THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
INTERESTING EVENTS 
 
 IN THE 
 
 axsionir 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNITED STATES: 
 
 BEING A 
 
 SELECTION OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND 
 INTERESTING EVENTS 
 
 WHICH HAVE TRANSPIRED 
 
 SINCE THE DISCOVERY OF THIS COUNTRY 
 TO THE PRESENT TIME. 
 
 Carefully selected from the most approved Authorities, 
 
 BY J. W. BARBER. 
 
 NEW-HAVEN : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY J. W. BARBER^ 
 
 L.K.DOW, PRINTER. 
 
 1828. 
 
DISTB7CT OF CONNECTICUT, ss. 
 
 BE IT REMEMBERED, That on on the twenty- 
 (first day of October, in the fifty-third year of 
 the Independence of the United States of Ame 
 rica, JOHN W. BARBER, of the said District* 
 hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right 
 whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit : 
 " Interesting Events in the History of the United States, 
 being a selection of the most important and interesting- events 
 which have transpired since the discovery of the country to 
 the present time. Carefully selected from the most appro 
 ved authorities. By J. W. Barber." 
 
 In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, 
 entitled, " An act for the encouragement of learning, by 
 securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the au 
 thors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein 
 mentioned." And also to the act, entitled, "An act supple 
 mentary to an act, entitled, An act for the encouragement 
 of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and 
 feooks, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during 
 the times therein mentioned,* and extending the benefits, 
 thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching his 
 torical and other prints. * 
 
 CHAS. A. INGERSOLL, 
 
 Clerk of the District of Connecticut, 
 A fcree copy of Record, examined and sealed by me, 
 CHAS. A. INGERSOLL, 
 
 Clerk of the District of Connecticut 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 AUTHENTIC accounts of important events which hare f&- 
 ken place in past ages are of much utility : especially to the 
 countries and people whose affairs are related. In a country 
 like ours, it seems necessary to the existence of true and en 
 lightened patriotism, that every person should possess some 
 knowledge of the history of his own country. By the aid of 
 history, we can call up past scenes and events in review 
 we can see the effects they have had upon the nations before 
 us, and from thence we can learn wisdom for the future. 
 It is, in reality, interesting and instructive to every intelli 
 gent mind, to be transported back to the time of the first 
 settlement of our country, to observe the courage, fortitude^ 
 and self-denial of our forefathers, amidst many surrounding; 
 dangers, difficulties, and privations, their unconquerable 
 love of freedom, the resistance they manifested to tyrannj 
 in all its shapes, and the final success of their efforts to 
 preserve the freedom and independence of their country 
 entire. 
 
 This work is not designed for the information of those who 
 are conversant with the history of onr country in all its 
 parts ; (this class of community is comparatively small ;) .. JL 
 for those who cannot spare the time or expense of reading 1 
 or procuring a full and complete history. The object of the 
 work is to give an account, in a short but comprehensive 
 manner, of the most important and interesting events which 
 have taken place in our country, nearly all of which are 
 arranged in chronological order. Those events which 
 a^e deemed of minor importance, are inserted in the 
 
nological Tables, at the end of the book, as r*y 
 which is mentioned could not he detailed, witljo^t swe*lm 
 the book to an expensive size. 
 
 It is believed that this work will be found useful as a Re* 
 ference Book, for events recorded in American History^ 
 there being-, it is presumed, no event of any very coasiJera* 
 ble importance, which is not noticed in this work. 
 
 In making- the selection of events, care has been take* 
 to consult the most approved authorities, and the Compiler 
 would here state, that he feels himself under particular obli 
 gations to Holmes 1 American Annals, the most valuable 
 work of the kind which has ever appeared in this country, 
 a work from which a great proportion of late Histories of 
 the United States- have been benefitted, either directly or 
 indirectly. 
 
 Other authors have also been consulted, and extracts 
 taken from them in many instances, as will be perceived in 
 examining the work. The numerous engravings intersper 
 sed through the book, it is thought will be of utility in 
 making the work interesting, and of fixing the facts more 
 Srmly in the mind. J. W. B, 
 
 HATJMI, October, 182% 
 

 fit/if . ,<r//i//i 
 
11 
 
 The Indians of this country were generally Po- 
 Jytheists, or believed in a plurality of Gods. Some 
 were considered as local deities; yet they believed 
 that there was one Supreme God, or Great Spirit, 
 the Creator of the rest, and of all creatures and 
 things. Him, the natives of New England called 
 Kichtan. They believed that good men, at death, 
 ascended to Kichtan, above the heavens, where 
 they enjoyed their departed friends and all good 
 things ; that bad men also went and knocked at the 
 gate of glory, but Kichtan bade them depart, for 
 there was no place for such, whence they wander 
 ed in restless poverty. This Supreme Being they 
 held to be good, and prayed to Him when they de 
 sired any great favor, and paid a sort of acknowl 
 edgment to Him, for plenty, victory, &c. The 
 manner of worship in many tribes, was to sing and 
 dance around a large fire. 
 
 There was another power which they called Hob- 
 bamock, in English the Devil, of whom they stood 
 in greater awe, and worshipped him merely from a 
 principle of fear, and it is said that they sometimes 
 even sacrificed their own children to appease him.* 
 They prayed to him to heal their wounds and dis 
 eases. When found curable, he was supposed to be 
 the author of their complaints; when they were 
 mortal, they were ascribed to Kichtan, whose dis 
 eases none were able to remove ; therefore they 
 never prayed to him in sickness. Their priests, 
 which were called Powaws, and their chief warri 
 ors, pretended often to see Hobbarnock in the shape 
 of a man, fawn, or eagle, but generally of a snake, 
 who gave them advice in their difficult undertakings. 
 The duty and office of the Powaws, was to pray to 
 
 *Morse and Parish s Hist, of N. E. 
 
12 
 
 Hobbamock for the removal of evils ; the common 
 people said amen. In his prayer the Powaw pro 
 mised skins, kettles, hatchets, beads, &c. as sacri 
 fices, if his request should be granted. 
 
 The apparent insensibility of the Indians under 
 pains and wounds is well known ; yet they had aw 
 ful apprehensions of death. 
 
 When sick, and all hope of recovery was gone, 
 their bursting sobs and sighs, their wringing hands, 
 their flowing tears, and dismal cries and shrieks, 
 were enough to excite sympathy from the hardest 
 heart. Their affection was very strong for their 
 children, who by indulgence were saucy and undu- 
 tiful. A father would sometimes, through grief arid 
 rage for the loss of a child, stab himself. Some 
 tribes of Indians would not allow of mentioning the 
 name of a friend after death. When a person died, 
 they generally buried him with his bow and arrows, 
 dogs, and whatever was valuable to him while liv 
 ing, supposing he would want them in another 
 world, as their ideas of the happiness of heaven 
 consisted in finding plenty of game, feasting, &c. 
 
 The Indians appeared to have distinct traditions 
 of the creation and deluge, and some of their words, 
 rites and ceremonies, bear a strong affinity to those 
 of the ancient Hebrews. 
 
 (2.) Expeditions of Ferdinand de Soto and M. de 
 la Salle. 
 
 The Mississippi was first discovered by Ferdinand 
 de Soto in 1541, and Father Hennepin, (a French 
 Catholic Missionary,) and Monsieur de la Salle were 
 the first Europeans that traversed it. Soto had 
 
13 
 
 served under Pizarro in the conqdest of Peru, with 
 such reputation that the King of Spain entrusted him 
 with the government of Cuba, with the rank of Ge 
 neral of Florida, and Marquis of the lands he 
 should conquer. 
 
 Soto collected a body of 900 foot and 350 horse, 
 for an expedition into Florida, where he landed in 
 May, 1539. From the Gulf of Mexico, he pene 
 trated into the country northward, and wandered 
 about in search of gold, exposed to famine, hard 
 ships and the opposition of the natives. He pursu 
 ed his course north to the country inhabited by the 
 Chickasaws, where he spent a winter. He then 
 crossed the Mississippi, being, the first European 
 that had discovered that vast river. After a long 
 march into the country westward, in which Soto di 
 ed, the remains of, his troops returned to the Mis 
 sissippi. Here they built a number of small ves 
 sels, in which they sailed down the stream, and 
 made the best of their way to Panuco, in Mexico, 
 where they arrived in September, 1543. In this 
 extraordinary expedition, of more than four years 
 duration, in search of gold in the wilderness, and 
 
 among hostile savages, more than half the men per- 
 
 i j j, 
 
 isned. 
 
 Father Hennepin, a missionary of the Francis 
 can order, and M. de la Salle, with a party of men, 
 embarked from fort Frontenac, in Canada, in Nov. 
 1678. After having passed through Lakes Ontario, 
 Erie, Huron, and Michigan, and carried their ca 
 noes over land to the head of the Illinois river, 
 Hennepin passed down to the mouth of the Missis 
 sippi. He set out upon his return to Canada, where 
 he arrived in 1681, after having passed through ma 
 ny hardships and difficulties , in this perilous enter- 
 
 *Webster g Elements of Useful Knowledge, VoL I. 
 2* 
 
14 
 
 prize among the savages, who for some time detained 
 him as a prisoner. 
 
 M. de la Salle returned to France ; and from the 
 flattering account he gave of the country, and the 
 advantages that would accrue from settling a colony 
 in those parts, Louis XV, was induced to establish 
 a company for that purpose. Salle embarked, with, 
 an intention to settle near the mouth of the Missis 
 sippi. But through mistake lie sailed 100 leagues 
 to the westward of it, where he attempted to, settle 
 a colony; but through the unfavorableness of the 
 .climate, most of his men miserably perished, and 
 he himself was villanously murdered, not long after, 
 by two of. his own. men. 
 
 (3.) Introduction of the use of Tobacco. 
 
 This singular native American plant,, appears to 
 have been used by the Indians in all parts of Ameri 
 ca. It is said it was first discovered by the Span 
 iards in 15*20, near the town of Tobasco, in Mexico., 
 The Mexicans used it copiously, not only in smoke 
 in the mouth, but also in snuff at the nose. 
 
 " In order to smoke it," says the historian, " they 
 put the leaves, with the gum of liquid amber, and, 
 other hot and odorous herbs, into a little pipe of 
 reed, or wood, or some other more valuable sub 
 stance". They received the smoke by sucking the 
 pipe and shutting the nostrils with their fingers, so, 
 lhat it might pass more easily, by the breath, into 
 the lungs/ It was such a luxury, that the lords of 
 Mexico were accustomed to compose themselves to 
 sleep with it. 
 
 In the account of Cartier s voyage in 1535, we 
 find it used in Canada ; it is thus described : 
 : There groweth a certaine kinde of herbe, whereof 
 
Tirirmia 
 
15. 
 
 in. Sommer they make great provision for all the-, 
 yeer, making great account of it, and onely men 
 use of it, and first they cause it to be dried in the 
 sunne, then weare it about their necks wrapped in 
 a little beastes skinne, made like a little bagge, 
 with a hollow piece of stone or wood like a pipe : 
 then when they please they make pouder of it, and 
 then put it in one of the ends of the said cornet, or 
 pipe, and laying a cole of fire upon it, at the other 
 ende, suckeso long, that they fill their bodies full of 
 smoke, till it commeth out of their mouth and nos 
 trils, even as out of the tonnell of a chimney." 
 
 Tobacco was carried into England from Virgjn- 
 ia, by Mr. Lane, in 1586. Sir Walter Raleigh, a 
 man of gaiety and fashion, adopting the Indian 
 usage of smoking, and by his interest and example, 
 introducing it at court,, the pipe. soon became fash 
 ionable. It was in vain that parliament discoura 
 ged the use of this " vile Indian weed." In vain 
 King James assured his subjects, that the cus 
 tom of smoking it was loathsome to the eyes, hate 
 ful to the nose, harmful to the brain, and danger 
 ous to the lungs. Opposition made proselytes; and 
 the united influence of fashion and habit, extended 
 the practice through the kingdom.* 
 
 Tobacco was first cultivated by the English in 
 Virginia, about the year 1616 ; from that time to. 
 the present, it has ever been one of the staple pro 
 ductions of that state. 
 
 (4.) Settlement of Jamestown, (Virg.) 
 
 "North America was discovered in a period 
 when the Arts and Sciences had made very eonside- 
 
 "Holmes American Annalav 
 
16 
 
 rafale progress in Europe. Many of the first ad 
 venturers were men of genius and learning, and 
 were careful to preserve authentic records of such 
 of their proceedings as would be interesting to pos 
 terity. These records afford ample documents for 
 American historians. Perhaps no people on the 
 globe, can trace the history of their origin and 
 progress with so much precision, as the inhabit 
 ants of North America ; particularly that part of 
 them who inhabit the territory of the United States." 
 
 The first European who discovered the coast of 
 the United States, was John Cabot, a Venitian, who 
 was employed by Henry VII. of England, to make 
 discoveries. What is now called the Island of New 
 foundland was first seen by him, and sailing thence 
 in a westerly direction, he ranged the coast to Flo 
 rida. This was in the year 1497 about five years 
 after the first discoveries of Columbus. 
 
 After many unsuccessful attempts to establish a 
 permanent settlement, Capt. Christopher Newport 
 was sent out by a company in England, with 1 50 co 
 lonists. After a voyage of four months they enter 
 ed the Chesapeake Bay, and proceeded up a river 
 called by the natives Powhattan, (now James Riv 
 er,) and landed, May, 1607, at the place which now 
 bears the name of Jamestown. This was the first 
 permanent colony in North America. 
 
 (5.) Pocahontas. 
 
 Among the most enterprising and brave of the 
 Virginia settlers was Capt. John Smith. Under a 
 pretext of commerce, he was drawn into an ambush 
 of a numerous body of Indians*, who seized and 
 carried him in triumph to Powhattan their king* 
 
IT 
 
 Powhattan sentenced him to death. Gapt Smith 
 was led out and his head placed upon a large stone, 
 to receive the fatal blow. At this moment Pnca- 
 hontas, the youngest and darling daughter of Pow 
 hattan, then thirteen years old, rushed to the spot 
 where Capt. Smith lay, threw her arms about his 
 neck, and placed her own head on his, declaring that 
 if the cruel sentence was executed the first blow 
 should fall on her. The sachem was moved yield 
 ed to the entreaties of his daughter, and consented 
 to spare his victim upon the conditions of a ransom. 
 The ransom was paid Capt. Smith was then relea 
 sed, and returned, unhurt, to Jamestown. 
 
 (6.) Jamestown saved. 
 
 In 1609, two or three years after Pocahontas sa 
 ved the life of Capt. Smith, Powhattan formed a 
 horrid scheme for the entire destruction of the colo-- 
 ny at Jamestown. His project was to attack them 
 in time of peace, and cut the throats of the whole 
 colony. 
 
 In a dark and stormy night, Pocahontas, like an 
 angel of mercy, hastened alone to Jamestown and 
 discovered the inhuman plot of her father. The 
 colonists, thus warned, took proper measures to re 
 pel the insidious attack. 
 
 Pocahontas, after this, was married to an English 
 man, named Rolfe, with whom she went to England. 
 She embraced the Christian religion and took the 
 baptismal name of Rebecca, After a residence of 
 several years in England, during which lime she 
 exemplified the religion she professed, she died as 
 she was about embarking for America. 
 
 She left an only son, who was married and left 
 
18 
 
 none but daughters ; from them descended some cf 
 the most respectable families in Virginia. 
 
 (7.) Plymouth Settlers. 
 
 The colony at Plymouth, Mass, (the first Euro 
 pean settlement in New England,) was planted 
 principally for the sake of the free and undisturbed 
 enjoyment of religious and civil liberty. The colo 
 nists were originally from the north of England ; 
 and were of that class of people in those days cal 
 led Puritans, so named from, their uncommon zeal 
 in endeavoring to preserve the purity of divine 
 worship. 
 
 Being persecuted by their enemies, during the 
 reign of James I., they fled with their pastor, to 
 Amsterdam in Holland, in 1608. They afterwards 
 removed to Leyden, where they remained till they 
 sailed for America. 
 
 Having resolved upon a removal, they procured 
 two small ships and repaired to Plymouth, (Eng.) 
 and from thence they proceeded about 100 leagues 
 on their voyage, when they were compelled to re 
 turn, in consequence of one of the ship* , being 
 leaky. This ship was condemned, and the other, cal 
 led the May Flower, being crowded with passengers, 
 again put to sea, Sept. G ; on the 9th of November, 
 after a dangerous passage, they arrived at Cape 
 Cod, and the next day anchored in the harbor which 
 is formed by the hook of the Cape. 
 
 Before they landed, having devoutly given 
 thanks to God for their safe arrival, they formed 
 themselves into a "body politic," and chose Mr, 
 John Carver their Governor for the first year. 
 
19 
 
 Their next object was to fix on a convenient 
 place for settlement. In doing this they encounter 
 ed many difficulties many of them were sick in 
 consequence of the fatigues of a long voyage 
 their provisions were bad the season was uncom 
 monly cold the Indian?, though afterwards friend- 
 ly, were now hostile and they were unacquainted 
 with the coast. These difficulties they surmounted ; 
 and on the 22d of December. 1620, they safely 
 landed at a place which they named Plymouth. 
 The anniversary of their landing is still celebrated 
 by the descendants of the Pilgrims., as a religious 
 festival. 
 
 The whole company that landed consisted, of but 
 101 souls. Their situation and prospects were tru 
 ly dismal and discouraging. The nearest Europe 
 an settlement w.as 500 miles distant, and utterly in 
 capable of affording them relief .in time of famine 
 or danger. Wherever they turned their eyes, dis 
 tress was before them. " Persecuted in their native 
 land grievecl for profanation of , the holy Sabbath, 
 and other licentiousness in Holland fatigued by 
 their long and.boisterous voyage forced on a dan 
 gerous and unknown. shore in the advance of a cold 
 -winter surrounded with hostile barbarians, without 
 any hope of human succor denied the aid or fa 
 vor of the court of England without a patent 
 without a public promise of the peaceable enjoy 
 ment of their religious liberties without convenient, 
 shelter &?om the rigors of the weather. Such were 
 the prospects, and such the situation of these pious 
 and solitary Christians. To add to their distresses, 
 a very mortal sickness prevailed among them, which 
 swept off forty-six of their number before the ensu 
 ing spring. 
 
20 
 
 " To support them under these trials, they had 
 weed of all the aids and comforts which Christianity 
 affords; and these were found sufficient. The free 
 and unmolested enjoyment of their religion, recon 
 ciled them to their lonely situation they bore their 
 hardships with unexampled patience, and perseve 
 red in their pilgrimage of almost unparalleled trials, 
 with such resignation and calmness, as gave proof 
 of great piety and unconquerable virtue." 
 
 (8.) Discovery of Indian Corn. 
 
 Before the Settlers landed at Plymouth, (hey sent 
 out a number of parties to explore the country. 
 One of these parties consisted of sixteen men, under 
 Capt. Miles Standish. In their route they discover 
 ed several small hillocks which they conjectured 
 to bo the graves of the Indians, but proceeding still 
 further they discovered many more, and on closer 
 examination each hillock was found to contain a 
 considerable quantity of Indian Corn! It was buried 
 in the ear, and excited in no small degree their curi 
 osity. By a few of the company it was thought a 
 valuable discovery; others, who had tasted the corn 
 in its raw state, thought it indifferent food and of 
 but little value. 
 
 This corn served them for seed in the ensuing 
 spring. They were instructed by Squanto, a friend 
 ly Indian, how to raise it, and it was probably the 
 means of preserving them from famine. * 
 
 (9.) Massasoit, the Indian Sachem* 
 
 The infant colony at Plymouth were much in 
 debted to the friendship and influence of Massasoit 
 
Ma s ;? a elms *tt g 
 
a powerful Prince or Sachem in those parts. About 
 three months nfter their establishment they received 
 a visit from Massasoit with sixty of his men. They 
 were conducted to the Governor who received them 
 with military parade. The Governor and Massa 
 soit kissed each others hands as a salutation and 
 both sat down. "Strong water" was then given 
 to the sachem " who drank a great- draught, that 
 made him sweat all the while after." ^After eating 
 they entered into a friendly treaty. They agreed 
 to avoid injuries on both sides, to restore stolen 
 goods, to assist each other in all just wars, and to en 
 deavor to promote peace and harmo\y among their 
 neighbors. This treaty was faithfully obterved by 
 Massasoit and his successors for more than forty 
 years after. 
 
 In the year 1623, Massasoit was taken sick and 
 sent information of it to the Governor,^ who sent 
 two of his friends to make him a visit. Their vis 
 it and the presents which they brought, were very 
 gratifying to Massasoit, and the medicines they ad 
 ministered were successful in restoring his health. 
 -Gratitude for their kindness prompted him to dis 
 close a conspiracy of the Indians, which had for its 
 object the total destruction of the English. This 
 - timely notice averted the calamity. 
 
 (10.) Exploits of Capt. Standish. 
 
 Capt. Miles Standish, the hero of New England, 
 came over with the first Plymouth settlers in 1620. 
 He was allied to the noble house of Standish, of 
 Lancashire, (Eng.) and was heir apparent to a 
 great estate, unjustly detained from him, which com 
 pelled him to depend on himself for support. 
 3 
 
" He was small in stature, but of an active spirit, 
 a sanguine temper, and strong constitution." 
 These qualities led him to the profession of arms, 
 He entered into the service of Queen Elizabeth, in 
 the aid of the Dutch, and afier the truce, he settled 
 with Mr. Robinson s people in Leyden. When 
 they emigrated to America, he commanded the de 
 tachment for making discoveries after their arri 
 val. He was chosen by the settlers as their military 
 commander, and has since been considered as the 
 Washington of the Plymouth Colony. 
 
 One of his most celebrated exploits was the 
 breaking up of a plot in 1623, which the Indians had 
 formed to murder the English settlers at Wessagus- 
 set, now Weymouth. The Governor of Plymouth 
 having learned from Massasoit the plot of the na 
 tives, sent Capt. Standish to their relief, and if a 
 plot should be discovered, to fall on the conspirators. 
 Standish made choice of eight men, refusing to 
 take any more. When lie arrived at Wassagusset, 
 he found the settlers scattered, and insensible of 
 the destruction which awaited them. Standish was 
 careful not to excite the jealousy of the natives till 
 he could assemble the people of the plantation. 
 An Indian brought him some furs whom he treated 
 " smoothly," yet the Indian reported that he " saw 
 by the Captain s eyes that he was angry in his 
 heart." This induced Pecksuot, a chief of cou 
 rage, to tell Hobbamock, Standish s guide and in 
 terpreter, that he " understood the Captain had 
 come to kill him and the rest of the Indians there ; 
 but tell him," said he, " we know it, but fear him 
 not ; neither will we shun him ; let him begin when 
 he dare, he shall not take us at unawares. n Oth 
 ers whetted their knives before him, using insult 
 ing gestures and speeches. Pecksuot, being a 
 
23 
 
 man of great stature, said to Standish "though you 
 are a great captain, yet you are but a little man, 
 and though I be no sachem, yet I am a man of great 
 strength and courage." The next day, seeing he 
 could get no more of them together, Pecksuot, and 
 Wittuwamat, and his brother, a youth of eighteen, 
 and one Indian more, being together, and having 
 about so many of his own men in the room, he gave 
 the word, the door was fast ; he seized Pecksuot, 
 snatched his knife from him, and killed him with it ; 
 the rest killed Wittuwamat and the other Indian. 
 The youth they took and hanged. Dreadful was 
 the scene ; incredible the number of wounds they 
 bore ; without any noise, catching at the weapons, 
 and striving till death.* 
 
 This sudden and unexpected execution so terrifi 
 ed the other natives, who had intended to join them 
 m the conspiracy, that they forsook their houses, 
 and fled to swamps and desert places, where they 
 contracted diseases of which many of them died. 
 
 (1 1.) First Settlements in Connecticut. 
 
 In 1635, October 15th, about sixty men, women 
 and children, from Dorchester, Mass., with their 
 horses and cattle, and swine, took up their march 
 across the wilderness to Connecticut river. Their 
 dangerous journey over mountains and rivers, and 
 through swamps they were two weeks in perform 
 ing. "The forests through which they passed for 
 the first time, resounded with the praises of God. 
 They prayed and sang psalms and hymns ; the In 
 dians following them in silent admiration." It was 
 
 *Morse and Parish s Hist, of New 
 
24 
 
 so late in the season when they reached the place 
 (now called Windsor) of their destination, that they 
 were unable to find feed for their cattle, most of 
 which died the ensuing winter. 
 
 Disappointed in receiving their provisions, famine 
 threatened them, and those who remained through 
 the winter were obliged to subsist on acorns, malt, 
 and grains. 
 
 The congregation at Nevvtown, (now Cambridge,) 
 consisting of about one hundred men, women and 
 children, with the Rev. Mr. Hooker, their pastor, at 
 their head, also emigrated more than one hundred 
 miles through a howling wilderness to Hartford. 
 They had no guide but their compass; on their way 
 they subsisted on milk, for they drove before them 
 one hundred and sixty head of cattle. They were 
 obliged to carry Mrs. Hooker upon a litter. 
 
 They began a plantation and called it Newtozvn* 
 which name was afterwards exchanged for Hartford. 
 
 In the fall of 1637, a small party from Massachu 
 setts journeyed to Connecticut to explore the lands 
 and harbors on the sea coast. They chose Quinnipi- 
 c, for the place of their settlement, and erected a 
 poor hut in which a few men subsisted through the 
 winter. And on the 30th of March following, a 
 larger party sailed from Boston for Quinnipiac, 
 where they arrived in about two weeks. This be 
 gan the settlement of New-Haven. 
 
 (12.) Blue Laws of Connecticut, 
 
 The following is a transcript of the principal 
 part of the celebrated judicial code, known by the 
 name of Blue Laws, under which it is said the first. 
 
25 
 
 colonists of Connecticut remained for a considerable 
 time ; they are as follows : 
 
 " The Governor and magistrates, convened in gen 
 eral assembly are the supreme power under God, of 
 this independent dominion. 
 
 From the determination of the Assembly no ap 
 peal shall be made. 
 
 The Governor is amenable to the voice of the 
 people. 
 
 The Governor shall have only a single vote in de 
 termining any question, except a casting vole when 
 the assembly may be equally divided. 
 
 The assembly of the people shall not be dismis 
 sed by the Governor, but shall dismiss itself. 
 
 Conspiracy against this dominion shall be punish 
 ed Avith death. 
 
 Whoever attempts to change or overturn this do 
 minion shall suffer death. 
 
 The Judges shall determine controversies with 
 out a Jury. 
 
 No one shall be a freeman, or give a vote, unless 
 he be converted, OB a member in free communion 
 in one of the churches in this dominion. 
 
 No food or lodging .shall be afforded to a Quaker. 
 Adamite, or other heretic. 
 
 No one shall cross a river without an authorized 
 ferryman.. 
 
 No one shall run of a Sabbath day, or walk in 
 his garden or elsewhere, except reverently to and 
 from church. 
 
 No one shall travel, cook victuals, make beds, 
 sweep houses, cut hair, or shave, on the Sabbath 
 day. 
 
 No woman shall kiss her child on the Sabbath, or 
 fasting day. 
 
 3* 
 
26 
 
 A person accused of trespass in the nightj shall 
 be judged guilty unless he clear himself by his oath. 
 
 No one shall buy or sell lands without permis 
 sion of the select men. 
 
 Whoever publishes a lie to the prejudice of his 
 neighbor, shall sit in the stocks, or be whipped fif 
 teen stripes. 
 
 Whoever wears clothes trimmed with silver, or 
 bone lace above two shillings a yard, shall be pre 
 sented by the grand jurors, and the select men 
 shall tax the offender at the rate of 300/ estate. 
 
 Whoever brings cards or dice into this dominion 
 shall pay a fine of 51. 
 
 No one shall read Common Prayer, keep Christ 
 inas or Saints day, make minced pies, dance, play 
 cards, or play on any instrument of music, except 
 the drum, the trumpet and Jews harp. 
 
 When parents refuse their children suitable mar 
 riages, the magistrates shall determine the point. 
 
 The select men, on finding children ignorant, 
 may take them away from their parents and put 
 them into better hands, at the expense of the pa 
 rents. 
 
 A man that strikes his wife shall pay a fine of 1 01 ; 
 a woman that strikes her husband, shall be punished 
 as the court directs. 
 
 Married persons must live together, or be impris 
 oned. 
 
 Every male shall have his hair cut round accor 
 ding to a cap." 
 
 This curious code appears to never have been 
 written, but was declared, and interpreted by the 
 select, men, the judges, and the pastors of the differ 
 ent congregations.* 
 
 *Analectic Magazine, Vol. 4, page 57. 
 
(13.) Earthquakes.] 
 
 The first earthquake since the settlement of 
 this country took place in New England on the first 
 day of June, 1638. The earth shook with such vi 
 olence, that, in some places, the people could not 
 stand, without difficulty, in the streets ; and most 
 moveable articles in their houses were thrown 
 down.* It occurred between the hours of three 
 and four P. M. The weather was clear and warm, 
 and the wind westerly. " It came with a noise like 
 continued thunder, or the rattling of coaches in 
 London, but was presently gone." It was felt at 
 Massachusetts, Connecticut, Narraganset, Pisca- 
 taqua, and the circumjacent parts. It shook the 
 ships which rode in Boston harbor, and all the ad 
 jacent Islands. " The noise and shaking continu 
 ed about four minutes. The earth was unquiet 20 
 days after by times."! 
 
 On Jan. 6th, 1663, a great earthquake was felt 
 in the northern parts of America. It was felt 
 throughout New England and New Netherlands, 
 (now New York,) but Canada was the chief seat of 
 its concussions. It began there about half past five 
 o clock, P. M. While the heavens were serene, 
 there was suddenly heard a roar like that of fire. 
 The buildings were shaken with violence. " The 
 doors opened and shut themselves the bells rang 
 without being touched -r the walls split asunder 
 the floors separated and fell down the fields put 
 on the appearance of precipices and the moun 
 tains seemed moving out oi their places." The 
 first shock continued nearly half an hour. Several 
 violent shocks succeeded this, the same evening, 
 
 *Holmes Annals. fWinthrop s Journal, 
 
28 
 
 and the next day ; nor did the earthquake cease till 
 the following July. The effects of the first, in Jan 
 uary, were remarkable. "Many fountains and 
 small streams were dried up. In others the water 
 became sulphureous. Many trees were torn up, 
 and thrown to a considerable distance ; and some 
 mountains appeared to be much moved and broken. 
 
 On the 29th of October, 1727, there was a 
 great earthquake in New England. This earth 
 quake commenced with a heavy rumbling noise 
 about half past ten o clock, P. M., when the wea 
 ther was perfectly calm and tranquil. The motion 
 was undulatory. Its violence caused the houses 
 to shake and rock, as if they were falling to pieces. 
 Stone walls and the tops of several chimneys were 
 shaken down. The duration appears to have been 
 about two minutes. Its course appears to have, 
 been from northwest to southwest. 
 
 The most violent earthquake ever known in this- 
 country, took place November 1 8th, 1755. It was 
 felt at Boston, a little after 4 o clock in a serene and 
 pleasant night, and continued nearly four and a half 
 minutes. In Boston about one hundred chimneys 
 were levelled with the roofs of the houses ; and 
 about fifteen hundred shattered and thrown down 
 in part. Many clocks were slopped. " At New 
 Haven, the ground, in many places, seemed to rise 
 like the sea; and the houses shook and cracked."* 
 The motion of the earthquake was undulatory. 
 Its course was nearly from northwest to southeast. 
 
 Slight shocks of earthquakes have occurred in 
 many instances since the first settlement of this, 
 country. 
 
29 
 (14.) Indian Cunning and Sagacity. 
 
 The Indians have ever been remarkable for their 
 cunning and sagacity. 
 
 The following will serve to illustrate this part of 
 their character. 
 
 A Pequot Indian, in time of war, was pursued by 
 a Narraganset. Finding it difficult to escape he 
 had recourse to the following stratagem. Retiring 
 behind a rock he elevated his hat upon his gun just 
 above the rock, so that nothing but his hat appeared. 
 The Narraganset who was some distance oft", per 
 ceiving this, crept up softly, within a few feet, and 
 fired, and supposed that he had shot his enemy 
 though the head. But he soon found out his mis 
 take, for the Pequot immediately sprung round the 
 rock and shot him before he had time to load his gun. 
 
 Such is the sagacity and habits of nice observa 
 tion which an Indian possesses, that it is said, he 
 can tell whether his enemy has passed any place 
 will discern foot marks which an European could 
 not see ; he wiH tell what tribe it was, and what 
 were their numbers. On the smoothest grass, on 
 the hardest earth, and even on the very stones, will 
 he discern traces. In the pursuit of game they will 
 track their prey in the same manner, and see which 
 way to go in the pursuit. 
 
 (15.) Expedition against the Pequots. 
 
 The year 1G37 is memorable in the history of 
 Connecticut for the war with thp Pequot Indians 
 one of the most warlike and haughty tribes in New- 
 England. Previous to the breaking out of the war, 
 the Pequots had much annoyed the English, and. 
 
30 
 
 murdered a number of them, whereupon a court 
 was summoned at Hartford who determined upon a 
 War with the Pequots. Ninety men were mustered 
 from the towns of Hartford, Windsor and Wethers- 
 field, being about half of the effective force of the 
 whole colony. This expedition was commanded 
 by Capt. Mason, assisted by Capt. Underbill. 
 Previous to their marching, the Rev. Mr. Hooker, of 
 Hartford, addressed them in the following manner : 
 
 "Fellow Soldiers, Countrymen, and Companions, you are 
 this day assembled by the special Providence of God, you are 
 not collected by wifd fancy, nor ferocious passions. It is 
 not a tumultuous assembly, whose actions are abortive, or if 
 successful, produce only theft, rapine, rape, and murder; 
 crime inconsistent with nature s light, inconsistent with a 
 soldier s valor. You, my dear hearts, were selected from 
 your neighbors, by the godly fathers of the land, for your 
 known courage to execute such a work. 
 
 " Your cause is the cause of heaven ; the enemy have 
 blasphemed your God, and slain his servants ;, your are only 
 the ministers of his justice. I do not pretend that your ene 
 mies are careless or indifferent: no, their hatred is inflamed, 
 their lips thirst for blood ; they would devour you, and all 
 the people of God ; but my brave soldiers, their guilt has 
 reached the clouds; they are ripe for destruction ; their cru 
 elty is notorious ; and cruelty and cowardice are always 
 united. 
 
 "There is nothing, therefore, to prevent your certain vic 
 tory, but their nimble feet, their impenetrable swamps, and: 
 woods ; from these your small numbers will entice them, or 
 your courage drive them. I now put the question Who 
 would not fight in such a cause ? fight with undaunted 
 boldness? do you wish for more encouragement? more I give 
 you. Riches waken the soldier s sword ; and though you 
 will not obtain silver and gold, on the field of victory ; you 
 will secure what is infinitely more precious; you will secure 
 the liberties-, the privileges, and the lives of Christ s Church, 
 in this new world. 
 
 w You will procure safely for your affectionate wives, safe 
 ty for your prattling, harmless, smiling babes; you will se- 
 jure all the blessings enjoyed by the people of God in the 
 
Si 
 
 ordinances of the gospel. Distinguished was the honor ctm 
 ferred upon David, for fighting the battles of the Lord ; this 
 honor, O ye courageous soldiers of God, is now prepared for 
 you. You will now execute his vengeance on the heathen ; 
 yon will bind their kings in chains, and their nobles in fetters 
 of iron. But perhaps some one may fear thai a fatal arrow 
 may deprive him of this honor. 
 
 " Let every faithful soldier of Jesus Christ, be assured, 
 that if any servant be taken away, it is merely because the 
 honors of this world are too narrow for his reward; an ever 
 lasting crown is set upon his head ; because the rewards of 
 this life are insufficient. March then with Christian cour 
 age, in the strength of the Lord ; march with faith in his di 
 vine promises, and soon your swords shall find your enemies; 
 soon they shall fall like leaves of the forest under your feet." 
 
 Being joined by Uncas, the sachem of the Mo- 
 hegans, they all proceeded down the river to Say- 
 brook, where they formed their plan of operations. 
 It was determined to atfack ;the enemy in one of 
 their principal forts (in the present town of Ston- 
 ington,) where Sassacus, their chief sachem, had 
 retired. Previous to the attack, Capt. Mason was 
 joined by about five hundred Narraganset Indians, 
 who, when they understood that they were to fight 
 Sassacus, betrayed much fear and retired to 
 the rear, saying " Sassacus was all one a god, and 
 nobody could kill him." 
 
 The time fixed on at length arrived the dawn 
 of the 26th of May, which was to decide the fate of 
 the Colony of Connecticut. The barking of a dog, 
 when within a few rods of the fort, announced their 
 approach and aroused the Pequot sentinel, who 
 cried out Owanmix ! Owannux ! i. e. Englishmen ! 
 Englishmen! The Captains, followed by their men, 
 courageously pressed forward, found an entrance, 
 and fired upon the enemy in the fort who made a 
 desperate resistance. The destruction of the Pe- 
 quots was terrible, yet the victory seemed doubtful, 
 
32 
 
 Captain Mason (who with his men were now nearly 
 exhausted) .seized a fire-brand and set fire to a wig 
 wam, of which there were many in the fort, cover 
 ed with mats and other combustible materials. The 
 firo assisted by the wind spread rapidly, and directly 
 the whole fort was in a flame. The roar and crack 
 ling of the flames, with the yells of savages, and the 
 discharge of musketry, formed an awful and terrific 
 scene ! The troops who had now formed outside 
 of the fort, with the friendly Indians, who had by 
 this lime gathered courage to approach, surrounded 
 the enemy and fired upon those who attempted to 
 escape. 
 
 The work of destruction was complete; of five 
 or six hundred Pequots. only seven or eight esca 
 ped the rest were either shot or perished in the 
 flames. The loss of the English was only two kit- 
 led and sixteen wounded. 
 
 (16.) Elliot, the Indian Missionary. 
 
 In 1650, the society in England instituted for 
 propagating the gospel, began a correspondence 
 with the commissioners of the Colonies of New- 
 England, who were employed as agents of the so 
 ciety. In consequence, exertions were made to 
 christianize the Indians. Mr. John Elliot, minister 
 of Roxbury, distinguished himself in this pious 
 work. He collected the Indian families, and estab 
 lished towns ; he taught them husbandry, the me 
 chanic arts, and a prudent management of their 
 affairs, and instructed them with unwearied atten 
 tion in the principles of Christianity. For his un 
 common zeal and success, he has been called the 
 Apostle of New-England. 
 
Coimecticut 
 
33 
 
 Mr. Elliot began his labors about the year 1646. 
 His first labor was to learn the language, which was 
 peculiarly difficult to acquire ; for instance, the In 
 dian word Nummatchcchodtantamoonganunnonask 
 signified no more in English than our lusts.* Elliot 
 having finished a grammar of this tongue, at 
 the close of which he wrote "Prayers and pains 
 through faith in Christ will do any thing!" with 
 very great labor he translated the whole bible into 
 the Indian language. This Bible was printed ii* 
 1664, at Cambridge, and was the first Bible ever 
 printed in America. He also translated the Prac 
 tice of Piety, Baxters call to the Unconverted, be 
 sides some smaller works, into the Indian tongue. 
 Having performed many wearisome journeys, and 
 endured many hardships and privations, this indefa 
 tigable Missionary closed his labors in 1690, aged 
 eighty-six years. 
 
 The ardor and zeal of Elliot, Mahew, and others, 
 were crowned with such success, that in 1660, there 
 were ten towns of Indians in Massachusetts, 
 -who were converted to the Christian Religion. In 
 1695, there were not less than three thousand adult 
 Indian converts in the Islands of Nantucket and 
 Martha s Vineyard. 
 
 (17.) King Philip s War. 
 (ATTACK ON BROOKFIELD.) 
 
 In the year 1675, Philip, Sachem of the Wamp- 
 an^gas, and grand-son of Massasoit, began the most 
 general and destructive war ever waged by the In 
 dians upon the infant Colonies. He resided at 
 
 * Mather s Magnalia, vol. 1. 
 4 
 
34 
 
 Mount Hope, in the present town of Bristol, in 
 Rhode Island. 
 
 It is supposed that his object was the entire ex 
 tinction of the colonists, who were now rapidly ex 
 tending their settlements. The immediate cause of 
 the war was this : Sausaman, an Indian Missionary, 
 had made a discovery of Philip s plots to the En 
 glish, for which Philip caused him to be murdered 
 The murderers were tried and executed by the En 
 glish. This roused the anger of Philip, who im 
 mediately commenced hostilities, and by his influ 
 ence drew into the war most of the Indian tribes in 
 New England. 
 
 Philip fled to the Nipmucks, a tribe of Indians in 
 that part of Massachusetts which is now called 
 Worcester County, and persuaded them to assist 
 him. The English sent a party also to this tribe, to 
 renew a former treaty, but Philip s influence pre 
 vailed, and this party were way-laid, and eight of 
 their number killed. The remainder fled to Brook- 
 field, pursued by the Indians into the town. Every 
 house in this place was burnt by the Indians except 
 one into which the inhabitants had fled for refuge, 
 and this was soon surrounded by their foes, and for 
 two days they poured into its walls a shower of 
 musket balls. Only one person, however, was kil 
 led. Brands and rags dipped in brimstone, attach 
 ed to the ends of long poles, were used to fire the 
 house; arrows of fire were shot against it, and a 
 cart of tow and other combustibles, .was with long 
 poles pushed against the house, and the savages 
 stood ready to slaughter all who should attempt to 
 escape. 
 
 At this awful and critical moment a sudden tor 
 rent of rain extinguished the kindling flames. Ma 
 jor Willard soon after came to their assistance 
 
35 
 
 raised the seige, and after some slaughter of the en 
 emy, compelled them to retreat. 
 
 (18.) Swamp Fight with the Narragansets. 
 
 Lest^Philip should increase his power, by an alli 
 ance with the Narraganset Indians, the English 
 had made a friendly treaty with them in July, 1675. 
 But notwithstanding this, in December of the same 
 year, it was discovered that they were secretly aid 
 ing Philip s party. This determined the English 
 to undertake a winter expedition against them. For, 
 this object the colony of Massachusetts furnished 
 live hundred and twenty-seven men, Plymouth one 
 hundred and fifty-nine, and Connecticut three hun 
 dred ; to all these were attached one hundred and 
 fifty Mohegan Indians. After electing Josiah Wins- 
 low, Governor of Plymouth colony, to be their 
 commander, the whole party met at Petty quams- 
 quot. About sixteen miles from this place it was 
 found that the Narragansets had built a strong fort 
 in the midst of a large swamp, upon a piece of dry 
 land of about five or six acres. This fort was a 
 circle of pallisadoes surrounded by a fence of trees 
 which was about one rod thick. 
 
 On the 19th of December, 1675, at dawn of day, 
 the English took up their march through a deep 
 snow, and at 4 o clock in the afternoon attacked 
 the Indians in their fortress. The only entrance 
 which appeared practicable, was over a log or tree, 
 which lay up 5 or 6 feet from the ground, and this 
 opening was commanded by a sort of a block 
 house in front. The Massachusetts men, led on by 
 their Captains, first rushed into the fort, but the ene 
 my from the block house and other places opened 
 
36 
 
 so furious a fire upon them that they were obliged to 
 retreat. Many men were killed in this assault, and 
 among them Captains Johnson and Davenport. 
 The whole army then made a united onset. The 
 conflict was terrible, some of the bravest Captains 
 fell, and victory seemed doubtful. At this crisis, 
 some of the Connecticut men ran to the opposite 
 side of the fort, where there were no pallisadoes ; 
 they sprang in and opened a brisk and well directed 
 fire upon the backs of the enemy. This decided 
 the contest. The Indians were driven from the 
 block house, and from one covert to another, until 
 they were wholly destroyed or dispersed in the 
 wilderness. As they retreated the soldiers set 
 fire to their wigwams,, (about six hundred in num 
 ber,) which were consumed by the flames. In 
 this action it was computed that about seven hun 
 dred fighting Indians perished,, and among thern 
 twenty of their chiefs. Three hundred more died 
 from their wounds to these numbers may be add 
 ed many old men, women and children, who had 
 retired to this fort as a place of undoubted security. 
 
 " The burning of the wigwams, the shrieks of 
 the women and children, the yelling of the warri 
 ors, exhibited a most horrid and affecting scene, so 
 that it greatly moved some of the soldiers. They 
 were much in doubt whether the burning of their 
 enemies alive, could be consistent with humanity 
 and the benevolent principles of the gospel." 
 
 From this blow the Indians never recovered. 
 The victory of the English, though complete, was 
 dearly purchased; six of their Captains and eighty 
 of their men were killed or mortally wounded; and 
 one hundred and fifty were wounded who afterwards 
 recovered. About one half of the loss of this 
 bloody fight fell upon the Connecticut soldiers* 
 
37 
 
 (19.) Death of King Philip. 
 
 The finishing stroke was given to the Indian 
 power in New England by the death of Philip, Au 
 gust 12th, 1676. 
 
 Failing in his attempts to rouse the Mohawk tribe 
 to war with the English, he returned to Mount 
 Hope the tide of war against him. The English 
 had killed or captured his brother, councillors, and 
 chief warriors, his wife and family, and he was 
 obliged to flee from one lurking place to another, 
 from the pursuit of his foes. Firm and unbroken 
 amidst all his misfortunes, he would listen to no 
 proposals of peace. He even shot one of his own 
 men for daring to suggest it. 
 
 Captain Church, who for his courage and enter 
 prise in this war had acquired renown, received in 
 formation that Philip was in a swamp near Mount 
 Hope. To this place he marched immediately, with 
 a party of men whom he placed in ambush about 
 the swamp, with orders not to move until day 
 light, that they might distinguish Philip. Cap 
 tain Church, confident of success, took Major San- 
 ford by the hand, exclaiming, " It is scarcely possi 
 ble that Philip should escape;" at this moment a 
 bullet whistled over their heads, and a volley fol 
 lowed. Immediately Philip with his powde/horn 
 and gun ran fiercely towards a spot where lay con 
 cealed a white man and a friendly Indian. The 
 Englishman levelled his gun at Philip, but it miss 
 ed fire. The Indian ally then fired. The bullet 
 entered the heart of Philip, and he fell on his face 
 in the mire of the swamp. By the order of Cap 
 tain Church his body was drawn from the place 
 where he fell, beheaded and quartered. The In 
 dian who executed this order, taking his hatchet, 
 
thus "addressed the body of Philip : "You have 
 been one very great man you have made a many 
 a man afraid of you but so big as you be I will 
 chop you in pieces." 
 
 " Thus fell a brave chieftain who defended him 
 self, and what he imagined to be the just rights of 
 his countrymen, to the last extremity." 
 
 After the death of Philip, the war continued in 
 the province of Maine, till the spring of 1678. 
 But westward, the Indians having lost their chiefs, 
 wigwams and provisions, and perceiving further 
 contest vain, came in singly, and by tens, and by 
 hundreds, and submitted to the English. 
 
 Thus closed a melancholy period in the annals 
 of New England history ; during which, 600 men, 
 in the flower of their strength, had fallen; 12 or 13 
 towns had been destroyed, and 600 dwelling houses 
 consumed. Every llth family was houseless, and 
 every llth soldier had sunk to the grave.* 
 
 (20.) Bacon s Insurrection in Virginia. 
 
 Virginia, while a Colony of Great Britain, often 
 Buffered from the oppressive acts of the mother 
 country, and their essential interests were often 
 sacrificed to individuals in Great Britain. These 
 proceedings gave rise to a spirit of opposition in 
 many of the colonists, which sometimes broke out 
 into open acts of resistance. 
 
 " The malcontents in Virginia, in 1676, taking ad 
 vantage of a war with the Susquehannah Indians, ex 
 cited the people to insurrection. Nathaniel Bacon, 
 a bold,, seditious, and eloquent young man, who had 
 
 *Goodrich. 
 
Rhode Island. 
 
 Death of lung / /<//// tf7t 
 Connecticut 
 
 Pursuing ///< Regicide* 
 
been concerned in a recent insurrection, now offer 
 ing himself as a leader of the insurgents, was cho 
 sen their General ; arid soon after entered James 
 town with six hundred armed followers. Having 
 beseiged the grand assembly, then convened in the 
 capital, he compelled them to grant whatever he de 
 manded. On finding himself denounced, after his 
 departure, as a rebel, by a proclamation of Govern 
 or Berkley, he returned indignantly to Jamestown. 
 The aged Governor, unsupported and almost aban 
 doned, fled precipitately to Accomack, on the east 
 ern shore of the colony ; and, collecting those, who 
 were well affected towards his government, began 
 to oppose the insurgents. Several skirmishes were 
 fought with various success. A party of the insur 
 gents burned Jamestown. Those districts of the 
 Colony, which adhered to the old administration^ 
 were laid waste. The estates of the loyalists were 
 confiscated. Women, whose fathers or husbands 
 obeyed what they deemed the legal government, 
 were carried forcibly along with the soldiers. The 
 Governor, in retaliation, seized the estates of many 
 of the insurgents, and executed several of their 
 leaders by martial law. In the midst of these cala 
 mities, Bacon,- the author of them, sickened and di 
 ed ; and the flames of war expired. This rebellion 
 cost the Colony one hundred thousand pounds,"* 
 
 (21.) TJie Regicides. 
 
 Soon after the restoration of monarchy in Eng 
 land, many of the Judges who had condemned 
 King Charles T. to death, were apprehended. 
 Thirty were condemned and ten were executed as 
 
 ^Holmes American Annals. 
 
40 
 
 traitors ; two of them, Colonels Goffe and Whalley 
 made their escape to New England, and arrived in 
 Boston, July, 1 660. They were gentlemen of worth, 
 and were much esteemed by the colonists for their un 
 feigned piety. Their manners and appearance 
 were dignified, commanding universal respect. 
 Whalley had been a Lieutenant General, and Goffe 
 a Major General, in Cromwell s army. An or 
 der for their apprehension, from Charles II. reached 
 New England soon after their arrival. The King s 
 commissioners, eager to execute this order, com 
 pelled the Judges to resort to the woods and caves, 
 and other hiding places ; and they would undoubted 
 ly have been taken had not the colonists secretly aid 
 ed and assisted them in their concealments.* Some 
 times they found a refuge in a cave on a mountain 
 near New Haven, and at others in cellars of the 
 houses of their friends, and once they were secre 
 ted under the neck bridge in New Haven, while their 
 pursuers crossed the bridge on horseback. After 
 many hair breadth escapes, the pursuit was given 
 over, and they were finally suffered to die a natural 
 death in their exile. 
 
 * While Goffe was secreted in Hadley,in 1675, the Indians 
 attacked the town, while the inhabitants were at public wor 
 ship. The people were thrown into the utmost confusion, 
 till Goffe, entirely unknown to them, white with age, of a 
 venerable and commanding- aspect, and in an unusual dress^ 
 suddenly presented himself among them, encouraging the 
 affrighted inhabitants, put himself at their head, and by his 
 military skill, led them on to an immediate victory. After 
 the dispersion of the enemy, he instantly disappeared. The 
 wondering inhabitants, alike ignorant from whence he came, 
 and where he had retired, imagined him to be an angel, sent 
 for their deliverance. Stiles * Hist, Judges. 
 
41 
 (22.) William Penn. 
 
 iThe territory of Pennsylvania was granted to 
 William Penn, from whom it derives its name. 
 This grant was made by King Charles II. of Eng 
 land, in 1681, in consideration of service rendered 
 to the crown by the father of Penn, who was an 
 admiral in the English navy. In October, 1682, 
 William Penn arrived in the Delaware, with his col 
 ony of Friends or Quakers. He purchased, of the 
 natives the land where he proposed to build his 
 capital, which he called Philadelphia, or the seat of 
 brotherly love. William Penn gave the Indians a 
 satisfactory equivalent for all the lands which he 
 obtained : and when he paid them, he administered 
 such wholesome counsel and advice as proved salu 
 tary to the natives, and greatly endeared him to- 
 their affections. The treaty of peace, which he 
 concluded with them in 1 682, lasted more than seven 
 ty years. He parcelled out lands at moderate rents, 
 gr>ve free toleration to all religious sects, enacted 
 mild and equitable laws, and thus invited a rapid 
 settlement of the colony. The respect and afiec- 
 tion which the natives had for Perm, and those of his 
 religious tenets, was so great that it is related as a 
 fact, that, in their wars with the whites, they never, 
 killed a Quaker, knowing him to be such. 
 
 (23.) Tyranny of Andr 
 
 OS. 
 
 In the year 1684, it was decided in the high Court 
 of Chancery that Massachusetts had forfeited her 
 charter, and that henceforth her government should 
 be placed in the hands of the King. This event 
 was brought about chiefly by the instrumental- 
 
42 
 
 ity of Edmund Andros. This man had been 
 sent over as a kind of spy on the Colonies; he made 
 it his business to collect charges against the Colo 
 nies, and return to England and excite the jealousy 
 of the British government. In this manner, the way 
 was prepared for annulling the Colonial charters 
 In December, J686, Andros arrived in Boston 
 being commissioned by King James as Gover 
 nor General, and Vice Admiral over New England, 
 New York and the Jersies. Like all tyrants, Sir 
 Edmund began his administration with professions 
 of high regard for the public welfare. In a few 
 months, however, the prospect was changed. The 
 press was restrained, liberty of conscience infringed, 
 and exorbitant taxes were levied. The charters 
 being vacated, it was pretended all titles to lands 
 wereiiestroyed ; farmers, therefore, who had culti 
 vated their soil for half a century, were obliged to 
 take new patents, giving large fees, or writs of intru 
 sion were bought, and their lands sold to others. 
 To prevent petitions or consultations, town meet 
 ings were prohibited, excepting once in a year for 
 the choice of town officers. Lest cries of oppres 
 sion should reach the throne, he forbid any to leave 
 the country without permission from the govern 
 ment.* 
 
 In 1689. King James having abdicated the throne, 
 William, prince of Orange, and Mary, daughter of 
 James, were proclaimed in February. A report of 
 the landing of William in England, reached Boston, 
 but before the news of the entire revolution in the 
 British government arrived, a most daring one was 
 effected in New-England. 
 
 * Morse s History of New England. 
 
 
The colonists had borne the impositions of 
 Andres s government about three years. Their pa- 
 .tience was now exhausted. On the morning of 
 April 18th the public fury burst forth like a volcano. 
 The inhabitants of Boston were in arms and the peo 
 ple from the country poured in to their assistance. 
 Andros and his associates fled to a fort, resistance 
 ,was vain, he was made a prisoner and sent to Eng 
 land* 
 
 ,(24.) Preservation o/ the Charter of Connecticut* 
 
 Sir Edmund Andros, being appointed the first 
 .governor general over New England, arrived at 
 Boston in December, 1686. From this place he 
 wrote to the colony of Connecticut to resign their 
 charter; but without success. " The assembly met 
 as usual, in October, and the government continued 
 according to charter until the last of the month. 
 About this time, Sir Edmund, with his suit, and more 
 than sixty regular troops, came to Hartford when 
 the assembly were sitting and demanded the char 
 ter, and declared the government under it to be dis 
 solved. The assembly were extremely reluctant 
 and slow with respect to any resolve to surrender 
 the charter, or with respect to any motion to bring 
 it forth. The tradition is, that Governor Treat 
 strongly represented the great expense and hardships 
 of the colonists, in planting the country, the blood 
 and treasure which they had expended in defending 
 it, both against the savages and foreigners ; to 
 what hardships and dangers he himself had been 
 exposed for that purpose ; and that it was like giv 
 ing^ p his life, now to surrender the patent and priv- 
 
44 
 
 "ileges. so dearly bought and so long enjoyed. The 
 important affair was debated and kept in suspense 
 until the evening, when the charter was brought 
 and laid upon the table, where the assembly were 
 sitting. By this time great numbers of people were 
 assembled, and men sufficiently bold to enterprise 
 whatever might be necessary or expedient. The 
 lights were instantly extinguished, and one Captain 
 Wadsworth, of Hartford, in the most silent and se 
 cret manner, carried off the charter, and secreted 
 it in a large hollow tree, fronting the house of the 
 Honorable Samuel Wyllys, then one of the magis 
 trates of the colony. The people appeared all 
 .peaceable and orderly. The candles were offi 
 ciously relighted, -but the patent was gone, and no 
 discovery could be made of it, or the person who 
 had conveyed it away. Sir Edmund assumed the 
 government, and the records of the colony were 
 closed in the following words : : 
 
 "At a general court at Hartford, October 31st, 
 1687, His excellency Sir Edmund Andros, knight, 
 and captain general and governor of his Majesty s 
 territories and dominions in New England, by order 
 from his Majesty, James the II. king of England, 
 Scotland, France, and Ireland, the 31st of October 
 1687, took into his hands the government of the 
 Colony of Connecticut, it being, by his Majesty, an- 
 nexH to Massachusetts and other Colonies under 
 his Excellency s government. FINIS." 
 
 TrumbuWs History of Connecticut. 
 
 (25.) Destruction of Schenectady. 
 
 In the war between England and France, in the 
 year 1689, the French, who then possessed Canada, 
 
fhra mi a 
 
instigated the Indians to hostilities against the Col 
 onies. A detachment of between two and three 
 hundred French and Indians were sent from Mont 
 real against the frontiers of New York. A march of 
 more than twenty days in the depth of winter 
 brought them to Schenectady, February 8th, 1690. 
 In this march they had b(Mh reduced to such 
 straits that they had thoughts of surrendering them 
 selves prisoners of war. But their scouts brought 
 to them information that the inhabitants were in a 
 state of unsuspecting security, upon this they deter 
 mined to attack them. On Saturday night, about 
 eleven o clock, they entered the town through an 
 unguarded point, and that they might invest every 
 house at the same time, they divided into parties of 
 six or seven men each. The inhabitants were in a 
 profound sleep and unalarmed until the enemy had 
 broken open their doors. In this dreadful surprise 
 and consternation successful resistance was impos 
 sible, and this wretched people were aroused from 
 their midnight slumbers, to endure the perpetration 
 of savage and. inhuman barbarities, too shockin^ 
 here to record. Sixty of the inhabitants were killed 
 and twenty taken off captives. To crown their 
 work, the enemy set on fire the village, killed most 
 of the cattle and the horses, and those which were 
 spared, they drove off, laden with plunder. Those 
 of the people who escaped, fled almost naked 
 through a deep snow, and in a heavy storm ; twen 
 ty five of whom lost the use of their limbs by the 
 severe frost. 
 
(2b ) First Culture of Rice in the, Colonies. 
 
 The planting of Rice was introduced into Care* 
 lina. about the year 1695. Incidents, apparently 
 small, are often productive of important consequen 
 ces. A brigantine from Madagascar, touching at 
 Carolina on her w*j>to Great Britain, came to an 
 chor off Sullivan s Island. Landgrave Smith, on invi 
 tation of the Captain, paid him a visit on board his 
 vessel, and received from him a present of a bag of 
 seed rice, with information of its growth in eastern 
 countries ; of its suitableness for food ; and of its 
 incredible increase. The Governor divided his bag 
 of rice among some of his friends ; who agreeing to 
 make an experiment, planted their parcels in differ 
 ent soils. The success fully equalled their 
 expectation ; and from this small beginning arose the 
 staple commodity of Carolina, which soon became 
 the chief support of the Colony, and the great 
 source of its opulence. Holmes Annals ^ Vol. 2. 
 
 (27) Salem Witchcraft, 
 
 The year 1692 is memorable in New England for 
 the convulsion produced in Salem and its vicinity 
 by the supposed prevalence of Witchcraft. Many 
 were supposed to be bewitched, and would complain 
 of being bitten, pinched, pricked with pins, &c. ; 
 some declared that they beheld a spectral repre 
 sentation of the person whom they said was the cause 
 of their affliction. Some were struck dumb, others 
 had their limbs distorted in a shocking manner, 
 sometimes running on their hands and feet, creeping 
 through holes, and under chairs, tables, &c. ; bark- 
 
47 
 
 ing like a dog, with other actions equally strange 
 and unaccountable. Upon the accusation and tes 
 timony of persons thus afflicted, many were impris 
 oned, and nineteen were executed for practising 
 zuitchcraft, most of whom died professing their inno- 
 c ence.* The evil became awfully alarming; the 
 most respectable persons in the country were accus 
 ed ; but the magistrates finally acquitted those who 
 were accused, and the menacing storm blew over to 
 the great joy of the inhabitants. 
 
 At this period many learned and eminent men, 
 both in England and America, fully believed in the 
 existence of witchcraft. Sir Matthew Hale, one of 
 the brightest Ornaments of the English bench, re 
 peatedly tried and condemned persons as criminals, 
 who were brought before him charged with this 
 crime. It must be confessed, that notwithstanding 
 all the obloquy and contempt which is v now cast upon 
 our forefathers for believing in the existence of 
 witchcraft, many things took place at that time, 
 
 *A cotemporary writer observes: "As to the method 
 which the Salem Justices do take in their examinations, it is 
 truly this : A warrant being 1 issued out to apprehend the per 
 sons that are charged and complained of by the afflicted 
 children, as they are called ; said persons are brought before 
 the justices, the afflicted being- present. The justices ask 
 the apprehended why they afflict those poor children ; to 
 which the apprehended answer, they do not afflict them. 
 The justices order the apprehended to look upon the said chil 
 dren, which accordingly they do ; and at the time of that look 
 (I dare not say by that look as the Salem gentlemen do,) the 
 afflicted are cast into a fit. The apprehended are then blind 
 ed, and ordered to touch the afflicted ; and at that touch, 
 though not by the touch, (as above,) the afflicted do ordinarily 
 come out of their fits. The afflicted persons then declare 
 and affirm, that the apprehended have afflicted them ; upon 
 which the apprehended persons, though of never so good re- 
 pnte, are forthwith committed to prison on suspicion of 
 witchcraft." 
 
43 
 
 (if \ve can credit the accounts given by many re 
 spectable witnesses,) which would be extremely 
 difficult to account for, on natural principles. 
 
 (28.) Captain Kidd, the Pirate. 
 
 Capt. Robert Kidd, in the beginning of King 
 William s war, commanded a privateer in the West 
 Indies, and by several adventurous actions acquired 
 the reputation of a brave man, as well as an expe 
 rienced seaman. About this time the pirates were 
 very troublesome in those parts: whereupon Capt, 
 Kidd was recommended by Lord Bellamont, (then 
 Governor of Barbadoes,) to the British government 
 as a person very fit to be entrusted with the com 
 mand of a government ship, for the purpose of sup 
 pressing piracy. The proposal, however, through 
 some cause, met with no encouragement from the 
 government ; whereupon Lord Bellamont, and some 
 others, who knew of great captures which had beca 
 made by the pirates, and what prodigious wealth 
 must be in their possession, were tempted to fit out 
 a ship at their own private charge, and to give the 
 command of her to Capt. Kidd ; and to give the 
 thing a greater reputation, as well as to keep their 
 seamen under better command, they procured the 
 King s commission for Capt. Kidd. This commis 
 sion was dated at Kensington, Jan. 26, 1 695, in the 
 seventh year of the reign of King William the third. 
 Kidd having received this commission for the sup 
 pression of piracy, sailed from Plymouth, England, 
 in the Adventure galley, of 30 guns and 80 men 5 
 and arrived in New York, where he had a family. 
 Here he held out great encouragement for others to 
 join him, and he soon increased his company to 15f* 
 men. 
 
49 
 
 With this company he proceeded to the Madeiras, 
 mid Cape Verde Islands, and from thence to the 
 East Indies, in order to suppress piracies. After hav 
 ing cruised about in those seas for some time without 
 any success, he formed the resolution of becoming 
 a pirate himself. Finding his crew not averse to 
 such a course, they accordingly commenced the 
 practice uf robbing. After having taken a number 
 of rich prizes, Kidd returned to America, and land 
 ing at Boston openly, he was taken, sent to England, 
 and executed at Execution Dock, with six of his 
 companions, and afterwards hung in chains, at some 
 distance from each other, down the river, where 
 their bodies hung exposed for many years. , 
 
 The remembrance of Capt. Kidd is kept alive in 
 the eastern States by the circumstance of his having 
 buried large sums of money, it is believed, some 
 where on the coast. There have been many at 
 tempts made to discover this treasure by digging, 
 &c. at various places : how much of it has been 
 found, or whether there has been any found at all. 
 ?s a matter which would be difficult to ascertain. 
 
 (29.) Great Snow Storm. 
 
 In" February, 1717, fell the greatest snow, ever 
 known in this country, or perhaps in any other. So 
 deep was the snow, that people stepped out of their 
 chamber windows on snow shoes ; with this fall of 
 snow there was a terrible tempest. Eleven hun 
 dred sheep, the property of one man, were found 
 dead ; one flock of a hundred, on Fisher s Island, 
 were found buried sixteen feet in the snow ; two of 
 them only were alive, they having subsisled on the 
 wool of their companions twenty eight days after 
 the storm. 
 
 5* 
 
50 
 
 (30.) Dark Days. 
 
 We find recorded in History instances of extreme 
 darkness in the day time, and in some cases, this 
 obscurity has lasted for a number of days. The 
 19th of May, 1780, was distinguished by the phe 
 nomenon of a remarkable darkness over all the 
 northern States, and is still called the Dark day.* 
 
 The darkness commenced between the hours of 
 ten and eleven, A. M., and continued till the middle 
 of the next night. It was occasioned by a thick 
 vapor or cloud, tinged with a yellow color, or faint 
 red, and a thin coat of dust was deposited on white 
 substances. t 
 
 The wind was at the southwest ; and the dark 
 ness appeared to come on with clouds in that direc 
 tion. Its extent was from Falmouth, (Maine,) to 
 New Jersey. The darkness appears to have been 
 the greatest in the county of Essex, (Mass.,) in 
 the lower part of New Hampshire, and Maine ; it 
 was also great in Rhode Island and Connec 
 ticut. In most parts of the country where the dark 
 ness prevailed, it was so great, that persons were 
 unable to read common print, determine the time of 
 day by their clocks or watches, dine, or manage 
 their domestic business, without additional light ; 
 
 * At this time the Legislature of Connecticut was in ses 
 sion in Hartford. A very general opinion prevailed, that the 
 day of judgment was at hand. The House of Representa 
 tives, being unable to transact their business, adjourned. A 
 proposal to adjourn the Council was under consideration. 
 When the opinion of Col. Davenport was asked, he answer 
 ed, " I am against an adjournment. The day of judgment 
 is eifher approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no 
 cause for an adjournment : if it is, I choose to be found do 
 ing my duty. I wish therefore that candles may be brought." 
 
 DwighVs Travels, Vol. 3. 
 
 t Webster. 
 
51 
 
 u candles were lighted up in their houses ; the bird:? 
 having sung their evening songs, disappeared and be 
 came silent ; the fowls retired to roost ; the cocks 
 were crowing all around as at break of day ; objects 
 could not be distinguished but at a very little dis 
 tance; and every thingbore the appearance and 
 gloom of night."* 
 
 Beside this instance of uncommon darkness, there 
 was one on the 21st of October, 1716; when "people 
 were forced to light candles lo eat their dinners by, * 
 but the particulars of it are not preserved.! 
 
 (31.) Northern Lights. 
 
 From the earliest times, we have some imperfect 
 accounts of lights in the sky ; and superstition has 
 represented them as the forerunners of bloody wars 
 and other calamities. Sometimes historians speak of 
 them as troops of men, armed and rushing to battle. 
 For about three hundred years past, our accounts of 
 northern lights, are tolerably correct. There was 
 a discontinuance of them eighty or ninety years, 
 anterior to 1707, when a small light was seen by 
 persons in Europe. But they did not re-appear, in 
 full splendor, till the year 1716, when they were ob 
 served in England. Their first appearance in 
 America was December 11, 1719, when they were 
 remarkably bright, and as people in general had 
 never heard of such a phenomenon, they were ex 
 tremely alarmed, with the apprehension of the ap 
 proach of the final judgment. All amusements, 
 all business, and even sleep was interrupted for 
 want of a little knowledge of history. From 1719 
 
 * Coll. Hist. Soc. I. 95-98. f Philosophical Trans. No. 423, 
 
52 
 
 to 1790, these lights were frequent, when they 
 again disappeared for ten or twelve years. 
 
 Webster s Elements of Useful Knowledge. 
 
 A beautiful phenomenon (connected, as is supposed with 
 the Boreal Lights,) was seen in the northern States, on the 
 28lh of August, 1827. The following description is taken 
 from the American Journal of Science and Arts, 14th vol. 
 Art. i6th. "In this city (New York) it was first observed 
 at about half past nine, P. M,, at which time the light, ex 
 cepting as regards its whitish hue, resembled that produced 
 by a fire at some distance. The light soon however became 
 more intense, and its outline more distinctly defined, gradu 
 ally assuming a columnar shape, and extending from about 
 N. N. W. to a point in the opposite horizon, about E. N. E. 
 In about 10 or, 15 minutes from the time I first observed it, 
 waves of light in detached masses, but all in the line of the 
 luminous arch, began to flow from the eastern towards the west 
 ern part of its course, until the whole were blended, and the 
 heavens were adorned with the beautiful arch extending from 
 the terminations above named to a point about 15 degrees north 
 of the Zenith. The greatest breadth of the arch at its centre, 
 was about 9 or 10 degrees, tapering from that point to the 
 western extremity, (where the light was much brighter,) al 
 most to a point. . . . The whole arch moved with a gradual 
 motion towards the south, and passed the Zenith, presenting a 
 broad, bright band of wavy light. As it passed the Zenith to 
 wards the south, its eastern limb became less distinct, while 
 the western part became more exact in its outline, and was as 
 well defined, as a pencil of rays passed through a prism into 
 a dark room. The color was a bright white, and slowly faded, 
 until about two hours from the time of its first appearance, 
 when it was no longer visible." About 50 or 60 years since, 
 similar appearances were observed in the northern States. 
 
 (32.) Gov. Fletcher, and Capt. Wadszuarth. 
 
 In 1692, Col. Fletcher arrived with the commis 
 sion of Governor of New York, and was also vested 
 with r>lo*"v powers of commanding the whole mi- 
 
53 
 
 litia of Connecticut : and insisted on the exercise 
 of that command. The Legislature of Connecticut, 
 knowing that authority to be expressly given to the 
 Colony by charter, would not submit to his requisi 
 tion ; but the Colony, desirous of maintaining a 
 good understanding with Gov. Fletcher, sent Wil 
 liam Pitkin, Esq. to New York, to make terms with 
 him respecting the militia, until his Majesty s pleas 
 ure should be further known. No terms however 
 could be made with the Governor, short of an ex 
 plicit submission of the militia to his command. On 
 the 2Glh Oct. 1693, he came to Hartford, while the 
 Assembly were sitting, and, in his Majesty s name 
 demanded that submission. The Assembly reso 
 lutely persisted in a refusal. After the requisition 
 had been repeatedly made, with plausible explana 
 tions, and serious menaces, Fletcher ordered his 
 commission and instructions to be read in audience 
 of the trainbands of Haufuru, which bad uOcn 
 prudentially assembled, upon his order. Capt. 
 Wadsworth, the senior officer, who was at that mo 
 ment exercising the soldiers, instantly called out, 
 " Beat the drums," which in a moment overwhelm 
 ed every voice. Fletcher commanded silence. 
 No sooner was a second attempt made to read, than 
 Wadsworth vociferated, " Drum, drum, I say." 
 The drummers instantly beat up again with the great 
 est possible spirit. "Silence, silence," exclaimed the 
 Governor. At the first moment of a pause, Wads- 
 worth called out earnestly, " Drum, arum, I say ;" 
 and turning to his Excellency, said, "If 1 am inter 
 rupted again, 7 will make the sun shine through you 
 in a moment" This decision produced its proper 
 effect; and the Governor and his suit soon returned 
 to New York, Holmes* American Annals* 
 
54 
 
 (33.) War with the Tuscaroras. 
 
 In 1710, a large number of German emigrants 
 arrived in this country and settled in North Carolina. 
 Two years after their arrival, the Tuscaroras, Co- 
 rees, and other tribes of Indians, formed a deep con 
 spiracy for the extermination of the English settlers. 
 Having fortified the chief town in the Tuscarora 
 nation, for the security of their own families, the 
 different tribes met at this place, to the number of 
 1200 warriors, and laid the horrible plot, which 
 was concerted and executed with stability and 
 great secrecy. From this place of rendezvous they 
 sent out small parties which entered the settlements 
 by different roads, under the mask of freindship. 
 When the night agreed on had arrived, they enter 
 ed the houses of the settlers and demanded provis 
 ions ; and feigning displeasure, fell upon them, 
 and murdered men, women and children, without 
 
 distinction. About Roanoke, 13T perfeuua per 
 ished in the massacre. A few persons escaping 
 gave the? alarm to their neighbors the. next morn 
 ing, and thus prevented the entire destruction of the 
 Colony. 
 
 Governor Craven, of South Carolina, as soon as 
 he heard of this massacre immediately sent Col. 
 Barn well with 600 militia and 360 friendly Indians, 
 against these savages. Marching through a hideous 
 wilderness, Barnwell came up with the enemy, 
 and attacked them with great effect. In this action 
 he killed 300 Indians, and took about 100 prisoners. 
 The survivors fled to their fortified town, where Col. 
 Barnwell surrounded them and killed a great num 
 ber, and compelled the remainder to sue for peace. 
 It is estimated that in this expedition, nearly a thou 
 sand of the Tuscaroras were killed, wounded, and 
 
taken prisoners. Of Barnwell s men five were kil 
 led, and several wounded ; of his Indians thirty-six 
 were killed, and between sixty and seventy woun 
 ded.* 
 
 " Never had any expedition against the savages 
 in Carolina been attended withrsuch hazards and 
 difficulties ; nor had the conquest of any tribe of 
 them ever been more general and complete."- 
 Most of the Tuscaroras, who escaped, abandoned 
 their country, settled among the Five Nations, and 
 added a sixth tribe, since which time they have beeR 
 called the Six Nations. 
 
 (34.) War with the Yamasecs. 
 
 In the year 1715, an Indian war broke out in 
 South Carolina, which threatened a total extirpa 
 tion of the Colony. The numerous and powerful 
 tribe of the Yamasees, possessing a large territory 
 back of Port Royal island, were the most active 
 in this conspiracy. On the fifteenth of April, about 
 break of day, the cries of war gave universal 
 alarm ; and, in a few hours, above ninety persons 
 were massacred in Pocataligo and the neighboring 
 plantations. A Captain of the militia, escaping to 
 Port Royal, alarmed the town ; and a vessel hap 
 pening to be in the harbor, the inhabitants repaired 
 precipitately on board, sailed for Charleston, and 
 thus providentially escaped a massacre. A few 
 families of planters on the island, not having timely 
 notice of the danger, fell into the hands of the sav- 
 -ages. 
 
 * Holmes Annuls 
 
While some Indian tribes were thus advancing 
 against the southern frontiers and spreading desola 
 tion through the province, formidable parties from 
 the other tribes were penetrating into the settlements 
 on the northern borders ; for every tribe, from Flor 
 ida to Cape Fearjfevas concerned in the conspiracy. 
 The capital trembled for its own perilous situation. 
 In this moment of universal terror, although there 
 were no more than one thousand two hundred men 
 in the muster roll, lit to bear arms ; yet the Govern 
 or resolved to march with this small force against 
 the enemy. He proclaimed martial law ; laid an 
 embargo on all ships, to prevent either men or pro 
 visions from leaving the country ; and obtained an 
 act of assembly, empowering him to impress men, 
 and seize arms, ammunition and stores, wherever 
 they were to be found ; to arm trusty negroes ; and 
 to prosecute the war with the utmost vigor. Agents 
 were sent to Virginia and England, to solicit assis 
 tance ; and bills were stamped for the payment of 
 the army and other expenses. 
 
 The Indians on the northern quarter, about fifty 
 miles from Charleston, having murdered a family 
 on a plantation ; Capt. Barker, receiving intelli 
 gence of their approach, collected a parly of ninety 
 horsemen, and advanced against them. Trusting 
 however to an Indian guide, he was led into an am 
 buscade, and slain with several of his men. The 
 rest retreated in confusion. A party of four hun 
 dred Indians came down as low as Goose Creek ; 
 where seventy men and forty negroes had surroun 
 ded themselves with a breast work, with the resolu 
 tion of maintaining their post. Discouraged, how 
 ever, almost as soon as attacked, they rashly agreed 
 to terms of peace ; but on admitting the enemy 
 
Flight <"/ /ft- . ( />i tin </rt/,- 
 TTnit-wl 
 
 t ,rf/tf *//i>\v in 1T17 
 
within their works, they were barbarously murdered. 
 The Indians now advanced still nearer to Charles 
 ton ; but were repulsed by the militia. 
 
 In the mean time, the Yamasees, with their con- 
 federar.es, had spread destruction through the par 
 ish of St. Bartholomew, and proceeded down to 
 Stono. ^Governor Cravan, advancing towards the 
 .wily enemy, with cautious steps, dispersed their 
 straggling parties, until he reached Saltcatchers, 
 where they had pitched their camp. Here was 
 fought a severe and bloody battle, from behind 
 trees and bushes; the Indians with their terrible 
 war whoops, alternately retreating, and returning 
 with ..double fury to the charge. The Governor, 
 undismayed, pressed closely on them with his pro 
 vincials ; drove them from their territory ; pursued 
 them over Savannah river; and thus expelled 
 them from the province* 
 
 In this Indian war, nearly four hundred of the 
 inhabitants of Carolina were slain. The Yama 
 sees, after their expulsion, went directly to the 
 Spanish territories in Florida, where they were hos 
 pitably received. Holmes 9 American Annals. 
 
 (35.) Inoculation Introduced. 
 
 The inoculation of small pox was first perform 
 ed in the English dominions, in Apr^ 1721, upon 
 a daughter of the celebrated Lady M. W. Mon 
 tague, who had become acquainted with inocula 
 tion as practised by Turkish women, during her 
 residence in Constantinople. 
 
 About this time, Dr. Zabdiel Boyelston, of Boston, 
 was induced to adopt the same expedient, from 
 reading an account of inoculation, and made hi? 
 6 
 
58 
 
 first experiment by inoculating his only son a-nd 
 two negro servants, on the 27th June, 1721. 
 Probably there never was greater opposition to any 
 measure of real public utility, than was exhibited 
 on this occasion. Dr. Boyleston was execrated 
 and persecuted as a murderer, assaulted in the 
 streets, and loaded with every species of abuse. 
 His house was attacked with violence, so that nei 
 ther himself nor his family could feel secure in it. 
 At one time he remained fourteen days in a secret 
 apartment of his own house, unknown to any of^his 
 family except his wife. The enraged inhabitants 
 patrolled the town in parties, with halters in their 
 hands, threatening to hang him on the nearest tree, 
 and repeatedly entered his house in search of him, 
 during his concealment. Such was the madness of 
 the multitude, that even after the excitement had 
 in some measure subsided, Dr. Boyleston only ven 
 tured -to .v jsit his .patients at midnight, and then in 
 disguise. He had also to encounter violent opposi 
 tion from most of the members of his own profes 
 sion, and notwithstanding he invited them all to vi 
 sit his patients, and judge for themselves, received 
 nothing but threats and insults in reply. Indeed, 
 many sober, pious people, were deliberately of 
 opinion, when inoculation was first commenced, 
 that should any of his patients die, the Doctor ought 
 to be capitallf indicted. He was repeatedly sum 
 moned before the selectmen of Boston, and receiv 
 ed their reprehension. His only friends were Dr. 
 Cotton Mathqr, and other clergymen, most of whom 
 became zealous advocates for the new practice, 
 and consequently drew upon themselves much odi 
 um from the populace. Some of them received 
 personal injury ; others were insulted in the streets^ 
 and were hardly safe in their own dwellings; nor 
 
59 
 
 were their services acceptable on Sunday to their 
 respective audiences* 
 
 A bill for prohibiting the practice of inoculation, 
 under severe penalties, was brought before the Le 
 gislature of Massachusetts, and actually passed the 
 House of Representatives, but some doubts exist 
 ing in the Senate, it failed of becoming a law. 
 
 Dr. Boyleston lived to see the cause he espoused 
 triumphant, and its utility generally appreciated. 
 So prone are mankind to vacillate from one extreme 
 to the other, that, on a subsequent appearance of 
 the small pox in Boston, in the year 1792, the 
 whole town was inoculated in three days, to ap 
 pease the infatuation of the inhabitants respecting 
 the danger apprehended from this deadly pesti 
 lence. Persons were inoculated indiscriminately, 
 to the number of 9,152; and such was the hurry 
 and confusion with which it was done, and such the 
 impossibility of rendering proper assistance and at 
 tention to so large a number, that 16 deaths was 
 the consequence. Connecticut Journal. 
 
 (36.) Father Ralle\ the French Jesuit. 
 
 During the war between England and France, 
 and while Canada was in the possession of the latter 
 power, the Indians were often instigated by them, 
 to fall on the frontier settlements of the British Co 
 lonies. In these proceedings, the French Govern 
 or of Canada was much assisted by the Roman 
 Catholic Missionaries, who had attained a great as 
 cendancy over the Indians. 
 
 One of the most celebrated of these missionaries, 
 was Father Sebastian Rnlle\ a French Jesuit, who 
 spent thirty-seven years among the Indian tribes, 
 
60 
 
 in the interior parts of America; and learned most 
 of their languages. He was a man of learning and 
 address ; and by a gentle, condescending deport 
 ment, and a compliance with the Indian modes and 
 customs, he obtained a complete ascendancy over 
 the natives ; and used his influence to promote the 
 interests of the French among them. u He even 
 made the offices of devotion, serve as incentives to 
 their ferocity; and kept a flag, on which was depict 
 ed, a cross, surrounded by bows and arrows, which 
 he used to hoist on a pole at the door of his church,, 
 when he gave them absolution, previous to their en* 
 gaging in any warlike enterprize." A dictionary of 
 the Norridgwock language was found among Ralle s 
 papers, composed by himself, and it was deposited 
 in the Library of Harvard College. 
 
 The English settlers, having for a number Of 
 years suffered from the depredations of the Indians 
 in those parts, in the year 1722, sent Col. West, 
 brook, with 230 men to seize Halle , who was re 
 garded as the principal instigator; but he escaped 
 into the woods, and they merely brought oflf his 
 strong box of papers. The Indians, to revenge this 
 attempt to carry off their spiritual father, commit 
 ted various acts of hostility, and at length destroy 
 ed the town of Berwick. This last act, determined 
 the government to issue a declaration of war, and 
 send an expedition against Norridgwock, and en 
 trust the execution of it to Captains Mouhon and 
 Harman. These officers, each at the head of one 
 hundred men, invested and surprised that village, 
 killed the obnoxious Jesuit, with about eighty of his 
 Indians, recovered three captives, destroyed the 
 chapel, brought away the plate and furniture of the 
 
61 
 
 altar, and a devotional flag, as trophies of their vic 
 tory.* 
 
 (37.) Natchez Indians Extirpated. 
 
 In 1 729, the Natchez, an Indian nation on the Mis 
 sissippi, formed a general conspiracy to massacre the 
 French Colonists of Louisiana. M. de Chepar, who 
 commanded at the post of the Natchez, had been 
 somewhat embroiled with the natives ; but they so far 
 dissembled, as to excite the belief, that the French 
 had no allies more faithful than they. The plot 
 having been deeply laid, they appeared in great 
 numbers about the French houses, on the 28th of 
 November, telling the people that they were going 
 a hunting. They sang after the calumet, in honor 
 of the French commandant and his company. 
 Each having returned to his post, a signal was giv 
 en, and instantly the general massacre began. 
 Two hundred Frenchmen were killed. Of all the 
 people at Natchez, not more than twenty French, 
 and five or six negroes, escaped. One hundred 
 and fifty children, eighty women, and nearly as 
 many negroes were made prisoners. 
 
 M. Perier, Governor of Louisiana, resolved on 
 an expedition against the Natchez, to revenge their 
 massacre of the French. M. le Sueur, whom he 
 had sent to the Choctaws, to engage their assist 
 ance, arrived in February near the Natchez, at the 
 head of fifteen or sixteen hundred Choctaw war 
 riors ; and was joined in March by a body of French 
 troops under M. de Loubois, King s Lieutenant, 
 who had the chief command of the expedition. 
 The army encamped near the ruins of the^ old 
 
 ^Holmes American Annals, 
 6* 
 
62 
 
 French settlement; and, after resting there five 
 days, marched to the enemy s fort, which was a 
 league distant. After opening the trenches, and 
 firing several days on the fort without much effect, 
 the French at last approached so near, that the 
 Natchez sent conditional proposals of releasing all 
 the French women and children in their possession ; 
 but, gaining time by negociation, they silently eva 
 cuated the fort in the night, with all their baggage 
 and the French plunder. The French prisoners 
 however were ransomed ;. the stockade fort of the 
 Natchez was demolished. ; a terrace fort built in its 
 place j and a garrison, of a hundred and twenty men 
 left there with cannoii and ammunition. 
 
 M. Perier, learning afterwards, that the Natchez 
 had retired to the west of the Mississippi, near the 
 Silver Creek, about sixty leagues from the mouth 
 of Red River, applied to the French court for suc 
 cors to reduce them. M. Perier de Sal vert, brother 
 of the Governor, arriving from France with a hun 
 dred and fifty soldiers of the marine ; the two bro 
 thers set out with their army, and arrived without ob 
 struction near the retreat of the Natchez. The en 
 emy, terrified at their approach, shut themselves up 
 in a fort which they had built ; but were soon forced, 
 by the fire from the French mortars, to make signals 
 for capitulation. The French army carried the 
 Natchez to New Orleans, where they were confined 
 in separate prisons ; and afterwards were transport 
 ed, as slaves, to St. Domingo. Thus that nation, 
 the most illustrious in Louisiana, and the most use 
 ful to the French, was destroyed* Holmes 9 Amen- 
 ctin Annttls, 
 
*"~ (38.) Negro Insurrection in Carolina, 
 
 In 1738, the Spaniards attempted to seduce the 
 Negroes of South Carolina, who amounted at that 
 time to the formidable number of forty thousand. 
 
 Liberty and protection had long been promised 
 and proclaimed to them by the Spaniards at St. Au 
 gustine; and emissaries had been sent among them, 
 to persuade them to fly from slavery to Florida. 
 The influence of these measures was such as might 
 have been expected. An insurrection of negroes 
 broke out, this year, in the heart of Carolina. A 
 number of them, having collected at Stono, surpri 
 sed and killed two men in a warehouse, from which 
 they took guns and ammunition ; chose a Captain ; 
 and, with colors and drums, began a march toward 
 the southwest, burning every house, and killing ev 
 ery white person in their way, and compelling the 
 negroes to join them. Governor Bull, returning to 
 Charleston from the southward, and meeting them 
 armed, hastened out of their way and spread the 
 alarm. It soon reached Wihown, where a large, 
 Presbyterian assembly was attending divince ser 
 vice. The men, who, according to a law of the 
 province, had brought their arms to the place 
 of worship, left the women in the church, and 
 instantly marched in quest of the negroes, who, by 
 this time had become formidable, and spread deso 
 lation above twelve miles. Availing themselves of 
 their superior military skill, and of the intoxication 
 of several of the negroes, they attacked the great 
 body of them in the open field, killed some, and 
 dispersed the rest. Most of the fugitives were ta 
 ken and tried. They, who had been compelled to 
 
64 
 
 join the conspirators, were pardoned ; but all the 
 chosen leaders and first insurgents suffered death. 
 Holmes American Annals. 
 
 (39.) Invasion of Georgia. 
 
 In 1742, two years after the declaration of war 
 by England against Spain, the Spaniards attacked 
 Georgia. A Spanish armament, consiting of thirty- 
 two sail, with three thousand men, under command 
 of Don Manuel de Monteano, sailed from St. Au 
 gustine, and arrived in the river Altamaha. The 
 expedition, although fitted out at great expense, 
 failed of accomplishing its object. 
 
 General Oglethorpe was at this time time at fort 
 Simons. Finding himself unable to retain possession 
 of it, having but about seven hundred men, he spi 
 ked his cannon, and, destroying his military stores, 
 retreated to his head quarters at Frederica. 
 
 On the first prospect of an- invasion, General Ogle 
 thorpe had applied to the Governor of South Caro 
 lina for assistance, but the Carolinians, fearing for 
 the safety of their own territory, and not approving, 
 of General Oglethorpe s management in his late 
 expedition against St. Augustine, declined furnish 
 ing troops, but voted supplies. 
 
 In this state of danger and perplexity, the Gene 
 ral resorted to stratagem. A French soldier be 
 longing to his army, deserted to the enemy. Fear 
 ing the consequences of their learning his weakness, 
 he devised a plan by which to destroy the credit of 
 any information that the deserter might give. 
 
 With this view, he wrote a letter to the French 
 deserter in the Spanish camp, addressing him as if 
 he were a spy of the English. This letter he bribed 
 
65 
 
 a Spanish captive to deliver, in which he directed 
 the deserter to state to the Spaniards, that he was 
 in a weak and defenceless condition, and to urge 
 them to an attack. 
 
 Should he not be able, however, to persuade 
 them to do this, he wished him to induce them to con 
 tinue three days longer at their quarters, in which- 
 time he expected two thousand men, and six Brit 
 ish men of war, from Carolinia. The above letter, 
 as was intended, was delivered to the SpanislvGene- 
 ral, instead of the deserter, who immediately put the 
 latter in irons. 
 
 A council of war was called, and while delibe 
 rating upon the measures which should be taken, 
 three supply ships, which had been voted by Caro 
 lina, appeared in sight. Imagining these to be the 
 men of war, aHuded to in the letter, the Spaniards, 
 in great haste, fired the fort, and embarked, leav 
 ing behind them several cannon, and a quantity of 
 provision. By this artful, but unjustifiable expedi 
 ent, the country was relieved of its invaders, and 
 Georgia, and probably a great part of South Caro 
 lina was saved from ruin. Goodrich 1 s History of 
 the United States. 
 
 (40.) Capture of Louisburg* 
 
 Great Britain having declared war agafnst 
 France, in March, 1744, the Legislature of Massa 
 chusetts planned a daring, but surcessful enterprize 
 against Louisburg, a strong fortress, belonging to 
 the French, on the island of Cape Breton. The 
 place had been fortified by the French, at an ex 
 pense of five millions and a half of dollars, and on 
 account of is strength > was sometimes called the 
 
ss 
 
 " Gibraltar of America. 1 About 4000 troops, 
 from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hamp 
 shire, under the command of Col. William Pe^er- 
 ell, sailed from Boston in the last week in March, 
 1745. The expedition was undertaken without the 
 knowledge of the government of England ; but a 
 request had been made to Commodore Warren, then 
 in the West Indies, to assist the expedition. He 
 accordingly arrived at Louisburg, with a 60 g,un 
 ship, and two or three frigates. In the last of 
 April, the troops, 3,800 in number, landed at Cha- 
 peaurogue bay. " The transports had been dis 
 covered early in the morning from the town, which 
 was the first nonce they had of the design. In the 
 night of May 2, 400 men burned the warehouses, 
 containing the naval stores. The French were 
 alarmed, spiked their guns, flung their powder into 
 a well, and abandoning the fort,, fled to the city. 
 The New England troops cheerfully submitted to 
 extreme hardships; for 14 nights successively, they 
 were yoked together like oxen, dragging can 
 non, and mortars through a morass of two miles. 
 The commanding artillery of the enemy forbade 
 this toil in the da^^^o people on earth, perhaps, are 
 more capable o^Prch laborious and daring exploits, 
 than the independent farmers of New England. On 
 the 17th of June, the garrison capitulated, but the 
 flag of France was kept flying, which decoyed into 
 the harbor, ships of the enemy, to the value of 
 /600.000 sterling. The weather, during the siege, 
 was fine, but the day following the rains began, 
 which continued 10 days, and must have proved 
 fatal to the provincial troops, had not the capitu 
 lation prevented. The people of New England 
 were d< eply affected by this evident interposition of 
 divine Providence." 
 
67 
 
 -(41.) D Anmlh s Expedition. 
 
 The capture of Louisburg, roused the Frencfc 
 government to seek revenge. A very large fleet, 
 in 1746, was sent from France, under the command 
 of Duke D Anville, to America. This fleet consist 
 ed of about forty ships of war, beside transports ; 
 and brought over between three and four thousand 
 regular troops, with veteran officers, and all kinds 
 of military stores ; the most powerful armament, 
 that had ever been sent to North America. The bb- 
 ject of this great armament was supposed to be, to 
 recover Louisburg; to take Annapolis*; to break up 
 the settlements on the eastern coast of Massachu 
 setts ; and to distress, if not attempt to conquer, 
 the whole country of New England. The troops, 
 destined for Canada, had now sufficient employ 
 ment at home ; and the militia was collected to join 
 them. The old forts on the sea coast were repair 
 ed ; new forts were erected; and military guards 
 appointed. The country was kept in a state of 
 anxiety arid fear six weeks ; when it was relieved, 
 by intelligence of the disabled state of the enemy. 
 The French fleet had sustaine$J(plch damage by 
 storms, and great loss by shipwrecks. An expect 
 ed junction of M. Conflans, with three ships of the 
 line and a frigate from Hispaniola, had failed. A 
 pestilential fever prevailed among the French troops. 
 Intercepted letters, opened in a council of war, 
 raising expectation of the speedy arrival of an En- 
 giish fleet, caused a division among the officers. 
 Under the pressure of these adverse occurrences, 
 D" Anville was either seized with an apoplectic fit, 
 or took a poisonous draught, and suddenly ex 
 pired. D Estournelle, who succeeded him in the 
 command of the fleet, proposed in a council of of- 
 
68 
 
 ficers, to abandon the expedition, and return to 
 France. The rejection of his proposal caused such 
 extreme agitation, as to bring on a fever, which 
 threw him into a delirium, and he fell on his sword. 
 The French, thus disconcerted in their plan, re 
 solved to ma ke an attempt on Annapolis ; but hav 
 ing sailed from Chebucto, they were overtaken -by a 
 violent tempest, off Cape Sable, and what ships 
 escaped destruction, returned singly to France. 
 
 A more remarkable instance of preservation sel 
 dom occurs. Had the project of the enemy suc 
 ceeded, it is impossible to determine to what extent 
 the American Colonies would have foeen distressed 
 or desolated. When man is made the instrument of 
 averting public calamity, the divine agency ought 
 <still to fee acknowledged ; but this was averted with 
 out human power. If philosophers would ascribe 
 this event to blind chance, or fatal necessity, Chris 
 tians will assuredly ascribe it to the operation of that 
 Being, who, in ancient times, caused " the stars, in 
 their. courses, to fight against Sisera." 
 
 Holmes American Annals* 
 
 (42.) Tumult in Boston. 
 
 In the year 1747, a great tumult was raised in .the 
 town of Boston. Commodore Knowles, while ly 
 ing at Nantasket with a number of men of war, los 
 ing some of his sailors by desertion, thought it 
 reasonable that Boston should supply him with as 
 many men as he had lost. He therefore sent his 
 boats up to town, early in the morning, and surpri 
 sed, not only as many seamen as could be found 
 on board any of the ships, outward bound, as well 
 as others, but swept the wharves, taking some ship 
 
69 
 
 carpenter s apprentices, and laboring landmen. 
 This conduct was universally resented as outra 
 geous. A mob was soon collected. As soon as it 
 was dusk, several thousand people assembled in 
 King s-street, below the town-house, where the 
 general court was sitting. Stones and brickbats 
 were thrown into the council -chamber through the 
 windows. A judicious speech of the Governor, 
 from the balcony, greatly disapproving of the im 
 press, promising his utmost endeavors to obtain 
 the discharge of the persons impressed, and gently 
 reprehending the irregular proceedings of the peo 
 ple, had no effect. Equally ineffectual were the 
 attempts of other gentlemen to persuade them to 
 disperse. The seizure and restraint of the com 
 manders and other officers, who were in town, were 
 insisted on, as the only effectual method to procure 
 the release of the inhabitants on board the ships. 
 The militia of Boston was summoned the next day, 
 to the aid of the government, but refused to appear. 
 The Governor, judging it inexpedient to remain in 
 town another night, withdrew to Castle William, 
 Letters, in the meantime, were continually passing 
 between him and the Commodore. The council 
 and house of representatives now passed some vig 
 orous resolutions ; and the tumultuous spirit began 
 to subside. The inhabitants, assembled in town- 
 meeting, while they expressed their sense of the great 
 insult and injury" by the impress, condemned the 
 riotous transactions. The militia of the town, the 
 next day, promptly made their appearance, and 
 conducted the Governor with great pomp, to his 
 house. The Commodore dismissed mo.st, if not 
 all, of the inhabitants, who had been impressed ; 
 and the squadron sailed, to the joy and repose of 
 the town. Holmes Annals. 
 
70 
 (43.) Braddock s Defeat. 
 
 The encroachments of the French, and the erec 
 tion, by them, of a chain of forts on the back set 
 tlements of the Colonies, occasioned the British 
 ministry to take measures to possess themselves of 
 these forts, and drive the French from the country, 
 
 In the spriife^f 1755, General Braddock arrived 
 in Virginia witlftwo regiments, and was soon join 
 ed by Colonel Washington (afterwards General 
 Washington,) with a body of colonial troops; the 
 whole force, two thousand men, took up their 
 march for the French fort on the Ohio. General 
 Braddock, on the 9th July, with twelve hundred of 
 his troops, was within seven miles of Du Quesne, 
 a French fortress, which stood where Pittsburg is 
 now built. Here Colonel Washington, who under 
 stood the Indian mode of warfare better than his 
 General, requested him to reconnoitre with his Vir 
 ginia riflemen. But General Braddock, who held 
 the American officers in contempt, rejected Wash 
 ington s council, and swelling with rage, replied 
 with an oath, "High times! Pligh times! when a 
 young buckskin can teach a British General how to 
 fight /" The troops advanced in heavy columns, 
 and passing a narrow defile, they fell into an am 
 bush of French and Indians, who opened a deadly 
 fire upon the English and American troops, who 
 were obliged to fire at random, as they could not 
 see their foe. 
 
 Braddock continued to urge on his men, until he 
 was mortally wounded, and about seven hundred 
 men were killed, including many of his principal 
 officers. Colonel Washington now covered the re 
 treat of the regulars, and saved them from entire 
 destruction. 
 
71 
 (44.) Massacre at Fort William Henry. 
 
 In the year 1757. Mons. Montcalm, with a body of 
 1 1,000 Regular French troops and Canadians, with 
 2,000 Indians, laid seige to Fort William Henry. 
 This fort was defended by a garrison of but 2.300 
 men, British and Provincials, under the command 
 of Col. Monro. The garrison made a brave re 
 sistance, and would have probably preserved the 
 fort, had they been properly supported by the Brit 
 ish army under Gen. Webb, which was then en 
 camped at Fort Edward. The General, however, 
 sent to Col. Monro, and informed him that he could 
 not assist him, and ordered him to give up the fort, 
 on the best terms he could ; which was accordingly 
 done. 
 
 In consideration of the gallant defence the garri 
 son had made, they were to be permitted to march 
 out with all the honors of war, and with a guard 
 to protect them from the fury of the savages. 
 Soon after the capitulation was signed, the whole 
 garrison, besides women and children, were drawn 
 up within the lines, and on the point of marching 
 off, when great numbers of the Indians gathered 
 about and began to plunder, and soon after some 
 of them began to attack the sick and wounded, 
 when such were not able to crawl into the ranks; 
 notwithstanding they endeavored to avert the fury 
 of their enemies by their shrieks and groans, they 
 were soon murdered. 
 
 The brave Col. Monro hastened away, soon af 
 ter the confusion began, to the French camp, to en 
 deavor to procure the guard agreed by the stipula 
 tion, but his application proved ineffectual. By this 
 time the war-whoop was given, and the Indians be 
 gan to murder those who were nearest them without 
 
 
72 
 
 distinction. u It is not in the power of words?" says 
 the narrator, who was one of this ill fated garrison, 
 ;< to give any tolerable idea of the horrid scene 
 that now ensued ; men, women, and children, were 
 dispatched in the most wanton and cruel manner, 
 and immediately scalped. Many of the savages 
 drank the blood of their victims, as it flowed warm 
 from the fatal wound." 
 
 The garrison now perceived, though too late to 
 avail them, that they were to expect no relief from 
 the French, who instead of fulfilling their promises 
 to furnish a guard to protect them, seemed tacitly 
 to permit their savage allies to perpetrate these hor 
 rid atrocities. A few of the most resolute men, see 
 ing no other probable way of preserving their lives, 
 made a desperate effort broke their way through- 
 the surrounding savages, and escaped. 
 
 It was computed that fifteen hundred persons 
 were killed or made prisoners by these savages du 
 ring this fatal day. Many of the latter were carri 
 ed off by them and never returned. A few, through 
 favorable accidents, found their way back to their 
 native country", after having experienced a long and 
 painful captivity. 
 
 (45.) Abercrombie?s Defeat. 
 
 The French had erected a fort at Ticonderogn, at 
 the point of communication between Lake George, 
 South Bay, and Lake Champlain. To dispossess 
 them of this important place, an army, under Gen. 
 Abercrombic, was sent against it. His force con 
 sisted of 1C. 000 men, of which 6,000 were British 
 regulars, and 10,000 were Colonial troops. On 
 the 5th July, 1758. he embarked his troops on. 
 
73 
 
 Lake George, on board 125 whale boats, and 900 
 batteaux. The imposing splendor of the military 
 parade on this occasion, is thus described by Dr. 
 Dwight : " The morning was remarkably bright 
 and beautiful ; and the fleet moved with exact re 
 gularity to the sound of fine martial music. The 
 ensigns waved and glittered in the sun beams, and 
 the anticipation of future triumph shone in every 
 eye. Above, beneath, around, the scenery was 
 that of enchantment. Rarely has the sun, since 
 that luminary was lighted up in the heavens, dawn 
 ed on such a complication of beauty and magnifi 
 cence." 
 
 After disembarking from the batteaux, the army 
 formed in four columns, and began their march 
 through the woods to Ticonderoga. When ap 
 proaching the fort, a skirmish took place with the 
 enemy, in which Lord Howe, the idol of the army, 
 was killed ; on seeing him fall, the troops moved 
 forward determined to avenge his death. About 
 300 of the enemy were killed on the spot, and 148 
 taken. Abercrombie having received information 
 that the garrison consisted of about 6,000 men and 
 that a reinforcement of 3,000 more were daily ex 
 pected, determined to attack their lines. Without 
 gaining a proper knowledge of the works of the 
 enemy, or of the proper points of attack, Aber 
 crombie ordered an immediate assault. " The ar 
 my advanced to the charge with the greatest intre 
 pidity, and for more than two hours, with incredi 
 ble obstinacy, maintained the attack. But the 
 works, where the principal attack was made, were 
 eight or nine feet high, and impregnable, even by 
 field pieces; and for nearly 100 yards from the 
 breast work, trees were felled so thick, and wrought 
 together with their limbs pointing outward, that it 
 7* 
 
74 
 
 rendered the approach of the troops, in a great 
 measure impossible. In this dreadful situation, un 
 der the fire of about three thousand of the enemy, 
 these gallant troops were kept, without the least 
 prospect of success, until nearly two thousand 
 were killed or wounded." After a contest of four 
 hours, Abercrombie ordered a retreat; and the 
 next day resumed his former camp, on the south 
 side of Lake George. 
 
 (46.) Capture of Quebec. 
 
 The capture of Quebec, in 1759, was the most 
 brilliant and important event which took place du 
 ring the French war it gave the death blow to the 
 French power in America. The command of the 
 important expedition against Quebec, was intrust 
 ed to Gen. James Wolfe, a young officer, who had 
 distinguished himself at the capture of Louisburg* 
 
 The army, amounting to 8,000 men, landed in 
 June, on the island of Orleans, below Quebec. 
 The city of Quebec stands on a rock, at the conflu 
 ence of Charles and Iroquois rivers ; it is naturally 
 a place of great strength, and was well fortified and 
 defended by a force of 1 0,000 men, under the com 
 mand of General Montcalm. Gen. Wolfe had to 
 contend with immense difficulties, and after having 
 failed in several attempts to reduce the city, he con 
 ceived the bold project of ascending, with his 
 troops, a steep, craggy cliff of from 150 to 200 
 feet, by which he would reach the plains of Abra 
 ham, south and west of the city. This almost in 
 credible enterprize was effected in the night, and by 
 day light, (Sept. 13,) the army was formed, and 
 ready to meet the enemy. The battle which took 
 
75 
 
 place, is thus described by Mr. Goodrich, in his 
 Hist, of the U. States. 
 
 " To Montcalm, the intelligence that the English 
 Avere occupying the heights of Abraham, was most 
 surprising. The impossibility of ascending the pre 
 cipice, he considered certain, and therefore had ta 
 ken no measures to fortify its line. But no sooner 
 was he informed of the position of the English ar 
 my, than he perceived a battle no longer to be 
 avoided, and prepared to fight. Between nine and 
 ten o clock, the two armies, about equal in numbers, 
 met face to face. 
 
 " The battle now commenced. Inattentive to 
 the fire of a body of Canadians and Indians, 1500 
 of whom Montcalm had stationed in the cornfields 
 and bushes, Wolfe directed his troops to reserve 
 their fire for the main body of the French, now 
 rapidly advancing. On their approach within 40 
 yards, the English opened their fire and the de 
 struction became immense. 
 
 " The French fought bravely, but their ranks 
 became disordered, and, notwithstanding the re 
 peated efforts of their officers to form them, and to 
 renew the attack, they were so successfully pushed 
 by the British bayonet, and hewn down by the high 
 land broadsword, that their discomfiture was com 
 plete. 
 
 During the action, Montcalm was on the 
 French left, and Wolfe on the English right, and 
 here they both fell, in the critical moment thatdeci- 
 ced the victory. Early in the battle, Wolfe receiv 
 ed a ball in the wrist, but bino^ng his handkerchief 
 around it, he continued to encourage his men. 
 Shortly after, another ball penetrated his groin ; 
 but this wound, although much more severe, he 
 concealed, and continued to urge on the contest, 
 
76 
 
 till a third bullet pierced his breast. He was now 
 obliged, though reluctant, to be carried to the rear 
 of the line. 
 
 " Gen. Monckton succeeded to the command, but 
 was immediately wounded and conveyed away. In 
 this critical state of the action, the command de 
 volved on Gen. Townsend. Gen. Montcalm, fight 
 ing in front of his battalion, received a mortal 
 wound about the same time, and General Jenne- 
 zergus, his second in command, fell near his side. 
 
 " Wolfe died in the field, before the battle was 
 ended ; but he lived long enough to know that the 
 victory was his. While leaning on the shoulder of 
 a Lieutenant, who kneeled to support him, he was 
 seized with the agonies of death ; at this moment 
 was heard the distant sound, " They fly they fly-" 
 The hero raised his drooping head, arid eagerly 
 asked, " who fly." Being told that it was the 
 French " Then," he replied, " I die happy," and 
 expired. 
 
 " This death," says Professor Silliman, " has 
 furnished a grand and pathetic subject for the pain 
 ter, the poet, and the historian, and undoubtedly, 
 (considered as a specimen of mere military glory,J 
 it is one of the most sublime that the annals of war 
 afford." 
 
 " Montcalm was every way worthy of being the 
 competitor of Wolfe. In talents in military skill 
 in personal courage, he was not his inferior. Nor 
 was his death much less sublime. He lived to be 
 carried to the city, where his last moments were 
 employed in writing^ with his own hand, a letter to 
 the English General, recommending the French 
 prisoners to his care and humanity. When inform 
 ed that his^ wound was mortal, he replied, " I shall 
 not then liVe to see the surrender of Quebec/ 
 
 
77 
 
 (47.) Expeditions against the Spanish Settlements., 
 in the West Indies. 
 
 In 1740, war having been declared by Great 
 Britain against Spain, expeditions were undertaken 
 against the Spanish West Indies, Porto Bello, Car- 
 thagena, and Cuba. Requisitions were made on 
 the Colonies, to assist in these enterprises. Four 
 regiments were raised from the American Colonies, 
 for these expeditions; and the several Colonies 
 were at the charge of levy money, of provisions, 
 and of transports for their several quotas. An ar 
 mament from Great Britain, under the command of 
 Lord Cathcart, sailed for the West Indies, and for 
 med a junction with Vice Admiral Vemon s fleet, at 
 Jamaica. Lord Cathcart having died in the West" 
 Indies before the complete junction of the fleets. 
 Admiral Vcrnon found himself at the head of the 
 most formidable fleet and army ever sent into those 
 seas. The whole fleet consisted of 29 ships of the 
 line, with nearly the same number of frigates, be 
 sides fire ships and bomb ketches. The number of 
 seamen amounted to 15,000; the land forces, in 
 cluding the four regiments from the Colonies , were 
 not less than 12,000. Vcrrion having taken and 
 plundered Porto Bello, now proceeded with his 
 fleet, and land forces, under General Went worth, 
 to attack Carthagena. After demolishing the 
 strong forts and castles in the harbor, an attack 
 was made by Wentworth upon the town, but he was 
 obliged to retire, with the loss of 4 or 500 men. 
 In July the combined forces made an attempt on 
 the Island of Cuba. They possessed themselves 
 of a fine harbor, but by reason of an extraordina 
 ry sickness and mortality, they were not able to ef 
 fect any thing of consequence. 
 
78 
 
 "According to the accounts given of the sick 
 ness, it was nearly as mortal as the plague. More 
 than a thousand men died in a day, for several days. 
 Of nearly 1000 men from New England, not 1*00 
 returned; of 500 men from Massachusetts, 50 only 
 returned. 1 "* 
 
 In 1762, Admiral Pocock with a fleet of thirty- 
 seven ships of war, and about one hundred and fifty 
 transports, with a land force of about 15,000 men, 
 under the command of Lord Albemarle, arrived be 
 fore Havana, on the 5th June. On the 17th, the 
 troops landed, and after a siege of more than two 
 months, in which the beseiging army showed the most 
 invincible courage, patience and perseverance, this 
 important place capitulated to his Britannic Majesty. 
 
 In this siege, before the middle of July, the army 
 in this unwholesome and burning region, was redu 
 ced to half its original number. Many of the sol 
 diers dropped down dead, under the pressure of 
 heat, thirst, and fatigue. A considerable number 
 of Colonial troops enlisted under their own oflicers, 
 and served in this arduous enterprize. 
 
 Of the troops from New England, scarcely any 
 of the private soldiers, and but few of the officers 
 ever returned. Such as were not killed in the ser 
 vice, were generally swept away by the great mor 
 tality which prevailed in the army and navy. 
 
 (48.) Whitfield, the celebrated Preacher. 
 
 The Rev. George Whitfield, a clergyman of the 
 Church of England, first arrived in this country, in 
 the year 1738. He landed in Savannah, Geo. and 
 laid the foundation of an orphan house, a few miles 
 
 *Dr. Trumbnll. 
 
79 
 
 from Savannah, and afterwards finished it at a great 
 expense. He returned to England the same year. 
 -On the following year he returned back to America, 
 and landed at Philadelphia and began to preach in 
 different churches. In this and in his subsequent 
 visits to America, he visited most of the principal 
 places in the Colonies. Immense numbers of peo 
 ple flocked to hear him wherever he preached. 
 
 The effects produced in Philadelphia and other 
 places, were truly astonishing. Numbers of al 
 most all religious denominations, and many who 
 had no connection with any denomination, were 
 brought to inquire with the utmost eagerness, what, 
 they should do to be saved. Such was the eager 
 ness of the multitude in Philadelphia, to listen to 
 spiritual instruction, that there was public worship 
 regularly twice a day fora year; and on the Lord s 
 day it was celebrated thrice or four times. 
 
 During his visit to Philadelphia, he preached fre 
 quently after night, from the gallery of the court 
 house, in Market-street. So loud was his voice at 
 that time, that it was distinctly heard on the Jersey 
 shore, and so distinct was his speech, that every 
 word he said was understood on board a shallop, 
 at Market-street wharf, ,a distance of upwards of 
 400 feet from the court-house,. All the intermedi 
 ate space was crowded with his hearers." lie was 
 truly remarkable for his uncommon eloquence, and 
 fervent zeal. His eloquence was indeed very great 
 and of the truest kind. He was utterly devoid of 
 all affectation. The importance of his subject, and 
 the regard due to his hearers, engrossed all his con 
 cern. Every accent of his voice spoke to the ear, 
 every feature of his face, every motion of his hands, 
 and every gesture, spoke to the eye ; so that the 
 most dissipated and thoughtless found their attention 
 
so 
 
 arrested, and the dullest and most ignorant could 
 not but understand. He appeared to be devoid of 
 he spirit of sectarianism ; his only object seemed 
 to be to " preach Christ and him crucified."* 
 
 Mr. Whitfield died in Newbury-port, Mass, on the 
 30th of September, 1770, in the fifty-sixth year of 
 iiis age, on his seventh visit to America having 
 been in the ministry thirty-four years. 
 
 v 49.) Col. Boon s first settlement of Kentucky* 
 
 The country now called Kentucky, was well 
 -known to the Indian traders, many years before its 
 settlement. It however remained unexplored by 
 the Virginians till ihe year 1769, when Col. Daniel 
 Boon, and a few others, who conceived it to be an 
 interesting object, undertook a journey for that pur 
 pose. After a long fatiguing march over a moun 
 tainous wilderness, in a westerly direction, they at 
 length arrived upon its borders, and from the top of 
 an eminence, with joy and wonder descried the 
 beautiful landscape of Kentucky, " Here," says 
 .Col. Boon " Nature was a series of wonders and a 
 
 *The following anecdote respecting- his manner of preach 
 ing, will serve to illustrate this part of his character. One 
 day, while preaching- from the balcony of the court-house, in 
 Philadelphia, he cried out, " Father Abraham, who have you 
 got in heaven ; any Episcopalians ?" " No!" " Any Pres 
 byterians?" "No!" " Any Baptists?" "No!" "Have 
 you any Methodists there ?" u No !" " Have you any In 
 dependents or Seccders ?" "No! No!" "Why, who have 
 youthen?" "We dont know those names here; all that 
 are here are Christians believers in Christ men who have 
 overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of his 
 testimony !" " O, is this the case ? then God help me. God 
 help us all to forget party names, and to become Christians 
 in deed and in truth." 
 
onp Miffrr in Effigy 
 
 M a 3 g aeBms ett ^ 
 
 Destruction rf T&i in Bwtoii Harbour 
 
fund of delight. Here she displayed her ingenuity 
 and industry in a variety of flowers and fruits, beau 
 tifully colored, elegantly shaped, and charmingly 
 flavored ; and we were favored with numberless an 
 imals, presenting themselves continually to our 
 view. The buffaloes were more numerous than cat 
 tle on other settlements, browsing on the leaves of 
 the cane, or crossing the herbage on these exten 
 sive plains. We saw hundreds in a drove, and the 
 numbers about the salt springs were amazing." 
 
 Four years after, in 1773, Col. Boon and his 
 family, with five other families, joined by forty 
 men from Powell s valley, began the settlement of 
 Kentucky. 
 
 (50.) Stamp Act. 
 
 The British Parliament, in the year 1765, for the 
 purpose of raising a revenue from the Colonies, 
 passed the famous stamp act; which ordained that 
 -all instruments of writing, as contracts, deeds, notes, 
 &c. should not be valid, unless executed on stamped 
 paper, on which a duty should be paid. This alar 
 med the Colonies and awakened their indignation. 
 They determined to resist the execution of the law. 
 The 1st Nov. 1765, was the day on which this act 
 was to take effect. u In Boston, the bells tolled, 
 the shops were shul, effigies of the royalists w.erc 
 carried about in derision and torn in pieces. At 
 Portsmouth, the bells tolled, a coffin was made, 
 on the lid was inscribed "Liberty, aged 145, * and 
 with unbraced drums and minute guns, a procession 
 followed it to the grave. At the close of an ora 
 tion, the coffin was taken up, signs of life appear 
 ed in the corpse, " Liberty revived" was substitu- 
 
 8 
 
82 
 
 ted, the bells struck a cheerful key, and joy sparkr 
 led in every countenance." 
 
 In New York the stamp act was contemptuously 
 cried about the streets, under the title of " The fol 
 ly of England and Ruin of America^ The stamp 
 papers having arrived, Gov. Golden, took them 
 into the fort in order to secure them. Many of the 
 citizens of New York, offended at the conduct, and 
 disliking the political sentiments of the Governor, as 
 sembled in the evening, broke open his stable, and 
 took out his coach ; and after carrying it about the 
 city, marched to the common, when a gallows was 
 erected, on one end of which they suspended his 
 effigy, with a stamped bill of lading in one hand, 
 and a figure of the devil in the other. After this, 
 the populace took the effigy and the gallows entire, 
 and carried it in procession, the coach preceding, 
 to the gate of the fort, whence it was removed to 
 the Bowling green, where the whole pageantry, with 
 the coach, was comsumed in a bonfire, amidst the 
 acclamations of thousands of spectators. 
 
 Similar proceedings occurred in many parts of 
 the country, and the obnoxious act was shortly after 
 repealed. 
 
 (51.) Massacre in Boston. 
 
 The inhabitants of Boston had suffered almost 
 every species of insult from the British soldiery ; 
 who, countenanced by the royal party, had gene 
 rally found means to screen themselves from the 
 hands of the civil officers. Thus all authority rested 
 on the point of the sword, and the partizans of the 
 crown triumphed for a time in the plenitude of mil 
 itary power, Yet the measure and the manner of 
 
83 
 
 posting troops in the capital of the province, had 
 roused such jealousy and disgust, as could not be 
 subdued by the scourge that hung over their heads. 
 Continual bickerings took place in the streets be 
 tween the soldiers and the citizens ; the insolence of 
 the first, which had been carried so far as to excite the 
 African slaves to murder their masters, with the pro 
 mise of impunity, and the indiscretion of the 
 last, was often productive of tumults and disorder 
 that led the most cool and temperate to be appre 
 hensive of consequences of the most serious na 
 ture. 
 
 On the second of March, 1770, a fray took 
 place in Boston, near Mr. Gray s rope walk, be-, 
 tween a private soldier of the 29th regiment, and 
 an inhabitant. The former was supported by his 
 comrades, the latter by the rope-makers, till seve 
 ral, on both sides, were involved in the consequen 
 ces. On the fifth a more dreadful scene was pre 
 sented. The soldiers, when under arms, were 
 pressed upon, insulted and pelted, by a mob armed 
 with clubs, sticks, and snow balls covering stones. 
 They were also dared to fire. In this situation, one 
 of the soldiers, who had received a blow, in re 
 sentment fired at the supposed aggressor. This 
 was followed by a single discharge from six others. 
 Three of the inhabitants were killed and five dan 
 gerously wounded. The town was immediately in 
 commotion. Such was the temper, force and num 
 ber of the inhabitants, that nothing but an engage 
 ment to remove the troops out of the town, togeth 
 er with the advice of moderate men, prevented the 
 townsmen from falling on the soldiers. The killed 
 were buried in one vault, and in a most respectful 
 manner, in order to express the indignation of the 
 inhabitants at the slaughter of their brethren, bv 
 
4 
 
 soldiers quartered among them, in violation of their 
 civil liberties. Captain Preston, who commanded 
 the party which fired on the inhabitants, was com 
 mitted to jail, and afterwards tried. The Captain 
 and six of the men, were acquitted. Two were 
 brought in guilty of man-slaughter. It appeared on 
 the trial, that the soldiers were abused, insulted, 
 threatened, and pelted, before they fired. It was 
 also proved, that only seven guns were fired by the 
 eight prisoners. These circumstances induced the 
 jury to make a favorable verdict. The result of the 
 trial reflected great honor on John Adams, (the late 
 President of the United States,) and Josiah Quincy, 
 Esqrs. the counsel for the prisoners ; and also on 
 the integrity of the jury, who ventured to give an 
 upright verdict, in defiance of popular opinions. 
 
 " The people, not dismayed by the blood of their 
 neighbors thus wantonly shed, determined no long 
 er to submit to the insolence of military power. Col. 
 Dalrymple, who commanded in Boston, was in 
 formed, the day after the riot in King-Street, " that 
 he must withdraw his troops from the town within a 
 a limited term, or hazard the consequences. 
 
 The inhabitants of the town assembled at Faneuif 
 Hall, where the subject was discussed with be 
 coming spirit, and the people unanimously resolved, 
 that no armed force should be suffered longer to re 
 side in the capital ; and if the King s troops were 
 not immediately withdrawn by their own officers, 
 the Governor should be requested to give orders for 
 their removal, and thereby prevent the necessity of 
 more rigorous steps. A committee from this body 
 was deputed to wait on the Governor, and request 
 him to exert that authority which the exigencies of 
 the times required from the supreme magistrate. 
 Mr. Samuel Adams, the chairman of the committee. 
 
85 
 
 with a pathos and address peculiar to himself, expo* 
 sed the illegality of quartering troops in the town in 
 the midst of peace ; he urged the apprehensions of 
 the people, and the fatal consequences that might en 
 sue if their removal was delayed. 
 
 But no arguments could prevail on Mr. Hutchin- 
 son ; who from timidity, or some more censurable 
 cause, evaded acting at all in the business, and 
 grounded his refusal on a pretended want of autho 
 rity. After which Col. Dalrymple, wishing to com 
 promise the matter, consented that the twenty-ninth 
 regiment, more culpable than any other in the late 
 tumult, should be sent to Castle Island. This con 
 cession was by no means satisfactory ; the people, 
 inflexible in their demands, insisted that no British 
 soldier should be left within the town ; their requisi 
 tion was reluctantly complied with, and within four 
 days the whole army decamped."* 
 
 Morses Revolution* 
 
 (52.) Destruction of Tea in Boston. 
 
 The British ministry still persisting in their right 
 to tax the Colonies, had for this purpose given per- 
 
 *The circumstances and probable consequences of the tra 
 gical affair just related, sunk deep into the minds of the peo 
 ple, and were turned to the advantage of their cause. Its 
 anniversary, for many years was observed with great solem 
 nity, and the most eloquent orators were successively employ 
 ed to deliver an annnal oration to preserve the remembrance 
 of it fresh in their minds. On these occasions, the blessing! 
 of liberty the horrors of slavery the dangers of a standing- 
 army the rights of the Colonies, and a variety of such to 
 pics, were represented to the public view, under their most 
 pleasing and alarming forms. These annual orations ad 
 ministered fuel to the fire of Liberty, and kept it burning 
 with an incessaot flame, /&. 
 
 a* 
 
86 
 
 mission to the East India Company to ship a large 
 quantity of Teas to America, charged with duty. 
 The Americans fixed in their opposition to the prin 
 ciple of taxation in any shape, opposed the landing 
 of the tea. In New York, and in Philadelphia, the 
 cargoes sent out were returned without being en 
 tered at the Custom Houses. In Boston, the tea 
 being consigned to the royal Governor, (Hutchin- 
 son,).;the populace, " clad like the aborigines of the 
 wilderness, with tomahawks in their hands and 
 clubs on their shoulders, without the least 
 molestation, marched through the streets with 
 silent solemnity, amidst innumerable spectators, and 
 proceeded to the wharves, boarded the ships, de 
 manded the keys, and without much deliberation 
 knocked open the chests, and emptied several 
 thousand weight of the finest teas into the ocean. 
 No opposition was made, though surrounded by the 
 king s ships ; all was silence and dismay. This 
 done, the procession returned through the town in 
 the same order and solemnity, as observed in the 
 outset of their attempt. No other disorder took 
 place, and it was observed, the stillest night ensu 
 ed that Boston had enjoyed for several months." 
 Intelligence of this transaction reached the British 
 ministry, and in 1774, they passed an act to restrain 
 ali intercourse by water, with the town of Boston,, 
 by closing the port. They also removed the gov 
 ernment and public ofSces to Salem. 
 
 (53.) First Continental Congress. 
 
 The first General Congress met at Philadelphia 
 in the beginning of September, 1774. It consisted 
 
87 
 
 f fifty one delegates from twelve Colonies. They 
 chose Peyton Randolph, President, and Charles 
 Thompson, Secretary. The Delegates were ap 
 pointed by the colonial legislatures, or where none 
 existed, the appointments were made by select 
 meetings and associations of citizens. " The nov 
 elty and importance of the meeting of this Con 
 gress excited universal attention, and their trans 
 actions were such as could not but tend to render 
 them respectable. 
 
 The first act of Congress was an approbation of 
 the conduct of Massachusetts Bay, and an exhorta 
 tion to continue in the same spirit which they had 
 begun. Supplies for the suffering inhabitants 
 (whom the operation of the port-bill had reduced 
 to great distress) were strongly recommended ; and 
 it was declared that in case of attempts to enforce 
 the obnoxious acts by arms, all America should join 
 to assist the town of Boston ; and, should the in 
 habitants be obliged, during the course of hostili 
 ties, to remove farther up the country, the losses 
 they might sustain should be repaired at the public 
 expense. 
 
 Congress next addressed a letter to General 
 Gage; in which having stated the grievances of 
 the people of Massachusetts, they informed him of 
 the fixed and unalterable determination of all the 
 other provinces, to support their brethren, and to 
 oppose the British acts of parliament ; that they 
 themselves were appointed to watch over the lib 
 erties of America; and entreated him to desist from 
 military operations, lest such hostilities might be 
 brought on as would frustrate all hopes of recon 
 ciliation with the parent state. 
 
 Their next step was to publish a declaration of 
 rights. These they summed up in the rights belong- 
 
8*3 
 
 ing to Englishmen ; and particularly insisted, that 
 as their distance rendered it impossible for them to 
 be represented in the British parliament, their pro 
 vincial assemblies, with a Governor appointed by 
 the King, constituted the only legislative power 
 within each province. They would, however, con 
 sent to such acts of parliament as were evidently 
 calculated merely for the regulation- of commerce, 
 and for securing to the parent state the benefits of 
 the American trade ; but would never allow that 
 they could impose any tax on the Colonies, for the 
 purpose of revenue, without their consent. 
 
 They proceeded to reprobate the intention of 
 each of the new acts of parliament, and insisted on 
 all the rights they had enumerated as being unalien- 
 able, and what no power could deprive them of, 
 The Canada act they pointed out as being extreme 
 ly inimical to the Colonies, by whose assistance it 
 had been conquered ; and they termed it, "An act 
 for establishing the Roman Catholic religion in Can 
 ada, abolishing, the equitable system of English laws, 
 and establishing a tyranny there." 
 
 They further declared in favor of a non-importa 
 tion and non-consumption of British goods, until 
 the acts were repealed by which duties were impo 
 sed upon tea, coffee, wine, sugar and molasses, im 
 ported into America, as well as the Boston port act 
 and the three others passed at the preceding ses 
 sion of parliament. 
 
 The new regulations against the importation and 
 consumption of British commodities were then 
 drawn up with great solemnity ; and they conclu 
 ded with returning the warmest thanks to those 
 members of parliament who had with so much zeal,, 
 though without any success, opposed the obnoxious 
 acts of parliament* 
 
89" 
 
 The next proceedings of Congress were to ffam 
 a petition to the King, an address to the British na 
 tion, and another to the Colonies ; all of which 
 were in the usual strain of American language at 
 that time, and drawn up in such a masterly manner 
 as ought to have impressed the people of England 
 with a more favorable opinion of the Americans, 
 than they could at that time be induced to en 
 tertain."* 
 
 After a session of eight weeks, Congress dissolved 
 themselves, after recommending another Congress 
 to be convened on the 10th of May ensuing, unless 
 their grievances should be previously obtained. 
 Although the power of this Congress was merely 
 advisory, their resolutions received the general sanc 
 tion of the provincial Congresses, and of the Colo 
 nial assemblies; "and their recommendations were 
 more generally and more effectually carried into 
 execution than the laws of the best regulated state,- 
 
 (54.) Battle of Lexington. 
 
 Determined to reduce the rebellious Colonies u> 
 submission, the British ministry transported a force 
 of 10,000 men, who were stationed at Boston. 
 
 On the night of the 18th of April, 1775, Gen, 
 Gage, the King s Governor of Massachusetts, de 
 tached a body of 800 men, with orders to march to 
 Concord, and destroy the military stores collected 
 by the Americans at that place. Their movements 
 were discovered, and the country was alarmed. Ear 
 ly in the morning, about 170 of the Lexington militia 
 had assembled on the green. Major Pitcairn, who 
 commanded the detachment of British troops, rode 
 
 * Williams History of the Re\elutiom 
 
90 
 
 up to the militia, and addressing them as rebels or 
 dered them disperse. Not being obeyed, Pitcairn 
 discharged his pistol, and ordered his men to fire. 
 Eight of the Americans were killed and several 
 wounded. The British proceeded to Concord, 
 destroyed the stores and returned to Boston, 
 closely followed by the exasperated Americans, 
 who from behind fences and walls, fired upon their 
 rear. Had not the British had a reinforcement at 
 Lexington, it is doubtful whether any of them had 
 reached Boston. 
 
 Thus began the contest which dismembered the 
 British empire, and ended in the establishment of 
 independence in our own country. 
 
 (55.) Taking of Ticondcroga, by Col. Allen* 
 
 The seizure of the important fortress of Ticon- 
 deroga by Col. Ethan Allen, on the 10th of May, 
 1775, is thus related by himself. "The first sys 
 tematical and bloody attempt at Lexington, to en 
 slave America, thoroughly electrified my mind, and 
 fully determined me to take a part with my country. 
 And while I was wishing for an opportunity to sig 
 nalize myself in its behalf, directions were private 
 ly sent to me from the then Colony, now State of 
 Connecticut, to raise the Green Mountain Boy; 1 ., and 
 if possible, with them to surprise and take the for 
 tress of Ticonderoga. This enterprise 1 cheerfully 
 undertook ; and after first guarding all the several 
 passes that led thither, to cut oft all intelligence 
 between the garrison and the country, made a for 
 ced march from Be.inington, and arrived at the lake 
 opposite Ticonderoga, on the evening of the ninth 
 
 - 
 
91 
 
 day of May, 1775, with two hundred and thirty 
 valiant Green Mountain Boys ; and it was with the 
 utmost difficulty that I procured boats to cross the 
 lake. However; I landed eighty three men near the 
 garrison, and sent the boats back for the rear guard 
 commanded by Col. Seth Warner ; but the day be 
 gan to dawn, and I found myself necessitated to at 
 tack the fort before the rear could cross the lake ; 
 and as it was hazardous, 1 harangued the officers 
 and soldiers in the manner following ; " Friends 
 and fellow soldiers, You have for a number of 
 years past been a scourge and terror to arbitrary 
 powers. Your valor has been famed abroad, and 
 acknowledged, as appears by the advice and orders 
 to me from tnfc general assembly of Connecticut, to 
 surprise and take the garrison now before us. I 
 now propose to advance before you, and in person 
 conduct you through the wicket gate ; for we 
 must this morning either quit our pretensions to 
 valor, or possess ourselves of this fortress in a few 
 minutes ; and inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt, 
 which none but the bravest of men dare undertake, 
 I do not urge it on any contrary to his will. You 
 that will undertake voluntarily, poise your firelock." 
 The men being at this lime drawn up in three ranks, 
 each poised his firelock. 1 ordered them to face to 
 the right ; and at the head of the centre file, march 
 ed them immediately to the wicket gate aforesaid, 
 where I found a sentry posted, who instantly snap- 
 
 Eed his fusee at me: I ran immediately towards 
 im, and he retreated through the covered way into 
 the parade within the garrison, gave a halloo, and 
 ran under bomb proof. My party, who follow 
 ed me into the fort, I formed on the parade in such 
 a manner as to face the barracks which faced each 
 other. The garrison being asleep, except the sen- 
 
-tries, we gave three huzzas, which greatly surprised 
 them. One of the sentries made a pass at one of 
 my officers with a charged bayonet, and slightly 
 wounded him. My first thought was to kill him 
 with my sword, but in an instant I altered the design 
 and fury of the blow, to a slight cut on the side of 
 the head ; upon which he dropped his gun, and 
 asked quarters, which I readily granted him; and 
 demanded the pUce where the commanding officer 
 kept. He shewed me a pair of stairs in the front, 
 which led up to a second story in said barracks, 
 io which I immediately repaired, and ordered the 
 commander, Capt. Delaplace, to come forth instant 
 ly, or I would sacrifice the whole garrison : at 
 which time the captain came immediately to the 
 door with his breeches in his hand, when I ordered 
 him to deliver to me the fort instantly ; lie asked me 
 by what authority I demanded it. I answered him, 
 ,* In the name of the great Jehovah, and the Con,- 
 iinental Congress.^ The authority of Congress be 
 ing very little known at that time, he began to 
 speak again, but I interrupted him, and with my 
 drawn sword near my head again demanded an im 
 mediate surrender of the garrison ; with which he 
 then complied, and ordered his men to be forthwith 
 paraded without arms, as he had given up the garri 
 son. In the mean time some of my officers had giv 
 en orders, and in consequence thereof, sundry of 
 the barrack doors were beat down, and about one 
 third of the garrison imprisoned, which consisted of 
 said commander, a lieutenant Feltham, a conductor 
 of artillery, a gunner, two sergeants, and forty four 
 rank and file; about one hundred peices of cannon, 
 .one thirteen inch mortar, and a number of swivels. 
 This surprise was carried into execution in the grey 
 .of the morning of the tenth of May, 1775. The 
 
"Wajfunqttm <tf 
 
93 
 
 sun seemed to rise that morning with a superior lus 
 tre : and Ticonderoga and its dependencies smiled on 
 its conquerors, who tossed about the flowing bowl, and 
 wished success to Congress, and the liberty and 
 freedom of America. Happy it was for me at that 
 time, that the future pages of the book of fate, 
 which afterwards unfolded a miserable scene of two 
 years and eight months imprisonment, were hid from 
 my view." 
 
 (56.) Battle of Bunker Hill. 
 
 The following, "full and correct account" of the 
 Battle of Bunker Hill, is taken from a pamphlet 
 published in Boston, June 17, 1825. 
 
 After the affair at Lexington and Concord, on the 
 19th of April, 1775, the people, animated by one 
 common impulse, flew to arms in every direction. 
 The husbandman changed his plowshare for a mus 
 ket, and about 15,000 men, 10,000 from Massachu 
 setts, and the remainder from New Hampshire, 
 Rhode Island, and Connecticut, assembled under 
 Gen. Ward, in the environs of Boston, then occu 
 pied by 10,000 highly disciplined, and well equip 
 ped British troops, under the command of Gen 
 erals Gage, Howe, Clinton, Burgoyne, Pigot, and 
 others. 
 
 Fearing an intention on the part of the British to 
 occupy the important heights at Charlestown and 
 Dorchester, which would enable them to command 
 the surrounding country, Col. Prescott was detach 
 ed by his own desire, from the American camp $t 
 Cambridge, on the evening of the 16th of June, 
 1775, with about 1000 militia, mostly of Massachu 
 setts, including 120 men of Putnam s regiment from 
 
 9 
 
94 
 
 Connecticut, and one Artillery company, to Bunk 
 er Hill, with a view to occupy and fortify that post. 
 At this Hill the detachment made a short halt, but 
 concluded to advance still nearer the British, and 
 accordingly took possession of Breed s Hill, a po 
 sition which commanded the whole inner harbor of 
 Boston. Here, about midnight, they commenced 
 throwing up a redoubt, which they completed, not 
 withstanding every possible effort from the British 
 ships and batteries to prevent them, about noon the 
 next day. 
 
 So silent had the operations been conducted 
 through the night, that the British had not the 
 most distant notice of the design of the Americans, 
 until day-break presented to their view, the half for- 
 formed battery and daring stand made against them. 
 A dreadful cannonade, accompanied with shells, 
 was immediately commenced from the British batte 
 ry at Copps Hill, and the ships of war and floating 
 batteries stationed in Charles River. 
 
 The break of day on the 1 7th of June, 1 775, pre 
 sented a scene, which for daring and firmness could 
 never be surpassed-^1000 unexperienced militia, in 
 the attire of their various avocations, without disci 
 pline, almost without artillery and bayonets, scanti- 
 Jy supplied with ammunition, and wholly destitute 
 of provisions, defying the power of the formidable 
 British fleet and army, determined to maintain the 
 Jiberty of their soil, or moisten that soil with their 
 blood. 
 
 Without aid, however, from the main body of the 
 army, it seemed impossible to maintain their posi 
 tion the men having been without sleep, toiling 
 through the night, and destitute of the necessary 
 food required by nature, had become nearly ex 
 hausted. Representations were repeatedly made,. 
 
95 
 
 through the morning, to Head Quarters, of the ne 
 cessity of reinforcements and supplies. Major 
 Brooks, the late revered Governor of Massachu 
 setts, who commanded a battalion of minute-men 
 at Concord, set out for Cambridge about 9 o clock, 
 on foot, it being impossible to procure a horse, so 
 liciting succor; but as there were two other points 
 exposed to the British, Roxbury and Cambridge, 
 then the Head Quarters, at which place all the lit 
 tle stores of the army were collected, and the loss 
 of which would be incalculable at that moment, 
 great fears were entertained lest they should march 
 over the neck to Roxbury, and attack the camp 
 there, or pass over the bay in boats, there being at 
 that time no artificial avenue to connect Boston 
 with the adjacent country, attack the Head Quarters 
 and destroy the stores ; it was therefore deemed im 
 possible to afford any reinforcement to Charlestown 
 Heights, till the movements of the British rendered 
 evidence of their intention certain. 
 
 The fire from the Glasgow frigate and two float 
 ing batteries in Charles River, were wholly direct 
 ed with a view to prevent any communication 
 across the isthmus that connects Charlestown with 
 the main land, which kept up a continued shower of 
 missiles, and rendered the communication truly dan 
 gerous to those who should attempt it. When the 
 intention of the British to attack the heights of 
 Charlestown became apparent, the remainder of 
 Putnam s regiment, Col. Gardner s regiment, 
 bo ,h of which, as to numbers, were very imperfect, 
 and some New Hampsmre Militia, marcued, not 
 withstanding the heavy fire across the neck, for 
 Charlestown Heights, where they arrived much fa 
 tigued, just after the British had moved to the first 
 attack. 
 
96 
 
 The British commenced crossing troops from 
 Boston about 12 o clock, and landed at Moreton s 
 Point, S. E. from Breed s Hill. At 2 o clock, from 
 the best accounts that can be obtained, they had 
 landed between 3 and 4,000, men under the immedi 
 ate command of Gen. Howe, and formed, in appa 
 rently invincible order, at the base of the hill. 
 
 The position of the Americans at this time was a 
 redoubt on the summit of the height of about eight 
 rods square, and a breastwork, extending on the 
 left of it, about seventy feet down the eastern de 
 clivity of the hill. This redoubt and breastwork 
 was commanded by Prescott in person, who had 
 superintended its construction, and who occupied it 
 with the Massachusetts Militia, of his detachment, 
 and a part of Little s regiment, which had arrived 
 about one o clock. They were dreadfully defi 
 cient in equipments and ammunition, had been toil 
 ing incessantly for many hours, and it is said by 
 some accounts, even then were destitute of provis 
 ions. A little to the eastward of the redoubt, and 
 northerly to the rear of it, was a rail fence, extend 
 ing almost to Mystick river, to this fence another 
 had been added during the night and forenoon, and 
 some newly mown grass thrown against them, to af 
 ford something like a cover to the troops. At this 
 fence the 120 Connecticut Militia were posted. 
 
 The movements of the British made it evident 
 their intention was to march a strong column along 
 the margin of the Mystick, and turn the redoubt on 
 the nortn, while another column attacked it in front; 
 accordingly, to prevent this design, a large force be 
 came necessary at the breastwork and rail fence. 
 The whole of the reinforcements that arrived, 
 amounting in all to about 800 or 1000 men, were 
 ordered by Gen, Putnam, who had been extremely 
 
97 
 
 active throughout the night and morning, and who 
 had accompanied the expedition to this point. 
 
 At this moment thousands of persons of both sex 
 es had collected on the Church steeples, Beacon 
 Hill, house tops, and every place in Boston and its 
 neighborhood, where a view of the battle ground 
 could be obtained, viewing with painful anxiety, the 
 movements of the combatants wondering, yet ad 
 miring the bold stand of the Americans, and trem 
 bling at the thoughts of the formidable army mar 
 shalled in array against them. 
 
 Before 3 o clock the British formed, in two col 
 umns, for the attack one column, as had been an 
 ticipated, moved along the Mystick River, with the 
 intention of taking the redoubt in the rear, while 
 the other advanced up the ascent directly in front 
 of the redoubt, where Prescott was ready to re 
 ceive them. Gen. Warren, President of the Pro 
 vincial Congress and of the Committee of Safety, 
 who had been appointed but a few days before a 
 Major General of the Massachusetts troops, had vol 
 unteered on the occasion as a private soldier, and 
 was in the redoubt with a musket, animating the men, 
 by his influence and example, to the most daring de 
 termination. 
 
 Orders were given to the Americans to reserve 
 their fire till the enemy advanced sufficiently near 
 to make their aim certain. Several vollies were 
 fired by the British with but little success ; and so 
 long a time had elapsed, and the British were allow 
 ed to advance so near the Americans without their 
 fire being returned, that a doubt arose whether or 
 not the latter intended to give battle but the fatal 
 moment soon arrived : when the British had ad 
 vanced to within about eight rods, a sheet of fire 
 was poured upon them and continued a short time 
 
98 
 
 with such deadly effect that hundreds of the assail 
 ants lay weltering in their blood, and the remainder 
 retreated in dismay to the point where they had first 
 landed. 
 
 From day light to the time of the British advan 
 cing on the works, an incessant fire had been kept 
 up on the Americans from the ships and batteries 
 this fire was now renewed with increased vigor. 
 
 After a short time the British officers had succeed 
 ed in rallying their men, and again advanced in the 
 same order as before, to the attack. Thinking to 
 divert the attention of the Americans, the town of 
 Charlestown, consisting of 500 wooden buildings, 
 was now set oa fire by the British the roar of the 
 flames, the crashing of falling timbers, the awful 
 appearance of desolation presented, the dreadful 
 shrieks of the dying and the wounded in the last at 
 tack, added to the knowledge of the formidable 
 force advancing against them, combined to form a 
 scene apparently too much for men bred in the qui 
 et retirement of domestic life to sustain but the 
 stillness of death reigned within the American works 
 and nought could be seen but the deadly presen 
 ted weapon, ready to hurl fresh destruction on the 
 assailants. The fire of the Americans was again 
 reserved till the British came still nearer than be 
 fore, when the same unerring aim was taken, and 
 the British shrunk, terrified, from before its fatal ef 
 fects, flying, completely routed, a second time to the 
 banks of the river, and leaving, as before, the field 
 strewed with their wounded and their dead. 
 
 Again the ships and batteries renewed their fire, 
 and kept a continual shower of balls on the works. 
 Notwithstanding every exertion, the British officers 
 found it impossible to rally the men for a third at 
 tack; one third of their comrades had fallen j ajic} 
 
finally it was not till a reinforcement of more than 
 1000 fresh troops, with a strong park of artillery, 
 had joined them from Boston, that they could be in 
 duced to form anew. 
 
 In the mean time every effort was made on the 
 part of the Americans to resist a third attack ; Gen. 
 Putnam rode, notwithstanding the heavy fire of the 
 ships and batteries, several times across the neck, lo 
 induce the militia to advance, but it was only a few 
 of the resolute arid brave who would encounter the 
 storm. The British receiving reinforcements from 
 their formidable main body the town of Charles- 
 town presenting one wide scene of destruction 
 the probability the Americans must shortly retreat 
 the shower of balls pouring over the neck pre 
 sented obstacles too appalling for raw troops to sus 
 tain, arid embodied too much danger to allow 
 them to encounter. Yet, notwithstanding all this, 
 the Americans on the heights were elated with 
 their success, and waited with coolness and de 
 termination the now formidable advance of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Once more the British, aided by their reinforce 
 ments, advanced to the attack, but with great skill 
 and caution their artillery was planted on the 
 eastern declivity of the hill, between the rail fence 
 and the breast work, where it was directed along 
 the line of the Americans, stationed at the latter 
 place, and against the gate way on the north east 
 ern corner of the redoubt at the same time they 
 attacked the redoubt on the south eastern and 
 south western sides, and entered it with fixed bay 
 onets. The slaughter on their advancing, was 
 great ; but the Americans, not having bayonets to 
 meet them on equal terms, and their powder being 
 Exhausted, now slowly retreated, opposing^and ex- 
 
100 
 
 tricating themselves from the British with the butts 
 of their pieces. 
 
 The column that advanced against the rail fence 
 was received in the most dauntless manner. The 
 Americans fought with spirit and heroism that could 
 not be surpassed, and had their ammunition have 
 held out, would have secured to themselves a third 
 time the palm of victory ; as it was, they effectually 
 prevented the enemy from accomplishing his purpose, 
 which was to turn their flank and cut the whole of 
 the Americans off; but having become perfectly ex 
 hausted, this body of the Americans also slowly re^ 
 tired, retreating in much better order than could pos 
 sibly have been expected from undisciplined troops, 
 and those in the redoubt having extricated them 
 selves from a host of bayonets by which they had 
 been surrounded. 
 
 The British followed the Americans to Bunker 
 Hill, but some fresh militia at this moment coming 
 op to the aid of the latter, covered their retreat. 
 The Americans crossed Charlestown Neck about 7 
 o clock, having in the last twenty hours performed 
 deeds which seem almost impossible. Some of them 
 proceeded to Cambridge and others posted them 
 selves quietly on Winter and Prospect Hills.. 
 
 From the most acurate statements that can be 
 found, it appears the British must have had nearly 
 5,000 soldiers in the battle ; between 3 and 4000 
 having first landed, and the reinforcement amount 
 ing to over 1,000. The Americans, throughout the 
 whole day, did not have 2,000 men on the field. 
 
 The slaughter on the side of the British was im 
 mense, having had nearly 1 ,500 killed and wounded - y 
 twelve hundred of which were either killed or mor 
 tally wounded, the Americans about 400L 
 
101 
 
 Had the Commanders at Charlestown Heights 
 become terrified on being cut oft" from their main 
 body and supplies, and surrendered their army, or 
 even retreated before they did, from the terrific 
 force that opposed them, where would have now 
 been that ornament and example to the world, the 
 independence of the United States ? When it was 
 found that no reinforcements were to be allowed 
 them, the most sanguine man on that field could not 
 have even indulged a hope of success, but all deter 
 mined to deserve it and although they did not ob 
 tain a victory, their example was the cause of a 
 great many. The first attempt on the commence 
 ment of a war is held up, by one party or the other, 
 as an example to those that succeed it, and a Victory 
 or Defeat, though not, perhaps, of any great magni 
 tude in itself, is most powerful and important in its 
 effects. Had such conduct as was here exhibited, 
 been in any degree imitated by the immediate Com 
 mander in the first military onset of the last war, 
 how truly different a result would have been cffect- 
 ed to the fatal one that terminated that unfortunate 
 expedition. 
 
 From the immense superiority of the British, at 
 this stage of the war, having a large army of highly 
 disciplined and well equipped troops, and the Amer 
 icans possessing but few other munitions or weap 
 ons of war. and but little more discipline, than what 
 each man possessed when he threw aside iiis plougn 
 and took the gun that he had kept for pastime or 
 for profit, but now to be employed for a different 
 purpose, from off the hooks that held it, perhaps 
 it would have been in their power, by pursuing the 
 Americans to Cambridge, and destroying the few- 
 stores that had been collected there, to implant 
 a blow which could never have been recovered 
 
102 
 
 from, but they were completely terrified. The 
 awful lesson they had just received, filled them 
 with horror, and the blood of 1,500 of their com 
 panions, who fell on that day, presented to them a 
 warning which they could never forget. From the 
 Battle of Bunker Hill, sprung the protection and the 
 vigor that nurtured the Tree of Liberty, and to it, 
 in all probability, may be ascribed our Indepen 
 dence and Glory. 
 
 The name of the first martyr that gave his life for 
 the good of his country on that day, in the impor 
 tance of the moment was lost, else a Monument, in 
 connection with the gallant Warren, should be rais 
 ed to his memory. The manner of his death was 
 thus related by Col. Prescott : 
 
 " The first man who fell in the Battle of Bunker 
 Hill was killed by a cannon ball, which struck his 
 head. He was so near me that my clothes were 
 besmeared with his blood and brains, which I wiped 
 off in some degree, with a handful of fresh earth. 
 The sight was so shocking to many of the men, that 
 they left their posts and ran to view him. I ordered 
 them back, but in vain. I then ordered him to be 
 buried instantly. A subaltern officer expressed 
 surprise that I should allow him to be buried with 
 out having prayers said ; I replied, -this is the first 
 man that has been killed, and the only one that will 
 be buried to day. I put him out of sight that (he 
 men may be kept in their places. God only knows 
 ivho, or how many of us, will fall before it is over, 
 To your post, my* good fellow, and let each man do 
 his duty." 
 
 The name of the patriot who thus fell is suppo 
 sed to have been POLLARD, a young man belonging 
 to Billerica. He was struck by a cannon ball 
 thrown from the line of battle ship Somerset 
 
103 
 (57.) Arnolds march through the Wilderness.* 
 
 About the same time that Canada was invadad by 
 the usual route from New York, a considerable de 
 tachment of the American army was brought thither 
 by a new and unexpected passage. Arnold, who 
 conducted this bold undertaking, acquired thereby 
 the name of the American Hannibal. He was sent, 
 by General Washington, with a thousand men, 
 from Cambridge, with orders to penetrate into that 
 province, by ascending the Kennebec, and then, 
 after crossing the mountains which divide Canada 
 from Maine, by descending the Chaudiere, to the 
 St. Lawrence. Great were the difficulties, and se 
 vere the deprivations, they had to encounter, in 
 marching three hundred miles, by an unexplored 
 way, through an uninhabited country. In ascend 
 ing the Kennebec, they were constantly obliged to 
 struggle against an impetuous current ; they were 
 often compelled, by cataracts, to land, and haul 
 their batteaux up rapid streams, and over falls of riv 
 ers. They had to contend with swamps, woods, 
 and craggy mountains. At some places, they had 
 to cut their way, for miles together, through forests, 
 so embarrassed, that their progress was only four 
 or five miles a day. One third of their number 
 were, from sickness and want of food, obliged to 
 return. Provisions grew at length so scarce, that 
 some of the men eat their dogs, cartouch boxes, 
 leather small clothes, and shoes. Still they pro 
 ceeded with unabated fortitude. They gloried in 
 the hope of completing a march which would rival 
 the greatest exploits of antiquity ; and on the third 
 of November, after thirty-one days spent in traver 
 sing a hideous desert, they reached the inhabited 
 parts of Canada, where the people were struck with 
 
104 
 
 amazement and admiration, when they saw this ar 
 med force emerging from the wilderness. 
 
 Grimshavfs Hist. U. S. 
 
 (58.) Death of Gen. Montgomery. 
 
 Richard Montgomery, a Major General in the ar 
 my of the United States, was born in the north of 
 Ireland, in the year 1737. He possessed an excel 
 lent genius, which was matured by a fine education. 
 Entering the army of Great Britain, he successfully 
 fought her battles with Wolfe, at Quebec, in 1759, 
 on the very spot, where he was doomed to fall, 
 when fighting against her, under the banners of 
 freedom. After his return to England, he quitted 
 his regiment, in 1772, though in a fair way to pre 
 ferment. He had imbibed an attachment to Ameri 
 ca, viewing it as the rising seat of arts and freedom. 
 After his arrival in this country, he purchased an 
 estate in New York, about a hundred miles from the 
 city, and married a daughter of Judge Living ston. 
 He now considered himself as an American. When 
 the struggle with Great Britain commenced, as he 
 was known to have an ardent .attachment to liberty, 
 and had expressed his readiness to draw his sword 
 on the side of the Colonies, the command of the 
 continental forces in the northern department, was 
 entrusted to him and General Schuyler, in the fall 
 of 1775. 
 
 By the indisposition of Schuyler, the chief com 
 mand devolved upon him in October. He reduced 
 fort Chamblee, and on the third of November, cap^ 
 tured St. Johns. On .the 12th, he took Monk- 
 real. In December, he joined Col, Arnold, and 
 marclied to Quebec. The city was besieged, and 
 
105 
 
 on the last day of the year it was determined to 
 make an assault. The several divisions were ac 
 cordingly put in motion, in the midst of a heavy 
 fall of snow which concealed them from the enemy. 
 Montgomery advanced at the head of the New 
 York troops, along the St. Lawrence, and having 
 assisted with his own hands in pulling up the pick 
 ets, which obstructed his approach to one of the 
 barriers he was determined to force, he was pushed 
 forwards, when one of the guns from the battery 
 was discharged, and he was killed, with his two 
 aids. This was the only gun that was fired, for the 
 enemy had been struck with consternation and all 
 but one or two had fled. But this event probably 
 prevented the capture of Quebec. When he fell, 
 Montgomery was in a narrow passage, and his body 
 rolled upon the ice, which formed by the side ot the 
 river. After it was found the next morning among 
 the slain, it was buried by a few soldiers, without 
 any marks of distinction. He was thirty-eight years 
 of age. He was a man of great military talents, 
 whose measures were taken with judgment, and 
 executed with vigor. With undisciplined troops, 
 who were jealous of him in the extreme, he yet in- 
 inspired them with his own enthusiasm. He shared 
 with them in all their hardships, and thus prevent 
 ed their complaints. His industry could not be 
 wearied, nor his vigilance imposed upon, nor his 
 courage intimidated. 
 
 To express the high sense entertained by his coun 
 try, of his services, Congress directed a monument 
 of white marble, to his memory, should be placed 
 in front of St. Paul s Church, New York. 
 
 The remains of General Montgomery, after rest 
 ing 4<2 years at Quebec, by a resolve of the State 
 of New York, were brought to the city of Ne\y 
 10 
 
106 
 
 York, on the 8th of July, 1818, and deposited with 
 ample form and grateful ceremonies, near the afore 
 said monument in St. Paul s Church. Morse s Rev. 
 
 (59.) Washington, Commander in- Chief of the 
 American Army. 
 
 In May, 1775, Congress met agreeable to 
 adjournment. Hostilities having commenced, it was 
 a point of vital importance to the American cause, 
 to select a proper person for Commander in Chief 
 of the American forces. 
 
 George Washington,* a delegate from Virginia, 
 *For three years subsequent to the defeat of Braddock, 
 Washington superintended the troops of Virginia; in which 
 highly dangerous service, he continued until peace was giv 
 en to the frontier of his native Colony, by the reduction of 
 fort Duquesne ; an enterprize undertaken in conformity with 
 his repeated solicitations, and accompanied by himself, at 
 the head of his own regiment. The arduous duties of his 
 situation, rendered irksome by the invidious treatment exr 
 perienced from the Governor, and by the unmanageable dis 
 position of the officers and privates under his command, 
 were related by himself, ip a highly interesting narrative, 
 and fully acknowledged by the assembly of Virginia. Soon 
 afterwards, he retired to his estate at Mount Vernon, and 
 pursued the arts of peaceful life, with great industry and 
 success. When the proceedings of the British Parliament 
 had alarmed the colonists with apprehensions that a blow 
 was levelled at their liberties, he again came forward to 
 serve the public; was appointed a delegate to Congress; and 
 in that body, was chairman of every committee selected to 
 make arrangements for defence. He was now in his forty- 
 fourth year, possessed a large share of common sense, and 
 was directed by a sound judgment. Engaged in the busy 
 scenes of life, he knew human nature, and the most proper 
 method of accomplishing his plans. His passions were sub 
 dued, and held in subjection to reason. His mind was supe 
 rior to prejudice and party spirit; his soul too generous to 
 burthen his country with expense ; his principles too just to 
 
107 
 
 tvas, by the unanimous voice of Congress, appoint 
 ed tofiflthis important station, on the 15th of June, 
 
 1775. " To Washington s experience in military 
 affairs were united sound judgment, extensive know 
 ledge of men, perfect probity, pure morals, a 
 grave deportment, indefatigable industry, easy 
 manners, strict politeness, a commanding person, 
 cool bravery, unshaken fortitude, and a prudence 
 that baffled and confounded his enemies." 
 
 Soon after his appointment, General Washing 
 ton repaired to the army, who were besieging Bos 
 ton ; he was received with profound respect and 
 joyful acclamations by the American army. 
 
 The Americans having so closely invested Boston, 
 the British commander judged it prudent to evacuate 
 the town, which they did on the 17th of March, 
 
 1776, taking with them 1500 of the inhabitants, 
 
 allow his placing military glory in competition with the pub 
 lic good. 
 
 On the President of Congress announcing his commission, 
 he replied : " Though I am truly sensible of the high honor 
 done me in this appointment, yet, I feel a deep distress, from 
 a consciousness, that my abilities and military experience 
 may not be equal to the extensive and important trust. 
 However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter on the mo 
 mentous duty, and exert every power I possess, in their ser 
 vice for the support of the glorious cause. I beg they will 
 accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimo 
 ny of their approbation. But, lest some unlucky event 
 should happen, unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be 
 remembered by every gentleman in the room, that I this 
 day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself 
 equal to the command I am honored with. As to pay, sir, 
 I beg leave to assure the Congress, that, as no pecuniary 
 consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous 
 employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happi 
 ness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep 
 an exact account of my disbursements ; those, I doubt not, 
 they will discharge, and that is all I desire." Grimshaic s 
 Hist. U. S. 
 
108 
 
 who dared not stay, on account of their attachment 
 to the British cause. 
 
 General Washington immediately entered the 
 town, to the great joy of the inhabitants. 
 
 (60.) Attack on Sullivan s Island. 
 
 In the months of June and July, in 1776, the 
 British commanders, G.en. Clinton and Sir Peter 
 Parker, attempted to destroy the fort on Sullivan s 
 Island, near Charleston, S. C. Their force con 
 sisted of two 50 gun ships, and four frigates of 2& 
 guns each, besides several smaller vessels, with 
 3000 troops on board. The fort was commanded 
 by Col. Moultrie r with a garrison of but 375 regu 
 lars, and a few militia. This fort, though not en 
 tirely finished, was very strong. 
 
 " However, the British Generals resolved, with 
 out hesitation, to attack it ; but though an attack 
 was easy from the sea, it was very difficult to obtain 
 a co-operation of the land forces. This was at 
 tempted by landing them on Long Island, adjacent 
 to Sullivan s Island on the east, from which it is. 
 separated by a very narrow creek, said> to be not 
 above two feet deep at low water^ 
 
 Opposite to this ford, the Americans had post 
 ed a strong body of troops, with cannon and en 
 trenchments, while Gen. Lee was posted on the 
 main land, with a bridge of boats betwixt that and 
 Sullivan s Island, so that he could at pleasure send 
 reinforcements to the troops in the fort on Sullivan s 
 Island. 
 
 On the part of the British, so many delays oc 
 curred, that it was the 24th of June before matters 
 were in readiness for an attack ; and by this time^ 
 the Americans had abundantly provided for their 
 
109 
 
 reception. On the morning of that day, the bomb 
 ketch began to throw shells into Forf. Sullivan, and 
 about mid-day, the two fifty gun ships, and thirty 
 gun frigates, came up, and began a severe fire. 
 
 Three other frigates were ordered to take their 
 station between Charleston and the fort, in order to 
 enfilade the batteries, and cut oif the communica 
 tion with the main land; but through the ignorance 
 of the pilots, they all stuck fast ; and though two of 
 them were disentangled, they were found to be to 
 tally unfit for service. The third was burnt, that 
 she might not fall into the hands of the Americans. 
 
 The attack was therefore confined to the five ar 
 med ships and bomb-ketch, between whom and the 
 fort a dreadful fire ensued. The Bristol suffered 
 excessively, the springs on her cable being shot 
 away, she was for some time entirely exposed to 
 the enemy s fire. As the Americans poured in 
 great quantities of red hot balls, she was twice in, 
 Sames. Her Captain, Mr. Morris, after receiving 
 five wounds, was obliged to go below deck, in or 
 der to have his arm amputated. After undergoing 
 this operation, he returned to his place, where he 
 received another wound, but still refused to quit his 
 station. At last, he received a red hot ball in his 
 belly, which instantly put an end to his life. 
 
 Of all the officers and seamen who stood on the 
 quarter-deck of the Bristol, not one escaped with 
 out a wound, excepting Sir Peter Parker alone ; 
 whose intrepidity and presence of mind on this oc 
 casion, were very remarkable. The engagement 
 lasted till darkness put an end to it. Little damage 
 was done by the British, as the works of the Amer 
 icans lay so low, that many of the shot flew over ; 
 and the fortifications, being composed of palm trees 
 
 10* 
 
no 
 
 mixed with earth, were extremely well calculated 
 to resist the impression of cannon. 
 
 During the height of the attack, the American 
 batteries remained for some time silent, so that it 
 was concluded that they had been abandoned; but 
 this was found to proceed only from want of pow 
 der ; for as soon as a supply of this necessary arti 
 cle was obtained, the firing was resumed as brisk 
 as before. During the whole of this desperate en 
 gagement, it was found impossible for the land for 
 ces to give the least assistance to the fleet ; the Ame 
 rican works were found to be much stronger than they 
 had been imagined, and the depth of water effectu 
 ally prevented them from making any attempt. 
 
 In this unsuccessful attack, the killed and woun 
 ded on the part of the British, amounted to about 
 two hundred. The Bristol and Experiment were 
 so much damaged, that it was thought they could 
 not have been got over the bar ; however this was 
 at last accomplished, by a very great exertion of 
 naval skill, to the surprise of the Americans, who 
 had expected to make them both prizes. On the 
 American side, the loss was judged to have been 
 considerable-" Williams Revolution. 
 
 (61.) Declaration of Independence. 
 
 The American people, exasperated by the pro 
 ceedings, of the British Government, which placed 
 them out of their protection, and engaging foreign 
 mercenaries to assist in subduing them, began to 
 broach the subject of Independence from the British 
 crown. 
 
 Accordingly, the subject was brought before Con 
 gress ; but some of the members of that body being 
 absent, they adjourned its consideration to the first 
 of July. 
 
Ill 
 
 They accordingly met, and appointed Thomas 
 Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger 
 Sherman, and Philip Livingston, to frame the De 
 claration of Independence. They agreed that each 
 of their number should draft a declaration, and 
 read it next day, in rotation, to the rest. They ac 
 cordingly met, and Mr. Jefferson was fixed upon 
 to " read first ;" his gave such satisfaction that none 
 other was read, Their report was accepted, and 
 Congress declared " the thirteen United States Free 
 and Independent^ July 4, 1776. 
 
 " This declaration was received by the people 
 with transports of joy. Public rejoicings took place 
 in various parts of the Union. In New York, the 
 statue of George III. was taken down and the lead 
 of which it was composed was converted into mus 
 ket balls." 
 
 The Declaration of Independence was, by order of Con 
 gress, engrossed, and signed by the following members: 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK. 
 
 JVew Hampshire. Francis Lewis, 
 
 Josiah Bartlett, Lewis Morris, 
 William Whipple, JVew Jersfy. 
 
 Matthew Thornton. Richard Stockton, 
 
 Massachusetts Bay. John Witherspoon, 
 
 Samuel Adams, Francis Hopkinson, 
 
 John Adams, John Hart, 
 
 Robert Treat Paine, Abraham Clark. 
 Elbridge Gerry. Pennsylvania, 
 
 Rhode Island, fyc. Robert Morris, 
 
 Stephen Hopkins, Benjamin Rush, 
 
 William Ellery. Benjamin Franklin, 
 
 Connecticut. John Morton, 
 
 Roger Sherman, George Clymer* 
 
 Samuel Huntington, James Smith, 
 
 William Williams, George Taylor, 
 
 Oliver Wolcott. James Wilson, 
 
 JVfito York* George Ross, 
 
 William Floyd, Thomas M Kean. 
 Philip Livingston, 
 
112 
 
 Delaware. Carter Braxton. 
 Caesar Rodney , North Carolina. 
 
 George Read. William Hooper, 
 
 Maryland. Joseph Hewes, 
 
 Samuel Chase, Joha Penn. 
 William Paca, South Carolina, 
 
 Thomas Stone, Edward Rutiedge, 
 Charles Carroll, of Carrollton.Thomas Hey ward, Jr. 
 
 Virginia, Thomas Lynch, Jr. 
 
 Georg-e Wythe v \ Arthur Middieton. 
 Richard Henry Lee, Georgia. 
 
 Thomas Jefferson, Button Gwinnett, 
 
 Benjamin Harrison, Lyman Hall, 
 
 Thomas Nelson, Jr. George Walton. 
 Francis Lightfoot Lee, 
 
 (62.) Battle on Long Island. 
 
 The command of the British force, destined to 
 operate against New York, was given to Admiral 
 Lord Howe and his brother Sir William, who, ia 
 addition to their military powers, were appointed 
 commissioners for restoring peace to the Colonies. 
 General Howe, after waiting two months at Halifax 
 for his brother, and the expected reinforcements 
 from England, sailed with the force which he had 
 previously commanded in Boston ; and directing his 
 course towards New York, arrived in the latter end 
 of June, off Sandy Hook. Admiral Lord Howe, 
 with part of the reinforcement from England, arri 
 ved at Halifax, soon after his brother s departure j 
 and without dropping anchor, followed and joined 
 him near Staten Island, These two royal commis 
 sioners, before they commenced military operations, 
 attempted to effect a re-union between the Colonies 
 and Great Britain ; but both the substance and the 
 form of their communications for that purpose, wera 
 too exceptionable, to be for a moment seriously re 
 garded, 
 
us 
 
 The British forces waited so long to receive acf-* 
 cessions from Halifax, South Carolina, Florida, the 
 West Indies and Europe, that the month of August 
 was far advanced before they were in a condition to 
 open the campaign. Their commanders, having re 
 solved to mate their first attempt on Long Island, 
 landed their troops, estimated at about twenty-four 
 thousand men, at Gravesend Bay, to the right of the 
 Narrows. The Americans, to the amount of fifteen 
 thousand, under Major General Sullivan, were 
 posted on a peninsula between Mill Creek, a little 
 above Red Hook, and an elbow of East River, cal 
 led Whaaleboght Bay. Here they had erected 
 strong fortifications, which were separated from 
 New York by East River, at the distance of a 
 mile, A line of entrenchments from the Mill Creek 
 enclosed a large space of ground, on which stood 
 the American camp, near the village of Brooklyn, 
 This line was secured by abattis, and flanked by 
 strong redoubts. The armies were separated by a 
 range of hills, covered with a thick wood, which 
 intersect the country from west to east, terminating 
 on the east near Jamaica. Through these hills 
 there were three roads ; one near the Narrows, a 
 second on the Flatbush road, and a third on the 
 Bedford road ; and these were the only passes from 
 the south side of the hills to the American lines, ex 
 cepting a road, which leads to Jamaica round the 
 easterly end of the hills. General Putnam, agree 
 ably to the instructions of General Washington, had 
 detached a considerable part of his men to occupy 
 the woody hills and passes; but in the performance 
 of this service there appears to have been a deficien 
 cy, either of skill or of vigilance. 
 
 When the whole British army was landed, the 
 Hessians, under General De Heister, composed the 
 
iU 
 
 centre atPlatbush ; Major General Grant command 
 ed the left wing, which extended to the coast; and 
 the principal army, under the command of General 
 Clinton, Earl Percy, and Lord Cornwallis, turned 
 short to the right, and approached the opposite 
 coast at Flatland. The position of the Americans 
 having been reconnoitered, Sir William Howe, from 
 the intelligence given him, determined to attempt 
 to turn their left flank. The right wing of his ar 
 my, consisting of a strong advanced corps, com 
 manded by General Clinton and supported by the 
 brigades under Lord Percy, began at nine o clock 
 at night, on the 26th of August, to move from Flat- 
 land ; and, passing through the New Lots, arrived 
 on the road that crosses the hills from Bedford to Ja 
 maica. Having taken a patrol, they seized the pass 
 without alarming the Americans. At half after 
 eight in the morning, the British troops, having pas 
 sed the heights and reached Bedford, began an at 
 tack on the left of the American army. In the cen 
 tre, General De Heister, soon after day light, had 
 begun to cannonade the troops, which occupied the 
 direct road to Brooklyn, and which were command 
 ed by General Sullivan in person. As soon as the 
 firing towards Bedford was heard, De Heister ad 
 vanced and attacked the centre of the Americans, 
 who after a warm engagement, were routed and 
 driven into the woods. The firing towards Bedford 
 giving them the alarming notice, that the British had 
 turned their left flank, and were getting completely 
 into their rear ; they endeavored to escape to the 
 camp. The sudden route of this party, enabled 
 De Heister to detach a part of his force against, those 
 who were engaged near Bedford. There also the 
 Americans were broken and driven into the woods ; 
 and the front of the British column, led by General 
 
Ho 
 
 Clinton, continuing to move forward, intercepted 
 and engaged those whom De Heister had routed, 
 and drove them back into the woods. They again 
 met the HeSvsians, who drove them back on the 
 British. Thus alternately chased and intercepted, 
 some forced their way through the enemy to the 
 lines of Brooklyn ; several saved themselves in the 
 coverts of the woods ; but a great part of the der 
 tachment were killed or taken. 
 
 The left column, led by General Grant, advan 
 cing from the Narrows along the .coast, to divert the 
 attention of the Americans from the principal attack 
 on the right, had about midnight fallen in with Lord 
 Sterling s advanced guard, stationed at a strong 
 pass, and compelled them to relinquish it. As they 
 were slowly retiring, they were met on the summit 
 of the hills about break of day, by Lord Sterling^ 
 who had been directed with the two nearest regi 
 ments, to meet the British on the road leading from the 
 Narrows. Lord Sterling having posted his men adr 
 vantageously, a furious cormonade commenced on 
 both sides, which continued several hours. The 
 firing towards Brooklyn, where the fugitives were 
 pursued by the British, giving notice to Lord Ster 
 ling, that the enemy had gained his rear, he instant 
 ly gave orders to retreat across a creek, near the 
 Yellow Mills. The more effectually to secure the 
 retreat of the main body of the detachment, he de 
 termined to attack in person; a British corps under 
 Lord Cornwallis, stationed at a house somewhat 
 above the place where he proposed crossing the 
 creek. With about four hundred men, drawn out of 
 Smallwood s regiment for that purpose, lie made a 
 very spirited attack, and brought up this small corps 
 several times to the charge, with confident expecta 
 tions of dislodging Lord Cornwallis from his postj 
 
 > 
 
116 
 
 but the force in his front increasing, and General 
 rrant now advancing on his rear, he was compelled 
 to surrender himself and his brave men prisoners of 
 war. This bold attempt, however, gave opportuni 
 ty to a large part of the detachment to cross the 
 creek and effect an escape.* Holmes Annals. 
 
 " After this severe defeat, Gen. Washington, with 
 the advice of a council .of officers, ordered a retreat 
 from Long Island. On the night of the 29th, this 
 was effected, with, a success that wasdeemed a mer 
 ciful interposition of heaven. Within a single night, 
 an army of 9,000 men, with their artillery, tents, 
 and baggage, was transported to New York, over 
 a difficult ferry, a mile in width, while the British 
 army .was encamped within 600 yards, and did not 
 discover the retreat, till too late to annoy the Amer- 
 ^cans." 
 
 (63.) Death of Capt. Hale. 
 
 r After General Washington, by his retreat, had left 
 the British in complete possession of jLong Island, 
 and not knowing what would be their future opera 
 tions, he applied to General Kriowhon, commander 
 of a regiment of light infantry, to devise som$ 
 means for gaining necessary information of the de 
 sign of the British in their future movements. Cap 
 tain Hale nobly offered himself for this hazardous 
 
 *The loss of the British and Hessians, is stated by Ameri 
 can historians at about 450; Sledman says, "it did not 
 exceed 300 killed anci wounded." The ioss of the Ameri 
 cans was not admitted by General Washing-top lo exceed 
 1000 men; " hut i fhis estimate, he could only have inclu 
 ded the regular troops." General Hv>we states the prisoners 
 v to have been 1037; among- vrljom were Majar General Sul 
 liran, and Brigadiers Lord Sterling and Woodhull. 
 
161 
 
 Murder o 
 
in 
 
 and important service. His amiable, pious, intel 
 ligent, and patriotic character, and the sacrifice of 
 his life in the manner in which he made the sacrifice, 
 entitle him to a distinguished rank among th 
 patriots of the revolution. The particulars o Viis 
 tragical event, sanctioned by General Hull, 
 was knowing to them at the time, are related by 
 H. Adams, in her History of New England. 
 
 " The retreat of General Washington, left the 
 British in complete possession of Long Isiand. 
 What would be their future operations, remained 
 uncertain. To obtain information of their situation, 
 their strength, and future movements, was of high 
 importance. For this purpose, General Washing 
 ton applied to Col. Knowlton, who commanded a 
 regiment of light infantry, which formed the van of 
 the American army, and desired him to adopt some 
 mode of gaining the necessary information. Col. 
 Knowlton communicated this request to Nathan 
 Hale, of Connecticut, who was then a Captain in 
 his regiment. This young officer, animated by a 
 sense of duty, and considering that an opportunity 
 presented itself by which he might be useful to his 
 country, at once offered himself a volunteer for this 
 hazardous service. He passed in disguise to Long 
 Island, examined every part of the British army, 
 and obtained the best possible information respect 
 ing their situation and future operations. 
 
 In his attempt to return, he was apprehended, 
 carried before Sir William Howe, and the proof of 
 his object was so clear, that he frankly acknowledg 
 ed who he was, and what were his views. 
 
 Sir William Howe at once gave an order to the 
 provost marshal to execute him the next morning. 
 
 The order was accordingly executed in a most 
 unfeeling manner, and by as great a savage as ever 
 H 
 
113 
 
 disgraced humanity. A clergyman, whose attend 
 ance he desired, was refused him ; a bible, fora mo 
 ment s devotion was not procured, though he re- 
 ]uc. *ed it. Letters, which on the morning of his 
 ition, he wrote to his mother and other friends, 
 destroyed ; and this very extraordinary reason 
 was given by the provost marshal, " that the reb 
 els should not know that they had a man in their 
 army, who could die with so much firmness." 
 
 i{ Unknown to all around him, without a single 
 friend to offer him the least consolation, thus fell as 
 amiable and as worthy a young man as Americacould 
 boast, with this as his dying observation, "that he only 
 lamented he had but one life to lose for his country." 
 
 (f>4.) Battle of Trenton, 
 
 The summer and fall of 1776, was the most 
 gloomy period of the American revolution. Gen, 
 Washington had been obliged to retreat from Long 
 Island to New York, thence over the Hudson to 
 New Jersey, and through New Jersey to Pennsyl 
 vania, vigorously pursued by an enemy flushed 
 with a series of success. The retreat through New 
 Jersey, was attended with circumstances of a pain 
 ful and trying nature. Washington s army, which 
 had consisted of 30,000 men, was now diminished 
 to scarcely 3,000, and these were without supplies, 
 without pay, and many of them without shoes or 
 comfortable clothing. Their footsteps were stain 
 ed with blood, as they fled before the enemy. The 
 affairs of the Americans, seemed in such a despe 
 rate condition, that those who had been most con 
 fident of success, began despairingly to give up all 
 as lost. Many Americans joined the British and 
 
119 
 
 took protections from them. In this season of gen 
 eral despondency, the American Congress recom 
 mended to each of the states, to observe " a day of 
 solemn fasting and humiliation before God." 
 
 Gen. Washington saw the necessity of making a 
 desperate effort for the salvation of his country. 
 On the night of the 25th of December, 1776, the 
 American army recrosscd the Delaware, which was 
 filled with pieces of floating ice, and marched to at 
 tack a division of Hessians, who had advanced to 
 Trenton. The sun had just risen as the tents of the 
 enemy appeared in sight. No time was to be lost 
 Washington rising on his stirrups, waved his sword 
 towards the hostile army, and exclaimed, " There, 
 my brave friends, are the enemies of your country ! 
 and now all I have to ask of you is to remember what 
 you are about to fight for ! March ! /" 
 
 The troops animated by their commander, pres 
 sed on to the charge the Hessians were taken by 
 surprise, and before they could form, the contest 
 was decided; about 1000 were taken prisoners, and 
 40 killed, among whom was their commander, fa 
 German officer,) Col. Rahl. 
 
 (65.) Battle of Princeton. 
 
 On the 2d of January, 1777, Lord Cornwallis ap 
 peared near Trenton, with a strong body of troops.. 
 Skirmishing took place, and impeded the march of 
 lh? British army, until the Americans had secured 
 their artillery and baggage ; when they retired to 
 the southward of the creek, and repulsed the ene 
 my in their attempt to pass the bridge. As General 
 Washington s force was not sufficient to meet the 
 enemy, and his situation was critical, he determin- 
 
120 
 
 ed, with the advice of a council of war, to attempt 
 a stratagem. He gave orders for the troops to light 
 fires in their camp, [which were intended to deceive 
 the enemy,] and be prepared to march. Accord 
 ingly, at twelve o clock at night, the troops left the 
 ground, and by a circuitous march eluded the vigi 
 lance of the enemy, and early in the morning ap 
 peared at Princeton. A smart action ensued, but 
 the British troops gave way. A party took refuge 
 in the college, a building with strong stone walls, 
 but were forced to surrender. The enemy lost, in 
 killed, wounded, and prisoners, about five hundred 
 men. The Americans lost but few men ; but among 
 hern was a most valuable officer, General Mercer* 
 H ebster s Elements Useful Knozvledge. 
 
 (66.) Battle of Brandy wine. 
 
 The British General Howe, with a force of 16,000 
 men, on the 1 5th of August landed at the head 
 of Elk river* It being obvious that his design was 
 the occupation of Philadelphia, General Washing-^ 
 ton immediately put the American army in motion 
 towards that place, to prevent its falling into the 
 hands of the enemy. The two armies met at Bran 
 dy wine, in Delaware. 
 
 " At day break on the morning of the eleventh, 
 the royal army advanced in two columns ; the one 
 commanded by Lieutenant General Knypausen, and 
 the other by Lord Cornwallis. While the first col 
 umn took the direct road to Chadd s Ford, and made 
 a show of passing it in front of the main body of the 
 Americans, the other moved up on the west side of 
 the Brandywine, to its fork, crossed both its branches 
 about two in the afternoon, and marched down on 
 
121 
 
 its eastern side, with the view of turning the right 
 wing of their adversaries. General Washington, 
 on receiving intelligence of their approach, made 
 the proper disposition to receive them. The divis 
 ions commanded by Sullivan, Sterling, and Stephen, 
 advanced a little farther up the Brandywine, and 
 fronted the column of the approaching enemy ; 
 Wayne s division, with Maxwell s light infantry, re 
 mained at Chadd s Ford, to keep Knypausen in 
 check; Green s division, accompanied by General 
 Washington, formed a reserve, and took a central 
 position between the right and left wings. The di 
 visions detached against Cornwallis, took posses 
 sion of the heights above Birmingham church, their 
 left reaching towards the Brandywine ; the artillery 
 was judiciously placed, and their flanks were cov 
 ered by woods. About four o clock, Lord 
 Cornwallis formed the line of battle, and began the 
 attack. The Americans sustained it for some time 
 with intrepidity ; but the right at length giving way, 
 the remaining divisions, exposed to a galling fire 
 on the flank, continued to break on the right, and the 
 whole line was soon completely routed. As soon as 
 Cornwallis had commenced the attack, Knypausen 
 crossed the ford, and attacked the troops, posted 
 for its defence ; which, after a severe conflict, were 
 compelled to give way. The retreat of the Ameri 
 cans, which soon became general, was continued 
 that night to Chester, and the next day to Philadel 
 phia. The loss sustained by the Americans in this 
 action, is estimated at three hundred killed and six 
 hundred wounded. Between three and four hun 
 dred, principally the wounded, were made prison 
 ers. The loss of the British was stated to be rath 
 er less than one hundred killed, and four hundred 
 wounded. Holmes Jlnnals. 
 11* 
 
Among 1 the wounded were two general officers; the Mar 
 quis de La Fayette, and General Woodford. The first of 
 these was a French nobleman, who at the age of 19 years 
 only, left France and offered his services to Congress, which 
 gave him the rank of Major General in their army. Count 
 Pulaski, a Polish nobleman, fought also with the Americans ,, 
 in this battle. Ib. 
 
 (67.) Battle of Germantown, and the Attack on 
 Red Bank. 
 
 After General Howe had taken possession of Phil 
 adelphia, it became necessary for him to take the 
 forts on the Delaware, in order to open a commu 
 nication with the Atlantic. Accordingly, a part o 
 the royal army were detached for that purpose. 
 Gen. Washington seized this opportunity to attack 
 the remainder, at Germantowii. On the morning 
 of the 4th of October, Washington attacked the 
 enemy with such judgment and fury, that they gave 
 way in every quarter. u The tumult, disorder, and 
 despair in tfie British army," says Washington, 
 u were unparalleled^ But unfortunately, an un 
 common thick fog, occasioned many mistakes in the 
 American army; and after a severe action, they 
 were obliged to retreat, with the loss of about 1000 
 men in killed and wounded ; among them was Gen. 
 Nash, and his aid, Major Wkherspoon. The Brit 
 ish lost upwards of 500 men, with Gen. Agnew and 
 Col. Bird. 
 
 The detachment of the British army, sent to at 
 tack the fort at Red Bank, on the Jersey shore, 
 was commanded by Count Donop, a brave and 
 high spirited German officer. The fort was defend 
 ed by about 400 men, under Col. Green. Count 
 Donop, with undaunted firmness, led on his men to. 
 an assault. After a few well directed fires, Green 
 
123 
 
 and his men artfully retired from the ouhvorfis* 
 The enemy now supposing the day their own, rush 
 ed forward in great numbers,, along a large opening 
 in the fort, and within twenty paces of a masked 
 battery, of eighteen pounders, loaded with grape 
 shot and spike nails. Immediately the garrison 
 opened a tremendous fire upon their assailants,, 
 which swept them down in great numbers. Count 
 Donop was mortally wounded and taken prisoner 
 In this expedition, the enemy are supposed to have 
 lost about 400 men. 
 
 (68.) Murder of Miss McCrea. 
 
 Previous to the American revolution, there resi 
 ded near fort Edward, an accomplished young man, 
 named Jones, and a young lady by the name of 
 McCrea, between whom a strong attachment sub 
 sisted. Upon the breaking out of war, Mr. Jones, 
 who favored the royalists, fled into Canada. 
 Thence he accompanied the expedition of Bur- 
 goyne into the States. When the British army 
 were within about three miles of fort Edward, Mr. 
 Jones found means secretly to inform Miss Mc 
 Crea of his approach ; he entreated her not to leave 
 the place, and informed her, that as soon as the fort 
 had surrendered, he would seek an asylum where 
 they might peacefully consummate the nuptial cere 
 mony. Confiding in her lover, Miss McCrea hero 
 ically refused to follow the flying villagers. The 
 tears and intreaties of her parents and friends avail 
 ed nothing. Mr. Jones, anxious to possess his in 
 tended bride, despatched a party of Indians to con 
 vey her to the British army, and offered to reward 
 them for their service with a barrel of rum. The 
 
124 
 
 Indians brought a letter from her lover, and als 
 his horse to convey Miss McCrea ; she scrupled 
 riot to place herself under their protection, and ac 
 cordingly set out for the British camp. When 
 about half way, a second party of Indians hearing 
 of the captivating offer made by Mr. Jones, deter 
 mined to avail themselves of the reward. A bloody 
 strife ensued, in which some Indians were killed, 
 when the chief of the first party, to decide the con 
 test, with his tomahawk knocked the lady from her 
 horse, tore off her scalp, and bore it as a trophy 
 to her anxious and expectant lover ! This atrocious 
 and cruel murder, roused the American people, and 
 produced one general burst of horror and indigna 
 tion throughout the States, against the British and 
 their savage allies, and probably hastened the 
 downfall of Burgoyne. 
 
 (69.) Battle of Bennington and Capture of Burgoyne. 
 
 In the spring of 1777, it was determined in Eng 
 land that an invasion of the States should be at 
 tempted from the north, and a communication form 
 ed between Canada and the city of New-York, and 
 thus cut off the communication between the New 
 England and more southern States. 
 
 u The troops destined for this service were up 
 wards of seven thousand ; with a train of artillery, 
 the finest, and the most efficiently supplied, that had 
 ever been assigned to second the operations of an 
 equal force. Arms and accoutrements were provi 
 ded for the Canadians, and several nations of In 
 dians induced to take up the hatchet under the royal 
 banners. The command was given to General Bur 
 goyne ; an officer whose abilities were well known^ 
 
225 
 
 and whose spirit of enterprise, and thirst of military 
 fame, could not be exceeded. The British had the 
 exclusive navigation of Lake Champlain. Their 
 marine force on that inland sea, with which, in the 
 preceding campaign, they had destroyed the Ameri 
 can flotilla, was not only entire, but unopposed. 
 
 " Having gained possession of Ticonderoga, as 
 well as of the other defences which had served to 
 prevent or to impede the advance of an enemy into 
 the United States on the side of Canada, and with a 
 degree of alacrity and perseverance not to be excel 
 led, they reached Fort Edward, on the Hudson, Bur- 
 goyne proceeded, in the beginning of August, to 
 force his passage down towards Albany. In the 
 meantime, every obstruction had been thrown in his 
 way, by Schuyler, Arnold, St. Clair, and other vi 
 gilant commanders ; who, at this period, owing to 
 the evacuation of the northern forts, and the exer 
 tions of the leading patriots in New-York and the 
 contiguous provinces, had in that quarter an army 
 of thirteen thousand men. 
 
 " In his advance to Albany, Burgoyne formed a 
 plan to draw resources from the farms of Vermont, 
 For this purpose, he detached five hundred Hessians 
 and one hundred Indians, with two field-pieces, 
 under the command of Colonel Baum ; a force 
 deemed sufficient to seize a magazine of provisions 
 collected by the Americans at Bennington. But he 
 proceeded with less caution than his perilous situa 
 tion required. On the 16th of August, Colonel 
 Starke attacked him, near that place, with about 
 eight hundred New-Hampshire militia, undisci 
 plined, without bayonets, or a single piece of artil 
 lery; killed or capiured the greater part of his de 
 tachment, and got possession of his cannon. This 
 "was a brilliant service. Another achievement, 
 
126 
 
 scarcely less conspicuous, immediately succeeded* 
 Colonel Breyman, who had been sent by General 
 Burgoyne to support that party, arrived on the same 
 ground, and on the same day, not, however, until 
 the action was decided. Instead of meeting his 
 friends, he found himself vigorously assailed. This 
 attack was made by Colonel Warner; who, with his 
 continental regiment, had come up, also to support 
 his friends, and was well assisted by Starke s militia, 
 which had just defeated the party of Colonel Baum. 
 Brey man s troops, though fatigued with the prece 
 ding march, behaved with great resolution ; but 
 were at length obliged to abandon their artillery, and 
 retreat. In these two actions, the Americans took 
 four brass field-pieces, four ammunition wagons, and 
 seven hundred prisoners* 
 
 " The overthrow of these detachments was the 
 first, in a grand series of events, that finally involved 
 in ruin the whole royal army. It deranged every 
 plan for continuing, or even holding, the advantages 
 previously obtained ; inspired the Americans with 
 ., confidence, animated their exertions, and filled them 
 with justly-formed expectations of future victory, 
 
 " After the evacuation of Ticonderoga, the Ame 
 ricans had fallen back, from one place to another, 
 until they at last rested at Vanshaick s island. Soon 
 after this retreating system was adopted, Congress 
 removed their commanding officers, and placed 
 General Gates at the head of the northern army. 
 His arrival, on the 19th of August, gave fresh vigor 
 to the inhabitants. Encouraged by a hope of cap 
 turing the whole British forces, a spirit of adventure 
 burst forth from every quarter, and was carried into 
 various directions. An enterprise was undertaken 
 by General Lincoln, to recover Ticonderoga arid the 
 other posts in the rear of the British army 5 and. 
 
127 
 
 though the first object was not accomplished, yet 
 with so much address did Colonel Brown, who was 
 despatched to the landing at LakeGeorge, proceed, 
 that, with five hundred men, he not only surprised 
 all the out-posts between the landing at the north 
 end of the lake and the body of that fortress ; took 
 Mount Defiance and Mount Hope, the old French 
 lines, and a block-house ; also two hundred bat- 
 teaux, several gun boats, besides two hundred and 
 ninety prisoners ; but at the same time, released 
 one hundred Americans, 
 
 " Burgoyne, after crossing the Hudson, advanced 
 along its banks, and encamped about two miles from 
 General Gates, a short distance above Still-Water, 
 The Americans thought no more of retreating ; and, 
 @n the 19th of September, engaged him with firm 
 ness and resolution, The conflict, though severe, 
 was only partial, for the first hour and a half; but, 
 after a short pause, it became general, and continu 
 ed for three hours without intermission. A constant 
 blaze of fire streamed forth, and both sides seemed 
 determined on victory or death. The Americans 
 and British were alternately driven by each other, 
 until night ended the effusion of blood. The enemy 
 lost five hundred men, including killed, wounded, 
 and prisoners ; the Americans, three hundred. 
 
 " Every moment made the situation of the British 
 army more critical. Their provisions were lessen 
 ing, their Indian and provincial allies deserting; 
 whilst the animation and numbers of the Americans 
 increased. From the uncertainty of receiving fur 
 ther supplies, Burgoyne curtailed the soldiers ra 
 tions. His opponents pressed him on every side. 
 Much hard fighting ensued. The British were again 
 defeated. One of Burgoyne s Generals, together 
 with his aid-de-qamp, was killed, and he himself 
 
128 
 
 narrowly escaped ; as a ball passed through his hat, 
 and another through his waistcoat. The American 
 Generals Arnold and Lincoln were wounded. To 
 avoid being surrounded, General Burgoyne left his 
 hospital to the humanity of Gates, and retreated to 
 Saratoga. He was still followed, and harassed ; 
 driven on one side and straitened on another. The 
 situation of his army was truly distressing : aban 
 doned by their allies, unsupported by their fellow- 
 soldiers in New- York, worn down by a series of in 
 cessant efforts, and greatly reduced in number ; 
 without a possibility of retreat, or of replenishing 
 their exhausted stock of provisions : a continual 
 cannonade pervaded their camp, and grape-shot fell 
 in many parts of their lines. 
 
 " The 12th of October arrived ; the day until 
 which hope had bidden the afflicted General wait for 
 the promised assistance from New-York. But ex 
 pectation vanished with the departing sun. He 
 took an account of his provisions. There was only 
 a scanty subsistence for three days. A council of 
 war declared that their present situation justified a 
 capitulation on honorable terms ; and a negotia 
 tion was commenced. After various messages pass 
 ed between the hostile armies, it was stipulated, 
 that, on the 17th, the British were to march out of 
 their camp with the customary honors of war ; the 
 arms to be piled by word of command from their 
 own officers ; and an undisturbed passage allowed 
 them to Great Britain, on condition of their not 
 serving again in North America during the war. 
 
 " By this convention, were surrendered five thou 
 sand seven hundred and ninety, of all ranks ; which 
 number, added to the killed, wounded, and prison 
 ers, lost by the royal army during the preceding 
 part of the expedition, made, altogether, upwards oi" 
 
J3atfl< at 
 
129 
 
 ten thousand men ; an advantage rendered still more 
 important to the captors, by the acquisition of thirty- 
 five brass field-pieces, and nearly five thousand 
 muskets. The regular troops in General Gates s 
 army were nine thousand; the militia, four thousand: 
 but, of the former, two thousand were sick or on 
 furlough ; and of the latter, five hundred. 
 
 " The celebrated Polish patrioc, Kosciuski, was 
 chief engineer in the army of General Gates. 
 
 " On learning the fate of Burgoyne, the British on 
 the North river retired to New York. Those who 
 had been left in his rear destroyed their cannon, 
 and, abandoning Ticonderoga, retreated to Canada ; 
 so that this whole country, after experiencing for 
 several months the devastations of war, was now 
 restored to perfect tranquility. 
 
 Grimshaw^s Hist. U. S, 
 
 (70.) Treaty with France. 
 
 On the 16th of March, 1778, Lord North intima 
 ted to the House of Commons, that a paper had been 
 laid before the King by the French ambassador, in 
 timating the conclusion of an alliance between the 
 court of France arid the United States of America. 
 The preliminaries of this treaty had been concluded 
 in the end of the year (777, and a copy of them 
 sent to Congress, in order to counteract any pro 
 posals that might be made in the mean .time by the 
 British ministry. On the 6th of February, 1 778, the 
 articles were formally signed, to the great satisfac 
 tion of the French nation. They were in substance 
 as follows : 
 
 1. If Great Britain should, in consequence of this 
 12 
 
330 
 
 treaty, proceed to hostilities against France, the tws 
 nations should mutually assist one another. 
 
 2. The main end of the treaty was, in an effectual 
 manner to maintain the Independence of America. 
 
 3. Should those places of North-America still sub 
 ject to Britain, be reduced by the States, they should 
 be confederated with them, or subjected to their ju 
 risdiction. 
 
 4. Should any of the West-India Islands be redu 
 ced by France, they should be deemed its property. 
 
 5. No formal treaty with Great Britain should be 
 concluded, either by France or America, without the 
 consent of each other ; and it was mutually agreed, 
 that they should not lay down their arms till the In 
 dependence of the States had been formally acknow* 
 ledged. 
 
 6. The contracting parties mutually agreed, to 
 invite those powers that had received injuries from 
 Great Britain, to join in the common cause. 
 
 7. The United States guaranteed to France all 
 the possessions in the West-Indies w r hich she should 
 conquer ; and France, in her turn, guaranteed the 
 absolute Independence of the States, and their su 
 preme authority over every country they possessed, 
 r might acquire during the war.* 
 
 This treaty was signed, on the part of France, by 
 M. Gerard ; on the part of the United States, by 
 Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. 
 On the 20th of March, the American commissioners 
 were received at the court of France, as the repre 
 sentatives of a sister nation ; an event which was 
 considered in Europe at that time, as the most im 
 portant which had occurred in the annals of America, 
 since its first discovery by Columbus. 
 
 * Williams Revolution. 
 
131 
 
 (71.) Battle of Monmouth or Freehold. 
 
 At the opening of the campaign in 1778, General 
 Howe wont to England, and left the command to Sir 
 Henry Clinton. In June the British army left Phil 
 adelphia, and marched towards Staten Island. In 
 their march they were annoyed by the Americans, 
 and on the 28th of June, a division of the army, under 
 General Lee, was ordered, if possible, to bring them 
 to an engagement. The order was riot obeyed 
 General Washington arrived, and riding up to Gene 
 ral Lee, addressed him in terms that implied cen 
 sure. General Lee answered with warmth and dis 
 respectful language. General Washington led the 
 troops in person, and a smart action took place, in 
 which both parties claimed the victory, but the ad 
 vantage was clearly on the side of the Americans. 
 The loss in killed and wounded amounted to three 
 or four hundred, on each side ; but the British left 
 the field of battle in the night and pursued their re 
 treat. This battle happened at Freehold, in Mon 
 mouth county, during a period of extreme heat, the 
 mercury being above ninety degrees by Fahrenheit s 
 scale. Many of the soldiers died on the spot, by 
 heat, fatigue, or drinking cold water. General Lee 
 was tried by a court martial for disobedience, and 
 his command suspended for one year. 
 
 Webster^s Elements of U. Knowledge. 
 
 (79.) Taking of Savannah and Charleston. 
 
 In 1778, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell, an officer 
 f courage and ability, embarked on the tuenty- 
 seventh of November from New-York for Savan 
 nah, with about two thousand men, under the con- 
 
 
132 
 
 voy of some ships of war, commanded by Commodore 
 Hyde Parker ; and in about three weeks landed near 
 the mouth of Savannah river. From the landing 
 place, a narrow causeway of six hundred yards in 
 length, with a ditch on each side, led through a 
 swamp. At this causeway a small party was posted, 
 under Captain Smith, to impede the passage of the 
 British ; but it was almost instantly dispersed. 
 General Howe, the American officer, to whom the 
 defence of Georgia was committed, had taken his 
 station on the main road, and posted his little army, 
 consisting of about six hundred continentals and a 
 few hundred militia, between the landing place and 
 the town of Savannah, with the river on his left, and 
 a morass in front. SVhile Colonel Campbell was 
 making arrangements to dislodge his adversaries, he 
 received intelligence from a negro, of a private path, 
 on the right of the Americans, through which his 
 troops might march unobserved ; and Sir James 
 Baird, with the light infantry, was directed to avail 
 himself of this path, in order to turn their right wing, 
 and attack their rear. As soon as it was judged that 
 he had cleared his passage, the British, in front of 
 the Americans, were directed to advance and en 
 gage. General Howe, finding himself attacked both 
 in front and rear, ordered an immediate retreat. 
 The British pursued, and their victory was entire. 
 Upwards of one hundred of the Americans were kill 
 ed ; and thirty-eight officers, four hundred and fif 
 teen privates, the town and fort of Savannah, forty- 
 eight pieces of cannon, twenty-three mortars, the 
 fort with its ammunition and stores, the shipping in 
 the river, and a large quantity of provisions, were in 
 a few hours in possession of the conquerors. The 
 whole loss of the British, during the day, amounted 
 to no more than seven killed and nineteen wounded. 
 Holmes American Anna Is. 
 
133 
 
 Sir Henry Clinton, finding it more easy to make 
 an impression on the southern States, which were 
 less populous than the northern, and being a level 
 country, rendered the transportation of artillery less 
 difficult, determined to make them the seat of war. 
 Agreeable to this resolution, he sailed from New- 
 York, with a large force, in the severe winter of 
 1779 80 ; and after a tempestuous passage, in 
 which he lost some of his transports, arrived at Sa 
 vannah the latter part of January. From Savannah 
 the army proceeded to Charleston, and in April laid 
 siege to that city. The enemy made regular ap 
 proaches, and finally being prepared to storm the 
 town, General Lincoln was compelled to capitulate. 
 About two thousand five hundred men, besides the 
 militia and inhabitants, became prisoners, and all 
 the cannon and military stores. Ttys happened on 
 the 12th o May, 1780. General Clinton left Lord 
 Cornwallis to command the troops in the southern 
 army, and returned to New-York. Great numbers 
 of the people in South-Carolina, being left defence 
 less, returned to their allegiance, and the British 
 commander represented the state as subdued. 
 
 Webster ] s Elements of U. Knowledge. 
 
 (73.) Paul Jones Naval Battle. 
 
 On the 22d of September, 1778, occurred on the 
 coast of Scotland, " that unexampled sea-fight, which 
 gave to the name of Paul Jones such terrific eclat. 
 This man was a native of Scotland, but engaged in 
 the service of the United States. His flotilla was 
 composed of the Bon-homme Richard, of forty guns, 
 the Alliance, of thirty-six, (both American ships,) 
 the Pallas, a French frigate of thirty-two, in the pay 
 12* 
 
134 
 
 of Congress, and two other smaller vessels. He 
 fell in with a British merchant fleet, on its return 
 from the Baltic, convoyed by Captain Pearson, with 
 the frigate Sera pis, of forty-four guns, and the 
 Countess of Scarborough, of twenty* 
 
 Pearson had no sooner perceived Jones, than he 
 bore down to engage him, while the merchantmen 
 endeavored to gain the coast. The American flo 
 tilla formed to receive him. The two enemies 
 joined battle about seven in the evening. The 
 British having the advantage of cannon of a longer 
 reach, Paul Jones resolved to fight them closer. He 
 brought up his ships, until the muzzles of his guns 
 came in contact with those of his enemy. Here the 
 phrenzied combatants fought from seven till ten. 
 Paul Jones now found that his vessel was so shat 
 tered, that only three effective gu-ns remained., 
 Trusting no longer to these, he assailed his enemy 
 with grenades ; which, fulling into the Serapis, se t 
 her on fire in several places. At length her maga 
 zine blew up and killed all near it. Pearson, enra 
 ged at his officers, who wished him to surrender, 
 commanded them to board. Paul Jones at the 
 head of his crew, received them at the point of the- 
 pike ; and they retreated. But the flames of the 
 Serapis had communicated to her enemy, and the 
 vessel of Jones was on fire. Amidst this tremen 
 dous night-scene, the American frigate Alliance 
 came up, and mistaking her partner for her enemy, 
 fired a broad-side into the vessel of Jones. By the 
 broad glare of the burning ships she discovered her 
 mistake, and turned her guns against her exhausted 
 foe. Pearson s crew were killed or wounded, his 
 artillery dismounted, and his vessel on fire ; and he 
 could no longer resist. The flames of the Serapis 
 Tvere however arrested : but the leaks of the Good- 
 
135 
 
 man Richard could not be stopped, and the hulk 
 went down soon after the mangled remains of the 
 crew had been removed. Of the 375 who were on 
 board that renowned vessel, only sixty-eight left it 
 alive. The Pallas had captured the Countess of 
 Scarborough ; and Jones, after this horrible victory, 
 wandered with his shattered, unmanageable vessels 
 for some time ; and at length, on the 6th of October, 
 had the good fortune to find his way to the waters 
 of the TexelS>+-ffillard*s Hist. U. States. 
 
 (74.) Gen. Putnam s Escape at Horseneck. 
 
 About the middle of the winter of 1778, General 
 Putnam, -\ bold and veteran officer, was on a visit to 
 his outpost at Horseneck, where he found Tryon^ 
 the British Governor, advancing upon thai place with, 
 a corps of fifteen hundred men. To oppose this 
 force General Putnam had only a force of one hun 
 dred and fifty men, with two iron field pieces, with 
 out horses or drag-ropes. Having planted his can 
 non on an eminence, he fired until the enemy s horse 
 (supported by infantry) were about to charge ; he 
 then ordered his men to shelter themselves in a 
 neighboring swamp inaccessible to the enemy s 
 cavalry and putting spurs to his horse, he plunged 
 down a precipice so steep that about one hundred 
 stone steps or stairs had been constructed for the 
 accommodation of foot passengers. The British 
 dragoons, who were but a sword s length from him, 
 not daring to follow, stopped, and, before they could 
 gain the valley, Putnam was far beyond their reach, 
 
 Genu Putnam was much distinguished, both in the French 
 and Revolutionary wars, for his bravery and a spirit of daring 
 Enterprise. He also rendered himself famous by a noted ex 
 
136 
 
 jjloit in a wolf s den. When he removed to Pomfret, ori. 
 that part of the country was much infested with wolves. In 
 liis immediate vicinity a she-wolf committed considerable de 
 predations for several years. After many unsuccessful at 
 tempts were made to destroy this ferocious animal, Putnam 
 and his neighbors tracked her to her den, and endeavored 
 b? fire and smoke, dogs, &c. to expel her from her habitation. 
 These means proving ineffectual, Putnam at length carne to 
 the hazardous resolution of attacking the wolf in her den. 
 With a torch in one hand and his gun in the other, he crawl 
 ed a considerable distance into a subterraneous cavity, and 
 discovered the wolf by the glare of her eye-balls, evidently at 
 the point of springing at him. Putnam fired : upon this he 
 was drawn out of the cave by his neighbors, by means of a 
 rope he had attached to one of his legs Putnam again de 
 scended, and finding the wolf dead, took hold of her ears, and 
 the people above, with much exultation, dragged them out 
 together. 
 
 (75.) Storming of Stoney Point. 
 
 The reduction of this place, July 15, 1779, was 
 one of the most bold enterprises which occurred in 
 the Revolutionary war. (Stoney point is 40 miles 
 north of New- York, on the Hudson.) 
 
 " At this time Stoney Point was in the condition 
 f a real fortress ; it was furnished with a select gar 
 rison of more than 60Q men, and had stores in 
 abundance, and defensive preparations which were 
 formidable. Fortified as it was, Gen. Washington 
 ventured an attempt to reduce it. The enterprise 
 was committed to Gen. Wayne, who, with a strong 
 detachment of active infantry, set out towards the 
 place at noon. His march of fourteen miles over 
 high mountains, through deep morasses, and difficult 
 defiles, was accomplished by eight o clock in the 
 evening. 
 
 At the distance of a mile from the point,. Gen, 
 
137 
 
 Wayne halted and formed his men into two col 
 umns, putting himself at the head of the right. 
 Both columns were directed to march in order and 
 silence, with unloaded muskets arid fixed bayonets* 
 At midnight they arrived under the walls of the 
 fort."* 
 
 " An unexpected obstacle now presented itself: 
 the deep morass which covered the works, was at 
 this time overflowed by the tide. The English 
 opened a tremendous fire of musketry and of cannon 
 loaded with grape shot : but neither the inundated 
 znoross, nor a double palisade, nor the storm of fire 
 that poured upon them, could arrest the impetuosity 
 of the Americans ; they opened their way with the 
 bayonet, prostrated whatever opposed them, scaled 
 the fort, and the two columns met in the centre of 
 the works. The English lost upwards of 600 men 
 in killed and prisoners. The conquerors abstained 
 from pillage, and from all disorder ; a conduct the 
 more worthy as they had still present in mind, the 
 ravages and butcheries which their enemies had so 
 recently committed, in Virginia and Connecticut. 
 Humanity imparted new effulgence to the victory 
 which valor had attained."! 
 
 (76.) Battle of Camden. 
 
 On the 16th of August, 1730, Earl Cornwallis. 
 who commanded the British troops, obtained a sig 
 nal victory over the vVmericans under Gen. Gates, 
 at Camden. " The action began at break of day, 
 in a situation very advantageous for the British 
 troops, but very unfavorable to the Americans. 
 
 * Goodrich s United States. f Botta s Revolution. 
 
138 
 
 latter were much more numerous ; but the 
 ground on which both armies stood was narrow r ed 
 by swamps on the right and left, so that the Ameri 
 cans could not avail themselves properly of their 
 superior numbers. 
 
 There seems to have been some want of general 
 ship on the part of Gates, in suffering himself to be 
 surprized in so disadvantageous a position. But 
 this circumstance was the effect of accident ; for 
 both armies set out with a design of attacking each 
 other, precisely at the same time, at ten o clock the 
 preceding evening, and met together before day 
 light, at the place where the action happened. 
 
 The attack was made by the British troops, with 
 great vigor, and in a few minutes the action was 
 general along the whole line. It \vas at this time a 
 dead calm, with a little haziness in the air, which 
 prevented the smoke from rising, and occasion d so 
 thick a darkness that it was difficult to see the effect 
 of a heavy and well-supported tire on both sides. 
 The British troops either kept up a constant fire, or 
 made use of bayonets, as opportunities offered ; and 
 after an obstinate resistance of three quarters of an 
 hour, threw the Americans into total confusion, and 
 forced them to give way in all quarters. 
 
 The continental troops behaved remarkably well, 
 but tho militia were soon broken, leaving the former 
 to oppose the whole force of the British troops. 
 Gen. Gates drl nil in his power to rally the militia, 
 but without effect : the continentals retreated in 
 some order ; but he rout of the militia was so great, 
 that the British cavalry continued the pursuit of 
 them to the distance of twenty-two miles from the 
 place of action. 
 
 The loss of the Americans, on this occasion, was 
 very considerable ; about one thousand prisoners 
 
139 
 
 were taken, and more than that number were said 
 to have been killed and wounded, although the 
 number was not %^ry accurately ascertained. 
 Seven pieces of brass cannon, various stands of 
 colors, and all the ammunition waggons of the Ame 
 ricans, fell into the hands of the enemy. Among 
 the prisoners taken, was Major-General the Baron 
 de Kalb, a Prussian officer in the American service, 
 who was mortally wounded, after exhibiting great 
 gallantry in the course of the action, having received 
 eleven wounds. Of the British troops, the number 
 of killed and wounded amounted to two hundred 
 and thirteen." Williams Hist. Revolution. 
 
 (77.) Murder of Mrs. and Mr. Caldwell. 
 
 In the summer of 1780, the British troops made 
 frequent incursions into New Jersey, ravaging and 
 plundering the country, and committing numerous 
 atrocities upon its inhabitants. In June, a large 
 body of the enemy, commanded by Gen. Kniphau- 
 sen, landed at Elizabethtown Point, and proceeded 
 into the country. They were much harrassed in 
 their progress by Col. Dayton, and the troops under 
 his command. When they arrived at Connecticut 
 Farms, according to their usual but sacrilegious cus 
 tom, they burnt the Presbyterian church, parsonage 
 house, and a considerable part of the village. 
 But the most cruel and wanton act that was perpe 
 trated during this incursion, was the murder of Mrs, 
 Caldwell, the wife of the Rev. Mr. Caldwell of 
 Elizabethtown. 
 
 This amiable woman, seeing the enemy advan^ 
 .cing, retired with her house keeper, a child of three 
 y<ears old, an infant of eight months, and a little 
 
14Q 
 
 maid, to a room secured on all sides by stone walls, 
 except at a window opposite the enemy. She pru 
 dently took this precaution toavoid the danger of 
 transient shot, should the ground be disputed near 
 that place, which happened not to be the case ; nei 
 ther was there any firing from either party near the 
 house, until the fatal moment, when Mrs. Caldwell, 
 unsuspicious of any immediate danger, sitting on 
 the bed with her little child by the hand, and her 
 nurse, with her infant babe by her side, was instant 
 ly shot dead by an unfeeling British soldier, who 
 had come round to the unguarded part of the house, 
 with an evident design to perpetrate the horrid deed. 
 Many circumstances attending this inhuman murder, 
 evince, not only that it was committed by the enemy 
 with design, but also, that it was by the permission, 
 if not by the command, of Gen. Kniphausen, in or 
 der to intimidate the populace to relinquish their 
 cause. A circumstance which aggravated this 
 piece of cruelty, was, that when the British officers 
 were made acquainted with the murder, they did 
 not interfere to prevent the corpse from being strip 
 ped and burnt, but left it half the day, stripped in 
 part, to be tumbled about by the rude soldiery ; and 
 at last it was removed from the house, before it 
 was burned, by the aid of those who were not of 
 the army. 
 
 Mrs. Caldwell was an amiable woman, of a sweet 
 and even temper, discreet, prudent, benevolent, soft 
 and engaging in her manners, and beloved by all 
 her acquaintance. She left nine promising children, 
 
 Mrs. Caldwcll s death was soon followed by that 
 of her husband. In November, 1781, Mr. Cald 
 well hearing of the arrival of "a young lady at Eliz- 
 abethtown Point, whose family, in New York, had 
 been peculiarly kind to the American prisoners, 
 
HI 
 
 rode down to escort her up to town. Having re 
 ceived her into his chair, the sentinel observing 
 a little bundle tied in the lady s handkerchief, said 
 it must be seized for the state. Mr. Caldwell in 
 stantly left the chair, saying he would deliver it to 
 the commanding officer, who was then present ; and 
 as he stepped forward with this view, another sol 
 dier impertinently told him to stop, which he imme 
 diately did ; the soldier notwithstanding? without 
 further provocation, shot him dead on the spot. 
 Such was the untimely fate of Mr. Caldwell. His 
 public discourses were sensible, animated and per 
 suasive ; his manner of delivery agreeable and pa 
 thetic. He was a very warm patriot, and greatly 
 distinguished himself in supporting the cause of his 
 suffering country. As a husband he was kind ; as 
 a citizen given to hospitality. The villain who mur 
 dered him was seized and executed.* 
 
 (78.) Massacre at Wyoming. 
 
 The following account of the devastation of the 
 flourishing settlements of Wyoming, in July, 1778, 
 and the massacre of its inhabitants by a party of to- 
 ries and Indians, under the command of the infamous 
 Co/. Butler, and Brandt, a half-blooded Indian, is 
 thus related by Mrs. Willard, in her History of the 
 United States. 
 
 " The devastation of the flourishing settlement of 
 Wyoming, by a band of Indians and tories, was 
 marked by the most demoniac cruelties. This settle 
 ment consisted of eight towns on the banks of the Sus- 
 quehannah,|and was one of the most flourishing as well 
 as delightful places in America. But even in this 
 
 13 
 
H2 
 
 peaceful spot, the inhabitants were not exempt irons 
 the baneful influence of party spirit. Although the 
 majority were devoted to the cause of their country, 
 yet the loyalists were numerous. Several persons 
 had been arrested as tories, and sent to the proper 
 authorities for trial. This excited the indignation of 
 their party, and they determined upon revenge. 
 They united with the Indians, and resorting to arti 
 fice, pretended a desire to cultivate peace with the 
 inhabitants of Wyoming, while they were making 
 every preparation for their meditated vengeance. 
 The youth at Wyoming were at this time with the 
 army, and but 500 men capable of defending the 
 settlement remained. The inhabitants had con 
 structed four forts for their security, into which these 
 men were distributed. In the month of July, 1600 
 Indians and tories, under the command of Butler 
 and Brandt, appeared on the banks of the Susque- 
 hannah. Two of the forts nearest the frontier imme 
 diately surrendered to them. The savages spared 
 the women and children, but butchered the rest of 
 their prisoners without exception. They then sur 
 rounded Kingston, the principal fort, and to dismay 
 the garrison, hurled into the place 200 scalps, still 
 reeking with blood. Col. Denison, knowing it to 
 be impossible to defend the fort, demanded of But 
 ler what terms would be allowed the garrison if they 
 surrendered; he answered, "the hatchet." They 
 attempted further resistance, but were soon compel 
 led to surrender. Enclosing the men, women, and 
 children, in houses and barracks, they set fire to 
 these, and the miserable wretches were all consumed. 
 The fort of Wilksbarre still remained in the pow 
 er of the republicans ; but this garrison, learning 
 the fate of the others, surrendered without resis 
 tance, hoping in this way to obtain mercy. But 
 
143 
 
 submission could not soften the hearts of these 
 unfeeling monsters, and their atrocities were renew 
 ed. They then devastated the country, burnt their 
 dwellings, and consigned their crops to the flames. 
 The lories appeared to surpass even the sava 
 ges in barbarity. The nearest ties of consanguin 
 ity were disregarded ; and it is asserted, that a 
 mother was murdered by the hand of her own son. 
 None escaped but a few women and children ; 
 and these, dispersed and wandering in the forests, 
 without food and without clothes, were not the least 
 worthy of commiseration. 
 
 (79.) Distress and Mutiny of the American Army. 
 
 The situation of Gen. Washington was often, du 
 ring the war, embarrassing, for want of proper sup 
 plies for the army. It was peculiarly so, while at 
 Morristown, in 1780, where he had encamped du 
 ring the winter. The cold during the winter was 
 uncommonly severe, and the army suffered extreme- 
 Jy. The following account of the state of the Ameri 
 can army is taken from Grimshavv s History of the 
 United States. 
 
 " The distress suffered by the American army did 
 not arrive at its highest pilch until the present sea 
 son. The officers of the Jersey line, now address 
 ed a memorial to their state legislature, complaining, 
 that four months pay for a private would not pro 
 cure for his family a single bushel of wheat ; that 
 the pay of a colonel would not purchase oats for 
 his horse; and that a common laborer received four 
 times as much as an American officer. Tlir-y urged, 
 that unless an immediate remedy were provided, the 
 otal dissolution of their line was inevitable ; and 
 
144 
 
 concluded, by saying, that their pay should be re 
 alized, either by Mexican dollars, or something 
 equivalent. Nor was the insufficiency of their stip- 
 port the only motive to complaint. Other causes 
 of discontent prevailed. The original idea of a 
 continental army, to be raised, paid, and regulated, 
 upon an equal and uniform principle, had been, in 
 a great measure, exchanged, -for that of state estab 
 lishments ; a pernicious measure, partly originating 
 from necessity, because state credit was not quite 
 so much depreciated as continental. Some states, 
 from their superior ability, furnished their troops, 
 not only with clothing, but with many articles of 
 convenience. Others supplied them with mere ne 
 cessaries ; whilst a few, from their particular situa 
 tion, could give little or perhaps nothing. The offi 
 cers and men, in the routine of duty, daily intermix 
 ed and made comparisons. Those who fared worse 
 than others, were dissatisfied with a service that al 
 lowed such injurious distinctions. Mutiny began to 
 spread, and at length broke out amongst the sol 
 diers at fort Schuyler. Thirty one privates of that 
 garrison w r ent off in a body. They were overtaken, 
 and thirteen of their number instantly killed. About 
 the same time, two regiments of Connecticut troops 
 mutinied, and got under arms ; determined to re 
 turn home, or gain subsistence by the bayonet. 
 Their officers reasoned with them, and used every 
 argument that could interest their passions or their 
 pride. They at first answered, " Our sufferings are 
 too great we want present relief," But military 
 feelings were in the end, triumphant : after much 
 expostulation, they returned to the encampment. 
 
 It is natural to suppose, that the British comman 
 der would not lose so favorable an opportunity of 
 severing the discontented from their companions^ 
 
145 
 
 and attracting them to his own standard. He circu 
 lated a printed paper in the American camp ; tend 
 ing to heighten the disorder by exaggeration, and cre 
 ate desertion by promises of bounty and caresses. 
 But. so great was the firmness of the soldiery, and 
 so strong their attachment to their country, that, on 
 the arrival of only a scanty supply of meat, for their 
 immediate subsistence, military duty was cheerfully 
 performed, and the rolls were seldom dishonored by 
 desertion. 
 
 The necessities of the American army grew so 
 pressing, that Washington was constrained to call 
 on the magistrates of the adjacent counties for spe 
 cified quantities of provisions to be supplied in a 
 given number of days ; and was compelled even to 
 send out detachments, to collect subsistence at the 
 point of the bayonet. Even this expedient at length 
 failed ; the country in the vicinity of the army, being 
 soon exhausted. His situation Was painfully em 
 barrassing. The army looked to him for provisions ; 
 the inhabitants for protection. To supply the one, 
 and not oifenc! the other, seemed impossible. To 
 preserve order and subordination, in an army of re 
 publicans, even when well fed, regularly paid, and 
 comfortably clothed, is not an easy task ; but to re 
 tain them in service, and subject them to the rules of 
 discipline, when wanting, not only the comforts, but 
 often the necessaries, of life, require such address 
 and abilities, as are rarely found in human nature. 
 These were, however, combined jn Washington. 
 He not only kept his army in the field, but opposed 
 those difficulties with so much discretion, as to com 
 mand the approbation of both soldiers and people. 
 
 To obviate these evils, Congress sent a commit 
 tee of its own members to the encampment of the 
 main army. They confirmed the representations- 
 13* 
 
146 
 
 previously made, of the distresses, and the disorder^ 
 arising from commissarial mismanagement, which 
 every where prevailed. Jn particular, they stated, 
 that the army was unpaid for five months ; that it 
 seldom had more than six days provision in ad 
 vance ; and was on different occasions, for several 
 successive days, without meat ; that the horses were 
 destitute of forage ; that the medical department 
 had no sugar, tea, chocolate, wine, nor spiritous 
 liquors of any kind ; that every department was 
 without money, and without credit; and that the 
 patience of the soldiers, worn down by the pres 
 sure of complicated sufferings, was on the point of 
 being exhausted. 
 
 Misfortunes, from every quarter, were, at this 
 time, pouring in upon the United States. T3ut they 
 seemed to rise in the midst of their distresses, and 
 gain strength from the pressure of calamities. 
 When Congress could obtain neither money nor, 
 credit for the subsistence of their army, the inhabit 
 ants of Philadelphia gave three hundred thousand 
 dollars, to procure a supply of necessary provis 
 ions for the suffering troops: and the ladies of that 
 city, at the same time, contributed largely to their 
 immediate relief. Their example was generally 
 followed. The patriotic flame, which blazed forth 
 in the beginning of the war, was rekindled. The 
 different states were ardently excited ; and it was 
 arranged, that the regular army should be raised to 
 thirty- five thousand elective men. ? 
 
 (80.) Capture of Andre, and Treason of Arnold. 
 
 In the year 1780, a plot fraught wiih much dan 
 ger to the American cause was happily discovered. 
 
14? 
 
 This plot, originated with Arnold, a General in the 
 American army, who by his extravagance and over 
 bearing behavior, had brought upon himself a rep 
 rimand from the American Congress. Of a temper 
 too impetuous to bear reproof, Arnold, bent on re 
 venge, entered into a negotiation through Major 
 John Andre, Adjutant General in the British army, 
 to deliver up to the enemy the important post of 
 West Point, of which Arnold had the command. 
 
 Andre proceeded in disguise to West Point, drew 
 a plan of the fortress, concerted with Arnold, and 
 agreed upon the manner and time of attack. Hav 
 ing obtained a passport, and assumed the name 
 of Anderson, Andre set out on his return to New- 
 York by land. He passed the outposts of the 
 American army without suspicion. Supposing him 
 self now out of danger, he pressed forward, elated 
 with the prospect of the speedy execution of a plot 
 which was to give the finishing blow to liberty in 
 America. 
 
 But, mark the hand of Providence, about thirty 
 miles from New York, as Andre was entering a vil 
 lage called Tarry town, three militia men, who hap 
 pened that way, JOHN PAULDING, DAVID WILLIAMS, 
 and ISAAC VANWERT, seized the bridle of his horse, 
 and accosted him with : Where are you bound?" 
 Andre supposing that they were of the British, did 
 not immediately show his passport, but waving 
 iheir question, asked them, "where they belonged 
 to?" they replied "to below," (referring to the 
 course of the river, and implying that they were of 
 the British party.) "And so do /," said Andre, 
 (confirmed in his mistake by this stratagem,) at the 
 same time informed them that he was a British offi 
 cer, on urgent business, and must not be detained. 
 <* You belong to our enemies," exclaimed the militfa 
 
148 
 
 men, " and zee arrest you." Andre, struck with as 
 tonishment, presented his passport, but this, after 
 what had passed, only rendered his case the more 
 suspicious. He then offered them a purse of gold, 
 his horse and watch, besides a large reward from 
 the British government, if they would but liberate 
 him. But these soldiers, though poor and obscure, 
 were not to be bribed. They searched him and 
 found concealed in his boot, papers which evidenced 
 his guilt, and they immediately conducted him to 
 Col. Jameson, their commanding officer. 
 
 Andre was tried by a board of general officers of 
 the American army, and executed as a spy, at Tap- 
 pan, N. Y. October 2. He was a young officer, 
 high minded, brave, accomplished and humane. 
 Me suffered with fortitude, and his fate excited the 
 universal sympathy of all parties.* 
 
 * Major Andre Lad many friends in the American army^ 
 and even Washington would have spared him, had duty to 
 his country permitted. Every possible effort was made by 
 Sir Henry Clinton in his favor, but it was deemed important 
 that the decision of the board of war should be carried into 
 execution. 
 
 When Major Andre was apprized of the sentence of death, 
 Jie made a last appeal in a letter to Washing-ton, that he might 
 be shot rather than die on a gibbet. 
 
 The letter of Andre roused the sympathies of Washing- 
 ton, and had he only been concerned, the prisoner would 
 have been pardoned and released. But the interests of his 
 country were at stake, and the sternness of justice demanded 
 that private feelings should be sacrificed. 
 
 Upon consulting his officers on the propriety of listening 
 to Major Andre s request, to receive the death of a soldier, 
 (to be shot,) it was deemed necessary to deny it, and to make 
 him an example. 
 
 As a reward to Paulding, Williams, and VanWert, for 
 their virtuous and patriotic conduct, Congress voted to each 
 of them an annuity of $200, and a silver medal, on one side 
 pf which, was a shield with this inscription fidelity,"-*. 
 
149 
 (81.) Battle of the Cowpens. 
 
 In the autumn of 1780, Gen. Greene was ap 
 pointed to the command of the American forces in 
 Carolina. He was accompanied by Colonel Mor 
 gan, a brave and active officer, who commanded a 
 body of riflemen. 
 
 On the entrance of Morgan into the district of 
 Ninety Six, Lord Cornwallis detached Lieut. Col. 
 Tarleton to drive him from this station, and to "push 
 him to the utmost*" Tarleton s fojce consisted of 
 about 1000 choice infantry, and 250 horse, with 
 two field pieces. To oppose this force, Morgan 
 had but 500 militia, 300 regulars and 75 horse, 
 under the command of Col. Washington. The two 
 detachments met on the 17th of Jan. !781,attheCow- 
 pens. The ground on which this memorable 
 battle was fought, was an open pine barren. The 
 militia were drawn up about 280 yards in front of 
 the regulars, and the horse some small distance in 
 the rear. Just after day break, the British came 
 in sight; and halting within a bout a quarter of a mile 
 of the militia, began to prepare for battle. The 
 sun had just risen, as the enemy, with loud shouts, 
 advanced to the charge. The militia, hardly wait 
 ing to give them a distant fire, broke, and fled for 
 
 and on the other, the following motto, ("vinctt amor pat rice,"} 
 --the love of country conquers. 
 
 Arnold, the miserable wretch, whose machinations led to 
 the melancholy fate Andre experienced, escaped to New 
 York, where, as the price of his dishonor, he received the 
 commission of Brigadier General, and the sum of ten thou 
 sand pounds sterling! 
 
 This last boon was the grand secret of Arnold s fall from 
 virtue ; his vanity and extravagance had led him into expen 
 ses which it was neither in the power nor will of Congress 
 to support. He had involved himself in debt, from which he 
 saw no hope of extricating himself: and his honor, therefore, 
 was bartered for British gold. GoodrisVa Hist. U. S. 
 
150 
 
 heir horses, which were tied at some distance, 
 Tarle ton s cavalry pushed hard after them, and 
 coming up just as they reached their horses, began 
 to cut them down. On seeing this, Col. Washing 
 ton with his cavalry, dashed on to their rescue. As 
 if certain of victory, Tarleton s men were all scat 
 tered in the chase. Washington s men, on the con 
 trary, advanced closely and compactly, and gave 
 the British cavalry such a fatal charge, that they 
 fled in the utmost precipitation. The British infant 
 ry now came up ; and, having crossed a little valley, 
 just as they ascended the hill, they found themselves 
 within twenty paces of the regular Americans, un 
 der Col. Howard, who at this moment poured upon 
 them a general and deadly fire. This threw them 
 into confusion. The militia seeing this change in 
 the battle, recovered their spirits, and began to 
 form on the right of the regulars. Morgan, waving 
 his sword, instantly rode up, exclaiming with a 
 loud voice, " Hurrah ! my brave fellows ! form, 
 form ! old Morgan was never beat in his life I one 
 fire more, my heroes, and the day is our own!" 
 With answering shouts, both regulars and militia 
 then advanced upon the enemy ; and following their 
 fire with the bayonet, instantly decided the con 
 flict.* 
 
 The British lost in this engagement, upwards of 
 300 killed and wounded, and more than 500 prison 
 ers. The loss of the Americans was but 12 killed 
 and 60 wounded. 
 
 (82.) Battle of Guilford. 
 
 After the disaster at the the Cowpens, Lord 
 Cornwallis determined lo intercept Col, Morgan, and 
 *Weems Life of Washingtop. 
 
retake the prisoners ; but a heavy rain in the night- 
 swelled the rivers so as to prevent his design. Tc 
 enable his troops to march with more celerity, he 
 destroyed all his heavy baggage. At length Gen 
 eral Greene joined Col. Morgan, with additional for 
 ces, and Lord Cornwallis, having collected his 
 troops, the armies met near the court-house in Guil- 
 ford. The action was fought on the 15th of March,. 
 1781 . The Americans amounted to be! ween 4 and 
 5000 men, but mostly militia, or inexperienced sol 
 diers. The British force consisted of about half 
 that number of veterans.* The Americans were 
 drawn up in three lines. The front was composed 
 of North Carolina militia, commanded by Gene 
 rals Butler and Eaton ; the second, of Virginia mi 
 litia, commanded by Stephens and Lawson ; the 
 third of continental troops, commanded by Gene 
 ral Huger and Colonel Williams. The British, af 
 ter a brisk cannonade in front, advanced in three 
 columns, the Hessians on the right, the guards in 
 the centre, and Lieutenant Colonel Webster s brig 
 ade on the left; and attacked the front line. The 
 militia composing this line, through the misconduct 
 of an officer in giving occasion to a false alarm, pre 
 cipitately quitted the field. The Virginia militia 
 stood their ground, and kept up their fire, until 
 they were ordered to retreat. The continental 
 troops were last engaged, and maintained the con 
 flict with great spirit an hour and a half; but were 
 then forced to give way before their veteran adver 
 saries. The British broke the second Maryland 
 brigade ; turned the American left flank ; and got 
 in the rear of the Virginia brigade. On their ap 
 pearing to be gaining Greene s right, and thus 
 threatening to encircle the whole of the continental 
 *Webster, 
 
152 
 
 troops, a retreat was ordered, which was well 
 conducted.* The battle was fought with great bra 
 very and effect ; for although Lord Cornwallis 
 remained master of the field, his losses, in a coun 
 try where he could not recruit his army, had the 
 effect of a defeat. His loss was more than five 
 hundred men. That of the Americans was about 
 four hundred in killed and wounded, of which more 
 than three fourths were continentals. 
 
 (83.) Battle of But aw Springs. 
 
 On the 9th of September, 1781, Gen. Greene, 
 having assembled about two thousand men, pro 
 ceeded to attack the British, who, under the com 
 mand of Col. Stewart, were posted at Eutaw Springs. 
 The American force was drawn up in two lines : the 
 first, composed of Carolina militia, was commanded 
 by Generals Marion and Pickens, and Col. De Mai- 
 medy. The second, which consisted of continental 
 troops from North-Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, 
 was commanded by Gen. Sumpter, Lieut. Col, 
 Campbell, and Col. Williams Lieut, Col. Lee, 
 with his legion, covered the right flank ; arid Lieut, 
 Col. Henderson, with the state troops, covered the 
 left, A corps reserve was formed of the cavalry, 
 under Lieut. Col. Washington, and the Delaware 
 troops, under Capt. Kirkwood. As the Americans 
 came forward to the attack, they fell in with some 
 advanced parties of the enemy, at about two or 
 three miles ahead of the main body. These being 
 closely pursued were driven back^-and the action 
 soon became general. The militia were at length 
 forced to give way, but were bravely supported by 
 the second line. In the hottest part of the engage* 
 
 * Holmes Annals, 
 
Ifcw-York 
 
 cf Andre 
 
 Virginia 
 
 ny New for 
 

153 
 
 ment, Gen. Greene ordered the Maryland and Vii 
 ginia continentals to charge with trailed arms. 
 This decided the fate of the day. Nothing, says 
 Dr. Ramsay, could surpass the intrepidity of both 
 officers and men on this occasion. They rushed on, 
 in good order, through a heavy cannonade, and a 
 shower of musketry, with such unshaken resolution, 
 that they bore down all before them. The British 
 were broken, closely pursued, and upwards of five 
 hundred of them taken prisoners. They however 
 made a fresh stand, in a favorable position, in im 
 penetrable shrubs and a picquetted garden, Lieut. 
 Col. Washington, after having made every effort to 
 dislodge them, was wounded and taken prisoner. 
 Four six pounders were brought forward to play 
 upon them, but they fell into tneir hands ; and the 
 endeavors to drive them from their Station being 
 found impracticable, the Americans retired, leaving 
 a strong picquet on the field of battle, Their loss 
 was about five hundred ; that of the British up 
 wards of eleven hundred. 
 
 Gen. Greene was honored by Congress with a 
 British standard, and a gold medal, emblematic of 
 the engagement and success, for his wise, decisive 
 and magnanimous conduct, in the action of Kutaw 
 Springs, in which, with a force inferior in number to 
 that of the enemy, he obtained a most signal vic 
 tory. 
 
 In the evening of the succeeding day, Col\ Stew 
 art abandoned his post, and retreated towards 
 Charleston, leaving behind upwards of seventy of 
 his wounded, and a thousand stands of arms. He 
 was pursued a considerable distance but in vain. 
 
 The battle of Eutaw produced most signal conse 
 quences in favor of America. The British, who 
 had for such a length of time, lorded it absolutely in 
 14 
 
154 
 
 South Carolina, were, shortly after that event, obli 
 ged to confine themselves to Charleston. 
 
 Morse s Revolution. 
 
 (84.) Storming of Fort Griswold. 
 
 While the combined armies were advancing to 
 the siege of Yorktown, General Arnold, who had 
 lately returned from Virginia, was appointed to 
 conduct an expedition against New London. The 
 troops employed in this service, were landed on 
 each side of the harbor, in two detachments ; the 
 one commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Eyre, and 
 the other by General Arnold. New London is 
 a seaport town, situaled near the mouth of the 
 Thames, on the west side of that river. For the 
 defence of the place, therej had been constructed, 
 below the town, and on the western side of the 
 harbor, a fort, called Fort Trumbull, with a re 
 doubt; and opposite to it, on Groton Hill, another 
 fort, called Fort Griswold, a strong square fortifi 
 cation, insufficiently garrisoned. Fort Trumbull, 
 the redoubt, and the town of New London, being 
 totally untenable, were evacuated on the approach 
 of Arnold, who took possession of them with in 
 considerable loss. Fort Griswold was defended by 
 Colonel Ledyard, with a garrison of about one 
 hundred and sixty men, some of whom had just 
 evacuated the works on the opposite side of the 
 river. On the rejection of a summons to surrender, 
 the British marched up to the assault on three sides ; 
 and, though the ascent was steep, and a continued 
 fire was directed against them, they at length made 
 a lodgement on the ditch and fraized work, and en 
 tered the embrasures with charged bayonets. An 
 
155 
 
 officer of the conquering troops, on entering the 
 fort, asked who commanded it, " I did," answer 
 ed Colonel Ledyard, u but you do now," and pre 
 sented him his sword, which was instantly plunged 
 into his own bosom. Although resistance had now 
 ceased, yet, to the indelible infamy of the con 
 querors, they commenced a merciless slaughter, 
 which " was kept up until the greater part of the 
 garrison was killed or w r ounded." The town of 
 JNevv London, and the stores contained in it, were 
 reduced to ashes; and General Arnold, having 
 completed the object of the expedition, returned 
 in eight days to New York. Holmes 1 Annals. 
 
 (85.) Surrender of Cornwallis. 
 
 The 19th of October, 1781, was rendered me 
 morable by the surrender of the British army, con 
 sisting of 7000 men under Cornwallis, at York town, 
 Va. This joyful event decided the Revolutionary 
 contest, and laid the foundation fora general peace. 
 About the last of August, Count de Grasse with a 
 French fleet, arrived in the Chesapeake and block 
 ed up the British troops who had fortified themselves 
 at Yorktown. 
 
 Previous to this, the American and French troops, 
 under General Washington, had moved to the south 
 ward; and as soon as he heard of the arrival of a 
 French fleet, made rapid marches to the head of 
 Elk river, where embarking, the troops soon arri 
 ved at Yorktown. A close siege was now commen 
 ced, and carried on with such ardor and determin 
 ation, by the American and French troops, that 
 Cornwallis was forced to surrender. 
 
156 
 
 The spectacle of the surrender was impressive 
 and affecting. The road through which the cap 
 tive army marched, was lined with spectators. On 
 one side, General Washington, with the American 
 .staff, took their station ; on the opposite side, was 
 the Count de Rochambeau, with the French staff. 
 
 " The captive army approached, moving slowly 
 in columns, with grace and precision. Universal 
 .silence was observed amidst the vast concourse, and 
 the utmost decency prevailed ; exhibiting, in de 
 meanor, an awlul sense of the vicissitude of human 
 life, mingled with commiseration for the unhappy." 
 
 Lord Corn wa His, unable to endure the humilia 
 tion of marching at the head of his troops, appoint 
 ed General O Hara his representative, who deliver 
 ed up the sword of Cornwallis to the American Com 
 mander in Chief. 
 
 (86.) Washington taking leave of the Army. 
 
 The storm of the revolution having subsided, the 
 definitive treaty was signed on the 30th of Septem 
 ber, 1783, and the 3d of November was fixed on 
 by Congress, for disbanding the United States Ar 
 my. On the day preceding, General Washington 
 gave an affectionate farewell to the soldiers, who, 
 during " the time that tried men s souls" had fought 
 by his side. " Being now," he said in his address 
 to the army, " to conclude these, my last public or 
 ders, to take my ultimate leave in a short time of the 
 military character, and to bid a final adieu to the 
 armies I have so long had the honor to command, I 
 can only again offer in your behalf, my recommend- 
 , ations to our grateful country, and my prayer to the 
 God of armies. May ample justice be done you 
 
157 
 
 here, and may the choicest favors, both here and 
 hereafter, attend those, who under the divine auspi 
 ces, have secured innumerable blessings for others ! 
 With these wishes and this benediction, the com 
 mander in chief is about to retire from service. The 
 curtain of separation will soon be drawn, and the 
 military scene will be closed forever." 
 
 The officers of the army assembled at New York. 
 Washington was there also, and at parting, thus 
 addressed them : " With a heart full of love and 
 gratitude, I now take my leave of you. I most de 
 voutly wish, that your latter days may be as pros 
 perous and happy, as your former ones have been 
 glorious and honorable. 1 " Taking each by the 
 hand, he bade them farewell. They then accom 
 panied him to the shore of the Hudson, where he 
 was received in a barge, magnificently decorated, 
 and manned with thirteen sea captains and waving 
 his hat, while the tears started from his eyes, he 
 bade a silent adieu to the companions of his glory. 
 
 (87.) Continental Money. 
 
 The expedient of supplying the deficiencies of 
 specie, by emissions of paper bills, was adopted 
 very early in the Colonies. In many instances, 
 these emissions produced good effects. These bills 
 were generally a legal tender, in all colonial or 
 private contracts, and the sums issued did not gene 
 rally exceed the granted requisite for a medium of 
 trade ; they retained their full nominal value in the 
 purchase of commodities. But as they were notre- 
 ceived by the British merchants, in payment for 
 their goods, there was a great demand for specie 
 and bills, which occasioned the latter, at various 
 14* 
 
158 
 
 times, to depreciate. Thus was introduced a dit* 
 ference between the English sterling money, and the 
 currencies of the different States, which remains 
 to this day.* 
 
 The advantages the Colonies had derived from 
 paper currency, under the British government, sug 
 gested to Congress, in 1775, the idea of issuing 
 bills; for the purpose of carrying on the war. And 
 this, perhaps, was their only expedient. They 
 could not raise money by taxation, and it could not 
 be borrowed. The first emissions had no other ef 
 fect upon the medium of commerce, than to drive 
 the specie from circulation. But when the paper 
 substituted for specie, had, by repeated emissions, 
 augmented the sum in circulation, much beyond the 
 usual sum in specie, the bills began to lose their 
 value. The depreciation continued, in proportion 
 to the sums emitted, until one hundred paper dol 
 lars, were hardly an equivalent for one Spanish mil 
 led dollar. With this depreciated paper was the 
 army paid, and from 1775 to 1781, this currency 
 was almost the only medium of trade ; until the sum 
 in circulation amounted to two hundred millions of 
 dollars. But about the year 1780, specie began to 
 be plentiful, being introduced by the French army, 
 a private trade with the Spanish islands, and an il 
 licit intercourse with the British garrison in New 
 York. This circumstance accelerated the depreci 
 ation of the paper bills, until their value had sunk 
 
 *A dollar in sterling- money, is 4s. 6d. But the price of a 
 dollar rose, in New England currency to 6*.; in New York, 
 to 8s.; in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, to 7*. 
 6d. ; in Virgin ^, to 6s.; in North Carolinia, to 8s.; in South 
 Carolina and Georgia, to 4s. Qd. This difference, originating 
 between paper and specie, or bills, continued after 
 wards to exist in the nominal estimation of gold and silver. 
 Franklin s Miscellaneous fFor%/, 
 
to almost nothing. In 1781, the merchants and 
 brokers of the southern States, apprehensive oi 
 the approaching fate of the currency, pushed im 
 mense quantities of it suddenly into New England 
 made vast purchases of goods in Boston and in 
 stantly the bills vanished from circulation. 
 
 The whole history of this Continental paper, is a 
 history of public and private frauds. Old specie 
 debts were often paid in a depreciated currency 
 and even new contracts, for a few weeks or days, 
 were often discharged with a small part of the val 
 ue received. From this plenty, and the fluctuating 
 state of the medium, sprang hosts of speculators^ 
 and itinerant traders, who left their honest occupa 
 tions for the prospect of immense gains, in a fraud 
 ulent business, that depended on no fixed princi 
 ples, and the profits of which, could be reduced to 
 no certain calculations. Morsels Geography, 1789. 
 
 (88.) Shays Insurrection in Massachusetts. 
 
 In the year 1786, an insurrection took place in 
 Massachusetts. " A heavy debt lying on the State, 
 and almost all the corporations within it; a relaxa 
 tion of manners ; a free use of foreign luxuries ; a 
 decay of trade ; with a scarcity of money ; and 
 above all, the debts due from individuals to each 
 other ; were the primary causes of this sedition. 
 Heavy taxes, necessarily imposed at this time, were 
 the immediate excitement to discontent and insur 
 gency."* 
 
 The leader of the malcontents in Massachusetts,, 
 was Daniel Shays. At the head of three hun 
 dred men, he marched to Springfield, where the 
 
 *Holmes Annals 
 
Supreme Judicial Court was in session, and took 
 possession of the court-house. He then appointed 
 a committee, who waited on the Court with an order, 
 couched in the humble formof a petition, requesting 
 them not to proceed to business ; and both parties re 
 tired. The number of insurgents increased ; the post 
 ure of affairs became alarming; and an army of 4000 
 men was at length ordered out for their dispersion. 
 Thisjforce was placed under the command of Gener 
 al Lincoln. His first measure was to march to Wor 
 cester ; and he afforded such protection to the 
 Court at that place, that it resumed and executed 
 the judicial functions. Orders were given to Gene 
 ral Shepard, to collect a sufficient force to secure 
 the arsenal at Springfield. Accordingly, he raised 
 about 900 men, which were reinforced by 300 mili 
 tia from the county of Hampshire. At the head of 
 this force, he marched, as directed, to Springfield. 
 On\he 25th of January, Shays approached, at the 
 head of 1100 men. Shepard sent out one of his 
 aids to know the intention of the insurgents, and to 
 warn them of their danger. Their answer was, 
 that they would have the barracks, and they pro 
 ceeded to within a few hundred yards of the arse 
 nal. They were then informed, that the militia 
 were posted there by order of the Governor ; and 
 that they would be fired upon, if they approached 
 pcarer. They continued to advance, when Gene 
 ral Shepard ordered his men to fire, but to direct 
 their fire over their heads ; even this did not intimi 
 date them, or retard their movements. The artille 
 ry was then levelled against the centre column, and 
 the whole body thrown into confusion. Shays at- 
 jtempted in vain to rally them. They made a pre 
 cipitate retreat to Ludlow, about ten miles from 
 Springfield. Three men were killed and one 
 
161 
 
 wounded. They soon after retreated to Petersham; 
 but General Lincoln pursuing their retreat, they 
 finally dispersed. 
 
 Some of the fugitvies retired to their homes ; but 
 many, and among them their principal officers, took 
 refuge in the States of New Hampshire, Vermont 
 and New York.* 
 
 (89.) Adoption of the Federal Constitution. 
 
 In pursuance of the request of Virginia, most of 
 the States appointed delegates, who assembled at 
 Annapolis, September 14, 1786. But on examin 
 ing their commissions, it w r as judged that their pow 
 ers were too limited to enable them to accomplish 
 any desirable purpose. The} thereiore adjourned, 
 with instructions to advise the States to appoint 
 agents with more ample powers, to meet at Phila 
 delphia, the next year. Accordingly, delegates 
 from the several States, assembled in that city, in 
 May 1787, and appointed the venerable Washing 
 ton for their President. That gentleman had reti 
 red to his farm in 1783, with a fixed determination 
 never mof-e to engage in public affairs ; but he was 
 selected by Virginia as one of the delegates, on 
 this important occasion, and pressed to accept the 
 appointment. After four months deliberation, the 
 convention agreed to a frame of government for 
 the United States, and recommended it to the seve 
 ral States for adoption. 
 
 The States referred the question of adopting the 
 frame of government, to conventions appointed for 
 that express purpose. On that occasion, popular 
 jealousy appeared in all its force. Jt was object 
 ed, that the plan of government proposed, abridg- 
 
 *Mrs. Willard s History U. S, 
 
162 
 
 td the States of their sovereignty, and amounted t6 a 
 consolidation. This was a fruitful theme of decla 
 mation, notwithstanding all the calamities that had 
 arisen from the jealousies and clashing interests of 
 the States, and a want of uniformity in public meas 
 ures. Many other objections were urged, especial 
 ly in the large States. At length, however, the 
 proposed frame of federal government was accept 
 ed and ratified in 1788, by eleven States, and be 
 came the constitution of the United States. The 
 first convention of North Carolina rejected it ; as 
 did the town meetings, to which it was referred, in 
 Rhode Island. But North Carolina acceded to it 
 in November, 1789, and Rhode Island in May, 
 1790. The ratification of the constitution was cel 
 ebrated in the large cities, with great joy and splen 
 did exhibitions. A ship, the emblem of commerce, 
 and stages for mechanical labor, the emblems of 
 manufactures, were mounted on wheels and drawn 
 through the streets, attended by immense processions 
 of citizens, arranged according to their professions ; 
 while bands of music, streaming flags, and the roar of 
 cannon, manifested the enthusiasm with which the 
 people received the authority of the national govern 
 ment. Webster. 
 
 (90.) Inauguration of President Washington. 
 
 On the 3d of March, 1789, the delegates from 
 the eleven States, which at that time had ratified the 
 constitution, assembled at New York, where a 
 convenient and elegant building had been prepared 
 for their accommodation. On opening and count 
 ing the votes for President, it was found that George 
 Washington was unanimously elected to thatdigmfi^ 
 
163 
 
 ed oftice, and that John Adams was chosen Vice 
 President. The annunciation of the choice of the 
 first and second magistrates of the United States, 
 occasioned a general diffusion of joy among the 
 friends of the Union, and fully evinced that these 
 eminent characters were the choice of the people. 
 On the 30th of April, 1789, George Washington was 
 inaugurated President of the United States of Ameri 
 ca, in the city of New York. The ceremony was 
 performed in the open gallery of Federal Hall, in 
 the view of many thousand spectators. The oatk 
 was administered by Chancellor Livingston. Sev 
 eral circumstances concurred, to render the scene 
 unusually solemn the presence of the beloved 
 father and deliverer of his country the impressions 
 of gratitude for his past services the vast concourse 
 of spectators the devout fervency with which he 
 repeated the oath, and the reverential manner in 
 which he bowed to kiss the sacred volume these 
 circumstances, together with that of his being chosen 
 to the most dignified office in America, and perhaps 
 in the world, by the unanimous voice of more than 
 three millions of enlightened freemen, al! conspired 
 to place this among the most august and interesting 
 scenes which have ever been exhibited on this 
 globe.* 
 
 " It seemed, from the number of witnesses," said 
 a spectator of the scene, " to be a solemn appeal to 
 heaven and earth at once. Upon the subject of this 
 great and good man, I may perhaps be an enthusi 
 ast ; but I confess I was under an awful and reli 
 gious, persuasion, that the gracious Ruler of the 
 Universe was looking down at that moment, with 
 peculiar conplacency on an act, which, to a part of 
 
 * Dr. Morse. 
 
164 
 
 iiis creatures, was so very important. Under this 
 impression, when the Chancellor pronounced, in a 
 very feeling manner, Long live George Washing- 
 tonj my sensibility was wound up to such a pitch, 
 that I could do no more than wave my hat, with the 
 rest, without the power of joining in the repeated 
 .acclamations which rent the air." 
 
 (91.) Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The year 1794 is distinguished by an Insurrection 
 in Pennsylvania, commonly called the Whiskey In 
 surrection. " In 1791, Congress had enacted laws, 
 laying duties upon spirits distilled in the United 
 States, and upon stills. From the commencement 
 of the operation of these laws, combinations were 
 formed in the four western counties of Pennsylvania 
 to defeat them ; and violences were repeatedly com 
 mitted. In July of the present year, (1794,) about 
 one hundred persons, armed with guns and other 
 weapons, attacked the house of an inspector of the 
 revenue, and wounded some persons within it. 
 They seized the marshal of the district of Pennsyl 
 vania, who had been previously fired on, while in the 
 .execution of his duty, by a party of armed men, and 
 .compelled him to enter into stipulations to forbear 
 the execution of his office. Both the inspector and 
 the marshal were obliged to fly from that part of the 
 .country to the seat of government. These, and many 
 other outrages, induced President Washington, on 
 the seventh of August, to issue a proclamation, 
 commanding the insurgents to disperse, and warning 
 all persons against aiding, abetting, or comforting, 
 the perpetrators of these treasonable acts, and re 
 quiring all officers, and other citizens, according tp 
 
Fewr-lbvlc 
 
165 
 
 their respective duties and the laws of the land, to 
 exert their utmost endeavors to prevent and sup 
 press such dangerous proceedings. 
 
 The President, having ordered out a suitable 
 number of the militia, proceeded in October, to Bed 
 ford, whence he gave out instructions to Governor 
 Lee, of Maryland, whom he appointed to conduct 
 the militia army for the suppression of the insur 
 gents. Governor Lee marched his troops, amount 
 ing to fifteen hundred men, into the western counties 
 of Pennsylvania ; and, on the approach of this re 
 spectable force, the insurgents laid down their arms; 
 solicited the clemency of government ; and promis 
 ed future submission to the laws." 
 
 Holmes 1 Annals U. States. 
 
 (92.) Yellow Fever in Philadelphia, in 1793. 
 
 The Yellow Fever, which has been the scourge 
 of most of our principal southern cities, appears to 
 have been in existence ever since the first settle 
 ment of our country. What the first cause of this 
 disease is, or how it is propagated, are subjects up 
 on which physicians have a variety of opinions.- 
 The most remarkable and fatal instance of the prev 
 alence of the Yellow Fever in our country, is that 
 which occurred in Philadelphia in 1793, 
 
 The following description is taken from Dr. Rush s 
 account of the Yellow Fever. This distinguished 
 physician continued in the city during the whole of 
 this calamitous period, and rendered himself con 
 spicuous by his humanity and courage, amidst the 
 appalling scenes of contagion, and his skill in com 
 bating this destructive disorder. It commenced 
 early in August, and continued till about the 9th of 
 1-5 
 
166 
 
 November, during which time four thousand persons 
 died out of a population of 60,000. Its greatest 
 height was at about the middle of October, when 
 one hundred and nineteen persons died in one day. 
 
 " The disease, (says Dr. Rush,) appeared in ma 
 ny parts of the town, remote from the spot where 
 it originated ; although in every instance it w r as easi 
 ly traced to it. This set the city in motion. The 
 streets and roads leading from the city were crow 
 ded with families flying in every direction for safety 
 to the country. Business began to languish. Wa 
 ter-street, between Market and Race-streets, became 
 a desert. The poor were the first victims of the 
 fever. From the sudden interruption of business, 
 they suffered for a while from poverty, as well as 
 disease. A large and airy house at Bush-hill about 
 a mile from the city, was opened for their recep 
 tion. This house, after it became the charge of a 
 committee appointed by the citizens on the 14th of 
 September, was regulated and governed with the or 
 der and cleanliness of an old and established hos 
 pital. An American and French physician had the 
 exclusive medical care of it after the 22d of Sep 
 tember. 
 
 The contagion, after the second week in Septem 
 ber, spared no rank of citizens. Whole families 
 were confined by it. There was a deficiency of 
 nurses for the sick, and many of those w r ho were 
 employed were unqualified for their business. 
 There was likewise a great deficiency of physi 
 cians, from the desertion of some, and the sickness 
 and death of others. At one time, there were on 
 ly three physicians who were able to do business 
 out of their houses, and at this time, there were 
 probably not less than 6,000 persons ill with the 
 fever. 
 
167 
 
 jOuring the first three or four weeks of the prev 
 alence of the disorder, I seldom went into a house 
 the first time, without meeting the parents or children 
 of the sick in tears. Many wept aloud in my en 
 try, or parlor, who came to ask advice for their re 
 lations. Grief, after a while descended below 
 weeping, and 1 was much struck in observing that 
 many persons submitted to the loss of relations and 
 friends, without shedding a tear, or manifesting any 
 other of the common signs of grief. 
 
 A cheerful countenance was scarcely to be seen 
 in the city for six weeks. 1 recollect once, in enter 
 ing the house of a poor man, to have met a child of 
 two years old that smiled in my face. I was 
 strangely affected with this sight (so discordant to 
 my feelings and the state of the city) before I recol 
 lected the age and ignorance of the child. I was 
 confined the next day by an attack of the fever, and 
 was sorry to hear upon my recovery, that the father 
 and mother of this little creature died, a few clays 
 after my last visit to them. 
 
 The streets every where discovered marks of the 
 distresss that pervaded the city. More than one 
 half the houses were shut up, although not more 
 than one third of the inhabitants had fled into the 
 country. In walking, for many hundred yards, few 
 persons were met, except such as were in quest of 
 a physician, a nurse, a bleeder, or the men who buri 
 ed the dead. The hearse alone kept up the remem 
 brance of the noise of carriages or carls in the 
 streets. Funeral procesions were laid aside. A 
 black man, leading or driving a horse, with a corpse 
 on a pair of chair wheels, with now and then half a 
 dozen relations or friends following at a distance 
 from it, met the eye in most of the streets of the 
 city at every hour of the day, while the noise of 
 
168 
 
 the same wheels passing slowly over the pavement 
 kept alive anguish and fear in the sick and well, ev- 
 ory hour of the night." 
 
 (93.) Gen. Waynes Victory over the Indians* 
 
 In 1790, an Indian war opened on the northwestern 
 frontier of the States. Pacific arrangements had 
 been attempted by the President with the hostile 
 tribes in Ohio, without effect. On their failure,- 
 Gen. Harmer was sent with about 1400 men to re 
 duce them to terms. In this expedition Harmer suc 
 ceeded in destroying a few villages, and a quantity 
 of grain belonging to the Indians ; but in an en 
 gagement with them near Chillicolhe, he was de 
 feated with considerable loss. Upon the failure of 
 Harmer, Gen. St. Clair was appointed to succeed 
 him. With an army of nearly 1500 men, St. Clair 
 suffered himself to be surprised, with the loss of 630 
 men killed and missed, and 260 were wounded. 
 Among the killed was Gen. Butler, who, being 
 wounded in the engagement, was carried off the 
 field ; an Indian, discovering the place where he 
 lay, killed him with his tomahawk before any one 
 could come to his assistance. 
 
 This action took place near the Miami, on the 4th 
 of Nov. 1791. The Indians still continuing hostile, 
 Gen. Wayne was appointed to succeed Gen. St. Clair. 
 Failing to conclude a treaty, Wayne, with a force of 
 900 men, on the 20th of August, 1794, attacked a 
 body of 2000 Indians, on the banks of the Miami. 
 The Indians were totally routed, a great number 
 killed, and their whole country laid waste* "By 
 means of this victory over the Miamis, a general 
 war with the Six Nations, and all the tribes Horth- 
 west of the Ohio, was prevented." 
 
163 
 
 ;t Th the year after, Wayne concluded, at Green 
 ville, treaties with the hostile Indians north-west of 
 the Ohio ; by which peace was established, on 
 terms mutually satisfactory and beneficial. A hu 
 mane system now commenced for ameliorating their 
 condition. They were, henceforth, protected by 
 the United States from the impositions and incur 
 sions of lawless white people ; taught the use of the 
 loom ; and encouraged in the pursuits of agriculture : 
 measures reflecting high praise on Colonel Hawkins, 
 who was amongst the first to execute the benevolent 
 intentions, originally projected by the humane spirit 
 of General Washington.*" 
 
 (94.) Difficulties with the French. 
 
 In 1797, France wished to involve America in her 
 European wars ; but finding her maintaining a steady 
 system of neutrality, she adopted measures highly 
 injurious to the American commerce, and many ves 
 sels were taken and confiscated. The American 
 Government sent envoys to France, in order to settle 
 the differences. Before the French government 
 would acknowledge the envoys, money, by way of 
 tribute, was demanded this was refused. " These 
 events were followed by depredations on American, 
 commerce, by the citizens of France ; which excited 
 
 general indignation throughout the United States. 
 ivil discord appeared extinct ; and this was the 
 general motto ; " Millions for defence, not a cent 
 for tributes * The treaty of alliance with France 
 was considered by Congress as no longer in force ; 
 and further measures were adopted by Congress, foe 
 
 * Grimshaw. 
 IS* 
 
170 
 
 retaliation and defence. A regular provisional army 
 was established, taxes were raised, and additiona l 
 internal duties laid. General Washington, at the 
 call of Congress, left his peaceful abode to command 
 the armies of the United States, while General Ham 
 ilton was made second in command. The navy was 
 increased, and reprisals were made on the water. 
 At sea, the French frigate L Insurgente, of forty 
 guns, was captured after a desperate action, by the 
 frigate Constitution, of thirty-eight guns, commanded 
 by Commodore Truxton. The same officer com 
 pelled another frigate of fifty guns to strike her 
 colors ; but she afterwards escaped in the night. 
 
 On hearing of these vigorous preparations, the 
 French government indirectly made overtures for a 
 renewal of the negotiations. Mr. Adams promptly 
 met these overtures, and appointed OliverEllsworlh, 
 Chief Justice of the United States, Patrick Henry, 
 late Governor of Virginia, and William Van Murray, 
 ?*Iinister at the Hague, envoys to Paris for conclu 
 ding an honourable peace. They found the direc 
 tory overthrown, and the government in the hands 
 of Napoleon Buonaparte, who had not partaker/ in 
 the transactions which had embroiled the two coun 
 tries, With him negotiations were opened, which 
 terminated in an amicable adjustment of all disputes 
 The provisional army was soon after disbanded by 
 order of Congress." WillarcPs History U. States. 
 
 (95.) Death of Washington, 
 
 On the 14th of December, 1799, Gen. Washing, 
 ton expired at his seat, at Mount Vernon, in Virginia, 
 leaving a nation to mourn his loss, and to embalnl 
 his memory with their tears". 
 
171- 
 
 The disorder of which Gen. Washington died 4 
 was an inflammatory affection of the windpipe, oc 
 casioned by an exposure to a light rain, while at 
 tending, the day before, to some improvements oa 
 his estate. 
 
 The disease at its commencement was violent, 
 and medical skill was applied in vain. Respiration, 
 became more and more contracted and imperfect, 
 until half past eleven o clock on Saturday night, 
 when, retaining the full possession of his intellect, 
 he expired without a groan. 
 
 On the melancholy occasion, the Senate addressed to the 
 President, a letter, in which they say ; t% Permit us, sir, to 
 mingle our tears with yours. On this occasion, it is manly 
 to weep. To lose such a man, at such a crisis, is no common 
 calamity to the world. Our country mourns a father. The 
 Almighty Disposer of events has taken from us our greatest 
 benefactor and ornament. It becomes us to submit with rev 
 erence to HIM who maketh darkness his pavilion. 
 
 " With patriotic pride we review the life of Washington, 
 and compare him with those of other countries who have been 
 pre-eminent in favor. Ancient and modern names are di 
 minished before him. Greatness and guilt have too often been 
 allied ; but Ms fame is whiter than it is brilliant. The de 
 stroyers of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his virtues. 
 It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and darkened 
 the splendor of victory. 
 
 " The scene is closed ; and we are no longer anxious lest 
 misfortune should sully his glory. He has travelled on to the 
 end of his journey, and carried with him an increasing weight 
 of honor. He has deposited it safely, where misfortune can 
 not tarnish it ; where malice cannot blast it. Favored of 
 heaven, he departed without exhibiting the weakness of hu 
 manity ; magnanimous in death, the darkness of the grave 
 could not obscure his brightness." 
 
 The committee appointed to devise some mode by 
 which to express the national feelings, recommend 
 ed that a marble monument be erected by the UnU 
 fed States, at the city of Washington, to comment 
 
172 
 
 rate the great events of Washington s military and 
 political life : that a funeral oration be delivered by 
 a member of Congress : that the President be re 
 quested to write a letter of condolence to Mrs. 
 Washington : and that it be recommended to the 
 citizens of the United States, to wear crape on the 
 left arm for thirty days. 
 
 These resolutions passed both houses unanimous 
 ly. The whole nation appeared in mourning. The 
 funeral procession at the city of Washington was 
 grand and solemn, and the eloquent oration, deliver 
 ed on the occasion by Gen. Henry Lee, was heard 
 with profound attention, and with deep interest. 
 
 Throughout the United States, similar marks of 
 affliction were exhibited. Funeral orations were 
 delivered, and the best talents devoted to an expres 
 sion of grief, at the loss of u the man, first in war, 
 first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow- 
 citizens." Goodrich s Hist. U. States. 
 
 (96.) Dr. Franklin? s experiments in Electricity. 
 
 In the summer of 1752, Dr. Franklin was enabled 
 to make a grand and unparalleled discovery re 
 specting Electricity, by an experiment. 
 
 At this time the subject of Electricity was a new 
 science, and the philosophers of Europe were busy 
 with it. Dr. Franklin, in his studies and reasonings 
 on the subject, took up the idea that the thunder and 
 lightning of the heavens were caused by electricity, 
 and conceived the bold idea, that the electric fluid 
 might be conducted, by sharp pointed iron rods, rais 
 ed upon houses, ships, &c., to the ground or water, 
 and thus preserve them from injury. 
 
 He was determined to make an experiment, to test 
 
173 
 
 the truth of his theory. He accordingly prepared a 
 kite, which he made by fastening two cross sticks to 
 a silk handkerchief, which would not suffer so much 
 from the rain as paper. To the upright stick he 
 affixed an iron point. The string was, as usual, 01 
 hemp, except the lower end, which was silk. At 
 the lower end of the string he tied a key. Perceiv 
 ing a thunder storm coming on, Dr. Franklin, ac 
 companied by his son, went out back of Philadel 
 phia, on the common, and raised his kite towards 
 the clouds. 
 
 A thunder cloud passed over it no sign ef elec 
 tricity appeared. He almost despaired of success ; 
 when, suddenly, he observed the lose fibres ol his 
 string to move towards an erect position. He now 
 presented his knuckle to the key and received a 
 strong spark. Repeated sparks were drawn from 
 the key, a phial was charged, a shock given, and all 
 the experiments made, which are usually performed 
 with electricity. 
 
 By this and other experiments, Franklin s theory 
 was established in the mosi convincing manner. 
 When it was known that an American, an inhabitant 
 of the obscure city of Philadelphia, should be able 
 to make discoveries and to frame theories, which 
 had escaped the notice of the enlightened philoso 
 phers of Europe, it was quite mortifying to the 
 pride of their scientific societies. 
 
 (97.) Invention of Steam Boats. 
 
 The first successful application of steam for the 
 purpose of propelling boats, was accomplished by 
 bert Fulton, a native of the Stale of Pennsylvania. 
 Mr, Fulton s inventive genius displayed itself at 
 
174 
 
 an early age. It seems that as early as the year 
 1793, he had conceived the idea of propelling ves 
 sels by steam, and he speaks in some of his writings 
 with great confidence of its practicability. 
 
 After a number of years residence in Europe, and 
 making a variety of experiments both in that coun 
 try and in this, his labors were finally crowned with 
 success. 
 
 In the spring of 1807, the first steam boat built in 
 this country was lanched from a ship yard in New- 
 York, on the East-River. The engine which he 
 procured from England was put on board in Au- 
 
 fust, and the boat was completed, and moved by 
 er machinery to the Jersey shore. This boat, 
 which was called the Clermont, soon after sailed for 
 Albany, which voyage she accomplished, going at 
 the rate of about five miles an hour 5 she afterwards 
 became a rcu,ular passage boat between New-York 
 and Albany. From the time that this boat was put 
 in motion, this noble invention has been rapidly 
 extended ; till it is now used in every part of the 
 civilized world. 
 
 (98.) Wars with the Barbary States. 
 
 War with Tripoli. In 1803. Congress sent out a 
 squadron under the command of Commodore Preble 
 to the Mediterranean, to protect the American com 
 merce, and to bring the Tripolitans to submission. 
 The Tripolitan cruisers had long annoyed our com 
 merce many merchantmen had been taken, and 
 their crews imprisoned, and cruelly used. 
 
 After having taken a number of the enemy s ves 
 sels, Com. Preble arrived before Tripoli and blocka 
 ded the harbour : his force consisted of 1 frigate. 
 
175 
 
 3 brigs, 3 schooners, and six gun-boats. The num 
 ber of men engaged in the service amounted to one 
 thousand and sixty. With this force, Preble re 
 peatedly attacked and bombarded the city, although 
 it was defended by a castle and batteries, on which 
 were mounted 115 pieces of cannon; besides this 
 they had armed vessels in the harbor. In addition 
 to the ordinary Turkish garrison, and the crews of the 
 armed vessels, estimated at 3000, upwards of 20,000 
 Arabs had been assembled for the defence of the 
 city.* Such, however, was the effect of American 
 bravery, that the haughty Bashaw was chastised 
 into a peace, which was negociated by Col. Lear, 
 the American Consul. The Pope made a public 
 declaration, that " the United States, though in 
 their infancy, had in this affair done more to humble 
 the anti-christian barbarians, on that coast, than all 
 the European states had done for a long series of 
 time." 
 
 Closely connected with the above, is the celebra 
 ted Expedition of Gen. Eaton, across the desert of 
 Barca. " It happened that some time before this, 
 the then reigning Bashaw of Tripoli, Jussuf, third 
 son of the late Bashaw, had murdered his father and 
 eldest brother, and proposed to murder the second, 
 in order to possess himself of the throne. But the 
 latter, Hamet Caramelli, made his escape, and Jus 
 suf, without further opposition, usurped the govern 
 ment. 
 
 Hamet took refuge in Egypt, where he was kindly 
 treated by the Beys. Here he was, on the arrival 
 of an accredited agent of the United States, (Gene 
 ral Eaton,) who revived his almost expiring hopes 
 t pf regaining his rightful kingdom. 
 
 * JSaval Temple, 
 
176 
 
 Gen. Eaton, had been Consul for the United 
 States up the Mediterranean, and was returning 
 home when he heard of the situation of Hamet. 
 Conceiving a plan of liberating the Americans in 
 captivity at Tripoli, by means of the assistance of 
 Hamet, and, at the same time, of restoring this exile 
 to his throne, he advised with Hamet, who readily 
 listened to the project, and gave his co-operation. 
 
 A convention was accordingly entered into be 
 tween Gen. Eaton, on the part of the United States, 
 and Hamet, by which the latter stipulated much in 
 favor of the Americans, and was promised to be re 
 stored to his throne. 
 
 With a small force, consisting of seamen from the 
 American squadron, the followers of Hamet, and 
 some Egyptian troops, Gen. Eaton and Hamet, with 
 incredible toil and suffering, passed the desert of 
 Barca and took possession of Derne, the capital of 
 a large province belonging to the kingdom of Tripo 
 li. The forces of Eaton were now so much increas 
 ed, and the cause of Hamet had become so popular, 
 that the prospect was flattering, of his being able to 
 reduce the city of Tripoli, and of effecting the libe 
 ration of the captives without ransom. 
 
 The successes of Eaton struck the usurper 
 Jussuf with terror; trembling for his fate, in this 
 juncture he proposed to Mr. Lear, the Consul-gen 
 eral of America, then in the Mediterranean, to enter 
 into negotiation. Mr. Lear, who was authorized to 
 enter into a negotiation, accepted the proposal, al 
 though he knew of the success of Eaton, and Hamet, 
 and a treaty ensued. Eaton and Hamet were con* 
 sequently arrested in the prosecution of their pur 
 pose, and the unfortunate exile failed of his pro 
 mised restoration to the throne.* 
 * Goodrich s U. S, 
 
177 
 
 Algerine War. Soon after the ratification of 
 peace with Great Britain, in February, 1815, Con 
 gress, in consequence of the hostile conduct of the 
 Regency of Algiers, declared war against that power. 
 A squadron was immediately sent out under the 
 command of Commodore Decatur, (who had for 
 merly highly distinguished himself in the Tripolitan 
 war,) consisting of three frigates, two sloops of war, 
 and four schooners. With this force Com. Decatur 
 sailed from New- York, May 20th, 1815, and arrived 
 in the bny of Gibraltar in twenty-five days. On the 
 17th of June, off Cape de Gatt, he captured the Al- 
 gerine frigate Mazouda, after a running fight of 25 
 minutes. After the second broadside the Algerines 
 ran below. In this affair the famous Algerine Ad 
 miral, or Rais Hammida, who had long been the 
 terror of this sea, was cut in two by a cannon shot. 
 On the 19th of June, off Cape Palos, the squadron 
 captured an Algerine brig of twenty-two guns. 
 From Cape Palos the American squadron proceeded 
 to Algiers, where it arrived on the 28th of June. 
 Decatur immediately dispatched a letter from the 
 President of the United States to the Dey, in order 
 to afford him a fair opportunity for negotiation. 
 The Captain of the port was immediately sent to the 
 squadron on receipt of this letter, accompanied by 
 the Swedish Consul ; and Commodore Decatur, who, 
 with Mr. Shaler, had been empowered to negotiate 
 a treaty, proposed a basis, on which alone he would 
 consent to enter into a treaty This was the abso 
 lute and unqualified relinquishment of any demand 
 of tribute, on the part of the Regency. To this the 
 Captain demurred But being informed of the cap 
 ture of the frigate and brig, and the death of Ham- 
 mida, he was unnerved, and agreed to negotiate on 
 the proposed basis. The model of the treaty was 
 16 
 
178 
 
 sent to the Bey, who signed it. The principal arti 
 cles in this treaty were, that no tribute, under any 
 circumstances whatever, should be required by Al 
 giers from the United States of America ; that all 
 Americans in slavery should be given up without 
 ransom ; that compensation should be made for 
 American vessels, or property seized or detained at 
 Algiers ; that the persons and property of Ameri 
 cans, found on board of an enemy s vessel, should 
 be sacred ; that vessels of either party putting into 
 port should be supplied at market price ; that if a 
 vessel of either party should be cast on the shore, 
 she should not be plundered, &c. The rights of 
 American citizens on the ocean, and the land, were, 
 generally fully provided for, in every instance ; and 
 it was particularly slipulated, that all citizens of the 
 United States, taken in war, should be treated as 
 prisoners of war are treated by other nations ; held 
 subject to an exchange without ransom. After con 
 cluding this treaty, so highly honorable and advan 
 tageous to our country, the commissioners gave up 
 the frigate and brig, which had been captured, to 
 their former owners. 
 
 After this, Commodore Decatur visited Tunis and 
 Tripoli, demanded and obtained compensation for 
 injuries done American citizens by those powers. 
 
 (99.) Burros Conspiracy. 
 
 In the autumn of 1 806, a project was detected, at 
 the head of which was Col. Burr, for revolutionizing 
 the territory west of the Alleghanies, and of estab 
 lishing an independent empire there, of which New- 
 Orleans was to be the capital, and himself the chief. 
 Towards ike accomplishment of this scheme, which 
 
179 
 
 it afterwards appeared had been some time in con 
 templation, the skilful cunning and intrigue of Col. 
 Burr were directed. Happily, however, govern 
 ment being apprised of his designs, arrested him, 
 while as yet he had few adherents and before his 
 standard was raised. He was brought to trial at 
 Richmond, on a charge of treason committed within 
 the district of Virginia ; but no overt act being 
 proved against him in that State, he was released. 
 
 In addition to this project, Col. Burr had formed 
 another, which in case of failure in the first, might be 
 carried on independently of it : ihis was an attack 
 en Mexico, and the establishment of an empire 
 there.* " A third object was provided, merely os 
 tensible, to wit, the settlement of the pretended pur 
 chase of a tract of country on the Washita, claimed 
 by a Baron Bastrop. This was to serve as a pre 
 text for all his preparations, an allurement for such 
 followers as really wished to acquire settlements in 
 that country, and a cover under which to retreat in 
 the event of a final discomfiture of both branches of 
 his real designs." 
 
 " He found at once that the attachment of the west 
 ern country to the present Union was not to be 
 shaken : that its dissolution could not be effected 
 with the consent of the inhabitants : and that his re 
 sources were inadequate, as yet, to effect it by force. 
 He determined, therefore, to seize New- Orleans, 
 plunder the bank there, possess himself of the mili 
 tary and naval stores, and proceed on his expedition 
 to Mexico. 
 
 He collected, therefore, from all quarters, where 
 
 himself or his agents possessed influence, all the 
 
 ardent, restless, desperate, disnffrcfe;; prrsons, who 
 
 were for an enterprise JOP!O >ous to their characters. 
 
 * Goodrich s Hist. U. S. 
 
180 
 
 He also seduced good and well meaning citizens, 
 some by assurances that he possessed the confi 
 dence of the government, and was acting under its 
 secret patronage ; and others by offers of land in 
 Bastrop s claim in the Washita."* 
 
 (100.) Expedition of Captains Lewis and Clarke to 
 the Pacific Ocean. 
 
 In the year 1803, the extensive Territory of Lou 
 isiana was purchased from the French government, 
 by President Jefferson, for fifteen millions of dollars. 
 Upon the acquisition of the new territory, the atten 
 tion of the government of the United States was di 
 rected towards exploring the country. According 
 ly, Captains Lewis and Clarke, and a party of 25 
 men, who were enlisted for the purpose, were sent 
 on this expedition. The party proceeded to the 
 mouth of Wood River, near St. Louis, and on the 
 14th of May, 1804. with three boats, began the te 
 dious and difficult expedition of exploring the vast 
 wilderness before them. Following the course of 
 the Missouri, they arrived, in October, at the Man- 
 dan villages, where they built a kind of fort and en 
 camped for the winter. In April they left thciren- 
 campment, and with two large boats and six small 
 canoes proceeded on their expedition. On the 12th 
 of August, 1805, they discovered the sources of the 
 Missouri, the longest river in the known world, if 
 we add the distance after it unites with the Missis 
 sippi, to the ocean, it being almost 4,500 miles long. 
 After following the course of the river, at the foot of a 
 mountain, it became so diminished in width that one 
 of the men, in a fit of enthusiasm, with one foot on 
 
 * President s Message to Congress, July 21, 1807, 
 
181 
 
 each side of the river, thanked God that he had lived 
 to bestride the Missouri. After they went about 4 
 miles, they reached a small gap, formed by the high 
 mountains, which recede on each side, leaving room 
 for an Indian road. "From the foot of one of the 
 lowest of these mountains, which rises with an ascent 
 of about half a mile, issues the remotest water of the 
 Missouri." 
 
 After they had quenched their thirst at the foun 
 tain, they sot down by the brink of the little rivulet, 
 and felt themselves rewarded for their labor and 
 difficulties, in thus attaining one of the grand objects 
 of their expedition. 
 
 Leaving this interesting spot, they, pursuing the 
 Indian path through the interval of the hills, arrived 
 at the top of a ridge, from whence they saw high 
 mountains, partially covered with snow, still to the 
 west of them. The ridge on which they stood 
 formed the dividing* line between the waters of the 
 Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They followed the 
 d >scent of the ridge, and at the distance of three 
 ijuarters of a mile, reached a bold creek of clear, 
 cold water, running to the westward. They stopped 
 to taste, for the first time, the waters of the Columbia. 
 
 Having proceeded as far as they could with 
 canoes, they were obliged to leave them and pur 
 chase horses of the natives, with which they crossed 
 the Rocky Mountains. In performing this journey 
 they were reduced to great straits, being obliged to 
 kill some of their horses for food. After passing 
 several ranges of steep and rugged mountains, they 
 descended the Columbia River, till it discharges 
 itself into the Pacific Ocean, where they arrived 
 November 14th, 1805. They encamped for the 
 winter, and, on the 23d of March, 1806, set out on 
 -their return to the United States. After encounter^ 
 
182 
 
 ing many dangers, hardships and privations, they 
 finally arrived at St. Louis, Missouri, on the 23d of 
 September, 1806. The route which the party took 
 from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean, was a distance 
 of 4.134 miles. 
 
 In returning, they passed upon a better and more 
 direct route, shortening the distance to 3,555 miles, 
 from the Pacific to St. Louis. 
 
 (101.) Second War with Great Britain. 
 
 Causes of the War. Embargo. Declaration of 
 War. The remote causes of the second War with 
 Great Britain appear to have arisen from the war 
 existing between that power and France. America 
 endeavored to maintain a strict neutrality, and peace 
 ably to continue a commerce with them. Jealousies, 
 however, arose between the contending powers, 
 with respect to the conduct of America, and events 
 occurred, calculated to injure her commerce, and to 
 disturb her peace. The Berlin Decree of 1 806, and 
 that of Milan, in the succeeding year, (both issued 
 by the French government, to prevent the American 
 flag from trading with their enemy,) were followed 
 by the British Orders in Council ; no less extensive 
 than the former, in the design, and equally repug 
 nant to, the law of nations. In addition to these 
 circumstances, a cause of irritation existed some 
 time between the United States and Great Britain. 
 This was the right of search, claimed by Great Brit 
 ain, as one of her prerogatives. This was to take 
 her native born subjects, wherever found, for her 
 navy, and to search American vessels for that pur 
 pose. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the 
 American government, the officers of the British 
 
navy, were not unfrequenlly seizing native born Brit- 
 ish subjects, who had voluntarily enlisted on board 
 of our vessels, and had also impressed into the Brit 
 ish service some thousands of American seamen. 
 
 " On the 22d of June, 1807, the indignation of the 
 country was aroused by the attack on the American 
 frigate Chesapeake, o ; the Capes of Virginia, by 
 the British frigate Leopard ; four men were killed 
 and sixteen were wounded, on board the Chesa* 
 peake, and four seamen impressed, three of which 
 were natives of America."* 
 
 In consequence of the British and French decrees, 
 a general capture of all American property on the 
 seas seemed almost inevitable. Congress, there 
 fore, on the recommendation of the President, on the 
 22d of December, 1807, laid an embargo on all ves 
 sels within the jurisdiction of the United States. 
 " In a moment, the commerce of the American Re 
 public, from being, in point of extent, the second in 
 the world, was reduced to a coasting trade between 
 the individual States. The opposition to the act in 
 several States was so great, that they declared 
 against it, and individuals throughout the whole, 
 seized every opportunity of infringement. In 1 809 r 
 Congress repealed the embargo law, and substituted 
 a non-intercourse with France and England. 
 
 On the 1 8th of June, 1812, an act was passed de* 
 claring war against Great Britain. This act passed 
 the House of Representatives by a majority of 79 to 
 49; in the Senate by a majority of 19 to 13. In the 
 Manifesto of the President, the reasons of the wac 
 were stated to be " the impressment of American 
 seamen by the British ; the blockade of her enemies 5 
 , supported by no adequate force, in conse* 
 
 *Grimshaw s Hist. U. States 
 
184 
 
 quence of which the American commerce had been 
 plundered in every sea ; and the British orders in 
 council." 
 
 (102.) Mob in Baltimore. 
 
 A few days after the declaration of war, the town 
 of Baltimore was seriously disturbed. Some harsh 
 strictures on the conduct of government having ap* 
 peared in a newspaper of that city, entitled the 
 " Federal Republican," the resentment of the op 
 posite party was shown by destroying the office and 
 press of that establishment. The commotion excited 
 by this outrage, had, however, in a great measure, 
 subsided, and the transaction was brought before a 
 criminal court for investigation. But events more 
 alarming and tragical shortly afterwards succeeded. 
 On the 26th of July, Mr. Hanson, the leading editor 
 of the obnoxious journal, who had deemed it prudent 
 to leave the disordered city, returned ; accompanied 
 by his political adherents ; amongst whom, was 
 General Henry Lee, of Alexandria ; an officer dis 
 tinguished in the Revolution, for his bravery in par 
 tisan warfare at the head of a legion of cavalry 
 afterwards Governor of Virginia, and a Representa 
 tive from that State in the Congress of the Federal 
 Government. Determined to re-coinmence the pa 
 per, by first printing it in Georgetown, in the Dis 
 trict of Columbia, and then transmitting it to Balti 
 more for distribution, a house was, for this purpose, 
 occupied in Charles-street, secured against external 
 violence, and guarded by a party well provided for 
 defence. On the 28th, papers were accordingly 
 issued. These contained severe animadversions 
 against the Mayor, police, and people of Baltimore. 
 
585 
 
 for the depredations committed on the establishment 
 in the preceding month, and were generally circula 
 ted throughout the city. 
 
 In the course of the day, it became known that 
 Mr. Hanson was in the new office in Charles street, 
 and it was early whispered that the building would 
 be assailed. A number of citizens, who espoused 
 his opinions, went, therefore, to the house, and joined 
 in its protection. Towards the evening, a crowd of 
 boys collected ; who, after using opprobrious epi 
 thets to those within, began to throw stones at the 
 windows ; and, about the same time, a person on 
 the pavement, endeavoring to dissuade the youths 
 from mischief, was severely wounded, by something 
 ponderous thrown from the house. They were cau 
 tioned from the windows to desist ; but still continu 
 ed to assail the place with stones. Two muskets 
 were then fired from the upper story ; charged, it 
 was supposed,- with blank cartridges, to .deter them 
 from further violence; immediately, the crowd in 
 the street greatly increased ; the boys were displa 
 ced by men ; the sashes of the lower windows were 
 broken, and attempts made to force in the door. 
 Muskets, in quick succession, were discharged from 
 the house : some military arrived to disperse the 
 crowd ; several shots were fired in return ; and, at 
 length, a Doctor Gale was killed, by a shot from the 
 office door. The irritatio" of the mob was increas 
 ed. They planted a cannon against the house, but 
 were restrained from discharging it, by the timely 
 arrival of an additional military force, and an agree 
 ment that the persons in the house would surrender 
 to the civil authority. Accordingly, early in the fol- 
 tawing morning, having received assurances, on 
 which they thought themselves safe in relying, they 
 surrendered, and were conducted to the county jail. 
 
186 
 
 contiguous to the city. The party consisted oi 
 about twenty persons ; amongst whom, were Gen. 
 Lee, Gen. James Lingan, and Mr. Hanson. 
 
 The Mayor directed the sheriff to use every pre 
 caution to secure the doors of the prison, and the 
 commander of the troops to employ a competent 
 force to preserve the peace. In the evening every 
 thing bore the appearance of tranquility ; and the 
 soldiers, by the consent oi that magistrate, were 
 dismissed. But, shortly after dark, a great crowd 
 of disorderly persons, re-assembled about the jail, 
 and manifested an intention to force it open. On 
 being apprized of this, the Mayor hastened to the 
 spot, and, with the aid of a few other gentlemen, 
 for a while prevented the execution of the design : 
 but they were at length overpowered, by the num 
 ber and violence of the assailants. The Mayor 
 was carried away, by force ; and the turnkey com 
 pelled to open the doors. A tragedy ensued, which 
 cannot be described: it can be imagined only by 
 those who are tami liar with scenes of blood. Gen. 
 Lingan was killed ; eleven were beaten and man 
 gled with weapons of every description, such as 
 stones, bludgeons, and sledge-hammers, and then 
 thrown, as dead, into one pile outside of the door. 
 A few of ihe prisoners fortunately escaped through 
 the crowd : Mr Hanson, fainting from his repeated 
 wounds, was earned by a gentleman (of opposite 
 political sentiments) at the hazard of his own life, 
 across the adjoining river, whence he with difficulty 
 reached the dwelling of a friend. 
 
 No effectual inquisition was ever made into this sig 
 nal violation of the peace, nor punishment inflicted 
 on the guilty. The leaders, on both sides, under 
 went trials ; but, owing to the inflammation of public 
 feelings, they were acquitted, Gnmshanfs U* & 
 
187 
 (103.) General HulPs Surrender. 
 
 Soon after the declaration of war, on the 16th of 
 .August, General Hull, the Governor of Michigan 
 Territory, surrendered his whole army, and the fort 
 at Detroit, without a single battle, to General 
 Brock. " So entirely unprepared was the public 
 for this extraordinary event, that no one could be 
 lieve it to have taken place, until communicated 
 from an official source." Hull had been sent at the 
 head of about .2500 men, to Detroit, with a view 
 of putting an end to the Indian hostilities in that 
 part of the country. At the time of the surrender 
 of the fort, it is said that his force consisted of more 
 than 1000 men, that of the British of 1300, of whom 
 more than half were Indians. When the British 
 column had arrived within 500 yards of the Ameri 
 can lines, General Hull ordered his men, who were 
 placed in a favorable situation to annoy the enemy,, 
 to retreat into the fort, and that the cannon should 
 not be fired. " Immediately there was heard an 
 universal burst of indignation." The order, how 
 ever, could not be disobeyed. The men were or 
 dered to stack their arms ; a white flag was hung o*at 
 upon the walls, and a communication passed be 
 tween the two Generals, which was shortly follow* 
 ed by a capitulation. The American volunteers 
 and militia were sent home, on condition of not 
 serving again during the war, unless exchanged. 
 The General and the regular troops were sent to 
 Quebec as prisoners of war. 
 
 Being exchanged, General Hull was prosecuted 
 by the government of the United States, and ar 
 raigned before a military tribunal, who acquitted 
 him of the charge of treason, but sentenced him to 
 jdeath, for cowardice and unofficer-like conduct. 
 
188 
 
 But in consequence of his age and revolutionary 
 services, the President remitted the punishment of 
 death, but deprived him of all military command. 
 
 (104.) Capture of the Guerriere, 
 
 The Constitution, Captain Hull, had sailed from 
 Annapolis on the 5th of July. On the 17th, he 
 was chased by a ship of the line and four frigates; 
 when, by an exertion of able seamanship, than 
 which, the victory itself, though more beneficial, 
 could not be more worthy of applause, he escaped 
 from the enequal combat. On the 19th of August, 
 he had an opportunity of trying his frigate against 
 a single vessel of the enemy. This was the Guer- 
 riere ; one of the best, of the same class, in the 
 British navy, and in no way averse to the rencoun 
 ter; as she promptly awaited her antagonist s arri 
 val. She had, for some time, been searching for 
 an American frigate ; having given a formal chal- 
 lange to every vessel of the same description. At one 
 of her mast heads, was a flag, on which her name 
 was inscribed in conspicuous letters ; and on anoth 
 er, the words, " Not the Little Belt ;" alluding to 
 the broadsides which the President had fired into 
 that sloop, before the war. The Constitution be 
 ing ready for action, now approached, her crew 
 giving three cheers. Both continued manoeuvre- 
 ing for three quarters of an hour ; the Guerriere 
 attempted to take a raking position, and failing in 
 this, soon afterwards began to pour out her broad 
 sides, with a view of crippling her antagonist. 
 From the Constitution, not a gun had been fired. 
 Already, had an officer twice come on the quarter 
 deck, with information that several of the men had 
 
189 
 
 fallen at the guns. Though burning with impa 
 tience, the crew silently awaited the orders of their 
 commander. The long expected moment at length 
 arrived. The vessel being brought exactly to the 
 designed position, directions were given to fire 
 broadside after broadside, in quick succession. 
 Never was any scene more dreadful. For fifteen 
 minutes, the lightning of the Constitution s guns 
 is a continued blaze, and their thunder roars with 
 out intermission. The enemy s mizen mast lies 
 over her side, and she stands exposed to a fire 
 that sweeps her decks. She becomes unmanagea 
 ble ; her hull is shattered, her sails and rigging cut 
 to pieces. Her mainmast and foremast fall over 
 board, taking with them every spar, except the 
 bowsprit. The firing now ceased, and the Guer- 
 riere surrendered. Her loss was fifteen killed, and 
 sixty-three wounded ; the Constitution had seven 
 men killed, and seven wounded. The Guerriere 
 was so much damaged, as to render it impossible 
 to bring her into port ; she was, therefore, on the 
 following day, blown up. The Constitution re 
 ceived so little injury, that she was, in a few hours, 
 ready for another action. Grimshaw s Hist. U. S, 
 
 (105.) Battle at Queens town. 
 
 Early in the morning of the 13th of October, 
 1812, a detachment of about 1000 men, from the 
 army of the Centre, crossed the river Niagara and 
 attacked the British on Queenstown heights. This 
 detachment, under the command of Colonel Solo 
 mon Van Rensellaer, succeeded in dislodging the en- 
 emy but not being reinforced by the militia, from 
 the American side, as was expected, they were ul- 
 
timately repulsed, and were obliged to surrender* 
 The British General Brock, was killed during the 
 engagement. 
 
 Tne forces designed to storm the heights, were 
 divided into two columns ; one of 300 militia, un 
 der Colonel Van Rensellaer, the other 300 regulars, 
 under Colonel Christie. These were to be follow 
 ed by Colonel Fenwick s artillery, and then the 
 other troops in order. 
 
 Much embarrassment was experienced by the 
 boats, from the eddies, as well as the shot by the 
 enemy, in crossing the river. Colonel Van Rensel 
 laer led the van, and landed first with 100 men. 
 Scarcely had he leaped from the boat, when he re 
 ceived four severe wounds. Being, however, able 
 to stand, he ordered his officers to move with rapid 
 ity and storm the fort. This service was gallantly 
 performed, and the enemy were driven down the 
 hill in every direction. 
 
 Both parties were now reinforced the Ameri 
 cans by regulars and militia the British by the 49th 
 regiment, consisting of 600 regulars, under Gene 
 ral Brock. Upon this the conflict was renewed, in 
 which General Brock, and his aid, Captain McDo 
 nald, fell almost in the same moment. After a des 
 perate engagement, the enemy were repulsed, and 
 the victory was thought complete. 
 
 General Van Rensellaer now crossed over, for 
 the purpose of fortifying the heights, preparatory to 
 another attack, should the enemy be reinforced. 
 This duty he assigned to Lieutenant Tottcn, an able 
 engineer. 
 
 But the fortune of the day was not yet decided. 
 At 3 o clock in the afternoon, the enemy, being re 
 inforced by several hundred Chippewa Indians, ral 
 lied, and again advanced, but were a third time re- 
 
191 
 
 pulsed. At this moment, General Van Rensellaer, 
 perceiving the militia on the opposite side embark 
 ing but slowly, hastily re-crossed the river, to ac 
 celerate their movements. But what was his cha 
 grin, on reaching the American side, to hear more 
 than 1200 men, (militia,) positively refuse to ern 
 bark. The sight of the engagement had cooled 
 that ardor, which, previously to the attack, the 
 commander in chief could scarcely restrain. 
 While their countrymen were nobly struggling ior 
 victory, they could remain idle spectators of 
 the scene. All that a brave, resolute, and benevo 
 lent commander could do. General Van Rensellaer 
 did he urged, entreated, commanded, but it was 
 all in vain. Eight hundred British soldiers, from 
 fort George, now hove in sight, and pressed on to 
 renew the attack. The Americans, for a time, con 
 tinued to struggle against this force, but were final 
 ly obliged to surrender themselves prisoners of war. 
 The number of American troops killed, amount-. 
 ed to about 60, and about 100 were wounded. 
 Those who surrendered themselves prisoners of 
 war, including the wounded, were about 700. The 
 loss of the British is unknown, but must have been 
 severe. Goodrich? s Hist. U. S. 
 
 (106.) Massacre at Fort Mimms. 
 
 In 181-2. Tecumseh, the celebrated Shawnee chief 
 and British ally, appeared among the Indians of the 
 SouU:, and by his arts of persuasion, induced a 
 large majority of the Creek nation, and a consider 
 able portion of the other tribes, to take up arms 
 against the United States. Being supplied with im 
 plements of war from the British, through the chan- 
 
193 
 
 nel of the Floridas, they accordingly commenced 
 hostilities. 
 
 " Alarm and consternation prevailed among the 
 white inhabitants ; those of Tensaw district, a con 
 siderable settlement of the Alabama, fled for safety 
 to fort Mimms on that river, sixteen miles above 
 fort Stoddard. The place was garrisoned by one 
 hundred and fifty volunteers, of the Mississippi 
 territory, under Major Beasly. The inhabitants 
 collected at the fort, amounted to about three hun 
 dred. 
 
 At eleven o clock in the forenoon of the 30th of 
 August, a body of Indians, to the amount of six or 
 seven hundred warriors, issued from the adjoining 
 wood, and approached the fort ; they advanced 
 within a few rods of it before the alarm was given. 
 As the centinel cried out, Indians," they immedi 
 ately gave a war-whoop, and rushed in at the gate, 
 before the garrison had time to shut it. This deci 
 ded their fate. Major Beasly was mortally wound 
 ed at the commendfcmentof the assault; he ordered 
 his men to secure the ammunition, and retreat into 
 the house; he was himself carried into the kitchen, 
 and afterwards consumed in the flames. 
 
 The fort was originally square, but Major Beasly 
 had enlarged it by extending the lines upon two sides 
 about fifty feet, and putting up a new side, into 
 which the gate was removed ; the old line of pickets 
 were standing, and the Indians on rushing in at the 
 gate, obtained possession of the outer part, and 
 through the port holes of ihe old line of pickets, 
 fired on the people who held the interior. On the 
 opposite side of the fort, was an offset, or bastion, 
 made round the back gate, which being open on tho 
 outside, was occupied by the Indians, who, with tho 
 that lay scattered about, cut dovyn the gate, 
 
193- 
 
 The people in the fort, kept possession of the port 
 holes on the other lines, and fired on the Indians 
 who remained on the outside. Some of the Indians 
 ascended the block-house at one of the corners, 
 and fired on the garrison below, but were soon dis 
 lodged ; they succeeded, however, in setting fire to 
 a house near the pickets, which communicated to 
 the kitchen, and from thence to the main dwelling- 
 house. When the people in the fort saw the In 
 dians in full possession of the outer court, the gate 
 open, the men fast falling, and then houses in flames, 
 they gave up all for losi, and a .scene of the most 
 distressing horror ensued. The women and chil 
 dren sought refuge in the upper story of the dwel 
 ling-house, and were consumed in the flames, the 
 Indians dancing and yelling round them with the 
 most savage delight. Those who were without the 
 buildings were murdered and scalped without dis 
 tinction of age" or sex; seventeen only escaped. 
 The battle and massacre lasted from eleven in the 
 forenoon until six in the afternoon, by which time 
 the work of destruction was fully completed, the 
 fort and buildings entirely demolished, and upwards 
 of four hundred men, women, and children, massa 
 cred". Perkins Late War. 
 
 (107.) Capture of York, (U. C.) 
 
 On the 23d of April, Gen. Dearborn embarked 
 at Sackett s Harbor, with sixteen hundred men, on 
 an expedition against York, at the head of the lake, 
 leaving the defence of the harbor, with all the stores, 
 public property, and a new ship on the stocks, to a 
 handful of regulars, under Col. Backus, and the 
 neighboring militia, not then arrived, It seemed to 
 
in 
 
 liave escaped the observation of the commanding 
 General, that the enemy would probably, in his ab 
 sence, strike at an important post thus left uncover 
 ed* On the 27th, Gen. Dearborn with the fleet, ar 
 rived before the town of York and immediately com 
 menced a disembarkation. The commanding Gen 
 eral intrusted the further prosecution of the expe 
 dition to Gen. Pike, and remained on board the ileet. 
 To oppose their landing, a corps of British grena 
 diers, the Glengary fencibles, and several bodies 
 of Indians, appeared at different points on the shore. 
 At eight o clock the troops commenced their land 
 ing, three miles westward of the town, and a mile and 
 a half distant from the British works. The place 
 first designed for their landing, was a cleared field 
 near the site of the old French fort Tarcnto ; but 
 the wind was high and prevented the first division, 
 from landing at that place, and also prevented the 
 ships from covering their disembarkation. The ri 
 flemen under Major Forsythr, first landed under a 
 heavy fire from ihn enrmy. Major Gen. SheafFe had 
 collected his whole force consisting of about seven 
 or eight hundred regulars and militia, with a hundred 
 Indians, to oppose their landing, and commanded in 
 person. Major Forsythe, although supported by 
 Jt Other troops as promptly as possible, was obli 
 ged to sustain alone a sharp conflict with the whole 
 British force for nearly half an hour. As soon as 
 Gen. Pike had effected his landing, with about eight 
 hundred men, the British retreated to their works, 
 The main body of the Americans landed and formed 
 at old fort Tarenlo, and quickly advanced through 
 ok wood to an open ground near the British 
 works. The first battery was carried by assault, 
 and the columns moved on towards the mam works; 
 when the head of the column had arrived within, 
 
195 
 
 about sixty rods, a tremendous explosion took place 
 from a magazine prepared for that purpose, and 
 killed and wounded one hundred men. Gen. Pike 
 was mortally wounded by a stone which was thrown 
 up by the explosion, and struck him on the breast. 
 He was immediately conveyed on board the Commo 
 dore s ship, and soon expired. After the confusion 
 which these events necessarily occasioned, the 
 American troops proceeded to the town, and agreed 
 to a capitulation with the commanding officers of the 
 Canadian militia, by which it was stipulated, that all 
 the public property should be delivered to the Amer 
 icans, the militia surrendered prisoners of war, 
 and private property protected. Immediately after 
 the explosion, Gen. Sheaffe, with the regulars, re 
 treated out of the reach of the American arms. 
 Two hundred and fifty militia, and fifty marines and 
 regulars, were included in the capitulation. The 
 American loss was fourteen killed in battle, and fif 
 ty-two by the explosion; twenty-three wounded in 
 battle, and one hundred and eight by the explosion. 
 One large vessel on the stocks, and a quantity of 
 naval stores were set fire to by the British, and con 
 sumed ; but more naval stores were taken by the 
 Americans than could be carried away. The pub 
 lic buildings for military use, and the military stores 
 which could not be removed, were destroyed. 
 York was the seat of government for Upper Cana 
 da, and the principal depot fr the Niagara frontier, 
 and Detroit. Gen. Sheaffe s baggage and papers 
 were taken. In the government "hall a human scalp 
 was found, suspended over the speaker s chair with 
 the mace and other emblems of power. This buil 
 ding was bunted, contrary to the orders of the 
 American General. Perkins 9 History of the War. 
 
196 
 (108.) Battle on Lake Erie. 
 
 The American fleet consisted of nine vessels, car 
 rying fifty four guns, commanded by Commodore 
 Perry, a young officer. The British fleet of six ves 
 sels and sixty three guns, under Commodore Bar 
 clay, an old and experienced officer, who had served 
 under Nelson. The line of battle was formed at 
 11 o clock, (Sept. 10, 1813.) At fifteen minutes 
 before 12, the enemy s flag ship, "Queen Charlotte," 
 opened a furious fire upon the "Lawrence," the flag 
 ship of Com. Perry. The wind being light, the 
 rest of the squadron were unable to come to his as 
 sistance, and he was compelled for two hours to sus 
 tain the fire of two of the enemy s ships, each of 
 equal force. By this time the Lawrence had be 
 come unmanageable, every gun was dismounted, her 
 crew except four or five were all killed or wounded. 
 
 In this desperate condition, Commodore Perry, 
 with great presence of mind, formed the bold design 
 to shift his flag, and leaping into an open boat, wa 
 ving his sword, he passed unhurt through a shower 
 of balls to the Niagara of twenty guns. At this 
 critical moment the wind increased, and Perry bore 
 down upon the enemy, passing the "Detroit," 
 * Queen Charlotte," and "Lady Provost," on one 
 side, and the "Chippewa" and "Little Belt" on 
 the other, into each of which while passing he pour 
 ed a broadside. He then engaged the " Lady Pro 
 vost," which received so heavy a fire that the men 
 ran below. The remainder of the American squad 
 ron now one after another came up. After a con 
 test of three hours the Amewcan fleet gained a com 
 plete victory, and captured every vessel of the en 
 emy. Commodore Perry announced this victory 
 in the following laconic style; " WQ have met the 
 enemy : and they are 
 
Oregon Xoxitanr 
 
 100 
 
 < <if*tui!t.f Lewis atul Clarke e tt t/f r>tT7f7i of / >*7arnl>ia 
 
 ILalke Erie 
 
197 
 
 TJhe Americans lost in this action twenty seveu 
 killed and ninety six wounded. The British had 
 about two hundred killed and wounded the Amer 
 icans took six hundred prisoners, which exceeded 
 the whole n-umber of Americans engaged in the 
 action. 
 
 (109.) Death of Tecumseh. 
 
 On the 5th of October, a battle was fought be 
 tween the American army under Gen. Harrison, and 
 the British, under Gen. Proctor, in which the Brit 
 ish were defeated, and Detroit fell into the hands of 
 the Americans. 
 
 The British were assisted by a body of 1200 or 
 1500 Indian warriors, led on by Tecumseh, a cele 
 brated Indian chieftain. Upon the left, the onset 
 was begun by Tecumseh, with great fury. He was 
 opposed by Col. Johnson, of Kentucky. The In 
 dians seemed determined to conquer or die. The 
 terrible voice of Tecumseh was heard encouraging 
 his warriors ; although beset on every side, they 
 fought with determined courage. Col. Johnson 
 now rushed towards the spot, where the savage war 
 riors were gathering round their undaunted chief 
 tain. In a moment a hundred rifles were aimed at 
 the American, the balls pierced his dress and accou 
 trements, and himself and his horse received a num 
 ber of wounds, At the instant his horse was about 
 to fall under him, he was discovered by Tecumseh: 
 having discharged his rifle he sprang forward with 
 his tomahawk, but, struck with the appearance of 
 the brave man before him, he hesitated for a -moment, 
 and that moment was his last. Col. Johnson level 
 led a pistol at his breast, arid they both, almost at 
 18 
 
198 
 
 the same instant, fell to the ground. Col. Johnson 
 men now rushed forward to his rescue, and the In 
 dians, hearing no longer the voice of their chief, 
 soon after fled. 
 
 "Thus fell Tecumseh, and with him, fell the last 
 hope of our Indian enemies." Since the year 1790, 
 he had been in almost every engagement with the 
 whites; he was a determined enemy to the attempts 
 to civilize the Indians, and had for years endeavor 
 ed to unite the tribes in opposing the progress of 
 the settlement of the whites, any farther to the west 
 ward. On the opening of the last war, he visited 
 many tribes, and by his uncommon eloquence and 
 address, roused his countrymen to arms against the 
 United States. " Tecumseh had received the 
 stamp of greatness, from the hand of nature, and 
 had his lot been cast in a different state of society, 
 he would have shone as one of the most distinguish 
 ed of men. He was endowed with a powerful 
 mind, and with the soul of a hero. There was an 
 uncommon dignity in his countenance and manners, 
 and by the former he could be easily distinguished, 
 even after death, among the slain, for he wore uo 
 Insignia of distinction." 
 
 (110.) Battle of Niagara. 
 
 On the 25th of July, 1814, Gen. Scott arrived 
 at the Niagara cataract, and learned that the British 
 were in force directly in his front, separated only 
 by a narrow piece of wood. Having despatched 
 this intelligence to Gen. Brown, he advanced upon 
 the enemy, and the action commenced at six o clock 
 in the afternoon. Although Gen. Ripley, with the 
 second brigade, Major Hendman, with the corps of 
 
199 
 
 artillery? and Gen. Porter, with the volunteers, pres 
 sed forward with ardor ; it was an hour before they 
 could be brought up to his support: during this time 
 his brigade alone sustained the conflict. Gen. Scott 
 had pressed through the wood, and engaged the 
 Bi-itish on the Queenston road, with the 9th, 1 1th, 
 and 12th regiments, the 25th having been thrown 
 on the right. The fresh troops, under Gen. Ripley, 
 having arrived, now advanced to relieve Gen. Scott, 
 whose exhausted brigade formed a reserve in the 
 rear. The British artillery had taken post on a 
 commanding eminence, at the head of Lundy s lane, 
 supported by a line of infantry, out of the reach 
 of the American batteries. This was the key of the 
 whole position ; from hence they poured a most 
 deadly fire on the American ranks. It became ne 
 cessary either to leave the ground, or to carry this 
 post and seize the height. The lutter desperate 
 task was assigned to Col. Miller. On receiving 
 the order from Gen. Brown, he calmly surveyed 
 the position and answered, "/ will try szV," which 
 expression was afterwards the motto of his regi 
 ment. The first regiment, under the command of 
 Col. Nicholas, were ordered to menace the British 
 infantry, and support Col. Miller in the attack. 
 This corps, after a discharge or two, gave way and 
 left him without support. Without regarding this 
 occurrence, Col. Miller advanced coolly and stead 
 ily to his object, amid a tremendous fire, and at the 
 point of the bayonet, carried the artillery and the 
 height. The guns were immediately turned upon 
 the enemy ; Gen. Ripley now brought up the 23d 
 regiment to the support of Col. Miller ; the first re 
 giment was rallied and brought into line, and the 
 British were driven from the hill. At this time Ma 
 jor Jcssup, with the 25th regiment, was engaged in 
 
200 
 
 a most obstinate conflict, with all the British that re 
 mained on the field. He had succeeded in turning 
 the British left flank. Capt. Ketchum, with a de- 
 i.achment of this regiment, succeeded in gaining 
 ;he rear of the British lines at the point where Gen 
 erals Drummond and Riall, with their suites, had. ta 
 ken their stations, and made them all prisoners* 
 The British officers, mistaking this detachment for a 
 company of their own men, were ordering them to 
 to press on to the combat, when Capt. Ketchum 
 stepped forward, and coolly observed, that he 
 had the fionor to command at that time, and im 
 mediately conducted the officers and their suites, in 
 to the rear of the American lines ; General Drum 
 mond, in the confusion of the scene made his escape. 
 The British rallied under the hill, and made a des 
 perate attempt to regain- their artillery, and drive 
 the Americans from their position, but without suc 
 cess ; a second and third attempt was made with 
 ihe like result. Gen. Scott was engaged in repelling 
 these attacks, and though with his shoulder fractur 
 ed, and a severe wound in the side, continued at 
 the head of his column, endeavoring to turn the en 
 emy s right flank. The volunteers under Gen. Por 
 ter, during the last charge of the British, precipita 
 ted themselves upon the lines, broke them, and took 
 a large number of prisoners. Gen. Brown, during 
 the whole action, was at the mos.t exposed points, 
 directing and animating his troops. He received a 
 severe wound on the thigh, and in the side, and 
 would have given the command to Gen. Scott, but 
 on inquiring found that he was severely wounded. 
 He continued at the head of his troops until the 
 last effort of the British was repulsed, when loss of 
 blood obliged him to retire ; he then consigned the 
 command to Gen. Ripley. At twelve o clock, both 
 
201 
 
 parlies retired from the field, to their respective en- 
 oampments, fatigued and satiated with slaughter. 
 The battle continued with little intermission, from 
 six in the afternoon until twelve at night. After 
 Col. Miller had taken the battery, and driven the 
 British from the heights, and Gen. Riall and suite 
 had been taken, there was a short cessation, and the 
 enemy appeared to be about yielding the ground, 
 when reinforcements arrived to their aid, and the 
 battle was renewed with redoubled fury for another 
 space of two hours ; much of this time the combat 
 ants were within a few yards of each other, and sev 
 eral times, officers were found commanding enemy 
 platoons. Capt. Spencer, aid to Gen. Brown, was 
 despatched with orders to one of the regiments; 
 when about to deliver them, he suddenly found him 
 self in contact with a British corps; with great 
 eoolness and a firm air, he inquired what regiment 
 is this? On being answered, the Royal Scotts, he 
 immediately replied, Royal Scolts, remain as you are* 
 the commandant of the corps, supposing the orders 
 eame from his commanding General, immediately 
 halted his regiment, and Capt. Spencer rode off. 
 Col. Miller s achievement, in storming the battery, 
 was of the most brilliant and hazardous nature ; it 
 was decisive of the events of the battle, and enti 
 tled him and his corps to the highest applause ; 
 most of the officers engaged in that enterprise were 
 killed or wounded. The battle was fought to the 
 west of, and within half a mile of the Niagara cat 
 aract. The thunder of the cannon, the roaring of 
 the falls, the incessant discharge of musketry, the 
 groans of the dying and wounded during the six 
 hours in which the parties were engaged in close 
 combat, heightened by the circumstance of its being 
 night, afforded such a scene, as is rarely to be mc ? . 
 
With, in the history of human slaughter. The eve 
 ning was calm, and the moon shone with lustre, 
 when not enveloped in clouds of smoke from the 
 firing of the contending armies. Considering the 
 numbers engaged, few contests have ever been 
 mor?: sanguinary.* 
 
 This was one of the most severe and bloody bat 
 tles, which Was fought during the war. The iintish 
 force engaged in tnis battle amounted to 5,000 men : 
 many of their troops were selected from Hie flower 
 of Lord Wellington s army. The American force 
 consisted of 4,000 men. The loss of Americans in 
 killed, wounded, and missing, was 860 men ; that of 
 the British was 878 men. 
 
 (111.) Burning of Washington City. 
 
 In August, 1814, a body of about 6000 British 
 troops, commanded by Gen. Ross, landed at Bene 
 dict, on the Pafuxent, 47 miles from Washington ; 
 on tho 21st of August, he marched to Nottingham. 
 He met with little opposition on his march, until 
 within about six miles of Washington, at Bfddehs- 
 burg. Here Gen. Winder, with the American forces, 
 composed mostly of militia, hastily collected, op 
 posed them. The Americans, however, fled at the 
 beginning of the contest. Com. Barney, with about 
 400 men, made a brave resistance ; but the enemy, 
 superior in numbers, compelled him to surrender. 
 
 Leaving B lad ens burgh, Gen. Ross went to Wash 
 ington, where he arrived in the evening of the 23d 
 of August, about 3 o clock, with 700 men, having left 
 Ur main body about a mile and a half from the 
 
 *Perkins Late War. 
 
203 
 
 Capitol. Immediately on his arrival, Gen. 
 issued orders to set on fire the public buildings."* 
 
 The Capitol and the President s house, two noble 
 buildings, were burnt ; the valuable libraries in the 
 Capitol were also destroyed. The great Bridge 
 across the Potomac a splendid Hotel, and many 
 other private buildings. 
 
 On the 25th they retired by rapid marches, and 
 regained their shipping, leaving behind them seve 
 ral officers of rank, and 150 non-commissioned offi 
 cers and privates, whose wounds did not admit of a 
 removal. Their whole loss during this expedition 
 was 400 in killed and wounded, besides 500 more, 
 .who were made prisoners or deserted. 
 
 (112.) Battle on Lake Champlain, 
 
 In September, 1814, an army of 14,000 men., 
 under the command of Sir George Prevost, Governor 
 General of Canada, and a fleet on Lake Champlain, 
 
 * According to the account of a British officer, who was in 
 this expedition, the sole object of the disembarkation was the 
 destruction of the American flotilla. When that flotilla re 
 treated from Nottingham , Admiral Cockburn urged the ne 
 cessity of a pursuit, and finally prevailed on Gen. Ross to 
 proceed on to attack Washing-ton. When he arrived near 
 the city. Gen. Ross sent in a flag of truce with terms. Scarce 
 ly had the party with the flag- entered the city, when they 
 were fired upon from the windows of one of the houses. Two 
 corporals of the 31st, and the horse of the General himself, 
 who accompanied them, were killed. This outrage roused 
 the indignation of every individual of the army. All thoughts 
 of accommodation were instantly laid aside; the troops ad 
 vanced forthwith into the city, and having first put to the 
 sword all who were found in the house from whence the shots 
 were fired, and reduced it to ashes, they proceeded without 
 delay, to burn and destroy every thing in the most distant 
 degree connected with the government, 
 
04 
 
 under Commodore Downie, carrying 95 guns, and 
 1050 men, approached Plattsburgh. 
 
 The American fleet, commanded by Commodore 
 Macdonough, carried but 86 guns, and 826 men. 
 While lying off Plattsburgh, on the llth of Sep 
 tember, the British fleet bore down upon them in 
 order of battle. 
 
 Ordering his vessels to be cleared for action, 
 Commodore Macdonough gallantly received the 
 enemy. The engagement was exceedingly obsti 
 nate; the enemy fought bravely; but the superiori 
 ty of the American gunnery prevailed they fired 
 much oftener than their enemies. After an engage 
 ment of two hours and twenty minutes, the British 
 ships were silenced, and one frigate, one brig, and 
 two sloops of war, fell into the hands of the Ameri 
 cans. Several British gallies were sunk, and a few 
 others escaped. The Americans lost 52 killed, and 
 58 wounded. The loss of the British was 84 killed, 
 and 110 wounded. 
 
 Sir Geo. Prevost, who commanded the land forces, 
 commenced an attack upon the American works at 
 Plattsburgh, at the same time that the fleets were 
 engaged, but was compelled to retire by the Ame 
 ricans, under Gen. Macomb, with the loss of 2500 
 men. 
 
 (113.) Hartford Convention. 
 
 During the second war with Great Britain, the 
 people of the United States were divided into two 
 political parties, one party condemning the war as 
 unwise and unnecessary; the other contending that 
 the war was just, and necessary for the maintenance 
 of national honor. The opposition to the war was 
 
Wa&hmrton 
 
 of the uipiM at H 
 
 Lake Qiamplaim 
 
 114 
 
205 
 
 the greatest in the New-England States, and during 
 its continuance this opposition was confirmed. En 
 listments of troops was in some instances discoura- 
 ed, and dissentions arose between the general and 
 tate governments, respecting the command of the 
 militia, called out by order of the former, to defend 
 the sea-board. In October, 1814, the Legislature 
 of Massachusetts appointed " delegates to meet and 
 confer with the delegates from the States of New 
 England, or any of them, upon the subjects of their 
 public grievances and concerns." The delegates 
 met at Hartford, Con. Dec. 15th, 1814, and sat 
 nearly three weeks with closed doors. This Con 
 vention consisted of delegates from the States of 
 Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode-Island ; two 
 members from New-Hampshire and one fron^ Ver 
 mont: these last were appointed at County meet 
 ings. After their adjournment, the Convention pub 
 lished an address, charging the National government 
 with pursuing measures hostile to the interests of 
 New-England, and recommending amendments to 
 the Federal Constitution. 
 
 " These alterations consisted of seven articles 
 first, that Representatives and direct taxes shall be 
 apportioned to the number of free persons : 
 secondly, that no new State shall be admitted into 
 the Union without the concurrence of two thirds of 
 both houses : thirdly, that Congress shall riot have 
 power to lay an embargo for more than sixty 
 days: fourthly, that Congress shall not interdict 
 commercial intercourse, without the concurrence of 
 two thirds of both houses -ffthly, that war shall 
 not be declared without the concurrence of a similar 
 majority : sixthly, that no person who shall be 
 hereafter naturalized, shall be eligible as a member 
 of the Senate or House of Representatives, or hold 
 19 
 
206 
 
 any civil office under the authority of the United 
 States : and, seventhly, that no person shall be 
 elected twice to the Presidency, nor the President 
 be elected from the same State two terms in suc 
 cession. 
 
 The report of the Convention concluded with a 
 resolution, providing for the calling of another con 
 vention, should the United States " refuse their 
 consent to some arrangement whereby the New 
 England States, separately, or in concert, might be 
 empowered to assume upon themselves the defence 
 of their territory against the enemy," appropriating 
 a reasonable proportion of the public taxes for this 
 purpose ; or, " should peace not be concluded, and 
 the defence of the New England States be neglected 
 as it has been since the commencement of the war." 4 
 
 Tile committee appointed to communicate these 
 resolutions to Congress, met at Washington the news 
 of peace : and owing to this event another Con 
 vention was not called. The proposed amendments 
 of the Constitution were submitted to the several 
 States, and rejected by all except Massachusetts, 
 Rhode-Island, and Connecticut. 
 
 (1 14.) Gen. Jackson s Victory at New-Orleans* 
 
 In the month of Dec. 1814, fifteen thousand 
 British troops, under Sir Edward Packenham, were 
 landed for the attack of New-Orleans. The de 
 fence of this place was entrusted to Gen. Andrew 
 Jackson, whose force was about 6000 men, chiefly 
 raw militia. Several slight skirmishes occurred 
 before the enemy arrived before the city : during 
 this time Gen. Jackson was employed in making 
 * Goodrich. 
 
207 
 
 preparation for his defence. His front was a 
 straight line of 1000 yards, defended by upwards of 
 three thousand Infantry and Artillerists. The ditch 
 contained five feet of water, and his front, from 
 having been Hooded by opening the levees, and by 
 frequent rains, was rendered slippery and muddy. 
 Eight distinct batteries were judiciously disposed, 
 mounting in all 12 guns of different calibres. On 
 the opposite side of the river was a strong battery 
 of fifteen guns. 
 
 On the 8th of January, Gen. Packenham, with 
 upwards of 1 2,000 men, deliberately advanced in 
 solid columns, to the attack, over an even plain, in 
 front of the American intrenchments, his men carry 
 ing, besides their muskets, facines, and ladders. 
 Entire silence prevailed through the American lines 
 until the British were within reach of their batteries, 
 when a destructive cannonade was opened ; yet 
 they advanced, closing up their ranks as fast as they 
 were opened by the fire of the Americans. But 
 when within the reach of musketry and rifles, the 
 Americans poured in such a tremendous and de 
 structive fire, that the British columns were literally 
 swept away. Unable to stand the shock, confusion 
 followed, and Gen. Packenham, in the attempt to 
 rally his troops, was killed. 
 
 The two Generals, Gibbs and Kean, succeeded in 
 pushing forward their columns the second time, but 
 this was more fatal than the first. The continued 
 rolling fire from the American lines resembled peals 
 of thunder. A few platoons only reached the ditch, 
 to meet a more certain destruction. 
 
 A third attempt was made to lead up the troops, 
 which proved equally unavailing. Gen. Gibbs and 
 Kean were severely wounded, the former mortally. 
 
 The plain before the American lines now pre* 
 
208 
 
 sented a wide field of blood. Seven hundred of the 
 British were killed, 1400 wounded, arid 500 were 
 taken prisoners ; making the whole of their loss, 
 nearly 3000 men. The loss of the Americans did 
 not exceed seven killed, and they had only six 
 wounded ! ! 
 
 The enemy, soon after, with great secrecy, em- 
 harked on board their shipping. 
 
 (115.) Bank of the United States. 
 
 The Bank of the United States was established 
 by an act of Congress of April 10th, 1816, and con 
 tinues to March 3d, 1 836. Its stock consists of three 
 hundred and fifty thousand shares, of one hundred 
 dollars each, constituting a capital of thirty-five mil 
 lions of dollars. Seventy thousand shares, or seven 
 millions of the stock, was taken by the United 
 States, and the remaining two hundred and eighty 
 thousand shares, amounting to twenty. eight millions 
 of dollars, by individuals, companies, &c. Of this 
 twenty-eight millions of dollars, seven was required 
 by the charter to be paid in gold or silver coin, arid 
 twenty-one millions in gold or silver coin, or funded 
 debt of the United States. The property of the 
 Bank, including its whole capital, is not to exceed 
 in value, fifty-five millions of dollars. 
 
 The Bank is located in Philadelphia, governed 
 by twenty-five Directors, chosen annually; five of 
 whom, being stockholders, are appointed by the 
 President of the United States, by and with the 
 advice and consent of the Senate ; and twenty are 
 annually elected at the Banking-house, in Philadel 
 phia, by the qualified stockholders of the capital, 
 (other than the United States,) on the first Monday 
 
209 
 
 &f January. No person can be a Director in the 
 Bank of the United States at the same time that he 
 is a Director in any other Bank. At the first meet 
 ing after their election, the Directors choose a Pre 
 sident. The President is selected from the Di 
 rectors. 
 
 The number of votes to which stockholders are 
 entitled, are, for one share and not more than two, 
 one vote ; for every two shares above two, and not 
 exceeding ten, one vote ; for every four shares 
 above ten, and not exceeding thirty, one vote ; for 
 every six shares above thirty, and not exceeding 
 sixty, one vote; for every eight shares above sixty, 
 and not exceeding one hundred, one vote ; and for 
 every ten shares above one hundred, one vote ; but 
 no person, co-partnership, or body politic, is entitled 
 to more than thirty votes. No share or shares con 
 fer the right of voting, that shall not have been held 
 three calendar months previous to the day of elec 
 tion. No stockholders but those actually resident, 
 within the United States, can vote by proxy. 
 
 By the act of March 3d, 1819, it is provided that any per 
 son offering more than thirty votes, including- those offered in 
 his own right, and those offered by him as attorney, &c. the 
 judges of the election are required to administer an oath to 
 the person so offering more than thirty votes, to the following- 
 effect : " That he has no interest, directly or indirectly, in 
 the shares upon which he offers to vote as attorney ; and that 
 the shares are, to the best of his knowledge and belief, truly, 
 and in good faith, owned by the persons in whose names they 
 stand at that time." No person is allowed to vote as proxy, 
 &c. without a power, witnessed with an oath, endorsed, and 
 fi? >d in Bank, that the giver of the proxy, " is the real and anly 
 owner of the shares specified in the power of attorney, that 
 he owns no other shares ; that no other person has any inter 
 est in the said shares, and that no other power, now in force, 
 has been given to any other person, to vote at any election of 
 Directors of the said Bank. Judges of elections, permitting 
 -any person to give more than thirty votes at one election-, 
 20 
 
210 
 
 without taking the oath prescribed by law, are subject to ? 
 fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, or to imprisonment 
 not exceeding one year : and persons swearing falsely, are 
 liable to the pains and penalties for the punishment of wilful 
 and corrupt perjury. 
 
 Persons giving money, or any thing, as a bribe, 
 to procure the interest, &c. of the President or any 
 Director of the Bank, or the President or Director 
 receiving such bribe, are forever disqualified from 
 holding any office of honor, trust, or profit, under the 
 Corporation, or under the United States. 
 
 Not more than three fourths of the Directors 
 elected by the Stockholders, nor more than four- 
 fifths of those appointed by the United States, shall 
 serve two successive years ; no Director shall hold 
 his office more than three years out of four in suc 
 cession ; but the Director who is President, may 
 serve without limitation. 
 
 None but a Stockholder, resident citizen of the 
 United States, shall be a Director, nor shall be en 
 titled to any emolument. 
 
 Seven Directors may constitute a board, of whom 
 the President shall always be one, unless unavoida 
 bly prevented, in which case his place may be sup 
 plied by any other Director whom he, by writing 
 under his hand, may depute for that purpose. 
 
 A number of Stockholders, not less than sixty, if 
 proprietors of one thousand shares, have power to 
 call a general meeting of the Stockholm!- vs, giving 
 ten weeks notice in two newspapers of the place 
 where the Bank is seated, and specifying the object 
 of f he meeting. 
 
 The Cashier is required to give bond with two or 
 more sureties, in a sum not less than fifty thousand 
 dollars, as a security for the faithful performance of 
 his duties. 
 
211 
 
 The Lands, &c. lawful for the Bank to hold, is 
 only for its immediate accommodation in business, 
 or iTK>rt<roged to it as security or satisfaction for 
 df !.*.. previously contracted, or purchased at sales 
 i} .,, ju ents for such debts. 
 
 Tha total amount of debts, of every description, 
 which ih<i Bank shall at any time owe, must not ex 
 ceed thirty-five millions of dollars, unless authorised 
 by law to exceed that amount. In case of excess, 
 the Directors under whose administration it takes 
 place, are liable in their private capacities. This 
 provision, however, does not exempt the property of 
 the Bank from being, also, liable. Directors who 
 may dissent, or be absent, when such excess is crea 
 ted, on giving notice thereof to the President of the 
 United Slates, and to the Stockholders, are exone 
 rated from such liability. 
 
 The Bank is prohibited from dealing or trading in any 
 thing, except bills of exchange, gold and silver bullion, or 
 sales of goods pledged for moneys lent by the Bank. It can 
 not become the purchaser of any public debt, nor take more 
 than six per centum per annum for or upon its loans or dis- 
 ounts. 
 
 The Bank cannot loan more than five hundred thousand 
 dollars to the United Slates; or to any particular State an 
 amount exceeding fifty thousand dollars ; or to any foreign 
 Prince or State, unless previously authorised by a law of the 
 United States. 
 
 The Stock is assignable and transferable, according to 
 rules established by the Bank. 
 
 Bills obligatory and of credit, under the seal of the Bank, 
 made to any person, are assignable by the endorsement of 
 such person. But the Bank is prohibited from making any 
 bill obligatory, &c. under its seal, for a sum less than five 
 thousand dollars. All bills issued by order of the Bank, and 
 signed by the President and Cashier, are bin-ling as if made 
 by private persons. All bills or notes so issued, are payable 
 on demand, except such as are for the p .yment of a sum not 
 less thnn one hundred dollars, which ms\ be made payable to 
 order, at any time not exceeding sixty days from date. 
 
212 
 
 Half-yearly dividends of the profits may be made. And 
 once in three years the Directors must lay before the Stock 
 holders an exact and particular statement of the situation of 
 the Bank. 
 
 The Directors of the Bank are authorised to es 
 tablish Offices of Discount and Deposite whereso 
 ever they shall think fit, within the United States, or 
 the Territories thereof. Or, instead of establishing 
 such offices, it is lawful for the Directors to employ 
 any other Bank or Banks, to be first approved by 
 the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, 
 to transact business other than discounting. Not 
 more than thirteen, nor less than seven Directors of 
 every Office of Discount and Deposite, shall be an 
 nually appointed by the Directors of the Bank, to 
 serve for one year : each shall be a citizen of the 
 United States, and a resident of the State or Terri 
 tory where the Office is established : not more than 
 three-fourths of those in office, shall be appointed 
 for the next succeeding year ; and no Director can 
 hold his office more than three years out of four in 
 succession ; but the President may be always re- 
 appoirited. 
 
 The Secretary of the Treasury of the United 
 States, must be furnished, as often as he may require, 
 not exceeding once a wcek r with, full statements of 
 the concerns of the Bank, and he has a right to exa 
 mine such of the books of the Bank as relate to said 
 statement. 
 
 No Stockholder, unless he be a citizen of the 
 United States, has a vote in the choice of Directors,, 
 
 No note can be issued of less amount than five 
 dollars. 
 
 If the Bank, or any person on its account, shall 
 deal or trade, in any respect contrary to its charter, 
 every person concerned as agent or party therein, 
 
213 
 
 shall forfeit treble the value of the goods, <fcc. ia 
 which such dealing shall have been ; one half there 
 of to the informer, the other to the United States ; to 
 be recovered in any action of law, with costs of suit. 
 The bills or notes of the Bank, are receivable in 
 all payments to the United States, until otherwise 
 directed by act of Congress. 
 
 The Banks must, whenever required by the Secretary of 
 the Treasury, give the necessary facilities for transferring- the 
 public funds from place to place, within the United States, for 
 the payment of public creditors, without charging commis 
 sions ; and also perform the duties of Commissioners of Loans. 
 
 The deposites of moneys of the United States, in places in 
 which the Bank or its branches are established, must be made 
 in the Bank or its branches, unless the Secretary of the 
 Treasury shall otherwise direct; in .which case he must im 
 mediately lay before Congress, if in session, and if not, imme 
 diately after the commencement of the next session, the rea 
 sons of such direction. 
 
 The Bank is prohibited from suspending pay 
 ments in specie. In case of suspension, the holder 
 of any bill, &c. can recover the amount thereof, and 
 until it is paid, is entitled to interest at the rate of 
 twelve per centum per annum. 
 
 Forging, counterfeiting, &c. the Notes, &c. of the Bank, is 
 felony, and punishable by imprisonment and hard labor, or im 
 prisonment and fine. 
 
 If any person shall engrave, or have in his possession, any 
 metallic plate, similar to the plates from which the notes, &c. 
 of the Bank are printed, or shall cause or suffer the same to 
 be used, &c. shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to imprison 
 ment at hard labor not exceeding five years, or imprisoned not 
 exceeding five years, and fined in a sum not exceeding one 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 No other Bank shall be chartered by Congress 
 
 during the continuance of the charter of the Bank 
 
 of the United States, except within the District of 
 
 Columbia. And the Corporation of the Bank shall 
 
 30* 
 
214 
 
 exist for two years after the expiration of its charter, 
 for the close of its concerns. 
 
 Committees of either House of Congress have 
 power to inspect the books of the Bank, and to ex 
 amine into its proceedings, &c. and whenever there 
 is reason to believe the charter has been violated, a 
 scire facias may be sued out of the Circuit Court for 
 the District of Pennsylvania, in the name of the 
 United States, and the Bank compelled to show 
 cause why the charter should not be declared for 
 feited 5 and it i lawful for the said Court to examine 
 into the truth of .he alleged violation, and if such 
 violation be made appear, then to pronounce the 
 charter forfeited. The final Judgment of the Court 
 aforesaid is examinable in the Supreme Court of the 
 United Slates,- Force s National Calendar, 1823. 
 
 (116.) Piracies in the We^t Indies. 
 
 The American commerce had for several years 
 suffered severely, in consequence of the depreda 
 tions committed by pirates. The West Indian Seas 
 were infested with these marauders, and transactions 
 of the most flagrant and outrageous character had 
 become frequent. Great quantities of property 
 were, seized by them, and their captives were often 
 murdered in the most inhuman manner. They re 
 spected no law, and the flag of no nation. An event 
 occurred in 1822, which excited general attention, 
 and showed that the evil had become so alarming as 
 to call loudly for the strong arm of Government to, 
 interpose for the protection of its citizens. The Al 
 ligator, United States schooner, was about entering 
 the harbor of Ma tan zas, when information was re 
 ceived- that two American vessels, which the pirates 
 
bad just captured, were lying a short distance 
 that place. The Alligator was immediately ordered 
 to their relief. An engagement with the pirates en 
 sued, in which the Americans were victorious. 
 They recaptured five American vessels which were 
 in possession of the pirates, and took one piratical 
 schooner. But Allen, the brave commander of the 
 Alligator, was wounded in the engagement, and died 
 in a few hours. His death excited much feeling 
 throughout the United States. 
 
 The pirates made the island of Cuba their general 
 rendezvous, and they carried their depredations to 
 such an extent, that it was extremely dangerous for 
 vessels to enter or leave the port of Havana. Con 
 gress at length passed a law appropriating a sum of 
 money to fit out an expedition for the suppression 
 of piracy. Commodore Porter, to whom was given 
 the command of this expedition, sailed for the West 
 Indies, and after touching at Porto Rico, arrived at 
 Matanzas with a squadron consisting of a steam- 
 frigate, eight schooners., and five barges. No cap 
 tures were made by this squadron, as the pirates had 
 obtained knowledge of their movements ; but the, 
 object of their going out was accomplished in the 
 protection afforded to commerce. The American 
 squadron remained near the islands, and afforded 
 convoys to merchant vessels ; and in consequence 
 of this protection of the sea, the pirates were com* 
 pelled to remain upon the islands, where they com 
 mitted depredations upon the inhabitants. But one 
 vessel was taken from the Americans during this 
 time, and that was recaptured by Commodore 
 Porter WMarfs Hist. U. 
 
216 
 
 (117.) Western Antiquities. 
 
 The numerous remains of ancient fortifications, 
 mounds, &c. found in the Western States, are the 
 admiration of the curious, and a matter of much 
 speculation. 
 
 They are mostly of an oblong form, situated on 
 well chosen ground, and near the water. 
 
 One of the fortifications or towns at Marietta, 
 (Ohio,) contains forty acres, accompanied by a wall 
 of earth from six to ten feet high. On each side are 
 three openings at equal distances, resembling gate 
 ways. The works are undoubtedly very ancient, 
 as there does not appear to be any difference in the 
 age or size of the timber growing on or within the 
 walls, and that which grows without; and the In 
 dians have lost all tradition respecting them. Dr. 
 Cutler, who accurately examined the trees on the 
 works at Marietta, thinks from appearances, that 
 they are on the second growth, and that the works 
 must have been built upwards of 1000 years. 
 
 At a convenient distance from these works al 
 ways stands a mound of earth, thrown up in the form 
 of a pyramid. Upon examination some of these 
 mounds are found to contain an immense number of 
 human skeletons. 
 
 The ancient works on the western branches of 
 the Muskingum river, extend nearly two miles, the 
 ramparts of which are now in some places more 
 than eighteen feet in perpendicular height. There 
 must have been a dense population to have erected 
 such works as these, and a people more devoted to 
 labor, than the present race of Indians. 
 
 The most probable conjecture respecting these 
 people is, that they were of Tartar origin, and 
 came across to this continent near Beering s Straits*, 
 
217 
 
 knd going southward, folio wed the course of the 
 great rivers finding the soil fruitful on the Ohio and 
 Mississippi, resided there for a while, till at length fol 
 lowing each other they established themselves in the 
 warm and fertile vales of Mexico. 
 
 (118.) Erie Canal. 
 
 This Grand Canal, the longest in the world, (if we 
 except the Imperial Canal of China,) was commen 
 ced July 4th, 1817, and completed Oct. 26th, 18-5, 
 at the expense of about eight millions- of dollars. 
 
 This Canal extends from Albany on the Hudson, 
 to Buffalo on Lake Erie, a distance of 350 miles. 
 From the Lake to the River there is generally a de 
 scent, though in some places there is an ascent : so 
 that the aggregate of rise and fall is 662 feet, and 
 the difference of level between the Lake arid River 
 is 564 feet. 
 
 The Canal is 40 feet wide on the surface, 28 at the 
 bottom, and 4 feet deep. It contains 80 locks, with 
 several considerable embankments and aqueducts. 
 I; is the property of the State of New York, and 
 will probably afford a large revenue for public pur 
 poses. 
 
 When the Canal was completed, October 26, a 
 Canal Boat from Lake Erie entered the Canal, 
 which event was announced by the tip rig <>i cannon 
 placed at suitable distances, from Lake Erie to the 
 city of New York, and from thence back again to 
 Lake Erie, 
 
 On the 5th of November, when the Canal Boat ar 
 rived at the city of New York, the day was celebra 
 ted by splendid processions, military parades, c, 
 fcc. 
 
218 
 
 In the aquatic procession, which accompanied 
 the Canal boat from New- York to Sandy Hook, 
 were 22 Steamboats and Barges. When they ar 
 rived at the Hook, Governor Clinton went through 
 the ceremony of uniting the waters, by pouring that 
 of Lake Erie into the Atlantic. 
 
 (119.) Gen. La . Fayetttfs Visit. 
 
 Gilbert Mottie La Fayette, the Marquis de La 
 Fayette, America s early and tried friend, was born 
 on the 6th of September, 1767, in the province of 
 Auverne, now the department of Haute Loire, in 
 France, about 400 miles from Paris. 
 
 He sprang from the ancient and illustrious family 
 of Mottle, which, for several centuries past, has add 
 ed the name of La Fayette. In 1774, at the age of 
 seventeen, he was married to the Countess Anastasie 
 de Noailles, daughter of the Duke de Noailles. The 
 fortune of this lady, added to his own, increased his 
 income to about 40,000 dollars annually ; an im 
 mense revenue at that period. 
 
 The contest between Great Britain and her North 
 American Colonies, was a subject of much interest 
 to the nations of Europe, especially to the French 
 people. The Marquis La Fayette, fired with enthu 
 siastic ardor in the cause of Liberty, tore himself 
 from an affectionate family and the honors of the 
 Court, and notwithstanding the prohibition of the 
 French Court, embarked for A r erica in January, 
 1777, and entered the American army as a volun 
 teer, without compensation. The American Con 
 gress, struck with his magnanimity, gave him the 
 commission of a Major General in the army of the 
 IJnited States. 
 
219 
 
 His gallant conduct at the battle of Brandywine, 
 (where he was wounded,) and at many other places 
 till the close of the war, proved him worthy of the 
 confidence placed in him. 
 
 La Fayptte likewise gave large sums for the pur 
 pose of clothing arid arming the American troops. 
 
 After the close of the revolutionary war, La Fay- 
 ette returned to France, where he was appointed 
 commander of the French armies. During the furi 
 ous and bloody storm of the French Revolution, he 
 was obliged to flee, and surrender himself to the Aus- 
 trians, who imprisoned him in the castle of Qlmutz* 
 
 Having suffered a rigorous imprisonment for five 
 years, he was through the influence of Buonaparte 
 (afterwards Emperor of France) released on the 
 25th of August, 1797. 
 
 After an absence of forty years, General La 
 Fayette determi-ned once more to visit the country 
 of his adoption. Congress hearing of his determi 
 nation, offered a public ship for the conveyance of 
 the " NATION S GUEST," but he politely declined 
 their offer, and chose a private conveyance. He, 
 accordingly, with his son, George Washington La 
 Fayette, embarked at Havre, on board the ship 
 Cadmus, and arrived at New- York, Aug. 16, 1824. 
 
 He was received with enthusiastic demonstrations 
 of joy, by all classes of the American people. From 
 New-York he proceeded by land to Boston, passing 
 through New-Haven, and Providence. From Bos 
 ton he proceeded to Portsmouth, N. H. from whence 
 he returned to Boston, and New-York, passing 
 through Worcester, Hartford, and Middletown. 
 From New- York he went up the Hudson, visiting 
 Albany and other places on the river. Returning to 
 New-York, he proceeded on to Philadelphia, Balti 
 more, and Washington. Here he was received by 
 
220 
 
 the House of Representatives and Senate of the Uni 
 ted States, who voted him two hundred thousand 
 dollars and a township of land, for the important ser 
 vices rendered by him during the Revolutionary war. 
 
 General La Fayette commenced his tour from 
 Washington, through the southern and western 
 States, and returned to Albany by the way of Buf 
 falo and the Grand Canal. From Albany he pro 
 ceeded through Springfield, to Boston, where he ar 
 rived on the 16th of June, and was received by the 
 Legislature of Massachusetts, then in session. On 
 the 17th he was present at the ceremony of laying 
 the foundation stone of the Bunker Hill Monument. 
 He then visited the States of New-Hampshire, Maine, 
 and Vermont, and returned to New- York to partici 
 pate in the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of 
 American Independence. 
 
 He took his final leave of New-York, July 14th, 
 visited the Ex-Presidents in Virginia, and soon after 
 embarked for France, on board the frigate Brandy- 
 iciwe, followed with the grateful benedictions of th^ 
 American people. 
 
Ohio 
 
 Westeni Antiquities 
 
 JTcw-Tbrk 
 
 119 
 
 . Z*i Rtycttes Visit 
 
A 
 CHRONOLOGICAL, TABLE, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 DISCOVERIES, SETTLEMENTS, WARS, AND RE* 
 MARKABLE EVENTS, 
 
 IN THE 
 
 UNITED STATES* 
 
 DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 1492 America first discovered by Columbus. 
 
 1497 North America first discovered by Sebastian Cabot, a 
 Venetian, in the service of England. 
 
 1512 John Ponce de Leon discovered and named Florida, 
 from its being discovered on Easter day, or feast of 
 flowers. 
 
 1528 P. de Narvaez, with 400 men, lands in Florida, and at 
 tempts the conquest of the country. He is defeated 
 by the natives. 
 
 1535 Cartier, a Frenchman, first attempts a settlement in 
 Canada. > "^ 
 
 1539 Ferdinand de Soto, a Spaniard, landed in Florida, with 
 1200 men, in search of gold. He penetrated into the 
 country, and discovered the Mississippi. 
 
 1562 Ribault, with a colony of French Protestants, began a 
 settlement on the Edisto. It was abandoned. 
 
 1584 Sir Walter Raleigh obtains a patent for making dis 
 coveries. 
 
 Amadas and Barlow, by order of Raleigh, landed on 
 Woconon and Roanoke. On their return, Queen 
 Elizabeth named the country Virginia. 
 
 -1585 Sir R. Grenville sent with 7 vessels to settle Virginia. 
 A colony left at Roanoke, under Gov. Lane. The 
 colony returned to England fr^ next year. 
 1 
 
ji CHRONOLOGIC AT. TABLE* 
 
 1586 Grenville left a second colony at Roanoke, which was 
 
 destroyed by the natives. 
 
 1587 A third colony, under Gov. White, left at Roanoke. 
 
 Gov. White returned to England for supplies. He 
 came back in 1590, but not finding- the men he had 
 left, he returned to England. 
 
 1602 Bartholomew Gosnold sailed to America, named Cape 
 Cod, discovered Martha s Vineyard, and the adjacent 
 Islands, built a fort and store-house, but returned to 
 England the same year. 
 
 1607 Capt. Newport arrived in Virginia, and began the first 
 
 permanent British settlement in North America, at 
 Jamestown, in Virginia. 
 
 1608 Capt. Smith first explored the Chesapeake. 
 
 Canada settled by the French, Quebec founded July 3d . 
 
 1610 Capt. Henry Hudson, an Englishman, in the service of 
 
 the" Dutch, discovers the Manhattan, now Hudson 
 river. 
 
 1611 Champlain, a Frenchman, discovered the lake which 
 
 now bears his name. 
 
 1614 Capt. Smith made a fishing voyage to the northern part 
 of America. Made a chart of the coast, which he 
 presented to Prince Charles, who named the country 
 New England. 
 
 Settlements commenced by the Dutch, at Manhattan, 
 now New- York, at Albany, and in New-Jersey. 
 
 1619 Capt. Dermer, the first Englishman who sailed through 
 
 Long-Island Sound. 
 
 1620 Plymouth settlers arrived at Plymouth, Dec. 22. 
 16.23 First settlement of New-Hampshire, at Dover, and at 
 
 Little Harbor. 
 
 1627 Delaware and Pennsylvania settled by the Swedes and 
 Fins. 
 
 1629 Salem settled by Gov. Endicott, 
 
 1630 Charlestown, Boston, Watertown, and Dorchester, set 
 
 tled by Gov. VVintJirop and others. 
 T633 Maryland settled by Lord Baltimore and a colony of 
 
 Roman Catholics. 
 The Dutch erect a fort on Connecticut river, in the 
 
 present town of Hartford. 
 The Plymouth people erect a trading house in the 
 
 present town of Windsor, Con. 
 ^634 Wethersfield, Cen. settled by people from Dorchester^ 
 
.CHRONOLOGICAL. TABLE. Jit- 
 
 1-635 Windsor settled by people from Dorchester. 
 
 Saybrook fort built by J. Winthrop s men. 
 1636 Hartford settled by Mr. Hooker and his congregation. 
 
 Providence, K. I. settled and named by Roger Williams. 
 
 1638 New-Haven settled by Messrs. Davenport, Eaton, and 
 
 others. 
 Exeter, New-Hampshire, founded. 
 
 1639 Newport, Rhode-Island, settled. 
 
 Milford, Guilford, Stratford, and Saybrook, io Con. 
 settled. 
 
 J640 Southampton, on Long-Island, settled by people from 
 Lynn, Mass. 
 
 1642 T. May hew and others settle Martha s Vineyard. 
 
 1648 New-London, Con. settled. 
 
 1654 Col. Wood, of Virginia, sent a company of men to ex 
 plore the country of the Ohio. 
 
 1658 Northampton and Hadley, Mass, settled by people from 
 Connecticut. 
 
 1663 Carolina planted. 
 
 1664 Elizabeth town, New-Jersey, settled. 
 
 1665 Sir J. Yeamans settled 01 the southern banks of Cape 
 
 Fear river, with a colony from Barbadoes. 
 1677 Burlington, N. J. settled by a number of families from 
 
 Yorkshire, Eng. 
 1680 Charleston, South-Carolina, settled. 
 
 1682 Pennsylvania settled by William Penn and others, 
 
 Philadelphia founded. 
 
 1683 Germantown, Pa. settled by a number of Quakers from 
 
 Germany. 
 1682 M. de la Salle descended the Mississippi to its mouth, 
 
 took possession of the country in the name of Louis 
 
 14th, the French King, and named the country 
 
 Louisiana. 
 
 1692 A fort built at Pemaquid by Sir William Phips. 
 1702 The French send colonies into Louisiana. 
 1710 2700 Palatines, from Germany, arrived and settled i 
 
 New- York and Pennsylvania. 
 1717 New-Orleans founded by the French. 
 
 1 722 Gov. Burnet, of N. Y. erects a trading house at OswegoV 
 
 1723 First settlement in Vermont. 
 
 1*24 Trenton, N. J. founded by William Trent. 
 1731 Fort at Crown Point built by the French. 
 1733 Georgia settled by Mr. Oglethorpe and others .:- 
 A eolonv of Swiss came to Carolina; 
 
|V CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 
 
 1740 Tennessee explored by Col. Wood, Patton, Dr. Walker 
 
 and others. 
 
 1741 The Moravians, or United Brethren, began the settler 
 
 mcnt of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 
 1749 Halifax, Nova Scotia, settled by the British. 
 1756 Fort Loudon, on the Tennessee river, built. 
 
 1764 A large body of German settlers arrive in Carolina. 
 
 1765 The settlement of Tennessee commenced. 
 
 1771 Nootka Sound, the north-west coast of America, disco 
 vered by Capt. Cook. 
 
 1773 Kentucky settled by Col. Boon and others. 
 
 V774 Connecticut formed a township on the Susquehanna, 
 40 miles square, called Westmoreland, and annexed 
 it to the county of Litchfield. 
 
 3787 8 Twenty thousand settlers, men, women, and chil 
 dren, passed the Muskingum river in Ohio. 
 1804Capt. Lewis and Clarke explored the Missouri to its 
 source, crossed the Rocky mountains, arrived at the 
 Pacific Ocean in November, 1805, returned to the 
 United States in 1806. 
 
 1312 First house in Eochestcr, N. Y. built. 
 
 EVENTS, &c 
 
 1614 The Dutch built a fort at Manhattan, (near New-York.) 
 1622 The Indians massacred 349 of the Virginia colonists, 
 
 March 22. 
 
 Narragansett Indians threaten war. 
 3623 Massasoit discloses an Indian conspiracy. 
 
 1634 The Indians in Connecticut began hostilities. 
 
 1635 Fort built at Saybrook, Con. 
 
 1637 War with the Pequots in Connecticut ; their fort takep 
 
 by surprise and destroyed, May 26. 
 
 1638 Uncaa*. sachem of the Mohegans, makes a treaty with 
 
 the English. 
 
 1642 The Dutch Fort at Hartford, seized by the inhabit 
 
 ants of Connecticut. 
 Indian war in Maryland. 
 
 1643 War between the Mohegans and Narragausetts. 
 
 1645 Action between a New England ship, and an Irish 
 
 man of war. 
 
 1646 Battle fought between the Dutch and Indians, near the 
 
 confines of Connecticut ; great numbers slain on 
 both sides. 
 
CHRONOLOGICAL 
 
 1651 Dutch trading house on the Delaware taken by the 
 Swedes. 
 
 1654 The Jroquois Indians exterminate the Erics. 
 
 The Dutch extirpate the Swedes from the Delaware. 
 
 1664 .New ,York and Albany taken from the Dutch. 
 
 jf,^i. War between the N. England Indians and the Mohawks 
 
 l<67a> New York arid New Netherlands taken by the Dutch 
 they were restored to the English, the next year. 
 
 3675 King Philip s War commenced; action at Swanzey, 
 June; Brookfield burnt , Deerfield burnt, Sept. 1; 
 Hadicy assaulted ; Springfield burnt ; Capt. Lathrop, 
 with 80 men, surprised by the Indians almost eve 
 ry man slain, September 18. 
 
 Cov. Winslow, with 1000 men, attacked the Narnsgan- 
 setts, (the allies of Philip,) in their fort : the fort de 
 stroyed, and their country ravaged, December. 
 
 1676 Lancaster burnt ; Capt. Pierce and his company, slain; 
 Capt. Wadsworth, and about 50 of his men killed ; 
 Fall fight the Indians surprised in the night, they 
 lost 300 men, women, and children, May 18; Hat* 
 field and Hadley attacked. 
 
 King Philip killed, August 12 which ends the war. 
 Bacon s Insurrection in Virginia; Jamestown burnt. 
 
 ^677 Insurrection in Carolina; the insurgents exercised au~ 
 thority for two years in that colony. 
 
 1678 Fort built at Pemaquid ; treaty at Oasco with the In 
 dians. 
 
 1636 Port Royal, Carolina, broken up by the Spaniards from 
 St. Augustine. 
 
 1687 The French, under Denonville, make war upon the 
 Seneca Indians. 
 
 1.688 Qov. A ndros 5 expedition against the eastern Indians. 
 
 1690 A body of French and Indians, from Montreal, burn 
 
 Schenectady, and massacre the inhabitants, Feb. 8.. 
 Salmon Falls surprised by the French and Indians. 
 Casco fort destroyed ; fort at Pemaquid taken. 
 Port Royal taken by Sir, William Phips he make* 
 
 an expedition against Quebec, but is unsuccessful. 
 
 1691 Major Schuyler, with a party of Mohawks, attacks the 
 
 French settlements on Lake Champlain. 
 
 1 692 The French and Indians attack York and Wells. 
 
 1693 Count Frontenac, Governor of Canada, makes an ex 
 
 pedition against the Mohawks. 
 
 1694 Gor. Fletcher makes a treaty with the Five Nations 
 
Vi CHRONOLOGICAL TABLti 
 
 1696 The French destroy the fort at Pemaquid and lay- 
 waste Nova Scotia. 
 1700 Carolina infested with Pirates. 
 
 1702 Gov. Moore s expedition against the Spaniards, at &t. 
 
 Augustine it proves abortive. 
 
 1703 Gov. Moore subdues the Apalachian Indians. 
 
 1704 Deerfield burnt and most of the inhabitants carried 
 
 captive by the French and Indians, Feb 28. 
 
 1705 The French ravage Newfoundland. 
 
 1706 The Spaniards and French invade Carolina they are 
 
 defeated. 
 
 1707 The New England troops make an unsuccessful expe 
 
 dition against Port Royal. 
 
 1708 Haverhill surprised by the French and Indians. 
 
 1710 Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, taken by General Nichol 
 
 son, Oct 2. 
 
 17 1 1 Expedition against Quebec failed by the loss of trans 
 
 ports in the St. Lawrence, August. 
 
 1712 War with the Tuscaroras in North Carolina they 
 
 are defeated. 
 
 1715 A general conspiracy against the Carolinians, by the 
 Yamasees, Cherokees, and other tribes Governor 
 Craven attacks and defeats them in their camp. 
 
 1719 Pensacola taken by the French from the Spaniards, 
 
 1724 War with the eastern Indians. 
 
 1730 The Natchez Indians extirpated by the French. 
 
 1736 The Chickasaw Indians defeat the French. 
 
 1740 General Oglethorp, with 2,000 men, makes an unsuc 
 
 cessful expedition against St. Augustine. 
 
 1741 Expedition against Cuba. 
 
 1742 Spanish expedition against Georgia failed. 
 
 1745 Louisburg and Cape Breton taken by the New Eng 
 
 land troops, aided by a British squadron, June 17. 
 
 1746 French expedition under Duke D Anville, which 
 
 threatened New England, failed, by means of storms, 
 sickness in the fleet, &c. 
 
 1747 Saratoga village destroyed, the inhabitants massacred 
 
 by the French and Indians. 
 
 1753 The French erect forts on the back of the colonies. 
 
 1754 Colonel Washington with 400 men, in fort Necessity 
 
 surrendered to the French, July 4. 
 
 1755 Expedition against Nova Scotia ; the French are sub 
 
 dued, the inhabitants brought away and dispersed 
 among the colonies. 
 
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE, 1fitf 
 
 1755 General Braddock defeated by the French and In 
 
 dians, July 9. 
 
 Battle of Lake George ; the French under baron Di- 
 eskau defeated, Dicskau mortally wounded, Sept 8, 
 
 1756 Oswego taken by the French under Rlontcalm. 
 
 1757 Fort William Henry capitulated to the French, many 
 
 of the garrison massacred by the Indians. 
 
 1758 Louisburg taken by the British, July. 
 
 General Abercrombie defeated at Ticonderoga with 
 
 great loss ; Lord Howe killed, July. 
 Fort Frontenac taken from the French by Colonel 
 
 Bradstreet. 
 Fort du Quesne abandoned by the French, taken by 
 
 the English, and named Pittsburg, Nov. 25. 
 
 1759 Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken by Gen. Amherst 
 
 Niagara taken by the English, Gen. Prideaux killed 
 
 The English repulsed at iMontmorency near Quebec. 
 
 Battle of Quebec* Gen. Wolfe, the English command 
 er, and Montcalm, the French commander, killed ; 
 the French defeated and Quebec taken, September. 
 J7GO M. de Levi attempts to recover Quebec, he is com 
 pelled to re tire. 
 
 Montreal capitulated to the English, September, and 
 Canada is subdued. 
 
 The Cherokees take fort Loudon and treacherously 
 massacre the garrison. 
 
 1761 The Cherokees defeated by Col. Grant and compelled 
 
 to make peace. 
 
 1762 Havana taken by the British and provincials. 
 
 1763 Treaty of peace signed at Paris between Great Brit 
 
 ain and Franco; ( anada, Nova Scotia, and Cape 
 Breton, confirmed to the British king. 
 1768 Two British regiments stationed at Boston, Sept. 
 1770 Massacre in Boston ; the British troops fired upon the 
 inhabitants^ and killed three and wounded five, 
 March 5. 
 
 1773 Tea thrown overboard at Boston, December 16. 
 1775 JUattle at Lexington, which began the revolutionary 
 
 war, April 19. 
 
 Ticonderoga taken by Col. Allen, May 10. 
 George Washington appointed commander in chief of 
 the American army, June 15, took command of the 
 troops investing Boston, July 2. 
 Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, with a rein-; 
 
Viit CHRONOLOGICAL TABLEt 
 
 forcement from England arrived at Boston, May 25. 
 liattle of Hunker Hill, June 17. 
 General Montgomery penetrated into Canada, took 
 
 fort Chamblee, St. John s, and Montreal, Nov. 
 Colonel Ethan Allen captured near Montreal and sent 
 
 in irons to England. 
 Colonel Arnold, with 3,000 men, penetrates through 
 
 the wilderness to Canada. 
 Assault upon Quebec ; General Montgomery killed, 
 
 and the Americans defeated, December 31. 
 1776 Norfolk, Va. burnt by the British, January 1. 
 Boston evacuated by the British, March 17. 
 Loyalists defeated in North Carolina by general 
 
 Moore, Febuary 27. 
 
 Blockade of Quebec raised by the Americans, May 5. 
 A body of Americans at the Cedars surrendered, May. 
 The Americans evacuate Canada, June 18. 
 The British defeated in their attack on Sullivan s Isl 
 and, July 28. 
 General Howe and Admiral Lord Howe, with 24,000 
 
 men arrive at Sandy Hook, June. 
 Declaration of Independence, July 4. 
 Battle on Long Island, August 27. 
 American army withdrawn from Long Island, Aug. 30. 
 Captain Nathan Hale, of Con. executed as a spy. 
 New York evacuated by the Americans, taken posses 
 sion of by the British, September 15. 
 General Arnold defeated on Lake Champlain, Oct. 12. 
 Battle at the White Plains, October 28. 
 Fort Washington taken with about 2,000 prisoners, 
 
 November 16. 
 
 Fort Lee evacuated, November 18. 
 Americans attack fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia, but 
 
 are repulsed, November 20. 
 American army retreated through New Jersey, and 
 
 crossed the Delaware, pursued by the British, No 
 vember and December. 
 
 The British take possession of Rhode Island, Dec. 8. 
 Congress adjourn to Baltimore, December 12. 
 General Lee surprised and taken prisoner, Dec. 13. 
 Battle of Trenton, 1000 Hessians taken, Dec. 26. 
 1777 Battle at Princeton, General Mercer killed, Jan. 3. 
 Washington retires to Morristown. 
 More than 20,000 stands of arms and 1.000 barrels <jf 
 
 nowder arrive from France, 
 
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. IX. 
 
 Danbury Con. burnt, General Wooster killed, April 28 
 Colonel Meigs crosses over to Long Island from Con. 
 and captures 90 of the British, without the loss of a 
 man, May 23. 
 
 General Prescott surprised and taken prisoner by Co 
 lonel Barton, of Rhode Island. 
 Battle of Brandywine, General Lafayette wounded* 
 
 September 11. 
 General Wayne surprised and defeated with the loss 
 
 of about 300 men, ^-eptember 28. 
 The British takep ossession of Philadelphia, September 
 
 27. 
 
 Ticonderoga evacuated by the Americans, July 6. 
 Battle at Bennington, August. 
 Battle of German town, October 4. 
 Burgoyne encamps at Saratoga, September 14. 
 General Burgoyne surrendered to General Gates, Octo 
 ber 17. 
 Assault on Red Bank ; British defeated ; Count Donop 
 
 killed. 
 
 Treaty of Alliance, with France, signed, Feb 6. 
 The British evacuate Philadelphia, June 18. 
 Battle of Monmouth ; many soldiers died of the heat, 
 
 June 28. 
 
 Count D Estaing arrives with a French fleet off New 
 port, July. 
 
 Massacre at Wyoming, July. 
 Battle on Rhode Island, August 29 ; Americans re- 
 
 treat from Rhode Island, August 30. 
 Paul Jones Naval Battle, on the coast of Scotland, 
 
 Sept. 22. 
 Col. Bayton s regiment of Cavalry surprised by Gen, 
 
 Grey, Sept. 28. 
 Expedition of the Americans against East Florida* 
 
 failed. 
 Savannah taken by the British, under Col. Campbell, 
 
 Dec. 29. 
 
 The American Frigate Randolph, of 36 guns, and 300 
 
 men, blown up in an engagement; only 4 men saved. 
 
 Gen. Ash surprised and defeated by the British at 
 
 Brier Creek with the loss of 300 men, March 3. 
 Engagement at Stono Ferry ; Americans obliged to 
 
 retreat, June 20. 
 
 Unsuccessful assault on Savannah; Count Pulaski, a 
 3 
 
X CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE, 
 
 Polish officer in the service of the Americans, raor 
 
 tally wounded, October 9. 
 The British make incursions into Virginia ; property 
 
 to an immense amount destroyed. 
 The British plunder New Jersey, June. 
 Gov. Tryon invades and plunders New Haven, July 5 , 
 
 Fairfield and Nonvalk burnt. 
 Stony Point taken by Gen. Wayne, July 15. 
 The Americans made an unsuccessful attempt against 
 
 the British post at Penobscot. 
 Gen. Sullivan ravages the country of the Six Nations, 
 
 1780 Gen. Lincoln capitulated and Charleston, S. C. sur 
 
 rendered to Sir Henry Clinton, May 12. 
 
 Col. Buford defeated at the Wexbaws by the British 
 under Col. Tarleton ; the Americans lost about 300 
 men, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, May 29. 
 
 Col. Sumpter defeats a party of British at Williamson s 
 plantation, July 12 ; and a body of Tories at Hang 
 ing 1 Rock, August 6. 
 
 Gen. Rochambeau arrives at Newport, R. I. with a 
 French fleet and army, July 10. 
 
 Battle of Camden; the Americans under Gen. Gates 
 defeated August 16 ; Baron de Kalb, a German offi 
 cer, killed. 
 
 Gen. Sumpter surprised and defeated by Col. Tarleton^ 
 August 18. 
 
 Treason of Arnold ; Major Andre taken and execu 
 ted, October 2. 
 
 Action at Kings Mountain; the British and Tories, un 
 der Major Furguson, defeated with the loss of 150 
 killed, and 800 prisoners, October 7. 
 
 Incursion of the British Gen. Kniphausen, into New 
 Jersey ; action near Springfield, N J. June 23. 
 
 1781 Mutiny in the Pennsylvania line of troops, Jan. 1. 
 Gen. Greene takes command of the southern Ameri 
 can army. 
 
 Battle of the Cowpens; Gen. Morgan defeats Col. 
 
 Tarleton, January 17. 
 Battle of Guilford, N. C. between Gen Greene, and 
 
 Lord Cornwallis, March 15. 
 Gen. Marion takes fort Watson, April 23. 
 Fort Cornwallis, at Augusta, taken June 5. 
 Gen. Greene lays siege to Ninety Six, but is repulsed^ 
 
 Jane 18. 
 
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. XL 
 
 The combined armies under Gen. Washington, decamp 
 from the Hudson and inarch for Virginia, August 19. 
 
 "Vfew London, Con. burnt, fort Griswold stormed, and 
 the garrison put to the sword by Arnold, Septem 
 ber 8. 
 
 Battle of Eutaw Springs; Gen. Greene defeats the 
 British, with the loss of 1000 men, September 8. 
 
 Lord Cornwallis pursues the Marquis de La Fayette,. 
 in Virginia. 
 
 Count de Grasse, with a French fleet, and 3,200 troops,, 
 enters the Chesapeake, September. 
 
 Yorktown invested, and batteries opened against it, 
 October 9. 
 
 The British army under Lord Cornwallis, surrendered 
 at Yorktown, Va., to Gen Washington, October 19 ; 
 this event decided the Revolutionary war. 
 
 1782 The British evacuate Savannah, July. 
 
 Provisional articles of peace, signed, Independence of 
 the United States acknoivledg-ed, November 30. 
 
 1783 Definitive treaty signed, September 3. 
 The army disbanded, October 18. 
 
 Farewell address of Gen. Washington to the army, 
 
 November 2. 
 Gen. Washington resigned his commission, Dec. 23. 
 
 1790 Gen. Harmer defeated by the Indians in Ohio. 
 
 1791 Gen. St. Clair defeated by the Indians. 
 
 1794 Gen. Wayne gains a decisive victory over the Indians 
 
 on the Miami., August 20. 
 1797 Collisions with the French Republic. 
 1*798 Gen. Washington appointed to command the armies 
 
 of the United States, July 7. 
 
 1799 Capt. Truxton, in the Constellation, took the French 
 
 Frigate Insurgent, February 10. 
 
 1800 Treaty of Peace with France, September 30. 
 
 1803 War with Tripoli. 
 
 1804 Corn. Preble makes an ineffectual attack on Tripoli. 
 
 1805 Gen. Eaton, takes possession of Derne, a Tripolitan 
 
 city, and a peace with Tripoli soon after ensues. 
 
 ;1807 The American frigate Chesapeake fired into by the 
 British frigate Leopard, off the capes of Virginia, 4 
 men killed, and 16 wounded, June 22. 
 
 1809 Non-intercourse with Great Britain and France, estab 
 lished by Congress, March 1. 
 
 1811 Engagement between the American frigate President, 
 
3& CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 
 
 Capt. Rogers and the British sloop of war Little Be lfc 
 Capt. Binghafrn, May. 
 
 Battle of Tippacanoe between Gen. Harrison and the 
 
 Indians, November 7. 
 
 1012 Declaration of War by the United States, against 
 Great Britain, June 18. 
 
 Gen. Hull surrendered his army, and the fort of De 
 troit to the British, August 16. 
 
 U. S. frigate Constitution, Capt. Hull, captured the 
 British frigate Gurriere, Capt. Dacres, August 19. 
 
 400 men, women, and children, massacred at fort 
 Mimms, on the Alabama, by the Indians, August 30. 
 
 U. S. frigate United States, Com. Decatur, captured 
 the Macedonian. October 2S. 
 
 Battle of Queenstown, U. C.; Gen. Brock killed,Oct. 3. 
 
 U. S frigate Constitution, Com. Bainbridge, captured 
 
 the Java, December 29. 
 
 J813 Bloody action at the river Raisin, between Americans 
 under Gen. Winchester, and the British and Indians 
 under Gen. Proctor: Gen. Winchester killed, and 
 the American prisoners massacred by the Indians, 
 January 22. 
 
 U. S. sloop of war Hornet, Capt. Lawrence, captured 
 the British sloop of war Peacock, Capt. Peak, who 
 was killed. 
 
 York (Upper Canada) taken by the Americans ; Gen. 
 Pike killed, April 27. 
 
 U. S. frigate Chesapeake, Capt. Lawrence, captured 
 by the British frigate Shannon, Capt. Lawrence kil 
 led, June 1. 
 
 Gallant defence of fort Stephenson, by Major Croghan, 
 August 1. 
 
 The American fleet on Lake Erie, under Com. Perry, 
 capture the British fleet under Com. Barclay, Sep 
 tember 10. 
 
 Gen. Harrison defeats the British and Indians under 
 Gen. Proctor ; Tecurnseh killed* October 5. 
 
 Detroit fell into the hands of the Americans,. 
 
 War with the Creek Indians; March 26, 1814, 
 Gen. Jackson obtains a decisive victory over the 
 Creeks ; upwards of 500 warriors slain at the Great 
 Bend of the Tallapoosa. 
 
 1814 U. S frigate Essex. Capt. Porter, captured by a supe 
 rior force, March 28, 
 
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE? Xiii 
 
 Port Erie taken by the Americans, July. 
 
 Battle of Chippewa, July 6. 
 
 Battle of Niagara, July 25. 
 
 Washington captured and burnt by the British under 
 Gen, Ross, August 23. 
 
 Attack on Baltimore ; Gen. Ross killed, Sept. 12. 
 
 Unsuccessful attack by the British, under Gen. Drura- 
 mond, on fort Erie, August 14. 
 
 Castine taken by the British, September 1. 
 
 Com. Macdonough captures the British fleet on Lake 
 Champlain : retreat of Gen. Provost, from Platts- 
 burg, September 11. 
 
 1815 Memorable victory of Gen. Jackson over the British, 
 before New-Orleans, January 8. 
 
 Treaty of peace between the United States and Great 
 Britain, signed at Ghent, December 24, ratified by 
 the President and Senate, February 17, 1815. 
 
 Massacre of American prisoners at Dartmoor, Eng. 
 April 6. 
 
 War declared against Algiers ; Com. Decatur cap 
 tures the Algerine frigate Mazouda, June 17 ; ar 
 rives with a squadron before Algiers, and compels 
 the Dey to a treaty of Peace. 
 1818 War with the Seminole Indians. 
 1822 Com. Porter sent against the Pirates in the West In 
 dies, 
 
 REMARKABLE EVENTS. 
 
 J587 Virginia Dare, born -the first child of Christian pa 
 rents born in the United States. 
 
 1608 John Laydon, married to Ann Burras, the first Chris 
 tian marriage in Virginia, and in the United States. 
 
 1610 Starving time in Virginia, of nearly 500 colonists, all 
 perished but 60, in the course of six months. 
 
 1613 Rolfe, an Englishman, married Pocahontas, daughter 
 of Powhattan the Indian king. 
 
 1616 Tobacco first cultivated by the English settlers in 
 
 Virginia. 
 
 1617 Pocah.ntas di -d in England, aged about 22. 
 
 1618 A great pestilence destroyed most of the Indians 
 
 Narragansett to Penobscot 
 
ajT CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 
 
 1619 20,000 pounds of Tobacco, exported from Virginia to 
 
 England. 
 
 1620 African slaves first brought into Virginia by a Dutch 
 
 ship and sold to the colonists. 
 
 Peregrine White, the first English child born in New- 
 England. 
 
 1621 Edward Winslow and Susanna White, married, the 
 
 first Christian marriage in New England. 
 
 1623 George Sandys, of Virginia, translated Ovid s Meta 
 
 morphosis, the first, literary production of the En 
 glish colonists in America. 
 
 1624 The first cattle brought into New England by Edward 
 
 Winslow, agent for the Plymouth colony. 
 
 1630 Gov. Winthrop first abolished the custom of drinking 
 
 healths. 
 
 John Billington executed for murder, the first exe 
 cution in Plymouth colony. 
 
 1631 First vessel built in Massachusetts, called the Blessing 
 
 of Bay, launched July 4. 
 
 1632 Magistrates of the colony of Massachusetts, first cho 
 
 sen by the freemen in the colony. 
 
 The magistrates of Massachusetts, ordered that no to 
 bacco should be used publicly. 
 
 The General Court of Plymouth passed an act, that 
 whoever should refuse the office of Governor should 
 pay a fine of 20, unless he was chosen two years 
 sucessively. 
 
 1633 Virginia enacted laws for the suppression of religious 
 
 sectaries 
 
 Messrs. Cotton, Hooker, and Stone, three eminent 
 7 ministers, arrived at Boston, from England. 
 A specimen of Rye. first brought into the Court of 
 
 Massachusetts, as the first fruits of English grain. 
 
 1634 Roger Williams, minister of Salem, banished on ac 
 
 count of his religious tenets. 
 First merchant s shop in Boston opened. 
 
 1635 Great storm of wind and rain in New England; the 
 
 tide rose twenty feet perpendicularly, August 15. 
 
 1636 The Desire, a ship of 120 tons, built at Marblehead, 
 
 the first American ship that made a voyage to Eng 
 land. 
 The first court in Connecticut, held April 26. 
 
 1637 Ann Hutchinson holds lectures in Massachusetts for 
 
 the propagation of her peculiar religious sentiments, 
 stie gains many adherents, 
 
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. XV 
 
 A Synod convened at Newtown, Mass., the first Synod 
 holden in America; they condemn 82 erroneous 
 opinions, which had been propagated in New Eng 
 land. 
 1638 Great earthquake in New England, June 1. 
 
 Two tremendous storms in August and December ; the 
 tide rose 14 feet above the spring tides, at Narra- 
 gansett, and flowed twice in six hours. 
 
 Harvard College, Mass, founded ; it was named after 
 the Rev. John Harvard one of its principal bene 
 factors 
 
 The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, for 
 med at Boston. 
 
 Three Englishmen executed by the government of 
 
 Plymouth colony, for the murder of an Indian. 
 )639 First General Election in Hartford, Con.; John Haynes 
 first Governor. 
 
 First Baptist Church in America formed at Provi 
 dence, R. I. 
 
 Severe tempest and rain, Connecticut river rose 20 
 feet above the meadows, March. 
 
 First Printing in North America at Cambridge, Mass.,, 
 by Samuel Green ; the first thing printed was the 
 Freeman s oath. 
 
 House of Assembly established in Maryland. 
 
 1640 The General Court of Massachusetts prohibited the 
 
 use of Tobacco. 
 
 1641 Severe winter; Boston and Chesapeake bays frozen ; 
 
 Boston bay passable for carts, horses, &c. for five 
 weeks. 
 
 1642 The New England ministers invited to attend the As 
 
 sembly of Divines, at Westminster, Eng.; but they 
 declined. " 
 
 First commencement at Harvard College ; 9 candid 
 ates took the degree of A. B. 
 
 1643 Union of the colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, 
 
 Connecticut and New Haven, for mutual defence. 
 
 1646 Mr. Elliot commenced his labors among the Indians. 
 The Friends or Quakers first came to Massachusetts ; 
 
 laws passed against them; four executed in 1659. 
 
 1647 First influenza mentioned in the annals of America. 
 Legislature of Massachusetts passed an act against the 
 
 Jesuits. 
 First general assembly of Rhode Islantf. 
 
XVI CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE, 
 
 Rev. Thomas Hooker, the first minister in Connecti 
 cut, died, aged 61 years. 
 1648 Laws of Massachusetts first Diluted. 
 
 Margaret Jones of Charlestown, Mass, executed for 
 
 witchcraft. 
 "The (Cambridge Platform" and the "Westminster 
 
 Confession of Faith" received by most of the New 
 
 England churches. 
 The Congregational Church and its pastor ordered to 
 
 depart from Virginia by the Governor of that colony. 
 fr649 John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts, and the 
 
 Rev. Thomas Shepard, died. 
 The Governor of Massachusetts, with the assistants, 
 
 signed a declaration against men s wearing long 
 
 hair, as unscriptural. 
 
 1650 Indians of Martha s Vineyard Christianized. 
 Constitution of Maryland established. 
 
 1651 The Legislature of Massachusetts passed laws against 
 
 extravagance in dress. 
 
 1652 The Province of Maine taken under the pro 
 
 tection of Massachusetts. 
 
 The first mint for coining money inN. England, erected. 
 John Cotton, a celebrated minister in Boston, died, 
 
 aged 68. 
 
 1654 College at New Haven projected by Mr. Davenport 
 Gov. Haynes, of Connecticut, died. 
 
 1656 Miles Standish, the hero of New England, died. 
 
 1657 Disputes concerning Baptism in New England. 
 Gov. Eaton, of New Haven, died. 
 
 1658 Earthquake in New England. 
 
 1660 At this time the colonies of Virginia, New England, 
 
 and Maryland, are supposed to contain no more than 
 80,000 inhabitants. 
 Goffe and Whalley, the Regicides arrived in Boston. 
 
 1661 Society for propagating the gospel among the Indians 
 
 of New England Incorporated by Charles II. 
 1.662 Charter of Connecticut, granted by King Charles II. 
 The Legislature of Massachusetts appointed two licen- 
 
 cers of the press. 
 The Assembly of Maryland established a mint in that 
 
 colony. 
 
 1663 Great earthquake in Canada, and New England. 
 
 1664 Elliott s Indian Bible printer! at Cambridge* Mass., the 
 
 first Bible printed in America. 
 
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. If jj 
 
 
 
 A large Comet seen in New England. 
 
 $665 New-Haven and Connecticut united into one colony. 
 At this time the Militia of Mass consisted of 4,400 men. 
 The government of Rhode-Island passed an order to 
 
 outlaw Quakers, for refusing to bear arms. 
 1666 The Buccaaiers of America began their depredations 
 in the West Indies. 
 
 1672 Laws of Connecticut printed ; every family ordered to 
 
 have a law book. 
 
 1673 New England contained at this time about 120,000 in 
 
 habitants. 
 1675 Virginiacontainedat this time about 50,000 inhabitants. 
 
 1680 New-Hampshire separated from Massachusetts. The 
 
 first Assembly met at Portsmouth. 
 A great, Comet seen in New England; it occasioned 
 much alarm. 
 
 1681 Thomas May hew died at Martha s Vineyard, aged 93. 
 
 1682 William Penn held a treaty with the Indians. 
 
 1683 The Governor of Virginia ordered that no printing- 
 
 press should be used in that colony, " on any occasion 
 whatever." 
 2686 First Episcopal society formed in Boston. 
 
 1687 Charter of Con. hid from Andros, in a hollow oak, and 
 
 saved. 
 
 M. de la Salle, the discoverer of Louisiana, killed by 
 his own men, in a mutiny. 
 
 1688 New York and the Jersies added to the jurisdiction of 
 
 New England. 
 Andros appointed Captain General and Vice-Admirai 
 
 over the whole. 
 Opposition to Andros s administration in Mass. 
 
 1689 William & Mary proclaimed in the colonies. Andros 
 
 is seized and sent a prisoner to England. 
 Rev. J. Elliot, " apostle of the Indians," died, 
 
 1690 Bills of credit issued by the government of Mass. ; the 
 
 first ever issued in the tn^rican colonies. 
 The W/.ale Fishery, at ISantucket, commenced. 
 
 1691 The Assembly of Virginia obtain of the crown the 
 
 charter of William and Mary College, so named from 
 the English sovereigns. 
 
 1692 19 persons executed for witchcraft, in Massachusetts. 
 Edmund Andros, the tyrant of New England, made 
 
 Governor of Virginia. 
 
 Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies united. 
 4 
 
XViii CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 
 
 Sir William Phips arrived, as Governor of Mass, 
 the new charter. 
 
 1693 Episcopacy introduced into New-York. 
 
 1694 Legislature of Mass, caused the names of drunkards, in 
 
 the several towns, to be posted up in the public houses,, 
 and imposed a fine for giving them entertainment. 
 
 1695 Rice introduced into Carolina. 
 
 1696 Thirty Indian churches in New England, at this time. 
 
 1697 Severe winter ; the Delaware frozen. 
 
 1698 Seat of government in Virginia removed to Williams- 
 
 burgh, the streets of which were laid out in the form 
 of a W, in honor of the reigning King of Eng. William. 
 
 1699 Assembly of Maryland removed to Annapolis. 
 Yellow Fever in Philadelphia. 
 
 1700 Legislature of New- York made a law to hang every 
 
 Popish priest, who should come into the province. 
 262,000 inhabitants in the American colonies at the 
 beginning of this century. 
 
 1701 Yale College received its charter. 
 
 1702 First emission of paper currency in Carolina. 
 
 First Episcopal Churches in N. Jersey and R. Island. 
 
 1703 The Church of Eng. established by law in Carolina. 
 
 1704 First Newsjmpcr in America published in Bostdri, 
 
 called the Boston News Letter. 
 
 1706 The Legislature of Con. exempted the ministers of the 
 
 Gospel from taxation in that colony. 
 
 1707 Episcopal Church formed at Stratford ; the first formed 
 
 in Connecticut. 
 
 1708 Saybrook Platform formed by a Synod of ministers 
 
 under the authority of the State of Connecticut. 
 
 1709 First issuing of paper currency in N. Y., N. J., arid Con. 
 
 1717 Greatest snow ever known, February. 
 
 Yale College removed from Saybrook to New-Haven. 
 Bellamy, a pirate, wrecked with his fleet on Cape Cod. 
 
 1718 Piracy suppressed in the West Indies. 
 
 William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, died iu 
 England, aged 74. 
 
 1719 Carolina throws off the proprietary government. 
 First Presbyterian church in New-York founded. 
 Northern lights appeared in New England, Dec. llth. 
 Lotteries suppressed by the Legislature of Mass. 
 
 1721 First Inoculation for the Small Pox in America at 
 
 Boston. 
 Etfha Yale, the Benefactor of Yale College, died in Er^, 
 
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. XI* 
 
 1*723 Twenty-six pirates executed at Newport, R. I. 
 Paper currency in Pennsylvania, first issued. 
 
 1724 The sect of Dunkers took its rise in Pennsylvania. 
 
 1725 Synods abolished in New England. 
 
 First newspaper printed at N.York by William Bradford. 
 
 1727 Great Earthquake in New England, Oct 29. 
 
 1728 Drought and hurricane in Carolina ; Yellow Fever in 
 
 Charleston. 
 Rev.Cotton Mather, a distinguished writer, died, aged 6. 
 
 1731 Rev. Solomon Stoddard, a Theological writer, died. 
 
 1732 Corn and Tobacco made a legal tender, in Maryland. 
 
 Corn at 20 pence pr. bushel ; tobacco at 1 penny pr. Ib, 
 George. Washington born in Westmoreland County, 
 Virginia, Feb. 22d. 
 
 1733 First Masonic Lodge held in Boston. 
 
 1737 Earthquake in New- Jersey. 
 
 1738 College at Princeton, N. j. founded. 
 
 1740 George Whitefield, a celebrated preacher, first arrives 
 in America. He died inNewburyport, Mass.Sep.1770. 
 Hard winter ; severe cold. 
 
 1.741 Four white persons executed, 13 negroes burnt, 18 
 hanged, and great numbers transported, for a con 
 spiracy to burn the city of New- York. 
 
 1745 Indigo plant discovered in South- Carolina. 
 
 2746 First ordination among the Separate ministers in New 
 England. About 30 congregations of this order were 
 formed from 1740 to 1750. 
 
 749 Severe drought m New England ; causes great distress ; 
 some of the inhabitants sent to England for hay. 
 
 1750 Mass, enacts a law against theatrical entertainments. 
 
 1752 JVew Style introduced into Britain and America ; Sept. 
 
 2d reckoned !4th. 
 
 Charleston, S. C. laid under water by a tempest, Sept. 
 Dr. Franklin makes his Electrical experiments. 
 
 1754 Convention at Albany of delegates from seven of the 
 colonies, agree on a plan of union never carried 
 into effect. 
 
 755 Great Earthquake in North America, Nov. 18. 
 
 1758 Jonathan Edwards, a celebrated Theologian, died, 
 
 aged 55. 
 
 1759 Lotteries granted by the Legislature of Mass, for the 
 
 be iiefjtf of public works. 
 
 1761 Violent whirlwind near Charleston, S. C. 
 762 Severest Drought known in America. rw rain frn 
 
 May to September. 
 
XX CHRONOLOGIC &L TABLED 
 
 1764 Spanish Potatoe introduced into iNew England. 
 
 Medical Lectures first read in Philadelphia. 
 1769 Dartmouth College, N. Hampshire, receives its charter; 
 It was named from the Earl of Dartmouth, its bene 
 factor. 
 American Philosophical Society, at Philadelphia, 
 
 founded. 
 
 1771 R. Sandcman, founder of the SandemaniaBs, died, at 
 Danbury, Con. 
 
 1774 The Shakers first arrived from England ; they settle 
 
 near Albany. 
 First Congress, at Philadelphia. 
 
 1775 Peyton Randolph, first President of Congress, died a 
 
 aged 52. 
 
 The first line of Post Offices established ; Dr. Franklin 
 appointed Post Master. 
 
 1776 Declaration of Independence, July 4. 
 
 1777 Vermont declares herself an Independent State. 
 
 1780 American Academy of Arts and Sciences incorporated. 
 Dark day in the Northern States, 19th of May ; candles 
 
 necessary at noon. 
 
 1781 Massachusetts Medical Society incorporated. 
 
 1782 First English, Bible printed in America, by Robert 
 
 Aiken, of Philadelphia. 
 
 The America launched at Portsmouth, N. H. Nov. 5th> 
 the first 74 ever built in America. 
 
 1783 Slavery abolished in Massachusetts. 
 1783 4 Severe Winter, great floods in March. 
 
 1784 Empress of China, a ship of 360 tons, sailed from New- 
 
 York for Canton ; the first voyage from the United 
 States to China. 
 
 Anthony Benezet, a distinguished philanthropist, died. 
 
 The towns of Hartford, New-Haven, Middletown, New- 
 London, and Norwich, in Con. constituted cities by 
 the Legislature. 
 
 1785 First instance of Instrumental Music in the Congrega 
 
 tional Churches in Boston, 
 
 1786 Shay s Insurrection in Massachusetts. 
 Universalist Church founded in Boston. 
 
 178& Federal Constitution ratified.and became the Constitu 
 tion of the United States. 
 
 1789 George Washington inaugurated first P.zsident, April 
 
 30th. 
 
 Convention of Episcopal Clergy in Philadelphia; the 
 first Episcopal Convention in Aieria> 
 
MRONOLOGIAL TABLED X3fei 
 
 Dr. Carrol, of Maryland, consecrated Bishop of the 
 Roman Catholic Church ; the first Catholic Bishop in 
 the United States. 
 1790 Dr. Franklin died, aged 85. 
 
 1792 National Mint established at Philadelphia. 
 
 1793 Yellow Fever in Philadelphia, 4,000 persons died. 
 John Hancock, Henry Laurens, Arthur Lee, and 
 
 Roger Sherman, died this year. 
 
 1794 Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania. 
 Destructive frost in New England, May 24th. 
 
 1796 Detroit given up by the British to the United States. 
 
 1797 John Adams elected President. 
 
 1798 Yellow Fever in Philadelphia. 
 
 1799 Washington died, aged 68. 
 
 1800 Seat of government transferred from Philadelphia to 
 
 Washington. 
 
 The Inoculation of the Kine Pock introduced into 
 America by Professor Waterhouse, of Cambridge, 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 1801 Thomas Jefferson elected Presidentof the United States. 
 
 1802 Merino sheep introduced into the United States, by 
 
 Mr. Livingston and Gen. Humphreys. 
 
 1803 Louisiana purchased of the French Government, for 
 
 15 millions of dollars. 
 
 1804 Gen. Hamilton killed in a duel, by Col. Aaron Burr, 
 
 Vice President of the United Stales. 
 1807 First Steamboat built in this country. 
 
 Col. A. Burr arrested on charge of Treason. 
 
 Several Meteoric stones fell in the County of Fairfield, 
 
 (on one weighing 35 pounds, Dec, 4tU. 
 1809 James Madison elected President. 
 1811 Richmond Theatre burnt, Dec. 26 ; many persona lost 
 
 their lives. 
 1814 Meeting of the Hartford Convention, Dec. 15. 
 
 1816 American Bible Society formed, May 8th. 
 Colonization Society formed. 
 
 Cold Summer. Frost every month in the year, in the 
 
 Northern States. 
 Bank of the Unitt-.d States, with a capital of 35 millions 
 
 of dollars, incorporated in April. 
 
 1817 Grand Canal in the State of New- York commenced. 
 James M ;nroe elected President. 
 
 1820 First M nner s Chu -oh erected < t New-York,, 
 
 1821 Florida ceded to the United States. 
 
^HRONOLOGICAL 
 
 1824 Gen. La. Fayette arrived at New- York. 
 
 1825 John Quincj Adams elected President. 
 
 1 826 Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, two Ex-Presio emg 
 
 died Jnly 4th, on the fiftieth anniversary of American 
 Independence. 
 
 
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRAD 
 BERKELEY 
 
 Return to desk from which borrowed. 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped belo 
 
 
 APR 
 
 3 1956 u| 
 
 JUN4 1957 (| 
 
 REC D LD 
 
 FEB141961 
 
 
 REC D UO 
 DEC " 6 M 
 
 22Jan 59SBU 
 RZC D LD 
 
 JAN 8 1959 
 
 LD 21-100m-ll, 49(B7146sl6)476 
 
 NitRiiBRARYLOAN 
 FEB 1 2 Q86 
 IV- OF C4UF.. BERK. 
 
02722 
 
 M32S820