^;;i

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY )4580

(716) 872-4503

^\'
^4^

■%

n>'

244-

Tories or Loyalists

APPENDIX C.

INEVITABLE EFFECTS OF A RAPID PROGRESS ON THE POSITION
OF REPRESENTATIVES OF EARLIER SETTLERS (page 225).

^1 1

.1 '

1 1

These institutio.is, involving and receiving great attentiem, anil usually conducted
writh marked intej;rity and system, naturally include in their management, matciial as
broad as their obji;ct. In many of them, may be prominently found the descendants
of the original Dutch and English settlers, now rarely met with in the record of public
trusts. Their influence and control, has mainly become gradually limited to these,
and to their sorial and business connections, in private li<^e. Any distinct influence,
as a recognized or cohesive element, often found in com .n unities, has been lost in the
mighty wave of emigration and its increase, which where aggregated controls the selec-
tion of most of its representatives. This is more evident at points near to the place
of its arrival, and it is necessarily free from the influence of such earlier tradition,
and sentiment, as it may ir time create in its own successors. Investigation de-
velopes such changes of authority in all history, as continuous as the rolling waves
sometimes reaching the beach, at others breaking too early, from their acquired
force. Under other institutions they are more frequently the result of conquest than
of a friendly acceptance with unlimited legal hospitality, as an element of control.
Wht. Charles II — claiming under the exploration of the Cabots, in their second
voyage in 1497, from their touching the mainland — presented a Dutch colonv
which he had never possessed, to his brotiier, the Duke of York, and it was conquered
by his agent, Color?l Nicolls in August, 1664, the inhabitants were not only pro-
tected in all their i'yhts, by that humane commander, but retained many local
positions of authority, after the invasion. Its capture, caused a war between England
and the Dutch Provinces, through which a William the Stadtholdcr of Holland,
gradually developed as future King of England, and the loss of a colony by the Dutch
was then compensated by the gaining ot a crown by a Dutchman. That war was at
its origin considered an ungrateful return for the kindness which both of those
Princes had experienced when in exile, from the authorities of the Netherlands,
unawed by Cromwell's displeasure. Colonel Nicolls, apparently infinitely superior to
his mabter, wus killed in a sea fight in that war in 1672, on the Duke of York's
ship, while still remembered with atlection here by those whom he had subdied. His
munificent patron had rewarded him with a gitt of £200 ! on surrendering his
difficult and well administered Governorship. Before that conquest, England's ta.-ly
colonies about Nieu Amsterdam — some of them under its sufferance — had been a
source of apprehension to its burghers. Their original institutions seemed to have
been compassed by the example of their original home, and not to have been adapted

in the Revolution,

to the early extension of that toleration in th

245

America to secure "the Tibertv'oTrn.!-'; '"''''' ""t^ °"*'' *° *''°**' ^^"^ ^""^ ^^^ *«
desolated the Low Countries „' EuroprTn'tht ^'.^"«S'\f- ^^^^ ^^^ Jong
Dutch Records inform us becam.'^ k- . ^'"''"8 ^'«" Amsterdam, the

Religions, no JvenTicIes' sha Te tjT' ■" u'' '"^'^ "''"'''^ '^'^ ^^^-'^^d
fields, under penalty of 50 guiid^s S^ea^h °""' ''""^' ^'^'P^' """"^^ ^
attending, for the first ofttnce doubl// 1 P'"""' '"'"' ^'""^" ">■ •^^'i'd
and, arbitrary correction for every o^he " Thi/ "r"'' .''"'^'■"P'^ '°' '^' '^"'''
omen of their own later exclusion rn -,'„ . I ««='"sivenes8 was perhaps an

affairs of that ancient settlemtt on « hf "at of ?; ^^ ^'^^°""°' "^' ^''^ ^^''^^
a type of pr-.ctical "Home Rule" in th. e , ? '?'°" ""'versal prosperity and
public affairs. Of the six hundred HIT ff} P^mitive administration of its

a small portion remaiL i" the poi^sLTo;^^^ '".' Estates, once held by them,

burthen, by the extravagant anr~use 3 aTd r""''"'^' if unoccupied, a heav;
taxes constantly imposed upon it n the emnf P^'="'^5"';« assessments and onerous
by the small proportion ot fhe outlav it re"^ ^"J'"' °^ '^' ^'^°' "^ '^"^'^ ''""'""^

lasting reward, in the wide nd bou„ti} 1 fi" d'f ' T '" '"^""^'^ '''^" ^"^^ «"-«=
Western territory. fountitul field for its occupation in the less crowded

oftS:itrr;ru;pYy^:rdernrhicV; i^^rr; ^" .^^^'- -- —

success, and that it is governed bvthT?. ?"?°^' '^"^ '""''"" "^'^^'^ P^"bable

The « Commissionerslf Emtation " h? °^'" '"V'^'^^^ agricultural employment.
States: That two-thlrds of" fe em "ration in^rH''' ' .^'"'^"^ '^^^ ^°'- '^^e Western
directly, led by that intelligence whfchperh oh.? ''>«,'"««^ P/'-vident, join them
one third lingers on the seiboard, to c'o^tt: f r emf ''"^ ^"- "" ^"""' "'"«=
pensive cities, causing the over com li^T*^ T ^""Pl^yment in crowded and ex-
vulsions accumulated di^tresl "'"P'""°" "^'^'^ complained of, and in business re-

APPENDIX D.

MRS. GRUNDY'S OBSERVATIONS AS TO UTOPIA (page .34).

In her recent "Observations in Utonia " Mr. r,., ,j

24-6

Tories or Loyalists

:i:-ii

■M

long known to apply to many nationalities and cities of Europe — that some of the
Cantons of Switzerland were shipping their convicts to Utopia, and suggested that
an inspection for such contraband or" peace, be made at the time of departure, to
which no respectable passenger could apparently object. When some compatriots
evidently without appreciation that every country has proved able to produce more
criminals than its prosperity requires, remonstrated, a junior official replied, that the
consul had been reprimanded, and were he not a meritorious veteran would be re-
moved. Would it not be fair, in the absence of any evidence of the pressure of this
intelligence upon the earliest Congress for action, to infer that the country diJ desire
an accession of such criminals to the honest portion of its citizenship, and their closer
proximity to their homes and families. Could this vital suggestion have been over-
looked, especially by that successor who had first excelled even, the founder of this
Republic in a temperate and frugal denial in the viands of the executive table, and had
displayed his unparalled clemency in restoring to rank so many dispensed with for its
neglect by the judgment of their fellow officers — always a painful duty.

With a vast area of territory yet to be occupied, the quality as well as the extent
of new accessions would seem to interest every citizen. The outrages daily recorded,
rarely prove when investigated to be the acts of settled residents but generally of those
of a floating and fungus growth who prefer to eat the grapes rather than to labor in
the vineyard. Rct^^cry, generally attended by the use of arms and often by the
shedding of blood, does not seem to be deterred by the fear of a short and relatively
comfortable confinement, with the hope of escape or pardon, by the influence of those
perhaps more ready to overlook the wrongs of others, than they would be their own.
The shooting of two policemen, at early evening, in a frequented village, while
attempting to arrest three successful burglars, loaded with plunder secured in a
neighboring town, within the writer's hearing, recalls the value of the Consul's
suggestion, and the possibility of these very criminals, being of those he attempted
to exclude ; an apparently less effective inspection at landing has since been legalized."

" Can the thought be entertained, tiiat with our Washington at the head of
government, and substantially the " Father of his Country " he would if advised
of it have neglected this warning, as to what would appear to affect the healthy
development of any country."

"It would be interesting, if it were possible," she adds, " to hear the criticism of some
modern legislation here, and the tracing of its results, by one of our own time honored
statesmen — Benjamin Franklin for example — accustomed to be driven from place to
place of meeting, legislating with a halter in plain view in case of failure, and sur-
rounded by the hardships of war, and the need of means for its progress, yet with the
whole country's best interests always steadily in view. It might provoke even him to
mirth, to foreshadow that refinement of push pole navigation, coming as one of the
results of a progress based on those sacrifices, when a "constituency " here would
demand, in the face of the Piesident's veto, an appropriation to render a stream naviga-
ble, which, on a careful inspection proved capable of being carried, in the dry seaton,
in a box drain a foot square. It would have pleased him as a broad philanthropist,
to know, that in a recent bill, a provision requiring such inspection hereafter, was a
desirable feature, and probably still more so to learn that the value of the method
resorted to in the State of New York, of vetoing sections in a bill, and so preservinf
the interests of proper subjects of legislation had suggested itself also to this Utopian
Congress. "

" Could so wise a patriot as Franklin, with such intelligence as he had necessarily
■cquired as to the material of war, have been expected to vote for example, for the

ill

in the Revolution,

24.7

Kn£r;;^:^Ux:^-:n/r7^ legis.a.io„.„ot ,i.ited by provisions
with an.ple evider^ce „f denti v .fl """"'l ^^ ' ^"P""«ible officer, supplied
assertion that conjectured ^^1 h ^"y'"' Y' •'^ P°^'" ^'^ '"^ ^'^'^ "-'"O"
have never seen? oT/ fvinT i„ h .''"'"'''^ '" '^^ "'"''' ^^ soldiers, they

possiblydisabedbyabSnio'ac aired in'r 1""f' ^A ^''f ""^tractive vet'erans
the receipt of a bountyTe now in -.7 ''^^'y-et.nng from active service, after
allowance with aS veterans " '" "'"''" "^ ""^ ^"''^'^^'"« on an'equal

wh': p^L^^rrsr^nYti^nt^ht"^^^^^^^^^^^^ °^'^^"; j--^' ^ -^-^ °««^

render a small salary for a large serviceTrwit^ZTl' K /' """ P"'"'"'^'^ ^" ^"^■
by exhaustive search with lit^L asX!n ' J , ''"'' ^''''"' '""' ^''^'^ ^''^hiv'^s

Revolutionary servi e of e" rv n^^ ^ '"^f^'- "^^he

major general trrvajL He h^'"" 'T •"''" '^^''"'"t' ''"'« State, from a
in heLt war and in 1? ^upp emented it, with a similar record of service

those who TevVint nde" ^^^rve"" ^''^ -« 'i^^.^"'-" ^-rted," probably mainly "f
many of whom fell in battle U~^f ^''^ '""^" °"" "^ e^"''"^ ^^^'='■=^"3,
the preparation and L'^ ' ;irw:ZT:rf "KbJvt "I"' ' '^'^--"^'S-^^'l
excess of those of other state In nro,. V I u^ '" '^"'^'^'""^ ^re not In
be a large numeral addLn t^, e ffit^^^^^^^
all the Sta.vs would seem to be inv,i?,.h ? • " "'"y- ^""^^ '^"^""^^ f°'

vigilant investigator oT'audu ent bo^ es oVcZr^Th" ^'--f V^^'^"^' "^ «
attention in Utopia " •'"unties or claims. They would be read with

of uToKtrrtLlngTo^felS^^^^^^^^^^ Naval Affairs

of cadets who had rested to avoid n •" "^'' Department, a number

them if proved, for 3ce as offi"" '"^"''Sf'^^". ""der charges unf.ting
wished to'conti'nue to be proud of heir vL'"'^^^ disapproved by those who
mander who in strongly protS lo t L^av^' 7 1 1- f '^' ^""'''"^ ^°'"-
courtesies, as highly praised "st f .u ?!!"'' chief and even his official

Constitution of UtXwhch was nlro^^^^^ latest amendment to the

attention. It provides tha ev^rv c^tl/ " ^^ T '^PP"^'^'""' ^^^n^^ worthy of

or any other soLce o?'revenue sha be ^" T'"""'''-"'. ''^'''''"^ '■"'"^='' '-"^
of whom payment is asked at'thetiL fT^ 'T"'''^ '° "'^"'" ^" ^'^'^ P^"""
the creditor^ad vLd a the last ewM .'\'^'T?^^' ' '''''^'''' '^ '^'^ f^" t^^*'
Poll, or official ev£c'e ^ \tVona "e'^'e L,'; t'j '^^ '' '""^ f''^ "' ^^^
pay without such exhibition hh^.luTT' , '''""' '"'^ f^^bidden to

reserved class, who have Wofore nSle ted fhf"/ l"TT- '^^ '"'' "'' '^at
vestment, by which all others are orotIS 'f '"""■°' "^ "^?'' '"°" ^^'"^"e in-
election of corporate Directors " ^ guaranteed, while attentive to the

stlSfofre'^i: j'^trmi'nrtiSnsT ^ '" '^^"^ "''^ "?^"y'^^°'" ''^^ ^'^-^-n-
by the circumstan^s wie ." t ^PPl"''"-^"^"" '"'""""' " ^° "^'^^ -^«="'
make a searching series o7qu tio^sfs to ca?"! "'" ^'"'""'l^' '^'^ "^ ^'^^^ ^'>
g.eater care is considered ne«ssary '^''"^' unnecessary, but in their absence

The intention of the law is consmifH tr. k„ »„ li i
itself of the services of h^^ Xl ^J^' "^t '"'="^''1^ '^' government to avail

defence of the interests of the party itru^wdi"" "' ^"^ b,„ken in the

and to dispense with the services of "^L^l "management of public affairs,

sufficient a^ttention to ^^:^::i^:'o^:^ ;z;:;^-:^;: £^ '''-' '^ ^^-

248

Tories or Loyalists

Their influence, as examples of good citizenship is considered niore useful, /hen
scattered unhampered by office amongst the body of thf people."

" It is rumored that an effort will be made at the next session of the Utopian
Congress, to rescind its novel rule requiring the insertion of pellets of cotton in the
ears of a member addressing the chair, after ten minutes speaking* with a view to
confining the length of his remarks to the suggestions of the mind, and not to allow
them to be led on by the pleasant music of the voice, after the material suggestions
have been made. Its intention was to economize valuable time, where all speeches
may be elaborated and pintel."

"The descendants of ihe Liberators of Utopia arc rarely found in official position.
They comfort themselves by feeling that like Alcibiades they may be 'esteemed too
just.'

Great attention is given by the farmers here to the breeding of blooded stock, and
fabulous prices are paid for animals of approved pedigree."

"This letter from a candidate for the Utopian Congress to the committee who
had the power to nominate him ; and to their credit did so, has been much dis-
cussed, its candor questioned, and its contents pronounced as "toffy," but it has been
doubted, largely by those who had spoiled their digestion by its excessive use. Others
consider that it is a good old fashioned doctrine."

"Still, that there may be no possibility of mistake, and in simple fairness to the
gentlemen who have the matter in control, I take this public way of saying with as
much emphasis as may be, that from careful observation and a somewhat intimate
acquaintance with the inner workings of both the great political parties, I am con-
vinced that the one greatest curse of our political system is the corrupt use of money
and patronage in elections. Were I nominated, I should not directly or indirectly,
pay or cause to be paid one dollar to secure an election. Further than this, I may
say that, believing the work of office seeking, place brokerage, and position peddling
to be no part of the duty of a member of Congress, I should, if elected, refuse posi-
tively to take any part in the general scramble for places in the departments, an
occupation which can only be engaged in by neglecting legitimate and necessary
work in the house at the sacrifice of self-respect, and to the serious detriment and
disgrace of the public service. In short, I could only accept the nomination with
the distinct understanding that, in addition to earnestly and sincerely subscribing to
all the time-honored principles of my party, I should enter the canvass upon the
clean new platform of honest, progressive, and independent Republicans. If there
be any gentleman who would vote for my nomination on other terms, I beg him to
refrain from doing so. His action could only result in disappointment." He was
defeated.

It may occur to some weary reader, why some of these notes, apparently discon-
nected from the subject, are worked in to his annoyance. Simply because it appears
that the use made by any nationality, of discussion of the action of either or all of
its former rulers, is the strongest censure that can be inflicted by their posterity
on those who opposed its creation, and questioned its future integrity, where so many
were to be trusted with its control.

Mr. Henry George, who has lately bearded the British Lion in his den, and con-
tended with the Dragon which prevented the universal prosperity and happiness of the
human race, as fearlessly as did his namesake, the patron saint of the now oppressors,
has on his return hastily plucked a handful of feathers, principally exotic, from the
terminal portion of the Utopian "Bird of Freedom." He alludes truthfully, to the ex-
travagance and uncleanliness of " Outre Mer," its great maritime and again largely

tn the Revolution.

249

as a m.ss.onary among those people, to Te thL ^ ^^ "";' '"^ ^°"''' '"^« ^^ 6°
v.rtues and the beauties and the philo,„nh ^ ^1 "'""^ "P' ^° f"^'' ^hem the
thmg, however, would deter him A m n wl'ldl fiT'^T^' • ('^PP'^"'^-) One
of the condition of this country. He would be J ^ '^t '^'' '^ ^' '^"'^^ "''^''ing
that he look to his o.n couLry _ to Ss ikT' h"' ""= ^"ggestion. howeve'
ruled and robbed by a class of miserable p" i ici ns " ^"'"' "'''"'"'''' "^ y^"

After statmg that ifUtopia had been "true of n^„ • . .
not now, in his opinion « be a crowned head ^n ^J"'''''^ I'T^^"' " '^''^ ^°"ld.
causes of the delay. "'^ ^""^ '" Europe," he honestly points out as

" But what shall we say when ov<.r N„r„ u
law where every citi.en iL a right .vote 'wherTall""' "''''■'" "''"^' '''^°- '^'
people, the masses of the workers are but ttle if ? T" "J-" '^' ^""^' "^ '^'^
s'de ? What is the use of democratic in, i.^' ^' '''"" °^ '''^" °" ^^e other

without cringing and buyinganj ell nT their" '° u'". "''° """"^ ^et a living
prate and boast of our institutions when wf rtZf?""^"l- (^PP'-^""') Can wf
we have alms-houses in every cityT" ^ of people Hymg of starvation ? when

^^'^r'zz:::rst::^^Z2:z^T '--'-' '- - --- ^^^

port,ons of the island, and annex.Ta JjacTnt " ^rito l' T"'^- '" ?^ """""P''^'^
desired to .nvest in improvements he says ^^"'^°'y- Speakmg of a friend who

w:^LXe'pi:x:f^rb:L;t:^:^^: ^^ -^^^'^ ---^ .^.he

receptacle of rubbish and a browsing , lice b ™ 7 T '° '"^''"''y ^^"^^ ^« '^e
posed to live on old boots and g ,ss b„ £ V^ ' n'' .^P"'" P"P"'^'-Jy ="P-

is using this land. It is, in fact, n it present .^-'^^''^ ^' ^''"''^ ''y^ "° «"=
Let me come on it and i will e t a fine W K ." '" '^''°"' ''"^ ' ""'""«•
neighborhood and an inducement t^ other peole't'' "'" ^f '" "^"^""^"^ '« ^^^^

Or I will build a factory in which I wilTeCov ." ^^^" «"°^''°"^« '" '^e vicinity,
out every year a large amount of g ol haTe II I / •"'" fu'^^"'^^' '^' '-"
to h,m : - « Go ahead and welcome I Fin. h ^ ^ '^T^'' ^'"'"''^ «« "ot say
...and we would rather have .ctories ^ ^::^^Z:^''%:^ ^^^^^j

. of : Se trir a fomf ^7the i^-i^utc^rTr .^^ --- °- ^^ '--' ^'^'^^

who have been dead and gone W years a^owh t' ''''^"^ '^''' ''^"^'^ ^"d

can build your houses or ertt your^cto' vou Z" ^°"''' ''^ '° ^'''^> ' B«f°^e you
Finding that he could not in any cth TVav ^ ^^ """ ""' '"""^ ' ^""^•'

improvement he contemplated, Mr Saundm wonW I uuT" ^^''^ '° "'^^'^ f^e
which, in its nature, would be nothing me nor",ertS '^"""^ '"/u^^ ' P"«
levied upon a man who wished to improve nanll • • 'P"'"' °^ blackmail

some dog-in-the-manger who cou^d Z anVwoild n^r'^T''' '"' "'^ '"="'=fi^ "^
capital being thus further diminished he Touirp^oceed tTbuiirh-'^H ''""''• "'"
his factory. What then > As soon as he ^nf /h . ^" ''°"''= '""^ erect

gatherer and would say to him, you hav^ buift a t" ""'' '^T^ ^""''^ '=°'"<= > ^ax

you the property wJch ^ L ^^ :?^^- -£■"« ^at^^i £S ^l^

250

Tories or Loyalists

M !

; t'..

if Mr. Saunders* skill and prudence and energy enabled him, after all this, to make
money, and his providence enabled him to lay it up, the taxgatherer would hunt him
up in all sorts of ways and demand new fines and fresh penalties.

" Now, what I contend is, that it is stupid in us to thus hamper and vex and fine
the men who enrich our city and our country, and that when we want money for
common uses it would be much wiser for us to go for them to a man who is merely
holding land in order to compel those who would improve it to pay him a high price.

" Whether I am a fool or a philosopher, a philanthropist or an incendiary, there
is one thing I am firmly convinced of — that houses and factories and steamships
and railroads, ?nd dry gocids and groceries are good things for any community to have
and that that is the richest community that has most of them.

"Now, the more you tax those things the less of them you will havcj but tax
the value of land as much as you please and you will have none the less land, and it
will be none the les^ useful. Tax land up to its full value and what would happen
Why simply that those who are holding land of which they make no use, would be
compelled togive it up, and that those who \ 'anted to make use of it could go and take
it and improve it and use it without paying to the non-user anything for the privilege.

*' Consider, gentlemen, how this city would grow, how enormously wealth would
increase, if all taxes were abolished which now bear on the production and accumu-
lation and exchange of wealth. Consider how quickly the vacant spaces on this
island would fill up could land not improved, be had by them who wanted to improve
it, without the payment of the prices now demanded. Then extend your view to
the v/hole country and see how thf same policy would everywhere enormously in-
crease wealth."

In this frank exposition of his theories of home reform, their suggestor overlook 8
some points important to their value. His " old Dutchman " for example, is typical
for the descendant of the first white settler fr^ ti Holland on the island of *' Outre
Mer " and as such has at least the same rights as though he had been descended
from the early natives of any Isle however fair and green, has long since ceased to
own any considerable part of it. The territory is already largely covered besiides his
" old boots and glass bottles " with the shanties of what is known as a squatter
colonization who usually pay no rent and often reluctantly yield to dispossession
before the progress of a more permanent improvement.

On the other hand the poor old Dutchman has submitted for years to the exactions
of repeated assessments, valuable to the contractor and the politician, as a means o
subsistence to a constituency, in which the owner as a unit is disregarded where the
greatest good is sought for the greatest number. Moreover he overlooks what the
records will show, that a large portion of this property has already been sold for taxes,
and assessments too onerous to be paid on wholly unproductive property, and that his
additional taxes would be only a further lien on what is already forfeited or mainly
for sale at far less than its accumulated cost. That to raise the enormous expenses of
the city, unprecedented in the world for its area, would be like the nourishment
of the Pelican which is said to feed on its own blood, or gleaning a field after it had
been both harvested and pastured upon. The tax bills alone would soon cover
its area as with a blanket.

His friend should realize before any location, what those longer familiar with the
subject have learned ; to count in the cost the yearly reminder of this past civic ex-
travagance, and its present increase in his estimate of its use, or else to put en green
goggles, and affect to be nourished by that dish of shavings, however annually cooked
and set before him. In many cases he can " for further information apply on the
premises " for corroboration of these suggestions.

in the Revolution,

251

o^^^^XXZlllnlZ'i^l rj'".:.""^?" ^-i,ory i, improved by the resuU
arecmain is ^^^CtlJ^lZZXl^T'T' ^'''^^ with death alone
politic., economy of hi. ;wn^ t^/^teT^^^^^^^^^^ points in the

diAcul ics of any othe.- In seek^n. V„r • ''"eS"*'^"' "^ '« the internal

tion, on the ialand of "Outre Mer"h! SLh/.lT°r°''"^'^ ^'''^ ^°^ '"''»''''>"='' ^^«-
Pitt's pungent query, "Gentle Sh^phtdriei'r^l' whir"""' '"' '''" '•"^"^ ^^•

APPENDIX E.

REPUTATION AT THE CANNON'S MOUTH AND THE CHANCES
IN ITS TRANSMISSION (note, page ,60).

" <■«>>.

was''lnT;H;t^t£:?thVTe;ri:o;^^'f7h;N^ V'"^"'-''° -'^^ '^'»^«'^er

ment in vindicating the cla mSs unct aTf 'V"' 'T "^"^^'^ ^ "^^"'"^'l '-"ti-
considered his due.' Errors "uve always ten larL^"''-'''"^^'^^ '° ^'"^ '"''"^ »>=
credit for service. Time long since aTcTde/rh^o <: ''•" '" ^l^^ distribution of

William Johnson-one at Lake Gele " fi"'"" """^ ""Portant victories to Sir
Dieskau, a' veteran of the C^nten'^aT^Sa "Jas^StTd" a"' tV^^"''^" ^^^"^
Niagara, four yeais later. The whole life of fh.^,/.' "°^''" ""^ "Pf"^<= of
its details been sustained by his gaTlantrv an<l he • ''^•'^rf'^ ^°''^'"' ''^'^ i" «»
teach him the art of war. Possib Iv he m, I J """^'^ ^'' '°" '° '^^ fi^Jd to
claimed, in distributing some ofTisLrelsTJ ""T^^ '' Dr. Dwight has

disposed, in the existing jealousv to cbt^ °^""' °^f^'e New England troops
victory has proved best fdlptedt^o' settle reTative" T? "l^T/ '^'"^ "'^--^ '^
with facts from observation That p sed k ha, T ' '"''"'/" P"""^"' ""^ ^^'"'"^
credit of victory naturally falls to the cl'. ^''"^''^ '' ^'^'^"'^ "'''•^'"'^ ^^e

to win the lau/els of Ca sar Hannit o^Si " iT^'k '" '''''''"' """ -^° ^'^^d
In cases of disaster theblamr^f^n. f n P^'^'Pv'^«"thout record in history.

and no one co^^s t Thare Hi^l^^'^n^d '"'"' "^f '''^^^"^■^'^° '^^
in his detested invasions. anSyet wear in som. h T'"'l' ^'t'^^^ ^""^'^^ '' ^'^'^^Y
Many of the friends of icnera de Pe s ter 3 t '-fl ^'"^ '^"^"'^ "^ ^«""^«^-
vindicating the honor and courage of ^^1"' '"'^'' '" ^"^ ^^^''^''^'^ ^"""^ '"

an^^;:;;:;fi.ri:i:JtS^::LX"'°^'-' ^^.rs to . notab. case of

of the c:rtL^T:cc^:fd"hiSf;r;or"trir f'^ '"-v ^ ^'^^ ^^--^^^

a case was cited as occurring in the f mer ^aVf Utol'^Tt' w ""' '" "J 1°""*='

carelessness or paramount personal engagements of a 'iW"" ^•°"'"^"

a former honored Commander-in-Chief, IZZ Da^n;^;';;^ ^^'p^ov^^s^l^ "

252

Tories or Loyalists

" That gallant oHicer, had Intended to lead the attack in person, at the great
battle of " Ouvrir la Porte," and to head his forces, as he had often done. He had
prepared the plan of the engagement before it occurred, showing his special command
in the advance. The burning of a bridge in front of his position, p.-eventing his
reaching that post in season, caused him to alter his plan on the day before the
attack and to order General Fearless, hit second in command to advance with his
light divisI.R, giving him an opportunity substantially to Hank the fortifications,
necessarily passing under a heavy fire and to attack the enemy supporting them in
great force, if he found it practicable, before he — with every possible exertion —
could come to his relief with the needed support of heavier artillery, and equalize
the struggle, and shell out the batteries. The division commander with a very
inadequate force, and mainly with a small section of it, only succeeded by a desperate
coup de main in passing the works, meeting at and above them, the entire force of
the enemy and mair.ly fighting tlie battle with the single division in the advance,
before his commander could possibly reach the enemy and gallantly complete the
victory, Gen. Fearless reaching the important post above them in advance of all
support, an-1 when the Marshal came up, landed, and received its surrender."

'♦ After that great triumph, the commander of the entire force, to whom the honor
of both its conception and achievement would naturally be given, sent his division
commander — whom he loved, with the intelligence, to the seat of government, in-
tending that he should receive his reward in thanks and promotion for the glory he
had so materially aided in securing eventually for himself, as Napoleon alone concen-
trated in due seaion the glory of the Egyptian campaign, and Nelson that of the Nile."

•' But alas ! the Citizen Secretary had afhxed to the report, which was not parti-
cular in detail, the old diagram of the proposed battle instead of that of the one that
•was actually fought which had been duly prepared, so falsifying his explanations. The
division commander's statements were discredited by the papers he carried ; history
of this notable feat of arms was written and illustrations executed at once, based on
the erroneous account, in most of which the real leader was not referred to or included,
as all present knew to be due. All this mortification fell upon the gallant division
commander, in place of the merit his remarkable achievement claimed, and although
the Commander-in Chief made ample correction of the records, and of the blunder
of his subordinate, some years after when convinced of his error, the wound the
mistake had given to a sensitive and modest nature, went with him to the grave. The
Secretary yet survives, but some of the people here think he was a little more careless
as to the record of another than he could have been of his own, and wonder that
when he read the accounts, every where printed, of his conjectured position in the
line on that old battle day, he too did not do something for history, by correcting his
contribution to its many errors." To avoid such delay, and to coi/ect an error yet
palpable ; it is proper to say after closer research, that Sir William offered the suc-
cession to the Superintendency of Indian Affairs, to his son in his lifetime, and that
he asked to be relieved from its duties { page 187 ).

It is claimed that Lieut. Governor Golden — whose valuable "History of the Five
Nations" had been published in 1727, and shows his knowledge of this trust — urged
its acceptance on Sir fohn. His power to confer it, was through the absence of
Governor Tryon, as Col. Guy's letter predicted. Another clerical error, occurs on
page 207, stating that Col. Bouquet was born at and not in Switzerland, and one
on page 210, places Colonel Lee, where Colonel William Washington actually was,
waiting for equipments soon effectually used at Cowpens.

As to the Indian schools (page 202), new light has shown that this wise humanity
is due more to personal benevolence than to the liberality of the Government.

m the Revolution,

253

sion

the

eless

the

yet
suc-
Ithat

iFive
bed
le of

vas.

Inity

It hag been sometimes asked, why such historical papers as the handful used in
the preceding pamphlet, are not in the public archi'vei. The answer might be
made that few things are in their proper place and yet many are usctul.

The fact came to the writer from Mr. Francis A. Stout, :i Commissioner of the
State Survey, that by the defect of earlier Cartography, many places are found located
tven miles away from their actual geometrical position. And yet generations have
lived and died in them, and there is probably no diminution of the area or acreage,
which some would realize more than this defective location.

When visiting our State Capital son-e years since — in connection with his project
of International Exchange — 'M. Ai, ^andre Vattemare, found men in one of its
chambers packing in boxes the recently printed '• Documentary History," knee deep
in old manuscripts, which luere history, but used as fillers.

On his thoughtful sugge. rion to the Legislature, that these were not being
correctly located, action was taken for the conservation of what remained; and the
learned Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan — to whom we owe 30 much of our State History and
from whom the writer had this fact, was created Curator, and laboriously catalogued
those relics. Even afterwards — certainly without his knowledge, some were abstracted
and Mr. John Bigelow, when Secretary of State, properly sought to reclaim them ;
even by circulars nddressed to private collectors.

Curious papers often pass through many hands, as a merchantable article, and
their migrations are also as indetin'te as those of a circulating bill. Three of the
grand collections of Historical manu.cripts, once belonging to Rev. Dr. Sprague, of
Albany, Mr. Robert Gilmor, of Bal'imore, and Mr. TefFt of Savanah, have been
broken up, the former, after it haa been offered to the Government and State
unsucessfuUy, fell into the already la-ge collection, of a private gentleman in Phila-
delphia, where it is likely to be preserved.

During the Civil War j as one of its evils, the high price of old paper, while the
cruisers ruled commerce and shut out other material, brought out from many garrets
and similar receptacles, a store of historical material of forgotten, or unknown value,
to feed the paper mills, and weave material for^the transmission of later facts. It i»
believed that more unprinted history, was then ground up, than even now exist in
public or private collections.

It is stated that at that time, many old papers were discovered iiid exhumed from
the outbuildings of Johnson Hall, possibly some containing th» key to this research.
Such papers are rarely sought for public collections when exposed at public or private
sale, but fall, on conditions showing at least consideration for the value of the lives of
others — into the private collections of a few antiquarians, sometimes to be reduced
to print for private circulation.

Many find their way from Europe, especially from England. Lately the military
papers of Lord Rawdon and Sir Henry Clinton, including beautifully executed
military maps made by the Royal Engineers in America have been broken up and
distributed here.

As an illustration of devotion to such collection and its accomplishments, it it only
just to say, that there does not probably exist a more comprehensive memorial of the
men of mark who have been connected with American History since the settlements,
than that formed by Dr. Emmett — elsewhere referred to. That hidden in his library
and known only to few, in notably fine condition, by restoration and exhaustive
illustration with portraits and views, is probably the most valuable and intelligible
monument to them, erected by a single hand, from many sources, in hours devoted to
recreation in an active and useful life. There are a number of others, very complete
and interesting, even superior to it in some details, but as an entirety it may claim to
be unequalled in condition, and it is the result of years of research.

254

Tories or Loyalists

I- 4;,

': 'I ;,

An incident which has occurred before thii Appendix is printed, is referred to as
practically sustaining some of the views which have been suggested. How tuppiy
and demand govern value, how ic is increabcd when a thing is put in the right
place, and how recognition of the past shows solid progress in the present.

The venerable Robert C. Winthrop, has done a good work, in restoring the
portrait of one by whom hia life has been doubtless influenced ; additionally so as th'
friendly act of a representative of early patriotism in Mass;;cliusetts, in sympathizing
with those of South Carolina. The old City Hall, of Charleston, South Carolina,
had been completely restored and beautified, the interior entirely rebuilt with twelve
spacious rooms, all with a remarkable economy (Ijijo^oo), creditable to the city
officials, and suggestive to those of other cities.

In its park, a life sized statue of Pitt, Earl of Chatham, erected by the citizens
in their gratitude for the, repeal of the Stamp Act, and thrown down after Clinton's
capture, has been remounted on a new pedestal, with the old inscription tablet
sought out and replaced. Even the signs of mutilation are suggestive to patriotism
and of a possible similar restoration of its headless repUque^ in tlic keeping of the
New York Historical Society.

The Common Council and citizens of Charleston, showing their appreciation of the
renewal of their civic home, assembled on the i 5th of November, for its redcdication.
The Mayor — Mr. Courtenay, whose heart had been in this work, made a sug-
gestive opening address, effectively recalling the early history of the city, its position,
and his hopes in its course, referring to the services of his first predecessor — after the
Intendancy — the distinguished Robert Y. Hayne ; who had accepted the position,
after serving as Governor and United States Senator. He showed how Hayne had
labored for facilities of communication with the interior, and for the progress of the
city, incidentally comparing these details of his life to those of De Witt Clinton. He
then recalled a resolution passed by the citizens on his decease in 1839, to place his
marble bust in the City Hall, and suggested its re-enactment, which, after other
spirited addresses, was unanimously adopted. As the News and Courier reports :

" Mayor Courtenay then said : During the visit of Governor Winthrop to this
city in 1880, he visited the Council Chamber to see the portraits and other works of
art owned by the city. He called the attention to the neglected condition of
" Trumbull's Washington," a full length portrait of great value and historic interest,
and urged that it be placed in proper hands for restoration, proffering his services
in advising and superintending the work. By unanimous vote of the City Council
the picture was forwarded to Governor Winthrop, and has been wonderfully
renewed, and now presents as fine an appearance as when originally painted. It
was completed last spring, and was received in the Boston Museum of Art and
kept on exhibition during the summer and fall months, and is again restored to its
familiar place on the walls of our chamber. Alderman Rogers thereupon offered
the following resolution : Whereas, Our distinguished fellow countryman, Governor
Winthrop, of Massachusetts, while on a visit to this city in 1880, and enjoying its
relics of our olden time, became greatly interested in the preservation of our
Trumbull's Washington, and wisely suggested its repair and restoration, and to
further this end offered his most valuable services of supervision and care of this
work ; and whereas, through his kind offices the work of restoration has now
been finally completed, and this valued picture of our city, now in its old power
and life, again adorns our walls. Be it, therefore, Resol-ved, That the City Council
of Charleston gratefully acknowledge and appreciate the valuable aid and kind
personal service of Governor Winthrop in the successful accomplishment of the
work of restoration of our great painting of Trumbull's Washington. The resolu-
tion was unanimously adopted.

'« the Revolution.

Ftt Ear' Y'^r'^ '"'"' ^^^'"' Arbu^th"" ''z a'"!" ''""."'"""'-P"^'''"* "^ 'J''
^'«, tarl „f Chatham, Secretarv of S^« > , '="Sf»ve(l portra t of William

B'-y. R. A.. September/ ;;r,V.Vr ^^"' '^57 to .768; by^^,^^^^
motn>po,s of the Province of'south ^Calltna ""' ■'""''"'' "'' Charleston. Th"
the /.<,„</„„ Magazine, fune 1762" In ?i' ' "" °'''«'"''' «="«ravi„g published in
■.preamble again desc/ibinVthl smaH olVr""'""' ''''^'^''^- ^h t' _ ,^^^^^
^presented the following 'resolutirs Tit S"' y'S'' '^ ^"' -'"^"^ -
SVJw"' '"''u^"'^ ''-•''ytende;edt Mr T7|/''f! the thanks of the
S ', ^'-' '"'"'■'= f^"" that his liberality is hi n" ""''=y. Myers for these valued
Ch r est .„. R, , ,i^ That these e„g J „« b "^ ''^'"r^'^' '^ ""= '^'^'-- "^
rt •' ^\":'''^^"y preserved as objtcts^f ,:'''"?«•"" ^'"= ^^''^ "^ the mayor',
rhce resolufons were also unanimou y ,,0 ted"" ' T""./". ""^ community

h- evidenced ^^^\^^t';';ZS7'' ''Vl'V''^^ '^^ — "l-tration

i=::r^;;rSv:f;;if^^^^^
"xt^:t;r^EL^;^:-..e^^^^^^

'mportance in a nation of fifty millions i„c J; '■ '" """"^ ''"Ejects of varied

one u.on a.e often more o.nsp ZV Th "L^?""'"*^'"^ Difference" of

any form, may demonstrate the value of convictionrt''"'"" "' "^''"'""^ '" P"'"ic in
" .'thers who have entertained withou^e , ' " '" 'T'' "'' ^"'"^'' ^''« ^yn^P^thy
to correction. Thought has always been /'^•f">' "^'"'' "^ ■'^ '"^t "Pen fhem
At lea.t, in public aff.irs it wou, ) Z-ar "h ^ . ' '^^' Predecessor t, ction
'r\"-^">d'-''iberateconsideratirn y tEL /''•'"^'^'^ "'ethods of legisla io„
and that hasty action is only justrfied whe^ "" "' ^'■■" '' ^^ '^'^ represenrat ve

This admitted, Or. Crosby, dho a a „'''"'"'''""' ''^"'^"d the experiment'
current public administration, migh b/iX h?'""/'"^" •^" ^'-■^'^'^ '"ter^ in
record of American statesmanship ''r"."'"^'' '" ^^ow, how the enti ^
former and present elements was'^^;;-"'"™"'^ '"^ '^'^ example of many «? r.
constructing history, and th 't The ^e ^a! "", ''^ '^^^'^ °' -'^ <^-oti<; "
clarm to be considered as a fine Art '' "'" '^ ^'''^ '^"ndensation. had Jul"

appen::5i"i,;-;i:--K;D;rr'"^' '- l'- '-'^-^'^ -e„t message
considerations, and according wthrwi 1 ''"'"''>' '"'"'' ''"''^ Party o loS
more considerate and prudonrl. 1 • ^ expressed sentiment in favor nf ! I

and permanency of"oVr7nt;itutS:"'"" '' ^""'^ "^ - ^est assu" tt^-^r^o^pSj

Sj,' •

i i

Errata.

Page H6, Read in note 5 : the value of T ^ t ,

:> . rne value of Judge Jones's work

'S that of a cotemporaneous narrative of the
•ncdents of a storm, its angry personal impres-
sions avowedly the result of his sufferings are
subjects for comparison with other authorities.
Kead Frederick for Ferdinand.
Transpose rehtiva sunt.

Foot note to read : This paper, if earlier dis-
covered, should have been appropriately used in
restoring the original records, if preserved
Read, on eleventh line, any puhlic corporation.
Others noted in Apppvn.v i? a 1 .

^^-..ed fro. i„eo„ve„r :ftferr:::hV;Lr"""

IQO,
21 2''

214,

^^h

^C writ-

II 1

INDEX.

For index to Tories and Loyalists,

see page 270.

^BAW, (Point au Baudet)

description of, 87.
Abercrombie, Gen., 85.
Adams, John, xiv.
Adirondack', 24.
Albrant, Quarter Master Fran-
cis, 40b.
. Allaire, Lieut., cvi.
Allen, Commissioner Ira, 44.

f^aul, ex J
Amherst, Gen., xciv, xcvii, 8.
Ancrum, Maj., carries flag of

truce, 60.
Anderson, Lieut., 74.
Anderson ville Prison,* 25

Arnold, Gen., Liii,cxiv,cLix,
o.

Aycis, Robt., 106.

BACON W„,. J., q„„,,d,

118.

Batteau, Description of a 74

Batteaux men, characteristics

D °^' 74-

Bartram, John, 90.

Bemis Heights, 9.

Berwick, Duke of, lxxxvi.

Bienville, Sieur de, 19

Biographical Notices.
Carleton, Sir Guy, 8
Glaus, Col. Daniel, 69

Cierges, Lieut. George,

Cook, Ransom, 106.
^oyle, Wm., 9.
Foy, Edward, 7
Johnson, Sir John, xxix.

McDonald, Alexander,
56. '

John, 56.
McLean, Col. Allen, 55.
^h.lhps, Gen. Wm., 6
^omeroy, James, 8.
Kouville, Capt., 93
St. Leger, Col. Barry, 44.
^tarin Jane Wemple, 118

Judge Henry, 118.
Watts, Maj. Stephen, 29.
W.llett, Col. Marinu?
lOI, '

Rev. Wm. M., 105.

Kev. Marinus, 90.
B-rd, Lieut., cxvi, cxxx! 51,
95. -* '

Blue Mountain Lake, N. Y.,

Bonney, Mrs. C.V.R., quoted,

Boice, Sergt. John, i.
Boreas River, N. Y 24
Bouchette, quoted, 64, 74.
Bouquet River, N. Y. 18.

-f

258

Index ,

Brant, Jos., LVi, cxx, cxxxvii,
cxLVii, CLii, 2, 9, 49,

95-
Bronx River, xxi.

Brown, Capt., 329.

Col., CXLII, CLIV, CLIX.

John Carter, 98.

Brunswick Contingent, 6.

Bryant, Wm. C, quoted, lxi,
Lxvi, 48, 89, 125.

Buck's (Carleton's) Island, civ.
description of, 64. 71, 123.

Bull, Fort, see Fort Bull.

Bulwagga Bay (Lake Cham-
plain), cxxxviii, 18.

Burgoyne, Gen., Li, xciv, cii,
CXXXII, CLVII, 2, 4, 6,
9, 47, 96.

Burnet (Barnet), Lieut., 65,

75, 76, 83.
Burt, B. B. , quoted, 69, 88, 89.
Burton, Ci.)l., 46.
Rutlci, Lieut Cc!., 2, 60.

Walter N., lvi, cr/, 57.

Col. B. C, quoted, 37.
Butler's Rangers, cxLVii,

CLVII, 2.
Butterfield, C. W., quoted, 23.
Button Bay (St. Lawrence), 68.
Byrne, Ensign Wm., i, 12,

i3>57-

/'"^ALASH, description of a,
^ 50.

Campbell, Corpl., i, 81.
Canaseraga, CLI, clvii.
Cardiff, Wales, 71.
Canojoharie, 122.

Carleton, Sir Guy (Lord Dor-
chester), Xll, XVI, LI,
xcv, CI, cxxx 7, 8, 10,

46, 56, 75» 81.
Maj., CLViii.

Island, see Buck's Island.
Carrington, Gen. H. B.,

quoted, c, cm.
Caroga Creek, cxxxv.
Caughnavvaga Flats, 17.

Village (Fultonville, N.
Y.), Lxxxi, 118.
Chambly, M. de, 23.

Village, description of,
23, 62.
Champlain Lake, XLVi, CLX, 2,

18,63.
Chanmonot, Father, 89.
Charity, The Sloop, 91, 122.
Cheney, Capt., 24.

Lake, N. Y., 24.
Cherry Valley Settlement, 18.

Massacre, 46.
Chippewa, Battle of, 77.
Chittenango Creek, cxxxviii,

CXLVIII.

Cincinnati, Society of, 100.

Claus, Col. Daniel, civ, cxxxi,

2, 9, i3> 45, 67, 69,

73>92-
Clerges, Lieut., George, 61.

Clinton, Gov. George, cxlvii,
CXLVIII, clviii, clxi.
Sir Henry, xxii, xxvi,
Li, Lix, cLix, 8, 98.

Clonmell, 4.

Clump, Thos., rides express for
Col. Willett, 103.'

Coach, Sergt. Philip, 68.

Index,

Collorton, Lieut., 8i, 89.
^-olwheel, a ship 82
Cook, Capt., if ^'

Ransom, 106.
Convention Troops, 6
Cornwallis, Lord, Lxxxvn, 44.

Countersigns :

Aberdeen
Adam
Albany
Ambury

259

Banet
Barth
Belfast
Boston

Cambridge-
shire
Cadous
Carleton
Cassel
Chambly
Charlestown

Daly

Darnock

Dearham

Detroit

Dingwall

Dorer

America
Anapolis
Ancrum
Attleborough.

Bow Bridge
Britain
Burgoyne
Burlington.

Chilroy

Clonmell

Cork

Cornwallis

Cromathy

Crothers.

Dublin

Dulnacardock
Dun barton
Dunmore
Dunrobin.

^,^^°» England

Ldmborough Evalick.
Jilizabethtown

Fort Bull Fort Hunter

Fort D.mber Fort Stanwix

(Dummer?) Fraser
i'ort George

Galloway Qorce

Gordon Qray.

Hamburgh
Hampshire
Hatfield

Inverness
Invfraw

Hingham
Howe.

Ireland

Johnson Johnstown.

Kenderwhoffe Kintail.
Kent

I^a Chine

Lewisburgh
Lieth

Lipcomb
London

McLean
Major Small
Middlesex
Milford

LongIle(Lon-
gueil)

Lansbausbor-

ough
Lynn

Milton

Mohawk river
Montreal.

Nairn New York

New Haven Noadwilley

New Market Norfolk

New Port Norwich.

Oneida
Orleans

Oswego
Oswegatchie.

26o

Index.

'^■i

'^Ij

Paisley

Patrick

Perth

Philadelphia

Phillips

Quebec.

Sacandaga
St. James
Scotland

Plymouth
Point Clair
Pow.ll
Preston.

Stirling
Suffolk.

Taunton Tribe's H'll

Three Rivers Tryon

Tice Tweed.
Ticonderoga

Watts
Week

Yarmouth

Weymouth

York.

Court of St. James, 12.

Crane Mountain, N. Y., de-
scription of, 18.

Crawford, Ensign, 5, 12, 15.

Creedmoor, 6.

Creek Indians, 103.

Crevant, Battle of, xciii.

Crofts, Lieut. Wm., 44, 50,
57, 67, 80.

Cromwell, Oliver, 5.

Crooked Lake, N. Y,, 123.

Crosby, Rev. H , 100.

Crowthers, Ensign, i, 12, 13.

Crown Point, cxxxviii, 63.

Crowse, Corpl., i.

Cumberland, Duke of, 8.

Cunningham, Keeper of the
Sugar House Prison, 25.

Cust, Gen., xxxvii.
Cuyler, Col., cxLVii.

"TJABLON, thejesuit, 89.

Daggart, Peter J., iii.
Daly, Capt., 4.
Danbury, 26.
Dayton, Col., Lxxxi, 86.
Dearborn, Gen. Henry, 2.
D'Estaing, Count, xxxix.
De Lancey, Edward F., quoted,
XXXVIII, Lxi, Lxvi, 14,

lOI.

Anne, 29.

James, xix, xc.

Rtgiment of, 10 1.

Legion of, xix.
De Levy, Chevalier, 85.
Delly, Capt., 3.
Denbigh, Lord, xcix.
Derwentwater, Lord, xvi.
Denonville, Gov., 122.
DePeyster, Gen. J. Watts,
Poem by,. Lxxxv, quoted,
14, 30, 81, 127.

Col. A. S., cv, cviii.
Detroit, 2.

De Witt, Rev. Dr., 104.
Dieskau, Gen., xxxi.
Dilston Castle, Tradition of,

XVI.

Doyle, Ensign Wm., 9.

Drogheda, 4.

Dubois, Col., cxLViii, clii,

CLV.

Dunbar, Maj, Wm., 58.
Dunmore, Lord, 7.
Dunn, Receiver General, 11.
Duvan, Capt., 68.
Dwight, Dr., quoted, 81.

Index,

£GNUE, Corpl. Edward,

Eighth (King's) Regiment, cv

cxvi 2^8.9,12; Sketch
o^ 76, 95.

261

PAIRFIELD, Burning of,

Fay, Commissioner Joseph, 44.
Ferguson, CoJ., c, cvi. ^^
i-'sh House, N. Y., Sir Wm.

Johnson's Country Seat
cxxxviii, J 8.

^ive Nations, The, cvi

Fonda Maj. Jeiles, lxxxii.

^ontelov, M. de, 66.

Force Peter, quoted, XLiii.

l*orce's Archives, ij

^°"^""%N. Y.,cLx,69.
Bu]l,^Sketch or, 84,^93,

Creek, Old, 52.
Dayton, cxvin.
Dummer, Sketch of, 19
i:^rontenac, 44, ,01.

C^eorge,CLx, Battle of, 77.

Hunter, cxlviii, cliv,
CLix; Sketch of, 16.

Johnson (Castle) Descrip-

tion of, 52, 70, 128.
i^a rrairie, 2.
LongueiJ, 19.
Niagara, lv, cxxxvii
Ontario, 91.
Oswego, cxvi, cxxxiii,

CLVIII. '

Paris, cxLii.
Plain, Lxxvii, cxli.

Stanwix (Rome, N. Y.)
^"i, CVI, cxv, cxix'

CXXVII, CLVII, ,0, 44

70 ; Sketch of, %\^ 86,

93' 9^, 97, loi, 106,
^08, 109. '

Schuyler, Old, 86, log.
no. ^'

Schuyler, see Fort Stanwix.
i5t. Anne (Is'and of Mon-
treal), 69.

Ticonderoga, 44, 81,101.
Wilhams, 85.
£;ovvey, a ship, 7.

Foy Dept. Adj. Gen Ed., n
Fox's Mills, Battle near see

Klock's Field,
^ranklm, Benjamin, xv
Fraser, Gen. Simon, 9, 20, an-

ecdoteof, 123.

FreH^'-'^^r"''^*^' Battle of, 121.
■rredenck II, xci.

Frey, John, J09. *

(^AGE, Gen., lxxxvii.
Gansevoort, Col. Peter, cxvi
cxx 60, 86, 96, 109. "
Gardenier, Capt. Jacob, cxxiii,

Gaspe, 19.

Garneau, F. X., quoted, 12,
125. -^^

Gates, Gen., 6
George III, lxxx, xciv, 44.
German Plats, m
Germaine, Lord George St ,

XXIV, XXV, XCIV, cii!

9, 10, 8r. '

262

Index,

V •

! ',

Glenney, Lieut., 56, 92, 93.
Gordon, Dr., quoted, cvi, 82.
Grant, Lieut., 57.
Gray, Maj., 3, 64, 81.
Green, Gen., 42.
Gregg, Col., 51.
Gummerfolk, Lieut., 63.
Guy Park, Sketch of, 53.
Guyon, Gen., xciii.

pJALDIMAND, Gen., lv,

^ ^ CXLIV, CLIX, 44, 56,

68.
Hamilton, Wm. O., St. Leger's

Sec'y, 61.
Harkheimer, Gen. Nicholas,

Lii, cviii, cxxv, 107,

109.
Harper, Col., cxlvi, cliv, clv.
Headquarters.

Buck Island, 64.

La Chine, 3, 12, 16, 28,

43, 58.
La Prairie, 2.
Montreal. 8, 55.
Oswego Falls, 93.
Point Clair, 40.
Hendrick, King, 17, 53.
Henis, Mr., 12.
Hennepin, Father, 89.
Hesse Hanau Chasseurs (Ja-
gers), cxxix, cxxxiii,
CLII, 2.
Hildebrand, Lieut. Jacob, cm.
Hillyer, Capt. Nicholas, i, 94.
Holden, Dr. A. B., quoted,

38.
Hoosic (Bennington), xcvii.

Hough, Franklin B., quoted,
CXL, CXLVII, 64, 66.

Howe, Sir Wm., xciv, xcv,
cii, II, 25.

Hoyes, Capt., cxxx.

Hunter, Maj. Charles D., 51.

Hysted, Ensign, i.

IBERVILLE, 19.

Isle aux Chevreuils (Buck
Island), 64.

TAMES, Duke of Monmouth,

J 76.

Jessup, Maj. Edward, 37, 68.
Ebenezer, 37.

Jessup's Corps, 4 ; Sketch of,
36, 40b.

Johnson, Sir John, xvii xxix,
LXXXIX, cvii, CXII,
CXIX, cxxiv, CXXVII,
CXXX, CXLIV, CLII, CLX,

2, 3, 9, 14, 16, 18, 23,

49, 107.
Lady John, xvii, xliii.
Sir Wm., xxx, lxxxvii,

XC, XCIV, cxxxvi, 38,

^ 70,78-

Sir Wm. George, xlviii.
Col. Guy, cvi, 53, 121.
Mrs. Col. Cristopher,

XXXVII, XLIV.

Family, Genealogy of, iv.

Hall, XXXI, 16.

Foit (Castle), Sketch of,

52.
Gen. Albert Sidney, CLxi.
Johnstown, 18, 70.

Index,

Jones, David, 37.

Judge Thomas, quoted,

XXXVIII, 81, loi, 107.
Dr. P. E,, Chief of the
Missisagues, 128.

f^AP: , Frederick, quoted,

cxxvi.
Killigrew, Sergt., 77.
King's Royal Regiment, see

Eighth Regiment.
Kmgston, Maj., 9.
King's Mountain, Battle of, l,

LXVI, c, cvi, cxxxvii. '
Kiock's Field (Fox's Mills),

Lxxv; Battle of, cxxxv,

CI., CLIX.

Block-house, cliv.
Klock, Judge Jacob C, clv.
Knox, Secretary, cv, 2, 13, 92.
Knypliausen, Gen., xxiii.

Kuysak, a BatteauMaste-, 75.

T A CHINE, CI, cxxxviii,

description of, 3, 10,

12. 15, 16,28, 43,58,

A.75> 94.

Massacre at, 122.

Nativite de Notre Dame,

Village of, 2.
Prairie, 2.
Lair River, 5.
Lamb, Sergt., quoted, 75.
Lanandiere, M. de, 19.
Lanotts, Capt , 72.
Lansing, Aid Maj., xcvi.
Mrs. Abraham, 87.
Laurance, Sergt. John, 68.
Lauzun, Duke de, xcvi.

263

Lavalette, Madame de, xxxvii.
Le Cartargne, Quarter Master,

Lewis, Col. Morgan, cl.
Lipscomb, a Volunteer, 74, 78
Little Falls Postage, cxxii'

CLIV. '

Livingston, H. M., 68.

Robt. M., 109.
Lock, Sergt. Joseph, 68.
Lomenie, Louis de, xxiv.
London Merchants oftir a

bounty, 11.
Long Island in the St! Law-
rence, 67.
Longeuil, Description of, 19.

Sieur Charles le Moine de,
r ^9.

Long Sault in the Sr. Law-
rence, 87.
Lossing, Benson J., quoted, 8,

16,81.
Lundy, Lieut., 93.
Luzurne, N. Y., Hamlet of,
18. .

jyjcCREA, Jane, 106.

McDonald, Capt., 3.

Alexander, 56.

John, 56.
McDonell, Angus, 59, 40b.

Helen, lxxxii.
McGregor, Mount, 38.
McGrigar, Corpl., i, 40b.
McKay, Capt., 62. ^
McKean, Capt., cl.
McKenzie, Lieut. Kenneth,
43. 59» 40a.
Ensign John, 46, 52, 59.

264

Index.

McLean, Col. Allan, 55.
McMonts, Hugh, 56.
McMuUen, Neil, 91.
Macomb, Gen., 64.
Madison, Col., 51.
Marlborough, Duke of,

LXXXVII.

Marshall, O. H., 89.

Martin, Capt. of Batteaux,

..75-
Michilimackinac, Post at, 2.
Miller, Quarter Master Thos.,

75-
Batteau Master Charles,

75-
Mr., chief ship carpenter,

Missisagues (Eagle Tribe of
the Ojibawa Nation),
cvi, 2, 85, 125.

Mohawkers (Militia), cxi,

CXVIII, CXXIII.

Mohawk Lower Castle, 16.
River, cxxxv, cxlvi, 96.
Valley, lix, t^cvi, cxxvii,
CLI, 98.

Monaghan, Sir Darby, his ad-
venture with St. Leger,
1 12.

Mondelet, Hon. de, 23.

Montcalm, Gen., 66.

Montgomery, Gen,, 66.

Montmorenci, cxxii.

Montreal, xli, 4, 6, 19, 70.

Montrose, cxlvi.

Moore, Lieut., 60.

Morgan, Col., cxlviii.

Morrison, Lieut., 29.

Moss, Sergt. Sam., i.

Mount McGregor, near Sara-
toga Springs, 38.

Munroe, Maj., clx.

Myers, Col. T. Bailey, xvi,
124.

]\JEW BRUNSWICK, 8.

Newcastle, ii.

Niagara, lv, cxxxvii, 2, "jy^

87.
Nicolet, Father, 23.
Norfolk, 26.
North, Dexter N., quoted, 98.

Q'CALLAGHAN, Dr. E.
^-^ B., quoted, 7.

Ogden, Col. A., 104.
Ogdensburgh, see Oswegatchie.
Oneida Carrying-Place, 85.

Castle, cLVii.

Lake,cxvi,cxxxviii, 108.
Onondaga Lidians, 89.

River, cxvi.
Ontario, Lake, cxxxiii,

cxxxviii, 89, 124.
Oriskany, L., Battle of, lxxxv,
15, 107.

Creek, cxix.

Centennial, 44, 86.
Oswegatchie (Ogdensburgh),

32, 71-
Oswego, 4, 85 ; Sketch of, 88.

River, cxxxiii.

Falls, Sketch of, 93, 94.

Rapids, 85.

Ottawa River, 22.

Index,

pAINE, Thomas, xv.

Pallas, a ship, 7.

Palmertown. near Saratoga

Springs, 68.
Palmer, Corpl. John, 40b.

26;

Paroles :

Aberdeen
Albany
Am boy

Barford

Barnet

Belfast

Berwick

Boston

Carick
Carleton
Castle John-
son

Dalvvhinney
Daly

Dareham

Derby

Dornock

America
Armagh.

Bristol
Brunswick
Burgoyne
Burk.

Chester

Connecticut
Cork

County Tryon

Dover

Drogheda

Dublin

Dunkeld

Dunmore.

Eaton England

*:dpn Essex

Edinborourgh Exeter.

Fairfield
Fort Anns
Fort Erie
Fort Hunter

Fort St. Ann
Fort Stanwix
Fort William
Eraser.

Gilbart

Glasgow

Gray

Halifax
Haiover
Hartford
Hathersett

India
Inverness

Johnsnn

King Gjorge

La Chine
La Prairie
Langford
Limerick

McLean
McLou

Newark '
Newcastle
New York

Greenock
Guadaloupe

Hesse Hanau
Hingham
Honduras
Howe.

Invershire
Ireland.

Johnstown.

King's Bridge.

Lincolnshire

Lochabar

London.

Mayfield
Montreal.

Niagara
Norfolk
Norwich.

Philadelphia
Phillips

Point Clair.

Onondaga Oswegatchie.

Patrick

Perth Amboy
Perth

Qiiebec.

St. Leger
St. Johns
Schenectady

Sorel

Sterling

Stratford.

26^1

Index,

Sopus (iKso-
pus)

Tain
Tetnplar
Thotford
Thurso

Walker
Wells
Why mend-
ham

York

Tillih.dy
Tower
Trenton
Try on.

Winchester.

Yorkshire.

Pearce, Col. Cromwell, 51.

Stewart, quoted, 51.
Pennington, Lieut. Robt., g, 10.
Peppercll, Sir Wm., xc.
Phillips, Gen. Wm., 6, 7, 11,
Pike, L. B ,67.

Col. Zebulon, 51.
Pitt, Earl of Chatham, xciv,

XCVIII.

Plant, Corpl. James, 40b.

Point A haw { Point au Baudet)^
a canoe lost at ; Des-
cription of, 87.
Clair, 3, 4, 10 ; Descrip-
tion of, 40.

Pomeroy, Adj. Gen. James, 8,
9, II.

Point au Fez, 68.

Pontiac, 70.

Potts, Capt., 65, 73, 76.

Powel, Gen., 56.

Prevorst, Sir George, 77.

Prideaux, Gen., 90.

Putnam, Gen. Israel, 42.

QUEBEC, CIV, 19, 22.

pueen Anne's Chapel, 16.
Queen's Lo)'al New Yorkers,
I, 9.

"DADIiiAU, a floating bat-

tcry, 4.
Raley, Corpl. John, 74.
Riedesel, Gen., exercises his

men on snow-shoes, 6 ;

quoted, 81, 97.
Madame, 7.
Richelieu River, 4, 23.
Roberts, Ellis H., quoted, xcii,

44,81.
Rochefoucault Liancourt. Duke

de la, quoted, 121, 124,

125, 127.
Rochefort. Comtesse de, xxiv.
Rogers, Gen. Horatio, quoted,

20, 38, 46.
Rome, N. Y. (Fort Stanwix),

85.
Roof, Dr. F. H., lxxxi,

cxxv.
Rossa, O'Donovan, 5.
Ross, Maj., 56.
Rouville, Col. de (Bouville),

231 47> 62, 66, 85, 90,

93-
Royal Greens, Johnson's Regi-
ment of, cv, cix, ex,

CXXIII, CXXIX, CXLVII,

CLV, I, 2, 3, 37, 57.
Royal Highland Emigrants,

Regiment of, i, 56.
Russell, Corpl., i.

Indi

ex.

267

Rutland, George Manners,
Duke of, 112.

C A BINE, Lorenzo, quoted,

*^ XXV.

Sacandaga River, N. Y., fol-
lowed by Sir John
Johnson, cxxxviii, 17,

Sackett's Harbor, 77.

St, Anne, Siege of, 10, 19.

St. Anuj's River, 19.

St. Germaine, Lord, see Ger-

niaine.
St. John's River, 4.
St. Johnsville, cliv.
St. Lawrence River, cxvi, 3,

19, 22, 64.
St. Legcr, Col. Barry, Li, Lix,

xcv, c, cvii, ex, cxx,

CXXX, CLXI, 40a, 44, 46,

66, 70, 78, 96, 112,
120, 127.
St. Louis, Lake, 3, 122.
St. Maurice River, 22.
St. Nicholas Society, 100.
St. Oaris, Chevalier de, 66.
St. Ursula, Convent of, 22.
Schenectady, Massacreat, 123.
Shall, Sergt. Jacob, 68.
Sammons, Sampson, 120.

Jacob, 120.

Col. Simeon, 121.
Sanger, Judge Jedediah, 118.
Saratoga, Old, 9,

Springs, 38, 67, 68.

Monument Association,
118.
Sayles, Col. Welcome B., 121.

Schenectady, cliv.
Schoharie Creek, cxxxix, 16.
Schroon River, N. Y., 18.
Schuyler, Gen. Philip, xxxi,

cxin, 56, 86.
Seymour, Horatio, quoted, 86.

John F., quoted, 87.
Shanks, Capt., 10.
Shirley, Sir Robt., 76.
Simcue, Gen. [Gov.], 127.
Simms, J. R., quoted, cxLi,

I7> 56.
Singleton, Lieut. George, i,
12, 13, breaks his
parole, 124.
Small, Maj., 41.
Sn ith, Corpl., i.
Sorel, description of, 23.
Stanwix, Gcii. John, 85.

Fort, see Fort Stanwix.
Starin, John H., 1 18.
Jane Wemple, 1 18.
Judge Henry, 118. Anec-
dote of 121.
Stark, Gen., ■97.
Stockwell, Lieut., cxiii.
Stone, Col. William L., quoted,
XLii, CVII, cxxxix,

CXLIV, CXLVII, CL, CLIV,

CLVi, 29, 81, 86, 104,

121.
William L., quoted, xxxii,

CLVI, CL.S.VI.

Stone Arabia, cxxxv, cxLii,

CLIV.

Stony Point, cxxix.
Strabane, Ireland, 8.
Street, Sergt. Samuel, i.
Sugar House Prison, 25.

268

Index,

^1-

Sullivan, Gen., liv.
Swegatchie, see Oswegatchie.
Sylvester, N. B,, quoted, 38.

'yARLETON, Col., 25.

Taylor, Rev, John, 17.
Thirty-fourth Regiment (St.

Leger'sown),cv; sketch

of, I,
Thomas, Gen. George H.,

LXXXII.

Three Rivers, 19, description

of, 22.
Ticonderoga, see Ft. Ticon-

deroga.
Tioga Point, cxlvii.
Tipperary County, 5.
Tribe's Hill, description of, 17.
Trumbull, Col. John, 29, 42,

104.
Tryon Co., xliii ; tradition of,

Lxxiii, 21.
Commissioners, cxix.
Governor, 25, 26.
Tuscarora Indians, cvi.
Twenty-Fourth Regiment, 9.

WALIERE, Bishop of

* Quebec, 22.

Van Alstyne, Lieut. M. G.,

CXXV, CXLVIII.

Van Rensselaer, Gen. Robt.,

LXXIV, LXXVII, CXLI,
CXLVI, CLI, CLIV.

Van Schaack, Peter, xxx,

cxxxvi.
Vaudreuil, M. de, 19.

Von Eelking, quoted, cv,

CXXXIV, CXLV.

Vrooman, Capt., clvii.

VyALKER, Lieut., 2, 80.

Wall, Ensign, 35, 87.
Warr n. Sir Peter, xc.

Gen , 42.
Washington, Gen., xcv, CXL,

CLXI.

Watson, Winslovi' C, quoted,

23-
Watts, Capt. (Maj.) Stephen,

cix, cxvii, cxxiii, 3,

4, i3» 29-
Mary, xxxiv.

Hon. John, xviii, 29.

• Ross, 30.

Anne, Countess of Caselis,

XLIV.

Weld, the Traveller, quoted,

22, 74, 83, 88.
Wellington, Duke of, xcviii.
West Point, clx.
Wetmore, Judge Amos, 118.
Whitehall, Court at, 2.
Wilford, Richard R., 9.
Wilkinson, Jemima, thinks of

removing to Buck

(Carleton) Island, 123.
Willett, Col. Marinus, cxiii.

cxx III, 13, 29,60,101,
Rev. Marinus, 99, 194.
Rev. Wm. M., 105.
Williams, Surgeon Thos.,

XXXII.

Capt. William, 85.
Wings (a part of an uniform),

30-

cv.

Index,

269

'^°'"rtcl6V"" ''• '^^"- Yankee pass, Th.

Creek, cxxxiii. ^^''' ^°'-' ^^x^-

Wolfe, Gen., xciv, cxx, celebrated, History of

CLxi, 8. 121.
Wood Creek (outlet of Oneida Young, Sergt. Andrew, i.

___ Lake), cxxxiii. Youngiove, Moses, 1-2 ci •

Wyoming Valley, xlix. affidavit of, IS

Massacre, cxxxvii. Moses C, quoted, 76.

INDEX TO "TORIES OR LOYALISTS."

A DDISON, Joseph, i68.

Albemarle, Lord, 189.
Amelia, Princess, 183.
Armstrong, Gen., 202.

t) AKER, Senator, 154.

Balfour, Col. Nesbit, 2i2^
Banyar, Goldsboro, 182, 236.
Bedford, Duke of, 189.
Belsham, W., 182.
Blanchard, Claude, 157.
Bolingbrolce, Lord, 181, 182.
Boswell, 199.
Braddock, Gen , 160
Brant, Joseph, 194, 195, 200,

201.
Brant, Molly, 194.
Brazil, Emperor ot, 238.
Brunswick, Dukes of, 166.
Burr, Prest, 173.
Burgoyne, Gen., 140, 187,

' 188, 189.
Bute, Lord, 174, 183.
Butler, Col. John, 192, 193,

200.
Butler, Capt. Walter, 201.
Butler, Wm. Allen, 218.

r"ALIFORNIA,23i.

Campbell, Col. John, 192,

193-
Campbell, Thomas, 201.

Campbell, Wm. W.,

Canada, 212''.

Carleton, Sir Guy (Dorches-
ter), 187, 189, 198,
202, 205.

Carlyle, Thomas, 147

Caswell, Gen., 210.

Charles I, 147.

Charles II, 225, 244.

Charles Edward, Prince, 182.

Charleston, 212^,.

Chatham, Lord, 163, 180,254.

Chapin, Gen., 199.

Chelsea, 159,

Chew, Joseph, 205.

Clarendon, Lord, 154.

Clinton, Gov. Geo., 150.

Clinton, Sir Henry, 149,212'',
217, 253, 255.

Clymer, Geo., 179.

Cogswell, Dr., 214.

Coldcn, Gov.. 146. s

Cortiwallis, Lord, 168.

Courtenay, Mayor, 211,217.

Cresap, Col. Michael, 163.

Cromwell, Oliver, 147, 149,
I55i 244.

Crosby, Rev. Dr. Howard,

255-

Cruger, Mayor, 148.

CuUum, Gen. G. W., 168.
Cumberland, Richard, 215.
Curwen, Judge, 141.
Custine, Gen. de, 156.

Ind^

J^ALY, Chief Justice, 145.

Dalgetty, Major, iia''.
Dartmouth, Lord, 177.
Dauntless, Marshal, 251.
Dawson, Capt., 21 r.
Dayton, Gen. Elias, 2I2^
Dease. Dr. John, 236.
Declaration of Independence,

212, 220, 221.

Delaplaine, Joseph, 229, 239.

de Lancey, Edward Floyd,

146. ^ '

de Peyster, Gen. J. Watts,

140, 141, 234, 251.
JJongan, Gov., 163.
Dwight, Rev. Timothy, 160,

250.
Drayton, Chief Justice, 184.

jpLLIS, Welbore, 190.

Emmet, Thos. Addis, 175,

188, 209, 238, 253.
Evans, Walton White, 210.

PALKLAND, Viscount,
_ 154.

Fontainbleau, Peace of, 183.
Franklin, Benjamin, 169, 230,

246.
Franklin, Sir William, 174.
Frederick the Great, 184.
Fearless, General, 251.

^AGE, Gen, and Lord,

205, 236.
Gaine, Hugh, 236.
Gates, Gen. Horatio, 127,

H9i 189, 209. ,

ex» 2 J I

George HI, 15,, 166, 181,

184.
Germame, Lord George, 186

188, 215.
Granville, Lord, 182.
Greene, Gen. Nathaniel, 212",

217.
Grenville, Geo., 185.
Grundy, Mrs., 234, 245,
251.

PJALDIMAND, General,

^90, 191, 192, 236.

Halifax, Lord, 182.

Hamilton, Gen. Alex., 219.

Hancock, John, 174.

Hastings, Marquis of, 198,

2I2^ 253.
Haynes, Col. Isaac, 2I2^
Herkimer, General, 161.
Henry, Patrick, 224.
Hermann, 225.
Hey ward, Thos., Jr., 172.
Howe, Sir Wm., 188.
Huntington, Gen. Jed., 146.

JAY, John, 169, 214, 219.

Jefferson, Thos., 219.

Johnson, Col. Guy, 186, 192,
'93» i94> 205, 212%

^ ^ 236, 252.

Johnson Hall, 160, 212.

Johnson, Lady, 2I2\

Johnson, Sir John, 139, 140,

158, 174, 186, 187,

190, 191, 192, 194,

I95j 206, 207, 208,

211, 212S213, 252.

272

Index.

Johnson, Sir Wm., 140, 160,
162, 163, 172, 187,
197, 238,251.

Jones, Judge Thos., 146.

Jones, John D., 146.

Jones, Gen. Valentine, 149.

Jones, Col. Chas. C, 211.

l^ EMBLE, Gouverneur,

205.
Kirkland, Rev. Sam'l,, 197.
Klock's Field, 211, 212^

J^AURENS, Henry, 169.

Laurens, Col. John, i 73.
Lee, Arthur, 178.
Livingston, Philip, 214.
Livingston, Gov. Wm., 178
Logan, the Chief, 163.
Louisburg, 159.
Lyman, Gen. Phineas, i6o.
Lynch, Thos. Jr., 172.

]yjACKENZIE,Dr., 238.

Madison, James, 219.
Matthews, Mayor of New

York, 213.
Maximus, Quintus, 229.
Middleton, Arthur, 172.
Mikado, 240.

Montcalm, Marquis de, 168.
Monroe, Col. James, 200.
Moore, Geo. H., LL. D.,

189.
Morgan, Gen. Daniel, 211.
Morris, Gouverneur, 214.
Morris, Lewis, 155.
Morris, Robert, 224.
Munsell, Joel. 202.

KTEV/CASTLE, Duke of,

180.
Nicolls, Gov., 244.
Nieu Amsterdam, 244.
North, Lord, 180.
Northumberland, Duke of,

198.

QBELISK, The, 229, 227,

. 239-
Ouvrir la Porte, 251.

Outre Mer, 248.

Ogelthorpe, Gen., 21 1.

Oswald, Richard, 169.

pENN, Richard, 178.

Pepperel, Sir Wm., 160.
Pepys, Samuel, 210.
Percy, Lord, 199.
Pinckney, Gen. C. C, 173.
Pickering, Timothy, 200.
Plutarch, 230.
Pollock, Dr., 225.
Pretender, The, 157.

QUEENSBURY, Duchess
of, 182.

TD EFUGEES, 142.

Richfield, 235.
Richmond, Duke of, 212'.
Riedesel, Gen., 191.
Rochambeau, Ct., 156.
Rockingham, Lt., 180, 189.
Rome, 226, 227.
Rudolph of Hapsburg, 232.
Rutledge, Edward, 172.

Index.

e of,

273

of,
227,

less

CABIN, Lorenzo, 168.

Schi yiei, Peter, 161.
Schuyler, Gen. Philip., 179,

212*.
Scipio, Publius, 229.
Scull, I. D., 189.
Seymour, Gov,, 231.
Shelburn, Ld., 188.
Shirley, Gov. Wm., 160.
Skene, Col. Philip, 238.
Smith, Judge Mill, 146.
Smith, Rev. Chas. Jeffry,

197.
Spencer, Herbert, 223, 234,

238.
Sprague, Rev. Dr., 253.
Stanley, Dean, 182.
St. Ledger, Col., 161.
Stewart, Gen., 198.
Stirling, Lord, 160.
Stockton, Richard, 173.
Stockton, Emelia, 175.
Stone, W. L., 140.
Stout Francis A., 252.
Stryker, Adj't Gen., 246.
Sydney, Lord, 204.

^HOiMPSON, Charles,

167.
Townshend, Charles, 185.
Trusty, Col., 245.
Tryon County, 212*^, 252.
Tryon, Gov., 215, 236.

IJTOPIA, 245.

YAN SCHAACK, Peter,

148.
Vattemare, Alexander, 253.
Viomenel, Baron de, 156.

^yARWICK, Lord, 199.

Washington, 211, 213, 214,
217, 218, 230, 246.

Washington, Col. W., 252.

Wales, Frederick Prince of
181.

Wales, Princess Dowaj'cr,

'83.

Walpole, Sir Robert, i8o.

Watts, Mary, 238.
Watts, John, 238.
White, Col. A. W., 210.
White, Alderman, 255.
Wheelock, Rev. Eleazer, 162,

172.
William III, 150.
William, Stadtholder, 244.
Winthrop, Robert C, 254.
Woodfall, Wm., 215, 216.

Y^TES, Abraham, Jr., 161.

Yonkers, 231.
York, Duke of, 244.