^ ^^3^ wX^ v^ V * - IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. .*' --^ 1.0 I.I ■ 50 "^" mMM :^ U£ 12.0 12.2 i^ !.25 1 1.4 1.6 M 6" ► V <^ /y '^ ,^ <$> ^^ .V Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ) A 4^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Tschnical 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. D D D D D n E Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couve: ure endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou pelliculie □ Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque |~~| Coloured maps/ Cartes g6ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couieur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relii avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrde peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure 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 ajouties lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte. mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6X6 filmdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; Irregular pagination 445-600. [1]p. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exempiaire qu'il lui a Atd possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exempiaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de fikmage sont indiqute ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur □ Pages damaged/ Fages sndommagies I I Pages restored and/ot- laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/oj pelliculies Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqudes □ Pages detached/ Pages diiachdes EShowthrough/ Transparence Transparence Quality of print varies/ Qualiti indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du matdriel suppl^mentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible D 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 it6 film^es 6 nouveau de facon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. [2], [i] - Iw, [i] - viii, [v] - xii, [9] - 14. 14A-14B. 15-444, 444A-444D, This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X ^ 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Harold Campbell Vauflhan Memorial Library Acadia University L'exemplaire fiimA fut reproduit grAce h la ginirositA de: Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Library Acadia University 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. Les images suivantes ont At6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetA de I'exempialre film*, et 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 back 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 exemplalres origlnaux dont la couverture en papier est ImprimAe sont filmis en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la derniire page qui comporte une empreinte d'Impresslon ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplalres origlnaux sont filmte en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernlire 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 apparaftra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols 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 Atre filmAs A des taux de reduction differents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 AOED 91. ''■m-^ I I 'm ^* >* ■^^' t ^«.< « ,., « * -i /'« ■., "?»■•,' r JOURNAL AND LETTERS B » « li OF THE LATB SAMUEL CURWEN, JUDGE OF ADMIRALTY, ETC., A LOYALIST-REFUGEE IN ENGLAND, DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION .^ » TO WHICH ARE ADDED, ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS AKD *. BIOGRAPHIC NOTICES LOYALISTS AND OTHER PROMINENT MEN OP THAT PERIOD. Secontr iBtHtion. Br GEORGE ATKINSON WARD, A.M., MBMBCB or TRB NBW-TOKK HISTORICAL iOCIETT, AND COBRESFOKOINO MEMBBB Or TBI . MAiSACMUIETTf HiaTORICAL aOCIKTT. "For my native country I feel a filial fondness ; her follies I lament, her misfortunes I pity ; her good I ardently wish, and to he restored to her emhraoes is the warmest of my desires." 8. Cxjbwbm, Jaw. 10, 1780. Paob 321. LONDON : WILEY AND PUTNAM, PATERNOSTER-ROW. NEW- YORK: LEAVITT, TROW, AND CO. 1844. I * « t '«r 7*. -^ . <.:1 jft fR Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1842, by GEORGE A. WARD, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the {Southern District of New-York. A 8+t i % ^^ ^ J. P. TROW k CO., FiiRTCM, 33 Ann->tre«t, Itew-Tork. ^gUf % \ ^ %. «. ■■<**:.■<, ■^'.;' « ■v^-^l % TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE LORB LYNDHURST, , LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR, &o., &o., &o., Who80 family held a distinguiahed rank amoDg the American Loyaliiti proscribed for their opiniona, THIS WORK, tending to abow the strength of their principles, and the sacrifices they made in support of what they conaidered law and order and the best interests of their native land, is, by permission, MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED ; in the conviction that the merit and talents which have raised his Lordship to so exalted a station in the BRITISH EMPIRE, •re as well appreciated by hia NATIVE COUNTRYMEN as by those of the land of his adoption. By his Lordship's most obedient and most humble servant, GEORGE ATKINSON WABa Nbw-Yorz, Aoqust 1, 1844. # IE m xi ia« .* .< » '■ -• J- I' %^; w-< , ..r •»t, " ■ . ». *«■''■ '> . >» PREFACE. The original manuscripts from which the body of the following work has been compiled, were sent in detached parts by the re- spected writer to his niece, a grand-parent of the editor, (in whose family they have remained for more than sixty years,) with the following injunction, viz. : " These papers were written partly by way of pastime, and part- ly with a view to future amusement, should it please the Sovereign Disposer of life to lengthen mine beyond the period of banishment and restore me again to my native country ; otherwise may they prove an entertainment to my friends, to whom I commend them, requesting their care to keep them from the inspection of all others, they being negligently written and but for the eye of candor and friendship, without method or order, as memory served, whereby many faults and anachronisms happened (if a technical expression applied to more important events may be used about such insigni- ficant trifles) ; if they shall afford them the least amusement, my purpose will be answered." The editor considers the present publication of these papers not only as in no wise a violation of the injunction of his venerated relative, but as due to his memory, to exhibit to his countrymen the purity of his motives, and the ardent affection he bore towards his native land, even when constrained by a sense of duty to turn his back upon it. Another inducement for the publication is furnished by the incidental light thrown upon the character of his brethren in exile, of whom scarcely any now survive, but whose numerous descendants feel a deep sense of the injustice to which most of them, in a season of great popular excitement, were unfortunately sub- jected, who, under less adverse circumstances, had filled with honor civil posts of high trust, and led to victory our arms in the provin- cial wars. As the just fame of such as have distinguished them- selves in important public concerns has ever been esteemed among the most valued treasures of civilized nations, that of these loyalists, banished for opinion's sako, seems to call for a proper vindication at the hands of an impartial posterity, while the contrast of their ly PREFACE. m later with their earlier fortunes presents strong claims to the sym- pathy of mankind. The success of recent publications in the department of histori- cal writing having induced the belief that the period has arrived when a sealed book may be opened, and a dispassionate examina- tion had of the circumstances connected with that portion of our history in which the character of this proscribed class of our coun- trymen is involved, this work is offered with the hope of removing to some extent, if not fully, whatever obloquy has been unjustly cast upon their names, and to show that they were, in many in- stances, not the less actuated by lofty principle than those who embraced the popular opinions of the day, and adopted measures which resulted in such transcendent success. The editor has endeavored to present in the Supplement, if not a full, at least a brief account of every prominent loyalist, as well as of other persons of note, mentioned in the work ; and he regrets that want of information, notwithstanding every effort to obtain it, has in some cases rendered his notices extremely imperfect, and in others left no alternative but to omit them altogether. Before the publication was decided upon, the editor submitted the work to Dr. Sparks, the distinguished American historian, and to George Folsom, Esq., of the publishing committee of the New York Historical Society, and editor of the society's recent excellent volume of Collections ; whose favorable opinion of the historical value of the journal and correspondence of Judge Curwen, ex- pressed in their respective letters already laid before the public, confirmed him in the design of giving to the light these interesting relics of a former generation, to which he feared his private re- gard for the memory of the venerated author might have attached undue importance. He presents his sincere thanks to those gentle- men for their encouraging letters, and the kind interest they have taken in the matter. The work is now submitted to the public by the Editor, without endorsing principles at variance with the spiri' of the age ; and should it prove successful and draw into this new field more com- petent laborers, the chief end of the publication will be attained. G. A. Ward. J^ew-York, JVwemfcer, 1842. the syra- : of histori- has arrived e examina- tion of our ' ourcoun- f removing en unjustly n many in- those who d measures nent, if not list, as well 1 he regrets obtain it, feet, and in r submitted torian, and )f the New t excellent 1 historical rwen, ex- he public, interesting private re- e attached ~ise gentle- they have Ir, without I age; and lore com- ittained. I Ward. i?^ .? I PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. The favorable reception of this work has induced the publica- tion of an enlarged edition. It is gratifying to the editor that his labors have attracted atten- tion, and drawn others into this fruitful field to rescue from the " tooth of time " documents and letters illustrative of this neglected' portion of our history, and embody them in a less ephemeral form» The following extract from a notice of this work by W. Smith, Esq., in the Southern Review of July, 1843, is introduced for its liberal spirit and the contrast it bears to the sentiments expressed in a prominent Eastern Review, to which hereinafter a more par- ticular reference will be had. " It is not to be expected," says Mr. Smith, " that as a nation we should cherish with any popular fondness or pride, and blazon upon our republican escutcheons, the memories of those men who- did not participate with the heroes of our Revolution in the success- ful struggle which achieved our independence, but were notable only for their opposition to its measures. At the same time there is too close a tie existing between us and the n':ive loyalists of the Revolution, for us not to feel a portion of sympathy in their histories- and character. We do not allude so much to the private interest which some among us might more especially have, who may be their descendants, but more particularly to the public claim, which, as natives of the same land — professing the same attachment to it — and as men, many of them eminent in our provincial annals^ whose virtues reflected honor upon their country and humanity^ they have upon us generally. We may very well, without doing any injury to our patriotic sentiments, reserve a share of generous I ^^-, m ^ m-i n PREFACE TO THE RECOND EDITION. and manly sympathy for the misguided and unfortunate * in the times that tried men^s sovls ;* whom wc believe to have been ac- tuated by pure and high motives, by their best judgment of their country's good, and by a fearless devotion to their principles. "A more trying situation cannot be imagined than that in vih'xch the recusant loyalist was placed, who found himself, amid an opposing current of popular opinion, subjected to the fierce violence or harsh decrees of party rage or necessity, and forced to the alter- native of either recanting and abandoning his principles or becoming a martyr. And if, on the one hand, we admire iind are proud of recalling to recollection the noble chivalry which graced our fathers and bore them triumphantly through a contest in which the odds appeared so greatly against them ; we may, on the other, pay a just tribute of respect and honor to the character of tho.^e who acted also from lofty impulses, whose only transgression was a difference of political opinion, and whose hearts as patriots, in their view of things, must have deeply bled at the dangers with which their country was threatened, and at their cruel exile from it and all that it contained which they held most dear." ******* " The loyalist who honestly believed that America would be happier under the government of the mother country, or who saw in the disaffection of his countrymen only the rebellious overthrow of law and order, — a weak attempt at resistance, without the pros- pect of success, the consequence of which would be. in all proba- bility, a disgraceful submission to British authority, under terms more onerous than those which were in disputation, would be doing but his duty to oppose, in the first instance, measures in his opinion fraught only with evil and wrong; but such a course was no doubt a source of secret chagrin and bitter discontent afterwaidsto many, who, in their unfortunate banishment, humiliated by the reverses of fortune, insulted by the taunts and revilings cast upon Ameri- cans, perplexed by their own mistakes of judgment, and brooding with feelings of wounded pride over the injuries sustained at the hands of their countrymen, must have been harassed by opposite anxieties and conflicting sentiments — at one time flatteiing them- selves that their wisdom would be manifest, and America, subdued and repentant, return to her allegiance, to a just sense of her real PREPACK TO THE 8ECOND EDITION. Ill '»■ M- interest and security — a close connexion with the mother country ; — at another, cherishing in secret and with pride the belief of the in- ability of England to overcome America, and appearing even to anticipate the actual issue of the contest." The foregoing sentiments, worthy of a warm-hearted and patri- otic Carolinian, whose home was a battlefield of the revolution, may nobly be contrasted with the following extracts from a frigid and fastidious criticism of this work, contained in the North Ameri- can Review of January, 1843, understood to have been contributed by Charles F. Adams, Esq., a son of the ex-president of the United States. The reviewer states that " Nearly all of the judicial bench (of Massachusetts), most of the leading members of the bar, all the officers attached to the custom-house, a considerable number* of the graduates of Harvard College, many leading merchants, and most of the fashionable gentry, must be ranked upon the tory side at the commencement of the struggle. Comparatively few perse- vered in their principles at the cost of banishment and the confis- cation of their property. But some did so, and it has been one of the objects of the editor of this book to gather in it such informa- tion relative to their fate as might still be of general interest. Efforts of the same kind have lately been made in other quarters, and all with indifferent success. Probably if their history were known, it would be comprised in few words. Like trees trans- planted after they have attained maturity, they experienced a blight of their prosperity and vigor which no length of time could entirely remedy. The most fortunate repaired to other possessions of Great Britain, there to contribute to the formation of new systems of co- lonial vassalage, in return for the royal bounty not very graciously accorded to them ; while the remainder struggled on, in the home of their preference, with insult and neglect while living, and died at last unpitied and unknown." Among those styled by the reviewer as " the most fortunate,** there were from his own neighborhood Leonard, Blowers, Bliss, Upham, Sewall, Putnam, Browne, Wentworth, and Chipman, all either Governors or Chief Justices of British provinces, besides Upwards of sixty of these were banished.— jEd. ■ "•Vi" ■ ^ T!-..- ■■' „Ty.y'.T*nt-«rf ■>■-:''■ ■■■* IV PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION, many Judges, all of whose'names are emblazoned in capitals on the catalogue of Mr. Adams's alma^mater, and who have, in sev- eral instances, been succeeded in their high stations by their pos- terity : — and as for the remainder, to which he refers as having " struggled on mth insult and neglect," many were ennobled ; and we are as much at loss to understand how their place of banish- ment could have been " the home of their preference" as that such loyalists as Sir Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford), Isaac Royall, and William Erving (of whose generous bequests to Har- vard College our reviewer has availed himself), could have " died unpitied and unknown!!''* Mr. Adams goes on to say that " much allowance should be made for the influence which any fa- vorite pursuit will have in vitiating the judgment of the person engaged in it. But to excuse such cases, that judgnient should at least be seen to be always sound where the peculiar bias is not strong enough to prevent its action. We do not perceive that this is the fact with Mr. Ward. The error which he commits in the preface (in stating that the loyalists were in many instances not the less actuated by lofty principles than those who embraced the popu- lar opinions of the day), re-appears in almost every page of his composition in the volume ; and it is for that reason we feel that we must do our best to expose it. He surely need not be told that his doctrine, if adopted, would destroy the standard of right and wrong in public conduct completely." " If the editor had only claimed for the refugees honesty in the maintenance of their opinions, we should have had no disposition whatever, in many instances, to dispute it. But when Mr. Ward goes farther, and says that the loyalists were actuated by principles not less lofty than those who embraced the popular opinions of the day, &c., we must demur to the use of the word ' lofty, so ap- plied, as well as to any comparison being made at all between the classes thus brought together." Mr. Adams admits that " some of the loyalists persevered in * For an account of those noble foundations, the " Rumford," ^^ Roy- all," and *' Erving" professorships, see duincy's History of the Univer- sity. 4 .-?*'vr ''"ft" ' ■*" v-v^f-" '■^^ fw- PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. their principles at the cost of banishment and the coruscation of their property" and we would ask if vhe motives to such sacrifices could have been ignoble ? Mr. Adams says, " Of Gov. Hutchinson, as a man, we cannot entertain the exalted opinion which the editor expresses. We bj- lieve that he was respectable in private life, but selfish, grasping, and profligate, as a politician. Above all, we know that he was born an American, had been cradled in the nursery of republican principles, had raised himself to general consideration among his fellows by the support of them, and that he sacrificed them for a mess of pottage." Surely Mr. Adams never read his grandfather's Novanglus in reply to his antagonist, wherein he says, " What does Massachuset- tensis mean by independence 1 Does he mean independent of Great Britain, and an independent government in America ? No doubt he intended the undistinguishing should understand him so. If he did, nothing can be more wicked, or a greater slander on the whigs — because he knows there is not a man in the province among the whigs, or ever was, who harbors a wish of that sort." Mr. Adams well knows that Mr. Hutchinson relinquished with great reluctance the office of Chief Justice (which he had filled to universal acceptance), and assumed the executive government, at the certain sacrifice of his popularity, and also that he afterwards refused a Baronetcy, which satisfied the world generally of the sincerity of his principles. And as we look in vain through his history for proof " that he was a selfish, grasping, profligate politi- cian," we are constrained to impute the harshness of Mr. Adams's observations to obdurate and unyielding prejudice, imbibed from those by whom his political principles and habits of thought have probably been moulded. It is too painful to comment upon all the narrow views taken by the reviewer in his elaborate article, and it is unnecessary, as they are without doubt exclusively his own ; since we notice with pride, among others, the following remarks on an analogous sub- ject, in a subsequent number of the distinguished journal which contained his critique :* " Look, then, at the conduct, the speeches, and the writings of ♦ North Am. Review, April, 1844. f VI PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. the earlier patriots, the proper * fathers of the revolution,' — of such men as James Otis, John Dickinson, and Dr. Franklin. They all boasted of the connexion of the country with England, and gloried in the title of British subjects ; they were strongly attached to the land which they still called their ' home ;' they acknowledged the duty of allegiance to the crown, and spoke with the gloomiest apprehensions of measures for a separation that might be forced upon them, if the ministry persisted in their schemes. The General Court of Massachusetts, in a memorial against the * Sugar Act,' which they transmitted to their agent in England in the summer of 1764, declared, that * the connexion between Great Britain and her Colonies is so natural and strong, as to make their mutual hap- piness depend upon their mutual support. Nothing can tend rnore to the destruction of both, and to forward the measures of their enemies, than sowing the seeds of jealousy, animosity, and dissen- sion between the mother country and the Colonies.' James Otis, in his * Rights of the British Colonies,' published the same year, writes thus : * We all think ourselves happy under Great Britain. We love, esteem, and reverence our mother country, and adore our king.' As late as July, 1774, John Dickinson, * the Pennsylvania Farmer,' wrote the ' instructions ' presented by the deputies of sev- eral counties in Pennsylvania to their representatives in the General Assembly, from which we make the following extract : — " ' We well know that the Colonists are charged by many per- sons in Great Britain, with attempting to obtain such an exclusion [of any power of parliament over these Colonies], and a tfttal inde- pendence of her. As well we know the accusation to be utterly false. We can safely appeal to that Being from whom no thought can be concealed, that our warmest wish and utmost ambition is, that we and our posterity may ever remain subordinate to and depend- ent upon our parent state. This submission our reason approves, our affection dictates, our duty commands, and our interest enforces.' '* Mr. Adams seems to coincide in opinion with " the sons of lib- erty," referred to in the Life of Hamilton, 2d vol., p. 260, " through whose proceedings intolerance sought to conceal its deformity un- der the mask of the demagogue." The editor of that valuable work goes on to say, that " The proscribed loyalists from New York petitioned for permission to return — this was a moment mag- it ^-■ PREFACE TO TK". riCOND EDITION. Til nanimity would have embraced to shield the defenceless, but the Governor in his opening speech threw the weight of his influence into the popular scale, and they were rejected." General Washington thus addressed his friend Bryan Fairfax, a loyalist, upon obtaining for him permission to retreat to England : " The friendship which I ever professed and felt for you met with no dimin\ition from the diflference in our political opinions. I knew the rectitude of my own sentiments, and believing in the sincerity of yours, lamented, although I did not condemn, your renunciation of the creed I had adopted." General Washington also recommended Congress to authorize a proclamation of pardon to such of the refugees as would return and signify their allegiance to their native country. That pure pa- triot, John Jay, was American Minister to Madrid when the New- York Confiscation Act of 1779 was passed. In a letter to Gov. George Clinton, dated May, 1780, he says, " An English paper con- tains what they call, but which I can hardly believe to be, your Con- fiscation Act. If truly printed, New-York is disgraced by injustice too palpable to admit even of palliation." Upon this the biogra- pher of Mr. Jay remarks — *' The Confiscation Act referred to, was unfortunately authentic. Mr. Jay, in after life, often spoke of it with strong indignation. He regarded the dispute with Britain as one in which men might conscientiously take opposite sides ; and while he was ever ready to take all proper measures for preventing the loyalists from injuring the American cause, he abhorred the idea of punishing them for their opinions. His wish was that no estate should be confiscated except such as belonged to those who had been either perfidious or cruel. By the act alluded to, many were attainted who had been perfectly inoffensive, and he believed mo tives of avarice had led to their proscription. He always declined purchasing any property that had been confiscated by this law." On reference to this confiscation act, page 580 of this work, we find that the estates of the following ladies were forfeited for opin- ion's sake, viz., Margaret Inglis, Susannah Robinson, and Mary Morris. We take leave of Mr. Adams with the single remark that he is probably almost the only person conversant with our history that could not now join Mr. Gallatin in the noble sentiment he uttered it I ■s- ■ ■;". :■■■■ ■ -"'.■■V.rt'jjo - j^- VIU PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 4: in the Legislative Halls of Pennsylvania more than three score years ago, when advocating a bill which permitted the loyalist refugees to return, viz., " If patriotism be a virtue, loyalty is no less so." We close our preface by stating that the extent of the trans- gression of these loyalists was their retreat from troubles which, to their foreboding minds, were fast approaching. This was con- strued into high treason, and for it they were attainted, pro- scribed as conspirators, their property confiscated, and themselves banished. They maintained their allegiance to the government de facto and de jure, and obeyed the only laws then in force j and were absentees long before a government to which treason could apply had been created. No men were more sensible than these refugees of the nature and extent of the grievances of which the colonists had cause to complain, but were of opinion that redress might have been ob- tained without an appeal to arms. i G. A. WARD. New-York, August I, 1844 . I CONTENTS. ■^ I INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR OP THE AUTHOR. His ancestry, birth, and education— visits Europe — returns and engages in commerce at Salem — ^joins the expedition against Louisburg — 'extracts from his journal during the campaign — an account of the expedition — appointed impost officer for Essex county — literary clubs at Salem — affairs in Massachusetts before the Revolution — difficulties with the governors Bernard, Hutchinson, and Gage — commencement of the Revolution — departure of the author to Phila- delphia, and thence to England— his return and death — number of exiles from Massachusetts, .... pp. 9-24. JOURNAL AND LETTERS. CHAPTER I. A. D. 1775-1776.— Causes of the author's departure— his arrival in Philadelphia — state of affairs in that city — perplexities of the author — he meets Col. Washington — reception of Hancock and Adams — the author sails for England— arrives at Dover— pro- ceeds to London — dines in company with Mrs. Copley, mother of Lord Lyndhurst— Samuel Q,uincy, Jonathan Sewall, Benjamin Pick- man— letters to Rev. Thomas Barnard, William Pynchon, &c.— dines with Gov. Hutchinson— visits Bow-street, Hampton Court, Windsor, Twickenham, Newington, &c destruction of Falmouth (now Port- land), Maine— New England Club in London— meets Sir Francis Bernard— attends oratorio of Messiah at Covent Garden— lecture at Salters' Hall by Dr. Price— visits Chapter House— doomsday book —Portuguese synagogue — West's pictures— Tylney House— Lord Mansfield's seat of Caen Wood— great bed of Ware— Rye House —Westminster Hall— Maddock's garden— Pinchbeck's— Boar's-head tavern— British museum— Duke of Bedford's seat at Croydon— Rev. Dr. Apthorp— Rev. Mr. Peters, ... pp. 25-64. CHAPTER II. A. D. 1776.— Leaves London for the country— visit* Salisbury— Stonehenge— Exeter— Sidmouth— Rev. Isaac Smith- letter from Thomas Danforth— visits Bristol— Birmingham— Tewks- bury— Gloucester— returns to Bristol— Ratcliff church — Admiral Penn— Clifton grotto— Shepton Mallet— Lord Arundel's seat— cabi- net of Pope Sixtus v.— Alfred's tower— spinning-jennies, pp. 64-81. 1 I,: VI CONTENTS. ¥ )^i CHAPTER III. A. D. 1776.— Visits Bath— Meets Col. Saltonstall and Mr. Boylston— Longleat, seat of Lord Weymouth— Glastonbury Ab- bey ruins — Bridgewater— Enmore Castle, seat of Earl Egmont— Taunton — Sidmouth— Slade — Dr. Shebbeare— supposed Danish en- campment at Hembury— Admiral Graves— Exeter— news from New York in Bristol Gazette— election of member of parliament at Exe- ter, candidates Baring and Cholwich— visits Lord Courtenay's Bel- videre— birth-place of Sir Francis Drake- news from America— ru- mors of war between England and France— electioneering in Eng- land—remarks on election at Exeter— Baring elected— advices from Gen. Burgoyne— report of Washington's defeat at Kingsbridge- re- marks on the tone of Englishmen towards America, and vindication of the latter— letters to George Russell, William Pynchon, and Judge Sewall, ..... pp. 81-95. CHAPTER IV. A. D. 1777.— Author completes his sixty-first year- remarks on the commencement of the new year- letters— Dr. Dodd's case- visits Plymouth— Exeter— Bristol— journey to London— en- gages lodgings at Brompton Row, near London— dines with Gov. Hutchinson— meets B. Hallowell— Thomas Russell— visits Christ Church Hospital— the institution described— visits Cromwell's gar- den, in company with Judge Sewall and Abel Willard — attends New Englgmd club at Mr. Blowers'— dines with Harrison Gray — letter to Rev. Isaac Smith on American affairs, . pp. 95-108. m 'V; CHAPTER V. A. D. 1777. Journey from London to Ipswich, in com- pany with Judge Sewall and Abel Willard— passes through Rum- ford, Ingatestone, Witham, Colchester — description of Colchester — Roman antiquities — arrival at Ipswich — an unpleasing town — leaves it for Cambridge— Newmarket races— description of Trinity College- river Cam — University library — returns to London — ^journey to Ox- ford — visits dueen's College — Jmus' College — Merton College — Christ Church College— library — AUsouls— meets Sir F. Bernard — leaves Oxford — visits Blenheim House at Woodstock — Bicester — Buckingham— Stow Gardens — Lord George Germaine — Earl Tem- ple — Coventry — Birmingham — Leasowes of Shenstone — Hagley, Lord Lyttelton's estate — Hales Owen— fair — returns to Birming- ham, ...... pp. 108-124. CHAPTER VL A. D. 1777.— Fair at Birmingham— Soho Gardens— Ashton Park — ^the author leaves Birmingham for Sheffield— first stage Lichfield — cathedral described — Barton — the great StaiTord- sbire canal — Derby silk mills — porcelain manufactory — Kiddlestone, Beat of Lord Scarsdale — Ashburn — residence of Chaucer — Castle- ton— remarkable cave described — arrival at Sheffield— colliery— '^^ CONTENTS. Vll Wakefield— original of GoldBinith's Vicar of Wakefield named John- son— Leeds— Armley—Hudderafield— Halifax— a great manufactur- ing town— Rochdale — Manchester— Duke of Bridgewater's canal— St. John'd church— coal mines at Worsley— description of Manches- ter— journey to Bristol— Stockport— Macclesfield— Leek— manufac- tories — Sandon—Stafibrd—Penkridge— Wolverhampton — •manufac- tories— Stourbridge— Bromesgrove— Worcester— Cathedral describ- ed— Tewksbury— Gloucester— Newport— Bristol, pp. 124-142. CHAPTER Vn. A. D. 1777.— Entry of member of parliament elect into Bristol— the author visits the cathedral— Stapleton — Dundry tower — Bath — American privateers in St. George's Channel — visit to Wales — Swansea — Welsh customs — Neath — Cowbridge— Car- diff— Newport — return to Bristol — advices from New- York — adven- ture of Charles II. — Dean Tucker — John Wesley— journey to Exe- ter — Sidmouth — Axminster — birth-place of the great Duke of Marl- borough — carpet manufactories — Thorncombe — Cullifbrd — Slade — Ottery — return to Exeter — news of Gen. Burgoyne's surrender — close of the year, .... pp. 142-162. ■|- I CHAPTER VIII. A. D. 1778.— Letter on American affairs— enumera- tion of troops to be sent to America — Lord Abington's motion — pas- sage from Dr. Robertson — ceremony of installing a bishop — writers in the Spectator — amount of captures by American privateers — Rev. Sir Henry Trelawney — political letters — report of a treaty be- tween France and the United States — war between England and France, ...... pp. 162-181. CHAPTER IX. A. D. 1778.— Letter to Judge Sewall on public affairs —remarks on ability of England to sustain a war with France — pub- lic credit — number of troops sent to America — French medal in honor of Washington — commissioners to settle the dispute with America — Massachusetts exclusion bill — excursion to Tiverton — the author removes his lodgings from Exeter to Sidmouth — ride to Taunton — Colyton — Woodbury castle, the remains of a Danish fort — ordination of Rev. Isaac Smith at Sidmouth— procession of lace- makers at Honiton, .... pp. 181-198. rst •d- le, e- CHAPTER X. A. D. 1778.— Excursion to the west— Otterton— Lympstone — Teignmouth — Newton Bushel — Dartmouth— Torbay — Bridgtown — Chudleigh — Exeter — returns to Sidmouth — visits beach at Axminster — letters on public affairs — excursion to Wey- mouth and Portland — Melcomb Regis — island of Portland described — Roman remains — Dorchester — advices from New- York — quits Sidmouth for Exeter — Arden's course of lectures on experimental Vlll CONTENTS. philosophy — letter from Judge Sewall — number of ships taken by the French — votes of the bishops on the American war — the author completes his sixty-third year, ... pp. 198-212. ■; ^ CHAPTISR XI. A. D. 1779.— Origin of custom of making presents on New Year's day — letters on public aifairs — British fleet at Torbay — Lord North announces departure of Spanish minister— ordination at Lympstone — combined fleet of France and Spain off Plymouth — author suspected of being an American spy — leaves Exeter for Bris- tol — dines with Mr. Vassall — Dr. Gardiner — Captain Carpenter arrives with letters, etc., from Salem — Mrs. Erving — William Ca- bot, ...... pp. 212-229. CHAPTER Xir. A. D. 1780.— Manilla ship described— visit to Bath — letters — Mr. Washington, a Moravian preacher— celebration of Admiral Rodney's victory over Don Langara — death of William Hutchinson — number of Americans at Bristol, and their names — remarks on the theatre — on public affairs — advices from General Clinton in South Carolina — his success — tour to the north in com- pany with the Sewalls — Newport — Newton — Honiton — Kiddermin- ster — Brosely — Shrewsbury — residence of Samuel Porter — EUes- mere — Wrexham — Chester — Warrington — canal locks at Runcorn — Liverpool — Peak of Derbyshire — Derby — Wolverhampton — iron bridge at Brosely — curious celebration of Gen. Clinton's success at Charleston by S. Sewall — passage on the Severn from Bridge- north to Worcester — adventure with a footpad — return to Bristol^ riots described in letter to W. Pynchon — leaves Bristol for London — amusing sign at Devizes — arrival in London, . pp. 229-262. CHAPTER XIII. A. D. 1780.— Letter to Judge Sewall giving an ac- count of the reported dark day in America — reply of Sewall — visit to ruins of King's Bench prison and Surrey Bridewell, destroyed by mob — remarks on the evil of French troops in America — opening of Bartholemew fair by the Lord Mayor at Smithfleld — Richmond gar- dens — elections in London — Saddler's Wells — Plowden's funeral monument at the Temple — Roman coins — disputing club — excursion to Hempsted, . , . . . pp. 262-285. CHAPTER XIV. A. D. 1780.— Visit to Parliament-house— LaJies' disputing society — Guildhall meeting — Lord Mayor's day — chancery court — Essex House chapel — Rev. Mr. Lindsay — Carlisle House — Montague House — British Museum — lottery drawing at Guildhall — disputing club — affair of Major Andre— Mr. Copley's picture-room —painting of death of Lord Chatham, etc. . . pp. 285-298. ' -S " ■■4FT' -.fei^'-V^/y -^r,:- CONTENTS. IX dge- 3S' ill Ini Is. CHAPTER XV. A. D. 1781.— Description of entertainment at Covent Garden theatre — letters — American Academy of Arts and Sciences founded in MaBsachuseits— trial of Lord George Gordon — visit to Priory, Clerkenwell— Greenwich Hospital — Mrs. Cowley's new play — Col. now Governor Browne — House of Commons — debate — Mr. Burke — visit to Westminster Abbey — Mary-le-bone — Dr. Priestley — British Museum — curiosities seen there — Benj. Thompson, (Count Rumford,) — intercepted letter of General Washington — excursion to Windsor — personal description of the King and Queen — Eton Col- lege — Chiswick House — news of the burning of New London — Ad- miral Rodney's fleet at Torbay— consequences of surrender of Lord Cornwallis— Henry Laurens discharged from the tower on bail, ...... pp. 298-330. CHAPTER XVI. A. D. 1782.— Letters— visit to the Queen's house- domestic habits of the King — letter from Judge Oliver — secret ser- vice list for 1731 — General Burgoyne — Welsh procession — disgrace of Lord George Germaine — defeat of ministers — general rejoicing in England — Lord Surrey and Benedict Arnold — new ministry — anec- dote of the Prince of Wales — Lord North — excursion to Hampton Court — division in the cabinet — Admiral Barrington — news of the defeat of the French fleet by Admiril Rodney — Maddocks the florist — anecdote of the Shakspeare mug — Parson Wiswall — new arrange- ment of the ministry — visit to House of Commons — Parson Peters — Sir William Pepperell — Lord Howe — Sterne's private character — public notice of a provisional treaty between England and the United States— state of parties — Sir William Draper, pp. 330-362. CHAPTER XVII. A. D. 1783.— Meeting of refugees at Sir Wm. Pep- Iierell's— death of Mr. Flucker — uncertain prospects of the loyalists — Dr. Graham's lecture on health — meeting of the Royal Society described — public aflairs — procession in honor of Fox — Mrs. Siddons at Drury-lane — visit to the House of Lords — Mr. deBerdt— excursion to Herts— Hoddesdon — letters— St. Giles's — peace proclaimed with France, Spain, and Holland— Nathaniel Gorham — Macklin at Covent Garden, pp. 362-396. CHAPTER XVIII. A. D. 1784,— Pitt's East India bill lost— the author receives letters from Salem encouraging his return — riots in London between followers of Pitt and Fox — Dr. Watson, bishop of LiandafT— letters from William Pynchon — funeral of Sheriff Turner — letter from Judge Sewall — the author's petition for leave to return to America, and to appoint an agent to receive his pension — visit to the Treasury— preparations for leaving England— embarks in ship Union — fellow-passengers — land at Cowes, Isle of Wight— excursion on the island— arrival at Boston— Captain Coombs— the author's classmates- letter from Noah Clap, . pp. 396-419. A^ I 'y CONTENTS. I •■ SUPPLEMENT. ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. PAGE Addrcfls of the merchants and others of Uoston to Governor Hutch- inson, May 10, 1774, ..... 423 Address of the inhabitants of Mnrblehcad to the same, May 25, 1774, 426 Address of the barristers and attornics of Massachusetts to the same. May 30, 1774, 427 Recantations of several of the Sulem " addressers," May 30, 1774, 429 Address of the merchants and others of Salem to Governor Gage, June 24, 1774, 431 Names of the gentlemen and principal inhabitants of Boston who signed an address to the same, Oct. 16, 1775, . . 432 Names of gentlemen driven into Boston, who signed a loyal address to the same, October 14, 1775, .... 434 (Conspirators act of Massachusetts, Sept. 30, 1779, . . 434 Confiscation act of do., April 30, 1779, . . 436 Banishment act of do., Sept. 1778, . . 443 Counsellors of do., appointed by writ of mandamus, August 9, 1774, ...... 438 Worcester (Massachusetts), Resolutions respecting refugees and ab- sentees. May 19, 1783, (referred to in page 382,) . . 444 List of inhabitants who left Boston with the British troops in 1776, 444 a List of such as died in exile from Massachusetts from 1776 to 1783, 444 d Confiscation act of New-York, 1779 .... 580 BIOGRArHICAL NOTICES. A. Adams, John . . . 460 Adams, Samuel . . . 459 Allen, Judge William . . 486 Apthorp, Rev. Dr. East . 533 Auchmuty, Rev. Dr. Samuel 511 Auchmuty, Judge Robert . 511 B. Badger, Rev. Moses . . 551 Barclays of New-York . . 596 Baring, Sir Francis . . 541 Bernard, Sir Francis . . 453 Bernard, Sir Thomas . . 524 Bliss, Daniel .... 518 Bliss, Jonathan . . . 508 Blowers, Judge S. S. . . 4S0 Borland, John L. . . . 500 Boutineau, James . Boylston, Ward Nicholas Brattle, Major Thomas Brinley, Thomas . Browne, Colonel William Burgoyne, General John Byles, Rev. Mather C. Carleton, General Sir Guy Caswell, Richard . Chandler, Nathaniel Chandler, Rufus . Chandler, William Chipman, Judge Ward Clarke, Rev. William Clarke, Richard . Clinton, Gen. Sir Henry 492 466 510 484 500 469 494 468 484 550 522 551 492 499 505 473 CONTENTS. si CofRn, Nathaniel PAOB . 484 Coffin, Thomas Aston . . 552 Colden, Gov. Cadwallader . 537 Cooper, Rev, Dr. Mylea 538, 579 Copley, John S. . . . 503 Cornwallis, General Lord 473 Curwen's, ancestors 445 Curtis, Charles 531 Ciishing, Governor Thomas . 460 D. Dann, Judge Francis 476 Danforth, Thomas 515 Dc Grasse, Count Joseph 543 Domhcstcr, Lord 468 Draper, Sir William 525 H. PAGE IliiUowell, Henjnmin . . 518 Himcock, John . . . 457 Hfiradon, Captain J. . 592 Harrison, Gov. Benjamin . 462 Hawlcy, Major Joseph . 504 liewes, Joseph . . . 485 Hoiyokc, Dr. E. A. . . 489 Hooper, Joseph . , . 467 Hovcy, Ivory . . . 560 Howe, Admiral Lord . . 473 Howe, General Sir William . 474 Hutchinson, Elisha . . 502 Hutchinson, Judge Foster . 647 Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas . 454 Hutchinson, Thomas, Jr. . 499 Hutchinson, William' . . 503 E. Edson, Colonel Josiah . Erving George Erving, Colonel John, Jr. L 547 Ingcreoll, Hon. Jared . 502 524 Jefl'ries, Dr. John . . .537 493 Jackson, Hon. Jonathan . 528 F. Faneuil, Benjamin . . 492 Fenton, Captain John . . ^93 Fisher, John .... S07 Flucker, Thomas . . . 506 Franklin, Gov. William . 55i Fryo, Colonel Peter . . 513 L. Lee, Judge Joseph Leonard, Daniel . Lloyd, Dr. James . Loring, Com. Joshua Lovell, Rev. Benjumin Lynde, Judge Benjamin 487 548 517 523 552 490 168 [84 150 (22 92 39 35 f3 G. Galloway, Joseph . . . 527 Gardiner, Dr. Sylvester . 535 Gates, General Horatio . . 475 Germaine, Lord George . 524 Goodhue, Hon. Benjamin . 488 Grorham, Hon. Nathaniel , 532 Gray, Hon. Harrison . . 506 Green, Joseph ' . . . 465 Green. Francis . . . 499 Greenleaf, Stephen . . 497 Gridley, Benjamin . . 528 Gridley, Colonel Richard . 452 M. Marston, Benjamin . . 543 Mauduit, Jasper . . . 466 Mauduit, Israel . . . 466 Mifflin, Governor Thomas . 485 Moulton, Colonel Jeremiah . 451 Murray, Colonel John . . 492 O. Oliver, Brindley S. . . 550 Oliver, Daniel . . . 510 Oliver, Dr. Peter . . .511 Oliver, Governor Andrew . 462 ^z- - I 4> xU Oliver, Governor Thomns Oliver, Judge Andrew Oliver, Judge I'eter Oliver, Peter, Jr. . Orno, Timoihy Otia, Hon. S. Altyne Oxnord, Edward . P. Paine, Judge Ilohert T, Paine, Dr. Williiim Paxton, Clmrlea . Peppercll, Gen. Sir William Pepperell, Sir William . Pepperells of Kittery Phips, Colondl David . Porter, Samuel Peters, Rev. Dr. Samuel A. Pickering, Hon. Timothy Pickman, Colonel Benjamin Poynton, Captain Thomas Prince, Dr. John . Putnam, Judge James . Putnam, James, Jr. Pynchon, William Q. (luincy, Hon. Samuel . 463, 561 R. Reed, General Joseph . . 486 Robie, Thomas . . .491 Robinsons of New- York . 593 Ropes, Judge Nathaniel . 490 Routh, Richard . . .493 Rogers, Samuel . . . 543 Rogers, Jeremiah D. . . 552 Royal, General Isaac . . 523 Ruggjes, General Timothy . 503 Rumford, Count . . . 497 Russell, Judge Chambers . 5!6 Russell, Dr. Charles . , 513 CONTENTS. PAQC S. PAOi; . 515 Sackville, Lord . 625 . 488 Saltonstall, Col. Richard . 648 . 510 Sargent, John . 402 . 551 Sewall, Judge Jonathan . 463 . 504 Sewall, Samuel . 606 . 535 Shipper, Dr. William . . 485 . 508 Shirley, (Jov. William . . 450 Simpson, Jonathan . 493 Smith, Judge William . . 501 . 461 Smith, Rev. Isaac . . 466 . 551 Sparhawk, Samuel 11. . . 497 . 537 449 . 526 T. . 581 Temple, Robert . . 497 . 527 Thompson, Benjamin . . 497 . 510 Troutbeck, Rev. J. . 511 . 504 . 477 U. . 51^ . 512 Upham, Judge Joshua . . 515 . 467 V. . 514 Vassall, John 815 . 552 Vassall, William . . 547 . 487 Vaughan, Col. William . 452 w. Waldo, Francis . . .518 Ward, Richard . . .533 Watcrhouse, Samuel . . 513 Wilkins, Rev. Dr. Isaac . 555 Willard, Abel . . .521 Willard, Colonel Abijah . 520 Wentworth, Gov. Sir John . 501 Williams, Elijah . . .528 Williams, Seth . . .543 Winslow, Edward, Jr. . 543 Winslow, Pelham . . . 548 Winthrop, Admiral Robert . 528 Winthrop, Gov. Thos. L. . 531 Wisvvall, Rev. John . . 511 »%'• # INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR The j .itcr'irJ antjestry of Samuei- Curwen, the author of the Jourii.i' and Coi respomlence now submitted to the public, were for many • cnturies amongst the leading families in the county of Cum- berland, in th : north of England, where the family seat, named Workington Hall, still remains. George Curwin, his immediate ancestor, was an early emigrant to New England, having established his residence in 1638 at Salem, in the then recent colony of Massa- chusetts Bay, where he continued to reside during the residue of a long life. He was highly esteemed by his contemporaries, for his active and energetic character, and for several years represented his adopted town in the " General Court," or legislative assembly of the colony. He also commanded a squadron of horse in the Indian wars that spread desolation thioughout the frontier settle- ments of New England, and assisted in checking the inroads of the savage foe. He died at Salem in 1685, at the age of seventy-four years, leaving a large estate. His son, Jonathan Corwin,* was of the provincial council named in the Massachusetts charter granted by William and Mary in 1691, and a judge of the superior court of the province; he married a daughter of Sir Henry Gibbs. George Curwin, a fruit of this c mnection, was the father of our author : he graduated at Harvard College, (then the only collegiate institution in Buiish America,) in 1701, and was for a short period pastji of a church at Salem. He died in 1717, at the early age of thirty-five years. * The orthography of this noine, like that of many others, seems to have varied at different periods, both in EnRland and America ; our author after his visit to England wrote it Curwen, i...^ dl 10 * ■ INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR The subject of this memoir was born in 1715, and graduated at Harvard College in 1735 ; he subsequently pursued the usual course of preparatory studies for the church, but his health prov- ing inadequate to the labours of the profession, he was obliged to relinquish the design. Disappointment in an affair of the heart induced him to travel in England and on the Continent, and the following letter to his only brother, then temporarily absent, shows the melancholy state of his mind at that time. TO GEORGE CURWIN. Salem, 16th Jviy, 1738. Sunday evening. Dear George : It will no doubt be somewhat surprising and unexpected to hear of my being gone, especially at such a time as this, the reason of which may not perhaps be so proper to tell you by letter ; but if I could have had the happiness of informing you more fully in person, I should have done so. Besides the extreme hurry and other con- curring circumstances forbid it. Had I not engaged too far to retreat, I know not whether the various rumours spread abroad had not stopped me. Yet extremities, you know, often dispose one to that which otherwise would not have been undertaken. To say no more, I am gone, and God alone, the sovereign disposer of all things, knows the issue ; no human prudence is equal to the uncer- tainty of events. I have to request you never to credit the least report or give ear to what people say concerning me, (censure now-a-days being the delight as well as the chiefest quality of the generality of mankind,) as my affairs are not understood by any one. Show Madam Lynde and Mr. Benjamin Lynde all imaginable respect; they have expressed much greater good will than any one else, therefore omit no opportunity of thanks to them and Mr. William Lynde, who has undertaken a great service for me. Let not any former misunderstandings hinder your freely conversing together ; it will, I can assure you, be your fault alone if it doth ; the business he has undertaken will necessarily lead to it, and I hope I have not chosen a person disagreeable to you. My will is in the hands of Mr. Benjamin Lynde, which I have :» % •" *' INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. n made to secure the honor of the family, and if possible to maintain them in some repute in case of your death ; — may God long pre- serve you. My dealings with sundry persons have more fully than ever confirmed me in the maxim to treat all persons as if they were dishonest; I mean no more than not to rely too much on their faith and honor ; too much good natrre in common dealings is no pro- fitable principle now-a-days. Nor do I know whether it be a breach of Christian charity to suppose our New Englanders such; there is most certainly a contracted selfish temper in most per- sons, which almost inclines one to think that justice and honor in their full latitude are little understood. The time of my stay abroad, if there happens no war, is uncer- tain, (although I am not resolved at all hazards to gratify my curiosity by travelling;) it may in that case be eight months, perhaps much longer ; otherwise I shall return in the same vessel. I am, dear George, in all respects, Your most affectionate brother, S. CuRWEN. On his return, Mr. Curwen engaged in commercial pursuits with uprightness and success. His business was subsequently interrupted by the depredations of French cruisers, fitted out from Louisburg in the island of Cape Breton. New England suffered immensely in her commerce from the same cause, and her enterprising people resolved upon the reduction of that stronghold of the enemy at all hazards. Accordingly, we find what was generally considered a romantic expedition set on foot for this purpose in the winter of 1744-5 ; and Mr. Curwen as a captain, and his brother as a com- missary, joined it. The command of this expedition, comprising some four thousand New England militia, was given to General Pepperell,* who having suffered largely from the depredations of French cruisers, advanced several thousand pounds towards the outfit. The result of the expedition was completely successful, and reflected great credit on the participators in it. The General was t ♦ See Supplement for biographical notices of Sir William Pepperell and other conspicuous persons whose names occur in tliis work. *.ench fired a gun. Louisburg, June \llh, 1745. The Governor, aware of our preparations for a general assault, thought it best to capitulate, and has just surrendered the cily to our arms. Louisburg, July 2Uh, 1745. An East India ship, worth at least je200,000 sterling, came off the harbour, and fired a gun fo»- a pilot. The Commodore sent out two sixty gun ships, which 'came up with, and took her in three hours ; we had the pleasure from the walls to see her strike to them. Two others, sent out three weeks before her, bound hither, are hourly expected to heave in sight. Col. Graham goes to-morrow in a sloop as a flag of truce for Canada, with about thirty French prisoners ; he is the only Englishman that goes in her. I am going on board Capt. Lovett to St. Peter's, with a number of my soldiers, to guard the wood-vessels going there : our affairs will soon be settled, and I shall, to ray great joy, return home." JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 11 A life to all our TO HENRY GIBBS, ESa., SALEM Louishurghy July 26, 1746. Dear Sir : I enclose you a rough draught of the Island-Battery, which I hope will afford you some pleasure. It naay perhaps give you some idea of the place which the day before yesterday I saw, and not before. I have the great pleasure to congratulate you on our con- tinued success, in taking a rich East India Ship, which, upon the ramparts, about three thousand of us saw strike to the " Princess Mary" and " Canterbury." She appeared in sight on Monday, the 23d, about middle P. M. She fired for a pilot, and was answered by the Island-Battery with French colors, as the ships in the har- bor, by the commodore's order, laid to, until the " Vigil," which is placed opposite the mouth, came up as a decoy. Early the next morning, the two ships above-mentioned went out with the while en^ sign, which the Frenchman laid to for, and too late discovered her mistake ; for, being surrounded by the English ships, after having received a broadside from the ^^ Princess Mary," she yielded with- out firing a gun ; her cargo cost in India about ^£75,000 sterling. It is judged to be worth one hundred and fifty per cent, above the cost. She has on board thirty tons of pepper, eight hundred and eighty-five bales of muslin, and other very valuable commodities, but no tea or porcelain. On the 23d, Mr. Rolleau, an engineer, was buried in mar- tial order, the second of the sort since my arrival, a marine having^ been buried in this manner about a week since. The procession began by soldiery, with arms reversed, two and two, about twenty- five file, then the corpse, with a standard on the coffin, on top of which was placed a drawn sword. Three files before the corpse went two drummers, with drums unbraced, and beating with the butt-ends of their sticks, at proper pauses, whcih made a most sol- emn sound. Then went the general and suite, in a most confused, irregular manner. I am this day going out with a detachment of sixty or seventy of our regiment, as a guard to twelve sloops to St- Peter's for wood for the garrison, being the third piece of duty of the military sort. I have no more news. '^'■ \ 14 b JOURNAL AND LETTERS. Heartily wishing you success in business, health of body and tranquillity of mind, I remain your friend, and most obedient humble servant, Samuel Curwen. The embrasures on the front are not more than three t'eot above the ground. 1. Fronting mouth of the harbor, 22 embrasures, 21 guns, 36 and 48 pounders. 2. Barracks. 3. Sally-ports. 4. Wall framed of timber, and covered with plank, and filled with stone and lime, in which is an embrasure with a 48 pounder. 5. Wall, defended with two small swivels. 6. The place at which whale-boats might easily land 500 men. 7. One entire rock, perpendicular on the face, and absolutely impossible to be climbed. 8 Piquet of large timber, fastened by iron clamps, drilled into the solid ronk !) Commandants' apartments, five feet high, 10. The gate under the wall, about four feet wide, formed like a common sally-port, not straight, but made an angle of 160 degrees. Ten men can prevent ten hundred making their way ; this wall has but four guns and two swivels. I paced the island, and judged it to be about 56 yards wide and 150 long, at the widest part, nearly. '-lisspsi'; # * #« ^:7' . vft INTEOOUCTOEY UEMOIE. I» FROM WILLIAM LVNDE. Salem, July 27, 1746. Capt. Curwen: I have had the pleasure of but one letter from you since you left us. — If no more East Indiamen, &c. drop in, yet a line on any occasion will be very agreeable. I should be glad to hear of the event of these ships being at Louisburg, and what effect their coming will have on the fleet, array. New England, the nation, or any particulars of them, or concerning Louisburg ; the French fishery, settlements on the island, &c., if not too troublesome to you. I hope New England will be the happier for the event of the expedition, which is known to have been too bold a stroke for your enemy — how it will turn out is doubtful, since many are competi- tors for the honor. We here assure ourselves of the Governor's good designs and influence on our part. I could say more than write on this article, and cannot but be sanguine for the honor of our country and friends, whose all was involved in the happy issue of the expedition. We hope daily to hear of the Governor's arri- val and good measures for the general advantage. The fleet assume their full share, from all accounts, and have much popu- larity ashore; doubt not of the influence of omnipotent gold, which perhaps they have a greater share of, than of honor or jurisdic- tion on land. How you stand inclined yourself, I know not, though don't doubt your zeal for our country and friends. As to occurrences at Salem ; trade has been successful, and no losses ; — if the Dutch break this year, you know how it will affect. We hear from New-York and via Lisbon of some five French men-of-war, designing for Cape Breton ; perhaps to convoy the Indiamen. Undoubtedly you may expect some via Lisbon advices ; they say Genoa has declared for the French and Spaniards. From New-York they say the Duke of Tuscany is Emperor, but it is doubted here. I believe there is matter enough in Europe for a long war ; but perhaps you have later news than we. Our gov- ernment has declared war against the Penobscot Indians, who have broke in on our new settlements ; so that we are at war with all eastern Indians ; they are doubtless put on by the French of Canada. New England has enough on her hands, though the season is hopeful and trade brisk. Some particulars I could give verbatim, •^ ^7W 16 % j ^•• INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. which I cannot write ; hope to sec you soon here, and spenJ some pleasant hours with you, as we have spent many past. Give my hearty service to your brother and Capt. Grant. My brother* de- sires you would excuse his not writing by this opportunity. Capt. Hillyer is now going to sail, having given but short notice. Believe me, dear Sir, your real friend, William Lvnde. A late writer thus describes'this expedition, which is among the most remarkable in our history—" The French had built a city and fortress on the island of Cape Breton, at immense cost, and of immense strength, which in honor of the King was called " Louis- burg." Their fisheries in the seas in its vicinity (as was ascer- tained by Mr. Kilby, as agent of Governor Shirley, of Massachu- setts), produced one million and four hundred thousand quintals annually, and they annoyed the colonial fishermen so much, that the fishing interest of Massachusetts and New Hampshire resolved on the destruction of Louisburg, and the expulsion of the French from the fishing grounds. Application was made to Gov. Shirley ac- cordingly, by Vaughan, a son of the Lt. Governor of New Hamp- shire, who was largely interested in the fisheries, and whose fisher- men had imparted to him viable information as to the weak parts of its defences. The subject was considered in secret session, thefirst ever held in the Colonies. After much difficulty, and after having been negatived once, it was resolved to undertake the des- truction of this wonderful city. But the Colonies south of New England declined to aid in so mad an enterprise, though urged to do so ; and Dr. Franklin, as if forgetting that he ' was Boston born,' ridiculed the project, in one of the wittiest letters that he ever wrote. The spirit of New England was up. A feeling something like that which caused the Crusades, prevailed among her people, high and low. Religion shouted " Popery" — and even White- field made a recruiting house of the sanctuary ; and he not only preached delenda est Carthago, but one of his followers actually joined the troop as chaplain, and carried an axe at the shoulder, with which to hew down the Catholic images in the churches of the fated city. On sailing, the troops were furnished with line and other gear to catch fish on the passage. The original plan of * Benjamin Lyntle, afterwards Chief Justice Sup. Court. "S" • *• »."^ ■i' -"«*^^ ,' INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR 17 k attack was not observed, but to the surprise of all, the city fell, and Pcpperell was rewarded most magnificently, while Vaughan, who claimed to have conceived its destruction, and who certainly did much to effect it, and was second in command and performed ex- traordinary feafs of valor before it, was suffered to die neglected, though he went to London in person to press his claims. At the peace of 1749, Louisburg was restored to France, much to the displeasure of New England. In the war with France, which preceded the Revolution by about twenty years, it was captured a second time, and miners were sent from England to reduce its walls to rubbish. In its second capture, Wolfe distinguished him- self much. He sailed from this doomed city for Quebec, at the head of 8000 men, to rise from a sick bed, and * die satisfied' on the plains which his name has made immortal. Louisburg is now desolate. Its walls were built of bricks brought from France. Twenty-five years and thirty millions of livres were spent in building it. It had nunneries, and palaces, and two hundred and six cannon were mounted to perpetuate French dominion over it. Six thousand troops garrisoned its fortress, and a fleet of ships of the line and frigates were moored m its waters. But yet, though all called it the " Dunkirk" of America, because of its exceeding strength, it fell — and now it is almost unknown that such a place existed. Its captors, by keeping the flag of France in its place, after they became its masters, decoyed and captured ships and cargoes worth some millions of dollars, but now, none but fishermen visit it, and they for shelter and not for traffick. — That such a city existed at so early a period in our history, is a marvel ; that such a city yielded to the farmers and fishermen of New England, is al- most incredible. The lovers of the wonderful may read the works which contain accounts of its rise and ruin, and be satisfied that ' truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.' " The influence of the expedition to Louisburg has been felt ever since. When, thirty years after it, the northern colonies became embroiled with the mother country, many of those who belonged to it were still alive. The confidence which their skill and success inspired was incalculable. — When Gen. Gage was fortifying Boston neck, the American people, whose curiosity led them to watch the progress of the works, used to say that ' Gage's mud 3 % -ii?;?- 7h parliamentary authority, by making provision for quartering the king's troops. In 1768, the Governor laid before the assembly of Massachusetts a letter from Lord Hillsborough, secretary of state, directing him to dissolve the same unless an obnoxious vote, passed in February, should be re- scinded ; and this being refused by a vote of 92 to 17, the minority were ever after reproachfully termed " rcxcinJers.''' In April, 1769, (Jovcrnor Bernard received orders to embark for England ; and on his arrival, his conduct having met the approbation of the ad- ministration, he was created a baronet. He had been treated with great bitterness here, which however was owing in part to certain of his letters to England, in which he infers the necessity of the king's appointing a royal council instead of that elected by the people, and recommends an act to authorize the king to super- sede all commissions which had been issued to improper (i. e. dis- affected) persons. The destruction of the East India Company's tea at Boston in 1773, only was wanting by their leaders to involve the body of the people in the same circumstances in which their course of opposition measures had placed them. The leading principles of the Revolution, viz., a denial of the right of taxation by Parliament, a claim of the privilege of juries in admiralty courts, and the right of trial only in places where offences are committed, should have been allowed to rest upon the broad basis of their respective merits. Private letters, surreptitiously ob- tained in England, written by Governor Hutchinson and Lieut. Governor Oliver, (whose spotless lives, devoted, as they believed, to the best interests of their fellow men, had acquired for them an almost unbounded influence,) were announced with great pomp and circumstance by legislative resolves; and garbled extracts were circulated, and unjust inferences drawn, before the letters themselves ■were permitted to be printed, which would have proved a sufficient antidote to the poison so invidiously diffused. — The distemper, how- ever, was much arrested by a series of papers under the signature Philolethes, from the pen of Mr. Sewall, developing the disguised craft and fallacies which pervadtd this deep contrivance, and written l» ^ f 1 f-.< # # # •■'■ 4" <*• ir 22 m INTRODUCTORY MKMOIR, s "witli such moderation and candour that the calumniators thoujtht ^ it best to leave these pieces unanswered, and suffer the flame to die away, intending to keep the embers in reserve for raising a new flame at a more propitious time for their purposes. — Governor Hutchinson* had represented the transaction of the 5th of March 1770 (commonly called the Boston massacre), in his letters to the secretary of state, far more favourably for the town than the evi- dence at the trial afterwards warranted, yet the Assembly consider- ed him as inimical to the province for conforming to his instructions, and withstanding their attempts to compel him to yield the prerog- ative of the crown ; and the council instead of supporting him sided with the House. The designs of particular persons to bring about a revolution and attain independency, were apparent to the Governor, but he did not think it possible that the people would be induced to declare for it. Under the discouragements of thj times Governor Hutchinson determined to visit England, and have at least a temporary relief; but before he received an answer to his request, his able and estimable coadjutor, Lieut. Governor Oliver,* succumbed to the unwarranted attacks upon him, and fell a victim to wounded sensi- bility on the 3d of March, 1774. In a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, granting Gov. Hutchin- son's vvished-for permission to visit England, dated April 9, 1774, he says : " It is impossible you can have any doubt of the light in which your conduct on the late trying occasion is seen by the king and his servants. I cannot however content myself without repeat- ing to you what cannot fail to give you the strongest consolation and satisfaction, that it is his majesty's intention to testify his appro- - bation of your services to all mankind by an early mark of his favor.f This expectation will contribute much to alleviate the anxiety of your mind, and to support you under any difficulties you may yet have to encounter ; but you will allow me to say, that to a mind like yours there are secret sources of tranquillity that are superior to such great and encouraging considerations. The con- scious sense which you possess of an upright and uniform regard to • See Supplement. t A baronetcy was ofTerrd Gov. Hutchinson and dcclincc), which ought to satisiy his countrymen of the upriglitness of his political motives. : ■' «':■:?■"•■■-"->^ •-• ■ -.-JT. f tP # #24 # INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR. I', J" ' f . Daniel Russell, of Charlestown, and a sister of Hon. Chambers Rus- sell, whom he survived many years. He died in his native town, in April, 1802, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He possessed a fine literary taste, was a scholar and a Christian. He left no' lineal descendants; but in order that the name might not become extinct in New England, at his request just before his death, a collateral relative since deceased assumed it, who has left three sons residing at Salem, who bear the name. Of the families of the exiled loyalists, scattered as they have been over the world, it is no small matter to obtain information ; while some grace the peerage and baronetage of England, of many of the exiled Refugees scarce a descendant, even in a collateral branch, is to be found. Of the loyalists that remained to run the risk of the spirit of the people, the task has been less difficult. Of nearly two hundred that were banished by the government of Massachusetts, upwards of sixty were graduates of Harvard Col- lege. And of the five judges of the supreme court of that pro- vince at the commencement of the difficulties, the Hon. William Cashing alone was of patriot principles, who was afterwards on the bench of the supreme court of the United States. ^^L ■',:?»' ■ Wi"'* '^' * '* JOURNAL AND LETTERS CHAPTER I. ■* '»v1 Philadelphia, May 4, 1775. Since the late unhappy affairs at Concord and Lexington, finding the spirit of the people to rise on every fresh alarm, (which has been almost hourly,) and their tem- pers to get more and more soured and malevolent against all mod- erate men, whom they see fit to reproach as enemies of their country by the name of tories, among whom I am unhappily (although unjustly) ranked ; and unable longer to bear their un- deserved reproaches and menaces hourly denounced against myself and others, I think it a duty I owe myself to withdraw for a while from the storm which to my foreboding mind is approach- ing. Having in vain endeavoured to persuade my wife to accom- pany me, her apprehensions of danger from an incensed soldiery, a people licentious and enthusiastically mad and broken loose from all the restraints of law or religion, being less terrible to her than a short passage on the ocean ; and being moreover encouraged by her, I left my late peaceful home (in my sixtieth year) in search of personal security and those rights which by the laws of God I ought to have enjoyed undisturbed there, and embarked at Beverly on board the schooner Lively, Captain Johnson, bound hither, on Sunday the 23d ultimo, and have just arrived. Hoping to find an asylum amongst quakers and Dutchmen, who I presume from former experience have too great a regard for ease and property to sacrifice either at this time of doubtful disputation on the altar of an unknown goddess, or rather doubtful divinity. My fellow-passengers were Andrew Cabot,* his wife and child, and Andrew Dodge.* My townsman, Benjamin Goodhue,t was »&■■ Merchants of Beverly. t See Supplement. I '■i^'^' ■*. w /-i ■'■'■'r-iT'.' 26 JOURNAI- AND I, KTTKRS. [1775. t kind enough to come on board, and having made my kinsman and correspondent, Samuel Smith, acquainted with my arrival, he was pleased to come on board also, and his first salutation, " We wUl •protect you though a tory" embarrassed me not a little ; but soon recovering my surprise, we fell into a friendly conversation, and he taking me to his house, I dined with his family and their minister, Mr. Sproat, suffering some mortification in the cause of truth. After an invitation to make his house my home during my stay here, which I did not accept, I took leave, and went in pursuit of lodgings, and on enquiring at several houses, ascertained they were full, or for particular reasons would not take me ; and so many refused as made it fearful whether, like Cain, I had not a discour- aging mark upon me, or a strong feature of toryism. The whole city appears to be deep in congressional principles, and inveterate against " Htitchinsonian JIddressers." Happily we at length arrived at one Mrs. Swords', a widow lady, in Chestnut-street, with whom I found quarters, rendercJ more agreeable by S. Waterhouse's com- pany, who also lodges here. May 5, 1775. I find the drums beating, colours flying, and de- tachments of newly raised militia parading the streets ; — the whole country appears determined to assume a military character, and this city, throwing off her pacific aspect, is forming military compa- nies, a plan being laid for thirty -three ; composed of all ranks and nations, uniting shoulder to shoulder, they form so many patriotic bands to oppose like the invincible Macedonian phalanx, the pro- gress and increase of parliamentary authority. The Quakers, not to be behind in manifesting their aversion, have obtained permis- sion of the city committee to make up two companies of Frimds exclusively, and they are to be commanded by Samuel Marshall and Thomas Mifflin,* both of that persuasion. So powerful is the love of liberty, and so great the dread of ministerial designs, that the strong-est prejiidices and habits have given way and are controlled by the former. The House this day having received a message from the gover- nor with Lord North's conciliatory plan, has on a full debate re- jected it, being resolved to adhere to the union. * See Supplement. t' M^ use s com- 1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 27 Joseph Lee* hearing I was in the city, came to see me, and advised my going to London. May 6, 1775. Saw Pelatiah Webster,f who at the instance of Mr Goodhue treats me civilly. Having had several intima- tions that my residence here would be unpleasant, if allowed at all, when it shall be known that I am what is called "an addresser;^* besides, solicited to sign " a recantation," which may contain more than in conscience I can subscribe ; and after all A^ith the uncer- tainty whether it will answer the purpose, or should it barely, to live and die under the character of reproach and ignominy, which the outrageous fury of party may throw upon me, is a reflection too painful for a moment to support. I have, therefore, consulted the few friends I think it worth while to advise with, and on the result, am determined to proceed to London in the vessel in which I came here. On the credit of Samuel Smith and Sons, I have with ♦heir as- sistance procured flour to freight a vessel. May 7, 1776.— Sunday. Went with Mr. Smith to Arch- street meeting house ; Mr. Sproat entertained us with a truly American patriotic sermon, pathetically lamenting the evils we are suffering from wicked and tyrannical ministers ; exhorting us manfully to oppose them. At 2 o'clock at the wharf, a large collection of people were waiting news from London, Capt. Robinson having just anchored. The only news was, that the restraining bill respecting New-Eng- land, and the other respecting the southern colonies, were passed. Dr. Franklin arrived last night, which was announced by ring- ing of bells to the great joy of the city. I cannot but promise myself some good, as his knowledge and experience must have in- fluence in the approaching Congress, which will I doubt not listen to his judgment. He is, it is said, to return to England again soon, at Lord Chatham's instance, who tells him he must be on the spot at the opening of Parliament. May 9, 1775. Dined with Stephen Collins; passed the evening at Joseph Reed's,* in company with Col. Washington, (a * See Supplement. t In July, 1774, this gentleman directed his correspondent at Boston, to pay £10 to the commitee for the relief of sufferers by the Boitoa Port Bill. *« '' W[' t?; 4^ * 28 JOOKNAL AND LETTERS. [1775. fine figure and of a most easy and agreeable adclrcss,) Richard Henry Lee, and Col. Harrison, three of the Virginia delegates. — Besides Mr. and Mrs. Reed, were Mrs. Deberdt,* Dr. Shippen* and Thomas Smith. I staid till twelve o'clock, the conversation being chiefly on the most feasible and prudent method of stopping up the channel of the Delaware to prevent the coming up of any large ships to the city ; I could not perceive the least disposition to accommodate rftatters. Col. Caswell and Mr. Hewes, the North Carolina delegates, arrived this day, and are at our lodgings. May 10, 1775. Early in the morning a great number of per- sons rode out several miles, hearing that the eastern delegates were approaching, when about 11 o'clock the cavalcade appeared, (I being near the upper end of Fore street ;) first two or three hundred gentlemen on horseback, preceded, however, by the newly- chosen city military officers, two and two, with drawn swords, followed by John Hancock and Samuel Adams in a phaeton and pair, the former looking as if his journey and high living, or so- licitude to support the dignity of the first man in Massachusetts, had impaired his health. Next came John Adams and Thomas Cushing in a single horse chaise ; behind followed Robert Treat Paine, and after him the New York delegation, and some from the province of Connecticut, etc., etc. The rear was brought up by a hundred carriages, the streets crowded with people of all ages, sexes and ranks. The procession marched with a slow, solemn pace ; on its entrance into the city all the bells were set to ringing and chiming, and every mark of respect that could be, was ex- pressed : — not much I presume to the secret liking of their fellow delegates from the other colonies, who doubtless had to digest the distinction as easily as they could. May 11, 1775. Col. Caswell was innoculated for the small pox. Mr. Lee again repeated his advice of my going to London. Dined with J. B. Smith; rode with him to his farm six miles out. Drank tea with Mr. Lee and Startin. May 12, 1775. Sent my baggage on board the Lively — re- 1^ • The mother of Mrs. Reed and widow of the Massachusetts Assembly agent to the British government. ■JE « -^ -a 1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 29 ceived a letter from Stephen Collins to Mr. Neat of London — paid my respects to Mrs. Deberdt, and received a letter to her son. Re- ceived my invoice of flour from Samuel Smith and Sons. Mr. Startin presented me with an open letter on Wilkinson and Co. Birmingham, and Mr. Reed and lady gave me letters to their brother, Dennis Deberdt, London. From post office took Rivington's two last newspapers, and received from the publishers all the present week's Philadelphia papers. Messrs. Lee and Websfer took leave, and with my fellow passenger, Mr. Webster's son Pelatiah, I went on board the Lively. May 16, 1775. Spoke Capt. Waterman '>\ a schooner from Nantucket, who brought me a letter from Nathan Goodale, stating that his family, Mr. Pynchon's, and Mr. Orne's, had arrived there, to which I replied. f m TO NATHAN GOODALE, ESQ. In the Delaware, May 16, 1775. Dear Sir: You can scarce conceive my joy at hearing that my neighbours, suflfering in the same cause as myself, and for whom I sincerely profess a friendship, were in a secure retreat. Continue there by all means, safe from the alarms and dangers you have fled from. Philadelphia is wholly American, strong friends to congress- ional measures ; at least, no man is hardy enough to express a doubt of the feasibility of their projects. Mr. Joseph Lee leads a recluse life there. The inhabitants are displeased that the New Englanders make it their city of refuge. The new established post (instead of the old eastern one which is stopped,) admits no letters to pass but those franked ; the contents of which must be known to one of the committee to be entitled to that benefit. Yours truly, Saml. Curwen. June 1, 1775. At Sea. The Otter sloop-of-war, from Boston, brought us to at 9 o'clock, and informed us all was quiet when she left. The provincial forces, amounting to fifteen thousand men, were waiting the determination of the Congress; that forty -five # # 30 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776. transports with the three generals, had arrived there eight days ago ; and that a great fire happened there, beginning at the bar- rack stores on the docks, and consuming all from thence to King- street. She detained us two hours in order to send letters to England. July 3, 1775. Arrived at Dover, England, at 11 o'clock, A. M. Mr. Webster and myself concluded to take coach for London after visiting the Castle. We first ascended to one of the square towers, in height 134 steps, from which in a clear day the French shore is to be seen, and a most agreeable view into the country. The town of Dover seems under foot, and even the steeples scarce as high as the foot of the hill. We next visited Julius Caesar's tower, (said to have been built by him,) old and in ruins ; on the plains of it is a battery of twenty four pounders, — one of brass, 24 feet long, called Queen Elizabeth's pocket-piece, given her by Holland at the time of its emancipation from Spain. It is curious- ly ornamented with the arms of Enp,land and Holland ; was cast in 1544 ; weighs six tons, and carries a twelve pound shot seven miles. The well is 375 feet deep. The original key supposed to be eighteen hundred years old, is 21 inches long, and weighs three or four pounds. We also saw a sword of state five feet long, the handle twelve inches. At the coffee-house met James Teal, a son of the widow of the late Gov. Belcher of Massachusetts by her first husband. He wished to convey intelligence of his residence here to his mother in New England ; his letters have miscarried for some time past. London, July 4. Arrived at the New England coffee-house, Threadneedl'.-street, at 7 o'clock P. M. — July 5. Met my towns- man and friend Benjamin Pickman, which rejoiced me; we walk- ed to Westminster Hall, — in Chancery saw Sir Thomas Sewell, master of the rolls, sitting with his hat on, — at Common Pleas saw Judge Blackstone and Sergeant Glynn ; and the King's Bench, Lord Mansfield and Mr. Sergeant Wedderburne. Lord Mansfield's manner is like the late Judge Dudley's of Massachusetts. His peer- ing eyes denote a penetration and comprehension peculiarly his own. Mr. Wedderburne spoke, but at no great length. July 9, 1775. Went to old Jewry meeting-house, where I mel Gov. Hutchinson, his son and daughter, — a cordial reception and 1^»:»- ^'4 # i 1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTEES. 31 invitation to visit him. Mr. Isaac Smith and Mr. Deberdt sat in the pew next me. TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM. London, July 7, 1775. Dear Sir : I am glad for the calm season at Salem ; — could I have been safe on the same conditions I find my friends permitted to reside at home, I would joyfully have accepted them. However, this calm I fear cannot last long ; for if Congress dees not offer terms that ad- ministration think they can in honour accept, I have good grounds for saying the most vigorous measures will be pursued, which I fear will cause the destruction of my country. There is an army of NewEnglanders here. My old friend Mr. Sayre, a city banker, married to a lady of fortune, invited me to dine with him in com- pany with my friend Mr. Deberdt. Let Mr. and Mrs. Cabot know that her niece Mrs. Copley,* with whom I dined yesterday at Mr. Bromiield's, Islington, is well, and expects her husband on his passage from Italy. Yours truly, S. CURWEN. July 11, 1775. Waited upon Governor Hutchinson, (in com- pany with B. Pickman,) for the first time ; were well received, and invited to dinner for Saturday. July 18, 1775. Evening to Vauxhall Gardens ; fine gravel- led walks, shrubbery, and covered alcoves lighted by lamps, and rendered a most enchanting spot. Tables spread under the trees for entertainment. In one of the open retreat" is a most finished piece of statuary of Handel, sitting on a harp in a loose dress. July 20, 1775. To J. Lane's house with B. Pickman, passed the evening there in company with Samuel Quincy, Jonathan Sewall, and David Green. July 21, 1775. By boat from Temple stairs to Ranelagh ; a numerous company of well dressed people there, among them the Duke of Gloucester and French ambassador. U ♦ Lady of the great artist. # JOURNAL AM) I. KTTEUS. [1775. *. Jtdy 22, 1776. Spent the day at Hempsted, in company with Isaac Smith, Samuel Quincy, David Green, and P. Webster. TO REV. THOMAS BARNAllD, SALEM. Ijondon, 22d July, 1776. Dear Sir ; The dissipation, self-forgetfulness, and vicious indulgences of every kind, which characterize this metropolis, are not to be won- dered at. The temptations are too great for that degree of philo- sophy and religion ordinarily possessed by the bulk of mankind. The unbounded riches of many afTord the means of every species of luxury, which, (thank God,) our part of America is ignorant of, and the example of the M'ealthy and great is contagious. Ten miles round is filled with pleasant \illas, and Sunday is allotted to visiting them. The congregation at old Jewry meeting-house, re- spectable for its appearance, did not exceed a hundred. The preacher is called a Presbyterian, and all of that denomination here are on a broader and more liberal plan of divinity than those who go by the name of Independents, such as the " Pinner's Hall Di- vines" and their associates. The style of the preachers in London (of our way) is more just and correct than ours in New England. To my surprise I savv an auditor taking notes. Notes for prayer or thanksgivings are never read, and the mention of such cases is deferred to the last prayer. Admission to the pews is by a female, who unlocks the doors, (all having locks ;) strangers are conducted to the table pew in the centre, where the sacrament is adminis- tered. TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM. London, 25th July, 1775. Dkar Sir : I dropped in at Guild-hall, where Judge Nares was sitting at the City Common Pleas ; on his cushion were worked the city arms, — and also on the Recorder's, I presume to remind them of the city rights. I was fortunate in procuring a seat just behind Sergeant Davy, and heard as far as my imperfect organs (and the noise and confusion) would admit. While he was opening the case, he was obliged to rise out of his seat, step forward and lean down to hear. % -^ 1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 33 in a manner unbecoming the dignity of a judge. Every fact of importance delivered by a witness was noted down by the judge as well as counsel. The noise was much greater than would be al- lowed in our American courts. I have seen the Lord Mayor in his court ; but this court seems more like a reference business than any thing else. Through un- common good fortune, 1 have, without the customary delay of two or three weeks, been admitted into the British Museum, Montague House, a truly royal institution for the preservation of the produc- tions of nature and art. Saw the first Bible printed by authority, on vellum, and turning to the 91st Psalm, 6th verse, instead of " Thou shall nol be afraid of the terrors by night" etc., I saw the following : " Thou shall not fear the bugs and vermin by night," etc. There are many other as remarkable differences, but had not time to examine many texts. I am just informed of a most melancholy event, the destruction of Charlestown in Massachusetts by the king's troops, which all agree in ; the other parts of the story are told differently. Mr. Breck- nock says the king's troops would not fight, but laid down their arms, which is the reason of th ; great carnage among the officers. My distress and anxiety for my friends and countrymen embitter every hour. May it please God to inspire men of influence on either side the Atlantic, with juster sentiments of the real interest of Great Britain and the colonies than they seem to have possessed hitherto. Yours truly, S. CURWEN. July 27. Dined at Mr. Sayre's, in company with four gentle- men and Lady Francis Sherard, only daughter of the late Earl of Harborough ; returned home in Mr. Sayre's coach. July 28. By invitation dined at Grocers' Company feast at their hall in the Poultry. A procession was formed after dinner (band playing,) and halted behind the chair of the new elected master, when the secretary put a tiara on his head ; while another officer held a large golden cup filled with wine, drank to him, and delivered it ; and the master on taking it drank to the prosperity of the company. The ceremony was also had towards the newly made wardens. 5 ■^ «^"^ i' •m -I- [i! « * 34 JOURNAL AND I-ETTFRS, [1776. * *l July 29. Dined with Governor Hutchinson, in company with Mr. Joseph Green, Mr. Mauduit, and Mr. Ward Nicholas Boyl- ston ; the latter gave us an entertaining narrative of his travels through Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. July 30. Sunday attended worship at Dr. Fordyce's meeting- house. Monk well- street. He discoursed with great energy and pathos, abounding with flowers of rhetoric, metaphor, and with uncommon theatric gesture, equal if not beyond Mr. Whitefield. In the vestry room is hanging the original license from Charles 11. to Mr. Doolittle for this present house of worship. Took tea with Dr. Fordyce, at Mr. Kennedy's, and passed an agreeable hour in conversation. August 3. Walked along Hyde Park wall till arrived at the turnpike between that and the Green Park ; at the gate of the former stands a noble house, built by the present Lord Chancellor Apsley,* on ground taken out of the park, and given him by the king for that purpose. Saw their majesties returning from the drawing room, the king in a sedan chair surmounted by a crown, dressed in very light cloth with silver buttons ; the queen carried by two porters in a chair, dresseii in lemon-colored flowered silk, on a light cream-colored ground. They passed between two lines, observed, smiled, and bowed as they passed. TO DR. JOHN PRINCE, HALIFAX. London, August 4, 1775. Dear Sir: I presume you little expected to hear from a fellow sufferer in the cause of loyalty, a whole army of whom are here lamenting their own and their country's unhappy fate. I heard of your escape, and a circumstance connected with it that must render vour existence more tolerable, viz., that you were accompanied by your wife and children, and I cordially rejoice in your and their deliver- ance from the evils which attend our common friends in Salem, and elsewhere in New England. What melancholy scenes they and we are to go through before this unnatural controversy is ended, God only knows! — May you and I be prepared for the worst events. If any of our common friends are in Halifax, be ♦ Afterwards Earl Bathur8t. 'if €. 1776,] JOURNAL AND LETTBRA. 36 pleased to remember rae to them in the kindest manner. Our old friend Ben. IMckman desires to be remembered to you. With much regard, etc., S. CUKWEN. Jlugust 4. At Mr. Boylston's saw many curiosities he brought from Eg_,pt, the Holy Land, etc. Amongst others the locust in pods, the supposed food of John the Baptist. August 5. Dined at Gov. Hutchinson's, in company with Joseph Hooper, Benjamin Pickman, Joseph Taylor, Isaac Smith, Mr. Silsbec, and the governor's family. Jlugust 6. At Old Jewry meeting-house — communion day — in which service Governor Hutchinson, his son Elisha, Mr. Pick- man, and myself participated. The minister brought the elements, and repeated to each communicant some pertinent expression of Scripture, waiting till each had received. TO NATHAN GOODALE, ESQ., NANTUCKET. London, Jlugust 8, 1776. Dear Sir : It really appears to rae that administration will proceed to such extremities as will terminate in the ruin of inland and the colonies. It is a capital mistake of our American li nds to expect insurrections here ; there is not a shadow ot hope for such an event. The manufactories are in full employ, and one of the warmest of the friends of America told nie that letters from Manchester expressed joy that no American nrOt s had been sent, otherwise there must have been disappointment somewhere. What effects may follow in the spring if orders from Russia and Spain are not received, I cannot foresee : — some foretell discontent in the country which will affect the stocks ; whether these will happen depends on contingencies of which I am not a judge. There appears to be a tenderness in the minds of many here for America, even of those who disapprove of the principles of an entire independence of the British legislature, and ardently wish an effort may be taken to accommodate. It is said most vigorous measures will take place in the spring if no offer be made on the part of the colonists. With much regard, etc. S. Curwen. ?l . , ^■■•- -1.1" "i^ifc; ■^f' '■.!#j,C'w;*'.ij,-.. *^ ■- •' t ' *■ *- 36 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1775. August 23, 1775. Went to Sir John Fielding's office, Bow- street — examination of prisoners for robberies, assaults, etc. He is a venerable pfentleman and blind (as justice is represented); his queries manifested a mild deportment, ready apprehension and great penetration. Visited Hampton Court and gardens, which are exceedingly beautiful, although deserted by the royal family. Here are chairs of state with rich canopies, tapestry in gold and silver grounds, containing Scripture and ancient stories of Greece and Rome — adorned also with reigning beauties of the court of Charles j^ II. — of the founders of the different orders of monks, friars, nuns, etc., of former kings, queens, etc. ; Madonnas, the Supper, etc. The ceilings in high colouring and fine preservation, by Verrio, were as pleasing to me as any part of the ornaments, as they referred to incidents in Charles Il.d's story. This palace consists of several squares mostly old, and in same state (decay of time excepted) as in Henry VIII th's time, when by the envy of the courtiers Cardinal Wolsey (who built it for his own use) was obliged to present it to the king. The front on the garden facing the river is magnifi- cent and in good rep.tir. Thence to Windsor — St. George's chapel in excellent repair. Here are deposited the bodies of Henry VIII. and one of his queens, and Charles I. in the midst of the choir. In the side aisles are fu- neral monuments of former kings, of which 1 recollect Edward IV. and VI. ; some ancient nobility, and many canons of the Roman church, with their images in sacerdotal garments cut in brass, let into flat grave-stones on the floor ; stalls for the knights of the garter ; the choir decorated with carvings, and the windows filled with oil paintings of Scripture stories. We then ascended the royal apartments in the castle, consisting as at Hampton Court of an ar- mory, the walls being covered with pikes, halberds, matchlocks, small arms, etc., disposed in a variety of figures. Over the mantel- piece a fine full length of George i. iince of Denmark (husband of Queen Anne) on horseback ; the horse seemed alive. The other rooms hung in rich tapestry on gold and other grounds, with paint- ings, originals and copies of the best masters. In Queen Anne's china-closet were wooden sconces gilt, on which are set china por- celain jars of various shapes up to the ceiling. In a small apart- ment is to be seen a table fastened to the wall, whereon is a little 1776.] JOUENAL AND LBTTBRS. 37 flag of white satin, with the banner of France worked into it, fas- tened by silver clasps to a slender reed of black ebony capped with silver, which the Duke of Marlborough is obliged to present, and lay on that spot on the 2d of August annually, before twelve o'clock at midday, on forfeiture of his palace of Blenheim and the manor belonging to iV ; this being the tenure by which he holds them, agreeably to act of parliament. From the terrace we saw almost under feet Eton college, another noble monument of Gothic archi- tecture. In a square stands a brazen statue of Henry VI., the founder in royal robes. Visited Welbore Ellis's seat at Twickenham, formerly Pope's ; the gro^^o, being arches under the house about a man's height, (ad- mitting a prospect into the longest shady contemplative walk, five feet wide, in the garden,) filled with small flint-stones, Bristol and other kinds in mortar, a few pieces of glass on the top and sides : two or three niches filled with the busts of Pope and others ; — there is also in a cross alley a statue of Terence, and in an addition (made by Mr. Stanhope, late owner,) over the centre of an arch, is a niche filled with a bust of Pope, and underneath are the follow- ing lines : " The humble roof; the garden's scanty line, III spoke the genius of a bard di/ine ; But fancy now displays a fairer scope, And Stanhope^s phiua unfold the soul of Pope." Mr. Stanhope's addition is by far the most elegant part, wherein are many foreign trees, such as the cedar of Lebanon, weeping willows, etc. ; also a green-house filled with flowers, plants and fruits. In a retired part of the grounds stands a plain obelisk, eighteen feet high, dedicated by Pope to his mother, with ♦he fol- lowing inscription : — " Ah EDITHA ! MATRUM OPTIMA, mulierum amantissima, Vale!"* #■ • " Alas? Editha, best of Mothers, most affectiinate of Women, Fare- well !" M- 38 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1775. * m. ■',\ TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, BOSTON. London, 31s< Aug. 1775. Dear Sir: As far as my experience reaches, I have observed that the upper ranks, most of the capital stockholders, and I am told the principal nobility, are for forcing supremacy of parliament over the colonies ; and from the middle ranks down are opposed to it. America fur- nishes matter for disputes in coffee-houses, sometimes warm, but without abuse or ill nature, and there it ends. It is unfashionable and even disreputable to look askew on one another for difference of opinion in political matters ; the doctrine of toleration, if not better understood, is, thank God, better practised here than in America ; otherwise there would not be such numbers of unhappy exiles suffering every disadvantage. Incredible quantities of ammunition and stores shipped and shipping from Tower-wharf for America, manifests the intention of administration to prosecute the plan of subjection of the colonies to the authority of parliament; for that is the only dispute, as it is understood here. Administration would gladly have met the colo- nies half way or more, had there appeared any inclination to accept terms in any degree consistent with the honor and dignity of the mother country. Now, no alternative; an absolute independence of the colonies on Great Britain, or an explicit acknowledgment of the British legislature over all the dominions of the empire. The proclamation which you will receive by this conveyance was published the day before yesterday at the Royal Exchange, with all the circumstances of indignity the lord mayor could throw on it. Instead of the languid measures hitherto pursued, more active ones will succeed, and then wo to poor Massachusetts, which, like the scape-goat, must bear the sins of many. Do urge our remaining friends to flee from the destruction that will speedily overtake that devoted colony. You will not wonder at the luxury, dissipation and profligacy of manners said to reign in this capital, when you consider that the temptation to indulgence, from the lowest haunts to the most elegant and expensive rendezvous of the noble and polished world, are almost beyond the power of numbers to reckon up. ^'% '>4(i- 1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 39 Please make my compliments to Judge Sewall and all other friends and acquaintances with you ; and in the kindest manner remember me to M.^. Browne. Very truly your friend, S. Cdrwen. # Sept. 17. Attended public worship at the " Reformed Liturgy Assembly," Essex House, Essex-street, Strand ; heard Rev. Theo- philus Lindsey, the Unitarian reformist, who gave up a living in Yorkshire, (worth three hundred a year,) on the rejection of the petition to parliament for a revisal and amendment of the common prayer. Preacher serious, style good, discourse useful. Sept. 20. At the Charter House, a foundation by Thomas Sut- ton, Esq., at a cost of jE 12,000 sterling, for classically educating forty boys, and supporting eighty old bachelors and widowers, who are to receive yearly a black cloak, without which never to appear at meals, nor with it without the walks; — besides ten pounds in cash, house-rent, food, f>i.«> :'.'i.g. They have about forty acres (enclosed by a brick wall v '■; feet high,) laid out in gardens; at the entrance are the arcis ot the donor, formed by small pebbles of the size of acorns. Sept. 21. At the Disputation-club, Queen's arms ; question debated, " Is it not injustice in the administration to pursue mea- sures at the cost of the price of blood, without any benefit to the nation ?" — which was voted in the affirmative, but not without a few dissentients. Oct. 11. Governor Hutchinson came in his coach with Mr. Copley from Mr. Bromfield's, and took Mr. Pickman and myself to his house, where we dined in company with Mr. Bliss, Mr. W. N. Boylston, Mrs. Copley, and the family. JVbr. 18. News by a packet from New-York, that Gov. Tryon and Gov. Campbell are obliged to retreat from their respective governments on shipboard ; and that Dr. Franklin had arrived at the provincial camp at Cambridge to advise Gen. Washington to attempt the lines on the neck ; — and that Samuel Adams and Mr. Dickinson were at odds. J\rov. 29. Saw Mr. Garrick in Hamlet at Drury Lane; in my eye more perfect in the expression of his face than in the 4 40 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1775. accent and pronunciation of his voice, which, however, was much beyond the standard of his fellow actors. Dec. 1. At great St. Helen's, Bishopgate-street, where I saw a monument to Sir Thomas Bancroft, a lord mayor's oflF'-er, and an oppressive knave, who had heaped up much wealth, which he left with trustees to ; improved till his rising from the dead j which he imagined would take place after a certain period, when his wealth was to be returned to him. In the meantime, he ordered that his corpse should be laid and kept in a coffin, (with a lock which he could draw back,) and deposited in a tomb with a glass window and a glass door, to be opened once a year on a given day, to be shown to any spectator ; all which has been complied with hitherto. But his trustees have with these ill-gctten gains erected an alms-house at Mile-end, for the support of poor women and children. Made another unsuccessful attempt to enter the gallery of the House of Commons, to hear the third and last reading of the bill prohibiting all commerce with America ; learned at the door that it is to remain shut to strangers, for the pretended reason that the floor of the house is too small and the gallery necessary for the use of members ; confirmed by Mr. George Hayley, a city member, whom I met in the Strand. Thence to Herald's office, where Parson Peters, with his friend Mr. Punderson, lodges : the latter ha- lately arrived from Boston, having escaped by rowing himself in a cockboat eighteen miles into the sound from his native place, Norwich, Connecticut, and being taken up by a vessel and put on board the Rose man-of-war, Capt. Wallace, and conveyed to Boston. It seems he was harshly dealt with by the " sons of liberty, ^^ being obliged to make two con- fessions to save his life ; notwithstanding which he was hunted, pur- sued, and threatened, and narrowly escaped death, (or the Simsbury mines, to which he was finally adjudged, and he thinks with the loss of his eyes,) which would have been his fate but for his sonable and providential retreat. TO HON. WILLTAM BROWNE, BOSTON. London, Dec. 4th, 1775. Dear Sir: Yours of 7th Oct. affords me a pleasingly sensible proof of the f 1775.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 41 truth of King Solomon ^ observation ; " News from a far country is as refreshing as cold water to a thirsty soul." Uncertain what may be the fate of this, I am restrained from writing what might prove amusing, perhaps informing ; should it fall short of its intended destination, and get into the hands of the provincials, though containing nothing prejudicial to the interests of America, even in their own view, nor reflecting on the character of any individual, the most innocent expressioiis, by the force of party prejudice, might be construed into a sense entirely foreign to one's intention, and render one obnoxious or ridiculous. Were I ever so much of a mind to write on politics, I profess not to have such connections as to justify any positive declarations concerning the determination of the cabinet council, and whoever does, you may be assured, if he writes more than the court pleases to publish in the Gazette, arrogates pretensions, to which he has no claim. I will just hint what appears to be a matter of notoriety here : the ooposition in parliament is too inconsiderable in numbers, weight and measures to hinder the progress of administration in their plans respecting America. Both houses repose entire confi- dence in the king and his ministers' resolution not to relinquish the idea of compelling the subraissicn of all subjects within the limits of the British Empire to the authority of the supreme legislature : preparations for which are making for increasing the number of troops, to be sent over time enough for a vigorous push next season. The events of war are uncertain, and victory is by many thought doubtful, — yet it is more than whispered by some that America had better be dispeopled than remain in its present state of anarchy, — much more independent. Should this idea regulate future measures, and should government despair of subduing them, one may, without the spirit of prophecy, see beforehand what ter- rible destructive evils will then befall our poor, devoted, once happy country. " fortunatus," etc. Very truly yours, S. CURWEN. Dec. 12. To Newington to view the house and grounds of Dr. Watts' friend Gunston, celebrated in his poem " Sacred to Virtue," now owned by a daughter of Lady Abney, a niece of Gunston. 6 •#*.■ m 49 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776. In the hall is a half length of Caryl, the commentator on Job, and by his side his wife, mother of Mr. Gunston and Lady Abney ; also Sir Thomas Abn»y and his lady. To Dr. Watts' study, being occupied by the lady, we could not gain admittance. From the balcony we had extensive views of the town and country, and through and over the whole, as well as the house, are spread a neatness and arrangement superior to any spot I ever beheld. Dec. 15. At Covent Garden, to see Mrs. Barry as Constance in king John — a fine person, and esteemed the best actress now on the stage. Dec. 17. At Foundling Hospital chapel ; Mr. Bromley preached. Compared the example of Jesus with that of the most perfect of heathen antiquity, Zeno, founder of the Stoic sect, in whose honor Athens declared by public edict, that he had exemplified in his life the prece^;'s he taught, but of whose inconsistency the preacher enumerated several gross instances, not much to the credit of mere human reason, in comparison with the most eminent and brightest of mere men recorded in the Scriptures, in whom great infirmities and even follies are to be perceived ; his example only, pure and spotless, being fit to be proposed to mankind for their practice and imitation. Dec. 18. At New England coffee-house, where I read in the New-York paper that forts St. John and Chambl6 had surrendered to the provincials commanded by Col. Montgomery, formerly a captain in the regular service, and well esteemed. The garrison was commanded by Major Preston, with six hundred regulars and Canadians. The provipcials immediately investing the fort were only two hundred in number. The officers are to be sent home or down to General Gage, the commander-in-chief in America, in order to be transported. The provincials are supposed to be de- signed for Montreal, Gen. Carleton retiring there after a defeat. — News of a contrary kind is., that Falmouth* in Casco Bay, con- sisting of 139 dwelling hou&es and 278 stores, warehouses, etc., to- gether with many vessels, was burnt by Captain Mowatt of the Canseau sloop-of-war, after two hours notice to remove, for joining, as the captain was pleased in his letter to the inhabitants to term it;, with the rebels ; the particular crime or crimes not mentioned. • Now Portland, Maine. "tfi -:^-.-i^- 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. HB • Dec. 22. Walked to Brorapton-Row with B. Pickman, to dine with Judge Sewall, who meeting us in the Strand two days ago, appointed this day. The family, besides Samuel Quincy, who at- tended Mrs. Sewall and Mrs. Green home, having been to see the king robe and assent to the American prohibitory bill from the throne. After dinner Governor Hutchinson entered and invite^ Judge Sewall, B. Pickman and myself to dhe with him to-morrow. Dec. 23. At Temple Bar took coach to Governor Hutchinson's, where dined in company with Mr. Joseph Green, Mr. Copley, the limner and lady with family, and his children. In our way through Clerkenwell Green we saw five couple of young persons chained together, going under care of tip-staves to Bridewell prison. The news of the taking of St. Jolm and Chamble on Sorel-river con- firmed by an arrival from Quebec which left 14th November. Dec. 25. At Chapel Royal, St. James's ; saw the king and queen, who joined in the services with becoming devotion. Bishop of London preached, Mr. R. Clarke arrived from Boston yesterday, only twenty-one days passage. All safe at Salem. The provincials have seized a ship with five hundred casks gunpowder, cannon, mortars, and stores de guerre et de bouche ; their activity and success is aston- ishing. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, IN LONDON. Islington, December 27, 1775 My Dear Sir : I last evening received your favor of the 24th inst., and it afforded me great pleasure to observe that a weekly New England club was likely to be made up; and I am mortified that the extreme coldness of the weather, and the indisposition I have labored under for raveral weeks, prevent my being in town this day. Be pleased to .ke ray compliments to my brother exiles. Yesterday I received letters from Salem of 18th and 20th November; all was well and quiet there, except a small fracas on account of an expression said to have been uttered by Mr. Timothy Orne, which gave offence to the ruling powers of the town, who assembled and by force took him out of his house into School-street in the everting, designing to inflict the modern punishment of tarring and feathering ^9k ft.- #" m 44 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776. on hiro j but by ( e influence of the Committee of Safety and his promise to appear before the Committee next mornini;, he was suf- fered to depart ; accordingly, the next morning he appeared in person ; and he to whom it was reported he had used the expres- sion appearing and denying it, pre: ^ing to submit to the present government, pay the taxes required for support of it, and demean himself quietly and submissively, and take care to avoid for the future making use of unadvised expressions, his present offence should be forgiven. Mr. Lowell of Newburyport is an acting justice, the only one of the " addressers'* commissioned. The inferior court bench in Essex is filled by Caleb Cushing, B. Greenleaf, Timothy Pickering, Jr., and Dr. Samuel Holton ; the last but one is the only acting justice in our part of the county. Joshua Ward and John Gardner are in commission of the peace. On the supreme bench, John Adams, William Cushing, William Reed and Peasely Sargent, all of whom 'tis said accept. Major Hawley refuses all employment, saying what he did was purely to serve his country. Very truly yours, S. CunwEN. Dec. 31. Went to Holloway mount, pas<''ng through King John's palace-spot; nothing standing but the original front gate- way, under an arch and two pieces of old stone wall, man-height, making part of the wall of stable. Evening at Silver-street meet- ing-house lecture; Mr. Smith pathetically addressed the young, middle-aged and old on the close of the year : May the afflictions I have suffered the past year, in an unhappy banishment from my family, friends and country, be the means of increasing my reliance on, and submission to the all-disposing hand of the wise and righteous Governor of the universe. Jmmary 1, 1776. May the events of the following year, how- ever unfavorable to the pride of my heart, be productive of more moral improvement than the last. Jan. 5. Visited Joseph Green — afterwards to Samuel Quincy's, where I met Mr. Flucker, Judge Sewall and lady, Samuel Sewall, and Harrison Gray, who are bound to the theatre to see the Jubilee, which is to be exquisitely decorated in the scenery. r^ ^^ 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 45 Jan. 20. Accompanied by C. Pickraan and Wra. Cabot, went to Panton-street, Haymarket, to see Mr. Fisher, lately arrived from America ; he had gone out as well as Mr. Flucker. From thence we went to Gov. Hutchinson's, and after a short stay departed through the park to Samuel Quincy's and David Green's lodgings. Parliament-street, where we met Judge Sewall, Mr. Samuel Sew- all, Mr. Flucker, Mr. Harrison Gray, and Mr. Oxnard ; R. Clark and Jonathan Clark going out of the door, whom I saw for the first time since their arrival. Jan. 26. Received a line f'om Mr. Isaac Smith, inviting me to a dinner at the Adelphi taven.", designed as an introduction to a New England club, which I have been long desirous of establishing. Jan. 28. Almost as cold as ever I felt in New England. Jan. 29. Cold without abatement from yesterday, which will ever be known as the cold Sunday, 8^ by Far^nheit. The Thames passed over on the ice : generous collections for the suffering poor. The gains of the laborer are almost always spent on Sunday at furthest; foresight and provision for a future day, is not a virtue known among them. The fires here not to be compared to our large American ones of oak and walnut, nor near so comfortable ; would that I was away ! February 1. To the Adelphi, Strand, where by appointment met twenty-one of my countrymen, who have agreed on a weekly dinner here, viz. : Messrs. Richard Clark, Joseph Green, Jonathan Bliss, Jonathan Sewall, Joseph Waldo, S. S. Blowers, Elisha Hutchinson, William Hutchinson, Samuel Sewall, Samuel Qaincy, Isaac Smith, Harrison Gray, David Greene, Jonathan Clark, Thomas Flucker, Joseph Taylor, Daniel Silsbee, Thomas Brinley, William Cabot, John S. Copley, and Nathaniel Coffin. Samuel Porter, Edward Oxnard, Benj. Pickman, Jno. Amory, Judge Robert Auchrauty and Major Urquhart, absent, are members of this New England club, as is also Gov. Hutchinson. L/mdon, Feb. 9. Passing through Westminster Hall, I stopped for a small space at the courts of common pleas and king's bench ; at the former were sitting the Chief Justice De Grey and his asso- ciates, one of whom was the famous Sir William Blackstone, author of the well known commentaries on the laws of England ; but no iM 46 JOURNAL ANU LETTERS. [1776. cause of importance, or lawyer of note speaking, I proceeded to the latter, where was sitting that excellent useful judge, but mischievous politician, Lord Mansfield. For the same reason as the former 1 quit- ted my stand here, and retreated to the House of Commons' commit- tee-chamber, where for an hour or two I was entertained at the examination of witnesses in the Worcester contested election. The committee sat on an elevated bench, and looked like a court of sessions; the causes managed by advocates with regularity and decency. One of the committee was Sir George Saville, the chair- man Ferguson — all took minutes as is usual in all the courts. Thence to Judge Sewall's, Brompton-row, where met a few New England friends at dinner ; among them Mr. Thomas Robie, whom I was very glad to see, he having arrived in England from Halifax but three days sinct. By him I received a letter from Dr. John Prince in ans>,'cr to mine dated in August. 7U0M HON. WILLIAM BROWNE. Boston, Jan. 8, 1776. i George Dodge, in a schooner from Dominica, and Ingersol in a schooner of Hasket Derby's from Jamaica, were lately sent in. The property of both vessels was transferred to merchants in the West Indies to cover their interest. James Grant is here from Halifax ; he has the promise of a com- mission in the army, and to keep his rank. About two months ago Mr. Marslon of Marblehead, came by night from Col. Fowles' farm. He knows nothing about Salem. His wife died last summer. The other day Gen. Robinson showed me the devices upon the denominations of the continental bills. On one is represented a heavy shower of rain falling on a new settled country, motto around it " Serenabit;" on another, a hand plucking the branches from a tea-plant, with the motto, " Sustine vel abstine ;" on a third a hawk contending with a stork, motto " Exitus in dubio est ;" on a fourth, an ancient crown on a pedestal, motto '' Si re.cte facias y" on a fifth a beaver gnawing down a full grown oak, motto "Perse- verando ;" on a sixth an Irish harp, motto " JV/«;ora majoribus con- sonant." They are the inventions of Dr. Franklin. When I wrote to you in October I forgot to send you the fol- lowing list of officers in part of the rebel army, found in the pocket ^\. 1776.] JOURNAL AND L|:TTEKR. 47 of one of their sergeants, who was heights of Charlcstown, viz. : Col. Gcrrish, Newbury. Lt. Col. Parker, Chelmsforil. Major IJigelow, Worcester. Lt. Col. Ilenshaw, Leicester. Maj. Brooks. Lt. Col. Holden. Adjt. Green. Col. Whitney. Col. Wood bridge. Major Buttrick. Col. Porter. Major Miller. Col. Doolittle, Petershano. Adjt. B. Moore. Col. Frye. Gen. Whitcomb, Bolton. Col. William Prescott. Gen. Ward, Shrewsbury. Col. Peirce. Gen. Pomeroy, Northampton. Col. Patterson, Richmond. Adjt. Guagcr. Col. Nixon, Framingham. Col. Ward, Southborough. Maj. Sawyer. Adjt. Warner. Maj. Wm. Moore, Paxton. Maj. Cady. Adjt. Hunt. Adjt. Holman. Adjt. Hart. Col. Mansfield. Adjt. Putnam. Maj. Jackson. Lt. Col. Hudson or Hutchins. Adjt. Hardy. killed on the I7lh June, on the Col. Gardner, Cambridge. Col. Bridge, Chelmsford. Lt, Col. Brickett, Haverhill. Lt. Col. Clark. Major Slacey. Major Wood, Pepperell. Lt. Col. Powell. Adjt. Holden. Adjt. Gen. Js. Keith, Easton. Col. Green. Maj. Baldwin. Adjt. Woodbridge. Secretary J. Ward. Adjt. Montague. Adjt. Fox. Lt. Col. Robinson, Dorchester. Adjt. Febiger. Adj. Stevens. Col. Bond, Watertown. Col. Simmons. Lt. Col. Whitney, Harvard. Lt. Col. J. Reid, near Manad- nock. Adjt. Marston. Maj. Brigade, Samuel 'Osgood. Lt. Col Moulton. Maj. Putnam. Lt, Col. Putnam. Maj. Poor. Maj. Durkee, Norwich. Capt. Butler, Peterborough. Joseph Trumbull, Judge Advo- cate, Norwich. Adjt. Handy. Lt. Col. Storer. 48 JOURNAL AND LBTTBRR. [1776. I Those who have obtained leave to exchange the town for a country rosidoncc the last two months, are taken on board an armed ship at Hancock's wharf and are landed at Point Shirley, where they are cleansed and aire Wrighton, Mrs. Weischell, Mr. Leoni, etc.— nearly eighty per- formers in all. The first violin, professor La Motte ; the first flute,. Mr. Florio. The music was noble, grand, full, sonorous, and aw- fully majestic; the whole assembly as one, rising, added a solemnity which swelled and filled ray soul with an — I know not what, that exalted it beyond itself, bringing to ray raised imagination a full view of that sacred assembly of blessed spirits which surround the throne of God. March 14. Surveyed the New River works at Spafields — thence to see the ravages of the late fire at the Savoy, and through to the gardens belonging to Someiset House, now about to be pulled down, and the ground between it and the river filled up. I cannot but think with regret on so many noble and royal apartments in good repair, to be destroyed to build offices for the army, that bridle of the nation, its scourge, and will be its future ruin. March 19. Attended lecture at Salters' Hall. Dr. Price gave an excellent sermon from " Forgive tis our debts as we forgive our debtors." He observed that this was the only original part of the Lord's prayer, (the rest being found in the Jewish liturgy,) and was designed to inculcate the distinguishing characteristic of his religion, universal love and good will to all mankind, making it the very condition on which our hopes of forgiveness are suspended. As forgiveness of injuries and love of all mankind are the most amiable of all virtues, so are they the most difficult to be practised, and ought therefore to be the more endeavored after ; and nothing can recommend us better to divine favor and acceptance. 7 ■-"wn-:-; ■•-•.sjSf' . ''?*!^ 50 JtODRNAL AND LETTERS. [1776. March 21. Mr. Heard, Norroy king-of-arras, having given me a letter to A. Farley, Esq., Chapter House, I went, accompanied by William Cabot, Samuel Porter, Judge Sewall and his kinsman Samuel Sewall, and I. Bliss, and presenting my letter, we were ad- mitted to a sight of Doomsday Books. One, in the fold of a folio, contained a valuation or estimate made for an equal tax of all tl.e counties of England in the time of William the Conqueror, exce^w the three northern counties of Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Durham, and the three counties of Essex, Sussex, and Kent, which are contained in a smaller fold or large octavo. Sussex contained but nine landholders in capite ; all tenures being then from the crown, all the rest being mesne lords or tenants under them. The writing is fair and well preserved, but difficult to be read from its abbreviations in a multitude of places. The initial letters stand for words. The spelling of that age is very different from ours ; many terms not known now being then in common use. The chapter house is of a peculiar construction, and was formerly the parlia- ment house in the time of the Edwards, etc., and contains rolls of court of King's Bench, Exchequer, etc., for many ages back. Evening, at a show called Les Ombres Chmoises, at which saw Earl Temple [supposed author of Junius] and lady, with several well-dressed people of fashion — about forty spectators in all. The " Ombres" were awkward and unnatural except the puppet dancing — an insipid show. March 24. Heard Dr. Fleming preach at Pinners' Hall ; his ideas clear, and his delivery moderate and devout. He complained of those mystics who denied the use of reason in matters of reli- gion ; said it was subversive of it, and contrary to the whole tenor of the canon of Scripture, and rendered as useless and unmeaning the motives and thre^tenings proposed to us therein for our obedience, and progress in virtue and holiness ; declared mankind free agents, endowed with the power of volition and choice, which was the foundation of all religious obedience, and without which we were not accountable. He denied the merit of Christ's sacrifice to render us objects of divine acceptance, which, he said, by the divine prom- ise was to be obtained by man's own serious and diligent per- formances. March 25. Drank tea at Mr. Green's in company with Gov. ♦■'J;iy.*"ip*T/' 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 61 Hutchinson, •whom I had not seen for some weeks, and who ex- pressed an uneasiness at my neglect to call, which I accounted for as arising from concurrent disappointments. March 31. At Joseph Green's in the evening, where I met Samuel Quincy. JlprU 1, A. M. At Gov. Hutchinson's ; he was alone, reading a new pamphlet entitled " An Inquiry whether Great Britain or America is most in fault." I accepted an invitation to return to dinner : taking leave for the present, I departed, walking through the palace and park to Mr. Bliss's lodgings, where I met Judge Sewall, Mr. Oxnard and Mr. Smith ; returned to the governor's, with whom only young Oliver and myself dined. From thence, in passing through Leicester-square, I called in at Mr. Copley's to see Mr. Clarke and the family, who kindly pressed my staying to tea ; and in the mean time amused myself by seeing his performances in p tint- ing. He was then at work on a family piece containing himself, Mr. Clarke, his wife and four children, of all of whom I observed a very striking likeness. At tea was present Mr. West, a Philadelphian, a most masterly hand in historic painting ; author of the well- known and applauded piece, now in print, called " WesVs Death of Wolfe," and taken from his painting. He is now at work on a piece called the ^^ Death of Stephen" for the king, and for which he is to have one thousand pounds. Mr. West is the king's history- painter, and was kind enough to put me into a way of obtaining a sight of the queen's palace, which he tells me contains, except Houghton Hall, the finest collection of ",apital paintings of any house in England, Returned with Mr. Clarke, who was going to see his son Jonathan, sick. April 3. Breakfasted with Smith and Oxnard, where 1 found Samuel Quincy and David Green, Judge Sewall and a Lieutenant MerricK. Bought Dr. Price on " Civil Liberty and the American War." Went with Mr. Clarke to procure more convenient lodgings for his sick son, which we found as recommended by Dr. Pitcairn in Cross-street, in what is called the Queen's house, said to be a palace of Elizabeth's, on a small scale, low and in the taste of the sixteenth century. The remains of the porter's ledge at the bottom of the garden, in a peculiar style, are yet seen. In one ~V'* 52 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776. of the lower rooms is a painting on the windows with the date of 1588. Api-U 4. At our New England club dinner, twenty-five mem- bers present. AprU 6. At Portuguese synagogue ; a master informed me that the common people cannot read the Pentateuch without points, although it contains only alphabetic characters; that the points were invented about the time of Christ in the reign of Tiberius, and that they are necessary to ascertain the sense, which in many places would be wholly unintelligible without them, and that it would cost six months study to understand the language so as to follow them in their prayers. Jipril 7. Dined with Gov. Hutchinson, and we took tea at Mr. Joseph Green's. April 10. Took a view of West's pictures : amongst others which filled two rooms, were the original of the death of Wolfe, sold to Lord Grosvenor for six hundred guineas, about seven by five feet, in high estimation, although censured by an anonymous writer in yesterday's ^^ Advertiser ;" Lord Clive's receiving the Dewannah from the nabob, figures about twelve inches high and likenesses well preserved, — fifteen feet by eight ; and many other groups of modern persons in ancient characters. Likewise the death of Stephen, the proto-martyr, and at the period of his being received after his death by his friends ; the figures seven feet, the size of the picture about sixteen feet by seven ; designed for the altar of St. Stephen, Walbrook — six hundred guineas to be received for it, which Mr. West esteems so small a price that he considers it a gift to the church. April 11. Visited Tylney House, Epping forest, in company with Messrs. Flucker and Hutchinson. The walls of the ball-room covered with tapestry of the most lively tints, being the story of Telemaque — the ceiling covered with paintings by Mr. Kent. The state dining-room is adorned with c lies of capital paintings, three of Titian. The state bedchamber hung with crimson damask, lined with deckered silk, which I am told is India work and cost two thousand pounds. Two other rooms hung in figured velvet on satin ground, and crimson velvet with broad gold lace. Dined at Mr. K's with five of my countrymen, among them f ,J..J,., 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 53 story of The s, three a mask, nd cost elvet on a Mr. Bourne, lately arrived from Halifax ; he appears a grave, solid man, whose acquaintance I think I shall esteem. ^pril 14. Attended public worship at Dr. Price's in the after- noon, and in company with Benjamin Pickraan took tea with him. Mr. Pickman had a long conversation with Dr. Price on American affairs, but their sentiments were widely different. ^pril 15. Mr. Boylston called, and we went to Parliament- street to see the procession of the Peers to Westminster Hall to attend the trial of the Duchess of Kingston ; the lords wore their robes. The queen, two princes and two princesses, and the peer- esses and ladies in great multitudes attended, and made a most bril- liant appearance. April 17. Went with B. Pickman to Highgate, where dined with Mr. Boylston, and after dinner to Caen Wood, the seat of Lord Mansfield. The house elegant, not large : — the centre is a noble portico, the walls of the hall, saloon, chambers, etc. covered with paper of India or Chinese figures — the library a beautiful room, (having a fine prospect of St. Paul's, distant about seven miles, through a wood, over a lawn, and ending in a fine piece of water,) contains the largest mirrors I ever saw, being seven and a half feet high by three and a half in breadth. In the hall are two tables of jet-black marble. The walls hung with portraits of Lord Mans- field and lady, who was a daughter of Finch, Earl of Nottingham. Jlpril 22. Visited Mr. Hughes seventeen miles out, at Hoddes- don, Herts ; the grounds laid out with great taste. Jiprii 23. Walked to Ware, which contains five hundred houses, besides a great curiosity called "the great bed of Ware," which is twelve feet square — the posts, which are of uncommon size, are carved with white and red roses, built, it is said, at the union of the houses of York and Lancaster; the date, 1463, is painted on the centre of the headboard, which with the tester is of wood in the same style, laid out in compartments and surrounded with roses. The whole weighs half a ton : twenty persons can repose comfortably on it. Jlpril 24. Walked through the Rye-field to the Rye House, famous as the rendezvous of those who concerted the plot of that name : — the room in which they met was once a chapel j indeed, the whole appears as the remains of a famous seat. The walls 54 JOURNAL AND BETTERS. [1776. !? brick, and moulded round, forming two high round towers, joined together by a line of defence ; holes in the walls for arrows, etc. On returning home, passed a farm called Nether Hall, belong- ing to a Mr. Archer ; here are the remains of a palace, said to have been King Harold's before the conquest. The house, which was very large, has been piiUed down ; two lofty brick towers remain, with a wall of equal height, crowned with battlements, and within a moat surrounding an acre of land covered with ruins. In one of the angles is a watch-tower, now converted into ?. hen- roost. Airiving at home, found John Inman, brother of Ralph, our countryman, who dined with us ; he is of a blunt humor, easy and jolly ; with him and a Mr. Musgrave we set off to Mr. Daute- ville's, at Brocksburn, by invitation ; passed an agreeable evening at Mr. Hughes'. May 1. The young chimney-sweepers with their sooty and chalked faces are dressed out with ribbons and gilt paper, a gro- tesque and merry-andrew appearance. With their brushes and scrapers they made a kind of musical sound, raising contributions on their employers and others. The milk- maids appeared in fine and fantastic attire, and carried on their heads pyrainiils of three or four feet in height, finely decorated. In Ave-Mary lane saw the milkmen and maids again with a garland so called ; being a pyra- mid consisting of seven or eight stories, in the four angles of which stood a silver tankard, and on the sides, between each, lessening in height as the stories rose, stood a silver salver, the top crowned with a chased silver tea-kettle, round which were placed sundry small pieces of plate ; the whole adorned with wreaths and festoons of flowers, gilt paper, etc., carried on a bier and hand-barrow, it being a custom amongst them to collect of the customers a yearly contribution. The wrought silver appeared worth many hundreds of pounds, and is borrowed for the occasion. May 3. Dined with H H , Esq., Capt. T , and B. Pickman, at Jerusalem tavern ; on my way meeting Mr. Elisla Tlutchlnson, who informed me of Col. Browne and son's arri' 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 55 a gro- the unfortunate abandonment of Boston by the king's troops; which after all has the appearance of bein^^ forced. Would to God this ill- judged, unnatural quarrel was ended, but I fear thousands of useful innocents must be sacrificed to the wickedness, pride and folly of unprincipled men. Many of our countrymen called during our stay. May 5. To Magdalen Hospital ; heard the Rev. Dr. Dodd preach from John xv. 17, " These things I command you, that ye love one another.'' — A most elegant, sensible, serious and pathetic discourse, enough to have warmed a heart not callous to the im- pressions of pity. I own my eyes flowed with tears of compassion. May 7. Attempted to get into Drury Lane theatre, to see Mr. Garrick in the character of Archer, but the crowd so great, that after suffering thumps, squeezes, and almost suffocation for two hours, I was obliged to retire without effecting it. Went to Mr. Silsbee's lodgings to tea. May 8. Visited Mr. Fisher, who very politely received me, and appeared glad to see me ; from thence to Gov. Hutchinson's, who was alone — having before called at Col. Browne's (my towns- man and friend) lodgings, whom I did not see, being gone abroad. Thence to Judge Sewall's in Brompton-Row, but meeting Mr. Har- rison Gray near the house, was told that neither he nor Mr. Porter were at home. Called again at Col. Browne's, where I found Col. Saltonstall ; they both agreed to dine with me. May 9. With Col. Browne went to St. Paul's to hear the music for the benefit of the sons of clergy. Dr. Porteus* preached to a crowded assembly. The archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop of London, the lord mayor and sheriffs, in their formalities present. May 10. Met at Col. Browne's Gov. Hutchinson, Judge Sewall and Col. Saltonstall ; proceeded to Westminster Hall, heard opinions from Judges De Grey, Gould, Blackstone and Nares re- specting a verdict. May 11. Advices of the arrival of a vessel which left Phila- delphia by consent of Congress, on the owner's paying them as duty one third the cost of vessel and cargo ; and that Arnold is ap- pointed a major general, and still remained before Queoec, five thousand men having been sent from Philadelphia. Took tea with Mr. Copley and Mr. Claik. ♦ Afterwards bishop of Chester. ■'W^' 56 JOURNAL AND LETTKE [1776. May 13. Walked to Walworth, the gardens of a Mr. Mad- docks, a noted florist, wherein I saw the greatest variety of finely variegated tulips I believe in England. May 14. Went to the exhibition-room m the Strand, where were more than fifty people viewing the pictipes, models, etc., as contained in a book delivered to each at entcMing. There were many performances and some very excellent in their kind, of which the view of the eruption of Vesuvius and a few night pieces struck me most. May 15. Visited Pinchbeck's to view staine■■•>«)!, but not abounding in funeral monuments. At last we arri il at -iirmingham, which, in its general appearance, looks more hke litiston than any place in England. Birmingham, August 26. Hearing that Judge Oliver and Mr. Lloyd were in town, I repaired to the inn, but they had departed. I met them soon after as they were leaving town for London via Woodstock, and gave a letter to Mr. Danforlh. August 28. Walked out and met a Quaker at the door of his house, near the outskirts of the town, on the Litchfield road, com- manding an agreeable prospect bounded by distant hills iji ai7 am- philheatric line ; engaged him in conversation, and by invitavion went in for half an hour ; found him a sensible man and a warm American, as most of the middling classes are through the king- dom, as far as my experience reaches. Beyond the Tweed, I know not; however, the Scotch within, to my knowledge are antiministe- rialists. Passed an agreeable day at Mr. Russell's, two miles out of it.. ^ 1776] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 75 town ; ho is of the house of Smith, Son & Rnssc!?, who ship largely to New-York and Boston. He has been in Araericn, and is her steady and ardent advocate. Jlvgtmt 31. Stepped to a gun- maker's to see a rifle, (the first I ever saw,) and many olh'T pieces of peculiar construction I was a stranger to ; the master is to make six hundred rifles for govern- ment, but is in principle an antiminislerialist, as is the whole tov- Sept. 6. Sir William Meredith the other day declared at Nwit lock, that he looked on the violent measures against America to b very impolitic, and that Lord North was of the same mimi, only joined out of respect for the king, who was warm and d< ter mined to pursue such at all events, even though with the loss of hundred thousand men. It will be well if a pertinacious adherence to a certain plan of conduct respecting that unhappy coun..y be not productive of evil fruits to the interests of the king and empire. May it please God to infuse wisdom, prudence, and moderation into the breasts of those on whose counsels the fate of both depend. Sept. 9. A letter in the London Chronicle, said to have been brought by the Isabella, an advice-boat from Quebec, relates a defeat of the provincials before Crown Point, with the loss of eight hundred killed, eight hundred wounded, and four hundred taken prisoners; and that the garrison is in Gen. Carleton's hands, said to have been obtained July 23d ; a story well told, but which wants proof. Sept. 10. Was told as we passed Castle inn, that Lord North was momently expected there from Sandwell, the Earl of Dart- mouth's seat. Sept. 11. Took coach for Bristol by the way of Tewksbury; met an officer who gave himself great liberties respecting America, to which I took the freedom of giving several severe checks, and my companion spared not till he was thoroughly silenced and humbled ; he said many ungenerous, foolish and false things, and I did not forbear telling him so. Sept. 16. At 11 o'clock P. M. departed from Birmingham for Bristol; at Worcester took a relay of horses, and arrived at Tewksbury at breakfast ; went to the church, almost the magnitude of a cathedral, which contains many curiosities ; in a flat grave just before the choir is buried Prince Hen»y, son of Margaret of »• IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1^ m ^ m « 12.0 2.2 1.8 1.25 1 ,.4 III ,.6 -i 6" ► V] Va / /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS 80 (716) 873-4S03 •^4 W' JOURNAL AND LBTTBR8. [1776. 4 fe#^ kH^ J m-' Anjou, widow of the unfortunate King Henry VI., who was slain by Richard, Duke of Gloucester, after the defeat of the Queen at '* the battle of the bloody meadow," so called from the tradition that it overflowed with the blood of the slain on that occasion. Here is, also, in a kneeling posture, a statue of George, Duke of Clarence, who is said to have been drowned in a butt of malmsey : — Richard, Earl of Warwick, the king-maker : — Osrick, a king of Northumberland, who founded a church on the spot where this church stands. In two hours after leaving this place we arrived at Gloucester, and in the cathedral saw among many monuments that of the unfortunate King Edward II., who was murdered at Berkeley Castle. Here also lies another unfortunate prince, Robert, Duke of Normandy, whose younger brother, William Rufus, seized the crown of England during his absence on a visit to the Holy Land j he was imprisoned many years in the Castle of Cardiff. — Over his grave is a statue in a decumbent posture, made of Irish oak, which, when struck, sounds as if of metal. This cathedral is kept in fine order; has a vaulted choir, and the most elegant cloisters of any in England. Arrived at Bristol at 8 o'clock evening. Bristol, Sept. 18. To Ratcliff* church, supposed to be the first in point of elegance and magnitude of all the parish churches in England. It has not in its construction one nail or piece of iron, being built and supported by stone and marble only. It consists of three aisles, besides two projections which give it the form of a •cross y — in one stands a great font, and in the other several funeral monuments. Over the altar are placed three masterly paintings by Hogarth, on the subject of the burial, resurrection, and ascension ; for which he received a thousand pounds. In this church lies buried Admiral Penn, with an inscription recounting his exploits on a pillar ; and suspended on the same pillar below are his military garb, sword, cuirass, helmet, gloves, etc. This gentleman's services were rewarded by the royal grant of Penn- sylvania to his son William Penn, the founder of that province. Took tea and passed the evening with Mr. Eveleigh, a native of Charleston, South Carolina; educated at Harvard College, three or four years after me, who on hearing my name recollected it, having been schooled at Cambridge under Master Coolidge and 1776.] JOUBNAL AND LETTERS. boarded at the President's house. He and his family are hearty in the cause of America. Sept. 19. Accompanied Mr. Bourne, one of my countrymen, to the crown-glass manufactory, ^%'here the whole process was shown. — On 'change met my countryman Mr. Joseph Waldo, who procured tickets for our admission to Mr. Gouldney's grotto at Clifton, with whom, Francis Waldo, and Capt. Aldredge, (brother of the late Col. Bradstreet's lady, and born in Nova Scotia,) we proceeded over Brandon hill, the summit whereof yields the most ravishing view that imagination can form, having a large portion of the city under foot; and a finely cultivated country for an amazing extent has the appearance of a continued village, inter- spersed with towns and seats; the prospect enlivened with live hedges, lofty trees, Dumday tower, Kingwood, and the river Avon, running through the city and joined with another called the Frome, over both which are bridges; on the la'ter are the larger ships, and on the former only smaller craft. Just as we arrived at the gates, there passed by in his solitary walk, whom accident threw in our way, a countryman, Mr. Harrison Gray, son of our late (Massachusetts) treasurer, who, with his wife, had for a season left London and retired to this place, and whom I was glad to see. Parting at the gate, we were soon admitted, and, attended by the gardener, were conducted through the gravel-walks, kept in the nicest order, the whole bearing the appearance of care and indus- try; it is on a moderate scale, but well filled with orange and lemon trees, etc., and a small piece of water abounding in gold and silver fish, supplied from a natural fountain so lofty that a fire- engine is erected at one end of the terrace ; the stream runs under ground for a distance and discharges itself through an urn, on which a Neptune rests with his trident. The ground between it and the engine is made rough, scraggy, and woody, to resemble a wilder- ness, which I passed going through the main walk. We arrived at the door of the grotto, situated under the terrace ; the object that presented itself to our view was a lion in a sitting postirffe, and behind, in a dark cave, a lioness, the latter so like life that I could hardly persuade myself to the contrary. The form of the grotto is octangular, its roof a semicircle, having a dome with a round window in the centre ; the diameter about twenty feet on each m ! 1 v ,« i- : ■ ■m ■■«•-■ ♦ % "■ i' 7#^ JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776. I side, from the door in front to the moulh of the cave in which the lioness is sitting ; to the right and left of (he entrance (he roof is supported by pillars ; covered as its roof and sides are with a vari- ety of shells, stones, Mpars, petrifactions, etc., the mountains, even (he bowels of the earth and the bottom of the sea, seem to have been pillaged to furnish materials to adorn this curious subterrane- ous recess. On the left hand, beyond the dome and under a rough, crajgged stone arch, is a small quadi angular stone basin of water supplied by small streams, issuing through almost imperceptible channels, over which, in a lying posture, is a female deity. On the other hand stands a door, the light and shade of which is so artfully painted that it deceived the company, who thought it a passage into the garden on a flight of stairs; the most perfect de- ception I ever saw. On the door was a miniature of a female face with a seemingly broken glass covering it, in the same style and manner, and producing the like effect. From hence we ascended the terrace-walk four hundred feet in length, the front of the gar- den raised forty feet supported by a brick wail ; the rear bounded by a border of flowers, and behind a shrubbery of lofty trees. On the right is an octangular structure ending in a dome eighteen feet in diameter, with Sv^ats ail round, and having as many windows as it has sides, which affords as many prospects, except on the side of the garden, where they are darkened, yielding three delightful perspectives. Leaving this charming spot and jn, I bade arlieu to my companions, and after dinner I deparuti for Shepton- Mallet, and on my arrival met my friend and countryman Mr. Isaac Smith ; thus ends my ramble for a few weeks. Shepton Mallet, Sept. 20. Walked to the market-cross, an open structure supported by Giolhic arches and pillars, and ornamented in front by a few mutilated statues, but whether of saints or heroes of antiquity, 1 know not. A few gentlemen of fortune live here, but many worthy clothiers ; there are two places of worship, an fl^iscopal and a Presbyterian, and the number of inhabitants is said to be seven thousand. A Mr. Ames with whom I am acquainted lives here on his six hundred a year. Sept. 23. Rode through Lord Ilchester's park, passing by the late Lord Berkeley's estate, and through a vale to Lord Arun- S • *> ♦ }en lited roes ;re, an bid Ited by mn- 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. ^ die's. One passes on a flight of noble steps to the centre door letting into the hall ; — the walls are »durned with paintings of the most celebrated artists. There is a cabinet of Pope Sixlus Qnintus, which stands on a mahogany frame; — the front is of ebony ; and amber pillars, set with sapphires, emeralds and other precious stone.'', and miniatures of all the Perotti family from which he sprang, and elegantly executed in white alabaster. In the drawers are prints of the principal royal and noble familie| of Europe in metal I'rames. In these grounds is an airy cross, bought of the city of Bristol and transported here; in the Gothic style, four stories; in each are four niches filled with kings in their regalia, supposed to have been benefactors to the city ; ,the names in part are, Henry VI., Edward IV., John, Charles I. and II. and Queen Elizabeth. It is finely decorated, and in the highest preservation. Procured a guide to attend us to Alfred's Tower, which we intended to visit before taking leave of Slourton. We soon arrived at Inson Hill on whose summit stands the tower, and which is said to be the spot on which Alfred erected his standard against the Danes ; mostly a terraced walk. The tower an open triangular structure, the angles covered by round towers; in one is a flight of 221 i.ieps making 155 in height ; on this is a sound balcony of 20 feet high, on the top a kind of cross standing on a globe. The entrance into it is through a Gothic arched door — ten feet above is a stone niche under a finely ornamented arch. In the centre is a Saxon crown supported by double Gothic pillars; on each side stands the statue of Alfred in military habiliments and larger than life, holding a sceptre in his right hand, his left resting on a sword. — Below is a tablet, on which is the following : IN MEMORY OF ALFRED THE GREAT, WHO ON THIS SUMMIT ERECPED HIS STANDARD AGAINST DANISH INVADERS. HE INSTITUTED JURIES, ESTABLISHED A MILITIA, W CHEATED AND EXERTED A NAVAL FORCE; A PHILOSOPHEK AND A CHRISTIAN ; THE FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE, THE FOUNDER OP THE ENOLISH MONARCHY AND LIBEKTY. '^: m^ • # ' » 's-- 4P 'J JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. Leaving this grateful monument, dedicated to the memory of the most deserving monarch England ever saw, I returned home. Sept. 25. To the Poor House to see the spinning-jennies^ which of late through the folly and madness of the spinners and weavers have been the occasion of a riot in this town, which a party of dragoons were called in to quell, who are yet continued to prevent future ones; three were killed and a number wounded, and but. for the government orders to avoid bloodshed, more would have been. These machines are to twist the threads after the first course run from the common wheels, which despatch abcut three or four times as fast as by hand in the customary way. They have been in use some years in the north, and a premium obtained for them from the Society of Arts and Sciences. They contain thirty-six spindles turned by a common axis, communicating with a wheel placed horizontally. Sept. 28. Walked with Mr. Morgan over the hills to the re- mains of a Roman-way ; the ditch continues, although in an im- perfect state, and carried over Mendip hill, running from north to south, and from shore to shore. J w t *■ be €S, ad a to md vre rse bur lin ■om Hes ced re- im- 1 to » I • me.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. ^r CHAPTER III il- Shepton Mallet, Oct. 1. Rode to Bath ; — large meeting of cloth- iers from neighboring towns in Somerset and Wiltshire, to concert measures to establish, if practicable, the use of the spinning-jenny itt these parts, which the weavers raised a mob to prevent. Two com- panies of dragoons are posted in this town for security of the manufacturers, against the infatuated multitude. Met Col. Salton- stall, who with Mr. Boylston has taken lodgings here for some time past. Departed for Lord Weymouth's seat, called Longleat ; his grounds contain the whole parish of Horningsham. Over the entrance in front is the date as follows : — " Ended by Sir John Thynne, 1569."' The front is an addition to the old structure, the remains of a Carthusian monastery standing round a large square court. Within are pictures of Henry VIII., Sir Thomas Overbury, Lord Strafford, beheaded in the time of Charles I., — Henry IV. of France, — Charles I. when Prince of Wales, and his brother James n. when Duke of York, General Monck, — Charles II. and his Queen, Archbishop Juxton, — Mary Queen of Scotts, Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester, Lady Nottingham, — Archbishop Laud, Cardinal Richelieu, — Sir Thomas Graham, — Count Tekeli and lady. Oct. 11. Visited Glastonbury Abbey rubs, attended by a guide named Thomas, who is as great a curiosity as the ruins ; for we had no sooner entered on the holy ground than he doffed his bea- ver and hugged it under his arm, while with a solemn tone and manner indicative of unshaken faith in the legendary tales which the folly of credulity and superstition have handed down, by oral tradition as well as books, through a long succession of ages, 1^ began by informing us of some circumstances relative to a chapel standing entire, which I had no wish to enter, nor do I remember the tale. Proceeding on we approached the walls of the chapel in ruins, but not to prevent a perfect idea of the ^ze ;^-making a sudden stop, our guide told us with a solemn voice that the ground 11 « m •# ^ m ^ 1. 82 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776. t W •*! yy " # «# we stood on was twenty-two feet above the natural surface, raised by the rubbish from the monastery ; which, if true, is a proof of the immensity of the building, and the uncommon thickness of its walls, the site of which covers fifteen to twenty acres. Descend- ing to the lower chapel, at present filled with dirt to the capitals of the pillars, eight feet, this he told us was the spot where Joseph of Arimathea built a chapel of hurdles and boughs of trees, twenty-three years after the crucifixion. In the upper chapel re- main the niches and pedestals on which stood the images of saints of solid gold. After hearing many tedious stories and incredibilities, we pro- ceeded to survey the outside, dormitory, chapter-house, etc. In the centre of the east end stood the chapel of the first Saxon Christian king of this island ; — from whence through the ruins, at a con- siderable distance, is to be seen the further or western end of the double chapel we first entered ; both side walls are standing up to the roof, and part of the eastern wall, under an arch of eighty feet in height, and fifty in width, entire all but the crown. The sight of this brought to my mud the magnificent ruins of Palmyra, although its ornaments were not of such exquisite workmanship ; these being Gothic, but highly finished. Near an angle at the eastern end stands a small room ; lately this was turned into a cow- house, but not one of the brutual intruders survived a year, as the guide informed us of his own certain knowledge. Within this holy ground is the holy thorn-tree. I had liberty to pluck a branch, proposing to preserve it till my arrival in America, (if it shall please God to grant me that favor.) The three trees now standing blossom yearly within the Christian holy- days, which it is the peculiar quality of this species to do, without supposing a miracle; but the craft of these reverend impostors knew very well how to turn a natural event into something mira- culous, and the superstitious folly and ignorance of the multitude for a long course of ages has confirmed them in the same ground- less notions. We arrived soon at a pleasant road, having in view extensive prospects of waste lands, called moors ; ascending a lofty ridge on the left, lay that called King's Sedgemoor, remarkable for the de- feat of the Duke of Monmouth by his uncle. King James the Second. W' ^^^^ t ■M. <-^ .: ^V 1 j#-V-^ 1776.] JOURNAL ANU LETTERS. i From hence, on one of these hills, is to be seen the obelisk erected to the memory of the late Sir William Pynsent by the Earl of Chatham ; a cheap purchase of an estate of eighty thousand pounds, besides ten thousand in money, left to a man the testator never saw. The stage from Glastonbury to Bridgewater throughout extremely plear- ant; the distance of fifteen miles we passed in an hour and a half; thence to Enmore Castle about four miles, a seat of the Earl of Egmont, which is built in the form of the ancient baronial castles. Leaving this imitation of old English architecture, we rode to Castle inn, Taunton, where wc lodged : next day to Sidmouth. Sidmouihy Oct. 13. Attended worship at my friend Mr. Isaac Smith's, who preached from these words, " The Lord is my portion" which was the last sermon he preached in America : the congre- gation the largest I had known since my residence here. Oct. 17. Rode to Slade, the seat of a Mr. Lee, one of Mr. Smith's hearers, who purchased of the father of the famous Dr. Shebbeare, one of the writers for the court against America. Took a stroll to the clliTs on the seaside, yielding a delightful prospect. Oct. 18. Rode out to view an ancient encampment, supposed Danish, and is called Hembury, about fourteen miles. Fording the gentle stream of Syd, we pursued our course over Cove Hill, so called, being a lofty range, affording on each side very pleasant views of a finely improved country ; here we met a number of huntsmen on foot, with their long poles and a great number of dogs, at default, unable to recover the track of the hare, which had found means to elude the dogs' scent. A little beyond the village of Burcherton is the seat of the well-knowr ' t^miral Graves, whose base, unworthy conduct in America has just]/ brought the curses of the people on his head, displeased his sovereign and the ministry, and rendered himself deservedly the contempt of all. His house is at the foot of the hill on which Hembury fort stands. This fort is situated on the extremity of a lofty ridge of hills, in a parish of the same name, four miles north of Honiton, and is supposed to have been a Danish encampment, (formed in one of their incursions, about a thousand years ago,) from its roundish form, the Roman being all angular ; there are many such in these parts, though few so ei;tire. Its form is a very long oval ; and measures, from the low parapet or line of raised earth on the northeasterly quarter at ■? » * I d 1 1 ' JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1776. its further end, to the edge or brow of the ditch at the southwest- erly, (in which direction it runs exclusive of the ditches athwart the hill, to defend or secure the centre enclosure,) about a thousand feet ; and the width of the hill on its summit on which the encamp- ment stands, with the middle included, is about a hundred feet. It stands very high, and commands a view of the vales on each side to a great extent. From the foot of the hill in front, for a considera- ble distance on either side, it is of a quick ascent ; but from the foot of the hill in front there is an easy slope, as regular as a gla- cis, although of ten times its length and breadth ; the rest of this long range, in a circular form, rises from the plains below as far as the eye can discern, regularly and sudden, rendering the approach difficult, except from the summit, which is continued to a great extent. There are three fosses carried nine feet round the encamp- ment, the last deeper and wider than the rest ; the slope is about sixty feet. The earth wall, if it may be so called, contains fifteen to twenty acres. Here may be traced the foundations of one or two buildings, which spot I presume was the officers' tents, the place of arms and magazine. The avenue on the south side, for there is but one, communicates with a walk running the whole width of the hill, and is bounded by a parapet of raised earth, at twenty feet from the entrance into the middle inclosure ; between this and the brow of the hill at the southwest, is, I suppose, the encampment of the army, and here may be seen the effects of la- bor ; but what were the works, enough does not remain to enable us to judge. Having surveyed these remains of ancient military defence, we descended by the common road, and arrived at home in about three hours. Oct. 20. Mr. Samuel Follett drank tea with us ; he is an old Newfoundland trader, was in New England in 1726, and built a ship at Charlestown. Exeter, Oct. 26. In the Bristol Gazette is the following: "Gen. Howe 1 ad landed the British army on the island of New- York on the 15th September ; the provincials had fled from the city, with great precipitation and much loss, towards Kingsbridge, where they were entrenched to the number of twenty thousand. G«n. Howe, having taken possession of New-Ywk, was encamped with his army of twenty-two thousand within cannon-shot of the * 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. Americans, and it was hourly expected he would make a grand attack upon them.*' This intelligence came by the Hanover Planter to Bristol, who spoke with the Galatea, Capt. Jordan, who left New- York the 17th of September. The unaccountable story of abandoning New-York, without a formal attack made on it, needs explanation ; no doubt there were justifiable reasons for it. Oct. 29. A busy week here, many persons daily arriving from all quarters, at the instance and charge of the competitors Baring and Cholwich, who are up for the representation of this city in par- liament in room of Mr. Waters. The hands of the city officers are fully occupied in making out freedoms to those who have a right to it. The dispute runs high, " Cholunch forever" momently bawled j " Baring** not so often, though many think he may carry his election ; papers are printed and public houses kept open by both, at great expense. The joke would be complete should an unthought-of rival step in and succeed. Oct. 30. Rode out to Lord Courtnay's Belvidere, (about seven miles,) a triangular structure of Portland stone ; from the top is an extensive prospect, having on one side Exeter, Topsh am, and several seats ; on the other, Lympstone,Exmouth,Star Cross, Lord Courtnay's seat, Gov. Pawke's, a nabob late of Madras, the river Exe from near its mouth, and vessels in the channel, and, what is more curious, the house wherein the great Sir Francis Drake was born and lived, situated on the other side of the river, opposite the Belvidere. Oct. 31. Mr. Shepard tells me there is great danger of a French war; may the nation be preserved from this dreadful calamity. TO THE HON. JUDGE SEWALL, BROMPTON-ROW, LONDON. Exeter, Oct. 31, 1776. Dear Sir : By a letter from Mr. Danforth I was informed some of my countrymen were about to apply to the administration for relief. — As my residence has been much longer than the most, and the sud- denness of my departure from home rendering it morally impossible for me to become possessed of much money, and my pretensions, for aught I know, being as good as any and better than many, I presume I shall not be the only exile left in a forlorn condition if .1 }■ AL AND LETTERS, [1776. any provision be made ; and if never made, forlorn I shall truly be, ray finances every day very sensibly lessening. Had I received Mr. Deberdt's letter in time I should have returned to London, but it was otherwise ; and if my presence now can be dispensed with, it will be more agreeable, as I live pleasantly enough among a few acquaintances, at the rate of twenty guineas a year, in a state of rigid economy that I never before was reduced to the necessity of putting in practice. In my answer to Mr. Deberdt, I referred him to you, whose friendship on this occasion 1 doubted not, nor need I now repeat my request of your assistance if that shall be necessary. With great regard, etc. S. CURWEN. * JVbv. 1. I was informed that a messenger from General Howe had just passed through the city, with advice that the provincial entrenchments, containing nine thousand men from New-York, were forced, General Washington wounded and taken, and ten thousand men on both sides killed ; some other circumstances are brought, but not to be divulged till six hours after the messenger's departure from Exeter. Should this news prove true, I wish it may not puff the British general with pride, and fill him with false notions of the unequalled prowess and invincibility of the British troops, nor indispose him to offer moderate terms ; and I trust con- gress may be willing to prevent further effusion of blood and destruc- tion of property by hearkening to reasonable proposals, which 1 hope the House have authority to make. JVbv. 2. It is obvious the government is apprehensive of a rupture, saying, " it is expedient we should be in a respectable state of defence." The truth is there have been some discouraging accounts from France for this week past, respecting the intentions of that court to assist the colonies, and advices from Spain say their ports are declared open to the English colonists ; upon these events press-warrants are dispersed through this kingdom, and eight hundred were taken on the Thames in one day into the service, and five pounds per man are offered for able-bodied sailors. The report of yesterday is contradicted in part ; Gen. Washington is not taken, but six thousand Americans, and but two thousand :^ : V^^ 1776.] F7 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. British. This wants confirmation. It is also added that part of the provincials only were engaged — a lame account. The fears of some and the hopes of others dispose the people to the belief of any improbabilities, nay, self-evident falsehoods. JVov. 6. The important day has at length arrived, the election of a member to parliament ; the city alive, except myself, who am dead to curiosity. Interest and the hope of victory have inspired all here with ardor. It is amusing to see how warmly their passions are engaged. ^ Read Sharp's Travels in Italy ; entertaining enough ; his style not above mediocrity; his picture of the country, if just, must render his own more dear to those who know how to make a just estimate of all the valuable enjoyments of life. In reading the above I learn that in the state of Florence are nearly twenty -seven thousand of the holy order, or if you please, the ecclesiastical troops are under a solemn vow of obedience to a foreign potentate; th> e with their connections, relations and dependencies, render the authority of the civil power extremely precarious in case they unite with a discon- tented party. Amongst other instances of management in electioneering, is the practice of closeting and locking up, beds being provided in secure apartments to prevent the voters being spirited away to the other side, of which there have been some instances, after the ex- pense of fetching them in from distant parts. — To prevent confu- sion and injustice, in the present election it is agreed to vote by tallies, that is, each candidate to present by turns a certain num- ber, say ten or twenty. The majority of the city chamber is for Cholwich ; the church for Baring, whose managers are the most opulent, active and knowing : the contest fierce, some wounds and broken heads, but no deaths ; enough to convince me of the de- plorable venality of the nation, and the high expectations derivable from a seat in that assembly of untutored, inexperienced youths, (for half, I believe, have not seen thirty,) called the Parliament of Great Britain, or the great council of the nation. The number of voters in this city is about fourteen hundred ; and I am told two hundred of the most solid, judicious and prudent, thinking neither of the candidates suitable, decline any concern, it being immaterial to them whether Baring or Cholwich be the tool of administration. ii :i * 'ii.Su ™ % wO :\ JOURNAL AND LETTEKS. # f [1776. The charge on each side, iive thousand pounds, is'doubtless intend- ed to be reimbursed from the national fund, for (not their ser\'ices but) their votes ! Would to God this great source of ministerial power and influence, and the increasing cause of our public evils, the national debt, was reduced to a moderate sum : a sponge is dreadful in thought, and would be the ruin of some millions of in- nocent widows and orphans ; may that be prevented by a Avise and prudent expedient, if within the compass of human knowledge and power. May a public and disinterested spirit spring up and yet be the stability of our times. JVov. 8. By the Gazette the wonderful account brought from America is, as usual, greatly diminished respecting the valor and bravery of one side, number of slain, etc. on the other ; 6000 provincials and 2000 regulars are reduced to 400 provincials and 15 regulars ! ! However, by the same intelligence, it seems one quarter of New- York is burnt, and some lurkers menace the de- struction of the whole city, to prevent which Gen. Howe is using assiduous endeavors to discover these incendiaries and prevent the intended conflagration. JVov. 9. Walked out to the Guildhall to see the conclusion of the poll ended by the sheriff's declaring Mr. Baring duly elected, the excess being one hundred and one votes. The unsuccessful candidate, Mr. Cholwich, supported by the city chamber, went home to put as good a face on their disappointment as they could, amidst loud huzzas, flags displayed, having various devices, of which two were as follows : — the one divided into four compart- ments, between each half the word " Cholvfich" and in the com- partments " no bribery ,-" the other was the coat armor of his father-in-law, (that is to be.) Sir John Duntze, properly embla- zoned, and in a scroll underneath these words, "Jree and indepen- dent." Mr. Baring, as is usual, was accompanied by a numerous crowd, said to be ten thousand, huzzaing, clapping hands, etc. The house he adjourned to was in the yard next to ours, and to houor him variegated lamps were suspended in front, forming these words, " Baring forever," surmounted by a crown. The evening closed with a grand display of fireworks. JVo». 11. Mr. Baring's friends wear favors of blue and purple ribbons, and some ladies wear an emblematical device in t- f Vif t 1776.] # JOtJRNAL AND LETTERS. allusion to the successful candidate's name, being a bear witharing in his nose, enamelled pendant on a blue ribbon. The day was ushered in by music and a procession, with flags inscribed " Baring and Trade.** The inhabitants of this city appear proud, unsocial and solitary, neither conversible nor hospitable ; but a few uncere- monious, hearty friends will render any place tolerable, and such for that reason is this city for the present. • JVbv. 26. A report prevails that Gen. Burgoyne has destroyed all the provincial forces on the lake. 1 The later advice is, that Gen. Burgoyne became master of the lake by taking, burning and destroying the naval force on the 12th ult. Dec. 3. This day is published a single sheet letter from a master of a transport, giving account of the defeat of provincials at Kingsbridr.e by Gen. Howe, having forced the entrenchments,, killing, woundmg and taking eight thousand with a loss of two thousand only, on the 17th October ; the remainder supposed to be fled to Philadelphia. Sunday, Dec. 8. Mr. Towgood preached an excellent discourse,^ from Isaiah Ivii. 15. In his prayer the most just and proper ex- pression for the king and royal family, and all in authority, both as ministers of state and executive officers ; and although u warm and hearty advocate for America, and her claims of exemption from British legislation, right of taxation, yet moderate and dutiful enough for me, wh6 am far removed from wishing its entire inde- pendence ; for it is my firm belief it would sooner bring on oppres- sion and tyranny there than the former right allowed in its full extent. May it please God to prevent both ; may the unreason- able and baneful wishes and attempts of all violent men be disappointed. Dec. 13. The state fast, appointed by the king's proclamation, on account of the American war ; Bishop Keppel preached from Deut xxxiii. 27, " The eternal God is thy refuge," etc., a season- able and candid discourse ; he calls this " a civil war" and the Americans " our unhappy fellow-subjects ;" attempted no justifica- tion of the measures of government. I was pleased with hia candor and judgment. Dec. 18. By a Mr. Lloyd of the 20th regiment, just arrived in 12 '«* "♦rt'^tT,*^!*" "■' ♦ % 90 lOORNAL AND LETTERS. t [1776. the Lord Howe fri^rate from Quebec, and who was on the lake with Burgoyne and Carleton, a report is brought that a merchant- man met the Jiclive frigate at sea, and learned that Gen. Wash" ington had abandoned the lines at Kingsbridge, left his cannon and stores, and that his army is mouldered away; that New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland have deserted the union, • and declared for government ; speaks of the Yankees/' as he is pleased to call thetp, in the most contemptuous terms, as cowards, poltroons, cruel, and ||Dssessing every bad quality the depraved heart can be cursed with ; and says the regulars at Trois-Rivieres took five hundred prisoners, killed one hundred, and lost only three men, who were killed by Yankees, who had got upon trees and fired down on them. It is ray earnest wish the despised Americans may convince these conceited islanders, that without regular standing armies our conti- nent can furnish brave soldiers and judicious and expert command- ers, by some knock-down, irrefragable argument ; for then, and not till then, may we expect generous or fair treatment. It piques ray pride, I confess, to hear us called " our colonies, our plantations^* in such terms and with such airs as if our property and persons were absolutely theirs, like the " villains" and their cottages in the old feudal system, so long since abolished, though the spirit or leaven is not totally gone, it seems. TO MR. GEORGE RUSSELL, AT MOSELEV WAKE GREEN, NEAR BIRMINGHAM. Exeter, December, 20, 1776. Dear Sir : I have delayed answering you till this time from an hourly ex- pectation of hearing some important advices from New- York; but in this I have been hitherto mistaken, the season having too far advanced to expect any military achievements by the British forces, and the Americans you know have formed no active plan of opera- tion by land ; confining their views of activity to the depredatory- naval department. As to a treaty, I am without the smallest hopes '• '• of its taking place at present; the Americans do not despair of ^ maintaining their independence, and the court, I am told, has not given up its view of laying America at its feet, for such is and has k ■ 'i ti^ -■ .^i;__ a- k_. K T I.,.;- • , A e8*t '., r ■ i ot •** as ^- f 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 91 been the court language, and the intention to force her to submit to the unconditional authority of parliament ; — however, should Gen. Washington be beaten out of his entrenchments, it would be but one advantage out of a score that must be gained to make them " lower their topsails." The Americans are not without resources, whatever may be thought on that subject in England. Among others France and Spain are no idle lookers on ; resent-* mcnt as well as political reasons influence the(p to keep the tram- mels on the neck of our court till a fa#>rable opportunity may offer to strike a blow which shall eflfectually humble the pride of Great Britain, perhaps destroy her independence, or at best reduce her to a state of as little importance in the grand political balance of Europe as Portugal or Genoa now holds ; and that is the general opinion here whatever may be the opinion elsewhere. As to the objects of the impolicy of our court, we know from history that statesmen to gain a present purpose sometimes disregard the true interests and honor of the nation and all distant consequences. The King of Spain is England's avowed enemy j the court owes this country a grudge for her success against her commerce and garrisons last war j nor does France love her better ; and ever since her open opposition to the ambitious views of that court in the beginning of Louis XlVth's reign, who aimed at universal empics, has looked on her rising greatness with a jealous, not to say envious eye. It is no proof of want of bravery in the Americans not to face the regtilars; many good reasons may be assigned to justify their conduct, and though it be the ground of much reproach here, I see in it the effect of sound judgment — that little depend- ence can be placed on newly raised troops is well known the world over. On account of the amazing expense with which Great Britain carries on a land war in America, unless she can command the troops of Europe and the wealth of the Indies, men and money must in a few campaigns be wanting ; with regard to the insidious offers made to America, as the warm partisans against the court call them, I pretend not to such acquaintance with court«roeasures to determine about it ; if they be so, the greater is the pity. They may however, if that should be the case, be taken in the snares laid for others, and if good be derived from evil, thanks to an over- ruling Providence, who sometimes makes itself subservient to the 'W' ■,'.^'"^^.^"^' •* i'-T* '^Y' P 92 Journal and letters. m [1776. happiness of society. That more treasure must be consumed and more blood spilled before this impolitic, destructive and fatal war is ended, will, I trust, not prove a melancholy truth. The accounts of the burning of the city of New- York in the Gazette, are full, explicit and intelligible; more than one fourth is destroyed, beginning at the fort and all along the Broadway, •taking in the college, etc. ; and that it was fired by some northern man, is undoubted. . A Mr. Smith, son of a clergyman of Wey- mouth in Massachusetts|3ay, whom and whose family I knew very well, was concerned, taken, and I believe executed on due proof. I remain, truly yours, S. CtlRWEN. Exeter, Dec. 21. I am informed that by a letter from an offi- icer of character, Arnold and the provincials are represented as behaving with great intrepidity and good conduct ; and their defeat was owing to the superior weight of metal on the side of their enemies. I am rejoiced to find justice done ray countrymen, and that there are those who can look through the vista of party, see truth and speak it. The news of the defeat of General Washing- ton at Kingsbridge is confirmed. Dec. 22. The above defeat is not very important, save the loss of cannon ; few prisoners taken, fewer killed, the retreat not defi- cient in military skill on the side of the provincials, nor much to the reputation of the British general ; a rencounter not badly nor unsuccessfully conducted on the American side. Dec. 23. The unimportant, insignificant, fribbling governor of Virginia is come back to England. Dec. 26. Lord Barrington in his private judgment condemns the present war as unjust, and will prove ineffectual, but votes with government, as a minister of state. TO THE HON. JUDGE SEWALL. • Exeter, Dec. 31, 1776. Dear Sir: My little bark is in imminent hazard of being stranded unless the wind shifts quickly, or some friendly boat appears for its relief. In plain English, my purse is nearly empty ; — which circumstance i «■ 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. has of late frequently reminded rae of an emblematical device in the beginning of Fuller's History of the Holy Wars, wherein on the right is a purse distended with gold and standing upright, on the left the same turned upside down, in a lank condition, emptied wholly of its contents, with these words under the former, *' we went oiU/ull," and under the latter, " ive returned ewpty." I do not know but I am departed from my country, family and friends, on < as foolish and fantastic grounds as the misguided devotees of that time did to rescue the Holy Land from infidels, though on opposite principles, I confess ; they to fight, I to avoid fighting. I now be- gin to tremble lest the same fate awaits me that befell them. I dislike the motives of the chief agents in America, and their whole system from its first small beginnings to its full monstrous growth of independency ; and I trust from a very just motive, love of my country ; which this place I am convinced has no tendency to pro- mote the welfare of. But what of that ? It is my duty, and sure the state is not to reward thejloyalty of every subject ; the court in this case would have more than enough to do to satisfy the demands of all claimants. I cannot foresee what I may hereafter do, but easily that I must suffer hunger and nakedness in the comfortless mansions of the wretched. These ideas I have not been accustomed to associate. Seneca and many moral writers, heathen as well as Christian, with all the fathers of the church, luxuriating in the midst of plenty, have furnished the world with elaborate, entertaining, and edifying treatises on contentment, and the duty of submission and resigna- tion under pain, sickness, and poverty with her long train of hor- rors, and really they are amusing to a mind at ease and free from the apprehensions of suffering, and make a pretty figure on paper; but book philosophy and practical philosophy differ from each other widely. Let Seneca and the long list of moralists be brought to the mouth of the cave of poverty ; let hunger, thirst and nakedness, in all their grisly terrifying shapes stare them in the face, then let them, if they can, exemplify these ideal doctrines; let a man pricked, torn, goaded, and surrounded by the briers and thorns sown thick in the path of poverty, take out his table-book and write a treatise on contentment and submission to these severities of his lot, and with a face of composure be able to recommend the • 94 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1776. • pleasing doctrines by his own example, I will believe the existence of such a singular phenomenon j but till I can see such an instance in real life, which I never yet have seen, I must doubt the existence of it anywhere but in books and systems. Human practice knows no such airy notions. History tells of savages singing amid tortures, but the instances of unfeeling savages are the instances of unfeeling savages only; civilized societies furnished with the means and comforts and elegancies of life, afford no instances of such barbar- ous insensibilities. Job, indeed, is recommended as a pattern to be imitated for patience under the grievous sufferings of loss of pro- perty, and pain j but he, as was natural to expect in his wretched- ness, cursed the day of his birth, and who can express himself with more impatience 1 Poverty with all her atteiidant evils, to one unaccustomed to her presence till old age, is too formidable to be vanquished by philosophy and religion ; nor is there a mind in such a situation, in its own natural forces, capable of supporting itself, and not bending under the weight of grief and despair. My doctrine perhaps you may refuse your assent to, but I have said nothing my reason doth not dictate in the coolest hours of reflec- tion. On the present occasion I feel the force of these truths in a much more striking manner. With respect to my circumstances, I will just add that several of my letters containing orders for remit- tances were intercepted, by order I suppose of the Amphyctionic states of America, or the lesser hogan mogans of some particular colony, by which manoeuvre my friends knew no more of my cir- cumstances than if I was in the region of the moon. The melancholy event in your family drew from my eyes the tears of sympathy, well knowing the grief of a tender parent for the loss of a beloved offspring ; and if you will not apply to me Augustus' answer to the Trojan ambassador, I will add, you may believe with sincerity, my real and unfeigned grief at the loss, which I pray God to support you under. Yours, etc. S. Cub WEN. .**#st «,.,'i 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. M CHAPTER IV I t Exeter, Jan. 1, 1777. — This day is very near the commence- ment of my sixty-second year, being three days later ; my birth- day was the 28th ult. ; may this year be more productive of moral improvement than my last was, and if it shall please the righteous Disposer of human events to continue the dark cloud now hanging over me another year, may he support me under the dispensation, and enable me to discharge ray duty, if not with alacrity, with composure and an unreluctant temper. June 5. Attended worship at Bow-church. Mr. Manning preached a pleasing discourse on "friendship," which, like all fine pictures, was too highly colored and above life. TO THOMAS DANFORTH, ESQ., LONDON. Exeter, Jan. 11, 1777. Dear Sir : The success of the British arms does not raise my hopes ; the political states of America have resources much greater than you and I may be acquainted with. The courts of France and Spain are too vigilant to let slip so fair an occasion of revenging themselves for the losses and disgraces of their fleets and armies, sustained from British troops last war, not to avail themselves of this conjuncture. The advices from both countries but too justly afford shrewd suspicions of their unfriendly designs towards Great Britain, and God only knows the consequences ; the colonies may be lost, and Great Britain, perhaps, in the event, may be very well off if she can maintain her own independence. These are suggestions of a mind in quite a different state from your " head-quarter" folks, who, in our country language, count their chickens before they are hatched ; if they would deign to take me into their counsels, I should advise them to be more sure of a victory before they cele- brate the triumph. The continuance of our evils is to my sicklv >■■" m^ -r^ ■#•' JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. « !: <' imagination much longer than the court conceives ; but what is to become of me in the mean time ? I need not take a peep into futurity to know. * #» « » * * • I want to know a thousand things, and ask a thousand questions, which you at the source of intelligence are acquainted with, rela- tive to America and American exiles, but of which I am as igno- rant as if in New Zealand. If I continue here much longer, I shall be fitter for a hermit's cell ; indeed I have thought, nay, often wished for one, which at my time of life, and with my prospects, would be a most welcome retreat. I remain yours, S. Curwen. TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL, LONDON. Exeter, Jan. 19, 1777. • ••***• Dear Sir : So little did I know myself, so ignorant of consequences I might have foreseen and avoided, had I possessed common discernment, that, for what now appears to me a chimera, I abandoned my dwelling, friends and means of life, which you know I possessed in no small degree, and might, as the event proves, have retained on the comparative trifling condition of insrlts, reproaches, and perhaps a dress of tar and feathers ; — an alternative I now see much to be preferred to the distresses of mind I am daily suffering. The licentiousness of an unruly rabble, saving personal outrages, with a plentiful purse, is an envied state to liberty, in the mildest government on earth, attached to poverty with its horrid train of evils ; this you may regard as a paradox, and so will all who are at ease. I think it is Lucan who says, a good man struggling under the storms of fate in adverse fortune, is a noble sight, and well pleas- ing to the gods. It may be so — may it be his condition on whom the gods have bestowed fortitude enough to oppose the storms ; for myself I had rather sail on a pacific ocean, and would willingly dispense with some degree of honorable exaltation hereafter for a more favorable state of trial here. But enough of this ; — to come to matter of fact. ******* With great esteem, S. Curwen. v"^ 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 97 Jan. 31. Lord Chesterfield being asked what he thought of the three Georges, answered, " 1, George the wise, 2, George the prudent, 3, George the unfortunate." — I am afraid his inflexible temper, and the falling off of one of the richest jewels from his crown on the day of his coronation, forebodes a dismemberment of the most rich and valuable of the English dominions ; — whether Ireland, America, or the East Indies, I pretend not to foretell, but fear one or the other, perhaps all. France and Spain will not fail to avail themselves of our national folly to revenge their former losses and disgraces. The English, though brave, are not dis- cerning ; they every day increase the relative strength of the ene- my by lessening their own real power. The end may possibly be, instead of securing the dependence of the American colonies, the loss of their own independence. May God in his mercy prevent this mortifying event, if it shall be for the general good. TO HON. JUDGE SEWALL. Exeter, Feb. 5, 1777. Dear Sir : Accept my sincere thanks for your last kind and friendly favor, and for the prospect it afforded me of hearing again soon. * * * * I presume the * * * * are too full of more important concerns to attend to these lesser matters; however if itbe * * * * and we may rely on a * * * * I can cheerfully dispense with a few weeks' delay j * * * * but such is the whirl and impotence of hu- man affairs, that while we are on this stage we are often obliged to play different parts ; I wish never to act an unworthy one ; my only solicitude now is to pass off with decency, and escape with- out a hiss, — ^but enough of this. On the possession of Rhode Island without loss of blood, may it be attended with better consequences than my gloomy, foreboding mind suggests. I fear France and Spain too closely watch the motions of this nation to suffer us to avail ourselves of the advan- tages gained over the foolish, deluded countrymen of ours, which, but for the duplicity of those courts, would yield me a pleasing prospect. #*«### I often think of our common progenitor. Father Adam, on 13 i # 4 98 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. his being driven out of Paradise by an angel with his flaming sword : " The world was all before him, where to chooie His place of rest, ami Providence his guide." With this difference between us, his banishment was by an angel, and for a transgression ; mine by men almost as bad as devils, and for none : — I am afraid our lot is also different in a third respect, he had Providence for his guide, and I seem to be lef^ to an ill-judg- ing, foolish mind ! * • • * * * • * As you are at the source of intelligence, shall be glad to be favored with an answer to the following que- ries: viz. — Is there a probability of a French or Spanish war? And in that case, will Great Britain send more troops to America 1 Will General Clinton be reinforced ? Will any Americans be allowed to depart for America, and in what character 1 And if so, will it be prudent for me to embrace the opportunity and de- part 1 Have you seen the Articles of Confederation ? Are they real, or fictitious and made here ? Is there any late news from Generals Howe or Clinton ? And if so, what is it 1 Very truly yours, S. CUBWEN. ■^■'r # Feb. 13. A reverend, known by the name of the Maccaroni Doctor, is in Poultry Compter for forgery, and has confessed to the sum of .£4200 sterling ; his real nams Dodd ; he figures in the tete-a-tetes in the magazines, and unless defamed, is a worthless character, though noted for some serious publications in the com- mon routine. He has two chapels and the Magdalen under his care. It is reported that six hundred Hessians in an engagement with the provincials are slain, and many wounded. Feb. 20. The American high treason bill having passed through two readings and to be printed, giving the king power to imprison any person suspected of favoring, aiding or abetting the Americans, without liberty of bail or mainprize, h^s raised an alarm in peo- ple's minds universally, as it suspends the habeas corpus act, that ■-■^ he 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 99 great bulwark of English liberty, as it is called ; and it is suppos- ed to aim at some characters obnoxious to administration. Such is the language of those who do not affect the present ministerial measures respecting America, while the advocates on the other hand plead the necessity of such a bill to render government secure, as without it those who are and shall be hereafter taken, cannot be kept in custody and brought to trial for what they call piracy and treason. May the remains of English liberty and the consti- tution not be overlooked and lost in this fatal quarrel. Charles James Fox said on this occasion, that four acts were over, and this was the first scene in the fifth act, (alluding to the enormous power given the crown,) and shows the precarious tenure on which the liberty of England is held. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Exeter, Feb. 20, 1777. Dear Sm : I have received a long letter from Judge Sewall, in conse- quence of which I am going to London, and shall depart from hence next week. God bless you and succeed your pious endeav- ors to reform a very wicked world. May we preserve ourselves unpolluted from the defilements thereof ; pray don't neglect to write to your old friend and companion. S. CURWEN. TO THOMAS DANFORTH, ESQ., LONDON, Exeter, Feb. 20 , 1777. Dear Sir : Your information of * * * * * puts into my memory many proverbs, of which, if it did not look too like Sancho Panza, I could string near a dozen apropos. You tell me it is owing to my being considered a merchant simply ; truly I think I have proved myself a very simple merchant, and brought my wares to a wretch- ed poor market — thanks to the kind misadvisers of * * * * but they forgot or perhaps never knew that I had been in the com- mission of the peace more than thirty years; nearly the same period was impost officer for the county of Essex, and a captain in the first Cape Breton regiment, for which I have never received 100 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. any gratuity or recompense ; but no matter, past services arc easily forgotten, f\in\ the novi homines arc like to reap all the emolu- ments. Please put the inclosed into a bag for Bilboa at . out in order, two and two, to their dinner, and the axmen suffered to take as many chips as they can carry, furnishing families with f el, and the unmarried with pocket-money. A little beyond the ya. d, containing fifty or sixty acres, inclosed with a high wall, is the ij^un-dock, a square where the artillery apparatus is lodged, and a small commodious armory, but very much inferior to that of tlir- same size in the Tower of London. On our return took the route t hrough the quarter called the Storehouse, detached from the dock by a river, over which is a bridge, and belongs to Lord Edgecombe, consisting of a hundred houses, and additions are daily making ; in this is a building called the long-room, appropriated to tea, punch, w ne, etc., for pri- vate companies and public assemblies, and there is an elegant room with drawing-rooms adjoining, nearly fifty feet Ion 4, about thirty wide, and twenty-five high, with two handsome glass chandeliers and a music-gallery ; not far from this is a building with large areas encompassed by high stone fences, called the Oi 1 Mill Prison, now fitting up to receive American prisoners. Fron this we as- cended a high bluff-head reaching to the citadel ; whilst here, was not a little mortified to see an American privateer prize coming into the harbor from Dartmouth, nor were my ears a little wounded to hear another sold by auction. Plymouth, M$,rch 1. Being called at six o'clock, : arose and entered the vehicle alone, taking up a country couple at Squire # 102 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. Parker's lodge; first stage at Ivy bridge, eleven miles, where breakfasted, and from thence alighted at 12 o'clock at Totness, from whence I departed to Mrs. Wingate's, late Sophia Reed, who kindly received me ; from thence, after an hour's rest, set off for Newton Abbott and Newton Bushel, separated only by a bridge, the former being the name the whole goes by : passing by Mr. Coxe's seat called Penmore Park, and at six o'clock alighted in the churchyard, Exeter. Exeter, March 7. I received a letter from London informing me of my wife's health and welfare in November last, and that she had been obliged to pay ten pounds sterling to find a man for the American army in my stead. This intelligence I received by a letter from Doctor John Prince, at Halifax. Left for Bristol in the diligence, and arrived at the Bush tavern, opposite the Exchange, at eight o'clock evening. Bristol, March 8. Entered the diligence for London at, one o'clock at night — the frost was so intense that our breaths formed a hard cake of ice on the glass, scarce to be taken off by the nails. At the city of Bath we arrived, a distance of twelve miles, almost stiffened with cold ; here I attempted to thaw myself, but this expedient I fancy only rendered my body and feet more susceptible of the cold ; suffering, till the sun arose and chased away the frost, inconceivable pain. At Calne we changed horses again, and attempted a second thaw with better success than the first, being aided by the sun then beginning to bless the upper hemisphere, shining in a cloudless sky. From hence to Marlborough the road lies over a place called the Down ; at the entrance is a hill, insu- lated in the form of a half egg, with the summit cut down to a plain, and is called Silbury, supposed to be made by art or the hand of man, on which are some of the bodies of earth like those surrounding Stonehenge, called tumuli j conjectured to be burying places of the ancient Druids. Hence to Froxfield, on the borders of which is an almshouse for the reception of forty-five tradesmen's widows; it has two fronts, each one hundred and fifty feet long, of brick. The next town is Hungerford ; hence to Newbury, a town larger in extent and more numerous in inhabitants than Marl- borough. Near this town are many single houses, which have the appearance of wealthy persons' residences ; and on a pleasant plain, 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 103 commanding also a view of Newbury, lying to the right as one comes from Bath, is a parish called Speen ; at the entrance is a lofty building to be seen about half a mile distant, on a ridge of hills, having a round tower called Dunnington Castle ; the road lies through a street built on what is called Speen lands, belonging to the parish of that name, but is connected by buildings continued to Newbury town, spreading a great extent on a low plain in a bottom. Here we took fresh horses, passing through two or three villages to Reading, the distance of which from London is thirty- nine miles ; this, the chief town of Berkshire, contains between two and three thousand houses ; from a little beyond Marlborough to Reading, the land is a continued flat, much of it improved, the roads like garden gravel-walks, and very pleasant. At Bayswater we again shifted horses, and again at Hounslow ; between those two places lies the noted heath called by the name of the latter, which we passed over with a slow, solemn pace in the dark, being more than an hour in crossing it. We arrived safe at eight o'clock, evening, at the Swan-with-two-Necks Inn, Doctors' Com- mons. London, March 9. Set forward for Judge Sewall's, where I dined and passed the evening, Colonels Saltonstall and Phipps being of the company : from thence I proceeded to Brompton-Row, where Thomas Danforth, Edward Oxnard, and Jonathan Clarke lodged, and here I engaged lodgings. March 10. Walked out to Judge Sewall's, he having the day before engaged to accompany me to the Treasury, where after a compliment I received information of a hundred pounds down, and a hundred per annum during the troubles in America, which I esteem as a providential provision procured by the friendship of my respected friend Judge Sewall. 1 received an order on the bank ; accompanied by him and Mr. Thomas Danforth, I took a note at the cashier's office for seventy pounds payable to myself on demand, and thirty pounds in cash, departing very joyous and I hope grate- ful to that Being who has, by friends, been pleased in the midst of gloomy prospects to set my feet on firm ground and establish my goings : may I wisely improve this gracious indulgence. Brompton-Row, Kensington, March 11. Took an early walk to London, and meeting Governor Hutchinson, was invited to dinner, 'W^ II 104 JOUBNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. Pf which I accepted, and receiving his address ( 147 New Bond-street) arrived at it ; company beside myself, his son Elisha and daugh- ter, was Mr. B. Hallowell. After dinner repaired to Haymarket theatre, where was entertained in a very full house by the humor- ous George Alexander Stevens' lecture on heads. March 12. Spent the evening with the Club, consisting of twelve American exiles, at the Treasurer's house, Mr. Harrison Gray's. March 31. Rode to Hackney with Judge Sewall to see his son Jonathan at school ; returned to his house to dinner, where I passed the evening. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. J^o. 23 Brompton-Row, March 19, 1777. Dear Sir : I am at length at my moorings in this port, not much to my content except in this one circumstance, the early receipt of the unum necessarium ; this, though it chases away all apprehensions of future want, does not in every situation yield positive happiness j perhaps I am enigmatical, — the solution must be deferred to a per- sonal interview hereafter. The only article of political news is that Gen. Washington was, about the beginning of the present year, declared Lord Protector of the thirteen United States of America. Mr. Timmins is arrived from Boston via Cork ; he left Plymouth about the first of Febru- ary ; says the affair of the Hessians was brought to Boston in four days and put them in high spirits ; that the harbor of Boston is strongly fortified from the lighthouse and Point Alderton to Fort Nell J the people sanguine in their expectations of a French war, encouraged in their errors by the Danish, French and Spanish traders, who are numerous in the port. King-street (Boston) almost as much thronged with people of all nations, etc., as the Strand or Cornhill ; two hundred and eighty-three prizes carried in by the 23d December; four vessels with goods from France, with powder, small arms, clothing and other articles ; one with twenty thousand suits of military clothing, an article not a little wanted among them. Young R***S*** has made twenty thou- sand pounds sterling by privateering, and S. A. Otis the most im- portant, busy man, as well as one of the richest there, etc. 14, -^g % 1777.] JOVBNAL AND LETTERS. 105 I fancy I shall take my flight northward, as birds of passage you know do, on the approach of spring. There are twenty Americans going out with goods to New-York and Rhode Island in the spring ; I think the adventures rash. Mr. Amory is delayed by his wife's illness, which it is judged will soon end in mortality' I have received a letter from Thomas Russell'* of Boston, and Russell Wyer of Salem, written in the beginning of February, all well. Yours truly, S. CURWEN. *' in Kensington, March 20. Evening at club at Mr. Harrison Gray's. Sunday, March 23. To Christ Church Hospital to see the children, to the number of eight hundred, sup ; admitted by a ticket signed John Lane, one of the governors. The hall is a hundred feet in length, and twenty feet in height, — on one side of which are three pictures, the middle one sixty feet long and fifteen high ; in the centre King William ; on the same range courtiers, life-guardsmen, etc. In the foreground on one hand, hospital children of the males, and on the other females, and all in their proper garbs : — on the left, or the first from the door, of the same length is a painting of King Ed- ward surrounded by his court with a roll, by me supposed to represent the first charter of this institution, he being the founder thereof ; and on the other, a piece of the same size as the last, with a full length of Charles II., with astronomical and mathematical apparatus, perhaps to denote him to be the founder of the mathematical school here. — Three tables were spread, on each side of which benches ; on a raised platform are circular seats for the spectators, in the centre front a two armed chair for the governor, or treasurer, whose name is Burford. Prayers are read by one of the upper boys in a pulpit erected against the wall ; then singing by the boys accompanied by an organ ; afterwards supper, consisting only of bread and butter ; grace before and after, by one of the boys in the pulpit, and service concludes with an anthem. The boys ♦ An opulent and distinguished merchant of Boston, whose widow mar- ried Sir Grenville, son of Sir John Temple, first Consul General from Great Britain to the United States. 14 ■ •'■^itM ■^ 106 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. come up in pairs to the platform to make their bow, and retire, some with large pitchers, others with small wooden bowls, others with table-cloths folded up under their arms, others with large bas- kets in which the bread was brought, and others with lighted candles. March 27. Walked out with Judge Sewall and Mr. A. Wil- lard to Cromwell's garden, which is in ill repair ; drank tea at the house of the former, and passed the evening with the New Eng- land Club, say " Brompton-Row Tory Club" at Mr. Blowers'. March 31. Evening with the club at H. Gray's. ^pril 3. Dined at Treasurer Gray's with Col. Browne and John Sargent. fvf TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. 23 Brompton-Row, Kensington, Jipril 6, 1777. Dear Sir : I have nothing to communicate worth a minute's attention. The various news that each morning produces, the following day contradicts ; however, in general, perhaps it may be new to you to know that the tories here believe the American game of inde- pendency is nearly up; not so your doubting friend. Nay, so very sure are some, that there is no small talk of going off in August. You will scarce meet one that entertains the least shadow of a doubt that government must succeed in the utmost extent of its views before the fall ; the reasons and probability of which I have not discernment enough to see. I wish the old Latin proverb may not with too much propriety be applied to these implicit be- lievers, " Canunt triumphum ante victoriam."* I wrote you in my last that several, to the number of twenty, were going off to New- York. I now add that another cargo of twelve or fifteen, among whom is young Cbipman, is to depart in a vessel of 250 tons, laden with goods to the amount of .£80,000 sterling, defended by a force of 17 guns and 17 men, in ten days. It is reported that the new levies, British and German, going to General Howe, are in number eight thousand, and that General Burgoyne is already gone, and is to take with him from * " They celebrate the triumph before the victory is gained." Wf jw iiy j w Bj WfW^^p 1776.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 107 Canada by way of St. Lawrence river, the greater part of the troops at present stationed there ; no further attempts being to be made on the lakes this season. Our head-quarter folks say that Lord George Gerraaine declared to Col. Phips, who is going this day to Halifax with Admiral Montague vid Newfoundland, that the first advices from America, he doubts not, will be joyful. All here are expecting to hear that General Howe is in possession of Philadelphia. On the contrary, the Philadelphia papers are full of the great exploits of the American troops against the royal army, and the promising appearances of affairs on their side ; and if Gen. Washington and Gen. Gates' letters are genuine. Gen. Howe and his forces are not in so fair a way to possess themselves of that capital as our folks seem to fancy. Mr. Dickinson's de- fection has proved a false alarm, he being only retired to his estate seventy miles from Philadelphia, for what reasons politicians disa- gree. His brother Dickinson and his brother-in-law Cadwallader, are both commanders in the American army. Last night I heard read the following, from a letter dated Portsmouth, April 10, viz., " Two thousand Anspachers sailed for New-York under convoy of the Somerset and Mercury : three thousand more Germans are expected here to sail directly, under the St. Albans." Yesterday morn the late right reverend the Bishop of London's corpse was carried by our door on a hearse to its place of inter- wiii in i ' " ' " ' yf ' ,"L'' * 's 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 111 lofty arch defended by great gates that are kep .ut. Many par- ticulars were told us respecting the various parts of (he house, ap- purtenances and avenues, but not being noted at the time, are forgotten. Among the notitia of this place by desire I insert, that the steeple of St. James's church stands at fifty feet distance from the body of the church. A house containing four windows in front being between ; and on the steeple on the same side are two hour plates of clocks, to answer what purpose was beyond my reach. At three o'clock we departed from this pleasant, handsome and agreeable town. On the right, about ten miles distant, Ely Minster or Cathedral appeared in view. At twelve miles from last stage is Newmarket, an indifferent inn, however frequented by dukes and lords. We passed through the race grounds; — the races were instituted to keep and preserve a race of good horses in honor of the nation ; but as the institution is debased, it is not the best horse that wins the race, but that which is destined for it by combination ; indeed, some descend so low as to circumvent one another. The diversion becoming a public nuisance by spreading itself, the legislature took cognizance of it, and by the 13th George II. a law was passed in relation to it. Departed for Cambridge over a plain champaign uninclosed country, which all this quarter of the country seems to consist of; at this place we arrived at seven o'clock, at the White Bear inn, where we were indifferently treated at our first alighting, through the driver's foolish neglect or mistake in not denoting that dignity and importance each gentle- man should assume on the road in order to be respectfully treated ; however, he seemed afterwards to be sensible of his own false judgment, and partly made amends. Cambridge, ^pril 20. At ten o'clock, taking a servant of the inn along with us, we walked out in order to have a sight of the inside of King's College chapel, that, by delay at Trinity College, we lost. This latter is by far the most magnificent in the University ; has two spacious quadrangles, the front and one of the squares are of Portland freestone, having a beautiful reservoir of water in the midst ; the chambers occupy two sides, the hall and * * * * room another side, and the fourth by the chapel, which contained nothing remarkable but a full length statue of Sir Isaac • i J^at:. f f 112 JOURNAL AND LBTTRR8. [1777. Newton in the porch. The other square contains chambers on all sides except the north or west, and is wholly improved by the college library, a noble room of two hundred feet in length by about seventy wide, fille«l with forty thousand volumes ; the alcoves having on top the busts of the most famous ancient philosophers on one side, and the most famous of the modern English authors, etc. on the other. Here we were shown a perfect Egyptian mummy, the ilesh like a smoked tongue. In the same apartment was a curious inscription in Greek capitals, without distinction of senten- ces or words, on a marble about eighteen inches square, having a plain pediment on the top ; it is called Marmor Sandavicensis, being presented by Lord Sandwich. There are also to be seen some mutilated antique pillars and capitals with inscriptions in Greek characters, placed on the grand staircases leading to the library, given by Mr. Wortley Montague or iiis sister Lady Bute, since her death, but which I forget ; and r.mong them his bust in marble. From hence we departed through the college walks on the banks of the river Cam, running on the back of King's College, Trinity College, Caius, Trinity Hall, Clare Hall and St John's College ; over the river are three handsome stone bridges for foot walking, and between them a vooden bridge called the bridle- way, for horses and carriages ; lae banks of the river within the college grounds are faced with stone, the lawn carried down to its very edge, with many slips for the advantage of the company who shall please to divert themselves in boats on the water, flowing in a very gentle stream about two rods wide. The pleasure grounds are laid out in most agreeable gravel-walks kept in the nicest order, shaded with lofty trees ; they are extensive, all on a level, and agreeable. Leaving these delightful walks we proceeded to the chapel ; it being shut, we turned our walk to take a view of the other buildings. A Mr. Peacce, a fellow of St. John's College, whom I met in the walks, invited us to his chamber, where we abode a few minutes to look in a book for an answer to a question I put them concerning the age of an ancient manuscript in the University library, and for the key of the library, to which he con- ducted us. It is not a handsome room, nor contains a large col- lection of books; it was scarcely larger than our old Harvard 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. in College library, and like it consisting of old books chiefly. Mi Prior was of this college, and left it a noble folio volume of all his works, bound in morocco, finely gilt. Here we also saw a most elegant folio edition of Dr. Samuel Clarke*H Julius Caesar's Com- mentaries. Having returned to our inn, we dined, and soon departed in a post-chaise through a very level road to our designed stage, Bark- way, distant sixteen miles, where we lodged and breakfl^^isted. This very indifferent collection of old fashioned buildings we soon left, and entered on the fine improvements of Herts. The agreeable unevenness of the earth, the verdure of the fields and corn grounds, and excellent improvements for which this county is noted, rendered our travelling for many miles delightfully pleasant. At Ware alighted in two hours from our departure from the last stage, stop- ping at the Saracen's Head, to gratify my companions, whose curi- osity urged them to take a view of the great bed, which I before described, and made, as our informant told us, for the use of King Edward IV. in 1463. From hence we took the course to Hart- ford, lying three miles out of our direct road to London, and in two hours from hence were set down at Judge Sewall's door, after a ramble of one hundred and eighty miles ; and so good-by, Essex, Suffolk^ and Cambridgeshire. Passed the afternoon and evening at Judge Sewall's. ^pril 25. With Mr. Savage attended Longford's sales under Covent Garden piazza — viewed and examined his medals and coins ; Roman, Grecian, Egyptian, Saxon, and English. Saw a brass farthing of the time of the Commonwealth that sold for three pounds four. ^pril 29. Attended the exhibition in Piccadilly of Society of Artists of Great Britain ; was really surprised at the meanness of the portraits ; nothing appeared to my eye well executed but some fruit-pieces and a few miniatures in crayons and water colors. From hence Mr. Silsbee and myself adjourned to Mr. Joseph Green's ; we drank tea and passed a pleasant hour. Stopped by the way at Ely Palace, so called, on Holborn hill, now sold and pulling down to build two rows of houses. There are yet standing, the chapel and hall in the old Gothic taste. 15 <^ :f ■« 114 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTII, DKVON. Brompton-Ilow, April 30, 1777. Dkar Sir : Your favor of the 25th I received last night, and am obliged to you for the intelligence it contains ; all of which respecting our own country was new to rae, having not heard a syllable of it before ; the daily news inserted in the public papers proves for the most part to be manufactured here, and what is not, in event turns out to be premature and void of truth. Nothing can be depended on but what comes to us prepared by court cookery in the Gazette, nor do I think administration to blame for withholding part, the whole truth not being fit to be divulged in these captious, licentious times. I have wholly laid aside all regard to what is said to be brought by expresses from America, but what comes immediately from General or Lord Howe, or is contained in the American news- papers, of which we have now and then a sight in the New Eng- land Coffee-house. Nothing very important has of late come from that quarter, except the death of General Washington and the taking of Ticonderoga, both of these yet being matters of doubt and dispute, as people wish, fear, or hope. Since my last I have rambled through Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertford for five days, in company with Judge Sewall and Mr. Abel Willard, and am now about departing, say next Monday, for Oxford, and from thence qud fata trahant ; designing never to make London or its environs my future abode ; — the inhabitants, however, I hold in much higher estimation than those of almost every other place. • ••#*«** God bless your reverence, and succeed your pious endeavors to reform your flock, and I hope for and depend on your prayers, and remain, Very truly your friend, S. CURWEN. Brompton-Row, Kensington, May 1, 1777. Dined at Gilbert Harrison's with my friend John Timmins, the two Debloises,* Benjamin Faneuil, and two ladies. . * Late of Salem. ^ ■PM 1777.] JOU'RNAI, and I. RTTBRB. lift May 3. Dined at Judge Sewall'.s ; from thence walked to London to engage a seat in the diligence to Oxford, designing to take that city in my way to the couotry, where for some months I propose to abide, but in what quarter chance must determine. I go hence like Abraham of old ; may the same kind and almighty Protector be my guide and defence. May 5. Departed in the diligence, in which we found a late Ox- ford scholar, who proved a pleasant, chatty, well-bred companion ; the road for the first eight miles as far as Acton, clear, level and pleasant as a garden gravel-walk : from thence it assumed a differ" ent face, and from Uxbridge to Oxford, especially through Bucking- hamshire, generally a rich soil and well improved lands. The other towns lying in the road were Beaconsfiold and High Wycombe ; in the latter lies Lord Shelburne's seat, pleasure grounds and park all in view ; a little beyond is Lord Despenser's, much more cultivated and in better order. On the right and on an eminence, stands an edifice styled " the Mausoleum," of a peculiar construction ; but the inclination of my fellow travellers permitted me not to take a nearer view than the transient sight as we passed the road. From hence through a parish called Stoken-Church, and on bad roadsi we arrived at the Star inn, Oxford, not having stopped to refresh; here we called for dinner and engaged lodgings. Oxford, May 6. After breakfast walked out to deliver Dr« Chandler's letter to a fellow of Queen's College, named Monkhouse, who received us respectfully enough, detained us in his room an hour, and from thence conducted us through the hall, chapel, libra- ry of his own college, and after settling the route went to the the- atre, Radcliffe library, Clarendon press, and the schools. After re- peated invitations to dine in their hall, we declined for the purpose of examining the Oxford Guide in our retirement. In the hall of Jesus College were admitted to a sight of the plate ; among others is a bowl and ladle of silver double gilt, and holding ten gallons, the gift of Sir Watkins William Wynne ; here is also a book of the college statutes written on vellum, and kept in a glass case, having the characters as perfect and just as if struck on cop- perplate. From hence to our lodgings j soon after our companion Mr. Monkhouse came and conducted us through the Radcliffe In- firmary, open to all the nation, and filled with every conceivable ■i J^. :r** ■'•TP' #'v*-^ * 11« JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. accommodation and supply, and kept in the neatest order. From thence to the observatory, and from thence to the park, being a long circular level gravel walk round the improved fields, part of which is bordered by lofty elms ; its high situation affords a fine extended prospect of the country under high cultivation ; part of Ihe city on the other side adds to the pleasure of the walk. The grounds belong to Merton College, but the walks are maintained at the University expense and common to it ; on our re- turn back we met two gownsmen both of our college, (Harvard,) one of whom was Dr. Nicholson mentioned in the superscription of •our letter, with whom and a Mr. Hamilton, (a partner in the print- ing of the Oxford Bibles and Prayer Book, the sole liberty of which is confined to the two Universities and the king's press,) and a few gentlemen besides in the common room which all the colleges are furnished with. 7th. Breakfasted at Mr. Deblois's by invitation, and after returned to our lodgings, to which Mr. Monkhouse soon came and conducted us to the Divinity school, having a curious roof of stone, and in as bold a style as King's College Chapel, Cambridge ; from thence returned back into the convocation room ; and here we spent some time in looking into the statute book and libra nigra ; in the anteroom I saw the vice chancellor in his robes and the two proctors, waiting for the completing a convocation, (consisting of twelve at least.) We were in hopes to see a baccalaureate degree given to one of the students of Queen's College, but the difficulty of making a convocation delayed the ceremony too long for our Jeisure j by this delay was deprived of a sight I should have been greatly pleased with. Hence we ascended to the picture gallery, and from thence to the Bodleian library, which did not come up to my idea ; 'tis an old room, its form an H ; there are many re- cesses surrounded with lattice work in which the students retire to read, transcribe, etc.; saw but few employed in that business. From hence we passed over to the Ashmolean museum ; here we were entertained but indifferently. In the staircase are a dead Christ of Carrachi, and the Tradescant family, by what hands I know not ; in the room a small miniature of St. Cuthbert in a gold go'get, said to have been worn by Alfred the Great ; some very nice frivolous carvings in peach and cherry stones ; the hat Brad- shaw is said to have had on when he sat in judgment and condemn- mm 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 117 ed king Charles ; the skull of Cromwell, said to be known by a small excrescence on the bone just above the eye, etc. Retreated to the inn, dined, and being attended by G. Deblois's father, I walked to Christ Church College, the most noble of any in the University ; entered the picture rooms, crowded by paintings of the most celebrated masters, being the gift of the late General Guise, for the reception of which these rooms were fitted. Above is the library of very fine bound books, placed in a room of about two hundred feet long, sixty wide, and twenty-five high ; the ceil- ing finely stuccoed as well as the walls in each kind of relief, in oval and other figured compartments. The books are in cases of oak, handsomely carved, and many seats in the same style. The hall into which I entered whilst some of the students were at din- ner, is a noble room of the length apparently of the library, and wider ; the ceiling is of oak, supported from above, and in the centre of each square compartment into which it is laid, is a gilt rose; the walls in a line on each side filled with portraits, on the ends with full lengths. I remember none of them but Lord Mans- field's, 'over the door in his judicial robes. Here I was accosted by a well bred sensible young student, with whom I held conversa- tion. Leaving him I departed, passing through the walk belong- ing to this college, of a mile in length, bordered on each side for part of the way by lofty trees, rendering it most delightful. Our next delay was at Corpus Christi, into the chapel of which I just peeped, and from thence into Oriel ; both of these are small foun- dations. Arriving at the inn, dismissed my attendant, and soon after being called upon according to promise by Mr. Monkhouse, with whom I went to the schools. In two apartments the Arun- delian marbles (and collection of statues presented to the Univer- sity by the Countess of Pembroke) are keptj the statues are larger and smaller than the life. From hence we adjourned to Allsouls College ; the house for the reception of the books was built by Col. Codrington, formerly a member of this house, whose statue in white marble stands in the centre of the room, a noble one indeed ; — the ceiling and walls elegantly stuccoed, the books, very numerous, stand in beautiful cases ; a fund producing two thousand pounds a year is allotted for the increasing of it ; by this provision it will in time become W • * '■^: U8 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. the largest and best in the University. From thence wo adjourned to the chapel, a beautiful room ; over the altar stands a masterly performance of a Mr. Minkes, the Spanish king's painter, of Christ making himself known to Mary Magdalene in the garden, just at the point of time when she having said to him, " If thou be the gardener, and have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him ;" he replied, " Mary," and she turning about discovered it was the Lord ; this filling her with surprise, admiration, love, a mixture of all these various passions is finely expressed in her countenance ; and in his, self-composure, dignity, meekness. Over this, in a semi-circular compartment, are many full lengths, being the assumption of the founder Henry Chichely ; he is dressed in rich robes, his eyes raised upwards, attended by angels. From this pleasing spot we proceeded to Christ Church Col- lege, in Peckwater-square ; meeting Sir Francis Bernard* with a son now educating here, was introduced to Doctor Leigh of Baliol College, who was elected in 1727, and is now a sprightly and active little old gentleman of eighty-six. We reached the church, said to be almost the only remains of a public building' in the Norman style, supposed to have been standing eight or nine hun- dred years. It was anciently an Abbey church, dedicated to St. Frideswide, whose tomb is yet standing; here we were shown several pieces of richly embossed double gilt plate, some of which were dug from the ruins of Oshey Abbey, where it had been lying for ages. The old abbey, distant from hence about eight miles, has been removed to this spot. Passed this evening as the last, in the same common room, and with the same company, with the addition of one or two more, hearing many sarcastic speeches concerning our New England follies and absurdities ; but every country has its characteristic ones, and that comforts me under the but too just ridicule we are loaded with. May 8. Took our farewell of G. Deblois's father and family — walking out in order to take our last leave of Mr. Monkhouse, whom we met, and were conducted by him through New College and its pleasant grounds, and back to the inn ; making our ac- knowledgments, we took leave, and soon entering the post-chaise, ♦ Governor of Massachusetts from 1700 to 1709. 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 119 departed for Woodstock, distant six miles, through dirty roads ; were set down at the Bear inn. We loitered through the town, and at three o'clock, the hour appointed for viewing Blenheim House, we proceeded to the park gate, an enormous portal, in the triumphal style, with an inscription cut in the list, importing by whom and when it was erected ; from this we have an oblique view of that enormous load of building called Blenheim House, the first sight of which reminded me of that sarcastic couplet on the architect : " Lie heavy on him, earth, for he Hath laid a cumbrous pile on thee." The near approach did not fu 1 to add to the disgust I fir.si re- ceived : — the huge piles that sustain the arcades, the almost un- spannible pillars, and the inordinate size and clumsiness of its outside appearance, were fully recompensed by the elegance and grandeur of the rooms, the beauty of the tapestry, and the capital paintings with which the apartments are filled. The saloon is a noble room ; the library possesses a grandeur and elegance inex- pressible. From this famed edifice we returned the same way by which we entered, took a post-chaise and rode across the country to Bicester, through fields and private grounds, passing gates, etc., the soil light and barren ; few fields of grain, but chiefly uninclosed heaths for sheep walks. This town has no manufactures, wood scarce and coals dear : it abounds in houses for th<> sale of spirituous liquors ; we met in our ramble not less than a score. Lodged at the King's Arms, the most magnificent edifice of the whole. Bicester, May 9. Departed early for Buckingham, and alight- ing at Lord Temple's Arms, we breakfasted, and soon after left for Stow Gardens, passing for a mile over a straight, level road through Lord George Germaine's grounds, adjoining to the gardens on the borders of which, and facing the road, stands a light, lofty trium- phal arch ; leaving this on our left, we proceeded to the inn, and from thence to the gate ; being admitted, we remained two hours in going through the gardens and house, the front of which is built in a more pleasing style by far than Blenheim, not, however, to be compared to it in extent and compass. These gardens are not to be matched for grandeur, variety and taste in England, perhaps the ^^IF^ 120 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777. ^m. § i » ; :^|, world. They are capable of amusing for a much longer time than I could allot, being viewed by me currente pede. — Having trav- ersed the pleasure grounds half through, we arrived at the house, the front of which has a very noble and airy appearance ; ascend- ing a lofty flight of steps, we saw an elderly person sitting on a settee in half mourning, by the front door under the portico sup- ported by lofty pillars of the Corinthian order; approaching nearer I espied a star on his right breast, by which I recognized Earl Temple. Pulling off my hat, I was going to retire, when he put his hand to his hat, and beckoned with the other to approach, which we did, and entered the great hall yet unfinished, the whole front having been lately taken down ; the outside is finished, but within is yet in hand ; many of the rooms are in disorder, though enough to manifest the elegance and grandeur of the owner's taste and riches. From hence we set forward, passing through my lord's grounds five miles, and Whittlebury Forest, belonging to the estate of the Duke of Grafton, called Easton j which, with the other grounds we passed, till our arrival at the turnpike road, were insuflferably bad, besides being delayed by a multitude of gates, for which purpose we brought a young lad to open them. The ap- pearance of the earth in this stage was greatly altered for the bet- ter, being diversified with hills and dales under better cultivation, and the nature of the soil more fertile. The fences for many miles of rails, such as are frequent in our own country, intended to defend the young live hedges just set out, inclosures here just beginning to take place. At 4 o'clock alighted at the Saracen's Head, Wor- cester ; here we abode no longer than to dine, and taking another post-chaise, departed for Daventry, passing through a village called Whadon, where we supped and lodged. Daventry, May 10. A. M. Took coach for Coventry, passing through a finely improved, fertile country, and in three hours alighted at an inn just without the city ; a regiment of horse called the Inniskilliners, were reviewing ; a body of stout, likely men, dressed in red turned up with buff, and exceedingly well mounted. Coventry is an old built city, noted for the ribbon weaving busi- ness ; here we were delayed some time ; took fresh horses ; our road lay over a new canal between Oxford and the last mentioned 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. Ul city, designed for the cheaper and more expeditious conveyance of coals that these parts abound in, by which the former will be sup- plied at less than half the present price. In our road lay a village, called Dunchurch ; a little beyond is a lonpf terrace road raised above the level nearly three feet, and contmued for more than three miles almost in a straight line, and bordered on each side by evergreens and elms, planted by the lord of the royalty, through whose lands it runs, rendering it inexpressibly pleasing to the eye of the traveller. From Coventrj' to Birmingham we were delayed by scores of wagons bound from thence, laden with goods, coals, etc., and at four o'clock alighted at the Dolphin inn, Birmingham, in the street called the Bullring, where we intend to remain ten days, (after a circuit of a hundred and fifty miles,) if agreeable. Birmingham, May 13. Being called upon by Mr. G. Russell, we set off on foot for his house at Moseley Wake Green, having been invited the Sunday before to dine on this day ; our company consisted of his brother and lady and sister. May 17. Waited on Mr. Wilkinson at his house, but he was absent ; afterwards went with my companion to the locks on the canal, and saw several boats go through, an amusing sight to him which he had never seen before. May 19. Having engaged horses the night before at eight o'clock, booted and spurred we mounted our Rosinantes, and de- parted for the Leasowes, late pleasure grounds of the famed Shen- stone, and Hagley, the estate o ' Lord Littleton ; the former distant six miles, the latter eleven, on he same road. Here we arrived at eleven o'clock, passing throu.;h a town called Hales Owen, of considerable extent, and by its appearance in the same way of business as Birmingham. Attended by the gardener in the absence of the park keeper, we walked over my lord's grounds, almost in the centre of which stands Hagley parish church, a small building in a shady recess ; passing this we ascended an eminence. On a plain surrounded on all sides but in front with lofty trees, stands a pillar with a statue of the late Prince of Wales, (father of his present majesty,) dedicated to his memory by the late Lord Little- ton, who was one of the prince's household and favorites. This spot commanded a sloping view of a pleasant lawn, bounded by 16 m •-*r-; - •- it 132 TOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. t g; ;:■' X- the mansion house, a large oblong edifice of two stories and an attic, with a low four-square tower on each angle, and a flat roof. The exterior of the house is plain and void of ornament ; over the lawns are planted clumps of trees by which the views are di- versified. From the heights in narrow channels run many small streams, one discharging itself into a pool filled with trout, etc. ; over this is thrown a bridge with an alcove. The grounds contain in extent four hundred acres ; and trees are planted so artificially as to yield an appearance hardly to be distinguished from nature a little improved ; here arc to be seen pillars, urns, rotundas, alcoves and field seats judiciously disposed : amongst them an urn dedi- cated to the memory of Alexander Pope, on which is an inscription savoring of flattery. Returning by the way we went, we alighted at the Golden Cross, Hales Owen, where we were furnished with a room by our- selves and dinner. On this day was held a fair in this town j seeing a large multitude collected I would fain have mixed with the people, but the curiosity of my companion not prompting him, and my fatigue by an execrable hard trotter rendering me indisposed to needless exercise, prevented our seeing the humors of this part of the country. In passing the road a few furlongs before, we arrived at this town ; about an inn were collected two companies of tradesmen with black rods tipped with brass. They assemble at certain times and are under certain rules ; have a public box, sup- plying a fund to be employed in maintaining the sick, blind, wounded and disabled, and finally burying members and their wives. Their regulations have a happy tendency to promote among the laboring handicraftsmen cleanliness, good manners, order and sociability. The road to Hagley in general is though level but tolerably good ; the views pleasing ; at two o'clock we arrived at the Lea- sowes, now in possession of a Squire Home. Attended by the gardener we entered through what is called the priory gate, a gateway and arch formed by old stumps and moss, communicating with a serpentine walk on a shady bank of a stream running through a craggy wild bottom to the pool now emptied of its waters. It is supplied also by another meandering stream, on the banks of which are judiciously placed statues, urns, and resting seats, from each of I pum 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. m which appear most agreeable and diverting objects, varied from each other in every remove, consisting of hills, dales, streams, houses, and clumps, rows, and forests of trees on lands in high culti- vation. The closing scene was a natural perspective view of a charming cascade running in various directions, the whole, almost, the eye could trace through bending oaks and osiers, from a spot whereon is placed an urn inscribed to Virgil and called his grotto or recess. Hence to the mossy bower or grotto, where after resting I reluctantly mounted my horse, and arrived at my new lodgings No. 20 Moor-street, at eight o'clock, much fatigued. 'isim^ 124 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. CHAPTER Vr. 'Iii Birmingham, May 20, 1777. Breakfasted with Mr. G. Rus- sell, and with him proceeded to a Mr. Onion's, in order to have a sight of his auriculas and polyanthuses, of which he has a great variety, and of the finest hues and stripes. Mr. Russell having invited company to meet us, we returned to his house to dinner, and passed the day agreeably. Arrived at our lodgings before nine o'clock. May 22. A fair begins here to day, proclaimed by the bailiffs, constables, wardens, etc., in procession, beginning at eleven o'clock. Streets crowded, many people coming in from the country ; a day of jollity rather than business, and the evening ends in riot, drunk- enness, etc. The low bailiff is the first officer in dignity, and by custom is chosen from the dissenters. He nominates the jury, who appoints the constables ; he also presides in the courts leet, gives a yearly feast, and has no further concern in town affairs. His service continues a year. The high constable inspects the markets, and is appointed for life by the lord lieutenant of the county. May 24. Walked to Soho Gardens ; the grounds naturally capable of improvements in a high degree ; they already consist of gravel walks in the serpentine form, shrubbery, flower borders, an occasional cascade running down a narrow pebbled canal, and emerging into a pond below, containing two islands. Took an afternoon ramble with my companion to Ashton Park, now in pos- session of Lady Holt, about two miles distant ; the richness of the soil and high cultivation they are in, almost ravished my companion. It is almost surrounded with a lofty brick wall, and is agreeably diversified by rows of trees, clumps and single trees, with many large spots of clean lands. The house is of brick in the old Gothic style, very large, having battlements on its iop and round turrets. The church standing on the Itinds and adjoining the avenues of the mansion house of the estate of Sir Charles Holt, is remarkable h 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 126 for the sirallness of the building, and the loftiness of the tower and spire. Returned home not a little fatigued. May 26. ^eft Birmingham for Sheffield, our first intended stage being the city of Litchfield, sixteen miles ; roads level and sandy, the lands in sight barren and uninclosed. Just without the city, and in a field adjoining, we saw for the first time the English militia; the men were as likely ami well accoutred as the king's troops, and as clean and well dressed. Arrived at the George inn, where we bespoke dinner, and while it was preparing, walked forth to view the city and cathedral ; the former of about eight thousand inhabitants, houses mostly in the old style, few shops and little appearance of business. The cathedral is a venerable pile ; round the western part of the building stand in mutilated condition many statues, being defaced^ as some of its inside ornaments were by the zealots of Cromwell's party in the unhappy times of Charles I. There is nothing remarkable within except a curiously wrought screen of stone, separating the altar from the chapel jf the Ten Virgins, to whom it was dedicated, and where prayers at six in the morning are daily said. The niches in which the Virgins stood have remained unfilled ever since the pious purgators of those times of confusion before mentioned ; and as another instance of their enthusiastic madness, they broke to pieces all the stained glass belonging to this church. Over the western door is an in- scription, stating that this church was erected in the 657th year of the Christian era, was endowed by Off a in the Saxon ti Ties, and by Henry IT. and Richard I. since. In a flat tomb against the fourth wall lies a Dean Haywood, who, many years since, fantastically attempting to imitate our Saviour in fasting forty days, died in four- teen, a martyr to his folly ; two statues, one resembling him in his full bulk, and the other in his emaciated state, remain as monu- ments to perpetuate his impious folly. From this survey we returned to dinner. Arrived at Burton at four o'clock, over roads almost an entire level, as soft as a carpet, and in a straight direction as far as the eye could reach. At the distance of eight miles from our last stage we passed the Trent, near to where the great Staffordshire canal (joining the Trent and Severn) begins ; crossing and r ^crossing it, and travelling on its banks and within sight for many miles. This canal is carried over >i% 1S6 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. the small river Dove and many streams. Took our departure for Derby j the roads as pleasing as last stage till near the town, when the face of the country became hilly and uneven, yielding a new picture to the eye. Stopped at the George-and-Dragon inn, Derby; took tea, and accompanied by my fellow traveller, rambled through the town, which appears to be of considerable extent, having four Episcopal churches. The streets are paved with small pebbles ; some of them of a convenient width, the rest narrow, having a gutter in the middle, common to most of the paved towns. Here is a square, paved, serving as a parade for the military, par- ties of which arc posted in every great town. One side is built on arches, forming a shelter for the inhabitants from inclement weather. There is great appearance of trade, and, indeed, the silk mills, flatting and rolling mills, and lead works, employ many hands. Here are also many shops, which for size and arrange- ment resemble those of London. Derby, May 27. We visited the famous silk mills, and were told by the master workman that ninety-seven thousand movements were set to work by a single large water wheel. The house is two hundred feet long and thirty-six feet wide, and has five floors, each filled by machines. From thence made a visit to the porcelain manufactory ; — the principal ingredient is common flint stones reduced to an impalpa- ble powder after being broken in a water mill. All the images are cast in very small parts at first, joined together by hand, as the head, the hands, etc. ; the moulds are made of plaster of Paris, and not bigger than the outside shell of a large walnut, which they resemble, aud like them consist of four parts. The fancy pieces, as flowers, images, etc., are formed a clear liquor poured into the moulds ; in less than two minutes, by absorbing the liquor, leaves a solid figure, which after it is dried is painted, gilded, etc., and passes the fire four several times, and if gilt undergoes polishing to bring it to its lustre. From this cursory survey we returned to our inn, and departed for Lord Scarsdale's seat, called Kiddlestone, four miles distant. Arrived at the portal and lodge in the form of a triumphal arch built of stone; through this we were admitted into the park, ob- servable for the greatest quantity of large white oaks and elms. 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 127 About a raile from the entrance over a straight, clean carpet road, we came to the lawn terminated by the house, making a noble ap- pearance ; passing a large handsome stone bridge thrown over a fine stream made by art. On the lawn, on everj' side of the house, are large single oaks, also raa.iy clumps and rows, which with the great herds of horned cattle make a most picturesque view. The entrance to the house is by a double flight of steps under a grand portico, being formed of noble columns supporting a pediment, having in front my lord's arms, and crowned on the top with three female figures, erect, representing plenty, pence, and wisdom. The centre contains the great hall, and on the back front the sa- loon ; the ceiling of the former is supported by fourteen red veined alabaster fluted pillars of the Corinthian order on each side ; its height 40 feet, length 67, and width 42 ; the pannels of the doors light airy papier macho manufacture ; the designs tre from Greek and Roman mythology ; the flooring the most beautiful clear oak, taken from ray lord's forests, as the pillars are from his own quarry, and bear an excellent polish. The wings are connected by circular corridors, and in each wing twenty-one rooms on a floor elegantly finished and furnished. The state bed has very curiously carved posts, its furniture and hangings blue damask ; ray lady's dressing plate the greatest in quantity of any I have seen except the queen's, and is silver embossed double gilt. My lady was at home, and remained to indulge us with a sight of every part of the house. The living of my lord and lady when in the country is quite in the family way. Their eldest daughter, going in a loose country dress to take a ramble over the lawn, on discovering us retreated back and disappeared. This house for situation, elegance L id grandeur united, need not yield to any. From this pleasing spot we departed for Ashburn, the first town on the peak ; 'tis a country town, has a market and an Epis- copal church, but is remarkable for nothing that I could learn ex- cept its being a station for those whose curiosity brings them rather to view Dovedale and Islam gardens, the residence of old Chaucer, where strangers are shown the very spot in which he wrote many of his pieces. May 28. Rising early we departed in a post-chaise for Cas- tleton, situated near the mouth of the Devil's Peak ; the road is over bare and dreary hills j the whole country that is inclosed is by ^^1 '"--

k a few rounds in the college green amidst genteel company, and rceived invitations to tea. In the afternoon, meeting Mr. Barnes and F. Waldo, we joined them going to St. Nicholas' church ; a Dr. Buck preached an excellent sermon, and delivered it with great propriety and fervency. ■ i : '^l TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., LONDON. Queen's Square, Bristol, July 8, 1777. Dear Sik : After a long and expensive ramble to no good purpose, I am at length in this city, proposing to make it ray abode for a month or longer; — to what place I shall retreat from hence I am unde- termined, though somewhere to the west, as that is a quarter of great plenty and of the least expense. The report of the cheap- ness of living in Yorkshire is a mere fable, especially in or near the neighborhood of the manufacturing towns, in the west riding, or even in Lancashire as far as Manchester, which last place nothing but interest or superior motive!? could confine me to. The distance I am from London, (and probably shall be for many months,) will deprive me of hearing or reading the current news, but few papers falling into my hands j and coffee-houses, the m ■m 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 145 lesort of newsmongers and political dabblers, I rarely enter ; so if you will now and then employ a few of your leisure moments to let me hear from you, I shall esteem it a favor. I am, dear sir, very truly yours, S. CURWEN. or t.,- !^ JtUy 9. Walked five miles out to see Dundry towti , the steeple so called of a church situated on a lofty ridge commanding an ex- tensive prospect over the Severn into Wales, far into the St. George's Channel, into Somerset, Gloucestershire, and far beyond. Strolling along the quay, met a Swansea coaster, and partly agreed to make a tour through the southern and western parts of Wales. July 11. Went to the theatre ; saw the West Indian and the Misers, the former entertaining ; Major O'Flaherty well taken off by Mr. Moody, the ' est imitation of an Irishman I ever saw ; - the latter an unnatural plot, and but illy performed to a very full house. July 17. Set off on horseback for Bath ; fine roads, sun ex- cessively hot and scorching, almost choked by the dust which arose in clouds by the carriages and horses we overtook in great num- bers. Alighted at the Shakspeare inn. High-street; visited the public places of resort ; rambled about the city, dined, and at four o'clock departed by the way of Keynsham for Bristol. Jvly 18. Drank tea with Mr. Francis Waldo at his lodgings ; afterwards adjourned to the theatre, where I was agreeably enter- tained. July 23. This day news arrived of the capture of the Fox, man-of-war, of twenty-eight guns, by some American privateers. Unless more spirited measures take place, or others are employed to plan or execute, I know not whether this island itself will not be surrounded by ships from the western continent and their allies. Two ships, just sailed from Bristol, were taken in St. George's channel ; and several to and from Ireland, etc., within a month. The nation is in a lethargy, and for aught that appears is like to continue so ; treachery, venality, or inability, will, it is to be feared, destroy this devoted people. July 24. News via Liverpool ; Gen. Howe burnt Brunswick about 20th June, broke up his camp, going to abandon the Jerseys, 19 146 JOURNAL AND LETTERS [1777. k: I «"' .,. to strengthen his lines at Kingsbridge, apprehending an attack there; and with the remainder of his forces and the ships to go up the North river on a secret expedition. The Boston fleet of eigh- teen privateers sailed with orders to keep together for twenty-five days, and afterwards each to repair to their several destinations. The Newfoundland fishery disturbed, the ships on Grand Bank scattered ; some sunk, the whole almost dispersed and ruined. London and the trading parts, even those attached to the government, I am told, begin to grow very uneasy and talk loud. If it should continue, a change in administration must succeed. Alas ! to what a low ebb is this nation fallen, that lately gave law to the potent states of France and Spain, in a contest confessedly unequal on the side of its own subjects ; but such is the state of human affairs. Go- liath was humbled and slain by little David, and those provinces that lately sued to Great Britain for protection and aid, now boldly defy and enter the lists against that very power. Jtdy 26. Took passage to Swansea with Capt. Hawkins, and at eleven o'clock, with two pilot boats ahead, cast off from the quay. In four hours discharged our pilot boat in King Road, five miles from Bristol; we soon grounded, and there remained all night. The return of the ebb served instead of a favorable wind, to carry us to our port of destination. Indeed, it was, as the sailors say, right in our teeth : the strength however of the current is such as to overpower a ligh> f> lo, in which case vessels coming in or going out drop anchor during the ebb or flood, when unfa- vorable. This night proved dark and misty ; just after midnight we dropped anchor; daylight discovered the master's judgment in selecting his ground to anchor on. We arrived without harm to a stony beach called the ferry place, below the quay about a quarter of a mile. Swamea, July 29. Attended a court-baron, instituted for de- termining pecuniary cases under forty shillings, and is equivalent to our justice's court in New England ; it is, I presume, appendant to every manor, the lords of which have the nominating, if not the appointing of the officers to this trust. The manor in which this town lies is called Gower, and belongs to the Duke of Beaufort, who chooses its chief magistrate, called Portreve ; the present is Mr. Gabriel Powel, justice also in the former court, and whom I saw on 'm' # 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. w the bench. This town is the first in Glamorganshire for commerce and manufactures, twelve hundred vessels being yearly employed ; its staples are coals, copper-plates, and white iron. The ore for the former, and blocks for the latter, are brought hither in their own vessels from Cornwall, and when manufactured, transported to Bristol chiefly. The town consists of twenty-five hundred in- habitants, who occupy about three hundred and fifty houses, few elegant or large ; a market-house, erected at Cromwell's expense, the inhabitants being in his interest. Here are several Episcopal and Dissenting churches, a synagogue and Quaker meeting-house. Service is said and sermons preached in the Welsh tongue once in three weeks. A custom prevails here of raising the earth on (he summit of the grave in the form and size of the coffin beneath, and sticking in herbs and flowers, and during the season of roses, of spreading the leaves thereon. The country inhabitants almost uni- versally use the Welsh as their mother tongue, scarcely understand- ing a word of the English, which they call Sasnic, meaning Saxon, to distinguish it from the true British, which was on the invasion narrowed to the small districts of Wales and Cornwall ; English in this principality is taught as the dead languages by the grammar. In a place called Gowcr the inhabitants speak no Welsh, but be- yond they talk in no other tongue ; in the midland counties scarce any thing but Welsh is spoken or known. Pembrokeshire was settled some ages since by Yorkshire and west country folks, whose descendants retain their native tongue, and are ignorant of the country speech. In general the inhabitants aflect to speak of Eng- land as a foreign country, and as we on the west of the Atlantic, s,aying from England, to England, etc. The Welsh appeal a hardy race, short, clumsy, and strongly built. The extensive white iron or tin plate works, and copper also, which abound, I fancy -s prejudicial to the products of the earth ; and the appearance of the land justifies the opinion. I am told the land is good, but I confess it has a dreary look ; the lofty hills are, however, enliveieu, though bare of trees, (their natural vesture,) by the great number of small huts, so prettily and agreeably scattered over the sides of the hills, being painted white, with the fences or stone walls encompassing them, or forming the courts or yards. July 30. A stranger sent in his name, Calvert, desiring an in- ■■-'p;'Ti»i. . -^p- ik JOURNAL AND LETTFR8. [1777. ^, traduction to me; he had luarried a niece of {he late Mr. Gwynn, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, who was one of the co-heiresses, and he wished to inquire about his late uncle's affairs ; but I could give only an imperfect account ; when I last saw his uncle he had a wife and effects, supposed about two thousand pounds. I took breakfast with Mr. Calvert, and one of the company was the Dr. Collins to whom I had a letter from Mr. Barnes ; but he not choosing to make himself known, we took no notice of each ether, though we were both apprised of our meeting together, which I thought on his part an impropriety. My companion's capricious resolution to return back, and the ill reception of my letter, were considerations that prevailed with me to accompany him, and we immediately set about preparing for a departure ; and thus was my design of remaining some months in this principality frustrated by an injudicious connection which might have been foreseen and avoided. It is with no little reluctance I abandon my only inten- tion of coming to these parts, which was to possess myself of the knowledge of the peculiar manners, customs, and language of these genuine descendants of the old Celts, that had long been the object of my wishes, and I greatly regret my facility in giving it up. But an unseasonable, ill-placed compliance, or perhaps want of proper resolution to undertake a solita'-y residence in a district of an unknown people, of a strange language, might have co-operated to produce my determination. In passing the road I reckoned one hundred and thirty chimneys in the great copper works lying on the banks of the Swansea, a river just above the town. Dined and took leave, and bent ray course to the fen-}' ; was soon wafted over the river Tawy in a boat guided by a rope, the rapidity of the tide rendering such ri a expedient necessary; having landed, we jumped into a carriage standing on the shore ready to receive us. The next town is Neath, which consists of about one hundred and fifty houses, and is situated on the Bristol Channel, or about the embouchure of the Severn ; it is a place of some trade in the same way as the former, though not to so great an extent. On the farther side of the river are the remains of a magnificent monastery, but under what denomination its former occupants were, I did not learn, having only a passing view. Just beyond the town on the same side of the river, are the seat and grounds of Sir ■*r. [1777. ♦* *• * 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 149 Herbert Mack vorth, under excellent improvement. Standing in the court of the inn, I heard one tell another that the lad then passing by, was the male descendant of him whose name was Pendrell, by whom King Charles II. was concealed on the oak at Boscobel, (now standing,) after Cromwell's defeat of the Scotch army at Worcester. JVeath, July 31. Left the inn at eight o'clock, and alighted at the Bear inn, Cowbridge, twelve miles; a long, straggling town, of better built houses, and to appearance larger than Neath, though of less trade. Changed horses and started for Cardiff, where we alighted in two hours, distance twelve miles. It is a small but neat and clean town, the shire town of the county of Glamorgan ; streets well paved ; has one Episcopal church, houses modern, but none lofty or much decorated. The inhabitants here and farther on towards Monmouth, begin to anglicize and lose the Welsh lan- guage and manners, few or none speaking it in town, though the mountaineers all over the principality make it their mother tongue, and politically, and I think prudently, continue it. The villages and towns that have the least connection with trade, retain their original tongue in greater use. North Wales, more particularly than South, has less mixture of foreigners. After an hour's rest, we set off in a post-chaise for the mountain country, to obtain a sight of a singular bridge over the river TaafTe, consisting of only one arch, spreading one hundred and forty-two feet, in height thir- ty-four above the water. This surprising undertaking was planned, and after two disappointments, executed by a mason named Tho- mas Edwards, still living : — it is said to be the greatest work of the kind in the world, exceeding the Rialto at Venice. ViMtors say it would do honor to Roman magnificence in the most flourishing times of the empire. Asking a questi' ,; of a passenger, he replied, " Dim Saesneg," which was as much aS if he had said, " / do not understand English.''^ Cardiff, August 1. After breakfast walked through the town to the castle, remarkable for its being the prison of (he unfortunate Robert, eldest son of the fiist William, and Duke of Normandy, who was not only deprived ol "lis right to that duk ■;•: y\, and the kingdom of England, the government of which lav v/as his by right of primogeniture ; but being made a prisoner by his younger '^^C .-■-•pi:' ,* -i_::T«5n;77',,CT—*,yiB- i50 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. 'Ik brother Henry, he languished here twenty-six years, till death kindly released him, at once, from captivity and suffering. This castle is iiJmost entire, and seems less i uinetj tlian any of the an- cient ones not in possession of th*j crown. Tlie dunj^eon where the prince was kept is shown ; it iios ^Kidi^r the outward tower, the descent by six steps, secured by two doors, one wiihii nother ; the apartment about eighth n feet high an.; the antne. hi . ameier ; of an octagon form, having an arcbtitl roof, admitting no light but througii a wickei j^'^^. under the covering, jutting out from the body of the tov.or. Thu i. x'.ent of the castle within the walls is about twelve acres. From bc'Mce repairtd to the inn, and took carriage for Newport. After my departure learned that a d«ughte 'f the late Parsoh Pigot of Marblehead, was a.n. inhabitant ». f this place. Arrived at Newpnt at twelve, and remained an hour, rambling through the town, which, like Cowbridge, is long and straggling, and the bouses cl a mean appearance. On the bank of the river Uske, near the foot of the bridge on the town side, are the remains of an old castle in ruins, reduced by Cromwell to its present state, as, I am told, were all the castles in this country, where they abounded, scarce a town being without one ; passed by several in sight of the road, and all in a like decaying condition. At the inn we dined, and loitered till five o'clock, waiting for the flow of the tide, and then with a fair but faint breeze, entered the boat and loosed from the Welsh shore. In forty minutes arrived at the Gloucester side, and waited no longer than while the horses were putting to ; and taking our seats, were conveyed across a pleasant, extensive country, filltd with herds of black cattle and large flocks of sheep, bordered by a circular range of finely improved hills. In an hour arriv ed at the city end of Durdharn Down, and^soon alighted at our late lodgings in Queen's square, having finished a tour of two hun- dred miles in seven days. From henceforth determined to consult the genius, turn, and temper of my future companions; my late fellow traveller's want of curiosity, etc. etc., renders him a very unfit companion, and frustrates every purpose of rambling. Bristol, Jlugust 3. Attended \ .Tship at St. Stephen's; Dean Tucker preached. Returned ho/ i Hot Wells. 'M 1 * V [1777. 1777.] JOUBNAI. AND LETTERS. 151 I ^1 yji TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH, DEVON. Bristol, August 4, 1777. Dear Sir : The dark aspect of affairs in America on the side of govern- ment, renders it likely that England or some foreign country will, for many months to come, be the residence of the wretched Amer- ican fugitives. Our head-quarter folks have, I learn, lowered their topsails, and talk in a less positive strain ; fear and appre- hensions seem to have succeeded assurance. Of late I made a short ramble into Wales, and over many emi- nences, to which the hills in Devon are not to be compared ; the middling and poor inhabitants are not unlike our Indians, though inferior in size ; their manners as coarse and language as uncouth, differing from the English as much as their customs, many of which are peculiar. The outside of all their houses and walls is kept white-washed, at a distance giving them a lively and pleasant look ; the inside is filthy enough. The women, like our Indian squaws, carry their young slung round them, some before and some behind their backs. Cardiff, the chief town of the county, is near the bank of the river Taaffe, and in a pleasant vale of fine improve- ments, surrounded by high mountains, cultivated to their summits. Within two miles, and in sight, is the town of Llandaff, having a cathedral of a respectable appearance : — the churches in this coun- try, however, make but an indifferent appearance, being of dimin- utive size. About twelve miles from this toward the mountains, my curiosity carried me to view a most astonishing piece of archi- tecture in a bridge, called bont-y-pridd, consisting of one arch, in span one hundred and forty-two feet, and rising from the spring of the arch thirty-four ; planned and executed by a common mason, who is now employed at a similar work in Radnor. This natural architect is also to execute another bridge at Swansea, over the river Tawy, the middle arch of it to rise one hundred and eight feet above the surface of the water at full sea, and of a width suf- ficitat for a large vessel to pass through. Yours, S. CuivWEN. ■i' Im JOURNAL ANU LETTERS. [1777. Jii!<^ .i,:it 7. Attended worship at the college ; Bishop Newton, ■well known in the learned world by his writings, confirmed about nine score persons, chiefly females, from fourteen to thirty years of age. August 10. Attended worship at Mayor's Chapel, Baron Ho- tham, the nisi prius judge, present, accompanied by the mayor, in their formalities. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, DEVON. Bristol, Jlugust 1 5, 1777. Dear Sir: A late rumor from the south that had exhilarated our sinking spirits, is now momently abating of its credibility, though it was told in a way and with circumstances that induced a universal be- lief. The report I refer to you must undoubtedly have heard. My faith in a speedy return to our native country is, as it ever has been, faint j those, on the contrary, with whom it is my fate to bear company, have cherished, and still please themselves with the fond, delusive hope that the disturbances on the western continent will subside upon the least success of the British arms, and hourly expect to hear of Gen. Burgoyne's arrival at Albany ; from whence they date the end of troubles there. But supposing that to take pk.je, I foresee a great deal to be done before the fierce spirits of the people in America will settle down into a submission to a power they dread, and have been taught to detest. Besides, I cannot help thinking France v»ill interpose and prevent a future connection between Great Britain zx>.\ the colonies ; perhaps, not thinking it prudent to declare whilst the recovery of them remains doubtful. This you may call a suggestion of fear, and it may be the effect of a sickly disturbed imagination ; I presume, however, I am not a singular instance. With real regard, yours, etc. S. CURWEN. Jlugust 19. By the ship Lady Gage, from New-York, July 16th, advices that General Heister is returning to Europe; that the troops are withdrawn from the Jerseys ; that Lord Howe and General Howe are embarking, destination unknown; — i*« "■#"■■ ■ t^r- . 1777.] JOUnNAr< AND LETTERS. 153 discouraging nows for government, and is a convincing proof I should think thai an insurrection excited by an enthusiastic ardor for liberty, rightly or wrongly understood, and in such distant pro- vinces, is not to be easily q\ielled. A contemptuous idea of the weakness of the colonies, and their inability to withstand the pow- er of this opulent state, is the chief if not the only source of the present discouraging condition of their affairs in North America. August 20. Advices from New- York are that General Pres- cott was surprised and carried o(T at midnight from a detached house a little beyond his line, by a few daring sailors who landed on the island. This was done in revenge for General Prescott's setting a price on General Arnold's head, dead or alive, to be brought in. General Pigot succeeds the former in command. That Lord Howe and General Howe were soon to leave New-York with seventeen thousand troops, destination not known, supposed north- ward, to act in concert with General St. Leger, who is coming down through the Mohawk country. That General Burgoyne has taken Ticonderoga, and a confirmation of the capture of the " Fox'^ man-of-war by the Hancock and Boston privat<.ors. 'Tis also stated that the Massachusetts people begin to be discontented, and accuse each other of folly in en{_^ aging in an opjosition that seems to promise such bitter '-its. Should Great bi'tain be able to establish a hne of communication between Canada i^: ^ " . " w-York, and thereby separate the northern rt loiiies from the ui ..em, wo to the promoters and abetiors of these disputes, and good-by to Con- gressional authority. The Indians will naturally fall into the hea- viest scale, especially when enforced by such powerful motives as Great Britain can offer. Shoi^ld that event take place, God pre- serve my poor country from the desolating judgments — from a mer- ciless savage war. August 26. Intending for a long walk, toolc my course for Rownhara passage, proceeding over Leighdown 'Vr'^i-Th a Mrs. Gor- don's grounds, late Lady Trenchard, which shv .., changed for a husband. This house sheltered King Charles II. after his defeat and flight from Worcester ; he was in the kitchen when his pursu- ers entered, in the character of a scullion, and the cook maid struck him with a ladle, calling him a careless dog, and ordering him to wind up the ja,.v, which he obeyed, getting on a stool for the purpose. 20 4' 164 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1777. «u The house is a l.irge, noble, old-fashioned structure. In tlie court yciid is a piece of water filled with carp. Dined at King's Weston, and returned to lodgings much fatigued. King's Weston is an .'Si ae '"olonging to Lord Clifford, family name Southwell. At the inn I heard that Lord and Lady Clifford had that morning set off for France, on account of the ill health of th«^ latter, leaving a dead child in the house to be buried when convenient. August 28. The annual Gloucestershire feast this day ; the procession, headed by the Duke of Beaufort, walked from Concert Hall to the n,:. Sept. 2. Had a passing view of the half yearly fair held in St. James's church-yard. Saw exposed in huts, sheds, etc., j'ong the street called Horse-fair, cloths, linen, hose, and every article in the grocery and bauble way ; — besides the buyers, there were numer- ous flocks of such characters as compose our Cambridge Common gentry on commencement days, and for the like purposes, festivity and fuddling. Sept. 3. Evening at Judge Sewall's, who introduced me to Dean Tucker, a famous political divine and anti-colonist, who judges them a ourden to Great Britain, and presses administration to cast them off. Sept. 6. Had an hour's conversation with a Strang' • on 'change; a rare event, people in England being greatly indispo;sed to join with unknown persons. The Bristolians are, however, re- markable for early inquiries into the character of all strangers, from commercial motives, and soon fasten on all worth making a pro- perty of, if practicable ; all others, of how great estimation soever, are in general neglected. This city is remarkable for sharp deal- ings ; there runs a proverb, " one Jew is equal to two Genoese, one Bristolian to two .lews." Sept. 7. At the college, the cathedral so called. Dr. Stone- house preached ; he was a practitioner 'of medicine, and has now turned his attention to spiritual maladies. His discourse serious and sensible, ana his delivery with becoming energy, very unlike the insipi 'oldness prevalent among the preferment-seeking, amuserae.; ..anting, " macaroni parsons," who, to the shame and dishonor ol this age and nation, constitute the bulk of those of the established clergy that possess valuable livings. 1777.] juURNAL AND LETTERS. 156 In the afternoon, walked to a street adjoining King's square to attend John Wesley's preachment ; he being seated on a decent scaffold, addressed aboiit two thousand people, cdiisisting of the middle and lower ranks. The preacher's language was plain and intelligible, without descending to vulgarisms. Sept. 14. In the afternoon I attended once more John Wesley, having the heavens fur his canopy ; he began with an extempore prayer, followed by a hymn of his own composing, and adapted to the subject of his discourse. He wears his own gray hair, or a wig so very like that my eye could not distinguish. He is not a grace- ful speaker, his voice being weak and harsh ; he is attended by great numbers of the middling and lower classes ; is said to have humanized the almost savage colliers of Kingswood, who, before his time, were almost as fierro and unmanageable as the wild beasts of the wilderness. He wears an Oxford master's gown ; his atten- tion seemingly not directed to manner and behavior, — not rude, but negligent, dress cleanly, not neat. He is always visiting the numerous societies of his own forming in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; though near eighty years old, he reads without spec- tacles the smallest print. He rises at four, preaches every day at five, and once besides ; an uncommon instance of physical ability. Sept 26. It is reported that General Howe is gone to Boston, and if he makes a successful landing, and is powerful enough to penetrate into the country, wo betide my poor native land. A few days will undeceive us with regard to the object of Gen. Howe's expedition. Sept. 29. Mr. Timmins and Judge Sewall visited me. Even- ing at Mr. Barnes's, where took tea with thirteen Americans. The Temple church is so denominated from its having belonged to the knights templars, which powerful and dangerous body of men was dissolved about A. D. 1270. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Bristol, October 6, 1777. Dear Sir : It is my intention to pass a fortnight with you, and could wish, if convenient, to meet you at Exeter. I long expected the pleasure of seeing you here, but now despair of it, having seen Mr. John » » 156 JOURNAL AND LE::BU8. [1777. Waldo, who informs mc you have hiid aside all thoughts of a jour- ney northward. The number of our country folks here is eighteen, viz. : Mr. Boutineau and lady, Mr. Ik'njamin Faneuil and lady, Judge Sewall and lady, Mr. Barnes and lady and niece, Mr. Fen- ton and daughter and son, Mr. Fr. Waldo, Mr. Timmins, Colonel Hatch's two daughters at school, and myself. Gov. Hutchinson, in a letter to Judge Sewall, writes that the news respecting the defeat of the Americans at Saratoga is cor- roborated by other circumstances concurring to establish the credi- bility of the lieutenant's letter; the remainder of the story stands on its own bottom, or in other words is doubtful ; it is, however, be- lieved by some that two hundred of the royal army fell in the at- tack, and of the Americans fifteen hundred are killed, wounded, and prisoners, with artillery and stores. He also writes that he has it from high authority, that Lord George Gcrmaine believes Lord Howe gone to Chesapeake bay, but the King to the northward ; my belief is that this is a stroke of court policy, to keep down discontent in the minds of people who begin to grow impatient. Your real friend, S. CURWEN. Oct. 4. Before the " Lexington " privateer was taken, she had burnt, sunk, and destroyed fifty-two British vessels, on the coast of Great Britain and Ireland, as appears by her log-book, as well as by papers and letters found on board. Oct. 21. Rose at six o'clock, and went a coursing with two grayhounds and a spaniel for hares. Started one, and left her in a turnip-field; returned about two o'clock, not greatly fatigued, after a ramble of fifteen miles over hedge fences, ditches, etc. Oct. 28. Had a sigfit of the Pennsylvania test, which mani- fests a confidence in their ability to support their lately acquired authority. It is a triumph to a few ; misery to many, I fear. Oct. 31. Departed at four o'clock from Bristol, in the diligence, with two other passengers, brothers; the one a parson of cheerful humor, and of the learned tribe; the other, late from the East Indies with a few thousand pounds, which he was early retiring to enjoy whilst he had a relish for the pleasures of sense. Breakfasted 1777.] JOURNAL AND I. ETTKB8, 167 W at White Iloart Cross, dined at nridjrewater, and at half past eight alighldl at Exeter, eighty-two miles in sixteen hours. Exeter, JVovembcr 1. Departed on horseback, allcnded by a servant with my portmanteau, and in three hours ahghtcd at my friend Isaac Smith's lodgings at Sidmouth. Sidmouth, Mm. 7. Rode to Beer, a fishing town, containing perhaps a hundred houses, mud walls and thatched roofs; the in- habitants in looks and dress resembling Marblehead folks. Stop- ped on our return at a farm called Baldash ; met here Mr. Cornish, dissenting minister of Collylon, who is a cordial advocate for America and its independence; he is for retiring to woods and caves to avoid religious persecution. JVbu. 10. Started on horseback for Axrainster, through Kil- mington ; from an eminence on the road is a delightful prospect of the vale through which the Axe flows in a serpentine direction, under fine improvement, bordered by hills of a moderate height ; pastures and fields to the summit, from which saw Seaton at the mouth of the river, supposed to have been a Roman port, no trace of which remains. In this road lies a stately old house, called Ashe, wherein John Churchill, the great Duke of Marlborough, was born ; a village of no account called Musbury, and at the extremity Ax- minster, where we dined at the Green Dragon, and were introduced to the carpet manufactory, named from the town ; invented and still carried on by an ingenious and obliging person of the diss ing profession. Here is also wrought, besides his own, of ai'iecu- liar construction, Turkey carpet, so very like in figure, cole ■, iixl thickness, as not to be distinguished from the genuine ■.u'i:le. They are wrought in perpendicular looms, by females, v; ,:k 'nm'. s move with a velocity beyond the power of the eye to foilow I'lc shute, consisting of as many colors as the shades of the figures j placed aloft on a bar, through rings running thereon, each ring passing a distinct color through. There was making a beautifri one of thirty-six feet square, (amounting to ninety-six pounds,) for the Countess of Salisbury. The knowledge of this manufacture he obtained thus : an oM ragged fellow, in military garb, called and said he had wrought all over Europe in the Turkey carpet way ; he was engaged immediately, and complete success has resulted, not only in this kind but also in the Wilton and Axminster. * .li -^ 158 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. We passed. a dirty road in the dark and alighted at Thorncombe. The late vicar was father of Commodore Samuel Hood, who' lately commanded a squadron at Boston. Supped and passed the night here, next morning left early ; at eleven o'clock arrived at Lyme Regis, lying in south channel in an exposed situation : it is a place of little trade, supplying the neighborhood with coals imported here from the north. It is also a watering place, being aqcommo- dated with a few bathing machines, a terrace facing the beach, and near adjoining for walking ; a long room for tea and cards, of a southern aspect, and a neat assembly room. About twelve hun- dred inhabitants, (chiefly dissenters,) and about two hundred houses. Here is now standing, the George inn, wherein the Duke of Mon- mouth first slept on his invasion. For the security of vessels coming in here, there is a circular pier of several hundred running feet, built by the ever famous Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobhara, and from him denominated the Cob. The next stage, Culliford, at Mr. John Carsluck's seat of Wishcombe, where we were kindly entertained and lodged. This place is called from its situation; "wish," in Devonshire dialect means weary, and " combe" ra/e,— which well describes it. JVov. 12. At meridian took leave and departed through the country to Slade, seat of Mr. Lee, one of Mr. Smith's parishioners ; called and notified him of our intention to dine, and passed forward to Brunscombe, consisting of five clusters of small huts of mud walls and thatched roofs. This parish, formerly an estate of the Brunscombe family, was given to a monastery at Caen, in Nor- mandy, and remained appended to it till the downfall of popery in England. Dined and took tea with Mr. Lee, and resuming our saddles, took leave, and crossing Salcombe hills, alighted at our lodgings, after a circuitous ramble of forty-seven miles in four days; the roads for the greater part more dirty, stony, and disagreeable than are generally to be passed in our own country. Sidmouth, JVov. 17. Took an airing over Peak hill, — evening in a large company at Mr. William Carsluck's ; Coddington house his seat ; took tea and a generous and elegant supper. JVov. 18. Rode out, passing a farm called Thorn, from a thorn bush or tree standing on a road near by, said to be more than three hundred years old. I 1777.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 159 J^ov. 19. Rode to St. Mary, Ottcry, about eight miles out ; it is a parish, a hundred, and a manor ; the lords. Sir George Young and Sir John Duntze. It is situated in a vale, the river Otter run- ning through the naidst, from which the town takes its name. The centre is modern, built of brick, covered with pantile, a fire seme years ago having destroyed the old building's, it has a market, an Episcopal church in the cathedral style of building ; by tradition erected in 1060, a few years before the Norman in. asion ; it has a look of antiquity, and is marked with decay within and without. J^ov. 20. At ten o'clock departed from Ottery, and at one alighted in Exeter at ray intended lodgings in Fore-street. Exeter, JYov. 22. Walked abroad, had a conversation with young Reed, just returned from Salem, having been cprried in there in a prize ; from whom I learnt there was no business scarcely but privateering, which he repiesents as surprisingly successful. By the papers, I learn the king in his speech takes notice of " the obstinacy of his rehellious subjects in Avnerica,^^ and promises himself " all needful assistance from his faithful Commons" It will be well if additional supplies, and an increase of foreign troops, do not prove a source of intolerable evil. Would co God an expedient could be devised to terminate this unnatural quarrel, consistent with the honor of both parties ; but this I fear is a vain wish. The Dutch, from a sordid thirst of gain, the French, from their dread of the rising power of Great Britain united with the colonies, and Spain, from an attachment to the court of Versailles, are too deeply concerned to permit a re-union. Lord Chatham, on motion for an address in the king's speech, says, " Without an im- mediate restoration of tranquillity, this nation is ruined and undone. What has been the conduct of ministers ? Have they endeavored to conciliate the affection and ol fdience of their ancient brethren ? They have gone to Germany, sought the alliance of every pitiful, paltry prince, to cut the throats of their loyal, brave, and injured brethren in America. They have entered into mercenary treaties with those humau butchers for the purchase and sale of human blood. But, my lords, this is not all ; they have let the savages of America loose upon their innocent and unoffending brethren, upon the aged, weak, and defenceless ; on old men, women, and children ; upon babes at the breast, to be cut, mangled, sacrificed, m. * ■* ' 160 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1777. f burnt, roasted ; nay, to be eaten. These are the allies Great Bri- tain now has; carnage, desolation and destruction, wherever her arms are carried, is her new adopted mode of making war. Our ministers have made alliances at German shambles, and with the barbarians of America, with merciless torturers of their species. Whom they will next apply to, I cannot tell." Such is Lord Chatham's fire, such his oratory, such his indignation agaiq^t minis- terial measures. Dec. 14. This day General Burgoyne's mortifying capitulation arrived in town. Nothing could be more disgraceful and humilia- ting, unless a submission to the victor's power without terms. The loss of the military chest estimated at seventy-five thousand pounds, the finest train of artillery ever sent out of this kingdom before ; all the boasted acquisitions of the year's campaign gone at a blow, and Canada on tho point of joining the grand American alliance. In the House of Commons, on the 12th inst., after Lord Bar- rington's report of army estimates. Col. Barre rose and called on Lord George Germaine to inform the house whether the report of the surrender of General Burgoyne with his army and artillery was true or false ; which Lord George did in a short narrative, and said intelligence had been received of the capture by the way of Quebec, which struck the house with astonishment ; and after a short pause Col. Barre rose, and with an averted look, said : " Great God ! who can refrain from rage and indignation when the planner of so much misery relates with, the utmost composure, the horrid tale of a British array destroyed ? We all know the General's bravery and skill j he did not surrender whilst there was a pojsibilily of defence ; but while justice demands a just eulogium, what must we say of the man who reduced so gallant an officer to so sad an alter- native without the smallest advantage to his country ?" Dec. 18. From a correspondent at the w'est of the town, I learn that the language about the court is nowise lowered by the last news from America ;. " delenda est Carthago." The old poli- ticians, neither biassed by hatred to Americans, nor interested in the destruction of the colonics, shake their heads at this language. Dec. 25, Christmas. Service at cathedral. No shops opened entirely, nor business publicly or generally carried on : — though , ru^,, • :A.'J(rTr [■V;'',^ ■.■>;£■ ^"■^i.-civ ' i^'-^:- ■jtr- ■■ ',^',I>i"-> , IP-'. 1777.] JOUfiNAL AND LETTEBS. 161 the day is otherwise negligently enough observed, nor indeed can more be expected, considering the low ebb of religion here. Soon after the surrender of Burgoyne was announced by Lord George Gerraaine in parliament, an adjournment took place till after the holidays, whereupon Sir George Young, Mr. Baring, the Exeter member, and Mr. Barre, hurried down, and it was sus- pected that this foreboded a new parliament, a new ministry, new measures, and that the most active opposition is coming into play ; a few days will undeceive the public, however. On confirmation of the American news, Manchester offered to raise a thousand men at their own expense, to be ready for service in America in two months, and was followed soon after by Livv^rpool. It is said there are to be proposals for raising two tho!;sand men out of each parish through the kingdom; that the American secretary will resign, and Lord Hillsborough succeed him. Dec. 31. The lenity shown to General Burgoyne and his army is allowed on all hands to do more honor to America, than the lau- rels, reaped by the Howes, can bring to this distracted country. God knows what is for the best, but I fear our perpetual banishment from America is written in the book of fate ; nothing but the hopes of once more revisiting my native soil, enjoying my old friends within my own little domain, has hitherto supported my drooping courage ; l)ut that prop taken away leaves me in a con- dition too distressing to think of; however, amidst the increasing evils of old age I have this consolation, that, mortifying as my lot is, severe as my sufferings may be, their continuance cannot be lasting. Accompanied by Mr. Smith, drank tea with Mr. Towgood, and they passed the eveninp: and supped with me ; and thus ends the old year. Mr, Pope observes : " With added yenrs, if life bring nothing new, But like a sieve let every blessing tiirough, Some joys still lost, as encli vain year runs o'er, And nil we gain some sad reflection more : Is that a birth-day ? 'tis, alas ! too clear, 'Tis but the funeral of the former year." 21 !-'i'-| a fi'i :;* 162 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. CHAPTER VIII. TO DR. DAUBENT, LONDON. Exeter. Jan. 3, 1778. Dear Sir : By my friend Col. Browne's letter, received yesterday, I am in- formed of Col. Fr) e's arrival at Halifax, and of your quilting Salem and arrival in London. Pray inform me whether his and your de- parture from your settled abode arose from the requirements of the new established governments ; if there be any in our province of sufficient authority to restrain the lower classes from their insolence and outrageous behavior, who, when the bands of society are un- happily loosened and the laws are forced into silence, do not neg- lect to avail themselves of those ti»neo to r-m riot against peace, order and security, the most valuable blessings of social civil life ; — whether there be any civil government established in our province — what it is — who the administrators — who are our Salem magistrates — its condition with respect to order, trade, religion — the state of our society and the situation of our friends 1 I could fill a sheet with questions, but, loth to tax your good nature too heavily, forbear. With con^'atulations on yonr safe arrival in a land of plenty, and freedom from persecution, either on the score of religion or politics, I remain your friend, S. CUKWEN. Jan. 6. Evening at Mr. N.'s, with Mrs. N. and Mrs. Tremlet, sist?rs, of excellent understanding, great reading and refined taste. Jan. 12. Bishop Ross installed arch-deacon in the chapter house, as on Saturday he was prebend, and on the following days this week is to be successively canon, treasurer, and bishop ; each ceremony being ushered, accompanied, or announced by tolling the 1778.] JOUHNAL AND LETTERS. 163 great bell, and afterwards the chimes play. On the demise of a bishop, the king in effect chooses under the fallacious compliment of recommendation to the chapter, consisting of dean, prebends, canons, etc., with a conge (Telire, or liberty to choose for that pur- pose ; the choice falls of course on the person recommended, and is so understood. He is then presented^ kisses the king's hand on his preferment, and is installed by proxy in the distant see. He is personally enthroned when his new lordship pleases ; how long it may be before we are to be favored with his personal presence, it is not said. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Exeter, Jan. 17, 1778. Dear Sir : The account of General Burgoyne's surrender is confirmed, and what think you of the Congress now ? Of American independ- ence ? Of laying th^ colonies at the ministers' feet 1 Of Lord S.'s boast of passing through the continent from one end to the other with five thousand British troops ; and with a handful of men keeping that extensive continent in subjection 1 Of the invinci- bility of the said troops ? Of the raw, undisciplined, beggarly rabble of the noithern colonies ? Of the humiliating surrender of a British general, five thousand troops, seven thousand small arms, and thirty-six pieces of brass artillery, to the aforesaid rabble ? What think you of the pompous proclamation of the said general ? Of Ihe figure he is now making in the streets of Boston, compared to his late parading there, accompanied by his vainly fancied in- vincible cohorts, now, alas ! rendered as harmless and inoffensive animals as you and I ? Of the condition General Howe is now or soon may b^ in. should the combined army of Washington and Gates, tmmerous as it may be, perhaps exceeding his own in the proportion of two to one, elated with success, inflamed with an en- thusiastic ardor, invest Philadelphia, defended by an army almost worn out by incessant labor, havmg, as the papers say, the shovel and firelock always in th( ir hands, and greatly weakened by losses ? Whut think you o'' the tv, t-nty thousand men voted in parliament a few days since, in addition to the army now in America ? Where aro they to be raised 1 Is not Russia on the verge of a war with # 164 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. the Turks ? Have not the two great potentates of Germany re- fused to suffer their country to be further drained of its inhabitants? Is not Denmark too feeble, thinly peopled, and jealous of its potent neighbors, to furnish men 1 Have we any alliance with Sweden ? Is not Holland in the same predicament with the former, and does not its commercial system forbid lending us aid ? Is noi Portugal too poor, dependent, and unable if disposed 1 is not Spain unwil- ling and unable, and too much inclined to follow French politics 1 Nay, does not the impolicy of hiring troops from her, if willing and able, appear too glaring even in the most desperate case ? And is not France too nsidious and insincere, too much interested both in regard to politics and commerce, to apply to her for assistance ; ny, would it not be too dangerous, considering her former state and connections there ? Have not the Switzers too strong a sense^of liberty themselves to engage against a cause wherein civil liberty is pretended to be invaded ? Pray what resources, then, has Great Britain, without allies able or willing to afford the needed help ? Can her own country furnish the requisite numbers ? Can the manufacturers spare, with- out essential injury to its commerce, a supply from thence 1 Does she abound in laborers ? Are there not, rather, complaints ihat men of the lower classes are wanting ? Have not the recruiting parties found great difuculty in raising men ? And is it not well known that business goes on slowly and heavily at this day 1 Would not an act of parliament to press men for the American service, (and without it, it cannot be done,) raise disturbances and insurrections think you 1 Would not raising new regiments from among the Catholics of Ireland disaffect the bulk of the nation ? In this sad dilemma, which way can administration turn to extricate them- selves ? How can they escape out of this labyrinth wherein they are intricated 1 What measures can be adopted consistent with the honor and dignity of this late mighty empire — alas, how fallen ! — that gave law but a few years ago to two of the most powerful, politic, and wealthy states in Europe, and thereby peace to almost all the world ? Common sense and prudence, in the case of a private person, suggests, that when convinced his measures of conduct are inadequate and incompetent to answer his wishes and designs, to retrace his mistaken steps, pursue other measures, and undo what li'^ 'T •(*■ ■•«<■«■; ",f ■7- .r ->- 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 166 has been done wrong; for it most surely is less dishonorable to correct errors than pertinaciously continue in a track confessedly wrong and fatal. Does not the American secretary, Lord George Germaine, seem to be of this mind, when he announced General Burgoyne's surrender in the house, declaring, at the same time, the impracticability of carrying on this war any longer 1 Has this an appearance of a pacific intention, or docs it seem designed, as has been suggested, to lull the opposition ? (which, however, I don't consider but as the effect of party misrepresentation ; for you know party views every thing in false lights.) Think you this an indi- vidual opinion, uncommunicated to his brethren in administration, and unknown in the privy council, delivered without their privity, connivance or consent ? Is it probable he will long hold a post in which he must take so active a part as his duty requires, in promo- ting measures, in his judgment ineffectual, and which cannot long be supported 1 If a difference in the higher departments begins, and a derangement in administration should take place, where will it end ? I shall tremble for the consequences at this period, as it will weaken government when most it stands in need of support from a general concurrence. Did not Lord North seem to yield to the idea of conciliatory measures 1 The designs of a court are deep and hidden ; who, by searching, can find them out, till time, the great revealer of secret things, exposes to view the wisdom or folly, the policy or impolicy of cabinet councils ? The language of the court, the papers say, is, as it ever has been, " delenda est Car- thago J if this be not slander, wo betide my poor country. I con- fess I feel too strongly the amor patrice not to wish it may be slander; its enemies will never, I hope, exult over its ruins; but its inhabitants be timely brought to a just sense and sight of their real interest and security, which in my view consists only in a close connection with this country. V^igorous measures are talked of there ; but in parliament the language held by the ministers seems mild, leaning toward an adjustment of matters otherwise than by the ultima raHo regum; the out-door talk is just the reverse : unhappy the state of society and government that renders such conduct in any regard expedient. Should government herionsly wish and intend to settle this quarrel amicably, what can be the first step 7 The present situation of I vi.i 5? M m # ■A' T-''* '*»T" 1^ 166 JOURNAL AND LKTTERS. [1778. administration puts me in mind of a story relative to Sir Christopher Wren, who went yearly to visit King's College Chapel, Cambridge, remarkable for its roof; on being asked whether he could construct such another, replied, " Tell me where to place the first stone, and I will engage to execute it." Are not our stale architects as much perplexed and embarrassed where to lay the first foundation stone whereon to erect a temple to peace and concord ? Could they ever devise a : Inn of accommodation dictated by wisdom itself short of American independence 1 Would the United States condescend to enter into a treaty with this kingdom after so many proofs of their ability to defeat their designs and resist their most vigorous efforts, and from whom they have received so many supposed indignities, severities, and oj)pressions ? I quit my theme and lay down my pen to read the news just brought in ; but before 1 record it, let me premise that not a syllable of it finds credit with me; it is as fol- lows: — " General Vaughan, who burnt Esopus and made such cruel havoc up Hudson river, is defeated by General Putnam ; he and his army prisoners; that the former has got between General Clinton and New-York with a separate army ; that General Washington had forced General Howe's lines, destroyed and taken seven thousand men." Should this, or half of it be true, I warrant (without gift of prophecy) the game is up. I forgot to add, Arnold is not killed, only wounded in the leg, and with General Gieen gone forward to Quebec; the American woiks on the Delaware not yet forced, so that the two brothers Howe can as yet have communication together till that event takes place. General Howe's situation must be very disagreeable, not to say dangerous. I will add a few lines to fill the sheet. Newspapers are crowded with articles of the nlfers of towns and counties to enable his majesty's government to carry on the war against America, which by some means is now become to be considered as less a ministerial affair than some time ago; should the proposed numbers, however, be taken out of the manufactories, I dare engage trade will sensibly feel it. Would to God, that moderate and just views of the real interests of both countries might possess the minds of those who direct the public measures here and there. That peace may again take place, and trade and agriculture and commerce be establishe. .''■Ik has failed, from the opposition of the gentry and others. Dr. Robertson, in h^ history of Scotland, says: " When men have been accustomed to break through the common boundaries of subjects, and their minds are influenced with the passions which civil war inspires, it is mere pedantry and ignorance to measure their conduct by those rules which can be applied only when governn»ent is in a state of order and tranquillity. A nation, when obliged to employ such eAtraordinary efforts in defence of its liber- ties, avails itself of every thing to promote its great end, and the necessity of the case and importance of the object, justify a depar- ture from the common a- >' established forms of the constitution." This is precisely what a sensible American, whose mind is strongly impressed with the right of resistance to the authority and arms of « '1I -i-i 4* 168 J^ JOUKNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. i. • mother country, woull ofTi'r in defence of the many hardships and violences imposed on his fellf v, , ountrymen at the present momentous crisis. Jan. 30. This being in Church of Enghnnd language, " King Charles's martprdoin,'" it is farcically observed as a fast day ; churches open and service suitable to the solemn occasion read. To complete the absurdity here, the pulpit of the cathedral was covered with black cloth ; the tip-staves, sword, and mace, carried before the mayor in the same grim garb. TO WILLIAM imOWNE, ESQ , LONDON. Exeter, January 30, 1778. Deak Sir : General Burgoync's defeat will, I think, prove a prelude to a succession of fatal events. The rapid increase of military skill and courage that enthusiasm produces, and the great numbers of Euro- pean commanders and engineers of experience now incorporated amongst the Americans, are considerations that extinguish my expectation of the success of the following campaign, even should Great Britain send over in season the number of troops ordered by parliament, (and which do not amount to what all who have lately arrived from America agree to be necessary to insure success, or rather, in any good degree, render it probable.) May those evils my gloomy mind forebodes, exist only in imagination ; but I must confess I see, perhaps through a false vista, the expedition already ended in the disgrace of this powerful and wealthy kingdom, and in the ruin of that once singularly happy, but now, alas ! deluded, •wretched America ; for, disconnected from this country, wretched it must necessarily be, if anarchy and the most grievous oppressions and taxes can make a people so. How weak, inconsistent, and dangerous is human conduct, when guided by lawless ambition, or any false or wrong motives ! Into what dreadful evils are commu- nities often plunged by hearkening to the declamations of pretended patriots, of crafty, selfish, unprincipled demagogues of this and many other countries; history furnishes us a present mortifying proof and example. You may console yourself in the late disgrace of the British arms, with the hope that it may revive the ardor and bravery hith- 'it I,; It ii' 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 1(19 crto so peculiarly characteristic of British troop^i, but similar causes do not always produce similar cfTects. At the time you refer to, Rome was in the meridian of her glory, war the profession of her citizens ; her inhabitants, through all her ranks, were at that period actuated by the amor j)utria, a principle publicly derided in this age. Do not think me a cynic, when I say, I fear this nation has sunk into tot; selfish, ^ manly, noble exerti( for which this people 1 you mention fornif ■ ' fore within my own at pie. But the breast ol f'nerate, luxurious a sloth, to rise into such 4 170 t JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. ramble, or curiosity, push you out of the metropolis, as the season grows milder, and chance or design direct your steps to this plen- tiful and cheap quarter, take the following short imperfect sketch. Exeter, for its numbers, is somewhat less than Boston ; in buildings as unlike as the wrinkled age of fourscore,)^fiers from the healthy, florid complexion of thirty. To your or any eye familiar to modern structures, this place will appear as uncouth as a female tricked out in a ruff and fardingale, or in the court dress of old Queen Bess. I am led to this comparison, from having often heard that the houses, especially in Fore-street, are of her age, and in- deed they no more resemble the modern than the dress of that day does the present. The streets are narrow, ill-paved, and (I wonder why not to a proverb) dirty. There is a row of buildings in the form of the crescent at Bath, in the so called modern style ; but it is crowded in a corner, out of sight ; built on land belonging to the Duke of Bedford, and goes by the name of his title, on the site of a late noble palace, wherein Henrietta, the youngest daughter of Charles I., was born during his troubles. Within the walls are three walks for taking the air ; on the north, a circular one, lying back of the castle, encompassed with trees, through which, on the outer side, over a vale filled with houses and improved fields, are cut vistas ; much frequented here is also the church-yard, or the inclosure within walls and gates ; round St. Peter's, the cathedral, another hard gravel walk called the Friars, commanding a fine field view, besides many others without the city. And for in-door amusements, a theatre, concerts, a coffee-house, called Moll's, and a hotel, both in the church-yard, where the London papers are brought four days in the week. Having filled my sheet, I conclude abruptly, like Hudibras breaking off in the middle. Very sincerely yours, S. Cur WEN. Feb. 3. This was the day appointed for the enthronization or installation of Bishop Ross in the episcopal seat. The ceremony was performed by Archdeacon Hull of Barnstaple, the proxy, and one of the canons of St. Peter's. The chapter, consisting of the dean, canons, prebendaries, &c. &c., a set of well-fed priests, all ^$s- t0:.m^: jiSs^;- i" " /' ■'" ■.'^''■'^'t'\l'-""" ■,W",. 4r 1778.] JOUENAL AND LETTERS. .•I of the largest dimensions, (except the first, who was in London,) walked in procession to the cathedral, preceded by the officers properly habited, and whose coming was announced by the sound of the great bell. Having arrived into the church, the chapter proceeded to the throne, wLere they all sat down ; after being seated a short space, the proxy arose, and advancing to the front, read an oration in praise of the late bishop ; concluding with an encomium on the present one, in which he declared he took real, actual, and corporal possession of the episcopal chair ; these words being the same he used, and I fancy an essential part of the form. The seat, or throne, as it is called, is of a singular construction, and the most magnificent of any ; it is a square of sixteen feet, lined with crimson silk, the cushions velvet of the same color, edged with a broad gold fringe j thfi ^' '^nopy thirty feet high, sup- ported by four wrought posts, carved up to the ceiling in Gothic open work, decreasing till it ends in pinnacles ; opposite stands the pulpit ; both at the upper end of the choir. Henry Grove, a dissenting minister of Taunton, well known by his writings among those of the same profession, wrote Nos. 588> 601, 626 and 635, in the 8th volume of the Spectator ; and Mr. Parr, lately deceased in this city of Exeter, in his eighty-eighth year, wrote those signed A. B. in the 6th and 7th volumes, and some others, the signature of which his son, Surgeon Parr, told me he had forgotten. Feb. 10. Received a letter from William Cabot, London, in- forming me that by a letter from Nathan Goodale, Salem, all friends are well. Feb. 14. Received a friendly letter from Mr. Timmins. His wife at Boston, seeing no end to the disturbances, is going to pluck up stakes, and remove with flocks, herds, and children. Lord Camden said the other day in the house of peers, on the Duke of Richmond's motion to consider the state of the nation, with liberty to refer to such papers as were before them, " the origin of the mistake of our ministers in commencing the American war, was this: they ignorantly supposed the Americans to be cowards, and foolishly imagined the French to be idiots." Mr. Woodbridge's answer to the Duke of Richmond (on the 9th inst.) was, that by Lloyd's coffee-house books, the number of «/ '# • I. if. t^ 172 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. British vessels taken from May, 1776, to the present time by Ame- rican privateers, vras seven hundred and thirty-three, containing upwards of thirteen thousand men. That the aggregate value of the ships and cargoes, after deducting one hundred and seventy- four retaken and restored, amounted to j£4,823,000:-iterling. The number of American privateers one hundred and seventy-three. That American products had greatly advanced in price ; tobacco from sevenpence to two-and-tenpence, — pitch, from eight shillings to thirty-six ; tar, turpentine, oil, and pig iron, in the same pro- portion. Feb. 15. At the George dissenting meeting-house Sir Henry Tre- lawney, of fifteen hundred a y3ar,an Oxford-bred scholar, preached from " toorship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.'* Taking a religious turn, he had fallen into Methodism, and set out a flaming preacher of their notions, to episcopal orders superadding dissent- ing admonition of the lowest kind. He has charge of a small flock in the neighborhood of his own estate ; his natural good sense bas cooled his first heat, and he now addresses with fervor, but candor and affection, a crowded assembly. Just as he entered, before service began, an elderly lady in the pew adjoining to the one I sat in, sunk down in a fainting fit, and breathed her last without a groan or struggle. TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., LONDON. Exeter, February 17, 1778. Dear Sir: I would fain persuade myself my good friend does not enter- tain unfavorable sentiments of the rectitude of my principles, what- ever doubts he may have of the justness of my opinion respecting the appearance of things at this juncture, and the probable issue of this destructive quarrel between Great Britain and the colonies. I presume it needs no proof to convince him of my leaving America rnder a strong conviction of the almost physical impossibility of her waging a successful war with this powerful state, and therefore of the unjustifiableness, imprudence, impolicy, and even madness of the undertaking. Nothing short of such a state of mind could ab- solve me from the imputation of the extremest folly to abandon my country, friends, and estate, and all my hopes in this world, at my ^'1r 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. m^ time of life, with but little money, few connections here, and no expectations. The pernicious system of politics adopted by France, ever since she raised her ifiews to universal empire under Louis XIV., has justly brought on her the detested character of unfaithful, false, crafty, and perfidious ; so that French faith now, like Punic of old, you are sensible, goes current in Europe for the four preceding characters j nor has the late behavior of the court of Versailles failed to verify the disgraceful imputation : even at the very time the ministers of France, upon some spirited remonstrances from our court, were pouring forth a profusion of seemingly fair promises and specious declarations of amity into the lap of Lord Stormont, ordering a few vessels with, and a few without cargoes, to be restored to their right owners, and even shutting up their ports, on paper, against American privateers ; even at that very time, they were not only conniving at, but carrying on a contraband trade to the revolted colonies. In the port of Nantz there lay, ready to sail for America, three or four large ships, laden with all kinds of mer- chandise, cannon, and artillery stores, and waiting for a fair wind. Is it not a well known fact that the most successful depredations on the trade of this island, that have ever taken place in Europe or the West Indies, are now making on the latter by French pirates, under congressional colors, and that prizes are daily selling at open market, and all pretences to reclaim denied ; now and then, indeed, to save appearances, in imitation of ministers on this side the water, a few feeble, unregarded prohibitions are issued, but none executed to effect. Spain, whose political and commercial interests so naturally ally it to England, that it is even a proverb, " Paz con Inglaterra y guerra con todo el mundo,"* celebrated from time immemorial for honor, true magnanimity, and fidelity to its promises, has ever since the Bourbon idiot that now fills its throne,* * * and ever since the days of his pusillanimous father, adopted French manners, friv- olity, levity, dress, politics, and faith, to the expulsion of true Cas- tilian gravity, dress, honor, and regard to the real interest of the * " Peace with England, if war with the rest of the world."' * a if\ « %. JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. country. Witness the shuffling and chicanery of the court of Ma- drid just before the ill-judged declaration of the last war ; review the authentic accounts of the friendly reception of the American and French privateers, and the open trade of the colonies at Bilboa, Cadiz, and all the ports of Spain during these troubles, though royal orders, edicts, and mandates, tagged with an " Y el Rey," have been successively transmitted down to the seaports. So well are the court purposes understood, that within four weeks, two or three English prizes were publicly sold in one of the southern ports, in open day, and the privateers refreshed and furnished with all needed stores, and ur molested suffered to depart, laden with the substance and property of the subjects of England. King Solomon says, " where the word of a king is, there is power j" this he said from his own experience. "Who in his wits can believe that the Spaniards, or that abject Turkey-race of pirates inhabiting on the opposite shore, durst have acted thus in defiance of their sovereign, if they had not well known the artful distinction between his secret and revealed will ? With regard to the article of Nantz and a Spanish port, they are facts that stand, for aught I know, on the same footing of credibility with the other articles of foreign intelli- gence that pass uncontradicted ; and if these be facts, and facts are of a stubborn nature, and bend not to our wishes, they carry con- viction, what must we not infer, loth as we may be ? The natural inference is, that both these two courts do invariably adhere to the line of conduct marked out by them from the commencement of this trouble, to distress the government as much as it is in their power, and to steal away our trade. The officers that throughout the winter arrived at the western ports, passing through this city in their journey to London, have one and all declared, as some re- ports are, that thirty thousand men, at least, in addition to those already in America, are necessary to effectuate the reduction of the continent. Probably these persons speak the sentiments of the army ; there is not, that I know, reason to think them disaffected to the service, nor partial to America. The foregoing convictions are the grounds of my fears, apprehensions, and as you ask me whence I fetch my facts, my reply is, from the common spring-head of pop- ular intelligence. My practice is not to hunt after newspapers, as I seldom go to the coffee-houses j but when they fall by accident n V--- ji.t: iiL,i.^,i^a 'rr"^^ J> 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 175 into my hands, I indiscriminately read all, from the Couri Gazette, published by authority, to the Sherburne Mercury. The public papers, I well know, are justly stigmatized vehicles of falsehood and sedition : I rarely attend to political essays or remarks, scarce ever give them even a cursory glance j articles of foreign intelli- gence I credit as far as they are free from self-evident inconsisten- cies, in respect of time and other circumstances. As to country, my principal view in the choice has ever been the instructive and en- tertaining ; nor am I unhappy in my few acquaintances here ; my chief companion is a philosopher of my old friend the Rev. Mr. Gilchrist's stamp, and too deeply 'engaged in moral and philosophi- cal researches to trouble one with politics, for that is rarely a topic of conversation. My friend, in reading this tedious letter, will see the high value set upon his good opinion, and trust his candor will make due al- lowance for our difference in small matters, while in essentials we keep " the faith whole and undefiled.'' Wishing you increasing felicity, I remain Your affectionate friend, S. Cur WEN. Feb. 25. The ministry on the 23d inst. received advices from Lord Stormont that five ships of the line and three frigates had sailed from Brest to Nantz, in order to convey eighteen transports to America, laden with all kinds of military stores, agreeably to the commercial treaty subsisting between the French and Ameri- cans ; the transports to return laden with tobacco from Virginia. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Exeter, Feb, 25, 1778. Dear Sir : I presume you have seen Lord North's answer to Charles James Fox and Mr. Grenville in the house ;* 'tis possible, nay, too proba- ble, but His not authenticated by the ambassador." This fatal treaty is at length executed ; the coup de grace is given to British glory ''t^J ♦ To the inquiry whether it was true that a treaty had been made be- tween France and America. • ♦• r*' » 176 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. — its sun is set — alas, how fallen ! How short-sighted is human wisdom, how weak is human power at best ! The roar of the Brit- ish lion will no more be heard ; the French cock may now crow and strut undisturbed. Americans that lately were humble supplicants to Great Britain for aid against a few French troops and Indian savages, disturbing her frontier settlements, have dared — what have they dared 1 — to renounce her authority ; have set her power at defiance ; reduced her commerce ; defeated her armies ; sunk her national credit, nay, in- sulted her coasts, established their independence in spite of all ef- forts, and, tell it not in Gath, allied itself to her natural, professed, and most dangerous enemy. Your friend, S. CURWEN. P- Feb. 28. Received Lord North's two acts respecting the right of taxation confined to commerce, and appointing commissioners to adjust all matters in dispute. These offers are, I fear, too late ; the fatal treaty with France is already signed. March 2. By the mayor's zeal for a strict observance of the fast, an order to prohibit hair-dressers and bakers exercising their callings was published. In Canon Barlow's sermon in St. Peter's were these remarkable expressions, which for a dignitary of the established church wishing to rise, are singularly and dangerously bold. He said, " the war with America was unjust ; that they are a religious people and may expect a blessing, and we the re- verse" Jy^xi'ch 6. The court hurried away the Andromeda with Lord North's conciliatory propositions to the Howes in America. March 8. Yesterday the French ambassador declared to Lord Weymouth, that France had signed a treaty of amity and alliance, or of friendship and commerce, with the United States of America, who, said he, are in full possession of independence, as pronounced by them on the fourth of July, 1776, without stipulating any ex- clusive advantages in favor of the French nation, and that the Uni- ted States have reserved to themselves liberty of treating with every nation whatever, upon the same footing of especiality and reciprocity. • 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 177 Being in the country, our advices from London are \h?t a war with France is dreaded ; there is fear of a general bankruptcy. — It is further said the present administration is almost universally reprobated — 'tis in my mind a doubt whether in the dregs of the state le&s interested ministers can be found, though perhaps of more salutary politics, but the problem time only can solve. All men here love money and power too ardently to sacrifice either to interest or peat of state. 'Tis therefore, I fancy, equally indiffer- ent who are or shall be our political cooks ; the pottage, I fear, will be spoiled. Stocks have fallen to 59 1-2, which has pro- duced an almost universal panic. March 15. Despatches for the Howes passed through this city ; contents a secret. TO DR. JOHN PRINCE, HALIFAX. Exeter, March 15, 1778. Dear Sir : Your favor of the 20th Jan. came to my hands a few days since from London ; the advice of your retreat to Halifax I received in a letter from my friend Col. Browne. The spirit of intolerance among our New England brethren I vainly wished might have abated, they having, at the period of your departure, nothing to dread from the few individuals who could not, toto corde, embrace the political orthodoxy of the multitude and their directors. I doubt not that prudence would have screened and secured you from the rage and insult of the lower classes, and rendered life tolera- ble, if prudence could have had its due influence ; but, such is the popular violence when once it unhappily takes place, and may be exercised without restraint and fear of punishment, that like an irresistible torrent it bears down all before it ; laws, justice, truth, religion, the rights of humanity, civility, conscience, are made to rush impetuous down the mighty stream. I ardently wish once more to visit my natale solum, and impa- tiently wait for the day of my redemption ; would I could say it draweth nigh, but I see no end of the baneful ill-omened war, for news has arrived of a declaration by France against us. Should it prove true. Great Britain has the worst to fear j even her inde- 23 ^m -Vir-' 178 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. :U' I i pendency is at stake ; for aught I can sec, France has drawn down from the interior almost all her troops to the English channel. She has forty-four capital ships ready for sea ; not a vessel is al- lowed to go to Newfoundland from France, in order to roan the fleet. La Motte Piquet with five capital ships and eighteen large transports sailed about a fortnight since, avowedly bound to America, laden with military stores. Spain has forty capital ships ready for sea, which are waiting only for the arrival of the Vera Cruz fleet ; should then these united fleets of more than fourscore ships attempt invasion. Great Britain has only thirty-seven ships of the line and eleven frigates to oppose them. Lord North has proposed terms of reconciliation, but nothing short of independency will go down with the colonies. France will support them ; all thoughts of conquest, of unconditional sub- mission, be assured, are given up ; and I fear much more, that the colonies have, contrary to their real interest and safety, ente.ed into a league offensive and defensive against the parent state. — But it is a melancholy truth, which almost every day's experience verifies, that passion and resentment often urge men and states to actions and courses destructive of their manifest interest and safety, and such will America find in the end this alliance will prove, should Great Britain in the event become thereby oppressed. I could wish (but wishes, alas, are vain) America had seen her in- terest in another point of light ; far, very fcr am I from wishing her oppressed, or her liberties restrained; I am fully convinced the colonies will never finii any good purpose answered by inde- pendence. God only knows what is before us, and may we be prepared for his allotments with submissive resignation. I find myself fast declining into the vale of life, therefore less able to struggle with the unavoidable evils of this inconstant state, than in the days of more strength and vigor. Believe me, with real regard, yours, S. CURWEN. TO GEORGE RUSSELL, ESQ., BIRMINGHAM. Exeter, March 16, 1778. Dear Sir : The dark and threatening cloud hanging over this island calls 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. m aloud for a more serious turn of mind than seems to characterivce the present period ; but how sadly true i.s tho reverse of such a state of mind amongst us at this day ; thoughtlessness, levity, frivolous manners, mirth and music, seem to have seized, and en- gross the upper ranks ; attention to business and a supine disregard to national danger and honor, do they not too justly characterize the middle ranks ? As for the canaille, they are here, as they ever have been, and will be in all states and times, stupidly indifferent and unconcerned in the midst of impending destruction. If the features of this ill-favored portrait are in your opinion too harsh, believe me, it was not drawn by a pencil dipped in gall, nor dic- tated by envious misanthropy ; I am no cynic, nor cursed with the spirit of a cloistered monk. The warmest regards to the country which by long residence has become an altera palria, and holds the second place in my affection, few and faint as my connections with individuals are, — the most earnest wishes of my heart for its safety, and foreboding apprehensions of its danger and dishonor, occasion the painful reflections that cease not hourly to distress my mind. When I contemplate the decline and final period of states great and powerful, and their causes, which in the history of the world are found to be uniformly the same ; that often in the midst of thoughtless security and apparent safety they are on the brink of ruin, and often suddenly and unexpectedly plunged irretrievably therein ; that as divines say with regard to men, and experience confirms its truth in both respects, " in the midst of life we are in death ;" — I cannot review the state of Great Britain four years since, and regard the present alarming crisis without horror, with- out trembling. Perhaps to a mind by nature formed and turned as mine unhappily is, to doubt and despondency, danger may pre- sent a more ghastly, terrifying aspect than is natural ; be it so, may my apprehensions exist only in imagination. I had much rather have weakness of judgment, ignorance and error justly imputed to me, than that the event should verify my predictive fears : — I had rather be a mistaken man than a true prophet. France and Spain, to compare great things with small, like the heroes in romance, are armed cap-a-pie, at all points, ready to sally It"'- :♦ #* JOURNAL AND LRTTEB8. [1778. forth, not like those redoubted sons of Mars and Venus to relieve distress, but to cause it. Your friend, &c. S. CURWBN. March 17. This being assize week. Judges Perryn and Ho- tham were waited on by the sheriff and his officers, about two dozen in livery. Commission sat in Guildhall : — Baron Perryn on the bench ; great celerity in despatching business, and great inter- ruption by talking, which the coart authorities could not remove. March 20. Heard the dreaded sound, war declared against Prance ! It is reported the house of lords is almost in a tumult, and that they implore the king to drive from his service his minis* >ters, and take Lords Chatham, Camden, and Shelburne. March 21. The judges left the city, escorted out by the sheriff and his train, — trumpets preceding, etc. j*^ V ., - ■ » 1778.] JOURNAL AND I, ETTBR8. 101 CHAPTER IX. # TO JUDGE SEWALL, LONDON. Exeter, March 23, 1778. DsAR Sir : I was meditating an answer to your favor, when the alarming intelligence of the French court's perfidious dealings, and the hourly expectation of war against her, arrived here. The denouement of the plot, by the French ambassador's declaring in form to Lord Weymouth his court's interference and engagement to support the claims of Congress, seems at present to render all speculation on the subject of Great Britain's further attempts to reduce her late deluded subjects in America needless : presuming all thoughts in regard to vigorous efforts being to be laid aside, superseded, at least for the present, as the papers inform us no more troops are to be sent out. These events my fears have been long predictive of; not that I pretend to the spirit of prophecy, or the gift of second sight. States, like individuals, are liable to so many sudden and unlocked for vicissitudes, disappointments, untoward accidents, and evils that neither wisdom can foresee, nor power nor prudence prevent ; he whose mind, not however to the increase of his enjoyment, leans towards doubts, fears, and apprehensions of evils, generally finds more events corresponding to his forebodings, than he whose atten- tion is turned to the brighter and more pleasing views that hope presents. The plan Lord North has offered, is, it seems to me, founded in '." jdom and sound policy, as you observe it contains nearly all that America can reasonably wish for, and as it is, thence she can de- rive more real happiness and safety than is fondly and vainly ex- pected from their favorite, long wished for, and perhaps short-lived independence : — for should Great Britain in this expected war be oppressed, what will save some of the colonies from falling a prey to the insatiable ambition of those powerful crowns united, I know .« ^ 'ff'fi '.:;' 18$ JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. /■f?l;v?,' * * I , W not J it would be well if they should be satisfied with the recovery of their late possessions there. The consideration of the burden necessary to maintain an independent state with dignity has never yet, I presume, during the feverish paroxysm of our new legislators and government-modellers, been a subject of calculation ; for how- ever fertile their brains have been of expedients, they are, I fear, but indifferently skilled in political arithmetic. Your sentiments on the operation of the two conciliatory acts, and answers to objectors, appear to me to be perfectly just, and I am happy to say mine are so completely coincident, that had I taken as many hours, as probably Avere employed in writing them down, I could not have expressed them in terms so clear, concise, and satisfactory to myself as in the letter I am now considering ; I can therefore subscribe to them toto ex animo. The improbability of their acceptance of the terms offered on the other side of the water, and of Great Britain's ability to force them into a compliance at present, seems to be a matter out of dispute. I am not vain enough to wish myself in the king's councils, but I ardently wish that imaginary principle of national honor, the king's honor, might in this critical and dangerous condition the nation seems to be in, be dispensed with and given up to infinitely more important con- siderations, notwithstiinding the clamors and reproaches to be ex- pected from discontented, interested party men. That the war, should it unfortunately soon commence, to vindicate the king's honor or nation's, must produce disgrace and irreparable losses to the nation, a review of the present force Great Britain has, her foreign dominions, etc., and the force requisite to secure her right, may perhaps convince : — nor less so, Great Britain's inability at present to force a compliance or convince them by military exer- tions, that it is their interest to accept her reasonable offers. The lucky minute for such an offer is past, irretrievably past, and a series of surprising events, owing to ill concerted plans, interested views, a total disregard to the public weal, or, if you please, a cer- tain fatality, has taken place, by which colonies of inestimable value are lost to this country ; and I wish the loss may end there. The subject that at present most employs and oppresses my mind is the critical and dangerous situation that the kingdom seems to be in. The tottering condition of national credit, the weak state ■■■«' '# 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 183 of the navy, the great power of the enemy, and the low price of stocks, as low as at the end of the last eight years' war, when the nation was almost drained of its specie, are the considerations on which I form my opinion. Lord North, on presenting the king's rescript to the house, uttered what was sufficiently alarming, that the reludu/ice to the present loan arose not so much from the pros- pect of war, as the largeness of the national debt ; it is of little im- portance what is the cause, should a national bankruptcy happen. Should another panic like that of last Saturday again seize the monied men, and continue, and the loan be stopped, no one but may foresee the most dreadful consequences ; should the present loan be completed, a new war would require another of equal amount, and the low price of stocks continuing, it will be well, if instead of ^6450,000 premium paid more than in 1765, ^900,000 would tempt the lenders to advance, unless new resources can be found, which my ignorance on this point makes rae incompetent to judge. It is a fact of too much notoriety to be denied, if the con- tractors avail themselves of the immense debt by this artful, selfish management, the public is supplied at an extravagant, unreasona- ble profit to the lenders, founded I suppose on this principle, that a sponge, sooner or later, must wipe all out at a stroke. It is cer- tain the more government has occasion to borrow, proportionably are its disadvantages in procuring supplies ; and unless a new and reformed system of economy be adopted, the premiums may not unlikely rise to cent per cent, especially if Mr. Burke's assertions in the House of Commons be true, that the contractors made a profit of 57 1-2 per cent. Should America be lost to this country, with her will be lost a considerable revenue, and what can be sub- stituted in its room, financiers can best tell us. Should a war with the Bourbon family be attended with any possessions in the East or West Indies, and thereby other valuable branches of the revenue be cut off, I leave you to judge the distresses that must unavoida- bly befall this nation. The wealth of all nations is exhaustible. All things are called greater or less, stronger or weaker, by com- parison. The fleet of Great Britain is, in itself considered, great and formidable, but when compared to the united fleet of the two Bourbons, whether it does in its present condition deserve that cha- racter, no Englishman will, I presume, affirm : — fifty-one English Mi ■ r'-\~m''-cZ'-^- 184 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. I line cf battle ships, no one in his senses will say are a match for eighty-six French and Spanish ships of equal force. Confident as we may be of the superiority of our English sailors to all other nations in vigor, bravery and skill, we should be loth to put our liberties or independency on the success of a battle fought under such confessedly disadvantageous and unequal circumstances ; and the ability of Great Britain to build and fit for the sea such an ad- ditional number as will put us on an equal or superior footing, be- fore some fatal blow be struck, is a question on which the well- being if not existence of this kingdom as an independent state may depend. In my view I could wish national as well as royal honor might in this case be yielded up to the infinitely more important consideration of our self-preservation, and the gross affronts of- fered by France pocketed till they can be resented with a fair chance of coming off victors in the quarrel. Should a war speed- ily be entered into before we are better prepared for offence and defence, I can't help fearing this late powerful and flourishing em- pire to be hastening by large strides to irrevocable ruin and indeli- ble disgrace, and but too likely to furnish a second instance in this period of a once great, rich and powerful state reduced to insignifi- cancy in the political scale of Europe, by a dismemberment of some of its most valuable appendages, consigned over to its am- bitious and more powerful neighbors. I wish posterity may not quote Poland and Great Britain as states in the same predicament from the future annals of Europe. This ill-favored picture probably you may laugh at, but it is to be remembered you are supported by hopes, I oppressed by fears ; you in the train of Heraclitus, I of the weeping philosopher ; but nature has formed us of different materials in our original contex- ture, and on my part habit and accident have confirmed the unhappy bias. Whatever your sentiments may be of this reverie, dream, rhapsody, or whatever indignant epithet you may perhaps justly enough think it deserving of; I know you will believe me when I tell you they are the real sentiments of a mind oppressed with concern for the safety, welfare and honor of a country, which by long residence has become my altera patrm, and for aught I know will continue to be so till I take my flight to the upper regions, or time shall cease to be no more with me here. Continue to think favorably, t 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 186 and believe me what is my highest ambition to be, an honest man, and your affectionate friend, S. CURWEN. '*^ Exeter, March 31. "Witnessed a long disput3 on American af- fairs between Mr. Bretland and Mr. Erving. I did not interfere; the opponents neither convinced nor conquered, as is usual in such cases. JiprU 8. Heard of Rebecca Tyng's marriage to John Lowell of Newburyport. Visited Mr. Tremlet's on David's hill with com- pany as follows : the parson of the parish and lady, Mr. Pearce, Mrs. Abbot and Miss Hicks ; after tea passed half an hour in his delightful garden ; he presented me with a beautiful bouquet of a great variety of odoriferous flowers, now adorning my room. ^pril 9. Mr. Erving called me out to walk; our course Cowley bridge. He seems of a sensible, grave turn, not unac- quainted with moral science, and exceedingly communicative. Afterwards rode to Topsham on horseback ; passed by an estate kept in the male branch of a family, without addition or diminu- tion ever since the conquest. ^pril 11. With Mr. and Miss Bretland rambled through Winiford lane to Heavitree ; in one of the buttresses of the church grows out a yew-tree, three feet high, cut into a fanciful form, and supposed to receive its nourishment from cement moistened by rain and dew. The church has marks of age and decay. ^prU 13. Mr. Smith from Sidmouth breakfasted with me ; visited Mr. Morgan confined by illness ; there met Mr. Berry of Crediton. The land tax at four shillings in the pound produces two millions ; the real tax on a medium is two shillings nearly, which, being a tenth part of income, makes that to be twenty mil- lions. Should an expensive war or some unforeseen accident throw the nation into a convulsion, and discourage lending and lessen supplies, it would, of course, reduce the value of lands, per- haps to twenty-five years purchase ; their real value then would be five hundred millions. Court value of the kingdom supposed tO; be eighteen millions, for the following reasons, viz. : fifteen mil- lions were brought into the mint to be new coined on proclamation ; the remainder, coin of George II. and III., full weight, still con- 24 ■■*.■»■■ 18$ \\ 4 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. tinuing current, amount to three millions. Amount of fabrics, plate, etc. etc., on a modest computation, is worth one hundred millions ; making in all six hundred millions. A nation possessing more than twice as much as it owes, need not fear bankruptcy; — England's debt being one hundred and sixty millions. I pretend not to judge what would be the full issue of a shock to national credit, much less dare I determine ; but I confess, I fear it would be followed by dreadful convulsions, and produce cruel ravages and carnage among the lower classes, who, being deprived of daily subsistence for want of daily employ, on stoppage of trade and manufactures, would not contentedly sit down and suffer themselves with their wives and little ones to perish with hunger ; nor even those whose large incomes, derived from national funds, being now stopped, are reduced to a level with the most indigent, and whose wants being supplied from their charity, are now their equal fellow-sufferers. List of men by last returns, for America 19,381 ; prisoners 5,336; sick 4,639; loss in navy 4,314; army in New-York, Philadelphia, Rhode Island and Canada 36,731 ; to recruit army to what it was last year 1 1,885 ; captures made by Americans amount to je2,600,000. Jip-U 20. On horseback to Spencecomb, the seat of Mr. Rowe, near Crediton, in company with Mr. and Miss Bretland ; passed an agreeable day, with a numerous company ; this is a week of fes- tivity following Easter Sunday — hospitably lodged and entertained ; our host is of the rank called gentlemen-farmers, or landholders in fee of estates from jGIOO to jESOO sterling per annum. A medal has lately been struck at Paris, by order of Monsieur Voltaire, in honor of General Washington ; on one side is the bust of the gen- eral, with this inscriptigai : " G. Washington, Esq., commander of the continental army in America." The reverse is decorated with the emblems of war, and the following : " Washington reunit par une rare assemblage les taleiis du Guerrier et les vertus du Sage." Jipril 26. Commissioners appointed to go over to America to settle the dispute, if practicable. Earl of Carlisle, Lord Howe, Sir Wm. Howe, Wm. Eden, Esq., and Governor Johnston, sailed from Spithead on the 22d, and I fear it will prove a re infectd business. % 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 187 TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, LONDON. Exeter, Jpril 26, 1778. T>EATi Sir : By our common friend, Mr. Smith, just returned by way of Bristol, I am informed Mrs. Browne is with you ; 'tis with great sincerity I congratulate her and you on her safe arrival ; would to God it had been under more favorable circumstances ; such as they are, your religion and philosophy, I am well assured, can improve them to the best purposes. I presume London will not long con- tinue the place of your abode ; if you have no predilection for a particular quarter, and are deliberating what course to take, no- thing shall be wanting on my part to afford you all the information respecting these parts you may wish to have. It would yield me inexpressible satisfaction, could Exeter, or its neighborhood, be your choice; I can assure you, that for cheapness, plenty and good provisions, especially fish, poultry, game, and garden stuff, no place excels and few equal it. Late conversations with Col. Erving, fi-om whom I had intimations of your desire to him last January to be informed relative to these parts, (who owns himself to blame in not attending to it,) induce the foregoing. If your views are fixed, I wish the pleasure of your abode may be equal to your highest wishes. A line from my worthy friend will never fail to be a most acceptable present. With the warmest wishes for your felicity, I am Yoars and Mrs. Browne's affectionate friend, S. CURWEN. #. TO JOHN TIMMINS, ESQ.. LONDON, i Exeter, April 30, 1778. Dear Sir: I have this day received a letter from Eben. West, now on board the Medway, lying in the Downs, who is in want of neces- saries. He was with me in my business at the commencement of the troubles in New England, pnd by consent, left me to go to sea in his father's employ, till takt^n by the Enterprise frigate, on the 20th of last July, carried to Gibraltar, and from thence brought to England, where he has been ever since. I think it but charity to ■■»■•* 9f 188 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. advance a little for him, and therefore wish you to convey two guineas to hitn for me. I presume Mr. William Cabot would not refuse an old neighbor's son some small assistance, nor Col. Browne a young suffering townsman, to whom, as occasion may SPrve,you will do me a favor by mentioning his name, with the situation he is in ; nor would it be improper if they could procure a small sup- ply of money from his countrymen, who must have a fellow-feeling of others' sufferings, at the same time themselves experiencing the •evil of banishment from their country and the means of subsistence. I am your obliged friend and humble servant, S. CURWEN. May 1. Walked with Col. Erving to Mr. John Tremlet's Ihouse, David's hill, (the supposed site of an old Roman temple,) to see a lamp having Diana's emblem, a crescent ; the points crowned each with a ball, and thought to belong to a temple of the goddess there, judged of more than two thousand years' anti- quity. This being May-day, the milk maids walk in procession with their pyramid of plate, as usual on this day. May 5. Mr. Smith brought me a Massachusetts exclusion bill, whereby all who left New England after I9th April, 1775, are for- ever banished, and their estates forfeited. May 7. Took tea at Col. Erving's, with Mr. Smith ; agreed ■on a journey to Tiverton with them. May 8. At nine o'clock set out in a post-chaise with Mr. and Mrs. Erving, and my friend Mr. Smith on horseback, to Tiverton. Alighted at Three Tuns inn, at twelve o'clock, passing on a plea- sant turnpike fourteen miles. This town is supported by serge- making, for which it was formerly noted, now believed to be on the decline. Some houses in good taste; it has two dissenting congregations and one Anabaptist; the Episcopal church is a venerable pile, low, outside greatly ornamented ; tower lofty, the inside contains many funereal monuments, some of ancient date. Here is a noted school, called Blandell's, famous in the west ; sends off yearly some students to Oxford and Cambridge ; its num- bers about fourscore. Besides here is an academy for dissenters' children, kept by a Mr. Kiddle, the minister, and one for young ladies. Has abundance of shops. Adjoining the church is a lofty n .« 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 189 situation, commanding an extensive and pleasing view of the neigh- boring vale, through which the Exe runs, bounded by a long range of moderately high hills improved and inclosed to summit ; returned home by eight o'clock. May 9. Rode with Mr. Cross to Star Cross, at the mouth of the river Exe, opposite Exmouth. May 11. Removed my lodgings to Sidmouth, and for which purpose I mounted my Rosinante, and departed in company with Mr. Smith, after dinner, having ordered the messenger on with my baggage. Taking the road through Topshara, we staged it at Ebford, the seat of the widow Lee, a wealthy, hospitable, dissent- ing lady ; here we alighted and took tea. The family having with- drawn to the house in the nei^^hborhood, called the " Hermitage," to divert themselves at a game of quadrille, that our coming inter- rupted, notwithstanding repeated desires to the contrary. The family consists of an elderly lady, daughter and her husband, a Mr. Yates and young parson Jarvis, the dissenting ministers of Lime- stone. From thence we departed, passing through Woodbury, Ot- terton, and across Peak hill, and arrived at my former lodgings at Robert Follet's. Sidmouth, May 13. Rode to Wishcombe in company with William Carsluck and two young ladies named Upjohn of Exeter j dined, drank tea, and returned before eight o'clock. May 21. Rode to Taunton ; passing through Honiton and Blackdown, I arrived at Whiteheart, visited Mr. Welman and Parson Ward j drank tea with the latter. Evening and supper at Mr. Toulmin's, the Baptist minister ; lodged at the inn. Next morning departed for Poundisford, the seat of a Mr. Hawker, a dissenting worthy gentleman of fortune ; passed an agreeable day, and lodged there. Poundisford, May 23. At eleven o'clock, in company with Mr. Hawker we departed, shaping our course for Chard, where we arrived at two o'clock. Between our two stages, on a lofty ridge, are the remains of an old castle, in the country dialect Laratch; supposed, but I know not for what reason, to have been of Roman construction. Chard, where we arrived about two o'clock, is a manufacturing town ; its lifeless appearance but too justly confirms the general opinion that its trade is in a consumptive 4 ''10 190 JOUHNAL AND LETTERS [1778. i )9 state ; its buildings hardly above the village style, one wide com- modious street, paved, having several reputable houses in it. One Episcopal church, and two or three dissenting meeting-houses ; the manufacturing towns generally abound in people of the latter per- suasion. At five o'clock left, and passing over an excellent turnpike road, entered Axminster, distant seven miles, without alighting, and proceeded on to Seaton, where we in vain attempted to find the remains, if any, of the old Roman port said to have been estab- lished here, but it was hie labor, hoc optis. Turning our backs to the English channel, we proceeded to Mr. Slade's at Colyton, here taking up our rest for two nights ; the doctor supplying this pulpit in exchange with Mr. Cornish, the minister, who did his duty at Sidmouth. Colyton, May 24. Entertained by the conversation of Mr. Slade's youngest daughter, excelling the common standard in point of understanding, knowledge, and good breeding. Took a field walk with all the family, and to the top of a hill commanding a view of a finely improved country all around, including the whole vale from the mouth of the Axe to Axminster. May 25. We set oflF at meridian, proceeding to Baldash, the seat of a Mr. Hook, where we abode till I had bargained for a horse to be sent me at an agreed time ; from hence departed for Wishcombe ; dined and passed the evening at cards with Mr. John Carsluck, his sister Miss C, and a Miss Snell, very agreeably ; pressed to lodge, but Mr. Smith withstood their entreaties, and carried me off reluctantly enough at nine o'clock. May 28. Walked on the beach and up Salcomb hill with Messrs. Erving and Smith ; an extensive prospect from Portland to the Start ; within these two headlands fifteen leagues ; the bay is called Carnarvon. TO HON. JUDGE SEVVALL, BRISTOL. Sidmouth, May 31, 1778. Dear Sir : Your favors of the 1st ult. and 8th inst. were delivered to me yesterday afternoon, by the hands of a fair young lady in the alcove on the beach, in this place, being the second day of my removal hither from Exeter, which makes since my arrival in England just 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 191 the number of mother Rowlandson's " removes." Having taken minutes of them, I fancy they cannot fail under the correct hand of a judicious friend to form a sensible appendix in the next edition of that curious performance, unless you prefer the following title : — " The perils and peregrinations of a tory or refugee, in quest of civil liberty, which the author fondly imagined was to be enjoyed in higher perfection in the land he travelled through, than in that he precipitately abandoned, without money to support, friends to advise, or wisdom to guide him." Having made a short ramble the other day to Taunton and its neighborhood, it came into my mind to point out to you the most agreeable route, should you continue of the mind to take a journey to these parts during the bathing season. As you will doubtless prefer a post-chaise, you may command your own time, and choose your road ; in this case you will find the Wells road as pleasant as any. On your arrival there, you will not fail to take a view of the cathedral, which presents perhaps as fine, if not the finest front of any old Gothic church in England. Within, it is renowned that I know of, for nothing ; its size is one of the smallest, and its bishop's palace one of the largest, and has the appearance from the moat and battlements to have been the residence rather of a warlike baron, than of a peaceable minister of religion. From hence, at about four miles distant, is a natural cavern in the Mendip hills, called Okey or Wolkey Hole ; it is well worth visiting, and is of the same kind, although not so deep, as that of the Peak of Derby. From hence to Bridgewater, the famous Glastonbury monastery hes right on your road, where you will probably stop at the inn. Your curiosity when there cannot fail of being highly gratified by a view of its remains, of which it is, however, almost pillaged. Between this last place and Bridgewater, the turnpike is delightful, and if your driver should be as complaisant as mine, he will run you a distance of fifteen miles in an hour and a half. In this stage you will pass over a ridge dividing the great Somerset moor, extending beyond the reach of the eye, and filled with innumerable herds of black cattle, from that called King's Sedgemore, lying on the left, celebrated you know in history for the defeat of the unfortunate Duke of Monmouth, in 1685. Far beyond, on that side, is seen the obelisk raised by the late Lord Chatham to the memory of his 192 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. benefactor, Sir William Pynsent. From Bridgewater, at four or five miles distant, lying two miles out of the road to Taunton, lies Enmore Castle, a seat of Lord Egmont, built on the plan and in the style of the old baronial castles. Your next stage is the pretty town of Taunton, situated in a vale or bottom called Taunton-Deanvale, remarkable for length, breadth, and fertility ; of the former thirty miles, second ten or twelve, and for the latter exceeded by none. In this stands the tower of its principal church, called Mary Magdalen, which will at- tract your attention, being more crowded with Gothic decorations than any edifice of that size that has fallen under your view. Should you think it proper to take the road over Blackdown, and so through Honiton, rather than through Wellington and Col- lumpton road, you will on the ascent of Blackdon hill, about five miles this side of Taunton, before you have reached the sum- mit, on a retrospection of the whole length and breadth of the vale, see cultivation in its highest state of improvement, and a luxuri- ancy, verdure and fruitage, no other region can boast of. You will, I doubt not, join with me in saying so pleasing a rural view is not to be seen but from this spot. From Taunton to Honiton is seven- teen miles, and from thence to this place is nine, or to Exeter six- teen. You will, I know, take this intimation in good part. Very affectionately your friend, S. CnBWEN. June 1. Dr. Price, in his fast sermon on Feb. 10, speaking of the dependence of a nation's safety on righteous men, has the follow- ing : " There is a distant country, once united to this, where every inhabitant has in his house, as a part of his furniture, a book on law and government, to enable him to understand his colonial rights ; a musket to enable him to defend those rights ; and a Bible to understand and practise religion. What can hurt such a coun- try 1 Is it any wonder we have not succeeded ? How secure must it be while it preserves its virtue against all attacks." June 12. Between five and six o'clock rode with my two fel- low boarders to Ottery beacon, commanding a prospect of Ottery vale as far as Sir George Young's seat, in the neighborhood of Honiton. Continued ride over the ridge till Honiton appeared in 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. View; returned in a mist through Sidbury, Sidfoid, etc., and in a moist plight at eight o'clock dismounted. Juiie 13. A large fleet appeared in the ofling; near thirty capital ships, judged to be Keppel's. Invited by Mr. Skaddon to a sight of the cane King Charles I. had in his hand at his trial, from whence the gold head dropped off in court ; interpreted by the credulous as an ill omen. — It is a beautiful stick, and finely shaded, and I suppose as much revered by his infatuated admirers, as Aaron's rod that budded was by the devout Israelites. He also possesses the Duke of Northumberland's golden key as Lord Cham- berlain, which, when he acts in that capacity, is fastened to his pocket flaps. Also King Charles II.'s cabinet, and some fine old royal porcelain, as precious relics of infinite value. June 15. An early ride to Peak hill; a distant sight of Portland and about Abbotsbury. June 22. Rode with Mr. Ogburn to Woodbury Castle, so called, the remains of a Danish fort, standing on the edge of a lofly range of hills ; the ramparts of earth and ditches still remain. The place of arms contains about five acres : on the highest point is a house built for hunting parties, etc., the roof projects in front, supported by four pillars in rustic order, the bark remaining unstripped. From hence to Exmouth to dinner ; a famous bathing town ; nearly four hundred strangers have been here at a time. More handsome houses than Sidmouth ; returned home before eight o'clock. June 24. This day my friend Mr. Isaac Smith was ordained to the pastoral ofRce over the little congregation of dissenters here. A minister of the Episcopal church, whose curiosity prompted him to attend, continued through the whole service, expressed great delight at, and approbation of the performances, and a high opin- ion of the solemnity and propriety of the whole. Pity that the narrowness of party keeps asunder and divides in aflection men en- gaged in the same worthy design, and servants of the same kind and benevolent master, whose chief command is mutual love and good-will. June 28. Mr. Berguyn, a North Carolina gentleman, called on his way to Falmouth to take passage in a packet for America ; encouraged by their assembly having voted to admit all refugees who apply. 25 194 JOI'BNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. Jvne 30. Admiral K^pel's fleet has taken three French frigates. i TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, CARDIFF, SOUTH WALES. Sidmmith, June 30, 1778. Dear ^[r : I hope this will not be as long i the road as your favor of the 12th of May, that came to hand on. ■ month after date. I de- layer! an answer that I might he m(> explicit to your question about the houses I mentioned to u ; hey are not ' irnished, but furniture is to be obtainffl at fifi n per cent., bed' and such arti- cles at twelve. This I h; e from >• Er ing, who is now at Ex- eter, but does not propose to abide 'h'-re nger than the 26th of September, when his lease will expire W nere to retreat he seems unde rmined ; he wishes to reside a unc«r<'monious and not dressy ; if s joo to inform him through me, > information respecting Abergavenny u and has it a plentiful and cheap mark' be had cheap ? Are the people hospi form an unceremonious acquaintance dress and dinners ? The saime is requt and Cardi/T. Do you intend remaining long time, md who is with you in your propose to remain 1 My present companions are Dr. Smith, fu "t ordained over his little flock here, and our countryman Mr. ogburn, in the same house , to which number I expect in ten days will be added Mr. and Mrs. Se "•all from Bristol. This place is a watering place, re- sorted to by the neighboring gentry. Having bought a pony, I make frequerj ' excursions into the country hereabouts, passing my time as agreeably as the untoward circumstances of my aflairs al- low. Should I not be happy enough to enlarge my party, I in- tend to make a ten days' ramble through Cornwall with my friend Dr. Smith, who has become an inhabitant, and may continue to be for some years. Should that report induce Mr. Erving's retreating to your people hospitable, social, an (>« found. He requests r y(^u have received any Monmouth. Is it pleasant, Are furnished houses to , social, and disposed to ' are they expensive in 1 respecting Cowbridge our present abode for a =;hborhood, and do they 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. quarters, and you continue where you are, I may pass a month with you before winter. , Yours truly, S. CURWBN. Jidy 1. With Messrs. Smith and Ogburn rode to Honiton, to see the annual procession of lace-raakers; alighted at the Golden Lion, and was soon called over and invited to dine at a Mrs. Youat's, whose daughter is presidentess of this society, in num- ber exceeding a hundred. They have an afternoon sermon, and afterwards walk in procession, in the following order : — the presi- dentess wiHi a wand adorned with flowers; then four maidens, eight years old, with each a basket of flowers and large boquets, walking between two arches adorned with flowers ; then follow the patronesses, each with a white wand ; then the standard-bearer, followed by two dozen couple, with a standard-bearer attending them. In this. order they paraded through the principal streets, and then adjourned to the Golden Lion inn to take tea and pass the evening in dancing and festivity. To this we were invited, but my occasions calling me to Exeter, and a want of relish for such mirth, concurred to send me off the ground before the street parade was over, leaving my companions to return home by moonlight. Lodged at the " Valiaat Soldier," Exeter. SidmoiUh, Jtdy 8. Rode to Hull-down to see the Exeter races. The cup with two hundred guineas won by Mr. Wildman's horse Lubin; sport indifferent. The dust and heat were insufferable, the numbers present supposed to be ten thousand. July 10. Judge Sewall visited us ; in the afternoon walked with him to Peak hill. July 14. Received a letter from Peter Frye, Esq., without mention of time or place. TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS. LONDON. SidmotUh, July 12, 1778. Dear Sir : I should be glad to see you at this bathing town of mud walls and thatched roofs. Judge Sewall and lady, Samuel Sewall, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Ogburn are here ; and at Exeter, fourteen miles # 196 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. off, are Col. Erving's family, Col. Vassall, Mr. Lechmere; and late Lieut. Governor Oliver is soon to be there. The advices from Boston discover a disposition I could scarce expect to hear. I presumed in this flourishing state of their affairs, none durst whisper a doubt of the omnipotency of the Congress, allied as they are to France. Very truly, S. CURWEN. ^^ 'ijV TO MR. GEOKGE RUSSELL, B'RMINGHAM. Sidmovih, Uy 13, 1778. Dear Sir: Accept my warmest thanks for your kind solicitude about my health, which is but in an ill state ; having a few days since re- ceived a shock of the kind which confined me last winter, and nearly translated me to another, or rather no state of existence. Don't let this expression hurt you ; I mean not a doubt of a future state, but whether the soul does not remain inactive during its separation from the body, and until roused by the last trumpet to life and activity, is a doctrine I cannot entirely disprove ; but no more of principles. My mind is as easy, submissive and resigned, as a conviction that the divine conduct is right can make it ; to aid which, I muster up all my religion and philosophy, some- times with success ; sometimes nature oppressed sinks under the burden. Having proposed in my answer to follow the order of your letter, I come to a tender point, the condition of the amiable and worthy partner of your soul, for whom I feel more than a common friend's affection and regard ; you have my earnest prayers that her life may be continued till it shall cease to be a blessing ; nor can our fondest wishes, guided by reason, extend further. The vicissitudes daily taking place should be daily lessons to teach us the vanity of too fondly expecting felicity from flattering, transitory circumstances here below. Should it please the sovereign disposer of life to deprive you of your dearest friend, may you experience all the advantages that religion and true philosophy afford ; as I doubt not you view the evils of life with too religious an eye not to consider every event, however irksome at present, as capable of yielding the most solid, pure, and lasting comfort in the final issue. m^-:^ 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 197 This day I received a letter from an old friend, now in banishment with his wife and children at Halifax, conceived in the common plaintive strain with all letters from that quarter ; complaining of the spiritless measures of administration and their military servants. In truth, vigor and activity seem not the characteristic of this nation at this period ; the continued series of untoward events on the side of Great Britain, in this unnatural contest between her and the colonies, has, I fear, given the coup de grace to her glory. The sun of Britain is past the meridian and declining fast to the west, and America is for ever emancipated from the legislative authority of this once potent empire ; alas ! no more so. The pro- phetic falling off of the best jewel from our king's crown when on his head at coronation, is now accomplished by the loss of America, which I consider irrevocably gone ; whether to their advantage, is a point, I fancy, the Congress and I should not join issue in : — the burden of supporting an independency with dignity is too heavy for America to bear, especially the northern colonies, unless the patriots there will discharge the troublesome public trusts and offices without pecuniary emoluments ; requiring a much greater degree of virtue, self-denial, and public spirit, than I think now does or indeed ever did exist there, unless in profession. I fancy by this time I have tired my friend in reading, as I confess I have myself in writing, and conclude by wishing he may live long, and see many prosperous days. Your affectionate friend, S. CURWEN. t n ^f[.\ : I '4^ July 15. Went off with Mr. Withers in his phaeton, accom- panied by Messrs. Smith, Jarvis and Meservale, to Beer ; dined at King's Head ; afternoon, were rowed a league out, and remained out two hours. ^. t 198 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [n78. CHAPTER X. ... !■ «i Sidmouth, July 17. Set off alone on an excursion to the west j at nine o'clock passing over Peak hill, through Otterton, and over Welbry common j my first stage at Mr. Withers', Lympston, inten- tionally to persuade him to accompany me toTeignmouth, agreeably to a vague promise from him the preceding day. He was gone to Exeter. I then proceeded through Star Cross and Dawlish Sands ; on the other side of the beach is an extensive sea and land view ; from hence is about four miles to Teignmouth, where arrived at six o'clock at Globe inn, facing the sands and beach. This is a bathing town, and resorted to by more, and company of higher rank than Sidmouth can boast. It is irregularly built, but the houses more in number and of incomparably better appearance. The beach for bathing lies at some distance from the town. Lodged here. July 18. Rose early, took the road to Newton Bushel, distant six miles, through Bishop Stanton, passing also through King's Stanton. Newton has three hundred houses, decently built ; shops of almost every kind of goods, streets paved, two Episcopal and one Presbyterian church. Breakfasted and soon set off, passing at half a mile distant an old fashioned seat called Ford, belonging to Lord Courtenay, in whose manor this town lies. From hence to Dartmouth, lying sixteen miles distant ; the land in the approaches thereto hilly and uneven, but all improved ; at three alighted at a Mrs. Quick's, in a place called Kingsware ; this is a cluster of houses on the hither side of the river Dart, where the harbor pilots dwell, and has an Episcopal church. Ferried over much the width of Charlestown ferry, about half a mile within the extreme points of the harbor. Darimouth, July 20. At twelve A. M. departed for Torbay, five miles distant ; an ugly town, houses low, and for the greater part slovenly in appearance ; among them, however, a few decent ones. The lower point adjoining the quay occupied by those who I y^ * > 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 199 depend on the hook and line ; here being no fewer than fourscore boats daily employed in that service, all with a mast and sail, and four to two tons burthen. They supply Exeter, Bath, Bristol, etc., quite across the country nearly a hundred miles north from them. Dined at George inn, and took leave of Brixholm. Thence to Barry Pomeroy, an estate of the Duke of Somerset, the house large, but avenues in a neglected state ; magnificent edifices and expan- sive pleasure grounds seem not to be this duke's taste, or a scanty purse restrains it. Hence to Bridgtown, contained in the parish of Barry Pomeroy and part of the manor of the same name, within which I was told Totness stands. The duke derives from his estate here two thousand pounds yearly. Totness is a corporation and a parliamentary borough ; is remarkable for the singularity of its address to the first George of the Brunswick line at his accession to the throne of these kingdoms ; after the usual flattery, such as is always paid to a new race of princes, they offered his majesty sixteen shillings in the pound of their estates, and the other four if he should want it, as a proof of their loyalty. July 21. Arose at seven o'clock, mounted my horse, rode to Newton, before mentioned ; stopped there for a night. July 22. After breakfast departed for Chudleigh, but missing the road, passed over Hull-down, leading to Dawlish, and arrived at one o'clock at Exeter ; Mr. Erving happening in sight, urged my driving with him. Exeter, July 24. After visiting my old acquaintances, returned to Sidmourh by eight o'clock, evening. Sidmouth, July 26. Met Mr. George Eveleigh, a gentleman of South Carolina, educated both at school and college at Cambridge, New England, whom I remember a school-boy when I was in col- lege ; now the father of five grown up children. TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON. SidmorUh, July 28, 1778. Dear Sir : Please let me know whether you have received any late ad- vices from Boston or New England, by which you are informed of the situation of the country, respecting its political, civil, or religious condition ; the temper and disposition of its inhabitants respecting soo JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. those who have left the country ; their inclinations or ability to continue the war. Would that the execrable spirit of persecution might abate, they be restored to reason, and I to my native coun- try ; an event I ardently long for : indeed, I sometimes feel resolu- tion enough to attempt to go and throw myself on the mercy of those whom party rage has rendered almost insensible to the ten- der feelings of humanity ; but fear, and a settled aversion to their levelling principles and persecuting practices, disarms me. With truth, your friend, S. CURWEN. August 16. News received that Congress has rejected any treaty with the British commissioners ; as might easily have been, and was, I believe, fully imagined by all the world would be the case at this late period, without an express specific acknowledg- ment of their independency. Axminster, August 18. Walked to beach; seven bathing machines standing there, dragged into the water by a horse each. The alcove and ball room larger and more respectable than at Sid- mouth. TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON. Sidmouih, August 31, 1778. Dear Sir : The dangerous, distrustful situation the nation is in, makes me tremble for the next news from abroad, lest it shake the government to its centre. In the annals of this country, I know of no period in which England stood on a narrower point ; not in 1688, nor even when the Scotch rebels had penetrated as far as Derby, in 1745. The designs of Providence are inscrutable, not to be controlled by human policy, nor defeated by human strength. Although I have, all along, doubted that Congress would ac- cept terms short of independence, I confess myself not a little deranged at the confirmation of it. That Congress should be loth to quit their authority, is not to be wondered at, for it is the nature of power to endeavor to preserve itself ; but I cannot help flatter- ing myself with hopes that America will soon see her interest in a different point of light from Congress, and disappoint the ambitious 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 201 views of men, however well qualified they may be to govern, evi- dently disposed to sacrifice that country's happiness to their lust of power. God only knows what will be the issue of the troubles ; may it please him to save her from ruin, and accomplish a happy re-union with this, and on a lasting basis. , , Your assured friend, S. CURWEN. 1* Sept. 11. Keppel's and Byron's fleets are sources of incredible reports from street and tavern politicians ; should both these sea commanders be defeated, none knows the consequences — fatal ones may be justly apprehended; this country was never in a more perilous situation. Sept. 21. The day of our half-yearly fair; great numbers came in, passing on the beach to view the sea, going off in boats, eating, drinking and buying, in the sheds and booths erected on the lower parts of the streets, and filled with confectionary, toys, hard- ware, ribbons, etc. Rode to Exeter in the evening. Sept. 28. Departed on horseback, accompanied by Mr. Smith, on an intended ramble to Weymouth and Portland. First stage to Colyton, nine miles, where we dined. Hence to Charmouth, a straggling town that extends from the top to the bottom of a long hill, and contains one street of perhaps a hundred houses; passing through, we arrived at a villa, two miles distant, part of the man- or of the Earl of Arundel, a Roman Catholic peer, of which per- suasion most of the inhabitants on his lordship's estate here are. The next cluster of houses on the road was Morkam's lake, which with the former scarce make up a hundred houses. Our next and last stage for this day Bridport, at the Bull inn, where we supped and lodged. Sept. 29. Left for Abbotsbury, ten miles distant ; the land along the sea-shore a desert, not so much as a tree, shrub or bush was to be seen. Passed through Weynouth to Melcomb Regis, over bridge laid across the Wey, so called, being a small arm of the sea, dividing these two towns. The latter lying on the land side, is a neck formed by the bend, almost at right angles with the river Wey, and is the place whereon the beach lies and visitors reside. The market is large and better supplied than in the former. 26 ^: 202 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. There is a range of brick buildings, twelve in number, tasty and commodious, facing the beach, and but a small distance above it ; at the end is an elegant assembly-room, and at a small distance are shopsof all kinds of articles, millinery, toys, etc. Coffee-houses, circulating libraries, etc. The beach is furnished with twenty- two machines for bathing, in fmer taste than any I have seen. This town, like Weymouth, is concernod in shipping ; its quay is long enough for sixty vessels ; not half that number then in port. It has two Episcopal churches and a Presbyterian meeting-house. Weymouth is on the outer or south side of the river, consisting principally of one street, well paved, but narrow. In front of the town is a quay, facing Melconib, filled with vessels. After dining, we sallied forth ; finding nothing further to entertain us, soon re- turned, and ordering forth our horses, took our departure towards Portland, the last stage. The passage to it is over a water called the Fleet, between a beach seven miles in length and the main land ; by this beach Portland is joined to the main, but the way is scarce ever attempted, consisting of small loose stones or deep sand, so that a horse would sink down half-leg deep ; this approach, therefore, must be too tedious to be used. The road from Mel- comb to the island or peninsula is over a lofty plain of a mile in length ; from hence is a hard gravel beach of over a mile : and opposite the road stands an edifice in ruins, styled a castle, having however more the look of a mansion house deserted by its own- er, its solitary black site rendering it an uncomfortable residence. We soon measured the beach, and were wafted over the Fleet by a rope-ferry, as it is called in New England dialect. But the beach on the Portland side, of a mile and a half, required a more leisurely pace. The first village on the island of Portland is called Chesilton, of about a hundred houses of reputable aspect; — situation low, on the plain of a beach ; from hence, being an easy ascent of half a mile, we came to two villages. In the morning (30th), climbed up the lofty plain to the spot the flag-staff is erected on, being the northernmost summit, having the castle situate at the northern exetremity, from which may be seen at one view as far into the English ciiannel as eye can reach ; to Isle of Wight in the east, and to the north a vast extent of country. Portland island is about five miles in length, breadth two ; on the land 1778.] I JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 203 side it id defended by a castle before mentioned. On the southern cliffs are two light-houses. Mounted our horses, and in our course lay, in the middle road, the first village, called RefTon, which contains the only church on the island, encompassed by stone wall, inclosing an acre of yard. Passed through Ishwell, Wi/ceham, Eison, Wes- ton, and returned to the rope-ferry by which we came to the island, and at one o'clock arrived at Crown inn, Melcorab. Thence through Upway, situated in a fertile vale, abounding in trees and hedges. The next village, lying a little out of our way, is Winterborne Monkton ; the latter epithet I suppose denotes for what it was remarkable. Through this village we passed to Maiden Castle, a famous en- campment of Roman construction, supposed to have been built by them soon after their first invasion. In their times Dorchester, two miles distant, was their winter, as this spot was their summer resi- dence. It is said to be the only remains of the kind in Great Britain — form oval j contains within the inner intrenchment many acres, enough to hold three legions or eighteen thousand men. The intrenchments entire, four without the other at each end— two on each side or flank, encompassing the whole — depth thirty feet. It has a stupendous appearance, and looks like a work of a people capable of any undertaking, however difficult. Thence we jogged on to Dorchester. Dorchester, Oct. 1. Rambled over the town : here are assize and session- house, prison and bridewell ; about 2500 inhabitants ; houses decent, and streets paved. Avenues to the town pleasant at all quarters, being lined with a row of trees on each side for two miles ; from hence at ten o'clock we departed, shaping our course towards the remains of Roman antiquity, the occasion of our coming hither ; and in half an hour arrived at the amphitheatre, •which is entirely of earth j the forms whereon the benches were laid for spectators are yet entire. The outer line an oval, the earth thrown up in the manner of an encampment, and about twenty feet high, encompassing the whole; the area or space wherein spectacles were exhibited, measures forty or fifly yards longest diameter ; two rows of benches, judged spacious enough to hold two thousand spectators. Having satisfied curiosity, proceeded through fields for the castle, lying on a lofty ridge at about a mile and a half further. Having finished our survey, and amused our- , ..* 204 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1778. L ' Ili'.H "li ^- 4 selves u fine prospects, we ascended by another quarter to the fields and indovsures adjoining hereto ; crossing which, at length reached turnpike at a village called Martinston, from hence to "Wintcrburn-Sti'pleton and Clenston ; here we met the great Ix)ndon road to Plymouth and the west ; glad once again to salute it and forsake the cross-roads that are but indifferent at best, and some execrable ; in this we kept till arrival at first and last stage of this day, alighting in about two hours at Bull inn, Bridport, distant from Dorchester seventeen miles. The business for which this town is famed, and carried on to great extent, is in sail-cloth And white cordage j in size little inferior to Dorset. Bridport, Oct. 2. To Axminster, Honiton, and Wishcombe, •where lodged. Oct. 3. Alighted at Mrs. Godfrey's, my new lodging-house in Sidmouth. Sidmouth, Oct. 10, Spirit of privateering against France sur- prisingly raised ; success incredible : three East India ships home- ward bound taken, and thirty-six St. Domingo and Martinico ships, and a multitude of others. Oct. 26. Accompanied Mr. Smith to Mr. William Lloyd's, at Otterton, a substantial farmer. In conversation on different ranks of mankind, and diff*erent consequent mode of living, my companion told us the following tale from an Irish lady. A young country- woman of hers wished she might be queen for a month, for then, said she, I would have bacon with my broth. To which our hostess added one of the like kind: a young lad of Cornwall wished he might be king, for then, said he, I would ride on gates and eat fat bacon with my broth. The demands of nature are few and easily satisfied ; it is education and use that increase our appetites and render them troublesome- Oof. 27. Evening Mr. Smith visited me. Our sentiments on toleration differ ; he holds that every subject in a state has an absolute right to unlimited toleration, be his principles what they may. I think no man should be persecuted for opinion's sake, yet he has no right to complain of any disabilities he may be under, whose avowed persuasion is, that faith is not to be kept with those whose religious tenets differ from his own, whose religion absolves him from most solemn engagements, nay, who thinks himself in con- 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 205 science bound to violate promises, vows and oaths ; nay, further, thinks it highly meritorious to disturb the peace and overthrow the very government he has sworn to support, when his priest directs and opportunity presents. Opinions, merely such, the magistrate ought by no means to concern himself with, nor be subject to his control ; and therefore every peaceable man has an equal claim to his protection in his person and property. By letters from Lord Cornwallls at New-York, it appears Count D'Estaing had been obliged hastily to retreat with his squadron from Rhode Island by the arrival of Lord Howr with twenty line- of-battle ships and twenty frigates ; that a severe storm parted the fleets ; that the Americans by a bridge of boats had landed twelve thousand men on the island, and that General Clinton had strengthened his garrison by several detachments he himself had brought from New-York ; that Gen. Lee, being accused of cow- ardice and bad conduct, was suspended by a court ma«'tial. Oct. 28. Lord Howe has arrived from Rhode Island in the Eagle. Four of our frigates have been sunk at Rhode Island, when invested by D'Estaing and the Provincials ; also twenty-three ships destroyed. The Bostonians are said to be out of humor with their new friends and allies, and no wonder ; French government, laws, religion, manners, and policy, are totally alien and unnatural to Americans, and will sit uneasy till custom and long use have fa- miliarized them. JVov. 17. Rode to Beer with Mr. Smith ; visited the vicar of Seaton and Beer, a character truly original ; a great humorist and punster, not unlike Rev. Mather Byles of Boston in that line. He is of enormous bulk, confined by gout, which he told us was his third attack, resembling, in his own language, a furnace heated seven times hotter than the former ; compared himself, in the midst of excruciating pains, to his holiness seated to receive adoration in his sanctified chair ; treated us hospitably, and was very facetious. JVov. 23. Took my leave of Sidmouth, ray residence for ap- proaching winter being to be at Exeter ; passed the road in two hours and a half, and sat down at new lodgings in Fore-street, near East-gate. Exeter^ JVov. 26. With Mr. Smith road to Newton Abbot to \ 206 JOU RN A SO Lf ■'TER8. [1778. visit a Capt. Hcndley, relu yifrotn Nt vfoandland, taken by Capt. Babson and carried into liosl /r vhei and at Cape Ann he resided six weeks. He reports that the country is in a distressed condition, wanting almost every comfort; no trade but privateering, by which some have been raised from nothing to affluence : says the inl' bi- tants are embittered against the French, who have engrossed all the trade, from whom they do not in return receive any advantage of labor or supplies, but their own goods at exorbitant prices. Wretched effects of civil discord ! How deplorable is the situation, how wretched the prospects of that once happy region, which se- curity, peace and plenty have of late abandoned. December 4. Visited my venerable and reverend friend, Mr. Towgood ; he is one of very few to whose respectful and undis- sembled welcome I am not a little indebted ; to whom my grateful acknowledgments are due. The river Exe, by late rains swelled beyond the memory of forty years, has caused great damage. The two islands lying within the banks of the river over against this city, overflown ; on them are tucks for drying woollen cloths that are dyed and pressed in the city. December 16. Attended for the first time Arden's course of lectures on experimental philosophy, being the second of the course, held in a chamber in the castle ; more than threescore present, and continued two hours : subject, electricity. December 21. Received a letter from Judge Sewall, full as usual of humor and hopes. FROM HON. J. SEWALL. Bristol, December 18, 1778. Dear Sir : Till I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 1st inst, I was as much at a loss from what part of this or any other globe I should hear of you, as I was with respect to a certain com- mander-in-chief, when, to use the words of a friend in a late letter from New- York, " after having proceeded up the Delaware within twenty miles of Philadelphia, his place of destination, when a looker-on would say they must (from the reason and nature of things) land at Wilraington,instead of which he sees them tack about 1778.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 207 — away they come — down the river again — huzza — make a circle round Asspeak, up Chesapeake, and after travelling in the heat of the season, in a hell of a climate, over a monstrous extent of coun- try, they arrive at Philadelphia — ' the army in high spirits.' " Don't you think my friend's description is truly Shandean T How- ever, matters I hope are mending ; the account you give me from America, seems to be confirmed from all quarters. Judge Howard is lately arrived here from New-York ; he tells me that a number of gentlemen of influence and property, who have been lying on their oars to see which way the game would finally go, as I sup- pose, have lately come in, among whom is the famous Mr. Smith, the lawyer ;* that they, together with Mr. Galloway, are unani- mously of opinion, that from the unexpected tyranny of the Congress and their sub-tented and seemingly ready to join an invader ; Scotland uneasy ; muti- nies and discontent in the fleet, — distraction, etc., in councils. May 19. Col. Erving and family removing to Exmouth, by which I have lost one source of much enjoyment; — repeatedly pressed to reside in summer with them, which I have hitherto with- stood from a dislike to waterinfr places. A fleet of sixteen ships of the line and ninety transports, it is reported, were seen steering towards Ireland ; should they land a general defection is to be feared. June 5 This day informed by Lord Clifford's priest, that I may have admittance to see his curiously wrought bed, presented by the old Duchess of Norfolk, said to be the richest in Europe, for which the queen has offered ten thousand pounds, and been refused. It is said theis aie four thousand Romish priests and fifteen hun- dred dissenting ministers of all persuasions in England and Wales. The former succeed in making converts. June 20. Yesterday Lord North announced in the House of Commons that the Spanish minister had left. June 23. It ic said favorable news has arrived to govern- ment ; — what a pity that views, and passions of mankind were not coincident with their real interest, enjoyment and felicity ; but, alas ! they are at odds too frequently, — in the future world all wrongs will be rectified. June 28. Mr. John Sargent, my townsman, brought a letter from Col. Browne, at Cowbridge ; he proposes to abide with me five or six days. July 8. At Lympston, ordination of Mr. Jarvis's brothf r ; met my friends Mr. Smith and John Sargent from Sidmouth. T! ? actors were Sir H. Trelawney, Dr. Kippis, of London, and Dr. P' iestley, who preached, and exhibited a picture of his own principles, deny- ing in express terms need of particular aids in all casei since Christ's appearance, being only necessary for the establishment of a religion ; — declaring man to be in a similar state resficcting moral means as earth is in regard to seed put into it ; if it had been in a previous state of fitness for bringing" forth, its product would be in proportion ; if otherwise, small or none at all. July 14. Spectators on cliffs amazed with the sight of the grand fleet sailing out of Torbay. 1779.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 221 Exmouth, July 18. Attended worship at Lady Glenorchy's chapel; principles incu'ch^ed ; ' unlike those at Lady Hunting- ton's chapel. The preacher ». otchman, (with a master of arts gown,) a missionary of Lady G., who, with Mr. Holmes of Exeter, fitted this cLaj !,' .or the propagation of Scotch orthodoxy. After- noon, at Withycomb-Raleigh parish, lying at the mouth of the river £xe ; the houses are chiefly low, with mud walls and thatched roofs ; though there are a considerable number of brick, covered with slate, reputable and handsome, owned chiefly by Exeter people, who come down in shoals on Saturday afternoons for the purpose of pastime and festivity among themselves on Sundays ; — this being almost the only resort on that day, when the town is full of them, not, as I am told, to the emolument or wish of the inhabi- tants. July 22. Received a letter from Mr. Bretland, Exeter, inclosing a card left for me by Governor Hutchinson on his way to London from the west, whither he had been with C. Russell. ^ug. 17. Visited by Mr. Smith and Samuel Sewall from Sid- mouth ; reported that the combined fleet of France and Spain are off Plymouth; people along the coast and through the country alarmed. Mug. 23. A levelling spirit has unhappily taken place among the lower classes ; menacing expressions ; they more than whisper their wishes that the French may land, adding they had as lief have a Louis as a George to reign over them. Exeter, Sept. 6. Am informed that I am suspected to be an American spy, disaffected to government ; this was reported by one Calhier, a violent hater of the inhabitants of the American continent and of all its friends and well-wishers : his malice I despise, and his power to injure me with government I defy. Exeter has become the seat of scandal, pride, inhospitality, foppery ; an awkward imitation of London manners, to their folly, prevails. Sept. 23. Left in the coach for Bristol, passing through Wel- lington, Taunton, Bridgewater, and Cross, and arrived at White Hart inn, Bristol, where lodged. Sept. 24. Took lodgings at Mrs. Froade's, York-street, Bruns- wick-square. « 222 J O U R N A I, AND LETTERS. [1779. TO MU. (JKOIUSK UIJSSIXL, lllUMINOHAM. nristol, Sept. 28, 1779. Dkau Sir : Tho alarmiiifi; condition of puMic airairs of latt; lias, I presume, enga{i;e(l your attention, and that of every thouj^htful man ; what remains for (Ireat Hritain to hopr ! know not ; the causes of fear are too many and too obvious to ■ rape the observation of the most thoujj;htless and inconsiderate. \l is to be wished she may save at least a part of her foreign iloininions ; which, if not secured by treaty before the followin^j; canipai|];n, will, I fear, fall a sacrifice to the ambition of France and Spain, and the resentment of America ; notwithstandinp the late successes of Sir George Collier, who has wounded the latter in the naval way, though not I believe essentially. To counterweigh this, 1 fear Sir James Wright, the late governor, despatched from hence to reassume the government of (leorgia, whose sudden departure from thence to New- York, and Cieneral Provost's abandoning his troops at Beaufort, prove beyond a doubt the pitiful condition they were in, and the great probability of their falling a prey to Hopkins' squadron by sea, and the provincial arms by land. What a wretched conclusion of so hopeful a beginning, as it seems the royal army had at least in expectation when they first set forward in their expedition against Charli ^tL)n ; which seems as it destined by Providence to bring ilisgrace on the British arms. I have just returned to this place with Colonel Erving's family, to whom I am indebted for most of my happmcss for more than a year at Sidmouth, Exeter, and last at Exraouth. The latter dis- agreeable by too great a mixture of Exeter folks, " who view with eye malign and looks askance," as Milton describes Satan to have done ; all strangers seeming to them as intruders on their property, as they consider J^xmouth, and appropriated only to their pleasure : thither many families resort on Sundays, their day of festivity and amusement. Yours truly, S. Curwen. TO WILLIAM BROWNE. ESQ., COWBRIDGE, WALES. Bristol, Sept. 28, 1779. Dear Sir : I presume you cannot in your distant retreat form an idea of "Siv^--^ t f 1779.] JOUKNAI. AND 1. KTTKRK. 223 the grcnt distress the southern coast of this island was in during the continuance of tlic comlnned ileets in our chaniiol, especially on the lower coasts of l)ev'>ii ii»t to be wholly overcome ; what was anger and resentment, is by age, the endurance if evils; and, perhaps, abetter way of think- ing, changed into grief: can you then wonder, situated as I am, at my anxiety and distress 1 I do asvsure you the silence and neglect on the part of my friends and acquaintances, has, m'^re than banish- ment, oppressed my mind ; the latter is not a light burden, and when added to the former, exceeds my religion and philosophy to support. The heart of old age, if not rendered callous by vicious indulgences, is tender as in infancy ; but, to quit the plaintive strain, — You tell me I forget de Repub., &c. : I confess 1 ara like poor Faithful in Pilgrim's Progress, ever almost in the slough of despair; would it were in your power to dart a ray of hope into my gloomy mind. I thank my countrymen for the less unfavorable opinion conceived of me than some others. For my part, I would cheer- ■n ♦ ♦ f >% 1 m. % 232 JOURNAL AND LETTEBS. [1780. fully promote to the extent of my pc wer the good of individuals, and that of the public ; but with regard to the latter, T cannot give my approbation to their whole system of politics. The present circumstances of affairs do not allow me to indulge one' wish to return, till they are a little better settled ; and can easily imagine the evils you suggest, which, at my time of life, would quickly overwhelm my poor crazy bark ; hardly able to keep above water even where the waves are not rough. Please remember my kind- est regards io all my acquaintance ; particularly the members of the Monday nig'-t club, which I learn still subsists; I wish its continuance and increase of worthy members. I fear ray worthy old friend, Mr. McCilchrist, has forgotten me; apropos, it has been my good fortune for tx course of three winters f assed in Exeter, to find a worthy and intin.ate friend, who, in his moral, religious, and philosophical character, bears the nearest resemblance to my said Salem friend. To him I ^m indebted for much useful information and entertainment; ibr his and the sake of a very few, T left that quarter with reluctance, ii has been frequently in my thoughts to make a collection of the best pieces that the press affords, for the benefit of my friends and myself; but that depends on contingencies. The execution of that, and some other designs I have had in my mind and view, must be deferred, I fear, to a distant day. Our friends are scattered all over the face of the land, and if soon to be summoned to appear before the last tribunal, they might truly be said to be brought from the east, west, north, and south. Present my kindest regards to Mrs. Pynchon and all your family. Sincerely wishing you a healthy body, quiet mind, and a full purse, which I think comprehends all earthly blessings, I am, with perfect esteem, your friend, S. CURWEN. Jan. 13. Capf. Carpenter, young Jonathan Gardner, both of Salem, and a Mr. Leavitt, having arrived in a cartel ship from Boston, dined with me, and passed the afternoon and evening. Jan. 20. Took tea with Mrs. Gardner, in company with Mr. Randolph, brother of the Congress member, though of contrary #^ * political principles. Jan. 30. Charlts's martyrdom ; attended service in cathedral ; # 1780.] ^to VRNAL AND LETTERS. 233 young Camplin preached a serious discourse from " Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." He modestly and laudably avoided any reference to the day. I could not fail to notice the diiference between this mock solemnity here and at Exeter : — here, no mayor nor corporation attended in a procession of city officers, with their staves covered with black, nor was the pulpit in the same grim color. The service was read, with si iging, as on other church holkiays ; assembly of an indifferent appearance, far from numer- ous. TO WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ., COWBRIDGE, WALES. Bristol, Feb. 10, 1780. Dear Sir: Perhaps it may amuse you to be made acquainted with a few particulars relating to our own country and town, that may not have come to your knowledge. About six weeks ago a prize ship from Boston arrived here with thirty-six passengers, who were suffered to depart, under verbal promise to return back again to captivity if this government should not acknowledge the ship to be a cartel, and send back an equal number of Americans to Boston or to France. In the event, no notice is taken of them, as might be expected ; the ship is claimed, and as yet subjudke, though it is thought it will be determined in favor of the claimants. The American owner is a Mr. Mitchell, Irish by birth, American in principle and alliance, being married to a daughter of George Bethune. The master, a Mr. Carpenter, who you know married the youngest of the Gerrishes, and tried to be a loyalist (applying, unsuccessfully, however, for a pension) about two years since, whilst he resided with his wife at Brompton-row ; on his rejection he took wit in his ang' . and returned to Salem. From him and young Gardner, only son of Jonathan Gardner, Jr., I have obtained the annexed list of prices, which, instead of a score of arguments, may prove the low condition of Congressional credit, and show the exorbitant rate of the useful articles of life, and perhaps their scarcity. It is a melancholy truth, that whilst some are wallowing in undeserved wealth that plunder and r.apine have thrown into their hands, the wisest, most peaceable, and most deserving, such as you and I know, are now suffering want, accompanied by many 30 *f,. i r 234 ♦. JOURNAL AND LETTERS* * [1780. indignities that a licentious, lawless people can pour forth upon them. Those who five years ago were the " meaner people,'* are now, by a strange revolution, become almost the only men of power, riches and influence ; those who, on the contrary, were leaders and in the highest line of life, are glad at this time to be unknown and unnoticed to escape insult and plunder, the wretched condition of all who are not violent, and adopters of republican principles. The Cabots ot Beverly, who, you know, had but five years ago a very moderate share of property, are now said to be by far the most wealthy in New England j Hasket Derby claims the second place in the list, and •♦**** puts in for a place amongst the first three ; Mr. Goodale, by agency concerns in privateers and buying shares, counts almost as many pounds as most of his neigh- bors. The following are persons of the most eminence for business in Salem, as far as my memory serves, viz. : Hasket Derby, Wil- liam Pickman, George Crowninshield, William Vans, Capt. Harra- dcn, a brave and notable privateer captain, Joseph Henfield, Capt. Silsbee, Samuel Gardner, Joseph and Joshua Grafton's sons, Fran- cis Clarke, Capt. George Dodge's youngest sons, Jos. Orne. E. H. Derby's province tax is j2 11,000, and his neighbors complain he is not half taxed. The immensely large nominal sums which some are said to be worth, shrink into diminutive bulk when measured by the European standard of gold and silver. In New England a dollar bill is worth only 2 f of an English halfpenny. Pins at Is. a piece, needles at 2s., beef 2s. 6d., veal 2s., mutton and lamb Is. 6d., butter 6s. per lb., rum eight - -mi. Be it as it may, the inha'^uants are we'ii sat- isfied it will continue till a groat convulsion of nature shall overturn the great fabric of th*^ 'lobe itself. Tht. roi^n on the hill ha? o 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 243 churches exempt from the bishop, and caiieJ '*' pectfZian," under jurisdiction of the Whitmores, who have right of visitation ; also right of advowson, and can exercise all right of ecclesiastical juris- diction except sacerdotal. After an en passant survey, we took fresh horses and convey- ance, and set off for Brosely, distant from hence eight miles ; to this place arrived in an hour, took a look at the iron bridge. Next stage Much-Wenlock, distance hence twelve miles ; a pitiful inn and town, where we lodged ; Shrewsbury, our last stage, lying at twelve miles distance. Here >ve visited the residence of Samuel Porter, late of my native place, Salem ; but the prima facie view of my townsman's lodgings conv"nced us that it was not a fit place for us to remain at. After hearij congratulations, bid him adieu for the present, and returned back to the Talbot inn, leaving our other companions, Samuel Sewali aud Samuel Porter, to measure the distance through the fields on foot, wbcrethey soon arrived af- ter us. Here we proposed to fix our tent ior two or three days ; having bespoke dinner, we had a social tHc-a-tHe, and after a hearty meal, and a few glasses of port, took myself off to find out my o<;her townsman, Capt. Poynton, who was also beccnue a resi- dent here, and whom I found at a namesake's, living on Pride hill, so called, within the town. After tea I took him to our comp uions, and all joining issued forth to see the town and ascertain ttic ex- pense of living, which we found higher than at Bristol. Shrews- bury is populous, having several churches ; there is a most agree- able walk of a circular form on the banks of the Severn, half a mile in extent, and surrounded by lofty trees. There are still ruins of an old castle, now become private property and the seat of the owner, standhig on a lofty eminence and commandmg the town. There is also u large building intended for a foundling hospital, but not succeedinf'j, is now fitted up for Spanish prisoners, when they catch ihem. Shrewsbury, June 9. We ■. sassumed our post-chaise seats and departed from " proud Salop," ..; . is called, for having refvLod t}i'^ offer of the crown to make it a ^ity, saying " it is better to bt a large town than a small city" — leaving our two townsmen to their respective enjoyment;^. However, before leaving this place, I must observe, Mr. Samuel Sewali and myself, with Capr. Poynton, dined m 244 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. at Samuel Porter's lodgings, which we found well provided ; and the next night, being the night preceding the one to our departure, passed at the " Gullet" inn, the resort of all better sort to hear and tell news. During my stay within, I heard read several letters from lords, sirs, etc., from London, with relations of the mob that was raging there. From hence to Ellesraere, sixteen miles, we ran in two and a half hours, being accommodated with fresh horses ; thence to Wrexham, eleven miles ; respectable in buildings, some fine streets, a market and well built church, erected about the time of the reformation ; its tower superbly decorated in Gothic style. Next stage was Chester, at eleven miles distance ; stopped at the Golden Talbot in Eastgate-street, house of best repute, large, with a handsome coffee-room, ball and drawing rooms, it being the as- sembly house. This small city is singularly circumstanced, having a delightful terrace walk on top of walls encompassing it round, in length near two miles, defended with a breastwork or parapet about three feet high ; has no guns nor embrasures, nor platforms for unevenness of surface within the walls and adjoining grass ; the walk in some places is but a few feet above the level within, and others as high as tops of chimneys. On the quarter bounded by the river Dee it is sixty or eighty feet above the surface of the water ; on one or two streets is a covered way or walk raised one story above the street called the rows ; the ascent is by many flights of steps from the streets, rendering it very convenient to foot passen- gers, especially in foul weather ; these are filled with shops and stores above and below ; the passage ways are paved with flags, the breadth twelve to fifteen feet. This city has the appearance of antiquity, though there are many very genteel, tasty, and noble houses ; I should judge the number between two and three thou- sand, inhabitants about seventeen thousand. Just within the walls is a most beautiful race-ground. I forgot to mention the cathedral, of no great extent and rather indifferent appearance ; it was how- ever in decent repair, but contained nothing remarkable. Having taken a view of the whole place, we took leave of Ches- ter, designing for Manchester by way of Duke of Bridgewater's canal from Warrinrrton ; on that route our first stage was Fords- ham, an indifferent small village, distance ten miles. The keeper of the ii;;i an Irishman, not wanting in the characteristic mark of t 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 245 that country, a bold unblushing face ; after a plausible commenda- tion of his carriages and horses, he gave us a sorry post-chaise and a pair of miserable cattle ; he yet had the impudence to apply to us to procure the land from Warrington to this paltry village to be made a turnpike, saying it would be pounds in his pocket, which I really doubt. He mistook us for parliament-men. From hence to Warrington ten miles ; the inn, the " Red Lionj" tolerable. Streets narrow, dirty, and ill paved ; like many other towns, with a gutter running through the middle, rendering it inconvenient passing streets. This town abounds in dissenters, and has an aca- demy for young preachers of that persuasion. Governor Hutchin- son was to have been buried at Brompton yesterday. Warrington, June 11. Set off on foot for London bridge, so called from its lying in the great London road across the canal, at two miles' distance herefrom. This spot is a common rendezvous whither flock all passengers whom curiosity prompts, or business urges, to sail up to Manchester, at twenty miles' distance ; or down to the locks at Runcorn, on the other hand, ten miles distant ; or across the Mersey to Liverpool, this being the common route. Two boats daily carry passengers up and down. Diverted from our intended route, Manchester, we turned our course to a contrary direction, sail- ing down to Runcorn to view the celebrated locks ; passed in our passage under sixteen bridges laid across the canal, consisting of one brick arch of eighteen to twenty-two feet span, and twelve feet high. Of these we were told there are sixty-four ; probable enough, including the branches and marine cut, for Judge Oliver counted on the grand canal fo* ^y-eight. The boats for passengers are fifty feet long and fiftee.; vide, and will hold a hundred per- sons. Arrived at Runcorn in two hours, and supped at " White Hart" inn. Samuel Sewall and myself having amused ourselves for two hours in seeing a barge enter from the river Mersey into the first lock and through to the canal, mc returned back and met our companion the judge, whose curiosity did not stim- ulate him to stay so long in the cold as ours did ; and found the inn crowded with great numbers of jolly lads and lasses, met to congratulate our landlady's daughter, lately married and just returned home, after a week's absence. The concluding scene of Sunday, being considered in England as a relief from iabor, is 246 JOUttNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. {:, * generally spent in ale-houses by llie middling and lower sorts, in merry-making. Runcorn, June 12. Walked abroad, shaping my course to church-yard, where I saw the curate and his clerk j name of former •was Sewell. I returned by the way I went, acquainting my com- panions, who had arrived before me, of the adventures. They regretted my neglect in making no inquiry, nor informing the curate of their name ; but I was loth to incur the imputation of impertinence which he justly might have made, in instituting inqui- ries about such matters as people of this country are shy about communicating to strangers. At eleven o'clock reshipped our- selves on board same barge, and returned back to whence we came, ■where, finding a chaise ready for Liverpool, we again diverged from our right-line course, Manchester, and struck off for that town, twenty miles distant ; returning back to Warrington, pro- ceeded to Prescott, at ten miles' distance, where took a relay. This town is noted for coal-pits and watch movements ; from the former liiverpool is principally supplied by wagons. Entered the city of Liverpool, so celebrated for its commercial character ; houses by a great majority in middling and lower stylt^ (fw rising above that mark; streets long, narrow, crooked, and dirtj" in fip eminent degree. During our short abode here, we scarcely sav; r ,'ell- dressed person, nor half a dozen gentlemen's carriages ; lew of the shops appear so well as in other great towns; dress and looks more like the inhabitants of Wapping, Shadwell, and Rotherhithe, than in the neighborhooil " the Exchange, or any part of London above the Tower. Tli' .-nle complexion nautical, and so infinitely below all our expectations, that nought but the thoughts of the few hours we had to pass here rendered it tolerable. The docks however are stupendously grand ; the inner one, called Town Dock, lying in the centre of it, and filled with vpssi^i \bioiting a forest of masts; besides this, are three very lar^e ones lying in front of the city, communicating with each other by flood-gates, intermixed with dry ones for repairing. The lower or new one has a fine wide quay on its outer side, an agreea- ble walk being lined with trees on either hand ; below this, on the river, is now building, nearly finished, a circular battery with embrasures for thirty cannon. Parade and barracks are in hand, 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 847 ♦' and when completed will afford a charming walk and prospect if allowed to the inhabitants. Liverpool, June 12. 'I'aking a circuitous ramble through this, lO us, disgustful place, returned to inn, paid our bill, and entered the carriage we came in, which the driver and owner would fain, but for Judge and Samuel Sewall's resolution, have jockeyed us out of, designing craftily to shift us off to the common stage ; but his plan being disappointed, we were replaced in our own carriage, with no company but ourselves. Bidding adieu to Liverpool, we set forward to Prescott, where we took a relay and proceeded to Warrington ; here we were detained two hours, waiting the arrival of boats. At two o'clock we re-entered our apartment, fdled with fresh passengers, among them Mrs. Dawson, wife of the governor of the Isle of Man, returning from an excursion ; she was a native of Nova Scotia, and daughter of a Colonel Hamilton, and had resided in Boston. Mr. Corbet, an attorney of Brosely, also added no inconsiderable pleasure by his social turn while sailing on an unruffled surface through a finely improved country, over hills and dales, rivers and bridges j i .o a rising to intercept the sight for uniles, abounds in pastures, grass and corn lands inclosed by live hedges, and trees in rows and clumps ; of the latter there are many inclosures of con- siderable extent, and of great height and bulk. Most of the best improvements are on the Duke of Rutland's estate, who has a large and noble old mansion-house, called Haddon Hall, within sight of the traveller. The road to Matlock is an excellent turnpike, through this de- lightful vale, distance twelve miles ; the eye is refreshed a good part of the way with a sight of the river Dee, a gentle stream which continued to and beyond the last mentioned place, where we arrived at twelve o'clock. Dismissing the coach, we took up our abode in this indescribably pleasing, romantic spot for a few hours — sadly regretting after leaving it that we had not dedicated longer time to it. This cluster of half a dozen houses, including tradesmen's and the large inn for servants and short visitants, as our company, are fdled with apartments for the reception and accommodation of those who resort hither for sake of bathing, to which it is confined. Its remote situation, (its nearest neighbor on one hand Bakiwell at ten miles, and on the other Derby at sixteen,) separates it, in a manner, from all society. It is situated on the banks of the Dee, which by the approach of the craggy hills contract to little more than the bed of the river, which flows even to the foot of them. This spot lies under a circular range of hills conforming to the course of the river ; the side of this range is in spots clothed with bushes, shrubs, and trees of various dimensions, interspersed with bare spots and shelving rocks, overlianging and threatening instant fall. In some the ascent is quick, in other parts easy, and in the midst of this unpromising barren wild are levels that nature or in- dustry have made, now improved as habitations for the poor but perhaps contented few, whose lot has cast them into this dreary spot ; each hut being accommodated with a small plat for garden and yard. To the spectator on the other side, a view of these singularly situated habitations is picturesque and pleasing. Just below the houses for company's residence, on a plain lying but little above the level of the river, are covered baths, supplied by If '4 b''r li 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 249 : I? * Streams from hills, issuing under the foundation of houses, but they have no distinguishing character. Crossing the ferry, of a hundred feet, we found a serpentine walk, cii^ and levelled for a quarter of a mile, then limited by a lead mine, now working. This walk is a delicious retreat in a sultry day, the trees on either hand forming an embowering shade; it is accommodated with field seats, from whence are vistas, two terminating in natural cascades, rendered, however, more perfect by art. Returning back from hence to end of walk, we began our ascent over slopes and steps to the summit of this very craggy hill, which is extremely tedious, and puts the lungs as well as muscles to no small exercise. About three fourths the way up stands an alcove to rest the weary traveller, where we were glad to avail ourselves of a seat for awhile. Having at length gained the summit, we thought ourselves fully repaid for fatigue by the charming prospect, both in respect to its extensiveness and variety. Though we were so exalted, the Fox, as it is called, being the extreme end of the range of mountains on other side, almost insulated, lifted its aspiring head nearly as much above us as we were above the surface of the river that we beheld flowing just under our feet. The manner in which visitors live together is social and harmonious ; the meals taken in a common room, none having a precedence ; theii mixture promiscuous ; attendance at a certain hour notified by a bell. Hither also they repair to form parties, as chance or inclination points, some to cross the water to serpentine walk, to climb the craggy cliff; others to ride on horseback, or in carriages ; others again for cards. — Generally after supper cards or dancing fill up the space to time of repose. Their lonely situation contributes not a little to inspire all with a desire to promote mutual enjoyment, which is supposed to be met with here in this retired solitary retreat in a more extensive degree than in any other place of public resort through Englanu. Here are manufactured neatly polished pieces, in the fancy way, of Derbyshire spar, stone, etc. Judge Sewall and myself bought each a sugar-basin and cream-bucket, edged with gilt pinchbeck, and ladles with metal handles of the same, having bought an egg-cup and pair of salts before at the Peak. After dinner, departed over a fine turnpike, reaching to the town of Derby, distant sixteen miles, which we measured in two 32 t I ■' i * ! ^^i 260 JOURNAL Kf n TTERS. [1780. l!i < hours, and alighted at the "V.'.nrj? lead" inn. Here we met a singular phenomenon in the person of John Tompson, a waiter at this inn for forty-three years ; the fifteen years immediately pre- ceding the present service porter to Sir Robert Sutton, and the eleven years before that to the Earl of Ferrars. He is now eighty- seven, and although somewhat decrepit and stooping, carries no mark of age in his face, that still retains a rubicund complexion without a single wrinkle. His memory, and indeed all his facul- ties appear in full vigor. The Ferrars family show a respect for their former servant by sending a carriage foi him now and then, especially at Christmas and holiday times, when he is made wel- come ; and " so late as last Christmas," said he, " I danced from eleven to four o'clock there, and good music inspires me with vigor to acquit myself to the satisfaction of my partners, and makes me, for the while, return to youtli ' Derby, June 16. After ureakfast we all repaired with a con- ductor to the silk mills, for which this town is famed, these being the originals of this kind of manufactures in England, having been introduced from Italy in a surreptitious manner by Sir Thomas Lambe. At twelve we departed for Burton on Trent, thence to " George" inn, Lichfield, and from thence to Birmingham, where stopped at the " Hen and Chickens," High-street. Soon after our arrival, S. Sewall and myself sallied forth, leaving the judge, reluc- tant to exercise, to en* -tain himself. It seems that sitting by the window, he espied i „(;u.:«™an of ours, resident here, passing by ; on opening the ca?-!i)ent, u other seeing him, came over and re- mained with him ';il d ir reurn. He called again, accompanied by Mr. Elish: iitchins.^i., :, passed an hou; ai; 1 lata (!t(i ui next day, promising . ipany us to the manufactories. June 17. Soon aft .,- breakfast. Judge Oliver, being the other countryman befor<- mentioned, agreeably to last evening's promise, came and in a post-chaise accompanied us to Bolton and Fothergill's manufactory, called Soho, about two miles out of town, for gun-barrel boring by a fire engine. From thence to a ramble modo pedestri, and afterwards to Judge Oliver's to dinner, and at tea Mr. Hutchinson joined us ; in the evening went over to Mr. Lakin's. • " our I'ite governor, who together A ; the former inviting us to dine tw 1780.] JOUENAL AND LETTERS. S51 June 18. Soon after breakfast, Judge Sewall's impatience to be gone hurried us into a post-chaise, taking the road to Wolver- hampton, distant from hence fourteen miles, passing through Wed- nesbury, "whero' the coal-pits are that supply Birmingham with coals ; we arrived at Wolverhampton in three hours. The town contains one church, the parish is fifteen miles in length, reaching near Lichfield. It is a deanery, and has a vicar or curate, salary from only X20 to jE50, notwithstanding the pomposity of the churches ; — this is annexed to Windsor. From hence to Shiffnal, our next stage, is twelve miles ; thence to Bronckton, a village, three miles from last inn, and to Brosely three miles, where we supped and lodged. June 19. Mr. Corbit, surgeon, coming to our inn in order to fulfil a promise of last night, accompanied us in a post-chaise, pro- cured and ready against his arrival ; entering the vehicle, our first visit was to the porcelain manufactory, noted for its fine Nankin blue color, no other colors attempted here ; — lately was sent off, as we were told by one of the burners, a complete set or table ser- vice for the royal table, a sample whereof we saw ; from hence directed our course to the iron bridge. For a more perfect view of this curious and singular piece of pontal architecture, we returned back as many miles as the day's journey consisted of; and the world affords not its like : a bridge perfect in all its parts, com- posed entirely of cast iron. It is laid over the Severn, from a town in Shropshire, called Brosely, to Colebrook-dale side, and adjoining a truly romantic spot noted for coal mines and iron stone, where- with it abounds. Dined at the inn, company same as last evening ; afterwards we all together walked to Surgeon Corbit's, our guide and attendant; S. Sewall and myself drank coffee with his spouse. Leaving this house. Judge Sewall and myself returned to the inn, where I passed a heavy, sleepy evening ; S. Sewall was engaged in loyally celebrating General Clinton's success at Charleston, by discharging a two-pounder half loaded several times in a private garden ! The town of Brosely, where we now are, is long and straggling ; the houses seem to owe their present situation to mere chance ; in general it has a dark, sooty, dirty look, few only of the houses in decent style. June 20. Having accomplished the object of our return, and « •" 252 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. 11 I being accommodated with a post-chaise, took our departure, and in an hour were set down at Bridgenorth, having determined to take passage on the Severn to Worcester at thirty miles from this ; this variety in mode of travelling an agreeable one, especially as the fare is but one shilling and sixpence, which consideration has weight with those whose bank begins to ebb fast, having already measured, of turnpike chiefly, almost five hundred miles. Adjusted all with the master for passage next day, the interval between the present houi and time of rest was chequered by eating, drinking, walking, and playing at backgammon. June 21. Entered our conveyance, which we found common and for commodities instead of a passage boat ; filled with wool and bulky articles some feet above the gunwale, leaving us and one fellow passenger but scanty room in stern sheets. First delay was at Brindley ; here we refreshed with a collation ; next at Stourport at junction of the great Staffordshire canal with Severn ; at six o'clock landed at Worcester, just below old bridge. Jumped on shore, leaving companions and baggage, who, before they left the banks of the river, engaged to-morrow's passage to Gloucester, nearly same distance. From boat adjourned to the " Hop-pole" inn ; soon after Mr. J. Vassal entered, we being seen by his ser- vant ; he is on his return from Birmingham, having been there on a reconnoitering plan, and speaks of it with the greatest dislike as a dirty, ill-built hole. So different are men's tastes that my com- panions make it daily a subject of their praises. For my own part I think it deserves neither extravagant praises, much less execra- tions. It is of an amazing extent, all its new streets spacious and straight, and not ill-built ; here are many excellent buildings, and London itself does not exhibit a more spacious and well-built one than Newhall-street, though its paving is not of best quality. Be- spoke beds and supper, and left the inn for a ramble ; directed course to new bridge and then to Castle Mount, seeming a work of ait, of a regular form, agreeable walk to the top or flat about eighteen feet over, having evergreens around its border. Hence returned back to inn. We partook of a splendid supper, which, with other acts of a different complexion from the late adopted plan of economy, shows that inconsistency is a common fault among frail men. 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 253 June 22. At twelve departed, our boat more lumbered and dirty than before, and passengers of still meaner sort; and it having taken three hours to arrive at a landing within three miles of Upton, to which we walked by land, distance passed by water being just seven miles from Gloucester. Under such ill-omened circumstances were discouraged from proceeding further by water, and therefore on arrival of boat, ordering out our baggage, and taking, as the sailors phrase it, London tack on board, proceeded to next stage of fifteen miles, called Newport, where changed horses. Our home is distant from this place eighteen miles ; at three or four hundred yards without turnpike-gate at the head of Stokes, we crossed a short thick foot-pad, who, running out from under hedges, seized the reins of our horses, threatening instant death to the driver if he did not stop ; whereupon he stopped, and giving up the reins, ran to chaise door and was going to demand our money, when S. Sewall supposing him only a rude fellow, raising himself forward, made a push at him with his cane ; at which the pad retreated back a few paces, discharging his pistol at same instant, and ran off, presuming he had executed his threat, which was, " damn you, I'll do for you." Judge Sewall thought he perceived the wind of the bullet as it passed ; be that as it may, it was found next morning. It grazed the moulding, which di- verted it from a course that otherwise must have entered S. Sewall's body, but how his head escaped is inconceivable; it pierced through the lining and lodged between it and leather top, proving a slug near three quarters of an inch long, and was picked up next morning. Thursday evenings June 22, concluded a journey of five hundred miles in eighteen days. TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, LONDON. Bristol, June 24, 1780. Dear Sir : I take the earliest opportunity after my excursion of eighteen days to acknowledge the receipt of yours. I hope the execrable mob in London is thoroughly quelled, and the promoters of it in safe custody, ready for the execution of deserved justice ; I wish government may arrive at the bottom of this infernal plot, for that there was one, no man in his senses can doubt. Through the great ':n|r;;^' ■m:-' '^f d54 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. extent of country we passed during its rage, there appeared an universal detestation against them j though should the flame catch at some populous places, there are villains enough to be found ready to join in plunder, rapine, murder and burning. Very truly yours, S. CURWEN. June 30. Walked to the quay to find a vessel bound to White- haven, intending, if practicable, a water conveyance to Workington, in Cumberland. July 6. Foot-pad taken in Baih-road; Judge Sewall seeing him 'hi :iks he is the one that attacked us. full/ 8. Met Mr. R. Hallowell, who informed me of his going to London. Received a letter from J. R., inclosing one from R. Ward, Salem, bv Isa. White, via Amsterdam. TO "WILLIAM BROWNE, ESQ,, COWBRIDGE, WALES. Bristol, July 13, 1780. Dear Sir : By two letters from Salem, one from our friend William Pynchon, of May 3, via Amsterdam, I am informed of the death of Mr. McGilchrist on the 20th of the former month ; a man of un- dissembled virtue and singular integrity, and the most friendly heart ; to whose memory 1 cannot fail to pay the tribute of a tear. Besides whom, the late ranting patriot J. W. is also gone to the former generations. As for the rest, all our friends are well and longing, but as almost without hope, for the good old times, as is the common saying nov, except among those, as he expresses it, whose enormous heaps have made them easy and insolent, and to wish for a continuance of those confusions by which they grow rich. Our friend wishes to hear from you and other of our towns- men and friends here. If you are disposed to oblige in this way, a letter inclosed to ray care, left at the New England Coffee- House, London, soon to be my residence, shall be forwarded. I am far from being sanguine of essential good effects from Clinton's success. Truly yours, S. CuRWEN. ,* '# *'.-te^ 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 256 TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ. Bristol, July 15, 1780. Dear Sir : This may serve to inform you of the receipt of your favor of May 3, and to convey my acknowledgments therefor ; nor do i know any favors more deserving of thanks than letters from distant friends and acquaintance ; in truth, I think, Solomon never utt» red more truth, or discovered more knowledge of mankind, than in the following proverb : " Good news from a far country is as cold ^ a- ter to a thirsty soul." To be made acquainted with the welfare f my friends is among the first and warmest wishes ol' my heart, nor doth it feel more pleasurable sensations than are derived from that source. Since my last, the political state of affairs seems in many peo- ple's opinion to have taken a more favorable turn for this country, but good and ill often succeed each other in the whiri of human affairs in quick succession ; for airidst a deal of good news daily pouring in from abroad, a most tremendous cloud suddenly and unlooked for arose and covered ourhorizon,threateninginstant destruction even to the very being of government itself. For some days it was feared the city of London would be laid in ashes, during which the most abandoned and profligate miscreants that were ever nourished by, or have proved the curse of society, were to have availed them- selves of the conflagration and terror occasioned thereby, and plun- dered what the less cruel felons might have spared, perhaps mur- dering those against whom their spite might have been levelled. On the day that the petition of the Protestant associators,as they denomi- nated themselves, was to be presented to the house, the subscribers were by an advertisement of Lord George Gordon, their president, desired to meet in St. George's Fields ; the reason alleged was, that no building in London was large enough to hold the expected numbers, and from thence to accompany him with the petition to the house — meaning by so numerous an appearance to give weight to it, or enforce it more effectually. The rabble, many of whom were signers, likely enough for the most villainous purposes, for with such the more mischief the better sport, joined, making no less a number, it is credibly said, than forty thousand ; a number of such characters, and under such circumstances, truly alarming ; '■^f' #' ,«v 256 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. from hence they paraded through the borough of Southwark and along London streets, at iirst it is said orderly, but no sooner had they reached palace yard than they filled that and all the avenues leading to the house. Throwing off the mask, they bawled aloud for liberty and the Protestant religion ; and now their insolence began, for many members of both houses undistinguishingly re- ceived .narks of their indignant rage ; some were stopped and threatened, otherwise abused and assaulted, pulled out of their car- riages, and glad to get off without hats, wigs, with lacerated gar- ments and flesh-wounds ; whilst many were happy to retreat unhurt and absent themselves from the house for that day at least. The distinguishing badge they wore ^7as a blue cockade, which the president, Lord George, had the boldness to wear in his hat to the house, but being espied, he was desired, nay, even menaced, and with reluctance suffered it to be taken out. The most sober, and many such, doubtless, there were among them, retired peaceably and in good order ; but the rabble, by far the greater number, having raised themselves into a frenzy, for fire you know is kindled by collision, adjourned, resolving to plunder and destroy the houses of those who from liberal principles had promoted a relaxation of the supposed too great rigor of the act of William and Mary against papists, that had been for many months the occasion of a paper war on the subject, and excited a real or pretended terror in the minds of many who were, or affected to be, afraid of the increase and prevalence of popery. The houses of these and some unoffending Roman Catholics fell a sacrifice the first day to their rapine and malice ; what became not plunder, was destroyed, or devoted to the flames. In the number were Sir George Saville's, a most wor- thy character, a steady whig, and an anti-ministerialist, but being a friend to taxation, and a man of property, was a suitable subject, and worthy of these sons of liberty and supporters of the Protestant cause to exercise their patriotism upon. The second day, Lord JMaiisfield's house employed their patriotic labor ; his valuable library, pictures, and household goods, to the amount of near thirty thousand pounds, were plundered, broken, destroyed and devoted to the flames ; — among other things, was a large collection of manuscripts on various subjects, of immense loss to the world, it is said. In short, as Lord Loughborough, late Mr. -^ F •■»'■' ^►i- * ,.^ .,.^- •% #•■ 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 257 M Wedderburne, says, seventy-two houses and four prisons are now lying in ruins ; of the latter, the fine new building of Newgate- street prison, King's Bench, Clerkenwell, and Surry Bridewell ; from whence were let loose all the debtors and felons who assisted in promoting those atrcjious crimes, for which they were soon to have suffered the justice of the laws. Had they directed their aim at the Bank the first or second day of their rage, it is to be feared they might have annihilated the books, papers, and records : — a blow that might have shaken government to its centre, and in- volved the nation in evils too horrid to mention. The third day it was attacked ; providentially, the fate of a score or two, and a strong party of dragoons and light-horse surrounding the palla- dium, saved it from the merciless claws of these ravening wolvf^s. For three or four days, ten to fifteen houses were seen at one time in the centre of the metropolis lighted up by design ; and o ^j- plete this most abhorred plan of destruction, a design was lori.ied to cut off the new river pipes, but, in the moment of execution, it was most happily prevented. Thus this great city and the government are still preserved, monuments of divine forbearance : — it hath pleased Him who saith to the boisterous waves of the sea, " hitherto shalt thou come, and no farther," to put a stop to the rage and madness of the people, and for the present to control the malicious designs of our inveterate enemies ; for, that the ravages of the late banditti took their rise from abroad, has a face of probability. Though I cannot take upon me to warrant the following or any paragraph in the newspapers to be the word of Apollo, it is yet confidently asserted in them, that " a gentleman lately arrived from Holland has affirniled that he heard the French ambassador there declare openly, that London would be laid in ashes within a month." So deep was the plan, and so seriously in earnest to ensure complete destruction, that such situations and kinds of business were pitched upon, as afforded the must combustible materials for supplying a fierce flame, as oil-dealers, distillers, warehouses, &c. ; but a kind interposing Pro- vidence stopped the devouring fire, and all is now once again settled, quiet, and, it is to be hoped, safe. To secure which, and overawe the p/ofligate and daring, enough of whom all great cities abound in, a large encampment is still continued in Hyde Park of 33 il Hk *■ ' "■■*" ♦■ JOUBNAI, AND LETTERS. [1780. light-horse, dragoons and foot, and are to be kept up during the summer; besides a party (notwithstanding the city mayor and patriotic gentry's remonstrance about city rights,) patrolling and keeping guard in London, to the great annoyance and terror of the turbulent and dangerous. Bath and Bristol were intended to have been theatres whereon to have exhibited the future acts of the same tragedy. At the former, the Roman Catholic chapel and the priest's house were purged of all their effects that fell within the claws of these de- structive harpies, and the combustibles they committed to the unre- lenting flames : but a party of the Hereford militia, and a troop of dragoons, being at callable distance, seasonably arrived to prevent further mischief. The latter city, by a vigorous internal police taking early precautions, dispersed a threatening storm ; three or four hundred banditti, collected in St. James's parish in this city for the patriotic purpose of rapine and burning, were, by a well timed early association, scattered and driven back to their dens ; all the well disposed arming and patrolling through the streets for several nights. During this miscreantic insurrection, Judge Sewall, Samuel Sewall, and myself, were on an excursion in the country, •wherein we dropped on the abode of our townsfolks, Samuel Por- ter and Captain Poynton ; the former carrying indelible marks of personal identity, the latter of an amazingly increased bulk and gouty habit ; their present abode is Shrewsbury. I rather envy than lament our worthy friend, Mr. McGilchrist, who is now in a more peaceable neighborhood, I dare say, than that he has quitted, and I fancy without regret ; would that you and I were with him, resting, perhaps, in undisturbed quiet till the last grand tribunal scene shall open, and restore the sleeping dust to life and activity ; or, perhaps, roving in the unbounded fields of imii^ensity, exploring and admiring the astonishing operations of omnipotence. Kno\V you that the two great objects of American odium are now no more :• — Governor Bernard died some time since, and lately Governor Hutchinson ; suddenly, as he was stepping into his carriage. Mr. Timmins has recovered from a very severe fit of sickness, and has taken up his residence with his family at Chelsea, for the benefit of the air. My future abode will be at London, or its r*. 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 259 neighborhood. Letters will reach me there addressed to be left at the New England Coffee-House, Threadneedle-street. With great esteem, your assured friend, S. CURWEN. July 16. Attended worship at College; Mr. Porvis, one of the prebends, preached a very ingenious discourse ; afterwards I was told it was not of his own composing ; as it is not an unusual custom among the Episcopal clergy to read others' performances in the pulpit. Afternoon saw Mr. Coates, who repeated his son's invitation to tea, and on returning home, finding no one waiting for me there, directed my footsteps to Bank-terrace, meeting a mul- titude, as is ever the custom on pleasant Sundays. July 18. From this day we have an addition to our family of my countryman Nicholas Lechmere ; supped with him and a friend of his named Maddocks. July 19. Just finished a long letter to my friend Mr. Pjnchon, inclosing Lord Loughborough's speech to grand jury on St. Mar- garet's hill at the trial of some of the London rioters. July 23. Afternoon walked with N. Lechmere over Durdham Down to Ostrick ; crossed over to Cooke's Folly, a tower on the banks of the Avon. July 30. Drank tea at Mr. R. Lechraere's and after a social tete-a-tete walked with him, and lady and daughter and brother to College Green, where joined four Americans. Wrote to advise my friend Timmins of my intention to bid adieu to Bristol, and make London my residence till I shall be no more, for I despair of ever leaving this island. August 2. By invitation dined at Mr. R. Lechmere's with Admiral Graves' lady, etc. August 3. Mr. N. Lechmere accompanied me to the stage for Bath, where took leave. Found a female of fourteen only passen- ger. At Temple-gate were joined by the well known Mr. Heathin, late of Honiton in Devonshire, with his maiden sister ; the former very loquacious, who without partiality seems a compound of strong sense, knowledge, vivacity ^nd vanity. ****** jyiy attention was drawn to his reading the quack doctor's speech to the gaping mob, his attendants, in Launcelot Greaves, written by the late Dr. w 260 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. ;l Smollet ; he solicited my interest with Mr, Nathaniel White, whose preaching I had attended, and proposed still to attend at old Jewry, in order to procure for him the use of his raeeting-house on Sunday evenings for lecture. At six o'clock alighted at Castle inn, Market- street, Bath. After tea, taking a ramble met my said loquacious f jllow-traveller ; joining me, proceeded to a long walk in a lonely road, of which he seemed glad to avail himself to recount his own adventures. Baihf Avgust 4. Arose at seven o'clock, and joined by a Mr. Graves, a young clergyman of Suffolk, whose obliging, social be- havior rendered him an agreeable companion. On the road, about half way to our first stage, a parson named Goddard overtaking us, alighted from his own horse, delivered it to a servant, and entered our carriage, adding a third to our company. For the first half hour, our two Oxonians kept to themselves the whole conversation, wherein were disclosed many clerical and academic tales, stories, and anecdotes; among others I recollect ihe following: — Dr. Barton, dean of Bristol and rector of St. Andrews, Holborn, who was, according to British mode of expression, dark, meaning stone- blind, being of a humorous disposition and great self-command, having a mind to entertain himself, invited four eminent persons in the same desolate condition as he was, to a dinner, none other being present but the servants. These were Sir John Fielding, of as eminent a character in the juridical line as perhaps any man in the civilized world ; Mr. Stanley, the well known musician, and others whose names I forget. After partaking of a joyous feast, they took a humorous leave and departed. At eleven o'clock we alighted at the Black Lion in Devizes, where, after taking refresh- ment, I walked forth to ramble, and espied a sign, for quaintness of its device here noted. On the sign were painted five men, well knpwn by the name of the "^ue alls ;" the first in order, accord- ing to present mode of arrangement of church before king, stands the parson in bis sacerdotal ibus ; he prays for all : second, the lawyer, in his gown, band, and tie-wig ; he pleads for all : third, the soldier in uniform, with a fierce countenance; he fights for all: fourth is a physician, with great wig and solemn phiz, and boluses and julips in his hand ; he kills or cures all : the fifth and last is the farmer, with his settled, thoughtful countenance ; he pays for all. Nftli ^ 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 96t Leaving this place, with fresh horses, arrived at " Great Castle^' inn, Marlborough, at two o'clock ; distant thirty-two miles from Bath. This inn is famous through England for grandeur of struc- ture, it having been a nobleman's mansion-house ; the excellence and expensiveness of its accommodations, provisions, etc., are of the highest style. Passed grounds wherein is a mount made by art, the ascent to the summit in a spiral line of so gentle a rising as to be imperceptible, in length half a mile, though encompassing it but four times. The mount does not exceed a hundred feet diame- ter, nor more in height ; the top is a plain, planted with trees, from which is to be seen a distant view of the town, consisting of one long street and a few short ones at right angles. Newbury, our next stage, is a long town, consisting of buildings in middle and lower style, decent and in good repair ; has one Episcopal church and four dissenting meeting-houses. Its inhabit- ants are avowed friends of American liberty, and disavowers of the war. Departed hence at seven o'clock, slept at the " George inn," Reading, a large, handsome, well-built town, principal of this fine county (Berkshire) ; from hence to Colebr ook, where I stayed again and dined ; then travelled my last stage, London, be- ing set down at the Swan inn, Holborn bridge, at the end of Fleet- ma /•':et, at six o'clock. After a short rest, daylight still remaining, as it did some hours after, I walked forth to view the ruins of Mr. Langdale's house, etc., almost adjoining the inn; proceeding forward to Newgate, but little distance, which was lying in a deplorable state of ruin, destroyed by the mob. I returned back to my inn, filled with honest but fervid indignation, which ought to warm the breast of every peaceable well wisher to order, laws, safety, and the rights of individuals : sleep put an end to my mortifying reflections. • *' 'Ml • ■mm JOURNAL AND I. RTTKRS. [1780. '■#■♦ f" i 1. CHAP TEH XIII. * LontUm, .'hig.H. Kiijj;ngt'(l lodr ■ ,;s at Mrs. ('ouncd's, No. 22 Castlc-strcet, Falcon -scjunie. TO HON. JONATIlAiV SEWrtLL, HRISTOL. London, Aug. 14, 1780. Dear Sir : I liave bi'cu tolil by Mr. Jos. (Jrecn ami his wife, anil with such an air of sorioiis earnestness as to lead inoahnost into a belief of it, that advice had last Saturday been brought to town by a vessel said to have arrived frt)ni America, that on the 19th of May, the moon being just then beyond the full, the sky clear and unclouded at sunrise, and to all appearance promising a fine bright day, con- tinuing some time in this state, when all at once a sudden darkness ovcrspreail the face of the heavens, and so palpably thick was it, that candles were lighted in the houses during its continuance till three o'clock in the afternoon, to conduct the common concerns and intercourse of life. A short interval of light or twilight ensued, but was succeeded by a tenfold darker night than was ever known. Perhaps I am misinformed ; if you have not heard of this extra- onlinary and uncommon phenomenon, suspend your belief till bet- ter or no information Ibllows, or in the former case a fuller and more particular relation shall be made. Time, the great revealer of secret things, will soon convince you of its truth or falsehood. I am not myself determined in my opinion ; the belief of uncommon events requires strong evidence ; should this be true, you have astrologers, soothsayers, magicians, and wise men enough among you to explain its meaning. Very truly, your friend, S. Curwen. f'i 1780.] J O U It N A I, AND I, K T T K II S . 263 TO COL. WILLIAM HROWNK, COVVIUlIIXiF;. London, Jlufrusl 16, 1780. Dear Sik : The contents of my last were chiefly to a(:«iuaint you of the re- ceipt of a letter from our common frieiul, Mr. Pynchon, (luted Salem, May 3. I shall now give you a part in his own words : *' I am i)lcase(l at having so safe a conveyance, but should be njore HO could 1 write with freedom ; as I canuot, you will make allow- ances for my s<'rawl, I may, 'iowevrr, uc(|uaint you that your family and friends arc in he dMi, and liear v/ith cheerfulness and fortitude the rubs, jostlings .r d vexntions of turbulent times j they are wishing to nta you, ir te)! you a hundred thintjs which might make you laugh, admire, oml sotr.'t'times stare. During tlie winter we have been blocked up with snow ; the oldest inhabitant re- mendiers not such qua ititios of it on the earth at any one time. IJut we arc now thaw "d out, and h<:[fin to rejoice that the price of wood is fallen from $A/)(i \o $'3,00 a curd. Had (/tlier necessa- ries been proportioiiably doar, some of us might wdl wish for a return of the good old tiraes, as they arc now caited ; and those whose enormous heaps have riade thum :asy and insolent, might wish for a continuance of the concisions by which they grew in the Frenchman's style, " hornbhnunt ric'ies' Our worthy friend Mr. M'Gilchrist foretold that he should not live to see an end of it, and feared that few of his old friends would ; he has gone into the vale, a true prophet — he left us on the 20th April. His patience and fortitude continued to the last ; his sickness and death were of a piece with his life, and that you know was a lesson of virtue. He delayed making his will a little too long ; some of his preju- dices and resentments appeared on that occasion. He gave to " the Society for propagation of the gospel in foreign parts" all arrears coming to him, being three years' salary, and his part of the donation made for missionaries who had suffered in these times. I often wish to hear of Col. Browne and others of our town - men and friends there." In answer to a letter of mine some time ago, mentioning the evils of exile at my time of life, he says, " What would your feel- ings have been, ray good friend, if while here you had lost your business, all your debts, the fruits of many years' labor ; had been l. a, . ■ u IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 no 1^ us u 1 40 2.5 2.2 12.0 1.8 U ill 1.6 ^. V. <^ /a ^1 /A w^w o 7 Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 "f^^r *» ii>f.M ri • 264 # JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. driven to sell your house and land for the payment of debts and ex- penses, and the remainder had sunk in your hands fifty per cent ; and that though thus reduced, you could not freely nor safely Avalk the streets by reason of party rage and malevolence, and the uncon- trolled 'rancor of some men." A wretched and truly pitiable condition this ! a just picture, I fear, of American popular liberty. Dr. Charles Russell died at Antigua last June, and his brother James, who by lucky captures by a letter of marque has realized fifteen thousand pounds sterling, is soon to be settled a Bristol merchant, and bound in the matrimonial chain to Mr. R. Lech- mere's second daughter, Mary, whom I think a fine, well accom- plished lady. Mr. Jo. Green and wife told me the story of a dark day having occurred in New England, on the 19th of May, such as was never before known ; — in order to maintain the common in- tercourse of life, candles were lighted and kept burning. For my own part, though I am no believer in omens, I cannot but take this to be a most extraordinary and terrifying event. Darkness, in the onei- rocritic art, denotes distress, anguish, trouble, loss, sickness, death, and the whole train of evils, physical and moral. Perhaps the fearful among our country folks may find in themselves a disposi- tion to be reconciled to the thoughts of a reconnection with this country, which seems more likely to force terms on them than since this foolish, needless, baneful quarrel commenced. Here, or in this neighborhood, I propose to continue till I shall take my flight to the upper regions, or descend to the shades below ; for I am quite unsettled in my own mind whether a state of activity or insensibility shall fill up the interval between death and the fu- ture state of endless existence. My respectful compliments wait on Mrs. Browne and son ; and ardently wishing you and them the highest felicity, I remain. With great esteem. Your faithful friend, S. CURWEN. P. S. Mr. Francis Waldo, who will soon be with you, will inform you of the troop of New Englanders resident in Bristol. August 18. Took a long, solitary ramble through Charter- house-square, thence through Gray's-Inn-lane to Clerkenwell-green, r.. ' f ■*r-»- 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTKKS. 265 therein is a building not before seen or heard about, called New Hicks Hall, or Middlesex Sessions House, a large and handsome structure; thence through Smithiield and Long-lane, a narrow, dis- mal, dirty street, to Aldersgate-street. August 19. Called at Francis Waldo's lodgings in Pall Mall, and at Arthur Savage's in Brompton-row, and left a card for the absentees ; not a little jaded by the circumambulation. August 20. At Westminster Abbey ; the vergers not thinking proper to offer me a seat, I left the choir, and, like the multitude, passed the hour of devotion in gazing at the monuments and read- ing inscriptions. From thence passing through cloisters, pro- ceeded to Dean's court, inclosed in part by Westminster school buildings ; returning back, stayed in choir during part of prayer and sermon, and passed half an hour in poet's corner. Thence to St. Margaret's church, the preacher having just then ascended the pulpit ; I was minded to stay, but these church-servants neglecting to open a pew door for me, I soon departed homewards. August 23. To artiliery-grouTid to view n)anoeuvres of the military association, who performed manual exercises, firings, and evolutions commendably. My curiosity, though still active, is soon satisfied ; nor Ho I find a more convincing proof of its increasing imbecility, if the expression be not improper, than in this par- ticular. % FROM HON. JONATHAN SEWALL. Bristol, August 22, 1*80. Dear Sir : By a letter from Mr. Waldo to Mr. Simpson, the account of the miraculous darkness at Boston had reached Bristol before I was favored with yours. The story I firmly believe to be true, but like many Jewish stories in the Old Testament, I take it not in a /i^era/, but in a metaphorical or allegorical sense. Take it as an allegory, and it is easily to be credited ; but as this kind of writing is now become rather obsolete, it is necessary to premise, that under the present tyranny in America, no man there dares write upon politi- cal subjects in •plain English ; if he writes at all, it must be in dark enigmas, and in this scriptural style I presume the letter from 34 »•>».• .,-^:. i266 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1780. ...f which you derive your intelligence is written. Interpret it thus The writer wished to let his friend here know what effect the news of the reduction of Charleston had upon the minds of the Boston rebels, (or saints, if you like that word better,) but he dared not communicate his intelligence in a language intelligible to all, and therefore chose to give it in an allegory, trusting to the sagacity of his friend, who, being a New England saint, as I presume, he doubted not was well enough versed in Old Testament allegories, to translate it into literal English, and thus it is : — On the 19th of May, by a private hand, the news arrived of the surrender of Charleston, and though at sunrise the sky was clear, and promised a fine day, i. e., they were till that morning assured Clinton would be defeated, y^t this fatal news at once darkened their bright pros- pect and induced a gloomy horror, so that candles were lighted in their houses, — i. e., Adams, Hancock, Dr. Cooper, and other rebel leaders went from bouse to house to assure the people the news could not be true. This was the short interval of light, or twilight,' that ensued ; but soon after, on the same day, or perhaps the next, (for allegories, you know, do not and need not go on all fours,) an express arrived with an official account confirming the dark tale, and then the twilight was succeeded by a tenfold darkness — a dark horror and blackness of despair fell on all. This is my in- terpretation. Si quid novisti redius istis, candidtts imperii ; sinon, his utere mecum.* It is consoling, pro tempore, at least. Tr sense of the story, you are not hummed nor misinformed, bi' only, like many other commentators, misinterpret. I cannot devise the meaning of your quaint device at thedevizes, unless the Jive alls intend five shoemakers, but this seems too far-fetched to deserve even the epithet of" quaint ;" perhaps were I to see the figures in their characteristic attitudes, I might make a better guess ; but with my present data, I give it up, and wish you would explain it, or if you choose to try my genius at expounding enigmatical paintings, which, I assure you, is but a sorry one, give me the characteristic attitudes ; paint it to me as it is, and I'll try again. I am mightily pleased with the news of the day : La Nymphe • " Pray adopt it ; unless you can suggest a better one." "*» -■ - ^.rqv- ■*tj 1 1^- ''^-m m;-'-*^ •^M m% 1780.] JOURNAL ANU LETTEKS. 267 taken by the Flora, which must be true, and the French seventy- four g'ln ship by the Bienfaisant, which, as I always hope the best, I hope is true ; besides a frigate taken and carried into Halifax, which I likewise hope is true. I rejoice also that Admiral Geary is arrived in the Channel. I hope the eighteen Russian men-of- war will be taken into safe custody, and held till we are sure they can do no mischief. Were I his Majesty's premier, I would not for a moment trust a b of a queen, who could murder her hus- band and mount his throne— there's no trusting such a jade ; if she means fair, her ships are safe in our hands ; if, on the other hand, as is most probable,, she means, in conjunction with France and Spain, to play the devil, obsta principiis ought to be our motto. Nip her in the bud, secure these eighteen ships, and her marine power is annihilated — and considering the brimstone, besides mur- dering her husband which I would never forgive, has been the in- stigatrix of the northern association, why the deuce should we stand upon ceremony with her 1 Why should England regard the laws of nations, while every power in Europe is setting them at defiance 1 No, no. Providence, or their evil genius, has put them into our hands, and all nature will ridicule us ;f we let them escape. I hope his Majesty, God bless him. Lord North, Lord Sandwich, and all the lords of the council, God bless them all, seethe thing in the light I do j if they do, I am sure the Czarina's eighteen ships will soon be manned by British seamen, and added to the British fleet. Her consummate impudence in sending her fleet into our harbors, after the infamous step she has taken, and our own security, the first of all laws, will amply justify us. Tell Lord North what I say when you see him next. I should not have troubled you with my scolding at the Empress of Russia, (against whom I have no personal enmity, except a lit- tle for the murder of her husband, which I think concerns all hus- bands,) had I not learned when I got half down the other side, that Danforth goes for London on Thursday, by w^hom I can send this, so that a cover will cost you nothing. With very little malice against the Czarina, and none against any other of God's creation, I am your sincere friend and humble servant, J. Sewall. Mr. Curwen. •» *"■ '" ' "^'iW:, "- -^v . ^ ■ .ifr'TfWTf ^^' TiT^ ■■ ♦ 268 t JOURNAL AND LETTERS. FROM HON. WILLIAM BROWNE. [1780. Cowbridge, Wales, August 22, 1780. Dear Sir : I give you many thanks for your kind favor just received, and gladly avail myself of your kindness to forward the inclosed, as ad- dressed. I have also to acknowledge the receipt of two former letters, which have long lain before me, waiting for spirits to sup- port the ennui of writing a single line. In short, to tell you a truth, our prospects with regard'to America were till lately so un- promising, my finances were so small, my family and expenses so increased, that, added to the common catalogue of vexations which attach themselves to us all, more or less, every exertion became a burden, and I had nothing to do to be easy but to do nothing and care for nobody. Better expectations have produced better spirits, and brought with them better dispositions. It is with pleasure then that I wish to revive a correspondence with an old and much esteemed friend. It has puzzled all the wise men of Cowbridge to divine from what part of London you have dated your letter; va- rious are the conjectures, some humorous and some plausible, but none satisfactory ; so we have agreed to suspend our speculations until we could consult the mhabitant of this unknown region. I thank you i'or the extract from Mr. Pynchon's letter. A de- tail of their sufferings would give us pain if they were all strangers; how much more then when we have so many friends among them ? It brings, however, this pleasing refltction, that we made a wise choice in leaving them. Whf^n you have collected an authentic and satisfactory account of the phenomenon you mention to have happened at Boston,* I wish you would communicate it, with its circumstances, consequences, and impressions, unless it should first appear in some public print. I think you do perfectly right to make choice of London for your residence the coming winter. It is the only place in which a single man can spend the gloomy months with any satisfaction. I wonder as much that more of our countrymen do not resort there at that season, as that so many of them continue there when they * Dark day. AT 4 1780.] JUtlBNAL ANU LETTERS. 26! t ought to be sporting in green fields and by the side of purling streams. Sed trahit sua quemque voluntas* I lately received a line from Mr. Porter, describing, in the most gaudy colors imaginable, the happiness to Avhich his situation has introduced him, encouraging all the world to come to Shrewsbury, and promising every felicity that the golden age could ever boast of. What strange mortals we are ! Some men are always happy where they are, some where they have been, and some where they shall be ; and yet we are none of us satisfied with either past, pre- sent, or to come. I wish I could remove your doubts about the in- terval you mention, for then I could also administer some satisfac- tion to myself. At present I have only that of subscribing myself, dear sir, Your affectionate friend, Wm. Browne. Mr. Cukwen. August 25. Visited the ruins of King's Bench prison and Sur. rey bridewell, sad proofs of popular folly and violence j the formei repairing. TO THOMAS RUSSELL, ESQ., BOSTON. London, August 25, 1780. Dear Sir : I am ignorant in what light my silence to you may appear; indeed, I am not satisfied of the propriety of it myself; however, I doubt not your candor, when I declare upon honor, that want of real esteem and regard was not in the remotest view a cause. Your obliging favor demanded an answer and thanks ; do not say it is too late now, for 1 now offer them with equal warmth and sin- cerity. I presume Lane and Fraser have long since informed you that I availed myself of your friendly offer, that did me an essential service ; but having determined not to mention any circumstances relative to business in letters, for very obvious reasons, to which I have steadily adhered, you will therefore please to excuse any thing further on this head. Would that the safety of intercourse between the two countries by letter was greater, but God only • " Every one follows the bent of his own inclinations." # *■ ^270 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. I t knows when a period will be put to this execrably baneful war. I fear it is hardly arrived to half its length, unless this country gives up the chase, for the obstinacy of the Americans supplies the want of resources. Yesterday news arrived of the most melancholy complexion. Our western-bound fleet, the convoy and one ship only excepted, fell into the hands of the French and Spaniards, consisting of forty-nine merchant ships, transports and victuallers, including five outward-bound East Indiamen. This is the most capital blow England ever felt by an enemy at sea j particulars in papers that accompany this. Of the penchant of noble and wealthy ladies to vie with their partners of the other sex in the laudable pursuit of gaming, etc., take the following instance: At the time of my first arrival in London, a house opposite Governor Hutchinson's, in St. James'- street, was then finishing, called " S^avoirvivre," being a gaming- house of the highest modern taste, perhaps much more magnificent in architecture and furniture than English America can boast, and designed for gentlemen exclusively. The ladies' pride being piqued, they bought up that which the governor lived in, and the two on either side of it, and though in excellent repair, demolished them, erecting in their room one in the same taste as its opposite neigh- bor ; and to this day these two temples are devoted to the worship of the blind deity. Fortune, on whose altars are nightly sacrificed thousands, besides the peace and support of many of her foolish and equally blind devotees. These, among a multitude of other instances, are proofs and memorials of the expensive taste and di- versions of this age and country. Messrs. Byles and Brattle having been refused a residence in *v their own country, renders my return (who I presume stand not so fair as either of them) more doubtful, or rather more impracticable ; and though it has ever been the first and the last wish of my heart to return, and you know that very well, I presume you think a per- mission not obtainable, having received no encouragement on that head. Most ardently and sincerely wishing you every blessing, I am, with love to Mrs. R. and little family, Your obliged friend, S. Curwen. # # ^. • 1» 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. FROM HON. JONATHAN SEWALL. S7 W Bristol, Avg. 24, 1780. Dear Sir: Since I wrote you by Mr. Danforth, Mr. R. Temple and family have arrived here in thirty-two days from Boston, from whom I learn that the story of the dark day is literally true; but, as they relate it, the phenomenon was truly wonderful, far beyond my comprehension. They say the morning was not as you state, fine and clear, but rather lowering and drizzly, though far from dark ; that at nine o'clock an uncommon darkness came on, without any appearance of a thick cloud. Mr. Temple said it seemed as if a veil was drawn over them, which he seemed to look through, and see the heaven beyond it. The darkness increased till they were obliged to light candles, and this continued till three o'clock, when it lightened up a little ; but before sunset the darkness returned, and the night resembled the darkness of Egypt, which might be felt. It was so intense that many persons in Boston and the coun- try were bewildered in going from house to house where they were intimately acquainted. They say that during the darkness in the day, the green grass appeared of a dark blue color ; and on the next morning, both the water and land were covered with a dark greasy or oily substance ; thitthe darkness extended northward, as far as Hudson river; and westward, as far as they had heard from — I say as far as Lake Champlain ; and that it was the devil spreading his wings over the northern rebellious colonies, and if they do not repent, the next time he will certainly fly off" with them all. I give you this account to atone for my infidelity in my last, and with all the allowance I can make for the subtle workings of the imagination. I confess, I am puzzled to account for the ap- pearance ; the young ladies, the Misses Temple, who were in Boston, say candles were lighted all the day in the shops and houses ; but in the evening, they were at a wedding-ball with a brilliant company ; which, if they don't exaggerate, would put me in mind of the inhabitants of the old world, who were eating and drinking, feasting and froli^king, till the flood came, &c. &c. They add another circumstance which increaseth the wonder; namely, that during the darkness there was not the least appear- 1!S^\ r .#r # ■•: • t • 272 JOURNAL ANn LITTERS. [1780. 1^ ance of fog, smoke or haziness. I wish you would consult that learned bo shillings in hard money." Or which is better, " the advertiser will work it up at the halves !" Yours very truly, Jonathan Sewall. August 26. Visited Mr. Jo. Scott : — dined at Mrs. Hay's, with James Harwood and S. Conant, (two young Americans, t m Jit I- 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTE^HS. 273 •r.-.J strangers to mc,) and was after joined by Mr. Thomas Danforth, the first time of sceinp; him since my return, he having been absent on a three months' excursion to the westward j he brought me a humorous letter from Judge Sewall. August 27. Met S. Walsh and Peter Johonnot. TO HON. WILLIAM BROWNE, COWBRIDGE, WALES. ^ London, August 29, 1780. Dear Sir : Mr. Francis Waldo's intended journey to Cowbridge on a visit to his sister, Mrs. Flucker, affords me opportunity of acknowledging receipt of your favor of the 27th inst. Yours endorsed to Mrs. Sargent will go off to-morrow for Holland under cover of mine; having ordered the bearer in case of capture, (though my letters contain neither treason, love^ nor politics,) to throw them into the sea ; yours will follow their fate. My present residence is not that of the gay and fashionable, and therefore unknown, suiting me in this state of degradation not a whit the less on that score. The different views and appearances that are daily arising in and about London, are as great and almost as frequent as the different phases of the moon in one of its revolutions, and render many spots and places a mere terra incognita, that to those who have been absent a few years were well known. For having about ten days since wandered to the further end of Mary le Bone, being designed to a distant quarter, on finding myself there, I inquired for the gardens which you remember to have been resorted to by company, and where fireworks were exhibited ; to my surprise the whole ground is laid out in streets and covered viih grand and elegant houses, and even beyond it. In this ramblr accident revealed a secret that has puzzled you and the wise men of Cowbridge, that probably I should otherwise never have possessed. Some months since a letter was addressed to me by James Russell, dated Manchester- square — the location of which was beyond the reach of my know- ledge or any of those I had consulted, having never before heard of it ; chance, however, in this ramble directing my steps among rows of new buildings, and directing also my eye to a corner house in an unfinished square of noble structures, inscribed Manchester- iquare, this unimportant secret was thereby revealed. 35 « &' ^w 274 JOURNAL AND LITTERS. [1780. I am afrAid your sunshine of hiippiness is a little overclouded b}' the mortifyinp; advices in respect of our eastern and western fleets ; the oiost capital blow England ever received by an enemy at sea since King William's reign, fourscore years ago, wlien nearly four hundred sail were lost at one time. The loss is esti- mated at a million, I hope it will not be more. To this another stroke has succeeded in the capture of twelve Quebec ships, sup- posed next in value to the East-lndiamen outward. I observe that Samuel Porter, our townsman, has presented to your view a picture in gaudy colors, as you expressed it, of the felicity of his situation ; that he is pleased and contented, none has a right to doubt, for he affirms it, and he is a very honest fellow and knows his own feel- ings ; but our tastes, however, are various as our faces, and he doubtless has not made an improper choice for himself, though I dare say Judge and Samuel Sewall could tuU you it would not be a proper one for you or themselves ; an of that body of which he is head. She 'W^J- 1780.J JUUKNAI. ANU L!. rTKKS. 289 further added, that Mr. L. was a Socii ",in ; which T neither was disposed nor could I deny, referring; her to himself for u justifica- tion of his principles, as far as he con ' make it saiLsfiintory to her, if her curiosity or wishes led her to make further inquiries ; giving her a short relation of his conduct with respect > his forsaking the Church of England, whereof he W{»s a settled minister seven years ago ; but his scruples in relation to the divinity of Christ had forced '■ id , > relinquish a valuable living, and lucrative, honorable prc.t . ' ii *^at establishment, for an uncertain support among th'jse ufhis iwn more liberal sentiments; and his integrity had been :"waided here by this society. She seemed disposed to lengthen our conversation, but having said all I had proposed to impart at present, took a sudden leave. After tea, called on Mr. Dalglish ; whom, with his friend, I accompanied in a coach to " Carlisle House," at a Sunday evening entertainment, called the promenade, instituted in lieu of public amusement ; and to compensate for twelve tedious hours interval laid under an interdict by the laws of the country, yet unrepealed formally by the legislature, though effectually so in the houses of the great and wealthy, from whence religion and charity are but too generally banished. The employment of the company is simply walking through the rooms ; being allowed tea, cofiee, cho- colate, lemonade, orgeat, negus, milk, &c. ; admission by ticket, cost, three shillings ; dress, decent, full not required ; some in boots ; one carelessly in spurs happening to catch a lady's flounce, he was obliged to apologize and take them off. The ladies were rigged out in gaudy attire, attended by bucks, bloods, and macca- ronies, though it is also resorted to by persons of irreproachable character : among the wheat will be tares. The arrangement of the house is as follo^^ s : — From the vestibule where the tickets are received, the entrance is through a short passage into the first room, 01 a moderate size, covered with carpets, and furnished with wooden chairs and seats in Chinese taste ; through this the company passes to another of a larger size, furnished and accommodated as the former ; passing this, you enter the long-room, about eighty feet by forty ; this is the largest, and lighted with glass chandeliers and branches fixed to side walls, against which stand sofas covered with silk, — floors t orpeted. Hence tending to the left, you cross 37 ■ m^ ir^ 290 J O U K N A I, AND I, E T T K U S . [1780. m': M > the hall, and enter the wilderness or grotto, having natural evergreens planted round the walls ; the centre an oblong s()uare, about twenty-live toet long and fifteen broad, fenced with an open railing, a lew shrubs interspersed, flowering moss and grass; in one of the angles is a natural well, with a living spring, which the attendant told me was mineral. Fronting the entrance, in the centre, at the further end is a cave cased with petrifactions, stones artificially cut into resemblance of the former, and spars, with here and there a dim lamp so placed as to alford but an imperfect sight of surrounding objects. To the top of the arch leading to the cave, is an ascent of two Jlights of steps on each hand, and over it a room not unlike in form the cave below, painted in modern style in oval compartments, containing hieroglyphics and ancient sto- ries ; on the same elevation is a narrow gallery, continued on either side to about half the length of room, lionted near three feet high with an open Chinese fence or railing : — this room is about fifty feet deep by thirty wide, lighted as the others with varii'gated lamps, but rather dim ; next enter into two tea rooms, each with tables for Ibrty sets or parties. So far for my imperlect description of this house, wherein the well known JNIrs. Cornelly used to accommodate the nobility, etc. with masquerades and coteries. Dress of the ladies dillered witlely ; one part swept their track by long trails, the other by an enormous size of hoops and petticoats. The company usually resorting there about seven hundred, as the ticket receiver told mo ; — this evening the house was thronged with a good thousand. The rooms were filled, so that we could scarce pass without jostling, ijiterferiiig and elbowing ; for my own part, being old, small and infirm, 1 received more than a score of full butt rencounters with females ; — whether provision was not made for so large a company, or whatever the cause may be, it was full two hours belbre I could procure a dish of tea, after fifteen vain attempts, nor was I singular ; and when served, it was in a slovenly manner on a dirty tea-stand. I never saw a place of public resort where the company was treated with so little respect by servants ; even common tea-houses, whose charac- ter is far humbler, as" Bagnigge Wells," " White Conduit House," " Dog and Duck," etc., are in this respect preferable. It would be treating " Ranelagh" with great indignity to bring it into com- t— -^ *■-•«. 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 291 parison with this which is designed to supply its place during the long vacation of that Aishionablc resort ; nor are Vauxhall Gardens less than a thousand times beyond this in every eligible circum- stance, unless I saw it under peculiar disadvantages. Met i\'ter Frye and young William Epjjcs there ; also saw the Duke of (ineonshury, who I was told is a never failing attendant on places of dissipation, which his scseming age should, one might think, restrain him from such juvenile amusements ; but old habits arc strong, nnd too powerful to be resisted when long indulged. Tired of this scene I took myself ofF at the early hour of twelve, and bidding adieu to Carlisle House, after a few (garemcns arrived with no small content at my own lodgings. JYov. 14. While rambling, Montague House came in view ; it occurred to me to take another view of the Museum ; I entered and applied to Dr. Harper, the undcr-librarian, who referred me to the ticket porter for admission the following day at eleven o'clock. Arriving at home, Wm. Cabot drank tea with me ; S. Sparhawk came in afterwards, and abode two hours ; from whom I heard the first account of Arnold's intentional withdrawing himself and four or five thousand troops under his command from congressional service to the royal standard at New-York ; the failure of this scheme of treachery, and his lucky escape from his enemies' hands. From him also the relation of the seizure of Mr. Laurens' papers, late president of the Congress, and now a state prisoner in the tower ; giving an account of the desperate situation of their affairs, with complaints of failure of their resources, and their inability to support the war any longer without loans from Holland, France or Spain. The above comes from Benjamin Thompson,* a native of Massachusetts, (formerly an apprentice to my next door neighbor in Salem, Mr. John Appleton, an importer of British goods,) now under-secretary in the American department. J\})v. 15. Mr. Snelson calling at my lodgings by accident, I told him of my intention of visiting the British Museum, and took him with me. Dr. GifFord, the librarian, indulged me with the ad- mittance of my companions without a ticket. The company nu- merous, of both sexes ; several inquisitive and chatty ladies not a little heightening the entertainment. In the Harleian collection • Aftcrwanl? Count Rumford. :$ -flfj « * 5? *J, 292 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. was an ancient manuscript, near twelve hundred years old, most curiously illuminated ; a copy of Genesis in Greek capitals, written by Origen's own hand in a quarto size, inclosed in a beau- tiful tin-gilt box resembling that fold, containing only its remains, being unfortunately almost wholly destroyed in the Cotton library conflagration many years ago. On the same shelves were also many others of distant antiquity in the same wretched plight with this. Here also is the remains of the original Magna Charta, granted by King John at Runn} mead, part of which is scorched and illegible by the same catastrophe. An exact but not per- fectly fac simile copy stands by its parent's side, with the arms of those noble barons who extorted it from that unworthy prince, em- blazoned and surrounding it. Also that most valuable manuscript, the Alexandrian copy of the Bible, in Greek capitals, of fourteen hundred years' duration. Among the shell-fish kind is one of the smallest size, which looks like the vertebrae of a small animal, for which an Italian curioso paid three thousand sequins. Sir Hans Sloane at length became possessed of it for thirty pounds sterling ! Among pearls is one of the size of a pea, of a light purplish water, valued at five hundred pounds. So liberal of money are men of curiosity, that the last mentioned sum has been oflTered for it. The innumerable curiosities in the natural as well as artificial way, coming fast upon me, confounded my memory ; the latter destroying the traces of the former by the quickness of their transition. Dr. Gilford's respect- ful and cheerful attention is very pleasing ; he is eighty-one years old, lively and sprightly to an uncommon degree. I observed against the wall of the Cotton library a bust of Pope Benedict XIV., called from the liberality of his sentiments " the Protestant pope." In the room of antiquities received from Sir William Hamilton, and brought from Italy, is a vase having an inscription of Etruscan original, in the ancient mode of writing in Greece, soon after the importation of the sixteen letters liom Phenicia by Cadmus. JYov. 16. State lottery being to be drawn, curiosity led me to Guildhall, where a gallery for spectators is erected with seats, one of which I obtained for sixpence. The first object that struck me was a great number of clerks writing down the numbers of tickets and quality as they were proclaimed. The wheels were placed 1^" ^-.m^' r.-^- 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 293 on either hand upon a stage raised ahout six feet from the floor, at the bottom of the hall under Beckford's statue; between were seated the commissioners at a long table, and a boy at each wheel. After delivering the ticket the boy raises his hand above his head with fingers displayed open, and after two flourishes thrusts it into the wheel, delivering the tickets severally to the man on either side, who on cutting the tickets open, being tied and sealed, de- clares the number. To prevent future pranks from boys employed to draw out the numbers, a commissioner sits in a box directly opposite each boy and near him ; who besides is obliged on taking out each number to raise up his hand, holding the ticket between his fore finger and thumb, delivering it to the man, who after cutting it open announces its fate or fortune. Walked to New England Coffee-house to inquire after new lodgings; from thence to the Disputing Club at King's Arms Tavern, Cornhill ; the question to be spoken, for properly it was not debated, was, " Can the doctrine of polygamy, endeavored to be established by a well known divine in a late •publication, be defended on the principles of reason, religion, or sound policy ?" After many humorous and some solid arguments against it, in defence however of which no one stood up on Dr. Maddam the author's grounds, it was voted in the negative, one hand only in affirmative, produ- cing' a hiss or laugh of contempt and indignation. A gentleman whom I took to be in the law line, stood up and modestly said the argument had not had a fair discussion, as no one appeared but to condemn and reprobate ; and after an apology, presumed to sup- pose it might under certain regulations and restrictions by the legislature, in certain supposable cases, be allowed, whereby some evils, the too common attendants of matrimony, might be avoided without incurring greater evils. This met with not the least coun- tenance, yet the speaker, who was a well behaved man of know- ledge and ability, was treated with respect. It was moved that the company should publicly reprobate the doctrine, but prudential considerations prevailed to negative the motion. J^ov. 21. Left cards and compliments at Mr. Clarke's for himself and Mr. and Mrs. Copley, who are abroad. JVbu. 22. Mrs. Cowley, a celebrated playwright, dined with us ; she is a small, sprightly body. Evening at a new play called " Generous Impostor.^' ■#« ^'H I. 294 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. iK JVov. 23. Went to Crown Coffee-house to meet Mr. Arthur Savage, disappointed ; — proceeded to Westminster Hall — courts sitting. Saw Lord Loughborough for the first time since his title and presidency of the common pleas j he was single on the bench, being on trials after term. Saw Judge Buller on king's bench ; he appears shrewd, quick, ready, and promises for an active judge — this being my first sight of him since his advancement. JVov. 24. Taking out Mr. Dalglish, proceeded to Adelphi Hotel to visit, en passant, Col. Peter Frye and his daughter, Mrs. Oliver ;* after a short stay departed for Westminster Hall, the doors of neither Lords nor Commons being open ; returning passed through the Park, and met Samuel Sparhawk, who joined us to Spring Garden Coffee-house. JVov. 28. At Westminster Hall ; courts sitting. Mr. Justice Skinner, lately advanced to chief baronship on exchequer bench. Saw Mr. Justice Heath on common pleas bench, whom I knew and frequently saw a sergeant at Exeter, his birth place. JVov. 29. Six provinces out of seven of the Dutch union have acceded to the armed neutrality of the north, to prevent British search of neutral ships suspected of carrying naval and military stores to the enemy. Sunday, December 3. Walked up the Strand, when to my surprise I found myself all alone, not a person within sight, not a coach to be seen or heard ; which, considering the hour, (five P. M.) was singular. In this predicament I walked on a hundred yards or more; arrived at Spring Garden Coffee-house, and over a dish of tea read the Morning Post, containing letters of Generals Washington, Clinton, Arnold, and Major Andre. The latter, though pitied here, perhaps justly, is doubtless to be ranked in the class of spies, and his punishment, however censured here, was in my mind not undeservedly inflicted, and to be justified by the universal practice of all nations, civilized and uncivilized, on per- sons of that character. Dec. 4. At New England Coffee-house, where conversed for the first time with William Jackson, from whom learnt particular circumstances of harsh treatment he received from fierce partisans in Boston, Newburyport, etc. Dec. 5. Evening at Patagonian Theatre, Exeter 'Change ; a ♦ Atiorwards the wife of Sir John Knight. ff^^ 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 296 bauble of a thinp;. The show a burlesque farce, but I know not of what ; performance in puppetry, speakers below the stage and in- visible ; machinery awkward, scenery pretty. Among the auditors was Lord Molesworth. Dec. 12. Samuel H. Sparhawk called ; accompanied him to Ladies' Disputing Club, at King's Arms, Cornhill. A lady pre- sided and acquitted herself very coraraendably. Question : " Was Main or Eve most culpable in paradise ?" Mrs. President ad- dressed the assembly with great propriety, just accent and pleasing voice ; explaining the nature of the meeting ; justifying ladies ap- pearing to speak in a public promiscuous assembly. She was fre- quently applauded ; on ascending the chair, she turned round and gracefully saluted the company, discovering perfect self-possession, void of all embarrassment. The other speakers also acquitted themselves laudably, and were frequently clapped. Some spoke, I won't say argued, on one side, some on the other ; very little serious argument, unless declamation, quotations from Hudibras, etc. can be so denominated. The subject afforded matter for mirth, but the most serious speeches turned against the mother of us all. The concluding speech was foreign to the question ; the subject was the term " congress." The speakers were lively, and their wit and humor produced shouts of laughter. The principal speaker in- troduced her speech by observing that the word being understood here as implying rebellion, she at first apprehended American ladies were coming over in shoals to seduce the young gentlemen from our island ladies ; but after considering the subject, and being informed by a clergyman, to whom she applied for its meaning, had found that the word has a harmless signification, and had been used on this side the water in treaties of peace, as the congress of am- bassadors of belligerent powers atNimeguen, Aix-la-Chapelle, etc., that it is derived from a Latin word signifying a meeting together to compose or reunite discordant parties. She was pleased to hear it was not likely to give disgust to our state physicians, who were laudably employing their skill and labor in administering harsh medicines to the disordered members of our consumptive empire. After a series of lively observations, she closed by wishing success to the institution, and that it may do honor to female eloquence. Question being put, whether Adam was most in I'-ault, vote by three yi r- >^r 296 JOUKNAL AND LETTERS. [1780. hands only, negatived by one. Thus Eve stands acquitted in this female school of oratory of being the most guilty, though I fancy the major part considered as females are not so clear in the affir- mative. Mrs. Hayley, the great frequenter of all public city assemblies, was there. A small interruption happened by a dirty boy's mixing with the company ; the president declared her surprise at it. In all large public collections of people of mixed character, persons of unruly disposition are to be found, who will indulge themselves in undue freedoms, if it can be done with impunity. Dec. 14. Col. Browne called on me twice to-day in my ab- sence. Dec. 15. Called on Col. Browne and also on Arthur Savage ; both out, the latter gone to Bristol with William Cabot. In my way, met Thomas Hutchinson, whom I had not seen for four years. Dec, 17. Afternoon,accompaniedbyJohnParkhouse, I attended the famous Herries' chapel of ease, St. John square ; he preached in an animated style, with oratorical deliver)', to an audience crowded and respectable. Dec. 19. Called on Mr. R. Clarke, in company with Col. Browne ; we were invited to Mr. Copley's picture-room, wherein were two exhibition pieces, viz., Brooke Watson's wonderful de- liverance from a great shark that had twice seized him, and had bitten off one leg. The other piece, Copley's own family, compri- sing himself, wife, and three children, and his father-in-law, Mr. Clark. Here is also a large piece representing the House of Lords, when Lord Chatham, in the height of his patriotic zeal, was seized with a fit which proved fatal ; the piece represents the moment of his being raised from the floor on which he had fallen, and was lying in the arras and lap of the Duke of Cumberland, his son-in- law; number of lords sixty, in their dresses, attitudes, etc., either as they then stood, or as the painter fancied they might, faces taken from life as they successively sat for this purpose. It is to be en- graved for a print, deliverable next August twelvemonth, at three guineas each. Mrs. Hay appeared in view so very like, that the first glance announced for whom it was intended. After amusing ourselves for some time, took leave and separated at door. This day removed my lodgings to No. 10 Furnival's Inn court. Appear ai n is C( re Jc en by ye M bri ho an afl dis tin wi( %j w 1780.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 297 ances are for enjoyment here ; experience manifold has taught me not to rely on them, nor shall I draw up a verdict till supported by issue at departure. Dec. 20. William Jackson called, (he lodges at No. 5 this court,) and passed the evening till tea. Dec. 21. More snow has fallen than has been known to be on ground at once, or in same space of time, for many years. Dec. 23. Samuel H. Sparhawk called to let me know he had received letters from New England so late as October 19. Mr. Jos. Green died about three weeks ago. . Dec. 26. Called on Mr. Peters ; he was absent, being officially engaged at church, this being St. Andrew's day. Dec. 28. This is my birth-day, allowing for difference occasioned by altering the style. This day I have completed a circle of sixty-four years ; but to how little moral advantage, it humiliates me to think. May the short remainder of my probationary state be marked with brighter lines, and the review of the interval, the present and last hour of my rational life, when that awful and important hour shall arrive, yield me a comfort that the retrospect of the past cannot afford. Being at Furnival's Inn Coffee-house, Mr. Peters and a Metho- dist parson entered, joining company and conversation for a short time. Dec. 29. Paid my first mourning visit to Mr. Joseph Green's widow ; she seems greatly oppressed with grief. Dec. 31. Attended public worship at Essex-street chapeL s« *^ «. ■*'■■ 38 *j 298 JOUKNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. ^^a n CHAPTER XV. London, January 1, 1781. The first day of the new year ; may it please God to crown the endeavors of good men to bring about that desirable event, peace and quietness among the con- tending powers, before another annual revolution, to the honor and safety of - U concerned. Jan. 2. Dined at Barley-mow, Salisbury court. Meeting Harrison Gray, learnt the capture of the vessel in which S. Conant sailed from Holland ; she was carried into Cork. By this means, several letters I addressed to different friends are thrown into the abyss. Jan. 3. I know not whether the mercantile portion of the na- tion consider aught but present objects — view of gain by priva- teering — always successful at commencement of war. Ships of the enemy being generally unprepared for defence, fall an easy prey ; they therefore seem pleased with the spirited declaration of the sovereign, if it may be called, of war. Letters of marque and reprisal offered. By Lloyd's books three hundred Dutch merchant ships are taken and safely moored in our ports, and more than three thousand sailors. But this additional weight, added to that of France, Spain and America, already on our hands, the successful issue of which we seem to have but too much cause to despair of, calls for united bravery, intrepidity, and efforts that this nation has in times oflike imminent danger exerted, and by divine favor, with unexpected success. May we still experience the same kind and favorable interposition, and make more grateful returns. Dined in Sahsbury court. Samuel Sparhawk drank tea with me, and told me of my townsman Col. Browne's advancement to the gover- norship of Bermuda ; an unexpected elevation, and I doubt not acceptable to himself, encumbered, as he is, with a wife and three children. Jan. 6. Mr. Peters and Mr. Erving called j the latter's lodg- ings, Charlotte-street, Islington. *; 1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 299 Jan. 9. Accompanied Mr. Dalglish to Covent Garden Theatre ; comedy, Busy-body, — entertainment, the tasty performance of Freemason procession, — scenery pompous, former part to my taste unpleasing — Harlequin in dumb show ; why he is said to be a freemason, I cannot divine, unless investing him with a square, one of their badges, suspended by a ribbon and hung round his neck, so constitutes him. The skipping about of an antic dressed out in a merry-andrew's coat, his face covered with black crape, and a wooden sword by his side, put on for the purpose of show- ing how ready he is at drawing it forth to slap his brother antics on face, shoulders, etc. ; displaying the wonders of his transforming power in converting trunks, dogs, and chests, into watch-boxes, arbors, chimney-pieces, etc. ; his principal aim being to make grimaces and wry faces at his favorite Columbine, who, by the way, is a fine-looking girl, and made to be deeply in love with a fantastic ape, without one probable reason for it. These species of pantomime seem at present greatly in vogue ; to arraign the taste is perhaps conceited ; but this remark will never come to light, if ever, till, 1 dare say, it will be as despised as it is now relished, especially by the more enlightened class; as to the lower, they ever were and ever will be too gross for any entertainment above the lowest humor. I am, I confess, so totally void of all relish for such diversions, that I forbear condemning them, although I consider them as a proof among many others of the depravity of the pre- sent day. I would fain call it vulgar, but too many box spectators seem to enjoy it and join the galleries. I can't, however, but believe that all sensible persons do disapprove of these shows as unworthy, but dare not openly avow their opinion. The comedy was excellent, and well performed ; and much exceeds in point of wit, plot, etc., the, to me, flattish sentimental compositions of the present day, with a few exceptions. After the silly harlequin had skipped behind scenes, a most grand procession began, preceded by a standard of light red color, the ground of all the following ones : the first contained a scroll whereon was painted in large golden letters, ENOCH, the first grand-master ; his representative following, accompanied by two attendants ; ft a little interval ap- peared, NIMROD, second grand-master, with his representative and four attendants ; next was brought the front of the temple of # Wr # ■i I ■'»«L 300 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. f }: the Sun at Thebes ; afterwards, the great pyramid of Egypt and the sphynx ; then, front of the temple of Jerusalem, built by King Solomon ; Pharaoh's two daughters next followed, attended by their Egyptian and Jewish female and male servants, the high- priest properly habited, holding a pot of incense in his hand, — breast-plate, and other insignia on, — closing with a long stream of attendants and servants in rear ; next, front of Pantheon at Rome, the founder or repairer, for it is uncertain which, M. Agrippa's name in a list under the capital ; then, temple of Jerusalem, built by Herod, destroyed by Vespasian, represented as in flames ; next, William the Conqueror, and behind him was carried a prospective view of the tovrer of London, as if built by him ; then, Edward the Third, accompanied by his son clad in black armor, from thence denominated the Black Prince, — giving liberty to, and taking the chains off the legs of two captive kings, John of France, and James II. of Scotland, at the instance of his son, followed by a train of attendants ; the front of St. Peter's at Rome then succeeded, Julius II. having in his hand a crosier, and on his head a triple crown, — alluding to his regal authority : he was attended by a train of ecclesiastic ofhcers and servants, and had the keys hanging to his girdle, as lord chamberlain of the state-rooms in the upper regions, and jailer in the lower dungeons ;— and like Jac; Ketch, who sometimes has a practice of his own office tried on himself, it will be a wonder if some of the pontifical jailers, when others suc- ceed, have not the keys of lower apartments turned upon them. Next in order came Queen Elizabeth, dressed in royal robes, and attended by her servants, both state and domestic ; then fol- lowed King James, surrounded by court sycophants ; front of banqueting-house as it now stands, undefiled and undilapidated ; next, Guy Fawkes, in dress of his day, holding a dark lantern, — alluding to the gunpowder-plot, — he was forcibly seized and carried off J next followed Inigo Jones, the restorer of Greek and Roman taste in architecture, preceded by an ensign, having his name in a scroll, with the masonic letters D. G. W. ; then came Charles 11.- and attendants, followed by the front of St. Paul's, the present noble structure, founded in his reign ; at length appeared William and Mary, the former holding a sheet of paper with this inscription, Bill of Rights, — words that I wish could be indelibly impressed 1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 301 on the minds of kings, lords, commons, courtiers, nnd people of this island ; for, on the practical remembrance of this short sen- tence, depends the security of this unpanilleled constitution, which I verily fear is near its dissolution. Then followed the grand- master, seated in a magnificent alcove; then an arch, having an inscription, Jlncient Masonry ; then two pillars, on the top of each a globe, — on one the celestial, the other a terrestrial, — and on a list, by which they were kept steady, was inscribed Modem Ma- sonry. The last in the procession were Solomon and Pharaoh's daughter, seated on a throne of state, and over it a rich canopy raised by six steps ; on the bottom steps, on each side, stood two lions guardant, between them two young Egyptian damsels, dressed in white, — and on each side of the throne, all the principal per- sonages of the procession ranged, with standards displayed, made a grand and glittering appearance. A fine chorus was sung, and when ended, a universal shout of applause rang through the house, and the curtain dropped. Jan. 10. An extremely cold day, scarcely ever exceeded in New England ; abode within all day, glad to have a shelter, which many a poor wretch wants. I never felt stronger reasons for grati- tude ; may the sense of it ever remain on my mind, for sure I am it is a most pleasing sensation or feeling. Jan. 12. Mr. Timmins brought me a packet from Salem, by way of St. Kitt's, containing a long letter from Dr. Holyoke, and one from Richard Ward. Jan. 15. Colonel Erving and Mr. Arthur Savage called. Jan. 16. Visited Mr. Wiswall ; accompanied Mr. Dalglish, at his desire, to a visit at Samuel H. Sparhawk's. A second unsuc- cessful one to Mr. Hughes, who was keeping his birth-day at his sister Hutchin's. Jan. 17. Drank tea with Mr. Barnes, his lodgings, No. 5 our court ; in conversation till eleven. Jan. 19. Visited Treasurer Gray, — he absent ; his son John at home. S. H. Sparhawk and Mr. Barnes took tea with me, and passed evening ; former says a Mrs. Thompson, arrived from New England, informs that ])eople in Massachusetts utter complaints and discontents at Congress and the French without restraint ; — when common sense resumes its reign, as it usually does, sooner • ^4 1 J f) :! ♦ •■. 1 # 302 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. or later, (he scales which party zeal had clapped over the eyes of the deluded people will fall ofT, and they will discover the errors their own madness and ill-judged submission to lenders of selfish wicked schemes have seduced them into. She adds, continental dollar bills have, notwithstanding congressional authority, sunk to sixteen for one since their emission, though sent abroad for the express purpose of restoring their credit ; so ineffectual is human power to create something out of nothing ; also reports, that taxes are risen to such a height as to exceed the produce of the land. Those who have left America since the rupture, have brought ac- counts so exaggerated that renders it prudent to receive them with caution, and not give too hasty credit. However, that the people are oppressed with taxes, is notorious ; that they are in want of money, of the common essential articles, is also well known ; and personal safety is very precarious, etc. Nothing, I presume, but despair, under the power of an American and French army, can reduce this once happy people. May these destructive locusts soon be expelled from the face of the country, and selfish purposes be abandoned ; for the true interest of the English government con- sists in a friendly and indissoluble union of all its members. Jan. 21. To No. 8 Haymarket, to see Lieut. William Browne, (my friend Col. Browne's son,) of the 38th regiment ; he had departed for Portsmouth in order to take shipping for Gibraltar. TO JONATHAN SEWALL, ESQ., BRISTOL. London^ Jan. 23, 1781. Dear Sir : A few days since, I received a long letter from our common friend, Doctor Holyoke, who informs me that the winter of '79 — 80, exceeded any since 1740. It began before the middle of December, and it should seem, lasted till June nearly ; no vegeta- tion taking place till the last week in May ; that the snow con- tinued to fall till the 1 1th of January, when it was between two and three feet deep. Not a day in all January, nor till 10th of Feb- ruary, was it warmer at eight o'clock A. M. than twenty-eight degrees of Farenheit's scale, — which I fancy pretty thoroughly cooled them ; and, on the 29th of January, the mercury stood at six degrees below zero within doors, and abroad sunk two degrees f ^'"^pr^W^'^ 1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 803 lower. Under all our {listresses, we here enjoy, he says, one pros- pect promising public happiness in future : — four or five yeais since, less than halt' u pint of Siberian wheat was sown amon^^ them, producint; so incredibly, that, in the northern counties of New England especially, there is reason to believe the harvest this year will yield seed enough for the whole state another year. Notwithstanding the evil doings of our countrymen, are not you pleased to think they are likely to become independent of the southern colonies, and eat, like the inhabitants of the other im- proved countries on the face of the earth, Christian's food, and be no longer confined to that which everywhere else is raised only for the nourishment of horses and poultry 7 I am glad at heart, but fear that even this blessing, like food taken into a disordered stomach abounding in acrimonious juices, but the more increases its morbid state — for this unexpected supply, and at this juncture, will afford the crafty, political, and spiritual misguides among them but too plausible an occasion to trumpet forth this seemingly seasonable interposition of divine Providence in their favor, and confirm and harden them, amidst all their sufferings, in their infatuated destruc- tive resistance to a power as necessary in my mind to their safety and honor as a parent to his children in an infant state. Nor do I fancy it would be a difficult matter for the aforementioned gentry to persuade them that Moses and Joshua's prophetical declarations to the children of Israel, that they should possess a land flowing with milk and honey, and be filled with the finest of the wheat — the two former of which you know they had plenty enough before, — did ultimately refer to themselves, was typical of them, and was now accomplishing — so entirely do they seem to have surrendered up their understandings to the insinuations and influence of their guides. The last year's taxes in Massachusetts were more than commensurate to the produce of their lands, under the best improve- ment ; if the force that keeps them under such deplorable circum- stances is not insurmountable, their political folly exceeds any re- corded in history. With perfect esteem, your friend, S. CURWEN. ,♦■ •'I I ■'k *\< 1>V ill} *l ■•>&">•■■■ It. ', I ^,' >^. 304 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTII. [1781. London, Jan. 24, 1781. Dear Sir: Were I to write a theme, as you know was customary in the last years at our schools, anil should choose Tully's celebrated line for the subject, " cedant arma togff, conccdat laurea lingua" our Massachusetts might be quoted as an example. For amidst the din and clash of arms, the hurry, tumult, and confusion of war, as though they were enjoying the sweetest blessings of a well estab- lished, secure peace, the rulers of the present government there have instituted and incorporated a society for promoting literature and the liberal arts, etc., by the name of the " American Acade- my of Jlrts and Sciences'" of which the following is a short rela- tion, received lately from my friend Dr. Ilolyoke : " Our legisla- ture has lately incorporated sundry gentlemen in the several coun- ties, to the number of sixty, enabling them to hold real and personal estate, and has granted them other ample powers and privileges, for the purpose of promoting those arts and sciences which may be either useful or ornamental to society." To which he adds, " I doubt not, you will wish the society may flourish ; the cause of science being the cause of humanity." I do fervently wish its en- couragement and increase ; glad at heart that they have been dis- posed to promote any plan to soften that ferocity and hardness of heart which war, rapine, and plunder have lately spread among them, and which the wisest and most prudent among them have viewed with horror. I have never read this paragiaph in my friend's letter, but it reminded me of a line in Horace, unless I mis- take the author, Emollit mores nee sinit esseferos.* I was, for a time, at a loss to account for their choice of this particular period for such a purpose, considering the great and important business upon their hands of forming a new state, etc., but am now fully satisfied the foregoing hint was the true and pressing cause. Dr. Langdon has quitted the chair of the presidency of Harvard College, but for what reason I am not acquainted. The late emission of ^.aper by Congress cannot find credit enough to obtain a currency — the old bills are eighty for one. I remain truly yours, S. Curwen. ♦ Letters soften and refine the character. m 1781.] JOURNAI, AND LETTERS 305 TO ROWLAND SAVAGE, ESQ., HALIFAX. London, Jan. 25, 1781. Dear Sir: By mere accident, going to the " Blue Post,'" almost opposite my lodgings, I saw Mrs. Savage, which gave me great pleasure j by her I was informed of your appointment at Halifax, being the first intelligence concerning you since my ill-omened departure from America. Hope your post affords a genteel subsistence ; in these times, no unfavorable circumstance to refugees, in which case I most heartily congratulate you. Wishing you a supply and continuance of all needful blessings, I am your friend, S. CURWEN. t 3- # w. t ■4 Jan. 27. Mr. Barnes called on me to inquire about Colonel Erving's lodgings, Islington. Jan. 28. At St. Paul's — Dr. Whitfield preached ; company, as usual, small but respectable. Passed an hour at Gray's Inn Coffee-house ; received a list of the seized and forfeited estates in Massachusetts. Feb. 1. Dined at White Heart inn, Bishopgate-street, at Mr. Dalglish's invitation, in company with Messrs. H. Hughes, Hutch- ins, John Inman, and Whitlock. Feb. 5. At Westminster Hall, being the important day of Lord George Gordon's trial ; floor stowed as bale goods in a ship, and as closely packed. Soon took myself off, rather than hazard death by suffocation: — the collection was miscellaneous. Trial lasted till four o'clock next morning, when he was acquitted on the score of insanity. Feb. 6. Accompanied Mr. Arthur Savage to Clerkenwell, by his desire, to view an old secularized religious house, called Priory, now belonging to the Duke of Portland, tenanted by a carpenter and undertaker, who civilly accompanied us through ; there is now nothing remaining of old buildings but a small portion of cloisters, at the end whereof is cut, " Jordan Bridget, J\hirrell Bridget, founders, 1100." In a distant part are small remains of a wall, supposed to be in a state of decay, and the two arches, a larger and a smaller, the former ornamented, and both portions of a circle, 39 f- • vs » ■^i? 'P.*--^;, ^: ■vs. ♦ #■ --*•- 306 J U U N A I, AND r, K T T K K S , [1781. ■which form prevailed before the introduction of the Gothic or Nor- man styles. Returning from thence, turned into a court of several narrow alleys, filled with small liuttish kind of houses, the habita- tions of filth and vice, named Bluthcrry Alley, notorious for its con- stant supply of Tyburn. Ten have been dragged out from thence in one session, for thievery and other enormities, and graced the halter. Met our late Mr. Fisher ; I turned in with him to Mr. Hutchins' auction room, who was then employed in disposing of natural and artificial curiosities, from the South Sea, just imported in the " Resolution." Feb. 7. Visited Col. Browne and lady ; meecing Mr. Dalglish, took him with me, and after a short stay departed to Mr. Tim- mins's; thence to Mr. Arthur Savage's, Brompton-row. Feb. 9. Mr, Dalglish called for me to accompany him to Greenwich Hospital ; walking to Gracechurch-street, after half an hour's delay, entered stage and soon arrived there, and thoroughly examined it within and without. Dined in a detached room be- longing to a tavern in the town, built and projecting over the river Tnames, from whence is a view of the Isle of Dogs, Blackwall and Long Reach. Returned in stage; in our passage was told the fol- lowing : — an inhabitant of this town walks every day and has done so for some years back, fiom seven to eight miles, having measured within the period from whence the coniputation began to some months since, forty-five thousand miles. Evening at Croivn Tavern Lodge ; Quick, the celebrated comedian, was raised to masonry — a humorous, funny companion, who I fancy intends to entertain the public with the secrets of this society, Feb. 10. Accompanied Mr. Barnes to St. Nicholas College Abbey, 01.1 Fish-street. Dr. Porteus, Bishop of Chester, preached an excellent and elegant sermon, in style and composition, and pleasingly delivered. Feb. 13. Visited by Parson Pclersf, and Parson Clarke, late a townsman ; from a cold taken on board a prison ship in Boston harbor, to which he was consigned by the patriots in punishment of toryism, he has lost his voice, and is scarce able to articulate. This, added to his deafness, rcndei'S him a lonely, pitiable objecl ; he has received twenty pounds per annum from the society for pro- pagating the gospel — government declining to give him a settled 't '%'• * '^ 1781.] JOURNAL AND LKTTEBS. 307 stipend, though it has once and again presented him with a scanty gratuity. Feb. 15. At Col. Browne's. Mrs. Browne informed me of her treatment at Salem and Boston, after her husband's departure to England. Feb. 16. At Bow church to hear an annual sermon to society for propagating the gospel in partlbiis Iransmarinis ; Dr. Kurd, bishop of Lichfield and Coventry preached ; present the lord may- or, two sherilFs, two archbishops, Butler of Oxford, Thomas of Rochester, and Markham of York. Feb. 19. Evening, at an address on heads, exhibited in trans- parency, as follows : Sterne, a pathetic apostrophe; Capt. Cook, the celebrated circumnavigator, an encomium, etc. Breslau's sur- prising tricks on cards followed, interluded with music, and an imitation of the thrush, blackbird, sky -lark, nightingale, wood-lark and quail. Feb. 24. To theatre to see Mrs. Cowley's new play ; unfor- tunately it was hissed off the stage just before the conclusion of the last act ; being in its progress of acting alternately and frequently hissed by its foes and cheered by its friends ; the latter proved the minority, and therefore unsuccessful, as all in minorities are in state and church, as well as theatres. Many came for the express purpose of supporting or damning it ; her husband, a writer in one of the daily papers, employs his pen in criticising works of all other stage writers, and has by the severity of his remarks raised up a host of determined foes, to crush whatever proceeds from his quar- t' . ; though no foreign considerations were needed to banish this piece from the stage, its own intrinsic unwortliincss was more than enough; being a low performance, and unworthy the pen of the author of" Belle's Stratagem" and" Who's the Dupe." Knowing the writer and her connections, I feel severely for them, especially, too, as her brother is a fellow lodger, whose exquisite delicacy of feel- ing must be cruelly wounded on this occasion. The prologue and epilogue were excellent, and did great credit to the performers, Mr. Lewis and Miss Young, who were rewarded with universal ap- plause. Feb. 26. Drank tea at the widow Greene's in company with two Misses Joye of Boston, by whom I was informed of the follow- •I; i ■*• i-"^» ''^W ';». 6 308 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1781. ing : viz., a younger son of Francis Greene from Boston, who was born (leaf and dumb, who was under the tuition of a person in Scotland, in the course of one year arrived to the power of forming articulate sounds, and can now converse on any subject so intelli- gibly as to be understood without difficulty by those acquainted with him ; music only excepted ; he writes letters with propriety and even elegance. This person engages to instruct dumb pupils in all languages, and has examples of his success to prove his art; he has more than a hundred now under his management. A pro- posal is about to be presented to the king by the Duke of Mon- tague for establishing academies in several parts of England, to instruct children of the poorer sort in this unhappy predicament, on a public foundation ; — may it succeed, and thereby be brought into usefulness many of promising parts. This plan is suggested by Dr. Hunter, whose avocations render it impracticable to himself. March 8. Met three of my countrymen at three different times, Dr. Perkins, Mr. R. Clarke, and Mr. Elisha Hutchinson. March 10. Col. now Governor Browne, called on me with complaints of my neglect, which sundry avocations caused. March 11. At Charing Cross just as there was passing a most pompous })rocession of funeral coaches, attended on each side by numerous flambeaux-raen holding in their hands lighted torches in branches of four. March 12. Passed eight hours at Col. Browne's in a friendly tete-a-tete. March 22. To Westminster Hall, and passing through, came to foot of steps leading to the lobby of the House of Commons, where, seeing an officer standing unemployed, I inquired about the disposition and arrangement of rooms belonging to, and under and adjoining the pile called St. Stephen's Chapel, lords' house, star chamber, painted and Jerusalem chamber ; and from him received a more particular and satisfactory account than I had ever before had. Proceeding thence to the lobby of the commons house, I found it filled with gentry in livery ; just peeping in, I went di- rectly to the hatch leading to the antechamber of the gallery, which the old enfeebled keeper opened to me. After the delay of a quarter of an hour, I obtained entrance, and found many persons there before me. The house was very full below ; among others # 1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 309 Lord North, whom I discovered on the treasury bench by his blue ribbon. The members sit with their hats on, but always uncover when they rise to speak, and on departure salute the chair by a bow. The speaker is always covered, and with the clerks habited in black gowns; after some time he commanded to order, and &ome members to their seats ; then directing his looks to a Mr. Minchin with a motion of his head, the member arose, when a pro- found silence ensued, and continued to be strictly observed through the whole of the speech. He began by informing the house of a motion he had to make and the subject of it, viz. : That a regular and intelligible account should be rendered of the money granted by parliament for the navy, for which inquiry and motion he as- signed three reasons ; one being the waste in expenditure. The proof of this article arose from thirteen ships, of which he men- tioned one instance only as a specimen ; the others were in the same predicament. The Narcissus, in 1772, was estimated at j63,000, to complete with guns and stores ; on estimate of 1778 she was put in at je5,000 ; in 1779 je5,500 ; and in 1780 at je3,600 ; in the total jei7,100. At the end of that period she lay in dock untouched, without a farthing's worth of stores or one gun on board, and in the same unfit, unrepaired condition as at fiist. During the course of his speech he was now and then interrupted by a murmur on the other side the house, which was at times suc- ceeded by " hear him, hear him," and very generally attended to. Sir George Young followed, but was less minded. Sir ^ 'harles Bunbury spoke next, who made a long and more formal ora on on same side, pretty well listened to, and frequently complin .nted with " hear him, hear him ;" which expression was also used to i wo men who followed, viz. Admiral Keppel, who spoke well, and with some warmth, and Sir Hugh Palliser, who was called by name by his party. He arose and began by justifying the admi- ralty, attributing the present state of the navy, though respectable, to malignant influence of party, which has, he said, diffused itself effectually into the king's dock-yards, teaching the inmates to form associations, whereby wise measures of the admiralty had in some degree been defeated. He having finished and set down, the house resounded with " Burke, Burke ;" hereupon the Irish orator arose, and in a loud and manly voice, with singular energy and compass '•- / j| -■W^r ■■:*.. i I .r ■t I m 310 JOURNAL AND LETTERS, [1781. of expression, and a torrent of eloquence, reprobated Sir Hugh's account, exposed the futility of his arguments, excited universal attention, and frequently raised more than a smile in the features of his listening hearers. I should liave mentioned Mr. Penton, one of the navy board, who rose next to the motion maker, and justi- fied the accounts rendereil, as a mode adopted and by experience found the best for more than a century past ; to which the reply was that he had mistaken the meaning of the objections in three particulars. March 23 Session Green in Paddington Road With Mr. Danforth fetched a long walk to TO DR, EDWARD A. HOLYOKE, SALEM. '* London, March 23, 1781. Dear Sir : Meeting the bearer this afternoon, he informed me of his in- tended departure to-morrow for New-York. The shortness of the warning puts it out of my power to be so particular in my answer to your agreeable favor as it was my determination to be. In my next, if I can procure a conveyance not exposed to state inquisition, I shall fulfil my first purpose. I am now to acknowledge the pleasing and interesting relations yours conveyed, and am glad that at any rate our native country is and has been free from those op- pressions, sufferings, and distressing evils that intestine commotions and rage of civil war have subjected our unhappy fellow-subjects in the southern colonies to. Whether you have had real enjoy- ments compared to its confessedly happy days within our remem- brance, I pretend not to affirm or deny ; the accounts from those who have for these two or three years since escaped from thence and took refuge here, are such as do not excite the most fervent wishes in the breasts of our countrymen here, who enjoy peace and the comforts of life, to return back again soon. One would think from the establishment of an academy of arts and sciences at a time when the country is oppressed by a destructive war, yet uncertain of the event, that the rulers of your state labored under I'ttourdie des homines du hois, or possessed the magnanimity of the old Roman senators; be that as it may, I wish its continuance and success. ■'Eir«^r~' 1781.] JOURNAL A N n I, K T T E U S . 311 I am now going to relate a fact you would perhaps have thought incredible ; the day on which I completed two hunrVed and ninety-six weeks' residence on this island, favored me with a sight I hfid never before had, of that extraordinary person, Lord North ; though I confess curiosity had more than a score of times led mie to the lobby of the commons house and the gallery, but accident procured me what my wishes and endeavors had failed in hitherto : — for carelessly strolling without design into Westminster Hall, I obtained admission to the gallery, where I had an opportu- nity of seeing him with a ful' reasury bench and house. The great Irish born orator, Mr. Burke, spoke, and his thundering elocution fixed the attention of the house, and his wit and satire diverted them, and produced peals of laughter. More it is needless and would not be prudent to mention. There are some appear- ances that the Empress of Russia's mediation may be attended with salutary effects. May a stop be put to the further effusion of English blood ; too much has been spilt already in this destructive quarrel for independence. Very truly your fiiend, j S. CUUWEN. J}pril 2. Went to Leicester-square to pay Mr. R. Clarke a visit, but seeing a nobleman's carriage at the door, presumed he was sitting to Mr. Copley, and that therefore my company may be inconvenient. ^pril 3. Abel Willard and young Borland callrd to-day in my absence, and left 'heir address. Called on Mr. Dalglish, and invited him to accompany me to Woolwich ; he readily complying, we walked to Charing Cross and took coach to Greenwich ; the stage being gone from thence, we walked to Woolwich, about three miles. Passing through the town, we went on towards artillery- park, wherein is an immense quantity of brass and iron ordnance, mortars and shot of all dimensions ; passing through we airived at the place where the convicts were employed in labor, each hav- ing a chain on both legs just long enough for him to walk conve- niently, with a string tied thereto reaching to the waist to keep the chain from falling down to the ankks. I am told there aic about five hundred employed, bringing dirt, sand and gravel from barges r t^'j i ' k. * 312 J?; JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. on small carts, some in wheeling barrows, others in various ways as they are qualified. The effects of their labor is visible in a sea wall of earth, six hundred yards long, and having a broad convenient footpath on top ; they are now employed in making and sodding a new artillery parade. 1 could not refrain from many mortifying reflections on the sad necessity human governments are under to treat with such severity so many of our fellow-creatures, furnished with the noble powers of reason and understanding, and capable of employing them to the most useful purposes. Dined at Crown and Anchor, and returned by eight o'clock. ^pril 6. Mr. Arthur Savage and Mr. F. calling, we went to St. Lawrence Jewry, to hear a sermon to the governors of the Lou- don Hospital, from the excellent and worthy Bishop of Chester, Dr. Porteus. He possesses a good enunciation and pleasant voice, somewhat earnest, style elegant, periods happy and finely turned, without any appearance of art or affectation. On the whole he is a delightful speaker, never failing to instruct and charm a serious and attentive hearer. -^ Received a letter from Rev. Thomas Barnard, inclosed in one from Benjamin Pickman at Warwick. Jipril 6. Drank tea at Mr. Copley's, with whom his father-in- law, Mr. R. Clark, resides ; all the family present. April 8. Accompanied Col. Browne to hear the famed pulpit orator, Mr. Duchoe, late of Philadelphia, at Tavistock chapel, Broad-court, Longacre, who figures even in London. His per- formance, in point of language and delivery, greatly pleased us. Dined and passed the evening at Col. Browne's. April 11. Mr. Sparhawk, Rev. Mr. Peters, and Rev. Mr. Clark touk tea with me. April !3. Good-Friday. To Westminster Abbey ; entering, I found the choir shut ; no service, or over, but could not learn which ; so totally ignorant or unconcerned are people here in general of every thing not their immediate business or pursuit. Returning, I stepped in at Whitehall chapel, the Dean of Rochester was preach- ing. Lord North and Judge Oliver attended at same place, though I knew it not till informed by the latter, at whose houoC I drank tea, aind there met Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Hutchinson. Since toy last visit to Westminster Abbey, to my surprise I find a white rnar- * 4 * • ' 1781.] JOURNAL AND LKTTERS. 313 ble monument erected to the honor of Dr. Isaac "Watts j he is represented as clad in a loose dress, s'*' g in a thoughtful posture, his head covered with lank hairs resting on his left hand ; his right leaning on a table, holding a pen, denoting his having just finished a sentence ; his arm seized and grasped by a female figure, in loose attire, which I suppose to represent one of the virtues. ^pril 14. Visited Mr. Maddocks the florist's garden at Cam- ber well J a fine show of auriculas and hyacintns. Jlpril 17. Accompanied Thomas Goldthwait to "Wiswall's lodgings by his desire, he having called on me for that purpose, in order to offer him the living at Dunmore in Essex, which the rector gave Mr. Goldthwait leave to offer to any American clergy- man out of employ. The terms offered were fifty pounds salary, and considerable emoluments : for life, or as long as Mr. Wiswall shall please ; the neighborhood is represented as agreeable. Met Samuel Porter and sundry others of my countrymen in the Park. ^prU 18. Evening at Covent Garden, to see " »/? new way to pay old debts ;" entertainment, " Barnaby Brittle ;" this part by Quick, who also acted Justice Greedy. In the whole were some humorous strokes, — many low ones, — all applauded. ^pril 19. Went to Mr. Benjamin Thompson's lodgings, Pall Mall. April 21. Went to see a model of ancient Rome ; scale, one inch to ninety feet, making a square of twelve feet : but the topo- graphical or ground scale does not hold with respect to height of buildings, pillars, etc., appearing on a larger scale. Meeting Mr. Tjmrains, received an invitation to dine ; and at two o'clock set off for his house on foot ; in the meantime, Mr. Wiswall coming to my door, instead of entering pursued his design of walking. Directed our way through the fields to Islington Spa, Saddler's Wells, Bagnigge Wells, places he had never before seen. Re- turned by the way of Hatton Garden or street ; at Mr. Timmins's met Gilbert Harrison ; returned home modo pedestri. April 25. Rambled with Col. Browne round Mary-le Lone ; in the neighborhood of a spot, late gardens, I saw for first time an old brick building called Queen Mary's country seat, i.i pretty nearly the same condition she left it more than two centuries since; being in a villa some miles from the city of London, in its then 40 . .■' •^<'- r 314 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. circumscribed limits, three-fourths of the way to it now built being then country. It is low studded and lofty roof, small windows, many juttings and projections ; is now in private hands, the Duke of Portland's, and is used as a boarding-school. The grounds re- main unaltered. JJjnil 26. Mr. Goldthwait and Mr. Danforth dined with me ; at five we departed by assignment to Mrs. Hay's ; Col. Browne and lady were to have been of the party, which accident prevented. We had Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, late of Boston, and Mr. Greene, who in dress equalled a nobleman of the highest rank and quality, girded with a military side weapon. Jlpril 27. Colonel Erving and Mr. Dalglish called ; the latter for me to accompany him to the commons' house. The subject of debate was the East India officers, — the motion by Lord North ; his opponents were Burke, Charles J. Fox, etc. Jlpril 28. Visited my friend Governor Browne ; confined by an ill turn which seized him violently. I called to acquaint Mrs. Browne, that " Belle's Stratagem" was to be acted to-night, having engaged to accompany her to see it. ' Jlpril 29, Sunday. At Essex House chapel. Dr. Priestley preached an excellent discourse ; proving beyond contradiction that religion and virtue are the only just sources of true delight and joy, or as he modified the language, of settled, calm serenity of mind. It was a discourse worthy a Christian divine, and happy would those be on whose minds those blessed truths were im- pressed in indelible characters. Rev. Mr. Wiswall was by ray in- vitation my fellow-worshipper at Essex House. Afternoon service, Mr. Lindsay preached. My companion drank tea with me, ex- pressing in conversation his professional dislike of Mr. Lindsay's attempt to reform the liturgy. Religious prejudice is the unhappy leaven of a narrow education, and manifests a fettered mind. I hope I have sufficient reasons to rejoice that mine is free from those manacles. I plainly see it may be politically useful to state managers and hierarchists, whose views extend not beyond this present mortal state ; but in no view is it to be supported on the grounds of advancing the cause of truth and manly sentiment, and genuine, unadulterated Christianity. ^pril 30. Entered Col. and Mrs. Browne's name with my .^■ 1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 316 own for admission some days hence at British Museum ; list filled for two or three days. May 4. Dined at Col. Browne's, there beard of Mrs. Sar- gent's death. Evening waited on Mrs. Browne to Covent Garden theatre, to see " The Duenna.'^ May 7. To Mr. Maddocks' at Walworth, with Mr. Dalglish, to see his fine show of tulips, which unfavorable weather deforms greatly, preventing the beautiful, pleasing display that might other- wise be expected. May 8. Passed forenoon at the public exhibition of paintings, sculpture, and drawings of the Royal Academy in Somerset House, Strand. A great concourse of well dressed, genteel people, as usual; large exhibition room crowded, but my good fortune secured an advantageous seat, almost central, which from arrangement and construction of room and pictures, yielded a fuller view and happier light ; I kept in close connection with a gentleman of taste and judgment, disposed to communicate, and seeming happy to show off and please; by him I was entertained and instructed. May 23. ''his day at eleven o'clock entered British Museum. Dr. Woide, the transcril)er and publisher, complaisantly showed me the Alexandrian manuscript of the New Testament, favored me with many ingenious remarks, and read me several passages which I confess I should without his assistance have found it difficult to hobble through, from the peculiar manner of writing then used. It is said to be older than the Arian controversy, and is without the seventh verse of the fifth chapter 1st Epistle of St. John. It is written in Greek capitals, without distinction of points or words, letters following in equi-distant spaces. A fac simile copy is now preparing by my informant, who appears learned, and is very obliging. After having gone through part of our course in the rooms, my companions Col. and Mrs. Browne appeared and joined us. We were attended by Dr. Solander ; some of our company were persons of distinction. Lady Dowager Wynne and her young son the baronet, and several others whose names I have forgotten. Among other curiosities were shown us King Edward Vlth's journal, written with his own hand — volumes of royal letters, etc. It seems all letters from the princes of Europe to one another are preserved, and after death of writer sent back to their respective ■^ 316 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. ^k F ?f:i courts; they are of one size — seal never broken, a ribbon throup;h the wax is cut in order to open it. Dr. Solaniler showed us nn oyster-shell of a roundish form, about four inches over, which he said was valued at a hundred guineas ; another larger beside it, of less brilliant water, of no more value than ten ; they both had a faint mother of pearl cast. On returning home found a letter from Arthur Savage, informing me of Mr. Thompson's compliments and wish to see me at eleven o'clock to-morrow, at his lodgings. May 24. Went early in order to be at Mr. Benjamin Thomp- son's in time, and being a little before, heard he was not returned home from Lord George Germaine's, where he always breakfasts, dines and sups, so great a favorite is he. To kill half an hour, I loitered to the park through the palace, and on second return found him at his lodgings ; he received me in a friendly manner, taking me by the hand, talked with great freedom, and promised to re- member and serve me in the way I proposed to him. Promises are easily made, and genteel delusive encouragement the staple arti- cle of trade belonging to the courtier's profession. I put no hopes on the fair appearances of outward behavior, though it is uncandid to suppose all mean to deceive. Some wish to do a service who have it not in their power ; all wish to be thought of importance and significancy, and this often leads to deceit. This young man, when a shop lad to my next neighbor, ever appeared active, good- natured and sensible ; by a strange concurrence of events, he is now under secretary to the American secretary of state. Lord George Germaine, a secretary to Georgia, inspector of all the clolliingsent to America, and Lieut. Col. Commandant of horse dragoons at New-York ; his income arising from these sources is, I have been told, near seven thousand a year — a sura infinitely beyond his most sanguine expectations. He is besides a member of the Royal So- ciety. It is said he is of an ingenious turn, an inventive imagina- tion, and by being on one cruise in channel service with Sir Charles Hardy, has formed a more regular and better digested system for signals than that heretofore used. He seems to be of a happy, even temper in general deportment, and reported of an excellent heart j peculiarly respectful to Americans that fall in his way.* • Afterwards the celebrated Count Rumford. m 1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 317 Mem. A letter has been intercepted and published here, thought by some to be n genuine production and unintentionally fnllon into British liands, signed CJeo. Washington, showing his opinion of American inability to support this burdensome and ex- pensive war, unless France and other allies bestir themselves and lend more essential aid than hirherto ; meeting Mr. Paxton and Treasurer Gray, they both agreed in sentiment that it is a genuine letter, and dictated by real judgment. Drank tea at Mrs. Greene's by appointment ; met Mr. Wis- wall, who was just going to his cure in Oxford. At his request I jumped into the carriage with him, and alighted at Crosskeys, Gracechurch-street ; thence to Boar's Head, Eastcheap, and in the identical spot where Nym, Pistol, Bardolph, Hal, and Sir John Falstair were wont to assemble together to pass their jovial even- ings three hundred years since ; after a regale of punch to the remembrance of these jovial blades, we returned to Crosskeys. June 5. Visited Governor Browne and Mrs. Browne, both un- well J promised to dine with them the last of the week. June 8. Mr. Erving called. Jime 11. Visited Mrs. Greene and Abel Willard ; drank tea with Mrs. Councel ; a Mr. Codner and Jones, both late from Boston, there; no material intelligence obtained from them. They say provisions are double in price ' Msnal in former happy times. Never did an infatuated pc wai >n away their felicity more foolishly. June 13. Dined an^l p, s>cd the evening at Col. Browne's. June 19. Paid ucwdl compliments to Elisha Hutchinson, going soon to his summer residence at Birmingham. June 22. Through Moorfields came across a mountebank or stage doctor, on an elevated scallbld, covered with a ragged blanket, discoursing to the more dirty-faced ragged mob; demonstrating to their satisfaction, "no doubt, the superior excellence of his n > , ums to those of the dispensary, and the more safe and secure state of patients under his management than hospitals and common receptacles of sick and wounded poor ; whose lives, health, and ease, he said truly, ■were as dear to them as those of the best gentry or highest nobility in the land ; and he further added, of as much use to the public, which for aught I know is equally true. ,-# cr-.^..; ''^7y^'.-^'X":',T.T^^''f^'^ ♦ 318 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. i< June 23. Went to Col. Browne's to take the last farewell of him and Mrs. Browne, about to depart to his government at Ber- muda ; never more expecting to see them again in this world. June 25. Young Gould, a Bostonian, bound to New- York, offered to take letters. June 26. Capt. Coombs from New England via New-York, whither he fled to escape persecution, as he said, (a Marblehead refugee,) called and breakfasted with me ; strolled together to Ty- burn, and returned by the square lying north of the city. Carried him home to dinner, thence to Chelsea j returning by Brorapion, met Treasurer Gray and Mr. Paxton ; the latter at first sight recol- lecting, accosted me, according to his usual custom, politely and with great openness. The traces of his countenance have been lost in my memory, and I should have passed him. June 28. At New England Coffee-house ; saw more Bos- tonians than for some years past. June 29. Went to see the house in which the noted Jane Shore died ; found that it was demolished four years since, and a new one erected on the spot, in three small tenements, which stand in a lane directly facing Watergruel-row, so called. Was informed that an underground communication had been discovered between that house and Bishop Bonner's palace in that neighbor- hood. July 2. Wm. Cabot and Capt. Coombs drank tea with me. July 4. Mr. A. Savage and Mr. T. Danforth called and took coffee with me. July 9. Meeting Mr. Deputy Ellis at a bookseller's in Corn- hill, who resolved my doubt about the meaning of the word molten, as applied in Scripture to images or figures in brass on metal ; sig- nifying melted. July 10. Left a note fr Mr. A. Savage at Knightsbridge, to acquaint him that Mr. Ervmg had been to appoint to-morrow to call on him. July 12. Visited Mrs. Hay ; there met two Winthrops, one of whom, Thomas Lindall Winthrop,* had lately arrived from New England in Captain Timothy Folger's ship. ♦ The late Lieut. Governor of Massachusetts ; the other v/ns his brother Benjamin Winthrop, now of this city, who then resided in London. 1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 319 Jvly 14. Accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Snelson to Windsor ; passing by Hammersmith, stopped at Turnham-Green ; from hence to Staines, where we dined. At seven o'clock arrived at " Castle and Mermaid" Windsor. Evening, walked on terrace in the castle ; a pleasing prospect, filled with promiscuous company. Windsor, July 15, Sunday. At St. George's chapel, prayers at eight; present, the King, Queen, Princesses Elizabeth and Sophia, — about a hundred hearers ; we joined the train to Queen's hoiise, or rather to the gates. The King was dressed in blue fly, cuflfs small, open, and turned up with red velvet, cape of same, buttons white, breeches and waisco&t of white cotton, an ordinary white wig with a tail ribbon, a round black chip hat, small, as used in riding. He is tall, square over the shoulders, large ugly mouth, talks a great deal, and shows his teeth too much ; his countenance heavy and lifeless, with white eyebrows. Queen of the middle size and bulk, height five feet and a-half, — though far removed from beautiful, she has an open placid aspect, mouth large, foot splay : — at prayers their voices often heard, and they appeared devout. They take no state upon them, walk freely about the town with only a lord in waiting. At seven, every evening after tea, the King, Queen, Prince of Wales, Princess- royal, Princesses Sophia and Elizabeth, walk for an hour on ter- race half a mile long, amidst two or three thousand people of all ranks. The Prince of Wales appears a likely agreeable person, far more graceful than his father, who is ungainly. The prince affects much the "Jemmy" dress and air; age will doubtless soften down the juvenile taste and affectation. The Queen's dress, a riding-habit, same color and facings as the King's — a small bonnet with a blue feather. Conducted to picture gallery and state-rooms; in one stands the Queen's bed, of a cream-color, worked in flowers with silk floss beautifully shaded, about seven Teet long and six wide ; posts fluted, and gilt tester, having in the centre an oval compartment, thought to be the richest in England except Lady Clifford's at Wybrook, which was wrought and pre- sented to her by the late Duchess of Norfolk, — twelve chairs and a screen, wrought by her present Majesty's own diligent hand. In the evening on the terrace, the King was in full dress, — blue uni- form, sword and cockade ; the Prince of Wales the same. The . I i-a* - ■ rm-'- I 320 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. [k . \^ Queen in a faint greenish silk full dress, except her head, on which she had a bonnet with a feather of the same color as her dress. July 16. Crossed the river to Eton college or school, passing through cloisters and quadrangles. I learnt from a lad that there were three hundred and thirty pupils belonging to the school ; the higher class had on gowns and caps of university fashion. After breakfast, at castle, to hear the roll-call of Lord Falconberg's regi- ment, now on duty, and hear the music ; two bands of which were playing while the royal family were walking last evening. Took our carriage and departed over Cranbrook bridge, and at two o'clock arrived at the Eight, so called, being a little island of two acres in the river Thames, opposite Kew, just above the bridge. We came hither expecting to have a fine dinner, but the boat had been robbed by some Londoners ; were disappointed. Arrived at lodgings at seven o'clock. July 17. Took Captain Coombs to dine with me at the " Thirteen Cantons; " — called on A. Savage. Spoke to Mr. Rowe of Treasury about Captain Coombs ; he encourages his application to Lord North. July 23. Met Mr. R. Clarke on horseback near Charing Cross ; walked in Charter-House square and gardens ; am told the number of men supported by the founder's munificence is four- score, besides forty boys. July 25. Rode to Enfield to inquire respecting board ; result unsatisfactory. I rambled to the borders of the Chase, now laid out in corn and grass, to the great advantage of the neighborhood. In this town is a large, and for the age it was built in, a lofty house of three floors, which had beer, the residence of Queen Eli- zabeth ; having on the walls within the court, the arras of England quartered with the fleur-de-lis of France, and Q. E. inscribed over in plaster of Paris, almost obliterated by time and weather. Re- turned home on foot without much fatigue. July 26. Called for an interview with Mr. Benjamin Thomp- son ; he and Lord George Germaine not returned from the country. July 27. Called again on Mr. Thompson ; neither he nor Lord George returned. Passed two hours in Mr. Waller's front dining-room, to have a sight of the French spy, De la Motte, who ^;,-erica and my countrymen, more dear to me than ever, be made acquainted with this more than brutual cruel.y ; may disappointment be the issue of their attempts, vexation and every evil the reward of such unexampled, oppressive, rapacious designs, for it is but yet in embryo, never, I hope, to see the light. I doubt not heaven has in store ample revenge for this devoted country, whose rulers seem infatuated, and themselves on the verge of ruin thereby. Jiug. 9. Mr. Jones, a Bostonian, drank tea with me. ^ug. 11. After one hour's waiting, admitted to Mr. Thompson in the plantation office ; he seemed inclined to sho- ' "n the inter- view, received me with a courtier's smile, rather unci .imunicative and dry. This reception has damped my ill grounded hopes, de- rived from former seeming friendly intentions to promote my views ; this, my first, will be my last attempt to gain advantages from a courtier, of which I never entertained favorable impressions. i 1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 883 * ^ug. 18. Took tea and passed the evening at Mr. and Mrs. Hay's. ^ug. 21. Dined at Capt. Hay's, with four gentlemen. ^ug. 24. To the Gresham lecture room to see Copley's picture of Lord Chatham's death. Sept. 4. Took tea with Dr. Jeffries, of Boston, a son of David Jeffries. TO MR. THOMAS WYER, NEW-YORK. London, Sept. 12, 1781. Dear Sir : Having the other day met Mr. Berry, who informed me you were settled in New-York with your wife, and that he would take charge of a letter and deliver it into your hands, I am encouraged to send this scrawl that serves to acknowledge the receipt of yours of a distant date, and thank you for it. I hope your situation is comfortable, though, at best, a man in the civil or commercial line has many reasons of complaint in a garrison of disorderly, licentious soldiers. I am glad to be informed that you are employed in busi- ness, and hope it will turn out to good account. It has been my wish ever since I have been from ray own home, that all who are in a state of exile, whether voluntary or not, ex- cept those immediately concerned in the revenue, who could not have remained in America, had been prudent enough to have kept their political opinions to themselves, especially after the frenzy had worked ituelf up so high in the minds of our zealous patriot neighbors, and remained at their own dwellings, and made the best shifts they could in these troubles. They might, I really think, liave found themselves, for the most part, in less disagreeable circum- stances than they now are ; at least I can truly say it respecting my own particular case. But the bad consequences of past errors are now only to be lessened by a prudent forbearance of harsh re- proachful language against the present rulers in the American colonies that remain in subjection to Congress authority ; for what- ever you warm transatlantic loyalists may think, it is probable, however the general war may terminate, there never will be estab- lished such a degree of British governmental authority in North America as will cause much matter of triumph to American V^:;|| ^# ■■,««' i*' ;• j' 324 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. f F -« refugees. I wish America would dissolve the execrable French al- liance, t^at they have suificient reasons already to detest, and which will, if continued much longer, issue in greater ruin. We are now hemmed in by the combined fleets of France and Spain, to the number of forty-nine capital ships, and eleven frigates, which have been cruising for some time in the chops of the English Channel. Ours, under Admiral Derby, is at present in Torbay. A large East and West Indi? fleet is hourly expected under a .slender convoy ; but government has taken the precaution to send out some fast sailing cutters to apprise them of the danger. Wishing you success and safety, I am your friend, S. CURWEN. Sept. 27. Accompanied Messrs. Savage and Toulmin to Drury Lane, to see " School for Scandal," which was highly entertaining. On the appearance of Mrs. Cargill, appointed to one of the parts, a general hiss, followed by an unusual clap of approbation, for some minutes kept on to discountenance the hiss, occasioned by her whimsical caprices and rude disappointment of the public at Hay- market Theatre about two months since. She is a pleasing per- former and public favorite. Oct. 2. Took tea and passed the evening at Mr. John Savage's with Mr. A. Savage, except a walk to Chelsea Hospital. Oct. 9. Papers say Adam Woolridge is appointed American secretary's deputy, in lieu of Mr. Fisher, who now holds the office. Mr. A. Savage dined and passed the evening with me. Oct. 15. Went over to Chelsea ; met Mr. Benjamin Hal- lowell there. Another countryman, Commodore Loring, discharged from pension list by death, and another going same way ; Brigadier Royall seized with small-pox, with hazardou' symptoms. Capt. Coombs dined with me. Oct. 18. Thirteen criminals executed at Tyburn — a melan- choly consideration that robberies have of late greatly increased, as indeed has thieving of all kinds in the metropolis. Oct. 20. Mr. Arthur Savage, and Miss S., and Mr. J'^hn Sav- age, lady and son, drank tea with me. By the papers I find some Salem privateers have fallen into the hands of the British. Oct. 30. Dined with Mr. and Mrs. Hay. I ■"*} • 'j^ 1781.] JOUBNAI. AND LETTERS. # 325 TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESa, SIDMOUTH. m ' Lriidon Oct. 30, 1781. Dear Str: Inclosed is a bank post bill for £24 6s. 8d., the balance of your quarterly pension of .£25 ; and while I reside 'n London will, with great readiness, serve you or any acquaintance in this or any way in my power. You wish me to write you favorable news from America; would to God such was to be found written in the book of fate. Respecting the state of the war in that quarter : the French, you know, are in possession of the Chesapeake, with a much supe- rior fleet to that of Great Britain ; for they reckon thirty-six capital ships to our twenty four, even after Digby's junction. General Cornwallis's royal master is in the utmost distress for him, whom all the world here fears to hear will have been Burgoyned, and there- fore an end to this cursed, ill-omened quarrel, though not in a way they wish ; for which the instigators and continuers deserve exe- cration. It is, however, reported that twenty thousand men are to be shipped off to America in February, part of whom are the five thousand before destined to the East Indies. I am yours, S. CUK^WEN. JVbu. 20. Letters from New-York inform 1 'lat New London, in Connecticut, is burnt, with all the shipping, by six hundred American Associators, so called, leagued in a band of destruction against their native country : together with the loss of lives and properties of the inhabitants, the assailants left of their number two hundred dead on Ihe spot; their death the just punishment due to 'Juch parricides. the king's speech I find he intends, if parliament will fur- nish men and money, to continue his efforts to reduce his rebellious subjects in America to his royal will and pleasure, and his other enemies to his own terms, if he can ; and no doubt they will con- tinue to furnish both as long as they last, and until they shall fairly and completely have dried up all the sources, which, perhaps, a few more expensive, unsuccessful campaigns will effectually accomplish. Would that this nation or its rulers were wise enough to sit down * 326 « JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. : * by .(S present losses, and make the best of what remains. Com- merce and conquest are two thing^i in nature vo*'y unlike, and re- quire very difTeient geniuses in carrying on ; ana which is most congenial and natural ^o these islanders is obvious. JVov. 22. The wind continues westerly, detaining Admiral Rodney's fleet of eight ships of the line in Torbay, bound for the West Indies. The court and all apprehend some great blow there, as they have reason from the great superiority of the French fleet gone from Charleston since Cornwallis's surrender on the 19th ult., of himself, officers, army, baggage, artillery, ammunition, de guerre and de louche, to the American General George Washington, of whom some of the wise men of this country speak with undeserved contempt. This being the second instance that has happened to the best forces of this continent, and perhaps the first of the kind that ever befell this haughty America-despising people. And the flight of two English admirals, with a frequently declared superior fleet. Graves and Digby, (under the auspicious eye of one of the royal offspring, Prince William Henry, who is training up, and I hope will prove an ornament and a useful naval commander,) to New-York with Clinton and his garrison of cooped-up troops, who for a few weeks having breathed free air, are now chiefly return- ing back to their winter amusementb and useful employment of dan- cing, card-playing, acting farces on mock stages, and decorating their pretty persons for the astonishment and delight of their female admirers. Adieu to the character which once justly enough distinguished the army and navy of this little empire ! Jfov. 23. Overtaken in the Park by a former travelling com- panion, named Aspdin, of Philadelphia, on horseback ; he recog- nised me after an interval of four years. TO MR. ANDREW DALGLISH, GLASGOW. London, JVav. 25, 1781. Dear Sir: London, as you justly observe, to a pushing man and of abili- ties is the place to gain great advantages, if he knows the world and how to avail himself of lucky incidents, and is attentive to them ; but to one of a contrary character it is far otherwise. Yo to not ter( in, ba( ♦ *> ♦ ^' 1781.] JOUENAL AND LETTEBS. 4 327 Your request of my service need not be twice asked, if I know how to perform any thing essential for you, or any friend ; but being placed by Providence out of the reach of rendering services, I am endeavoring to reason myself into the belief that I stand in need of none myself, though possessing very little more than the necessa- ries of life ; 'tis a hard task, though if attended with success, sball not grudge my pains. Our townsman, Mr. Fisher, holds a quar- tered, precarious office, at I fancy less than half its real income, in, under, and '•^turnable to Mr. Thompson, when he shall come back, which i doubt not will be in the spring or summer following. Clerkships, as all offices under government, are at open mar- ket, and bought and sold as public stocks, t^ ? premium four, five, or six years' income. The Treasury Corfee-house, under the arches, is the place where the sellers or brokers are to be seen at business hours. If you have any connections that can reconimend you to men of influence, and can really engage their interest, (for promises are the courtier's traffick, and mean nothing ; people of breeding are too polite to disoblige in any other way but by neg- lect,) you may succeed ; without, it will beVain to attempt. Merit is disregarded, implying a demand. Here it is not asked what you have done, but what you are capable of doing, is worth attending to. In whatever line you direct your views, I sincerely wish suc- cess ; you might assuredly depend on my aid if it could or can be of any use to you. With real and hearty good will, I am your friend, S. CURWEN. JVov. 26. Going through the Park, I found great numbers there waiting for the king's passin'^ to the parliament house, being first day of session, when it is opened by a speech from the throne ; the king in his robes, crown on his head, which, if capable of feel- ing, must I think feel more distress than at any time since his brows bore this emblem of royalty. The total overthrow in Lord Corn- wallis's defeat, of his long projected and self-promised subjugation of North America to an uncontrolled power, must have this effect. Man's designs are often overruled by a more powerful authority. Took tea at Mr. John Savage's, according to promise, with a room full of company. \.- 328 JOORNAL AND LETTERS. [1781. JSTov. 30. Took my watch to London to be reformed, it proving a useless companion in its present state of false intelligence; bor- rowed one in the interim. Dec. 6. Mr. Thomas Hutchinson and Mr. A. Savage took tea with me. r* TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. Brompton, Dec. 15, 1781. Dear Sir : I delayed answering your last favor till I could send a satisfac- tory one to your question aboutyour friend,Thomas Barnard, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn ; and now I have the pleasure to acquaint you that he and I were this day as usual fellow-worshippers at Essex House chapel, which seems to be his Sunday's resort, both for worship and the communion, at which he attends with becoming devotion. Our preacher to-day was Mr. Estin, of Lewinsmead, Bristol, for Mr. Lindsay himself always performs the liturgy service. Since Lord Cornwallis's surrender, government, I am told, has laid aside all other thoughts than to maintain, if practicable, Caro- lina, Nova Scotia, New-York city, Charleston, and Georgia ; per- haps since the majority for carrying on the war in America, when the House of Commons consisted of more than four hundred, fell to forty-one only ; a proof, notwithstanding the irresistible influence of court, of the real sentiments of the landed interest. For the aforesaid purpose immense quantities of army and navy ammunitions, de guerre and de botiche, will be sent over, and primarily furnish America, and ultimately, I fear, France, with the ability to dis- possess Great Britain of every foot of ground on the continent of North America ; and it will be well if not the islands too. But whoever is master of the ocean will doubtless command these ; whether Great Britain is or is not at present, is a fact easily to be judged of; whether she will be in time to come, must be read in a following page in the book of fate. 'Tis, I confess, foolish to an- ticipate evils ; a wise man said, " If evils oomo not, then our fears ure vain ; And if they do, fear but augments the pain." No mind is so fortified as not to feel concern for what may 1781.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 329 f happen, especially when smarting under the rod, nor insensible ■when oppressed. Very truly yours, S. CURWEN. Dec. 20. Went to London in order to pass a day at Capt. Hay's ; he was departed to Prrtsmouth to meet his ship there. Dec. 23. Sunday at Essex House chapel. Mr. Lindsay preached an admirable dissuasive against placing terms of acceptance with God on narrow party principles, as if he was engaged to support Calvin, Arminius, or the Council of Nice, or any body of patriarchs, archbishops or bishops whatever. Dec. 31. Three days since was my birth-day, when I entered my sixty-sixth year. What reason have I to lament the loss of time and waste of powers that our indulgent Creator has bestowed upon us for wise and useful purposes. Henry Laurens, Esq., late president of Congress, was admitted to bail and discharged from the Tower. # #■ 42 * m ^ # .r* 330 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. 4 If li #• CHAPTER XVI. Brninplon, London, January 1, 1782. Dined at Mr. John Sa- VUue's, in the Grove. Jan. 3. Culled on Dr. .leflVios, a countryman of mine, at No. 28 South Moulton-street. In my absence, Mr. Tiramins and James Russell called. TO SAMUEL SEWALL. ESQ., TAUNTON London, Jan. 8, 1782. Dear Sir : Mr. Rowe names the 21st for delivering out his orders to the bank for payment of our quarterly stipends. I shall be on the watch, and avail vf.'ji, if of the earliest day for myself and you. I presume you have heard of the death of poor Abel Willard, your late friend, whose continuance on the London stage was of a few days only after his return from Oxford. He is now gone to that retreat from suffering, where the wicked cease from trou- bling, and the weary are at rest. I am told the surviving mate is a mourner in earnest. I wish you the compliments of the season, and am glad to hear fkom you, that you are enjoying the pleasures of cheerful mirth and conviviality ; may they continue up to your desires, which I pre- sume are ever confined within the bounds of temperance ; and hope a full restoration of your health and spirits. Happy those who can amuse or gladden their hearts with anticipation of future good. The present prospect is too gloomy for my weak mind to discover one gleam of hope. Your faithful friend, S. Curwen. Jan. 10. Received a letter to convey to the widow Poynton, at Salem, from her late husband's kinsman of same name, in Orange- court, Leicester-fields, with a complaisant invitation to dine with him next Sunday. 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTER 1. 881 TO SAMUEL SEWALL, ESQ., TAUNTON. Yeoman's Row, Jan. 24, 1782. Dear Sir : I have the pleasure to inclose you a bank post-bill for j£24 Ss.Sd.f wishing it safe to your hands. I am not happy enough to present you with any good news of our own selves or our public concerns, unless you will say none is such, at a time when bad only may reasonably be expected from almost all quarters of the globe. And though I would not raise imaginary ideal terrors in the breast of any of my acquaii.iance, I cannot forbear to mention a piece of intelligence received from an acquaintance here, communicated to him by a lady, who, he says, has intimate cabinet-council connections. lie says, she has in times past more than once or twice informed him of secret deliberations and resolves done and acted there, that at the time surprised him, and were afterwards verified by the events. She tnl<| this in con- lidence, with great apparent concern of mind, etc., seeming firm in belief, and fear of its being put into execution within a few months. Hear then your doom : — it has been a subject of deliberation, and is thought to be determined in the cabinet, to withdraw from the American refugees in England all government support. So shame- less and unexampled an act of barbarity, you probably may think, cannot be perpetrated in a civilized state ; perhaps not. Politics and morals, however, are founded on very different grounds, and conducted by principles of a quite contrary complexion from each other. What is heterodoxy, base and unjustifiable in the one sys- tem, may be in the other sound state orthodoxy, ttI free from reproach ; viewed in the single light of supposed gooo «•<' 'he state. One cannot, therefore, tell what the administrators of public affairs may think it politically prudent to do in the paroxysms of public distress ; and their ways and means are unhappily in one at this very time. I would fain disbelieve, but confess my fears step in between apprehensions on one side, and doubt on the other, and cast up the balance on the side of the latter. This day, I questioned Mr. Rowe at the Treasury on the subject j and he, with the apathy of a stoic, and the composed countenance of a -, coldly replied, he had not heard of it. No, answered I, and I irust you 'M •i i^m If 332 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. never will. The nonchalance of his behavior rather increased my alarm than silenced my doubts. If you think it worth while to ■B) make inquiries about it, perhaps some friend who has connections with the court may convince you of its truth or falsity, — or, per- haps, you will prefer to postpone a knowledge of e>'ils till they arrive, thinking that sufficient unto the day is the evil the )of. Yours truly, S. CURWEN. I I I TO JUDGE SEWALL, BRISTOL. JVb. 1, Yeomaii's Row, Brom'pton, Feb. 4, 3782. Dear Sir : After so long a silence, I fancy you will wonder at this time to hear from me, and I confess I should hardly have thought of troubling you, but for a selfish purpose. I am directed by a son of Esculapius to heighten my diet by a moderate use of the most nutritive food, best dry wines, and spirits diluted in water, •^tc, ex- cluding sweets, sours, and high seasonings, — in order to animr'te, warm, and invigorate, as far as possible, an old, cold and enfeebled body. Please inform me the proportions of spirits, milk, etc., of the mixture that was recommended to you by a London physician of note, to be taken by one in a decaying weak habit. I durst not touch on the state of the nation, nor of our parti- cular concerns as refugees, both of which, I presume, you suspect to be in a very unpromising condition. I beUeve you will wonder how I carae to the place from whence [date; my situation is, luckily, for the time I proposed to abide here, happy, from a coincidence of circumstances which could not be foreseen. Your friend, S. CUV.'.VEN. Feb. 7. At the queen's house with Mr. Hopkins to see the plate, etc. ; the first object that struck me Avas three large raaund baskets covered of table plate, as dishes, tureens, butter and sauce boats, all with covers, raised, embossed and engraved. The king's service was silver gilt ; the prince's, silver. We also were con- ducted to the kitchen, where were eighteen male cooks busily employed in their several various lines; the men in white jackets 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 333 and caps, and the women in "white aprons and caps. By a late royal order, no one is to appear in the kitchen with their natural hair. When the king arrives from court at St. James's, (where he attends five days in the week, Tuesdays and Saturdays being the only ones he has in the week for his own private amusements, concerns, etc.,) dinner is called, on which a bustle ensues ; the assistants of the silver scullery take such pieces as called for out of baskets, place them on a warm stove, whence they are taken by the cook and filled and taken to dining-room door, and delivered to the person appointed to place them on the royal tabJe. Com- mon dinner, five dishes of meat, four of garden stuffs, and one remove daily, and no more. He is exceedingly temperate, drinks generally water, and rarely partakes of more than one or two dishes. His supper is water-gruel, taken in a vo-^sel peculiarly appro- priated to his use, called the king's cup, and is of silver gilt, — shown me by the yeoman. The king's company at table is the queen,prince of Wales, (unless on his public dinner days,) the princess royal, princesses Sophia and Elizabeth : the rest of the children at an- other table in another apartment. The prince's dinner served up by his proper officers in the same manner as the king's. The queen, unless indisposed, always attends court and levee days ; as soon as it is over she returns ; immediately dinner is served up without waiting for her husband ; a proof of good husbandship. It is said every king has a service of new table plate, the old being ilisposed of; the silver is kept in bags and put into presses. I took leave, and by advice returned by Buckingham Gate, Pimlico, Grosvenor-place, in preference to Constitution Hill, which some- times is hazardous, and at eight o'clock got safe home. t ■m FROM CHIEF JUSTICE OLIVER. Birmingham, Feb. 9, 1782. Dear Sir: Your favor of the 4th inst. informs me of two canisters of snuff which you have for me. I am much obliged to you for your care and trouble for an irritating powder for an American refugee, and doubt not that it will be of a more agreeable nature than the so many irritables we have all turned up our noses at for five or six years past. If you will be so kind as to send it to the Birmingham t 1.00 •"*^p 'SK, 334 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. i coach at the Green Man and Still, in Oxford-street, directed to rae, I shall be glad ; and it you will call upon Mr. Thos. Hutchinson,* he will pay you for me. I am sincerely glad of the safe arrival of our friend Governor Browne ;t I wish him an easy cushion for his chair, but I fear a barking crew of rebels will disrest him. Your friend Mr. Lakin inquires after you when I meet him. Health and ease attend you ; so wisheth Your humble servant, Peter Oliver. Samuel Curwen, Esq. Feb. 15. Mr. Thomas Hutchinson called and passed an hour with me. Feb. 17. The secret service list for the year 1781 is positively charged with the following suras : — American departments exclusive of Refugees je83,000 sterl'g. Admiralty 46,000 War Office 10,500 Secretary of State 53,600 Treasury 72,000 £265,Wj The request long urged by General Burgoyne, of itovlng a court martial appointed to decide upon his conduct in the affair of Saratoga, has at last been complied with, and orders transmitted from the war-office to the commander-in-chief in America for sending over such officers as mentioned by the General as neces- sary for his defence, by the first conveyance, to attend the trial. If no unexpected impediment takes place, it will be held in the spring. The administration seems loth to have an inquiry made ; perhaps it will producf an exposure of orders, etc., judged not prudent at present for the public eye. Feb. 20. Bishop Lowth of London, and Bishop Newton of Bristol, both died on the 14th inst. Feb. 26. Walked to Chelsea with Mr. Dalglish, who returned and dined with me. Miss Savage and father joined us at tea. * Governor Hutchinson's ^ n. t William Browne, of Salcui, afterwards governor of Bennudas. i . • -.11 ••♦ 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 335 March 1. The Welsh procession from St. Andrew's church, Ilolborn, to the Crown and Anchor tavern in the Strand to dine ; the members, and all of that nation adorned with leeks and orna- ments resembling them, stuck on the button-band of their hats, as is usual on this day, called in the Roman calendar St. David's Day ; still continued in his honor, who is the titular saint of the nation. This society is established for the support of the poor, for which they have a fund, schools, etc. March 2. Wrote several letters to be sent home by a Mr. Sigourney. TO DR. E. A. HOLYOKE. London, March 2, 1782. Dear Sir : Since ray tedious answer to your only favor, I have frequently thought of a mistaken notion asserted therein, which I naturally fell into for want of makmg proper inquiry and receiving informa- tion, arising from the vulgar prevailing notion in the province of Massachusetts Bay, that our soil was peculiarly unfavorable to the raising of wheat, which made me look upon the success of the Si- berian as almost miraculous. A little while after I had sent off my answer, I happened to fall into a conversation with a curious sen- sible gentleman, who from repeated trials had proved the falsehood of our vulgar notions, and had raised frequent large harvests of excellent wheat from his own grounds, even from soils naturally weak and indifferent. I am therefore (convinced he justly derived our people's pertinacious adherence to their own bad and wrong tillage from a mere obstinate and lazy attachment to old customs, handed down from father to son, and preferred in spite of yearly disappointments from generation to generation. ******* Your real friend and well wisher, S. CURWEN. March 2. Lord George Germaine, who was admitted into the administration on the idea of subjugating N. America to the un- conditional authority of Parliament, having since Lord Cornwallis's surrender of himself and the whole army to the victorious arms of ir ' '* ¥ 336 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. France and Congress, abdicated his post of secretary in the Ameri- can department, left the House of Commons, and gone up to the House of liOrds by a patent of nobility. General Carleton, who is confessedly of superior ability in point of military knowledge and execution, is now appointed general-in-chief in America, when all manoeuvres in his line arc intentionally given up, and no opportunity is aflbrded for exertion, except in the way the former generals, his predecessors, have figured in amnssing personal wealth out of this already cruelly oppressed people. Lord George Germaine's ad- mission to the upper house was accompanied by many severe re- flections and motions to address the king to prevent it ; many lords thinking it disgraceful to suffer tamely one to be added to their number who stood disgraced by the sentence of a court martial, and was forbidden the society of any of the officers of the army. The Marquis of Caerraarthen made the motion, and I^ord Shelburne warmly seconded it. Many speeches on the occasion. Last "Wednesday, General Conway concluded a long speech in the Commons with the following motion, viz. : Resolved, " That it is the opinion of this house, that a further continuance of an offensive war in America for the purpose of subduing by force the revolted colonies is totally impracticable, inasmuch as it weakens that force which we ought to employ against our European enemies, and is contrary to his majesty's declaration, who, in his gracious speech from the throne, expresses a wish to restore peace and tranquillity." This motion the ministerial party endeavored to dispose of by the attorney general's motion for an adjournment, when at half past one o'clock the house divided, and to the discomfiluve of his majesty's ministers they were in a minority by 'nineteen. General Conway then moved that an address be presented to his majesty on the above resolution. This was seconded by Lord Althorpe, and carried without a division ; the minister not daring to risk a second defeat. In consequence of this important decision, the nation is at last within the prospect of enjoying the blessings of a peace with America. Lord Stormont wrote to the lord mayor and aldermen to pre- vent, if possible, illuminations in the city ; none were exhibited but in the gallery on the top of the monument, which blazed with more than sixscore lamps. As soon as the joyful tidings of the 1782.] JOUBNAL AND LETTERS. 337 minister's defet t and the nation's deliverance was announced in the lobby and avenues of the house to the numerous multitudes that waited ia anxitty and perturbation to know the fate of their country, the most vehement and heartfelt shouts of acclamation pierced the ear, if it did not reach the heart of the minister, now tottering on the treasury bench. Those noble and distinguished characters, who by their steady perseverance and zeal had over- come the ruinous system of ministers, were hailed by the grave multi! ude as the saviours of their country. Expresses were des- patched by the ambassadors to their several courts, announcing this important decision, which naturally changes the system by which the peace of Europe is disturbed. The king's answer to the address of the Commons in consequence of General Conway's motion for putting an end to the present war with America, con- tained the following: "There are no objects more near to my heart than the ease, happiness and welfare of my people ; and you may be assured, that in pursuance of your advice, I shall take such measures as shall appear to me most conducive to the restoration of harmony between Great Britain and the revolted colonies, so essential to the prosperity of both, and that ray efforts shall be di- rected in the most effectual manner against our European enemies, until such peace can be obtained as shall consist with the interest and permanent welfare of my kingdom." March 4. Advice of the surrender of Minorca to the combined armies of France and Spain, by Gen. Murray ; of the capture of St. Kitt's by the French, to which fate Nevis and Montserrat will probably soon submit. Essequibo and Demarara, taken by Rodney and Vaughan, are retaken by a French squadron, and it will be great good fortune if one single West India island be left fc this wretched, devoted country. March, 7. The large banking house of Brown and Collinson, Lombard -street, was declared bankrupt to-day, and carries with it a train of ruin. They were of the society of Quakers, and therefore more unexpected, as people of that persuasion are generally pru- dent, and not engaged in expensive luxurious modes o,' life. March 10. A oentleman lately from Brest acquaints Lord Sandwich that a piece of bad news had arrived there from the West Indies, which renders somewhat probable the report of a 43 '*- w fcf ■-""> ' -vrnM i"t. in quest of other ad- ventures; probably to assist in retaking St. Lucia. Mb> it provu true. March 12. I find myself for some time laboi mg under distress- ing symptoms, which I have reason to believe my natiu c too feeble to ^vithstand, and which must soon give way to and yield m the struj;;gie. May I retire wh j;e undue passion, ungoverns d appetite, anu seifoh regHiiU i»hall have no rule or sway, and all shall be peace, haroiiony, !i-ul\:ai - i^ards, utsCi no intemperate gratifications. March .18. Thii- day auvice is come from Ireland of the most serio\is ni^tus ■ : a la; c,,' quantify of artillery is arrived there from France, uii.^er the piviext of securing the island from foreign inva- sion , but froin the known general prevailing wish among tht; peo- ple, there is some reason to fear a general revolt from this govern- ment, and ;in independency thereon. Should it take place, wo betide this faiiing nation. March 20. On the Earl of Surry's rising in the House of Commons to make his motion about removing ministers, Lord North arose, and after some altercatior; about the propriety of his standing up -A the same time with the member, en his explaining his motives he was allowed to proceed, when he announced his (and the rest of the king's servants') quitting the administration, and moved for an adjournment till next Monday, by which time the business now in hand would be finished, and a new arrangement of ministers settled, not one of the old ones to remain in office. A greediness to share in the public pknuler is, I fear, the primum mobile, nor shall we, it is greatly to be apprehended, gain much advantage by a new set, unless they shall totally change the system, form alli- r-ces, (for not one at present have we,) if that shall be practicohle, put an end to the American dispute, and conciliate some of r .,\ victorious foes. On this occasion Lord Surrey happened to espy krxiol' -xc ■■■•» 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 339 American seceding general, in the house, sent him a message to depart, threatening, in case of refusol, to move for breaking up the gallery; to which the general answered, that he was introduced there by a member ; to which Lord Surrey replied, he might under that condition stay, if he would promise wver to enter it again, with which General Arnold complied. This is the second instance of puplic disrespect he has met with : the king having been forced to engage his royal word not to employ or pension him ; a just reward for treachery, which is ever odious. March 26. The town full of talk about the new ministry ; I doubt their success in settling with America : that poor continent is too much in the power of France to effect a reconciliation on any terms but such as the haughty court of Versailles shall approve of; and ihey, I dare say, will be humiliating enough to this in- fatuated country : which term, all the world will soon see, may with equal propriety be applied to English America. March 27. Dined at Mrs. Snelson's on Ludgate-hill ; passed an hour at the coffee-house before dinner, reading the newspapers containing the following list of the expected new ministry, which is a total change, there being, (as expresi^ed,) " not a hoof left of the old." Lord North and his compeers are obliged, from a minority in some questions, and a slender decreasing majority in others, to surrender their posts to the opposition; who come into play on principles professedly opposite to the late schemes of the cabinet respecting America, and the war consequent thereon : — Marquis of Rockingham, First Lord of the Treasury- Lord John Cavendish, Chancellor of the E.\chequer. Lord Camden, President of the Council. T)rke of Grafton, Lord Privy Seal. Duke of Richmond, Master of Ordnance. Secretary for Southern Depaitment, Lord Shelburne. Do. Northern do. Charles J. Fox. Mr. Dunning, Attorney-General, with promise of being enno- bled, seals first vacancy. Mr. L. . 'joii,.(tor-Gen>?ral. Adr tai Keppell, Tirf^t Lord of the Admiralty. (:;- .jeral Conway, Comi^ander in Chief of Forces. Lard Howe, do. of Fleet. k SKfei ...smi. ■rlF^T 340 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. r Duke of Rutland, Master of ti;e ilorse. Mr. Barro, or Mr. Thomas Townsend, Secretary at War. Mr. Burke, Secretary to the First Lord of the Treasury, also Receiver and Paymaster-General. Remaining Lords of the Treasury, Lord John Cavendish, Lord Althorp, John Spencer, James Greville, and Frederick Montague, Esqrs. In order to keep in the present administration, the cabinet had come to a full determination to propose a dissolution of Parliament to the council ; which being proposed, was at length agreed to as the only expedient to save their honor and support the present measures ; the usual ministerial majority in the House of Commons being every day visibly lessened. But the chancellor, Lord Thur- low, with a fortitude and magnanimity peculiar to himself, and worthy of the highest praise, withdrew and refused to affix the seals, whereby this junto scheme is totally overset; nor dare the king nor his ministers discover any roscntmonl at their disappoint- ment. It is thought very serious consequences would have fol- lowed, and public royal disapprobation. Thank God that there yet remain any instances of virtue and regard to public safety amidst our deplorable situation, mercenary views, incredible dissi- pation, (wherein all ranks are involved,) profligacy and effeminacy of manners, and the open un-?strained practices of genteel vice and disregard of religion. March 28. Visited Mr. Timmins for two hours ; he returned with ine. That the Prince of Wales is not content to take all upon trust, the following story perhaps will illustrate : — Returning lately from an airing on horseback, attended by a companion and one servant, on his arrival in St. James's Park, he alighted, and giving his horse to the servant, proceeded on foot with his friend to the gallery of the House of Commons, where he abode for some hours. "Whilst there, having entered with his hat on, he was ordered to take it off, with which he complied, i^eeping his handkerchief up to his face to prevent the discovery of his person. Having heard mary things before unknown to him, he departed, surprised and informed. This excursion continued so long as to d'.'lay the royal dinner for more than an hour, and occasioned an anxiety in his royal parents' breasts ; his absence at meals being unusual. On 1782.] his ent( been, n( complii the kin mise to the pres as possi and all 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 341 his entering, being questioned, he fraokly owned vrhere he had been, not a little to the disapprobation of his father ; who has since complied with his request to allow him a summcjr's progress through the kingdom, which he has often solicited, in case he would pro- mise to make no more such elopements. It is a maxim of state for the present incumbent of the throne to keep the successor ignorant as possible, and totally unconcerned and unused to court measures and all public concerns, and this king seems inclined to put the maxim in practice to its extent. March 29. Good Friday ; attended worship at Whitehall chapel. Lord North present. Being disappointed in Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's church, (at the former by the lowness of the reader's voice, at the latter by the service not having begun,) proceeding cityward, just as I came to the gate leading from Par- liament-street to Scotland-yard, or Whiiehall, who should cross me but a large clumsy gentleman with a blue ribbon across his breast, who, on inquiry, I found was Lord North. Following him into Whitehall chapel, I remained during the service. He is rather above the common height, and bulk greatly exceeding ; large legs^ walks heavily, manner clumsy j very large featured, thick lips, wide mouth, high forehead, large nose, eyes not lively ; uead well covered with hair, which he wears high befo c. The preacher was Dr. Noel, dean of Salisbury, the only Episcopal preacher that I ever saw or heard repeat the Lord's prayer by heart ; not one of them daring to trust to their memory except this man. His manner and delivery very agreeable, and his discourse e.^ cellent and useful. Dined at Salisbury-court ; met Mr. Dalglish, who accompanied me home to tea and passed evening. March 30. Mr. Dalglish called, and we went together to the Bishop of London's terrace-walk on the banks of the Thames at Fulham, and returned by Little Chelsea. March 31. Attended public worship at St. Paul's; Mr. Hys- lop preached. Drank tea with Mr. Peters. He informed me administration would not consent to the independence of America j the ministerial plan is to govern America by a lord-lieutenant, and create nobility ; and if she will n< t agree to Great Britain's pro- posal, to make a partition treaty of the colonies with France, to whom the nciuc : colonies and Canada would be ceded, the ■■*, .NfaMtfK ''WT' m 342 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. .■*-' southern colonies remaining to Great Britain, — a fine bargain, truly. ^pril 4. Mr. Dalglish o^Dcd at ten o'clock, and we departed on foot to Hampton Ccir.i. ^la^'^ *i^r through Chelsea, part of Ham- mersmith to Fulhi . ■ crofsec' iSe rivtrjust above Putney bridge, passed through that town, and to Bornes Mortlake to back of Kew ; from thence to Richmond, crossing the river at the bridge, pro- ceeded through Twickenham to Hampton, passing Bushy Park, a tecHous level of more than a mile in length, arrived at King's Arms inn at two o'clock, where we dined. il ijur o'cloti proceeded to the palace; entered with a large company of females, who arrived there at the same time with us, joining a master witli a number oC young persons, his pupils, and a governess with a score of youn.', misses, rendering our company through the royal apart- ments very numerous. The rooms almost all hung in rich tapestry of Brussels manufacture, wrought in gold and silver, which, being put up in King William's reign, time has somewhat tarnished. Pity that the room built for the reception of the Cartoons, and which they long adorned, is now by this king's whim robbed of them to cover the stairtase walls of Bui kingliam House. Return- ing we arrived at " King's Arms" inn, on the borders of Kew Green, and at the foot of the bridge leading to Brentford at eight o'clock, where we supped and lodged. ^pril 5. We walked on Bankside terrace as far as Sion House, meaning opposite thereto. Returning we passed the building, and taking the foot-path by the river, kept it through Chiswick and Hammersmith as far as it was continued, affording most agreeable views; then turning crossed the countrv to Fulham and by little Chelsea, arriving at Don Saltero's cafe on the bank of the river, •where we dined, and at four o'clock departed, arriving at my lodg- ings at five o'clock, having; in two days walked thirty-two miles, (yesterday twenty-one, and eleven to-day,) and am at this present writing no more fatigued nor less able to take another walk to- morrow of the same length. J3prii6. Capt. Coombs and M; ^alglish drank tea with me. April 7, Sunday. Attended \ lip ; id communion at Es- sex House chapel ; Mr. Lindsay read the service and officiated at i.e communion. Dr. Priestley preached an excellent discourse. ■f ■^J^; 1782.] JOURNAL AND t, KTibKS, 343 TO SAMUEL SF.WALL, ESQ., SIDMOUTH. Brompton, April 8, 1782. Dear Sir : I fancy you need not give yourself any concern about future supplies, which my last letter iiitimatrd. Government, it is proba- ble, will not be guilty of such injustice as to withhold what the public faith has engaged. Some ill-founded grants will be stopped, and here the reform in this will end. Truly your friend, S. CUKWEN. April 8. Removed my lodgings from Yeoman's Row to Mrs. Smilhson's, near the chapel, Brompton. Jlpril 15. News from East Indies that our Admiral Hughes had taken three places from the Dutch on the coast of Malabar. Further accounts of the designed reform by new administration in national expenditures and abolition of all needless sinecure estab- lishments — wish it may prove true and of lasting advantage. April 18. The delegates of the associated counties held their first meeting in the new common council chamber at Guildhall, ''aring the late administration they were refused it with some marks of contemptuous disapprobation. New men and new meas- uics li:ive ell.cled a wonderful change in the common council of London. April 19. This day seven years the fatal fight at Lexington, Mass., happened ; productive of such baneful consequences to Great Britain and America ; what will be its is.sue, is known only to Him who overrules the folly and wickedness of man, to serve his own wise purposes ; may all of them who are so deeply interes'wl therein be prepared for it. April 20. It is affirmed that the cabinet, which consists of ten members, have been thrice equally divided; the lord president in that case makes report to the king, and he agrees with one opin- ion, which is then entered in the council books, with this addition, " by command of his majesty." The king refused to give his opin- ion, saying, " Let it he done as they determine among themselves.'* " But, sire, they are divided." " So let it remain thenP' — A strong "*• V 344 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [178v H >v ground of suspicion that neither measures nor raei: are to his liking. " The king in a pet, his afTairs all deranged, Has nt last his unmorciriil ministers olionged ; Orave news, quoth the Congress ; but better would be, Had the king when he changed them omitted the C." ^pril 24. Admiral Barrington has sent into Portsmouth four French transports from Brest and a large ship armed enjlide, and was left chasing four men-of-war near the harbor. Jlpril 25. Admiral Barrington arrived in harbor with ten ships of the line and nine transports — French prizes, intended for the East Indies, with another French ship of sixty-four guns armed enjlute. May 2. To Westminster Hall ; sat an hour in chancery court, heard lord chancellor try three causes; method summary. May 9. To Chelsea — took tea with Mrs. Tiramins — Robert Hallowell first acquainted me with Clark Pickman's death. TO RICHARD WARD, ESQ., SALEM. London, May 11, 1782. Dear Sir : Should your great and good ally obtain the two only very pro- bable objects of her American alliance, the impoverishment of Great Britain and the consequent seizure of the late English colo- nies, which she seems at present in a fair way for, no man on this side the Atlantic in his wits would, I think, whatever regard he may feel for his native country, willingly forego a bare subsistence here for French domination and wooden shoes there. I would just suggest to you, should America in this hour refuse the offers Great Britain may make of a separate peace ; or France refuse to suffer her, (for we well know here the power she has acquired over her,) and no partition treaty take place, (being in the present situ- ation the best to be expected,) depend upon it, you fathers of the present age will have it in their power ere many revolutions of the sun, to tell their children the inestimable civil, religious and politi- cal privileges you of this generation have wantoned away, and with sad regret recount the happy condition of former days j nor will the comparison with those you will then mournfully experi- 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 345 IS m ence between English protection and French oppression, fail to enhance your misery. You will then fuul the little finger of French power heavier than the loin of the English government, with all its apprehended train of evils. As a proof of ray needless fears or right judgment, convey my kind love to your wife and children. Your friend, 1$ S. CURWEN. TO HON. JONATHAN SEWALL, BRISTOL. London, May 12, 1782. Dear Sir : Confined as I have been, for near two years, to a very narrow circle without variety, like monotony in music, every thing about me is become insipid. I am therefore going into a scene of new objects, and hey for Flanders for a month. Naturalists say change of air, even from bad to worse, is good for the health of the body ; that of the Netherlands must, I think, be certainly salubrious and nutritive. How happy should I be to have so agreeable a com- panion as .Judge Sewall. Who knows what effect a month's resi- dence may produce t For my part I fancy my thin lathy body in that air, and by the use of rich generous Burgundy, etc., procurable there at a cheap rate, may increase to a manly bulk. My heart ■would dilate with pride and pleasure to receive a note of compli- ance with my request — nor should I be displeased if your kinsman Samuel Sewal! should join and make a trio. Please remember me to your family and those of our countrymen with you with whom I am acquainted. Very truly yours, S. CuRWEN. r •,.4- './I May 12. It is suggested that the new administration mean to increase the power of the crown by their projected new militia. As they have, or one of them at least, deceived the people by fre- quently declaring he had a peace in his pocket, when the event showed the falsehood of those declarations; should their other pre- tensions prove as futile and groundless, they will deserve the exe- cration of this and future generations, and will, I hope, meet a deserved fate. At best, however, I expect not much good, and 44 * 346 JOUKNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. J'*- think ours an ill-compacted junto of very short duration : their principles are not uniform nor concurrent. May 17. At New England Coffee-house heard the glorious news ot Admiral Rodney's defeat and capture of the French Ad- miral de Grasse, with five capital ships, and one sunk. With Mr. Dalglish to Chelsea College Gardens — thence to Mr. Timmins's to tea. May 18. Trinquemale, the strongest garrison belonging to the Dutch, and called the Gibraltar of the East Indies, being the principal fortress on the island of Ceylon, has been captured by Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, who was going against another fort, "which he hoped to reduce. May 23. Dined at New England Coffee-house with New England company. May 24. WHh Mr. Dalglish went to Maddocks the florist's exhibition of tulip j ; he pointed out the bell king and bell queen stocks, a beautiful and singular plant, which he is unable to in- crease, having vU rived but one oflset in twenty-two years ; had been offered twenty-two guineas for it ; the tints are exquisitely fine. This day arrived further advice of Sir Samuel Hood's capture of two more French raen-of-war,^viz., L'Esprit of eighty guns, and Philo of seventy-four, and two frigates, the Amiable, thirty- two and Ceres eighteen, in the West Indies. May 25. Loitering through St. James's Park, and seeing many people collected around the rails of Buckingham House, stopped to see the Prince of Wales, who soon appeared in a phae- ton with Col. Tarleton, who, I was told, is frequently to be seen ■with him. June 3. Crossed Westminster bridge to visit Mrs. Hay and Mr. Dalglish. June 9. It is reported that the Russian ambassador announced that the czarina has declared, in case the Dutch refuse the offer Great Britain has made, which she pronounces liberal, that she •will assist the English with her fleet — eighteen for channel service and twenty against the Dutch. June 25. To Queen dock, Wapping, to see Capt. Coombs on board a ship he is appointed to keep guard in ', stepped in at long room, custom-house. me ••'If'--' ^^-^r 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 347 June 28. To Mark-lane corn market, to inquire for Indian corn, and was told there had been none for two years. Afterwards met Mr. Flucker in the Park,'and conversed with him half an hour. Met T. Goldthwait, and rode with him to Charing Cross ; invited me to dine at his house, Walthamstow. June 29. Took a long walk with Mr. Hutchinson. Met a man with a mug in his hand, which he said was once the famous Shakspeare's, and that he inherited it from his wife's father, who was heir to all Shakspeare's effects, being a descendant from him in the female line; and that Garrick had offered ten guineas for it when he celebrated the jubilee at Stratford upon Avon. The Pub- lic Advertiser to-day says, " Administration have very laudably de- termined on withdrawing their pensions from the American refu- gees ; so that next year," says the writer, " we may hope for some more haymakers than we are able to get for the present har- vest." An ill-natured and I hope untrue declaration. J 'Jy 1. Visited Parson Peters ; meeting there Parson Wiswall, accompanied him to Battersea bridge, having stepped into Don Saltero's cafe, Chelsea, and drank tea TO REV. ISAAC SMITH, SIDMOUTH. JVear Brompton Chapel, July 2, 1782. Dear Sir : You desire me to be communicative about myself — a poor sub- ject, truly, to write about. I am, however, to thank you for your soli- citude, and at present, as you see by the date, am very near the house of God, but never enter therein, keeping steady to our con- venticle in Essex-street, Strand, which is my regular and constant Sunday's resort ; retaining still rny old Nevv England prejudice of observing the fourth commandment. My health is b;.tter than usual, having escaped the epidemic hitherto. Three days since I received a letter from T. B., wherein he acquaints me that our friends are well. I presume you have heard of the death of Judge Lynde and Clark Fickman. Your townsman Allen is dead, leaving Sir William Pepperell and George Erving his executors, directing that his remains shall be removed after the troubles to the vault under King's Chapel, Boston. Xrr •'- ^^y^ \k:--0r'-77^-'" 348 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. We have an American Thursday dinner club at the New Eng- land Coffee-house. Very truly your friend, ** S. Cdrwen. July 3. Meeting Parson "Wiswall, oa whose recommendation I went to Battersea to engage lodgings for a fortnight ; from thence to his church and attended prayers, where were present nine in the house exclusive of nine parish boys. From thence we set off by agreement on a walk to Kingston on the Thames, nine miles, arri- ving at the " Sun," where took a cold repast, a pottle of straw- berries ; arrived at lodgings before nine o'clock. New arrange- ment of ministry; Lord Shelburne first commissioner of the treasury, Earl Temple secretary in lieu of Chs. Jas. Fox, and Mr. Pitt, a favorite patriotic speaker, in lieu of Lord Shelburne ; Burke out, and Barrc also, with a pension of ^£3,200 per annum ; Duke of Manchester lord chamberlain. July 4. Went to London to the Thursday dinner at New England Coflee-house. July 5. Went to Westminster, and in the lobby of the House of Commons heard that Charles J. Fox, Lord John Cavendish, Edmund Burke, and General Conway, have been dismissed from the king's service ; the former on account of his speech last Monday, declaring the independency of America to be agreed on, which Lord Shelburne denied, having steadily refused his consent thereto. Lord Rockingham's death, which happened last Monday, has very probably hastened the present event. Returned as far as Mr. Elisha Hutchinson's, Brompton, and drank tea with the family. July IL Dined as usual at New England fish-club dinner. The king prorogued Parliament, and made a speech from the throne in his robes and crown. July 16. At Parson Peters's met young Parson Clarke, and observing him speak articulately, and with some degree of clear- ness, expressed ray surprise ; and inquiring the cause, he told me his speech came to him on a sudden, and on the very day seven years that he was first seized with the incapability of uttering sounds. "y^wSJpw'f^T. 1782.] JOURNAL \ND LETTERS. 349 July 21. To Kensington Gardens ; there met Thomas Danforth and Samuel Porter ; the latter related an account of his voyage to Oporto. July 22. Went to Clapham Common to dine with Mr. Gilbert Harrison ; Mr. Toulmin and his lady's mother there. Returned through the fields ; the hedges perfumed by sweet smelling blossoms. July 25. Had a view of the Duke of Cumberland's sailing match on the river, from Mr. Hay's summer-house on the bank. River covered with barges and boats, oars, scullers and sails ; the duke in his own barge, ensign red, having an anchor and a length of cable in gold-leaf depicted thereon. A great concourse attended ; he was in going saluted by a discharge of small cannon ; the boats departed from Blackfriars bridge, length of course to Putney bridge ; premium a silver cup of jE50 value. July 27. Dined at New England Coffee-house on fish in com- pany with Mr. Flucker, Francis Waldo, Mr. Hutchinson, Thomas Goldthwait, etc. July 29. Through Hackney to Walthamstow, where dined with Mr. Goldthwait. August 3. In passing Bird-cage Walk had a slight glimpse of Count de Grasse at Sir Peter Parker's window j he is a stout, very tall man. August 4. At Battersea church ; the vicar. Parson Gardner, preached. August 21. Wrote Mr. Elisha Hutchinson at Birmingham. Afterwards went to Capt. Coombs' at a Mr. Birch's, beyond Folly Bridge, Dockhead ; on the door of a meeting-house I passed ob- served the following words written in chalk, " We have erred and strayed." Unless the supporters of the doctrine of necessity, or even expediency, of a universal conformity to a state establishment of the form of religious worship, can lay its foundation ia reason or a command in holy writ, I defy the ablest disputant to prove me or any dissenter in England or elsewhere guilty of a fault in ad- hering to a diiferent mode of external worship, or schism in a bad sense. On the contrary, all political establishments being tinctured with the reigning prmciples of the times when they were founded, and men's notions and opinions changing with fashions, usages, customs and language, a continued sameness is utterly impossible ; 350 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. the endeavor therefore to compel men is offering a violence to the understanding, and denotes the character called in Scripture the man of sin, wherever found. August 28. Over Westminster Bridge to Mrs. Chapman's, Kensington, to visit Mrs, Hay. Mr. Danforth called. Drank tea at Parson Peters's. ,-hignsi '?)\ This day the papers announce Prince William H«.nry's* death, at New-York, being the second breach in the royal family, Prince Alfred, the youngest, having died last week. There remain a dozen, a heavy burden yet on the national finances. Called on Mr. Danforth, and there met Mr. Brewer, late governor of Bermuda ; Mr. Danforth is assisting him in preparing his papers in answer to sixteen allegations or acts of complaint lodged in the king's council against him. Sept. 1. Attended worship at St. Martin's; Mr. Harrison preached to a full assembly. After describing Christian poverty of spirit, and assigning some reasons why Christ began his first public discourse by recommending this virtue, he mentioned two sorts of men who were wholly destitute of it, viz., those Calvinistic profes- sors who pretended to a certainty of their salvation, and those who claimed it as a merit due to their good works ; both of whom he pronounced deficient in the distinguishing characteristic of Christ's religion. Sept. 3. Capts. Peters and Walker called and took tea with me ; the lOrmer a brother of Parson Samuel Peters, the latter from Worcester. Sept. 5. In walking through Parliament-street and seeing crowds running through Scotland-yard, joined them, and on in- quiry found they were accompanying Parson Lloyd, a clergyman, returned from Bow-stree' Justices' examination to Westminster Bridewell, from whence he was taken this morning on a complaint of highway robbery ; and it is said he is identified. He seemed hardened, and of a rough, bold cast, and begged with a careless boldness money of every well dressed person that passed as he was being conducted to prison in irons ; his right hand being also chained to an officer's, or one of the justice's men. Sept. 6. Called at Mr. Wiswall's to accompany him to Holy- • Premature — lie became king at the decense of his brother George IV. *-♦ 1782.] *f JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 361 well-lane, as far as the gateway of King John's palace, which he never had seen before. Sept. 7. Over Westminster Bridge to turnpike head of Kent- street, designing to go to Edmund's great gardens at Deptford ; but the time being far spent, ^nd they a mile and a half distant, I proceeded no further ; and turning my steps homeward, passed through Kent-street, a long narrow one, of low ordinary houses, and inhabitants corresponding ; scarcely one reputable person ap- pearing in view. Sept. 9. To Mr. Edmund's house, the great Deptford gardener, to see his asparagus lot of forty acres. Sept. 11. "Went with Mr. Peters to Mr. Hunter's seat at Hamp- stead, west end — arrived at one o'clock; kindly welcomed, dined, drank tea, and departed at six o'clock. Passing through the fields, arrived at the Edgeware road, where one of the queen's coaches returning to town received us in. Sept. 13. Called on Parson Peters^ from whom learned more of the convulsed state of Massachusetts and Connecticut than I had heard before. The people there are more impatient than elsewhere under public expenses, and retain more of the old republican leaven ; but I knovs' not whether they have not more political discernment and attend more closely to the steps of their rulers ; and in truth the Bible, the lair-book, and the gun, are more used there than in any part of the English dominions j therefore more than anywhere else on the face of the globe — no other country having had so great a share of political and civil liberty. By the packet from New-York, Sir William Pepperell here has received a letter from the Rev. William Walter there, informing him that the counties of Worcester and Hampshire, in the Massachusetts Bay, have declined sending members to the provincial assembly, and aijjo the payment of the tax of eight shillings on each head through the United States, laid by Congress, amounting to four millions of hard dol- lars, and that it had only raised twenty thousand. That the said counties had sent to know of Sir Guy Carleton on what terms Great Britain would receive them. Also that courts of justice and all law proceedings were stopped in Berkshire as well as in Worce^Ler and Hampshire, a general uneasiness having taken place by the Congres?'s requisition to pay the tax in hard money. \ 11 -.^JSSSH^' -»>r,-*-;'7^«yV?^T.?rT'"^(KiT TP K %t 3H 352 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. It is also reported that Dr. Saunders had received private letters, acquainting him that four of the colonies had protested against con- tinuing any longer their French alliance. Sept. 14. Walked to Smithfield bars ; saw for the first time since its demolition old Hicks's Hall, a few remains and rubbish only, leaving road to St. John's-street very commodious and wide. Lord Howe sailed with thirty-four ships to the relief of Gibral- tar. Sept. 26. It is announced that a commission was last Tuesday perfected under the great seal, empowering General Sir Guy Carleton and Admiral Digby at New-York to acknowledge American independence ; and to treat with Congress, or either of the thirteen states, or any body of men. A fine bargain, truly, has this once powerful weaKiiy state offered to their lately despised colonies. But human policy sometimes overshoots its mark ; human wisdom is narrow, and human designs are controlled by a 'viser director than govern court-cabinet councils, and who acts on broader plans. Sept. 30. Went to the city to deliver a letter for conveyance to Rev. Mr. Peters ; from Blackfriars Bridge had a sight of city barges with flags displayed, rowing down stream ; having the sheriffs, lord mayor and aldermen returning from Westminster Hall, the former being this day sworn into office by one of the barons of the exchequer. Oct. 4. Advices received at Lord Shelburne's that the siege of Gibraltar is raised. Oct. 7. It is reported to-day, that the Spanish floating gun- batteries had been defeated before Gibraltar ; eleven burnt, sunk, and destroyed, having one hundred and ninety-three brass cannon of twenty-four pound shot, besides one hundred and fifty iron, same calibre ; between fifteen hundred and two thousand men ; it hav- ing been a general assault, begun on St. Louis's day, September 9th, and completed 13th ; — three hundred poor souls General Elliot picked up in the water after the batteries were sunk, and sent them in the same day to their friends and country : this by a letter from the Hague, and I •' 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 353 TO MR. ANDREW DALGLISH, GLASGOW. London, Oct. 7, 1782. Dear Sir : In Hampslure government the opposition has been so general and violent as to require a body of French soldiers to be sent against them, who, on attempting to reduce the insurgents, were attacked, and some lives on both sides lost, without accomplishing the purpose of their errand.* Yet for all this ihere is not the least disposition in general, as a state, to accept of the terms Great Britain has offered without the concurrence of their great and good ally. On General Carleton's proclamation, the Congress and con- tinental governments declared it insidious, and despised the offer of independence, which they contemptuously said did not depend on the consent of Great Britain. The letter you inquire about was written by Parson Walter, whom you know very well, and is of the same complexion with all advices received from that quarter, which, ever since the com- mencement of this quarrel, have been amusing the public with as- surances of a speedy reduction of the rebellion, as they term it ; florid descriptions of the desperate situation of the rebel array ; the sufferings of the country, a growing dislike of Congressional authority, mutual heart-burnings and quarrels amongst its members, and an increasing affection towards the mother country ; all which from the first I disbelieved, and it now proves in event, after a course of six years' delusion, to have been the phantoms of a heated party imagination. I have seen at large a relation of the distresses and inability of the New-York government under the republican rulers, in a repre- sentation made by the House of Assembly to their government ; the picture perhaps may serve for the rest of the colonies. It is the opinion of some refugees that New-York is by this time evacuated, and if one may judge from analogy, I think it is not improbable j for there never was a time when government had so fair a prospect of overturning that mighty colossus of independency as now : — their distresses never greater, their resources exhausted, loans not to be obtained, French troops few in number, ^uid their own army ♦ Wholly incorrect. 45 5 ii 354 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. •.'» clwintlled to a pitiful size ; but the die is cast, and as the same ill star which has had the ascendant ever since this baneful quarrel commenced still continues to shed its malignant influence, govern- ment has formally offered America unconditional independency under the royal sign manual. Gen. Carleton writes that the colo- nies are so determinetl against all governmental connections \?ith Great Britain, that if they cannot maintain their independency, they will declare themselves colonies f France, and if Ihey must be slaves they will take a new yoke, however galling, rather than put on the old one ; this, by the way, is carrying political resentment to the highest pitch of folly and frenzy. Very truly your friend, S. CUKWEN. Oct. 9. This day, for sundry reasons, ought to be inserted in the very short list oldies albi, (white days,) which I note, that on inspection T may refresh my memory with a pleasing recollection amidst the gloom, ihat from a constrained absence from my native country but too generally overspreads my grief-laden mind. Od, 11. Attended Mayne the banker's sale of goods, and also Beranger's, late gentleman of the horse to his majesty ; bought nothing ; things well sold. Mr. William Clarke drank tea with me. Oct. 15, I am told by Mr. Rose no orders are to be delivered till the commissioners, consisting of two members of parliament, Mr. Coke and IVlr. Wilmot, have examined the refugee clairaers and their claims ; that it may rei[uire more than a month's time. Proceeded to Oxford-street to pay Mr. Uanforth a visit ; A^hilst there Mr. Hale entered. Met in streets many returning from an execution of ten felons at Tyburn. Oct. 16. In conversation with a gentleman at an ordinary, I observed in him the prevailing characteristic infirmity of this nation, rendering them both envied and hf^ted by Europe, viz., an overweening conceit of English bravery, accompanied with a con- tempt for other nations; which in this day of their distress they now feel the sad effects of, in the cool indifference the other states view her, embarrassments, though without producing a reformation as far as 1 can perceive. It is generally believed the French and Spaniards will retire from bef re Gibraltar on the approach of the Vk' 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTE.iS. 355 fleet under Lord Howe ; in case of reverse, I know not what rage, disappointment, and despair might be the natural edectsj the poUtical evils are too obvious not to be seen and dreaded. Oct. 17. It is repottcvi the Bavarian re'^ident niinisti-r has received the following impor* \. ; advices, viz., that Lord howe has had an engagemeiit with the combined fleets j taken twelve and de- stroyed seven, with the loss of four or five of his own ships ; all taken are Spanish, not a French one among them ; they retreated into Cadiz harbor, and he pursued his course to Gibraltar, which is thereby relieved, being the great object o;' bis * /age. A few hours after, the above was followed by another, viz., — that Lord Howe in defence of Gibraltar had surrendered to the successful arms o^the combined fleet. By Cai i;\in Afllick from New-York, is ar"ived a confirmation of the loss ''' the T^rench seventy-four, the Iwagnifique, with the Triuinphante of eighty guns from the West Indies under Vaudreuil, bound to Boston ; the one foundered, the other ran ashore at Point Alderton; also the loss of the British ship Lion of sixty-four guns on her passage to New- York. 'Tis said also transports are gone from New-York to take off the troops, etc., from Charleston, and that they are also abandoning New-York ; ^. *ernment being in that case determined to take away every difficulty respecting Ame- rican independence, to bring on a treaty fci a general peace. Oct. IS. Passing through Tooloy-street in the Borough, ob- served the name of Southernwood on a door; V ving knowledge of one of that name in my first voyage to Lo'i ; m\ in 1738, I am determined to call and make inquiry about the fatL:"y of Cottenbilt, with whom I then lived. Oct. 19. Went on a visit to Mr. Danforth ; acquainted him with Mr. and Mrs. Hay's compliments and invitation to dinner to- morrow with me at their house No. 4 Golden-square ; staid till eight. Oct. 23. To Treasury ; gave a card with my name and ad- dress to a Mr. Allen, clerk to Mr. Townshend, one of the secretaries of state, agreeably to an order, to be questioned as to my claims as a refugee for support ; .lie value of my estate and eflfects left behind, losses sustained, etc. etc. Oct. 2d. Went at eleven o'clock, in compliance witMil sura- 366 JOURNAI- AND LETTERS, [1782. 1782.] mons from Messrs. Wi^mnt and Cooke, (incmhers of Parliament, chosen by the lords tt /• treasury to examine the claims of the American suflfe'"'^n, sta'; their claims and produce voucher ,) to attend then; at the American secretary's office, Trcasury-liouse, Whitehall. Was examined and dismissed, after being directed to bring a certificate of ray being a person of property, and of steady uniform attachment to principles of loyalty , which I propose to bring from the late provincial secretary, Mr. Fluckcr. Oct. 26. Drank tea at Samuel H. Sparhaw'c's, Bedford-court, Red-Lion square, and remained till nine o'clock. Oct. 28. Passed afternoon and evening at Mr. Danforth's, ■who assisted me in drawing up ray certificate to present to the commissioners. In thi evening Dr. Jeffries, a brother exile, called in and announced the arrival of an express with advice that Lord Howe is relieving Gibraltar; the French and Spanish looking on him from Algeziras bay without even attempting to loose ground and meet him ; an apparent proof that with fifty-one capital ships they thought themselves unequal to his fleet of thirty-four. It is likewise added, that the Spaniards by the late high wind have lost three ships. Oct. 29. Went fo Mr. Flucker's with the following certificate for his signaturf; \'iz.: — "General Gage and Governor Oliver being absent fc i i.uidon, we, the subscribers, do certify that Samuel Curwcn, lis^i^ late of Salem, in the province of Massa- chusetts Bay, is de; 1 1 nded from an ancient and respectable family in said province. That he has been a deputy Judge of Admiralty and Provincial Impost Officer, and for near thirty years in the com- mission of the peace for the county of Essex ; had always main- tained a most respectable character, and was early distinguished for his attachment to the established constitution of the province, and its dependence on and subordination to the authority of the king of Great Britain, and was esteeinec! a gentleman of consider- able property and fortune." Called in the afternoon and received my certificate, signed, " Thomas Flucker, secretary of the province of Massachusetts Bay." While there, joined by Col. Morrow, just arrived from Cowbridgc, in Walffl, on a like errand. OflJrSl. Called at Mr. Tiramins's; he was engaged in pack- man, * 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS, 357 ing up his goods in order to remove to Wolverhampton, where he is about commencing business. JVirv. 1. To Pimlico, where took tea with Parson Peters. JVov. 2. Reported that Lord Howe lias had an engagement with the combined fleet, and has defeated and dispersed it. JVov. 8. Saw in ray landlord's parlor the poorest nobleman I believe in the three kingdoms, a Lord Kir/cciaP • ''^ brought up a glover, and who for years worked at this trad s£tow ; he is now a captain in the king's guards. Passing a I observed its number 1000, the highest number license ' JKov. 11. Received my order for quurti s i of JE25 ; the first given to any refugee on the new establ l of no de- duction to the officer of commissions. JVov. 25. Cold air j St. James's canal frozen hard enough to bear skating on. JVov. 2G. The meeting of Parliament summoned for to-day is postponed to Thursday 5th proximo, in expectation that the com- missioners at Paris may by that time come to their ultimate deter- mination about peace or war ; or on the preliminaries whereon a peace is to be founded. France and Holland fancy they see too well the probable consequences of prolonging the war, to accept the terms proposed ; presuming in the issue Great Britain must accede to what they shall demand, and who does not 1 None, I dare say, but those who will not, and only such are blind. JVov. 27. Newspapers filled with contradictory reports about peace ; all dread a continuance of this nefarious, ill-omened, ill- judged, distracted quarrel. JVov. 30. Dined and passed the day at Capt. Hay's. Mrs. Chap- man, with whom these my friends board at Kensington Common, near Vauxhall Gardens, says that the famous Sterne, author of " Tristram Shandy,''" Sentimental Journey" etc., was totally void of the fine feelings of humanity, which he so beautifully paints, and are characteristics of his writings, which in respect thereto show him to be an original genius ; and but ill discharged the various relative duties of life ; one instance only excepted, which was an immoderate fondness of an only daughter. As a proof among others, he suffered an aged mother, which but for the proof of it is hardly to b ^jgd ited, to die in a jail for want of money to discharge a debt o^JFcnty I ^< .«>.€> ^-f^A^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 150 *^" RfflS^B 2f »& 11 2.2 2.0 m *z ^^ .>. ^■■> '1^ >>' > Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 % O^ 358 #^ JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1782. pounds. The public ought to know the character of a writer who so ill in practice exemplified what his pen so justly and beautifully describes. This was told her by a very intimate acquaintanc6 of Sterne, who was personally informed of his whole history. JDec. 3. Yesterday Vergennes' secretary brought notice that the commissioners appointed by Great Britain and the thirteen United States, bad signed a provisional treaty, whereupon stocks rose five per cent. The following letter was published : Whitehall, Dec. 3, 1782. The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor: In consequence of my letter to your lordship of the 22d ult., I take the earliest opportunity of acquainting you that a messenger is this moment arrived from Paris with an account of provisional articles having been signed on the 30th ult., by his majesty's com- missioners and the commissioners of the United States of America, to be inserted in and constitute a treaty of peace, which is to be concluded when terms of a peace shall be agreed upon between Great Britain and France. I am, etc., I. TOWNSHEND. Dec. 4. Called on Mr. Heard at Herald's office; there learned, in a conversation with a Mr. Webb, of seeming great political knowledge, that at the time the House of Commons left the late administration in a minority, or in other words, refused to support Lord North's measures, the king took it to heart, and resented it so far as to declare he would leave them (as he expressed it) to them- selves, and go over to Hanover, from whence his family came, and proceeded so far as to order the administration to provide two yachts to transport himself there ; whereupon the queen interfered, and remonstrated against such a desperate measure, so fatal to her and his family, as well as his own personal interest. Others, too, repre- sented the distressful condition to which the nation would be re- duced by the absence and want of royal authority, though it seemedi| little effect, so sadly chagrined and provoked was he. I^^niockingham also joined the remonstrants, and showed the p|||B|^ of a change of men and measures, with no better « 1782.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 359 success ; — so naturally obstinate and pertinaciously bent was he on his favorite plan of subjugating his (here called) rebellious subjects in America, and bringing them to his feet, till he was told that as sure as he set his foot out of the kingdom, the parliament would declare the crown abdicated and the throne vacant, nor would he ever be permitted to re-enter the kingdom again, — which argu- ment, it seems, brought him to a more cool and juster sight of the folly of such a step, and the absolute necessity of stooping to a compliance with the requisitions of the public. I do not pretend to indicate the measures of opposition, but a more unsuccessful ad- ministration, from whatever cause it proceeded, which time will satisfactorily perhaps explain, was never before engaged to promote royal designs. What may be the condition of Great Britain and America at the period of the present distressful war, God knows ; for my own part, I tremble at the event, as desirable as it may be, for I can view neither country without the most fearful apprehen- sions of dreadful distresses ; whoever began and voluntarily con- tinued this unreasonable, pernicious dispute, does and will deserve the execration of this and future ages, and in the language of ****," The child will rue, that is yet unborn, the fatal mea- sures of Lord North's administration." Bee. 5. The king delivered his speech from the throne. I went to see him robe and sit on the throne at the House of Lords ; he was clothed in green laced with gold when he came, and when he went, in red laced ; it being the custom to change his garments. The tail of his wig was in a broad, flowing, loose manner ; called the coronation tail. His abode in the lords' chamber scarce ex- ceeded half an hour, in which he read his speech of eleven pages. As one proof among many that might be given of the restraint and disguise of real sentiments on the part of courtiers, from the highest character in the presence chamber to the lowest lounger and attendant at ministerial levees, take the following : — When the king found himself obliged to take new ministers, and give up Lord North and his associates, it is notorious that it was abhorrent to the royal mind, and being naturally of a pertinacious, obstinate temper, was with the utmost difficulty brought to yield a reluctant^onsent. On the iirst court day after the appointment, when h^HjjjL in a manner forced out of his closet into the room of audiw^K re- :' ai MtA^ h« : t,tfev*.^^*%, f « # # %■ 372 « ^ .4 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. he yields, he will scarcely be more than a doge of Venice, itnd the cabinet will rule and possess the whole power of the state. < ^' f'** Respecting the public, it seems to be of no importance who is in or who is out j all are in pursuit of one plan invariably to the neglect of the general welfare, or more properly at the expense of it. In this inter-reign Lord Shelburne sits and acts in the treasury, and Mr. Pitt as chancellor of the exchequer : — as to the character of the for- mer, though I profess no veneration for him, yet, as an active minister at the head of affairs, whether the public could, in this crisis, have been better served, is a doubt in my mind, notwithstanding the clamor raised by the newspaper writers. I fancy if you will read his speech of the 14th February, and that published in the Ad- vertiser of this day, you will see more reasons for the minister's justification than disappointed pride, private interest, personal dis- like and party rage will allow ; but when one reflects on the al- most universal cry of the nation for peace ; the act of the legislature last session, wherein the independence, the only bone of contention, was as good as given up, and the king almost commanded to put an end to the war in America ; the insupportable load of the na- tional debt, and without some capital reform, which in a time of war is utterly impracticable, will in the event prove soj the ruin- ous prospects from a decided superiority in the East and West Indies, which would have enabled our proud, revengeful enemies to require much more humiliating demands than the present terms ; one would think the nation should rather rejoice to have escaped so dreadful a catastrophe as a continuance most probably might have brought on, and be thankful our enemies were inspired with such a moderate spirit. It is not to be conceived that proud, stub- born, successful enemies, just on the eve of obtaining the long wished object of their ambition, would be persuaded to relinquish all the advantages gained in war without any compensation. The great moderation of the French court under such advantageous circum- stanctb as they now confessedly are, was shown before parties ap- peared so prominent ; but Britons, unused to receive the law, cannot without hard struggles submit — time and cool reflection will clearly manifest the wisdom of the act of last session, and if that be ac- knowledged, the conduct of the late administration, meaning Lord Shelburne and his associates, must of consequence be approved. \*' ♦' \ *» #■♦ K daj m t i • «f; 1* I OURNAL AND LETTERS. 373 '* ' ^ ' Before the preliminaries are ratified or hostilities ceased in the ♦ *'^ channel, an American ship laden with oil, with her thirteen stripes . *' ** flying, came into the river from Nantucket by way of Ostend, and ' " Hi our London traders were but little less in a hurry ; for within a few days after the preliminaries were published, ten or twelve vessels were posted up in the coffee-houses, advertising for freights to New-York and Boston. Nor, indeed, does government seem much less precipitate, for a commercial treaty act is now under consider- ation of a committee of the whole house, and will probably in a few days be ready for the royal signature. The loyalists have been for these two months very deeply engaged in forming plans to counterbalance the dreadful evils consequent on ministerial neglect in the late treaty. I can foresee no good to arise from their indus- try; on the contrary, apprehend mischief, and therefore decline attending. "What think you of returning to your late abode, Salem 1 Should it be my lot, I shall wish for a few old acquaintances, without which the great revolutions in public and private, will, I apprehend, render my return not desirable. Please favor me with your undisguised sentiments freely on the foregoing, and whatever intelligence you may think proper. Very truly your friend, S. CURWEN. €^ March 20. Attended the Royal Society's weekly meeting at Somerset House ; going into the antechamber common to the An- tiquarian Society and Royal Society, one waits until an acquaint- ance or friend appears to procure your name to be set down in the list, which is read aloud by an attendant at the president's order ; when the society, who are already met, are about to begin, each per- son regularly enters and takes his seat, (long slips being placed on either side a middle aisle.) At the head of the room sits the pres- ident, now Sir Joseph Banks, with his hat on his head, all others uncovered ; he in a chair of state elevated three or four steps ; just below it and on the same level with the floor is a half round ma- hogany table, having only two assessors, viz., the two secretaries. Dr. Matty, a person of profound knowledge and learning, but of & » • *• •4'^" i* .oMMMMIIpMfMill iPiPt > ♦• * jry^'* , *f^M*' 374 • » # JOURNAL AND LETTERS. {l783. * most diminutive, unpromising person, and a Mr. Grey, who read "^ the communications to the society respecting experiments and any acquisitions of knowledge in astronomy, etc. • Among others on this occasion was read a letter from the famous Herschel, lately in- * vited from Bath to Windsor by the king, and for his use the round tower there is assigned : by his discoveries in astronomy it seems our solar system is travelling through the immensity of space in a progressive motion, which he deduces from an apparent change of relative situation of some fixed stars most visible or of largest di- ameter, and therefore nearest to us. The election of members is by ballot, each member putting in his vote into the box, presented to each separately, which being delivered into the president's hands, he empties out on the desk before him, and after counting, declares the candidate elected (or otherwise) a fellow of this soci- ety ; an instance I saw this night, and it is not a common sight. A candidate stands four months after proposed before balloted for. Dr. Cope, Bishop of Clonfert, being this night proposed, the presi- dent out of regard to his dignity as a peer of Ireland, dispensed with the usual forms and proceeded to a ballot, which was not ob- jected to. The assembly wa# in number to appearance scarce short of two hundred — the room a noble one, eighty feet by thirty, and twenty high ; the walls covered on all sides with half length and quarter portraits, arranged one above the other — Sir Isaac Newton's being at the head of the room in the centre of the middle space, and opposite the door. A person of modest assu- rance may push himself in amongst the company, few of the visit- ors being known, and no inquiry made on whose account one appears there. A friend engaged Dr. Fothergill to insert my name, which he entered by speaking to Dr. Matty, without entering his name. Every one who appears is presumed to have some relish for and acquaintance with some one or more of the branches of literature, etc., for that reason the society is not strict in examining their pretences to attend. The meeting begins at eight, and com- monly ends at ten — none spoke but the president, nor read but the secretaries. March 21. Met the king in a sedan chair, accompanied by ten or twelve yeomen and footmen, going to St. James's. New min- «t '-^v. t # '% . %..^^ I .m m f; t « ♦ a It ^ 1783.] ^^B^ f JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 375 istry is said to have been settled ; Lord North, 'tis said, to return to public life as a secretary of state. If so, probably c.t the king's earnest entreaty, otherwise it is hard to account for. March 24. To the repioach of the king and the nation, gov- ernment is without a ministry, notwithstanding the daily reports of an arrangement ; selfishness, venality, rapacity and dissipation are the characteristics of this age and nation ; to which must be added, in order to finish the picture, a total disregard of the idea of public welfare, which all men speculatively consider as a necessary, but as a crazy phantom, and therefore practically neglected. March 28. At the lobby of the House of Commons, which soon after meeting adjourned to Monday. Favored for the first time with a sight of young Pitt, that forward political plant ; may he imitate his father as well in integrity and amor patrite, as in oratorical ability and natural powers. Some think appearances promise a more abundant harvest; should he continue in the national councils the public will be highly favored of heaven. March 29. At Treasury, informed by Mr. Rowe that Lord Shelburne had surrendered his seat as first lord. No ministry set- tied, nor to appearance is like to be soon ; the king unyielding, and the candidates as stiff and uncomplying. The old story of Lord Bute's pernicious influence prevails again ; there is some ad- vice unseen that supports the king's obstinacy, for I know not what else to call his non-compliance. March 30. At St. James's, in the gallery ; the king and queen passed through from the chapel to the green-room ; on leaving the antechamber I luckily, being small, crowded myself under the elbow of a good-natured yeoman, and in the front rank had a full view of the king, queen, prince of Wales, and the court train. On the other side of the yeoman stood a boy, who on the king's approach, bending one knee, presented a petition ; the king took it without any further notice, and after walking a few steps, put it into the hand of the lord in waiting. Soon after I departed, leaving the gallery filling, and the passage under the piazzas in the court middle lined double on both sides, to have a sight of the company going up. March 31. Samuel Porter, Peter Frye and myself, visited Mr. Hughes at dinner and tea. ^j;^ «' ''I 1 •h* % *r m "^'Wfc'"'^' .♦' •*■ tm m^ 376 ?liP- JOUKNAL AND LETTERS. [1783. ^pril 2. Read a Boston newspaper, where I saw poor Coombs' estate in Marblehead advertised for sale. I really pity my poor fellow refugee, and think him cruelly treated by his savage towns- men. This day's paper announces administration settled : — Duke of Portland, First Lord of the Treasury. Lord John Cavendish, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Lord North and Charles J. Fox, Secretaries of State. Lord Stormont, President of the Council. Earl of Carlisle, Lord Privy Seal. Lord Keppel, first Lord of the Admiralty. Mr. Burke, Paymaster of the Forces. Colonel North, Treasurer of the Navy. ^pril 5. Called at Mr. Tassey's to have a sight of the curious cabinet of satin wood, inlaid and decorated with many devices, figurative, etc., on front and sides : its contents, rows of drawers containing impressions of intaglios, cameos, seals, etc., to the num- ber of more than six thousand, duplicated, to be sent to the Empress of Russia by her express order, — value, several thousands ; she is a great encourager of ingenious artists, particularly English ones. Jlpril 7. Passed a crowd attending procession in Parliament- street, going to take the Westminster candidate, Charles J. Fox, from his lodgings to the hustings under St. Paul's, Covent Garden portico. First marched musicians two and two, then four men sup- porting two red painted poles having on top the cap of liberty of a dark blue color; to each was fastened a light blue silk standard about nine feet long and five wide, having inscribed thereon in golden letters these words, " The Man of the People ;" followed by the butchers with marrow-bones and cleavers ; then the com- mittee two and two, holding in their hands white wands ; in the rear the carriages. They stopped at his house in St. James's- street, where taking him up, he accompanied them in Mr. Byng's carriage through Pall Mall and the Strand to the hustings, when the election proceeded ; made without opposition, no competitor appearing against him. ^pril 13. Called on Mr. Jonathan Williams and Captain Johnson, and conducted them to Essex House chapel ; Mr. Lindsay preached ; — subject, the address of the gospel to the poorer and middling ranks, which shows hoththe wisdom and goodness of God. » ■-JS*- «^' ^^' * .;■ 0:, '[■^U -5"'*^ TfifM *■. ' * "i^ * • • ■^.* i # .' * m.* f "\.. 1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 377 Apru 19. Met two numerous companies of sailors parading through the streets with an ancient; told they were going to demand of the king their wages, having been discharged without payment ; but in returning through the Park could get no intelli- gence of their having made any demand at the Palace or Admiralty, and conclude they had been persuaded to separate on a promise of speedy payment ; a number yesterday having obtained the king's promise that the sailors should be relieved by the first instalment of the present loan to be made in a few days. May 13. Captain Coombs called early by agreement with me, and then departed to take coach for Kew Bridge at nine o'clock ; arrived at eleven ; from thence on foot through Kew and the ter- race to Richmond, and through Twickenham to Hampton Court ; dined at King's Arms; proceeded through the gardens to the palace, and passing through observed the paintings in better order than before ; was informed they were lately cleaned by the king's order, and some new ones brought from the queen's house and Kensington ; returned back through Bushy Park by a returned chaise. Was told that Kensington Palace may be seen as well as the others ; and also, that Hyde Park came to the crown by the Duchess of York, Lord Clarendon's daughter, the mother of queens Mary and Anne, and would in eight years revert back, unless the the king should obtain a new lease thereof. May 14. Went to Shoreditch work-house to see a Mr. Best, who is remarkable as a most perfect textuarian, and without looking in the Bible refers to particular texts, repeating the very words and all of them, to the number of many verses, often some- times apposite to the circumstances of the applier ; — seems not at a loss for any word or order in the text, and repeats slowly. He first looks into the right hand, pretending to a great knowledge of pal- mistry ; among other parts, he applied the 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of 30th Deuteronomy to me, being then a refugee from America in London. His language is only in Scripture phrases; his room, large in extent, is filled almost with work of his own, in straw, of Scripture stories — as the creation, flood, passage of the Israelites over the Red Sea, etc. ; — New Testament — the nativity, baptism in Jordan, miracle of loaves and fishes, broad and narrow way, crucifixion, lying in the tomb, rising from the dead — called ascen- 48 ■*»: *h . * '■"^ iHm HtfKk w '^ '^'^ # itt 378 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783. sion — day of judgment, last trumpet sounding, etc. These are separate compartments made of straw, with divisions in the same style and materials j he is continually, when not interrrupted by com- pany, at work in making small works of flowers, rings in imitation of large seal rings, one of which he put on my finger. By his ready application and repeating the very words of Scripture, and the places where they are to be found, he seems to have got the whole Bible by heart ; after looking into my hand, be referred me to sundry texts, some of which I confess struck me with astonish- ment and confusion. Though not more than fifty-five years of age, he is so totally void of care respecting himself, that he must be put to bed and taken out, fed with meat and drink like an infant ; he will not bear to be called Mr. nor thanked for his presents, — loves fruit, and will accept of it, but not money. The posture he receives his visitors in is sitting within his little straw cell ; looks on one only when he takes a hand to examine, and if he likes his visitor, on his departure seizes the hand in both his and kisses it warmly, bidding God speed in Scripture phrase. May 19. Went out accompanied by Mr. Pickman to Drury Lane play-house to see Mrs. Siddons, the favorite tragic actress of the public, in the character of Jane Shore, which she well supported. May 22. Informed that the refugees', or as they affect to deno- minate themselves, loyalists', petition to Parliament is presented, and supported by Lord North and all in administration, that all who have pensions may receive them by their agents, go where they will, even if they shall return to either of the United States. June 15. Joseph Hooper called and drank tea ; gave him a certificate as he desired, though I fancy it will be of no effect, respecting his property, business, and manner of living j of which, as I know, I can say but little. Jtme 19. Walked to White Conduit House, to see a great cricket match played ; Lords Winchelsea, Easton, and Strathaven, and Sir Peter Burrill, etc. ; a very severe headache drove me off the field- June 30. Visited the artificial flower-garden at Spring Gar- dens; a beautiful imitation, laid out in walks, containing in its borders a great variety of the most curious flowers and many spe- cies of wall fruit, with birds of the season and climate placed in -m- m m ^l'■J^•'■ti; #t. >fc %, -V* ^■ 1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. ♦ . 379 natural attitudes on the boughs in good preservation ; having also a small piece of water, vrith a jet d'eau in the centre, and a swan floating on its surface, besides a stream of water falling down a rugged precipice into a basin : the upper part of the sides covered with perspective views, which enliven the room, being of faint green ground, and eighty feet by fifty and twenty-five high, the top almost ^n entire skylight July 9. At the gallery of the House of Lords ; Mr. Cooper, a counsellor at law, pleading at the bar in a case wherein the distillers were concerned ; On the third reading of bill, Lord Effingham rose and objected to various clauses, all of which were overruled, and the bill passed. A message from the Commons was received and read. In the former case. Lord Effingham called the first lord of the treasury, the Duke of Portlard, who rose, and to my seem- ing acquitted himself very indifferently ; in his person he is un- pleasing in figure and countenance. Lord Effingham had the ap- pearance both in person and dress of a common country farmer ; a green frock coat, with brass buttons, his hair short, straight, and to appearance uncombed ; his face rough, vulgar and brown, as also his hand ; in short he had the look of a laboring farmer or grazier* There were three bishops and twenty-three lay lords present : re- mained there two hours. July 11. At the bottom of Buckingham-street, on the bank of the river, is a very convenient stone alcove, where 1 met a foreigner, who proving communicatively inclined, I attended for near an hour to his relations ; the subject being the small degree of liberty this country enjoys compared with the states of Germany, particularly the king of Prussia's dominions, which he endeavored to exemplify from that monarch's readily redressing all acts of injustice from his courts, or from the oppressions of one subject to another. Another proof was the burdensome taxes of this country, to which the Ger- man states are not liable ; the demesnes of the princes, and other sources, furnishing them with an income independent of taxes. A third was the exorbitant fees and delays of justice in our courts* which are just causes enough for complaint, crying aloud for re-< dress ; which, alas! there is but little reason to hope for. July 12. By appointment, dined at Mr. De Berdt's, a brother of the late Mrs. Joseph Reed of Philadelphia ; about six o'clock. S #• m K M r m 380 JOUBNAL AND LETTERS. [1783. departed with Mrs. De Berdt in her chaise for their country house, "^ in Wormly parish, on Sir Abraham Hume's land and manor, Herts ; passing through Shoreditch parish, Kingsland, Stoke Newington, Tottenham, High Cross, Edmonton, Pender's End, Enfield, Wal- tham Cross, Theobalds, and Cheshunt. Mr. De Berdt arrived soon after on horseback. , July 13, Sunday. Attended worship at a meeting-house in Turnford in the morning ; in the afternoon at the parish church, standing on Sir Abraham's ground, who is the presentee thereof; a miserable, dark, old, forsaken temple, seemingly in a state of dere- liction, though its revenues are far from contemptible, amounting to JC200 and more; its present incumbent is a D. D. Accompanied my friends to the christening of a daughter and churching of the mother ; after service partook of tea and christening cake. July 14. Set otf through Lord Monson's grounds for Mr. *" Hughes' at Hoddesdon ; arrived in an hour, and passed another hour with him ; then returned and rode with Mr. and Mrs. De Berdt over the Lea and New rivers into Essex, along the meadows; leaving there, we entered a rough, lonesome road that continued to the top of a ■"ery long hill of quick ascent. On the summit stands Roydon, from whence forward both lands and road had a very different appearance j passed Slansteadbury church, standing on the edge of the eminence, and half a mile distant from the town or any house, except one gentleman's seat in its neighborhood, overlooking the extensive field called the Ryehouse field, perhaps from the grain of that kind for which it is noted. Descending into the plain, stretching for a mile or two on either hand, we passed the house weW known in the history of Charles II., for the real or imaginary plot against government laid there ; and also the two rivers, New and Lea, running scarce more than ten rods asunder, through the whole length of the plain, and parallel to each other ; at ten o'clock arrived home. July 21. Wrote to Thomas Russell, Esq., Boston, and intro- duced Mr. Coap. :^^ %;''■"'■ % ..■ 1783.] JOURNAL ANU LETTKRR. TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ,, SALEM, N. E. 381 Londm, July 26, 1783. Dear Sir : The raginf; fever of the times will doubtless abate, for no vio- lent fermentations are lasting, but not perhaps till the purposes of raising it are answered. The political frenzy of your country, and the peculiarly critical situation of American refugees here, put it out of my power to be decided respecting my future destination. However, as I wrote Mr. Ward, age and infirmities have made such inroads on me, as render of little importance the public deci- sions here or there. I ardently wish and pray for the welfare of both countries ; but to whisper a truth in your ear, 1 should not entertain a single thought of crossing the Atlantic at my advanced time of life, even under the pleasing prospect of a friendly and kind reception, was it not for the short enjoyment of my friends and acquaintance ; much less is the thought pleasing with such prospects as must present themselves to those misguided, unfortunate persons, who retired from America to Europe and elsewhere in the beginning and during the late troubles. 1 strongly suspect America will not find such a cordial and unrestricted liberty from the Euro- pean powers respecting commerce and the creation of a powerful navy, as she fondly and delusively imagined. Now the hurry of war is over, men's minds are more at leisure to view the importance of keeping within proper bounds the new rising states, of such vast extent of sea coast, such variety of soils, such capability of im- proving its native materials, and which, if sufTered, will grow to a dangerous height. Please present ray kind respects to friends and acquaintance, and believe me Your friend, S. Cue WEN. ■'M July 27. To the Tower, and encompassing it once round on the ramparts, left it, and passing over Little Tower-hill, joined a company attending a field speaker ; one in the outer ring proved boisterous and severe, but the preacher was too much engaged to attend to the xioise that disturbed most in that quarter. ■i % 388* JOOSNAL AND LBTTBR8. [1783. July 29. Called on Mr. and Mrs. Mather ; afterwards William Vans called ; I took a stroll with him and tea at Bagnigge Wells ; thence home by way of Peerless-pool and Moorficlds. TO GEORGE RUSSELL, ESQ., BIRMINGHAM. London, July 20, 1783. Dear Sir : Your kind wishes I read with heartfelt satisfaction, for I meet with very few who profess the slightest regard ; on this subject I could enlarge, but my feelings would urge to a style prudence for- bids me to use. You express yourself as one not callous to impres- jions of humanity, as interest and passion render too many ; " that when the horrors of war cease, there should end all animosities." I wished and hoped it too, but with what success the world too evidently sees ; not a single expectation of mine through the pro- gress of this baneful war but has ended in disappointment. To keep myself from all future mortifications, I am determined to take no further part or concern in public measures, than what arises from unavoidable constraint by personal interest ; and considering the sour aspect of American politics respecting absentees, I cannot but think my plan an obvious dictate of wisdom. Local attach- ment having lost its force in racv ind so averse as I am to a tedious voyage, that could I persuade a few friends that it was not for want of a due regard, I know nul wheUier, at this advanced time of life, I should not retire to some quiet village, and there pass in undis- turbed ease, unknowing and unknown, the short portion of my remaining days. Perhaps, at your time of life it is hard to conceive the propriety of the foregoing intimation ; but you will remember old age blunts the passions as well as the reason, and renders rigid and stiff the finer fibres of the brain, those vehicles of animal spirit, by means of which impressions of all kinds are less 'requent and strong. You very justly observe, that the true state of I? cu^-^ • uot always to be known from newspaper representation, and i can add, scarce ever even when public instruments are pretendedly copied. F'iwever, in the present case, I fancy you may, without injury to V lib, believe the resolves from the town of Worcester to be genu.* j nor kis those very curious ones from the New Jerseys, in 1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTEB8. 383 the Morning Chronicle of th'^ 26th iust,, (if I have not mistaken a day or two,) wherein you will sto the preduament of us poor re- fugees in the opinion of oin late fellov subjects ; but party zeal il blindness as well as madnes^s. Roth the foregoing^ as well as others of like import, I have seen in my own town newspaper , ailed the Salem Gazette, nor does it want confn mation from verbal testimuny, and a multitude of letters from friends and foes corroborate the same. Ynur wish and expectation that the present delirium, as I call it, w^ll uoi^ be lasting, is common ; it is in all men's mouths ; its con- ;ir tiice will, I dare say, be of fatal length to me, as well as in its operation. To show on what footing I stood before the news of peace had intoxicated them, take the following extracts. In one letter, dated 2d January last, from a worthy friend and correspondent, he says : — " It is the general desire that you be urged to return, with assur- ances that you will be joyfully and respectfully received, an ' may reside here in peace and safety." Another writes : — " Yoiir riends and acquaintance ardently wish for your return, and contim ance among us in peace and security all your days." The ship Captain, (Holton Johnson of Lynn,) with wh( n I came from America, was, by a revolution common at such peri(;ds, translated into a legislator in our Massachusetts Assembly ; being about two months since in London, told me that had not his interest and efforts prevailed, my name would have been inserted in the banishment list, and my estate confiscated. The reality of this fac^ depends on the relator's veracity ; the reasons, if any, must bt private pique and malice ; no public crime was ever alleged, but merely leaving the country in her distress. If success is justification, I confess guilt. A subsequent letter of 12th May, says : — " It seems clear to your best iriends that your caution was not groundless." In one of June 5th : — " Since plundering and privateering have declined the reverend Dr. Whitaker exerts himself on the wharves as well as in the desk against the return of Americans j let your patience and fortitude continue a month or two longer, and I believe that you may safely leave faction and party rage to spend their utmost spite without harm." In one of 14th June, from the same : — " Mrs. p. hath been at Providence, etc., and finds that Rhode HP 384 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783. Island and Connecticut are surprised at the conduct of Massa- chusetts, as to the return of absentees who have not been inimical to America. That Mr. Sparhawk and others, who wen* thither from New-York and other places, were treated with great humanity and respect; that they encourage the return of Americans. These and other occurrences considered, I doubt not of seeing an alter- ation of measures before the end of the present session of the Assembly ; I trust we shall not long continue to drive our own pecple into other states." The Dr. Whitaker before mentioned, of Salem, is a notorious character in America, and not unknown here, whose employment some years ago was that of an itinerant preacher, leading about a tawny native of America for people to look at, and hear his preach- ment ; he was also at the same time engaged in the more profitable pursuit of soliciting charity for the establishment of an Indian col- lege in the frontier wilderness of my country. He is usually called Dr. Meroz in America, from his constantly applying the 23d verse of the 5th chapter of Judges to the poor refugees. I am far from wishing ill to the cause of liberty, much less to that of my native country, to which on the contrary, as a citizen of the world and a friend to the inalienable rights of mankind, I wish every kind of good, but am equally far from thinking America has gained its delusively fancied prize by independence. By some congress- ional manoeuvres of late, a train I fear is laid for the establishment of a power much more fatal to liberty than Great Britain durst have aimed at, whilst she could have retained any governmental autho- rity there. Their liberation is a doubtful proof of the divine ap- probation of their cause. Many there thirsted after it, and so did the Israelites for a king, which God at length gave them, in his anger : and he has, I fear, given them their heart's desire by way of punishment for wantoning away those singularly great advantages of a civil, religious and political nature, with which he had favored them above all people upon the face of the whole earth. They often were used to compare themselves to God's highly favored peo- ple, and I truly think their case is not unlike ; mercies and preserva- tions as numerous, nor does their folly and ingratitude fail to finish the comparison. If any expressions here are not altogether of the complexion of your own notions, I know your candor will make 1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. •1^ 385 allowances for the difference of our situation, though I am not aware of an unfriendly bias in my mind. Your faithful friend, S. CURWEN* August 6. At New England Coffee-'house to read the papers, filled with relations of the rising spirit of Americans against the refugees, in their towns and assemblies. Intoxicated by success, under no fear of punishment, they give an unrestrained loose to their angry, malevolent passions, attribute to the worst of causes the opposition to their licentious, mobbish violation of all laws, hu- man and divine ; and even some of the best of the republican party seem to think, at least their practice squints that way, that the sup- posed goodness of their cause will justify murder, rapine, and the worst of crimes. But cool impartial posterity will pass a better judgment, and account for the violences of the times from party rage, which knows no bounds. TO MR. JOHN TIMMINS, WOLVERHAMPTON. London, August 9, 1783. Dear Sir : By the newspapers from America, particularly our quarter, I find there remain but slender grounds of hope for success in at- tempting the recovery of debts or estates ; a general shipwreck is seemingly intended of all absentees' property — the towns in their in- structions to the representatives making it a point to prevent the return of them, and consequent confiscation of all their property, notwithstanding the provision in the fifth preliminary article. These lawless people regard not any obstacle when the gratification of their angry passions or the object of gain is in view ; — some of their re- solves perhaps you may have seen. I yesterday read in a Boston Gazette, published (in June) by Edes, the well known sedition- trumpeter, the following copied out for your view from the resolves of the town of Lexington, of the same complexion with the rest of their town meeting measures : "Common sense and the laws of nature and nations concur to pronounce them one and all aliens from the commonwealth. As to the idea of admitting some and rejecting oth- ers, it is easy to see that the wisdom of angels would be puzzled to 49 ■Bei»,t«yat-ji»d?jcn(eiJiiii.3L23TT:TflWwr- flip 386 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783. ft. draw a line — to determine when or where to stop. Upon the whole we cannot but think it indispensably necessary lor the peace and welfare of this state, and the freedom and happiness of the United States, that a decided part be taken to prevent the return and the recovery of their estates, and property that was formerly theirs." — Though in this you see the temper is unfriendly and adverse, the language is decent. From a paragraph of to-day's paper is the fol- lowing : " Letters by an American vessel yesterday from Boston brought certain information of a very unfavorable nature to the loyalists, whose situation is extremely precarious, and no step is likely to be taken for their relief." The same letters add, that " several parts of the country are in a state of convulsion, in a strug- gle to get repossessed of estates seized by individuals during the troubles." Sitting by Frederick Geyer in the N. E. Coffee-house, he said that John Amory had written him that he was made to hope by his friends for a readmission into Boston, having already been per- mitted to have a sight of his children, &c. He had received letters by Callahan from Boston, by whom thirteen passengers have just arrived ; among them are Leonard Jarvis, Samuel Eliot, and a Mr. Seaver. , I suppose you have heard of Capt. Smith's treatment at Phila- delphia. Such, however, is the course of human affairs, and it may be, for aught I know of, consummate wisdom and a just retribution of rewards and punishments ; for I am far from thinking there is such a very great disproportion of happiness here below among individuals, as is the common opinion, or that external circumstan- ces are of any weight in the question of the quantity of human happiness of each one individual compared to another. In a little space of time I shall be dead to a sense of all these puzzling events ; it may be, shall see the reasonableness and equity of the providential government in a clear and satisfactory light. Heartily wishing you health, success, competency and content- ment, I am, with cordial esteem, Your friend, S. CURWEN. Aug. 12. P. S. — The London Evening Chronicle of this day contains a sensible and excellent circular letter from General Washington to the several state governors j the forementioned di- 1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. '^ 387 rected to Governor Greene, of Rhode Island. If you have not seen it, the liberality of that government absolves this from all imputa- tions on the score of tolerating the Roman Catholics in Canada — they having far outgone these by admitting persons of all faiths as well as none to a full participation, not only of the liberty of living and exercising their religion among them, but to all the immunities, rights, privileges, emoluments, and honors of the state. This is, I confess, carrying toleration to the very largest extent. S. C. TO RICHARD WARD, ESQ., SALEM. London, August 1.1, 1783. Dear Sir : I refer you to my letter by Mr. Conant for an explicit answer to your question, " Do you propose to spend the remainder of your days abroad ?" though I do not think my expression, " The wished for period of my return is not arrived," carried any doubts of what were my intentions. With regard to that event, you best can tell whether I or any exile from America, whatever our wishes may be, shall ever be suffered to make an attempt ; a subject I consider with some indifference, age and infirmities having made such in- roads on ray constitution as leave me but little to hope o.r fear from the result of public councils or the imprudence of private conduct. So far, however, am I from indifference to the real welfare of America, that I ardently wish moderate counsels may prevail, for it is the universal opinion that her credit and interest will be essen- tially hurt, should an illiberal, impolitic exclusion of all absentees take place. I am free to declare my apprehension that the lower, illiterate classes, narrow-minded and illiberal all over the world, have too much influence, and that political and civil events bear some proportion to the wisdom of public councils ; not always, as instances of a contrary kind may be adduced through a succession of many ages in the history of mankind. Please to acquaint the " Social Library'' company, whatever occasions they may have for a supply from hence, they shall be freely welcome to my services. "With best love to my niece and your children, I am your friend, S. CORWEN. 388 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783. A^ig. 17. Attended public worship at St. Giles's, Cripplegate. The number of youthful voices accompanying the organ rendered that part of the service pleasing and devout. After service walked to the altar to see the funeral monument of a woman rising out of a ffin ; the inscription too high for me to read, but said to perpet ate the extraordinary event of a woman of this parish being brought to life after interment, by the sexton's de- scending into the vault to cut off from her fingers some rings, which by swelling could not otherwise be recovered. Report adds, that raising herself ?n the coffin, she quitted it and followed the sexton out of the church, and proceeded homewards, and arriving there at midnight and knocking hard at the door, awakened the maid, who went trembling to her master, saying she was sure the knock was that of her mistress ; on going down and opening the door, to their astonishment found it to be her mistress indeed. Report further adds, that this same woman lived to have seven or eight children. On asking the female pew-opener, she replied : " That is the report, but having been but a late parishioner, she could not say, but some thought it meant to denote the resurrection of the body." Below is the bust of the famous martyrologist " Johannes Foxus," put up by his son Samuel about 1590. Jiug. 31. Attended worship at the church of St. Austin and St. Faith the Virgin, united parishes close under St. Paul's, and the latter so called as I w^as informed on inquiry at St. Paul's of the verger ; he further said that it was in the gift of the dean and chapter. A Mr. Ryder, author of a history of England, preached an ingenious and entertaining discourse. Afternoon at the Magda- len, where heard an excellent, pathetic, and finely adapted address to the tenants by Mr. Sellon, minister of Clerkenwell, one of the justly celebrated preachers of the day. Sept. 3. Mr. Foster, the late appointed clerk to commissioners for examining loyahsts, advertises to-day for them to bring in an estimate of their estates, effects, losses, etc., to him at his chambers, Middle Temple, before the 29th inst. Sept. 19. Yesterday evening received a note from Mr. De Berdt, inviting me to accompany Mrs. D. to his country house at Brox- burn Herts to pass a fev/ days during his absence in Wiltshire, where, after three hours, we arrived in Mrs. D.'s chaise before tea. 1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 389 Sept. 23. At twelve o'clock set off with Mrs. D. for Ware, through Hoddesdon, Ryefields, Stansfield, Mardock Mill, the late residence of Mr. De Berdt. Sept. 25. To Hoddesdon; meeting Mr. James Inman and another gentleman, accompanied the former home. Sept. 26. Proceeded with Mrs. De Berdt Londonwards, meeting and overtaking multitudes in carriages and on foot, bound to the Waltham Abbey-statute for servants — a day established by act of Parliament, following the last day of Fairs, for hiring servants. The males appear with the tools or insignia of their respective em- ployments ; the females of the domestic kind are distinguished by their aprons, viz., cooks in colored, nursery-maids in white linen, and the chamber and waiting-maids in lawn or cambric. Here resort all who want to go into, or are out of service, as well as those families who stand in need of servants. After a few delays and the interval of three hours, arrived in London, passing through Clapton and Hackney, deviating from the usual road for variety sake. Sept. 29. Visited Mrs. Hay ; first time since her return from Scotland. At New England Coffee-house, saw a number of young Massachusetts men bound home in Callahan, gone down the river. In Oxford-street, called at Mr. Danforth's and S. Porter's; both absent. Oct. 4. At ten o'clock, set off with Mr. D. in a post-chaise for Lord Tylney's seat, Epping Forest ; conducted through the rooms and from them to the grotto, which, in my opinici, is the most pleasing and elegant I ever saw ; though Goldney's at Clevedon is by some esteemed before this ; and which, perhaps, in the rich- ness of some of its spars may exceed. Oct. 6. This day was proclaimed peace with France, Spain, and Holland, with the usual formalities, at Palace, Charing Cross, Cheapside Conduit, and the Royal Exchange ; had a sight of the procession in Pall Mall, but the crowds disappointed me from hearing the proclamation, or seeing the ceremony of admis- sion through Temple-bar into the city. Oct. 8. At New England Coffee-house in company with Mr. Nathaniel Gorham, lately arrived from Boston, whom I had well known. He is a native of Charlestown, late a member of Congress, b ii«aaiaiir^at «u ' ijmii ' ,i . V ! M'in.i .' I i . i ii' i mi iiii ti a ■priiH mL 390 JOURNil. AND LETTERS. [1783. I and of the Massachusetts Assembly, and who is now here on the score of obtaining a benevolence for the sufferers at the destruction of that town, June 17, 1775, by the king's troops; which, all things considered, carries with it such a face of effrontery as is not to be matched. Invited him to tea j received a letter from my wife's brother, James Russell. TO HON. JAMES RUSSELL, LINCOLN, MASS. London, Oct. 8, 1783. My Dear Sir : I thank you for your favor of the 21st August, the first from you since my unhappy abandoning my former home in April, '75. You write, " I give you joy on the return of peace ;" as far as it shall be productive of real good to the parties concerned, it has my approbation ; respecting myself it is an event of the smallest moment, were the appearances in your quarter ever so bright and pleasing ; how much less when the thirteen late peaceable happy colonies are reduced to the licentious and gloomy condition wherein they now are, if general report may be depended on. In truth, were your sister* no more, there would need no act of Massachusetts or any other assembly, or senate, to prohibit my return. So far as to America and myself ; now to another point, that of interest. After I had written to your son Thomas of Boston on the subject, I had heard of the sale of your late son Charles's estate at Lincoln to your son Chambers ; I will presume you did not forget my demand of j6300 sterling, and somewhat more for his bond to me, though your silence respecting it has since raised ray apprehension. Mr. Thomas Russell will address you on this subject, and I trust sufficient will be received to remunerate him for monies obtained on his credit by me for my support soon after my arrival here. Wishing you and your family every good, I remain, my dear sir. Your affectionate brother, S. CURWEN. Oct. 9. Received a note from Mr. De Berdt, inviting me to dinner on Friday with Mr. Gorhara and Mr. Barrett of Boston. * Mrs. Curwen. -.-?•', 1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 891 Oct. 25. Accompanied Mr. Oorham to House of Commons and Westminster Abbey. Oct. 28. Saw Captain Nathaniel West and Captain Smith for the first time ; received information from the former that his brother Eben was living, (whom I feared was dead,) and about to return to Salem. Oct. 29. Mr. J. Fletcher drank tea with me, and related in detail his misfortunes, present condition and views. TO MRS. ABIGAIL CURWEN, SALEM. London, Oct. 30, 1783. My Dear Wife : The peace, or rather acknowledged dismemberment of the late English colonies from their mother country, has, it seems, been so far from affording a prospect to such of the American absentees who might be willing to return back, that, on the contrary, from what appears, the present governing party are determined to pass bills of final exclusion of all such as left their country after the troubles commenced. If their government is in the hands of what their great and good allies call the " mesne peuple," which two short words you have Anglo-Gallic friends enough among you to translate, no liberal public measures are to be expected. If it was not for your sake, or that you would follow ray fortune or accom- pany my fate, I should not hesitate for a moment taking up my future abode, which cannot possibly be but of short continuance, somewhere out of the limits of the republican government. " The world," as Adam said on his expulsion from paradise, ** is all before me, where to choose my place of rest, and Providence my guide." By this you see, I have not fixed my views ; nor can I, prudently, till your government shall have come to a final deter- mination respecting your runaways, or, as they affect to call them- selves by the pompous character of loyalists ; which, however, does them no more credit here than with you. Wishes for the welfare of my friends still warm my heart ; as to the rest, I read with cold indifference the insurrections in Pennsylvania, and the carryings-on in the late English colonies, having lost local attachment. If your fortitude has increased in the proportion that your health and spirits have improved, perhaps you will not find it an mMM 392 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1783. insurmountable difficulty to resolve on a land tour to Canada, or a voyage to some other English settlement. Whatever shall be the result of your thoughts, let me be made acquainted therewith as soon as convenient. Should a final expulsion be concluded on, you will no longer hesitate. Mr. Jay and John Adams are here, and if administration was kindly affected towards American sufferers, perhaps some good might arise ; though for my own particular case, I have no favor- able opinion of the gratitude, or even justice, of kings or courts ; nor of the friendly regards of the two forementioned Americans towards us in the unhappy predicament of petitioners for the bounty, not to say justice, of the court ; from the latter, [Adams,] it is cur- rently said and believed, harsh declarations have fallen here as well as in Holland and France respecting us, nor has he probably changed his mind. The ancients say, " Qui trans mare currunt, ccdum non animum mutant."* Of a different complexion and temper is Mr. Nathaniel Gorharn, ■with whom I have had several interviews ; he is moderate, reason- able, and conciliatory ; would that his views prevailed among his countrymen. He has just informed me that on the 4th proximo, agreeably to Charles J. Fox's appointment, he was going to wait upon Lord Keppel ; if a member of the American Continental Congress can lower himself to use the derogatory term of waiting on the first lord of the English admiralty. Yours, in all affection, S. CURWEN. Jfov. 5. Last night a very destructive fire consumed many houses, upwards of forty, between Aldersgate, Partholomew Close, and Cloth Fair, supposed the most extensive in London for mary years ; the fire yet unextinguished ; no account yet given of the damage, loss, etc. JVbv. 24. At the American commissioner's office, late Duke of Newcastle's house, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, for directions respecting a memorial. ?rov. 25. Attended among the rest of expectants to have a * Those who cross the seas, change their abode but not their minds." 1783.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 393 sight of the air-balloon discharged from the Artillery-ground, at Oi. o'clock ; it rose moderately, and in a southerly direction ; was in sight ten or twelve minutes ; its appearance to ray eye, after it diminished to four or five inches in diameter, was like three round balls in contact, in shape of a triangular body with obtuse angles. I should think the numbers in Moorfields exceeded fourscore thou- sand. The sight was amusing ; perhaps posterity may improve on this newly investigated subject, and make what is now only a pleasing show, a commodious, perhaps pernicious, aerial convey- ance, JVov. 28. Capt. Carpenter, of Salem, called ; he is just from Lisbon. TO WILLIAM PYNCHON. ESQ. London, Mv. 28, 1783. Dear Sir : However unfavorable to my wishes the result of the American Assemblies may be, I shall be gratified by receiving the earliest advices. Capt. Nathaniel West brings me a message from the principal merchants and citizens of Salem, proposing and encour- aging my return; which instance* of moderation I view as an honor to the town and respectful to myself, and I wish to return my thanks through you. It affords me pleasure, and I would cheer- fully accept the offer ; but should the popular dislike rise against me, especially if co-operating with governmental resolves, to what a plight should I be reduced, being at present (but for how long is a painful uncertainly) on the British government list for .£100 a year, (a competency for a single person exercising strict economy,) to surrender this precarious allowance without public assurances of personal security. It would be little short of madness, should the popular rage com- bine with the public decisions to prevent our future residence ; de- prived of all assistance, and even the last refuge of the wretched, hope here, expelled there. Imagine to yourself the distress of an old man, without health, under such adverse circumstances^ and you will advise me to wait with resignation till the several Assem- blies shall have taken decisive measures on congressional recom- mendation, agreeably to the provisional treaty, if that body shall 50 111 II mtf^A 394 JOURNAL AND f.ETTERS. [1783. deem it prudent to conform to -what their commissioners have agreed to. But enough of this. One of your Massachusetts public min- isters, Mr. John Adams, is here in all the pride of American inde- pendence; by Mr. Gorham I am told he uttered to him the follow- ing speech, that " together with the war he had buried all animosity against the absentees." Though he is of a rigid temper, and a thorough-paced republican, candor obliges me to give him credit for the humanity of the sentiment, being spoken in private, and to one of his own party, and probably without an intent'on to be pub- lished abroad. In a conversation with my informant, he further replied, that he chose to consider himself as a plain American republican ; his garb plain, without a sword, which is carrying his transatlantic ideas, I fear, a little too far. Should he have the cu- riosity, or his public character render it expedient, to attend it a royal levee, or at a drawing-room at St. James's on a court day. I hope he will not deserve and meet with as mortifying a repuls2 as our late chancellor. Lord Thurlow, at the court of Versailles ; whose surly pertinacity in wearing a bob-wig occasioned his being re- fused admittance into the king's presence. However frivolous a part of dress soever a sword may appear to one of Mr. Adams's scholar-like turn, he is by this time, I fancy, too well acquainted with the etiquette of courts to neglect so necesiiy an appendage, without which no one can find admittance out ot the clerical line. I have* nothing further to add but my ardent wishes for an in- crease of the health and happiness of yourself and family ; for I am very truly. Your friend, S. CURWEN. JYov. 30. Attended worship at the chapel in Margaret-street, Cavendish-square, where Mr. Ford, from Liverpool, officiated, using the liturgy appointed for the dissenters on the plan of preconceived forms in that place ; it being the first use of it in London. Dec. 2. Mr. Gorham passed three hours with me. Dec. 5. Evening at Covent Garden Theatre, to sec old Mack- lin in the characters of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice, and in Sir Archy McSarcasm in Marriage a la Mode, a farce of his own writing ; in both he excels, antl although more than fourscore years ^ 1783.] JOURNAL ANU LETTERS. 396 of age manifests an exertion that would credit even youth. The house crowded j the character of Portia, in the former, j)erformed by a Miss Roscoe, her first appearance. Dec. 18. Yesterday Charles J. Fox's famous East India bill was on a second reading thrown out of the House of Lords, by a ma- jority of nineteen, the vote being seventy-eight in favor, and ninety- seven against it. The Prince of Wales in the minority, being his first vote as one of that house. Dec. 20. House of Commons in an uproar, occasioned by a supposed design to dissolve them and form a new arrangement of administration ; the members of which, one of the papers has, as usual in extraordinary cases, presented the public with. Dec. 28. Attended public worship at Essex House chapel. Mr. Lindsay preached from — " For we know that if the earthly house of this our tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens ; for in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is in heaven. If so be that being clothed, we shall not be found naked." A text and discourse not unsuited to my particular situation, this day completing my sixty-eighth year, and in a dis- consolate condition, laboring under bodily infirmities, dreadful un- certainties respecting my temporal supplies, and but too conscious of many more imperfections and follies, moral and natural ; how- ever doubtful what may be the consequence of a separation of soul and body, I most ardently long for a deliverance from personal evils, and a retreat to that state of quietude where the weary are at rest. Dec. 31. Visited Mr. De Berdt by invitation ; from thence to Capt. Hay's, and engaged to dine there next Friday. This concludes a most unpleasing, unprofitable year, meaning in such a sense as dignifies the rational nature of mortal men. May the following year be productive of better moral effects than the last. 396 JOURNAL AND LETTEIIS. [1784. CHAPTKR XVIII. r London, Jan. 17, 1784. At New England Coflec-housc, recog- nised by Col. Tonge, whom at first sight 1 knew not, till he made himseli' known. Jan. 24. Last night Mr. Pitt's East India bill lost by a ma- jority of eight; probably a dissolution of Parliament will follow. A wretched plight is this distracted nation in, from an obstinate, despotically inclined king, and a set of profligate, unprincipled men of influence and politicians. I fear there is not sense enough left of the importance of public interest and liberty among the people, to oppose the pernicious designs and measures of court and Parlia- ment, and that the people, from whose efforts alone good may be expected, however unaided by nobles or gentry, will soon, oppressed and overloaded by taxes, submit to any measures their haughty im- perious masters shall impose. Thus the government, once the boast of Great Britain and the envy of the world, will soon find itself on a level with the most contemptible of those nations on whom it justly looked with pity, and imprudently with contempt. I think its ruin near enough for my old age to have the cruel mor- tification of seeing, brought about by the most impolitic and foolish of all attempts, the late American war ; and in the short space of nine years fallen, when at the highest pinnacle of power, glory, and wealth it had ever attained, to its present state of despair. Feb. 2. Disturbed by disagreeable dreams from whatever cause, which, however, I pretend not satisfactorily to account for to myself; I find my imagination much more busily employed now than in my youth. Feb. 3. Joseph Hooper called on me to accompany him to the American Commissioner's office in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, which I did, and gave a relation on oath, which proved my unacquaintedness with his affairs of no advantage to his cause. Afterwards at New England Coffee-house, reading the papers, filled with melancholy accounts of the party squabbles in the House of Commons between Foxites and Pittites, the former of whom have gfT?;''''-''--";''i»' -s-''^".' 398 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784. # any prosecutions on the laws but from the re'^pectivc towns, com- mittees, etc., where the absentee belonged ; and all seem to agree there can be, from present appearances, no danger from any of this town. Mr. Cabot will acquaint you as to the successes of all who have returned hither, and as to such as have returned to other states. At Providence, and in some parts of Connecticut, those who returned have been more cordially received and treated, and we hope a like temper will take place in Massachusetts in the spring and summer. Alcock evasit et abdicavit with bag and baggage, and Whitaker seems to be hastening after him. These two politi- cians seem to have been the authors and promoters of more mis- chief than it is possible that any two who are left behind them either should or would effect, or even attempt. They resembled Swift's committee of ways and means for continuing the war and promoting malevolence and contention as long as possible ; but at length they became contemned and deserted by all, and I cannot recollect any better proof or assurance you can have than the fate of these two persons as to the terSper of the people of this town, and as to their disposition for peace and benevolence. However, you will doubtless attend to what you see in the public prints, as the resolves of assemblies in this and the other states, and judge for yourself. Mr. Dana has returned from Russia, and if you return here, during his continuance among us, it may prove a fortunate circumstance to you, as I have heard him repeatedly say much in favor of your attachments, connections, etc. I remain, dear sir, most respectfully, your friend, William Pvnchon. Feb. 28. Mr. Pitt by invitation in the city, at Grocer's Hall, Cheapside ; great throngs attended ; he was drawn in his carriage by men. Returning late in the night, he was assaulted, and his and other carriages broken to pieces by men armed with bludgeons ; supposed, not without reason, by Fox's party, and his party's en- couragement — a peevish, ill-judged resentment. March 7. Met Mr. William Walter, late from Nova Scotia, who at first sight recollected me and spoke ; my eye and memory weakened by age, and his features somewhat hardened, I could not suddenly recognize him. ^•^'■''^^w ^ riiJff- 1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 399 March 16. Met my friend and countryman Mr. Isaaft Smith, on the eve of his departure for Boston ; took him home to tea . but could not persuade him to pass the evening, being before engaged with the " Dr. Franklin Club" at London Tavern. March 20. Mr. Pitt, the great popular minister, because Charles J. Fox's antagonist, who is become the man of the people, (as Fox and his supporters arrogantly assumed to be, now the "popu- lar odium, on account of his East India bill,) dined this day at the London Tavern, being the third public dinner of late in the city ; and who in his turn will probably, before the expiration of many months, be as much condemned and hissed as he is now caressed and applauded — popular breath rarely if ever long keeps one direction. March 26. Proclamation issued for dissolving Parliament, this being the third session, the House of Commons proving refractory and unyielding to the king's measures and servants, young Pitt, Thurlow, Gower, etc. The great seal was stolen last night from Lord Thurlow's, Great Ormond-street, with two swords and thirty guineas. April 3. Accompanied my friend Mr. Isaac Smith and his brother in a post-chaise to Gravesend, the former being bound to Boston in the ship United States. Lodged at the Falcon inn. Jipril 4. Took a long stroll to Milton Abbey ; saw the small remains of its ruins. Jipril 6. The poll finished at Guildhall, the four former city members rechosen. A Mr. Cooper, owner of a wine vault, stated at my lodgings that contested elections generally consumed six thousand hogsheads of port wine extra, and that twenty-four thou- sand was the average yearly consumption of Great Britain and Ire- land. April 8. Mr. Alleyn, at Treasury, stated that no payment would be made these two months at soonest, for the public embar- rassments will greatly delay our quarterly payments. April 10. Drank tea at Mr. De Beidt's, where met General Reed, late from Philadelphia. April 14. Visited Col. Willard at No. 81 Charlotte-street, Port- land-place, to inquire about government's offer to convey refugees inclined to reside in Nova Scotia, with allowance to be continued as if in England. MM ■*v "jfi ■-. ^:■5■■■.'^■ ■';:.'?"'i«^«r:?«p:>.*w-i? 400 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784. J]pnl 30. Walked to Limehouse church ; relumed by Stepney church-yard, and saw therein a tomb inclosed within iron rails, in form of a coffin, said to contain the remains of a wife buried above ground in compliance with the will of a testator, who gave the husband an estate on that condition : he is depicted on a glass win- dow fronting the burial-ground as looking out at her tomb. After- wards, at New England Coffee-house, met Mr. Cox, who asked me to tea with young Smith ; which I accepted, meeting there his father-in-law and Mr. Jackson of Newburyport. May 2. Attended service at Lim'^house church ; Dr. Watson, bishop of Llandaff, preached a most excellent charity sermon to a crowded assembly. Bidding prayer was long, catholic, and charm- ingly delivered ; concluding sentence was, " JYow to the King eter- nal," etc., instead of the usual one, " JVow to God the Father, God the Son," etc. His enunciation is loud, sonorous and manly, his person robust and tall. May 3. Attended the scrutiny in aldermen's room, Guild- hall, between Sawbridge and Atkinson, a case decided in favor of an act of Parliament against city right of aldermen's consent to the removal of a livery man from one company to another, with- out which it was asserted he was disqualified to vote for a member of Parliament, although of the livery and free. May 4. Mr. Danforth met me, and together we visited Mrs. Hay and staid till eight o'clock. iiw- FROM WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ. Salem, March 2, 1784. Dear Sui : As Messrs, Sparhawk, Bartlett and others are going in the Pilgrim, it will be needless to attempt giving you a particular ac- count of occurrences here. You will doubtless hear from them of the alteration in the temper of the people towards absentees, par- ticularly of our town. Alcock's going off, (or absconding,) with Dr. Whitaker's sinking in the esteem of the people, even at the fish-market and brandy-shops, has produced a good effect ; many show their disapprobation, and some their utter detestation of certain intolerant dispositions and persecuting measures. 1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 401 I said nothing about our Social Library, because of the present state of our finances and the want of regular meetings of the society. Mr. E. Hasket Derby has lately imported a considerable library of modern books, which proved to be very dear, as many think, and might have been purchased much cheaper by you ; therefore the proprietors wish to avail themselves of your advice and assistance, whether you shall continue in England or return hither. I find Mr. D. Oliver, third son of your good friend Andrew Oliver, Esq., goes also in the Pilgrim. All who can cross the Atlantic seem determined to go and procure their goods from Eng- land ; not one discovers a disposition to receive them from France, notwithstanding their generosity towards us. Going to England is now as formerly called going home. Many of our politicians seem desirous of seeing an English ambassador in America to balance the increasing interest and influence of France, whose intrigues perplex and alarm us. You doubtless have heard of Mr. Dana's return from the court of Russia without concluding a commercial treaty there : he is now chosen a member of Congress, and is soon to set out, warmly en- gaged in opposition to French politics. I have advised Mr. Oliver to seek you out and inform you about us all, who wish and expect your return in the summer ; as he is young, and a stranger, I doubt not you will notice him and render him all the kind offices which you may observe him to need. I have desired Mr. Bartlet to advise with you as to some of the latest and best plays, farces, etcl, which we wish much to see. March 4. The Pilgrim not sailing this morning, I find time to recollect an omission I made last night. Some Americans have lately returned vid Philadelphia to Boston, among th-2m William McNeal, who went off with the troops from thence, and E. Wil- Uams, who was an officer in the British service at New-York, and now receives half pay. McNeal, by means of the Committee of Safety, was taken up and used roughly on account of his conduct, as it is said, during the blockade at Boston ; but Williams met with no insult or obstruction there ol at Salem, but is gone into the country to settle his affairs and then return to Nova Scotia. It is true he did not choose needlessly to go to the parade, or insurance offices, etc., but went about Salem visiting his particular friends, 51 m r ••ih> ■•*, 402 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784. and met with no indecency in the streets or elsewhere. Many have urged me heretofore to write, that you might return and reside here without the least danger or insult j but while such as Alcock and Whitaker had the lead, I could not think nor say so. Now I may safely tell you what I have heard heretofore in the market-place, from some that are most desirous now for your return : — " Oh, let them return, by all means ; but they must re- member, that they are to down on their knees to the General Coui-t in the first place, to the committee in the next, and to their townsmen too, and ask pardon, and then we may even let them stay among us, piovided they behave as they ought; even your Col. Browne himself must submit to this." Your own and your friends' feelings require no observation on such insolence. This cannot now tend in the least to discourage your return ; lest it should heretofore, I thought best not to mention it. Farewell. Yours truly, William Pynchon. TO WILLIAM PYNCHON, ESQ., SALEM. London, May 9, 1784. My Dear Sir : Your favor of the 2d and 4th March was delivered into my hands by Mr. Bartlet, the sight of whom was as unexpected as agreeable. He acquaints me with an event foretold to the late Mr. Barnard and myself at Hartford, some thirteen years ago, by a clergyman of that town, concerning the mischievous incendiary (Dr. Whitaker) lately dismissed from the remnant of God's heritage over which he had for too long a time lorded, viz., that his proud, restless, turbulent spirit would not suffer him to continue long without attempting to disturb the peace of all within repoh of his pernicious influence, and must force the neighborhood sooner or later to banish him. I confess, though at this great distance of time and place, I cannot resist the most pleasurable sensations on hearing this event. Whatever is the cause of an alteration in the people's notions, the effects probably will prove advantageous to their characters and interest. My design being to continue in England till autumn, if the pro- prietors of the Social Library shall think me likely to serve their inter- 1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 403 est in the purchase of books, no exertions shall be Avanting in my power to do them justice. There is one circumstance relating to books with which you may be unacquainted : the first edition of a book of character and quick sale bears a high price till the run has abated ; besides, the modish outside dress, emblematic of the tai». ^f the age, enhances the price not a little. Second hand books, and those out of the tonish line, may generally be bought reasonably ; books of amusement and the beauties of modern writers are in com- mon estimation, and sell dear. Respecting Mr. Hasket Derby's library, if it was sent through a merchant, probably an addition was put to the bookseller's price of at least 25 per cent., not an uncommon practice here. Your mention of young Mr. Daniel Oliver is sufficient to recommend him to my respect and notice, if he shall see fit to desire it ; without which it is not likely 1 may see him, being rarely in the way of Americans, having forsaken the New England Coffee-house, grown old, the transatlantics young and unknown to me, and their manners and language unpleasing. The easy credit obtained here is astonishing, and characterizes truly this nation, who are credulous, generous, unsuspecting, and wealthy beyond belief; if great mutual complaints and sufferings do not follow the immense indiscriminate exports to America, I shall be much out of my reckoning. It will not be surprising to me if French politics will be as much execrated among you as they were admired and praised during the war ; it is morally impossible, that d( potic as the court of Versailles is, she can relish the republican prini pies and maxims of the United States longer than she can make tht a subservient to her own ambitious purposes. All the world know s the ruin of Great Britain was the only object of her assisting America to throw off her dependence, and the folly of her statesmen has aided the views of that intriguing power. Never had this country a fairer opportunity of disappointing the pernicious views of her rival neighbors than the present, were there a public spirit in this in- fatuated nation ; but, alas ! a regard to the public welfare is no more to be found among its rulers. However indignantly I behold the conduct of her neighbors, I confess France should be consid- ered only as a rival power, striving to give the law to a state that i 404 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784. has for more than a century made it a professed principle to thwart all her political views. I hope your people will have more wisdom than to permit an aristocratic spirit to take place among you ; for of all civil oppressions that is most intolerable. I sincerely thank you for all your favors, particularly the last ; the contents of your letters might have been published at the market-cross without injury to your character in the height of the war, unless with such persons as Alcock and Whitaker, whose mad party zeal construed into guilt every innocent word and act of those they were disposed to slander and vilify. I am, with great truth, Your faithful and grateful friend, S. CURWEN. May 9. After service proceeded to Mr. Danforth's lodgings to take him by agreement to Kensington Gardens, where after a few turns adjourned to " Adam and Eve" ordinary. Mr. Samuel Porter and young Farnham afterwards joined us in the gardens, which we found excessively crowded j among others the Duke of Chartres, brother of the French king, and two other French noble- men. May 11. Saw John Sparhawk from (near) Portsmouth for the first time. May 13. Saw Captain IngersoU from Salem. May 15. With Mr. Bartlet purchased plays for Mr. Pynchon, and law-books for Mr. Ward. Mr. Bartlet presented me with a medal struck in Philadelphia ; — in a round compartment stands, « U. S 5 . . . . 1783 ;"— round, " Libertas et Justitia ;" on the other side, in the centre, an eye surrounded by a glory ; the whole encompassed by thirteen stars, — with the legend, " JVova Constel- latio." May 17. To Covent Garden ; abode an hour amidst very numerous throngs, this being the last day of polling, and Fox to be chaired) it is feared ; great riots and destruction will be the conse- quence. The foot-guards and a squadron of horse are ordered to hold themselves in readiness, and approach within a callable distance. In the afternoon went to Covent Garden, now emptied ; the company gone to attend Mr. Fox's procession, — the hustings 1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 406 ^ removed, and all the stands taken down. Proceeded thence to Charing Cross, which, to my surprise, I found crowded ; the pro- cession then just beginning to march by from Westminster Hall, in the following order : — the officers of each parish distinct, with their peculiar standards, attending two and two, with wands in their hands ; bands of music ; next gentlemen on horseback ; then others on foot ; in the rear was Mr. Byng, whose appearance was an- nounced by " Byng and Fox for ever .'" Then followed a few horsemen ; then Mr. Fox, mounted on a lofty chair, on and around interwoven with a laurel bower almost encompassing him ; soon after appeared a lofty white p'^k banner, with this inscription, — " Sacred to female patriotism y" and was immediately followed by the Duchesses of Portland and Devonshire in their coaches, around which were laurel festoons, each drawn by six horses ; the •whole concluded with about thirty private carriages. An innume- rable crowd attended, and with vociferous acclamations, but no riot nor mobbing; government having wisely provided the horse and foot-guards, which probably discouraged the ill-disposed. May 20. Parson Walter and Mr. Danforth visited me and took tea. May 21. Visited by Captain IngersoU from Salem, from whom I have heard more particulars relative to the present state of the town and its inhabitants than for several years. TO WILLIAM VANS, ESa., SALEM. London, May 21, 1784. Dear Sir: Your favor oi 2d January, was, I acknowledge, unexpected ; but did not surprise me, though at this late day. The difference of your sentiments from mine and those of my mistaken friends, needed not to have caused the destruction of your former letter ; for how wide soever our political notions have been, or perhaps now are, that letter, I dare say, conceived in purity of intention, and brought forth in decency of expression, could not have failed to prove informative and amusing ; and on that score a welcome present. Besides, I sit in judgment on no man ; wishing for candor towards myself, I think it my duty to practise it in my turn to all ; referring it to God alone to approve or condemn, who alone has 406 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784. the right ; and to knaves and fools who have none, to usurp that right. The doubts that have hitherto discouraged my attempting to are derived from more than one respect the appellation, I had friend, a light you say I ara reproach I am not conscious to trust the faithless waves agam, source. However wanting in rather be viewed m, accounted a timid than an enemy ; a have deserved. Your report of the returned penitents to their former habitations, strengthens my belief of lenity towards myself, should I ever be in a condition to stand in need of such lenity. However, if I rightly understand the meaning of your caution to address to the care of a friend, you yourself, sanguine and positive as you are of the safety of my person and property, think it a proper precaution to slip behind the curtain for a while after entering on the territories of the United States ; a part, Mr. Vans, I shall on no account stoop to act, dissimulation being, no part of my character, and I am too late in life to assume new habits. I ara well pleased to hear of the singular moderation of the town of Salem ; if other towns have been violent in words only, as your letter intimates, their character is greatly injured and the public abused. Having answered your letter, I now take leave, after subscribing myself witli due regards. Your friend, S. CURWEN. June 8. William Browne, lately arrived from Gibraltar, where he served as an officer during the siege, son of Colonel Browne, now governor of Bermudas, called on me after an interval of six years ; he appears intelligent, and his manners much refined. June 11. To my townsman, S. Porter's lodgings, Kensington, through the gardens. There seems no inclination in him or any refugees to return back ; fed, I presume, with delusive hopes of a compensation, or rather deluding themselves with ungrounded ex- pectations founded only in their vain wishes and desires cf court compassion, which may be justly added to Lord Rochester's list of ideal nothings. June 19. At one o'clock the funeral procession of Sir Barnard 1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 407 Turner, sherifF, passed through Bishopgate-street amidst great crowds, though much lessened by the delay which the populace mistook for its being laid aside ; I'.c oody had been arrested after it was put into the hearse, in the street, for a considerable debt, which was afterwards compromised, on whose or what account is variously stated. The hearse was preceded by two lines of the artilUry association, headed by an officer and five privates abreast, their firelocks reversed, marching in slow pace, muftled drums beatinfi^, trumpets sounding, and other instruments playing the 104th psalm tune ; the hearse was adorned with large flowing plumes of ostrich feathers, just before which was led the horse of the deceased, dressed in black ; on the saddle were laid the hat, sword, and boots crossed. A small detachment of the artillery company followed the carriage of the deceased and those of his brother sheriffs ; after which the whole closed by fourteen car- riages, each drawn by two pair of horses ; the whole was to proceed nine miles, to Tottenham ; solemn and pompous in the extreme. June 22. At New England Coffee-house read Mr. Pitt's speech and motion to stop the smuggling of tea, by a repeal of the heavy duty on that article, and substituting a lighter one ; and to prevent any injury to the revenue, by laying an additional house and window tax, whereby the poor and middling classes will be eased; and the burden, as it ought, will lay on the wealthy. Polling in the Borough for the election of a member in the room of the late Sir Barnard Turner ; candidates, Sir Richard Hotham, and Mr. Paul Mesurier. FROM HON. JONATHAN SEWALL, Bristol, June 28, 1784. Dear Sir: Accept my thanks for your kind communication of your inten- tions to revisit America, and for your obliging offer of accepting any services I may wish to trouble you with. I am clear in my judgment that you are perfectly right in your present detc imination ; you have taken no active part, — your family has remained unmo- lested, and Mr. F. Cabot assures me, that whenever you choose to return you will be received with the warmest cordiality by all your 408 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784. I&,, old friends, and will receive no insult from any ; in short, that you may go as safely as he can. This was his closing expression. You have not told me when you intend to embark ; if you think proper to give me seasonable notice of the time, perhaps I may trouble you with the care of one or two letters, provided you dare be the bearer of them from an alien — traitor by law, vide Act of 1779. If you have any qualms, as I don't know but you may, upon good grounds, give me but a hint of your fears or wishes, and I shall conform to either, as my letters will be of no importance to myself or my correspondents — no treason, no politics, I assure you. If you go, as I with twenty-eight others still remain exiles, it is not probable we shall ever see each other again, in this \voild' God only knows what kind of one the next will be, whether more or less dirty— be it what it may, if we meet I shall most joyfully take you by the band. Indeed I don't absolutely despair of seeing you again in this strange world, for upon my soul, though I was born and bred yet I am a stranger in it ; but my design is to go out to N. Scotia this autumn or early in the spring — there, if you wish, you may see me, but while the unjust, illiberal, lying aci of 1779 remains unrepealed, never will I set foot on the territories of the thirteen United Independent States. I feel no resentment against them. I wish them more happiness in their unnatural in- dependence than my judgment allows me to hope for them — but I have been mistaken throughout the whole voyage; yet, however I may have been out in my former opinions, I wish my judgment may still be erroneous — I wish, most sincerely, my native country may meet all the happiness she has sought, per fas et nefas — she thinks she has obtained it— I wish she may not be mistaken ; but I have my doubts. Mrs. Sewall accepts with thanks your compliments, and returns them most cordially ; my sister, whom you kindly remember, died, poor girl, on the 17th of May last, after a paralytic stroke about three months before ; I think I may say, she has gone with as few faults on her head as any of us can expect to go with. I miss her greatly, — ^but why should we complain ? I am your humble servant and sincere friend, JoNA. Sewall. ':& 1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTEUS. 409 TO IIOX. JUDGE SEWALL, HRISTOL. London, June 29, 1784. DiiAU Siii: On some accounts I shall return to America with reluctance, having many doubts on my mind of meeting such a reception as •will encourage my continued abode in that land of purity, sanctity and liberty. I feel too independent a spirit within to apprehend or regard any danger from republican licentiousness, which ever has been my contempt and abhorrence. The following inter nos. The success of my application to the commissioners, now sitting in the Treasury, I am as yet ignorant of j my memorial or petition was this day delivered in, and is to be con- sidered to-morrow. Whatever shall be the event I shall endeavor to support the same spirit, though a success equal to my supposed just expectations would serve as pillars or buttresses in an old tot- tering edifice, to add strength and support thereto. Please make my compliments to your family, and to Mr. Sam- uel Sewali if in your neighborhood. Dear sir, your affectionate friend, etc., S. CuRWE^f. June 29. After composing the following petition, I proceeded with it to the Treasury — dubious of its fate or fortune. " To the Commissioners appointed by act of Parliament to con- sider the sufferings and service of the American loyalists: " The petition of Samuel Curwen humbly showeth : That yoar petitioner was forced to abandon his home and dwelling by the repeated menaces of the people within a few days after the unhap- py rencounter at Lexington, who reproached all persons with the invidious appellation oi lories, as they chose to call such as did not openly accuse the king's troops as aggressors, were for supporting law and order, and for forbearing future violences j among which number your petitioner was one. Taking refuge aboard a vessel hound to Philadephia, he arrived there, hoping to find an asylum from outrage and indignity ; but in this he was mistaken, for though that city had during all former wars shown a manifest dis- like to military levies and arrangements, and when in the late dis- 52 ' "»:.:....,. ' " 410 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784. pute, a singular moderation ; at this period the political frenzy had risen to an equal height as in New England, and your petition- er was soon informed that that city could prove no refuge to him, even by those friends under whose protection ho sought for safety ; the only condition of his continuing there was a public renunciation of his principles, acknowledging his errors, and promising future obedience to the new assumed powers. Loth to be held up to the public in so disgraceful and mortifying a view, and to confess a falsehood, he took the only alternative in his power. All communi- cation with the northward by sea being forbidden by the city committee of safety and inspection, lest General Gage's troops at Boston should be supplied with flour, etc., and by land no letters could be sent but under the inspection of the state inquisitors — the regular post-office established by act of Parliament being shut up, and travelling by land dangerous to any but those called sons of liberty — he therefore took shipping again, and after a series of dangers in a very tedious passage, arrived in London, where and in the country, he has resided to the present time, subsisting whilst his own stock lastcii on that, and since on the public bounty. Having received some overtures since the peace took place from some of his townsmen of Salem, which, together with the sad de- rangement of his affairs there, makes him wish to revisit his native country of New England, but the advices from his friends rendering it still doubtful whether he can with safety and comfort pass the remainder of his days there — being near the verge of threescore years and ten — he proposes therefore to retreat to Nova Scotia or one of the royal colonies, in case he cannot obtain a resettlement on the forementioned conditions, and therefore humbly requests liberty to appoint an agent here to receive the usual allowance hitherto indulged him, and for so long a time as may be judged proper to continue it. And your petitioner as in duty bound, etc., Samuel Cubwen." July 2. Went to Treasury ; returned re infecta, not a little deranged but not much disappointed ; my expectations from court not being high, I can suffer but rarely any inconvenience, taking care not to put myself in the way of frequent mortification. The 1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 411 present application is of a kind I should have thought not liable to a repulse, many such favors having been already granted, if the re- quest deserves not rather the appellation of a just demand. Judy 5. Went to the Treasury, and there received the agreea- ble information that the commissioners had granted my petition to appoirit an agent to receive my quarterly allowance after my de- parture from England, on making satisfactory proof of my being alive at the successive periods of payment. From this I date an end to my doubts respecting my embarkation ; its issue time must reveal. July 7. Made an early visit to Mr, Gorham, to talk on the subject of our passage with Capt. Ingersoll. Jidy 8. On 'change met Capt. Folger and John Spar- hawk, both of whom I wish to embark with Mr. Gorham and my- self with Capt. Ingersoll. Mr. Jonathan Jackson called on me for a letter of introduction to Mr. George Russell of Birmingham, which I cheerfully gave, acquainting Mr. Russell that he possessed an unblemished reputation and extensive property, in case he may form any commercial arrangement there. TO REV. JOSEPH BRETLAND, EXETER. London^ July 9, 1784. Dear Sir : I could not, with ' j stroi. sense of obligation to Mr. Bretland for the many instanot-s of respectful attention received from him during my residenct- m the west, leave England without acknow- ledging them. My departure from London will be within a fort- night — a vo\ age at this late hour of my life is an undertaking, even were the prospects bright, I would gladly dispense with ; but duty and interest call too loudly to be resisted. I presume your acquaintance on the western continent lies in a \ery narrow com- pass ; however, if it shall be in my power to serv r amuse you in respect to the concerns in that distant quarter, 1 shall feel my- self obliged by gratifying your wish. I know not in what employment I am to pass the small rem- nant of my days, should Providence permit my safe return home j but I shall not think part of it ill-bestowed in directing and assist- ing the studies and pursuits of ray niece's children, who are just of < *- 412 A «■ JOURNAL AND LETTERS. [1784. an age to receive useful ideas — with regard to the EngUsh, Latin » and Greek tongues, I shall esteem it a peculiar favor if you will be pleased to forward me a list of books and the order in which they should be used. ,, Ve^ truly your friend, *' " ■' S. CURWEN. ■^P July 10. To the Treasury ; found the American door besieged by a "^-core of mendicants like myself, waiting their turns- —though I thought my early attendance would have entitled me to No. 1, 1 was glad to stand No. 21; so great was the crowd that I was more than once about to depart and leave them. July 11. With Capt. Coombs took an airing to the tower, having encompassed it on the ramparts, and taken a view of the American thirteen stripes flying on eight vessels lying in one tier ; the first view I ever distinctly had of their independent naval glory. Arranged about going with Capt. Ingersoll. July 16. Gave a power of attorney to George Bainbridge of Bread-street, to receive my pension quarterly. July 18. Mr. Cassini, the French mathematician, having presented through his ambassador in London a memorial, praying that some person would undertake to carry triangles from Green- wich to Dover to meet the French at Calais, in order to determine the exact distance between the observatories of Paris and Green- wich ; his majesty, who is ever ready to patronize useful schemes, immediately granted one thousand pounds for the carrying it on, and General Roy was, by his own consent, fixed upon for the un- dertaking. TO REV. JOSEP'i BRETLAND, EXETER, DEVON. London, July 19, 1784. Dear Sir : Your obliging favor of the 17th is just received. For a long time I was flattered with the expectation that my philosophical ac- quaintance would comply with his promise to answer your favor, till I had in truth forgotten I had not written you, and my delay arose from his, which at last ended in a refusal. He seems to value 1784.] ■Uk • -» , % ^^•"•-'- - * JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 413 himself on a freedom from the shackles of fear, and thmtcs that an advantage which no believer in the existence of a Deity can' boast of, and to that principle refers all those labored treatises to prove one ; and though fully convinced of the truth of his system, is satisfied a universal belief of theflti in the present state of things would not be productive of beneficial effects in society, which to me is instead of a thousand arguments to manifest their falsity. I would with unfeigned pleasure travel further than the distance between us to meet my worthy friend, but unless the weather pre- vent, or some unforeseen acc'.dent intervene, to which human af- fairs are liable, I shall take shipping within four daj s. It repents me much that I had not availed myself of leisure to have visited you ; but past neglects may be, like this, lamented, not repaired. Your kind information in respect to method of teaching, I thank you for ; your friendly caution I take in good part, and shall not fail to attend to it; and your request, you may depend on my compliance with. Be pleased to make my respectful compliments to all friends. I remain, with real regard, * Yours, S. CURWEN. July 20. Went to Mr. Copley's, George-street, Hanover- square, to take rny leave of him, and pay my last compliments to his father-in-law, Mr. R. Clarke, and the family. Mr. Copley ab- sent at Tunbridge. July 22. Accompanied by Mr. Nathaniel Gorham, breakfasted on board ship Union, Capt. Jonathan Ingersoll, wherein I have en- gaged ray passage to Boston ; mei Benjamin Pickman the elder and younger. Dined at Mr. De Berdt's, in company with General Joseph Reed of Philadelphia, and Mr. Gorham ; also drank tea and passed the evening there. July 25, Sunday. Attended worship at Mr. Lindsay's chapel, Essex-street, Strand ; took my final leave of Mr. Lindsay and Dr. Disney at the chapel door. July 28. Took leave at lodgings 107 Bishopgate-street with- in, and proceeded to the ship Union, lying at Irongate, where I purpose to abide till my arrival at Gravesend. Paid twenty guineas 1 m % If u ■ ' I 414 JOURNAL AND LETTERS. » # [1784. ;* # p Ik in part for my passage money. From henceforth I bid an ever- # lasting farewell to London. At ten o'clock the Tower guns, to the number of eighty, were discharged ; this being the day appointed » , by royal proclamation to be observed as a thanksgiving for the general peace. Despatched a^boat to bring Capt Coombs from his brig Minerva ; Capt. Patterson and Cleves also drank tea with us. Jlug. 1. Proceeded down the river with a fair wind. »Aug. 2. Anchorc;d off Deal. ^lug. 3. Capt. IngersoU with two passengers arrived on board ; immediately after the ship broke ground, and in an hour entered the Channel; and now hey for the ocean. Jiug. 4. This morning all our passengers breakfasted together for the first time ; their names, Nathaniel Gorham, William Smith, Lewis and Francis Deblois, of Boston, a Mr. Isle, and myself. ^ug. 6. Stood in for St. Helen's road ; thence proceeded to Cowes hafbor. Isle of Wight, where vire anchored ; went ashore, took tea and supped at the Vine inn. ^ug. 7. With four fellow-passengers took coach for Newport, the only borough town on the island, consisting of four hundred houses ; it lies at the head of water beyond Cowes five miles ; re- markable for no manufactures or productions, natural or artificial : thence trudged it on foot to Carisbrook Castle, on an eminence a mile or more distant, now in ruins, and inhabited by a family named Poney, consisting of two or three maidens and their servants. The church is a living of JE120 per annum. After dinner we all set oflF for our ship. ^ug. 8. Got under weigh, and at six o'clock are now in the bay, steering for Lymington roac, where we arrived at nine o'clock and anchored, waiting for the ebb to carry us through the Needles at a league's distance. These rocks lie on the island side of the en- trance, and on the opposite shore of the main land of England. On * a point, of a mile or so in length, stands Hurst Castle, remarkable in history for being the prison of King Charles, not long before his execution. ^ug. 10. Supposed off Berryhead, at five leagues distant. Afternoon changed our course and entered Dartmouth harbor. ^ug. 11. At six o'clock A. M. in the offing, Start bearing N. by £., four leagues distant ; dead calm ; ten vessels in sight. m m-i If ill i «« > li| l < |i(lM l 1784.] JOURNAL AND LETTERS. avsmt 415 ♦ ^ug. 13. Spoke brig Paragon, twenty-eight daysmtt from Alexandria, with Mr. and Mrs. Hughes on board. Sept, 25. Arrived at Boston, and at half past three o'clock landed at the end of Long-wharf, after an absence of nine years I and five months, occasioned by a^I&mented civil war, excited by ' ambitious, selfish men here and in England, to the disgrace, dis- ' honor, distress, and disparagement of these extensive territories. By plunder and rapine some few have accumulated wealth, but many more are greatly injured in their circumstances ; some have to lanient over the wreck of their deDsrted wealth and estates, of -which pitiable number I am ; my affairs having sunk into irre- trievable ruin. TO CAPT. MICHAEL COOMBS, LONDON. Salem, Mass., Oct. 9, 1784. Dear Sir : This day fortnight, at half past three P. M., I landed on the " ' \a of the Long-wharf, in Boston, being the first American ground I had touched since May 12, 1775, when I departed from Phila- delphia. It is no less strange than unaccountable, how low, mean and diminutive every thing on shore appeared to me. On Sunday, being the day following, I left for this place, where I alighted at the house of my former residence, and not a man, woman, or child, but expressed a satisfaction at seeing me, and welcomed me back. Thus much for myself. The few things for your vndow I have delivered into her hands, and I find her a woman of uncommon vigor and equanimity, nor do 1 think one to be met with who has better acquitted herself in the late trying times. By her resolution she has preserved the household furniture from confiscation and waste, and your account- books from inspection, though menaced and flattered by the state agents. The melancholy derangement of my own affairs has so entirely unsettled me, that I can scarce attend to any thing. I think it very unlikely my house can be saved.* It shall be among my first engagements to attend to your affairs. With real regard, your friend, S. CURWEN. t ^^ It was saved from confiscation. m % '^ ■t t » K'i 416 ■^■di* f JOURNAL AND LETTERS. W' A- " . [1784. # TO JONATHAN SMITH, ESQ., PHILADELPHIA, *^' Sfa/m, Oc^9, 1784."^ Dear Si' s ' A fe . days since I returned- to the place of my nativity, after an absence of more than nine years, in which interval I find great revolutions to have taken place, not only with regard to the civil and political state of America in general, but also with respect to the property of individuals. Whilst some from the narrowest and baset condition have arisen to high honors and great wealth, others from comfortable, reputable, and even respectable and affluent, have fallen into indigent and distressed circumstances ; and al- though the latter is not exactly my case, I confess myself verging to that point ; my affairs are sadly deranged, but I hope time and application will cure the disorder. For that purpose, I beg you will forward to me a box containing my account-books left in your , father's hands for security during my absence. Your most obedient servant, .fc S. CURWEN. TO CAPT. MICHAEL COOMBS, LONDON. Salem, Mv. 15, 1784. Dear Sir : I have waited en Mr. Sewall,* a lawyer of your town ; from him I learn he has undertaken to procure the necessary papers, and will, at my pressing instance, set about it immediately ; my argu- ment being constantly, delay is almost as fatal to my friend as total neglect. I am now to congratulate you on the salvation of your wharf and warehouse from the villainous hands of the rapacious harpies, the commissioners ; that part of your real estat ^y great luck was neglected in the libel by which your other wa. seized and confis- cated, and therefore it still remains your property. What debts are claimed and proved, must, by the law that confiscates, be levied on and taken out of the estate sold, the remainder escheats to the * Mr. Siimucl Sewall, of Marblohoiul, uftorwaida cliicf justice ol" Mas- sachusetts. *^ • 4 a 1784.] -*-f .^JOURNAL ANT> LETTEBS, 417 public treasury. But so infamously knavish has been the cOhduct of the commissioners, that though frequent attempts have been made to bring them to justice, and respond for the produce of the funds resting in their hands, so numerous are the defaulters in that augtist body, (he General Court, that all efforts have hitherto proved vain. Not twopence in the pound have arrived to the public trea- sury of all the confiscations ! Mr. Sewall says, were you disposed, he would advise you not to come here, until the act respecting refugees or absentees be. passed, which will be, it is thought, this session. ^. ,^ The triumphant here look down with contempt oirtne van- quished ; their little minds are not equal to the astonishing success of their feeble arms. God bless the worth^and blast the villainous of every party^* Very truly yours, IP S. CURWEN. TO HON. JUDGE SEW ALL, BRISTOL, ENGLAND. Salem, Mv. 22, 1784. Dear Sir: I find myself completely ruined. I confess I cannot bear to stay and perish under the ruins of ray late ample property, and shall, therefore, as soon as I can recover my account-books, left in Philadelphia on my departure from America, and settle my deranged affair;^, retreat to Nova Scotia, unless my allowance shall be taken from me. I am ignorant whether it may be prudent to make appli- cation to the commissioners on American refugees' affairs ; but being here by their indulgence, I wish my allowance may continue. And if in this representation you can afford me any assistance by your- self, or in concert with Mr. Danforth, to whom I have also written, I shall thankfully acknowledge your counsel and aid, as a kind en- deavor to rescue from want your old and faithful friend, S. CURWEN. * m.: t # • .-r- • Capt. Coombs, to whom ths foregoing letter was addressed, and v. ho is often mentioned in Judge Curwen's Journal, was a respectable niercliant of Marblehead, Mass., to which pk-ce he returned some years after the peace, and died there at an advanced age. 53 i m f.Wk-jit^^':... • !^ # 1^ 418 JOURNAL AND LETT El'. S [1795. 1795. [The following letters were written ten years after Jmlgii Curwen's return, when in his eightieth year. He survived several years longer, having died at Salem April, 1802.] ^ TO SAMUEL CURWEN, ESa. *^ Dorchester, Feb. 6, 1795. Dear Sir : Many years are elapsed since I saw you. Hearing lately that you were returned to Salem, I have taken this opportunity to write to you. In the year 1741 1 was taken fli, and continued poorly severaijjears, but as Providence ordered it, got better and have kept school here fourteen ye^csj I was treasurer for the town thirty-seven years, and one of the selectmen and assessors thereof forty years. Although the most of our class that are dead seeii]|ed more likely to live long than 1, yet to a wonder I am spared. It pleased God in his holy providence a few years since to deprive me of ray habi- tation by fire ; by the help of friends I have got up a house, and have so far finished it that I and my family live in it. Be pleased to let me hear from you, if you can send a letter to Mr. Hopestill Capens, a kinsman of mine living in Boston, near the market ; I hope I shall receive it. If you come to Boston, be pleased to come over and see me j I live within four miles of the State-house. ip^ •«f « 1i I Tft t From your classmate. m TO NOAH CLAP. Noah Clap. Salem, February 18, 1795. My Friend Clap: Your unexpected but agreeable let^-^r of the 6th inst. was re- ceived about a week since, wherein you say you aie among the very few of our fellow-students and classmates that are still in the land of the living. This has been a subject of my frequent thoughts and inquiry; the result follov/s: Willis, Clap, Cook, Curwen, Parsons, Smith, Pierce, Snell ; Hovey uncertain.* You observe, " although * Judge Curwen was of the class (thirty-eight in number) graduated at Harvard College in 1735 ; of whom it seems eight, and perhaps ninci were living in 1795. «■'«> ''A ■ .. ,■* ■. ■€ r. m *t ••> ■»•■ » i jS* ^ «, <• 3! "'.r *1 J . i t 179S.] JOURN A), AND LETTERS. 419 most ofow classmates that are dead and gone seemed more I'tfcely to live thanll' etc. ; '>n which I remark, it is a subject of constant obser- vation aiQong persons of tho^ifht ;nd reflection, to which by expe- rience I si|};i0orihe, that most of those whose health-promising coun- # * tenances, livclfp^piritsi^and great bodily strength promise long life, are mos^ comn]|ml3(, cut off in the >nidst of life, while the more feeble, comp]aiaing,N«id those frequently confined by illness, are continued to a comparatively long life, and rendticd capable of more enjoyment than in the days of youth and middle age, of which number I profess myse^Jto be one. Thanks to the gracious Being who has, in mercy I hojlife, lengthened my life to one of tl^ longest periods in these days, being entere«lj more than two months, in my eightieth year ; which I presume is your length of years. Agreeablyjo your invitation, I shall, when the roads and wea- ther proyp favorable for travelling, continue my next journey as far as your dwelling, and in the mean time I remain, with due regards, Your friend and well wisher. i * *■•<. 4 • ''^♦^a S. CUUWEN. » • # f.:\ Ki«?»»'' .,V # 1 *E I 1 # ♦ < 1 Wrm IP I »m .4 y. ,('} #- I i :• i^- * 1 -■t ■ '^'iV^ *P"*n'- ? f-f^' JP^ ' ' ^'^►^K .« SUPPLEMENT; CONTAINING ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS, AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THE FORLuOING WORK. It ■I * SUPPLEMENT. ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUyENTS. ADDRESS OF THE MERCHANTS AND OTIIE.IS OF )STON, TO GOV. nUTCHlNSON. Boston, May 30, 1774. We, merchants and traders of the tu»vn of Boston, la -jthers, do now wait on you, in the most respectful manner, efoit; your departure for England, to testify, for ourselves, the entire satisfac- tion we feel at your wise, zealous, and faithful administration, dur- ing the few years that you have presided at the head of this province. Had your success been equal to your endeavors, and to the warmest wishes of your heart, we cannot doubt thnt many of the evils under which we now suffer, would have been averted, and that tranquillity would have been restored to this long divided province ; but we assure ourselves that the want of success in those endeavors will not abate your good wishes when removed from us, or your ear- nest exertions still on every occasion to s. ;c the true interest of this your native country. While we lament the loss of so good a governor, we are greatly relieved that his Majesty, in his gracious favor, hath appointed as your successor a gentleman who, having distinguished himself in the long command he hath held in another department, gives us the most favorable prepossessions of his future administration. We greatly deplore the calamities that are impending and will soon fall on this metropolis, by the operation of a late act of Par- liament for shutting up the port on the first of next month. You m\ '^NT 424 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. l 'Ik cannot but be sensible, sir, of the numberless evils that will ensue to the province in general, and the miseries and distresses into which it will particularly involve this town, in the course of a few months. Without meaning to arraign the justice of the British Parliament, we could humbly wish that this a ;t had been couched with less rigor, and that the execution of it had b^en delayed to a more distant time, that the people might have had the alternative either to have complied with Ihe conditions therein set forth, or to have submitted to the consequent evils on refusal ; but as it now stands, all choice is precluded, and however disposed to compliance or concession the people may be, they must unavoidably suffer very great calamities before they can receive relief. Making res- titution for damage done to the property of the East India Company, or to the property of any individual, by the outrage of the people, we acknowledge to be just ; and though we have ever disavowed, and do now solemnly bear our testimony against such lawless pro- ceedings, yet, considering ourselves as members of l^e same commu- nity, we are fully disposed to bear our proportions of ihose damages, whenever the sum and the manner of laying it can be ascertained. We earnestly request that you, sir, who know our condition, and have at all times displayed the most benevolent disposition towards us, will, on your arrival in England, interest yourself in our behalf, and make such favorable representations of our case, as that we may hope to obtain speedy and effectual relief. May you enjoy a pleasant passage to England ; and under all the mortifications you have patiently endured, may you possess the inward and consolatory testimonies of having discharged your trust with fidelity and honor, and receive those distinguishing marks of his Majesty's royal approbation and favor, as may enable you to pass the remainder of your life in quietness and ease, and preserve your name with honor to posterity. William Blair, James Selkrig, Archibald Wilson, Jeremiah Green, Samuel H. Sparhawk, Joseph Turill, Roberts & Co., John Greenlaw, Benjamin Clark, - William McAlpine, Jonathan Snolling, Jnmes Hall, William Dickson. John Winplow, jr., . IP 1;. av ^ % ,^. ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 426 Theophilus Lillie, Miles Whitworth, James McEwen, William Codner, James Perkins, John White, Robert Jarvis, William Perry, James & Patrick McMasterPy William Coffin, Simeon Stoddard, jr. John Powell, Henry Laughton, Eliphalet Pond, M.B. Goldthwait, Peter Hughes, Samuel Hughes, John Semple, Hopestill Capen, Edward King, Byfield Lynde, George Lynde, A. F. Phipps, Rufus Green, David Phips, Richard Smith, George Spooner, Daniel Silsby, William Cazneau, James Forrest, Edward Cox, John Berry, Richard Hirons, Ziphion Thayer. John Joy, Joseph Goldthwait, Samuel Prince, Jonathan Simpson, James Boutineau, Nathaniel Hatch, 64 Martin Gay, Joseph Scott, Samuel Minot, Benjamin M. Holmes, Archibald McNiel, George Leonard, John Borland, Joshua Loring, jr., William Jackson, James Anderson, David Mitchelson, Abraham Savage, James Asby, John Inman, John Coffin, Thomas Knight, Benjamin Green, jr. David Green, Benjamin Green, Henry H. Williams, James Warden, Nathaniel Coffin, jr., Silvester Gardiner, John S. Copley, Edward Foster, Colbourn Burrell, Nathaniel Greenwood, William Burton, John Win slow, Isaac Winslow, jr., Thomas Oliver, Henry Bloye, Benjamin Davis, Isaac Winslow, Lewis Deblois, Thomas Aylwin, William Bowes, Gregory Townsend, Francis Green, Philip Dumaresq, V-i^ # '■*. K k 426 ILLUSTRATIVE DCCUMFNT9. Harrison Gray, Peter Johonnot, George Erviog, Joseph Green, John Vassall, Nathaniel Coffin, John Timmins, William Tailor, Thomas Brinley, Harrison Gray, jr., John Taylor, Gilbert Deblois, Joshua Winslow, Daniel Hubbard, Hugh Turbett, Henry Lyddell, Nathaniel Gary, George Brinley, Richard Lechmere, John Erving, jr., Thomas Gray, George Bcthune, Thomas Apthorp, Ezekial Goldthvvaite, Benjamin Gridley, John Atkinson, Ebenezer Bridgham, John Gore, Adiao Paddock. ADDRESS OF THE INHABITANTS OF MARBLEHEAD TO GOV. HUTCHINSON. Marblehead, May 25, 1774. His Majesty having been pleased to appoint his Excellency the Hon. Thomas Gage, Esq., to be governor and commander-in-chief over this province, and you, (as we are informed,) being speedily to embark for Great Britain : We, the subscribers, merchants, traders, and others, inhabitants of Marblehead, he^. leave to present you our valedictory address on this occasion ; and as this is the only way we now have of expressing to you our entire approbation of your public conduct during the time you have presided in this province, and of making you a return of our most sincere and hearty thanks for the ready assistance which you have at all times afforded us, when applied to in matters which affected our naviga- tion and commerce, we are induced from former experience of your goodness, to believe that you will freely indulge us in the pleasure of giving you this testimony of our sincere esteem and gratitude. In your public administration, we are fully convinced that the general good was the mark which you have ever aimed at, and we can, sir, with pleasure assure you, that it is likewise the opinion of all dispassionate thinking men within the circle of our observation, notwithstanding many publications would have taught the world to ■yJH -1, iM ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 427 think the contrary ; and we beg leave to entreat you, that when you arrive at the court of Great Britain, you would there embrace every opportunity of moderating the resentment of the government against us, and use your best endeavors to have the unhappy dis- pute between Great Britain and this country brought to a just and eijui' able determination. We cannot omit the opportunity of returning you in a particular manner our most sincere thanks for your patronizing our cause in the matter of entering and clearing the fishing vessels at the custom-house, and making the fishermen pay hospital money ; we believe it is owing to your representation of the matter, that we are hitherto free from that burden. We heartily wish you, sir, a safe and prosperous passage to Great Britain, and when you arrive there may you find such a re- ception as shall fully compensate for all the insults and indignities which have been offered you. Henry Saunders, Richard Hinkly, Samuel Reed, John Lee, Robert Ambrose, Jonathan Glover, Richard Phillips, Isaac Mansfield, Joseph Bubler, Richard Stacy, Thomas Procter, John Fowie, Robert Hooper, 3d, John Gallison, John Prince, George McCall, Joseph Swasey, Nathan Bowcn, Thomas Robie, John Stimson, John Webb, Joseph Lee, Thomas Lewis, Sweet Hooper, Robert Hooper, Jacob Fowle, John Pedrick, Richard Reed, Benjamin Marston, Samuel White, Joseph Hooper, John Prentice, Robert Hooper, jr. ADDRESS OP THE BARRISTERS AND ATTORNEYS OF MAS- SACHUSETTS TO GOV. HUTCHINSON, MAY 30, 1774. A firm persuasion of your inxiolable attachment to the real interests of this your native country, and of your c( nstant readiness, by every service in your power, to promote its true welfare and 'I I M ^T^r "« # !* 4S9 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. prosperity, will, we flatter ourselves, rentier it not improper in us, barristers and attorneys at law in the province of Massachusetts Bay, to address your Excellency upon your removal from us, with this testimonial of our sincere respect and esteem. The various important characters of Legislator, Judge and first Magistrate over this province, in which, by the suffrages of your fellow-subjects, and by the royal favor of the best of kings, your great abilities, adorned with a uniform purity of principle, and in- tegrity of conduct, have been eminently dif^tinguished, must excite the esteem and demand the grateful acknowledgments of every true lover of his country, and friend to virtue. The present perplexed state of our public affairs, we are sensi- ble, must render your departure far less disagreeable to you than It is to us,— we assure you, sir, we feel the loss ; but when, in the amiable character of your successor, we view a fresh instance of the paternal goodness of our most gracious sovereign j when we reflect on the probability that your presence at the court of Great Britain, will afford you an opportunity of employing your interests more successfully for the relief of this province, and particularly of the town of Boston, under their present distresses, we find a conso- lation which no other human source could afford. Permit us, sir, most earnestly to solicit the exertion of all your distinguished abilities in favor of your native town and country, upon this truly unhappy and distressing occasion. We sincerely wish you a prosperous voyage, a long continua- tion of health and felicity, and the highest rewards of the good and faithful. We are, sir, with the most cordial affection, esteem and respect. Your Excellency's most obedient and very humble servants, Bobert Achmuty, Jonathan Sewall, Samuel Fitch, Samuel Quincy, William Pynchon, James Putnam, Benjamin Gridley, Abel Willard, Andrew Cazneau, Daniel Leonard, John Lowell, * Daniel Oliver, Sampson S. Blowers, Shearjashub Brown, Daniel Bliss, Samuel Porler, ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 429 David Ingersoll, Jeremiuh D. Rogers, David Gorham, S.iinuel Sewall, John Sprague, Rufus Chandler, Thomas Danforth, Ebenezer Bradish. From the Essex Gazette of Juno 14, 1774. Messrs. Hall : As it is generally known that an Address from the Merchants, Traders and others, in the town of Salem, to the late Governor Hutchinson, was signed by numbers of gentlemen belonging to the town ; and it being as well known that his Excellency gave his answer to the same, it remains now a matter of great speculation, especially amongst those of the town of Boston who were foremost in promoting a plan so apparently beneficial in the present exigency of affairs in this province, what sufficient reason can be assigned by the subscribers, (contrary to the very design of such an address,) for then not making it public. Many conjectures might be admitted upon tliis matter, not to the honor of the concerned, which we shall omit for the present. Yours, Z.Y. * From the Essex Gazette of June 1, 1775. Salem, May 30, 1775. Whereas we the subscribers did some time since sign an address to Governor Hutchinson, which, though prompted to by the best intentions, has, nevertheless, given great offence to our country : We do now declare, that we were so far from designing by that action, to show our acquiescence in those acts of Parliament so universally and justly odious to all America, that or 'he contrary, we hoped we might in that way contribute to their !■: peal ; though now to our sorrow ,ve find ourselves mistaken. And we do now further declare, that we never intended the offence which this ad- dress has occasioned ; that if we had foreseen such an event we should never have signed it; ^o it always has been and now is our wish to live in harmony with our neighbors, nnd our serious de- termination is to promote to the utmost of our power the liberty, the welfare, and happiness of our country, which is inseparably connected with our own. i Hi •V 430 ILLUSi EATI VE DOCUMENTS. I|% jffl •;l John Nutting, N. Goodale, Ebenezer Putnam, Francis Cabot, N. Sparhawk, Andrew Dalglisb, E. A. Holyoke, William Pynchon, Thomas Barnard. Nathaniel Pibney, William Picktnsri. C. Gayton Picksnan. In Committee of Safnty, Saleiu, Mp.y 30, 1775. — The declar- ation, of which the above is a copj, biiug presented and read, it vas voted unanimously thai the sam? .ius satisfactory ; and that the said gentlemen ought to be received and treated as reai friends to this country. By order of the Commitli e, RicHABi) Derijs.', J>.i., Chair/nan. In tv.t ?maf t ^iper of June 1, 1775, immediately following the above, is u co'auruiication to the Committee of Safety, from the Ifjte Rev. Th-jnas Barnard, dated May 25, 1775 : — A suspicion of being inimical to those with whom we are con- nected in society, and whom we esteem and love, cannot but give stvere pain to a generous mind. Unhappily, I have been viewed by rpy countrymen in a light so disagreeable. The address which ! signed to Governor Hutchinson upon his leaving this province, I signed with no party vie\vs, with no design whatever of injuring that country with the prosperity of which my dearest human in- terests are closely connected, hut with strong hopes of promoting the lasting peace and welfare of my native land. But I own, ray fond expectations arising therefrom have been disappointed. The cause of America I look upon capable of full defence by the voice of justice and the British constitution; and shall be ever ready to support it in that way which the united wisdom of the continent shall dictate. Such are my sentiments, and upon the strength of them I would request of my countrymen to throw the veil of charity and forgive- ness over any incautious action of mine, which may hrve led them to think unfavorably of me, a^id to grant me a p;:.j»; in their esteem, which I shall ever think myself happy in dr < ing. Thomas '• .ard, Jr. # 't. f ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 481 In Committee of Safety, Salem, May 25, 1775.— The declara- tion, of which the above is a copy, being presented and read, it was voted unanimously that the same was satisfactory ; and that the said gentleman ought to be received and treated as a real friend to bis country. By order of the Committee, Richard Dehby, Jr., Chairman. m- From the Essex Gazette, June 14, 1774. Last Saturday, (June 11th, 1774,) the following address was presented to his Excellency the Governor : — To his Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq., Captain-General, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England, and Lieutenant-General of his Majesty's Forces. May it please your Excellency : We, merchants and others, inhabitants of the ancient town of Salem, beg leave to approach your Excellency with our most respectful congratulations on your arrival in this place. "We are deeply sensible of his Majesty's paternal care and affection to this province, in the appointment of a person of your Excellency's experience, wisdom and moderation, in these trouble- some and difficult times. We rejoice that this town is graciously distinguished for that spirit, loyalty, and reverence for the laws, which is equally our glory and happiness. From that public spirit and warm zeal to promote the general happiness of men, which mark the great and good, we are led to hope under your Excellency's administration for every thing that may promote the peace, prosperity, and real welfare of this pro- vince. We beg leave to commend to your Excellency's patronage the trade and commerce of this place, which, from a full protection of the liberties, persons and properties of individuals, cannot but And we us>su^«^ your Excellency we will make it our constant endeavors by peace, good ordei*, z^d a regard for the lavs, as far as in us lies, to render your sta ion and residence easy and happy. m # 432 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. ♦ John Sargent, Jacob Ashton, William Wetmore, James Grant, Henry Higginaon, David Britton, P. G. Kast, Weld Gardner, Nathoniel Daubney, Richard NichoUs, William Cabot, Cabot Gerrish, William Gerrish, Rowland Savage, William Lilly, Jonathan Goodhue, Nathan Goodale, William Pickman, C. Gayton Pickman, Nathaniel Sparhawk, William Vans, Timothy Orne, Richard Routh, Stephen Higginson, John Prince, George Deblois, Andrew Dalglish, Joseph Blaney, Archelaus Putnam, Samuel Porter, Thomas Poynton, Samuel Flagg, Benjamin Lynde, William Browne, John Turner, P. Frye, Francis Cabot, William Pynchon, John Fisher, John Mascarene, E. A. Holyoke, Jos. Bowditch, Ebenezer Putnam, S. Curwen, John Nutting, Jos. Dowse, Benjamin Pickman, Henry Gardner. I# Tht " Loyal Address from the Gentlemen and Principal Inhab- itants OF Boston to Governor Gage on his departure fob England, October 6, 1775," was signed as follows : John Erving, Thomas Hutchinson, jr., Silvester Gardiner, Wm. Bowes, John Timmins, Nathaniel Coffin, John Winslow, jr., Alexander Bymer, Robert Hallowell, Robert Jarvis, David Phipe, John Tayler, Archibald McNeal, Francis Green, Benjamin Davis, John Sampson, William Tayler, John Inman, Wm. Perry, John Gore, Isaac Winslow, jr., Thomas Courtney, »W">^ .4 ■■*4. ILLUSTHATIVK DOCUMENTS. 433 John Love, Hugh Tarbett, Nathaniel Perkins, John Powell, James Selkrig, Archibald. Cunningham, William Cazneau, David Barton, John Semple, Henry Lawton, William Brattle, John Troutbeck, Stephen Greenleaf, William Walter, James Perkins, Phillip Dumaresque, Joshua Loring, jr., Henry Lloyd, William Leo Perkins, George Leonard, Thomas Briiiley, Daniel Hubbard, Samuel Fitch, John Atkinson, Joseph Turin, Samuel Hirst Sparhawk, Ebenezer Brigham, William Codner, Jonathan Snelling, Benjamin Gridley, Gilbert Deblois, Edward Hutchinson, Miles Whitworth, Daniel McMasters, John Hunt, 3d, James Lloyd, William McAlpine, John Greecort, William Dickerson, William Hunter, Robert Semple, John Joy, Gregory Townsend, Isaac Winslow, Byfield Lyde, Richard Clarke, Benjamin Fanieul, jr., Thomas Amory, George Brindley, Ralph Inman, Edward Winslow, Benjamin M. Holmes, Williayn Jackson, Richard Green, James Murray, .Toseph Scott, Peter Johonnot, Nathaniel Cnvy, Martin Gay, Sam ^el Hughes, William Coffin, jr., Adino Paddock, Andrew Cntjieau, Henry Lindall, Theophilus Lillie, Henry Barnes, M. B. Goldthwait, Lewis Gray, Nathaniel Brinley, John Jeffries, jr., Archibald Bowman, Jonathan Simpson, Nathaniel Tayler, James Anderson, Lewis Deblois. •" m 55 434 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. The Loyal Address to Governor Gage on hib departute, October 14, 1775, OF THOSE Gentlemen who were driven from their Habitations in t.i. Country to the Town of Boston, was signed by THK lCi.1 ■'V. ■ .to i'ERSONS : John V nandler, Jatrea Putnam, Peter Oliver, sen., Seth Williams, jr., Charles Curtis, Samuel Pine, David Phips, Richard Saltonstall, Peter Oliver, jr., Jonathan Stearns, Ward Chipman, William Chandler, Thomas Foster, "^ Iham Winslow, Daniel Uliver, Edward Winslow, jr., Nathaniel Chandler, James Putnam, jr. I ii CONSPIRACY ACT. An Act to confiscate the estates of certain notorious conspirators against the government and liberties of the inhabitants of the late provinf e, now state, of Massachusetts Bay. Whereas the several persons hereinafter mentioned, have wick- edly conspired to overthrow and destroy the constitution ar.:: gov- ernment of the late province of Massachusetts Bay, as established by the charter agreed upon by and between their late majesties "William and Mary, late King and Queen of England, etc., and the inhabitants of said province, now state, of Massachusetts Bay ; and also to reduce the said inhabitants under the absolute power and domination of the presert Vw^, and of the parliament of Great Britain, and, as far as in them lay, have aided and assisted the same king and D^iliameni, in their "ndeavors lo establish a despotic government over the said inhabitants : Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Repre- sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that Francis Bernard, baronet, Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., late governor of the late province; now state, of Massacliusetts Bay, Thomas Oliver, Esq., 1 te lieutenant governor, Harrison Grey, Esq., late treasurer, Tn -xs llucker, Esq., late secretary, Peter Oliver, Esq., late chief justice, i oster Hutchinson, John Er- ving, jr., George Erving, William Pepperell, baronet, James ■ f i '"'""!!" ■ \ I f ILLUSTRA E U0CUMENT8. 436 ■40\' Boutineau, Joshua Loring, Nathaniel Hatch, "V^'illiam Browne, Richard Lechmere, Josiah Edson, Nathaniel Rea Thomas, Timo- thy Ruggles, John Murray, Abijah Willard, and Daniel Leonard, Esqs., late mandamus counsellors of said late province, William Burch, Henry Hulton, Charles Paxon, and Benjamin Hallowell, Esqs., late commissioners of the customs, Robert Auchmuty, Esq., late judge of the vice-admiralty court, Jonathan Sewall, Esq., late attorney general, Samuel Quincy, Esq., late solicitor general, Samuel Fitch, Esq., solicitor or counsellor at law to the board of commissioners, have justly incurred the forfeiture of all their prop- erty, rights and liberties, holden under and derived from the govern- ment and laws of this state ; and that each and every of the persons aforenamed and described, shall be held, taken, deemed and ad- judged to have renounced and lost all civil and political relation to this and the other United States of America, and be considered as aliens. Sect. 2. Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all the goods and chattels, rights and credits, lands, tenements, and hered- itaments of every kind, of which any of the persons herein before named and described, were seized or possessed, or were entitled to possess, hold, enjoy, or demand, in their own right, or which any other person stood or doth stand seized or possessed of, or are or •were entitled to have or demand to and for their use, benefit and behoof, shall escheat, enure and accrue to the sole use and benefit of the government and people of this state, and are accordingly hereby declared so to escheat, enure and accrue, and the said gov- ernment and people shall be taken, deemed and adjudged, and are accordingly hereby declared to be in the real and actual possession of all such goods, chattels, rights and credits, lands, tenements and hereditaments, without further inquiry, adjudication or determina- tion hereafter to be had j any thing in the act, entilkd, " An act for confiscating the effects of certain persons commonly called ab- sentees," or any other law, usage, or custom to Tnc contrary not- withstanding ; provided always, that the escheat shall not be construed to extend to or operate upon, any goods, chattels, rights, credits, lands, tenements or hereditaments, of which the persons afore named and described, or some other, in their right and to their use, have not been seized or possessed, or entitled to be seized # -^z:^.^:^, f ^x: '1 • * 'M m: 436 ILLUSTRATIVE UOCUUENTS. or possessed, or to have or demand as aforesaid, since the nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. — IPassed Jlpril 30, 1779. JVot revised.} STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. An Act for confiscating the estates of certain persons commonly called absentees. Whereas every government hath a right to command the per- sonal services of all its members, whenever the exigencies of the state shall require it, especially in times of an impending or actual invasion, no member thereof can then withdraw himself from the jurisdiction of the government, and thereby deprive it of the bene- fit of his personal services, without justly incurring the forfeiture of all his property, rights and liberties, hoklcn under and derived from that constitution of government, to the support of which he hath refused to afford his aid and assistance : and whereas the king of Great Britain did cause the parliament thereof to pass divers acts in direct violation of the fundamental rights of the people of this and of the other United States of America ; particularly one cer- tain act to vacate and annul the charter of this government, the great compact made and agreed upon between his royal predeces- sors and our ancestors ; and one other act, declaring the people of said states to be out of his protection j and did also levy war against them, for the purpose of erecting and establishing an arbi- trary and despotic government over them ; whereupon it became the indispensable duty of all the people of said states forthwith to unite in defence of their common freedom, and by arms to oppose the fleets and armies of the said king ; yet nevertheless, divers of the members of this and of the other United States of America, evilly disposed, or regardless of their duty towards their country, did withdraw themselves from this, and other of the said United States, into parts and places under the acknowledged authority and dominion of the said king of Great Britain, or into parts and places within the limits of the said states, but in the actual possession and under the pow-er of the fleets or armies of the said king ; thereby abandoning the liberties of their country, seeking the protection of the said king, and of his fleets or armies, and aiding or giving en- '<4« •mrw ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 437 couragcmcnt and countenance to their operations against the Uni- ted States u foresaid : Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Repre- sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that every inhabitant and member of the late province, now state, of Massachusetts Bay, or of any other of the late prov- inces or colonies, now United States of America, who, since the nineteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand seven hun- dred and seventy-five, hath levied war or conspired to levy war against the government and people of any of the said provinces or colonies, or United States ; or who hath adhered to the said king of Great Britain, his fleets or armies, enemies of the said provinces or colonies or United States, or hath given to them aid or comfort; or who, since the said nineteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, hath withdrawn, without the permission of the legislative or executive authority of this or some other of the said United States, from any of the said prov- inces or colonies, or United States, into parts and places under the acknowledged authority and dominion of the said king of Great Britain, or into any parts or places within the limits of any of the said provinces, colonies, or United States, being in the actual pos- session and under the power of the fleets or armies of the said king ; or who, before the said nineteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and after the arrival of Thomas Gage, Esq., (late commander-in-chief of all his Britan- nic Majesty's forces in North America,) at Boston, the metropolis of this state, did withdraw from their usual places of habitation within this state, into the said town of Boston, with an intention to seek and obtain the protection of the said Thomas Gage and of the said forces, then and there being under his command ; and who hath died in any of the said parts or places, or hath not returned into some one of the said United States, and been received as a subject thereof, and (if required) taken an oath of allegiance to such states, shall be held, taken, deemed and adjudged to have freely renounced all civil and political relation to each and every of the said United States, and be considered as an alien. Sect. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all the goods and chattels, rights and credits, lands, tenements, ■'•''f}iH>'-: It'-- 438 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. hereditaments of every kind, of vrhich any of the persons herein before described were seized or possessed, or were entitled to pos- sess, hold, enjoy or demand, in their own right, or which ajiy other person stood or doth stand seized or possessed of, or are or were entitled to have or demand to and for their use, benefit and be- hoof, shall escheat, enure and accrue to the sole use and benefit of the government and people of this state, and are accordingly here- by declared so to escheat, enure and accrue. — \^Passed April 30, 1779. Jfot revised.'] MANDAMUS COUNSELLORS. Salem, Aug. 9, 1774. The following were appointed by his majesty, counsellors of this province by writ of mandamus,* viz : — Col. Thomas Oliver, Lieut. Governor, President ; Peter Oliver, Thomas Flacker, Foster Hutchinson, Thomas Hutchinson, Jr. Harrison f'^rdy, Jud^e Samuel Danforth, Col. John Erving, Jr. James Russell, Timothy Riiggles, Joseph Lee, Isaac Winslow, Israel Williams, Col. George Watson, Nathaniel Ray Thomas, Timothy Woodbridge, William Vassall, William Browne, Joseph Greene, James Bouthieau, Andrew Oliver, Col. Josiah Edson, Richard Lechmere, Commodore Joshua Loring, John Worthington, Timo- thy Paine, William Pepperell, Jeremiah Powell, Jonathan Simp- son, Col. John Murray, Daniel Leonard, Thomas Palmer, Col. Isaac Royall, Robert Hooper, Abijah Willard, Capt. John Er- ving,jr, STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. An Act to prevent the return to this state of certain persons therein named, and others who have left this state or either of the United States, and joined the enemies thereof. Whereas Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., late governor of this state, Francis Bernard, Esq., formerly governor of this state, Thomas Oliver, Esq., late lieutenant governor of this state, Timothy Rug- gles, Esq., of Hardwick, in the county of Worcester, William Ap- thorp, merchant, Gibbs Atkins, cabinet maker, John Atkinson, John Amory, James Anderson, Thomas Apthorp, David Black, William Burton, William Bowes, George Brindley, Robert Blair, Thomas Brindley, James Barrick, merchant, Thomas Brattle, Esq., Samp- ♦ Those whose names are in italics alone took the oath of office. MWm. l ; ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 439 son Salter Blowers, Esq., James Bruce, Ebenezer Bridghara, Alex- ander Bryraer, Edward Berry, merchants, William Burch, Esq., late commissioner of the customs, Mather Bylcs, Jun., clerk, Wil- liam Codner, bouk-keeper, Edward Cox, merchant, Andrew Cazneau, Esq., barrister at law, Henry Canner, clerk, Thomas Courtney, tailor, Richard, Clark, Esq., Isaac Clark, physician, Benjamin Church, physician, John Coffin, distiller, John Clark, physician, William Coffin, Esq., Nathaniel Coffin, Esq., Jonathan Clark, merchant, Archibald Cunningham, shop-keeper, Gilberf Deblois, merchant, Lewis Deblois, merchant, Philip Dumaresque, merchant, Benjamin Davis, merchant, John Erving, Jun., Esq., George Erving, Esq., Edward Foster and Edward Foster, Jun., blacksmiths, Benjamin Faneuil, Jun., merchant, Thomas Flucker, Esq., late secretary for Massachusetts Bay, Samuel Fitch, Esq., Wilfret Fisher, carter, James Forrest, merchant, Lewis Gray, mer- chant, Francis Green, merchant, Joseph Green, Esq., Sylvester Gardiner, Esq., Harrison Gray, Esq., late treasurer of Massachu- setts Bay, Harrison Gray, Jun., clerk to the treasurer, Joseph Goldthwait, Esq., Martin Gay, founder, John Gore, Esq., Benjamin Hallowell, Esq., Robert Hallowell, Esq., Thomas Hutchinson, Jun., Esq., Benjamin Gridley, Esq., Frederick William Geyer, merchant, John Greenlaw, shop-keeper, David Green, merchant, Elisha Hutchinson, Esq., James Hall, maiiner, Foster Hutchinson, Esq., Benjamin Mulbury Holmes, distiller, Samuel Hodges, book-keeper, Henry Halson, Esq., Hawes Hatch, wharfinger, John Joy, house- wright, Teter Jolionnot, distiller, W^illiam Jackson, merchant, John Jeffries, physician, Henry Langhton, merchant, James Henderson, trader, John Hinston, yeoman, Christopher Hatch, mariner, Robert Jarvis, mariner, Richard Lechmere, Esq., Edward Lyde, merchant, Henry Lloyd, Esq., George Leonard, miller, H nry Leddle, book- keeper, Archibald McNeil, baker, Christopher Minot, tide-waiter, James Murray, Esq., William McAlpine, bookbinder, Thomas Mitchell, mariner, William Martin, Esq., John Knutton, tallow- chandler, Thomas Knight, shop-keeper, Samuel Prince, merchant, Adino Paddock, Esq., Charles Paxon, Esq., Sir William Pepperell, baronet, John Powell, Esq., William Lee Perkins, physician, Na- thaniel Perkins, Esq., Samuel Quincy, Esq., Owen Richards, tide- waiter, Samuel Rogers, merchant, Jonathan Simpson, Esq., George f * 440 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. Spooner, merchant, Edward Stowe, mariner, Richard Smith, mer- chant, Jonathan Snelling, Esq., David Silsby, trader, Samuel Sew- all, Esq., Abraham Savage, tax-gatherer, Joseph Scott, Esq., Francis Skinner, clerk to the late council, William Simpson, mer- chant, Richard Sherwin, saddler, Henry Smith, merchant, John Semple, merchant, Robert Semple, merchant, Thomas Selkrig, merchant, James Selkrig, merchant, Robert Service, trader, Simon Tufts, trader, Arodi Thayer, late marshal to the admiralty court, Nathaniel Taylor, deputy naval officer, John Troutbeck, clerk, Gregory Townsend, Esq., "William Taylor, merchant, William Vassal, Esq., Joseph Taylor, merchant, Joshua Upham, Esq., William W^alter, clerk, Samuel Waterhouse, merchant, Isaac Winslow, merchant, John Winslow, jr., merchant, David Willis, mariner, Obadiah Whiston, blacksmith, Archibald Wilson, trader, John White, mariner, William Warden, peruke-maker, Nathaniel Mills, John Hicks, John Howe, and John Fleming, printers, all of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, Robert Auchmuty, Esq., Joshua Loring, Esq., both of Roxbury,in the same county, Samuel Golds- bury, yeoman, of Wrentham, in the county of Suffolk, Joshua Loring, jr., merchant, Nathaniel Hatch, Esq., both of Dorchester, in the same county, William Brown, Esq., Benjamin Pickman, Esq., Samuel Porter, Esq., John Sargeant, trader, all of Salem, in the county of Essex, Richard Saltonstall, Esq., of Haverhill, in the same county, Thomas Robie, trader, Benjamin Marston, merchant, both of Marblehead, in said county of Essex, Moses Badger, clerk, of Haverhill, aforesaid, Jonathan Sewall, Esq., John Vassal, Esq., David Phipps, Esq., John Nutting, carpenter, all of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex, Isaac Royall, Esq., of Medford, in the same county, Henry Barnes, of Marlborough, in said county of Middlesex, merchant, Jeremiah Dummer Rogers, of Littleton in the same county, Esq., Daniel Bliss, of Concord, in the said county of Middlesex, Esq., Charles Russell, of Lincoln., in the same county, physician, Joseph Adams, of Townsend, in said county of Middle- sex, Thomas Danforth,of Charlestown, in said county, Esq., Joshua Smith, trader, of Townsend, in said county, Joseph Ashley, jr., gentleman, of Sunderland, Nathaniel Dickenson, gentleman, of Deerfield, Samuel Bliss, shopkeeper, of Greenfield, Roger Dicken- son, yeoman, Joshah Pomroy, physician, and Thomas Cutler, 9F I U 0' I I I I' MH IP I W— t"^'' 1h ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 441 M ."^1 gentloiDan, of Halfield, Jonathan Bliss, Esq., of Springfield, Wil- liam Galway, yeoman, of Conway, Elijah Williams, attorney at law, of Deerfiekl, James Oliver, oentlemaii, of Conway, all in the county of Hampshire, Pelham Winslow, Esq., Cornelius White, mariner, Edward Winslow, jr., Esq., all of Plymouth, in the county of Plymouth, Peter Oliver, Esq., Peter Oliver, jr , physician, both of Middleborough, in the same county, Josiah Edson, Esq., of Bridgewater, in the said county of Plyinouih, Lieutenant Daniel Dunbar, of Halifax, in the same county, Charles Curtis, of Scitu- ate, in the said county of Plymouth, gentleman, Nathaniel Ray Thomas, Esq., Israel'l'ilden, Caleb Carver, Seth Bryant, Benjamin Walker, Gideon W^alker, Zcra Walker, Adam Hall, tort, us, Isaac J'jice, Joseph Phillips, Daniel White, jr., Cornelius Whne, tertius, Melzar Carver, Luke Hall, Thomas Decrow, John Baker, jr., all of Marshfield, in the said county of Plymouth, Gideon White, jr., Daniel Leonard, Esq., Seth Williams, jr., gentleman, Solomon Smith, boatman, all of Taunton, in the county of Bristol, Thomas Gilbeit, Esq., Perez Gilbert, Ebenczer Hathaway, jr.. Lot Strange, the third, Zebedee Terree, Bradford Gilbert, all of Freetown, in the same county, Joshua Broomer, Shadrach Hathaway, Calvin Hathaway, Luther Hathaway, Henry Tisdel, William Burden, Levi Chace, Shadrach Chase, Richard Holland, Ebenczer Phillips, Samuel Gilbert, gentleman, Thomas Gilbert, jr., yeoman, both of Berkley, in the said county of Bristol, Amrni Chace, Caleb Whea- ton, Joshua Wilbore, Lemuel Bourn, gentleman, Thomas Perry, yeoman, David Atkins, laborer, Sau.ucl Perry, mariner, Stephen Perry, laborer, John Blackwoll, jr., laborer, Francis Finney, la- borer, and Nehemiah W^ebb, mariner, all of Sandwich, in the county of Barnstable, Eldad Tuppcr, ^-^f Dartmouth, in ths county of Bristol, laborer, Silas Perry, laborer, Seth Perry, mariner, Eli- sha Bourn, gentleman, Thomas Binnpus, yeoman, Ephraim Ellis, jr., yeoman, Edward Bourn, gentleman, Nicholas Cobb, laborer, W^illiam Bourn, cordwainer, all of Sandwich, in the county of Barnstable, and Seth Bangs, of Harwich, in the county of Barn- stable, mariner, John Chandler, Esq., James Putnam, Esq., Rufus Chandler, gentleman, William Paine, physician, Adam Walker, blacksmith, William Chandler, gentleman, all of Worcester, in the county of Worcester, John W^alker, gentleman, David Bush, yeo- 56 ■^■ r .iir 442 # m ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. man, both of Shrewsbury, in the same county, Abijah Willard, Esq., Abel Willard, Esq., Joseph Houje, yeoman, all of Lancaster, in the said county of Worcester, Eber.ezer Cutler, trader, Janies Edgar, yeoman, both ofNorthbury, in the same county, Daniel Ol- iver, Esq., Richard Ruggles^ yeoman, Gardner Chandler, trader, Joseph Ruggles, gentleman, Nathaniel Ruggles, yeoman, all of Hardwick, in the said county of Worcester, John Ruggles, yeo- man, of jaid Hardwick, John Eager, yeoman, Ebenezer Whipple, Israel Conkay, John Murray, Esq., of Rutland, in said county of Worcester, Daniel Murray, gentleman, Ssrauel Murray, gentle- man, Michael Martin, trader, of Brookfield, in the said county of Worcester, Thomas Beaman, gentleman, of Petorsham, in ihe same county, Nathaniel Chandler, gentleman, John Bowen, gentleman, of Princeton, in the said county of Worcester, James Crage, gen- tleman, of Oakham, in the same county, Thomas MuUins, black- smith, of Leominster, in the said county of Worcester, Francis Waldo, Esq., Arthur Savage, Esq., Jeremiah Pote, mariner, Thom- as Ross, mariner, James Wildridge, mariner, George Lyde, cus- tom house officer, Robert Pagan, merchant, Thomas Wyer, mari- ner, Thomas Coulson, merchant, John Wiswall, clerk, Joshua Eldridge, mariner, Thomas Oxnard, merchant, Edward Oxnard, merchant, William Tyng, Esq., John Wright, merchant, Samuel Longfellow, mariner, all of Falmouth, in the county of Cumber- lard, Charles Callahan, of Pownalborough, in the county of Lin- coln, mariner, Jonas Jones of East Hoosuck, in the county of Berkshire, David Ingersoll, of Great Barrington, Esq., in the same county, Jonathan Prindall, Benjamin Noble, Francis Noble, Elisha Jones, of Pittsfield, in the said county of Berkshire, John Graves, yeoman, Daniel Brewer, yeoman, both of PittsHeld, aforesaid, Richard Square, of Lanesborough, in the said county of Berkshire, Epliraira Jones, of East Hoosuck, in the same county, Lewis Hub- bel, and many other persons have left this state, or some other of the United States of America, and joined the enemies thereof and of the United States of America, thereby not only depriving these states of their personal services at a time when they ought to have afforded their utmost aid in defending the said states, against the invasions of a cruel enemy, but manifesting an inimical disposition to the said states, and a design to aid and abet the enemies thereof ^ iiP^Viiii III. ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. 443 in their wicked purposes, and whereas many dangers may accrue to this state and the United States, if such persons should be again admitted to reside in this state : Sect, 1. Be it therefore enacted by the Council and House of Representatives, in general court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that if either of the said persons, or any other person, though not specially named in this act, who have left this state, or either of said states, and joined the enemies thereof as aforesaid, shall, after the passing this act, voluntarily return to this state, it shall be the duty of the sheriff of the county, and of the selectmen, committees of correspondence, safety, and inspection, grand jurors, constables, and tythingmen, and other inhabitants of the town wherein such person or persons may presume to come, and they are hereby respectively empowered and directed forthwith to appre- hend and carry such person or persons before some justice of the peace within the county, who is hereby required to commit him or them to the common gaol within the county, there in close custody to remain until he shall be sent out of the state, as is hereinafter directed ; and such justice is hereby directed to give immediate in- formation thereof to the board of war of this state : and the said board of war are hereby empowered and directed to cause such person or persons so committed, to be transported to some part or place within the dominions, or in the possession of the forces of the king of Great Britain, as soon as may be after receiving such in- formation ; those who are able, at their own expense, and others at the expense of this state, and for this purpose to hire a vessel or vessels, if need be. Sect. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that if any person or persons, who shall be transported as aforesaid, shall voluntarily return into this state, without liberty first had and obtained from the general court, he shall, on conviction thereof before the superior court of judicature, court of assize and general gaol delivery, suffer the pains of death without benent of clergy, — {Passed, September, 1778.] WORCESTER RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO THE ABSENTEES AND REFUGEES. The following votes were passed by the citizens of Worcester, $ :.-\ •I «-7; •^ 444 ILLUSTRATIVE DOCUMENTS. m" r >> * lij t"? May 19, 1783, and contain the substance of their doings relative to the refugees : « Voted, — That in the opinion of this town, it would be eir tremely dangerous to the peace, happiness, Hberty and safety of these states, to suffer those, who, the moment the bloody banners were displayed, abandoned their native land, turned parricides, and conspired to involve their country in tumult, ruin and blood, to become the subjects of and reside in this government ; that it would be not only dangerous, but inconsistent with justice, policy, our past laws, the public faith, and the principles of a free and independent state, to admit them ourselves, or have them forced upon us without our consent. Voted, — That in the opinion of this town, this commonwealth ought, with the utmost caution, to naturalize or in any other way admit as subjects a common enemy, a set of people who have been by the united voice of the continent, declared outlaws, exiles, aliens and enemies, dangerous to its political being and happiness. Voted, — That while there are thousands of the innocent, peace- able and defenceless inhabitants of these states, whose property has been destroyed and taken from them in the course of the war, for whom no provision is made, to whom there is no restoration of estates, no compensalion for losses; that it would be unreasonable, cruel and unjust, to suffer those who were the wicked occasion of those losses, to obtain a restitution of the estates they refused to protect, and which they have abandoned and forfeited to their country. Voted, — That it is the expectation of this town, and the ea; nest request of their committees of correspondence, inspection and safety, that they, with care and diligence, will observe the movements of our only remaining enemies; that until the further order of government, they will, with decision, spirit and firmness, endeavor to enforce and carry into execution the several laws of this commonwealth, respecting these enemies to our rights, and the rights of mankind ; give information should they knew of any obtruding themselves into any part of this state, suffer 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 enter it. «»". w i-r* EVACUATING LOYALISTS. 444 a List or tiik TION OP THK BkITISII WITH THE Army. No. of family. Lieut. Gov. Oliver and servts. 6 Council, Sfc, l^eter Oliver and niece, Harrison Gray and family, Timothy Ruggles and sons, Foster Hutchinson end fam. .losiah Edson, John Murray and family, Rich'd Lechmere and fam. John Erving and family, Nath'l Ray Thomas and son, Abijah Willard and sons, Daniel Leonard and family, Nath'l Hatch and family, George Erving and family, Custom House. Henry Hutton and family, Charles Paxton and family, Benj. Hallowell and family, Sarn'l Waterhouse, Sec'y, and family, James Porter, Comp. Gen'l, Walter Barrell, Insp. Gen'l, James Murray, Inspector, William Woolen, Inspector, Edw'd Winslow, Collector, Boston, Charkc Dudley, Coll., New- port, George iMeservc, Coll., Pis- cat aqua, Rob't Hallowell, Comptrol., Boston, Nath'l Coffin, Cashier, Inhabitants of Boston who, on the Evacua« IN March, 1776, removed to Halifax No> offamily. Eben Bridgham, Tide Sur- veyor, 8 Nath'l Taylor, Deputy Naval Officer, 2 Sam'l Mather, Cleik, 3 Sam'l Lloyd, Clerk, 6 Christ'n Minot, Landwaiter, 1 Ward Chipraan, Clerk Sol. 1 Rob't Beebcll, Clk. CoUr. 1 Skinner, Cookson, and Ev- ans, Messengers, 3 James Barick, Cleik Inspr. 6 John Cie'y, Tidcsraan, 4 ■f' 2 6 3 13 1 7 12 9 2 3 9 7 6 12 6 7 7 1 6 7 2 John Sam'l Pettet, Tidesman, 6 John Selby, Clerk, Edw'd Mulball, Tidesman, Hammond Green, do John Lewis, do Elkanah Cushman, do Edw'd Dwyer, Messenger, Sam'l Chadwal, Tidesman, Chandler, Landwaiter, Patterson, do Sam'l Sparhawk, Clerk, Isaac Massinghara, Coxswain, Owen Richards, do Refugees, Ashley, Joseph, Anaods, Barret, Atkinson, John, Merchant, 1 Atkins, Gibbs, Ayres, Eleanor, 2 Allen, Eben'r, Bowes, Wm., Merchant, 1 Brinley, Thomas, do Burton, Mary, Milliner, 6 Bowen, John, 4 Blair, John, Baker, 1 1 4 1 3 8 4 3 2 Arthur Savage. Surveyor, &c. 6 Bouwers, Arch'd, Acct 56* /« V I ft lii ;l I fe ri 444 b BVACUATINO LOYALISTS. Broderick, JohD, 3 Fisher, Willfree, 4 ■**i. Butler, James, 2 Foster, Thos. 1 Brown, Thomas, Merchant, 6 Fanieul, Benj., Merchant, 3 Byles, Rev. Dr. 6 Fitch, Samuel, Lawyer, Foster, Edw'd, Blacksmith, 7 Barnard, John, 7 Black, John, Fall, Thomas, 5 Baker, John, Jr. Foster, Edw'd, Jr. 5 Badger, Rev. Moses, Beath, Mary, Forest, James, 7 Flucker, Mrs. 6 Butler, Gillam, Gilbert, Thos. 1 Brandon, John, 2 Gallop, Antill, 1 Brattle, Wm. 2 Gray, Andrew, 1 Coffin, Wm. 2 Gray, John, 3 €arneau, And'w, Lawyer, 1 Goldsbury, Sam'l, 3 Codner, Wm. 1 Gardener, Dr. Sylvester, 8 ■Conner, Mrs. 2 Gridley, Benj. 1 Cummins, A. and E., Milliners, 3 Grison, Edmund, 2 Coffin, Wm., Jr., Merchant, 4 Gay, Martin, 3 Cutler, Eben'r, 1 Gilbert, Sam'l, 1 Campbell, Wm. 1 Grozart, John, 1 Caner, Rev. Dr. 1 Gray, Mary, « 1 Cook, Rob't, 1 Green, Francis, 8 Chandler, John, Esq. 1 Greenwood, Sam'l, 5 Chandler, Rufus, Lawyer, 2 Grant, James, 1 Chandler, Nath'l, 1 Griffen, Mrs. 3 Chandler, Wm. 1 Gore, John, 3 Carver, Melzer, 1 Griffin, Edmund, 4 Cooley, John, 4 Hill, Wm. 17 Courtney, Thos. 11 Hallowell, Rebecca, 4 Carr, Mrs. 3 Hall, Luke, 1 Deblois, Gilbert, 5 Henderson, Jamei,, 5 Dayley, John, 4 House, Joseph, 1 Dunbar, Daniel, 1 Hughes, Samuel, 1 Danforth, Thos. 1 Hooper, Jacob, 2 Demaresque, Philip, Mercht. 8 Hicks, , Printer, 1 Deblois Lewis, 3 Hurlston, Richard, 1 Duncan, Alexander, 1 Holmes, Benj., Mulberry, 11 Dayley, Francis, 1 Hatch, Hawes, 1 Dickenson, Nath'l, 1 Hale, Sam'l, 1 Draper, Margaret, 5 Hester, John, 6 Dougherty, Edw'd, 2 Hutchinson, Mrs. 7 Deonezzau, Adam, 7 Horn, Henry, 7 Duelly, Wm. 3 Halferson, James, 1 Emerson, John,, 1 Heath, Wm. 1 Elton, Peter, 7 Jones, Mary, ^ 6 r»^i r EVACUATING LOYALISTS. 444 c Jarvis, Rob't, 1 Intnan, John, 3 Joy, John, 8 Ireland, Jch . 2 Jeffries, Dr. JoV.s , 6 Joh'^nnot, Peter, 1 Jones, Mrs. 4 Knowlton, Margaret, 4 King, Edw'd and Sam'l, 7 Lazarus, Sam'l, 1 Lovel, John, Senr. 5 Leonard, George, 9 Lisle, Mrs. 5 Lillie, Theoph. 4 L'*eryche, Edwd. Golsien, 1 Lyde, Byfield, 5 Liddrl, Henry, 4 Laughton, Henry, 6 Lloyd, Henry, 10 Linkletter, Alex. 3 Lowe, Charles, 2 Loring, Joshua, Jr. 1 Murray, Wm. 3 Moody, John, Jr. 1 McKown, John, J McAlevine, Wm. 2 Moody, John, 4 McKown, John, of Boston, 5 McDonald, Dennis, 1 Mackey, Mrs. 1 Mitchelson, David, 2 McNiel, Arch'd, 13 Marston, Benj. 1 Moore, John, 1 Miller, John, 6 Mulcatry, Patrick, 4 McKinsIey, Mrs. 12 Morrison, John, 1 McMaster, Patrick and Dan'l, 3 McMullin, Alex. 1 Mitchell, Thos. 1 Mills, 2 McClintoch, Nathan, 1 Nevin, Lazarus, and wife, 2 O'Niel, Joseph, 4 Oliver, Wm. Sandford, Oliver, Dr. Peter, Powel, John, Phillips, Martha, Phipps, i^avid, Pelnam, Henry, It Putnam, James, Paine, Sam'l, Perkins, Nath'l, Patterson, Wm. 7 "Hips, Eben'r, Jiraddock, Adino, Pollard, Benj. Patten, George, Perkins, Wm. Lee, Price, Benj. Page, George, Rummer, Rich'd, Rogers, Jereni'h Duramer,, Rogers, Samuel, Richardson, Miss, Rose, Peter, Read, Charles, Rarnage, John, Routh, Richard, 6 Rhoades, Henry, 6 Russel, Nath'l, 3 Richards, Mrs. 3 iluffgles, John and Rich'd, 3 Smith, Henry, 6 Su^'ivan, George, 1 Serjeant, John, I Scott, Joseph, 3 Simmonds, Wm. 3 Stow, Edward, 41 Sterling, Elizabeth, 1 Sterling, Benj. Frederick, 1 Simpson, John, 5 Simpson, Jerem'h, 2 Seraple, Robert, 4 Stayner, Abigail, 3 '•'earns, Jonathan, 1 Savage, Abraham, 1 Saltonstall, Leverett, 1 Service, Uob't, 6 *i N 444 D E V A L U A T 1 N LOYALISTS. Snelllng, Jona. 6 Willis, David, 4 Sullivan, IJartlu !•■ "w, 2 Wittintrtoii, Wm. 3 Smith, Edward, 4 Warden, Wm. 8 Spooner, iLioen'r, 1 Williams, Job, 1 Shepherd, Joseph, 2 Warren, Abr'm, 1 Selkrig, James, 6 Willard, Abel, 4 Staminel, Thomas, 1 Warden, Joseph, 3 Thomson, James, 1 Wi'hrd, Abijah, 1 Taylor, Mrs. 6 Wheaton, Obadiah, 3 Terry, Zebedee, 1 Wheelwright, Joseph, 1 Tyng, Wra. 4 Winnet, John, Jr. 1 Taylor, Wra. 2 Wright, Daniel, 2 Winslow, Isaac, 11 Welsh, Peter, I Winslow, Pelham, 1 White, Gideon, 1 Winslow, John, 4 Wilson, Arch'd, 1 Winslow, Mrs. Hannah, 4 Welsh, James, 1 Winslow, Edward, 1 Worrall, Thos. Grosby, .5 Williams, Seth, 1 Total, 926. , From the Salem Gazette, JVov. 6, 1783. List of Persons who have Died in Exile from the Massa- chusetts. Gov. Bernard, his lady, and son, Rev. Mr. Sargeant and daughter, Gov. Hutchinson, and son and Lieut. Gov. Oliver's lady. daughter, Mrs. Oliver^ his other daughter, A daughi'i of Mr. Thomas Hutchinson, Jr.. Rev. Mr. Tioi.uh'ick, Mr. Bouteneau, Mr. Robinson, Commissioner, Mr. Wooten, Col. Royal, Commodore Loring, Mr. Nath'l Coffin, Mr. Joseph Green, Young Mr. Green, Mr. Willard, Mr. Evans, Mr. Thompson, of Medford, Mr. Wyer, of Newbury, Mr. Martin Howard, Capt. Poynton, of Salem, Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Pepperrell,* Mrs. Amory, Mrs. Savage, Mrs. Paddock, Mrs. Jeft'eries, Mrs. Cordis, Mrs. Spry, Mrs. Prince, Mrs. Barrell, Miss Kitty Hutchinson, Miss Sewall, Miss Fitch, Mi.ss Fisher, Mr. Jolly Allen, Mr. Fluckcr, Mr. Robert Temple, Dr. Dabney, Mr. Vassal's daughter. * Wife of Andrew Pepperrel, Esq., 1st Dec, 1780, — he died in Lon- don in the spring of 1783. He was a brother of Sir Wm. Pepperrell, Baronet. fi ^ If •'4i-4i|I^* .1 ^ ^^ *a> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I ■so ■^" Hi tm 2.5 us ill 1.8 |||l.25 |||.4 J4 ^ 6" — ► AC Photograph! Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 I/a ^ *k 'iJ'^it- m ^ ^ ^ a m m 9^ 6 < a Ui »- u Ul K bJ < ^^f w. i3 s T !*'■ , •■ ■■\it-v.-' jn-^ ■ ~'-'^-"^:7>'-V^'«*7*^ ♦ • » * NOTICES OF THE CtJRWEks. % Qeobge Curwin, the first of the name in New England, came, as stated in the introduction, from Workington, Cumberland, Eng- land, whi^^he was born December 10, 1610, and where, says Ciamdei^ '^is the stately, castle-like seat of this ancient, knightly family" He settled at Salem, and in company with the celebrated ^'Hugh Peters laid the foundation of the mercantile enterprise of i Salem, and first commenced building vessels in that port ; he was afterwards extensively engaged in commerce during the whole of his long life. His books of account, and his mercantile correspond- ence with Sir William Peake, (lord mayor of London in 1666,) show that he had embarked in the London trade previous to the year 1658. The late Rev. Dr. Bentley thus notices him in his Sketch of Salem, published in the Collections of the Massachusetts His- torical Society, in 1800 : — " This year ( 1685) Salem lost another eminent man, Capt. George Curwin, who came here in 1638 with his family, and was rich. He was often engaged in town affairs, and commanded a troop of horse. He was also a representative in the general court. There is a three-quarter portrait of him in the hands of Samuel Curwen, Esq.,* son of the Rev. George Cur- . win, and his great-grandson. He had a fine round forehead, large '' nostrils, high cheek bones, and gray eyes. His dress a wroughj- flowing neckcloth, a sash covered with lace, a coat with short cuffs and reaching half way between the wrist and elbow, the shirt in plaits below ; an octagon ring and c:.ne, which still remain." He died on the 3d of January, 1685, leaving no debts, and one of the largest estates that had been administered upon in the colony, which was inventoried at only ^£5,964 195. 7d., but comprised be- sides the homestead, four dwelling-houses, four warehouses, and two wharves in Salem ; three farms in the vicinity, containing fif- teen hundred acres; a warehouse and wharf in Boston ; the ketches * Authox of the foregoing journal.— Ed. ti-'^l m 1^ i 446 »"|h NOTICES OljSTHE CURWENS. George, Swallow, John, and William, valued at jei050; in mer- ^■' chandise ^62,232 ; in gold and silver coin je93 7**0^., in English and New England money, and 621 ounces of plate. Among the wearing apparel inventoried, are a silver-laced cloth coat, a yelvet ditto, a satin waistcoat, embroidered with gold, a trlp|ng scarf and *' hat band, golden topped and embroidered gloves, and a silver-^ headed cane, which still remains. * ♦ In the settlement of the estate, Capt. Curwin's ^udo^ Eliza- beth, who was a daughter of Hon. Herbert Pelham^ie of the council of assistants, and also sister-in-law of Governor Josiah Winslow, of Plymouth colony, claimed some plate given' her by\. the lord mayor, by her father, and by the governor ; together with f eight pounds in gold which her husband had received from Mr. Pope, being the "produce^' of an Indian boy sent her by the governor and council from Plymouth. His five daughters married Hon. James Russell and Edward Lynde, Esq., of Boston, William Browne, jr., Esq., and Josiah Wolcott, Esq., of Salem, and President Wadsworth of Harvard College. Annexed is a view of the house erected by Capt. Curwin, in 1642, still standing at the corner of Essex and North streets. It was altered by the late Richard Ward, Esq., about seventy years ago, and his daughter (the present occupant, to whom it has descended) is the last survivor of the fifth generation from the ori- ginal owner ; her granddaughter, who resides w 3r, is of the seventh generation of the family born in it. The .; .ortunate per- j S0|tfr arrested during the witchcraft delusion were examined in this house by Justices Corwin and Hathorne, before being committed. Capt. John Corwin, the eldest son, was born in Salem, July 28, 1638. He became a merchant, anci was elected deputy to the general court, from Salem, where he resided. He married Mar- garet, third daughter of John Winthrop, jr., governor of Connecti- cut, in May, 1665 ; her mother was the only child of the famous Hugh Peters, who suflfered with the regicides at the restoration of the monarchy, in London, in 1660. Capt. Corwin died in 1683, leaving an only son, George, born February, 1666. The latter, who married Susannah, and afterwards Lydia, daughters of the Hon. Bartholomew Gedney, of the provincial council, is the Captain #* Mi M % ^ *• -MJk in * NOTICES OF THE CURWENS. 447 Corwin mentioned in Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, in the expedition agajnst Canada, under Sir William Phips, in 1690. He was unfortunately sheriff of the county of Essex in 1692, and for officiating during the witchcraft delusion, was severely persecuted nby the friendai of the sufferers, till his death, w^hich took place in ^ 1696. Bartholomew Corwin, the only son of the last mentioned George, removed to Amwell, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and married Esther Burt ; he had four sons, viz., George, John, Joseph, and Samuel, and died May 9, 1747. Samuel Corwin, of Amwell, a grandson of Bartholomew, informed the editor in 1822, that the books and papers left by his grandfather were destroyed, with other movables, during the revolutionary war, when his uncle Joseph removed to Canada, and the family of his uncle George, who died in 1780, removed to Kentucky. Probably Governor Corwin of Ohio is a descendant of this branch. He also informed the editor that John Corwin, a great grandson of Bartholomew, was living at Baltimore. Hon. Jonathan Corwin, second son of the first mentioned George, was born at Salem, Nov. 14, 1640. He commenced his public career as a deputy to the general court, and the following extract from the rpcords of Salem, shows much confidence in him; and at the same time the action of that town towards re-establish- ing a government under the venerable Bradstreet, in opposition to the tyranny of Sir Edmund Andros : — " May 7, 1689. Captain John Prince and Mr. Jonathan Corwin were chosen to assist in the council at Boston, to be held on the 9th inst. ; and we desire .tib&t the honorable the governor, the magistrates, and deputies chol&li in the year 1686, would (having always due respect to our de- pendence on the crown of England, and the obligation we are under by the late declaration before the surrender of the last government) reassume our charter government, by taking their places and forming a general court as soon as possible ; unto which, we shall readily and cheerfully subject ourselves, and be always assisting to the utmost of our power with our lives and estates as formerly." Mr. Corwin was named a provincial counsellor in the charter of 1691, and served until he was appointed a judge of the supreme *#l \ 448 NOTICES Of THE CURWENS. h ¥ court in 1702; ihe latter office he resigned in consequence of ill health, in 1715. He died in July, 1718, leaving a -widow; the daughter of Sir Henry Gibbs of Dorsetshire, whose estate was sequestrated in 16i8, during the revolution. Of their children, Anne died in youth ; Elizabeth married James Linclall, Esq., of Salem ; and George, born in 1682, who was graduated at Harvard college in 1701. He prepared himself for the church, and was ordained and settled in that of his ancestors in Salem ; the first founded in the colony of Massachusetts Bay. He is thus noticed in the historical collections of Massachusetts, as copied from the records of the church : — « Died, at Salem, Nov. 23, 1717, the Rev. Georpe Curw n, in the thirty-fifth year of his age, and the fourth of his ordained ministry. He was highly esteemed in his life, and very deservedly lamented at his death ; having been very eminent for his early im- provement in learning and piety, his singular abilities and great labors, his remarkable zeal and faithfulness. He was a great bene- factor to our poor." There is a good half-length portrait of him in the gallery of the Essex Historical Society. He married Mehitable Parkinaii ; and their sons were Samuel, author of the foregoing Journal, born in 1715; and George, born in 1717. The latter graduated at Han'ard college in 1735, and engaged in commercial pursuits with success, until interrupted by hostilities with France ; which induced him to join in the expedition against Louisburg. His commission as commissary, bears the signature of Governor Shirley, and is dated February 1, 1745. He married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Pickman, Esq., of Salem ; and died in the prosecution of a mer- cantile enterprise at St. Eustatia, in 1746. His children were, George, born in 1739, who early embarked in commerce, and was drowned while on a voyage to the West Indies in 1761 ; Sarah, who died unmarried; and Mehitable, who married the late Richard Ward, Esq., of Salem, and died in 1813, at the age of seventy- two. The late Samuel Curwen Ward, Jr., a grandson of the last mentioned, at the request of Judge Curwen, took his name, by an act of the legislature of Massachusetts ; and the three sons of the former are all that now bear that name in New England. K / . t last )y an the t IfbGRAPHICAL NOTICES. GEN. PEPPERELL. General Sir William Pepperell, Baronet, was born at Kittery Point, Maine, in 1696. His father, Col. William Pep- perell, a native of Cornwall, England, settled in 1676 at the Isles of Shoals, where he was for many years extensively en- gaged in the fishing business. After acquiring considerable prop- erty, he removed to Kittery Point, and erected there a large man- sion house, now standing, where he died on the 15th February, 1734, opulent and well esteemed. One of his daughters married the Hon. John Newmarch ; the other died in 1766, having suc- cessively married Hon. John Frcst, Rev. Dr. Colman, and Rev. Benjamin Prescott, all of whom she survived. Sir William was his only son, and about the year 1727 was chosen a member of his majesty's council for the province of Massachusetts, to which he was annually re-elected until his death, a period of thirty-two years. With a vigorous frame, firm mind, and great coolness when in danger, he was well fitted for his residence in a country exposed to a ferocious enemy, and soon attained the rank of colonel. When the expedition against Louisburg was contemplated, all eyes were turned to him, then president of the council, and he was commissioned by the governors of New England to that all- important command, on the 31st January, 1745. He furnished this motto for the flag, which gave the enterprise the air of a cru- sade : " JVil desperandum Christo dtice." He invested the city in the beginning of May, and articles of capitulation wer§ signed in July. After this important and brilliant achievement, by command of his majesty he repaired to England and received a colonelcy in the army, from which he was raised to be a major-general in 17o5, and a lieutenant-general in 1759. Besides the dignity of a baronet, which was conferred upon him, he obtained the thanks of the min- istry, and peculiar tokens of respect from several of the royal family. His affability gained him friends among all classes, and his manners were rot affected by his exaltation. The welfare of his country alone could have taken him from his domestic enjoy- 57 i St \ 460 BIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. N I I i# ments and the head of the provincial council, to the fatigues of the camp and to doubtful victory. He married Mary, daughter of Grove Hirst, a granddaughter of Chief Justice Sewall. Their only son Andrew, graduated at Harvard College in 1743, and died March 1, 1751, aged twenty-five ; and their only daughter Eliza- beth married Col. Nathaniel Sparhawk, member of the council of Massachusetts. Sir William's dress was in the expensive style of his day, scarlet cloth trimmed with gold lace ; portraits of him and Lady Mary are preserved at Portsmouth, N. H., and there is a full length of him in the gallery of the Essex Historical Society, at Salem, Mass. Sir William died at his seat in Kittery, (near Ports- mouth,) June 6, 1759, aged sixty-three ; and Lady Mary on the 25th November, 1789. Her natural and acquired powers were highly re- spectable, and she was admired for her wit and suavity of manner. Sir William was succeeded by his grandson, William P. Spar- hawk, who assumed his name, and was created a baronet ; he was a loyalist in the revolution, and died in London, December, 17, 1816, when the title became extinct. GOV. SHIRLEY. William Shirley, governor of Massachusetts, was a native of England, and was bred to the law. After his arrival at Boston, about the year 1733, he practised in bis profession, till he received his commission as governor, in 1741, in the place of Mr. Belcher. He planned the successful expedition against Cape Breton, in 1745 ; but, while his enterprising spirit deserves commendation, some of his schemes did not indicate much skill in the arts of navigation and war. He went to England in 1745, leaving Spencer Phips, the lieutenant-governor, commander-in-chief, but returned in 1753. In 1754, he held a treaty with the eastern Indians, and explored the Kennebec, erecting two or three forts. In 1755, be- ing commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, he planned an expedition against Niagara, and proceeded himself as far as Oswego. In June, 1756, he was superseded in the command of the army by Abercrombie. He embarked for England in Septem- ber, and was succeeded by Mr. Pownall. After having been for a number of years governor of one of the Bahama islands, he returned to Massachusetts, and died at his seat in Roxbury, March 24, 1771. Though he held several of the most lucrative offices within the Ik N I / * t lOORAPHICAL NOTICES 451 gift of the crown in America, yet he left no property to his chil- dren. The abolition of the paper currency was owing in a great degree to his firmness and perseverance. His penetration and un- remitting industry gained him a high reputation. But it was thought that^ as a military officer, he was not sufficiently active in seizing the mDnient for success. During his administration, Eng- land became acquainted with the importance of this country, and the colonists learned to fight. Governor Shirley published Electra, a tragedy, and Birth of Hercules, a masV, 17G5. COL. MOULTON. Colonel Jeremiah Moulton was born in York, Maine, in 1688, and was taken prisoner by the Indians, January 22, 1692, old style, when York was destroyed by the Indians. He was released, with other children, in gratitude for the humanity of Colonel Church, who in one of his expeditions had released several Indian prisoners, old women and children. The savages were not ungrateful for acts of kindness. In August, 1724, he and Captain Harmon with two hundred and eight men, and three Mohawk Indians, marched against the Indian settlement at Norridgewock, in consequence of attacks upon the frontiers. There being four companies, the other commanders were Captain Bourne and Lieut. Bean. They left Richmond fort August 8, old style, or August 19 ; the next day arrived at Taconic Falls on the Kennebec, where they left their boats and a guard of forty men. August 21, they marched by land, and in the evening fired upon two Indians, who proved to be the daughter and wife of Bomaseen ; the former v a < killed, the latter taken prisoner. August 23, they approached vhe village; Harmon with eighty men marching circuitously by the fields, and Moulton with eighty men directly upon Norridgewock, which he surprised. The Indians, consisting of about sixty warriors, were defeated, and the chapel and village destroyed. Father Ralle was killed in a wigwam, and twenty-six Indians, among whom were Bomaseen, and his son-in-law Mog, also Job, Canabesett, and Wissememet, all noted warriors. One of the Mohawks was killed, but none of the whites. Harmon carried the scalps to Boston, and having been cljief in command, was made a lieutenant-colonel for the exploit of Moulton, who obtained no reward. At the reduction of Louisburg in 1745, he commanded a regiment, and was after- \ 452 BIOORAPHICAL NOTICE P wards sheriff of the county, councillor, and judge of the common pleas and of probate. He died at York, July 20, 1765, aged 77. His son and grandson were sheriffs of York county. COL. VAUGHAN. Lieut. Col. William Vaughan served under General Pepperell, in the expedition against Louisburg, in 1745 ; although he refused any regular command, he made himself highly useful during the whole siege by his advice in councils, vigilance in reconnoitering the enemy, and promptitude while in command of perilous enterprises. He died in London, December, 1746, in the prime of life, where he went to press his claim for the above service!. The imme- diate paternal ancestor of Col. Vaughan, was Major William Vaughan, who came from England about the middle of the seven- teenth century, and settled at Portsmouth, where he became a wealthy merchant. He died in 1720. His son George was lieutenant- governor of New Hampshire ; born in 1668, graduated at Harvard College in 1696. Afterwards agent for the province, and on the accession of George L was appointed lieutenant-governor in 1715; he died December, 1725. His son William, the subject of the above, was born at Portsmouth, Sept. 12, 1703. He had settled at Damariscotta, thirteen miles below fort Peraaquid, and his men were employed in fishing. Here he conceived the idea of the cap- ture of Louisburg, repaired to Boston, and conferred with Governor Shirley upon the subject ; proposing that it should be taken by surprise by going over the walls in winter upon drifts of snow. COL. GRIDLEY. Col. Richard Gridley was born in Boston, 1711. After serv- ing as an engineer at the reduction of Louisburg, in 1745, he en- tered the army as colonel of infantry and oief-engineer, in 1755. Under Winslow he was concerned in the expedition to Crown Point, 1756, and constructed the fortifications on Lake George, He served under Amherst in 1758, and was with Wolfe on the plains of Abraham, the following year. At the commencement of the revolution, he was appointed chief-engineer, and skilfully laid out the works in fortification of Breed's Hill, the day before the battle of June 17, 1775, in which he was wounded. He died at iitoughton, June 20, 1796. \ f r BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 463 of id GOV. BERNARD. Sir Francis Bernard, Bart., governor of Massachusetts, arrived in the province from New Jersey, as successor to (lovernor Pownall, August 2, 1760, and continued at the head ot the government nine years. His administration was during one of the most inter- esting periods in American history. He had governed New Jersey two years, in a manner very acceptable to that province ; and the first part of his administration in Massachusetts was veiy agreeable to the general court. Soon after his arrival, Canada was surren- dered to Amherst. Much harmony prevailed for two or three years, but this prosperous and happy commencement cid not con- tinue; there had long been two parties in the province, — the advocates for the crown, and the defenders of the rights of the people. Governor Bernard was soon classed with those who were desirious of strengthening the royal authority in America; the sons of liberty, therefore, stood forth uniformly in opposition to him. His indiscretion in appointing Mr. Hutchinson chief-justice, instead of giving that office to Colonel Otis of Barnstable, to whom it bad been promised by Shirley, proved very injurious to his cause. In consequence of this appointment he lost the influence of Colonel Otis ; and by yielding himself to Mr. Hutchinson, he drew upon him the hostility of James Otis, the son, a man of great talents ; who soon became the leader on the popular side. The laws for the regulation of trade, and the exactions of the officers of customs, were the first things which greatly agitated the public mind ; and afterwards the stamp act increased the energy of resistance to the schemes of tyranny. Governor Bernard possessed no talent for conciliating ; he was for accomplishing ministerial purposes by force ; and the spirit of freedom gathered strength from the (^en manner in which he attempted to crush it. His speech to the general court after the repeal of the stamp act, was by no means calculated to assuage the angry passions that had lately been ex- cited. He was the principal means of bringing the troops to Boston, that he might overawe the people ; and it was owing to him that they were continued in the town. This measure had been proposed by him and Mr. Hutchinson, long before it was executed. While he professed himself a friend to the province, he was endeavoring to undermine its constitution, and to obtain an r?«i • f 454 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. essential alteration in the charter, by transferring from the general court to the crown the right of electing the council. His conduct, though it drew upon him the indignation of the province, was so pleasing to the ministry, that he was created a baronet, March 20, 1769. Sir Francis had too little command of his temper j he could not conceal his resentments, nor could he restrain his censures. One of his last public measures was to prorogue the general court in July, in consequence of their refusing to make provision for the support of the troops. The general court, how- ever, before they were prorogued, embraced the opportunity of drawing up a petition to his majesty for the removal of the governor. It was found necessary to recall him ; and he embarkeil, August 1, 1769, leaving Mr. Hutchinson, the lieutenant-governor, commander-in-chief. There were few who lamented his departure; he died in England, June, 1779. If a man of greater address and wisdom had occupied the pliice of Sir Francis, it is very probable our revolution would not have taken place so soon. But his arbitrary principles, and his zeal for the authority of the crown, enkindled the spirit of the people ; while his representations to the ministry excited them to those measures, which hastened the separation of the colonies from the mother country. From the letters of Governor Bernard, which wdre obtained and transmitted to this country by some secret friend, it appears he had very little regard to the interests of liberty. His select letters on the trade and government of America, written in Boston, from 1763 to 1768, were published in London in 1774 ; his other letters, written home in confidence, were published in 1768 and 1769.* GOV. HUTCHINSON. Thomas, (son of Colonel Thomas Hutchinson, an eminent mer- chant and member of the council, who seized the famous pirate, Kidd, when he resisted the officers sent to arrest him,) was gra- duated at Harvard College, in 1727. He at first embarked in commercial pursuits, but did not succeed. He then studied the common law of England, and the principles of her constitution. He was elected for tea consecutive years to the assembly, and for * See Allen'* Biography. ■\ BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 465 in three years was speaker. He succeeded his uncle, Edward Hutch- inson, as judge of probate, in 1762. He was a member of the council from 1749 to 1766 ; lieut. governor from 1758 to 1771. On the death of Judge Sewall, in 1760, he was appointed chief- justice ; all which he Ailed with distinguished ability. " His oratory charmed beyond that of any man ; there was equal fluency and pathos in his manner ; he could be argumentative and smooth ; he was active, diligent and plausible ; and, upon all occasions seemed to be influenced by public spirit more than selfish consider- ations. His respect to religious institutions, his sympathy with the distressed, his affability, integrity, industry and talents, procured in a very high degree the public confidence." In 1767, he was appointed one of the commissioners for settling the boundary with New-York; and, amidst all the vituperations against him, Massachusetts has cause to remember with gratitude that his ad- vice only prevented the other commissioners, Hancock, Hanly ard Brattle, from abandoning the claim to the western territory of New- York, which was retained and sold for a large sum. On the departure of ' Governor Bernard in 1769, the admin- istration devolved on Lieut. Governor Hutchinson ; and in March, 1771, he received his commission as governor just as he had con- cluded to advise the government that it would be desirable for him to remain chief-justice, and pass his days in peace. Unhappily for himself he accepted the appointment, and from this time till his departure in 1774, he was constantly in dispute with the council and assembly. Among the subjects of controversy, was the pro- vision made for his support by the crown. By his spcec h of Jan. 6, 1773, asserting the supreme authority of parliament, he pro- voked a discussion by the council and house which had better never been uttered ; and the minister recommended him not to renew the discussion. His views he at all times candidly and manfully explained to the legislature ; in many speeches and mes- sages which display his learning, temper and abilities. The confidential letters written by him, and others to Mr. Whately, a former member of parliament, in opposition to the ministry, which caused so much excitement in 1772, were procured by Dr. Franklin through Mr. Temple, (afterwards consul general to United States,) from Mr. Whately's executor, and caused a duel »f * * \ \ H ' l*H- I : ''* m. 456 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. between the two latter. Dr. Franklin sent them to Mr. Cooper, vrith an injunction that they should not be copied or published ; of which restriction the Doctor remarked, that " as distant objects seen only through a mist appear larger, the same may happen from, the mystery in this case." In this state they remained six or eight months, and finally were communicated to the legislature in secret session. In the letters was no sentiment the governor had not avowed in his public addresses. All that was objected to, and for which the council reproached him, was the following : — " I never think of the measures necessary for the peace and good order of the colonies without pain ; there must be an abridgment of what are called English liberties. I doubt whether it is possible to project a system of government, in which a colony three thou- sand miles distant shall enjoy all the liberty of the parent state." For this, the council and assembly voted an address for his removal; and at a hearing before the privy council of his friends, Mr. Man- duit and Mr. Wedderburne, on his behalf, the decision was in favor of " the honor, integrity, and conduct of the governor." In an unpublished letter of John Adams to Colonel Joseph Ward, dated Quincy, Oct. 24, 1809, he says :— " If I was the witch of Endor, I would wake the ghost of Hutchinson, and give him absolute power over the currency of the United States and every part of it ; provided always, that he should meddle with nothing but currency. As little as I revere his memory, I will acknowledge that he understood the subject of coin and commerce better than any man I ever knew in this country. He was a mer- chant, and there can be no scientific merchant without a perfect knowledge of the theory of a medium of trade. It will be in vain to talk of public credit, until we return to a pure, unmixed circu- lation of standard gold and silver. There can never be a govern- ment of laws in money matters, without a fixed philosophical and mathematical standard. Contracts can never be inviolable with- out a stable standard." Governor Hutchinson deserves great honor for his labors in regard to the History of Massachusetts, which he published from its first settlement to the year 1760. In so high estimation was it held, that a.^ the expiration of more than half a century after its publication^ successful efforts were made by the most influential T ras its BIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. 467 persons there to obtain the unpublished part of this history, which they pronounced, " a work of inestimable value, resting 071 the solid basis ofviUUy and truth ; the accuracy and fidelity of which was universally felt and acknowledged." These eflfbrts of the govern- ment of Harvard College, the Historical Society, of Judge Davis, Governor Gore, Dr. Kirkland, Dr. Lowell, and James Savage, Esq., who secured the private circulation of five hundred copies before publication, and whose sentiments on the leading subject are at variance with those of its author ; are proud testimonials of the character of Governor Hutchinson in the field of his labors and sacrifices, and amidst the descendants of his persecutors. Governor Hutchinson died at Brompton, near London, June 3, 1780, aged sixty-nine, and was buried at Croydon. JO^TN HANCOCK. In the posthumous volume of Governor Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts,* he says: — " Mr. Hancock's name has been sounded through the world as a principal actor in this tragedy. He was a young man, whose father and grandfather were ministers in country parishes, of irreproachable characters, but, like country ministers in New England in general, of small estates. His father's brother, from a bookseller became one of the most opulent merchants in the province ; he had raised a great estate with such rapidity, that it was commonly believed among the vulgar, that he had pur- chased a valuable diamond for a small sum and sold it at its full price. But the secret lay in his importing from St. Eustatia great quantities of tea in molasses hogsheads, which sold at a very great advance ; and by importing, at the same time, a few chests from England, he freed the rest from suspicion, and always had the reputation of a fair trader. He was also concerned in supplying the officers of the army, ordnance and navy, and made easy and advantageous remittances ; when he died, he left to his nephew more than fifty thousand pounds sterling, besides the reversion after the death of his widow, of twenty thousand more. The uncle was always on the side of government ; the nephew's ruling passion was a fondness for popular applause. He changed the course of his uncle's business, and built and employed in trade, a great ♦ Published in 182a 58 • iktlfr ^"■^ r;w ■' i*- w^' : \ \ 468 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. m number of ships ; and in this way, and by building at the same time several houses, he found work for a great number of trades- men ; made himself popular — was chosen selectman — represent- ative — moderator of town meetings, etc. He associated with those who were called friends of liberty. His natural powers were moderate, and had been very little improved by study, or appli- cation to any kind of science. His ruling passion kept him from ever losing sight of its object, but he was fickle and inconstant in the means of pursuing it j and though, for the most part, he was closely attached to Mr. Samuel Adams, he has repeatedly broken off from all connection with him for several months together. Partly by inattention to his private affairs, and partly from want of judgment, he became greatly involved and distressed ; and the estate was lost with much greater rapidity than it had been acquired." President Quincy, in his invaluable History of Harvard Univer- sity, has devoted a chapter to the wrongs which that institution suffered at the hands of Mr. Hancock as its treasurer ; and closes the detail as follows : — " From respect to the high rank which John Hancock attained among the patriots of the American Revo- lution, it would have been grateful to have passed over in silence his long denial of the rights of the college, and withholding its property, had truth and fidelity of history permitted. But justice to a public institution which he essentially embarrassed during a period of nearly twenty years, and also to the memory of those whom he made to feel and to suffer, requires that these records of unquestionable facts, which at the time when they occurred were the cause of calumny and censure to honorable men, actuated in their measures solely by a sense of official fidelity, should not be omitted. In republics, popularity is the form of power most apt to corrupt its possessor, and to tempt him, for party ends or personal interest, to trample on right or set principle at defiance. History has no higher or more imperative duty to perform, than V;- an unyielding fidelity to impress this class of men with the apprehension that, although through fear or favor they may escape the animadversions of contemporaries, there awaits them in her impartial record the retribution of truth." President Quincy also says of him : — " His manners were full of suavity and attraction j his love of place and popularity intense. % 1: t'-:-'-'.. "m ^W'^~ ^m' BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 459 He carlj joined the patriotic party, whose leaders perceived the advantage of placing him at their head ; and giving him every distinction they could command. By the continued influence of these possessions, manners and circumstances, he acquired a popular power, which in this country has scarcely been exceeded." " The style of living he adopted, and the openness of his hand to every object coinciding with his views or his interests, kept his ample resources in a perpetual state of exhaustion. It suited both his interest and policy to postpone debts, and gratify friends." SAMUEL ADAMS. Of this distinguished patriot of the Revolution, Gov. Hutchin- son, in the posthumous volume already quoted, says : " Mr. Samuel Adams's father had been one of the directors of the Land Bank in 1741, which was dissolved by act of parliament. After his de- cease his estate was put up for sale by public auction under author- ity of an act of the general assembly. The son first made himself conspicuous on this occasion. He attended the sale, threatened the shcrifl* to bring an action against him and all who should attempt to enter upon the estate under pretence of a purchase ; and by in- timidating both the sheriff and those who intended to purchase, he prevented the sale, kept the estate in his possession, and the debt to the land company remains unsatisfied. He was afterwards col- lector of taxes for the town of Boston, and made a defalcation, which caused an additional tax upon the inhabitants. These things were unfavorable to his character, but the determined spirit he showed in the cause of liberty would have covered a multitude of such faults. He was for near twenty years a writer against gov- ernment in the public newspapers ; at first but an indifferent one ; long practice caused him to arrive at great perfection, and to ac- quire a talent of artfully and fallaciously insinuating into the minds of his readers a prejudice against the characters of all whom he attacked, beyond any other man I ever knew. This talent he em- ployed in the messages, remonstrances, and resolves of the House of Representatives, most of which were of his composition, and he made more converts to his cause by calumniating governors and other servants of the crown, than by strength of reasoning. The benefit to the town from his defence of their liberties, he supposed '^IK MW t ^ f, 460 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. an equivalent to his arrears as their collector; and the prevailing principle of his party, that the end justified the means, probably quieted the remorse he must have felt from robbing men of their characters, and injuring them more than if he had robbed them of their estates." JOHN ADAMS. The same writer has the following notice of another eminent leader of the revolution : " Mr. John Adams was a distant relation and intimate acquaintance of Mr. Samuel Adams. After his edu- cation at the college he applied to the study of the law, a short time before the troubles began. He is said to have been at a loss which side to take. Mr. Sewall, who was with the government, would have persuaded him to be on the same side, and promised him to desire Governor Bernard to make him a justice of the peace. The governor took time to consider of it, and having, as Mr. Adams conceived, not taken proper notice of him, or given him offence on some former occasion, he no longer deliberated, and ever after joined in opposition. As the troubles increased he increased in knowledge, and made a figure, not only in his own profession, but as a patriot, and was generally esteemed as a person endowed with more knowledge than his kinsman, and equally zealous in the cause of liberty ; but neither his business nor his health would ad- mit of that constant application to it which distinguished the other from all the rest of the province. In general he may be said to be of stronger resentment upon any real or supposed personal neglect or injury than the other, but in their resentment against such as opposed them in the cause in which they were engaged, it is diffi- cult to say which exceeded. His ambition was without bounds, and he has acknowledged to his acquaintance that he could not look with complacency upon any man who was in possession of more wealth, more honors, or more knowledge than himself." LIEUT. GOV. GUSHING. Thomas Gushing, LL. D. was the son of a very popular speaker of the Assembly of Massachusetts ; graduated at Harvard College in 1744 ; was fond of public life, and paid too little attention to pecuniary considerations ; was many years a representative, and in "^tP \ ,:j^..-;,*?^.,,.*V-^^. ■'^i^^. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 461 kker (ege to Id in 1763, when Governor Bernard negatived Mr. Otis as speaker, he vraa elected in his place, and continued in that office till chosen a member of the first Congress, to meet in Philadelphia in 1774. He vras elected lieut. governor in 1779, which office he held till his death in 1788. His name as speaker having been signed to all^ the public papers, made it known abroad, where he was considered the leader of the whigs. Dr. Johnson, in his pamphlet called " Taxation no Tyranny" says, " one object of the Americans is to adorn the brows of Mr. Cushing with a diadem." And he was at other times the object of the sarcasm of ministerial writers. He was a member of the corporation of Harvard College, and attentive to its affairs, from which he received a diploma of doctor of laws. JUDGE PAINE. Robert Treat Paine, L.L. D., one of the signers of the decla- ration of independence, was born in Boston, 1731 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1749 ; studied law ; and conducted the pros- ecution on the part of the crown with great reputation, in the absence of the attorney general, in the trial of Capt. Preston and his men of " Boston massacre" memory in 1770. In 1773 he was elected a member of the General Assembly, and afterwards was chosen a member of the continental Congress, which met at Phil- adelphia in 1774. The following four years he was re-elected and rendered important services in introducing the manufacture of salt- petre, then imperfectly understood, while the colonies were suffer- ing for the want of gunpowder. He was also of the committee for the encouragement of the manufacture of cannon, and other imple- ments of war. In a letter to the Hon. Joseph Palmer, as president of the Massachusetts provincial Congress at Watertown, he com- plains of an intrigue to supplant him in the good opinion of his constituents, and says he *' has just discovered a malicious and slanderous correspondence between John Adams aJ^d Thomas Cush- ing." On the organization of the Supreme Court in Massachusetts in 1776, he was named for one of the judges, which he declined at first, as John Adams, many years his junior, had obtained the ap- pointment of chief justice; but upon Uie resignation of the latter, Mr. Paine took his seat on that bench. His son, who afterwards bore his name, was a dbtinguished writer of national and patriotic poetry. HT ■V i^ < m BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. GOV. HARRISON. Col. Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, was a native of Virginia, and graduated at the college of William and Mary. He commenced his political career as early as 1764, in the legislature of his native colony. The royal government offered him a seat at the council board, a tempting bait for young ambition, which he had the resolution to refuse, as the measures of the ministry were already unfriendly to the liberty of the provinces ; and when the time came for active resistance to arbitrary power, he was ready for service. He was in the first general Congress of 1774, and the three succeeding ones, and was particularly useful as chairman of the board of war. After his resignation in 1777, he was elected speaker of the House of Bur- gesses of Virginia, and filled the chair till 1782, when he was elected governor, to which office he was twice re-elected. He retired in 1785 to private life, but in 1788 became a member of the convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States. He died in 1791. Gov. Harrison was father of General William H. Harrison, late President of the United States. \ LIEUT. GOV. A. OLIVER. Of LiEDT. Governor Andrew Oliver, Gov. Hutchinson says, " A very small portion of mankind have so well deserved to be characterized, " Integer vitoe sederisque purus." Scarce any man ever had a more scrupulous and sacred regard to truth, and yet, to such a degree did the malignant spirit of party prevail as to cause a writer* in the public papers in England to bring against him a charge of perjury. The Council of Massachusetts Bay, from whose votes and resolves this writer attempted to support the charge, by a vote which they caused to be printed, repaired the in- jury as well as they could ; but a consciousness of his innocency and integrity was his best support. This abuse, however, together with the reproaches most injuriously cast upon him by the resolves of the council and house, in which he was treated as the deter- mined enemy to the liberties of his country, the interest whereof, ^'.' ' * Arthur Lee, under the signature of Junius Americanus. \ A. % BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. %i according to the best of his judgment, (which was much superior to that of his most virulent persecutors,) he always had at heart, affected his spirits and evidently accelerated his death." Lieut. Gov. Oliver was a son of Hon. Daniel Oliver, of Bos- ton, and graduated at Harvard College in 1724. He was a repreji sentative from Boston, member of the council, and secretary of the province, before his last troublesome dignity as lieut. governor, which office he filled from 1770 to 1774 ; until death closed his career on the 3d March in that year. His removal had been clamorously called for by the people through the provincial as- sembly. Lieut. Gov. Oliver was a liberal benefactor to his alma mater in books, ancient manuscripts and anatomical preparations. HON. S. QUINCY. Samuel Quincy, brother of Josiah and Edmund, of Boston, graduated at Harvard College in 1754, was a poet and an elegant prose writer. As solicitor for the crown, he was engaged with Robert Treat Paine in the memorable trial of Capt. Preston and the British soldiers in 1770 ; his brother was opposed to him on that occasion, and both reversed their party sympathies in their professional position. He was an addresser of Gov. Hutchinson, and went to England early in 1775. He was included in the ban- ishment act of September, 1778. In April, 1779, he was appointed comptroller at Parkin Bay, Antigua, and died on his passage from Tortola to England for his health, August 9, 1789, aged 55. Mr. Quincy married a sister of the late Henry Hill, Esq., of Boston. His son, of the same name, who graduated at Harvard College in 1782, was an attorney at law in Lenox, Massachusetts, where he died, Jan. 1816, leaving a son Samuel, now an alderman of Bos- ton. His other son, Josiah, is an eminent counsellor at law of Romney, New Hampshire, and president of the senate of that state. HON. JON. SEWALL. Jonathan Sewall, LL. D., was born at Boston, August, 1728. His father, Jonathan Sewall, merchant, was a nephew of Chief Justice Stephen Sewall, and grandson of Major Stephen Sewall, of Salem. He graduated at Harvard College in 1748, and was a teacher at % 464 > I; BIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. v Salem till 1756. He married Esther, daughter of Edmund Quincy, Esq., of Braintree, afterwards of Boston, and sister of Dorothy Quincy, wife of Governor Hancock, and of Elizabeth Quincy, wife of Samuel Sewall, Esq., of Boston, the father of the late Hon. Sattauel Sewall, chief justice of Massachusetts. Mr. Sewall stu- died law with Judge Chambers Russell, of Lincoln ; commenced practice in his profession at Charlestown, and at the death of Jeremy Gridley, Esq., he was appointed attorney-general of Mas- sachusetts, September, 1767. He was an able and successful law- yer. The elder President Adams was his intimate friend, though opposite in politics, and has done justice to his memory. He was solicitor-general before he succeeeded Gridley in the office of attor- ney-general. His eloquence is represented as having been soft, smooth, and insinuating, which gave him as much power over a jury as a lawyer ought ever to possess. It is proper here to take notice of one fact relative to Sewall. He commenced the suit in May, 1769, in favor of a negro against his master for his freedom, viz., James vs, Richard Lechmere, of Cambridge. The late Chief Justice Dana was counsel for the defendant. The suit terminated the following year in favor of the negro ; and I believe it was the first case where the grand question was settled abolishing slavery in that state. The case of the negro Somerset, which Blackstone commends so highly, and which has been a matter of self-gratu- lation in England, was not settled till 1772; two years after the decision in favor of James. In 1768, he was appointed judge of admiralty for Nova Scotia, and although he went there once or twice in that capacity, he remained but a short period. At the commencement of the revolution, he was residing at Cambridge, in the Vassall house, afterwards Washington's head quarters, and since occupied by Andrew Cragie. He left this country for Eng- land early in 1775. He had before ably vindicated the characters of Governors Bernard, Hutchinson, and Oliver, and was esteemed an able writer. He was proscribed in the Conspirator's Act of April 30, 1779. He resided chiefly in Bristol till 1788, (for the education of his children,) when he removed to St. John's, New Brunswick, having been appointed judge of the vice-admiralty court there, where he resided tilJ his death, which occurred Septem- ber 26, 1796, at the age of sixty-eight. His widow survived him. # of or he in m- im, # BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 466 and removed to Montreal, where she died at an advanced age. His son Jonathan, was at school at Hackney in 1777, and after- wards resided at Quebec, where he sustained the offices of solicitor and attorney-general, and judge of the vice-admiralty court, until 1808, when he was appointed chief justice of the province, which he resigned in 1838, and died November 12, 1839, aged seventy- four. In 1832, he received the degree of doctor of laws, from Harvard College. His son Stephen was appointed solicitor-gene- ral in 1810, and resided in Montreal, but lost that office in 1814, in consequence of political differences with the governor ; he died there of Asiatic cholera in the summer of 1832. f ISAAC SMITH. Rev. Isaac Smith graduated at Harvard College in 1767, where he was a tutor 1774-5, when he left for England, having a brother settled there. He was a loyalist, and a dissenting minister, much esteemed for the catholic tenor of his discourses. He was ordained June 24, 1778, over a society of dissenters at Sidmouth, Devon- shire, but returned to New England after the peace, and became librarian in Harvard College, from 1789 to 1791, and subsequently preceptor of Duramer academy, at Byfield, near Newburyport, Massachusetts. He was a brother of William Smith, Esq. of Boston. JOSEPH GREEN. Joseph Green, Esq., a wit and poet, born at Boston,1706, received the rudiments of learning at the South Grammar School from Mr. Williams, and graduated at Harvard College, 1726. He was the author of many fugitive pieces, chiefly satirical, against the gover- nor or assembly, as chance might direct. He was a fine classical scholar. He turned his attention to commerce, of which he obtained a comprehensive knowledge, and acquired a handsome property. To integrity and generosity were added in him politeness and ele- gance. His humor, learning and taste might have connected him with the influential, and procured for him almost any distinction ; but he would never accept public office. He signed an address to Governor Hutchinson on his leaving the government. In 1774, when an act passed Parliament depriving Massachusetts of her charter, a number of counsellors were appointed by mandamus j 59 466 ^' m BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. among them was Mr. Green, who declined the honor as soon as summoned, giving in his resignation to Governor Gage. Of his poetical pieces, " the Elegy on Mr. Old Tenor," and the satire on the processions of Free-masons, have passed through many editions. During the Whitfieldian controversy, there was a club of sentimen- talists who wrote what they pleased, and, as the pamphlets were emitted from the press, it was easy to conjecture the parts he wrote, especially if a line of poetry was introduced. They also took a part in politics, and began by attacking the administration of Governor Belcher, putting his speeches into rhyme. In the con- troversy with Great Britain, previous to the Revolution, most of these gentlemen joined the party of loyalists. Mr. Green was in- cluded in the act of banishment of 1778, and having left Boston early in 1775, passed the remainder of his days in England, where he died at London, December 11, 1780, aged seventy-four. JASPER MAUDUIT. Jasper MaddUit, Esq., of London, the friend of Governor Hutch- inson and Lieutenant Governor Oliver, successfully vindicated their characters respecting their letters to the privy council, as- sisted by Mr. vVedderburne. He was for a long time treasurer of the Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians of New England, and agent for the Assembly of Massachusetts Bay in London. His zeal was greater for the conversion of Indians, than for the important concerns of the province. ISRAEL MAUDUIT. Israel Mauduit, Esq., secretary of Lord George Germaine, was distinguished as the writer of several pamphlets, in which the char- acter of General Howe was severely attacked. WARD NICHOLAS BOYLSTON. Ward Nicholas Boylston, Esq., the son of Benjamin and Mary Hallowell, (his mother being the sister of Nicholas Boylston,) was born at Boston in 1749 ; by the desire of his maternal uncle, his name was changed in 1770. In 1773, he embarked for Newfound- land ; from thence he sailed to Italy ; travelled through Turkey, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, and along the Barbary coast ; and r fv RIOORAPHiCAL NOTICES. 467 returned through France and Flanders to England, in 1776. He entered into business as a merchant, and remained in London till 1800, vrhcn he returned to Boston, and continued to reside in Massach\isetts till his death, which occurred in January, 1828, at the age of seventy-eight. Ue possessed a mind emulative of the spirit of his maternal ancestry, which he acknowledged in a letter dated May 20, 1800, when he founded at Cambridge the " Boylston Medical Library." In this he expressed the pride he felt in being nearly allied to his maternal great-uncle. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, " who first introduced the inoculation for the sraall-pox into America, from whence it was carried to England, and has ever since been extending its beneficial influence through the world ;" and also to his uncle, Nicholas Boylston, " whose memory is known and honored for his liberal donations to Harvard University." In 1840, Mr. Boyl- ston's fund for a college and anatomical museum amounted to nine thousand dollars; which was in addition to the medical library of eleven hundred volumes, and the fund for prize disserta- tions, established by him in 1800. JOHN PRINCE. Dr. John Prince, of Salem, Mass., a refugee, who removed to Halifax, in 1776. He married a daughter of Hon. Richard Derby, of Salem, and was proscribed in the banishment act of Massachu- setts, Sept. 1778. John Prince, Esti-, of Boston, who married a daughter of E. H. Derby, Esq., is a son. JOSEPH HOOPER. Joseph Hooper, Esq., of Marblehead, was a graduate of Harvard College in 1763, and a refugee in 1776. He was a son of Peter Hooper, Esq., a "mandamus" counsellor, who rose from abject poverty to apparently inexhaustible wealth ; engrossing for years a large part of the foreign fishing business at Marblehead, which was very extensive about the year 1760. For a while he pur- chased all the fish brought into that quarter, sent it to Bilboa and other ports in Spain, and received gold and silver in return, with which he purchased goods in England, etc. He built splendid houses in town and country, rode in a chariot like a prince, and 468 1 1 DIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. \ / was ever aAer known as <' King Hooper." For years he knew not the state of his affairs, and died insolvent in 1790. At his elegant house in Danvers, (since Collins's,) he entertained Governor Qm^ > for some time in 1774. The mansion late Chief Justice SewaH'a, in Marblehead, was built by his son Joseph Hooper. Ho became a paper manufacturer at Bungay, Suffolk, England ; where he died in August, 1812. Although his name docs not appear in the proscribing act, a rope walk of his and some lots of land were sold by the commissioners, with other confiscated property, in 1781. GENERAL CARLETON. Sir Guy Carleton, (afterwards Lord Dorchester,) a distin- guished British officer in America ; was appointed a brigadier* ■general in this country in 1766 ; he was made major-general in 1772. At the close of the year 1774, a commission passed ihe seals, constituting him captain-general and governor of Quebec. "When Canada w^as invaded by Montgomery in 1775, Carleton was in the most immhient danger of being taken prisoner upon the St. Lawrence after the capture of Montreal , but he escaped in a boat with muffled paddles, and arrived safely at Quebec, which he found threatened by an unexpected enemy. Arnold, though he had been repulsed by Colonel McLtan, was yet in the neighborhood of the city, waiting for the arrival of Montgomery, previously to another attack. Genern) Carh'ton, with the skill of an experienced officer, took the necessary measures for the security of the city ; his first act was to oblige all to leave Quebec who would not take up arms in its defence. When Montgomery appropched, his sum- mons was treated with contempt by the governor, whose intrepidity was not to be shaken ; by his industry and bravery, Carleton saved the city. After the unsuccessful assault of the last of December, in which Montgomery was killed, he had nothing more immediately to apprehend. In May, 1776, he obliged the Ame in.'; (o rrise the siege; and it was not long ' fore he compelled tliTu 1 ' ^idraw entirely from Canada. In October, he recapture^' C lO . a jr^.nt ; but as the winter was advancing, he did not attempt the reduction of Ticonderoga, but retimed to St. John's. In the beginning of the next year he was superseded in his command by Burgoyne, who •PS intrusted with the northern British army. Carleton's expe- \ / RlOoKAPHICAL NOTICES. 469 lience, abilities, and s rvices were such as rendered him worthy of the command, whicli u a given to another. Though he imme- diately asked leave In resign his overnment, he yet ctiatribiited all in his power to SLxare the success of the campaign. In the year 1782, he was appointed, as successor of Sir Henry Clinton, commander-in-chief of all his majesty's forces in America ; he arrived at New-York with his commission in the beginning of May. After the treaty was signed, he •% BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICBI. 481 t».^ hear in blood) at the time in Quaker-lane, now Congre^-street : a nephew of Pyara B., merchant, [II. U. 1721,] and grandson of Rev. Thomas B., second minister of Beverly, [H. U. 1696.] Young Blowers entered upon the study of law with Hutchinson, then simply judge of probate and lieutenant-governor ; and married the daughter of Benj. Kent, Esq.,* [II. U. 1727,] an attorney at law in Boston, " celebrated for his eccentricity and wit," who, like himself, be- came a refugee, and died in Halifax, at an advanced age, in 1788. In November, 1770, then in his noviciate at the bar, he was em- ployed as junior counsel to Messrs. Adams and Quincy (the latter his classmate) in behalf of the eight British soldiers of the 29th regiment on their trial for what was long and most absurdly called " the Boston massacre." The victims of that night (March 5th, 1770) though magnified by the effervescence of the time into mar- tyrs of liberty, did but poor credit indeed to the name, and as to most of them, abundantly provoked the death they found. Gordon, with strange looseness for one who was writing in the midst of the scene, says, (Vol. I. 194,) " The soldiers had the same counsel as their commander." But Robert Auchmuty, who according to Eliot made, in defence of Capt. Preston, a plea so memorable and per- suasive, as " almost to bear down the tide of prejudice against him, though it never swelled to a higher flood," had no concern in the succeeding trial ; while the subject of this notice was certainly not retained in the earlier one. On the eve of the Revolution (1774) S. S. B., for some reason or object sailed for England, and returned in the fall of 1778, just in time to find his name in the proscribing act of the provincial assembly of Massachusetts, (October,) which * Kent was a minister of Marlborough, a very brief period [1733-35] ; though so unclerical was his deportment, and his humor, that we might rather have wondered liad his stay been longer. He removed to Boston ; and so late as 1769, his name is found, in somewhat odd association, with those of the most prominent and strenuous Whigs of the place, as a committee of safety in a communication to Dr. Franklin. To him it is, we suppose, that the doc- tor, in a letter written from Philadelphia, within the last year and a half of his own life refers : — " You tell me our poor friend Ben Kent is gone ; I hope to the regions of the blessed ; or at least to some place where souls are pre- pared for those regions. I found my hope on this, that though not so orthodox as you and I, he was an honest man and had his virtues. If he had any hy- pocrisy, it was of that inverted kind, with which a man is not so bad as he seems to be."' (See Sparks's Franklin, VII. 3G6, X. 460.) 61 », 482 BIOORAPHIOAL NOTIOII. could not then have been passed many weeks. He was imprisoned forthwith ; but within the next fortnight was despatched in a cartel to Halifax. From this time, as we are told, he steadfastly pursued his profession there ; being raised to the supreme bench in 1795, becoming its presiding head in 1801, and resigning all his honors in 1833. Though his lot was cast with the obnoxious side. Judge B. stood by no means alone among his companions. The class of 1763 was fruitful in loyalists, generally also refugees:— B/m of Springfield, and Upham of Brookfield, (the last, father of the pre- sent minister of Salem,) were constituted a few years after judges of the highest court of New Brunswick ;* Dr. John Jeffries o( Bos- ton, (after signalizing himself in a then novel sphere,) returned a few years in the rear of the peace, to resume practice in his native town ; Hooper of Marblehead, second son of " old King Robert," and Porter, for a time an eminent attorney in Salem, both died m England. Judge B. has left behind him in the race the longest-lived of his classmates by more than ten years. Col. Pickering, of Salem, one of the three latest survivors, died Jan. 29, 1829. The last of the trio, Samuel Perley, settled successively at three several places in New Hampshire, and finally in Gray, Maine, finished his course at the latter, November 28, 1831. Of the thirty-six hundred de- parted sons of Harvard, our living Methuselah (with the exception of the venerated Dr. Holyoke) has alone fairly rounded his century ; Mr. Porter, of Ashfield, on Connecticut river [H. U. 1745] who died February, 1820, having failed only one month of that honor- able mark.f * No other class perhaps can show so many instances of the highest judicial elevation. Three refugee judges of the supreme court ! to which must be added the Hon. Nathan Cushing, of Scituate — a zealous Whig — who deeply ingratiated himself with the popular party by the spirit of his decisions, aa first judge of admiralty in 1776, against captured British vessels ; and who at a later period [1789-1801] was one of the highest bench of Massachusetts. There is yet one other distinction to which the class of 1703 appropriates. The first English Oration, ever heard upon the Commencement boards was pronounced by Jed, Huntington of Norwich, Conn., (afterwards well known as a general ofiicer in our revolutionary contest, and father of the late Rev. Josh. Huntington, of the Old South Church.) t In such a connection as this, and for the sake of the narrow circle who 4^'- f » BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 483 That the usual concomitants of such longevity should be here •Iso found in its train, few will probably be surprised to read. It has been well known for four or 6ve years past that decay had been > first governor. He pos- sessed extraordinary powers of elocution, which he exercised with success during the insurrection in Pennsylvania in 1794. He retired from the gubernatorial chair at the close of the year 1799, # I ^■<*'l; ■;4S.' h f f ^V < « 486 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. •I- and on the 20th Jan. 1800, died at Lancaster in the fifty-seventh year of his age. *<, 'yi iJiiV m W u JUDGE ALLEN. William Allen, chief justice of Pennsylvania, was the son of "William Allen, an eminent merchant of Philadelphia, who died in 1725. On the approach of the Revolution he retired io England, where he died, September, 1780. His wife was a daughter of Andrew Hamilton, whom he succeeded as recorder of Philadelphia in 1741. He was much distinguished as a friend to literature. He patronized Benjamin West, the historical painter. By his counsels and exertions Dr. Franklin was much assisted in estab- lishing the college in Philadelphia. He published " the American Crisis," London, 1774, in which he suggests a plan " for restoring the dependence of America to a state of perfection." His princi- ples seem to have been not a little arbitrary. On his resignation of the office of chief justice, to which he had been appointed in 1750, he was succeeded till the Revolution by Mr. Chew, attorney- general, and Mr. Chew by his son Andrew Allen. This son died in London, March 7, 1825, aged eighty-five. At the close of 1776 he put himself under the protection of Gen. Howe, at Trenton, with his brothers John and William. He had been a memuer of congress and of the committee of safety ; and William a lieutenant- colonel in the continental service. GEN. REED. Joseph Reed graduated at Nassau Hall, New Jersey, in 1757. He engaged with zeal in opposition to parliament, was of the com- mittee of correspondence, and afterwards president of the conven- tion of New Jersey. On the organization of the army, he became first aid to General Washington ; the next year adjutant-general. While he was a meinber of congress, in 1778, the commissioners from England arrived, and one of them. Gov. Johnstone, addressed private letters to him, Francis Dana, and Robert Morris, to secure their influence towards the restoration of harmony, with intimations of honors and emoluments. Mr. Reed's former despondence being known, a lady, supposed to be the wife of Dr. Adam Ferguson, (the im. 3m- ren- Ime Iral. jers bed lure Dns Ithe * i' 4 -^ * BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 487 ^ secretary of the commissioners,) assured him as from Gov. John- stone, that ten thousand pounds sterling and the best office in America should be at his disposal, if he -would effect a reunion. He replied that " he was not worth purchasing, but such as he was, the king of Great Britain was not rich enough to do it." In October, 1778, he was chosen president of Pennsylvania, which office he held till the autumn of 1781. He died March 5, 1785, aged forty-three, having visited England for his health the year before without good effect. Mr. Reed published remarks on Gov. Johnstone's speech in parliament, with authentic papers relative to his propositions in 1779, and an address to the people of Penn } Ivania in 1783. WILLIAM PYNCHON. William Pynchon, Esq., an eminent counsellor at law, of Salem, Massachusetts, was a loyalist, but did not leave the country. The windows of his house in Summer-street were broken by the mob on demanding his recantation as a Hutchinsonian addresser, pre- vious to the Revolution; and he left them long in ruins, except that they were boarded up, in testimony of the licentiousness and law- lessness of the times. Mr. Pynchon was a native of Springfield, and graduated at Harvard College in 1743 j he died, March 14, 1789, aged sixty-eight. JOSEPH LEE. Hon. Joseph Lee, of Cambridge, Mass., was the son of a Salem merchant. Having remained in Boston during the siege, he sub- jected himself to unpopularity with the patriots, although his luke- warmness in the loyalist principles prevented hiii becoming an object of public notice. He was judge of the common pleas for Middlesex ; and died at his seat in Cambridge, December, 1802, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. His brother, Thomas Lee, Esq., a merchant of Salem, graduated at Harvard College in 1722 ; and during the revolutionary war resided at Newark, New Jersey. He had been appointed mandamus counsellor, but was compelled by the people to resign, Sept. 2, 1775. JUDGE OLIVER. Hoi-^F. Andrew Oliver, of Salem, son of Lieut. Gov. Andrew i ■ M m « A 488 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. * * »|K Oliver, and nephew of Chief Justice Peter Oliver, graduated at Harvard College in 1749; studied law ; was often a representative to the assembly, and a judge of the common pleas for Essex previous to the Revolution. He was one of the founders of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia ; he was reckoned among the best scholars of his day, and possessed fine talents. Judge Oliver was never fond of public life, but ardently attached to his books and his friends. Besides an Essay on Comets, which was published in 1772, several valuable communications of his are contained in the first volume of the Transactions of the American Academy. He was honored with a commission of mandamus coun- sellor, which he declined; he married Mary, daughter of Chief Justice Lynde, and several descendants remain of the second and third generations ; he died in December, 1799, aged sixty-eight. Judge Oliver was a loyalist, and the only member of his family who did not renounce his country in consequence of the Revolution. BENJAMIN GOODHUE. Hon. Benjamin Goodhue, was born at Salem, Massachusetts, October 1, 1748, and graduated at Harvard College in 1766. He early embarked in commerce, with credit and success ; he was a whig of the Revolution ; represented the county of Essex in the senate of his native state, from 1784 to 1789, when he was elected a representative to the first United States Congress under the new constitution ; and with Mr. Fitzsimmons of Philadelphia, formed our code of revenue laws, a majority of which have remained in force to this day. In 1796, Mr. Goodhue was elected a senator in congress for Massachusetts, where he was distinguished as chair- man of the committee of commerce, but resigned and retired from public life in 1800 ; his colleague in the senate was Caleb Strong, for mttny successive years the popular governor of Massa- chusetts. Mr. Goodhue's politics were of the Washington school ; and that party is now generally admitted to have been the purest ever known in our country. He died July 28, 1814, leaving an irreproachable name to his only surviving son, Jonathan Goodhue, Esq., of New-York ; a merchant, who in character and credit has stood second to none in this commercial emporium, during a resi- dence of thirty-six years. .^ •t .. w # BIOORAHHICAI, NOTICES. 489 DR. HOLYOKE. Edward Augustus Holyoke, M.D., L.L.D., son of President Holyoke of Harvard College, was born August 13, 1728, and graduated in 1746. In 1755, he married Judith, Oa. ^^'iter of Col. Benjamin Pickman of Salem ; and after her death, which occurred •within the year, Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Viall, Esq., of Boston. " The period of the Revolution was a trying one to him, and he never loved to dwell upon the recollection of it ; his feelings in the spring and summer of 1775 were intensely painful. In referring to that period, he said he thought he should have died with the sense of weight and oppression at his heart ; he had sent his family to Nantucket, and the loneliness of his home increased the feeling of desolation. Most of his intimate friends and near connections favored the royal cause ; and his own education had attached him to the established order of things, while his peaceful temper shrunk from the turmoil of a revolution. Although most distinguished men who had adopted the royal cause, found it expedient to leave the country, it does not appear that he was ever impeded in the prose- cution of his professional business or studies for a single day. Once only he committed himself, by signing a complimentary address to Governor Hutchinson, in common with a number of the most distinguished citizens of the town of Salem, when the governor was about leaving the country. He afterwards felt himself obliged, as well as a number of his associates, to publish a sort of apology for this act ; which " recantation," as i; was called, contained nothing that was servile or disgraceful. H died March 31, 1829, at the great age of one hundred years. " In deeds of piety and benevolence he was ever active, and his gifts were bestowed with the most scrupulous secrecy ; and from his intimacy in the families of all classes, seldom misapplied." He had been a practising physician in Salem for seventy-nine years. On some days he made a hundred visits; and at one period, there was not a dwelling-house in Salem which he had not visited professionally. About fifty medical gentlemen of Boston and Salem gave him a public dinner on his centennial anniversary. JUDGE LYNDE. Hon. Benjamin Lynde, of Salem, chief justice of the supreme 62 V 490 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. court, (as was his father of the same name,) was born at Salem, and graduated in 1718, at Harvard College. He was judge of probate from 1745 to 1771 ; he presided in November, 1770, at the trial of Captain Preston and his soldiers, for the part they took in what was called " the Boston massacre." He resigned his seat on the bench of the supreme court in 1771, and died October 3, 1781, aged eighty-one. It was a remarkable coincidence, that father and son should have been chief justices of the supreme court, and occupied a seat on that bench between them for nearly sixty years. Judge Lynde's daughter, Mary, was the wife of the Hon. Andrew Oliver of Salem, author of the Essay on Comets. JUDGE ROPES. Hon. Nathaniel Ropes, of Salem, born in 1727, was graduated at Harvard College in 1745, and applied himself to the study of the law. The violent measures in opposition to government were obnoxious to him ; and when he found he could no longer be use- ful there, he retired from the council in 1769, and from the bench of the superior court just before his death, in the spring of 1774; he was firm in loyalist principles. After ineffectual negotiations with Gov. Hutchinson, the in- flexible assertor of royal prerogative, at the termination of the first session of 1773, it was resolved, " that any of the judges who while they hold their offices during pleasure shall accept support from the crown, independent of the grants of the general court, will discover that he is an enemy to the constitution, and has it in his heart to promote the establishment of arbitrary government." In February, 1774, four of the judges, Trowbridge, Hutchinson, Ropes and Gushing, on the appeal being made by the assembly, replied that they had received no part of the allowance from the king ; which was deemed satisfactory. Judge Ropes' house was assailed, not- withstanding, by a mob, and the furniture and windows throughout broken the night before his death, (by small-pox,) which event it doubtless accelerated. With the exception of the reports of his decisions in the su- preme court, the following obituary notice from his political oppo- nents is all that is on record respecting him : From tho Essex Gazette, March 22, 1774. " Died, on the 18th inst., in the forty-eighth year of his age, the \ ■/ BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 491 Hon. Nathaniel Ropes, some years since representative of this town in the general assembly, afterwards a member of the council, chief justice of the common pleas, and judge of probate of wills for the county of Essex, and also a justice of the superior court for this province." Judge Ropes married a daughter of the Rev. John Sparhawk of Salem, and their deceased sons were merchants of that place. Nathaniel married a daughter of Dr. Putnam, and John a daugh- ter of Jonathan Haraden, Esq., a distinguished naval commander in the Revolution against Great Britain. Their daughters married William Ornt, Jonathan Hodges, and Samuel Curwen Ward, also merchants of Salem, all deceased ; of their descendants many are now living. THOMAS ROBIE. , Thomas Robie, Esq., of Marblehead, a son of Dr. Thomas Ro- bie, who was graduated at Harvard College, in 1708, and after being a resident fellow or tutor there, established himself in the practice of physic at Salem, and married a daughter of Major Ste- phen Sewall. The subject of this notice became a merchant, and married a daughter of the Rev. Simon Bradstreet, who was the great-grandson of Gov. Bradstreet, called the " Nestor of New England." Mr. Robie being strongly on the side of the royal government, was an addresser of Gov. Hutchinson, and quitted the country about the commencement of the war ; he first went to Halifax, but afterwards to London, February 5, 1776. He passed his time of exile mostly in Halifax, where one of his daughters married Jonathan Stearns, Esq., another refugee, who graduated at Harvard College in 1770, became attorney-general of Nova Scotia, and died 1798 ; another was married to Joseph Sewall, Esq., late treasurer of Massachusetts. His son, Simon Bradstreet Robie, Esq., of Halifax, solicitor of the province of Nova Scotia, is a gentleman of great wealth and respectability. Mr. Thomas Robie returned after the peace, and re-embarked in commercial pursuits in Salem, to a limited extent. He was amiable, intelligent and exemplary, and died at Salem about thirty years since, well es- teemed. 492 BIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. ■»■ JOHN SARGENT. John Sargent, Esq., a merchant of Salem, who became a relii- gee and was banished by the act of 1778. JUDGE CHIPMAN. Hon. Ward Chipman graduated at Harvard College, 1770, grandson of Rev. John Chipman of Beverly, and son of John C, Esq., of Marblehead. Mr. Chipman studied law in company with Jonathan Sewall and Thomas Aston Coffin, (a cousin of Sir Isaac Coffin,) afterward secretary of Sir Guy Carleton, and in 17S4 commissary-general at Quebec. Mr. Chipman became judge of the supreme judicial court of New Brunswick, and died at Freder- icton, February 9, 1824. He was brother-in-law of the late Hon. William Gray, and retained an affection for New England, though an exile. His son, of the same name, and successor to his station and honors, vvas the most conspicuous member of the class which graduated at Harvard College, in 1805. COL. MURRAY. Col. John Murray was a representative of influence in the assem- bly of Massachusetts for many years from Rutland. Daniel Bliss, Esq. married one of his daughters, the other the Hon. Joshua Up- ham, aid to Sir Guy Carleton, afterward judge of supreme court, Brunswick. His son Daniel graduated at Harvard College 1771 ; a mandamus counsellor, was a major of dragoons, proscribed in 1778 ; lived on half-pay 1830. His son Samuel graduated at Harvard College 1772, acccompanied the British troops to Lexing- ton in 1775, and died before 1785 ; he was proscribed in 1778. BENJAMIN FANEUIL. Benjamin Faneuil, Esq., a merchant of Boston, and with Joshua Winslow, consignee of one-third of the East India Company's tea destroyed in 1773 ; was a refugee to Halifax, afterwards in Eng- land. JAMES BOUTINEAU. James Boutineau, Esq., attorney of Boston, father-in-law of John Robinson, commissioner of customs, who made the personal attack *>^ SI BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 493 on James Otis, Esq., which produced so great a derangement of mind in the latter, as to loo ' ♦o his withdrawal from the public service. CAPT. FENTON. Capt. John Fenton, e3i|)elled, being a loyalist, from the assem- bly of New Hampshire, July, 1775, on which account he expressed himself freely as to public measures. This enraged the populace, and he fled to the governor fo; protection ; they placed a mounted field-piece before the door, threatening to discharge it, when he was delivered up and sent to Exeter lor trial. Gov. Wentworth upon this took refuge in the fort. Capt. Fenton had been a captain in the navy, but sold out his commission ; he was permitted to retreat to England. JOHN ERVING, JUN. CoL. John Ervino, son of Hon. John E., of Boston, graduated at Harvard College, 1747, was colonel of the Boston regiment of militia, a warden of Trinity church, a mandamus counsellor in 1774, a refugee, proscribed in 1778, died at Bath, England, June 17, 1816, aged eighty -nine. He married a daughter of Gov. Shirley ; his son. Dr. Shirley Erving, entered Harvard College in 1773, but his education was cut short by the Revolution ; he be- came a respectable physician at Portland, Me., and died at Boston, July 7, 1813, aged fifty.five. The widow of Dr. Erving is still living at Boston, aged eighty-two. She has two sons and one daughter ; the latter the wife of Rev. B. C. C. Parker, of the Epis- copal church. JONATHAN SIMPSON. Jonathan Simpson graduated at Harvard College, 1772, son-in- law to John Borland, Cambridge ; was a refugee, proscribed in 1778 ; was a commissary of provisions in the British army, at Charleston, S. C. ; closed his days at Boston, December 7, 1804, aged eighty-two. RICHARD ROUTF. Hon. Richard Route was collector of the customs at Salem ; married Abigail, a daughter of Wm. Eppes, Esq., Virginia, (a ■ L'7f8"'''np^'r / 494 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. granddaughter of Col. Benjamin Pickman, of Salem.) At the death of Mr. Eppes, which soon after occurred, his widow married Dr. Sylvester Gardner of Boston. Mr. Routh became a refugee, and was collector of the customs for the island of Newfoundland, and subsequently its chief justice ; he died in 1801. His son. Sir Randolph Isham Routh, is commissary-general to the British army in Canada ; auother son, H. L. Routh, Esq., is a merchant of high character in New-York j others are engaged in commerce in dif- ferent parts of Europe. DR. BYLES. Rev. Mather Byles, son of the Rev. Mather Byles, D. D., graduated at Harvard College, 1751, was minister at New London, Conn., the desk of which was closed to him in 1768 ; he was then an Episcopal minister of Boston till the Revolution, when he was a refugee, and proscribed in the act of 1788. He died a rector at St. John's, New Brunswick, in March, 1814. The father of the Rev. Dr. Byles was a distinguished minister and loyalist of Boston ; and for his political principles was, during the violent times of 1777, separated from his people, to whom he was never afterwards united. In 1776, he was denounced in town meeting as inimical to his country, and obliged to enter into bonds for his appearance at a public trial before a special court, at which he was pronounced guilty, and sentenced to confinement on board a guard ship, and in forty days to be sent to England with his family. When brought before the board of war, by whom he was treated respectfully, his sentence seems to have been altered, and it was directed that he should be confined to his own house, and there guarded. After a few weeks the guard was removed '■, a short time after, a guard was again placed over him, and again dismissed. Upon this occasion he observed, in his own manner, that " Ac was guarded, reguarded, and disregarded." The substance of the charges against him was, that he continued in Boston with his family during the siege ; that he prayed for the king, and the safety of the town. He died July 5, 1788, aged eighty-two. Dr. Byles's first wife was a niece of Gov. Belcher, and his second, the daughter of Lieutenant Governor Tailer. His literary mer t intro- duced him to the acquaintance of many men of genius in England ; filOORAPHICAL NOTICES. 495 the names of Pope, Lanstlown, and Watts are found among his correspondents. Pope sent him a copy of his Odyssey in quarto, and from Dr. Watts he received copies of his works as he published them. Mr. Mather Brown, afterwards artist io the king, a grandson of Dr. Byles, embarked for Europe in 1780, with a letter of intro- duction from his grandfather to Harrison Gray, Esq., London, a firm friend of the family. Mr. Copley had likewise been intimate with Dr. Byles before he left Boston. An amusing little circumstance took place the morning after the birth of Mather Brown, Mr. Copley entered the house full of gaiety and animation, and after congratulating the family, requested to see the infant. The nurse brought it ; he caught it from her arms and ran down stairs with it ; the nurse, not understanding the matter, followed him in great consternation, entreating for the child. When he reached the street door he laid it carefully on the mat, and left the house. It is to this circum- stance that the following letter of introduction alludes. " A certain ancient gentleman in New England dictates the following words : " Boston, December 5, 1780. " My Dear Copley : " Do you forget your old connections 1 I am always rejoicing to hear of your reputation and felicities, on your side of the water. You will, I am very certain, be pleased to see the gray-eyed little boy (as you always called him, though his eyes were very black) that you left upon the entry-floor, at New Boston. See how times have turned them ! I may not write, and need not say more to one [on whose friendship I have so firm a reliance." Here the old patriarch leaves off. " To Mr. Copley, in the solar system." His intention was first to go to France; and Dr. Byles desired him immediately to call on Dr. Franklin, with whom he was well ac- quainted. In a letter, dated Paris, 23, 1781, he writes : " Dr. Franklin has given me a pass, and recommendatory let- ters to the famous Mr. West. He treats me with the utmost po- liteness ; has given me an invitation to his house, and shown me many new electrical machines and experiments ; one of which, * X 496 HIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. contrived for perpetual motion, greatly pleased me. I delivered him my grandlather's message ; he expressed himself with the greatest esteem arxl afreclion for him, and has since introduced me at Versailles, as being grandson to one of his most particular friends in America." In his first letter from London, 178?, he writes : " In consequence of the recommendation of Dr. Franklin, at Paris, who gave me letters to his fellow-townsman, the famous Mr. West, of Philadelphia, I practise gratis with this gentleman, who affords me every encouragement, as well as Mr. Copley, who is particularly kind to me, welcomed me to his house and lent me his pictures, etc. At my arrival, Mr. Tieasurt^r Gray carried me and introduced me to Lord George Germaine, who promised me his protection during my stay." In a letter, 1783, he thus wrote : " I have exhibited four pic- tures in the exhibition ; the king and queen were yesterday there." In 1784 : " I have painted several Americans. Yesterday I had two pictures shown to his royal highness the Prince of Wales ; they were carried to his palace by his page. He criticised them, and thought them strong likenesses. I believe I never told you that the king knew a picture of mine, in the last exhibition, of the keeper of Windsor Castle, and took particular notice of Mr. Gray's picture; asked who it \yas, and who did it, and what book he had in his hand. Mr. West told him it was the treasurer of Boston painted by his pupil, a young man, Mr. Brown of America. The king asked what part. He told him Massachusetts." In 17S5, he writes : " Among other great people, I have painted Sir William Pepperell and family, and the Hon. John Adams, ambassador to his Britannic Majesty. On the 20th of June, I had the honor to be introduced to the Duke of Northumberland at his palace ; hi.s grace received me with the utmost politeness." In a letter, 1786, he writes : " I have near a hundred pictures of my countrymen in my rooms, which are universally known ; Messrs. Adams and Jefferson on one side of the room, and on the other. Treasurer Gray and Sir William Pepperell." It may well be supposed that this intelligence rejoiced the hearts of his relatives in Boston. Dr. Byles added a postscript to one of his daughter Catharine's letters, in these words : " You will BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 497 khe lo Bill be glad to see your grandfalhcr^s hand — my God, bless the lad ! — There you see his heart." ROBERT TEMPLE. RonERT TKMrt.K, Esq., of Tenliills, near Boston, was an elder brother of Sir John Temple, baronet, the first consul general from England to the United States. Mr. Robert Temple's eldest daugh- ter "married the Hon. Hans Blackwood, afterwards Lord Duffrin; the second Temple Emmet, Esq., and youngest died single. Mr. Temple died in England before 1783, and his death is noticed in the " list of exiles who died during the Revolution," published in the American Quarterly Review^, 184 L SAMUEL H. SPARHAWK. Samuel Hirst Spariiawk, graduated at Harvard College 1771, an addresser of Gov. Gage, and a refugee to England with his brothers Nathaniel and William, was the third son of Col, Nathan- iel Sparhawk of Kittery, who married the only child of Sir Wil- liam Pepperell, baronet, the hero of Louisburg in 1745. Mr. Sparhawk's brother William became heir to the estate and honors of his grandfather, having been created a baronet in 1774. The former died in Kittery, August 29, 1789, aged 38. 'STEPHEN GREENLRAF. Stephen vireeniiaf, of Boston, an addresser of Gov. Hutchin- son, Mas , 1774, and of Gov. Gage, in October, 1775. Was sheriflF of Suffolk county. He died Jan. 26, 1795. COUNT RUMFOUD. Sir Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumlbrd) was born in Wobum, Massachusetts, in 1752, and while a clerk in the employment of Mr. John Appleton, merchant of Salem, first displayed his fondness for experimental philosophy, (when iv i ulentally his face was somewhat marked by a pyrotechnical explosion,) in which he was afterwards a proficient under the professoi cf natural philosophy at Cambridge, and became a teacher. He made an advantageous marriage, and became a major of militia; was instrumental in preserving the library and philosophical apparatus when the col- leges were converted into barracks ; as a loyalist he rendered im- 63 498 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. * */ portant services to the British generals, and was received by Lord George Gerraaine as under secretary in the office for colonial af- fairs. Towards the close of the war he was sent to New- York, and raised a regiment of dragoons, of which he was the colonel. He commanded at Huntington, Long Island, in 1782-3, where he caused a fort to be erected in the church-yard, contrary to the wishes of the inhabitants. He returned to England in 1784, and received the honors of knighthood and became under-secretary of state. Subsequently, recommended by the prince of Deux Fonts (afterwards king of Bavaria), he entered the service of the reigning elector pala- tine and duke of Bavaria, where he effected many useful reforms, civil and military ; among them a scheme for the suppression of mendicity, which he carried into execution at Munich and other places, providing labor for able-bodied paupers, and exciting a spirit of industry among the poorer classes of people, for which he was rewarded by the sovereign of Bavaria with the commission of a lieut. general, several orders of knighthood, and created Count Rumford. He returned to England in 1799, and employed him- self in making experiments on the nature and application of heat and other subjects of economical and philosophical research. He suggested the plan and assisted in the foundation of the Royal In- stitution. In 1802 he removed to Paris, and his wife being dead, he married the widow of the celebrated Lavoisier. He purchased a country house at Auteuil, about four miles from Paris, and em- bellished the grounds. He died there in August, 1814, leaving only a daughter, the offspring of his first marriage in the United States. Besides a great number of communications in scientific journals, he published four volumes of essays, political, eco- nomical, experimental, and philosophical. In 1796 he remitted five thousand dollars in three per cent, stocks, to the American Academy of //^ts and Sciences ; the income to be appropriated as a premium to the author of the most important discovery on light and heat. By his last will he laid the foundation of that professor- ship to Harvard University, which has rendered his name justly esteemed with its friends. His useful and eventful life has been the subject of faithful history. He bequeathed an annuity of one thou- sand dollars, and the reversion of another of four hundred dollars, also the reversion of his whole estate, which amounted to upwards r* 'TF'.". '■"^fr BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 499 of twenty-six thousand dollars, "for the purpose of founding a new institution and professorship, in order to teach by regular courses of academical and public lectures, accompanied with proper experiments, the utility of the physical and mathematical sciences for the improvement of the useful arts, and for the ex- tension of the industry, prosperity, happiness and well-being of society." THOMAS HUTCHINSON, JUN. Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., eldest son of Gov. Hutchinson, a merchant of Boston, and, with his brother Elisha, a consignee of a third of the East India Company's tea which was destroyed. He was a refugee, and proscribed in the act of 1778. He had been denounced in 1769, as a foreign importer, contrary to the agree- ment of the Boston merchants. He had been a judge of the com- mon pleas for Suffolk, from 1772 to the commencement of the Revolution. He died at Heavitree, near Exeter, England, in 1811, aged 81. WILLIAM CLARK. Rev. "William Clark, son of Rev. Peter Clark, of Salem vil- lage (Danvers,) graduated at Harvard College 1759; was the Episcopal minister of Quincy, from 1768 to 1777, when, in conse- quence of aiding two distressed loyalists to an asylum, he was prosecuted as unpatriotic. Being forcibly taken before the revolu- tionary tribunal at Boston, and refusing to swear allegiance to the commonwealth, he was condemned to be transported to foreign parts, and was immediately confined to a prison ship in the harbor. By the efforts of Dr. Ames, a zealous whig, in his behalf, he was liberated, after losing his health and speech. He went to Eng- land, obtained a pension, and died Nov. 4, 1815. FRANCIS GREENE. Francis Greene, Esq. of Boston, a merchant ; graduated at Harvard College 1760 ; a refugee, proscribed in the act of 1777 j married a widow lady, by which he became step-father to two deaf and dumb children, and his 'uterest in them made him an au- thor ; (" Essay on imparting Speech to the Deaf and Dumb," Lon- don, 1783.) Some changes in the funds reduced his property, and &>-' 500 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. I ft in his last days he was dependent on his half pay as a British officer, having been at the capture of Havana in 1762. He died at his residence, Medford, April 21, 1809, aged 67. For the share he had in the farewell address to Gov. Hutchin- son, he was beset when travelling in July, 1774, through Norwich and Windham, Connecticut. COL. BORLAND. John Linuall Borland, eldest son of John Borland, of Cam- bridge, took to the profession of arms, after having graduated at Harvard College, 1772; and at his death in England, Nov. 16, 1825, he is styled a lieut. colonel of his majesty's forces. Dr. Francis Borland, second son of J. Borland, Esq., of Cambridge, graduated at Harvard College, 1774, was a physician in Portsmouth, N. H., a few years j died at Somerset, Bristol Co., Mass., 1826. COL. BROWNE. Hon. William Browne, governor of Bermuda, son of Samuel Browne, Esq., of Salem, and a grandson of Gov. Burnet, graduated at Harvard College in 1755. He was colonel of the Essex regi- ment, and succeeded Judge Ropes on the bench of the supreme court in 1774, for a short time. The provincial assembly urging their title to nominate to judicial and civil trusts, he was requested to resign that office, held under the royal seal, as also the honor of mandamus counsellor, to which he had been called by a county committee, which he contrived to evade. He was one of the sev- enteen " rescinders" in 1768. In the several capacities of represent- ative, colonel, counsellor and judge, he rendered himself obnoxious by adhering to government ; which was thus incidentally noticed in a newspaper, when he found it expedient to take refuge in Bos- ton in the autumn of 1774 : " Agreeable to the advice of the respectable provincial con- gress, the training band company of Lynn, being part of the first regiment in the county of Essex, formerly commanded by William Browne, Esq., {politically deceased of a pestilent and mortal disor- der ^ and now buried in the ignominious ruins of Boston,) met on JJ^onday, the 15th inst., for the purpose of choosing, etc. etc." Col. Browne was esteemed among the most opulent and benevo- ■."%!r BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 601 lent individuals of that province prior to the Revolution j and so great was his popularity, that the gubernatorial chair was offered him by the " Committee of Safety" as an inducement for him to remain and join the " sons of liberty." But he felt it a duty to ad- here to government, even at the expense of his great landed estate, both in Massachusetts and Connecticut, the latter compri- sing fourteen valuable farms, all which were afterwards confiscated. He went to England vi^ Halifax, in April, 1776, and was gov- ernor of Bermuda from 17§1 to 1790, when he returned to Eng- land, where he died in Percy-street, Westminster, Feb. 13, 1802, aged 65. Col. Browne married his cousin, a daughter of Gov. Wanton, of Rhode Island, and was doubly connected with the Winthrop family ; the wives of the elder Browne and Gov. Wanton being daughters of John Winthrop, F. R. S. great-grandson of the first governor of Massachusetts, who graduated at Harvard College in 1700. Col. Browne's son William was an officer in the British service at the siege of Gibraltar in 1784. JUDGE SMITH. Hon. William Smith, chief justice of the province of New- York, (his father of the same .name, was an eminent lawyer and judge cf New- York supreme court, died 22d Nov. 1769, aged 73,) was graduated at Yale College, 1745 ; was a loyalist in the Rev- olution, and subsequently became chief justice of Canada. In 1757, he published a history of the province of New-York to 1732, to which the New-York Historical Society published a posthumous continuation to 1762. Governeur Morris studied law with him, as did also many other distinguished men. r GOV. WENTWORTH. Sir John Wentworth, Baronet, governor of New Hampshire, was born in 1736 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1755 ; was a son of Mark Hunking Wentworth, and nephew of Benning Went- worth, who was his immediate predecessor in the gubernatorial chair. He was appointed to that office in 1767, and filled it to the satisfaction of all parties, till the commencement of the Revolu- tion in 1775, when, being a loyalist, he took refuge on board a r^ man-of-war in July, for Nova Scotia, and was appointed lieut. " \\ 502 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. ¥ governor in 1792. Soon after he went to England and was cre- ated a baronet, and was succeeded by Prevost of New Brunswick in 1808. He possessed a sound judgment, liberal views, and a highly cultivated taste. He wu: the friend of learning and learned men. Dartmouth College was established during his administra- tion, and flourished under h'T patronage. He always endeavored to promote the interest of the province, and through his influence its settlements rapidly increased. He exerted himself to preserve the union between this country and Great Britain, but was obliged to yield to the spirit of the times, and submit to a separation. He greatly promoted agricultural improvements. He erected a splen- did mansion on his farm at Wolfsborough, on the border of Lake Winnipiseogce. He died at Halifax, April 8, 1820, aged 83. He married the v/idow of Theodore Atkinson, jr., whose maiden name was Frances Deering, in 1769. Portraits of Sir John and Lady Frances are preserved at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. ■■*, JUDGE INGERSOLL. Hon. Jared Ingersoll, a judge of admiralty, was born in Mii- ford, Connecticut, in 1722, and graduated at Yale College in 1742 ; settled as a lawyer in New Haven, and in 1757 was agent for the color.y in England. He was appointed a distributor of stamps for Connecticut under the famous stamp act, and thereby lost his pop- ularity; the people compelled him to resign, August 24, 1765, •which was soon after his return from England, but not deeming his resignation sufficiently explicit, a large number from the eastern part of Connecticut set off for New Haven, and meeting Mr. Inger- sol at Weathersfield, compelled him to renounce the office and cry out "Liberty and property." The next day five hundred men escorted him to Hartford. On being appointed admiralty judge for the middle district, about the year 1770, he removed to Philadelphia. In consequence of the Revolution he returned to Ne\ ilaven, and died in August, 1781, in his 60th year. ELISHA HUTCHINSON. Elisha Hutchinson, Esq., second son of Gov. Hutchinson, graduated at Harvard College 1762. He was in company with '\- BIOGRAPHIC '.L NOTICES. 503 ■V his eldest brother Thomas consignee of one third of the East India Company's tea, destroyed at Boston in 1773. He went to Eng- land a refugee, in 1775 ; was proscribed in the banishment act of 1778, and resided in England till his death, which took place at the house of his son, Rev. John Hutchinson, Blurton parsonage, Trentham, Suffolk, in 1824, at the age of 8i. His brother William Sanford Hutchinson, died of consumption in England., Feb. 20, 1780, aged 28. WILLIAxM HUTCHINSON. William Hutchinson, Esq., nephew of Gov. Hutchinson, grad- uated at Harvard College in 1762 ; was a refugee in 1775 ; and died Feb. 6, 1791, in Europe, aged 57. He was a king's counsel- lor at the Bahamas. ;n ;e t, h JOHN S. COPLEY. John Singleton Copley, Esq., a distinguished historical painter, was born at Boston. His mother was a daughter of Gen. Wins- low, and his sister the wife of Col. Henry Bromfield, who resided in London, 1775. He married a daughter of Richard Clarke, Esq., Oiie of the consignees of the East India Company's tea ; and being an addresser of Gov. Hutchinson, was early a refugee loyalist. Mr. Copley visited Italy in 1774, and joined his wife and children in England in 1776. He resumed his profession in the metropolis with unsurpassed success. His " Death of Chatham," " Defence of Gibraltar," and " Charles 1. in the House of Commons," placed him among the first artists of the age. He died in the full exercise of his talent, suddenly, in 1815. Many of his superb portraits adorn the mansions and galleries of Massachusetts. His only sur- viving son. Lord Lyndhurst, as distinguished in the legal profession as his father was as an artist, was born in Boston in 1772, and graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he distinguished himself, winning many prizes. In 1816 he was elected to parli^:- ment. In 1819 became solicitor-general; in 1826, on the death of Lord Gifford, master of the rolls, and in 1827 lord high chan- cellor of England, which honorable post he at present holds for the third time ; all of which offices he has filled with distinguished c te. • # 504 BIOGRAPHPJAL NOTICES. ■1l % ,J4 ► ( "X -I ability. He was raised to the peerage in 1827, and his armorial motto, " ultra pergere," may well apply to his former career. A sister of Lord Lyndhurst married Gardner Greene, Esq. of Bos- ton. REV. S. A. PETERS. Samuel A. Peters, D. D., an Episcopal clergyman, of Hebron, Connecticut, where he was born, December 12, 1735. He gradu- ated at Yale College 1757. In consequence of loyal principles he was dismissed in 1774 irom his charge of the churches at Hebron and Hartford, and went a refugee to England. He remained abroad until 1805j when he returned to New-York. In 1817 and 1818, he made a journey to the west as far as the falls of St. Anthony, claiming a large territory under an Indian grant to Capt. Jonathan Carver. He is the reputed author of a History of Connecticut, pub- lished at London, in 1781. It is of a similar stamp with Knicker- bocker's History of New-York, and does but little credit to its author. Dr. Peters would never acknowledge the paternity of this work, but the fact is now well established. He died at New-York, April 19, 1826, aged ninety. His remains were entombed at He- bron. Dr. Peters was chosen bishop of Vermont, while in Eng- land, but did not accept the charge. He left one daughter, who accompanied him in exile, and mar- ried Mr. Jarvis, afterwards secretary of the province of Upper Canada ; she is now living at Queenstown. Dr. Peters also left a son, who died of yellow fever at New Orleans, where the eldest son of the latter now resides. TIMOTHY ORNE. Timothy Orne, Esq., of S-ilem, graduated at Harvard College in 1768 ; became a merchant, and married a daughter of William Pynchon, Esq. He died before 1791. MAJOR HAWLEY. Joseph Hawley, of Northampton, Massachusetts, was born In 1724, was graduated at Yale College, and possessed strong natural powers, improved by the study and practice of the law. He early 4. BIOeF.APHIC AL NOTICES. 505 embarked in political life, and retired from the assembly in 1776, with an influ*^nce seldom equalled, obtained not less by his great talents than his unsullie'.. anc^ unimpeachable integrity. His opin- ions were followed almost implicitly, and the leaders in the assem- bly despaired of carrying any measure to which he was opposed. At a time when the distresses of iae war had produced disaffection, and a faction was organized in the western part of Massachusetts, in almost open resistance to the constituted authorities, he in- duced nearly all to sign a humble petition to government, praying for an act of indemnity for the past, and promising future obe- dience. Major Hawley declined all honors and employment when his popularity was at the highest, and thus formed an example of those public spirited, generous citizens, (ready to share the peril and de- cline the reward,) who illustrate the idea of a commonwealth, and who, through the obstruction of human passions and infirmities, being of rare occurrence, will always be the most admired and no- ble ornaments of a free government. He was certainly a great man, and a thoroughly upright one; a disinterested patriot whose feelings and convictions were in be- half of freedom. He closed his earthly career at Northampton, in 1788, at the age of sixty -four. "^ m jral irly I R. ARK. Richard Clark, Esq., of Boston, graduated at Harvard College in 1729, became an eminent merchant, and, with his sons, was con- signee of a third of the East India Company's tea destroyed in Boston in 1773, on which account his house in School-street was assaulted. Went to London, where he arrived December 24 1775. Was proscribed in the banishment act of the . assembly of Massa- chusetts, October, 1778. He was one of the addressers of Gov. Gage on his departure from Massachusetts. He resided in London till his death, at the house of his son-in-law, John Singleton Copley, February 27, 1795. Mr. Clark was a pall-bearer at Gov. Hutch- inson's funeral in 1780. Jonathan, his son and partner, who accompanied his father, returned to America after the peace, and resided in Canada. 64 # X 506 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. If iy ,i' {*■ %- T. FF.UCKER. Thomas Flucker, Esq., secrei^ry of Massachusetts 1771, on the promotion of Mr. Oliver to b> lieutenant governor; was a refug" . and passed his remaining daj c In London, where he died, February 16, 1783. His son Thomas graduated at Harvard Col- lege, 1773, was a lieutenant in the 60th British regiment. His daughter was the wife of Maj. Gen. Henry Knox, of the revolu- tionary army, and afterwards secretary at war. S. SEWALL. Samuel Sewall, Esq., the friend of Attorney General Jonathan Sewall, in exile, was a great-grandson of Ch. Justice Samuel Sewall, and grandson of Samuel Sewall, Esq., of Brookline, who married Rebecca Dudley, a daughter of the governor. His father was Henry Sewall, Esq., of Brookline; a gentleman much respected, who ^ died there in 177 1, aged fifty-two years. This son Samuel, born December 31, 1745, graduated at Harvard College 1761, lived unmarried a counsellor at law in Boston ; was an " addresser" of Gov. Hutchinson and Gov. Gage; left for England in 1775, was proscribed in the banishment act of September, 1778 ; passed the re- mainder of his life in England, and died at Bristol, May 6, 1811, aged sixty-six years. His large estate in Brookline, inherited in right of hiS mother, was forfeited. HARRISON GRAY. Harrison Gray, Esq., receiver-general of Massachusetts, was born at Boston, and bred a merchant. His patrimonial inher- itance, aided by industry, enabled him to acquire a handsome for- tune. In June, 1753, he was chosen treasurer of the province by the general court, and continued in that office till October, 1774. He adhered to government from the beginning of the controversy, but the moderation of his conduct, his superior fitness for the office, and the confidence in his integrity, secured him public favor through the stormy period which commenced soon after his first election, and continued until his appointment to and acceptance of the office of mandamus counsellor in 1774. But this was an unpardonable offence in the eyes of the sons of liberty. It was, however, unsoli- ■h ■♦-■«!, BIOORAPHIOAL NOT'CKS. ' 607 cited, unexpected, and accepted with great reluctance; being stren- uously pressed upon him by the leaders of the loyalist party ; and as most of those who had been appointed his colleagues, living in the country, were compelled by popular excitement to decline the office, he was led to believe that residing in Boston, then garrisoned by an army, he had no such apology for shrinking from the service, aad accordingly sacrificed inclination to a conscientious sense of duty. In October, 1774, the royal government being endCvH in fact, ihe provincial congress resolved, " that no more taxes be paid to him" and soon after made choice of Henry Gardner for his ouc- cessor. This authority he could not be expected to recognise ; he therefore retained the book" and files at his office, till the evacuation by the British troops, and then left them in exemplary order ; they are still in the public archives of Massachusetts, and show the mo- del of a faithful state treasurer. He might perhaps have been jus- tified in retaining a lien upon these as a security against loss and damage to a very valuable real and personal estate which he left, and which was soon after confiscated ; but his high sense of official duty forbade his recourse to any such precaution, arid he withdrew from a country which he loved not less than did those who stayed at home, taking nothing vfhich belonged to the public ; Lut being himself a creditor to many of the principal persons among ti;e sons of liberty, at the head of whom was Johyi Hancock, who owed him a large sum for borrowed money, no part of which would he pay in his lifetime, and of which a small part only was received from his executors. When the British fleet retired from Boston, Mr. Gray, urged by a sense of duty, with the male members of his family tore himself away from his adored and only daughter, Mrs. S. A. Otis, and went to England, where he lived to a great age upon a small pension from the British government. Perhaps no man among the many excellent persons who went into exile at that time, was more beloved and regretted by his po- litical enemies ; for a more genuine model of nature's nobleman never lived. J. FISHER. John Fishek, Esq,, collector of Salem in 1768, a brother-in-law of Gov. Wentworth, of New Hampshire ; a refugee, he was employed t ^ . -f m 'V V '^ « 608 ■ 4 H^Stf^ BIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. as secretary to Lord George Germaine, the American secretary, on the departure of Mr. Thompson (Count Rumford) to America, in which office he was succeeded by Mr. Adam Woolridge in 1781. E. OXNARD. Edward Oxnard, Esq., graduated at Harvard College in 1767 ; afterwards a merchant at Falmouth, (Portland,) Ma' le, and a tem- porary reader at the Episcopal church at that plact , from the de- parture of Mr. Wiswall in May, 1775, to the burning of the town. He was a refugee during the contest ; was proscribed in the ban- ishment act in 1778, a. id returned at the close of the Revolution, and again embarked in commercial pursuits. He died July 2, 1803. JUDGE BLISS. Hon. Jonathan Bliss was born at Springfield, which he repre- sented in the assembly of Massachusetts. He graduated at Harvard College in 1763, and attended Lord Percy to Concord on the 19th April, 1775; was a proscribed refugje by the banishment act of 1778 ; he had been one of the " rescinders" in Gov. Bernard's ad- ministration. He married a daughter of Col. John Worthington, of Springfield, a loyalist; another daughter married the Hon. Fisher Ames. He became chief justice of New Brunswick, his as- sociates, being Ward Chipman, and Edward Winslow, refugees, and sons of Harvard. He died at Fredericton, N. B., 1822, aged eighty years. GENERAL RUGGLES. Timothy Ruggles, born in Rochester, Massachusetts, Oct. 1711, eldest son of Rev. Timothy Ruggles, of that place, graduated at Harvard College, 1732, and soon after commenced the study of the law. He represented his native town in the provincial assembly at the age of twenty-five, and procured the passage of an act still in force, prohibiting sheriffs from filling writs. He practised some years in Rochester, when he removed to Sandwich. His reputation was so great that he was early and frequently employed in the ad- joining counties of Barnstable and Bristol, and was the principal antagonist of Col. Otis in causes of importance. He occasionally attended the courts in Worcester early in his professional career. He removed to Hardwick as early as 1763. In 1757 he was ap- * Vt> LI, at [he py ill ;^ ^ %.: BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. )«, 509 pointed judge, and in 1762 chief justice of the common pleas, which he held till the Revolution. He was also surveyor-general of the king's forests, an office of profit, attended with but little labor. Besides professional employment, he was engaged in military and political occupations. In 1756, he was a colonel in the army un- der Sir Willian. Johnson, in the expedition against Crown Point. In September o- the same year, he was next in command to John- son at the battle of Lake Geerge, where the French army, under Baron Dieskau, met a signal defeat. He was actively engaged in the campaigns of 1756-'57, and in the following year, m ith the commission of brigadier-general, was under Lord Amherst, and served with him in his expedition against Canada in 1759-'60. Gen. Ruggles was speaker of the provincial assembly in 1762-'63. In consequence of the grievous exaction of the British government, delegate s were chosen by the legislature to meet the delegates from the other colonics at New-York, to seek out some public relief from immediate and threatened evils, by a representa- tion of their sufferings to the king and parliament. Gen. Ruggles was chosen as one of the delegates on the part of Massachusetts, and was president of that celebrated congress of distinguished men from nine of the colonies. At this meeting, October 19, 1765, an address to the king was voted, and certain resolves framed, setting forth the rights of the colonies, and claiming an entire exemption from all taxes, excepting those imposed by the local assemblies. Gen. Ruggles refused his concurrence in the proceedings, for which he was censured by the house of representatives, and was repri- manded by the speaker in his place. Hutchinson says, when he consented to be a delegate, he expected nothing more would be required of him than was expressed in the vote of the assembly, and left the house in order to prepare for his journey ; that after- wards, on learning that the house had voted to instruct the dele- gates to insist upon the exclusive right of the colonies to tax themselves, he determined not to serve, but was finally prevailed with by his friends. In 1774, he was made mandamus counsellor, accepted and was qualified. Continuing firm in his adherence to the loyalist party, with whom were all his predilections, he was compelled to leave the country, and all his large estates were con- fiscated. He remained in Boston during the siege; afterwards # • ♦ A t 610 BIOORAPHICAL NOTICE!. :^ 'f spent a few months on Long Island, and then went to Nova Scotia, where he died in 1798, aged b7. Few in the province were more distinguished, and few more severely dealt with in the bitter con- troversies preceding the Revolution ; as a military officer he was distinguished lor cool bravery and excelN-nt judgment and science in the art of war, and no provincial officer was held in higher esteem lor those qualities. His appearance wm. \, ' 518 BOOKAPHICAL NOTICES, «> F. WALDO. Francis Waldo, second son of General Walrlo of Portland, Maine ; he was a vcpresentative of Falmouth, novv PoiMano, in 1761-2, and the fii.^t collector of that port. Ht gradnitcd at Har- vard Collego in 1747 ; was a refugee in 1775, and (ii?xl in Kent, England, M;.y 9, 1784. B. HAT .LOWELL. Benjamin Hallowei.:., Esq., a (i>rjiptroller ox the customs, Bos- ton, but resided at Medlord; went to England a refiijjee ; at the peace returned to America and nrsided In Canada, where his daughter man led Chief Jusuce Elmsly, and no^v reside;i av Toronto, a 'I'idow, with her son and daughter. 'Mi Bi D. BLISS. :<>% Esq., eldest son of Rev. Samuel Bliss, of Con- lordj bor,i n 1740; graduated at Harvard College in 1760; stud- ied law Avith Abt) Willard, Esq., and was admitted to the bar jVIay. 1765. He married a daughter of Col. Jolin Murray, of Rut- land. He had a high standing at the bar, being well versed in his profession, and enjoying a good reputation as a general scholar, and as a man of high moral and religious principle. He was early imbued witl principles favorable to the prerogative ; but was never a bitter, nor even a warm partisan. He was urged to join the popular party, but his oath of allegiance awakened scruples of con- science, and his faroily ties, friendship, and society, gave force to his objections. He repaired to Boston with his family a few days before the commencement of hostilities, and thence with the British troops to Quebec. He was appointed commissary of the array, and for not making use of the facilities and opportunities which the office afforded for speculation, all he got for his honesty was, as he told a friend, to be laughed at by the British officers. At the close of the war, he settled at Fredericton, New Brunswick, where he sustained the office of chief justice of the inferior court, and resided till the time of his death in 1806. He revisited his native state, and would gladly have- soent his days there in the midst of his early associations, but lecree of gov- ernment was an effectual barrier to it. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 519 He possessed an active and sprightly mind, with great fluency and fascination in conveisation. Of his sons, the elder, in the British army, resides in Ireland; the younger, John Murray Bliss, is a distinguished judge in New Brunswick. COL. UPHAM. Joshua Upham, Esq., the son of Dr. Upham, of Brookfield, was born in that town in 1741. He was graduated at Harvard Univer- sity in 1763,* in a class with several who afterwards acted impor- tant parts on the general stage. One of the first woollen factories ever attempted in this country he established in 1768, at Brookfield. On finishing his professional studies, he was admitted to the bar in Worcester, August, 1765. He commenced practice in his native town, and pursued his business with successful assiduity in the courts, till 1776, or the following year. He removed from Brookfield to Boston, where he resided till 1778, and thence to New- York, where he continued during the remainder of the war. While in New-York he was aid-de-carop to Sir Guy Carleton, and before he left the British army, became a colonel of dragoons. On the organization of the government of the province of New Brunswick, in 1784, Upham, who had been one of the first settlers there, returned to his favorite science, the law. He was appointed judge of the highest court in the province, and sustained the impor- tant and responsible duties of his office with industry and ability. In 1807, he was selected by his brethren on the bench to visit England, for the purpose of obtaining from the government a more perfect organization and arrangement of the judiciary in the British American provinces. He fully succeeded in the object of his ap- pointment, but did not live to return to his country. He died in London in the year iSOS.f While in London, he enjoyed the -J? J; ♦ The late Timothy Pickering was his class-mate and room-mate. Their early friendship survived the bitter and hostile spirit that grew up inter partes iu the revolutionar'' war. On the return of peace, they renewed their cor- re:^ nndr ice. which 's said to have been of an affectionate and delightful cb\' .;njr. t He was buried a the church of Mary-le-bone. Judge Upham was twice married. His flist wae was a dau^htr- of Col. Murray of Rutland ; and the second a daughter of Hon. Joshua "^handler, of New-Haven. 520 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. friendship of Mr. Poiu r^ who afterwards bequeathed his valuable library to our university, of Sir John Wentworth, Sir William Peppcrell, Lord Dorchester, and Mr. Percival.* Judge Upham held a high rank as counsellor and advocate ; he had a great command of language ; not a mere flow of words, but the music and harmony of arrangement and style j the well of English undefiled, and adorned with classical elegance. He pos- sessed, in a remarkable degree, that rare talent, fine powers of conversation, of which Lord Bacon laid down the true rule, and indulged occasionally in a happy vein of satire. With brilliancy and witjf he united many virtues, and a sound judgment. " The prevailing excellence of his character," to use the words of one who fondly cherishes his memory, " was a benignity of spirit, which seemed to affect the exercises of his intellect, as well as of his affections." Judge Upham was pleasing in his person and address, while he was imbued with all that grace which comes before education, and which education can hardly bestow. Like Bliss, he was of that peculiar class of the old school of manners, of which, pro- bably, even the youngest among us have seen some surviving specimens. COL. WILLARD. Abijah W1L1.ARD, of that part of Lancaster now called Har- vard, Worcester county, Massachusetts, where he was born in 1722 ; was appointed one of the mandamus counsellors, took re- fuge at Brooklyn, Long Island, and at the close of lb*: war settled at Lancaster in New Brunswick, where he died, in May, 1789, aged 67. His family returned to Lancaster, Massachusetts, after * Mr. Percival, then prime minister, a lew days before he was assassinated, sent to the son of Judge Upham £100 sterling to assist him in his education. This bon is the Rev. Cliarle? W. Upham, now of Salem, Massachusetts, well known by his historical writings. ' f Major Garden, in his interesting volume pf anecdotes of the war in the southern department, relates an anecdote of Upham that may well be intro- duced here. The British troops, it will bo recollected, were in red, nnd the American in blue uniforms. " About the period of the final departure of the British from New- York, an excellent repartee made by Major Upham, aid- de-camp to Sir Guy Carleton, to Miss Susan Livingston, has been much cele- BIOOKAPHICAL NOTICES. 521 his death. A son and daughter are now living at the homestead ; the daughter was the second wife, and is now the widow of the Hon. Benjamin Goodhue, late senator in Congress from Massachu- setts. Mr. Willard was in the army in different grades, from the taking of Louisburg to the peace of 1763. He was at the taking of Quebec, where he commanded a regiment, and what is some- what remarkable, he raised his regiment in thirty days, and was ready to march for the reduction of Canada under Lord Amherst. There were few in his station vhat did more for his country than he, in civil or military capacity, until 1775, when the troubles with the mother country commenced. He was the first person perse- cuted for his loyalty in America, which induced him to reside under the British government the remainder of his life. He never bore arms against America ; though offered a colonel's commission by Gen. Howe, he refused, saying, " he would never JIght against his country." He was commissary to the British troops at New- York, and much ridiculed by the officers for accounting to the government for various items that loose commissaries had habitu- ally appropriated to their own use as perquisites. ABEL WILLARD. , Abel Willard, Esq., the earlLst lawyer in the north pai^ of Worcester county, was the son of Col. Samuel Winird,of Lanca' ter,who for some years was one of the judges of the court of common pleas. The son was born at Lancaster, Jan. 12, 1732, graduated at Harvard University in 1752, and studied law in Boston, with Benjamin Pratt, the distinguished scholar and jurist, well known at that period. He was admitted to the bar in Worcester, Novem- ber term, 1755 ; he at once went into extensive business in his native town, and devoted his time and opportunities to the profes- sion till the period of the Revolution. His talents weiR quite respectable ; he was regarded as a sound jurist, and much r*^''- . c brated. ' In mercy, ra;ijor,' said Miss Livingston, " use your influence with the commander-in-chief to accelerate the evacuation of the city ; for, among your incarcerated belles, your meschianza princesses, the scarlet fever must continue to rage till yo'ir departure.' ' I should studiously second your wishes,' replied the major, ' were I not apprehensive that, freed from the prev~ Ming malady, a worsu uld follow, and that they would be immediately to '«)(>: 'd with the blue devi'!.' " 66 522 BIOOHAPHIOAI, NOTICES, |. was placed upon his opinion. No one was ever a greater bene- factor in the neighborhood in which he lived ; instead of fomenting quarrels, and lendinq; himself to the complaint of every one who might come t .'in. wif ii a list of grievances, he did all in his power to check 1^1" an'4r) j assionii of clients, and promote peace. He would frequently accompany a client to the party complained of, and succeed in reconciling their dilFerences. Indeed, so far did he overcome the prejudices of the many, then entertained against the profession, that he was emphaticallv termed the honest lawyer. Willard possessed that true ui'dt.Ay mat evr i marks the ingenuous mind; and, although of a cast of charp.cter approaching somewhat to timidity, he was full of moral courage, of stern integrity, and unyielding purity of principle. In his person he was tall and of good figure. In his disposition he was mild and conciliating, and his good qualities were marked in his benignant expression. In September, 1770, he formed a partnership in his profession with the late Judge Sprague, of Lancaster, which is believed to have been the earliest connection of the kind in the county of Worcester. He might have remained in that town in peace and respec t, and indeed with high personal consideration, during the invading bitterness and the easily adopted suspicion.s i. jd preju- dices of our revolutionary struggle ; but, alarmed at the approach- ing tempest, and with many others believing that it would overwhelm every thing in its course, he resorted to Boston during the impending danger, when the character of the contest became at once fixed, and it was iinpossible again to pass the dividing line. He left the country during the war, and died in England, Nov. 1781. His widow* survived him, and died in Boston but a few years since. Col. Abijah Willard, before noticed, was his bro- ther. ^. RUFUS CHANDLEK. RuFus Chandler, Esq., the sen of Col. John Chandler, was born at Worcester, May 18, 1747. He was fitted for college by the Rev. Mr. Ilarringtoii f Lancaster, and graduated at the uni- ♦ A daughter of the late Rev. Dani' ! Rogers of Littleton ; another daughter was the wife of Samuel Park'nan, Esq., of Boston, and Rev. Jonathan New, hall ofStovf,— Address of J. Willard at Worcester, 1829. bioorauical notices. 623 versity in Oarabridge in 1766 ; he commenced the study of the law with James Putnam, and was admitted to the bar Nov. 'erm, 1768. From that time till the closing ol the courts in 1774, he continued in the profession at Worcester. Like most of the influ- ential family of his name, who had had extensive and almost unbounded sway in tliat county ab primo originv, he adhered to the royal party, and left the country during the war. He ever after- wards resided in London as a private gentleman, till his death, October lllh, 1823 ; he was proscribed by the act of 1778. He was not distinguished for eloquence, nor for great intellectual power, but he held a respectable rank in his Mrofession, and gained much praise in the practical parts of his business ; and for his neat- ness, accuracy, and punctuality as an office lawyer. His fidelity to his clients insured him their esteem, and a very considerable amount of business. Through life he observed the strictest rules of economy, the rather from a regard for such as had a right to his aid, than from any love of money for its own sake. In his per- sonal habits he was remarkably precise ; he was the nice man ; he possessed great moral worth and purity, and a conciliating dis- position.* COMMODORE LORING. Joshua Loring, of Dorchester, Mass., was one of the five com- missioners of the revenue, and proscribed in the act of 1778 ; his son Benjamin, who graduated at Harvard College in 1772, was an absentee, but not proscribed ; his eldest son, Joshua Loring, jr., was an addresser of Gov. Gage, and proscribed in 1778. — Commo- dore Loring died an exile, in 1781. ISAAC ROYALL. Hon. Isaac Royall, ofMedford, was remarked by everyone for his timidity; he halted between two opinions respecting the Revo- lution, until the cannonading at Lexington drove him to Newbury- port, where he embarked for Europe. He was a proscribed refugee, and his estate, since that of Jacob Tidd, Esq., was confiscated. He died of small pox in England, Oct. 1781. His bounty laid the first professorship of law at Cambridge, and a legacy of plate to the first * See Mr. Willard's Worcester Address. ■t^f- OM BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. church at Medford shows that his regard for his country was not weakened by distance, nor seared by proscription. He bequeath- ed more than two thousand acres of land in Granby and Hoyalton, in Worcester county, for the estabhshment of the aforesaid profes- sorship. He was for twenty-two years a member of the council. His virtues and popularity at first saved his estate, as his name was not included with those of his sons-in-law, Sir William Pepperell and George Erving, in the " conspirators' act," — but on the repre- sentation of the selectmen of Medford, " that he went voluntarily to our enemies" his property was forfeited and taken under the con- fiscation act. Ho made bequests to Medford and Worcester, and legacies to the clergymen. While a member of the house of repre- sentatives, he presented the chandelier which adorns its hall. SIR T. BERNARD. Sir Thomas Bkunakp, Bart., D. C. L., third son of Sir Francis, governor of Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard College 1767 ; entered early at Lincoln's Inn, and was called to the bar in 1780 ; made tretisurer of the Foundling Hospital 1795. The death of his brother (Sir John) in the West Indies, 1809, devolved a baronetcy upon him. Oxford created him soon after a doctor of the civil law. He was the active and liberal patron of various charities, and author of divers small tracts, the best known of which " The Comforts of Old Jlge" saw a fifth edition ( 12rao) in 1820. Sir Thomas died at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, July 1st, 1818. — His sister, Mrs. King, was authoress of a volume entitled " Scripture Characters of Females." in" GEORGE ERVING. George Erving, Esq., merchant of Boston, was a refugee includ- ed in the conspirators' act ; married previously a daughter of Isaac Royall, Esq., of Medford. He died in London, January 16th, 1806, aged 70. LORD G. GERMAINE. Lord George Germaine, afterwards Lord Sackville, was tried by court martial on account of his conduct at the battle'of Minden in 1759, and disgraced. To him has been attributed the authorship of BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 626 Junius*a Letters ; but it is hardly possible that an officer who had been publicly pointed at and formally convicted by a court martial as a coward, would pen the following remark of Junius respecting himself: " His character is known and respected in Ireland as much aa it is here ; and / know he loves to be stationed in the rear as welt as myself." He was secretary of state for the American department during the war of the Revolution, and it is generallyi'admitted that his ad> ministration was bad. In a letter to Lord,Howe, on his naval conduct, attributed to Lord SackviUc, he says, " Had your lordship and your brother saved the northern army, which you had abundant power to do, the rebellion, then in its infant state, must have been suppressed; the war with France and Spain had not happened ; and what is yet of more mo- ment to the peace and safety of the empire, that faction, which is daily distracting the councils of state and wrenching asunder the union of power which is necessary to its safety, would now hide its monstrous head in the dark cells of its own folly and treason." Gen. Howe had ft lends in parliament, and Lord George Ger- maine's orders and instructions were the subject of their philippics ; and they were powerful enough to make that minister retire. SIR W. DRAPER. Sir William Draper rendered himself famous by his correspon- dence with " Junius," in vindication of the character of the Marquis of GriiPby as commander-in-chief ; for although as a writer he was second only to Junius, he was foiled by him, and withdrew from the contest extremely mortified. He soon after left England, arrived at Charleston, S. C, in January, 1769, and travelled towards the north as far as New-York, receiving every attention on his way. At New-York he married Miss De Lancey,* " a /adj/ o/*§'rea/ connec- tions there and agreeable endowments," says the London Magazine for 1766. She died in 1778. In 1778 he was appointed Governor of Minorca. He built at Clifton near Bristol a monument of taste, and called it " Manilla House ;" and he also erected in College ♦ Daughter of James De Lancey, chief justice and lieut. governor of New York.who died in 1760. w: rrrwr^ff ' " iBf '1 526 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. Green, Bristol, a mausoleum over the remains of his parents, whom he delighted to honor. SIR WM. PEPPERELL. Sir William Pepperell, Bart., son of Col. Nathaniel Sparhawk, of Kittery, and grandson of Sir William Pepperell, Baronet, the hero of Louisburg, whose only daughter was mother o^ the subject of this notice. He graduated at Harvard College in 1766, and was for many years a member of the council of Massachusetts. After the decease of his grandfather, (who adopted him on the death of his only son Andrew,) he was created successor to his title in Oc- tober, 1774. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. Isaac Royall, of Medford. He was a refugee, and proscribed in the act of 1778. He died in Dorset-street, Portman-square, Dec. 2, 1816, aged 70, havin '^ -previously lost lady Pepperell and his only son William. His daugliters were married as follows : — Elizabeth to the Rev. Henry Hutton, A. M., of London; Mary to Sir William Congreve, and Harriet to Sir Charles Thomas Palmer, Bart. — Lady Palmer and Lady Congreve were living in 1832. On the 16th Nov. 1774, in a county congress, held at Wells, York county ,!Maine, he was denounced as follows in the fourth resolution passed that day : " Resolved — Whereas the late Sir Wm. Pepperell, honored and respected in Great Britain and America for his eminent services, did honestly acquire a large and extensive real estate in this coun- ty, and gave the highest evidence not only of his being a sincere friend to the rights of man in general, but of having a paternal love to this county in particular ; and whereas the said Sir William, by his last will and testament made his grandson residuary legatee and possessor of the greatest part of said estate, who hath, with purpose to carry into force acts of the British parliament made with appa- rent design to enslave the free and loyal people of this continent, accepted and now holds a seat in the pretended board of counsel- lors in this province, as well in direct repeal of the charter thereof as against the solemn compact of kings and the inherent rights of the people. It is therefore resolved, that he hath therefore forfeit- ed the confidence and friendship of all true friends of American liberty, and, with other pretended counsellors now holding their BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 627 TIC an their seats in like manner, ought to be detested by all good men : and it is hereby recommended to the good people of this county, that as soon as the present leases made to any of them by him are expired, they immediately withdraw all connection, commerce and dealings from him — and that they take no further lease or conveyance of his farms and mills until he shall resign his seat pretendedly occupied by mandamus. And if any persons shall remain or become his ten- ants after the expiration of their present leases, we recommend to the good people of this county not only to withdraw all connec- tion and commercial intercourse with them, but to treat them in the manner provided by the third resolve of this congress." COL. DAVID PHIPS. CoL. David Phips, son of Lieutenant Governor Spencer Phips, of Massachusetts, was graduat:;d at Harvard College in 1741; was colonel of the troop of guards in Boston, 1773 ; an addresser of Gov. Hutchinson in 1774, and of Gage in '75 ; high sheriff of Mid« dlesex county in 1775. Driven into Boston, he went to England, which country he left in April, 1777, for America, with Admiral Montague, and afterwards served under General Knyphausen. His house at Cambridge, afterwards Wra. Winthrop's, was confiscated. He died in England, July 7, 1811, aged eighty-seven, styled in the Gentleman's Magazine " Capt. David Phips, R. N." His sisters married Andrew Bordraan, Judge Joseph Lee, Col. John Vassall, and Richard Lechmere, all magnates of Cambridge. Several books of the British peerage represent the family of the Marquis of Normanby (Lord Mulgrave) as descended from Sir William Phips, governor of Massachusetts in 1G91. This is a manifest error ; Sir William having no children adopted his nephew Spencer Phips, (afterwards lieut. governor of Massa- chusetts,) father of Col. Phips, the subject of this article. The ancestor of Lord Mulgrave was Sir Constantine Phipps, an eminent London lawyer in the reign of Queen Anne. JOSEPH GALLOWAY. Joseph Galloway, an eminent lawyer and speaker of the assem- bly of Pennsylvania ; a member of the first congress, 1774 ; changed sides, and joined the British in New- York in December, 1776 ; •-;»«"■■_•-:;■ ,^^ : 628 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. went to England, and with Gen. Robertson, in 1778, misrepresented the state of the public mind and resources of the provinces. Col. Trumbull, in a letter to Gov. Trumbull, dated Sept. 12, 1780, says : •' Mr. John Temple (afterwards Sir John, consul-general) has been indefatigable in his endeavors to defeat the misrepresentations of Gen. Robertson and Mr. Galloway at the bar of the house of com- mons, and to convince this country of the impracticability of coer- cing America. His acquaintances among the friends of America are the Dukes of Richmond and Rutland, Mr. D. Hartley, Dr. Price, Mr. Burke, etc., who pay great attention to his information." He died in England, 1803, aged seventy-three years, after publish- ing several works. Mr. Galloway appeared as an evidence against Gen. Howe, in the house of commons, at the instance of Lord Ge- "f" Germaine ; and Eliot says of Galloway : " Nothing can t> '< Derfidy of that satellite of the minister of war, whose and gross absurdities were more glaring than Gen. BENJAMIN GRIDLEY. liNJAMiN Gridley, Esq., graduated at Harvard College, 1751, id practised law at Boston. He was an addresser of Gov. Gage j proscribed in the act of September, 1778. E. WILLIAMS. Elijah Williams, Esq., attorney at law, of Deerfield, Massa- chusetts, graduated at Harvard College, 1764 ; became an officer in the British army, soon after the affair at Lexington, in April, 1775 ; returned in the spring of 1784, and received half pay during life. Died in 1793, aged forty-seven. J. JACKSON. Hon. Jonathan Jackson was treasurer of Harvard College from 1807 to 1810, when he died. He was much esteemed as a man of talents, integrity, and of amiable and courteous manners. ADMIRAL WINTHROP. ^ Robert Winthrop, vice-admiral in the British navy, was the youngest son of John S. Winthrop, Esq., of New-London, Connec- BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, 529 tn in ticut, where he was born, Sept. 7, 1764. On his father's side, he was a lineal descendant of the early governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut, of the same name ;* his mother was Elizabeth, daughter of William SherrifTe, Esq., of London, whose first hus- band was Capt. John Hay, of the British army. After the death of his father, young Wihthrop, when fourteen years of age, left New-London for New-York under a flag of truce, consigned to the care of a maternal uncle attached to the British force stationed here, by whom a midshipman's warrant was obtained for him in the royal navy. Of his subsequent career the folluwing notice, taken from an English publication,! furnishes an interesting though concise account. " May 10th, 1832, died at Dover, of paralysis, aged seventy, Robert Winthrop, Esq., vice-admiral of the blue. Mr. Winthrop was a midshipman on board the Formidable, bearing the flag of Sir George B. Rodney, in the memorable battle of April 12, 1782. He was a lieutenant in 1790, and at the conquest of Martinique, in 1794, he commanded a battalion of seamen, attached to Prince Edward's brigade. In the spring of 1796, he commanded the Albicore sloop at the capture of St. Lucia ; and about the same time, he captured near Barbadoes, I'Athenienne, French corvette, of fourteen guns. He was afterwards appointed to the Undaunted frigate, and in that ship had the misfortune to Yyc wrecked, on the Morant Keys, during a heavy gale of wind, August 27, 1796. His post commission bore date Dec. 16, following. " Captain Winthrop's next appointmtnt was to the Circe, of twenty-eight guns, stationed in the North Sea ; and in June, 1798, he served in the expedition sent against Ostend. Major General Coote, who commanded the army emi,! yed on that occasicn, has recorded in his despatches, ' the indefatigable exertions and good conduct' of Captain Winthrop, who superintended the landing of the troops. In the summer of 1799, Cnpt. Winthrop was intrusted ♦ The line of descent was as follows : — 1. John Winthrop, fir.-t governor of Massachusetts, died in 1019. 2. John Wiuthroi), jr. governor of Connecticut, d. 1076. ?>. Wait S. Wintlirop, chief justice of 'lie superior court uf Mas- sachusetts, d. 1717. 4. John Winthrop, F.R.S., d. 1747. 5. John S Win- throp, father of the admiral, d. 1770. t Gentleman's Magazine. London, 1S32. 67 lilii * 530 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. * with tbe command of a small squadron, employed on the coast of Holland, the boats of which, in tae night of the 27th of June, very gallantly cut out twelve sail of merchantmen from the Wadde, without having a man hurt, notwithstanding they were much annoyed by the fire from the enemy's batteries and gun-boats. On the 10th of July, the boats also cut out three more valuable vessels, ami burnt another laden with stores. " In the following month the Circe assisted at the capture of the Helder ; on which occasion all the })utch ships lying in the Nieuwe Diep, together with the naval magazine at the Nieuwe Werk, con- taining a large quantity of stores, were taken possession of by Captain Winthrop. This event led to the surrender of the enemy's fleet in the Texel. In October of the same year, Capt. Winthrop's boats, under his own immediate direction, carried off from the port of Delfzel a sloop of war and schooner ; the Lynx of twelve guns, and the Perseus of eight guns. " In the autumn of 1800, in the expedition against Ferrol, Captain V/inthrop commanded the Stag frigate, but which was unfortunately stranded in Vigo bay, on the 6th of September, and was obliged to be destroyed by fire, after the stores had been removed. " On the renewal of war, after the peace of Amiens, Captain Winthrop obtained the command of the Ardent, a sixty-four gun ship, stationed on the coast of Spain ; where he drove on shore La Bayonnaise, French frigate, of thirty-two guns and two hundred men, from the Havana bound to Ferrol. The crew, to prevent her being taken possession of, set her on fire, by which she was totally destroyed. The Ardent was subsequently employed off Boulogne, under the orders of Lord Keith. From that ship he was removed into the Sybille frigate, about July, 1805, and on the 3d of May, 1807, he captured I'Oiseau, French letter-of-marque. In the ensuing summer, he was appointed to the command of the Dover district of sea-fencibles. He attained the rank of rear- admiral in 1809, and of vice-admiral in 1830. " Admiral Winthrop married, December 23, 1804, Miss Far- brace, of Dover, by whom he has left a family of tvfo sons and four unmarried daughters." BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 531 THOMAS LINDALL WINTHROP. Thomas L. Winthrop, LL. D., half-brother of the preceding, was born at New-London, Conn., March 6, 1760. 13 1& mother was the only daughter of Francis Borland, Esq., a merchant of Boston, and granddaughter of Timothy Lindall, Esq., of Salem. Mr. Win- throp began his collegiate course at Yale College, but finished it at Harvard, where he graduated in 1780. Soon after taking his bachelor's degree, he embarked at Nantucket for Amsterdam, in a merchant ship, which was captured on the passage and carried into an English port ; by permission of Admiral Duckworth, however, he was allowed to visit London on his parole, and after- wards travelled in the interior of the country, and on the continent. At the close of the war, he returned to the United States with Commodore Truxton, and engaged in commercial pursuits at Bos- ton, where he continued to reside during the remainder of a long, useful, and not unhonored life. In 1786, iVIr. Winthrop was married to Elizabeth^ daughter of Sir John Temple, and granddaughter of Governor Bowdoin. The only son of the latter having no issue to perpetuate the family name, Mr. Winthrop's second son, the late James Bowdoin, of Boston, a gentleman of great personal worth and literary distinc- tion, assumed it by the desire of his uncle, taking with the name a large estate.* Another son of Mr. W^inthrop, Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, has recently represented the city of Boston in congress, with distinguished reputation. In politics Mr. Winthrop belonged to the old republican party ; he was several times elected to the Massachusetts senate, and in 1826, was chosen lieut. governor of the state, by the votes of both political parties, which office he continued to fill by successive annual elec- tions, until his retirement in 1832. He was an active and liberal pa- tron of literary and benevolent institutions^ over several of which he presided during the latter part of his life. He was for a long period an officer of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. At the time of his decease he was president of the American Antiquarian So- ciety, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and thv? State Agricul- * Mr. Bowdoin contributed many valuable pnpers to the Collections of the Mass. Hist, Society, being deeply conversant with the early history of New England. l,,« : r-r-u^-, 'm^ 3(jj^.l^.'i's;':^7"- ^-^^^piiiTjw/^T^^,-^;, ■ 532 BIOGBAPHICAL NOTICES. tui al Society ; and the libraries of the two former institutions were greatly indebted to his liberality for many important additions to their historical treasures. Governor Winthrop was also a member of various other learned and economical institutions both in this country and Europe, with some of which he maintained a constant correspondence. Indeed, the greater part of his time for several years before his death was devoted to these objects, and to the promotion of the religious and benevolent enterprises of the day. He died universally beloved for his many virtues, and respected for his public services, at his residence in Boston, on the 22d of Feb., 1841, having nearly completed the eighty-first year of his age. Governor Winthrop was in his person tall and commanding, and remarkable for the elegance and suavity of his manners ; enjoying an ample fortune, he lived in a style of generous hospi- tality, and for many years was in the habit of receiving at his table most strangers of consideration who visited tho New England metropolis. The members of the state legislature, and of the numerous associations with which he was connected, have reason to remember the liberal character of his hospitable attentions ; and the latter lost in him a munificent patron and benefactor. In his religious opinions he was firm, but catholic and tolerant ; attached to the communion of the Episcopal church, he died as he had lived, a humble and sincere Christian. N. GORHAM. Hon. Nathanifx Goiiham, born at Charlestown, Mass., 1738, was often a member of the legislature, and in 1784 was elected to congress, of which body he was afterwards president. He was also a judge of the common pleas for several years, and assisted in forming the constitution of the United States, as a member of the convention. His early advantages were only those of a com- mon scliOol, but possessing talents of a high order, he appeared to advantage in company with literary men. He at one time engaged in mercantile pursuits, but left them for public life. In debate he had independence enough to dissent from measures he disapproved, and therefore he did not escape th? obloquy of the ignorant, who confounded all moderate men with those who were unfriendly to the cause of liberty. Ho died in 1796. % BIOQUAPHICAr. NOTICES. 533 DR. APTHORP. RiiV. East Apthorp, D. D., born in Boston, 1733, educated at Cambridge, England ; took orders, returned, and was settled over the church erected under his care at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Here he pubhshed a pamphlet in defence of the conduct of the " Society for Propagating the Gospel," which was attacked by Dr, Mayhew, who was answered by Dr. Seeker, Archbishop of Canterbury. This controversy rendered his situation irksome, and he left for England. It was thought by many, that the establish- ment of the Episcopal church at Cambridge was for the purpose of converting the students, who were generally dissenters, and with ulterior views, which excited the most acrimonious jealousy. Dr. Apthorp was afterwards successively vica. of Croydon, and rector of Bow church, London, which he exchanged for the pre- bendary of Finsbury ; he had many friends among the dignitaries of the church, and was generally beloved and respected. He mar- ried a daughter of Foster Hutchinson, Esq., brother of Gov. Hutch- inson. His only son was a clergyman. His daughters married Dr. Cary and Dr. Butler, heads of colleges, and a son of Dr. Paley. — His sisters were married to Dr. Thomas Bulfinch, of Boston, and Robert Bayard, Esq., of New-York. He published two volumes of Discourses on the Prophecies, delivered at the Warburton lecture, Lincoln's Inn, and a volume in answer to Gibbon. The last twenty-six years of his life he passed at Cambridge, England, with almost total loss of sight j he died April, 1816. R. WARD. Richard Wakd, Esq., of Salem, son of Joshua Ward, one of the justices for Essex county, first appointed on the establishment of republican government in Massachusetts, was born in Salem, April 5, 1741. He ardently espoused the popular cause with his father, and opposed the arbitrary measures of parliament. He was a member of the committee of safety and protection during the entire period of the Revolution, and under direction of Gen. Charles Lee constructed at the neck the fort bearing his name, for the defence of the harbor and town of Salem, He accompanied Col. Pickering with the regiment in which he was a subaltern officer as '^ 634 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. I J^V. soon as the Lexington affair was known, to Medford, in order to intercept the enemy, but they were not in season. They a]sc took up the line of inarch for the heights of Charlf'stown, on 17th June, but arrived too late to participate in the affair of Bunker Hill. Ilis commission, dated at Watertown, June 6, 1776, as " cap- tain of the third company of the first regiment of Essex county, whereof Timothy Pickering, jr., is colonel," was granted " by the major part of the council of the Massachusetts Bay, i,x J^'ew Eng- land," and by them t'.^ned during the interval between colonial and republican government, on paper bearing the impress of the crown and the vsign manual of the king, with the colonial seal ap- pended. The following are the signatures attached to it, and of those who signed it, one was afterwards president of the continental congress, and six were governors and lieutenant-governors of Mas- sachusetts : — viz., J. Bowdoin, J. Winthrop, Caleb Gushing, R. Derby, Jr., T. Gushing, B. Lincoln, S. liolten, Jabez Fisher, Moses Gill, B. White, Willi;im Phillips, Benjamin Austin, John Whet- comb, Henry Gardner, Daniel Davis, and D. Hopkins. Mr. Ward had married the daughter of George Gurwen, in 1762, and owing to her feeble health, the cares of his numerous family devolved upon him ; and its imperative claims, as well as that of their uncle's family, (the author of the foregoing Journal), pressed so heavily that he was obliged, after having served with his regiment com- manded by Gol. Pickering in New-Jersey, under Washington, in 1777, to retire from the military service of his country. He was for a long period at the head of the town government, and a member of the state legislature, as well as an acting justice of the quorum for Essex county many years. He was from the beginning prominent in the ranks of the anti-federal or old republican party, but never a heated partisan. Mr. W^ard possessed great firmness and equanimity of temper, and his suavity of manners and obliging disposition endeared him to all. He died in Novembe/, 1824, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, and a widowed daughter only survives of his large family. Children of his sons, George C., Samuel C, and Richard, are living in different parts of the union. . ,*■ BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 635 S. A. OTIS. Hon. Samuel Allyne Otis, a brother of the lion. James Otis p.nd General Joreph Otis, was born in 1747, and graduated at harvard Col!.- ;c in 1759. He suon after V ;arae a merchant of Boston. In 17'^(j he was first elected a reprfsentative to the gen- eral ^ourt, and he was also a member of the convention which framed the constitution of Massachusetts. During the Revolution he was a member of the board of war. In 1787, he was one of the commissioners to negotiate with the insurgents of " Shaj/'s Re- bellion." He was elected a mtmbti i congress in 1788, and after the adoption of the new constitution was secretary to the senate of the United States, which office he filled with scrupulous fidelity and sua^'Hy of manner, withcat bciug absent from his post a single day during a period of thirty years, e d till his death, amidst the colli- • ion 0^ party strife, to the entire satisfaction of all. He died at Washington, April 22, 1814, aged seventy -three. Mr. Otis was first married to the only daughter of the Hon. Harrison Gray, re- ceiver-general of Massachusetts, and afterwards to the widov/ of Edward Gray, Esq. His son, Samuel A. Otis, Esq., died at New- buryport the same year with his father. His other son is the Hon. Harrison Gray Otis, of Boston, lung the able and eloquent repre- sentative of Massachusetts in the national senate. S. GARDINER. Sylvestek Gardiner, M. D., v • < born at Narragansett, Rhode Island, in 1717 ; commenced the . .actice of medicine in Boston, by which, and the importation if oiugs, he accumulated great wealth ; he also inherited an extensive landed estate in Maine. He married the widow of William Eppes, Esq., of Virginia, who was a daughter of Col. Benjamin Fickman, of Salem, Massachu- setts, and died at Poole, Englan(', leaving a son William Eppes, who married a Miss Randolph, of Bristol, England, and whose son is an assistant commissary-general f the British army ; a daugh- ter. Love Eppes, who married Sir John Lester, of Poole, and Abi- gail Eppes, who married Richard Routh, Esq., also a loyalist. From his high standing and extosive acquaintance, Dr. Gar- diner selected his associates from such as were congenial to his taste, and his house was the resort of the literary and scientific # ^i:i. m 536 niOORAPHICAL NOTICES. ♦ «r * -■^■' from both sides the Atlantic. Among his guests were Sir William Pepperell '^ov. Hutchinson, J^arl Pficy, Admiral Graves, Majors Pitcairn buu dmall, and General Ciage. The P . )ution broke up t^tiSfc assn/iations, and after the siege of Bostiu 1;^ sought shelter at Halifax, and afterwards in England, where he passed with heavy heart ten years of exile. For being a refugee, his large estate and stores of drugs were confiscated, but owing to some er- ror, his lands in Maine were recovered after his return, at the close of the war. He closed his eventful life at Newport, Rhode Island, August 8, 1786, in his 69th year. The following tribute is inscribed on a monument erected to his memory at Gardiner, Maine : Sacrum Memoriae SYLVESTRIS GARDINER, Qui natus, baud obscuro genere, in insula Rhodi, Studuit Parisiis, et Bostonia? din medicinam feliciter Exercuit. Postqiiam satis opum paravisset, Navavit operam ad domandam ornandainquc Ilanc oricntalem regionem, tunc incultam. Hic sylvas late patentes evertit, molas omnigenas ^dificavit, omnia rura permultis tuguriis ornavit, Tempi um Deo erexit, Atque hffic loca habitantibus pater-patria; dici Profecto meruit. Vir acerrimo ingenio, medicus sciens, Maritus fidelis, pius in liberos. In obeundis negotiis vigilans, sagax, indefessus, Integer vitai, in sacris Uteris doctus, Christiana; fidei omnino addictus, Ecclesia^que Anglicana; observantissimus, Mortuus est in insula Rhodi, Anno Domini mdcclxxxvi, ffitatis lxxii.' Ut viri de ecclesia deque Republica optime meriti Memoriam commend aret posteris, sua;que insuper Erga avum venerandura pietatis monumentum extaret, Honorarium hoc marmor erexit, Nepos hairesque, Robertus Hallowell Gardiner. % *)( % BIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. 637 DR. JEFFRIES. Dr. John Jeffiues, of Boston, son of David Jeffries, Esq., born Feb. 5, 1744 ; graduated at Harvard College in 17G3 ; studied in London, and was honored with the degree of M. D. at Aberdeen in 1769. He was a physician in Boston till the Revolution ; after- wards surgeon of a ship in the British squadron in Boston harbor, and attended the wounded at P " l, K id in 1779, and had in both places professional employment ur his regular medical life in Lu uary, 1785, he acquired a soi oi channel with Blanchard in a balloi of Guines in France, which procured for him the attention of the most distinguished personages of the day, and an introduction to all the learned and scientific societies of Paris. He returned to Boston in 1789, to an extensive practice ; and delivered the first public lecture on anatomy, a branch of his profession of which he was very fond. After a successful practice of fifty-three years, he died at Boston on the 16th of September, 1819, aged seventy -six years. 1 vown. He recommenced 1780, and on the 7th Jan- l)y crossing the English vvi.en he landed in the forest C. PAXTON. Charles Paxton, Esq., one of the commissioners of the customs, and the writer of one of the obnoxious letters to Mr. Whately, took refuge in England during the war. He was a pall-bearer at Gov. Hutchinson's funeral in 1780. Of his subsequent career we have no information. LIEUT. GOV. GOLDEN. Cadwallader Golden was born at Dunse, Scotland, 17th Feb., 1688 ; he was educated at the University of Edinburgh, and devo- ted himself to medicine and mathematics, in both of which he made great proficiency. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1708, where he practised physic for several years, and then returned to Great Britain, and acquired reputation as a medical writer. He came a second time to America in 1716, and after passing two years in Pennsylvania, he settled at New-York, and the next year was appointed the first 68 'i>. .0.3:^*1%. lAAAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 US 2.5 22 IM 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ■• 6" ► % <^ V y ^^ /^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 r/i z, 538 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. surveyor-general of the lands of the colony, and a master in chan- cery. In 1720 he was a king's counsellor under Gov. Burnet. He had resided on a tract of land, for which he received a patent, near Newburgh on the Hudson, then on the frontier, whore he was ex- posed to attacks from tl.e Indians. He was appointed iieut. gov- ernor of New-York in 1761, and occupied this station during the remainder of his life, being repeatedly at the head of affairs by the absence or death of several governors. While acting governor, the stamps arrived and were placed under his care in Fort George. The people assembled in great ndmbers, determined to destroy them ; but although the fort was pronounced untenable by engi- neers, and the people threatened to kill him, he defended his trust, and succeeded in securing it on board of a British man-of-war. He was burnt in effigy by the populace, who destroyed his car- riage. After Gov. Tryon's return in 1775, he retired to his seat at Flushing on Long Island, whare he died Sept. 28, 1776, in his 89th year.* Mr. Golden wrote, besides numerous medical and bo- tanical essays, a valuable history of the Five Indian Nations, and an essay on the " Principles of Action in Matter," to which is an- nexed a Treatise on Fluxions. Among his correspondents were Linnfeus, Gronovius, the Earl of Macclesfield, Dr. Franklin, and many other of the most scientific men of his time. DR. COOPER. Myles Cooper, D. D., president of King's, now Columbia Col- lege, New-York, was born in 1734, and educated at the university of Oxford, where he graduated as master of arts in 1760. Arriving in New-York, and recommended by the archbishop of Canterbury as well qualified to assist in a college, he was received by Presi- dent Johnson in the most affectionate manner, and appointed pro- fessor of moral philosophy. After the resignation of Dr. Johnson, he was chosen to the presidency in February, 1763. Soon after. Dr. Clossey, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, where he had * The seat of Gov. Golden at Flushing was called Spring Hill ; it was confiscated, and is now the property and residence of Hon. Benjamin W. Strong. igfetr' BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 539 was w. also taken the degree of doctor of physic, was appointed professor of natural philosophy. A grammar school was also established and connected with the college, under the charge of Mr. Gushing, from Boston. The classes were now taught by Dr. Cooper, Dr. Clossey, and Mr. Harper, with great advantage. In 1775 Dr. Cooper was a stanch loyalist, and on being dis- covered as a public writer on the side of the crown, a large mob assailed him in the night at the college, with threats against him, but Alexander Hamilton kept thera at bay by his unsurpassed elo- quence, while Dr. Cooper escaped to a friend's in the upper part of the city, from whence he was put on board a vessel bound to Eng- land. This was in the month of May, 1775. On the 10th of the same month, prior to his departure, Dr. Cooper wrote to his friend and fellow-sufferer, Isaac Wilkins, Esq., who had preceded him to London, as follows : " All things yet in stcdu quo. On Sunday I went to Morrisania to visit Mrs. Wilkins ; she was as well as could be reasonably expected, after parting with you, and returned that evening to Castle Hill, where I hope she will enjoy your return in safety. I had not time, you know, to write by you, save to Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Vardill, but they will sufficiently introduce you to all whom you would wish to see for for the present. If I think of any thing I can do for you, I will write by Mr. Cooke, for Bristol next week, and I will let no op- portunity escape that I hear of, without giving you a line, whilst I continue in this country of confusion, which for the sake of the col- lege I am minded to do as long as I can with any degree of pru- dence. Should this congress be as hot as the last, we am undone; should cooler measures be adopted, we may yet be preserved ; for Britain, though stout, is exorable." From Oxford, Feb. 4, 1777, where he had resided for three months, he thus writes to the same friend then at Long Island : " Mr. Wetherhead wrote me about Mr. Seabury's pay ; I have ap- plied to the bishop of London to interfere with the admiralty, and hope all will be settled to his satisfaction. I wish much to hear from him ; in the mean time, my best respects to him, Wetheihead, Samuel Bayard, etc. I will write to as many as I can by this pack- et, but, like an improvident man, I have deferred the business to the 540 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. .%• .:w last, and now am called upon by the provost to attend some affairs of the college, which are agitating before the house of commons ; so that it is out of my power to say whether or not I shall be able to write another line. Dr. Clossey shall hear from me pres- ently." From Edinburgh, 26th Feb., 1779, he wrote to the same friend at Long Island, a? follows: "I received your obliging letter of 2d October, in London ; I had not been there for a year before, and was only there then for a few days, having gone from this remote region into the south to take possession of a very small living pre- sented me by the present chancellor, from which business I returned as quickly as possible to this city, which has been my residence for fourteen months past, and where I am too agreeably situated to think of moving unless for the better; or unless I should be obliged to reside on the little living aforesaid j or unless, which would be best of all, a happy termination of American disputes should enable me to resume ray old situation ; and till such an event takes place, I do not expect to be completely satisfied. " You gave me spirits by representing matters in your quarter in a better light than I had viewed them. Indeed, Drs. Inglis and Seabury had been uniform in their information, so much of it as came to my knowledge, of the same purport ; but the corrobora- tive evidence even of a layman to two priests still had its effect. I wish to heaven you may not be wrong in your opinions. My most affectionate regards to Mr. Cutting, Mr. Golden, the Ludlows, Dr. Ogden, etc., whom I suppose you frequently see." To the same friend, care of Rev. Dr. Inglis at New- York, he wrote from Edinburgh, May 30, 1783, as follows : " 0, my dear friend ! I shed tears most copiously when I first opened your lett t, and upon the perusal of it now in order to answer it, I am more affected than before. Heavens ! what confusion must you all be wit- nesses of in your unhappy situation. And yet I cannot help form- ing some hopes, that now the contest is ended the governing pow- ers will relax their severity, and endeavor to bring over to them the minds of those whose persons and properties they have posses- sion of. I long for accounts from New-York that I can depend upon ; for I have not received a line from any of my correspondents there since their independency ; a circumstance that must occasion such ■tjK.- w-r*—.'-- i;-- BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 541 changes in the American system as cannot be conceived,! trust, by the Avisest at this distance. " 'Tis true I have taken a living ; it is in Berkshire, half-way between London and Bath, and twenty-six miles from Oxford ; a spot as delightful as can well be imagined, yet I don't know if ever I shall go thither to reside. I am as pleasantly situated here as I could wish to be." He had been for some time one of the ministers of the Episco- pal chapel of Edinburgh, where he died May 1, 1785, at the age of 51. Dr. Cooper possessed wit and humor to a great degree ; and pleasing manners, united to agreeable conversational powers. Al- though he had long expected death, he died suddenly, soon after writing the following epitaph of himself: 1 " Here lies a priest of English blood, Who, living, liked whate'er was good ; Good company, good wine, good name ; Yet never hunted after fame. But, as the first he still preferred, So here he chose to be interred ; And, unobserved, from crowds withdrew, To rest among a chosen few ; In humble hope that Sovereign Love Will raise him to the blesi above." ■^*f *1 ' y re h SIR F. BARING. Sir Francis Baring, Bart, born April 18th, 1750, was a son of John Baring, of Larkbeer, near Exeter, England, from which city the former was first elected to parliament on the 9th Nov. 1776, an in- teresting account of which is contained in the third chapter of this work. He early distinguished himself by his accurate knowledge and dexterity in financial calculations at the eventful period in which his public career commenced, and the reputation thus early acquir- ed continued throughout his life. He exhibited a just knowledge of the interest of his country, and an anxiety to extend her commerce. In negotiating the various loans required from time to time, his af- fluence and talents enabled him to assist the minister, and he final- ly became the leading member of the monied interest ; and even the prosperity of England, at certain periods, may be said to have revolved around him as its primum mobile. He was designated by »'\ *-,» ■ "■■■"¥ ■ 542 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. m. Mr. Erskine as " the first merchant of the world," and his services on all occasions of great national interest, particularly as a director of the East India Company and as a member of parliament, were too important to escape the notice of administration, and entitle his memory to grateful recollection. The honor of baronetcy was conferred upon him on 29th May, 1793. Sir Francis possessed such influence in the commercial world, that his death, which occurred on the 12th September, 1810, oc- casioned a sensible depression in the public stocks. He married a daughter of William Herring, Esq., a cousin and coheiress of Dr. Herring, archbishop of Canterbury. The sister of Sir Francis married the celebrated lawyer John Dunning, afterwards Lord Ashburton, which title became extinct at the decease of their only son. Sir Thomas Baring, born in 1772, succeeded his father in the bar- onetcy. Another son, Alexander Baring, now Lord Ashburton, be- came the head of the great commercial house, and did not retire from it until 1830. He was born in 1774, visited this continent in 1794, and travelled through the greater portion of the then United States on horseback, before 1797. He met the present king of France at the Falls of Niagara when there was but one house in Buffalo, and that a very indifferent one. Mr. Baring married a daughter of the Hon. VvMUiam Bingham, one of the most opulent and public spirited citizens of Philadelphia, then a senator in congress from Pennsylvania. The house of Baring, Brothers & Co. have with scrupulous fidelity attended to the interests of the United States as government agent for nearly half a century, which entitles every member of it to our gratitude ; and we can never too highly appre- ciate the services and sacrifices of Lord Ashburton in his recent em- bassy, which has secured to Great Britain and the United States a treaty satisfactory to all the right minded of both countries. Mr. Baring, having served as a member of the house of commons for many years, and held with honor, for a short period, the chancel- lorship of the exchequer, was elevated to the peerage in 1835, a proud testimonial of his distinguished abilities, and a just reward for a life devoted to the honor and best interests of his country. ^ J )^j: ^•^>r .■ "«"'. /"'"'* ^.. ;^J7' BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 543 B. MARSTON. Bbnjamin Marston, Esq., son ot Col. Benjamin Marston, of Salem, Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard College in 1749. Be- came a merchant at Marblehead, and was a refugee, proscribed in 1778. He closed his career as a commissary in the service of the African Company at Baalam's Isle, on the coast of Africa, in 1793. E. WINSLOW, JuN. Hon. Edward Winslow, jr., of Plymouth, Massachusetts, was graduated at Harvard College in 1765; he was compelled to take re- fuge in Boston in 1775, and became a colonel in the British service. He was afterwards a counsellor and judge of the superior court of New Brunswick, where he died, at Fredericton, in 1815, aged 70. He and his cousin, Pelham Winslow, were among the found- ers of the « Old Colony Club" in 1769, now the "Pilgrims' So- ciety." S. ROGERS. Samuel Rogers, merchant of Boston, who graduated at Har- vard College in 1765, was proscribed as an absentee, Sept. 1778, and returned to Boston, where he died June 1, 1804, aged 57. S. WILLIAMS. Seth Williams, Esq., of Taunton, graduated at Harvard Col- lege in r'55 — pursued the study of the law, and was in practice at the conmencement of the Revolution. He was a refugee, and died in Lcndon previous to 1791. COUNT DE GRASSE. Francois Joseph Paul, Count de Grasse Tilly, born in 1723, made his first appearance in the war between England and France as the ally of the North American colonies, in command of the frigate Robuste, in the battle of Ouessant, July, 1778 ; the first se- rious act of hostility between the two powers, and the first step of the Count de Grasse in defence of American liberty. Under Count d'Estaing, in command of a squadron, he aided in taking the island of Grenada, in 1779, when the British fleet was saved from total :*■ 544 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. ^ defeat by a calm at the close of the action. After three years of distinguished services he left Brest in 1781, in command of a fleet of a hundred and fifty sail, (twenty of the line,) and in thirty-six days fell in with Admiral Hood, then blockading Martinique, whose superiority of sailing alone enabled him to escape, with severe damage to four of his ships. After a short stay at Port Royal de la Martinique, he concerted with the Marquis de Bouille the attack of Tobago, the success of which, and its rapidity of execution, are well known. His distinguished talents and zeal in the cause of America gained her entire confidence ; and measures of co-operation were concerted between Generals Washington and Rochambeau and the French admiral, which resulted in the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and virtually closed the war between Great Britain and America. Count de Grasse was solicited for protection against the British fleet daily expected upon the coast, for a reinforcement of troops, for provisions " de guerre and de bouche," and for 1,200,000 francs for the more pressing necessities of the French troops. To all of these demands he lent most zealous and efficient aid, and in the short space of twelve days he collected all his disposable naval force, (without endangering St. Domingo,) embarked three thousand four hundred troops, and by his personal influence, and the actual pledge of his estates in St. Domingo and France, raised the funds desired. The expedition (necessarily a secret one) arrived at the capes of the Chesapeake on the 28th August, the same day that Admiral Hood appeared off New- York with fourteen vessels of the line. He succeeded in landing the troops, and on the 5th Septem- ber was prepared and engaged the British fleet until nightfall, when they separated. After four days' vain search for his oppo- nents, he returned to the capes in time to intercept two frigates, the " Iris" and " Richmond," which were leaving the bay with des- patches they had been unable to deliver to Cornwallis. The allied armies (informed of the approach of the French fleet, by the frig- ate " La Concorde," on 15th August) arrived at the mouth of the Elk on 6th September, one hour only after the bearer of despatches from Count de Grasse. Count Rochambeau spoke of this coinci- dence as most remarkable, that a combined expedition of land and naval forces, the one from the north of America and the other from . i*vi i«^ % •s*- ^#. ' I BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 545 the West Indies, should both arrive in the same bay only one hour apart. On the 19th October, Lord Cornwallis capitulated to the united forces of France and America ; six thousand f>ve hundred men were made prisoners of war, one hundred and sixty cannon, twen- ty-two flags, and forty transports fell into the hands of the allies. This expedition originated with Count de Grasse ; the plan was matured by Washington, Rochambeau and himself in concert. To the activity of all the commanders is mainly due this tran- scendant success, as only eight days after the capitulation was signed an increased British naval force arrived off the capes with seven thousand troops on board ; enough, in all probability, to have sustained the royal authority in the south. Congress passed a resolution on the 28th October, to erect a mon- ument at Yorktown in commemoration of this great event, and also the following : " That the thanks of the United States, in Con- gress assembled, be presented to his excellency the Count de Grasse, for the skill and valor he has shown in attacking and beat- ing the British fleet, in Chesapeake Bay, and for the zeal and ar- dor by which he gave, by the naval force under his command, the most effective and distinguished succor and protection to the allied army in Virginia." Congress also presented him four pieces of cannon, inscribed as follows : " Taken from the English army, by the combined forces of France and America, at Yorktown, Virginia, August 19, 1781. Presented to his Excellency Count de Grasse, in testimony of the inestimable services rendered by him on that day." The cannon remained at the ch&teau of Tilly, fourteen leagues from Paris, until during the French Revolution the property and all its dependencies were lost to the family. On the 13th February, 1782, the island of St. Christopher sur- rendered to Count de Grasse and the Marquis de Bouille. In command of the united forces of France and Spain, in the West Indies, the count sustained his high naval reputation, and de- fended himself successfully against the English fleet, until the 12th April, when (his vessels having been injured by contact with each other, his own ship, the " Ville de Paris," being run afoul of by the " Zel6e") he was attacked by eleven of the enemy. His sails torn and ships ungovernable, his crews fasting and worn down with the 69 t *. ■^'^ '■V.^^;. 546 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICED. exertions of the previous nights, and without chance of sucress, he hauled down his flag, after combatting from eight A. M. till six P. M. History offers no example of a longer or more spir- ited naval engagement, or a more obstinate resistance. It was proved at a court of inquiry, that the most important manoeuvres, as well as nine signals from the admiral, were neglected. Count de Grasse (which is worthy of notice) never left the quarter-deck dur- ing the action, nor received a wound ; he had a hundred and twen- ty-one killed on board the Ville de Lyons, and a very large number ^wounded. Carried a prisoner to England, the hero became negotiator, and exerted himself with that government to incline it to peace. He had the gratification of taking to France, in August following, verbal propositions of peace to the French government, from Lord Shelburne, first lord of the treasury. France insisted upon the ac- knowledgment of the independence of the United States as a con- dition of the treaty, and the preliminaries were signed at Paris on the 30th November, 1782. History shows that the United States are as much indebted to the unceasing efforts of the Count de Grasse in her favor after his return to Europe, as for his brilliant achievements in the Chesapeake and West Indies. It may be said that his life was consecrated to securing independence to the North American colonies ; for its ac- complishment he employed all his valor, all his talents, all his zeal, and finding his task completed, and object gained, he died on the 14th January, 1788, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. Count de Grasse left an only son, who served with honor in the several grades of the French army, and was decorated by Count Rochambeau at St. Domingo with the cross of St. Louis in behalf of Louis XVI. At the massacre of Cape Francois, he saved him- self and family on board an American'vessel, which landed them in complete destitution at Charleston, where, with oth' r exiles, they experienced the hospitality and sympathy of the inhabitants. Count de Grasse became a citizen of the United States, and subse- quently returned to the service of his country, his attachment to which was manifested in the campaigns of Italy and Spain. The French Revolution deprived him of his estates, and he has in vain awaited from government, to the age of seventy-eight, a If- BI06BAPHICAL NOTICES. 647 recompense of his services. Should we do more than justice to the memory of one of the bravest and most devoted defenders of our liberties, in sharing with hitn the inheritance acquired by the united valor of our fathers ? The only surviving daughter of the first Count de Grasse, is the widow of the late Francis Depau, Esq., of this city, one of our most enterprising, opulent, and public spirited merchants, to whom all praise and credit is due for greatly extending our commerce with France, by establishing the first line of packets between New- York and Havre. w' COL. EDSON. JosiAH Edson, Esq., of Bridgewater, graduated at Harvard Col- lege in 1730, was a representative in the general assembly of Massachusetts, from that town. He was a refugee, and banished by the act of September, 1778 ; he had been commissici.jd a man- damus counsellor in August, 1778, but declined serving ; he died previous to 1782. W. VASSALL. William Vassall, Esq., of Boston, was appointed a counsellor in 1774, by writ of mandamus, but did not serve ; he was a re- fugee, and banished by the act of September, 1778. He died in Surrey, England, in 1800, aged eighty-five ; he graduated at Har- vard College in 1733. JUDGE HUTCHINSON. Hon. Foster Hutchinson, a brother of Governor Hutchinson, and one of the last judges in the supreme court cS Massachusetts under the charter, to which he was appointed in 1/71. He gra- duated at Harvard College in 1743 ; he accepted the appointment of mandamus counsellor in 1774, and soon after was compelled to take refuge in Boston, and became an absentee. He was proscribed in 1778, and charged by the act of 1779, as a conspirator against the liberties of his country ; he died at Halifax, in May, 1799. N. R. THOMAS. Nathaniel Ray Thomas, Esq., of Taunton, Bristol county, Mass., was graduated at Harvard College in 1751 ; appointed by ♦ : 548 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. vrrit of mandamus a counsellor in 1774, but declined serving. He Vfas proscribed in the act of 1778, and died in Nova Scotia, 1791. PELHAM WINSLOW. Pelham WiNSLOW, Esq., an attorney of Plymouth, Massachu- setts, was a son of General John Winslow, of Marshfield ; and graduated at Harvard College in 1753. He was driven into bos- ton, and was a major in the British service ; proscribed by the act of 1778 ; and died at Flushing, Long Island, in 1783. JUDGE LEONARD. Hon. Daniel Leonard, of Norton, Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard College in 1760 ; a member of assembly. He was a dis- tinguished political writer, and a member of the legal profession. In 1774, he was the antagonist of John Adams, in relation to " the rights and prospects of the colonies," under the respective signa- tures of Novanglus and Massachusettensis. He was a refugee in 1776, and was proscribed in 1778 ; he was afterwards chief justice of Bermuda, and died in London, June 27, 1829, aged eighty-nine. COL. SALTONSTALL. Col. Richard Saltonstall, was the eldest son of Richard Salton- stall, of Haverhill, Mass., a judge of the superior court of that pro- vince. He was born, April 5, 1732, and graduated at Harvard College with distinguished honor, in 1751. Colonel Saltonsall entered into the military service of the province in the French war, in 1756, and was at Fort William Henry, Lake George, at the time of the memorable capitulation and massacre, August 9, 1757. When the Indians fell upon the unarmed prisoners, he escaped, and arrived a few days afterwards at Fort Edward, on the Hudson, nearly exhausted by hunger and fatigue. He commanded a regi- ment from 1760 to the close of the war. On his return to Haver- hill, he was appointed sheriff of the county of Essex, which office he held until he left the country. When the difficulties between the colonies and the mother country came on. Colonel Saltonstall was opposed to forcible resistance ; he believed that it must be ineffectual, and that the colonies would fall before the power of Great Britain. He waa BIOQRAPIIICAL NOTICES. 549 greatly beloved and respected ; he often represented the town in the g«neral court. It was long before he lost his popularity, not- withstanding his opinions ; but in the autumn of 1774, a great number of persons collected before his house, armed with clubs, etc., and with threats of violence, contrary to the advice of some friends who were with him, and who had gone for the purpose of aiding in his escape, he came to the door and addressed the excited as- sembly with great calmness, firmness and dignity ; reminding them of his services for his country, that he had exposed his life in its defence, etc. Seldom has a (;peech been more ef^^ctual ; it quelled the excited passions of the multitude, and they dispersed. He was soon after compelled to take refuge in Boston, and embarked for England, in 1775. Col. Saltonstall refused to accept a commission in the British army, saying, that if he could not conscientiously engage on the side of his country, he would not take up arms against her. His reputation as an officer was high, and it is supposed that he might have had an important command in the American army, if he had embraced the popular cause. Col. Saltonstall was proscribed by the law of 1778, and passed the remainder of his days in England. In one of his letters, written soon after the peace, he expressed great affection for the delightful •place of his nativity ; but he added, — " I have no remorse of con- science for my past conduct. I have had more satisfaction in a private life here, than I should have had in being next in command to General Washington, where I must have acted in conformity to the dictates of others, regardless of my own feelings." Colonel Saltonstall resided on the beautiful family estate in Haverhill, known as " the Saltonstall place," where he lived in a style of liberal hospitality, sustaining the character of a truly upright and honorable man, and an accomplished gentleman ; he was never married. He was kindly received by his remote family connections in England ; and his friends erected a monument to his memory at Kensington, with the following inscription : " Near this place are interred the remains of Richard Salton- stall, Esq., who died October 1, 1785, aged fifty-two. He was an American loyalist, from Haverhill in the Massachusetts ; where < '1 \\ V 550 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. he was descended from a first family, both for the principal share it had in the early erecting, as well as in rank and authority in governing that province. And wherein he himself sustained, with unshaken loyalty and universal applause, various important trusts and commands under the crown, both civil and military, from his youth till its revoU ; and throughout life maintained such an amia- ble private character, as engaged him the esteem and regard of many friends. " As a memorial of his merits, this stone is erected." Col. Saltonstall was a descendant in the sixth generation from Sir Richard Saltonstall, one of the patentees of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, and who arrived at Salem, in the Arabella, (or Arbella,) June 12, 1630, with Governor Winthrop and their associates, " bringing out the charter with them." He was also a patentee of Connecticut, and may be considered as one of the principal founders of both colonies. A memoir of this family may be found in the publications of the Mass. Historical Society. Dr. Nathaniel Saltonstall, brother of Colonel Saltonstall, was a decided whig of the Revolution. The Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, of Salem, an able and eloquent representative, now in congress from Massachusetts, is his son. N. CHANDLER. Nathaniel Chandler, son of Col. John Chandler of Worcester, graduated at Harvard College, in 1768, was a practising attorney at Petersham, when the troubles commenced, and was compelled on account of his principles to take refuge in Boston. He was proscribed in 1778. Had for a while led a corps of volunteers in the British service at New-York. He afterwards went to Eng- land, returned, and died at Worcester, 1801, aged fifty-one. DR. B. S. OLIVER. Brinley Sylvester Oliver, M. D., fourth son of Lieut. Governor Andrew Oliver, graduated at Harvard College in 1774, studied mediciiie and surgery, and was afterwards a surgeon in the British service. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 551 DR. PAINE. William Paine, M. D., son of Timothy Paine, Esq., of Wor- cester, Mass., graduated at Harvard College in 1768. He was practising professionally at Worcester at the commencement of the Revolution ; was a refugee, and proscribed in 1778. Became an apothecary to the British forces in Rhode Island and New-York. At the peace he settled at New Brunswick, and was a represent- ative for Charlotte county. He removed to Salem, Mass., where he practised from 1787 to 1793, with success in his profession. The death of his father caused him to return to Worcester, where he closed his checkered life, on the 18th April, 1833, at the age of eighty-three. WM. CHANDLER. William Chandler, Esq., youngest son of Col. John Chandler, of Worcester, Mass., was compelled to take refuge in Boston, and was proscribed in 1778. He returned after peace was restored, and died in his native place, July, 1793, aged forty. Mr. Chandler graduated at Harvard College, in 1772. CHARLES CURTIS. Charles Curtis, of Scituate, Mass., graduated at Harvard Col- lege, 1765. Driven into Boston, he was proscribed in 1778, and died in New-York, previous to 1832. DR. P. OLIVER. Peter Oliver, Jr., second son of the chief justice of the same name, both of Middleborough, Plymouth county, Mass. ; the former graduated at Harvard College in 1761. He had practised in Scit- uate in early life ; was driven into Boston, and in consequence became a refugee in England, where he died, at Shrewsbury, in Sept. 1822, aged eighty-one. REV. M. BADGER. Rev. Moses Badger, of Haverhill, graduated at Harvard Col- lege, 1761 ; was a refugee, proscribed by the act of Sept. 1778. Af- ter the peace he returned, and was rector of King's Chapel, Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where he died, Sept. 19, 1792. \ «T---5— -.!'-?-i 552 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. J. D. ROGERS. Jeremiah Dummer Rogers, Esq., an attorney at law of Little- ton, graduated at Harvard College, 1762. He was a refugee, pro- scribed in 1778, and died at Halifax, 1784. T. A. COFFIN. Thomas Aston Coffin, Esq., son of William Coffin, of Boston, and cousin of Sir Isaac Coffin, remained in Boston after the siege, and was proscribed in 1778. He was private secretary to Gen. Carleton, and in 1784 was appointed commissary-general to the British troops at Quebec. He died in London, May 3d, 1810, aged fifty-six. Mr. Coffin graduated at Harvard College in 1772. REV. B. LOVELL. Rev. Benjamin Lovell, youngest son of the grammar school master at Boston, was graduated at Harvard College in 1774. He became a refugee, first to Halifax, where he married, and after- wards to England. Mr. Lovell took orders, and was settled at Ashe, Surrey, where he died, March 14, 1828, aged seventy-three. J. PUTNAM, Jr. James Putnam, .Jr., Esq., son of Hon. James Putnam of Wor- cester, graduated at Harvard College in 1774 ; was a refugee in 1775; became barrack-master, and subsequently one of the house- hold of the late Duke of Kent ; of whose will he was executor. He died in London, March, 1838. GOV. FRANKLIN. Hon. William Franklin, born in 1731, a natural son of the celebrated Dr. Franklin, was the last of the royal governors of New Jersey, and one of the most conspicuous persons in opposition to the principles of the R volution. Although born upon the American soil, he was from feeling and principle a loyalist ; and his firm adherence to government, under the most adverse circum- stances, and with all the influence of his father's example to con- tend against, as well as his disapprobation of the course he took, showed a self-sacrifice seldom equalled, and renders him well worthy of notice, while his sufferings entitle him to our sympathy. BIOGRAPHICAL TICES. 553 Of his early history very little is known ; he was a captain in the army during the French war, and served with credit at Ticon- deroe;a. He afterwards accompanied his father to England, where he appears to have been received with distinction. He was honored by the university of Cambridge with the degree of Master of Arts, and we find him enjoying the intimacy and confidence of the Earl of Bute, on whose recommendation Lord Halifax appointed him, in 1763, the governor of New-Jersey. Governor Franklin seems to have studied the best interests of his province, and for some time enjoyed considerable popularity, but he did not possess the good fortune to retain it. In the first dispute which occurred between him and the assembly, in relation to the removal of a defaulting treasurer, he manifested a useless obstinacy, in opposition to their wishes, which served to deprive him of their confidence, and to prevent any influence which he might otherwise have exerted in opposition to the Revolution. He also gave offence by showing, in all contests between the mother country and her colonies, that he remained faithful to his principles ; for he steadily advocated the claims of government, and in answer to the strong remonstrances of the assembly he invariably aimed to show them that their situation was much to be preferred to the uncertain results of a revolution. At length the current of opinion became strong against him, and he found that his exertions served only to excite a more determined opposition. He labored assidu- ously to prevent the formation of an independent provincial govern- ment and the union of the colonies, and afforded encouragement and protection to the most violent opponents of the Revolution. But what gave the greatest offence was his proclamation calling together the royal assembly, in order to oppose their action to that of the provincial congress. This measure alarmed the latter body, and they at once resolved that his proclamation ought not to be obeyed, that he had acted in violation of their resolves, and had proved himself an enemy to the liberties of his country; that mea- sures should be taken to secure his person, and that all payments of salary to him should cease. He was then arrested by order of the convention, and on his refusal to sign a parole, detained in close custody. In the mean time an application had been made to the continental congress for advice as to the course to be pursued, 70 ;iyvr •■ ii"^.e "TT "■?!;■?■"■■.'-. >«• 554 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. suggesting that it would be more safe to confine him in some other state than New-Jersey ; and that body recommended that, after an examination, he should be transferred to the custody of the gover- nor of Connecticut. He was accordingly brought before the con- vention for examination, but his firmness did not desert him, and he steadily refused to answer any questions, denying the authority of that body, which he asserted had usurped the government. He was then sent to Connecticut, and after a confinement at Middle- town of nearly two years, was liberated in exchange for an Ameri- can general officer, when he retired to England, on a pension, which was continued during life. He died on the 17th November, 1813, at the age of eighty-two. Gov. Franklin, though wanting the genius of his father, was a man of talents, firmness, and integrity. That his conduct was the result of sincere convictions cannot be doubted. He had been raised to his dignified station without any solicitation on his part, or on the part of his father, and it is probable that a feeling of gra- titude may have held him more steadily in his course. It is evident that he sacrificed much in acting as he did, if it were only the friendly intercourse vith his parent, who had previously bestowed upon him much of his confidence and affection. The letters be- tween them had been frequent, but when the course of the gover- nor became manifest, their intercourse entirely ceased. The last of the doctor's letters was in January, 1774, and he had no further communication with his son till after the peace, when the latter, in 1784, wrote to his father, proposing a reconciliation. The doctor remarks in his answer, that nothing had ever caused him so much pain as " to find himself deserted, in his old age, by his only son :" he finds for him, however, an excuse in his situation, but remarks that " there are natural duties which precede political ones, and cannot be extinguished by them." The intercourse thus recom- menced continued, probably, till the death of the illustrious philoso- pher and statesman. Gov. Franklin was twice married, and left, at his death, one son, William Temple Franklin, editor of the works of his grand- father, who died in Paris, May 25, 1823. Gov. Franklin caused a monumental tablet to be placed in the chancel of St. Paul's church, New- York, with the following inscrip- tion : BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 665 " Beneath the altar of this church are deposited the remains of Mrs. Elizabeth Franklin, wife of his Excellency William Franklin, late governor, under his Britannic Majesty, of the province of New- Jersey. Compelled to part from the husband she loved, and at length despairing of the soothing hope of his speedy return, she sunk under accumulated distresses, and departed this life 28th July, 1778, in the forty-ninth year of her age. Sincerity and sensibility, Politeness and affability. Godliness and charity, were, with sense refined and person elegant, in her united. From a grateful remembrance of her aifectionate tenderness and constant performance of all the duties of a good wife, this monument is erected, in the year 1787, by one who knows her worth, and still laments her loss." I. WILKINS, D. D. Isaac Wilkins, of Westchester, New-York, son of Martin Wilkins, Esq., who in infancy, at the decease of his father, an opu- lent planter, and an eminent man of the island of Jamaica, was brought to the province, and received the best education the coun- try afforded. The former married Isabella Morris, a sister of that eloquent patriot and statesman, Gouverneur Morris.* Mr. Wilkins first prepared himself for the church, but did not take orders. As a member of the provincial assembly, he was subsequently distin- guished for loyalist principles, and his eloquence and integrity ac- quired for him an influence rarely attained, andwhich for a consid- erable time prevented the prostration of the colonial government. The following extract from his speech on the resolutions for adopting the measures recommended by congress, shows the interest he felt in the subject : " We have before us the choice of peace or war, of happiness or misery, of freedom or slavery ; and can we hesitate which to choose ? By proceeding in a firm, but loyal and constitutional » Another brother, Sir Staats L. Morris, K. C. B., who entered the British army in early life, attained the rank of lieut. general, and married the duch* ess of Gordon. ■■■"wt ■ : "S.* ''$ m li. 1 n 656 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. manner, in the settlement of this unhappy difference with our mother country, we cannot fail, I am convinced, of meeting with success, of securing to ourselves a free constitution, and of a restor- ation to the favor and protection of the parent state, which, next to the favor of heaven, will be our best and strongest safeguard and security. This is the critical moment of our fate ; we have it now in our power to do the most essential good or mischief to ourselves and our posterity. If we neglect this opportunity of promoting our common felicity, and of establishing our liberties on a firm and lasting basis, we may perhaps never have another, and shall repent of our fatal infatuation and folly when too late to retrieve the mis- take ; when the horrors of civil war shall be increased by the curses of our wretched and deluded constituents, who, in the bitter- ness of their hearts, shall point us out as the authors of their ruin, and when we shall be obliged to submit to the laws of conquest, or the penalties of rebellion. I have shown that the rise of this dispute with Great Britain has been an unreasonable jealousy on our part, originating from an impolitic exertion of authority on hers ; and that it is our interest, as well as duty, to cultivate the closest union with her. I have shown that by a peaceful conduct we may procure for ourselves, and perhaps for our sister colonies, a more perfect system of government than that we have hitherto enjoyed, which was indeed better calculated for our infant state than for the present period of our maturity ; a period that requires, however paradoxical it may seem, more liberty and a stricter gov- ernment. I will only add, that if contrary to my most ardent wishes, contrary to the dignity of this house, to the dictates of hu- manity, and our duty to our constituents and country, you adopt the measures of congress, and by that means involve our country in a civil war, that most dreadful of calamities, I declare my honest in- dignation against your course, and call heaven to witness I am guiltless of the blood of my fellow subjects that will be shed on the occasion — I am guiltless of the ruin of my country." - About the 1st of May, 1775, Mr. Wilkins was compelled to abandon his family and country, and embarked for England, after taking the following leave of his countrymen; which appeared in Rivington's Gazette, of May 3, 1775 : BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 557 " My Countovmen : " Before I leave America, the land 1 love, and in which is con- tained every thing that is valuable and dear to rae, my wife, chil- dren, friends, and property, permit me to make a short and faithful declaration, which I am induced to do, neither through fear, nor a consciousness of having acted wrong. An honest man and a Chris- tian hath nothing to apprehend from this world. God is my judge and witness, that all I have done, written, or said, in relation to the present unnatural dispute between Great Britain and her colonies, proceeded from the honest intention of serving ray Country. Her welfare and prosperity were the objects towards which all my en- deavors have been directed. They still are the sacred objects which I shall ever steadily and invariably keep in view, and when in England, all the influence that so inconsiderable a man as I am can have, shall be exerted in her behalf. " It has been my constant maxim through life to do my duty conscientiously, and to trust the" issue of my actions to the Al- mighty. May He, in whose hands are all events, speedily restore peace and liberty to my unhappy country ; may Great Britain and America be soon united in the bands of everlasting amity, and when united, may they continue a free, virtuous, and happy nation, to the end of time. " I leave America and every endearing connection, because I will not raise my hand in opposition to my sovereign, nor will I draw my sword against my country ; when I can conscientiously draw it in her favor, my life shall be cheerfully devoted to her service. " Isaac Wilkins." Bishop Seabury wrote Mr. Wilkins on the 30th of May, 1775, that Drs. Cooper and Chandler had sailed from New-York the pre- vious week for England. Mr. Samuel Bayard, jr., wrote Mr. Wilkins in London, dated New-York, 6th June, 1775, " that the few soldiers who were here embarked on board the Asia yesterday ; their baggage was stopped by some of our inhabitants, and one or two soldiers deserted. Stop- ping the baggage is said to have been contrary to the sentiments of most people here. We are, however, very quiet. The military made no resistance, as the officers were afraid of greater desertions t ' I IT'*' ■»«P\--X''"' '^-i'sii^ 4*'. 558 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. if the soldiers remained in the streets." On the 5th July he writes as follows : " Wooster's camp I suppose you know is within two miles of us — it is in a field adjoining the sand-hill, and on the left hand side of the new road which runs through N. Bayard's land, so that this road is on the east side, and the road over the sand-hill on the north side of the camp. The number is said to be fourteen hundred. These are a part of the five thousand which the continental con- gress have directed to be kept in this province. We have for ten days past received contradictory accounts of an action between Gen. Gage and the provincials, which happened on the 17th June. No account from Gen. Gage yet. Surely, if those who now direct affairs had a real love of the country at heart, they would use every means to obtain their desires before they involved us in the horrors of war. If influenced by laudable motives, their measures appear to be the effect of infatuation ; the uncertainty of what this may urge them to is such, that when I go to bed I know not whether I may not be waked by the noise of cannon battering the town, as there is the Asia of sixty guns lying just opposite my bed." On the 13th of July he further writes as follows : " Yesterday some of our Connecticut troops seized the cutter of the Asia, with eight or ten men, who came on shore to bring a sick man. They hauled the boat into the street, (the men belonging to her sitting in, huzzaing and calling them their horses ;) some time after they put the boat in the water and set fire to her. I hear Gen. Wooster has wrote a polite letter to Capt. Vandeput, assuring him that this outrage was without his knowledge, and contrary to his wishes. It is said the boat will be paid for." August 2, he also writes thus : " Although we are but looked upon as enemies to the liberty of our country, yet I can answer for you, as I believe you can for me, that we as sincerely wish her every blessing and the enjoyment of every liberty which the nature of civil government can admit, as the loudest of those who at this time are in opposition to govern- ment ; and 1 am convinced you will use all your influence and abilities to promote the good of your country ; which I hope our infatuated countrymen will one day be convinced of and acknow- ledge." Mr. Wilkins returned to Long Island in 1776, then under con- trol of the British, where he remained until the close of the war. T(WH'^'^" ""V^^i^i- ■f-rn.^i. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 669 While in England, Mr. Wilkins recommended to Lord North terms on which the breach could be healed, but they were not heeded. On the 4th of Feb., 1777, from Oxford, Dr. Cooper, form- erly president of King's College, New-York, wrote to Mr. Wil- kins, at Long Island, as follows:,"! have heard of your sufferings with much pain, though I own without surprise ; you may remem- ber I tried to dissuade you from going so soon on that very account. But that * * * * * * should have been the very instrument of this wickedness, is far more than I could have supposed, and I heartily pray, (with a safe conscience, too,) that he may have an ample and speedy reward. The same good wishes attend all the laborers in the vineyard of Satan, wheresoever dispersed." At the close of the war, Mr. Wilkins was, by the terms of the banishment act, compelled to leave the republic, and he repaired to Shelburne, Nova Scotia, where he remained several years, and subsequently removed to Lunenburgh, in the same pro- vince. He obtained leave to return to his native land previous to 1803, and having taken orders, was settled over the parish of West Chester, where he continued highly esteemed for lofty prin- ciple, ever exhibited through a protracted and checkered life, which closed soon after penning the following epitaph : of To the memory of The Rev. ISAAC WILKINS, D. D. who for 31 years was the diligent and faithful minister of this parish, placed here, as he believed, by his Redeemer. He remained satisfied with the pittance allowed him, rejoicing that even in that he was no burden to his parishioners : nor ever wished nor ever went forth to seek a better living. ^ Mr. Wilkins died 5th February, 1830, aged eighty-nine years. ■a. 560 BIOORAPMICAL NOTICES. REV. IVORY HOVEY.* Rev. Ivory IIovev was born at Topsfield, near Salem, Mass,, on the 3(1 of July, 0. S. 1714. lie graduated at Harvard College in 1735, in the class of Mr. Curwen. He studied theology, and was settled at Matapoiset, a panish of Rochester, Massachusetts, in 1740. He left that place in 1765, and was soon after resettled in a parish of Plymouth, where he passed the remainder of an unusu- ally long and useful life. He married in 1739, Olive, daughter of Capt. Samuel Jordan, of Biddeford, Maine, who survived him a few months. Mr. Hovey was able to continue his ministerial la- bors till a few days before his death, which took place on the 4th of November, 1803, in the ninetieth year of his age. It is remarked by Dr. Alden, (from whose Collection these particulars are obtained,) that for some time before his decease, Mr. Hovey " was but the third among the living of his alma mater." He probably oytlived all of his classmates, although he survived Mr. Curwen by only eighteen months. For sixty-five years before his dep*h, says Alden, Mr. Hovey kept a journal, in which those things designed for his own partic- ular use were penned in a short hand, as is said, of his own inven- tion. This journal, closely written, amounts to the astonishing number of seven thousand octavo pages. The same author pub- lishes an excellent letter of great length, addressed by Mr. Hovey to a young candidate for the ministry, written twelve days only before his death. * See above, page 418, where it is mentioned as uncertain wliether this classmate of Mr. Curwen was living in 1795. The present notice of Mr. Hovey has been prepared since that part of the work was pjrinted. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 661 SAMUEL QUINCY. [The following additional particulars and documents relating to this unfortunate gentleman are derived from original papers, of ^\'hich copies have been made and forwarded to us since the preceding notice of him was in type. Aside from the fact that they have been communicated by a lady, (Miss Eliza S. Quincy, jr., of Cambridge, Massachusetts,) these documents possess too deep an interest to be withheld from the public, although their publica- tion renders the article more voluminous than is strictly consistent with the plan of this work.] Mr. Quincy was born in that part of Braintree now Quincy, Massachusetts, April 13, 1735. He was the second son of Josiah Quincy, who at that time resided on the estate of his ancestor in that town, and who afterwards removed to Boston, and became an eminent merchant of that place. His mother's name was Hannah Sturgis, daughter of John Sturgis, Esq. of Yarmouth, Massachusetts. She died in Boston, August, 1755, aged 43, leaving three sons and one daughter. She was an excellent and religious woman, and had received the best education the country at that time afforded. Her children honored her memory, and the eminence and usefulness of their lives and characters bore testimony to the virtuous principles she had early instilled. Endowed with fine talents, Mr. Quincy became eminent in the profession of the law, and succeeded Jonathan Sewall as solicitor- general of Massachusetts. He was also distinguished for his know- ledge and attainments in general literature, and as the author of numerous fugitive essays in prose and verse, that appeared in the journals of the day. He was the intimate friend of many of the most distinguished men of that period, and an early correspond- ent of John Adams. In early life he appears to have coincided in his political course and opinions with his brothers. During the movements preceding the Revolution, his name appears on the records of the town of Boston, associated with that of Josiah Quincy, jr. From the letter written by him to his brother, so ardent a patriot, on a copy of his " Observations on the Boston Port Bill," 71 receiving 562 niOUR APIIIC AL NOTICES. i V )l*' it appears that their affection for each other remained unal- tered.* The feelings of his father and family, who were all tievotcd to the cause of freedom and independence, were undoubtedly deeply wounded by the course Samuel Quincy pursued, as a letter of his sister, Mrs. Lincoln, evinces. But they always continued to take an affectionate interest in his fate and fortunes ; and the want of letters from his father and friends, to which he alludes in his letters from London, undoubtedly arose from the difficulties of transmitting letters to London at that troubled period. His father was then advanced in life, and lived in retirement at Braintree on his paternal estate. The following impassioned letter was written to Mr. Quincy by his sister, Mrs. Lincoln, when on the eve of his departure for Eng- land : TO SAMUEL QUINCY. Braintree, May 11,1775. My dear Brother : I write this in hopes to put it into the letter my father has just written. If it should reach you, it may serve to convince you that I have not forgotten that you are my only brother. Ht iiust judge what I feel, when I tell him that I fear I shall never see him again. Our two departed brothers died upon the seat.. You perhaps will say your body is sound ; it may be so, but the sick in mind call inr more than Esculapian aid. If any thing could surprise me now, the hearing of your going home would ; but of late every thing that is marvellous and strange is to be expected. I have not time to enlarge upon the compli- cated distresses of our country, of families, or of individuals, but shall briefly say that our fonnections have experienced such a se- ries of melancholy events as are not to be paralleled. We, my brother, I hope, can sympathize in sorrowing for the loss of a bro- ther, whose character was, as far as any man's of his age ever was, unimpeachable. In his labors for the salvation of his country, he was indefati- I ♦ Sae Memoir of J. Quincy, „ >)y his son President Quincy, p. IGO. BIOORAPHICAL NOTICKB. 563 pablp. His death, I hope, will prove a warning to olljers — not to jiursiie too eagerly any point. Nature kept upon the strelcl. will give way. He did not sufficiently consider the iLridoniess of his frame, and it may truly be said he fell a martyr in the ( ause of liberty. In the monody on our eldest brother 1 find the following lines j they may with equal propriety be applied to the younger : "TL'»t "Ti-t "vir'hiate, inflamed with patriot zeal, Hravoil the L Id insults of ita country's I'uo, No riiaro its pious fronzy can rovcal, Noi -iji in Freedom's cause again sliall glow."' Let it not h^ told in America, and let it not be published in Great Britain, that a brother of such brothers fled from his coun- try — the wife of his youth — the children of his aflfcction — and from his aged sire, already bowed down with the loss of two sons, and by that of many more dear, though not so near connections, to se- cure himself from the reproaches of his injured countrymen, and to cover such a retreat, obliged to enlist as a sycophant under an ob- noxious Hutchinson, who is a tool under a cruel North, and by them to be veered about, and at last to be blown aside with a cool " to-morrow, sir." "Refusal, canst thou wear a smoother form ?" My blood chills at the thought of the meanness of a seeker, and flames with indignation at such treatment from those in power. Arouse from your lethargy — let reason take the helm — disregard all greatness but greatness of soul ; — then the little trappings that royalty can confer will lose their lustre, that false lustre which I fear incliries yo?i to the prerogative side. Spare me, and do not call .t I have written impertinent, but ascribe it to the anxiety of a sister, really distressed for thee. I behold you leaving your country, " a land flowing with milk and honey," and in which, as yet, iniquity of all kinds is punished, and its religion as yet free from idolatry, (how long it will continue so God only knows — we have reason to fear a depredauon on our religious system next,) for a countrj' where evil wo ks are committed with impunity. Can H-' 564 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. I you expect there to walk uprightly ? Can you take fire into your bosom and not be burned ? I take a long farewell, and wish you success in every laudable undertaking. Your affectionate sister, H. Lincoln. TO HENRY HILL, ESQ., CAMBRIDGE. Boston, May 13, 1775. Dear Brother : There never was a time when sincerity and affectionate unity of heart could be more necessary than at present. But in the midst of the confusions that darken our native land, we may still, by a rectitude of conduct, entertain a rational hope that the Almighty Governor of the universe will in his own time remember mercy. I am going, my dear friend, to quit the habitation where I have been so long encircled with the dearest connections. 1 am going to hazard the unstable element, and for a while to change the scene — whether it will be prosperous or adverse, is not for me to determine. I pray God to sustain my integrity, and pre- serve me from temptation. My political character with you may be suspicious ; but be as- sured, if I cannot serve ray country, which I shall endeavor to the utmost of my power, I will never betray it. The unhappy event which took place yesterday, was as unex- pected as it was distressful ; my concern for your safety, as well as my anxiety for the agitation of my dear partner, wounded me to the heart. Oh, cruel separation. I had many things to say ; I could have talked with you for ever ; but the will of Heaven forbade it. The kind care of my family you have so generously offered, penetrates me with the deepest gratitude. If it should not be in my power to reward you, you will have that recompense greater than I can give you, the approbation of your own heart. Would to God we may again enjoy that harmonious intercourse I have been favored with since my union with your family. I will not despair of this great blessing in some future and not very distant period. * * God preserve you in health and every earthly enjoy- ment, until you again receive the salutation of Your friend and brother, Samuel Quincy. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 565 EXTRACTS FROM MR. QUINCY'S LETTERS. London, July 25, 1775. * * I have now been here a month. I have not yet seen Lord North or Lord Dartmouth, not because I could not, but be- cause I have not been sent for, and choose my own time if I do it at all. I mention this to show you how mistaken you are when you suppose I shall be strictly examined. I have just returned from a visit to one of the first law officers, by whom I was very politely received. As to politics I say nothing ; suffice it that my opinion of men and things remains the same, and is confirmed every hour. * * We have just received the news of the battle of the 17th of June, by the Cerberus ; but this is a subject on which I dare not venture. Every thing is peace here ; I wish it may soon return to my dear, dear country. TO HENRY HILL, ESQ. London, August 18, 1775. You conjure me by the love of my country, to use my best endeavors to bring about a reconciliation, suggesting that the Americans are still as determined as ever to die free, rather than live slaves ; I have no reason to doubt the zeal of my fellow- countrymen in the cause of freedom, and their firmness in its de- fence, and were it in my power, my faithful endeavors should not be wanting (nay, I have a right to say they are not) to effect an accommodation. But, my good friend, I am unhappy to find that the opinion I formed in America, and which in a great measure governed my conduct, was but too justly founded. Every propo- sal of those who are friendly to the colonies, to alter the measures of government and redress the grievances of which they complain, is spurned at, unless attended with previous concessions on their part. This there is less reason every day to expect, and thus the prospect of an accommodation is thrown at a distance ; nor is there yet the least reason to suppose that a formidable if any opposition will be framed against administration in favor of America. The people of this country are united in their attachment to the reigning I1V.J m 566 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. t prince and his family. The king's ministers are their own ; and though a clamor against those who are in power, which is ever the case in popular governments, in some measure divides the metrop- olis, the city politics never were on a lower ebb. Their petitions and remonstrances are received with indignation, as they are con- ceived to originate from an anti-ministerial spirit, and not as the ofTspring of true patriotism or friendship to America. The politi- cal subordination of the colonies is in this island a sacred tenet. It is not, therefore, very surprising, that the late alarming strides of colony opposition have taught them to suspect a determination to emancipate the continent from every civil connection with this country, and a dangerous design of independency, notwithstanding the denial of it in words. Under this apprehension, the yeomen, merchants, and manufacturers, in the inland parts of the country, who were wont to be advocates for America, as far as I am able to form a judgment both from information and observation, are be- ginning to murmur against them. Their common answer is. Whilst you were reasonable in your demands and complained of real burdens, we were willing to support you, but we cannot ven- ture to assist American independence, lest we lay a foundation for the destruction of both countries. Their produce and manufac- tures are in quick demand, and likely to continue so, owing princi- pally to the equipment of the Spanish flota, and the late Russian war. They are therefore at peace and contented, immersed in wealth and commerce, and caring little what passes beyond them. Some of the principal American merchants here with whom I have conversed, are projecting an association promising their aid to gov- ernment, and publicly to convince America that they are not to expect the assistance of the trad*^ here in support of what they call her extravagant claims. We look, say they, upon your attempts to distress us by stopping your commerce, as a mark of your want of honesty, and your pretended flame for liberty as only a desire for domination and empire. When the lord mayor carried up to St. James's the late city remonstrance and petition for the removal of the troops from Boston, his procession, with the usual parade, at- tended by the sheriffs, aldermen and common-council, excited little attention, and was honored at the palace gate with but a dumb peal even from the tattered rabble. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 667 The effect of the battle of Bunker Hill is a resolution to send more ships and troops, every species of ammunition and warlike implements, and all kinds of supply for the support of Boston ; many of them are already embarked. Admiral Shuklam supersedes Admiral Graves, and Sir Jeffery Amherst, it is said, has consented to accept the command, and General Gage will have leave to re- turn. "What number of troops will be sent I ara not able to say, but I understand much greater in the spring, if a negotiation does not take place. I mention these things minutely, to show you of how small importance are those flattering articles of intelligence which sound well upon paper, and appear highly spirited and influential. These are facts, not of conjecture only, but visible and operative. Your reflection will perhaps be, we must then work out our own sal- vation by the strength of our own arm, trusting in the Lord. Really, my friend, if the colonies, according to their late declaration, have made a resistance by force their choice, the contest is in short re- duced to that narrow compass. I view the dangerous and doubtful struggle with fear and trembling ; I lament it with the most cor- dial affection for ray native country, and feel sensibly for my friends. But I am aware it is my duty patiently to submit the event as it may be governed by the all-wise counsels of that Being ' who ruleth in the heavens, and is the God of armies. ' -kk * * TO MRS. QUINCY. London, Jan. 1, 1777. The continuance of our unhappy separation has something in it so unexpected, so unprecedented, so complicated with evil and misfortune, it has become almost too burdensome for my spirits, nor have I words that can reach its description. There are passing be- fore me a thousand varying objects, some of them affording amuse- ment, and others admiration. I see many faces I have been used to. America seems to be transplanted to London. St. James's Park wears an appearance not unlike the Exchange in Boston. * * I long much to see ray father. It is now raore than eighteen raonths since I parted with him in a manner I regret. Neither of you say any thing of the family at Braintree. They ought not to think me regardless of them though I ara silent ; for, however ^ ^ 'Wv ■ "^-^ ■ :''''v.' %v ji ■' f r't 568 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. lightly they may look upon me, I yet remember them with pleas- ure. * * * Mr. David Greene is gone to Antigua. Mr. Ber- gwin, of North Carolina, is now with me. * * London, March 12, 1777. You inquire whether I cannot bear contempt and reproach, rather than remain any longer separated from my family ? As I always wished, and I think always endeavored, not to deserve the one, so will I ever be careful to avoid the other. You urge as an inducement to my return, that my countrymen will not deprive me of life. I have never once harbored such an idea. Sure I am I have never merited from them such a punishment. Difference of opinion I have never known to be a capital offence, and were the truth and motives of my conduct justly scrutinized, I am persuaded they would not regard me as an enemy plotting their ruin. That I might yet be able to recover in some respects the esteem of my friends, I will not doubt while I am conscious of the purity of my intentions. When I determined on a voyage to England, I resolved upon deliberation, and I still think, with judgment. I did not, in- deed, expect so hurried a succession ot events, though you must remember, I long had them in contemplation. Had an accommo- dation taken place, my tour would have been greatly advantageous, especially on the score of business ; what it will be now, time must tell. I am sorry you say nothing of my father, or the family at Braintree ; I have not received a line nor heard from them since I left America. * * God bless you all ; live happy, and think I am as much so as my long absence from you will permit. March 20, 1777. I am not surprised much that, to the loss of property, I have already sustained, I am to suffer further depredations, and that those to whom I am under contract should avail themselves of this opportunity and endeavor to make what is left their own. All I ask is that my brother and my other friends (if I have any) would think of me as they ought, and to be assured, that as far as they inter- pose their assistance to save me from suffer'ng, they will not here- after find me deficient in return. ■4'. I BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 669 October 15, 1777. If things should not wear a more promising aspect at the open- ing of the next year, by all means summon resolution to cross the ocean. But if there is an appearance of accommodating this truly unnatural contest, it would be advisable for you to bear farther promise \ as I mean to return to my native country whenever I may be permitted, and there is a chance for my procuring a live- lihood. But I do not say that I will not accept of an opening here, if any one should offer that I meCy think eligible. London, April 18, 1778. The late unexpected change of the state of public affairs in this kingdom has occasioned a variety of speculation among men of moderate principles in both parties. While some construe the concessions of parliament as the effect of fear and pusillanimity, others regard them as the offspring of humanity, a desire to put an end to war and the fruitless effusion of kindred blood. The pros- pect of a foreign rupture has doubtless its weight ; but a wish to restore the confidence of America by generous overtures, and its dependence by a mild administration of government, I believe is really a principal foundation of the present terms. Would to God they may be such as will meet the voice and wish of the colonies, and the result be a reunion of two countries whose interests, in my opinion, can never be divided. I have lived to see the beginning, and thus far the progress of this cruel convulsion ; my prayer is that I may live to see the end of it. It has produced effects won- derful and illustrious ; in some of which we may discern and ad- mire the great hand of Providence, in others the havoc of corrupt passions and ambition. Devastation and death are inseparable attendants in the train of war. I regret rny once happy country has, in so short a time, experienced so large a share of them. They are events I have long ago trembled at as a picture of imagination only ; my heart is, however, now disburdened in some degree by a prospect that the wrath of man will no longer prevail to the de- struction of life and property. By the favor of Lord Willoughby (of Parham) with whom, by 4he kindness of my friend Mr. Fraser, 1 have the honor of an inti- mate acquaintance, my curiosity has been several times gratified 72 1 » i ■■?r , % % '-m ■» %' w 570 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. i-: * by an access to the house of lords, during the most important in- quiries ; particularly about ten days since, when the great Lord Chatham came down to the house tottering upon his feeble limbs, to give his voice and advice on the present critical and dangerous exigence of the state. The business of the day being introduced by the Duke of Richmond, Lord Chatham rose, and in a faltering tone of voice, manifestly enfeebled since I heard him before, began his remarks by recurring to former periods of national alarm, compared them to the evils nowcomplained olF, pointing out the causes and their remedy, and then delivered his opinion on the two great questions of a war with France, and the independence of America. His speech was short to what I expected, and I believe much shorter than he intended. The jOake of Richmond rose in reply, and with some asperity objected to what had fallen from the noble earl. Whether this or mere bodily weakness was the cause I know not, but just as the duke had finished, his lordship suddenly fainted. The house was immediately ordered to be cleared, and the doors and windows set open ; but eager to see so celebrated a senator, as I thought in his last moments, I ventured to press in again, and saw him borne off on the shoulders of the Duke of Cumberland and other noblemen of the first distinction, pale and speechless. " Silent that tongue, On which, enrapt, admiring senates hung." It was a grand though an affecting sight ! Supposing him to be near his exit, I almost wished to see him die within those walls, where for so many years he has figured to his own honor and the glory of his country. * * * If there is an accommodation, I shall certainly turn my views to some part of the continent, unless something very promising should offer elsewhere. It would grieve me very much to think of never again seeing ray father ; God bless him, and many other worthy friends and relations in New England ; but a return to my native country I cannot be reconciled to until I am convinced that I am as well thought of as I know I deserve to be. I shall ever rejoice in its prosperity, but am too proud to live despised where I was once respected — an object of insult instead of the child of favor. * * BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 571 You suggest, that had I remained, I might still have been with you in honor and employment. It may be so, but when I left America I had no expectation of being absent more than a few months, little thinking operations of such magnitude would have followed in so quick a succession ; I left it from principle, and with a view of emolument. If I have been mistaken it is my misfortune, not my fault. My first letters from my friends congratulated me on being out of the way ; and I was pleased to find my under- taking met with their approbation as well as my own. The hearts of men were not within my reach, nor the fortuitous event of things within my control. " I am indeed a poor man ;" but even a poor man has resources of comfort that cannot be torn from him, nor are any so miserable as to be always under the influence of inau- spicious stars. I will therefore still endeavor to bear my calamities with firmness, and to fet; for others. * * Those who have befriended my family are entitled to my warmest gratitude, and I hope you will never fail to express it for me. Whether it ever will be in my power to recompense them I know not, but no endeavor of mine shall be wanting to effect it. * * * I conjecture, though you do not mention from what quar- ter, you have received unkindness. There are in this world many things we are obliged and enabled to encounter, which at a dis- tance appear insupportable. You must have experienced this as well as I ; and it ought to teach us that best doctrine of philoso- phy and religion — resignation. Bear up, therefore, with fortitude, and wait patiently in expectation of a calmer and brighter day. >'»^ M Londm, May 31, 1778. By the public prints we are made acquainted with an act of the state of Massachusetts Bay, that precludes those among others from returning, who left it since the 19th of April, 1775, and "joined the enemy." You do not mention this act, nor have I any information by which I am to construe what is meant by " joining the enemy." The love of one's country, and solicitude for its wel- fare, are natural and laudable affections ; to lose its good opinion is at once unhappy, and attended with many ill consequences ; how much more unfortunate to be for ever excluded from it without of- fence ! It is said also that there is a resolve of congress, " that no # 672 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE S^. absentee shall be permitted to take up his residence in any other colony without having been first received and admitted as a citizen of his own." This may have some effect on a movement I had in contemplation of going southward, where I have a very advan- tageous offer of countenance and favor. London, March 15, 1779. " You may remember in some of my former letters I hinted my wish to establish a residence in some other part of the conti- nent, or in the West Indies, and particularly mentioned to you An- tigua — where my kinsman Mr. "Wendell, my friend Mr. David Greene, Dr. Russell and his family, Mr. Lavicourt, Mr. Vassall, and others of my acquaintance, will give the island less of the ap- pearance of a strange place. By the passing of the act of proscrip- tion the door was shut against me in my own country, where I own it would have been my wish to have ended my days. This confirmed my resolution. I have since unremittedly pursued various objects, endeavoring to drive the nail that would go. My first intention was that of transplanting myself somewhere to the southward. On this subject I thought long, and consulted others. I considered climate, friends, business, prospects in every view, and at last formed my opinion. The provinces in the south part of America in point of health were not mere favorable than the islands — in point of friends they might be preferable, but with respect to business or the means of acquiring it, uncertain ; public commotion yet continued, violent prejudices are not easily removed. I had neither property nor natural connections in either of them. I could have no official influence to sustain me. What kind of government or laws would finally prevail it was difficult to tell. These and other reasons determined me against the attempt. But to stay longer in England, absent from my friends and family, with a bare subsistence, inactive, without prospects, and useless to my- self and the world, was death to me ! What was the alternative ? As I saw no chance of procuring either appointment or employ here, the old object of the West Indies recurred, where in my younger days I wished to have remained ; and by the influence of some particular gentlemen I have at last obtained the place of " Comptroller of the Customs at the port of Parham in Antigua j'* BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 573 for which island I mean to embark with the next convoy. My view is to join the profits of business in the line of my profession to the emoluments of office. This I flatter myself will afford me a handsome maintenance. I grow old too fast to think of waiting longer for the moving of the waters, and have therefore cast my bread upon them, thus in hopes that at last, after many days, I may find it. Transmit to my father every expression of duty and affection. If he retains the same friendship and parental fondness for me I have always experienced from him, he will patronize my children, and in doing this he will do it unto me. It was my intention to have written to him, but the subjects on which I want to treat are too personally interesting for the casualties of the present day. He may rest assured it is ray greatest unhappiness to be thus denied the pleasing task of lightening his misfortunes and soothing the evening of his days. Whatever may be the future events of his life, I shall always retain for him the warmest filial respect, and if it is my lot to survive him, shall ever think it a pleasure as well as my duty to promote to my utmost the welfare of his posterity. My mother will also accept of my duty and good wishes ; the prosper- ity of the whole household lies near my heart, and they will do me injustice if they think me otherwise than their affectionate friend. * * * Col. Scott yesterday received a letter from his wife, by the Marquis de la Fayette, by which I learn you were all well the 4th January last. * * Vith respect to my property in America, my wish and desire is, if I h ve any control over it, that my friends there collectively, or some one singly under your direction, would take it into their hands, and consolidating the debts I owe into one sum, apply it to their discharge. I can think of no better way than this. If eventually I am deprived of it, I will endeavor to bear it with that fortitude which becomes a Christian and philosopher. * P. S. I could wish above all things to preserve my law books. ((» * TO HENRY HILL, ESQ. London, May 25, 1779. I have obtained an appointment at Parham, in Antigua, ■# * ■ ''f-' w^ 674 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. as comptroller of the customs, and am to embark soon for St. Kitts. * * It is this day four years since I left Boston, and though I have been racked by ray own misfortunes and my feelings for the distresses of ray family and friends, I have still by a good Provi- dence been blessed with health and comforted by the kindness of many friends. If I have not been in affluence, I have been above want, and happy in the esteem of numbers in this kingdom to whom I was altogether a stranger. * * The education of my children is uppermost in my heart. The giving ray son the benefit of classi- cal learning by a course of college studies, is a step I much approve. The sequestration of my books is more mortifying to me than any other stroke. If they are not yet out of your power save them for me at all events. TO THE REV. DR. WIOGLESWORTH, HOLLIS PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY, CAMBRIDGE. Antigua, June 28, 1782. * * Nothing has laid so near ray heart during my absence and misfortunes as the advancement of the education of my chil- dren. The honor my son is about to receive at the approaching solemnities I hope will be well earned. * • * It was always my desire, and more than once have I intimated to you my inclination, to turn my thoughts and influence towards the prosperity of the college ; how that object has been defeated needs no explanation. I was ever their well wisher — they would have found me their benefactor. " '4 In a copy of a letter to a friend, apparently in the West Indies, but whose name does not appear, Mr. Quincy thus expresses himself: Antigua, Feb. 1, 1782. You^k of me an account of my coming to the West Indies, the manner of my existence, and destination, &c. The story is long, and would require many anecdotes to give the true history, but you will excuse me if at present I say only, that in the year 1775, just after the battle of Lexington, I quitted America for Lon- don on motives of business, intending to return in a few months ; but my absence was construed by our good patriots as the effect of BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 676 ray political principles, and improved first to my proscription, after- wards to the very flattering title of traitorous conspirator, and the confiscation of my estate. I remained in England several years, but, tired of waiting for the moving of the waters, and unwil- ling to waste the flower of my age in a state of indolence, neither profitable to myself nor my family, I resolved to seek my fortune in this part of the world, where I had been in ray younger days, — obtained a berth in the customs, which, together with the emolu- raents of ray profession, afford me a comfortable subsistence, and the prospect of something beyond. Your friend, &c., Samuel Quincy. to henry hill, esq., boston. St. Christopher, My 26, 1783. My dear Brother : I am sorry to find that the letters you wrote me after the tidings you received of my loss of your dear sister,* never reached me, as by that means I was deprived of the consolations, which the sym- pathy of our friends affords in the hour of grief. * * For strange as it may seera, however painful the idea that we are Jbr ever separated from our friends, there is something pleasing to me in calling to meraory the conversations, the attitudes, which present them in the strongest point of view, the occasions upon which, and the places where they have raost administered to our felicity and comfort. If this is not the case, how great a part of the small pit- tance of enjoyment allotted to us in this life is broken off. How many of our former friendships and sweetest intercourse would be for ever obliterated, and dead to recollection ; our fund of gratifi- cation would be confined to the narrow limits of the objects imaoe- diately around us. There is in some persons a strange kind of reluctance to conversing about their dead friends ; as if those passages in their character which render their memory dear, could not be thought upon without recalling the circumstances of their departure. To die is the lot of humanity ; if the sentiments and conduct of those who have been separated from us, are such as have * The wife of Mr. Quincy, who died Nov. 1752. 676 BIOORAPHICAL NOTICES. atruriled us cither amusement or instruction, and their example wor- thy of imitation, the more we meditate or confer upon their native and ornamental graces, the more we pay them honor ; the more likely are we (at the same time that we receive a sensible grati- fication) to imbibe the amiable qualities in which they excelled, and to adopt their virtues. • • • • If the events of life were under our control, it is probable vre should endeavor to govern them to the purpose of our views. In that case I should soon be in the society of my nearest friends ; it would be immaterial to me in what part of the world, for I have long since learned that happiness is not confined to any particular spot : difTuscd equally through the immense space of air and earth, the animal part of creation, whether rational or brute, possess it in every region; and most likely were we permitted to carve for ourselves, our fortunes would be still more chequered than they are. This reflection, at the same time it expands our idea of the Deity, has a tendency to teach us acquiescence in the state to \vhich we are destined. Change seems to be as necessary to sus- tain the present link of being as air and food, for though the acci- dental ties of birth, kindred, and friendship, have a powerful influence on our aflections, if the latter is met with where least expected, it has there its most peculiar energy, and the former gradually lessen as the probability of restoring thein is removed in a greater or less degree. TO SAMUEL QUINCY, JR., CAMBRIDGE. June 10, 1785. "• How anxious soever I may feel to see my friends and rela- tions once more, I cannot think of doing it at the expense of my liberty ; nor will I ever visit that country where I first drew my breath, but upon such terras as I have always lived in it ; and such as I have still a right to claim from those who possess it, — the character of a gentleman. * * * The proposal Judge Sumner has hinted to me of keeping his old berth for you at Roxbury, is a good one, at least better than Boston. Cultivate his good opinion, and deserve his patronage ; he will bestow the latter for my sake, I trust, as well as his personal esteem for you. It will also stand you in stead at court, where I hope you will one day figure as a BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 677 legislator as well as an advocatp. All jjepends upon setting out right. You are at the edge of h precipice, or ought to consider yourself so; from whence, if you I II, the " revocare gradum" is a task indeed. Resolve, then, to think right, and act well ; keep- ing up to that resolution will procure you daily the attention of all ranks, and command for you their respect. Keep alive the cause of truth, of reason, of virtue, and of liberty, if I may be permitted to use that name, who have by some injuriously been thought in a conspiracy against it. This is the path of duty, and will be the source of blessing. la- er a n, e, id Jvly 24, 1789. I am exceedingly sorry to hear of the distracted political situa- tion of Massachusetts. • * • A constitution founded on mere republican principles has always appeared to me a many-headed monster, and, however applauded by a Franklin, a Price, and a Priestley, that in the end it must become a suicide. Mankind do not in experience appear formed for that finer system, which, in theory, by the nice adjustment of its parts promises permanency and repose. The passions, prejudices, and interests of some will always be in opposition to others, especially if they are in place. This, it may be said, is the case in all governments, but I think less so in a monarchy than under a republican code. The people at large feel an overbalance of power in their own favor ; they will naturally endeavor to ease themselves of all expenses which are not lucrative to them, and retrench the gains of others, whether the reward of merit or genius, or the wages of a hireling. Tortola, June 1, 1789. My dear Son : Your short letter of the 14th February gave me pleasure, as it informed me of your health and that of your family, and other friends in the neighborhood of Roxbury. # # # It would be my wish to make you a visit once more in my life, could it be ascertained I might walk free of insult, and unmolested in person. Two things must concur to satisfy me of Jhis, — the repeal of the act passed 1779, against certain crown officers, as traitors, conspirators, &c. ; and accommodation with those who 73 '4 -'■wp ^:,>?- 578 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. have against me pecuniary demands. The first I have never yet learned to be repealed, either in whole or in part, and therefore I consider it as a stumbhng-block at the threshold ; the second, no steps I suppose have been taken to effect, although I think it might be done by inquiry and proposition — with some by a total release from demand, and with others by a reasonable compromise. li you ever wish your father to repose under your foof, you will take some pains to examine the list, and make the trial. I shall shortly, I hope, be in a situation to leave this country, if I choose it ; but whether Europe, of the two objects I have in view, will take the preference, may depend on the answer I may receive from you, upon the hints I have now thrown out for your consideration and filial exertions. # * * I have been, as I informed you in my last, a good deal indis- posed for some time past. I find myself, however, better on the whole at present, though I feel the want of a bracing air. Adieu. Your affectionate parent, Samuel Quincy. Soon after the date of this last letter, Mr. Quincy embarked for England, accompanied by his wife.* The restoration of his health was the object of the voyage, but the effort was unsuccessful ; he died at sea, within sight of the English coast. His remains were carried to England, and interred on Bristol hill. His widow imme- diately re-embarked for the West Indies, but her voyage was tempestuous. Grief for the loss of her husband, to whom she was strongly attached, and suffering from the storm her vessel encoun- tered, terminated her life on her homeward passage. * Mr. Quincy was married to a second wife at Antigua. A^- 3f% LINES BY DR. COOPER, PRESIDENT OF KING'S, NOW COLUMBIA, COLLEGE. The following lines were written by Dr. Cooper, in England, on the 10th of May, 1776, the anniversary of his departure from New- York. As it is descriptive of his precipitate flight from the college, to avoid the outrages of a mob, this effusion may be regarded as a document of historical interest, aside from the beauty of the poetry. To thee, O God ! by whom I live, The tribute of my soul I give. On this revolving day ; To thee, O God! my voice I raise, To ihce address my grateful praise, And swell the duteous lay. Nor has this orb unceasing run Its annual circle, round the sun, Since when the heirs of strife. Led by the pale moon's midnight ray, And bent on mischief, urged their way To seize my guiltless life. At ease my weary limbs were laid. And slumbers sweet around me shed The blessings of repose : Unconscious of the dark design, I knew no base intent was mine. And therefore fear'd no foes. Nor yet content— but hoping still, Their impious purpose to fulfil. They force each yielding door ; And whilst their curses load my head, With piercing steel they probe the bed. And thirst for human gore. Meanwhile along the sounding shore. Where Hudson's waves incessant roar, 1 work my weary way ; And skirt the windings of the tide, My faithful pupil by my side, Nor wish the approach of day. At length ascending from the beach, With hopes reviv'd by morn, I reach The good PaleHion'st cot ; Where free from terror and afTright, I calmly wait the coming night, My every fear forgot. When straight a heaven-directed youth,* 'Twos then 1 scal'd the vessel's S side. Whom oft my lessons led to truth, And honor's sacred shrine, Advancing quick, before the rest, With tremblmg tongue my ear addrest, Yet sure in voice divine : "Awake! awake! the storm is nigh — This instant rouse— this instant fly— The next may be too late : Four hundred men, a hostile band. Access importunate demand, And snake the groaning gate." I wake— I fly— whilst loud and near' Dread execrations wound my ear. And sore my soul dismay; One avenue alone reniain'd, A speedy passage there 1 gain'd Ana wing'd my rapid way. That moment all the furious throng. An entrance forcing, pour'd along. And fill'd my peaceful cell it Where all the amities abide That mortal worth can boast ; Whence, with a longing, lingering view, I bid my much-lov'd York adieu, And sought my native coast. Now all compos'd, from danger far, 1 hear no more the din of war, Nor shudder at alarms ; But safely sink each night to rest, Ko malice rankling through my breast, In freedom's fostcting arms. Though stripp'd of most tne world admires. Yet torn by fewuntam'd dc ires, I rest in calm content ; And humbly hope a gracious Lord Again those blessings will afford, VVIiicii once his bounty Innt. Yet still for many a faithful fritncl, Shall ilay by day my vows ascend Thy dwelling, O my God ! I Where harmless jest, and modest mirth. Who steady still in virtue's cause, And cheerful laughter oft had birth, Despising faction's mimic laws, And joy was wont to dwell. The paihs of peace have trod. Not ev'n the Muses' hallow'd fane, Nor yet for friend alone— for all Their lawless fury can restrain, Too prone to heed sedition's call, Or check their headlong haste ; Hear me, induljienl Heaven ! They push them from their solemn seat, O ! may tiiey cast the;r arms away. Profane their long rever'd retreat, And lay their Pindus waste. To Thee, and George, submission pay, Repent and be forgiven ! * Mr. Nicholas Oirden. ? Mr. Siuyvesant's seat in the Bowery. t King's, now Columbia College. S Kiiigfidlicr, sluop ol war, buuuil to Eiiglanil. NEW-YORK CONFISCATION ACT. An Acl for the Forfeiture and Sale of the estates of Persons who have adhered to the Enemies of this State, and for declaring the Sove- reignty of the People of this State in respect to all property within the same.— Passed, October 22, 1789. Therefore be it enacted by the People of the State of New- York, etc., That John Murray, Earl of Dunmore, formerly governor of the colony of New- York, William Tryon, Esq., late governor of the said colony, John Watts, Oliver De Lancey, Hugh Wallace, Henry White, John Harris Cruger, William Axtell, and Roger Morris, Esq., late members of the council of the said county ; George Duncan Ludlow and Thomas Jones, late justices of the supreme court of the said colony ; John Tabor Kempe, late attorney-general of the said colony; William Bayard, Robert Bayard, and James De Lancey, now or late of the city of New- York, Esqs. J David Matthews, late mayor of said city ; James Jauncey, George Folliot, Thomas White, William Mc Adam, Isaac Low, Miles Sherbrook, Alexander Wallace, and John Wetherhead, now or late of the said city, merchants; Charles Inglis, of the said city, clerk, and Margaret his wife ; Sir John Johnson, late of the county of Tryon, knight and baronet ; Guy Johnson, Daniel Claus, and John Butler, now or late of the said county, Esq. ; and John Joost Herkemer, now or late of the said county, . yeoman ; Frederick Philipse and James De Lancey, now or late of the county of Westchester, Esqs. ; Frederick Philipse, (son of Frederick,) now or late of the said county, gentleman; David Colden, Daniel Kis- eam the elder, and Gabriel Ludlow, now or late of Q,ueen's county, Esqs. ; Philip Skeene, now or late of the county of Charlotte, Esq., and Andrew P. Skeene, son of Philip Skeene, late of Charlotte county ; Benjamin Seaman and Christopher Billop, now or late of the county of Richmond, Esqs. ; Beverly Robinson, Beverly Robinson the younger, and Mal- com Morrison, now or late of the county of Dutchess, Esqs. ; John Kane, now or late of the said county, gentleman ; Abraham C. Cuyler, now or laie of the county of Albany, Esq. ; Robert Leake, Edward Jessup, and Ebenezer Jessup, now or late of the said county, gentlemen ; and Peter Du Bois and Thomas H. Barclay, now or late of the county of Ulster, Esqs.; Susai.nah Robinson, wife to the said Beverly Robinson, and Mary Morris, vvife to the said Roger Morris ; John Rapelje, of Kings county, Esq. ; George Morrison, Richard Floyd, and Parker Wickham, of Suffolk county, Esqs. ; Henry Lloyd tlie elder, late of the state of Massachusetts Bay, merchant ; and Sir Henry Clinton, knight, be and each of them are hereby severally declared to be, ipso facto, convicted and attainted of the ofl'ence aforesaid ; and that all and singular the estate, both real and personal, held or claimed by them the said persons severally and respectively, whether in possession, reversion or remainder, within this state, on the day of the passing of this act. shall be, and here- by is declared to be forfeited to, and vested in the People of this State. THE PEPPERRELLS OF KITTERY. As this was the only native New EnglaRd family ennobled by the British government previous to the Revolution, and as the honor was conferred for distinguished public service, it would [seem that further notice than what has been taken in the introduction and in pp. 449 and 526 is due, and will, no doubt, be acceptable to the reader. The fortune of General Pepperrell far exceeded any that had been amassed in New England, and his enterprise and public spirit shed a wide-spread influence around. He loaned a large sum for the furtherance of the expedition he was destined to command. And notwithstanding that Franklin and other prominent men of the middle and southern provinces pronounced the contemplated siege and attack of Louisburg to be duixotic, so satisfied was Pepperrell of the feasibility of the plan, and that the reduction of that stronghold of the enemy was an object of vast importance, that he willingly hazarded fortune, fame, and life itself, for its accomplishment. His zeal in the business imparted new life to the people, and he finally succeeded in influencing the co-operation of all the New England gov- ernments. Fortune adhered to him in this as in all his commercial enterprises, and to the good judgment he displayed, as well as'to his example of per- sonal bravery, is the final success of the expedition mainly to be attri- buted. By command of the king, (George II,) General Pepperrell repaired to England soon after the surrender of the French, and upon presenta- tion, after an expression of thanks by his majesty, for his public spirit, and brilliant achievement, he asked the General "/tow he could satisfactm-ily reward him for his services ;''^ to which the General replied, '■^ Only by keeping a sufficient naval force or. the hanks of Newfoundland to protect the several thousand fishermen for whom I find employment there.'''' Struck by the seeming disinterestedr.ess of the reply, his majesty caused to be made for and presented him witi: a superb snuff'-box, now owned by the editor, having upon the cover, in bas-relief, the very appropriate representation of the interview between Alexander and Diogenes. 74 v/ Y ^- .y; ■«•■■ c82 THE PEPPERRELLS OF KITTERY. The city of London presented him with a long table of solid silver covered with an extensive service of plate. This was brought over tc America under ciiarge of Admiral Sir Peter Warren ; and when the seizures for confiscation of loyalist estates took place in the early part of the Revolution, this was exempted by the good people, and sent under charge of Sheriff Moulton of York, with a guard of armed men under a flag into Boston, for the grandson and heir, the last baronet of the name, who was a mandamus counsellor, and who had retreated to England a loyalist refugee. Andrew, only son of Lieut. General Sir William Pepperrell, Bart., was graduated with honors at Harvard College, in 1743. To personal beauty, in him were added grace of manner and elegant accomplishments rarely attained in our hemisphere at that period. He was for some time engaged to be married to a daughter of General Waldron, of Portsmouth, N. H. Sir William caused to be erected for him a splendid house, and had it furnished in the best style of that day. The day appointed for the nup jals at last arrived, and with it great numbers of guests from all parts of the country to participate in the joyous settlement in life of the son and heir of so prosperous a house. Prepara- tions in such style and magnitude had never been made in New Eng- land, and alas ! little did the family think that the wedding feast would prove a funeral repast. The company assembled to witness tlie marriage ceremony, when, strange to tell, the bride elect declined giving her hand to her betrotlied; — she suddenly look the freak that she could not intrust her happiness to the keeping of her long-devoted lover. She soon after was united in wedlock to Secretary Flucker, of Massachusetts, afterwards a loyalist refugee, and their daughter was the lady of our distinguished General Henry Knox. The disappointment and chagrin of Mr. Pepperrell was only equalled by the regret and mortification of both families, and the end proved heart- rending to many. The disappointed lover repaired to his father's house in a state of mind bordering on distraction, tmd two days after, while walk- ing in the streets of Portsmouth, his career was arrested by a summons from the conqueror of all. He fell dead upon the cpot at the age of twenty-five, and the next day his lifeless remains were attended to the tomb of his ancestors by the party which had assembled to congratulate him at his nuptials. Some author has stated that the fate of greatness is to weep unpitied, but the aphorism did not hold good in this instance, for Sir William had lived for others as well as himself; his wealth had scattered blessings on all around, and, by encouraging every laudable enterprise, he disarmed «nvy and secured universal confidence and respect. The afllicted mother, mourning her only and beloved son ; the fond sister, deprived of her accomplished brother, taken from tliem under euch THE PEPPERRELLS OF KITTEBY. 683 3d awful circumstances ; and the bereaved father, shuddering at this first blow which his house had ever sustained, presented a picture truly ap- palling. The high hopes from the talents and character of his son, were blasted forever. Gaiety was banished from the mansion. The prop of life, the heir to his title and estate, had been removed just as he was prepared to enter upon the most important scenes of life. His pillar and support being gone, ths old hero commenced preparation for the final event, which he felt might not be far distant. Sir William and Lady Pepperreil never after entered the house which had .been prepared with so much care for their son ; and during the Re- volutionary war it was occupied as barracks for the troops, and so sad was the effect of party rage, at that time, that the windows were demol- ished, the paper torn from the walls, the underpinning taken away, and in a few years the house itself was blown down, and not a vestige of the noble structure is now to be seen. After the death of her husband. Lady Pepperreil caused an elegant house to be erected near that of her daughter, and the village church, both of which still remain. Here she died on the 25th of November, 1789. The old mansion which Sir William inherited from his parents is plain in its architecture and contains a great many rooms ; it was well adapted to the extensive domains and hospitalities of its former owners. The lawn in front descends to the sea, and the restless waves over which Sir William successively sought fortune and fame, still glitter in tlie sun- beams, and dash around the disconsolate abode. The fires of ancient hospitality are extinguished, and the present inhabitants of the mansion (many families of poor fishermen) seem to wish to exclude all visitors and strangers. The hall is spacious and well finished; the ceiling is ornamented, and the richly carved bannister bears traces of former ele- gance. On ascending the staircase, paintings of angels' heads decorate the hall window. All traces of comfort, however, seem annihilated. In a field near the old mansion is the Tomb, a melancholy memento of the frailty of human greatness. It is highly ornamented with the family arms, and an inscription records that it was erected in 1734, to the memory of the parents of the baronet, but there is no notice of the de^itli of the victor of Louisburgh, wiiich occurred July 5th, 1759. Elizabetii, only daughter of Sir William and Lady Pepperreil, was married to Hon. Nathaniel Sparhawk, a counsellor and judge. He was son of Rev. John Sparhawk, of Bristol, R. I., and brother of the pastor of the first church of Salem, Mass. Col. Sparhawk was a gentleman of dignified and elegant manners, of liberal education, and refined taste. .The children of this connexion were as follows, viz. : 1st Nathaniel, who successively married his cousinCafharine, daugh- ter of the Rev. John Sparhawk, of Salem ; Miss Bartlett, of Haverhill, and Miss Parker, of Portsmouth. # 584 THE PEPPEBRELLS OF KITTERY, 2d. William Pepperrell Sparhawk, who adopted the name of Pepper- rell, and succeeded to the title. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Isaac Royall, of Medford, and died in England, a loyalist refugee, in 1816, and the baronetcy became extinct, his only son having died in 1809. 3d. Samuel Hirst Sparhawk, who was never married. For a notice of whom, see page 497. 4th. Andrew Pepperrell Sparhawk, who dropped the Sparkawk from his name, while heir presumptive to the baronetcy, in accordance with the will of his grandfather. He married a Miss Turner, was a loyalist, and they both are recorded in the list of exiles who died in England, durornethmg handsome for us, though they talk of full compensation as impressible. An estimate of your losses I am expecting in answer to one of my last letters to you upon that sub- ject. I will do the best for you iu my power, as I hope you are convinced I have ever done." M 1. ■{ '^t « 4'' 592 CAPTAIN HABADEN OF MASSACHUSETTS. CAPTAIN HARADEN OF MASSACHUSETTS. Among the naval exploits of the Revolution few could compare with those of Captain Jonathan Harnden of Salem, commander of the Picker- ing, of one hundred tons, armed with sixteen six pounders, and a crew of forty -five men and boys. Major Garden, in his Anecdotes of the Revolution, says that " while cruising near Sandy Hook, Captain Haraden fell in with a ship of four- teen guns, a brig of ten guns, and a sloop of eight guns, and afler an action of an hour and ahalf captured the whole, and that during the same cruize he captured also the " Pomona," of twelve guns, the sloop of war " Hope," of fourteen guns, and the " Royal George," cutter, of fourteen guns." In thfi spring of 1780 he sailed in the Pickering from Salem for Bilboa, as a letter of marque, and laden with a cargo of sugar and molasses. When near the coast of Spain Captain Haraden fell in with and captured a privateer of twenty-two nine pounders, and sixty men, and put a prize crew on board under Jonathan Games as master, also of Salem, there- by reducing his crew to less than forty. He was still further weakened and embarrassed by having to take care of nearly twice that number of prisoners. About a week afterwards an English ship mounting forty-two guns, with one hundred and forty men, came up with and recaptured the prize. Notwithstanding the disparity of force. Captain Haraden gave her battle, and after a desperate contest compelled her to seek safety in flight, which her superior sailing enabled her to do, when he deliberately retook his prize and carried her safely into port. Mr. Robert Cowan, of Salem, one of the crew, says the " Pickering" looked like a long-boat by the side of the ship. An immense concourse assem- bled on the Spanish coast to witness the fight, and so great was the en - thusiasm and admiration with which the victory hacf been witnessed, that when he landed he was surrounded by a vast throng of strangers, and carried by them in triumph to a populous city in the neighborhood, where he was welcomed with public honors. Another person who was with him in battle, says that lie fought with an energy an ' determination that seemed superhuman, and that although in the most closed position, where the shot flew around him in thousands, he was all the while as calm and steady as amidst a shower of snow. Captain Haraden captured more than a thousand guns from the ships of the enemy. Captain Haraden was of middle size, but of symmetrical proportions — remarkable for personal beauty, as well as inflexible integrity. His temper was mild and manners gentle, but his firmness and energy were gloriously displayed in battle, and banished fear from the breasts of all under his command. At the close of the war. Captain Haraden suc- cessfully embarked in commerce and the manufacture of cordage, and % THE KOBINSONS OF NEW- YORK. 593 lived to witness the nuptials of two of his three children, see pp. 491 and 511 of this book. The youngest, Lucy, is unmarried. He died of protracted consumption in 1803, in his fifty-ninth year, and his fortitude and amiability were apparent to the last moment of his valu- able life. He was endeared by many virtues to an extensive circle of friends. The silver tankards and pans, with suitable emblems upon them, pre- sented by his fellow-townsmen soon after the close of his public life, are in the possession of his daughter, Mrsr Ropes. THE ROBINSONS OF NEW-YORK. CoL. Beverley Robinson, of the then county of Dutchess, and state of New- York, was a prominent adherent to the crown from the commence- ment of the Revolution. He was, by birth, a Virginian, and the tenth son of John Robinson, who, upon the abdication of Governor Gooch, be- came President of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, as Senior Mem- ber of the Council, and died shortly after his elevation to that office. The subject of this memoir was a cotemporary and for many years a personal friend of Washington, until their intercourse was terminated by the Revolu- tion. In the language of Mr. Sparks, " their friendship was indeed severed only by the harsh and uncompromising decrees of war." He came to New- York about the year 1748, and soon after married Susannah Philipse, the daughter of Frederick Philipse, in whose family were concentrated the two large estates of the Philipses, situated upon the Hudson, the one called Philipsburgh, containing upwards of one hundred and fifty square miles, commencing at a place called the Yonkers, about eighteen miles above the city of New-York, and the other Fredericksburgh, containing two hundred and forty square miles, situated between Peekskill and Fishkill. Frederick Philipse left fovir children, two sons and two daughters. The lower manor, Philipsburgh, devolved upon his eldest son, Frederick, and the upper manor, Fredericksburgh, he devised to his three remaining children, Philip Philipse, Susannah Robinson, and Mary, the wife of Col. Roger Morris, in equal portions. It was at one time supposed that Miss Mary Philipse would have become the wife of Washington. Such, we are informed, is the family tradition, and among the papers of Washington was found a letter written by a Mr. Chew, from Mr. Robinson's house in New-York, advising him that if he had any serious intentions of making Miss Philipse his wife, to come on to New- York without delay, as Coi. Morris, an officer in the army, was supposed to be a rival suitor ; but the advice it seems was disregarded. Early in the Revolution, Mr. Robinson received the command of a provincial regiment called the American Loyalists, a considerable portion of which he raised himself. His eldest son, Beverley Robinson, became hi ff-.Tv.ir-rrf- ■■ "»*v. * >■ - > % 594 ffip '<>K THE ROBINSONS OF NEW-YORK. lieutenant colonel of the corps, and the late Col. Thomas Barclay, his brother-in-law, the major, and the regiment was engaged in active ser- vice during the war. Colonel Robinson avowed his opinions, and took a firm and decided stand in favor of the government as Boon as hostilities were resorted to on the part of the colonists, and before any other constitutional government existed than that of the mother country. The acts which constituted his " treason," were committed or commenced before a government, to which " treason " could apply had been created. He maintained his allegiance to the government de facto and de jure, and obeyed the only laws that were then in force. No man was more sensible than he of the nature and extent of the grievances of which the American colonies had just right to complain, but he was of opinion that redress for these grievances might have been obtained without a resort to arms. He was among the first to clothe his family in the fabrics of the country, to demonstrate practically his opposition to the system of British taxation, and to employ other peaceful measures to accomplish the object that all had in view, and he had confidence in the efliicacy of that course of policy. He shuddered at the idea of a resort to arms ; and such was unquestionably the feeling of a vast majority of the people, previous to the Declaration of Indepen- dence. Entertaining those opinions he acted upon them, and he took up arms in defence of the existing institutions, almost with as much repug- nance as he would have attempted their overthrow. This was the extent of his transgression, and for this he was attainted of high treason, ban- ished, and his estate confiscated. To render the act of confiscation effec- tual, his wife was included in the attainder. His eldest son, Lieut. Col. Robinson, Col. Roger Morris and his wife, and Frederick Philipse, Esq., were e'.iibraced in the same statute. Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Morris were, we believe, the only females, except Mrs. Inglis, who were attainted and banished during the Revolution. It so happened that the estate of Mrs. Morris was settled upon her and her children, at the time of her mar- riage, and consequently her life estate only was the subject of confisca- tion. The estate in remainder, which was secured to the chi'dren, was purchased many years before Mrs. Morris's death for a large sum of money by Mr. Astor, who, after a long controversy, finally compromised with the state for five hundred thousand dollars. At the termination of the war. Col. Robinson, at an advanced age, went with a part of his family, his wife, three sons and two daughters, to England, where he afterwards obtained some compensation for his losses, and spent the brief remainder of his life in retirement. Morris, the eldest of the three who accompanied him, who had served during the latter part of the war as a captain in Simcoe's corps, the Q,ueen's Rangers, advan- ced himself to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and died many years ago, at Gibraltar. Frederick Philipse, now Sir Frederick Robinson, K. C. B., and a general in the army, entered the service at a very early age, and THE ROBINSONS OF NEW -YORK. 595 # early in the Rp"olution. He afterwards served in several of the West India Islamls and subsequently had an opportunity of obtaining a high military reputation upon the Peninsula, where he was twice severely wounded, in the command ol a brigade. He received three medals, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. He is now living in London, at an advanced age, and is the only survivor of that generation. William Henry, afterwards Sir William Robinson, entered the Commis- sariat, a id died at the head of that department, having also been knighted for his long and faithful services. These details are entered into, to show ihat the victims, politically speaking, of the revolutionary war, were not suffered to die neglected and in obscurity by the government which they had served, but that their services and sacrifices have been duly app;c- ciated and rewarded. Lieut. Col. Robinson, at the conclusion of the war, found an asylum in the province of Nova Scotia, whither he and Major Barclay, with a detachment of their regiment repaired, to settle on the lands allotted to them by their government. Lieut. Col. Robinson graduated in King's, now Columbia College, in the city of New-York, and entered the office of James Duane as asfiKji law, but the revolutionaiy troubles com- menced before he was i . o the bar. He had married the sister of Major Barclay, and dau>^ . ^. oithe Rev. Henry Barclay, formerly rector Trinity Church, New-York, who died about the year 1760. The pio- neers landed at Annapolis, without means or prospects, late in the fall of 1783, and remained with their families (each having several children) at a miserable inn, until two log huts were prepared for them in the wilds of Nova Scotia, distant some ten or fifteen miles from any human habita- tion, excepting similar huts Ihat had been built by the soldiers. There they lived for several months, upon their rations and such game as the forests supplied.; ^Within a year or two, however, they were put upon half-pay, which afforded great relief to both. They nevertheless contin- ued to reside in those huts for four years, when Col. Robinson removed to the province of New Brunswick. He remained unemployed, except as a member of the King's Council in New Brunswick, until the French Revolution, when, at the commencement of hostilities between'England and France, two regiments were ordered to be raised in the two provin- ces. Col. Robinson was appointed to the command of the New Bruns- wick regiment, and Col. Barclay to that of Nova Scotia, and, as we are informed, without any application from either of them. The former accepted the appointment, and continued in the service until the regiment was disbanded, shortly before his death, which occurred in the city of New- York, his birth-place, in the year 1816, while he was upon a visit to two of his sons, who had elected at an early age to make the home of their ancestors the theatre of their future exertions. John, another son of the senior Col. Robinson, who also entered the army during the revolutionary war, at the end of it took refuge in the *■ .■-/■w(;--f^'V^'S<1 '-. ■"-% :p 596 THE BARCLAYS OF NEW-YORK province of New Brunswick, and embarked in commercial operations with considerable success. He filled several offices of tnist and profit in New Brunswick, such as Paymaeter General of the Province, Mayor of tht city of St. Johns for a number of y^^ars, and Provincial Treasurer, which situation he occupied at the period 'his decease. Col. Barclay, whose fortunes appear to have been so closely connected with those of Col. Robinson in their early career, is the same who, for many years held the office of British Consul General for the Eastern states, and resided in the city of New- York. His very active and useful life will be the subject of a separate memoir. THE BARCLAYS OF NEW-YORK. s CoL. Thomas Barclay was born in the City and Province of New- York, on the twelfth day of October, 1753, the eldest son of the Rev. Henry Barclay, D. D., who, in the year 1748, succeeded the Rev. William Vesey as Rector of Trinity Church in the same city. Dr. Barclay had one other soU; named Anthony, and two daughters Anne and Catha- rine; the former married Colonel Beverley Robinson, the younger; the latter, Colonel Stephen Delancey. These last were the parents of that distinguished officer, Lieut. Col. Sir William Howe Delancey, C. B., who was killed at Waterloo, and whose appointment as Quarter Master General to the British army, before that great and decisive battle, was expressly required by the Duke of Wellington, when his Grace accepted the command. In the year 1764, when the subject of this memoir was but ten years of age, he had the misfortune to lose the fostering eare and valued instruc- lio's ofth" pious parent we have named; but not before his exalted pre- cepts and evimple had created an elevating influence in the mind of his son, which was to endure with his existence. Thomas Barclay delighted in literature from his youth. His family possess a large silver medal and several other prizes awarded him at King's, now ColuioJiia College, in the City of New- York, where !te look a degree of A. B. in due course. He studied the law as a profession un- der the late Chief Justice Jay, and was called to the Bar. On the second of October, 1775, he married the fourth daughter of the late t"cter Delan- cey, of West Chester, in the then province of New- York, and grand- daughter of the former Gov. Cadwallader Colden, named Susan, after her aunt and godmother Susan Delancey, lady of Sir Peter Warren, K. B., and the mother of Charlotte, fourth Countess of Abingdon, and of the beautiful Lady Southampton. At the date last mentioned, resistance to the mother country was freely discussed and advocated throughout the provinces, which now form the United States. Mr. Barclay thought that the motives alleged were not ■ *■•>■■ THE BA6JLAYS OF NEW-YORK. 697 sufficient, nor, in his opinion, had the proper perseverance been employed to induce the government to modify its objectionable laws. As his loyalty never wavered, it became known the more as sentiments of a different character gained numbers and vigor. Accordingly, by an act of the Provincial Legislature o the State of New- York, passed in the year 1779, Thomas Barclay was attainted as & traitor,, for adhering to gov- ernment. A singular cause for attainder ! and his estate, which at this day would be a principahty in income, was confiscated under the autho- rity of that law. On General Sir William Howe's arrival at New-York, with the army under his command, in the summer of 1776, Mr. Barclay joined the royal army. In February, 1777, was appointed a captain in a corps called the Loyal American Regiment. In consequence of his gallant conduct at the storming of the forts Montgomery and Clinton, on the banks of the Hudson river, in October, 1777, he was promoted to the majority of the same regiment. In 1780, Sir Henry Clinton, then commander-in-chief of His Miijesty's forces in America, appointed him major to a corps of light infantry, with which he served in Virginia and Carolina. In the last named province he remained actively employed until the Marquis of Hastings, then Lord llawdon, resigned the command in South Carolina in order to return to England ; at which time his lordship sent him charg- ed with his despatches to Earl Cornwallis, then in Virginia, who had promised to appoint Major Barclay one of his aides-de-camps. On his passage from Charleston, in South Carolina, to the Chesapeake, he was captured by the French fleet under Count de Grasse. Being soon after exchanged, he rejoined the Loyal American Regiment, and remained major of it until it was disbanded at the peace in 1783. In April, 1783, preceding the evacuation of New- York by the British forces in No>;f^[n« ber following. Major Barclay was ordered by Lord Dorchester; tuen Sir Guy Carleton, commander-in-chief in America, to proceed to Nova Sco- tia, accompanied by two other officers, to locate the lands vdiereon the provincial forces who were to be disbanded, were to be placed. This serxicr performed, he returned to New- York in August following with the intention of going with his family to England. At the earnest solicit- ation, however, of the commander-in-chief, he consented lo return to No- va Scotia io superintend the settlei.ient of the disbanded soldiers of his regiment, which duty he performed without any remuneration, and eventu- ally established himself in Nova Scotia, among the troops whom he settled there, with a view to stimulate, encourage and protect them. When he re- moved with them he had four children. His ample property in the pro- vince of New- York having been confiscated, with doubtful prospect of the period when he might obtain compensation for his losses, or be placed on the half-pay list, he took a farm for himself in the wilderness of Wilmot, Nova Scotia, among his nen-commissioned officers and privates, as did two or three other officers. With his own hands, and those of two sons, then 75 •«•!»• ''u:/^ 598 THE BARCLAYS OF NEW-YORK, boys, he levelled the forest on his new possession, which gratefully re- warded his toil and perseverance ; while he converted the settlement o» troops into a respectable society, to whom he soon became physician, pastor, counsellor and judge. By his industiy in farming, he supported a large family, until, finding his colony in a prosperous and orderly state, he removed to Annapolin Royal, about the year 1789, to pursue his profession at the bar, which he exercised with great success through the province of Nova Scotia. About that time he was elected member of the Provincial Assembly, of which he was chosen Speaker, and the last named office he exercised for several years, until other duties devolved upon him. At the commencement of the war between Great Britain and France, in 1792, he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Royal Nova Scotia Regiment ; but as Sir John Wentworth, the Governor of Nova Scotifi, was of opinion that Lieut. Col. Barclay's Bervices would be more benefi- cial to the government by raising a corps of fencibles, in which he con- curred, he declined the appointment, and employed himself in raising a fenciblc corps of militia, of one thousand men ; it was principally com- manded by experienced officers then on half-pay, and was called the Nova Scotia Legion, consisting of eight companies of light infantry, a company of artillery, and a squadron of light cavalry. The activity, zeal, and service of this corps, were frequently made known to the government, by General his late Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, then commanding the forces in Nova Scotia, and by Sir John Wentworth, Bart. In consequence of information received in the autumn of 1793, that a squadron of French ships of war, with land forces on board, said to he then in the port of New- York, meditated an attack upon Halifax in Nova Scolia, and there being in that province no other regular military force, than one company of the Royal Artillery, and the Fourth, or King's Own Regiment, at that time not more than four hundred men strong, and no naval force except a small frigate, it was resolved by the Governor in council to call in six thousand militia to the defence of Halifax. Of this number the Nova Scotia Legion composed one-sixth part. Colonel Bar- clay, being then Adjutant General of the militia, performed not only the duty of that office, but important duties in other departments of the sf - vice ; and although the officers and men received the usual pay, he de- clined taking any, either as colonel of the Legion, or for his services in any of the other stations in which he acted ; and it is believed that the expense of raising the Legion was borne by himself. In 1796, Col. Barclay was appointed Commissioner to carry into effect the fifth article of the treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, con- cluded between Great Britain and the United States, which article he brought to a successful termination in November, 1798. In January, 1799, he received the appointment of Consul-General for the Eastern States of America; which honorable office he filled to universal accept- THE BARCLAYS OF NEW-YOBK. 599 ance, until the commencement of the war between Great Britain and the United States, in 18 12, when he returned to England. In f'.ie Ian* named appointment he succeeded Sir John Temple, Bart, the fiiut British Con- Bul-General. At that time Col. Barclay's own personal influence at home had become considerable, in consequence of the just appreciati'^n of his various services, by Sir Henry Cllntop Lord Raw don, and other commanders, during the Revolution : the most flattering letters from whom and from his Royal Highness the Duke of K^'-.t, father of tiie reigning queen, have been read by the editor. By the influential patronage of the Duke of Kent, then commander-in-chief of the forces in North Ameri- ca, so"a after tlie Tteace at the close of the year 1814, Col. Barclay was again appointed Commissioner to earry into effect the fourth and fifth ar- ticles of the Treaty of Ghent; the first of which was executed favorably to the interests of the Crown, in 1817. He was not so successful in bring- ing the fifth article to a decision, although he persevered long in his exer- tions to accomplish it. The fifth article embraced what has commonly been termed the Maine boundanj line — that long vexed and lately settled question. In , the year 1828, he retired from office at the age of seventy-five years, be- ing allowed to receive his full pay, as a pension. From the preceding dates it will appear that Col. Barclay was actively and constantly em- ployed in the public service, military and civil, from 1776 to the year 1828, a term of fifty-two years ; or, in other words, from early manhood to old age. He obtained a commission in the army for his second son, De Lancey,* * In a recent worii by Ca[>tain Je'Me, the following lines, descriptive of this p'' >■, taken from an extemporaneous effusion of the late distinguished Lord Erskin u a dinner party at Oatlands, the country seat of his Royul Highness the Duke of York, on new-year's eve, of the year 1812, and the note subjoined thereto by Captain Jesse, may give some idea of the estimation in which he was held : " Halt ! blundering muse, to the right about face ; You have passed over Barclay, go back to his place. You sure must have seen him, so handsome, so tall : A stri ir' o' has never sprung- up since the fall — Better .,. .loned without, or freer within From nia]ip;nnnt ill-nature's original sin. Him famed in our armies one day we shall see, Though a Barclay, a Qnaler hv never will be." Jesse's note follows : " De Lancey Barclay, C. B , another aide-decamp of the Duke of York's, an'/ one of the most popular men in the army. He was at this time in the Royal Corsi- can Rangers. Colonel Barclay was in the Guards at Waterloo, and at the period of his death, which took place on the twenty-eighth of March, 1826, he was one of the aides-de-camp of King George the Fourth." ! \> m] *ffr'- >v,. •;^.,^^^ 600 «.yRE BARCLAYS OF NEW-YOBK. who was rapidly promoted to the highest rank which hia length or scr- viua admitted. He was aide-de-ca